Warner Bros. dropped a bomb on the consumer electronics industry last week when it revealed that it will exclusively release its high-def titles in the Blu-ray format starting in May. Talk that this could be the final nail in the coffin of HD DVD has swarmed CES 2008 in Las Vegas.
The HD DVD Promotion Group responded by canceling its press conference scheduled for Sunday, Jan 6th at CES. A move which symbolized the waving of the white flag.
“We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD’s commitment to quality and affordability – a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.”
This left Toshiba, their major ally in the format war, high and dry. But Toshiba execs didn’t waver as they faced the media at CES.
“It’s difficult for me to read all the pundits declare that HD DVD is dead,” said Jodi Sally, vide-president of marketing for Toshiba’s Digital A/V Group. “Clearly the events of the last few days have lead many of you to that conclusion, but we’ve been declared dead before.”
Sally cited sales numbers as proof HD DVD is thriving. “The reality is, we ended 2007 with a majority lead in year-to-date market share. Our unit sales in the 4Q were the best to date for HD DVD.”
(Check out our Photos from the CES Show Floor.)
More anti-HD-DVD rhetoric from Electronic House.
The studio split is 70:30 with Sony continuing to lose money. The 70:30 doesnt start until May of course. IN anycase, its either dual format players or internet Hi Def streaming. Blu Ray hasnt actually won anything yet, except a whole lotta hype.
Well you are definitely free to do if you like but my opinion is that is a waste of money but if you feel it to be a good deal then by all means have at it.
I can’t see how people think HD-DVD will be around for a long time. If things stay the way they are HD-DVD people will only get movies from only three studios which limits your possibilities of good HD movie content. I truely believe the writing is on the walls and Toshiba and everyone else related to them is going to just try a eliminate stock before it is dumped all together. I also do not think that things will stay the way they are. The other three studios may stay with HD-DVD for a while but they (like everyone else has) will move to Blu-ray or at least offer their past and future movies in Blu-ray. Keep in mind that they do not do things out of loyalty but out of what is going to get them the most profit and right now that is only going to happen with Blu-ray.
HD will be around for awhile. Expect increased sales as retailers slash prices. Also, expect titles to BOGO more often, or drop to SD levels.
I will pick up an HD player and as many titles as possible when they are inexpensive. We all know that the discs are quite durable, and there will always be at least one player available in 20 years when the discs are becoming flaky (if at all).
Look, when BluRay is all alone in the marketplace that will be great. But in the meantime smarter consumers on the fence should take advantage of purchasing equivalent-quality players and titles until they can’t.
I also have to say that people also tend to prefer certain brands. I have never really had great products from Toshiba, and them being the only true hardware maker for HD DVD pretty much kept me from trying it out. I had one Toshiba DVD player i purchased for my father a couple years so, within a year the tray door would not close on its own, it was swapped with a Denon. So right then and their I associated Toshiba with crummy quality.
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All this talk about the demise of HD DVD is just silly. How many Walmart shoppers are going to buy a Blu-ray player for twice the price of an HD DVD machine? Current Blu-ray buyers are early adopters who are not terribly price-sensitive. They are not the masses.
HD DVD has been in development for 10 years. Blu-ray development was started later and was rushed to market in a half-baked specification condition.
HD DVD has many advantages that will become obvious as prices come down and production is ramped up.
I’m reminded of how wrong the TV pundits are about who is the front-runner in the Presidential race. In a year, I suspect it will be Blu-ray that is the emperor who is wearing no clothes.