|
I'm very sad today to admit I installed Windows XP on a partition on my iMac (using Boot Camp) solely for the purpose of installing CyberLink's HD-DVD player. You see, I got an Xbox 360 HD-DVD external player for Christmas, which my iMac recognizes with no issues, and which plays standard DVDs with no problem; and despite the iMac having a glorious 24" screen and HD authoring capabilities and viewing, there is no Apple codec or player for HD-DVDs. Long story short: I boot up in Windows and can now enjoy HD-DVDs on my iMac (hopefully, Apple will eventually release a player with HD support).
That's the long backstory; here's the actual question (decided for me, since I received an HD-DVD player as a gift, and I'm an Xbox 360 guy):
HD-DVD or BluRay--what will stock the shelves this time next year? Which do you prefer? Why? Just curious.
Got to love DRM. Ya'll might be stealing those purdy movies with all that expensive hardware.
Which do you prefer? Why?
Neither. The picture is prettier, but hey, you can’t put lipstick on a pig. Not to mention, before the format war (oh look, yet more conflicting standards) is over, neither one will still be around (BD+ is already en route).
I'm waiting out the analog changeover, maybe after that they’ll pound out a single standard (don’t bet on it), but regardless, it’ll still be clogged full of DRM.
|
|
As an aside, I recently began downloading movies from iTunes--they cost the same or are cheaper than 'hard copy' DVDs, I'm not forced to watch the FBI/Interpol/Don't Steal DVDs commercial, Disney previews I can't skip past, or long-drawn-out DVD menus. The best part: I can't see any picture quality difference between, for example, Dragonslayer the DVD vs. the iTunes download--they look exactly the same. With high-quality downloads already a plus, there's also no wasted packaging, and DVD storage is 'virtually' nonexistent.
There is, however, a huge difference between standard DVDs and iTunes downloads, and the same film in HD--a visible, audible difference.
Which side is porn industry on?
I happily ignore both formats. Somehow I doubt Great Train Robbery (1903) will look better in either format...
Which side is porn industry on?
HD-DVD, which is exactly why they are thumping on Blue Ray hardcore (please forgive the unintentional puns). Sony finally figured it out and apparently they are going to release Pirates and a few other big porn titles on Blue Ray now.
|
Which side is porn industry on?HD-DVD, which is exactly why they are thumping on Blue Ray hardcore (please forgive the unintentional puns). Sony finally figured it out and apparently they are going to release Pirates and a few other big porn titles on Blue Ray now.
I hate to say this but the porn industry usually pushes technology and I would put my money on what they are doing. So if the Porn industry is going with HD-DVD, whether they are choosing to or because of a Sony lockout, I would bet on HD being the winner.
I hate to say this but the porn industry usually pushes technology and I would put my money on what they are doing. So if the Porn industry is going with HD-DVD, whether they are choosing to or because of a Sony lockout, I would bet on HD being the winner.
Exactly, same thing happened with VHS and also several developments about Internet...smart money watches porn.
Personally I find any widespread technology involving word "cadmium" scary. Plutonium may kill for two hundred thousand years but cadmium is forever.
HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray? I don't think either one will "win."
I'd *prefer* HD-DVD win, because:
(1) No region codes
(2) Not championed by Sony (their constant attempts at pushing new formats wear thin).
(3) Cheaper hardware.
(4) Doesn't mis-spell a four-letter color in the name.
But I think the time of one format capturing the market the way DVD did is past. I expect we'll end up with a CD+/-R scenario (players do both), or some other third format (physical or not) will come to dominate.
For me, DVD is still "good enough."
Exactly, same thing happened with VHS and also several developments about Internet...smart money watches porn.I hate to say this but the porn industry usually pushes technology and I would put my money on what they are doing. So if the Porn industry is going with HD-DVD, whether they are choosing to or because of a Sony lockout, I would bet on HD being the winner.
I've heard it pointed out that the internet kinda renders the porn issue moot. I'm inclined to agree.
Of course, people have also pointed out that you might not *want* to see porn in high def... ;)
|
|
Exactly, same thing happened with VHS and also several developments about Internet...smart money watches porn.I hate to say this but the porn industry usually pushes technology and I would put my money on what they are doing. So if the Porn industry is going with HD-DVD, whether they are choosing to or because of a Sony lockout, I would bet on HD being the winner.
I've heard it pointed out that the internet kinda renders the porn issue moot. I'm inclined to agree.
Of course, people have also pointed out that you might not *want* to see porn in high def... ;)
Speaking of the internet, heres to MacWorld Expo 08 giving us HD downloads for Front Row, iTunes and AppleTV!
I own a PS3 so I guess I own a BluRay player...But I stick with buying DVDs for now in case HD-DVD wins this war.
Ive seen the quality of both and its really not a big deal of a difference so I dont bother buying the new fancy disks yet.
I'm holding out for my holodeck.
I shudder to think what will happen to the internets once the porn industry finds a better distribution method.
|
|
I read this article http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/soapbox/soap060107.html and I can't find anything to fault what they are saying, particularly the part about the fact that regardless of who "wins" it will be meaningless, as its really digital content that's going to carry the day...
(Summary: Blu-ray is the winner, but don't buy into either if you don't need to)
|
|
(hopefully, Apple will eventually release a player with HD support).
Also, its worth noting that Apple is on the board for the Blu-ray Development Corporation, and that Walt Disney Corporation (which Steve Jobs is a significant shareholder) is exclusively Blu-ray. I don't think you are going to see native HD-DVD support for Apple computers any time soon.
|
|
(hopefully, Apple will eventually release a player with HD support).Also, its worth noting that Apple is on the board for the Blu-ray Development Corporation, and that Walt Disney Corporation (which Steve Jobs is a significant shareholder) is exclusively Blu-ray. I don't think you are going to see native HD-DVD support for Apple computers any time soon.
If Apple would release a codec to support BluRay (I can hook a BluRay player up to my computer, but the Disc is 'unsupported format'), I'd sell my Xbox and buy a PS3--especially over here in Korea, the more I can do with less, the better (right now, everything is done through my iMac--TV, gaming, movies, I even installed Office for Mac, so now I don't have to make that trip to the office on Saturday morning because the briefing changed--thank God for the MS Home Use Program and Uncle Sam).
|
|
If Apple would release a codec to support BluRay (I can hook a BluRay player up to my computer, but the Disc is 'unsupported format'), I'd sell my Xbox and buy a PS3--especially over here in Korea, the more I can do with less, the better (right now, everything is done through my iMac--TV, gaming, movies, I even installed Office for Mac, so now I don't have to make that trip to the office on Saturday morning because the briefing changed--thank God for the MS Home Use Program and Uncle Sam).(hopefully, Apple will eventually release a player with HD support).Also, its worth noting that Apple is on the board for the Blu-ray Development Corporation, and that Walt Disney Corporation (which Steve Jobs is a significant shareholder) is exclusively Blu-ray. I don't think you are going to see native HD-DVD support for Apple computers any time soon.
Actually, I think Apple is going to sit on it. They will be pushing for folks to get their HD content thru iTunes and using products like AppleTV. Same reason why Microsoft isn't pushing HD-DVD harder...they want folks to use Xbox Live for their HD content.
|
|
...Actually, I think Apple is going to sit on it. They will be pushing for folks to get their HD content thru iTunes and using products like AppleTV. Same reason why Microsoft isn't pushing HD-DVD harder...they want folks to use Xbox Live for their HD content.
I think you're right, especially seeing as Disney, Sony and now Fox have all signed up with Apple to provide HD digital rentals of new releases (Bloomberg, 27 Dec 07). Even with MS offering their really very good HD player at under $200 plus six free movies, they're not really marketing it. My wife bought me the player for Christmas, but she stumbled upon it while looking for an extra wireless controller. I didn't even know the thing existed, and has, in fact, been out for more than a year...
Which side is porn industry on?HD-DVD, which is exactly why they are thumping on Blue Ray hardcore (please forgive the unintentional puns). Sony finally figured it out and apparently they are going to release Pirates and a few other big porn titles on Blue Ray now.
Actually, I read an article that said many inustry execs at Sony were claiming that they (Blu-Ray) are winning, or have already won, the "war". Apparently, six of the 8 or 9 movie studios are going with Blu-Ray.
However, I think that's premature. The picture quality may be better, but the price is still outrageous. And, from what I've seen personally, most consumers are sticking with the standard DVD format. Until the High-def formats are more in-line with standard DVD pricing models, I don't think that'll change.
DogBone
Allow me to congratulate you...prematurely...
Truth be told, in a year the stores will be full of players that support both, just like DVD +/- R.
|
|
Well, to add to the confusion and simultaneously clarify the picture..ha...ha, ha...
BluRay and HD (playing Harry Potter OotP) on 42" 1080p screens, side-by-side in my local military exchange, look exactly the same, but the BluRay version has a ton of extras the HD-DVD is missing, and also sports the promise of downloadable content, like subtitles (awesome for multi-language families, like mine--not to mention NO REGION CODING ON BLURAY DISCS!!! Which simply means we can watch international releases without having to own international players and power transformers)...
I just read, when Warner is forced to choose BluRay or HD later in '08, which ever side wins, wins 70% of the Hollywood catalog--that'll probably be the real tie-breaker amongst consumers who own HDTVs...
LG advertised a dualplayer last October '07, which was supposed to be released this Christmas, and never was...they released a BluRay player instead...
Apple (according to Apple Insider's rumor sheet this morning) is fully expected to announce HD downloads at the MacWorld Conference this month, and BluRay players in all new iMacs and MacBooks... all hail, h.264...
Looks like my Xbox might be going on the eBay market soon...
You would be surprised how much clearer an old film appears in high definition format.
I've an 61" HD TV, an HD cable box and a Blu-ray player (Playstation 3), and the picture is astonishing. Regular TV now looks like it's made out of colored braille by comparison. You don't really get it until you make the switch, and then there's no going back. I knew an audiophile whose listening room was full of handmade equipment. It ruined me for life. I still remember him showing off the War of 1812 Overture. BOOM!
My HD camcorder uses HD tape casette and the clarity is just naaaaaasty. Tape is a fantastic HD medium. I'd be curious to know more about what yellowdingo was getting at.
Well, all I can say is that it will be about 2 years before I can go HD. By that time it will be decided who will win the format war.
It may just be that the new way of things is diverse forms of recording media. Perhaps gone are the days when VHS soundly bests Betamax. Rather than one format winning the hearts and minds of consumers it may be that there's a place for both.
Imagine the day when there's 12 different media?
"I only buy the Xaxel 15 format. What about you?"
"I use POMS, photonic overlay media."
"Is that the new thing?"
"Not the newest. The latest thing, supposed to be the best is tritittium discoids."
"Yeah, but they're overpriced considering they only slightly exceed the clarity of dehydrated wallaby scrote."
"Really?"
"...they only slightly exceed the clarity of dehydrated wallaby scrote."Where the hell do you come up with this stuff?
My brain just talks to me and, lacking common sense and ability to self censor, I convey it in public forum.
My brain just talks to me and, lacking common sense and ability to self censor, I convey it in public forum."...they only slightly exceed the clarity of dehydrated wallaby scrote."Where the hell do you come up with this stuff?
~laughter~
Looks like my Xbox might be going on the eBay market soon...
I wouldn't necessarily say that. The HD-DVD player for the XBOX 360 is a separate piece of equipment, an add-on. What's to say that they can't develop a Blu-ray version?
DogBone
|
|
Looks like my Xbox might be going on the eBay market soon...I wouldn't necessarily say that. The HD-DVD player for the XBOX 360 is a separate piece of equipment, an add-on. What's to say that they can't develop a Blu-ray version?
DogBone
I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.
A BluRay external device from MS would be good business, because it would keep the Xbox fans in camp and away from switching to PS3. A BluRay "Xbox 3" or an external add-on would keep me away from Sony.
|
|
I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.
Actually, Microsoft is only pushing HD-DVD for two reasons. 1) It uses the VC-1 compression codec exclusively, which is a Microsoft codec that is becoming so widespread that even Blu-Ray studios are picking it up and 2) because it is a direct competition to the Blu-Ray players in the PS3. If it gets to the point where VC-1 is the dominant codec on Blu-Ray and Microsoft's marketing determines that a Blu-Ray player for the Xbox would screw with Sony more than an HD-DVD player would, you can bet that one would be available shortly.
|
|
I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.Actually, Microsoft is only pushing HD-DVD for two reasons. 1) It uses the VC-1 compression codec exclusively, which is a Microsoft codec that is becoming so widespread that even Blu-Ray studios are picking it up and 2) because it is a direct competition to the Blu-Ray players in the PS3. If it gets to the point where VC-1 is the dominant codec on Blu-Ray and Microsoft's marketing determines that a Blu-Ray player for the Xbox would screw with Sony more than an HD-DVD player would, you can bet that one would be available shortly.
I would bet money the h.264 codec will win, as far as programing goes. Sony, Disney, and Fox are in league there, and the creative-technical Hollywood types prefer it (or so I read).
I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.
To be exact, HD-DVD is Toshiba's baby, they developed the technology. Toshiba and Sony tried to develop a dual system that would play both the old red laser format (HD-DVD) and the blue laser format (guess), but they couldn't; more likely, they were impatient. They had their own formats, so when a dual format didn't pan out immediately, they released their independent systems and started the "war".
DogBone
|
|
I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.To be exact, HD-DVD is Toshiba's baby, they developed the technology. Toshiba and Sony tried to develop a dual system that would play both the old red laser format (HD-DVD) and the blue laser format (guess), but they couldn't; more likely, they were impatient. They had their own formats, so when a dual format didn't pan out immediately, they released their independent systems and started the "war".
DogBone
HD-DVD is also a blue laser, but the focus is just a little different from Blu-Ray's focus.
Philips's development of the Laserdisc in 1969 yielded many of the technologies Sony carried over and adopted when they partnered with Philips to create a little something called the CD way back in '79. Both companies were hard at work together once again in the early 1990s on a new high-density disc called the MultiMedia Compact Disc (MMCD-original name, guys), but their format was eventually more or less abandoned in favor of Toshiba's competing Super Density Disc (SD), which had the vast majority of backers at the time, such as Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic), Mitsubishi, Pioneer, Thomson, and Time Warner.
The two factions cut a deal, brokered by IBM president Lou Gerstner, on a new format: DVD. Toshiba wound up on top after the dust settled in 1995/1996, and Sony and Philips, who weren't cut in on the standard (and royalties) nearly as much as they'd have liked, immediately started work on a next gen system. The Professional Disc for DATA (aka PDD or ProDATA), which was based on an optical disc system Sony had already been developing in the side, would eventually become the Blu-ray disc. Toshiba, not to be outdone by the pair, also started work on a next gen system, the Advanced Optical Disc, which eventually evolved into the HD DVD. After thirty-five years of optical audio/video disc development we're back where we were years ago: two money-grubbing factions fighting each other and threatening to wreak havoc on the consumer electronics industry. Apparently history really does repeat itself.
So here's the technical nitty gritty-- Both systems use the same kind of 405nm wavelength blue-violet laser, but their optics differ in two ways. Since the Blu-ray disc has a tighter track pitch (the single thread of data that spirals from the inside of the disc all the way out—think grooves on a 12-inch vinyl single vs. an Elvis Costello full-length album), it can hold more pits (those microscopic 0s and 1s) on the same size disc as HD DVD even with a laser of the same wavelength.
The differing track pitch of the Blu-ray disc makes its pickup apertures differ, however—0.65 for HD DVD vs. 0.85 for Blu-ray—thus also making the two pickups technically incompatible despite using lasers of the same type. HD DVD discs also have a different surface layer (the clear plastic layer on the surface of the data—what you get fingerprints and scratches on) from Blu-ray discs. HD DVD use a 0.6 mm-thick surface layer, the same as DVD, while Blu-ray has a much smaller 0.1mm layer to help enable the laser to focus with that 0.85 aperture.
Herein lies the issues associated with the higher cost of Blu-ray discs. This thinner surface layer is what makes the discs cost more; because Blu-ray discs do not share the same surface layer thickness of DVDs, costly production facilities must be modified or replaced in order to produce the discs. A special hard coating must also be applied to Blu-ray discs, so their surface is sufficiently resilient enough to protect the data a mere 0.1mm beneath—this also drives the cost up. The added benefit of keeping the data layer closer to the surface, however, is more room for extra layers.
Other interesting facts:
The Nichi Corporation, who holds the design patents to the Blu-ray's laser system, sits as an associate member of the HD DVD Promotion Group.
Even though Apple sits on the Blu-ray Board of Directors, its DVD Studio Pro software supports authoring HD DVD media.
Blu-ray, unlike HD DVD, requires a hard coating on its discs because it's 0.5m closer to the surface. The polymer coating it uses, called Durabis, was developed by TDK and is supposedly extremely resilient and fingerprint resistant.
The Java platform is mandatory on Blu-ray as it's the standard for menus/multimedia (i.e. all Blu-ray systems must support JVM)
Microsoft loves HD-DVD-- HD DVD systems run Windows CE; the standard is currently the only next-gen optical standard with announced support in Longhorn, and, of course, there's the Xbox 360.
The first affordable (less than $1000) consumer Blu-ray device in the US market was the PlayStation 3.
|
|
Yesterday Warner announced that it was no longer going to produce HD-DVD discs after May 31st of this year. New Line made a similar announcement (although I haven't seen a date of effect). With the addition of those two camps to the Blu-Ray format, over 70% of the potential content is exclusive to Blu-Ray, with only Paramount/Universal exclusive to HD-DVD.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
|
|
Yesterday Warner announced that it was no longer going to produce HD-DVD discs after May 31st of this year. New Line made a similar announcement (although I haven't seen a date of effect). With the addition of those two camps to the Blu-Ray format, over 70% of the potential content is exclusive to Blu-Ray, with only Paramount/Universal exclusive to HD-DVD.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
Well, I'd say that's the early call on the War: Blu-Ray wins is my easy-money prediction. Anyone in the market for an Xbox 360 External HD-DVD drive?
|
Yesterday Warner announced that it was no longer going to produce HD-DVD discs after May 31st of this year.
Here is a link to a yahoo article about the whole Warner Bros. thing.
|
|
Paramount is rumored to be exercising an escape clause to get out of its HD-DVD exclusivity in response to Warner's announcement. Link
|
|
Paramount is rumored to be exercising an escape clause to get out of its HD-DVD exclusivity in response to Warner's announcement. Link
That's good business sense for them. I canceled all my Amazon and B&N HD preorders, and I can't be the only one doing that--who wants to buy or sell something no-one will use this time next year? My local military exchange placed all the HD-DVDs on clearance yesterday, and the local stores here in Korea only sell standard and Blu-ray now. Now that the major players have indicated the desire to, or already committed to Blu-ray, I don't imagine anyone will market a dual player; LG was poised to release one this Christmas, but canceled and released a nice Blu-ray player instead.
Ayep, looks like HD is going down hard (again, no pun intended). Even the porn studios have switched sides now.