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Toshiba May Delay HD-DVD Launch to 2006
Mictian writes "According to Reuters Toshiba may be delaying the launch of it's HD-DVD players that was originally slated for the end of this year. One of the reasons cited was that talks with Hollywood and major studios about the timing are still ongoing. It now seems that the players may not be shipped to retailers before 2006, at least not in the US. The Japanese might still get their hands on 'em by christmas. In any case it looks like a setback for the HD-DVD camp (Toshiba, NEC & Sanyo) if one of their few advantages over the Blu-ray camp (Sony & Matsushita), an earlier product launch, is essentially eliminated. Sony has been rumoured to consider a Q1 2006 launch for Blu-ray in the form of the PlayStation 3 console. There was an earlier Slashdot story about the rivals giving up on a unified format."
it all depends on what will be cheaper first, beta was better but more expensive for longer
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What is it with peopel saying HD-DVD is inferior?
I was under the illusion both had advantages (HD-DVD's being it's compatibility layer, Toshiba pushing for a unified format, cheaper to produce, etc) and disadvantages.
Why have all slashdotters seemingly decided blu-ray is just...better. We in buzzword town again? Ooo shiney blue lasers?
Someone explain.
1. Yes, the only "advantage" of HD-DVD is compatibility layer (but you will hardly buy HD films for compatibility track with same DVD quality, aren't you?).
2. Toshiba did not push for unified format - it was PR stunt, and they never intended for unification talks to succeed (I have proven industry sources).
3. BluRay discs are actually a little cheaper then HD-DVDs, the only difference is one time switch of equipment for HD-DVDs is cheaper, but with the latest advancements to manifacturing cycle of BluRay the difference is almost nil.
Imagine HD-DVD and BluRay editions of LOTR (HD extended editions) - for HD-DVD the movie will be split between 2 discs (1 disc is able to hold only 2 hours of HD content), while BluRay version will fit on single disc.
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Do we know what the DRM tech is on the blu-ray, and is it bypassable for legitimate fair-use backups?
Slashdot "libertarians": Small government for me, big government for those I disagree with. -1, I disagree with you
> In my personal opinion, the perfect compromise would be HD-DVD with Blu-Ray sized layers and data storage.
I believe everyone involved would like to see that. However, putting as much data onto a disc as Blu-Ray does means significant changes, which is what HD-DVD is trying to avoid. I personally think Blu-Ray will succeed, as while it may be more expensive to manufacture the discs, unless they're dramatically more expensive, or the people backing it decide to shoot themselves in the foot price wise, actual price difference to the consumer is likely to be negligable.
To be honest, I think most Blu-Ray producers will just take the difference out of the profit margin, on the basis that they want to have the format widely used. The fact that the PS3 will play Blu-Ray discs is also likely to pay a massive part in making the format popular...
A compromise between Bluray and HD-DVD is impossible like you suggest. The very difference between the two is the thickness of the protective media. THAT IS ALL.
A compromise "hybrid" format would merely be one format winning over the other and the two camps splitting the royalties. Obviously realizing this Sony and Toshiba et al could never agree on A) which format bites the dust and B) How to split the royalties.
Toshiba wanted its format to win because they represent the DVD manufacturers that did not want to switch to a new media format. Thereby saving money on new equipment.
Sony wanted its format to win because they're Sony. And they've had a stick up their ass to win with one of their gay ass proprietary formats for over 30 years.
Sony probably wouldn't agree to giving up another format with the confidence that the PS3 would trump HD-DVD anyway. Not to mention giving up Bluray would totally fux the PS3 and give advantage to an HD-DVD Xbox360.
There you have it. HD-DVD has an instant manufacturing base. Every DVD factory in the world can make HD-DVDs today. Maybe one or two can press Bluray. Why should Toshiba give up? Sony has PS3, the successor to PS2 which caused the DVD revolution. Why should Sony give up?
And that's what they both thought when they walked away from the negotiation table.
It's funny to hear that HD-DVD *may* be be delaying the launch...since NEC has already announced that they will be selling HD-DVD burners in November of this year. And at a fairly reasonable price, $600. Not bad for a first-gen hi-def burner. Not to be outdone, Pioneer has also announced a BluRay burner. A shame that there is no source for either formats media. (permalink here)
The DRM is hacked...... otherwise whats the point? I have a dvd recorder I can do pretty much anything I like with, (provided I'm willing to mess about a bit with programs/disks etc