HD DVD shows signs of rushed launch
03-07-06 | 07:16 AM
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DVD Talk Special Edition
HD DVD shows signs of rushed launch
HD DVD bow bedevils retail
Info scarce from Toshiba, confusion aplenty
Info scarce from Toshiba, confusion aplenty
Finally, Video Business has a good story up today on the so-far sketchy launch of the HD-DVD format, which is supported to make its big debut on 3/28. Toshiba's first two players, the HD-A1 ($499.99 list) and HD-XA1 ($799.99), are expected on that day. A number of titles from Warner are expected on 3/28 as well, but... despite the press releases to the contrary... there's been little to no retailer confirmation of the titles so far. There are a grand total of ZERO details about the HD-DVD titles up on WHV's studio retailer site, this with less than three weeks to go before they're supposed to street (by comparison, in-depth details of most standard DVD releases are announced to retailers on the studio site months in advance). Toshiba's nation-wide HD-DVD promotional tour continues this week (click here for the latest dates and locations from Toshiba's official format site - you'll also find them in this PDF file), but I'm told by those who have seen it that the only thing Tosh reps have to show is a demo disc of movie trailers - no final product HD-DVD software is ready yet.
On that front, I've spoken with a number of my contacts within the industry - at various production and authoring houses, as well as the studios - and nearly all of them expect that the titles will end up getting delayed. I'm told that the authoring is just a mess right now - the format is being pushed to launch too quickly, and there are many problems getting the movies to work properly. Part of the problem is that the software used to author discs is still in the beta stage - not surprising given that the AACS portion of the HD-DVD spec was only finalized last month. Even IF Toshiba and Warner are able to get both hardware and software titles out on 3/28, they'll basically just be ports of existing DVD releases, with HD video and maybe a few new special features at the most. The iHD interactivity isn't really going to be a factor on the software releases until later in 2006 (after the authoring software is finalized and functioning, and HD-DVD check discs can be vigorously tested on actual player hardware). We'll have more on all this soon.
On that front, I've spoken with a number of my contacts within the industry - at various production and authoring houses, as well as the studios - and nearly all of them expect that the titles will end up getting delayed. I'm told that the authoring is just a mess right now - the format is being pushed to launch too quickly, and there are many problems getting the movies to work properly. Part of the problem is that the software used to author discs is still in the beta stage - not surprising given that the AACS portion of the HD-DVD spec was only finalized last month. Even IF Toshiba and Warner are able to get both hardware and software titles out on 3/28, they'll basically just be ports of existing DVD releases, with HD video and maybe a few new special features at the most. The iHD interactivity isn't really going to be a factor on the software releases until later in 2006 (after the authoring software is finalized and functioning, and HD-DVD check discs can be vigorously tested on actual player hardware). We'll have more on all this soon.
03-07-06 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Not surprising. We haven't heard jack about BR either.
And on this point, "The iHD interactivity isn't really going to be a factor on the software releases until later in 2006", at least HD-DVD players will be ready for iHD at launch, even if the discs don't use it. The first generation Blu-Ray players will be incompatible with their similar BD-Java functionality.
03-07-06 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Not surprising. We haven't heard jack about BR either.
The first generation Blu-Ray players will be incompatible with their similar BD-Java functionality.
03-07-06 | 09:05 AM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by genufett
Except for prices, release dates, and details on at least one player
03-07-06 | 09:08 AM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
Not on software, and without that, who cares about the hardware?
03-07-06 | 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
Not on software, and without that, who cares about the hardware?
03-07-06 | 09:12 AM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by genufett
Also, incorrect: May 23 targeted as Blu-ray Day.
Right now, we dont' have shit...from either format.
03-07-06 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Not surprising. We haven't heard jack about BR either.
03-07-06 | 09:39 AM
#11
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Regardless, BOTH formats should have information out and they don't.
Now I'm ready to purchase the HD-A1 player but I'm curious as to the silence coming from Universal and Paramount regarding the 3/28 launch. If they launch with only support from W-B then the writings on the wall.
As for Blu-Ray, we know plenty of details, just not all of them yet. I have a feeling you'll start hearing a little more from them on 3/28.
03-07-06 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Regardless, BOTH formats should have information out and they don't.
Imagine a school. It is 10:30. In two adjacent rooms, two children are sitting the same exam. Both of the children have completed only half of the exam. For child A, time will be up at 10:45. For child B, time will be up at 11:15.
Is the situation more serious for child A or for child B?
03-07-06 | 09:47 AM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by Grubert
Is the situation more serious for child A or for child B?
03-07-06 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
What's so hard to accept about the fact that both of you are right? Both formats are doing an awful job.
03-07-06 | 09:55 AM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by DthRdrX
How so? Just because info isn't made public doesn't mean anything is being done aweful. If Toshiba misses launch, yet again, then that is an aweful job. If Sony misses launch, then they did an aweful job. Perhaps we should wait and see before giving up on either company.
03-07-06 | 10:00 AM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by DthRdrX
Just because info isn't made public doesn't mean anything is being done aweful.
03-07-06 | 10:05 AM
#18
Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
Lack of information to retailers and consumers meets my requirements to use that term.
03-07-06 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by DthRdrX
Then Toshiba is the only one that falls under that catagory. Sony has plenty of time to release details. I think consumers can wait another month before getting worked up about Blu-Ray not giving info out. It would be just bad business leadership if they tip their hat too much, too soon.
03-07-06 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Nope. You keep talking about hardware. We're talking about software and that falls in the lap of the production companies.
As I said earlier I'm curious as to Universal and Paramount's silence regarding HD-dvd. "Supposedly" they are going to say something this week. Two months is a lot more comfortable time for Sony.
I'll also add that Sony isn't just sitting around waiting for HD-dvd to fail over the next two months. They are watching to see what they do correctly and what is done incorrectly. They'll plan their launch depending on what happens with Toshiba.
Last edited by DthRdrX; 03-07-06 at 10:30 AM.
03-07-06 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by genufett
Incorrect. All players will support BD-J.
03-07-06 | 11:19 AM
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Here's an experiment using regular DVD. Go to DVD Empire, select "Future Releases," and click on the pre-order lists for March 28 and May 23. Now compare information for large studio releases. You'll notice that for March 28 releases, a lot of information is readily available, but for the May 23 releases, not so much. That's because March 28 is only 3 weeks away, and there's no excuse not to provide that information. May 23 is far enough away for most distributors and retailers not to worry too much about providing extensive information. You can't say the situation is the same, because following current business practices, the burden falls much more on HD DVD than it does on Blu-Ray. If we're in the same boat come May 2, then the comparisons are valid.
Look, I have no argument with the fact that both formats are being rushed and are doing a poor job at promoting themselves. However, history has proven that HD DVD has made claims before as to their readiness to launch, when they knew full well that they were at the mercy of other forces. It cut what could have been many months of lead time to less than two. That hesitation may have cost them exclusitivity with Warner and Paramount, and it appears that Warner isn't even ready. The status of Blu-Ray might be in flux, but the fact still remains that they have the luxury (if you can call it that) of more time. Why HD DVD is risking biting the hands that feed them is beyond me, especially when multiple retailers big and small have publicly proclaimed that the indecision of the format war is affecting them. Will Blu-Ray have the same problems? We don't know, but we'll find out soon enough.
Look, I have no argument with the fact that both formats are being rushed and are doing a poor job at promoting themselves. However, history has proven that HD DVD has made claims before as to their readiness to launch, when they knew full well that they were at the mercy of other forces. It cut what could have been many months of lead time to less than two. That hesitation may have cost them exclusitivity with Warner and Paramount, and it appears that Warner isn't even ready. The status of Blu-Ray might be in flux, but the fact still remains that they have the luxury (if you can call it that) of more time. Why HD DVD is risking biting the hands that feed them is beyond me, especially when multiple retailers big and small have publicly proclaimed that the indecision of the format war is affecting them. Will Blu-Ray have the same problems? We don't know, but we'll find out soon enough.
03-07-06 | 11:38 AM
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From: Mpls, MN
genufett,
There is a slight difference between yet another movie release on DVD and the start of an entire new technology. You're talking about hardware here, and most companies refuse to discuss hardware until it actually is ready to ship. They've both already given way more information than Apple or Canon (and plenty of others) will allow out about new products before release. Besides, there will be a very small number of people who are planning on buying a machine and some discs on release day. Hardly any this year, in fact.
Patience. It is coming.
There is a slight difference between yet another movie release on DVD and the start of an entire new technology. You're talking about hardware here, and most companies refuse to discuss hardware until it actually is ready to ship. They've both already given way more information than Apple or Canon (and plenty of others) will allow out about new products before release. Besides, there will be a very small number of people who are planning on buying a machine and some discs on release day. Hardly any this year, in fact.
Patience. It is coming.
03-07-06 | 12:37 PM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
I believe the pressure is on HD-DVD. They have already missed two launch dates, so missing a third, or seriously messing it up, especially when Blu-Ray is right on their tail, could be the last nail in the coffin. Also, being that the launch is 3 weeks away (compared with a few months for Blu-Ray) is a difference. So saying that you don't know anything about Blu-Ray is irrelevant.
Josh Z - where did you read that? I haven't seen anything that suggest that over at AVS Forums, though I could have easily missed it.
Josh Z - where did you read that? I haven't seen anything that suggest that over at AVS Forums, though I could have easily missed it.