Sony, MS downplay high-def movie war
by Kyle Orland 
{ Nov 9th 2007 at 12:26PM }
It seems Sony and Microsoft no longer have their hearts fully in the battle over high-definition movie disc formats -- if they ever had them there in the first place, that is. In an interview with Home Media Magazine, Microsoft Consumer Media Group Director Kevin Collins seemed uninterested in making the format a cornerstone of the Xbox 360 package. "Microsoft knew if we put in an HD DVD drive that we would have to raise costs and disenfranchise our customers (that are primarily gamers) as the unit would become too expensive," he said.While Collins said he was proud of HD DVD's strong performance against Blu-Ray, his desire for a fight to the death between the formats left something to be desired. "The [Blu-ray] camp's claims about Microsoft's desire to have a format war are baseless," Collins said.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer, for his part, told the AP said he thought the high-def disc battle had reached a stalemate, mainly due to the lower costs of HD DVD players and the defection of Paramount to the HD DVD camp. That's OK though ... apparently the winner of the movie war doesn't matter all that much after all. "It doesn't mean as much as all that," Sony CEO Howard Stringer told the AP. Yeah ... and those grapes are probably sour, anyway.
Read - Microsoft / Home Media Magazine (via High-Def Digest)
Read - Sony / AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:32PM
Blu-Ray is SUPERIOR.
That is all.
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 12:45PM
take this one to Engadget! HD-DVD FTW!
milestailsprowe @ Nov 9th 2007 11:00PM
Hd-dvd has the best movies CARILTOS WAY nuff said and a whole lot more like LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy plus American gangsta
HectorTheValiant @ Nov 9th 2007 12:32PM
Oh God I'm sure we're gonna have a field day with this one...
Personally I appauld MS for their decision not to put HD DVD in the 360. Great move on their part as far as the consumer. I definitely don't appreciate sony forcing bluray down our throats.
HD DVD for the win baby!
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:34PM
Im sure shoving a blu-ray disc down our throats would kill us so yeah it would hurt, but only for a second...
/sarcasm?
gonk @ Nov 9th 2007 12:36PM
ooh another sdf'er
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:37PM
No no no, it was SARCASMMMMM...
SRSLY, I dont support any one console..that is a foolish decision imo.
Trev @ Nov 9th 2007 12:53PM
I don't see how they forced anything on you.
They had the choice between more expensive with higher capacity and less expensive but but lower capacity. They went with higher capacity. There's no requirement to buy blu-ray movies and with games costing the same regardless of the disc format (COD4, $60 on DVD, $60 on BD), I don't see the problem.
Yubastard @ Nov 9th 2007 2:01PM
^^^^ I think just like you! :)
I also think we have to consider that PS3 is now more or less the same value as xbox 360... in fact it comes cheaper with all that free online gaming and all... it's still free, right?
kelly @ Jan 7th 2008 4:04PM
My sentiments exactly
XDragon @ Nov 9th 2007 12:36PM
This is really dumb because people will decide who wins by sales yet most people want to see a winner before they invest in a format. Blu Ray is a better technology and is winning now but that doesn't mean they'll win in the end. I still think Nov - Feb will be a big indicator because it will take in all the exclusive releases, hardware price drops, gift certificats that get spend in the new year and multiformat release comparisions and paint a vivid picture.
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 12:50PM
better format ORLY?! at the physical level yes but beyond that, not so much. Do a little more research. For those interested Wikipedia has a nice comparison chart that to my knowledge is CURRENTLY accurate.
XDragon @ Nov 9th 2007 3:09PM
YOU need to do more research and reading.
My comment was Blu Ray's technology is better AND Sales show more movie Blu Ray sales over HD-DVD.
Stand alone HD-DVD palers sell more than Blu Ray but that's because they won't include the PS3 which considering the movie sales, PS3 owners are contributing.
There's no need to be a hd-dvd fanboy buddy, i'm stating facts not opinions. I prefer this war is over so i can by what i want in high defenition without worring i'm wasting my money on a dead format.
As it is, I only have 5 Blu Ray discs for my MOST favourite releases so that if HD-DVD wins, i'm not sol.
Pass me some of that crack you're hording and read what you're replying to before you reply. Unless you're stupid enough to contradict all the released sales figures since Jan or you do math like Toshiba.
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 8:07PM
Your claim for a better technology is still flawed once you move past the physical layer. And even then it's arguably the same just different spacing for the data. Both formats run the same codecs, the difference at a code level is Blu-Ray running Java and having I believe 3 levels of encryption where HD-DVD runs Microsofts HDi and only has one level of encryption. The encryption is why many studios jumped on the Blu-Ray boat. Hell Fox stopped releasing movies in HighDef for a period after the encryption was cracked on both formats. Not all Blu-Ray players are capable of performing all Blu-Ray Disc features. The Blu-Ray specs have yet to be finalized where as all HD-DVD players can perform all HD-DVD features. Other than the Physical Discs themselves there is little difference between formats but buying Blu-Ray is buying a technology without a standard and that's a problem, try explaining to someone that their (probably) only Blu-Ray player can't show all the special features on their disc. Pretty sure they'd be pretty pissed off having forked over money for the player and the movie for that. As far as things like the Chroma Bug (an HD-DVD problem), that's fixable with firmware, but good luck upgrading a standalone Blu-Ray player that doesn't have enough RAM or a secondary decoder for PiP.
kelly @ Jan 10th 2008 12:21PM
I disagree that blu-ray is a better format. Really its all subjective preferences for people to say that about either format. Meaning, there are other reasons beyond picture quality and disc capacity that people prefer one format over the other. In the end, its all pointless, because HD-DVD is not being killed because its inferior its being killed because every single retail chain out there is pushing the mutha out of Blu-Ray and in some instances outright sabotaging HD-DVD. Case in point, the local Frys Electronics in Houston, Tx has one HD-DVD end cap amidst a sea of Blu-Ray endcaps. The television however is not connected to an HD-DVD player. Its has one of the crappiest cable signals I have ever seen running through it. This display has been up like this for weeks prior to Christmas and its still that way. Consumers who don't know any better would just think thats HD-DVD (the average consumer wouldn't know). Another example of sabotage is go to any Best Buy and ask for an D-DVD player and I am almost certain they will lead you nose first to Blu-Ray player. You actually have to admonish them and tell them NO I want the Toshiba players for them to show them to you. Sony, did a great job of making the deals where they matter the most. In the retails chains that push the product. In the end, it doesn't matter which format is "better". The only thing that matters is what being are buying.
Pennywise @ Nov 9th 2007 12:37PM
I say screw both formats.
Digital download FTW.
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:38PM
I disagree.
HectorTheValiant @ Nov 9th 2007 12:38PM
Lol...if bluray wins then count me in!
Dreamcicle @ Nov 9th 2007 1:49PM
Most people still don't have internet fast enough to download DVD quality movies in a resonable timeframe let alone HD. After that you have the issue of hard drive space...
Still at least one generation of optical disk format left. Go HD-DVD!
T2 @ Nov 9th 2007 2:26PM
I disagree about not enough people have a fast enough connection or hard drive space.
I'm downloading movies directly to my Tivo from Amazon unbox over a wireless connection, and also using streaming technology via Microsoft for downloading and viewing movies as they download on the Xbox 360 (that only goes up to 120GB)
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 8:09PM
I'm coming to your place when you get fiber!
d-pad @ Nov 9th 2007 12:39PM
I say we end this stupid war and bring the movies back home...
TO BETA.
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:41PM
WOAH...NO stop it right there!
copa @ Nov 9th 2007 12:40PM
Sony needs to get their heart into the format war. Until MGS4 comes out next year, Blu-Ray is still an important part of the answer to, "Why should I buy a PS3 today?"
oldest gamer @ Nov 9th 2007 12:41PM
MS doesn't want Blu-Ray to fail? Then why support the HD format only? Why force developers to ship multiple disks because of DVD size limits? Why look to the future? MS could have just stuck with the CD format with this guys bone head statements. Gamers want the extra storage that comes with Blu-Ray, movie playback is a bonus.
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 12:49PM
The conspiracy works like this... MS sinks the Physical Formats and everything moves to Digital Distribution thus they win having experience on the interweb-tubes and all... though I disagree with the conspiracy theory seeing how MS made HDi. And hate BR because it runs Java... I've programmed in Java it sucks, also there are 3 current profiles for BR none of which are the "Final Standard" where as HD-DVD was finalized long ago and is the format with the DVD Forums backing.
XDragon @ Nov 9th 2007 3:21PM
You're right that MS wantd to go digital distribution because thats the 3rd option which is the most lucrative to them but its not realistic yet as high speed internet connections are still not fast enough or penetrated into homes. Even the fastest connections available are overpriced not to mention that most people still want something tangable for their money. Its like paying for the right to access something but with a disc, i can watch my movie in the car or on other devices and that level of integration isn't feasable at this time for something like an hd movie. This should be the last format war for home video until digital distribution is a reasonable option for hd movies.
Van Faulk @ Nov 9th 2007 4:24PM
Yes the extra storage that lets ps3 games have half the content of 360 games. anyone find it funny that the ps3 games with the most content are the ones availabel on both systems?
Mike @ Nov 9th 2007 12:43PM
BLU-RAY ALL THE WAY BABY!!!
Synner @ Nov 9th 2007 12:48PM
I prefer HDDVD myself, if given the option, I pick up a copy on that even if it costs more. I especially like that I can play my hdddvds in regular dvd players with the combo format, and hate that I am stuck on one tv if I buy a bluray.
Martin @ Nov 9th 2007 12:51PM
I really don't give a shit either way. All I know is I'm not investing in either one until DVD is completely dead. This isn't like VHS -> DVD to me; I can't notice a fucking difference.
To those that can, I'm glad you at least have options, though for your dollar's sake I hope a decision is made sooner rather than later.
Phranctoast @ Nov 9th 2007 12:54PM
At no point to I see Stringer use the word stalemate.
news sensationalism.
Korova @ Nov 9th 2007 12:54PM
Wow, a little holiday ceasefire from both sides of the trenches.
Next thing you know they will be talking colab on next console, the MicroSonyft 4720.
I chose fat fiber pipes over disks. Gimme broadband and nice UI and take back the tacky plastic boxes and trips to the store or mailbox. I want to sit on my couch and guide streams of consciousness straight into my brain with a push of a button.
Physical media FTL
Jtenma @ Nov 9th 2007 12:57PM
Lazy ass.
Joe Smith @ Nov 9th 2007 12:56PM
Sounds to me like they are about to make nice and come up with a combined format.
Cesaria @ Nov 9th 2007 12:57PM
I say screw them both. Stick with DVD's. The format is still young.
Poisoned Al @ Nov 9th 2007 1:01PM
Maybe they cottoned on to the fact that must people don't care.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 9th 2007 1:09PM
Nice to know that both Sony and Microsoft admit to how dumb this format war is. Blu-ray and HD-DVD came out too early.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Nov 9th 2007 1:21PM
GUYS! GUYS!! GUYS!!! Fellas.....ya think we could just listen to the radio or somethin?
Radio??? (chuckles) Who needs a radio?
Ya ready Harry?
Mock, yeah, ing, yeah, BIRD!!
Rususeruru @ Nov 9th 2007 8:11PM
XM OR SIRIUS... NEVER MIND THEIR MERGING GAAAAHHHHHH!
good one though
Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 9th 2007 1:24PM
So basically, Microsoft is saying "We never cared anyway," and Sony is saying "We used to care, but MS's cheaper prices and Paramount's defection just owned us, so we don't care anymore."
Is that an accurate summary, or am I missing something?
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go watch a REAL movie, my $6 used VHS copy of The Wizard. Sony and MS can shove all those pixels up their collective asses. Digital downloads are coming like a freight train.
Tom Whitaker @ Nov 9th 2007 3:30PM
I love the Powerglove. It's so bad.
Justin B @ Nov 9th 2007 1:36PM
All this talk about Digital Downloads is silly. For one thing, the internet is still too slow for everyone to be streaming or downloading high definition movies. Moreover, producers don't want to risk making it even easier to pirate their product. Not to mention the fact that the _average_ consumer feels much better about having a physical, hard copy of a disc rather than solely a digital version.
I really wish there was only one supported High Def format. I have an HDTV and have neglected purchasing a high def player simply because of this bullshit format war which is only made WORSE now that neither party is going to try to win. Personally, I'd prefer HD-DVDs win. Bluray discs have some ridiculously bullshit Java encoding that would allow things like advertisements for products to appear on screen while you're watching a movie. Imagine you see a Honda in a movie and a little ad pops up in the corner for Honda. That is what you will have if Blu-ray wins.
Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 9th 2007 2:05PM
One word: iTunes.
It worked for music. It'll happen to film and TV.
cyberfrog @ Nov 9th 2007 3:35PM
You can already stream HD content on cable on demand. It looks great. As for piracy, that's what HDCP is supposed to take care of. I'm sure there's a way around it, but the average consumer isn't going to know about it. Additionally, storing HD content is kind of a pain cause it takes up so much space. 5 movies can take 100 gigs.
My personal opinion is that streaming will take over media options. Something similar to what Netflix does with movies on PCs now. 16 bucks gets you unlimited streaming to a PC.
Justin B @ Nov 9th 2007 2:42PM
A fair point and one I thought about discussing, but my post was already pretty long.
Again though, the internet is still too slow for something like high def movies, songs are much smaller. And people still buy CDs much more than songs are downloaded on iTunes. It is another medium, but it is not the only medium, and it is one the industry has been successful without. I find it hard to imagine digital distribution ever surpassing physical distribution anytime in the next ten years.
Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 9th 2007 8:25PM
Justin B, I think that if anybody comes out with a fancier more expensive CD, everybody will laugh in their face and either stick with regular CDs or download digital versions. I think that's what we'll be seeing happen with DVDs. I think that by the time ANY new format can surpass DVDs in sales, digital downloads will have rendered them all obsolete. That'll be within the next 20 years. I mean, the DVDs just finally started outselling VHS tapes in the last few years.
NATO_Duke @ Nov 9th 2007 1:53PM
I am disappointed in both camps. Here we all sat waiting for a long bloddy war, and you two just say you don't care anymore?
Damn, what about the children!? Won't somebody think about the children...they need this kind of issue to have flame wars over.
XDragon @ Nov 9th 2007 3:50PM
Ya both sides are doing a piss poor job of this format war. You really want to push formats, make bare bone dvds with 2.0 and 5.1 tracks and only offer bonus materials on the hd formats. Then you can slowly start releasing hd only releases to phase out dvd. The way things are going, both formats will prob coexist with dual format players like DVD +/- R/RW. Remember when WB was going to release TrueHD (one side Blu, other side HD), that wouldn't be the worst thing either.
Shockgamer @ Nov 9th 2007 2:10PM
I can't wait until this Christmas when I take my final leave from peasant-vision(SDTV).
But I'm not buying an HD format until one dies, or combo players drop below $300.