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icruise · May 9, 2007, 11:06 AM

I'm not really up on all the political aspects of this. What made Universal want to be HD-DVD exclusive in the first place? Do they have a financial stake in the format? I can sort of understand why some studios might want to be Blu-ray exclusive, since they apparently like the copy-protection measures provided by the format. In any case, losing Universal's exclusivity would be a blow to HD-DVD.

TETENAL · May 9, 2007, 11:37 AM

I will not purchase a single high definition disc until there is only one format. In my opinion it was stupid to not settle on a single format.

Eug · May 9, 2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by icruise

I'm not really up on all the political aspects of this. What made Universal want to be HD-DVD exclusive in the first place?

No idea, but rumour has it they really, really dislike Sony.

Do they have a financial stake in the format? I can sort of understand why some studios might want to be Blu-ray exclusive, since they apparently like the copy-protection measures provided by the format.

Apparently, the only studio that really wanted Blu-ray's extra protection layer is Fox.

In any case, losing Universal's exclusivity would be a blow to HD-DVD.

Yes it would. Let's see what Universal has to say about this though.

Originally Posted by TETENAL

I will not purchase a single high definition disc until there is only one format. In my opinion it was stupid to not settle on a single format.

I guess you'll be buying in 2010 or whatever then.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

Heise.de: Pioneer claims Universal going format neutral (German)

The article claims that Pioneer says Universal is backing out of HD DVD exclusivity, but so far Toshiba claims to know nothing about this, and Universal hasn't made any comment on this yet.

If true it would be quite a blow to HD-DVD. They better pray wal-mart backs them up then.

exca1ibur · May 9, 2007, 12:21 PM

Universal is partners with Microsoft through the MSNBC deal several years back. I'm sure that had something to do with it.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

What made Universal want to be HD-DVD exclusive in the first place?

Rumor has it they were being paid off which makes sense.
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=180

Eug · May 9, 2007, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Rumor has it they were being paid off which makes sense.
Blu-ray.com - Blu-ray News - Universal Going Neutral?

While it could make sense, I wouldn't put much stock into anything on the blu-ray.com website. That's basically just a Blu-ray fanboy website (which doesn't even have anything to do with the Blu-ray Association).

Heise is at least half-believable at times, which is why I posted the link from Heise.

----

In other news, some more clarification on the Matrix HD DVD Trilogy audio:

Dolby TrueHD 5.1: English
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1: English, French
Dolby Digital Plus 2.0: Spanish

Picture of back cover

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

While it could make sense, I wouldn't put much stock into anything on the blu-ray.com website. That's basically just a Blu-ray fanboy website (which doesn't even have anything to do with the Blu-ray Association).

Sure but I can't think of any other reason they are staying exclusive. Considering Toshiba makes $0 on most player sales and was offering free movies with player purchases I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility they are paying Universal to be exclusive. It happens with video games all the time.

Unless you can think of a better reason other than they hate sony.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

In other news, some more clarification on the Matrix HD DVD Trilogy audio:

Dolby TrueHD 5.1: English
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1: English, French
Dolby Digital Plus 2.0: Spanish

Picture of back cover

I love how they list 480i and Stereo as "Special Features".

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 03:43 PM

Electronista | Sony intros lightweight VAIO FZ with Blu-Ray

icruise · May 9, 2007, 03:46 PM

5.8 points is lightweight?

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

5.8 points is lightweight?

.2 heavier than the same sized MacBook.

icruise · May 9, 2007, 03:58 PM

Which is also not lightweight.

mdc · May 9, 2007, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

I love how they list 480i and Stereo as "Special Features".

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but I they mean that the Special features are shown in 480i, with stereo sound and no subtitles.

Eug · May 9, 2007, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

Which is also not lightweight.

Agreed. I'd love to have a 4.9 lb or less MacBook.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Agreed. I'd love to have a 4.9 lb or less MacBook.

Well even Apple considers theirs lightweight:

"Packs power, not pounds:
What makes MacBook Pro so mobile? Performance in a portable package. Only one inch thin and 5.6 and 6.8 pounds, respectively, the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros are amongst the thinnest, lightest notebooks in their display class."

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

I think considering the Sony got what the MacBook Pro's have PLUS BR .2 isn't bad for 15" and that price. Unless there are incredibly light 15" ones out there for cheap?

icruise · May 9, 2007, 04:54 PM

They are among the lightest in their class. My complaint is mostly that there aren't any truly lightweight models (with smaller screens) available if you use a Mac. Even the 12" Powerbook was rather heavy for its size, and you can't even get those anymore. But I digress.

- - e r i k - - · May 9, 2007, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Grab yours and lookup smartass.

I take that as a compliment

Eug · May 9, 2007, 11:03 PM

Engadget: Universal denies rumours they're going neutral

Craig Kornblau, the President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment tells us in an email that the rumors that Universal will support Blu-ray "are totally false".

analogue SPRINKLES · May 9, 2007, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Engadget: Universal denies rumours they're going neutral

Craig Kornblau, the President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment tells us in an email that the rumors that Universal will support Blu-ray "are totally false".

They also said it best:

"As much as we love to get the official word straight from the horses mouth, we can't help but feel like this is like the time the head coach was denying rumors of his star quarterback getting traded, right before the trade goes through."

Eug · May 9, 2007, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

"As much as we love to get the official word straight from the horses mouth, we can't help but feel like this is like the time the head coach was denying rumors of his star quarterback getting traded, right before the trade goes through."

Engadget has a Blu-ray slant for some reason. Or at least some of the guys who post stories there do.

I wouldn't discount the possibility of Universal going... well... universal, but if they did, it'd be unlikely before CES 2008 IMO, and only if HD DVD sales tank in Q4 2007.

jokell82 · May 10, 2007, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

They also said it best:

"As much as we love to get the official word straight from the horses mouth, we can't help but feel like this is like the time the head coach was denying rumors of his star quarterback getting traded, right before the trade goes through."

Translation: We trust some random website with an unfounded rumor over the comments of the actual company.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense...

icruise · May 10, 2007, 09:59 AM

I agree, although there are numerous examples of companies vehemently denying various things only to have them come true, sometimes the very next day.

goMac · May 10, 2007, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

They also said it best:

"As much as we love to get the official word straight from the horses mouth, we can't help but feel like this is like the time the head coach was denying rumors of his star quarterback getting traded, right before the trade goes through."

Totally false is pretty strong language. I would expect if it was something that was actually happening they'd say something like "no immediate plans" or something. That, and this is Universal talking, not the "head coach" Toshiba.

goMac · May 10, 2007, 08:56 PM

Article on how Fox seems to have somewhat abandon Bluray:
Hey Blu-ray, where did Fox go? - Engadget HD

exca1ibur · May 10, 2007, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

Article on how Fox seems to have somewhat abandon Bluray:
Hey Blu-ray, where did Fox go? - Engadget HD

Was already debated and debunked a while back.

Hi-Def DVD Empire: FOX Abandoning Blu-ray?

Eug · 10:17 AM

Sony has been sued over copyright infringement with Blu-ray tech

Not absolutely clear on the details yet, but apparently the discs' extra reflective coating layer supposedly infringes on IP owned by Target Technology, an optical coatings maker. (This is not the hard coat of Blu-ray by the way, and apparently may affect BD50 the most.)

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Sony has been sued over copyright infringement with Blu-ray tech

Not absolutely clear on the details yet, but apparently the discs' extra reflective coating layer supposedly infringes on IP owned by Target Technology, an optical coatings maker. (This is not the hard coat of Blu-ray by the way, and apparently may affect BD50 the most.)

So in other words in 3 years they will either settle or get it thrown out of court.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

I agree, although there are numerous examples of companies vehemently denying various things only to have them come true, sometimes the very next day.

Especially Apple with its "People don't want to watch video's on an iPod" and then releasing iPod video's the next month.

Apple did the exact same thing quite a few times in the past 5 years.

olePigeon · May 11, 2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Especially Apple with its "People don't want to watch video's on an iPod" and then releasing iPod video's the next month.

iPod video's what?

olePigeon · May 11, 2007, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Sony has been sued over copyright infringement with Blu-ray tech

Not absolutely clear on the details yet, but apparently the discs' extra reflective coating layer supposedly infringes on IP owned by Target Technology, an optical coatings maker. (This is not the hard coat of Blu-ray by the way, and apparently may affect BD50 the most.)

What ever happend with that hard coat? Will we ever get a consumer version for CDs, iPods, Cell Phones, etc?

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

What ever happend with that hard coat? Will we ever get a consumer version for CDs, iPods, Cell Phones, etc?

Tell me about it, they should cover everything in that stuff.

Anyway, the BR disks do use it as someone put them through the tests and even with major surface damage the disks played perfectly.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 02:28 PM

Dear lord, My PS3 takes 10 seconds to boot and play a disk from a cold start.

"We picked up a couple titles from Universal, including Children of Men and The Good Shepherd. We hit the eject button to load our disc, and although the player turned on, it requires a 40 second pause, than a second push of the button to actually open the tray. We're not sure if anyone else uses the eject button to turn on their player, but it would be nice if it ejected regardless of if the player was already on or not. When the power button is pressed the display reads WELCOME and takes about 40 seconds to recognize that there isn't a disc loaded, then it displays NO DISC, at this point it takes about 6 seconds after pressing the eject button before the tray opens. After inserting a HD DVD it takes about 25 seconds of LOADING before the disc is identified and finally starts to play."

Toshiba HD-A20 review - Engadget HD

Eug · May 11, 2007, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

What ever happend with that hard coat? Will we ever get a consumer version for CDs, iPods, Cell Phones, etc?

All BDs use it. The reason is because the data layer is so close to the surface. Mild scratches can make that part unreadable, and a deeper gouge can make the disc unusable. Blu-ray's answer to this was a disc caddy, but everyone told them they were totally out to lunch for even considering a disc caddy, so Blu-ray changed its mind and started using hardcoats instead. TDK has the best one, but most of the replicators use a non-TDK hardcoat, cuz TDK's costs too much.

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Dear lord, My PS3 takes 10 seconds to boot and play a disk from a cold start.

"We picked up a couple titles from Universal, including Children of Men and The Good Shepherd. We hit the eject button to load our disc, and although the player turned on, it requires a 40 second pause, than a second push of the button to actually open the tray. We're not sure if anyone else uses the eject button to turn on their player, but it would be nice if it ejected regardless of if the player was already on or not. When the power button is pressed the display reads WELCOME and takes about 40 seconds to recognize that there isn't a disc loaded, then it displays NO DISC, at this point it takes about 6 seconds after pressing the eject button before the tray opens. After inserting a HD DVD it takes about 25 seconds of LOADING before the disc is identified and finally starts to play."

Toshiba HD-A20 review - Engadget HD

It's funny they should choose two discs, considering those are the main two which have manufacturing issues. They either have recognition problems, skipping problems, or just don't play. Like I said, Engadget really seems to have a pro-Blu-ray slant.

Universal announces HD DVD replacement program for Children of Men and The Good Shepherd

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

It's funny they should choose two discs, considering those are the main two which have manufacturing issues. They either have recognition problems, skipping problems, or just don't play. Like I said, Engadget really seems to have a pro-Blu-ray slant.

So what you are saying is the unit takes 40 second to boot because of this?

Can you confirm that non-defective disks take less time to start on these or last gen players?

Eug · May 11, 2007, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

So what you are saying is the unit takes 40 second to boot because of this?

Can you confirm that non-defective disks take less time to start on these or last gen players?

I don't know how long the Toshiba takes for a cold boot, with a disc in it. They didn't test that anyway.

You should note however, your PS3 is IIRC the fastest Blu-ray player in existence. Similarly, my Xbox 360 is faster than the standalone HD DVD players.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 11, 2007, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

I don't know how long the Toshiba takes for a cold boot, with a disc in it. They didn't test that anyway.

You should note however, your PS3 is IIRC the fastest Blu-ray player in existence. Similarly, my Xbox 360 is faster than the standalone HD DVD players.

Well the old players took 50 seconds to boot and this one is 9 seconds faster. Annoying as hell.

But yes I know the PS3 is the fastest because it is overpowered for just BR... but god bless it.

Brien · May 11, 2007, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Tell me about it, they should cover everything in that stuff.

Anyway, the BR disks do use it as someone put them through the tests and even with major surface damage the disks played perfectly.

IIRC, it had something to do with the coating making the plastics more prone to cracking/breaking.

Eug · May 11, 2007, 07:49 PM

I'm jealous...

Some people have already received their Matrix Trilogy HD DVDs.

It's not due out until the 22nd.

jokell82 · May 11, 2007, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

I'm jealous...

Some people have already received their Matrix Trilogy HD DVDs.

It's not due out until the 22nd.

It's too bad the Matrix has to come with those two crappy movies.

icruise · May 11, 2007, 08:39 PM

Zing! I think they clearly make more money selling them only as a trilogy. Kind of like how the Godfather movies were only available in a set for a long time. How else are you going to sell Godfather 3?

That said, I think the last two Matrix movies have their good parts. It's just that they're big disappointments compared to the original movie.

Eug · May 11, 2007, 09:15 PM

Yeah, they'll probably milk the Trilogy for about a year, before they sell them separately.

goMac · May 11, 2007, 10:49 PM

The last two were decent movies. There was nothing that bad about them. It's just that the first one was so good, the other two couldn't live up to it.

Eug · May 11, 2007, 10:57 PM

I thought that Matrix was pretty good on the 1st viewing, and got better with repeated viewings.

I thought Reloaded and Revolutions were merely OK.

jokell82 · May 11, 2007, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

The last two were decent movies. There was nothing that bad about them. It's just that the first one was so good, the other two couldn't live up to it.

This isn't the thread for it, but I disagree.
Matrix Sequels : The Matrix :: Star Wars Prequels : Star Wars

Is this really supposed to be a big seller for HD-DVD, though?

Eug · May 12, 2007, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by jokell82

This isn't the thread for it, but I disagree.
Matrix Sequels : The Matrix :: Star Wars Prequels : Star Wars

Is this really supposed to be a big seller for HD-DVD, though?

It may not be as big as some new releases, but I think it should be a reasonably big seller.

icruise · May 12, 2007, 12:51 AM

Just so everyone remembers, this is not an exclusive, although it is coming out earlier than BR version.

Eug · 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

Just so everyone remembers, this is not an exclusive, although it is coming out earlier than BR version.

I suspect it's because the Blu-ray guys still haven't implemented Picture-in-Picture support yet. The sad part is once they do get it implemented, most Blu-ray players won't even be able to use it.

P.S. Here are the latest format war numbers. It's nice to see a documentary do so well. (The top-selling disc is given an arbitrary rating of 100 for comparison.)

Weekly unit sales BD:HD - 60:40 (1.5:1)
Year to date sales BD:HD - 68:32 (2.1:1)
# since inception BD:HD - 57:43 (1.3:1)

Brien · May 12, 2007, 02:18 PM

1.5:1 isn't as bad as last week.

icruise · May 12, 2007, 03:05 PM

I think the fact that Digital Video Essentials is the #5 seller on the HD-DVD side tends to support my theory that HD-DVD buyers are largely home theater buffs and not the general public. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it ties in with my prediction that the PS3 owners will start buying more movies when there are more big name releases out.)