3:39 PM - DVD vs HD DVD vs Blue Ray
The initial sales figures at retailers show that more DVD players were getting sold than either new format. The mad rush has not happened. I've also been reading misinformation on many blogs and websites about studio support for each format.
HD DVD
Supporters:
Universal/NBC (subsidising the format)
Toshiba (making most of the players)
Microsoft
Studios
Universal
Paramount (exclusive?)
Warner (both formats)
Porn industry
Blue Ray
Supporters:
Sony
Apple
...Studios
Sony Pictures
Disney
Warner (dual format)
Fox (showing blue ray on their site limitedly)
Technology
Both formats use the same codecs to encode video although blue ray titles tend to use mpeg2 more often (DVD like). Blue ray has higher capacity discs. HD DVD players are required to have more interactive features built in which means end users can do more "tricks".
Price
Toshiba, Universal and Microsoft are intentionally releasing very cheap players to win the format war. As the technology is similar, the real issues are disc capacity and availability of videos.
Movies and TV
Most consumers don't know about either format. Further, both sides have released general purpose titles that don't target people who adopt early. This is slowing adoption. Most PS3 owners don't know they have a blue ray player. Most xbox 360 owners don't know they can add HD DVD for less than $200.
Paramount is releasing Star Trek on HD DVD. There are rumors that Indy and Star Wars will go with that format too. George Lucas also liked laser disc though. Most people have bought these films recently on DVD and don't want to pay more.
Universal has released their stupid films like knocked up on HD DVD and until recently did not try to release classics that people really like. James Bond might be released on HD DVD. Porn might promote the format. The Porn industry feels that HD DVD is better because they don't have to pay licensing fees to release discs. It's cheaper for them.
Blue Ray has done a little better with diversity in films. Sony has a very strange catalog at the moment with distribution rights on MGM films (although bond is going to fox?) as well as their own library. Spider-man, and most of the other marvel films are on Blue Ray. Disney classics and Pixar releases are going Blue Ray like Cars, Ratatoile, etc. In the past, Disney has picked the winner.
In the end, it has to do with who wants to buy the format to go with their new TVs. If people all go on price, HD DVD wins and the movies will eventually come out.
Disclaimer: I prefer Blue Ray for two reasons. 1. The capacity of the format is much larger which means it's better for backup on computers (not movies) and there are actually burners for it. 2. I don't like the companies releasing players for HD DVD. They are mostly known for cheap, low quality products. If there were more diversity in that camp, I would probably settle for it on price factors.
HD DVD
Supporters:
Universal/NBC (subsidising the format)
Toshiba (making most of the players)
Microsoft
Studios
Universal
Paramount (exclusive?)
Warner (both formats)
Porn industry
Blue Ray
Supporters:
Sony
Apple
...Studios
Sony Pictures
Disney
Warner (dual format)
Fox (showing blue ray on their site limitedly)
Technology
Both formats use the same codecs to encode video although blue ray titles tend to use mpeg2 more often (DVD like). Blue ray has higher capacity discs. HD DVD players are required to have more interactive features built in which means end users can do more "tricks".
Price
Toshiba, Universal and Microsoft are intentionally releasing very cheap players to win the format war. As the technology is similar, the real issues are disc capacity and availability of videos.
Movies and TV
Most consumers don't know about either format. Further, both sides have released general purpose titles that don't target people who adopt early. This is slowing adoption. Most PS3 owners don't know they have a blue ray player. Most xbox 360 owners don't know they can add HD DVD for less than $200.
Paramount is releasing Star Trek on HD DVD. There are rumors that Indy and Star Wars will go with that format too. George Lucas also liked laser disc though. Most people have bought these films recently on DVD and don't want to pay more.
Universal has released their stupid films like knocked up on HD DVD and until recently did not try to release classics that people really like. James Bond might be released on HD DVD. Porn might promote the format. The Porn industry feels that HD DVD is better because they don't have to pay licensing fees to release discs. It's cheaper for them.
Blue Ray has done a little better with diversity in films. Sony has a very strange catalog at the moment with distribution rights on MGM films (although bond is going to fox?) as well as their own library. Spider-man, and most of the other marvel films are on Blue Ray. Disney classics and Pixar releases are going Blue Ray like Cars, Ratatoile, etc. In the past, Disney has picked the winner.
In the end, it has to do with who wants to buy the format to go with their new TVs. If people all go on price, HD DVD wins and the movies will eventually come out.
Disclaimer: I prefer Blue Ray for two reasons. 1. The capacity of the format is much larger which means it's better for backup on computers (not movies) and there are actually burners for it. 2. I don't like the companies releasing players for HD DVD. They are mostly known for cheap, low quality products. If there were more diversity in that camp, I would probably settle for it on price factors.
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