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HD-DVD is cheaper, backwards compatible with DVD players (well on duel layer discs with the DVD version on one side) and is set to flood the market with cheap to manufacture players whilst the Blu-ray production line sputters.
To add to Sony's troubles Microsoft have released a HD-DVD player for the 360 which is said to be so cheap next to other HD-DVD players that the price is genuinely shocking.
Looks like Blu-ray's going to fall at the first hurdle only to become an anchor round the PS3's neck.
> And HD-DVD will be even more affordable with cheaper players by
> the looks of things.
Most of the cheapness of manufacturing HD-DVD players comes from the fact that they've not had to retool existing manufacturing plants so much. Long term both players will end up at similar price points.
> Precisely, which is why if DVDs are replaced with duel-layer
> HD-DVDs with the DVD version on one side and the HD-DVD version
> on the other it's going to be the more profitable of the two.
In fact they've already invented the disc that'll store all 3 formats. So they dont need double sided discs with alternative formats or anything. Even so I doubt any faction will be in a rush to provide such DVDs. They want us to buy the DVD, then buy the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray version later. And the fact is there arent going to be many people interested in paying extra for a DVD that has another format on which they might not adopt in the future anyway. A disc that has all 3 formats is far more enticing though as its future proof.
> Looking on Amazon the HD-DVD's that are out at the moment are
> priced between 10 and 20 pounds which is the same as newly
> released DVDs at the moment.
At present Blu-Ray movies have the lower price point but its marginal.
I think theres too much obsession over who is going to "win" anyway. This is a much bigger market than the one VHS and Betamax entered into. Its just as likely that nobody will ever win as theres more than enough room in the marketplace for both formats to be profitable.
> Blu-Ray will beat HD-DVD in my opinion. The reason I say this is
> because when HD-TV becomes widespread Blu-Ray will be
> affordable...
And HD-DVD will be even more affordable with cheaper players by the looks of things.
also it is included in the Playstation 3 which
> will be in the homes of millions of consumers by the end of
> 2007.
Well that may be a hypothetical 'given' but it has yet to actually happen. Blu-ray is a troublesome technology that is currently not easy to manufacture.
>
> But, to be honest, will consumers really opt for the more
> expensive blu-ray when they can just watch a DVD instead?
Precisely, which is why if DVDs are replaced with duel-layer HD-DVDs with the DVD version on one side and the HD-DVD version on the other it's going to be the more profitable of the two.
Looking on Amazon the HD-DVD's that are out at the moment are priced between 10 and 20 pounds which is the same as newly released DVDs at the moment.
HD-DVD is primed for the win if they get those duel-layer discs out there.
But, to be honest, will consumers really opt for the more expensive blu-ray when they can just watch a DVD instead?
In fact, if consumers snap up HD-DVD players then there will be no choice for them.
HD-DVD is cheaper, backwards compatible with DVD players (well on duel layer discs with the DVD version on one side) and is set to flood the market with cheap to manufacture players whilst the Blu-ray production line sputters.
To add to Sony's troubles Microsoft have released a HD-DVD player for the 360 which is said to be so cheap next to other HD-DVD players that the price is genuinely shocking.
Looks like Blu-ray's going to fall at the first hurdle only to become an anchor round the PS3's neck.