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[refer to the Reuters link below for full details]
Unfortuantely, this sounds less like a victory for Blu-Ray than a problem for high definition formats in general.
Follow Ups:
I think a lot of people (me included) are holding off a purchace until the format finally settles on one or the other. I hate this dual format crap. Like Beta and VHS all over again. No one wants to buy a bunch of disks, to find they are orphaned at a later date. If prices get low enough, I will probably buy one or the other (or even both) anyway, but personally, I would like to see just one format.
Dual-format players aren't the answer: They're just a symptom of the problem. The two camps need to join forces, because so far it looks like a stalemate, and that's not really good for anyone; the buyers, retailers OR manufacturers. Do a technology swap and share royalties: A smaller piece of a potentially much larger pie.
While we all wanted a single format solution initially, that is no longer feasible because there is now too much product and both formats are gradually making inroads into the general consumer market. There are pros and cons to both Blu-ray & HD-DVD; as far as Joe Public is concerned the deciding factor will be pricing (hardware/software) as both high resolution formats are virtually indistinguishable quality-wise.
If I had to make a call on this one, HD-DVD has a slight advantage due to aggressive price dropping of it's hardware and so far, subjectively speaking, the most interesting selection of titles available. While I agree with you that it would've been nice if both camps joined forces before significant numbers of titles were on the shelves, it might not be to the advantage of the consumer at this juncture as the competition is driving prices down on both formats.
The next year end holiday cycle may be the turning point marketing-wise as more folks are enticed into buying 1080P display devices and will crave high definition sources beyond cable and OTA 760P & 1080I sources to feed them.
AuPh
I hope that ONE of the high-definition formats succeeds, even if it's the Other One. What with all of our nice 720p and 1080p panels, it would be a real shame if as far as movies went, it was "480p forever". So far I'm not seeing any enticing alternatives to B-D/HD DVD: Somehow, cable-on-demand or downloadable high-def content just isn't seeming real compelling right now and I don't see signs that this will change dramatically in the next few years.
Even with just one format, I don't think the masses would accept it. There is really no interest in HD-most don't care, and even less are willing to pay for it.
Remember, most people are buying HDTVs inadvertantly, they are buying by size. You cannot get a 50" or larger set that isn't HD anymore. people jut want BIG TVs, the factthat they are HD is secondary.
I'm comfortable with these formats being niche products-they can still be around for years to come.
Jack
High-def DVD (generic) really needs a substantial audience to support the depth and variety of programming that we desire, at prices we are comfy paying! Even those folks willing to spend $1200 for a combo player seem unwilling to pay $30-35 per movie, taking their business to a handful of discount mail order places instead.
I think the market for other niche formats like new vinyl may be quite different: An older audience willing to pay top dollar for the same program material they may already have in their collections, and they place a premium on new, never played media.
If Sony et al really want to get gutsy about HD, they should release movies in HD about a week before the regular DVD versions. That alone will probably rack up additional HD sales and will get everyone else to take notice of the new format. They don't need to know what 1080p is in order to suspect they are missing out on something good.
Actually, Universal and other HD DVD studios could only put out combos, and not do DVDs. Sony could have done that with SACD, but didn't.
Yes, I understand the reasons for wanting mass adoption, I just don't think it will happen.
Jack
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Beta and VHS didn't have that option.
OTOH, the retailers are NOT going to want to continue to maintain dual inventories.
I have a 50" Tosh HDTV ready RPTV currently and it would cost me a pretty penny for an HD display for the size I would want. It isn't to say I wouldn't buy an HD player in advance of a display but I'm unsure whether most of Joe Public would.
It does of course, depend on the size and resolution. You can get Panny 50" plasmas for <$2K now, Pio a little higher than $2K. 1080p is a bit more. DLPs are even cheaper. This is good news for your average Shmoe. Unfortunately, prices go up when you get bigger. I'm looking for something 65-70" for my family room, I can't do DLP, due to rainbows, so the pickins are slim.
Jack
A daunting challenge for Joe considering the cost to take full advantage of the new format.
I guess one can start with the player as you stated in an earlier post that the HD software will run with component. Hopefully most will have a display with that at least at this point. That's where I'm planning to start. They can always rent the software so a bit of a savings there initially.
Actually, I expect people to generally start with the display. They are cheap enough-hell, 50" plasmas are about 1/2 the price they were a few years ago. They'll be flying off the shelves next christmas and/or superbowl season. Hopefully players will sell too. What's starting to happen, is that some retailers are bundling TVs and players into a package deal. That should help. Onkyo is coming out with a new HD DVD player this fall-I expect it will be bundled with their new HT receivers that take HDMI 5.1 input.
Lots of pretty toys for the holidays. :-)
Jack
PS. Its really not that daunting.
Personally, I think selling a million players by the end of the year still sounds a tad high. I certainly wouldn't be upset if they reached it.
Jack
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