Samsung says the blindingly obvious about focussing on Blu-ray products

By

Katherine Hannaford

on February 19, 2008 Comments (0)

We're as yet to hear a comment from fellow multi-format player manufacturer LG regarding Toshiba's withdrawal from the hi-def race, however it's understood Samsung is (obviously) going to "show more interests in Blu-ray products than rival HD DVDs", according to The Korea Times' source.

They announced the BD-UP5000 dual-format player officially at IFA last year, with the initial release date of December 2007, however it appears to only have hit stores this January due to massive delays.

Samsung's affections have obviously been with Blu-ray from the start, due to the release of the BD-P1400 Blu-ray player and HT-BD2 home theatre system, and no actual standalone HD DVD players ever being mentioned.

(via HDTV UK)

eBay overflowing with cut-price HD DVD discs and players

By

Katherine Hannaford

on February 19, 2008 Comments (2)

Those eBay sellers are craftier than I first thought. Whilst the announcement from Toshiba that they were to cease production of HD DVD players only arrived this morning, the public has expected it since early January, when Warner battered the format into oblivion, by deciding on exclusive support of Blu-ray and finishing its contract with HD DVD.

A quick glance on eBay this morning has turned up 2,381 auctions for actual HD DVD discs, with some appallingly cheap options including a job lot of six high-profile films for £49 with 2 hours left (at HMV, this would retail for £124.92), the Ultimate Bourne Collection boxset at £26.55 with 3 hours 49 minutes left (normal retail £49.99), and a brand new 300 disc for £8.50 with 2 hours 4 minutes left (normal retail £23.99).

As for players, well, you can snap up some serious bargains amongst the 454 players on offer. The Toshiba HD-EP30 normally retails for just over £200, but you can pick up a brand new one, with two free HD films, for £134.95 buy-it-now. Otherwise their HD-E1 player, which normally retails for £450, is just £26 with 7 hours 13 minutes left. The multi-format BH100 from LG, when launched, was over £1,000, but now on the 'bay, it's £160.

Toshiba officially announces 'discontinuation of HD DVD format'

By

Dave Walker

on February 19, 2008 Comments (1)

Well, the worst-kept secret is now official, with Toshiba announcing that it will "no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders".

“We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,” said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation. "While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality.”

Toshiba said it will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players to retail channels, aiming for a complete stop by the end of March 2008. However, servicing and support will continue long after this date.

Toshiba

Toshiba makes formal announcement about not making a formal announcement; Microsoft's Xbox 360 + Blu-ray = May?

By

Katherine Hannaford

on February 18, 2008 Comments (0)

Things have changed in the few hours since we last wrote about the format wars! Toshiba has spoken! Open your ears and bow down to the mighty Tosh god as he delivers his sermon...

Whilst they're not surrendering just yet, the general public is awaiting an announcement later this week about the future of their HD DVD format support.

Meanwhile, rumours about Microsoft releasing a Blu-ray Xbox 360 gaming console are stepping up a few notches, with May being pointed at as the potential announcement/launch date.

Toshiba

HD DVD killed off by Toshiba, reports Japanese TV

By

Dave Walker

on February 18, 2008 Comments (0)

I don't have access to Japanese TV, but according to Akihabara News (which does), an announcement has been made on the future of HD DVD - it's been killed off by Toshiba.

That's not official, but Japanese TV network NHK claims the end of HD DVD will be announced in the imminent future, hasted no doubt by the succession of manufacturers and retailers backing out of using the format - Walmart was the most recent high-profile company to ditch it on Friday.

No doubt we'll have the official statement this week, but just in case you're tempted by that budget high-def player in the shop window...well, maybe think twice.

Toshiba (via Akihabara News)

Michael Bay reminds everyone he was right about HD DVD and Blu-ray from the start

By

Katherine Hannaford

on February 15, 2008 Comments (3)

Michael Bay, the hi-def industry's court jester, has been caught ~~saying 'nyah nyah, told you so'~~ boasting about how he predicted Blu-ray's success right from the get-go at the recent Visual Effects Society's annual award show.

“Blu-ray’s better, and I told everyone ... I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it. Am I thrilled? It really wasn’t my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]’s going to lose, no-one believed me.”

Director Bay has always spoken out about his preference of the Blu-ray format, since before his Transformers film from 2007 was released exclusively on HD DVD.

"I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks!", he commented in August on his personal blog, however the next day showed that post to have mysteriously vanished, with a statement up instead claiming he'd 'overreacted', and that he'd seen "300 on HD-DVD, it rocks! So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!".

According to IMDB, he is indeed.

(via Daily Tech)

LG introduces world’s fastest Blu-ray Disc Rewriter and HD DVD-ROM to the UK

By

Dave Walker

on January 31, 2008 Comments (0)

Looking to take your PC into your world of high-definition? You can hedge your bets with the LG GGW-H20L drive. It's claimed to be the world’s fastest Blu-ray rewriter and HD DVD-ROM drive, with the ability to read and write Blu-ray at 6x.

Fiona Landsberg, marketing manager, LG Electronics says, “With the increased volume of data available today, the need for alternative storage options is rising rapidly. Not only are we choosing to store more data, such as digital images, music files and video, but we also continue to be bound by record keeping regulations, all of which take up precious space. LG’s revolutionary new 6x optical storage drive, the GGW-H20L, allows users to not only store massive volumes of data compactly, but it also does it in lightening speed. Our new 6x technology is set to transform the way we interact with data.”

In addition to the GGW-H20L, LG is also launching the GGC-H20L in the UK, which reads Blu-ray at 6x, HD DVD media at 3x and read and write CDs and DVDs.

LG

Microsoft hedging its bets about Blu-ray - still "talking to" Sony

By

Gary Cutlack

on January 30, 2008 Comments (1)

Microsoft's Jeff Bell, who has a really long job title so is clearly very important and must have an awesome car, says MS has "been talking to Blu-ray all along."

The two-faced gits!

Although it hasn't been talking about putting Blu-ray drives into Xbox 360s or anything quite so dramatic - it's been trying to convince Team BR to use Microsoft's HDi software, the clever bit of technology that added all the extra features to HD DVD.

Blu-ray uses the slightly tougher-to-work-with and still under development Java-based system to power its interactive menus and stuff, see, whereas HD DVDs HDi is (or was) always the favourite option with disc creators. Thanks to being finished, unlike the Blu-ray Java thing and its embarrassing "Profile 2.0" mess that's about to anger all the early adopters by making their players useless.

Now, if Microsoft could somehow convince Sony to use HDi in some way it could still rake in the cash from the next-gen format war after all. Hence the outward friendliness, even though they are locked in a DEADLY BATTLE.

(Via 1Up)

BBC still committed to dual HD DVD and Blu-ray releases

By

Stuart Dredge

on January 17, 2008 Comments (0)

The BBC has no plans to abandon HD DVD for its high-definition releases, despite the recent defection to Blu-ray of its distribution partner Warner Home Video. The Beeb says it'll continue its policy of supporting both formats, following its policy with series like Planet Earth and Galapagos.

However, that's not to say the policy won't change. TVShowsOnDVD.com asked the corporation whether it would be following Warner's lead and dumping HD DVD, and got a reply saying the BBC "will evaluate the marketplace before committing to one format".

The site says the BBC has four more releases planned this year for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, and claims it's actually sold MORE copies of Planet Earth on HD DVD than Blu-ray. I reckon the BBC won't pick one format until the last possible minute due to the corporation's public service traditions (and yes, I do know these releases come under its commercial activities).

(via TVShowsOnDVD)

Buffalo Technology to launch external high definition and DVD drives in Europe

By

Andy Merrett

on January 17, 2008 Comments (0)

Buffalo Technology has announced that it will be launching a range of external DVD and high definition disc PC drives in Europe.

First up will be a top-of-range device capable of reading and writing to Blu-ray discs, and reading HD DVDs, as well as handling standard DVD media. It will come bundled with disc authoring software from Nero.

Other products will include a cheaper external drive that will read both HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs, and write to ordinary DVDs, and a unit which simply handles DVDs.

All will offer plug and play functionality and come with Buffalo's TurboUSB technology. They'll be available from mid-March, prices and exact details to be confirmed.

Toshiba slashing HD DVD prices, but will it work?

By

Stuart Dredge

on January 15, 2008 Comments (1)

The fightback has begun in the HD wars, with HD DVD backer Toshiba slashing prices on its players to try and compete with its Blu-ray rivals. In the US, its cheapest HD DVD player will now cost $149 - half its previous official price - while even its high-end player has seen a big cut to $299.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Toshiba's high-end HD-EP30 HD DVD player has been spotted on sale for £179. However, the rhetoric from Toshiba's Yoshi Uchiyama in the US begs a few questions:

"While price is one of the consideration elements for the early adopter, it is a deal-breaker for the mainstream consumer. Consumer sales this holiday season have proven that the consumer awareness of the HD DVD format has been elevated and pricing is the most critical determinant in consumer's purchase decision of the next generation HD DVD technology."

Rumours abound that Paramount is the latest studio to drop HD DVD in favour of Blu-ray

By

Katherine Hannaford

on January 8, 2008 Comments (1)

Further hammering the nail into HD DVD's coffin, it appears Paramount is the latest film studio to drop the high-def format, after reports today from the Financial Times suggested they're following Warner Brothers' decision on Friday to back Blu-ray.

Paramount, DreamWorks Animation and Universal are the only real feathers to the format's cap, and to lose another studio so soon after Warner will result in the 'format war' being decided once and for all.

Apparently Paramount's contract with the HD DVD group has a written 'get out of jail free card' clause within it, giving the studio the right to abandon the format if Warner Brothers decides to do so first. It's been reported that due to DreamWorks and Paramount having such a close relationship to one another, the former might well have the same clause.

Both parties are yet to confirm the rumours.

(via Financial Times)

HDTV UK's HD DVD / Blu-ray Special Feature: the future, and stuff

By

Andy Merrett

on January 7, 2008 Comments (0)

Just when you thought you could settle down for a quiet CES safe in the knowledge that the high definition disc format war was at stalemate for at least another six months or so, Warner go and scrap HD DVD, Toshiba starts crying, and it all goes a bit pear-shaped.

Ever with a finger on the pulse, though, our sister site HDTV UK has leapt into action and provided an up-to-the-minute status report on the state of HD discs and those people and organisations with at least some interest in them.

From consumers (who'll probably still look at you confused and say "Blu-what?") to Sony (who'll make a huge song and dance about how HD DVD has lost). Even China. Oh yeah, and (yawn) Microsoft.

And to cap it all, there are eight reasons why the high definition disc format war IS NOT like the VHS/Betamax one.

Head on over to the index to read more.

CES 2008: Sir Howard Stringer responds to Warner Bros announcement

By

Al W

on January 7, 2008 Comments (0)

Speaking at Sony’s main press conference in Las Vegas today, Sony boss Sir Howard Stringer wasn’t going to let the recent news that Hollywood goliath Warner Bros. turning to Blu-ray exclusively. “All of us at Sony are feeling Blu today” said Stinger, then thanking Warner for making their decision “in the long-term interests of the consumer”.

Apparently, even in the cut throat world of a format war it’s rude to kick an enemy while it’s down so Sir Howard remained quietly satisfied, concluding his thoughts on the topic with “I’m sure you want me to say more… but I won’t”.

Sony

CES 2008 Special Read all our coverage from the show in our CES 2008 category

CES 2008: Samsung's Duo HD BD-UP5500 player blends Blu-ray and HD DVD

By

Stuart Dredge

on January 7, 2008 Comments (0)

The dust hasn't settled yet from the seismic HD format war developments on Thursday and Friday, and it won't for a few days, with dozens of companies announcing new products in one, other or both Blu-ray and HD DVD. For example, Samsung just unveiled its new duo HD player, the BD-UP5500.

It plays both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, with an HDMI 1.3 connection and touchscreen controls. It can handle both format's interactive features too: BD-Java and HD DVD interactivity. There's an Ethernet port to make it easier to download new firmware to keep the player updated, too.

It's rocking the slimline look, being just 2.3 inches thick, and has the obligatory (for Samsung) piano-black finish. Don't expect to get your hands on it until the second half of this year - UK pricing hasn't been announced.

Samsung website

CES 2008 Special
Read all our coverage from the show in our CES 2008 category

CES 2008: HD DVD camp cancels their press conference in wake of Warner Blu-ray exclusive

By

Katherine Hannaford

on January 5, 2008 Comments (2)

Massive news has just come in concerning the future of HD DVD, related to this afternoon's announcement about film studio Warner going Blu-ray exclusive. Prepare yourselves, as this is Kleenex worthy. I've been sobbing uncontrollably the last half an hour since discovering this disaster.

The HD DVD people have cancelled Sunday's press conference in the wake of Warner's decision, and issued a press release expressing their dismay with the film studio for siding with the Blu-ray group in this bloody, bloody format war. They even insinuated Warner's decision may be illegal, due to contracts being signed already.

The next boring format war - Wireless HD. Intel, Sony and Toshiba ready to unleash HELL

By

Gary Cutlack

on January 4, 2008 Comments (1)

The next VIOLENT TECH WAR will be about "the last foot" - or how to get HD signals from your HD player to your telly without needing a cable.

Yes, that really is a big problem for some people.

As with everything new, there's a billion (or maybe about three) competing formats and groups, with each saying theirs is best and all the other ones suck via a series of press releases.

But emerging as favourite to win is WirelessHD - primarily because PC overlord Intel has just come on-board. Which, along with other supporters such as Sony and Toshiba, makes WirelessHD look like winning the race to replace those soon-to-be-obsolete HDMI cables. Doesn't time fly in the world of cabling?

Use of Ultra-Wideband, which applies to all devices that use the same low-frequency, short-range technology, has already been licensed for use in the UK by the controlling superpowers at OFCOM, so WirelessHD could be here sooner than you might think.

But there's more - that boring Westinghouse TV up there can use Pulse-Link, another way of beaming HD via the air that'll be demonstrated at CES next week. So all that fuss about HDMI and DVI will turn out to have been for nothing. Learn from this, HD DVD and Blu-ray fans. Five years from now you'll realise how pointless it's all been.

(Via Yahoo!)

For more slightly bewildering broadcast technology news it's quite difficult to understand about things that won't be on sale for at least another six years, check out Shiny Media's HD blog HDTV UK.

Xbox 360's HD DVD drive has over a third of the US HD DVD player market

By

Gary Cutlack

on December 18, 2007 Comments (1)

Uh-oh! Time for another update on the relative successes and/or failures of the new HD movie formats - this time as seen through the eyes of impartial American stat-compiler NPD.

According to the HD DVD consortium, 750,000 HD DVD players have been sold in America - and the cheap old Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on has been responsible for 269,000 of those sales says NPD.

Microsoft and the rest of the HD DVD consortium will be pleased to hear that this isn't just a third - it's JUST OVER A THIRD! Expect that phrase to to be appearing in an HD DVD press release in the next few days, as the ever more desperate HD camps try to convince punters that there is a reason to bother upgrading our trusty old DVD players.

(Via Xboxer.tv)

For more news about who's winning the HD format war today, then the subsequent press release from the losing side the next day about how they're actually in the lead now, check out Shiny Media's HDTV blog at HDTVUK.tv.

Microsoft brings HD DVD emulator software out of beta

By

Andy Merrett

on December 14, 2007 Comments (1)

Microsoft has announced that its HD DVD emulation software is now out of beta. The software probably won't be much use to the average consumer, but for smaller HD DVD authoring companies, it could be very useful.

The system works around the Xbox 360 and its add-on HD DVD drive. A one-time $2,999 licence fee gives access to it.

It's downloaded from the Xbox Marketplace, and then users can work on projects via a networked drive or the attached HD DVD player.

Microsoft has put together a page containing all the gory details of how to start using the emulator. If nothing else, it should save authors from creating a huge pile of spoiled HD DVDs.

Perhaps Microsoft really do like HD DVD quite a bit after all.

(Via Format War Central)

Blu-ray Disc Association makes wild claims of 2.7 million players sold, forgets 74% of figure are PS3 sales

By

Katherine Hannaford

on December 7, 2007 Comments (16)

I do feel a bit sad for perking my ears up every time I see the words 'Blu-ray' and 'HD DVD' mentioned in the same breath. There's nothing I love more than a good ol' fashioned format war.

Whilst the HD DVD camp is actually fairly transparent with their sales statistics (recently claiming to have sold 750,000 players), the Blu-ray Disc Association has always been cagey, never actually releasing figures on actual players sold.

The story being bandied about the playground today is that 2.7 million Blu-ray Disc players have been sold in the US so far, but of those 2.7 million? Yep, most of them are just PS3 sales.