2007: Final year for HD DVD?
The battle between HD DVD and Blu-Ray hasn’t completely started yet and there are already first predictions saying the first format will be dead in no longer than one year. Tom’s Hardware reports the actual state of this battle from Cebit which is held right now in Hannover, Germany. If you had the choice between “the look and sound of perfect” or the maximum in “hi-def experience”, which one would you choose? Sounds similar, but could be very different with what you end up. In the first case, you would end up with HD DVD, whose supporters served salmon and sparkling water during its Cebit conference, and in the second case you would get Blu-ray and doughnuts with coffee.
HD DVD seems to have also an edge in the segment of slim PC drives, where the format is said to be outselling Blu-ray by a factor of 7:3. “HD DVD is better and the format is exploding worldwide,” Ribas noted. And there was some news about the format as well: Alpine, for example, is developing an HD DVD player for cars – not just to play videos put to play huge audio libraries from the disc as well. A separate demonstration of the HD DVD interactive layer provided first insight in what HD DVD menus will look like in the future: Users will be able to set bookmarks with a screen-capture feature and, of course, they will be able to download additional content, such as skins for menus, additional language files or movie trailers that will be stored in the HD DVD player’s memory.
Today’s HD DVD sales, according to the HD DVD promotion group, are doing well. Journalists were told that consumers are “buying titles at an astonishing rate,” with 40% of HD DVD player owners buying a new movie every week. I wonder how will this (probably not too realistic anyway) number change after first HD DVD releases. Despite their big size, there will be a huge demand for them very soon, and torrents will serve as a major way of sharing these. The future will tell us if it’s realistic, or we are going to enjoy only Blu-Ray in few years. I wouldn’t wonder if someone introduced a combo drive supporting both of these formats, as it happened with DVD+R and DVD-R…
Comments(27)
Personally it makes no difference to me which one wins, i’d rather they just got the “war” over with so people knew which one to buy rather than risking money now and ending up with something that dies in a year.
I wouldn’t mind if HD-DVD won as i feel sony screwed me over on the PSP, so their format failing wouldn’t be so bad in my eyes.
I’m sure i have read something about a combo drive and that would be cool but really there just needs to be one format.
HD-DVD will hopefully win, and the evidence does look good for it.
1)HD-DVD are cheaper to produce and don’t require new DVD manufacturing equipment, DVD equipment can be modified to do it. Blu-Ray requires new and expensive equipment.
2)Sony has a bad record for releasing formats and having them fail. Right now their public image is at it’s worst ever.
3)X-Box 360’s are more widespread than PS3’s, and outselling the PS3, thus more exposure (potentially) for HD-DVD over Blu-Ray.
4)Hollywood and the MPAA are more behind Blu-Ray more, and they are not very popular with the public.
5)The porn industry, which has decided previous format wars, is backing HD-DVD.
6)Blu-Ray drives released so far have not done well in reviews.
7)Combo drive’s are already in the works to support both formats, and so it’s likely both could survive.
8)HD-DVD has the better marketing name. We know what it is from it’s name, it’s the High Definition version of DVD’s. Blu-Ray sounds like some kids toy.
9)Much like the Betamax/VHS wars in the past, the superior technology does not always win. Sometimes it’s all about marketing and the public perception. Technophiles who point to Blu-Ray’s superiority forget that they are a very tiny minority in the mass consumer collective.
10)Sony sucks! Avoid supporting Sony in every way possible. Do not buy any of their products, any of their music releases, any of their movies releases. Avoid their products at all costs.
I’d just like to know where HD-DVD is in Australia right now.
There’s a fair bit of hype about BLU-RAY, but hardly anyone knows of HD-DVD
I myself bought the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player a couple of weeks back when it was launched in my country. Since then I’ve bought about ten movies, not the best ones but most of them, just because the quality is so darn good.
I don’t really care which side wins as long as the price for the movies will be the same. Right now Im cheering at the HD-DVD just because it’s the only (and cheapest player) one to get here (if you don’t wanna spend sh*tload of money for a bluray that is).
But then again I’m getting the Playstation 3 in a year or so and then you got both formats so in the end, for me, it dosen’t really matter.
Blu-Ray is WAY better than HD-DVD, on the other hand HD-DVD is cheaper. Choose your favorite.
Originally i was all for bluray, now i think sony are a bunch of cock guzzlers, so im all for HDDVD.
excellent picture with the story
a.b.hdtv for movies and TV in 1080p, blu-ray for burning.
In reply to ScytheNoire:
2)Sony has a bad record for releasing formats and having them fail. Right now their public image is at it’s worst ever.
Partially true, but Sony is still one the best brand names in the world. Besides, I doubt the majority of consumers will know the actual link between blu-ray and Sony.
5)The porn industry, which has decided previous format wars, is backing HD-DVD.
Again and again this myth is used, even though it’s not (entirely) true. Sure, the porn industry is usually an early adopter of new technology, but they have at best a spotty record in dealing with new technology. They just seem to be good at trying to get money out of every new available technology.
3)X-Box 360’s are more widespread than PS3’s, and outselling the PS3, thus more exposure (potentially) for HD-DVD over Blu-Ray.
So? Let’s say there’s 10 million shipped 360’s and 2 million shipped PS3’s (don’t no the actual numbers, the important point is the difference in shipped consoles). If only 10% of those 360 owners ends up buying the HD-DVD extention that would mean only 1 million consumers with HD-DVD capable players against 2 million consumers with blu-ray capable players. Besides, the 360 doesn’t really have a HD-DVD image and I don’t think Microsoft is very actively pushing the 360 as a HD-DVD capable player. the 360 image (at least to me) seems to be much more based around it’s intense graphic games experiences as well as it’s online capabilities. Whereas on the other hand Sony is actively stimulating the image of the PS3 as being next gen in it’s blu ray as well as it’s gaming capabilities.
8)HD-DVD has the better marketing name. We know what it is from it’s name, it’s the High Definition version of DVD’s. Blu-Ray sounds like some kids toy.
Actually no, HD-DVD is not a very good marketing name. If you want to convince consumers to spend hundreds of dollars/euro’s on equipment and content you need to make sure this new technology is a breakthrough away from DVD and not simply an upgrade. Creating this kind of brand attitude is very important. The name HD-DVD sounds like it’s simply an upgraded version of DVD. Ofcourse blu-ray also has quite a task ahead of itself creating the right brand awareness and brand attitude. it will be interesting from a marketing perspective who ‘wins’.
9)Much like the Betamax/VHS wars in the past, the superior technology does not always win. Sometimes it’s all about marketing and the public perception. Technophiles who point to Blu-Ray’s superiority forget that they are a very tiny minority in the mass consumer collective.
Yes, but innovators and early adoptors can make or break any new technology. They’re the ones who buy the first products at high(er) prices enabling companies to create advantages of scale. And let’s not forget the word of mouth advertising they create helping the penetration of new technology into the mass consumer markets.
10)Sony sucks! Avoid supporting Sony in every way possible. Do not buy any of their products, any of their music releases, any of their movies releases. Avoid their products at all costs.
This has to be the strongest argument I’ve ever heard in favor of HD-DVD…
actually the combo drive you mentioned is already on the market. Its produced by LG, can’t remember the product nr.
A new movie every week?
Give me a break.
The statements in this article reek of BS.
Huge demand? Growing demand? I bet that “40% of HD DVD Player owners” are probably 4 out of the 10 people in the world that actually own a player. And they’re probably the execs at Sony or something.
Not that blu-ray is doing any better. The only people I’ve heard of that have a blu-ray drive are the next-gen console owners.
For actual movies, I think most people feel that DVD is enough. IMO the public is still too nervous to adopt such an expensive new technology and restock their content libraries. If there are any sales, it’s among the gadget fetishists and super-early adopters — hardly what I would call a success at this point. Success, IMHO, is ubiquity: something that both formats have put a lot of barriers to over-come before achieving it.
Best of luck, but this is just hype.
this entire article is very bias, little or no mention of blu-ray. also the writer conveniently neglected to mention the capacities of each, 15 GB (HD-DVD) and 25 GB (Blu-ray). blu-ray holds 40 percent more data, therefor making an obvious choice when dealing in quality, videogames as well as movies. however as previously stated, marketing is going to play a larger roll than logic…
well if the blanc disc are more than $1-$2 bucks and drivers are more than $100 then none of both standarts will dominate simply, cause the people don’t want to waste their money for tech bullshits
@ M
“Yes, but innovators and early adoptors can make or break any new technology. They’re the ones who buy the first products at high(er) prices enabling companies to create advantages of scale. And let’s not forget the word of mouth advertising they create helping the penetration of new technology into the mass consumer markets.”
Apply that argument to the failed Laserdisc format.
That’s exactly what early adopters of the format stated back then. It’s only the mass market consumer that matters and the early adopter/technophile is pretty much of no consequence whatsoever.
Yazoo (post #3) says: “I’d just like to know where HD-DVD is in Australia right now.
There’s a fair bit of hype about BLU-RAY, but hardly anyone knows of HD-DVD”
=> Australia is apparently siding with the Blu-ray, that’s why you see very little on HD-DVD.
JB-Hifi is actively promoting it. They cite “consumer confusion” as a reason to not actively promote HD-DVD. (Hell, I’m having hard time understanding the benefits of either!)
I don’t care who wins, as long as the capacity for one disc can occupy 10 single-sided DVD-R/+R media. (I want 47GB per disc capacity. I don’t care how you do it, but that’s my requirement).
As insurance, I think I’ll wait until drives that support BOTH formats are out and readily affordable. Say 5yrs?
@M
as Geek pointed out, it’s not the technophile’s that make or break a product, it’s the common layman. you have to convince the average idiot that they need it. it took a long time for my parents to get a DVD player, and even today they barely use it. there’s still a ton of older people who don’t have a computer or use the internet. this technology, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are not going to be long-term products, because they just aren’t needed right now, and when people are ready for HD, and by people i mean the common person, there will be a new and better format, most likely.
simple truth is that i just don’t think the need for it is here yet. most are happy with DVD’s still, and because there are two formats, people are scared to buy either format, because they don’t want to spend $500+ on something that may be useless in a year. they want a guarantee, a solid product, a definite.
superior technology means nothing, many superior things have failed because the common person didn’t see the need for them in their lives. the electric car, people were happy still with their gas guzzlers (although that tune is changing). the Segway, great technology, but people just don’t have the need for it. 64-bit computing, it has a ton of advantages, but getting everyone to switch isn’t so easy, we’re still stuck on 32-bit.
and of course, let’s not look past how the most inferior of the new consoles, the Nintendo Wii, is killing the other two technically superior products in sales.
it’s all in the presentation, making the simple person feel like they need that product.
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray have not done that.
@Geek:
Apply that argument to the failed Laserdisc format.
That’s exactly what early adopters of the format stated back then. It’s only the mass market consumer that matters and the early adopter/technophile is pretty much of no consequence whatsoever.
True, but as you can read I used the words ‘can’ and ‘helping’. It’s not a black and white matter. No breakthrough product can be succesfull without the support of innovators and early adopters. But that doesn’t mean their support automatically leads to a succesfull product. Like the case of the laserdisc you mentioned.
There are many other factors that play more and less important roles as well, such as marketing, competion and in this case the support of content providers. One of the reasons VHS succeeded and Betamax failed that many people forget or simply don’t know about is that betamax never had much support in the form of content (and not just by the porn industry). Sony has learned a good lesson from that and now (partially) owns several music, movie and game companies.
@ ScytheNoire
Ok, but who or what do you think eventually convinces ‘the common folk’ into buying new technologies? They see it when they visit early adopters or learn of it because of them. Advertising may trigger interest in a product or may bring awareness of a need to own that product, but it can only do so much. I don’t know about you, but most of my friends and family come to me when they need a new technological product or ask me about something when they hear/see/read about a certain technology.
You mention HD DVD isn’t needed as if it’s a nessecity, but where talking about a hedonic product here, that ‘need’ can be created (by advertising or other marketing, or by the market itself).
Sony blueray will win the race if sony dont do anything stupid with their ps3 or should i say anything more than they already have done, cause lets face it most people have a ps2 sitting about or know sumone who has one, if sony can regain some of their cosole standing then its quite plain to see that most people will within the next two years will have one depending on the game quailty of course, yes i hear everyone saying not everyone can afford one (talking in europe where im from) but i would say that people seem to have more money these days and are quite happy to part with it in a years time it be half its cost and of course ps3 has a blueray player built in just think all the kids at crimbo who will want one. if sony plays it cards right they could quite well be the winner.
What a joke this whole HD-dvd vs Blueray thing is because WE NEED NEITHER. In a couple of years nobody will be bothered about stand alone devices like DVD players or VCRs etc because we have our computers conected to our big ass TV’s lol.
Both formats are just portable starage media, circa 50gig , thats all folks , dont get conned into buyig stuff you dont need – we allready have high def players – our comps – we can allready get high def titles – nudge nudge – and if we did want to let our pal watch the film then buy a freeking extenal HD lol.
Well, here’s what kills all of your little arguments:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/technology/04video.html?ex=1325566800&en=65cf5ef6a97fc5f3&ei=5089
Time Warner’s new format that plays on, wait for it
BOTH HD-DVD & Blu-Ray
That’s what wins. Yep.
Domains -> Manage Domains does any one know how to find this on my computer i need help
Funny thing is…. i wonder how much of that “report” was based in USA only….
Xbox360 sold BAD in Japan…. Lol shop keepers used them as foot stools. I remember when Xbox360 came out…. in America it was sold for full price, and i could easily get one imported from Japan for half the price…. cuz it sold so crappy over there.
I’m currently in australia, and i have YET to see 1 HDDVD on sale yet… Even the biggest Franchise of Electronics and Audio Visual Jb-Hi-Fi doesnt even have any of them. I went in and asked them “do you sell HD DVD?” and they are like “no im sorry, we do not stock them.” then i ask them “do stock HD DVD players?” and they are like “im sorry we do not stock them too, however we can order it in for you”
Its funny how all “news” reports are so biased to America only. lol. Need statistics from ALL OVER THE World to be able to make this arguement fair… There isnt ONLY americans in the world…. there are other countries =P
All i know is that ive never seen a HD-Dvd for sale anywhere.. yet i see blueray movie sections poping up..
Why would this be the “final year for HD DVD” when the overall point of the post was that HD DVD is doing far better in sales then blu-ray. All these pointless “news” posts on RLSlog are getting fucking annoying.
“HD DVD, whose supporters served salmon and sparkling water during its Cebit conference, and in the second case you would get Blu-ray and doughnuts with coffee.”
Well then its obvious who wins the battle !?!?!
This article do not contain any fact at all.
I personally dont care much who wins but i think at this point its to early to say anything.
I have a 360 and waiting for my PS3 to arrive but i will not get the HD-dvd as its going to take space and add more cable to my cable collection
I really dont see why i should get the extra HD-dvd player when i can have my hd content on blu-ray!
Once PS3 hits Europe i believe Blu-ray will take off. MS should have made a build-in player. I know it would have been more expensive and not everyone need it but on the other hand they would gain so much more of the market. O well that is what i think anyway.
Come on HD-DVD !!
Its Australian $249 for the additional Drive for Xbox 360 and that Includes a HD DVD, this is what I call Value for moeny.
I’ll get 1080p movies,
Not a PS3 fan boy so Im over the moon with HD-DVD just wish this WAR was over.