Post by The Funniest Guy in Pants on Feb 22, 2008 20:33:55 GMT -5
I'm posting this in both the Entertainment and Video Game boards because it involves both movies and video games.
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 $40 a pop for each movie they want. And with the most expensive HD VMD player being half the price of the least expensive Blu-Ray player, that could certainly help move stand alone HD VMD players as well.
I'm not sure about the Wii since it can't play DVDs, but maybe some type of firmware upgrade could be possible. If so, then that would add even more HD VMD players.
And if the HD VMD people and Microsoft can reach some sort of deal, then M$ 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.
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 $40 a pop for each movie they want. And with the most expensive HD VMD player being half the price of the least expensive Blu-Ray player, that could certainly help move stand alone HD VMD players as well.
I'm not sure about the Wii since it can't play DVDs, but maybe some type of firmware upgrade could be possible. If so, then that would add even more HD VMD players.
And if the HD VMD people and Microsoft can reach some sort of deal, then M$ 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.