HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

[HeadHodge]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

Hmm... actually, Blockbuster was only supposed to stock Blu-Ray in the stores, but it's possible some stores kept HD-DVDs.

The Blockbuster in my San Diego neighborhood (Mission Beach) carries Zero HD-DVD only Blu-Ray.

I don't subscribe to their by mail service so can't say what they do there.

[RonV]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I like this post on Wired:

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/0...-death-ma.html

This leaves Blu-Ray as the presumptive victor in the irrelevant optical disk format war. It now must face up to the real competition: the continuing success of DVD and the growing popularity of downloads, both on the internet and on-demand cable TV.

[Rusdude]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I like this post on Wired:

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/0...-death-ma.html

I think people who think that we'll be able to download Blu-Ray quality movies in 1-2 years may be feeling too optimistic. Not just because of download speeds (which are low in the US compared to many Asian and Scandinavian countries) but because studios are soooooooo slow to change.

[Nded]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I think people who think that we'll be able to download Blu-Ray quality movies in 1-2 years may be feeling too optimistic. Not just because of download speeds (which are low in the US compared to many Asian and Scandinavian countries) but because studios are soooooooo slow to change.

You hit the nail on the head. If the studios were more progressive/proactive, we'd have a 1000+ HD title in the Vudu catalog already.

[kikar]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I think people who think that we'll be able to download Blu-Ray quality movies in 1-2 years may be feeling too optimistic. Not just because of download speeds (which are low in the US compared to many Asian and Scandinavian countries) but because studios are soooooooo slow to change.

What about XstreamHD they are promising better than BD quality by the end of the year.

[HeadHodge]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

What about XstreamHD they are promising better than BD quality by the end of the year.

Ignorant me has never heard of XstreamHD, but sounds interesting. Do you have a preferred link to help enlighten me? Thanks.

[HeadHodge]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I think people who think that we'll be able to download Blu-Ray quality movies in 1-2 years may be feeling too optimistic. Not just because of download speeds (which are low in the US compared to many Asian and Scandinavian countries) but because studios are soooooooo slow to change.

But (as the article supposedly claims} if DVD has continued popularity and set top boxes can deliver better than DVD quality via the internet, isn't that a natural (and positive) progression, even if it doesn't acheive hard media quality yet?

[aaronwt]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

What about XstreamHD they are promising better than BD quality by the end of the year.

They don't eve have any deals with content providers yet. For now it's vaporware. Last I heard they were talking about beta testing in the fourth quarter of this year.

[Rusdude]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

XStreamHD's site is http://www.xstreamhd.com , but it's worth mentioning that they have no content deals. Plus, their system requires a satellite dish.

Edit: to add to what Aaron said, here's what their site says: "XStreamHD will be available to consumers Q4 2008. BETA testing will begin Q2 2008."

[brianp6621]

Re: HD-DVD's Dying Gasps

I found it pretty funny that in one of the demo videos, the TV screen showed an interface which was clearly a rip-off of the PS3 XMB