Dammit!  Warner switching to BD is no longer just a rumor.  Pretty much anyone with a brain knew that, after the Paramount & Dreamworks switch, whoever got Warner was going to win.  Looks like Sony will be getting some of my money after all, even if I continue my self-imposed ban on anything Sony-branded.  I hope you all enjoy slow ass and buggy Java implementations on overly complicated equipment that is only backward compatible through added expense to the consumer as much as I do.

HD-DVD will now likely only survive as a data format for PC’s thanks to that other evil empire.  Sony finally gets revenge on Toshiba for the DVD compromise.  HD-DVD as a movie format will find its way to the bargain bins once used for the ill-fated Divx (not to be confused with the DivX video codec of the same name but capitalized differently) format, a competitor to DVD that, unlike HD-DVD, actually belonged in the shitter.

Nice to have a worthless HD-DVD player on my laptop now.  Yippie!!

Mad Dawg - 07 January 2008 10:03 AM

HD-DVD will now likely only survive as a data format for PC’s thanks to that other evil empire.

Doubtful, being that Blu-ray’s higher capacity and multi-layer support was cause for the vast majority of PC makers’ support in the first place. HD-DUD was on track to challenge the movie business, because they were getting their asses kicked in the data storage market. I’ve seen blank Blu-ray discs on sale for over a year, and nary one from their competitor.

PS: Racer, you can snap up all the HD-DUD movies from the bargain bin at 9.99 apiece and still get kickass quality flicks. There’s more than enough classic movies to build a respectable library. No reason to dump the lappy.

Rageous - 07 January 2008 02:52 PM

Mad Dawg - 07 January 2008 10:03 AM

HD-DVD will now likely only survive as a data format for PC’s thanks to that other evil empire.

Doubtful, being that Blu-ray’s higher capacity and multi-layer support was cause for the vast majority of PC makers’ support in the first place. HD-DUD was on track to challenge the movie business, because they were getting their asses kicked in the data storage market. I’ve seen blank Blu-ray discs on sale for over a year, and nary one from their competitor.

PS: Racer, you can snap up all the HD-DUD movies from the bargain bin at 9.99 apiece and still get kickass quality flicks. There’s more than enough classic movies to build a respectable library. No reason to dump the lappy.

Ya....

I was just looking at prices for external blu-ray DVD burners.  Jeeeeze… like 1k a pop.  I smell monopoly.

Gimmie a second here, just need to make sure the bit torrent stream is still working.. yup still is.. Ok where was I oh yes - While the global media turds continue to fight it out, I’ll be calming downloading my stuff and throwing it on to insanely huge drives for retardedly low prices - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131

Are they even going to HAVE movies to release if they continue to teabag on the WGA?

Please lord baby budda may the discs come shooting the fuck out of the players and sever the jugulars of the execs.

Fucking. Idiots.

Awesome, interactive features just now being PREVIEWED on Blu-Ray that have been available on HD DVD for over a year at least:  http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/07/blu-ray-interactive-features-on-display-ces/

As my eyes roll deeply in to the back of my head.  And Dawg, Toshiba hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet...nor has Paramount.  Universal is myseriously MIA, though.

Spesh00 - 07 January 2008 04:37 PM

Gimmie a second here, just need to make sure the bit torrent stream is still working.. yup still is.. Ok where was I oh yes - While the global media turds continue to fight it out, I’ll be calming downloading my stuff and throwing it on to insanely huge drives for retardedly low prices - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131

Great job Spesh, you’re on the right track and using your noggin’, but you got two problems… 20 cents a gigabyte is a decent rate, but that’s only 750GB (you might fit your porn and that’s it!) and internal drives suck serious ass. You can’t expand!

Here, I’ll show you how it’s done.

(All daisychained via FireWire 800 or gigabit ethernet)

And that doesn’t count the 500GB MyBook Pro or the 750GB Acer PC or the 250GB MacBook Pro or the 1.5TB Time Machine backup to the MacBook Pro or the 300GB NextStar or the 160GB MacBook internal with the 160GB Time Machine backup or the 160GB USB or the 80GB FireWire.

...... for a grand total of 21.6TB. And we’re still running out of room.

You have obviously suffered at the hands of the Jenna Jameson theorem. That for as much porn as you think you can store, there is always so much more. I applaud your efforts however..... Now make me an account on your ftp server.

P.S. You see networked timemachine?: http://dailydiy.com/2008/01/07/time-machine-over-the-network-with-itimemachine-featured-mac-download/

There’s not enough porn in the world to fill 21 terabytes! No, that all goes to far more constructive things, like pirates, pigs, demons, bits and waffle recipes. Say what?

Spesh00 - 07 January 2008 07:39 PM

You have obviously suffered at the hands of the Jenna Jameson theorem. That for as much porn as you think you can store, there is always so much more. I applaud your efforts however.....

Isn’t that the Wear out Your Willy theorem?

Financial Times: Paramount to Switch to Blu-Ray, Killing HD DVD

HO HO HO. So much for 150 million dolla!

Microsoft says Blu-ray for 360 is possible

Not again!

^Old news.

This isn’t Rocky and the big Russian… this is Rocky vs. ALI. He might get a sucker punch in before Ali wakes up and pummels him to the mat.

Ali’s daughter is HOT.

Scary as fuck and could crush your throat between her thumb and finger but hot.

Sorry. Random thought.

HD DVD marches on
I’m not visualizing any further eminent defections based on this press release.

From http://www.tvpredictions.com

News Analysis
Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: What’s Next?
This should be the final year for the high-def format war.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (January 14, 2008)—So, what’s next?

After Warner Bros.’ endorsement of Blu-ray shortly before the Consumer Electronics Show, many analysts have said Blu-ray will be the ultimate winner in its high-def disc format war against HD DVD.

But how much longer will the war go on? And, what will happen before it comes to an end—assuming that it does?

Here’s my prediction for what’s likely to transpire in the high-def format war in 2008:

1.The HD DVD Surge
Toshiba said today that it will slash prices on HD DVD players and expand its marketing campaign. Clearly, the format’s leading supporter is trying to show the studios and other industry players that it’s still a competitive battle.

However, in part because of the negative press from CES (thanks to Warner Bros), relatively few consumers will bite on the lower prices due to fears that they will purchase a soon-to-be obsolete format.

2. Toshiba & Sony Will Begin Peace Talks
While awaiting sales results from the first quarter, Toshiba and Sony (Blu-ray’s leading supporter) will begin informal negotiations for establishing a single format. With five major studios behind it (compared to HD DVD’s two), Sony has the leverage here, but it wants to bring this battle to an end ASAP. Consequently, it will offer Toshiba a (small) slice of future profits—and (smaller) compensation for past losses.

3. The Studios Bring Down the Hammer
Paramount and Universal—the last two studios that back HD DVD exclusively—will give Toshiba an opportunity to demonstrate its sales prowess in the first quarter.

However, after the first quarter numbers start to come in, the two studios will announce that they will support Blu-ray—or, at least, release titles in both formats for an indefinite period of time.

4. Toshiba-Sony Talks Heat Up
Reading the tea leaves from Hollywood—and the sales reports—Toshiba will get more serious in its negotiations with Sony. The two companies—along with their supporters—will start to finalize a peace treaty.

5. Microsoft Jumps Ship
Shortly before a peace treaty is announced, Microsoft, a leading HD DVD supporter, will try to steal its thunder by announcing that it will support Blu-ray in its XBox 360 gaming console. Microsoft does not want to look like it supported a loser, which, of course, it did.

6. The Agreement Is Announced
Sometime over the summer, Sony and Toshiba will hold a press conference announcing that they have agreed on a single high-def disc format.

Within minutes, several technology analysts and reporters will proclaim that the high-def disc is dead—and that downloads from companies like Apple are the future.

They will be wrong, as usual.

what the fuzz.

since when do you care about dvd formats

haha

I loves me some nerd gadget talk.

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Bah, I got the super high end HD-XA2 for Christmas. But even with all this, it was still worth it. HD-DVD is gorgeous, and that player upsamples SDVD better than anything else out there (so I’m currently grabbing up a lot of used Superbit titles for dirt cheap).

I’m not too keen on Sony, but I know I’ll have to get Blu-Ray, if for no other reason than for all the Pixar titles.

Does anyone have any thoughts on going with a Blu-Ray disc drive for a PC instead of standalone? I think I’d prefer to just get one of those for my gaming PC. I’ll have it connected to our Sharp 46” 1080p LCD TV, via DVI-HDMI cable. The PC has a Nvidia 6800 Ultra graphics card which I would think suffices… would there be any disadvantage to doing this instead of a standalone player, quality wise? Just less functionality, I would assume. But I don’t care about all that. I figure it would be cheaper, if not now then eventually. Are they even available yet?

joesnuff - 16 January 2008 11:36 AM

Bah, I got the super high end HD-XA2 for Christmas. But even with all this, it was still worth it. HD-DVD is gorgeous, and that player upsamples SDVD better than anything else out there (so I’m currently grabbing up a lot of used Superbit titles for dirt cheap).

I’m not too keen on Sony, but I know I’ll have to get Blu-Ray, if for no other reason than for all the Pixar titles.

Does anyone have any thoughts on going with a Blu-Ray disc drive for a PC instead of standalone? I think I’d prefer to just get one of those for my gaming PC. I’ll have it connected to our Sharp 46” 1080p LCD TV, via DVI-HDMI cable. The PC has a Nvidia 6800 Ultra graphics card which I would think suffices… would there be any disadvantage to doing this instead of a standalone player, quality wise? Just less functionality, I would assume. But I don’t care about all that. I figure it would be cheaper, if not now then eventually. Are they even available yet?

Well, right now, Im looking at my local hardware retailer of choice, and a HD/Blu Ray combo drive goes for $260 CAD..  And I’ve seen PS3’s for $300.. so I’d lean more towards the PS3 simply because theres a couple games I care about..

In time I’m sure the drives will be dirt cheap and your solution would work good.. I mean, there was a time when DVDR drives were a few hundred bucks, and now a wicked DL one is $30, so.

The one thing I forgot to mention that would be a concern for me, is the question of whether your PC will ALWAYS be near your TV?  I know in my situations, It’s gone from being nowhere near it, to beside it back to 2 floors away in the span of a year… so..

Joe,

Sony showed off a sub-$200 internal (SATA) BD-ROM at CES last week.  Should be available soon enough.  If you’re like me this news gets you excited because it will drive down the prices of drives NOT made by Sony.

If you’re doing 1:1 pixel mapping between your PC and the LCD and running digital audio between the PC and A/V receiver the Blu-ray performance should be just as good as a standalone unit for A/V quality.  Everything will be at 1080p60 coming from the PC, but I don’t think Sharp has released an Aquos that can accept and properly display a 1080p24 signal.  Even Sharp’s current 120Hz LCD’s still use a 3:2 pulldown to get to 60.

The HT-PC is probably going to be the way going forward, anyhow.  You can use whatever drive or combination of drives you want, the software can be more readily upgraded and once Microsoft, Netflix and Apple make all formats obsolete with quality HD downloads and/or streams you will be needing a PC anyhow.

are the CPU requirements high to play/decode HD content?  is it still mpeg2?