Something I Just Thought Of...

I know no one wants to hear about HD-VMD and I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record, but just hear me out....

All standard DVD players can play HD VMDs with a simple firmware upgrade. I think this leaves out most, if not all, standard DVD players because they can't access the internet, but this leaves all PCs, XBOX 360's (the consoles themselves, not just the HD-DVD add-ons), HD-DVD players and probably the PS3 and all future BR players (although I know that Sony would never allow it). That is a ton of possible HD VMD players already in the hands of consumers.

This could potentially be a huge blow to SDVDs and Blu-Ray, as long as they can get the content. If they are able to get the advantage of having that many players out there already, then I think studios might be more willing to consider releasing dual format again. I think most consumers would be more than happy to pay $18 for a full HD movie, as opposed to several hundred dollars for a BR player and then $40 a pop for each movie they want. And with the most expensive HD VMD player being half the price of the least expensive Blu-Ray player, that could certainly help move stand alone HD VMD players as well.

I'm not sure about the Wii since it can't play DVDs, but maybe some type of frimware upgrade could be possible. If so, then that would add even more HD VMD players.

And if the HD VMD people and Microsfot can reach some sort of deal, then M$ could start printing games on HD VMDs, which would give them roughly the same amount of space to work with as Blu-Ray discs. Plus the ability to play upconverted standard DVDs and HD VMDs at no extra cost to the people who already own 360s.

This would definitely be a major blow to Sony's game division, even if the HD VMD format never takes off. They could upconvert standard DVDs and take advantage of the higher storage space on the HD VMDs, allowing for bigger and better games. That could take nearly all the wind from the PS3's sails. And if the format were to take off, then I don't see how that couldn't be the death knoll for the PS3.

I know there is a very good chance that none of this will happen. But even if it doesn't, just realize that Blu-Ray isn't in the clear yet. Another format could easily come from behind and take control of the HD market. HD VMD just has the best chance right now, I just hope they see this opportunity and take advantage of it.

FR... I've been monitoring the HD VMD format the last few months - well what little is known or 'seen' with this format, and there haven't been regular new releases coming out - very early stage of it's existence right now.

Also, in my opinion this format is primarily geared toward parts of Asia, particularly India, since many of the movies released so far are Indian-made, or geared toward that country's population.

Also, as Tony and others have pointed out, this format does NOT support the next generation audio codecs, so this might be a letdown for those possible interested in it.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Like I said before, it would be nice if DVD Town could get their hands on a VMD player/disk and do a review. I am very curious about this format.

If HD DVD got dogged by SONY what makes you think HD-VMD will survive. Remember, money talks and bullshit runs the marathon. And SONY got lots of $, HD-VMD will go the same way HD DVD and yes thats a shame.

SONY... yeah, I checked a UK Dealer's HD VMD Titles, and to my knowledge NONE of these are from Sony Pictures, Columbia Tri-Star, or any of the company's other film imprints. Definitely no support from Sony for this format apparently.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

LH... I know the main problem is the lack of support and news. I would just like to state again, that I don't expect this to happen. It's more of a what-if senario that I would like to see happen.

I don't expect this format to do very well in America, although I do believe that I thought of a really good way for them to succeed. But I'm sure business will be booming in Iceland, India, Europe, and all their other markets.

I'm not 100% positive on this, but I believe the company behind HD VMD said that they will be releasing players and movies that do support next generation audio codecs. If I can find the article I'll post it in this thread. However, I do think that their audio support and prices are decent enough to attract the average customer. But the audiophiles are more likely to be early adopters than the average customer. Hmm... I guess you've got me in a catch 22 there. But I'm not really an audio guy, so I'm not the one to talk to about such matters. Just as long as it's loud and it sounds good, I'm content. I watch all my movies on my IN72 projector which is hooked up to a $200 stereo and that's fine for me.

I'm not surprised to see that Sony isn't supporting it. I would imagine they want Blu-Ray to win world wide. They do have some major studio support. Now they just need to wrangle up some major studio support that they can use in America.


StevePro... I'm really thinking about buying one from PCRush.com. I don't consider the $200 a huge gamble, since it also upconverts DVDs and I don't plan on switching to Blu-Ray anytime soon. It's just too expensive.

I believe that is the best way they could market their stand alone players. Market them as really good (and really cool looking) upconverting DVD players that also play full 1080p movies that retail for half the price of Blu-Ray movies.


InvisibleBiker... You made my point in your statement. Money talks. If people can get movies that look just as good a BR movies at a little less than half the cost, I believe they will buy. Especially when you consdier the facts that I have already mentioned.... all the potential VMD players that could exist with a simple firmware update, and stand alone HD VMD players costing half as much as the PS3.

If HD VMDs were to ever take off, the firmware upgrades are necessary. I think people would be willing to take a chance on this new format if there was a small initial investment. I know that content is an issue too, but I believe that the major studios would be more willing to support it if they got the firmware upgrade out there and/or got a deal with Mircorsoft, or something similar.

Price is king. HD-DVD's weren't cheap enough to win the format war, but I honestly belive that HD VMDs are cheap enough to surprise a lot of people. Even if they don't win the format war, I think they could very easily replace standard DVDs (eventually) and co-exist with Blu-Ray, with BR being more of a luxury format.

[Post edited by Fumbled_Revolution on Feb 22, 2008]

FR... one issue is RENTALS. I rent many hi-def discs regularly (online memberships from both Netflix and Blockbuster), so who make available the HD VMD discs for rent(?) - or not.

And paying about $20 per EVERY title is not good in the long run, as Blu-ray prices are getting lower all the time, with special discount sales, and 3rd party resales of both new and used discs, and lower prices on catalog titles from time to time.

Then there's the 'risk' factor... will this HD VMD format be long-lasting, and worth the investment to adopt? And you already mentioned the need for continued firmware support. Well, what if this format also ends up 'dying' at some point, due to lack of studio support/new releases? ...similar to HD-DVD

Blu-ray is here now, and is the future for upgrading into HD from SD. Within the next year, player prices will fall, as more companies released models, and catalog prices come down in price. Also, with today's economic woes (soft economy etc), I expect new releases to also come down in price (not higher) - and with Amazon's further discounts, Blu-ray should be more affordable on disc prices than right now. If not, I'll just rent them even more.

That's my opinion.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

CH DVD hits stores in 5 months. Toshiba's HD DVD player will already the support the CH DVD format with a firmware update. The difference being in the antipiracy encryption. Most disks will play without a firmware update. 4 million CH DVD players are expected to hit stores in July-August. North American releases are also going to be available. That will be CH DVD/HD DVD combo players, by the sounds of it. The best part of it! No Region Coding!!! The only people that will be affected will be the EP30 and EP35 Toshiba machines. They are region coded for #2.

ReaggieP, isn't CH-DVD exclusive to China?

From everything I have been reading, there will be a release of the product to North America.