For 1.3 Million HD DVD customers: What's next?

**bruceames** · 02-19-2008, 03:55 PM

http://www.betanews.com/article/For_...ext/1203445412

Quote:

Despite the disappointing news this morning for over 1 million HD DVD player owners and another 300,000 with an HD DVD drive in their computer, they have little to worry about. Here's why.

Believe it or not, HD DVD is not obsolete

It's one thing when a technology quickly becomes obsolete for something superior. But in this case, HD DVD was the better technology in a number of respects: it offered backward compatibility with standard DVD players through its Combo discs, no region coding, and advanced features such as Internet connectivity from the start.

Although Blu-ray discs can store more data and support higher encoding rates for video and audio, they use the exact same codecs as HD DVD and side-by-side comparisons of movies have showed no real differences in quality. In addition, the Blu-ray specification is still being finalized, and Profile 2.0 players with Internet connections aren't expected to hit shelves until later this year.

In turn, there's no reason to re-purchase any movies in Blu-ray. In fact, it's likely that many titles currently available in both formats offer better features on HD DVD. For example, 300 in HD DVD lets viewers watch how the movie was made using Picture-in-Picture, while the Blu-ray version does not.

Taking advantage of low prices

HD DVD's primary draw has always been its affordability. The format was able to trump Blu-ray in standalone player sales with hardware hovering around $100 compared to over $300. Those who invested in an HD DVD player can continue to use it to playback the HD DVD movies they own and as a low-cost top-quality up-converting player for standard DVDs.

Prices will also likely fall on existing products and movies, which makes this a prime time to purchase. It may sound strange, but because all recent HD DVD releases have been Combo discs with standard DVD on one side, there is no reason to buy the regular DVD when you can get both for the same price. It might also be a good time to pick up a second HD DVD player for another room when prices drop well below $100.

There's absolutely no risk in buying Combo discs since they function exactly like the standard DVD, especially as prices fall.

Support will continue

Although HD DVD is being discontinued, Toshiba isn't going anywhere. The company says it will continue to provide full product support and after-sales service for all customers. Of course, the concern will be longer term for those who invested in a library of HD DVD movies, but that's where China comes in.

China could fill the HD DVD player void left by Toshiba

With published HD DVD attach rates for movies around 4, over four million HD DVD discs have been purchased by customers. Add that to the free movie deals, and over 10 million HD DVD movies are likely sitting in homes needing players.

China is preparing to launch its own next-generation optical disc standard called CH-DVD to coincide with the start of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing this summer. CH-DVD is very similar to HD DVD but was established separately for reasons of piracy and uses a different encryption standard. CH-DVD players will be able to play HD DVD discs.

As the format gets off the ground, Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers who brought cheap DVD players to the United States could do the same for HD DVD. As long as there is a potential for revenue, products will be made available.

3:00 pm ET Februrary 19, 2008 - Toshiba issued the following statement to BetaNews regarding existing customers.

"Toshiba's products playback both standard and HD DVDs and still offer inherent value and quality. Consumers can still enjoy their current library of DVDs and watch them in near HD quality. Although Toshiba remains firm in the belief that HD DVD is best suited to the wants and needs of consumer, we have to make business decisions that reflect market reality. Regardless, we will continue to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products and as inquiries from customers will increase, Toshiba is going to reinforce the support of the call center."

The statement continued: "It's also important to remember that approximately 1,000 HD DVD titles are available worldwide, and these titles can be used for the players and recorders. HD DVD player is compatible with the current DVD; moreover, it features up-converting function that enables the picture quality of DVD to near high-definition level that can be used as an up-grade version of current DVD player."

]

HD Goofnut · 02-19-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

http://www.betanews.com/article/For_...ext/1203445412

]

Great read Bruce. It sure made me feel better.

Stew4HD · 02-19-2008, 03:59 PM

Thanks Bruce! This will keep the blu bluds mad a while longer

I am still waiting to hear the REAL report from Uni on whether they are going full-out BD only or neutral.... I am hoping neutral but we'll see.

Dare · 02-19-2008, 04:04 PM

One thing is for sure, picture in picture is likely dead. The lowest common denominator Blu-ray players can't handle the dual stream variety, and there will be little reason to push the envelope and reduce available space with the redundant encode hack to simulate what HD-DVD can do. Nobody will bother with it anymore.

hdtvjunkie · 02-19-2008, 04:05 PM

Great read, thanks. Makes me feel a little better

kdj2004 · 02-19-2008, 04:11 PM

Indeed CH DVD was made to curb piracy problems. However, imported players from China mean less if there is no studio support. Therefore i dont see people really jumping in into it when they know that there is no more new movies to be bought for their players

Super XP · 02-19-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdj2004

Indeed CH DVD was made to curb piracy problems. However, imported players from China mean less if there is no studio support. Therefore i dont see people really jumping in into it when they know that there is no more new movies to be bought for their players

How many people are in China? Studios would be stupid not to jump into CH DVD

HD Goofnut · 02-19-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

How many people are in China? Studios would be stupid not to jump into CH DVD

They were stupid enough to choose the incomplete format.

MikeRox · 02-19-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dare

One thing is for sure, picture in picture is likely dead.

Nah, at least not from Sony, they need incentives for people to upgrade to more expensive 1.1 profile players.

tomes · 02-19-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dare

One thing is for sure, picture in picture is likely dead. The lowest common denominator Blu-ray players can't handle the dual stream variety, and there will be little reason to push the envelope and reduce available space with the redundant encode hack to simulate what HD-DVD can do. Nobody will bother with it anymore.

That's a requirement in profile 1.1, which is now mandatory, so it won't die. (unless the studios stop implementing it)

El Despairado · 02-19-2008, 04:16 PM

I hope I don't sound snotty, but it was all those sort of things that I realized all along, which caused me to try and rally people behind HD DVD after WB went Blu-ray. I don't see why anyone would feel bad about their decision to have backed HD DVD. The only thing anyone should feel bad about at all is how things ultimately worked out, and even that is not the end of the world.

**bruceames** · 02-19-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

Thanks Bruce! This will keep the blu bluds mad a while longer

I am still waiting to hear the REAL report from Uni on whether they are going full-out BD only or neutral.... I am hoping neutral but we'll see.

That's where I found it.

Some of the best stuff is over there.

Chris Gerhard · 02-19-2008, 04:36 PM

300,000 with HD DVD drives in computers? I thought Super XP stated the number was 5,000,000? Does anybody believe more than a million players are needed for 10,000,000 HD DVD's? Should China build 9,000,000 HD DVD players so everybody can have one player for each disc? China isn't going to build HD DVD players and the Chinese CH DVD has been dealt a death blow as well. China is going to be manufacturing Blu-ray players.

Chris

Chris Gerhard · 02-19-2008, 04:46 PM

I can't stop laughing thinking about somebody believing that a company is going to start manufacturing HD DVD players to play the old software with no new software being released. How can you guys believe such lunacy? There were surely well over 100,000,000 Beta videotapes made, why hasn't some company picked up that hardware manufacturing option from Sony for playback of that software?

Chris

Alpha1 · 02-19-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

I can't stop laughing thinking about somebody believing that a company is going to start manufacturing HD DVD players to play the old software with no new software being released. How can you guys believe such lunacy? There were surely well over 100,000,000 Beta videotapes made, why hasn't some company picked up that hardware manufacturing option from Sony for playback of that software?

Chris

Why do you even bother replying? Let the thread die..

Oliver

02-19-2008, 03:59 PM	#3
Stew4HD High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9,068	Thanks Bruce! This will keep the blu bluds mad a while longer I am still waiting to hear the REAL report from Uni on whether they are going full-out BD only or neutral.... I am hoping neutral but we'll see. __________________ ___________________________________

02-19-2008, 04:04 PM	#4
Dare I moon you. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,436	One thing is for sure, picture in picture is likely dead. The lowest common denominator Blu-ray players can't handle the dual stream variety, and there will be little reason to push the envelope and reduce available space with the redundant encode hack to simulate what HD-DVD can do. Nobody will bother with it anymore. __________________ LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray & HD DVD ROM Drive 58 31

02-19-2008, 04:16 PM	#11
El Despairado HD DVD: Still the best! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Dakota Age: 32 Posts: 903	I hope I don't sound snotty, but it was all those sort of things that I realized all along, which caused me to try and rally people behind HD DVD after WB went Blu-ray. I don't see why anyone would feel bad about their decision to have backed HD DVD. The only thing anyone should feel bad about at all is how things ultimately worked out, and even that is not the end of the world. __________________ Consumers did not choose the winner of the format war, the movie studios did, and now consumers are stuck with the decision. Samsung HL-S6187W Yamaha RX-V2700 Toshiba HD-XA2 RF/LF-Polk Audio RTi8 Center-Polk Audio CSi3 SL/SR-Polk Audio RTi6 LFE-Polk Audio P505 300watt self amplified. Xbox 360 Administrator of Horns Up International hornsupinternational.freeforums.org

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02-19-2008, 04:05 PM	#5
hdtvjunkie HIGH VOLTAGE ROCK-N-ROLL Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: cabell county, WV Age: 40 Posts: 14,321	Great read, thanks. Makes me feel a little better

02-19-2008, 04:11 PM	#6
kdj2004 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 18	Indeed CH DVD was made to curb piracy problems. However, imported players from China mean less if there is no studio support. Therefore i dont see people really jumping in into it when they know that there is no more new movies to be bought for their players

02-19-2008, 04:36 PM	#13
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,206	300,000 with HD DVD drives in computers? I thought Super XP stated the number was 5,000,000? Does anybody believe more than a million players are needed for 10,000,000 HD DVD's? Should China build 9,000,000 HD DVD players so everybody can have one player for each disc? China isn't going to build HD DVD players and the Chinese CH DVD has been dealt a death blow as well. China is going to be manufacturing Blu-ray players. Chris

02-19-2008, 04:46 PM	#14
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,206	I can't stop laughing thinking about somebody believing that a company is going to start manufacturing HD DVD players to play the old software with no new software being released. How can you guys believe such lunacy? There were surely well over 100,000,000 Beta videotapes made, why hasn't some company picked up that hardware manufacturing option from Sony for playback of that software? Chris