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Reader Comments (38)

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:14AM kingofwale said

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lol, Peter Moore again, making ridiculous comments that always come back to bite him.

why is that Microsoft still has this idiot on its payroll?

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:16AM (Unverified) said

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Toshiba just slapped a $100 rebate on their entry level unit (down to $200).. makes a better player than the 360 and sturdier doorstop when HD-DVD folds.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:27AM (Unverified) said

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When the PS3 actually gets some games worth playing BluRay will tank just like the UMD movies did when the PSP finally got some decent shit.

I can't wait for that day.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:24AM (Unverified) said

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That picture of Ike and Tina... classic =D

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:30AM primetime4 said

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If MS is truly backing HD-DVD they will release a black one to match the new Elite. Let's see it.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:34AM (Unverified) said

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Meanwhile, DVD users continue to buy and watch DVDs unabated.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:38AM (Unverified) said

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edmund, whats the matter with you? that picture is not funny. I say it is not funny, so you are not allowed to find it amusing.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:42AM (Unverified) said

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Even though I'm an Xbox fan, there's no way I'd buy the HD DVD drive for it. If I wanted an HD disc player I'd buy one that didn't require massive power consumption through 2 bricks and about a metric tonne of separate hardware. I'd probably just get a Bluray-RW drive for my PC though. At least when then I have something I can use for expensive storage rather than just watch expensive movies.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:43AM (Unverified) said

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well i think they should still keep selling hd-dvd players and incorporate blu-ray players to there list of add-ons. that would totally kill any thought of potential ps3 buyers to purchase a ps3. then xbox would win by a landslide. peter moore, if your listening, support both. there are still millions waiting for a hdtv b4 they go and spend over 700(tax and a game, and an extra controller of course) on a ps3(like myself). big market out there moore. take it b4 the ps3 gets any more customers.

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:51AM (Unverified) said

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At the end of the day, Microsoft knows who loves them.

Even if that love comes in the form of five fingers.

CHAKA KHAN!

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:52AM (Unverified) said

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@ #7 lol

...and folks if you missed the context check out http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/scratch-teaches-game-programming-commenting-etiquette/1#c4947739
for some laughs

Posted: May 17th 2007 11:56AM (Unverified) said

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also never underestimate the porn industry which is dedicated to HD-DVD

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:00PM (Unverified) said

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Even the thought is sad really. I'd take HD-DVD over Blu-ray for three main reasons:

*Guaranteed BC (Hybrid discs would work if they were cheaper. Also, the Blu-ray camp wants out of DVD licensing and will dump the association and compatibility ASAP)

*Less DRM (as if they didn't have enough already, BD+ is another annoyance for the future I'm sure)

*Consistent top quality codecs used (Blu-ray has had some titles who's "HD" is questionable)

There's also the full-feature support that they've had which Blu-ray is still trying to catch up with. I'll take all of those things over 10GB per layer that aren't needed for single movies anyway.

Alas, I have a PS3. I'm really not that impressed with BRD or even "TrueHD" for that matter (read: 1080p)...we might as well stick with DVD. But it just seems like the HD-DVD attachment isn't a good buy. I'd pay $100, but no more.

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:09PM (Unverified) said

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Just like VHS and Beta Max. Both can not coexist happily. One will ultimately die. Then the loser's products will have to accommodate the winner's format or die along with them....

My $0.02

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:07PM Altairio said

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Perfectly happy with 360's upconversion through VGA. DVD for teh winxorz.

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:15PM (Unverified) said

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If the HD-DVD folks can't get some better studio support quality, cheap players, etc won't matter.

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:34PM (Unverified) said

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So far HD-DVD has been cracked wide open: http://tinyurl.com/2zl4gv

So far Bluray has not. If this continues studios will start to trickle over to Blu. Eventually, they'll both be cracked, but hackers seem to be having a lot more trouble with Bluray.

Posted: May 17th 2007 12:55PM (Unverified) said

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TK00 - What on earth are you talking about? Blu-Ray was cracked as well.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:06PM SpaceButler said

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17 You have no idea what you're talking about. AACS is the encoding for both HD-DVD and Blu-ray. The only thing that MAY be different later this year is if Blu-ray rolls out their BD+ encryption. But once that's released, you know all hackers will do everything they can to break it.

For proof that Blu-ray has been hacked as much as HD-DVD has, go to any torrent site and search for 10 seconds. You'll easily find HD rips of blu-ray only movies. Blu is not uncrackable.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:06PM (Unverified) said

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The HD DVD drive was a huge mistake for Microsoft. Why? Because it instantly makes the Xbox 360 jump from "the cheaper console" to "the most expensive console". Elite + HD DVD drive = almost $700 and you STILL aren't getting wi-fi. And the colors don't even match.

Now, I'm NOT saying that everybody gets the HD DVD drive, but for those that DO want High Def movie playback, the PS3 is obviously the better value. Sony baited Microsoft into this with Blu-ray playback in the PS3 and it worked. If Microsoft truly felt plain DVDs were fine they should have just ignored all the HD movie stuff and stuck with downloads.

I still think plugging an optical drive into an optical drive is just silly.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:15PM (Unverified) said

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Some online media outlets have picked up this story and are citing Internet speculation of an alleged Associated Press story that does not exist, along with comments taken out of context....

That never happens!!

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:16PM (Unverified) said

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I download HD movies off the video marketplace for $2-$3 Why would I ever pay four times that for the same thing except on a plastic disc?

I don't need blu-ray or hd-dvd. Games as big as oblivion fit onto one DVD-9 disc, and a 60GB HDD on the PS3 and a 20 + 80 GB HDD for the 360 is more than enough to obsolete the need for cd's on which to store my hd content.

I say look to the future, look past physical media. Digital distribution is the way forward, and I've already chosen it over Blu-ray and hd-dvd.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:32PM (Unverified) said

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Or, Dan, You can have both.

Because i really dont feel like paying 2-3 bucks every time i want to watch something when i can just spend 20 and keep it forever.

Besides as much as i like Digital Distribution, I like having physical copies of games and movies as well and apparently so do a lot of people.
Besides its not like XBLM has EVERY single movie i'd ever watch on it anyway.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:32PM (Unverified) said

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Fully committed? If MS was fully committed to HD DVD, then their player would be integrated into the 360. But it isn't, so you end up with what looks like a baby 360 on a leash.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:37PM (Unverified) said

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Digital distribution has been around for a while, and that doesnt appear to be affecting dvd sales. Ever hear of "pay per view" "on demand" or even "amazons u box". HD downloads at 1080p will be close to the 50GB mark, unless you want to lose lossless sound and other great features introduced by these HD formats. Most people rather own their movies rather than rent them from some company. Even if you dont rent them, and you purchase HD downloads, you still need to store them somewhere.

I really dont think this is going to change all that much for at least 10 years.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:37PM (Unverified) said

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Digital distribution has been around for a while, and that doesnt appear to be affecting dvd sales. Ever hear of "pay per view" "on demand" or even "amazons u box". HD downloads at 1080p will be close to the 50GB mark, unless you want to lose lossless sound and other great features introduced by these HD formats. Most people rather own their movies rather than rent them from some company. Even if you dont rent them, and you purchase HD downloads, you still need to store them somewhere.

I really dont think this is going to change all that much for at least 10 years.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:39PM (Unverified) said

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If MS cared about HDDVD the Elite would have a built in HDDVD player.


@Dan.

those movies off the Marketplace are only in 720p btw.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:45PM Maxsunset said

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"also never underestimate the porn industry which is dedicated to HD-DVD"

I would expect, with the ever increasing percentage of folks with internet connections, the internet would be the way to go with porn.

"I download HD movies off the video marketplace for $2-$3 Why would I ever pay four times that for the same thing except on a plastic disc?"

Besides what JJ said, so you can have surround sound, better quality, extras, etc...

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:46PM (Unverified) said

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I have the HD-DVD add-on and I think it's great. Movies look fantastic and the special features and menus are really nice. If HD-DVD fails at least I'll still have my player and some great films on HD-DVD to watch in the future..some of which are dual format. I, personally, like MS approach to things. If you want HD movies then buy the attachment. If not and you just want to game then your not being forced to pay for it.

Posted: May 17th 2007 1:53PM ill trooper said

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"Fully commited" would have been putting an HD-DVD drive inside the the elite. That would have been commitment. A plug-in dongle player sold seperately shows little commitment.

And Dan, don't confuse 'renting a download' for buying a physical disk that you can keep on your shelf, lend to a friend, take on a trip, etc.

Posted: May 17th 2007 3:41PM (Unverified) said

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just an FYI for all you HD-DVD zealots out there. Blu-ray is already ahead and shows no signs of slowing down.
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/

Posted: May 17th 2007 5:50PM (Unverified) said

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Only an idiot would want to burn out there game drive playing HD movies. Give me two drives, any day! MS thanks for the smart move...

Posted: May 17th 2007 7:22PM kingofwale said

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@Only an idiot would want to burn out there game drive playing HD movies.


yeah, like how idiots buying PS2, right? ;) there are only like what? 120 million units sold? :)

Posted: May 17th 2007 8:17PM h0mi said

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Who has ever "burned out" their dvd player watching movies?

The reason you dont use the xbox or ps2 to watch dvds is because (unmodded) they suck! there are better, cheaper dvd players on the market. And when those units fail, its not anything to do with "burning out" the drive.

Posted: May 17th 2007 8:19PM MLC said

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HAHA.. Thats great... Micro$oft sure-as-hell knows that HD-DVD is gonna fail! Otherwise, they would of added HD-DVD in the so called "Elite" version. Micro$oft is now in a lose-lose situation. HD-DVD is failing and eventually DVD wont be able to store future games (cough...GTA4).

Blu-Ray is the future whether its gaming(look at Uncharted:Drakes Fortune) or HD Cinema...

All Sony has to do is to get UNIVERSAL to stop being stubborn and jump on the bandwagon... Like the famous Mr.Smith told Neo "Its inevitable"!!!

Sony has victory coming one way or another!!!!

Posted: May 18th 2007 1:01PM (Unverified) said

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The PS2s were infamous for being burnt out due to movie playback. Playing movies on a drive is extremely taxing. A little research will verify my point. A game drive should be for just that, games. What a concept? Like I said, give me two drives, any day! Thanks MS!

Posted: May 18th 2007 5:26PM bearattack said

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This will not be a real issue till the next-gen.

So some games on 360 will result in disc swapping, a non-issue to me.

Game on.

Will MS have blue-ray in thier next console?

Posted: May 22nd 2007 4:17AM (Unverified) said

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""The abuse, the lies, the heavy drinking. Maybe one day Microsoft will have the strength to finally fight back against HD DVD in the back of a limo and go find Blu-ray. Only time will tell.""

I totally agree. Microsoft is preparing something big and nobody seems to notice... Yet it's out there already: WMV-HD. With WMV-HD, you can watch HD even if you don't have a HD player or an HDTV... and you can watch it as soon as now! But where these guys are geniuses, it's with their strategy. They're not trying to promote the standard, they let the porn industry do it for them. In less than a year, all porn videos will be encoded with their new HD codec, and as the codec is also used to distribute High Definition videos on standard DVDs(!!!), people will play back their clips on compatible DVD players (either blu-ray or HD-DVD players) and on their computers (with standard DVD players!). The net will be the real battle ground. I already found free HD clips to download! and it's amazing. If you're not afraid of extreme close ups, have a look on this site http://www.18closeup.com/tour2.htm (the clip is hidden on page 2 of the tour),you will see by yourself how msft is going to win this battle...

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