I submit that it's entirely possible to buy a machine that has a Blu-Ray drive & separate DVD drive in it. However, what's the use in buying a dual player when HD-DVD plays both, resulting in (hopefully) a smaller machine? However, looking at the first HD-DVD machines, they look like neutered PCs inside a receiver-sized case. Wonder how big a Blu-Ray will end up being. If Sony can pull out a Blu-Ray + DVD drive machine that's smaller than an HD-DVD drive, that's a small victory for their camp. Personally, I'm used to having a thin machine for watching movies. I don't need any more clutter w/ huge components than I already have. Suppose the time will come when I want to change, but for the time being, I'll pass. I realize that not everyone feels the way I do and that's fine. That's why I could be wrong in my thinking that Sony's going to tank on this one. If everyone thought like me, Sony'd be finished already. But they don't; that's what makes the world go 'round;)
Blu-Ray's dead in the water for me for one HUGE reason: no support for reading current DVDs. I own 500+ DVDs. Do I want to go out and repurchase every single one of them? Not a chance. At some point, I'll have to give up on them and move on to a new format. I don't know of anyone at this time that is willing to make that jump. If I can delay that jump, and HD-DVD provides the means to do it, then I'll be buying HD-DVD when the time comes. If Sony figures that pushing Blu-Ray on consumers at a high price-point on the PS3 is the way to make the market, then more power to them; personally, I think they're idiots (and doing exactly what a poster above said- not learning from history).
The only reply I've seen so far that mentions the manufacturing process is Balloot. Even he/she doesn't mention the costs involved. I'm no expert, but from what I understand, the Blu-Ray process requires all-new production facilities whereas HD-DVD can be manufactured by altering existing DVD pressing facilities. That alone would be a big reason for many companies to hold off on jumping on Sony's bandwagon.
And last, but certainly not least, with the rootkit fiasco, I'm more than willing to drop my support for Sony. I've bought craploads of Sony products over the past 15 years or so. I'm pretty much done with that. Sony's arrogant we-will-control-you attitude is enough to send me somewhere else.
Just my 1/2 cent worth.
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I submit that it's entirely possible to buy a machine that has a Blu-Ray drive & separate DVD drive in it. However, what's the use in buying a dual player when HD-DVD plays both, resulting in (hopefully) a smaller machine? However, looking at the first HD-DVD machines, they look like neutered PCs inside a receiver-sized case. Wonder how big a Blu-Ray will end up being. If Sony can pull out a Blu-Ray + DVD drive machine that's smaller than an HD-DVD drive, that's a small victory for their camp. Personally, I'm used to having a thin machine for watching movies. I don't need any more clutter w/ huge components than I already have. Suppose the time will come when I want to change, but for the time being, I'll pass. I realize that not everyone feels the way I do and that's fine. That's why I could be wrong in my thinking that Sony's going to tank on this one. If everyone thought like me, Sony'd be finished already. But they don't; that's what makes the world go 'round ;)
Blu-Ray's dead in the water for me for one HUGE reason: no support for reading current DVDs. I own 500+ DVDs. Do I want to go out and repurchase every single one of them? Not a chance. At some point, I'll have to give up on them and move on to a new format. I don't know of anyone at this time that is willing to make that jump. If I can delay that jump, and HD-DVD provides the means to do it, then I'll be buying HD-DVD when the time comes. If Sony figures that pushing Blu-Ray on consumers at a high price-point on the PS3 is the way to make the market, then more power to them; personally, I think they're idiots (and doing exactly what a poster above said- not learning from history). The only reply I've seen so far that mentions the manufacturing process is Balloot. Even he/she doesn't mention the costs involved. I'm no expert, but from what I understand, the Blu-Ray process requires all-new production facilities whereas HD-DVD can be manufactured by altering existing DVD pressing facilities. That alone would be a big reason for many companies to hold off on jumping on Sony's bandwagon. And last, but certainly not least, with the rootkit fiasco, I'm more than willing to drop my support for Sony. I've bought craploads of Sony products over the past 15 years or so. I'm pretty much done with that. Sony's arrogant we-will-control-you attitude is enough to send me somewhere else. Just my 1/2 cent worth.