No, standard DVDs use over 4 gigs for a standard resolution movie, and compressed audio. BluRay moves use 20+ gigs of storage for 1080p movies and uncompressed audio.
The way I see it, I bought a PS3 for $400. At the time, the comparable XBox 360 was $350. I got a BluRay player with the PS3 by spending the $50 extra.
The nice thing about the PS3 is that it has built in wifi, and I get firmware updates frequently adding all the new features before more other BluRay players get them, and it is even easier to install the firmware.
BluRay movies push 20+ gigs of storage. The cheapest 16 GB flash drives are like $40-$50 aren't they? And that won't even hold the movie.
A blank BluRay disc probably costs around $1 I'd guess, and they can go multi-layered.
It will be years and years before flash storage drives will be cheaper than an optical disc, but the nice thing is that discs scratch were as flash drives hold up quite well (even through washing machines).
I agree that they're trying to just drive the other out of market, but both are losing money and both have the same goal. They're playing a game of chicken. Who is willing to lose the most to stay in the race? That is what they want, but not necessary what is the smartest thing for them to do.
If Microsoft had no RROD problems, the Xbox division might turn a profit, but the entire division is losing big money because of hardware replacements. Sony's gaming division is also reporting losses on the whole for their division.
Someone may just make a better disc in 4 years. Here is the thing, it isn't about a better disc, but what that disc offers. BluRay isn't about 25 gig layers, but about 1080p, uncompressed audio, etc.
5 years from now, we'll see the first prototypes of quad HD (2160p) prototypes, but it won't mean anything for probably 10 years after that. The prototypes need to become mass manufactured, become common in the homes, and then people need to manufacture content at that resolution.
Most HD movies, CGI work, digital film, etc. is only done at 1080p. You can't put out a 2160p movie until someone starts actually producing movies at that resolution, and that isn't going to happen soon.
BluRay will have a 10 year life, or longer. If you need more storage, BluRay can add tons of layers. Sony has prototypes with 10 layers. Toshiba and other companies have also suggested they can make 10 layers or more on a disc, and some have suggested they've made 500 gig prototypes of BluRay discs.
Will someone make a disc with more storage? Yes. Will it replace BluRay in 5 years? No.
I didn't say best for the consumer, I'm saying best for Sony, Microsoft and game developers. Frankly either one loses and leaves the market, or they consolidate. However, they're losing so much money I don't see both in the market indefinitely.
As far as DRM goes, every console maker uses DRM. The PS3 is the most open console in history, and Sony's online service is free. All three companies (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) have done some shitty things in their day, so I won't claim any is good and/or evil. But a merged console isn't necessary a totally bad thing either.
I'd never buy one without a HDD, but that is just me. Even with the new avatars and dash, the XBox is aimed at a different audience than the Wii. I don't think they honestly compete directly. The real competition here is Sony. Microsoft still has a larger install base, though Sony was catching up.
Now if Sony wants to honestly compete in this generation, they need to drop their core model to $300 before Black Friday. Microsoft is losing tons of money on the hardware because of RROD problems (which continue to persist, even on new Elite models) but Sony is also losing quite a bit.
The difference is that Microsoft has other business models to produce plenty of profit. Sony's other divisions are doing decent, but they aren't producing Microsoft-type revenues.
They're both shooting themselves in the foot to see who will lose the most money before the other one pulls out of the race. Why?
Because next generation, if only one competes, they don't have to lose so much money. Nintendo is competing for another segment, and either Microsoft or Sony could in theory run away solo with the high-end, hardcore console market.
Then again, neither see the true solution. Sony has BluRay, and Microsoft doesn't want to pay to license it. Microsoft has DirectX, which Sony doesn't want to utilize, even though it makes development easier for PC/Console games. Microsoft also bought the rumble patent that Sony didn't want to pay for. Neither have incredible first-party titles, and both end up shelling out money to bribe third-party developers for console exclusives, killing potential profits.
The solution really is one console. Developers would love to have a larger install base to develop for, and not worrying about porting to two platforms.
Imagine a console that could be developed for easily (DirectX), that had BluRay, and featured both Halo and Metal Gear Solid? Both Sony and Mirosoft could turn a profit on the venture. They both put their best technology in the box, with their combined patent portfolios and also combine console exclusives. Together they'd reclaim some of the market share they lost to Nintendo, even though most of Nintendo's market really is a different audience.
That brief summary makes no mention of whether or not Wooten deserved to be fired, nor Monegan. Those would be very important details. You suggest there is a scandal, and maybe there is, but we don't know yet.
As a governor, she hasn't been in Congress. She only deals with state affairs. She hasn't been involved with the national party. She fought the GOP in the only arena she has been part of.
She doesn't toe the party line firmly. She angers many members of the Republican party. She called them out for corruption, and is especially unpopular with GOP members like Stevens (series of tubes) in Alaska.
Producing a demo model doesn't mean that you have produced a cost-effective means of mass production. Producing a cost-effective means of mass production requires investors. Investors require press and hype. Slashdot happily provides that.
Regular airline travelers who fly more than once or twice a year tend to pick airlines where they know they'll get adequate service. Some airlines treat you so damned poor, or nickle-and-dime you to the point that you'll never fly them, regardless of price.
However, the average home consumer isn't buying tons of computers all the time, so all they care about is price and specs like you said. And most of them don't understand specs.
The funny thing is that it was predicted Microsoft might sway search results for financial gain, but by doing this, they'd allow spammers and the like to destroy search results.
I'm not sure if people recall, but Google wasn't the first, or the biggest search engine with the internet was first catching on fire. You'd mess around with sites like Altavista, Lycos, Excite, etc. and rarely find what you were looking for. You'd search for sports scores and come across a Gillian Andersen fan page. Then again at the time, 80% of the internet consisted of Gillian Andersen fan pages. However, Google's strength was solid search results. You found what you were looking for right away.
I'm not sure allowing jerk-offs to screw with the results with help in the least. I know I would attempt to abuse the situation to increase my pagerank.
Instead of basing a response on facts, you suggest my opinions are just recycled rhetoric from one article.
The iPod isn't the only Apple product to push DRM.
You also suggest a company shouldn't be judged by what their lawyers do. Apple's lawyers don't do anything without the company's permission.
What about Apple bricking iPhones with an update?
As for the Wired story which you dismiss out of hand, it read largely like a love-letter, praising Apple for being genius. It said Apple's success were due to these tactics, and people should take notice and perhaps follow suit. The article did mention Apple's rising market share and market cap. Yet you insist it was hateful propaganda.
I never said MS was the little guy. I never said I was rooting for MS. You confuse criticism of Apple with supporting MS.
My original point (which I maintain) is that critics on Slashdot bash MS for the same tactics that Apple gets away with. You're saying Apple should be allowed to bundle, push DRM, and lock people in.
You're so busy being a fan-boy that you're not reading what I'm writing.
Forcing people to activate the iPhone through iTunes, and telling people who bought them at launch for $600 to screw themselves when they released iTunes wouldn't install on Windows x64 or Linux was pretty evil. Apple refused refunds to those customers who just purchased $600 bricks.
Suing teenage bloggers who only wrote positive things about Apple is evil.
DRM is evil.
Vendor lock-in is evil.
Treating your employees poorly is evil.
Forced bundling is evil.
Etc, etc, etc.
I really love how they contend that OS X Server is certified Unix, but the BSD backbone they built upon isn't Unix, so real businesses should avoid BSD and use OS X instead.
Slashdot Mirror
No, standard DVDs use over 4 gigs for a standard resolution movie, and compressed audio. BluRay moves use 20+ gigs of storage for 1080p movies and uncompressed audio.
I'd wager it will be more than 5 years before 20 gigs of flash memory is cheaper than a buck, but I could be wrong.
We're closer than you think. You can buy a BluRay drive for $140.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&SubCategory=598&N=2010100598&SpeTabStoreType=1
The way I see it, I bought a PS3 for $400. At the time, the comparable XBox 360 was $350. I got a BluRay player with the PS3 by spending the $50 extra.
The nice thing about the PS3 is that it has built in wifi, and I get firmware updates frequently adding all the new features before more other BluRay players get them, and it is even easier to install the firmware.
BluRay movies push 20+ gigs of storage. The cheapest 16 GB flash drives are like $40-$50 aren't they? And that won't even hold the movie.
A blank BluRay disc probably costs around $1 I'd guess, and they can go multi-layered.
It will be years and years before flash storage drives will be cheaper than an optical disc, but the nice thing is that discs scratch were as flash drives hold up quite well (even through washing machines).
I agree that they're trying to just drive the other out of market, but both are losing money and both have the same goal. They're playing a game of chicken. Who is willing to lose the most to stay in the race? That is what they want, but not necessary what is the smartest thing for them to do.
If Microsoft had no RROD problems, the Xbox division might turn a profit, but the entire division is losing big money because of hardware replacements. Sony's gaming division is also reporting losses on the whole for their division.
Someone may just make a better disc in 4 years. Here is the thing, it isn't about a better disc, but what that disc offers. BluRay isn't about 25 gig layers, but about 1080p, uncompressed audio, etc.
5 years from now, we'll see the first prototypes of quad HD (2160p) prototypes, but it won't mean anything for probably 10 years after that. The prototypes need to become mass manufactured, become common in the homes, and then people need to manufacture content at that resolution.
Most HD movies, CGI work, digital film, etc. is only done at 1080p. You can't put out a 2160p movie until someone starts actually producing movies at that resolution, and that isn't going to happen soon.
BluRay will have a 10 year life, or longer. If you need more storage, BluRay can add tons of layers. Sony has prototypes with 10 layers. Toshiba and other companies have also suggested they can make 10 layers or more on a disc, and some have suggested they've made 500 gig prototypes of BluRay discs.
Will someone make a disc with more storage? Yes. Will it replace BluRay in 5 years? No.
I didn't say best for the consumer, I'm saying best for Sony, Microsoft and game developers. Frankly either one loses and leaves the market, or they consolidate. However, they're losing so much money I don't see both in the market indefinitely.
As far as DRM goes, every console maker uses DRM. The PS3 is the most open console in history, and Sony's online service is free. All three companies (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) have done some shitty things in their day, so I won't claim any is good and/or evil. But a merged console isn't necessary a totally bad thing either.
I'd never buy one without a HDD, but that is just me. Even with the new avatars and dash, the XBox is aimed at a different audience than the Wii. I don't think they honestly compete directly. The real competition here is Sony. Microsoft still has a larger install base, though Sony was catching up.
Now if Sony wants to honestly compete in this generation, they need to drop their core model to $300 before Black Friday. Microsoft is losing tons of money on the hardware because of RROD problems (which continue to persist, even on new Elite models) but Sony is also losing quite a bit.
The difference is that Microsoft has other business models to produce plenty of profit. Sony's other divisions are doing decent, but they aren't producing Microsoft-type revenues.
They're both shooting themselves in the foot to see who will lose the most money before the other one pulls out of the race. Why?
Because next generation, if only one competes, they don't have to lose so much money. Nintendo is competing for another segment, and either Microsoft or Sony could in theory run away solo with the high-end, hardcore console market.
Then again, neither see the true solution. Sony has BluRay, and Microsoft doesn't want to pay to license it. Microsoft has DirectX, which Sony doesn't want to utilize, even though it makes development easier for PC/Console games. Microsoft also bought the rumble patent that Sony didn't want to pay for. Neither have incredible first-party titles, and both end up shelling out money to bribe third-party developers for console exclusives, killing potential profits.
The solution really is one console. Developers would love to have a larger install base to develop for, and not worrying about porting to two platforms.
Imagine a console that could be developed for easily (DirectX), that had BluRay, and featured both Halo and Metal Gear Solid? Both Sony and Mirosoft could turn a profit on the venture. They both put their best technology in the box, with their combined patent portfolios and also combine console exclusives. Together they'd reclaim some of the market share they lost to Nintendo, even though most of Nintendo's market really is a different audience.
That brief summary makes no mention of whether or not Wooten deserved to be fired, nor Monegan. Those would be very important details. You suggest there is a scandal, and maybe there is, but we don't know yet.
Except once she got in office she blasted Ted Stevens for corruption and brought it to public light. Now Stevens is facing legal trouble.
As a governor, she hasn't been in Congress. She only deals with state affairs. She hasn't been involved with the national party. She fought the GOP in the only arena she has been part of.
Evangelicals love her because she is so firmly pro-life, but she fights her with party all the time.
She doesn't toe the party line firmly. She angers many members of the Republican party. She called them out for corruption, and is especially unpopular with GOP members like Stevens (series of tubes) in Alaska.
Get rid of computers, mass electronics, wireless internet, and Slashdot while you're at it.
Air conditioning I can live without. Wifi I can not.
Producing a demo model doesn't mean that you have produced a cost-effective means of mass production. Producing a cost-effective means of mass production requires investors. Investors require press and hype. Slashdot happily provides that.
One could contend that douche-nugget is a compound word best served with a hyphen. I rather prefer douche-nozzle myself.
Regular airline travelers who fly more than once or twice a year tend to pick airlines where they know they'll get adequate service. Some airlines treat you so damned poor, or nickle-and-dime you to the point that you'll never fly them, regardless of price.
However, the average home consumer isn't buying tons of computers all the time, so all they care about is price and specs like you said. And most of them don't understand specs.
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20051009&mode=classic
The funny thing is that it was predicted Microsoft might sway search results for financial gain, but by doing this, they'd allow spammers and the like to destroy search results.
I'm not sure if people recall, but Google wasn't the first, or the biggest search engine with the internet was first catching on fire. You'd mess around with sites like Altavista, Lycos, Excite, etc. and rarely find what you were looking for. You'd search for sports scores and come across a Gillian Andersen fan page. Then again at the time, 80% of the internet consisted of Gillian Andersen fan pages. However, Google's strength was solid search results. You found what you were looking for right away.
I'm not sure allowing jerk-offs to screw with the results with help in the least. I know I would attempt to abuse the situation to increase my pagerank.
You forgot the most applicable:
"itsatrap"
Kudos on the good counterpoint. I can see where you're coming from.
Instead of basing a response on facts, you suggest my opinions are just recycled rhetoric from one article.
The iPod isn't the only Apple product to push DRM.
You also suggest a company shouldn't be judged by what their lawyers do. Apple's lawyers don't do anything without the company's permission.
What about Apple bricking iPhones with an update?
As for the Wired story which you dismiss out of hand, it read largely like a love-letter, praising Apple for being genius. It said Apple's success were due to these tactics, and people should take notice and perhaps follow suit. The article did mention Apple's rising market share and market cap. Yet you insist it was hateful propaganda.
I never said MS was the little guy. I never said I was rooting for MS. You confuse criticism of Apple with supporting MS.
My original point (which I maintain) is that critics on Slashdot bash MS for the same tactics that Apple gets away with. You're saying Apple should be allowed to bundle, push DRM, and lock people in.
You're so busy being a fan-boy that you're not reading what I'm writing.
Kudos for him for speaking up rather than trying to abuse the situation.
Seriously? Do you want a list?
Forcing people to activate the iPhone through iTunes, and telling people who bought them at launch for $600 to screw themselves when they released iTunes wouldn't install on Windows x64 or Linux was pretty evil. Apple refused refunds to those customers who just purchased $600 bricks.
Suing teenage bloggers who only wrote positive things about Apple is evil.
DRM is evil.
Vendor lock-in is evil.
Treating your employees poorly is evil.
Forced bundling is evil.
Etc, etc, etc.
I really love how they contend that OS X Server is certified Unix, but the BSD backbone they built upon isn't Unix, so real businesses should avoid BSD and use OS X instead.
++ for openSUSE 11, a great release all around.