Toshiba may drop HD DVD within a few weeks

[dobyblue]

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Toshiba says that officially no decision has been made, but reliable industry sources are saying Toshiba is getting ready to pull the plug based on all the defections taking place since Jeff Bewkes became Time Warner's CEO and wisely announced they would drop the format, and that the announcement could come as early as within the next three weeks.

Last week's software sales (week ending February 10th) mark the 4th time in the last 5 weeks that Blu-ray Discs have outsold HD DVD's by more than 4:1. The week ending 02/10 is 81:19 in favour of Blu.

 

[aberkowitz]

Most important line in the article (IMHO):

"But in the end, sources say, the substantial loss Toshiba is incurring with each HD DVD player sold -- a figure sources say could be as high as several hundred dollars -- coupled with a series of high-profile retail defections has driven the company to at last concede defeat."

This is why BD players cost so much and why we won't be seeing a $100 BD player in the very near future. New technology is fricking expensive!!! The CE companies count on people like us (early adopters) to support them through the development phase by paying high prices for new technology because we cannot help ourselves. Maybe if there was no immediate competition Toshiba could have price penetrated and lost money for a little while longer, but in this situation that strategy just didn't work.

 

[stratman]

Most important line in the article (IMHO):

"But in the end, sources say, the substantial loss Toshiba is incurring with each HD DVD player sold -- a figure sources say could be as high as several hundred dollars -- coupled with a series of high-profile retail defections has driven the company to at last concede defeat."

This is why BD players cost so much and why we won't be seeing a $100 BD player in the very near future. New technology is fricking expensive!!! The CE companies count on people like us (early adopters) to support them through the development phase by paying high prices for new technology because we cannot help ourselves. Maybe if there was no immediate competition Toshiba could have price penetrated and lost money for a little while longer, but in this situation that strategy just didn't work.

You hit the proverbial nail on the head. If there was no immediate competition, but alas there is. It will be better for the consumer when everyone is on board one format, prices will come down as lower-tier manufacturers start bringing inexpensive products to market, ditto with the software, volume will bring prices down. Ironically I bet Toshiba will have an outstanding, high quality Blu-ray player in market soon, probably better than some of the original BD player manufacturers products.

 

[stratman]

The other I could find was this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-02-14-high-def-dvd-blu-ray_N.htm

 

[aberkowitz]

That's a real credible source you got there doby. Not to call you or anyone here challenged, but that's the kind of paper I wouldn't even wipe my cat's a## with! There's no news flash in that article, and the reporter is simply taki Jodi Sally's words and misconstruing them. Please tell me my fellow Audioholic members do not rely on this pissant paper for their news and information. Please. Oh, the humanity.

First sentence of the article: ""An announcement is coming soon," said one source close to the HD DVD camp. "It could be a matter of weeks."".

Second sentence of the article: "Toshiba is widely expected to pull the plug on its HD DVD format sometime in the coming weeks, reliable industry sources say,"

That's more than just interpreting Jodi Sally's words- obviously there are other sources. Whether they are reliable is a whole other can of worms, but you cannot just write this article off as a misinterpretation.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Man, debating Blu-ray vs HD DVD is almost like debating religion or politics -- you are not going to convince either side that they are wrong or on the losing side.

Whatever it takes to improve the HD products, increase awareness, and ultimately drive prices down is the side that I'm on. I'm on the winning side.

 

[Seth=L]

My vote is we stop discussing Blu-ray vs HD DVD all together. I hope the mods put an end to this ridiculous madness. If members here want to know where the format war stands, look it up on either another forum or just google for some news. Frankly, I am rather tired of seeing some certain individuals, who seem to be taking this very personal, gunking this place up with their personal agenda.

If only Michael Bay where here, he could set you all straight.

 

[obscbyclouds]

Man, debating Blu-ray vs HD DVD is almost like debating religion or politics -- you are not going to convince either side that they are wrong or on the losing side.

Whatever it takes to improve the HD products, increase awareness, and ultimately drive prices down is the side that I'm on. I'm on the winning side.

I'm with you there! What is this the 10,000th BR vs. HD-DVD thread? ugh....

Jose Luis Borges called the Falklands war "Two bald men fighting over a comb". Industry giants fighting over a niche market. SACD vs. DVD-A anyone?

 

[Matt34]

My vote is we stop discussing Blu-ray vs HD DVD all together. I hope the mods put an end to this ridiculous madness. If members here want to know where the format war stands, look it up on either another forum or just google for some news. Frankly, I am rather tired of seeing some certain individuals, who seem to be taking this very personal, gunking this place up with their personal agenda.

If only Michael Bay where here, he could set you all straight.

I'm with you there! What is this the 10,000th BR vs. HD-DVD thread? ugh....

Jose Luis Borges called the Falklands war "Two bald men fighting over a comb". Industry giants fighting over a niche market. SACD vs. DVD-A anyone?

I just don't read them......Doh!!

 

[aberkowitz]

Jose Luis Borges called the Falklands war "Two bald men fighting over a comb".

Hadn't heard that one before... that's a good one!

 

[Matt34]

Yeah, well what I don't read is the poppycock strewn by that Eppy award winning paper called The Hollywood Reporter. I never saw this thread as a bashing contest...I never care to do that. I want the best stuff avalaible at the best price...always. Makes no difference if it's BD or HD in the instant case. I want the best available at a certain price point with speakers, receivers, projectors, CD players, DVD players and now HD players.

What I see this thread is about is the source of some members news and information. Wow. That's news to me. The Hollywood Reporter. Sheeeesh.

Retract the fangs, I was just suggesting to the other two that if they don't care for these threads, just don't read them.

 

[Matt34]

I guess we will know for sure in a few weeks.

 

[Seth=L]

John, why so serious?

 

[dobyblue]

Here's the original article.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=12100

 

[Matt34]

Forgetting the technical differences for a moment it looks to me as it's only a matter of time before HD-DVD sinks. With the backing of four out of the six major studios, Blockbuster and now with Netflix and Best Buy on board....if I were a betting man, HD would clearly be the underdog.

This article really only gives us a timeline to the inevitable IMO.


Sincerely,

HD-DVD owner

 

[Johnd]

John, why so serious?

Well, I know I can off that way Seth. Like the true knowers here have repeatedly written, there really is no difference between HD and BD in pq or sq. There are differences in price, movie selections, conveniences, how signals are passed, etc.

There is some misinformation floating around about BD vs HD. Wholly inaccurate. That's all. Serious? I'm about to "pass" a 1080p/24Hz signal onto a 100" glass bead screen with True (via analog).

Once the "war" is over, and I've run out of movies to watch on my HD player, I may very well purchase a BD player. Until then, there is absolutely no motivating factor for me to do so. Serious? I got the memo Seth. Thanks.

 

[dobyblue]

There is some misinformation floating around about BD vs HD. Wholly inaccurate. That's all. Serious? I'm about to "pass" a 1080p/24Hz signal onto a 100" glass bead screen with True (via analog).

Yes and most of it has come from you.

You don't even understand what analog and digital are. You cannot pass "Dolby TrueHD" through analog. You can only pass analog through analog. Your player decodes TrueHD to PCM, then converts to analog and sends out through analog.

It's a very easy concept for most people with 1080p24 on 120" screens to understand.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...Industry giants fighting over a niche market. SACD vs. DVD-A anyone?

No thanks, I have both SACD & DVD-Audio as well.

And if I were any good at playing video games, I would buy X-Box 360, PS3, and Wii.

"Don't get mad, get everything!" -- quote from what's-her-face Trump.

 

[rgriffin25]

The writing on the Wall

I was on the way home from work today and I came across this sign. Writing on the wall if you will...

 

[Johnd]

Yes and most of it has come from you.

You don't even understand what analog and digital are. You cannot pass "Dolby TrueHD" through analog. You can only pass analog through analog. Your player decodes TrueHD to PCM, then converts to analog and sends out through analog.

It's a very easy concept for most people with 1080p24 on 120" screens to understand.

No wonder I can't communicate with you. You plainly don't know what you're talking about here. I corrected you in another thread where you wrote the only reason you bought BD over HD was the 66% differential in storage capacity. My reply was there no advantage in pq. You then steamrollered off tangentially, as you are here. I've corrected you in other threads as well.

I write this not for your benefit, because you already know everything. In direct response to your above post,

True Dolby does pass through analog!!. I pass to my 5803 from an A35 via analog. Sheesh. Perhaps it would prudent for the the mods to cleanse your threads of all the misinformation you so often regurgitate so this site does not become rife with your fodder. How old are you anyway?