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Toshiba dropping HD DVD?
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The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 15 February, 2008
Media and analysts have speculated the future of HD DVD frequently since Warner turned Blu. During the last couple of weeks the emphasis of speculations has been on when HD DVD will lose, rather than will it lose the war. The most recent turn-ups were when Netflix and Best Buy announced support for Blu-ray, and Toshiba's reply to those was considered by some to be the last breath.
According ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
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error5
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15. February 2008 @ 08:24 |
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Even if Toshiba doesn't make an official announcement for several more weeks, the fact is this story has spread like wildfire throughout the internet and has been picked up by Reuters and the Washington Post. The threads on other forums discussing this story have been very busy since this broke yesterday.
If we don't hear anything in the form a denial from Toshiba in the next few days then you probably know what that means.
I expect to see more retail or rental announcements in the wake of this leak. It's also possible that a major studio announcement could be in the works.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
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Junior Member
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15. February 2008 @ 09:50 |
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I am glad that they may be dropping out of this format war or at least stepping back. Who knows though they may have another trick up their sleeves and could pull a wild card that hasnt been played yet. But all thats going to do is get the HD-DVD camps panties in a bunch.
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varnull
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15. February 2008 @ 09:59 |
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blah blah blah.. here we go again.
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elfman12
Junior Member
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15. February 2008 @ 10:00 |
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It's looking inevitable, that's sure. But that particular article has several fact problems and is more of an opinion/gossip piece. Funny how it's spread so quickly...
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ZeusAV
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15. February 2008 @ 10:23 |
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Hopefully this is true. The sooner the industry gets together on one format, the less frustrating and confusing Hi-Def media will be for consumers. Less competition will mean prices will fall slower but at least people will rest easy know that all major movie titles will be availible on one single format.
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juankerr
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15. February 2008 @ 10:27 |
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elfman12: Care to point out the "fact problems" in the article?
Hollywood Reporter is one of the most respected entertainment publications at par with Variety. They have a reputation to uphold and you can bet they vetted this "source" and double and triple checked the article. The fact that the story was picked up by Reuters and The Washington Post is good enough for me. Besides everything that has been happening so far has pointed out to this happening sooner or later.
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hughjars
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15. February 2008 @ 10:33 |
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"Reliable industry sources" could mean anyone, my money is on this being more 'work' from known Blu-ray shill Bill Hunt.
The only facts in the story are that there are no facts.
Not one corroborating word from anyone on the HD DVD side, in fact outright denial.
The most obvious reason for this story is someone Blu has put out a story to counter yesterday's
'Warner to not quite ditch HD DVD in June'
story.
IMO it's all a little too obvious, too heavy-handed & lacking in any subtlety.
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jpc1958
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15. February 2008 @ 10:42 |
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Hmm, will this mean a "fire sale" on HD-DVD discs? I have both formats, and prefer HD-DVD, so I would be likely to buy up all of my favorite HD movies in the HD DVD format before they go the way of the Dodo bird.
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jrosado5
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15. February 2008 @ 10:43 |
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Don't Worry Blu-Ray camp, you're next! With $400 non-upgradable players and expensive movie titles, you'll be just a niche market as well. Wait until all the folks buying Blu-Ray players realize they bought bricks for $300 - $400. We HD Red camp will wait for you in the tech junkyard along with betamax, UMD, Laserdisc, Minidisc. Wait, aren't these things Sony? Oh, I guess we are not alone afterall. Sony is keeping the lights on for us in Tech Oblivion.
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AfterDawn Addict
3 product reviews
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15. February 2008 @ 10:45 |
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Originally posted by varnull:
blah blah blah.. here we go again.
My thoughts exactly.
I'm gonna go home and watch some VHS.
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nobrainer
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15. February 2008 @ 10:47 |
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eek
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2008 @ 10:53
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nobrainer
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15. February 2008 @ 10:49 |
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eek
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2008 @ 10:54
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nobrainer
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15. February 2008 @ 10:51 |
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"According to Hollywood Reporter, "reliable industry sources""
Well that just smells of the MPAA and seems it's the Pro DRM MPAA members (sony, disney and fox) that have dictated to consumers by refusing to release ANY titles on HD-DvD what format will succeed, even though Blu-Ray was not ready to be released and early adopters are now finding that new titles especially ones containing BD+ DRM will fail to work on their fraudulently sold obsolete hardware.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2008 @ 10:54
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SProdigy
Senior Member
5 product reviews
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15. February 2008 @ 11:09 |
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I'd like to believe HD-DVD can stick around or be competitive, but the fact is, there's just so much negative press being thrown against them, I can't see how a semi-informed consumer can even give one thought at purchasing a HD-DVD player now. Unless they can turn the negative banter around, price drops don't even have the power to entice me towards a purchase.
On the other hand, Blu-Ray won't be seeing a single dollar from me anytime soon, as long as I can still DVR and download HD content and play them on my HDTV, I'm happy as can be. TVersity with my DirecTV HR21 streams ALL of my HD content nicely over my network and my upconvert DVD player is still very enjoyable as well IMHO.
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glasssd
Newbie
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15. February 2008 @ 11:11 |
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Wal-Mart is dropping HD-DVD. Can we say it is over now?
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juankerr
Member
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15. February 2008 @ 11:14 |
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Originally posted by error5:
Even if Toshiba doesn't make an official announcement for several more weeks, the fact is this story has spread like wildfire throughout the internet and has been picked up by Reuters and the Washington Post. The threads on other forums discussing this story have been very busy since this broke yesterday.
If we don't hear anything in the form a denial from Toshiba in the next few days then you probably know what that means.
I expect to see more retail or rental announcements in the wake of this leak. It's also possible that a major studio announcement could be in the works.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
A retailer/rental announcement could be imminent (if a certain insider continues to be accurate in his predictions). However, I don't see any major studio announcements until at least Q2 or even Q3.
Added:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9873029-7.html
Wal-Mart puts stake through HD DVD's heart
Quote:
Things have gone from bad to worse for HD DVD in the space of one week.
Wal-Mart announced Friday morning that it, too, has chosen a side in the battle for high-definition video supremacy: by June it will only stock Blu-ray Disc players.
(Credit: Crave UK)A buyer in Wal-Mart's video division wrote this morning on her Wal-Mart Checkout blog that the retail giant had made the decision following Netflix and Best Buy's high-profile announcements that they will exclusively stock Blu-ray products.
Wrote Susan Chronister of Wal-Mart: "By June Wal-Mart will only be carrying Blu-ray movies and hardware machines, and of course standard-def movies, DVD players, and up-convert players."
"So," she continues, not mincing words, "if you bought the HD (DVD) player like me, I'd retire it to the bedroom, kid's playroom, or give it to your parents to play their John Wayne standard-def movies, and make space for a BD player..."
That might be the best option at this point, as the dominoes keep falling in Blu-ray's favor. While Netflix and Best Buy were pretty damning evidence that the end was near, now it's glaringly obvious: it's over for HD DVD. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that consumers will automatically start buying Blu-ray players. As mentioned many times before here, prices will have to continue to fall on both Blu-ray players and packaged media for there to be any sort of mainstream adoption of the format.
There are rumors that Toshiba might soon be declaring defeat: The Hollywood Reporter has sources telling it that Toshiba, the main backer of the HD DVD, might drop its allegiance with the format in the next few weeks.
Toshiba denies it, but stay tuned. There's likely much more to come in this drama.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2008 @ 11:18
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glasssd
Newbie
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15. February 2008 @ 11:20 |
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Studio's wont say anything for a while due to not having their product finished in Blu yet. Tosh should make an anouncement within 3 weeks. Hugjar should have the inside info on this and be able to explain it if he wants to.
I an not trying to be a jerk towards Hugjars. He proably does have inside info on Toshiba's soon to come anouncement.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2008 @ 11:23
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Member
12 product reviews
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15. February 2008 @ 11:23 |
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Originally posted by ZeusAV:
Hopefully this is true. The sooner the industry gets together on one format, the less frustrating and confusing Hi-Def media will be for consumers. Less competition will mean prices will fall slower but at least people will rest easy know that all major movie titles will be availible on one single format.
I have neither, but I am tired of people using the argument of retards. Who cares if someone can't read HD-DVD or Blu-Ray? There is Pepsi and Coke. There is Pizza Hut and Papa Johns. There was Beta and VHS. There are many different audio and video connections (and they look identical too). Look at all the camcorders and their methods of recording. If a person is that retarded where they cannot read in big bold letters what FORMAT a digital product is in, then they deserve to be ripped off.
This will actually hurt the industry. Dual format players were coming into the market and dropping in price. The exclusive HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players were coming down in price with all sorts of freebies. Watch now. The industry will stagnate. Prices will not drop and Gates will be right. The current HD disc industry will fail.
They will try to screw over customers.
As for
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2colors
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15. February 2008 @ 11:32 |
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I don't understand why people have rallied behind BlueRay. HDDVD hardware & movies cost less than BR. Yes I bought into HDDVD about 6 months ago, and don't regret my move. Toshiba has built a superior product compared to BR. Yes we get firmware updates and won't have to replace our players like BR owners will find out. And HDDVD isn't bogged down with DRM. I hope they hang in there and keep their products coming. I have a HD-A20 & a BR/HDDVD combo player in my computer but have yet to buy a BR movie. Toshiba don't jump the ship yet, stand behind your quality product and give us hope you've got the balls to take on Sony.
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m3_chris
Newbie
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15. February 2008 @ 12:00 |
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Originally posted by glasssd:
Wal-Mart is dropping HD-DVD. Can we say it is over now?
Did HD-DVD have a really bad week or what? Domino effect..
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aznsai
Junior Member
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15. February 2008 @ 12:00 |
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Originally posted by jrosado5:
Don't Worry Blu-Ray camp, you're next! With $400 non-upgradable players and expensive movie titles, you'll be just a niche market as well. Wait until all the folks buying Blu-Ray players realize they bought bricks for $300 - $400. We HD Red camp will wait for you in the tech junkyard along with betamax, UMD, Laserdisc, Minidisc. Wait, aren't these things Sony? Oh, I guess we are not alone afterall. Sony is keeping the lights on for us in Tech Oblivion.
what are you taking about? 1st generation bluray had problems with title like Fantastic 4 rise of the silver surfer, but was corrected with an firmware update.
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juankerr
Member
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15. February 2008 @ 12:02 |
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Link to the official Walmart blog site:
http://checkoutblog.com/
http://checkoutblog.com/entries/2008/2/1...f_platform.aspx
Quote:
Wal-Mart Chooses a Hi Def Platform
Friday, February 15 at 04:34 AM | Posted by: Susan
Category: Movies
Back in December I posted a Blog that said ?HD or BD ? Does Anyone Care.? I only received one response, I was very disappointed. :( But following the news from Best Buy and Netflix, everyone's asking "what about Wal-Mart?"
Ok, so are you ready?Wal-Mart is going Blu.
I am very excited about this news!! This decision will make my job so much easier. While I myself bought an HD player this Christmas, primarily because my husband is a huge Jason Bourne fan, I guess I am going to have to retire it to the kids play room as an up convert. My kids have already been enamored by the great hi def experience and we no longer have control of the TV in our family room. Soon they will enjoy the family Hi Def player in their playroom and can watch their standard def Scooby Doo, Star Wars, and Harry Potter movies as if they were in Hi Def.
Enough about my family and on to the Wal-Mart plans? by June Wal-Mart will only be carrying BluRay movies and hardware machines, and of course standard def movies, DVD players, and up convert players. Not sure of the short term pricing plans, but history tells us that as more people move to a new technology prices typically go down.
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hughjars
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15. February 2008 @ 12:09 |
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Wow, anyone would think there had been an official announcement the way some seem so sure of this.
There hasn't, if anything (and looking at how it's almost word for word with the Netflix/Best Buy comment I wouldn't be so sure they even got anything from anyone at Toshiba) there's been a denial in fact.
.....and a Walmart blog?!
Please.
Even that is wide open to interpretation.
The blogger says Walmart will continue to stock upconverting DVD - which funnily enough is the line Toshiba have been taking recently.
It's all more of the same, trying to talk-up Blu-ray and create an impression HD DVD is dead & gone away.
It's not and it hasn't.
Just like Universal & Paramount have done nothing to dump HD DVD either, not even a move to purple.
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elfman12
Junior Member
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15. February 2008 @ 12:18 |
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Originally posted by juankerr:
elfman12: Care to point out the "fact problems" in the article?
Sure, juankerr.
1. Toshiba didn't pay 2.7 mil for a superbowl ad. The ads that ran were existing ads, only ran in a few markets and was well under 1 mil.
2. Best Buy did NOT go BluRay exclusive. They are going to direct customers in BR's direction, but they are not dropping HD-DVD players or discs.
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elfman12
Junior Member
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15. February 2008 @ 12:22 |
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Originally posted by hughjars:
IMO it's all a little too obvious, too heavy-handed & lacking in any subtlety.
Yeah, what tipped me off to that was when he mentions "a pitch to journalists for interviews came from a Microsoft email address." - like that's some sort of nefarious practice. And no mention of Sony's hand in the WB/FOX decisions.
I'm getting pretty good at reading the current "tech" journalists biases.
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