AfterDawn: News

Retail chains back Total HD

Film production company Warner Bros. had announed they have come up with an answer to the war waging between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Their answer was TotalHD. A disk capable of holding information for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats. Billed as a bridge between the next-gen format gap, they were able to get retail giants such as Best Buy and Circuit City to carry movies burned onto this dual-format disk. The pretense was that consumers wouldn't have to remain confused about which format to choose, now they've got a viable option for either format.

Warner Bros. grasped their hands together in celebration that they just may have come up with a peace offering for the format war and stated, "It behooved us to figure out a way to transition (consumers) from standard definition to high definition DVDs." They went on to say that they do not care how the transition happens, so long as it does. There are others however, in the industry that don't share the same enthusiasm as Warner Bros.



Critics and other industry leaders say that this doesn't solve anything and only adds a third next generation media format to further confuse consumers as to which is the best option to buy. They went on to cite poor sales numbers in next-gen devices due to gunshy consumers not wanting to adopt a soon-to-be defunct media format. WB does not believe this will pose a problem. A spokesman stated that this format war is much like the video game market where consumers expect different formats and their solution takes away the fear from the consumer that they might buy the wrong format.

Source:
Reuters

Written by: Dave Horvath @ 11 Jan 2007 8:39

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• 29 comments

• BludRayne

  This only prolongs the format war. But if the early adopters MUST have their hidef discs, the Total HD is a good choice.

  11.1.2007 08:46 #1

• solarf

  I agree this does't really solve anything. But if you must have one this would be a good choice I guess.

  11.1.2007 09:24 #2

• sssharp

  This will solve all problems. It will allow consumers who purchased the disc to be able to play it after one of the choices goes under. I personally havent attempted either device for fear of non-existance and mainly outrageous price.

  11.1.2007 11:47 #3

• psyantist

  While it may not solve what player to buy it does resolve the issue of having a complete library of HD titles that are useles, which is the business WB is in. Why would they care what format wins or what player you buy, they will just drop the loser off the discs and keep on keepin' on. The whole time making money off both camps....BRILLIANT!
  
  At least they are giving the consumers an option in the whole matter......

  11.1.2007 12:31 #4

• arcanix

  Actually this solves one thing. It doesn't matter which format wins, since you can watch these movies even if the loser goes out from the market. Better solution is a player which plays both formats.

  11.1.2007 12:39 #5

• johnblaze

  I wonder how much these disks would cost?

  11.1.2007 14:47 #6

• OzMick

  Totally useless. You end up with a disc with twice the chances of damaging the surface, and prolong the period until a winning format is decided, all the while paying royalties to both camps. Well, you might have a disc that will survive and be playable when a winner is decided, but there is a good chance it will be scratched and dead before then..

  11.1.2007 22:52 #7

• ZippyDSM

  To think BR could have blowen HD out of the water if the PS3 was broken into parts and the 350$ core unit with 20GB HD ( HDMI port add on 150-200 extra).
  BR is dead they simply cant out do HD.

  12.1.2007 07:30 #8

• GrayArea

  If the industry A-holes were not SO damn greedy and would have settled on one HD disc standard a long time ago all this would be a NON-ISSUE. IMHO, don't spend money on ANY OF IT until these Bozos get their act together. I will give WB a point for trying to make the best of a bad situation. Whatever next gen format comes along will render both HD-DVD and Blu-ray obsolete long before a "winner" is ever chosen in this asinine war.

  12.1.2007 09:14 #9

• borhan9

  I like the sound of this but they should not make the media dual formated but they should make the players soo...

  12.1.2007 18:52 #10

• cappyx

  No thanks i'll wait until the new Betamax has died and the future winner is clear. the most bone head statement in that article has got to be
  "A spokesman stated that this format war is much like the video game market where consumers expect different formats"
  this is a completly different item than a video game. this is suppose to be a stadardized format and it has again gone wrong as it did in the 80's. the poor sales should be enough to show these clowns that no one is bitting this time and the majority of us are smart enough to wait out the winner.
  Hey does anyone remember those record type video disks of the late 70's early 80's that rca was trying to promote a proprietary format to compete against a very young laser disk? we got one of those for 20 bucks in the end and the movie disks were 50cents each!

  12.1.2007 19:55 #11

• ZippyDSM

  cappyx
  dont you mean beta-rax/beta-rex/beta-racks?
  LOL

  12.1.2007 21:46 #12

• mlsgiant

  Has anyone realized that BLUE RAY will win the format war for one key reason --MGM EXCLUSIVE MOVIE RIGHTS--!?! Sony OWNS MGM movie franchises like the 21 JAMES BOND movies, Spiderman trilogy, X-Men Trilogy, Rocky movies, etc. plus several thousands of MGM classics. ALL to BlueRay ONLY. Sony was so smart for doing this. What movie franchise does Microsoft or Toshiba own??? The big answer -NONE!!! Battle won. SONY all the way. 50GB discs over 30GB anyday.

  12.1.2007 21:48 #13

• mlsgiant

  Also, there are way more BlueRay players (PS3) now than HDDVD players in consumers hands right now. Sony all the way.

  12.1.2007 21:51 #14

• roboman90

  Why would anyone trust Sony after their DRM CD rootkit fiasco? FWIW I would not own or use anything Sony is involved in.

  13.1.2007 02:52 #15

• sandytntn

  My solution, buy a HD-DVR from DirectTV and record HD movies and shows and watch them until the HD disc issue is settled. Why bail out these idiots by buying and HD player now or buying discs with twice the info u need.
  DTV is getting ready to triple the number of HD channels they offer. They are 1080i but still look great.
  Sandy

  13.1.2007 04:31 #16

• PCB4

  I am so pleased for Warner Bros. but they can keep both formats. My HDTV, for which I paid $3,000.00, is four years old. These devices will not attach to my TV and I am not throwing it out.

  13.1.2007 04:48 #17

• brace1984

  PCB4, that was your fault for purchasing a HDTV set four years ago. Wait until prices drop like they are currently. It is important to recognize how technology is advancing but not necessary to empty your wallet or bank account when it is actually available. patience...

  13.1.2007 05:21 #18

• puterman

  This just guarantees that NO format will "win the war". Just like +r and -r, we are going to have them both around until the next new format comes along.

  13.1.2007 06:09 #19

• solarf

  one of them has to win...right? I mean if sony owns the rights to MGM movies I think they might be the winners, what a shame I'm not a big SOny fan.

  13.1.2007 08:39 #20

• PCB4

  Actually Brace, I don't think that was my fault. I have enjoyed good HD/TV for four years. If a cable box can deliver such fine HD then so can any player. The newly introduced connector has been introduced to keep people from copying HD content. It won't work, but that's why and that, my friend, is not my fault. That is the fault of greedy movie studios and greedy hardware manufacturers. They can keep their product and you shouldn't buy anything for the next four years because when this trick doesn't work they will come up with another trick, just as dumb, just as expensive. Don't buy the product. Let the warehouses fill up. Consumer indifference is our best defense.

  13.1.2007 09:08 #21

• DDR4life

  I'm not convinced that this is in any way an answer, although it may provide a stop-gap solution for the time being. But as long as we're on the subject...
  A Brief history lesson in The Format Wars (from my perspective)
  FW I - Sony's Betamax Vs. JVC's VHS. Winner: VHS. Beta provided a slightly sharper video, but VHS could give you up to 9 hrs of record time (T-160 on EP/SLP).
  FW II - Pioneer's LaserDisc Vs. RCA's SelectaVision CED. (MCA had started <I>this</I> fracas with it's DiscoVision, but they soon pulled out.) Winner: VHS. Surprised? It was the vcr's recording ability and lower price that kept it on top. LaserDisc recorders were developed, but were too expensive for consumer purchase. RCA's <B>C</B>apacitance <B>E</B>lectronic <B>D</B>isc which was, in essence, a "video phonograph" seemed more like a novelty and you couldn't record on it.
  FW III - DVD Vs DivX. Winner: DVD. Like VHS and LaserDisc before it, once you buy a DVD movie (U.S. $15-$22 retail) it's yours to watch as often as you like. With DivX (a DVD variant) you had 48 hrs (starting from the initial viewing) within which to watch it. Afterward, it was ppv. And of course we all love paying for the privilege to watch the movies we own. (lol) I didn't include VCDs because the format "never" made it to the U.S. due to a lack of copy prevention. Basically, Hollywood "killed" it fearing mass copyright infringements.
  And so, we come now to FW IV - HD-DVD Vs. Blu-ray. I feel sorry for any early adopters should your choice prove to be the wrong one. Personally, I'll hold off on the new tech until a clear-cut winner emerges.
  
  @mlsgiant
  In 1986 Ted Turner bought MGM/UA then later sold most of it, but kept all of the MGM film library (dating back to pre-merger days), as well as the extensive UA library, which comprised the pre-1948 Warner Bros. catalog, the entire RKO library, and a good share of United Artists's own backlist. In 1996 Time Warner acquired Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS). Sooo... basically what I'm saying is: MGM Classics on Blu-ray <B>only</B> if Time Warner decides it, not because Sony dictates.

  14.1.2007 03:08 #22

• ZippyDSM

  DDR4life
  To me it comes down to features and price,however has the most for the cheapest amount wins more or less,with Dual players coming more reason for them t give in a bit and join forces,however that wont happen for at least 3 years.

  14.1.2007 03:24 #23

• wolf123

  By that time the other format will emerge and then what.
  
  Of coarse I am talking about Holo disk it was in an article a few months back before the BR and HD hit the market but it is just in development stage so I will wait because it will hold 300 GB in instead of the 50 the HD has or the 25 the BR has too offer.
  
  But here is whatI think will happen a fomat war will end someone will win by the end of 2009 anyway after words they will release a new kind of storage not disk and not HDD something thats been n the working for sometime and just now they will release or will in 2009.
  
  By the way 1 BR disk I saw for 20$ and HD disk for 20$.
  
  

  14.1.2007 18:40 #24

• wolf123

  Since LG is making a a machine that will play both formats this will be awsome a disk that hold both but will it be a 2 sided or will it share one side in different layers.

  14.1.2007 18:41 #25

• ZippyDSM

  wolf123
  so you'll skip the next 20 years moives and media and wait on halo disks?
  
  face reality one format is goign to win in the next 5 years then dominate for the next 10-15,until the industry is ready for another change.

  15.1.2007 00:59 #26

• gogochar

  TotalHD will be a breakthrough in technology for days to come. I seriously can't wait to get a hold of this. It'll be a nice addtion to my collection already in progress.

  15.1.2007 12:29 #27

• handsom

  @ZIppyDSM
  
  You mean like DVD? That's not even at ten years yet. It didn't really hit the market until late '98, so it's not quite to ten yet...
  
  Vhs was longer than 15 years (I think), so you can't really say there's a 'standard' lifetime. But I can see where you're coming from.
  
  On the one hand, I'd kind of like to see WB's new dual-format take off, so that it wouldn't matter which player you had; but I honestly won't hold my breath.
  
  As has been said. One side will win, not a mix.
  
  As for those halo discs.... I don't think you understand how long it takes for new media to hit the market, wolf. Blu-ray was in 'development' for over five years, and it still isn't perfect, far from it. There's a lot of changes and updates still occurring. Same for HD DVD.

  16.1.2007 09:46 #28

• ZippyDSM

  handsom
  97 or 98 to today is almsot 10 years,you can kinda look at it in a decade + cycle,its still going to be another 5 years before stuff is not made onto DVD if not another 9,unless the industry thinks as one and tries to make the older format obsolete ASAP but DVD is mainstream for at least 5 more years,then after that a format will slowly replace it and be mainstream for 10ish years,of coarse the consumer could simply not adapt but if they were not interested HD and BR would be dead by now.

  16.1.2007 18:48 #29