HD-DVD Predictions for 2008

[JoeSp]

I will offer these preditions as the possible immediate future of HD-DVD. With Warner still making titles for HD-DVD for the next four months and Toshiba still making HD-DVD players and a Chinese player coming we will probably see alot of confusion from HD-DVD owners and future buyers. It is possible that a mass buying of HD-DVD products could possibly change Warner's mindset or the other shoe -- consumers stay away because they feel BD has won. The war is not over right now but the FAT LADY IS SINGING. There still might be time to change her tune -- I doubt it but hey, stranger things have happened.

 

[jgantert]

Biggest question not on this list, is what will happen with the Porn? Right now it almost all HD DVD (almost 50 titles). Bluray just has a few. DP seems like they are still announcing a lot of new HD DVD releases.

 

[Zookster]

Introducing an affordable dual format player is the best thing Toshiba can do right now to salvage HD DVD and to make future releases in HD DVD worthwhile. Otherwise they risk doing what Sony did with SACD... making players exclusively for a very select number of exclusive releases... that is until Paramount and Universal go neutral or BD exclusive.

 

[navychop]

Yes, that Toshiba dual format player can be connected to the Toshiba SED TV.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Toshiba goes dual then bd only later. Univ within 90 days. Im still pissed at paramount and dont care right now what they do.

 

[db2]

I absolutely hate to admit this but I don't think we've heard the last from Microsoft. I believe they will continue with their plans to announce an Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD player. Toshiba will then declare that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray can coexist and HD-DVD will remain a niche for the next few years.

 

[JoeSp]

But who will buy it? I don't believe that they will find B&M's likely to share shelf space much after this announcement.

 

[allargon]

But who will buy it? I don't believe that they will find B&M's likely to share shelf space much after this announcement.

You have a point there. If Worst Buy and Wally's kick HD-DVD out, Fry's, Adam and Eve and Amazon won't be enough. Fry's and Amazon still sell DVD-A.

The VHS/Betamax battle was decided by consumers then ended by retailers. This one was decided by studios and will likely be ended by retailers. (Fanboyism aside--if all studios even all studios except Sony were neutral HD-DVD would've definitely reached parity if not exceeded Blu-Ray in sales. Thems the breaks.)

 

[gadgtfreek]

I absolutely hate to admit this but I don't think we've heard the last from Microsoft. I believe they will continue with their plans to announce an Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD player. Toshiba will then declare that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray can coexist and HD-DVD will remain a niche for the next few years.

I think this rumor has been shot down before. I dont see it happening. Everyone forget the statement where M$ didnt rule out a BD add-on, they basically said they'd see what the market did.

Im excited to see if Mac supports Blu only at Macworld, will be great.

 

[mike123abc]

I do not see MS going through with an announcement of HD-DVD built in even if they were ready to launch them. Why add lots of $$ to a product price for something that does not give them anything. The only surprise I could see is if they decided to have an external BD drive available this year. It would save face since they could say, well we still do not think an HD drive is needed on this generation of console, so save money and buy the Xbox, and if you really want you can buy the BD drive.

The last thing they need is a line of products where the sales person in the store says: "well the HD-DVD has a lot of capacity but it lost to Blu-Ray". No one wants a loser associated with their product.

 

[gadgtfreek]

I predict the xbox will come with a vcr built in. Will be called "Xbox Retro Edition"

 

[diogen]

The only surprise I could see is if they decided to have an external BD drive available this year.

Embracing BD on their hardware would mean licensing Java again... I don't think Microsoft will ever do that.

I think Microsoft will attempt a stronger push for downloadable content using the 360 platform.
The question is, will studios join Disney in offering their movies for this distribution system.

Diogen.

 

[teachsac]

Embracing BD on their hardware would mean licensing Java again... I don't think Microsoft will ever do that.

I think Microsoft will attempt a stronger push for downloadable content using the 360 platform.
The question is, will studios join Disney in offering their movies for this distribution system.

Diogen.

Universal, Paramount, and Lionsgate are already onboard w/ Vudu. Here's the actual list of studios on board.

VUDU
- Warner
- New Line
- Fox
- Disney
- Sony Pictures
- Universal
- Paramount
- Dreamworks
- Lionsgate


S~

 

[Ilya]

Here is my prediction:

The next major development in the Format War will come very soon!
Within days... or perhaps even hours...

 

[mike123abc]

Here is my prediction:

The next major development in the Format War will come very soon!
Within days... or perhaps even hours...

When is Univeral's CES press conference?

 

[mike123abc]

Speaking of Universal and press conferences, did anyone notice:

CES 2008: Blog

The NBC Universal CES 2008 blog mentions BD? I have attached the image from the blog.

High Def is definitely on Hollywoods agenda, be it Blu-ray or HD-DVD.

Note the time on the blog entry... Just as Warner made its announcement (assuming they are on PST). Is Universal set to announce support for BD?