New DVD formats

Warner announces HD DVD - Blu-ray combo disc
The first THDs (Total hi Def) would be made available in the second half of 2007.
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If I were to choose between a dual format PLAYER as opposed to a dual format DISK, I would go for the disk. For the consumer, it would be cheaper, at least, in the short run. Also, I read somewhere in the last couple of days the the LG player will not play audio cds and the that the HD-DVD side will not recogize all of the menu features, which is a little strange, even for a first generation machine. With those limitations, I wouldn't even consider it for $1100 bucks.

One thing I have not seen discussed is that either option, especially the disk, will make it impossible to track the format preferences of consumers. If these disks catch on, then the only way to track format preferences will be through the actual sales numbers of stand alone players. This in itself, would level the playing field although it would give the HD-DVD folks an early price point advantage in hardware sales due to the higher costs of the BD players. 2007 is going to get really interesting.

I'm old. I bought Betamax when it first came out because I wanted to watch my favorite movies when I wanted to. It worked fine and was a huge piece of equipment. I still have it-it still works, and I have some 200 Beta tapes.

I eventually had to go with VHS because I could no longer rent Beta tapes. The reasoning for a system with a lesser quality picture becoming the standard was because it was less expensive than Beta.

When HD-DVD came out for $500 I went with it because it was not too expensive and I saw somewhere that Blu ray would be twice as expensive.

After the upgrades the unit performed beautiffuly with my Infocus projecter and I've purchased some 45 HD-DVD discs to date.

The reason Betamax lost out to VHS was cost. The reason I went with Toshiba was cost. I really believe that price is still the dominant feature that will sell either format.
Both sides have invested far too much money to simply shrug their shoulders and walk away. The bottom line is that whoever sells the most hardware and software will win. Price will be the determining factor.

Steve,

I think your argument makes sense, but only if every studio started issuing their product on single, dual HD-DVD/Blu-ray discs. As long as only a studio like WB does it, it will only be a cost-effective option for that studio (because they will no longer have to press separate formats on separate discs).

The dual-format player (assuming it's working correctly and backward compatible with regular DVDs and CDs) is the only way the consumer can enjoy all films from all studios and not worry about exclusive formats.

John

John,

I do agree with you and I had thought of that. It will be indeed interesting to see if Sony et. al., adopts the dual format disk. If they do, they will essentially aquiese to Warner and Toshiba as an admission that they are not going to win this battle hands down if they don't, then it will demonstrate beyond a shaow of a doubt that they still want the whole enchelada and are not interested in co-existance. If I were a BD policy maker right now, I would feel a little boxed in. Steve

One of the most exciting pieces of news that came out of CES that seems to get lost in the shuffle, is that ONKYO and MERIDIAN have come aboard the HD-DVD bandwagon. ONKYO has a lot of clout in the market and along with their INTEGRA division have produced some great quality products. MERIDIAN on the other hand has entry to the Home Theater market via installers. MERIDIAN produces excellent equipment that will eke every bit out of an HD-DVD disc. This is truly great support of HD-DVD.