[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Nope but DVD players did.

DVD FAQ

Compatibility problems (DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray) ≠ Changing the spec a year later so that most previous models are orphaned (Blu-ray)

Furthermore, many of the problems with DVDs listed in your link were fixed with service/firmware updates to the DVD players (or else a rerelease to replace a buggy disc). That is impossible with most existing Blu-ray players, because the hardware simply isn't there.

[icruise]

So should they have just left the spec the way it was? I know that doing it right from the beginning would have been the best option, but failing that, I would think that improving the spec right now when there are very few standalone players is the best option.

We all know that if they hadn't made any changes, you'd be complaining about how backward Blu-ray was in terms of features, so it seems like there's no way for them to win.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by icruise 

So should they have just left the spec the way it was? I know that doing it right from the beginning would have been the best option, but failing that, I would think that improving the spec right now when there are very few standalone players is the best option.

We all know that if they hadn't made any changes, you'd be complaining about how backward Blu-ray was in terms of features, so it seems like there's no way for them to win.

Indeed. They fscked up.

They simply were too arrogant and thought consumers would just roll over and hand over their money for whatever was offered. That didn't happen. Blu-ray standalone sales are in the toilet.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

300 Breaks High Definition Record - Superhero Hype!

Can't wait to see the breakdown of which format sold the most.

[Dakarʒ]

It's a perfect movie for the Hi-Def format.

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Lame

"Samsung would not have a Blu-ray player with the updated specs until 2008."

I think this whole format war is lame.

[goMac]

And no Bluray on the new iMacs...

I'm still waiting for this massive exclusive Bluray support for consumers that is supposed to be coming from Apple. I mean, they have the GPU now to do fully graphics accelerated Bluray and HD-DVD.

(Of course I could still be gravely mistaken, Apple could have a surprise announcement, but the specs on the iMac say 8x Superdrive...)

[icruise]

And there's no HD-DVD drive either. It still sounds like we have no idea of what Apple will be doing.

[Dakarʒ]

They remain damn dirty neutrals.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by macintologist 

I think this whole format war is lame.

I agree.

Originally Posted by goMac 

And no Bluray on the new iMacs...

I'm still waiting for this massive exclusive Bluray support for consumers that is supposed to be coming from Apple. I mean, they have the GPU now to do fully graphics accelerated Bluray and HD-DVD.

(Of course I could still be gravely mistaken, Apple could have a surprise announcement, but the specs on the iMac say 8x Superdrive...)

Originally Posted by icruise 

And there's no HD-DVD drive either. It still sounds like we have no idea of what Apple will be doing.

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

They remain damn dirty neutrals.

Yeah, I thought it was pretty unlikely Apple would be putting Blu-ray or HD DVD burners in iMacs this year. However, I was hoping they would add hi-def disc burning support (HD DVD and Blu-ray) in iDVD, for DVD-R media.

OTOH, it wouldn't really make sense. If they added Blu-ray along with HD DVD support, that would annoy the pro people, since DVD Studio Pro doesn't even have Blu-ray support yet. If they added just HD DVD support (which DVD Studio Pro already has), then they would be moving away from their stated neutrality. (Mind you, they are already less than completely neutral, as they remain more supportive of HD DVD in practice than neutral, so why not do the same with iLife? )

Too bad though. I guess we'll have to wait for Leopard and iLife '09.

[goMac]

Apple did mention HD video though. They said the preferred means for distribution is online, currently.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

They remain damn dirty neutrals.

I have no strong feelings either way.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by sek929 

I have no strong feelings either way.

What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?

[sek929]

I totally had that line in mind, but my worry of butchering it prevailed.

Also, this HD war conjures visions of people standing ten inches from their 1080p displays proclaiming that their format is superior in every aspect.

I probably would have bought one by now if there wasn't two (almost identical to the layperson) formats that both would serve my needs fine.

[goMac]

"“The HD DVD of 300 is clearly the superior version, boasting some exclusive special features such as a picture-in-picture bluescreen version of the film, web-enabled extras and more,” said optical storage analyst Wesley Novack. “The only exclusive feature found on the Blu-ray Disc version of the release is the uncompressed PCM audio track, which is nearly identical to the TrueHD audio found on the HD DVD release.”"

DailyTech - "300" Outlines HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc Differences

Hmmmmm...

[starman]

Home Theater Forum institutes a "zero tolerance" policy on "war-talk".

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d.php?t=260573

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Blu-ray, HD DVD Overtake VHS in Sales | High-Def Digest

[Dakarʒ]

How anti-climactic.