Posted on 08/23/2005 11:43:14 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 10:36 GMT 11:36 UK
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Next gen DVD rivals fail to agree
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Efforts to come up with a compromise on the next generation of DVD format appear to have stalled. Technology giant Toshiba and Sony had been in talks about bringing together rival DVD technologies. But the two are planning to go ahead with their own formats after talks on a single format failed, reported the Japanese Daily Yomiuri newspaper. Toshiba, with NEC and Sanyo, is pushing HD-DVD, while backers of Sony's Blu-ray include Dell and Samsung. The next generation of DVDs, due to go on sale later this year, will be able to store much more data, including high-definition video. This offers incredible 3D-like quality pictures which major Hollywood studios and games publishers are extremely keen to exploit. Stalled talks
The clash between HD-DVD and Blu-ray parallels the battle a generation ago between VHS and Betamax, which resulted in the demise of Betamax.
The groups backing the rival next generation DVD formats had been keen to avoid a repeat of the format wars of video. But negotiations between Toshiba and Sony on coming up with a hybrid DVD system have stalled, with Toshiba pressing ahead with production of HD-DVDs. Toshiba "is planning to launch our first HD-DVD products by the end of this year. To do that, we have to start production of software for it by the end of this month," said a spokeswoman. However, neither side has closed the door on developing a single format. "We have not set a time limit for the talks," added the Toshiba spokeswoman. For its part, Sony said future negotiations would be held "if there will be an opportunity for it".
Storage space Sony plans to put a Blu-ray disc drive in its new PlayStation 3 game console next year. Blu-ray backers include Apple, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Samsung, and Disney. HD-DVD supporters include Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Brothers Studios. Blu-ray discs can store 50GB of high-quality data, while Toshiba's HD-DVD can hold 30GB Both disc formats offer much better quality audio and video, and could also mean there is a lot more space for interactive elements. Analysts say that new technology might be able to overcome the problem of different DVD formats, much like multi-region players can play DVDs from any part of the world.
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Not sure who cares about this.
Which will survive? The one that is the easiest to crack.
On the surface it appears that Sony (once again) has the better format (50Gb vs 30Gb). Therefore, in the grand tradition of Betamax, we can count on Sony to screw up the marketing and licensing aspect of it's business, and HD-DVD will win in the market.
I am more interested in actual video codec compression (like Divx, Xvid and VP2) programs used in the new generation of movie DVDs, than how much a data DVD can store (which is a good thing too). Because at those data sizes (for example Blue-Ray), movie companies might be insane enough to try and release movies in "uncompressed RGB" codec format (makes MPEG2/DVD standard look like Divx in compression comparison).
You'd need a heckuva pipe to handle that much data fluidly.
Will they be dumping "Region Coding"?
Depends on whether it impacts the bottom line.
I know, that's why I considered it was insane to try.
Also, it's nice to see someone who knows what I am talking about.
You wouldn't happen to use a flavor of Virtualdub would you?
If the HOLLYWOOD studios like it, it must be bad.
Unlike the Betamax/VHS war a decade ago..with today's internet.you will see consumers sitting on their wallets until this is resolved..Neither will sell..<P.
Or they could always revive the 8-track...
Also, as with VHS, the one the porn industry will use (for good or ill, depending on your moral POV)
Will the new DVDs play on old players, and will old DVDs play on new players? I have a lot of DVDs and am in no hurry to have to rebuy them if I want to watch them on the next DVD player I buy.
If blu-ray makes it into playstation3 it has a good shot.
Great. Now the DVDs I just bought are already going to be obsolete.
They win. End of discussion.
Or DAT or mini-disc or VHS-C or...
Even if old media can be played on new systems, they may look sufficiently inferior in comparison.
Fortunately, I have some "popular" titles for the bonus items (extra footage and certainly commentary tracks don't always make it to subsequent releases). I also have some obscure/cult releases that are unlikely to be reissued again and again.
I also have laserdiscs with supplements that are unlikely to be reissued.
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