Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD...the format war is about over...

[bicostp]

I think that Blu Ray will fail because it's made by Sony, Lets look at the history;

Betamax vs Vhs: Betamax failed
Minidisc vs CD: Minidisc filed
Memory Sick vs other memory cards: Memorysitck failed
UMD vs memory cards: UMD failed

Basically, a sony format has never taken off, so I don't think Blu Ray will take off either. They are just too controlling over their media so people just use the other formats, and they're more expensive.

Betamax had sucky record times compared to VHS.

Sony helped develop CDs. Minidiscs came out almost 10 years later. (That would be like releasing a new console with the same capabilities as the N64 now, at its original selling price.)

Memory Stick is more expensive than other flash storage media, and is used in less devices, so it's not as popular.

UMD and memory cards are no comparison because they are not recordable. You could say the same thing about CDs back in the day (nobody had CD burners), but look where they are now. But UMDs do suck, especially when you have to buy your movies again.

I compared UMD to memory cards as the PSP uses UMD's and other hand held consoles use emory cards like the DS and GP2X

You can't really compare it to the GP2X's storage system because it uses normal SD cards. DS cartridges are proprietary too...

I still think Blu-Ray will do better than HD-DVD, at least in the short term. I know a lot of people who will buy a player for Disney movies. (In fact I think that's why they bought a DVD player when they did...) A couple of my relatives work at a local TV station, and all they use for storage are huge tapes and Blu-Ray discs. (And Macs. Most of the machines used for design and broadcast are G5s or Intel Macs. The only Windows machines are in the cubicles.) Sony's also using it in the PS3, which will help. (Similar to the PS2 and its DVD drive.)

[sammy]

DK, sony was behind the original Compact Disc. The minidisc vs CD doesnt really count. But otherwise, i agree.

No, actually that was Philips. Same as the DVD's. Same as the CD-I's ( )

[gannon]

DK, sony was behind the original Compact Disc. The minidisc vs CD doesnt really count. But otherwise, i agree.

No, actually that was Philips. Same as the DVD's. Same as the CD-I's ( )

In 1979 Philips and Sony decided to join forces, setting up a joint task force of engineers whose mission was to design the new digital audio disc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc (although using wiki as a source is kinda...untrustworthy )

[demonofaj]

Well, I doubt that the Blu-Ray is for normal consumers either. I went to Staples to get a bit of Computer Paper and er...CD-RW's, and I saw...z0mg Blu-Ray discs. One thing that made me say, "What the Flying Fig", was that I noticed that it was just ONE CD Case all shrinkwrapped up with Sony plastered on it. I just added it to my little basket for kits. "MSRP: 25 bucks:... . I think it will be a WHILE for these discs to get cheap, nevertheless, the burners/readers themselves. Newegg's <i>cheapest</i> is 850, and I doubt there ARE any writers yet...so really, Ben is right, Blu-Ray is not the next DVD perse. HD-DVD's, I don't even know anymore.

[XPCportables]

They are $25 now because they have to make enough money to make it worth while right now, while it still isn't popular. It makes total sense that the prices are outrageous for the discs now, because almost 100% of that is profit, and anybody who would buy a burner for these things is probably willing to pay $25 a pop for the discs.

[psychotic_mechanic]

I've seen HD-DVD's for sale in porn shops. (Yes there are actual physical building that sell adult themed movies and toys, it's not all on the intratubes) and I think the fact that the players are already out and signifigantly cheaper make HD-DVD an easier choice for most adults who may be interested in such things.

I do however think it's funny with people watching sports on HDTV complaining about the pores and pockmarks on sportcaster's faces will also being watching other parts of the body which probably shouldn't be viewed in 720p or 1080p.

I do think that Blue-ray will be the next LD. You guys aren't getting the full blitz of Sony commercials that I do here, but a large part of them are about how your family will love you if you save your home movies on BRD.

[sammy]

DK, sony was behind the original Compact Disc. The minidisc vs CD doesnt really count. But otherwise, i agree.

No, actually that was Philips. Same as the DVD's. Same as the CD-I's ( )

In 1979 Philips and Sony decided to join forces, setting up a joint task force of engineers whose mission was to design the new digital audio disc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc (although using wiki as a source is kinda...untrustworthy )

You're absolutely correct but if you look up something about CD history you'll see that basically everything was done by Philips. Sony might have joined them but I don't think they came up with the actual idea of how a CD works.

I'm sure I'm right about the DVD's though...

[Sparkfist]

The problem with that is what is going to happen to the world's landfills. How many tvs will be properly recycled if all? That is what I think is most screw up about the high definition technology progression.

Guess they'll have fun with ET then.

Only reason I'd prefer blue-ray over hd-dvd is storage capacity since I'd mainly be using them to backup files once they get cheap enough.

Does that mean you use DL DVDs now? Personally I'd have to agree but if I'm dealing with numbers where a handful of DVDs are cheaper then a single Blue-Ray and I can still get all my information backedup I think I'll go with the cheaper and more accessable option, DVDs.

Really the key problem with both HD formats and this is really from the TWiT people, "They not open." CDs were and open standard and we all know that there were over a dozen different CD types. Video, Data, Audio, MP3, CD-G, ect. What do we have for DVDs? Data, Video, Audio, MP3, Photo and that's about it. DRM and standar restructions made the DVD less versital when compared to CDs.

The same will happen to Blue-Ray and HD-DVDs. They're too closed and if they're only useful as really data and video, what's the point of a consumer really using them for more then movies? The real money is in finding a use for the optical disc foramt and then applying it. CDs were great at that, DVDs not so much, the only other market it took off in besides movies was game console media. And Sonly is the only of the three that is going to do that... possibly.

So really I don't see either of them successeding as they're not open to other options. And while the Blue-Ray does have the potiental with the fact an 8 layer disc has been made it's up to Sony if they make it work.

[NiN^_^NiN]

Why would companies besides movies wanna go to blueray?

They can sell dvd box sets after sets of tv shows but on bluray and hddvd it only be one dvd and packaging and it would take people a hard time to swallow paying so much just for one disc

[*o*]

you have a point...but if there is such an issue with that why not split it across 5 or 6 blu-ray disc and just fill it with padding!!

P.S. Nin^_^nin's back!!

[atari2600a]

If they'd sell a TV series in an HD format, then they'd be in HD (&/or remaster the film, if necessary), &, therefore, span across more discs than just one.

[Sparkfist]

Well the only way they could have a show in HD for putting on several Blue-Ray/HD-DVD discs would be the shows now offered in HD. Most shows are still recorded in SD or maybe ED, so you can put a whole season on a signle HD disc.

As for paying something like $30-50 for a single disc isn't that hard to understand. It's the amount of content that important and many people might be more interested in a whole season on a single disc for conveniance. Instead of swaping discs 4 or 5 times for the whole thing you can watch all the episodes.

I'd be a nice option but as of now it's not likely, too few people have Blue-Ray or HD-DVD players and so I don't think they'd start offering TV series HD or otherwise on these media.

[Sir Games-A-Lot]

Personal Theory: The only reason we have new formats so soon is because of the failure of CSS.

[ganonbanned]

maybe it will cause the begining downfall of disney

sadly, highly unlikely. I have to agree with gamer2. I think that DVD will still continue. seriosly, whats the likelyness of have blu-ray Drives in PC's? personnally, I think that blu-ray is just BS. look at the boxes. They look like cheap DVDs

[vskid]

I really don't see why we need HD media, we have our satellite receiver hooked up to our HDTV with coax, and it looks a ton better than the same on my Grandparent's standard def.