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Broadcom's Treaty In the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD War

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the everyone-holding-hands dept.

eldavojohn writes "For a while there, I didn't know what to buy. Blu-Ray or HD-DVD? Which would be the leader? Only a fool would buy discs of the technology that would be the next Betamax. Fortunately, my dilemma has been solved by Broadcom. From the article: 'Consumer and communications chip supplier Broadcom Corp. Thurs. (Nov. 9) introduced what the company labeled the first single-chip solution to support both Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD standards.' I guess I'll just wait until I can get a player that will play them both."

5 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Best answer... by Overzeetop · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Buy neither. Technology designed by lawyers should not be rewarded.

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    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  2. neither by tehwebguy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    i don't see any reason to buy into either one. i'm not planning on getting a new tv any time soon, and i don't need to pay even MORE per movie.

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    -- lol pwned
  3. No thanks to both... by dslauson · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The industry has transitioned from "Just look at all the great things you can do with technology!!!!" to "Oh, crap. People can do way too many things with technology."

    The new generation of hardware, software, and consumer electronics they're trying to cram down our throats offers only minimal improvements over the old stuff in order to try to get the consumer to give up all the things they used to be able to do.

    This is the reason that I'll never buy either of these products. I'm pretty happy with DVDs, thank you very much.

  4. Re:Not happening. by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    However, in the meantime, devices using the chip capable of handling both formats will be crippled so that only one format can be used per device. Just because it can support both formats doesn't mean it will in the same device. Drive makers can instead buy this chip in bulk rather that two other chips (one per standard) in bulk and not worry about having half their purchase become worthless because of consumer adoption of one format over another.

    That's the benefit.

    At least until someone learns how to flash a drive to enable both formats.

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    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  5. Re:dual player by swillden · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There wont be any legal dual format players any time soon. The Sony Blu-Ray license prohibits HD DVD playback in the same machine.

    Just like the DVD-CCA's CSS key license prohibits region-free players :-)

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