P$3 related, so i'm posting it here.

[p2501]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2017528,00.asp Universal Studios Backs Out of Blu-Ray Universal Studios has decided not to release movies within the Blu-Ray format, according to a spokeswoman representing the Blu-Ray Disc Association. In an email sent to PC Magazine, a spokeswoman said that Universal had withdrawn its earlier support for the format. A PC Magazine reporter had requested supporting documents when researching a previous story documenting imprecisions in surveys released to bolster the Blu-Ray and competing HD-DVD format, although that request was not actually referenced in the email. "This spring, you received materials explaining the advantages of the Blu-ray format for optical discs," the spokeswoman said. "Those materials explained that, to date, over 108 movie and music titles were scheduled for release in Blu-ray Disc and listed the studios behind those releases. "Unfortunately, in the graphics accompanying that text, a few titles from Universal Studios were depicted," the email continued. "Although the Blu-ray format has many advantages over competing technologies and has the support of numerous studios including Disney, Fox, Sony Pictures, MGM, Lions Gate, Paramount and Warner, Universal has decided not to release titles in this format. We will let you know when and if that changes, along with other updates about how well the Blu-ray format has been accepted." The report comes after Craig Kornblau, the president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, was quoted by ITwire.com.au, speaking at the CEDIA consumer electronics show last week. According to ITWire, the Kornblau essentially handed the next-generation DVD crown to HD DVD: "Look at the blogs, look at the reviews by the early adopters and even look at the mainstream media -- HD DVD has maintained its first-to-market advantage and delivered on the promises of providing the best high definition image and sound quality at the best value for consumers today," Kornblau said. Universal Music Group, which is owned by Europe's Vivendi, has supported the Blu-Ray format. Although Blu-Ray seemed to have won the lion's share of supporters in the early going, the format has suffered from Sony's miscues. Sony has already run into Blu-Ray production issues, suffering from a shortage of blue lasers, which has forced the company to delay its PlayStation3 console in Europe, which uses a Blu-Ray drive. umm, wow.

[LouCipherr]

The beginning of the end for blu-ray. It's a shame too, 'cause just like Betamax, the better format will lose out simply 'cause of an uneducated consumer base. Nothing ever changes does it?

[MinionZombie]

Call me un-edu-ma-kay-ted ... but what's the difference between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray? ... And say it in simple terms, my brain 'urts. P$3 ... boooooooo! *hiss*

[p2501]

blu-ray smells funny, that's about it.

[LouCipherr]

There's a lot of differences, a few of them being: disc capacity (blu ray has this one) type of discs you can use (HD-DVD is better for this, 'cause from what I understand you can use standard single-layer and double-layer discs but get the added capacity), price of hardware to play the stuff once you invest.. there's so many factors right now it's mind boggling, but I can say this: after all I read, blu-ray is definitely the superior technology, but because everyone will have to buy all new hardware (new burners AND players) I can't see it taking off. For one of the best articles on BLU-RAY vs. HD-DVD, Click this link right here. I dunno.. it just seems that just like betamax, the better format will lose out. Remember, betamax had superior sound and quality of picture, but VHS won because "you can store more on one tape than with a betamax tape" - again, customer ignorance won that battle for VHS. I dunno about you, but i'd rather have superior quality than length of tape. LC

[Kaos]

but VHS won because "you can store more on one tape than with a betamax tape" - again, customer ignorance won that battle for VHS. The only reason VHS won over Betamax was the price of the player. JVC licensed the technology to other companies creating competition and lower prices for the VHS VCRs. Sony refused to license Betamax technology to other companies until it was way too late. For most of its life, Betamax could only be purchased from Sony at a hefty premium above what you could buy a VHS machine. This is a classic case study many business schools reference. Although Sony has wised up to the licensing thing, BlueRay cost twice as much more than the HD-DVD alternative with little or no discernable difference in picture quality. Most reviews of movies released in both formats say they are indistinguishable or slightly better on the HD-DVD. Toshiba is banking on the lower price allowing deeper market penetration. Sony is banking on people playing movies on their PS3 to allow deeper market penetration. Given the low production yields of BlueRay and the lower than expected availability of the PS3 this year, I think HD-DVD has the edge to penetrate the market with their player based upon price, availablity, and picture quality. If HD-DVD is still the top seller by next spring, the movie companies (like Disney) that currently plan on only supporting BlueRay will change their minds quickly.

[DeadJonas190]

I was going to reply to LouCipher, but Kaos said pretty much what I was going to say so ummm yeah, what he said!

[MinionZombie]

In the immortal words of the maniacal VHS itself - "I was fair competition, I took down Betamax and I'll take down DVD!" Anyone got any links to screen cap comparisons between Betamax and VHS? Of course, PAL VHS looks infinately better than NTSC VHS. I've got a couple of NTSC tapes and I was shocked at how muddy and fuzzy the picture was, but it's hardly surprising when PAL has significantly more lines that NTSC. Aside from the problem with solid blocks of colour on VHS (think the opening credits of A Clockwork Orange) and the inevitable deterioration after time/poor care, I always felt VHS was pretty good ... PAL VHS of course.

[Kaos]

Of course, PAL VHS looks infinately better than NTSC VHS. I've got a couple of NTSC tapes and I was shocked at how muddy and fuzzy the picture was, but it's hardly surprising when PAL has significantly more lines that NTSC. That is what 16 years of innovation gets you (approximately 96 more visible lines of resolution). NTSC was created in 1951, and PAL in 1967.

[LouCipherr]

I agree, to a certain extent, but I was referring to the initial release of both systems. I think the eventual downfall of Beta was due to the price, yes - but initially one of the main reasons people were drawn to VHS was for the length of recording time. When both VHS and Beta were first released, their prices weren't that far from each other. I owned one of each, so I know first hand - again, this was at first, i'm not talking about 'down the line' when beta was about ready to die off anyway and VHS became a licensing whore. Regardless of the vhs/betamax debacle, I see the same thing brewing with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Blu-Ray (Betamax) = superior technology, already falling apart at the seams HD-DVD (VHS) = more consumer friendly, gaining ground as it's the only place left to go I personally have been rooting for blu-ray because of the added capacity, but now I don't know what to think anymore. Screw it, let the manufacturers fight it out, then let the consumers figure out what they want as the standard. Then i'll dig my heels into the new high-capacity stuff. Until then, my single-layer 4gb discs work just fine for me.

[MinionZombie]

Hooray for 4.7gb single layer DVDs!

[hseiken]

I think maybe it's a little too soon to start switching to a new format. I mean, DVD's didn't get very popular until 5 years ago...now people are going to be told that the next wave of video playback is already here and they should drop their DVD collections and get blu-ray/hd-tv discs? DVDs were available for a LONG time before they were widely accepted. VHS tapes still come out here and there, too...I think the consumer is going to say "Screw you, new formats! I just made this DVD collection...I ain't about to help make it obsolete just yet!" Especially since the majority of people I know just casually watch TV and don't even OWN an HDTV set. I don't even own a TV at all, so what do I know?

[Kaos]

I think maybe it's a little too soon to start switching to a new format. I mean, DVD's didn't get very popular until 5 years ago...now people are going to be told that the next wave of video playback is already here and they should drop their DVD collections and get blu-ray/hd-tv discs? DVDs were available for a LONG time before they were widely accepted. VHS tapes still come out here and there, too...I think the consumer is going to say "Screw you, new formats! I just made this DVD collection...I ain't about to help make it obsolete just yet!" Especially since the majority of people I know just casually watch TV and don't even OWN an HDTV set. I don't even own a TV at all, so what do I know? You are correct, it will take years for DVD to be replaced by one of the high def formats, but if there is going to be a transition it would have been better to have just one high def format.

[p2501]

i suspect HD DVD will eventually take over, if only because it's directly compatable with with the current version of DVD. Blu-ray lacks that, so it immeadtely has to overcome the idea that a comsumer is going to have to replace all of the DVDs they've been a massing for the past few years. this more than anything else is what's going to kill Bluray.

[MinionZombie]

Indeed, in fact sales numbers were saying that the pick up of DVDs was much higher than at the equivalent time in the life of VHS when it came out, people have - like what has been said - amassed a great collection. I myself have over 300 DVDs, so that's a significant outlay when you add it up...these companies are morons for thinking the public will put up with ditching a brand new format as it is. What's a better way is to have a player that plays DVDs - which have perfect quality anyway - and also new HD versions, which you can start buying in your own time/when they eventually take over. The most important thing really, is to not make current DVDs obsolete, because quite frankly, there's nothing wrong with them...with these HD discs, will it be goodbye to the days of "4 disc special collector's extended edition"?