Microsoft responds to Blu-Ray followup

[Roc Ingersol]

Continuing the format fluff slap-fight, Microsoft has responded (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050929-5366.html) to the Blu-ray group's retort. Microsoft's Richard E Doherty reiterates the distinction between what is tangible today, as opposed to what is promised.

HD DVD is proven to deliver 30GB capacity today, with the potential to deliver even greater capacity. The 50GB claim for BD-ROM discs is unproven and will not be available for many years to come, based on discussions with major Japanese and US replicators. Replicators not only do not have test lines running, they cannot even pre-order the equipment to begin evaluating this disc. They cannot judge the cost of these discs, or even whether they can be manufactured at all. Major replicators can mass manufacture 30GB HD DVD discs today and it’s well understood that these discs will cost significantly less to manufacture than the lower-capacity 25GB BD discs.

[Vandenh]

If true it looks like BluRay isn't even close to being ready. Incredible.

[Morratut]

Well if all this is true then HD-DVD seems the way ahead.

HD-DVD = reality.
Blu-Ray = vapourware.

[medley]

i don't know much about these 2 pieces of hardware

When will see them hit the market? +
Has there been an estimated price per disc?

i should really search for stuff first shouldn't i - http://www.answers.com/hd-dvd :D

[Taco]

I've never heard anything positive about Blu-Ray except for the claimed capacity. Here's hoping it's isolated to the PS3 and is dead prior to the PS4.

[kickmybum]

This just in... Sony decides to change their PS3 to HDDVD format...

[TheEpicOfTyler]

This just in. Nobody cares.

[mister_slim]

Well if all this is true then HD-DVD seems the way ahead.

HD-DVD = reality.
Blu-Ray = vapourware.
Dell and HP both reiterated their support for Blu-Ray. I really have no idea what the hell is going on with these comments from each side.

[bapenguin]

maybe something good will come from this. Maybe all this recent press will force Sony and Toshiba to sit down and hammer out a universal format...

[Orphiuchus]

Dell and HP both suck.

[DCJoeDog]

HD-DVD is what I personally want to have become the lead format, Blu-Ray is turning out to be more and more of a vaporware product, and if it does become a reality I think it will only be used for PS3 units and SONY branded players which will happen to have BD support

[Kelegacy]

I hope they both fail and revive VHS and use it for game consoles.

So there.

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

HD-DVD is what I personally want to have become the lead format, Blu-Ray is turning out to be more and more of a vaporware product

Blu-Ray are the guys who have had units on the market since 2003. The HD DVD guys are the ones who missed the 2004 launch date for HD DVD-ROM, who will almost certainly miss the 2005 launch date for HD DVD-Video, and still don't have any product (discs, drives or otherwise) on shelves. If there's a vaporware format here, it isn't Blu-Ray. They may be lagging behind on dual-layer BD-ROM, but given that they've been manufacturing and selling dual-layer BD-Rs for nearly a year and a half, I doubt it's because of any insurmountable difficulties as MS seems to be hinting.

In any event, I suspect the BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROM debate is academic, since I doubt MS has any short-term plans to distribute software on any next-gen format. Hell, AFAIK most MS software still ships on plain old CD-ROM. In all likelihood MS is spreading FUD in an attempt to have more say over the future direction of Blu-Ray. For example, it's widely known that MS was pissed when Blu-Ray went with Java for the application layer instead of iHD; this may be the company's attempt to pressure the Blu-Ray group into dumping Sun. And, as noted in the article, Microsoft's main objection is to Blu-Ray's copy protection -- MS wants the Blu-Ray camp to require managed copy on all discs, something that the HD DVD camp has already agreed to. Threatening to put their corporate weight behind HD DVD (and that's all this is, a threat -- MS hasn't actually committed themelves to supporting HD DVD in any meaningful way) is certainly the best way to effect those desired changes.

[mister_slim]

LotRHM says things. Smart things.
Dude, stop knowing stuff. You're making us look bad.