All of those companies that you listed can easily make and market HD DVD players. Don't kid yourself in thinking that it would no be VERY easy for them to jump ship at any time. Panasonic or Phillips could probably create an HD DVD player in 6 months! It's my opinion that the only company that will lose face in this is Sony. They already have because of their pompous CEO and all his speeches.
As for studios, I believe Warner did not renew their membership in the Blu Ray group. I wonder why? I think it is in preparation for jumping ship.
IF you are correct, why in the world would the usually chest beating, "we won already" Sony CEO make a speech recently that questions the state of Blu Ray in the market when every other speech he's made has claimed victory? There has to be something in the market making him backpedal. No?
Pat
If Warner didn't renew their BD licence, they would not have been able to release Oceans trilogy or The Aviator which have both been released since October 30th. This whole Warner hasn't renewed their licence is more propaganda and fear mongering spread by team HD DVD - they're doing a good job of it that's for sure.
Have you actually read the Stinger speech, because the orginal article written took many liberties with Stringer's comments and by no means did he say Blu-ray and HD DVD are going to both co-exist.
As for the other companies, for sure they can all go out and make HD DVD players. But with Toshiba selling players at $99, what on Earth would attract any other CE to try and compete with that?
I'm not sure why you include Philips in your statement though, Blu-ray is primarily designed by Philips, just like SACD, CD and LD were. Sony owns the copyright, Philips is in charge of the licences.
I'm sure Panasonic would lose some face too as they along with Disney have been far more vocal proponents of Blu-ray technology than Sony has. Sony uses BD technology for PS games and that's not going to change, so they will have an outlet no matter what happens and you can be sure next year that Final Fantasy XIII will move well over a million discs in its first week of release and will also be on a BD50.