HD DVD is officially, officially, dead

Although the format has been technically dead for over a month, HD DVD is now officially dead, as the HD DVD Promotion Group has formally dissolved itself, marking a quiet end to the High Definition format.

After Toshiba's decision last month to abandon the format, other big players involved have all pulled out as well, including Microsoft, Universal Studios, Paramount Studios and more recently, Best Buy.

The Promotion group, the organization in charge of persuading the world to adopt HD DVD, has now voted to disband, leaving HD DVD and its branding to the DVD Forum.

The question still remains however if the world will go Blu or move to flash memory and HD downloads as internet speeds get faster and flash capacities get larger.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Mar 2008 18:36

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49 comments

tripplite

Quote:is now officially dead,
excuse me? whats dead? did i spend 100$ dollar on nothing, i dont think i did!! things that exist aren't DEad? no....no i can't and wont except defeat......because i have a vision.....I will buy a hd-dvd burner.......buy direct from china all the left over unburned HD DVD media......i shale then ripp all the blu-rays and.....you guessed it....reburn them to HD-DVD MEDIA.......yes yes its so perfect.....people will be like "hey i didn't know they still made those retro HD-DVD things" and ill be like *ripps eyes out of socket* me says:"they're can you see any difference NOW"

note:i excepted the death of hd dvd a while back....and have since got a BD-R burner..

28.3.2008 18:59 #1

core2kid

I bought the Xbox 360 HD DVD player for $50 when HD DVD died, a day before the "5 Free HD DVDs" promotion ended. I better get my 5 HD DVDs, thats the only reason I bought the player.

28.3.2008 19:02 #2

juankerr

Quote:The question still remains however if the world will go Blu or move to flash memory and HD downloads as internet speeds get faster and flash capacities get larger.DVDBack23: I think we should look even further.

I predict the next technoligical advance will be high-def entertainment through human brain implants:

http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=04/05/19/02210062

No need for an HDTV. No need for a 7.1 surround sound system. Just hook up your implant to a delivery device and enjoy the movie.

But on a more serious note, does anyone know what will happen to Ken Graffeo?

28.3.2008 19:13 #3

error5

Originally posted by juankerr: But on a more serious note, does anyone know what will happen to Ken Graffeo?Ken Graffeo has left his HD marketing role at Universal but I think he's still employed there. I don't know where his next appoinment will take him and I also don't know who'll be taking over BluRay operations at the studio.

http://www.videobusiness.com/index.asp?l...6&desc=topstory

Pioneer Kuro 50" PDP-5010FD 1080p Plasma With 24fps input and 3:3 72Hz Playback - ISF Calibrated
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player// Sony PS3 60GB
Marantz SR6001 Surround Sound Receiver With HDMI// B&W604/602/LCR600 // Hsu Research VTF3 Subwoofer
Panamax 4300EX // Cables & Wiring by bettercables, bluejeanscable, Acoustic Research, & Tributaries

28.3.2008 19:41 #4

NexGen76

Originally posted by juankerr: But on a more serious note, does anyone know what will happen to Ken Graffeo?To be honest i could careless if i ever see that tool again.He got under my skin a lot with his dumb comments.People said Sony say dumb things but that guy took the cake.I guess he at home licking his wounds or bargain shopping for close out HD-DVD titles since he love the format so much.

28.3.2008 19:53 #5

nopcbs

I have two DD-DVD players ($100 for one plus 5 movies and $67 for the other plus two movies), an A2 and an A3. I also held my nose (Sony product) and bought a Playstation 3 after the Warner abandonment of HD-DVD because the handwriting was on the wall.

I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.

The more I see of Blu Ray, the more I am convinced the wrong side won.

- nopcbs

28.3.2008 20:20 #6

core2kid

I knew Blu-Ray was going to win as soon as I saw that Sony supported it. What Blu-Ray did in its steps to victory was:
1. Make a Game System/Blu-ray Player to push format, like the PS2 pushing DVD and putting the Dreamcast out of business.

2. Start getting companies to sign exclusives or pay to go exclusive (Sony 400 Million to WB to go Blu-Ray Exclusive http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/13009.cfm)

3. Push HD DVD to death, finally it dies.

4. Incorperate all HD DVD features into Blu-Ray Discs (Profile 2.0 and BluRay Live.)

I support Sony and the Playstation but I personally also support HD DVD since it was the cheaper format to manufacture.
If Sony supported HD DVD and Toshiba was BluRay, HD DVD would have won.

28.3.2008 21:04 #7

ZimHosein

Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?

28.3.2008 21:42 #8

xSModder

so it's dead.
didn't we know this already? was there one chance of a shiny light once Toshiba stopped making players?

28.3.2008 22:03 #9

glassd

Quote:Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?I guess he is using game controler and does not have the remote control. You put the movie in and press play if you want to watch the movie. If you want to scroll through the menu, you push the up arrow to go up and the down arrow to go down. Im gona keep it a secret on how to move left and right.

Just messing with you. If you are using the game controler, it is awkward.

28.3.2008 22:04 #10

ripxrush

Originally posted by core2kid: I bought the Xbox 360 HD DVD player for $50 when HD DVD died, a day before the "5 Free HD DVDs" promotion ended. I better get my 5 HD DVDs, thats the only reason I bought the player.no kidding i did the saem thing i got it about 2 weeks b4 the offer ended & sent it out in time so... guess i will see!

29.3.2008 00:11 #11

pcaddict

Read this:

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7216.cfm

29.3.2008 01:27 #12

error5

Originally posted by pcaddict: Read this:

" target="_blank">http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7216.cfm

You linked to a news item that's more than 2 years old and that came out even before either format was released.

A lot has changed since then. It's a biased article that simply doesn't hold water at this time especially the representative's points about disc size, manufacturing issues and BD-Java.

There's really no need to bring up the debating points. These have been brought up here ad nauseam and any further discussion is pointless given the current state of affairs. The war is over and the sooner people move on the better.

Originally posted by NexGen76: To be honest i could careless if i ever see that tool again.He got under my skin a lot with his dumb comments.People said Sony say dumb things but that guy took the cake.I guess he at home licking his wounds or bargain shopping for close out HD-DVD titles since he love the format so much. I guess you could say that he was just doing his job.

29.3.2008 02:21 #13

sandeep14

so now there could be a new "war".

Blu-Ray vs. Flash/HD Downloads but for different kinds of use.

29.3.2008 06:42 #14

nopcbs

Originally posted by ZimHosein: Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?I mean just the movies. The console itself is a seperate matter and I don't play games. I do use the Sony $20 remote, by the way, not the game controller which would truly suck.

nopcbs

29.3.2008 07:37 #15

core2kid

Quote:Originally posted by ZimHosein: Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?I mean just the movies. The console itself is a seperate matter and I don't play games. I do use the Sony $20 remote, by the way, not the game controller which would truly suck.
Oh, brings back memories of the PS2 and DVDs on it with the controller before the remote was released :)

29.3.2008 08:12 #16

nobrainer

Great 1 anti consumer DRM hobbled (HDMI HDCP, AACS) piece of crapware dead and 1 left to go, DRM-Ray. its just a shame we are left with the more anti consumer product, DRM(blu)-ray.

The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!

The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

How do you stop anti consumer = its easy purchase only second hand media and avoid their propertarian hobbled by DRM hardware! http://www.boycott-riaa.com/

29.3.2008 09:32 #17

indyjase

Quote:The more I see of Blu Ray, the more I am convinced the wrong side won.

I have both HDDVD and bluray players and I definately prefer HDDVD over bluray...Yes the consumer has lost out and that truely is a shame....

Smurfs were blue and you never hear about them anymore....Is this the fate instore for bluray....to disappear like the smurfs...LOL!!!!!!

29.3.2008 11:04 #18

c1c

Quote:Quote:is now officially dead,
excuse me? whats dead? did i spend 100$ dollar on nothing, i dont think i did!! things that exist aren't DEad? no....no i can't and wont except defeat......because i have a vision.....I will buy a hd-dvd burner.......buy direct from china all the left over unburned HD DVD media......i shale then ripp all the blu-rays and.....you guessed it....reburn them to HD-DVD MEDIA.......yes yes its so perfect.....people will be like "hey i didn't know they still made those retro HD-DVD things" and ill be like *ripps eyes out of socket* me says:"they're can you see any difference NOW"

note:i excepted the death of hd dvd a while back....and have since got a BD-R burner..This is a great idea! Rip the BR movies to HD DVD media.... hmmm... This does have a lot of potential. Will they still make HD DVD-R? or are you sstuck hunting for the rest of the stockpile. I like this idea alot. I'm sure you can get the media dirt cheap now.

29.3.2008 11:57 #19

dragonx17

I had the Toshiba hd-dvd player that i bought in november. Since then i have built up a good collection and now i am screwed you say? Nope i am not - Thank you very much Circuit City for letting me return the player after 4 months and getting full credit towards my new purchase.

The LG BH200 Super Blue Dual Player - with 5 year Insurance plan.

O yea now i can shop for my blu-ray's and buy the last cheap Hd-dvd titles for hella cheap - even on Amazon and Half.com

Some Blu-ray titles have come down also.

I love Circuit City they are on the customers side. Screw Best Buy.

29.3.2008 13:38 #20

ZimHosein

Quote:Originally posted by ZimHosein: Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?I mean just the movies. The console itself is a seperate matter and I don't play games. I do use the Sony $20 remote, by the way, not the game controller which would truly suck.Thanks for the clarification nopcbs; I do agree that using a game controller does such when navigating anything but games.

29.3.2008 23:24 #21

tripplite

Quote:But on a more serious note, does anyone know what will happen to Ken Graffeo?
in my backyard burning/burying all the hd dvd media we can get our hands on.. he... he

30.3.2008 01:31 #22

milkyoreo

gotta get a PS3 then soon...

30.3.2008 09:13 #23

nopcbs

Quote:Quote:Originally posted by ZimHosein: Originally posted by nopcbs: I like watching HD-DVD's much more than I like watching Blu Rays. The HD-DVD human interface is just more polished, easy to use and friendly. By comparison, the Playstation 3/Blu Ray is really awkward and annoying to use.What do you mean by the "human interface" nopcbs? Are you talking about the movie menu systems or the player itself menu systems?
Thanks for the clarification nopcbs; I do agree that using a game controller does such when navigating anything but games.
I mean just the movies. The console itself is a seperate matter and I don't play games. I do use the Sony $20 remote, by the way, not the game controller which would truly suck.********************************************************************

It may well be a consequence of the Playstation being a combo game console/DVD player, but, in any case, there is a definite lack of polish in the DVD player interface compared to that in Toshiba HD-DVD players.

There are also annoyances like the fact that fact that the one PS3 game I have (Blazing Angels) can only supply sound via HDMI (which I send direct to the TV since my receiver is non-HDMI) and I use optical to feed sound to my receiver for movies.

That means that whenever I switch from that game to watching a movie I have to go into the PS3 very clunky menu structure to switch which audio it is outputting - because you cannot have noth optical and HDMI sound at the same time (so much for the power of the Cell processor). If Sony had used a normal IR remote interface, I could use my programmable remote (via macro) to do the changing, but they supply BlueTooth only capability, so forget that.

This kind of Sony nonsense just enrages me no end. They are really dumb in terms of making products user friendly. A huge shame that Blu Ray won as Toshiba is much better at engineering their products for use by humans.

- nopcbs

30.3.2008 09:58 #24

SProdigy

Originally posted by core2kid: I knew Blu-Ray was going to win as soon as I saw that Sony supported it. What Blu-Ray did in its steps to victory was:
1. Make a Game System/Blu-ray Player to push format, like the PS2 pushing DVD and putting the Dreamcast out of business.
That's technically incorrect. Lack of support for the Dreamcast killed it. EA was not behind the system at all, and if you recall, that's where 2K games came from originally, as Sega's answer to Madden and other fare. The only publisher outside of Sega that gave alot of support to the DC was Capcom (which had pulled away from N64 at the time.)

The original PlayStation was still very hot at the time, and the Dreamcast ultimately died not when the PS2 came about, but when Xbox and Gamecube launched, their run was officially over.

I believe the DVD playback ability had very or little part in Dreamcast's "doom", rather, it just gave consumers an extra benefit to purchasing a $300 PS2 at the time.

30.3.2008 10:11 #25

juankerr

Originally posted by nopcbs: It may well be a consequence of the Playstation being a combo game console/DVD player, but, in any case, there is a definite lack of polish in the DVD player interface compared to that in Toshiba HD-DVD players. It makes no sense at all to compare the interface of a standalone HD DVD player to a PS3. The PS3 is a multifunction device and as such will give you a different feel.

If you want to compare interfaces then it would only be logical to compare your HD DVD player to a standalone BluRay player. I have both the Toshiba HD-A30 and the Panasonic DMP-BD30 and I see no significant difference in the experience.

If you want to compare apples to apples then get yourself a BluRay standalone.

30.3.2008 10:52 #26

core2kid

Quote:Originally posted by nopcbs: It may well be a consequence of the Playstation being a combo game console/DVD player, but, in any case, there is a definite lack of polish in the DVD player interface compared to that in Toshiba HD-DVD players. It makes no sense at all to compare the interface of a standalone HD DVD player to a PS3. The PS3 is a multifunction device and as such will give you a different feel.

If you want to compare interfaces then it would only be logical to compare your HD DVD player to a standalone BluRay player. I have both the Toshiba HD-A30 and the Panasonic DMP-BD30 and I see no significant difference in the experience.

If you want to compare apples to apples then get yourself a BluRay standalone.
Many people feel, Why get the Blu-Ray standalone when PS3's were originally cheaper and now about $50 more.

30.3.2008 13:48 #27

core2kid

sorry, double post.

30.3.2008 13:49 #28

tripplite

i think i'll just continue to ripp blu-rays and reburn dem to dvd....eventually when blu-ray drives are cheap enough i'll get one:)

30.3.2008 14:02 #29

core2kid

Originally posted by tripplite: i think i'll just continue to ripp blu-rays and reburn dem to dvd....eventually when blu-ray drives are cheap enough i'll get one:)
What software do you use to rip them? I wanted to rip my King Kong HD DVD onto a normal DVD for my uncle to borrow.

30.3.2008 14:12 #30

nopcbs

Originally posted by juankerr: Originally posted by nopcbs: It may well be a consequence of the Playstation being a combo game console/DVD player, but, in any case, there is a definite lack of polish in the DVD player interface compared to that in Toshiba HD-DVD players. It makes no sense at all to compare the interface of a standalone HD DVD player to a PS3. The PS3 is a multifunction device and as such will give you a different feel.

If you want to compare interfaces then it would only be logical to compare your HD DVD player to a standalone BluRay player. I have both the Toshiba HD-A30 and the Panasonic DMP-BD30 and I see no significant difference in the experience.

If you want to compare apples to apples then get yourself a BluRay standalone.Let's see, my two HD-DVD players cost a total (new) of $180. My Playstation 3, after Sony $100 bribe, was $300. That Sony is the ONLY semi-afordable way to get a Profile 2 Blu Ray player, so it is, in fact the cheapest Blu Ray player available. I compare on the basis of comparable (as far as possable) price things that produce comparable image quality.

However, in the interest of accross the platforms cooperation, if you can suggest a Blu Ray standalone player that cost as much (for one) as my two HD-DVD players cost together, I would pleased to take a look at it and, perhaps, alter my view. I do need Dolby TrueHD capability, mind you.

- nopcbs

nopcbs

30.3.2008 15:33 #31

NexGen76

Originally posted by nopcbs: Let's see, my two HD-DVD players cost a total (new) of $180. My Playstation 3, after Sony $100 bribe, was $300. That Sony is the ONLY semi-afordable way to get a Profile 2 Blu Ray player, so it is, in fact the cheapest Blu Ray player available. I compare on the basis of comparable (as far as possable) price things that produce comparable image quality.

However, in the interest of accross the platforms cooperation, if you can suggest a Blu Ray standalone player that cost as much (for one) as my two HD-DVD players cost together, I would pleased to take a look at it and, perhaps, alter my view. I do need Dolby TrueHD capability, mind you.You got your two HD-DVD players at that price because the format was dead not because that was the base retail price.The HD-A2 & HD-A3 were the lower model thats why they was cheap but if you wanted to compare apples to apples when HD-DVD was alive there HD-A35 & HD-A30 & HD-AX2 was on the same level as Blu-Ray standalone s & was priced closed to Blu-Ray players at that time.

I don't know how your experience is better with HD-DVD when the only differences between the two is the disc media & HD-DVD had a more polished online service far as extra content but everything else is the same.But if your one that love extras then you are one of very few.

30.3.2008 16:44 #32

error5

Originally posted by nopcbs: However, in the interest of accross the platforms cooperation, if you can suggest a Blu Ray standalone player that cost as much (for one) as my two HD-DVD players cost together, I would pleased to take a look at it and, perhaps, alter my view. I do need Dolby TrueHD capability, mind you.
You have to be absolutely kidding, right???

A sub $200 profile 2.0 player at this time??? Give me a break. Be realistic and take your Toshiba firesale-induced expectations elsewhere.

The only reason why you were able to get a $90 A3 was because Toshiba desperately deflated prices to the point that it was impossible for other manufacturers to even consider making a player. They even undercut Ventureer's player by at least $50 to $100. ( I wonder how pissed thye must have been.) This expectation that high-def players can be this cheap this soon is merely a fantasy fostered by Toshiba's desperate firesale pricing.

A profile 2.0 player for less than $200? Maybe Christmas of 2009 - and that's a big maybe.

For the record: I have TWO HD DVD players - an HD-A1 which cost me $500 a few months after it was released, and an HD-XA2 which cost me $700 on sale also a few months after it was released. I also own close to 80 HD DVD titles. I expect to buy a Profile 2.0 Panasonic DMP-BD50 when it comes out and I'm pretty sure it will cost less than what I paid for my HD-XA2.

30.3.2008 16:56 #33

juankerr

Originally posted by error5: For the record: I have TWO HD DVD players - an HD-A1 which cost me $500 a few months after it was released, and an HD-XA2 which cost me $700 on sale also a few months after it was released. I also own close to 80 HD DVD titles. I expect to buy a Profile 2.0 Panasonic DMP-BD50 when it comes out and I'm pretty sure it will cost less than what I paid for my HD-XA2.error5: I know you love your role of early adopter. LOL!

I thought you were going for the Denon but the Panasonic DMP-BD50 should be a good choice. With both onboard decoding and bitstreaming of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA PLUS DivX/DivX HD certification it's a great upgrade. It has an MSRP of $599 (comparable to the upcoming Sony 550) so street prices should be about $499 to $549 - still cheaper than your XA2.

30.3.2008 17:23 #34

domie

not wanting to bash any HD-DVD fans at all but even some studios seem to have a hard time accepting facts - despite their press announcement, Universal is still plugging away with its HD-DVD stock including all the publicity hype about how fantastic it is and there isn't a single mention of blu-ray anywhere on their website - still, they have only had 6 weeks to extract their digits from their arses .

http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/index.php?v=nbuuni

it's a similar story at Paramount - a search result produces not a single link to any info on blu-ray but at least in their case they have eliminated the pro HD-DVD advertising

http://www.paramount.com/paramount.php

30.3.2008 19:39 #35

gmontalc

Quote:excuse me? whats dead? did i spend 100$ dollar on nothing, i dont think i did!! things that exist aren't DEad? no....no i can't and wont except defeat......because i have a vision.....I will buy a hd-dvd burner.......buy direct from china all the left over unburned HD DVD media......i shale then ripp all the blu-rays and.....you guessed it....reburn them to HD-DVD MEDIA.......yes yes its so perfect.....people will be like "hey i didn't know they still made those retro HD-DVD things" and ill be like *ripps eyes out of socket* me says:"they're can you see any difference NOW" Quite humorous, but on the serious side burn BR on HD-DVD is simple pointless not to say impossible, just because the BR has much larger content to fit into a HD-DVD media, (and wait for a BR-RW Double Layer of 100GB disk), besides what would be the point to degrade the quality of media content?

31.3.2008 00:39 #36

ZippyDSM

a shame its much cheaper than BR and would be a great mini portable medium,maybe someone will pick it up as a console medium,nintendo likes its antaquited and cheap mediums it might go for it in 4 years..

31.3.2008 03:57 #37

maryjayne

I have been waiting for the format war to officially win before I made my investment into HD content. Now that the war is over, I still feel that HD is too overpriced just to obtain better picture quality. I am still satisfied with DVD upscaling.

Currently I have moved into flash media and streaming. Unless Blu-ray gets rid of DRM and/or drastically drops in price soon, they probably wont be getting me as a customer until the PS3 drops to $100 in price.

31.3.2008 08:44 #38

core2kid

Originally posted by maryjayne: until the PS3 drops to $100 in price.
Thats not happening in the next 8 years... The PS2 is still $130.

31.3.2008 08:51 #39

glassd

I guess if people are going to use the price argument about Blu Ray which is 4X the price of a average good DVD player, then HDTV's are never gona make it as they are around 7X more than a good Tube TV.

31.3.2008 09:20 #40

rgsgww

eh who cares? hd-dvd was too out of date....with blu-rays larger capacity we dont have to compress that hard

31.3.2008 10:58 #41

kubapolak

I'm just glad its over!
I hated the idea of having to choose which format I want. It was the dumb to release 2 formats.

31.3.2008 14:06 #42

jove

you guys take this too seriously. i bet the half of you just picked a side for the sake of it and dont even own any hd players. and about the future of optical media, you might as well say toyota and gm and ford etc. should exit the car business because cities are moving towards pushing for mass transit and vertical cities with mixed used buildings... get real

1.4.2008 11:04 #43

locobrown

Its a sad day, it feels like when an undefeated heavy weight champ lose and realizes that it does not matter how many fights he won, his career is over.

1.4.2008 17:37 #44

goodswipe

Just let it go loco, just let it go...

"look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

1.4.2008 17:40 #45

nopcbs

Quote:Originally posted by nopcbs: However, in the interest of accross the platforms cooperation, if you can suggest a Blu Ray standalone player that cost as much (for one) as my two HD-DVD players cost together, I would pleased to take a look at it and, perhaps, alter my view. I do need Dolby TrueHD capability, mind you.
You have to be absolutely kidding, right???

A sub $200 profile 2.0 player at this time??? Give me a break. Be realistic and take your Toshiba firesale-induced expectations elsewhere.

The only reason why you were able to get a $90 A3 was because Toshiba desperately deflated prices to the point that it was impossible for other manufacturers to even consider making a player. They even undercut Ventureer's player by at least $50 to $100. ( I wonder how pissed thye must have been.) This expectation that high-def players can be this cheap this soon is merely a fantasy fostered by Toshiba's desperate firesale pricing.

A profile 2.0 player for less than $200? Maybe Christmas of 2009 - and that's a big maybe.

For the record: I have TWO HD DVD players - an HD-A1 which cost me $500 a few months after it was released, and an HD-XA2 which cost me $700 on sale also a few months after it was released. I also own close to 80 HD DVD titles. I expect to buy a Profile 2.0 Panasonic DMP-BD50 when it comes out and I'm pretty sure it will cost less than what I paid for my HD-XA2.*********************************************************************

OK...and the only reason that Blu Ray won was that Sony bribed Warner $400,0000,0000 to go Blu ray exclusive. Sony spent their money bribing a studio. Toshiba spent their money discounting HD-DVD players cost to customers. As a consumer, I like Toshiba's approach a lot better than Sony's. You may prefer Sony's approach, although I have no idea why you would.

On my 50" Pioneer 768p plasma, the picture from my A2/A3 players looks every bit as good as the picture from the PS3. At my 9 foor viewing distance, it cannot be otherwise even with a 1080p set.
You are lucky to have that HD-XA2, by the way, for it's excellent up-converting.

One amusing fact: now that Sony has killed HD-DVD, they are introducing a $150 PS3 w/o Blu Ray. I guess those people who claim that a major reason that Blu Ray won, in addition to the bribe(s), was that they stuffed it down the throats of people who wanted to play games on a PS3 were right.

1.4.2008 22:13 #46

core2kid

Originally posted by nopcbs: they are introducing a $150 PS3 w/o Blu Ray.
What??? Where did you hear this?

2.4.2008 06:29 #47

juankerr

Originally posted by core2kid: Originally posted by nopcbs: they are introducing a $150 PS3 w/o Blu Ray.
What??? Where did you hear this?nopcbs fell for an April Fool's joke.

http://www.pspsps.tv/2008/04/sony_set_to_unleash_150_ps3_be.html

Quote:Sony set to unleash $150 PS3! Best gaming April fool of the day

April Fools day is always a fun time for gamers. There's a plethora of gaming sites eager to prey on the somewhat daft with their intelligently crafted offerings, and there are usually a few really crap examples too.

This year - since I wasn't up early enough to knock anything up - the winner has to be PSXExtreme with their lofty claims. Taking yesterdays sneaky discovering of yet another PS3 SKU, they went and claimed that Sony were due to unleash a new version of the console at a pitiful $150.

But, this price came at a, erm, cost. There's to be NO Blu-ray drive, meaning that games would have to be downloaded instead of wandering down to your local gaming store and picking up a physical copy.

Alright so it was a quite blatant fib, but its still a well worked idea, especially with tying into yesterdays news. And lets be honest, downloading all our game IS the future, so it might not be too long before this is truthfully the case.This was a classic response:

Quote:I guess those people who claim that a major reason that Blu Ray won, in addition to the bribe(s), was that they stuffed it down the throats of people who wanted to play games on a PS3 were right.
;)

2.4.2008 07:06 #48

nopcbs

Quote:Originally posted by core2kid: Originally posted by nopcbs: they are introducing a $150 PS3 w/o Blu Ray.
What??? Where did you hear this?nopcbs fell for an April Fool's joke.

http://www.pspsps.tv/2008/04/sony_set_to_unleash_150_ps3_be.html

Quote:Sony set to unleash $150 PS3! Best gaming April fool of the day

April Fools day is always a fun time for gamers. There's a plethora of gaming sites eager to prey on the somewhat daft with their intelligently crafted offerings, and there are usually a few really crap examples too.

This year - since I wasn't up early enough to knock anything up - the winner has to be PSXExtreme with their lofty claims. Taking yesterdays sneaky discovering of yet another PS3 SKU, they went and claimed that Sony were due to unleash a new version of the console at a pitiful $150.

But, this price came at a, erm, cost. There's to be NO Blu-ray drive, meaning that games would have to be downloaded instead of wandering down to your local gaming store and picking up a physical copy.

Alright so it was a quite blatant fib, but its still a well worked idea, especially with tying into yesterdays news. And lets be honest, downloading all our game IS the future, so it might not be too long before this is truthfully the case.This was a classic response:

Quote:I guess those people who claim that a major reason that Blu Ray won, in addition to the bribe(s), was that they stuffed it down the throats of people who wanted to play games on a PS3 were right.
;)*********************************************************************
Yep, took the bait on an April Fool's Day prank. Good one, too, I think.

4.4.2008 06:08 #49

AfterDawn: News