What Is The DVD Forum Doing With HD DVD, Gaming Perhaps?

[Super XP]

Anything is possible right

What Is The DVD Forum Doing With HD DVD, Gaming Perhaps?
2008 had started with a bang, just mere days after the clock struck 12 Warner announced they would go Blu Ray exclusive starting April. This move left HD DVD in a desperate position, measures were taken but they were not enough, HD DVD was announced “dead” by Toshiba in February 2008 drawing a end to the Format War. The DVD Forum never released any official statement about the format war, after it was over people wondered where the future of the DVD Forum was. Recently the forum started to update guidelines of sort’s when it came to HD DVD, here are the updates after February’s announcement.

http://thatgamingsite.com/2008/08/wh...haps/#more-856

Letter Votes

No. Voting Subject Result Decided on
5 PC HD DVD-Video Format Authoring Software for HD DVD/DVD writable discs TS Ver.1.0 Approved March 26, 2008
7 Approval of

DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disc (HD DVD-ROM) for Blue Laser Optical System Part 2 FILE SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Version 1.9″ for ROM51

Note:

Sony returned the draft Specifications without opening the package.
Approved April 16, 2008

Steerling Committee Meetings

No. Voting Subject Result Date
3 Approval of
HD DVD-Video Product Requirement & Guideline Version 1.2
Approved Jun 11, 2008

Note: These do not include the CH DVD approvals, the DVD Forum see’s them has a different entity from HD DVD, it is also labelled has such.

Here’s what was updated:

PC HD DVD-Video Format Authoring Software for HD DVD/DVD writable discs TS Ver.1.0 March 26, 2008

Nothing was really updated here that we should worry about, just compatibility with various video settings.

DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disc (HD DVD-ROM) for Blue Laser Optical System Part 2 FILE SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Version 1.9″ for ROM51 April 16, 2008

I wasn’t able to find any information on this, but note how this only applies to the 51GB disc.

HD DVD Video Product Requirement & Guideline Version 1.2 June 11, 2008

Basically the DVD forum made various updates about the 3X DVD from what we are able to gather. The HD DVD specifications were also updated to say it will be compatible with the 3X DVD, player’s were also updated to be compatible with the 3X HD DVD here on in.

8. DVD and HD DVD Format/Logo License
Mr. Yukihiko Matsuura, DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation

The details have not been released to the general public, it basically means how you license out the DVD and HD DVD logo and format has changed.

The DVD Forum will also be holding a conference on October 2, 2008, here are the HD DVD related things they will discuss:

2) Update on HD DVD-Video/Video Recording Spec
3) Update on DVD/HD DVD File Spec
This could also be of interest to some:

6) Network Application/Specifications on DVD Forum’s formats
7) VPC Report
DVD FLLC Report
9) Guest Speech: Introduction to 3D Technology
10) Panel Discussion: Network Download

So what does all of this mean? Why is the DVD forum planning updates to the HD DVD format when it is “long gone” so to speak? The odds of HD DVD coming back to the market has a movie format are long gone. Toshiba own’s the right’s to the HD DVD format so you can pretty much count out it will come back for movies. Just to put another nail in the coffin, Toshiba along with other companies are looking into flash drives has a new format to distribute content, Toshiba is currently holding the “best” flash technology.

Since we can count out HD DVD coming back for movies, how about gaming? But what console makers would use HD DVD?

Sony: I highly doubt Sony will be using HD DVD….nuff said
Microsoft: Microsoft is probably one of the biggest contenders, they are pushing digital distribution to the max and really don’t seem like they will “kneel” before the BDA to have a Blu Ray attachment for the Xbox 360. Microsoft and Toshiba are really close, since Toshiba owns the HD DVD patents their is no reason why a partnership cannot happen. This would also help Microsoft make has much money has possible, since only Toshiba, Microsoft, and possibly the DVD Forum will collect payments. If Microsoft does not include a external Blu Ray drive this generation you can be positive the next Xbox will not have a Blu Ray drive. Microsoft known’s regular DVD’s will not work well in the next Xbox has a standard medium, odds are they are looking for better. For me personally, the Netflix announcement along with the new partnerships at E3 killed off any chance of a Blu Ray drive coming to the Xbox 360, it just goes to show Microsoft is serious about this and will push it.
Nintendo: One can assume Nintendo will release a “next generation” console along with Sony and Microsoft. If they do they might try to copy the success of the Wii. I doubt they would go full HD DVD, however it seems like the 3X DVD which is only usable in a HD DVD player may fit their needs.
New Contender: Suppose Atari, Sega, or someone new decided to throw their hat into the console market, would they use it? Odds are they won’t if they are appealing to the masses by being a gaming console and a entertainment center. If they want to appeal to the gaming audience and deliver a good experience at a low cost I could see them slapping a HD DVD drive into their system.
Of course this could be completely wrong and the DVD forum is just doing it to keep a complete format in it’s vault. Remember, this post is just speculation and nothing more, there is a chance this is completely wrong and their is a chance it’s not far from the truth. Feel free to make your own theory’s about this below, keep the comments appropriate, don’t flame if you disagree, instead just tell us in a civilized manner.

What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think the DVD forum will do something with HD DVD? Do you believe a gaming console may see a HD DVD drive in it?

Also be sure to check out our forum, you can click the banner on your left or the link at the top labelled “Forum”, register and be eligible for prize’s in the near future!

[mschupp]

I'd put my money on bureaucratic inertia.

[MXCContestant]

Uh oh, I didn't think it would get this popular.

Better get my flame suit on!

In reality though, it's really all the stuff Ive been talking about on FMC since I started writing there.

[Super XP]

Wouldn't this be interesting. The DVD Forum continues to support HD DVD, its still a great format and is has finished specifications, cheap to produce/press and available to anybody looking for something to work with ASAP. Who knows, maybe we will see HD DVD is a game console or something?

[Hitachi65SWX20B]

I've been saying this for MONTHS now. The next xbox is going to use HD DVD-ROM for gaming! Why not.... It'll come cheap, Next to impossible to pirate seeing as there are almost ZERO HD DVD burners out there and Microsoft will not have to bow down to the BDA. I'm not saying it will play HD DVD Movies, But that is what the next Xbox will play games from. Microsoft could even go as far as using a duel format laser in it, One for HD DVD Games and one for Blu Ray movies. If you search my old posts from around February. I've said something like this several times and every one laughed at me or ignored it. Microsoft has almost all upside for using HD DVD ROM based games.

[vikingfan]

This will never happen.

First, microsoft would have to help finish development of 51GB discs just so they could be equal to the storage BD offers now or be subject to dumbed down versions of future games from non exclusive developers.

Secondly, if BD continues growing, an Xbox720 without BD playback ability makes it less appealing than the PS3 or its successor since it can't play HD movies.

[MXCContestant]

Originally Posted by vikingfan

This will never happen.

First, microsoft would have to help finish development of 51GB discs just so they could be equal to the storage BD offers now or be subject to dumbed down versions of future games from non exclusive developers.

Secondly, if BD continues growing, an Xbox720 without BD playback ability makes it less appealing than the PS3 or its successor since it can't play HD movies.

The Wii is the most popular console around and has no playback capabilities what so ever, you don't need to follow market demand like that to sell consoles. HD DVD along with power under the hood would more then make up for that.

[jjufon]

Originally Posted by vikingfan

This will never happen.

First, microsoft would have to help finish development of 51GB discs just so they could be equal to the storage BD offers now or be subject to dumbed down versions of future games from non exclusive developers.

Secondly, if BD continues growing, an Xbox720 without BD playback ability makes it less appealing than the PS3 or its successor since it can't play HD movies.

????
Hows that? M$ seems to be doing just fine with SD DVD. So far i haven't heard how BDs extra storage is helping the PS3.

[vikingfan]

Originally Posted by MXCContestant

The Wii is the most popular console around and has no playback capabilities what so ever, you don't need to follow market demand like that to sell consoles. HD DVD along with power under the hood would more then make up for that.

The Wii is not a hd gaming system. People are quite happy playing it on SD tv's or HDtv's. The 360 and PS3 however are marketed as next-gen HD graphics and gameplay. Limiting the next incarnation of the Xbox would make it less appealing as a media center compared to the PS3 and its successor.

[vikingfan]

Originally Posted by jjufon

????
Hows that? M$ seems to be doing just fine with SD DVD. So far i haven't heard how BDs extra storage is helping the PS3.

As game developers keep tapping the potential of each system the games will take up more space. Who wants to install or spread a game over 6 or 7 dvd's when one BD50 can hold all that and more?

The only reason MS is doing better is they launched first. But the gap will keep closing.

[Hitachi65SWX20B]

Originally Posted by vikingfan

This will never happen.

First, microsoft would have to help finish development of 51GB discs just so they could be equal to the storage BD offers now or be subject to dumbed down versions of future games from non exclusive developers.

Secondly, growing, an if BD continues Xbox720 without BD playback ability makes it less appealing than the PS3 or its successor since it can't play HD movies.

Yeah.... Theres a huge problem lol, Lets see.... Microsoft throws a couple bucks in to whats almost certainly 90% or even 100% done. Remember, Microsoft won't need the DVD forums approval to use it in the XBOX because it's not a movie format. Even if its 50% complete, Microsoft could have a game format that CAN'T BE PIRATED!!!!! Right up Microsoft's ally!

so your telling me, Even if they use the 30 gig disc. That Xbox's games would be dumbed down compared to PSTriple?Why isn't that happening now? Name one game that was dumbed down because of disc space that's not vapor ware.

Can't really argue this other then I said Microsoft could use a duel format Laser, One for HD DVD ROM Gaming and the other for Blu Ray movies. I really think Microsoft is going to ignore blu ray totally on every version of Xbox they make.

HD DVD ROM Gaming gives them the space needed in future consoles, HD DVD ROM Gaming gives them pretty much a guarantee that their games can't be pirated.

Microsoft is pimping hard core their movie downloading service. That combined with HD DVD ROM Gaming is why they are going to ignore blu ray. With the addition of NetFlix, Xbox now has EVERY Major Movie studio including SONY's available to download! I'll bet with certainty that Microsoft and netflix will upgrade that whole watch now feature in to HD Movies and Lots of newer releases from the B-List selection they have now!

You heard it hear first: No Blu Ray in any Xbox version as per the reasons I listed.

[Hitachi65SWX20B]

Originally Posted by vikingfan

As game developers keep tapping the potential of each system the games will take up more space. Who wants to install or spread a game over 6 or 7 dvd's when one BD50 can hold all that and more?

The only reason MS is doing better is they launched first. But the gap will keep closing.

Arn't you doing that NOW EVEN WITH BD50?

[PFC5]

I think using HD DVD offers more for MS to make games harder to pirate, than BD would offer for movie playback since they already have several online movie sources don't they?

It would be better for owners to have BD for the BD movie playback, but MS (just like all other corps) think about themselves first.

I always wondered WHY the studios didn't like the idea of HD DVD for movies, and BD for computers. This would have given those studios better protection against pirating since most people would not use computers to watch movies as the norm, and that would have deterred pirating of HD movies IMO.

[MikeRox]

Microsoft would be retarded to offer anything other than Blu-ray in their next console. To not have disc based HD movie playback would be a severe hinderance given their target audience.

The only company I can think of that would consider HD DVD would be Nintendo, and for the forseeable future, they have no need for increased storage. They would use HD DVD as a proprietory format though to help prevent piracy.

[Joe_news]

Not supporting BluRay in their next console is stupid, but they could pull a Nintendo and say they are all about the games. MS does what it likes anyways, that said...I suppose they could have a combo drive. BluRay for movie playback, one time hardware fee for each system sold...but for games they avoid the BluRay licensing fee on each disk...that would make economic sense...and crush piracy all at the same time [since no one else will be supporting it by then at ALL]. I could actually see them doing this... Sega and Nintendo both enjoyed making their own disk formates... it could easily happen again. But will it? I'm indifferent, because at the end of the day its only a storage medium and I don't buy MS consoles, paying to play online is for suckers lol.