Paramount and Dreamworks drop Blu-ray in favor of HD DVD

[⌐■_■]

Affiliations in the HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war have been pretty clearly defined for nearly two years now -- despite a hybrid player here and some international releases there, most of the players involved have not switched support since the early days. Well that's all about to change, as Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Animation -- which started off HD DVD only before deciding to go both ways -- have officially announced plans to release movies exclusively on HD DVD, dropping Blu-ray support entirely.

Source:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/20/paramount-dreamworks-dropping-blu-ray-in-favor-of-hd-dvd-exclus/

I think this might actually turn out very grimm for Blu-ray, since it's the investors who'll make or break a good concept/idea. IMO, chances are quite big HD DVD is going to have the market.

Welcome to the free market.

[Psy]

Meh. I couldn't care about which format who chooses. All I want is one format which every company supports. I won't be buying a HD-DVD/Bluray player for a while until it's sorted.

[Mazy]

I wouldn't care if it wasn't for the fact that I now have a PS3 and a good bunch of Blu-ray content. Its really stupid though, would wish they could just figure this shit out so we can buy movies without doubting the formats future.

Its not like it means that much anyway, soon we'll be downloading our shit instead anyway.

[Psy]

Its not like it means that much anyway, soon we'll be downloading our shit instead anyway.

True that. They'll probably be the last physical formats of discs. I think everything is going to end up being digitally distributed...Actually, you can already get everything digitally now so it's only a matter of time before the physical formats become obsolete.

[Pericolos0]

Its not like it means that much anyway, soon we'll be downloading our shit instead anyway.

True that. They'll probably be the last physical formats of discs. I think everything is going to end up being digitally distributed...Actually, you can already get everything digitally now so it's only a matter of time before the physical formats become obsolete.

Hmm I don't believe that at all, people will still like to have something physical when they buy a product. Well atleast I do.

[Rick_D]

there will always be a need for physical content

[Mazy]

Definitely, but I doubt that I'll be using that

[Thrik]

I think we might be a while off truly digitally distributed content. Bear in mind that these new discs can (and do) store something in the region of 50GB. Even the fastest internet connections would take quite some time to download such a vast amount of data. I mean, I have a 24mb/s internet connection which is in the top tier of speeds in the UK (), and I'd be wincing at the prospect of a 50GB download, considering a disc would do the job immediately. And then if I delete it or need to start again, or get a new computer... oh, I need to do it again and can't just slap in a disc.

And then, even if you do download it, you'll soon realise that wireless networks are on average limited to around 54mB/s, often less depending on distance. So instead of just carrying it over to your HD-DVD player or whatever, you're looking at a 10-minute wait just for it to transfer. Sure, you could hook an ethernet cable over there between the computer and HD-DVD player which could do it in about one minute, but what the fuck.

In short, the idea of digital distribution is solid, but a number of technology issues do put a damper on the idea for the new generation of games which take up increasingly large amounts of room. Once these new disc formats hit the PC on a widespread basis and 50GB games start coming out, stuff like Steam is going to feel the burn.

There is of course also the simple, traditional fact that people like to physically own something. I do enjoy knowing that if I ever lose the data for any reason, I can just put the disc back in and reinstall it immediately.

Although not completely related, Google Video recently shut down its paid service. Guess what happened to all the videos people bought? That's right: they can't download or watch them any more, and only have a $2 Google Checkout coupon as compensation. The fact that even a giant like Google did that has given anti-digital distribution advocates some serious ammunition.

[Izuno]

Thrik ftw

[Grinwhrl]

sweet!

[SnipaMasta]

Like Thrik said, digital downloads won't overcome Physical content for some time because it will take ages to download and above that a lot of people prefer physical content. Most internet connections in the UK are around the 1-2mb/s mark. I myself have a 1mb/s connection but only get 120kb/s maximum. So unless all the lines are upgraded 50gb/s is ridiculous.

It's nice to see one overcoming the other. This is especially amusing given Sony's comments on HD DVD becoming obsolete soon. As long as the prices for burner's come down, I'll be happy.

[Sentura]

i think someone posted this before me, but i thought it kinda funny that whatever sony comes up with of new inventions always gets disregarded by the industries.

[Gorion]

i wanted to post someting but i forgot..

[st0lve]

When are dual HD-DVD and Bluray players coming out? If they do, they will be a huge hit.

[Thrik]

If past generations are anything to go by, I'm guessing it won't be until there's reasonably widespread adoption of the existing players.

I don't about the US, but in the case of the UK the adoption seems to be around the region of 'non-existent', PS3 owners excluded.