Slashdot Mirror
Retailers Press For Unified HD DVD Format
datemenatalie writes "While the war between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray continues over who will be the direct successor to DVD, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) has issued a strong statement to Hollywood and the consumer electronics industry regarding the looming HD format war. The statement, which supports a single high-definition disc format, also offers advice on dimensions, packaging, features and even how marketing materials should be designed. The statement argues, "two formats, each capable of storing high definition movies on DVD, are planned for release into the market. Retailers uniformly agree that the concurrent distribution of more than one format is likely unsustainable, and that the launch of a single format is preferable to a format war which could confuse the public and lead to reluctance to embrace either format." This comes just weeks after early indications that HD-DVD will only allow playback of full 1080 resolution video signals through HDMI connectors, leaving consumers with older HDTVs (pre-HDMI) out of luck."
Not only do the retailers wish for a single format but so do the consumers. No one wants to be stuck with an obsolete piece of equipment a year or so after they've purchased it. Let's avoid another VHS/Beta fiasco, and actually think about the consumers for once. I personally like the Blu-ray option, it's got more room and just seems like it's the better option to me, plus it doesn't look out all the consumers without HDMI. I'd like these companies to think about the customers just once, but that's probably asking too much.
"Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
Actually, consumers are stupid. They(we) have proven it to manufacturers and resellers over and over again. We have a short memory and lots of money.
A quick google of "HDMI analog converter" yields several interesting links, one of which is a device that removes HDCP encryption from an HDMI/DVI signal:
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/12115
I'm pretty sure DVD doesn't support 1080i.
No, he means the player. HDMI supports a specific sets of resolutions; standard DVD is one of them.
Currently you can get hdmi-capable DVD players. It passes both audio and video to your hdmi TV. I believe there are even HDMI audio recievers; though I don't know if DVD players have dual HDMI outputs thus that seems kind of silly.
Not all new TV's have HDMI inputs either. Many have DVI which can have an HDMI adaptor applied (if it doesn't ship with the TV).
From my most recent research, what I've found is that the optimal cost-effective way to get 37+ inches of flat-panel is to get the clearest-picture TV that you can afford and get a DVD player with high quality conversion to one of the several HDMI signals.. A more expensive DVD player is going to be much cheaper than a high quality conversion device on the TV.
The end result is that HDMI is a preferable solution going forward. Most likely it is going to win out; we're just going to have to accept the associated DRM.
I'll leave for further discussion the techincal merits of displaying full resolution 1080i or 1080p in analog or even through DVI.
-Michael
"Isn't it really just a matter of time before some clever hacker builds a relatively affordable HDMI-Analog converter box?" No, you can get one now: http://www.spatz-tech.de/spatz/dvi_magic.htm
The end result is that HDMI is a preferable solution going forward. Most likely it is going to win out; we're just going to have to accept the associated DRM.
My understanding is that HDCP (the "associated DRM" in HDMI) is not part of HDMI, but rather a separate layer which may be placed on top of either HDMI or DVI.
Am I wrong?
Irritable, left-wing and possibly humorous bumper stickers and t-shirts
HD-DVD and Blu-ray players can both play DVDs, so there's no difference.
I'm sure it wouldn't be long until somebody creates a little dongle that will convert HDMI to a S-Video or Component signal and defeats any DRM imposed at the same time.
why lose the quality by downconverting to svideo or component?
This box will strip the HDCP off an incoming DVI inut and output un-encrypted DVI. you can downconvert that if you want, or keep it as top notch 1080i/720p
dave
Let's avoid another VHS/Beta fiasco
That's not really a problem this time.
When VCRs were introduced, yes there were fighting formats. But those were the only alternatives if you wanted to record a show, or watch a movie on your own schedule. To get the desired functionality, you were forced to pick either VHS or Beta, even if you knew that one was likely to be a bad choice a few years down the road.
With HD-DVD vs. BluRay, consumers today don't have to pick either one. There is no functionality that either offers that standard DVDs don't offer. Yes, you might need two standard DVDs to get the same amount of data or movie as a HD-DVD/BluRay, but so what? Frankly, most consumers have no need that requires them to pick either HD-DVD or BluRay, so they can afford to wait. And wait. And wait. While both sides of this format war watch their products sit on the shelves and rot.
Because the production of dual format players will cost more. And some companies will be retarded and release single format players. Then people buy the player, buy their favorite movie, and get pissed because they can't play it, once this happens a few times, the poor guy will probably not buy many more DVDs.
Most people are too stupid to understand the differences between the formats. So don't bring that up.
These devices are subject to HDCP's key revocation feature. They will work today but probably not tommorrow...