Business Week: Blu-ray Is Winning

[Boz]

Can someone tell me where this rumour of Warner going to HDDVD came from.. or why we are discussing Warner going to HDDVD in this topic?

Okay, first of all there's NO RUMOUR that Warner is going Blu-Ray. What you read in this article is old news and is hype created by a Blu-Ray studio executive. He doesn't have inside information, he refers to the heat that was created with misquoted Warner Home Video exectuve Silverberg's "We are commited to the format" which was promptly CORRECTED. There is absolutely no logic for Warner to go Blu-Ray. They have no renewed their BDA contract, they continuosly release better versions of their movies on HDDVD, they are the ones who participated in CREATION of HD DVD.

There is more reason to talk about Warner going HD DVD then Blu-Ray if you really want to, because almost a 1/3 of their library in HD is HD DVD exclusive and they have specifically addressed Toshiba and said they would make their decision based on dedicated sales hardware.

We'll just see. That's all I can say. One thing is 100% certain. Warner is crucial. Either way they go will end this war. BDA has 49% of marketshare with studios now (judging by Business week data) and adding Warner (which represents almost 30%) will take them to 79% marketshare. The same goes with HD DVD, if they get Warner, the marketshare will skyrocket to 81%.

Either way the competing format loses, have no doubt about that.

[soniqstylz]

I'm not sure how you see that?

Okay, so let's say this.. Warner goes HD DVD.. now HD DVD has actually much larger title catalog with (Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks, Warner and New Line are combined). Sony, Disney and Fox are left on Blu-Ray (I'm not counting Lionsgate and other small studios as their title participation is small and quite irrelevant MGM is like less then 3% of marketshare). So now not only that HD DVD has more studio support, but they actually have more catalog titles.

What's your logical conclusion to state that HD DVD is the one prolonging the war? Isn't Blu-Ray the one who's prolonging it then? With less studio support and less titles how do you see that. I'd really like to hear your explanation since vocal Blu-Ray supporters have said that SOFTWARE is what counts and not dedicated hardware...

Thanks.

If you read the original article from business week, they note that Sony/Columbia, Disney/Buena Vista, and Fox alone combine for 49% of market share. Adding Warner Brothers/New Line takes that to around 70%. If WB goes red, that means a complete stalemate, especially if you're not considering Lionsgate.

[MGS4-SS]

Okay, first of all there's NO RUMOUR that Warner is going Blu-Ray. What you read in this article is old news and is hype created by a Blu-Ray studio executive. He doesn't have inside information, he refers to the heat that was created with misquoted Warner Home Video exectuve Silverberg's "We are commited to the format" which was promptly CORRECTED. There is absolutely no logic for Warner to go Blu-Ray. They have no renewed their BDA contract, they continuosly release better versions of their movies on HDDVD, they are the ones who participated in CREATION of HD DVD.

There is more reason to talk about Warner going HD DVD then Blu-Ray if you really want to, because almost a 1/3 of their library in HD is HD DVD exclusive and they have specifically addressed Toshiba and said they would make their decision based on dedicated sales hardware.

We'll just see. That's all I can say. One thing is 100% certain. Warner is crucial. Either way they go will end this war. BDA has 49% of marketshare with studios now (judging by Business week data) and adding Warner (which represents almost 30%) will take them to 79% marketshare. The same goes with HD DVD, if they get Warner, the marketshare will skyrocket to 81%.

Either way the competing format loses, have no doubt about that.

The BluRay executive has no idea what he's talking about, but you, a normal joe, knows the inside scoop on the industries secrets?

How amusing.

[Cormier6083]

You don't have to be a average joe to create a rumor. Just because he's an executive doesn't mean he can't make a rumor.

on't forget MGS, Boz works for the industry (and knows the mind of consumers, I suppose.)

Also, dear Boz designed the 300 site. No wonder he supports HD-DVD ;)

Edited December 8, 2007 by Cormier6083

[DELTETHISACCOUNT]

If Blu-Ray wants and easy win, all they need to do is improve on their players. Their stand-alone players are disgraceful pieces of technology.

-Sony players are extremely slow and barely respond to anything. From the time you press the power button, it can take as long as 10 minutes to play the main feature.

-Samsung players are okay, but needs more room for improvement, at times it fails to read some of it's own Blu-Ray discs.

-Sharp players need to be taken of store shelves. They're horrid. They are slower than life, crash constantly, and suck at playing any format other than Blu-Ray

-Panasonic has the best Blu-Ray players I have seen. Super-fast, highly responsive and easy to use. Only brand worth purchasing from.

The worst part is that you're paying $400 - $500 for any of them. Yeah, yeah, you can purchase a PS3 or whatever, but what if I don't want one? The price and performance of the stand-alone players don't justify crap!

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

I haven't been following this Blu-Ray vs HDDVD stuff. I'll just wait until one dies out. Every week there's an article stating who's winning, then the next week the other is winning. Who cares?

[ctebah]

new nielsen number are out for this week and blu-ray won again, go figure right.

some things never change, in this example, blu-ray winning every single week this year, whatever the margin is.

and some things change, like the BS reasons HD-dvd supporters give us for their formar loosing and being 2nd the whole time.

[sundayx Veteran]

No what? No, it's not a tradition or no, Sony's formats don't fail?

Obviously I was talking about it being a tradition, the latter just means fanboy.

[Boz]

If you read the original article from business week, they note that Sony/Columbia, Disney/Buena Vista, and Fox alone combine for 49% of market share. Adding Warner Brothers/New Line takes that to around 70%. If WB goes red, that means a complete stalemate, especially if you're not considering Lionsgate.

LOL.. How do you figure that? So Blu-Ray studios represent 49% of market share, meaning that HD DVD studios represent 51% of marketshare. If WB goes Blu their market share goes to 79% but if WB goes HD DVD their market share goes to 81%. How EXACTLY do you see that if WB goes red there will be a stalemate and if it goes Blu it will somehow end the war? LOL..

In the real world over here, we say, that 80% of market share is what's called a clear majority of software. You can hope that Sony/Fox and Disney will hold together, but if by any chance Warner goes red, you will see Disney going pretty soon after. Disney voted for approval of TL51gb HD DVD for christ sake and they've created the HDi, do you really think there will be a reason for them to stay exclusively Blu if this happens?

[Boz]

new nielsen number are out for this week and blu-ray won again, go figure right.

some things never change, in this example, blu-ray winning every single week this year, whatever the margin is.

and some things change, like the BS reasons HD-dvd supporters give us for their formar loosing and being 2nd the whole time.

You are obviously very shy to show what these numbers look like as well.

Let me help you..

after BOGOs ended and with 3.7:1 hardware advantage with those famous blu-ray players called PS3, Blu-Ray sales advantage dropped to 1.38:1 and that's with a title like PLANET EARTH noless LOL!!. Talk about a cold shower.

As I said, Q1 2008 will be showing of HD DVD new player owners. It's slowly starting but it will become more and more obvious as we get in to 2008.

[Gary2MBz]

I believe the Betamax vs. VHS battle where VHS wins is whats going to happen here.

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

I just want one to die soon. I haven't even seen a movie on Blu-Ray or HDDVD yet. I wonder if it'll be as good as I think it'll be.

[EcPercy]

What I find funny is that with so many more blu-ray players out there they are barely beating out HD DVD in movie sales. I mean didn't the latest numbers claim that there were about 4 million blu-ray players out there (Counting PS3 of course) compared to 750,000 HD DVD players?

With numbers like that wouldn't you expect movie sales to be like 30:1 favoring blu?

I went with HD DVD and I have already bought 6 movies and a boxed set (planet earth). That's not including the 10 free movies that came with my A3 player. If Sony had a $199 player with 10 movies I would have gone blu, but the standalone players are much too expensive and I have no desire to own a PS3. I tried playing DVD movies on my PS2 with the separate remote you have to buy and it was just annoying. That's why I would not get a PS3. (Well one reason anyway)

I will stay with my standalone player. (A3)

[Ironman273]

What I find funny is that with so many more blu-ray players out there they are barely beating out HD DVD in movie sales. I mean didn't the latest numbers claim that there were about 4 million blu-ray players out there (Counting PS3 of course) compared to 750,000 HD DVD players?

With numbers like that wouldn't you expect movie sales to be like 30:1 favoring blu?

I went with HD DVD and I have already bought 6 movies and a boxed set (planet earth). That's not including the 10 free movies that came with my A3 player. If Sony had a $199 player with 10 movies I would have gone blu, but the standalone players are much too expensive and I have no desire to own a PS3. I tried playing DVD movies on my PS2 with the separate remote you have to buy and it was just annoying. That's why I would not get a PS3. (Well one reason anyway)

I will stay with my standalone player. (A3)

It's because only 30% (number may be off) of PS3 owners know it's a Blu-Ray player, according to some studies.

[Cormier6083]

I believe the Betamax vs. VHS battle where VHS wins is whats going to happen here.

Yes, but who is VHS>

[Joni_78]

I have upgraded my DVD collection with HD movies recently. I've got about 10 HD movies now, weirdly everytime I see my fafourite movie it is on Blu-ray. I haven't really cared wich format I get, just what is available. Sofar I have 9 Blu-ray and 1 HD DVD.

[htwho]

At least the "war of formats" will be over soon and people will start buying Blu Ray movies to accompany their HDTV's and Blu Ray players.

[Zab]

I hope Blu Ray wins, for a few reasons:

1: Isn't it better technology than HD DVD? - Not sure but thats what I heard (main reason)

2: Getting a PS3 and it has Blu Ray player

3: HD DVD - I agree with others I do hate saying it.

4: Blue is my favorite colour LOL

[ctebah]

It's because only 30% (number may be off) of PS3 owners know it's a Blu-Ray player, according to some studies.

so it would be in sony's interest to make sure a large portion of the remaining 70% of owners find out it's a blu-ray player.

[spenser.d]

I hope Blu Ray wins, for a few reasons:

1: Isn't it better technology than HD DVD? - Not sure but thats what I heard (main reason)

2: Getting a PS3 and it has Blu Ray player

3: HD DVD - I agree with others I do hate saying it.

4: Blue is my favorite colour LOL

1: No. It's the exact same technology as HDDVD. The only advantage is it's higher capacity, which isn't really an advantage at all as far as movie-going experience goes.

2: Fair enough.

3 doesn't make sense, and 4 isn't a reason.

-Spenser

[Boz]

I have upgraded my DVD collection with HD movies recently. I've got about 10 HD movies now, weirdly everytime I see my fafourite movie it is on Blu-ray. I haven't really cared wich format I get, just what is available. Sofar I have 9 Blu-ray and 1 HD DVD.

And you should be buying movies you like no matter whether it's Blu-Ray or HD DVD, but buy the movies who you find better value if the title is available on both.

You obviuosly have both format capability so you should just enjoy the movies and let the corporations fight over you.

I have picked up a BUNCH of Blu-Ray movies recently, Die Hard collection with Die Hard 4 (though Die Hard collection quality on Blu-Ray BLOWS, i regret the purchase), Spiderman collection, Superbad, Pirates, Rat, Cars and a few others.. of course, I bought a bunch of HD DVD movies, but the bottom line is they need to fight over us not the other way around.

At least the "war of formats" will be over soon and people will start buying Blu Ray movies to accompany their HDTV's and Blu Ray players.

You mean Blu-Ray PLAYER. singular, as in PS3. Cause this is in essence the only thing keeping Blu-Ray alive, is it not?

Yes, but who is VHS>

Okay, like honestly you don't know the answer to that. :)

VHS = cheaper, slightly less technologically advanced then Betamax quality wise (Porn sides with VHS :) )

Betamax = more expensive, mostly used commercially and in specialized machines and a little better quality (on paper mostly)

Do we need to make a parallel between the above and the current technologies?

[ctebah]

You mean Blu-Ray PLAYER. singular, as in PS3. Cause this is in essence the only thing keeping Blu-Ray alive, is it not?

I don't think so.

It's hard to know what to make of the latest statistics on the battle for supremacy between Blu-ray and HD DVD because of the fact that they're from Japan, home of so many of Blu-ray's backers. Nevertheless, the degree to which HD DVD has fallen behind in Japan in sales of the crucial high-end HD TV recorders is stark.

According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the figures from the week ending 12 November for sales of next-generation machines capable of recording show just 2.8 per cent of them were HD DVD units. The remaining 97.2 per cent were, of course, Blu-ray devices.

Standard DVD still selling

Naturally, the availability of Blu-ray machines plays its part - there are more models available in Japan - but the HD DVD Promotion Group will obviously be worried.

Source: Article

Even though Japan is Sony's hometown and the sales of Ps3 aren't as great as they want it to be, there are more blu-ray player models available to purchase from, and the ps3 obviously isn't the only one.

[Boz]

I don't think so.

You don't think so what? That PS3 is not the only reason why Blu-Ray is still alive and kicking?

Then my friend you live in a fairytale. 200k standalone players sold since inception is NOTHING.. there's more then 3 times more dedicated HD DVD players on the market.. what do you think would happen it wasn't for PS3. Be at least A BIT realistic.

Japan is completely irrelevant in the format was as their market is way too small and has very much influence on establishing global standards. We've seen so many technologies that were never adopted on a mass level yet live nicely in Japan. You can freely say that right now North America, Europe and China set the tone of mass adoptation and in this regard, the PS3 is the ONLY fighting horse in this race for Blu-Ray.

At least with Toshiba you have quite a few models to pick from ranging in different prices.

[Zab]

I hope Blu Ray wins, for a few reasons:

1: Isn't it better technology than HD DVD? - Not sure but thats what I heard (main reason)

2: Getting a PS3 and it has Blu Ray player

3: HD DVD - I agree with others I do hate saying it.

4: Blue is my favorite colour LOL

I hope Blu Ray wins, for a few reasons:

1: Isn't it better technology than HD DVD? - Not sure but thats what I heard (main reason)

2: Getting a PS3 and it has Blu Ray player

3: HD DVD - I agree with others I do hate saying it.

4: Blue is my favorite colour LOL

1: No. It's the exact same technology as HDDVD. The only advantage is it's higher capacity, which isn't really an advantage at all as far as movie-going experience goes.

2: Fair enough.

3 doesn't make sense, and 4 isn't a reason.

-Spenser

thank you for correcting me, glad i know that now.

[ctebah]

You don't think so what? That PS3 is not the only reason why Blu-Ray is still alive and kicking?

Then my friend you live in a fairytale. 200k standalone players sold since inception is NOTHING.. there's more then 3 times more dedicated HD DVD players on the market.. what do you think would happen it wasn't for PS3. Be at least A BIT realistic.

Japan is completely irrelevant in the format was as their market is way too small and has very much influence on establishing global standards. We've seen so many technologies that were never adopted on a mass level yet live nicely in Japan. You can freely say that right now North America, Europe and China set the tone of mass adoptation and in this regard, the PS3 is the ONLY fighting horse in this race for Blu-Ray.

At least with Toshiba you have quite a few models to pick from ranging in different prices.

Well apparently not, since only around 30% of owners know it's a blu ray player.

And I wouldn't call a majority of software sales alive and kicking.