Format Wars Over By 2009

SeaviewHome · 09-02-2008, 16:13

The format war will be over by the end of the year according to research firm Gartner, the Blu-ray Disc Association is proclaiming.

According to Gartner's principal research analyst for Japan, Hiroyuki Shimizu, by the end of 2008 the Blu-ray disc format will have won and the high-def format war will be over, and HD DVD's attempts to appeal to consumers are merely "useless resistance".

"Gartner believes that Toshiba's price-cutting may prolong HD DVD’s life a little, but the limited line-up of film titles will inflict fatal damage on the format", Shimizu wrote in Gartner's Semiconductor DQ Monday Report.

"Gartner expects that, by the end of 2008, Blu-ray will be the winning format in the consumer market, and the war will be over."

Toshiba's HD DVD format has had a rough time in the news since Warner Bros announced that it was ditching the format in January.

We are awaiting comment from the HD DVD promotion group.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/xml/arti...-12692,00.html

09-02-2008, 16:26

ION, there's a rumour going around on High Def Digest that DSG International (Currys, Dixons, PC World) is dropping or has dropped HD DVD. (This appears to be borne out by the apparent lack of Toshiba equipment on the various associated online stores.) It's certainly not looking good for the format. I'm somewhat surprised as I'd have expected hardware availability (or the lack thereof) to lag somewhat behind that of software.

Jarrak · 09-02-2008, 16:29

Well done SKY, a report which was released last month, surely as relevant as other "breaking news" items

Of course with Paramounts contract ending around that time you don't need to be an industry expert to make that prediction.

Jumbo_Holden · 09-02-2008, 20:45

It's over already. Hence I scraped all plans for getting the samsung hyrbrid and now have no fear in planning and getting ready for blu-ray.

cable.con · 09-02-2008, 20:52

If Toshiba went out and bought half a dozen studios HD-DVD would have won, but Sony beat them to it, joe puplic will decide who wins the format war and joe public will see the films they want are only available on Blu-Ray, you need the software as well as the hardware, just look at microsoft

Jarrak · 09-02-2008, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbo_Holden

It's over already. Hence I scraped all plans for getting the samsung hyrbrid and now have no fear in planning and getting ready for blu-ray.

If you are starting from scratch then I can't fault you (DVD region coding and Profiles not withstanding) but I've been enjoying HD DVD for a year and will continue to so for quite a while after I eventually buy a Blu-ray player although touchwood by the years end the UK will have decent priced 1.1 standalones.

Barring that if Toshiba launch a dual player this year I'm there

Jumbo_Holden · 09-02-2008, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

If you are starting from scratch then I can't fault you .

I'm going to buy a PS3

It's 'profile 2.0' proof at least

dennisspooner · 09-02-2008, 22:35

Early adopters can see whats going to happen before anyone else.

They knew dvd was a winner years before Joe Public even heard of it.

However many early adopters sat this one out as it was obvious that the format war was holding everything up and it was never 100% certain what would happen ---until Warner dropped the format a few weeks ago.

It does not matter whether Universal and Paramount go format neutral or even

continue to be HD DVD only- unfortunately Bluray has won this one and Sony's forward

thinking in buying up movie studios and film libraries aswell as risking PS3 sales by

pushing the price up because of the Bluray drive has paid off.

With one failed format after the other Sony can now sit back and enjoy their victory- although I believe Bluray will remain a niche market similar to LD although more successful and most of the public will continue to be happy with dvd.

Unless you have a massive screen , and most people dont, the difference between BD and DVD has a questionable value.

Many people are happy to watch the dire pictures of Sky and Freeview on their lcd/plasma sets so they wont be spending extra to get HD over dvd

gamercraig · 10-02-2008, 13:50

I only have a 26" HDTV and I can see a big difference between Blu-Ray and DVD so I can only imagine what it's like on a bigger television

Nigel Goodwin · 10-02-2008, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamercraig

I only have a 26" HDTV and I can see a big difference between Blu-Ray and DVD so I can only imagine what it's like on a bigger television

Fairly obviously size itself makes no difference, it's size related to viewing distance that does - so a 26" is just as good as a 50", as long as you view from the correct distance.

FlatProblem · 11-02-2008, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Fairly obviously size itself makes no difference, it's size related to viewing distance that does - so a 26" is just as good as a 50", as long as you view from the correct distance.

I usually read Nigels posts and agree, but you dont get many (if any) 1080p 26" TVs

So size (in this case) would make a difference, as they would be potentially more detail in the 50" version.

eddiewood · 11-02-2008, 12:39

My girlfriend said that size makes a big difference, she's been impressed with my 46".

Nigel Goodwin · 11-02-2008, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatProblem

I usually read Nigels posts and agree, but you dont get many (if any) 1080p 26" TVs

So size (in this case) would make a difference, as they would be potentially more detail in the 50" version.

You ignored the important bit!

Quote:

as long as you view from the correct distance

FlatProblem · 12-02-2008, 11:03

Nah what I meant was, "correct" in this case would be surelly relative?

For the sake of argument and easy numbers:
Viewing 26" 720p may be correct at 10 foot,
Viewing 42" 1080p may also be correct at 10 foot

In which case, bigger would be better, and the image would contain more viewable detail, at a greater size?

Nigel Goodwin · 12-02-2008, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatProblem

Nah what I meant was, "correct" in this case would be surelly relative?

For the sake of argument and easy numbers:
Viewing 26" 720p may be correct at 10 foot,
Viewing 42" 1080p may also be correct at 10 foot

In which case, bigger would be better, and the image would contain more viewable detail, at a greater size?

Obviously, you just need to watch the 26" from closer, it's all relative - however, for a 42" you would need to be closer than 10 feet to get any benefit from Full HD, or even HD ready - 10 feet is an SD suitable distance for a 42".

berncol · 12-02-2008, 13:42

Back on topic for a moment, if events continue as they have done recently, this format war could be over by the Summer. Looking at various websites, it seems that every other day another company (be it distribution, rental or retail) is going Blu Ray exclusive.
Paramount and Universal's loyalty to Toshiba is admirable but by now they really must be having second thoughts.
I really don't think they can go on much longer.

12-02-2008, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by berncol

Back on topic for a moment, if events continue as they have done recently, this format war could be over by the Summer. Looking at various websites, it seems that every other day another company (be it distribution, rental or retail) is going Blu Ray exclusive.
Paramount and Universal's loyalty to Toshiba is admirable but by now they really must be having second thoughts.
I really don't think they can go on much longer.

Neither does NPD, apparently.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology...ory?id=4276480

Quote on page 2 of the article:

Quote:

Toshiba's strategy to win customers with low-priced players is "a Hail Mary (pass)," says NPD entertainment analyst Russ Crupnick. "It's a format that's not going to be supported much longer."

I'd say the fat lady's approaching the stage.

Kojack · 12-02-2008, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomen Luni

I'd say the fat lady's approaching the stage.

Quick someone trip her up or drop a sand bag on her head

Jarrak · 12-02-2008, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kojack

Quick someone trip her up or drop a sand bag on her head

I absailed down then tried rushing the stage but couldn't get through the uber expensive stalls seats as they were full of PS3 owners.
I was sitting in the Gods, it's all Toshiba were willing to pay for

12-02-2008, 18:24

I'm just hoping LoveFilm.com lets me finish watching the Bourne trilogy before following Netflix in consigning HD DVD to Silicon Hell. I know it'll almost certainly be on BD eventually, but I've a two-month trial to use...!

Kojack · 12-02-2008, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

I absailed down then tried rushing the stage but couldn't get through the uber expensive stalls seats as they were full of PS3 owners.
I was sitting in the Gods, it's all Toshiba were willing to pay for

hehehehe

JimRockford · 12-02-2008, 22:29

I think the format war is over now.

It might be 2009 before you see all of the studios on Blu-ray though. Although I think we'll at least have announcements about Universal and Paramount going Blu before the end of the year.

CLL Dodge · 14-02-2008, 12:39

Right, the format war looks over. Now all I need is a player which is backwards-compatible multi-region for DVD as well as Blu-ray.

Is there one out there?

14-02-2008, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBDodge

Right, the format war looks over. Now all I need is a player which is backwards-compatible multi-region for DVD as well as Blu-ray.

Is there one out there?

You could get an Blu-ray player for your PC and SlySoft AnyDVD HD. I believe there are also some modded Samsung 1200s out there, though I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

Or, download AnyDVD and CloneDVD on trial, copy your Region 1 DVDs to DVD±R with region coding removed, and enjoy.

09-02-2008, 16:13	#1
SeaviewHome Banned User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,386	Format Wars Over By 2009 The format war will be over by the end of the year according to research firm Gartner, the Blu-ray Disc Association is proclaiming. According to Gartner's principal research analyst for Japan, Hiroyuki Shimizu, by the end of 2008 the Blu-ray disc format will have won and the high-def format war will be over, and HD DVD's attempts to appeal to consumers are merely "useless resistance". "Gartner believes that Toshiba's price-cutting may prolong HD DVD’s life a little, but the limited line-up of film titles will inflict fatal damage on the format", Shimizu wrote in Gartner's Semiconductor DQ Monday Report. "Gartner expects that, by the end of 2008, Blu-ray will be the winning format in the consumer market, and the war will be over." Toshiba's HD DVD format has had a rough time in the news since Warner Bros announced that it was ditching the format in January. We are awaiting comment from the HD DVD promotion group. http://news.sky.com/skynews/xml/arti...-12692,00.html

09-02-2008, 16:26	#2
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	ION, there's a rumour going around on High Def Digest that DSG International (Currys, Dixons, PC World) is dropping or has dropped HD DVD. (This appears to be borne out by the apparent lack of Toshiba equipment on the various associated online stores.) It's certainly not looking good for the format. I'm somewhat surprised as I'd have expected hardware availability (or the lack thereof) to lag somewhat behind that of software.

09-02-2008, 16:29	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Well done SKY, a report which was released last month, surely as relevant as other "breaking news" items Of course with Paramounts contract ending around that time you don't need to be an industry expert to make that prediction.

09-02-2008, 20:45	#4
Jumbo_Holden Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Telford, Shropshire Posts: 3,362	It's over already. Hence I scraped all plans for getting the samsung hyrbrid and now have no fear in planning and getting ready for blu-ray.

09-02-2008, 20:52	#5
cable.con Banned User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 996	If Toshiba went out and bought half a dozen studios HD-DVD would have won, but Sony beat them to it, joe puplic will decide who wins the format war and joe public will see the films they want are only available on Blu-Ray, you need the software as well as the hardware, just look at microsoft

09-02-2008, 21:37	#6
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Jumbo_Holden It's over already. Hence I scraped all plans for getting the samsung hyrbrid and now have no fear in planning and getting ready for blu-ray. If you are starting from scratch then I can't fault you (DVD region coding and Profiles not withstanding) but I've been enjoying HD DVD for a year and will continue to so for quite a while after I eventually buy a Blu-ray player although touchwood by the years end the UK will have decent priced 1.1 standalones. Barring that if Toshiba launch a dual player this year I'm there

09-02-2008, 22:08	#7
Jumbo_Holden Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Telford, Shropshire Posts: 3,362	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak If you are starting from scratch then I can't fault you . I'm going to buy a PS3 It's 'profile 2.0' proof at least

09-02-2008, 22:35	#8
dennisspooner Banned User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,153	Early adopters can see whats going to happen before anyone else. They knew dvd was a winner years before Joe Public even heard of it. However many early adopters sat this one out as it was obvious that the format war was holding everything up and it was never 100% certain what would happen ---until Warner dropped the format a few weeks ago. It does not matter whether Universal and Paramount go format neutral or even continue to be HD DVD only- unfortunately Bluray has won this one and Sony's forward thinking in buying up movie studios and film libraries aswell as risking PS3 sales by pushing the price up because of the Bluray drive has paid off. With one failed format after the other Sony can now sit back and enjoy their victory- although I believe Bluray will remain a niche market similar to LD although more successful and most of the public will continue to be happy with dvd. Unless you have a massive screen , and most people dont, the difference between BD and DVD has a questionable value. Many people are happy to watch the dire pictures of Sky and Freeview on their lcd/plasma sets so they wont be spending extra to get HD over dvd

10-02-2008, 13:50	#9
gamercraig Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 5,874	I only have a 26" HDTV and I can see a big difference between Blu-Ray and DVD so I can only imagine what it's like on a bigger television

10-02-2008, 15:59	#10
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by gamercraig I only have a 26" HDTV and I can see a big difference between Blu-Ray and DVD so I can only imagine what it's like on a bigger television Fairly obviously size itself makes no difference, it's size related to viewing distance that does - so a 26" is just as good as a 50", as long as you view from the correct distance.

11-02-2008, 11:23	#11
FlatProblem Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire Posts: 901	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin Fairly obviously size itself makes no difference, it's size related to viewing distance that does - so a 26" is just as good as a 50", as long as you view from the correct distance. I usually read Nigels posts and agree, but you dont get many (if any) 1080p 26" TVs So size (in this case) would make a difference, as they would be potentially more detail in the 50" version.

11-02-2008, 12:39	#12
eddiewood Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,400	My girlfriend said that size makes a big difference, she's been impressed with my 46".

11-02-2008, 13:23	#13
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by FlatProblem I usually read Nigels posts and agree, but you dont get many (if any) 1080p 26" TVs So size (in this case) would make a difference, as they would be potentially more detail in the 50" version. You ignored the important bit! Quote: as long as you view from the correct distance

12-02-2008, 11:03	#14
FlatProblem Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire Posts: 901	Nah what I meant was, "correct" in this case would be surelly relative? For the sake of argument and easy numbers: Viewing 26" 720p may be correct at 10 foot, Viewing 42" 1080p may also be correct at 10 foot In which case, bigger would be better, and the image would contain more viewable detail, at a greater size?

12-02-2008, 11:10	#15
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by FlatProblem Nah what I meant was, "correct" in this case would be surelly relative? For the sake of argument and easy numbers: Viewing 26" 720p may be correct at 10 foot, Viewing 42" 1080p may also be correct at 10 foot In which case, bigger would be better, and the image would contain more viewable detail, at a greater size? Obviously, you just need to watch the 26" from closer, it's all relative - however, for a 42" you would need to be closer than 10 feet to get any benefit from Full HD, or even HD ready - 10 feet is an SD suitable distance for a 42".

12-02-2008, 13:42	#16
berncol Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 564	Back on topic for a moment, if events continue as they have done recently, this format war could be over by the Summer. Looking at various websites, it seems that every other day another company (be it distribution, rental or retail) is going Blu Ray exclusive. Paramount and Universal's loyalty to Toshiba is admirable but by now they really must be having second thoughts. I really don't think they can go on much longer.

12-02-2008, 16:58	#17
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by berncol Back on topic for a moment, if events continue as they have done recently, this format war could be over by the Summer. Looking at various websites, it seems that every other day another company (be it distribution, rental or retail) is going Blu Ray exclusive. Paramount and Universal's loyalty to Toshiba is admirable but by now they really must be having second thoughts. I really don't think they can go on much longer. Neither does NPD, apparently. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology...ory?id=4276480 Quote on page 2 of the article: Quote: Toshiba's strategy to win customers with low-priced players is "a Hail Mary (pass)," says NPD entertainment analyst Russ Crupnick. "It's a format that's not going to be supported much longer." I'd say the fat lady's approaching the stage.

12-02-2008, 17:55	#18
Kojack Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pomgolia Posts: 1,162	Quote: Originally Posted by Nomen Luni I'd say the fat lady's approaching the stage. Quick someone trip her up or drop a sand bag on her head

12-02-2008, 18:11	#19
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Kojack Quick someone trip her up or drop a sand bag on her head I absailed down then tried rushing the stage but couldn't get through the uber expensive stalls seats as they were full of PS3 owners. I was sitting in the Gods, it's all Toshiba were willing to pay for

12-02-2008, 18:24	#20
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	I'm just hoping LoveFilm.com lets me finish watching the Bourne trilogy before following Netflix in consigning HD DVD to Silicon Hell. I know it'll almost certainly be on BD eventually, but I've a two-month trial to use...!

12-02-2008, 21:16	#21
Kojack Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pomgolia Posts: 1,162	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak I absailed down then tried rushing the stage but couldn't get through the uber expensive stalls seats as they were full of PS3 owners. I was sitting in the Gods, it's all Toshiba were willing to pay for hehehehe

DS Forums

Format Wars Over By 2009

12-02-2008, 22:29	#22
JimRockford Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,989	I think the format war is over now. It might be 2009 before you see all of the studios on Blu-ray though. Although I think we'll at least have announcements about Universal and Paramount going Blu before the end of the year.

14-02-2008, 12:39	#23
CLL Dodge Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Green Hills of Earth Posts: 80,449	Right, the format war looks over. Now all I need is a player which is backwards-compatible multi-region for DVD as well as Blu-ray. Is there one out there?

14-02-2008, 12:52	#24
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by BBDodge Right, the format war looks over. Now all I need is a player which is backwards-compatible multi-region for DVD as well as Blu-ray. Is there one out there? You could get an Blu-ray player for your PC and SlySoft AnyDVD HD. I believe there are also some modded Samsung 1200s out there, though I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Or, download AnyDVD and CloneDVD on trial, copy your Region 1 DVDs to DVD±R with region coding removed, and enjoy.