Format war gets more warlike

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 7th 2007 at 5:41PM

Not since the infamous PS3 crime wave of late 2006 have we seen anything like this. According to a notice posted on the heavily trafficked AVS Forum, the HD DVD and Blu-ray sections are being closed to new posts "for a short time," and the reasoning behind such a severe action may shock you. Apparently, a number of hot-headed posters have not only been dissin' supporters of (insert rival format here), but some have lashed out at other members with "physical threats that have involved police and possible legal action." While it's not exactly clear what pushed these extremists to the edge, there's no denying that the recent price drops on standalone HD DVD players have given the HD community as a whole a lot more to yap about, and we guess some folks just didn't know where to draw the line. The format war just took on a whole new meaning, and it's not one to be proud of.

[Via CNET, image courtesy of Olive-Drab]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, HD DVD

Tags: avs forum, AvsForum, battle, blu-ray, conflict, fighting, formar war, FormarWar, hd dvd, HdDvd, problem, war

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Highly Ranked

James @ Nov 7th 2007 5:46PM

Losers...I own both formats.

Neutral

TrentD @ Nov 8th 2007 8:57AM

Not every one can (or will) afford to support both formats. I personally won't even consider a cheap BD player until they have a 1.1 or 2.0 player.

Highest Ranked

domerdel @ Nov 7th 2007 5:50PM

*the suspect is known as H4Idol, after being banned from EHD, he went on a rampage in other forums... news at 10*

Seriously though, as mad as I get in disagreement with any of these guys on here, I don't lose sleep over it let alone try and physically threaten anyone.

Highly Ranked

UnnDunn @ Nov 7th 2007 5:53PM

I wonder why they didn't just ban the offending people...

Neutral

Cam @ Nov 7th 2007 5:58PM

Wow...this ish just got real!

I wonder if any of the peeps work for Sony or Toshiba, whose jobs are at stake and REALLY must have one "win" or at least stay afloat

Lowest Ranked

HDpurist @ Nov 7th 2007 6:29PM

Cam, great way to quickly blame the BD camp with your snarky remarks. Since you're an HD-DVD fan (and obviously anti-BD) is your intent here to showcase the general crappy attitude, remorse, and insecurity of all HD-DVD-only supporters?

Highest Ranked

venk @ Nov 7th 2007 6:05PM

Man, this is just sad. Physical Violence? Threats? Police? Legal Action? I blame video games for all these violent tendency prevalent in our society. As for those crazies who threatened violence on an internet message board getting it shut down, I'm gonna hunt you down like the dogs you are!

I kid I kid. :)

Highest Ranked

zargon @ Nov 7th 2007 6:58PM

HDpurist, what the heck are you whining about? Did you even read his comment? Maybe you should re-read it because I don't see how there is anything in there related to exclusively blaming the BD camp or the HD-DVD camp for the fact of the matter.

Since you're an HD-DVD fan (and obviously anti-BD) is your intent here to showcase the general crappy attitude, remorse, and insecurity of all HD-DVD-only supporters?

I also find it funny that you are trying to incite that cam is anti-BD and some how stereo typing HD-DVD supporters? Kettle calling the pot black. The same thing could be said about you, looking back through your posts, you are no better if what you say is even true. If only you could get past your biased views and stop spreading your FUD.

Highest Ranked

Ed @ Nov 7th 2007 7:06PM

@ HDpurist

Actually dipsh*t, it's people like you and h4Idol (probably one and the same) that cause these type of problems. Endless flame posts by you and your buddies turn what should be constructive criticism for or against a format to a virtual turf war. And your continual refusal to offer any supporting evidence to support your views frankly deserves to be answered by people like myself who love to insult the ignorant. I would love to stop calling you a d-bag, tool, troll, etc., if you just back up what you are talking about. If you did, we all would respect you, regardless of what camp you claim. We all know that it's not a matter of you can't do but that you choose not to. So jag-off once you and h4Idol are tired of pumping each other bareback, we here would like you to provide us with facts supporting your views.

...And that's the bottom line, 'cause Stone Cold said so!

Highly Ranked

Cam @ Nov 7th 2007 7:30PM

Wow, congrats, you read my past comments. It's not really a secret where my loyalty lies, but my comment for this blog was not swung in either direction. Just a comment. That's all. In no way did I blame the BD camp in my comment. In fact, I say "Sony or Toshiba".

Thanks.

Highly Ranked

Jeff @ Nov 7th 2007 7:51PM

He said Sony or Toshiba ass!

Highly Ranked

Region Free HD @ Nov 7th 2007 9:24PM

Douch�!

Highly Ranked

TeddyN @ Nov 7th 2007 6:32PM

LOL!

The formats have just gone militant.

I bet we'll be seeing Osama-like video announcements by h4ldol showing up pretty soon, and Toshiba announcing that Bluray is in the Axis of Evil.

We are all passionate for our formats, but if you really love HD, comrade, you must grab your gun and take to the streets.

Highly Ranked

Eddie @ Nov 7th 2007 6:35PM

Seriously guys, as crazy as this whole thing can get, can we start a good sportsman petition of some sort that says we agree to compete but not fight?

I mean, I want HDVD to win, but I don't want Sony execs to die, and I certainly don't want BR supporters to lose their money. I just chose the format because I like it more, for a variety of reasons. I understand BR guys are the same on the other side, so why can't we just engage in spirited debate?

More importantly, can we agree to watch each others backs and ostracize any member of *any* camp that pushes this too far? You'd better believe I'm telling someone to cut it out if he offers to "kick BluRay supporters in the teeth", even though he's "in my camp". I don't want anyone "in my camp" that can't understand this is a competition in a vacuum, that doesn't amount to anything in real life (except the amount on the checks the heads of our respective companies get at the end of the year).

Neutral

Region Free HD @ Nov 7th 2007 6:39PM

Sad. And stupid.

And just plain wrong.

Highest Ranked

Ron @ Nov 7th 2007 6:39PM

Internet nerd fight...gotta love it.

Highly Ranked

Dave @ Nov 7th 2007 6:52PM

When Nerds Attack

Neutral

Cam @ Nov 7th 2007 7:32PM

Thanks Zargon

Highly Ranked

Corrado @ Nov 7th 2007 7:03PM

Please for the love of god and all humanity, get these guys laid!

Neutral

DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 7th 2007 7:09PM

@ Corrado

I think that's the problem.. apparently these guys' HD players must perform sexual acts on them or something, other wise why the eff would they be so defensive of their players? I mean I love my HD-DVD player and all.. but I sure as sh*t wouldn't kill over it.. hell the only reason I don't have a Blu-Ray player is because they're so damned overpriced right now.

Neutral

Cam @ Nov 7th 2007 7:32PM

Thanks Ed

Neutral

Mike @ Nov 7th 2007 7:09PM

Anyone think a fight broke out at walmart while waiting for a $99 HD DVD player?

Neutral

Ed @ Nov 7th 2007 7:18PM

@ Mike

If that happened, does that mean "J6P" won or they were fighting themselves? Don't let h4Idol know.

Highly Ranked

Ed @ Nov 7th 2007 7:21PM

@ DeadPlasmaCell

Possible admission from HDpurist and/or h4Idol: "It's my sexbox! And her name is Sony".

Highly Ranked

DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 7th 2007 7:26PM

Hah.. I mean if my player gave me sweet lovin I would defend it till death myself.. Hmm actually I'm going to go check the back of my player to make sure I didn't overlook a love slot or something... brb!

Lowest Ranked

HDpurist @ Nov 7th 2007 8:10PM

cam, your previous postings give away your anti-BD opinions. You are soo lame for
attempting to glaze over your bullsh*t attitudes and make me look like the bad guy!

LOL!

Low Ranked

HDpurist @ Nov 7th 2007 8:01PM

jeff, is there an echo in this forum or are you just DEAF AND BLIND?

Lowest Ranked

Chris Mah @ Nov 7th 2007 7:53PM

However troll-like HDpurist has been, I agree with his/her opinions. Unlike BD fanboys, I find that HD-DVD fans are often immature, overly sensative whiners that constantly defend their farm given the opportunity, anytime. Why is that? The only thing I can come up with is that HD-DVD supporters have more to lose than do BD supporters. We all know that Sony is fully committed to BD so BD won't go away anytime soon. With HD-DVD, I'm not even sure who or what companies are fully committed, given the fact that Toshiba and Univeral could switch over to BD anytime. Well, time will only tell.

Highest Ranked

DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 7th 2007 8:09PM

@ Chris Mah

Apparently you haven't met h4Idol yet..

Highest Ranked

TrentD @ Nov 8th 2007 8:51AM

Sorry Chris, I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about, and you're embarrassing yourself. Toshiba isn't going anywhere.

If you think HD DVD supporters have a snarky, immature attitude, why don't you go dredge up some of the post-paramount announcement at Blu-ray dot com's forums. Even mention HD DVD there in a positive light, and you'll be banned.

Neutral

ryan @ Nov 7th 2007 7:53PM

Internet, serious business.....

My guess is the offenders are xbox add on owning and ps3 owning, living in their parents basement, losers. Meaning it's probably kids acting this way. If you go to blu-ray.com and read a dozen posts you're bound to find 8 poorly written, 8th grade level works of fiction. I have been able to find a few reasonable adults there though.

I'm sure avs was the same way but I never went there.

Neutral

TrentD @ Nov 8th 2007 9:02AM

AVS was a lot better than BD.com ... the mods were busy trying to keep people in line, rather than busy deleting pro-HD DVD posts or mentions of the $99 walmart player.

Also, the average age at AVS is more like 35 than 13 :)

Highest Ranked

Cam @ Nov 7th 2007 11:54PM

@HDpurist

So why you bring my past posts here? My comment HERE implies NOTHING. If we're gonna look at past posts, then why do all of your previous posts make you look like a dumbass? Don't make me bust out quotes

Neutral

andy @ Nov 7th 2007 8:15PM

Why can't we all just get along? Just enjoy your movies everyone!

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/630/cars.html

Neutral

Aaron @ Nov 7th 2007 8:17PM

Someone needs to remind both sides of this.

Neutral

Alex @ Nov 7th 2007 9:06PM

the two sides shall go to war with neither side left standing...and from the ashes shall arise.......EVD!!!

Neutral

Region Free HD @ Nov 7th 2007 9:28PM

@HDPurist, obviously, not you, Jeff

/attempting to contain the flames, not spread them unintentionaly

Neutral

Bob Mc @ Nov 7th 2007 10:50PM

I just don't get why anyone would could be a fanboy for either format.

Neutral

drew @ Nov 7th 2007 11:15PM

Seriously some people nead to get a life! If it wasn't true it would be ... nah it's funny.

Neutral

Marshall @ Nov 7th 2007 11:38PM

Is there a "contact us" link that I'm missing somewhere that would be more appropriate to post this in?

Question, what's the protocol for posting on a story both on engadgetHD and regular Engadget? Should the story only be posted on one site or the other? Should the comment section be shared? Having two separate comment threads to follow is kind of a drag, can you guys simplify it somehow?

Thanks,

Marshall
---------
The Real HT Info Podcast

Neutral

h4ldol @ Nov 8th 2007 12:51AM

Let's keep it respectful gentelemen (and ladies too)! Thanks.

Neutral

Ed @ Nov 8th 2007 1:54AM

@ h4Idol

This is a sign that the Apocalypse is near -- h4Idol calling for peace and respect. All joking aside, it's nice to see that you've posted something meaningful for a change.

...But does this mean that it back to status quo tomorrow???

Neutral

HD4ME @ Nov 8th 2007 4:04AM

@Ed
you don't seriously think that really is h4 do you?
me thinks thats someone else in drag

Neutral

Mike @ Nov 8th 2007 3:55AM

maybe h4ldol bought a hd dvd player and sees boths sides now.

Neutral

Ed @ Nov 8th 2007 2:23PM

@ HD4ME

eeewwwwwwwww!

Highly Ranked

800lb Gorilla @ Nov 8th 2007 4:25AM

Now i know I have been guilty of writing flame driven posts from time to time, but I do struggle with some of the foolish comments and they do fire me up sometimes, but i certainly don't support the fools who have been threatening violence etc,that's just silly, we are basically talking about DVD players here for god's sake!

Deadplasmacell said he's checking the back of his machine to see if it has an extra slot, ROFL, maybe a few more should as well!

Me, I think HDpurist is h4 by another name, and I don't want to flame (for once), but if you stick your chin out, you can only expect to get it whacked(metaphorically)with such lame comments

Neutral

D@n @ Nov 8th 2007 5:09AM

Now you can't complain about h4ldol for hiding behind another name when you wear a gorilla mask yourself Smee.

Anyway back on topic....geek threats. LOL! Be afraid! They'll blog you to death! hmmm Blogicide! Has a nice ring to it.

Neutral

Mike @ Nov 8th 2007 5:08AM

Maybe his mom found the account and told him to play nice

Neutral

Smee800lb Gorilla @ Nov 8th 2007 5:33AM

Difference is i was open about the name change, how about this one then??
Blogocide, luv it.

Highly Ranked

GhostDoggy @ Nov 8th 2007 5:47AM

The irony is that these people aren't spending nearly as much time watching their own endorsed formatted content as they are trying to convince others of a format to be believed in as a religion. Honestly, though, HD DVD and Blu-ray have done a lot better job than the cable and satellite industry in bringing me HD content.

Yes, I support both formats because getting into both formats can now be had for $500, which is what DirecTV wants from me to replace my two standard def DVRs with high def DVRs (and Comcast can't even tell me what HD channels are offered).

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