http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/ Engadget HD Comments for HDTV owners holding out on format war http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/]]>Dec 31st 2007 7:53AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Even if there was ONLY one format, it would still be the same situation.

People have alot invested in DVD and no one likes change.]]>Dec 31st 2007 8:07AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/ Overall I agree with what you say (I have both formats myself). But people always look for the best deal as well. If HD/BRD players were $50 and movies were $20 (a lot of which Fry's usually has on sale for $15) I believe that DVD would be phased out in 2-3 years. Since the new players still play "old" DVD's there is no loss of an investment and the benefit of upscaling (on a better player?).]]>Dec 31st 2007 10:12AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 8:18AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 8:28AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 9:01AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 9:49AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
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I can personally demonstrate this principle. If you had asked me 6 months ago whether I intended to buy a next-gen player, I would have said "Hell no." Fast forward to November and the $99 HD-A2 -- well, I bought me a player, and I never "intended" to do so until the day before I brought it home.

When either side drops the price of a player to within "commodity" range, heaps of these fence-riders will jump in. ]]>Dec 31st 2007 9:13AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 9:18AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 10:25AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/]]>Dec 31st 2007 1:01PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
In the end, I got an HD A30, and 10 movies for $228 (well I got it for $198 thanks to a new Amazon.com credit card, but I won't count that here). Add on top of that the Amazon and BestBuy Buy-one-get-one sales and I have another 4 movies that cost $55. If I go on Amazon and add up the prices of the DVD versions of the 14 HD DVDs I got, I get a total price of $235.31. Add a cheap upconverting DVD player (say $50) and I'm at $285.31. $228 + $55 = $283. I spent $2 LESS to get an HD DVD player with 14 HD DVDs than I would have to buy an upconverting DVD player and 14 DVDs.

So maybe these polls say people think it's not the right time, but for me it definitely was the right time and if you do the math, I think you'll see it is for you too!]]>Dec 31st 2007 3:42PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 10:36AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 11:00AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 11:22AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 10:56AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 10:58AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 11:27AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
"If you are paddling upstream in a canoe and a wheel falls off, how many pancakes fit in a doghouse? None! Icreams doesn't have bones"!

...by the way I own both formats and I while I enjoy the awesome looks and sounds, I sometimes kick myself for feeding into this so-called war.]]>Dec 31st 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 11:33AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
It really just makes sense to me ... Blu-ray is more popular, and is selling better. HDTV owners want 1 format, and the format that makes the most sense to me is Blu-ray.

Let's hope that Warner Bros. goes Blu-ray exclusive soon.]]>Dec 31st 2007 11:39AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Gone purple myself. BD-UP5000.

And I expect to see several more purple studios in a week.]]>Dec 31st 2007 12:13PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
http://blu-raystats.com/hmmsichart.php

I predict Warner Bros. will go Blu-ray exclusive in '08 and that in conjunction with the increased Blu-ray market share will deliver the "knock-out".]]>Dec 31st 2007 12:35PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
What you can use is sales of the same movie.

In th summer blue ray sold 66% ofall sales for the movie 300 on it's reease week
A couple week ago blue ray sold 55% of all HarryP on it's relase week.

Blue ray is respoible or less percentage of the sales as HD DVD is growing faster then blue ray.

SO you put your money on the horse running faser..even if he is a a little behind.]]>Dec 31st 2007 7:09PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Blu-ray is widening it's lead over HD DVD every week it wins.

It's simple ... Blu-ray wins week A so it is winning by X ... Blu-ray then wins week B so it is now winning by X+Y.

2007 sales prove that the world favors Blu-ray.]]>Jan 1st 2008 2:32PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
I'm not sure if my family is typical, but I figured we cannot be alone here.

As far as which high definition disc format "wins"-- I'm mostly indifferent. Would the World be such a bad place if both formats were supported? I've said this before, each currently has shelf space. What's the big deal? I say publish in both formats and maximize profits. Let the consumers decide which format they want.]]>Dec 31st 2007 12:54PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 4:12PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
(sigh).

I hate poorly worded remarks like this. Is the "75% of those" referring to the 11% of HDTV owners intending to buy a player by next spring? Or is it 75% of HDTV owners?
From the article:
"Almost three-quarters of those HDTV owners surveyed said that standard DVD was good enough for them."


]]>Dec 31st 2007 12:58PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
I would be willing to spend much more on a player if it was the only option... I would definitely jump at the current $299-$399 players, but I won't blow that much on a crap-shoot... I did try to get an HD-A2 for $99 though, but couldn't find one]]>Dec 31st 2007 1:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Also I suggest you pay attention to load times for playing Hi Def media. On the PS3 there is virtually no waiting to get your movie playing - this is not the case on many of the HD DVD players and especially the cheaper models like the HD-A2. I've read reports saying people have had to wait 20-30 seconds just to watch a movie.

The PS3 is hands down the best value for any Hi Def player available.]]>Dec 31st 2007 1:38PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
The only time you have to wait for HD DVD is when you're web-connected and you're receiving updates--which is something you can cancel, by the way. Of course, if you want the updates, then good luck getting them on your PS3.]]>Dec 31st 2007 1:52PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 2:16PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
With the PS3 there is none such issue, and this simply makes for a better experience when you start watching a Blu-ray movie.]]>Jan 1st 2008 2:29PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
I bought the Xbox HDDVD player early in 2007 since I already had an XBox. But to this day I'm not sure which format will last. So I haven't bought a single HDDVD disc; instead I have happilly rented around 70 of them from Blockbuster online.

]]>Dec 31st 2007 6:02PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Even the so called "experts" are starting to see the truth. This format war will NEVER end in a stalemate with both formats sharing glory. DVD will win out in that event, and both HD formats will die and we'll all be SOL.

The problem is that there is too much risk for consumers. They don't want to take the risk of buying into a format that might die soon, so they are sticking with their nice looking upconverted DVDs. Therefore the HD formats are not selling enough movies, and both formats will die. Neither format will be adopted while this war continues. There must be a clear winner SOON or both will die.

Remember Laser Discs? That is exactly what we're looking at here. It's not VHS vs Betamax--where one format will win and one will loose. It's Laser Disc, were you have a luxury item that few people buy and you can soon not buy any software for--i.e. both formats loose.

The consumers are not the ones to decide this format war--or rather, they have already decided, and they've chosen to stick with DVDs and "wait and see" on the HD formats. It's clear that neither Sony nor Microsoft will back down, and if the consumer refuses to decide a winner, then there is only one option left. The consumer is waiting for someone else to decide this war for them!!

The only way this format war will be decided with when the STUDIOS choose to exclusively back one format. As soon as the smoke clears from the holiday sales, Warner will likely choose a side to back (likely Blu-ray since it outsold HDDVD 2:1, but either way they will choose someone). Once nearly all studios are backing 1 format, the other studios will have to capitulate because they KNOW that the only way to make money in HiDef now is for one format to win soon.

If the studios back 1 format, that format will win, and the studios will all make a ton of money and we will all get the movies we want in HiDef CHEAPER than we're getting them now. Why? Because with the risk removed, people are just left with the decision of whether or not to upgrade to HD. Since the new players play their old DVDs, they would not be much reason to stay out of the HD game anymore.

But this must happen soon. If it drags out too much longer, the consumers will stay out of this generation of discs altogether because the level of confusion will be too high. Most consumers are not researchers of tech sites. They are lazy, and just want to push a "play" button and watch a nice looking picture. If things don't get clear for them and risk-free soon, we'll all be heading back to the pre-HD video age.]]>Dec 31st 2007 6:45PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Harry Potter only out sold HD DVD 55% to 45% not much of a lead...and given blue ray out sold on the movie 300 this summer 66% to 33% the HD DVD is showing a faster growing base then blue ray.

"If the studios back 1 format, that format will win"

Only if they back the right format at the right time. If everyone got together in a big room at CES next month and decided to go blue ray...$299 for profile 1.0 is still too high to pay. I got my hd dvd for $99 and I needed an upcoverting dvd player anyway. So until blue ray is less then $99 I won't buy one. Thats why HD DVD is in a better position already selling players for $179 and cheaper.]]>Dec 31st 2007 8:23PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
I actually had a woman I worked with how much better could a DVD be than videotape. I think Joe Average American doesn't know a whole lot and doesn't care. They tend to buy the cheapest and easiest.

We're all here because we're enthusiasts. I think a lot of people are scarcely aware that either format even exists let alone picking one over the other.]]>Dec 31st 2007 8:33PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/Dec 31st 2007 9:01PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
The price of players is a factor only once a format has been decided, and then only determines the rate of adoption. All that matters to the studios is how much money they are making--meaning software sales--and they are making more money from Blu-ray right now. They also know that they will make more money in the long run if ONLY ONE FORMAT is available, because consumer adoption will skyrocket and yield much higher software sales.

Honestly, I'd rather have HD-DVD win than nobody win. It would mean I'd need to buy another player (because I already own a PS3), but I'd rather have the option of owning HD discs than not--and right now, the situation is very precarious and unless a winner is decided soon, we will see both formats die sometime early next year.]]>Dec 31st 2007 9:06PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/You could say it looks like more "kids" own HD DVD but that would be the 1st I heard that argument...the ps3 normally claims they have the younger crowd.

And isn't a $179 player going to be adopted more quickly if declared the winner then the $399 (1.1) or even $299 (1.0). As I said..I won't buy BD until it is less then $99 for at least a 1.1 player.

We are not hard up to need a winner called so soon. HD DVD is growing fast and given the 750k announced at the end of nov and the amazon statement of selling 7 football fields that someone here figured up to 200k in holiday sales...HD DVD looks to be near 1 million units by end of 07...and was only at 100k in march or april. So HD DVD is growing just fine.]]>Dec 31st 2007 10:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
“You start to enjoy the benefits of high-definition DVD at 40 inches and above,” said Chris Fawcett, vice president for product marketing at Sony Electronics’ home video group.

Only high-definition sets can display high-definition DVD images. And only the highest-resolution displays, the so-called 1080p HDTVs, for progressive scan, can show the images at their best. As a result, the potential customer base is limited. With a lower-resolution 720p set, “you are not as likely to see a dramatic a difference” between standard and high-definition DVDs, according to Andy Parsons, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

I've long not been a fan of things spat out by members of the BDA, but damn. Have they actually looked at 720 vs. 480? Even on smaller sets it looks pretty damn dramatic to me. Of course, it was clever of them to always use High-definition DVD instad of disc in their comments.]]>Dec 31st 2007 11:50PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
Once Warner Bros. goes Blu-ray exclusive you will see an avalanche of people going Hi Def. Warner Bros. knows this, it is logical thinking, and the smartest move for the media that will make the studios the most money.

While many consumers are confused by the format feud, the studios can see the overall picture which has Blu-ray in a commanding lead.]]>Jan 1st 2008 2:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/31/hdtv-owners-holding-out-on-format-war/
55% to 45% on harry potter and from what dave v posted at avs about 50-50 on blade runner is not dominating.

With the ps3 at $399 and a profile 1.0 at $299 you won't see an avalance buy blue ray if Warner went blue ray exsclusive (which they just issued a press statement posted here they are not going bkue ray exsclusive.) However at $179..you could see a dramatic increase in HD DVD player sales if they went HD DVD exsclusive.
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Give this thing 15 more months and a winner will slowly emerge. I, won't pick up any HD media player until I make sure I can afford the gas required to drive to the store and pick it up. $100/barrel will present a huge drag on consumer behavior. ]]>Jan 2nd 2008 3:47PM