Xbox 360 Fanboy

yup.

they supported HDDVD to get the market confused long enough to get Digital Distribution out there en masse as the next big thing.

i you believe in corporate conspiracy that is...

Terrence,

Here's something to help you debunk your corporate conspiracy theory with MS: They did not create the format, therefore there was nothing to gain from it winning, other then a differentiating bullet point from the PS3.

I'm actually waiting to see what comes from the European Unions ongoing investigation into Sony & Blu-Ray, as well as why so many studios were on board initially when it wasn't the superior choice, nor the superior format, nor the dominate format, nor with any form of standards. Why/how did they have this following? What was promised, and how much money changed hands?

If you believe in corporate consipacy, that is.

Knight how does that debunk it? If MS wanted to create confusion long enough for Digital Dist to go mainstream, they would not want either format to "win" they would want confusion to reign until DD was ready to go.

If you believe in corporate conspiracy, that is.

Now I think I read your msg wrong. My bad :)

Knight, there are so many holes in what you've just said. Toshiba lead the charge for HD-DVD, but Microsoft's HDi software is at the root of the format's specs. So yeah, I'd say they are somewhat invested ...

... and you're really reaching for straws with your Blu-ray conspiracy theory. First off, HD-DVD has a solid foothold in Europe, secondly, when Sony owns four movie studios (Tri-Star, Columbia, Sony Pictures, 20% stake in MGM) it's not hard not to have a jump on the competition. Them paying FOX to go exclusive isn't a secret nor is the fact that they have major public and manufacturing support coming out of the Asian sector.

Knight,

as to your first paragraph, i'm right there with you. the reason for MS's support of HDDVD had to to with giving Sony (and by extension, the PS3) a stronger "opponent." they absolutely had nothing to gain from HDDVD's success. they do however have A LOT to ain from digital distribution's success, something that would be rather more difficult if there was a clear winner in the format war.

as to your second paragraph, sounds intriguing... and suspicious. first i've heard of it myself, mind linking me to more info? (though i will be heading right to google...)

"when it wasn't the superior choice, nor the superior format, nor the dominate format" - Knight Marquise

HD-DVD came out the same year as Blu-ray, and was only beating Blu-ray sales for less than a year. While Blu-ray has been beating HD-DVD for more than a year.


1. Blu-ray has a better Maximum Bit-rate than HD-DVD which makes movies better, but due to Warner sharing there movies, those are downgraded too look like HD-DVD's as well. In terms, Exclusive Blu-ray Movies are better than HD-DVD's (I have both so from what I can see, Pirates of the Carribean looked better than Transformers when it comes to HD Discs) Lets not forget more disc space. - Obviously Blu-ray wins the Superior Format.

2. Sales of High Definition Discs are 2:1 in favor of Blu-ray. The Consumers decided on that one as for Superior Choice.

3. With more format support from movie studios, it is obvious that Blu-ray will have a bigger library of movies to choose. You just had to Blu-ray time to really sell. And that took about 7 months last 2006, when Blu-ray started beating HD-DVD for 11 Straight Months till now. Dominate Format?? It's still Blu-ray.

Terrence,

Agreed, MS has it's marbles, IMHO, in digital distribution, not a physical media, and that's the direction I like, and think we will eventually end at at. DRM has to be sorted out first, though.

Personally, that's where I'm at, after starting with Beta Max, then VHS, then DVD...I'm done with physical media for the foreseeable future. I know setting up and running a Media Server isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm enjoying it, and find that I actually enjoy my collections even more as they are more easily accessable then going through hundreds of discs.

Carl,

You're a Blu Ray fan, and that's fine. BR didn't begin beating HD-DVD until the Sony trojan came to market. It was in Sony's best interest, and kudos to them.

I do, however, think it odd that the other studios don't find even a minor conflict of interest with Sony, Sony Studios and BR.

carl
you misunderstood him he said it was the superior choice as in there was already a lot of hd dvd supporters already out + there were cheaper players therefore it was superior in sale availability compared to blu ray at launch.
Your proving it had superior technology which may be true but different tan what he is saying.

Agreed.

"many of those people will be picking up a PS3 b/c of the BluRay drive and price...plus bonus gaming console ;)"

could very well be, but cost of entry and the playstation name might keep the mainstream away from using it as a blu-ray player.

also, sony announced at CES that they'll have a sub-$200 stand-alone blu-ray player by the end of the year. so we'll see. one thing is for certain though, microsoft will never add any HD drive to the 360 internally. now, a USB blu-ray (like in this story) is quite likely.

yeah i'd like a blu-ray add on for my atari 2600 ftw!

I don't mind additional features available as options for a reasonable price (understanding they'll cost more separately). I do mind if it becomes like buying certain cars, where you can only get feature A if you also buy features B, C, and D, none of which you want.