now that's funny.

Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

now that's funny.

Posted by Duilawyer (A) on January 15, 2008 at 16:47:35

In Reply to: that's not funny; THIS IS FUNNY. Genuinely LAO posted by Duilawyer on January 15, 2008 at 16:45:17:

The issue has arisen as Blu-ray attempts to offer new features to compete with rival standard HD-DVD.

When the first Blu-ray machines were launched the hardware requirements for manufacturers did not include provision for planned developments.

The guys that bought the first Blu-ray players are the guys who bought the first laser discs. They know the risks.

Instead Blu-ray players were divided into so-called "profiles", with all machines released before November 2007 designated as profile 1.0.

Machines released onto the market since November are called profile 1.1, but none of the standalone Blu-ray players can be upgraded to accommodate this profile.

Films will still play on the machines, but access to extra features is limited.

Later this year the Blu-ray camp will offer profile 2.0, called BD Live, which will allow the players which support the feature to connect to the internet to download related content, such as ringtones, trailers and photos.

But because internet functionality is not a mandatory requirement in current players, none on the market today will be able to access the feature.

The only Blu-ray player which can upgraded to use all the features is Sony's PlayStation 3, because it comes with the right hardware built-in and online access.

Consumer confusion

Frank Simonis, of Philips and the European chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association, said the division of Blu-ray players into potentially three camps was "not an ideal situation".

But he denied that consumers would be confused.

The discussions related to features took place at a point in time when every hardware company had frozen the architecture for their first generation of players
Frank Simonis, Philips

"Whether you have a profile 1.0, or profile 1.1 machine, the playback is not disturbed. It's the high definition playback that consumers are seeking."

Philips has just released its first player which supports profile 1.1 and Mr Simonis confirmed that older players could not be upgraded.

Mr Simonis said the reason Blu-ray backers had launched players which could not be upgraded was one of timing.

He said: "The discussions relating to features took place at a point in time when every hardware company had frozen the architecture for their first generation of players.

"We needed to create momentum and get the players on the market. If we had postponed launch to add in the hardware for the latest features, we would not be in the situation we have today."

The release of players which cannot be upgraded was unlikely to ease consumer confusion around high definition DVD players, said Alastair Upham, editor of DVD Review magazine.

"One of the big problems with the Blu-ray format when launched, and something which gave the HD-DVD camp ammunition, was that Blu-ray wasn't finished - they hadn't agreed on a standard.

"And that problem means that an early adopter of Blu-ray could have spent Â£1,000 on a player only to find he potentially can't play newer releases.

Blu-ray boost

"So while there are discs out there with better features, if you have an earlier player you can't take advantage of this."

The Blu-ray camp received a boost at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week when film studio Warner dropped support for HD-DVD in favour of its rival.

But Mr Upham said the format had a lot of work yet to do to reassure consumers they are safe to upgrade from DVD.

He added: "If Blu-ray wants to reach a wider audience, it needs to have more clarity."

But he said the likely victims of the Blu-ray profiles issue was almost certainly a limited audience.

"The guys that bought the first Blu-ray players are the guys who bought the first laser discs. They know the risks."

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Interesting comments from someone who gets right to the heart of the matter. - Audiophilander 12:32:58 01/15/08 (18)

Does he have a spell checker? "descenting opinion"? nt - Duilawyer 16:41:27 01/15/08 (1)

Probably not, but if he switches to Blu-ray he might need an Exchequer for the VAT! (nt) - Audiophilander 21:13:12 01/15/08 (0)

ROTFL...you managed to post something even funnier than the youtube video i linked - Jazz Inmate 13:26:52 01/15/08 (7)

that's not funny; THIS IS FUNNY. Genuinely LAO - Duilawyer 16:45:17 01/15/08 (1)

now that's funny. - Duilawyer 16:47:35 01/15/08 (0)

Typical Jazz Inmate whine: If he can't dispute the accuracy of the points, he attacks the messenger. - Audiophilander 14:12:19 01/15/08 (4)

Accuracy? What did you find accurate in that blog? - Jazz Inmate 14:32:00 01/15/08 (3)

News Flash: Jazz Inmate channels Mama Cass and chokes on a bone from Toshiba! - Audiophilander 01:51:32 01/16/08 (0)

News Flash: Jazz Inmate channels Mama Cass and chokes on a bone from Toshiba! - Audiophilander 01:48:59 01/16/08 (2)

Soon they won't be able to give that trash away NT - Jazz Inmate 10:58:49 01/16/08 (1)

Are you still raggin' on HD-DVD, fanboy? Well, here's a tune with you in mind... - Audiophilander 22:39:26 01/16/08 (0)

News Flash: Blu-ray channels Mama Cass and chokes on a bone from HD; she ain't singin' yet. - Audiophilander 01:39:11 01/16/08 (0)

The consumer WILL reap the long term benefits of a single format going forward. - oscar 13:06:00 01/15/08 (7)

I'm not going to argue with you Oscar. Just address the author's empirical points if you disagree. (nt) - Audiophilander 13:28:41 01/15/08 (6)

He has no empirical points, but I'll address them if it will make you happy - Jazz Inmate 13:59:02 01/15/08 (5)

FYI, if you're the fool who signed my moniker & email address on the HD-DVD death petition... - Audiophilander 15:17:41 01/15/08 (4)

ask them for - jaiva 16:23:19 01/15/08 (1)

I'd have no problem admitting if it was I who did that. It wasn't - Jazz Inmate 16:56:38 01/15/08 (0)

I honestly don't know what you're talking about - Jazz Inmate 15:20:47 01/15/08 (1)

"It would never occur to me in a million years to do such a thing..." - At first I thought that as well, ... - Audiophilander 23:26:33 01/15/08 (0)

Follow Ups

now that's funny. - Duilawyer 16:47:35 01/15/08 (0)

Post a Message!