Well, I think team has ID'd the guy. Interesting to note that even back then (if it was indeed 1/06), the most they seem to have hoped for is to co-exist with Blu-ray. That's the most they can hope for today, and that hope is getting slimmer as each month's sales reports come out. First quarter results should be most interesting. And if sales continue rising and the gap widens in the summer, will the fat lady on the bandwagon sing forth?
But there's still no meat on the bones of "more going on behind the scenes in the HD-DVD camp." Sure, something's going on, but not much.
MAYBE both will survive, but I tend to doubt it. Retailers, including renters, and studios all want a single format. Much easier to stock, less capital investment, less floor space. And HD-DVD has made it worse for themselves with the "total" and "combo" discs. Just more for the retailer to stock, more for the studios to produce. It's hardly in the interest of the Blu-ray exclusive studios to also produce HD-DVD. BD title sales are double HD-DVD sales, and have the potential of increasing that gap substantially simply because the overwhelming majority of titles made are controlled by Blu-ray exclusive studios. People will buy the player that plays the titles they want to see. The sole dual format (almost) player on the market today is an expensive dog.
The truth is, HD-DVD is NOT cheaper than Blu-ray. Prices vary- a lot. The Amazon sale on now certainly shows that Blu-ray discs can be, at times at least, significantly cheaper than HD-DVD discs. And even if a BD disc was a buck or three more, people would buy it if they want the title- or they'd get a regular DVD. Players are available at the same price points, with more on the way. It costs no more to rent a Blu-ray than an HD-DVD. PQ is the same. Audio quality, if anything, is better on Blu-ray.
As to it not being "fair" that the studios aren't producing in both formats: Let me enlighten you. That's how business is done. The studios picked what was in their own best interest. Whether the deciding factor was watermarking, BD+, preference for the higher capacity, seeing the stronghold Blu-ray has on the computer field, or whatever, - it doesn't matter. They picked who they thought the winner would be, and invested in it.
Porn will not determine this one. Remember, porn wanted to go with Blu-ray, but Sony is making that difficult. Porn on disc is declining in sales. They don't have the influence they once did. And they'll pump out discs in any format available. If Blu-ray becomes sole winner, they'll find a way.
Sony could still lose- but that's not where to put your nickel. It's looking more and more like I'll be shopping the Fourth of July sales for a player.
