# Wow, so blu-ray won. What happened? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 8, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736 "2008-01-08T14:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/41 "2008-01-14T16:58:46Z")
[QUOTE=lexus kinexus] wait, didn’t porn determine the outcome of betamax versus vhs? what side are the adult companies leaning towards? [/QUOTE] Yeah, so they say, but I don’t think porn makes a reliable bell weather this time. Downloadable and steaming content seems to be doing the job these days, porn-wise. I know as far as I’m concerned, I really don’t want HD porn. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/42 "2008-01-14T17:13:37Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] The speeds I’ve heard quoted for Comcast to be able to do this are around 100 mbps. [/QUOTE] They’d have to get their service up reliably first. I don’t have their service, but I play online with a lot of people who do, and if someone is having connection troubles, at least 4 times out of 5 they have Comcast. I’m not expecting downloaded entertainment to become commercially mainstream for a while yet. It still takes a while to download, and even the fastest connections available in this country are centralised in urban areas–there’s a lot of places where you simply cannot get the speeds necessary to download video regularly in any reasonable amount of time, short of shelling out for satellite (which has its own problems for anyone who games). ---
**Author:** ![Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool_of_the_Conspiracy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/43 "2008-01-14T17:26:41Z")
[QUOTE=Gukumatz] This might be an idiotic question, but why should Sony care? They’re delivering a physical product because that’s the best thing for the consumers, now. They’re in a competition for a physical format; if the consumers truly want streamable or downloadable content, that’s the publishers’ worry, not Sony. [/QUOTE] The unique thing about Sony (and a major reason they have such a poor track record with the formats they invent) is that they’re a hardware manufacturer _and_ a publisher. Their publishing arm pressures their hardware arm to cripple their formats with worse DRM than the competing formats invented by hardware-only companies. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/44 "2008-01-14T17:36:25Z")
It’s my understanding you need around 4 mbps to stream DVD quality video, and lots of customers have that now, and in other parts of the world 4 mbps is sloooow. The US lags behind some countries in Europe and for instance, Korea, where average speeds are higher. I can’t find any good cites at the moment, but according to [this endgadget article](http://www.engadgethd.com/2005/12/15/hdtv-over-wifi-general-impressions/) you need about 20 mbps to stream HD video. I don’t think ISPs commonly offer that kind of service here in the States yet, but keep in mind that to watch something you’re downloading you don’t need to stream it at 20 mbps unless you’re trying to watch something live. You could download the file, then “stream” it around your home network, and presumably your internal network would be set up to handle 20 mbps. ETA: Comcast is screwing the pooch on this. They’re gradually increasing bandwidth, but they’re capping the total amount you can download/month, and that’s a streaming video killer. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/45 "2008-01-14T20:41:03Z")
[Toshiba slashes prices and plans to promote their players ability to upconvert.](http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/Toshiba_Slashes_HD_DVD_Player_Prices_Shifts_Marketing_Focus/1366) > [@](#): > > Calling price “the most critical determinant” in reaching mainstream consumers, Toshiba announced an immediate drop in the MSRP for its complete line of third-gen HD DVD players, pricing its 1080i entry-model HD-A3 player at $149.99, the HD-A30 at $199.99, and the high-end HD-A35 at $299.99. > > The manufacturer also unveiled plans to roll out a “stepped up” marketing campaign with its studio partners that would put renewed emphasis on the benefits HD DVD brings to a consumer’s current DVD library by upconverting standard DVDs. > > “Our HD DVD players not only play back approximately 800 HD DVD titles available worldwide and deliver an entirely new level of entertainment but also enhance the picture quality to near high definition on legacy DVD titles by all studios,” explained Toshiba VP Jodi Sally. It’s pretty much over. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/46 "2008-01-14T22:55:01Z")
great og, guys, you’re all talking way over my head. please just 'splain this much to the ignorant (me): can i continue to use my ordinary dvd player until hell freezes over or not? no, i don’t have any of this blue ray stuff nor do i really care about it, as long as i can still get regular old dvds and play them as usual. if this is NOT the case, what is in my future as far as these movies/tv shows are concerned?? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/47 "2008-01-14T22:57:22Z")
FYI for anyone interested, [this New Scientist article](http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn13177-plastic-fibres-to-bring-cheap-superfast-broadband.html) says Europe could use plastic optical fiber to bring up to 100 mbps speeds to 80% of European homes within 15 years. So, speed is out there, and on its way. Why I’d invest in a bunch of soon-to-be-obsolete discs is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/48 "2008-01-14T23:15:31Z")
[QUOTE=Scubaqueen] if this is NOT the case, what is in my future as far as these movies/tv shows are concerned?? [/QUOTE] You should be able to buy DVD players until your grandkids have to start shoveling dirt onto your coffin. You’ll be able to get new stuff for your DVD player for the next 5-10 years, and after that, things will probably only be released on the new formats. However, unless they really want to fuck the consumer (and make it obvious) you’ll be able to play DVDs in the new player you get once your current one craps out. By then, This Format War will be over, and you’ll be able to get newer and sexier movies for your new player…as well as playing your antiquated DVDs. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/49 "2008-01-14T23:17:01Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] So, speed is out there, and on its way. Why I’d invest in a bunch of soon-to-be-obsolete discs is beyond me. [/QUOTE] Because, once you do, you’ll suddenly only be able to watch The Version George Lucas Wants You To Watch. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/50 "2008-01-15T02:27:36Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] Because, once you do, you’ll suddenly only be able to watch The Version George Lucas Wants You To Watch. -Joe [/QUOTE] I shamefully downloaded the Star Wars Christmas Special. Don’t tell me old George gonna keep the people down! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/51 "2008-01-15T05:36:02Z")
If I had to choose one element that turned the tide of the format wars it would be the Playstation 3. A lot of people called it a failed console, but I just don’t see how. Through it Sony gained a 1.5 million worldwide BD user base almost overnight. It was a win/win; even if some of those original owners get tired of gaming, they’ll still own a very capable cutting-edge media machine for years to come. This was well played and a big win for Sony. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/52 "2008-01-15T15:15:57Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] … but I don’t think porn makes a reliable bell weather this time. Downloadable and **steaming** content … [/QUOTE] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/53 "2008-01-15T15:29:06Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] Downloadable and steaming content seems to be doing the job these days, porn-wise. [/QUOTE] Add one to the appropriate typo list. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/54 "2008-01-15T18:54:55Z")
[QUOTE=Patty O’Furniture] And porn. Don’t forget porn. [/QUOTE] Yeah, that’s what I’d read. Where porn led, the market would follow. Apparently not. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/55 "2008-01-15T18:57:28Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] 😃 [/QUOTE] Streaming. _STREAMING_. :smack: 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/56 "2008-01-15T19:21:00Z")
This [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ) is essential viewing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/57 "2008-02-11T18:08:49Z")
Quick bump on this thread. [Netflix will now only carry Blu-Ray](http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/netflix-joins-blu-ray-camp-high-def/story.aspx?guid=%7BA8DE2F8D%2DB455%2D423A%2DAD74%2D103952BC23E1%7D) Looks like HD DVD is the Beta in this war. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/58 "2008-02-11T18:20:12Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] Quick bump on this thread. [Netflix will now only carry Blu-Ray](http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/netflix-joins-blu-ray-camp-high-def/story.aspx?guid=%7BA8DE2F8D%2DB455%2D423A%2DAD74%2D103952BC23E1%7D) Looks like HD DVD is the Beta in this war. [/QUOTE] Netflix also offers immediate downloadable viewing. I wonder if the fight now is disc vs. download. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/59 "2008-02-11T18:44:37Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] If I had to choose one element that turned the tide of the format wars it would be the Playstation 3. A lot of people called it a failed console, but I just don’t see how. [/QUOTE] As a console, it did fail, IMHO. Unfortunately, you’re probably right that it did turn the tide in Sony’s favour here. (I haven’t ‘picked’ a side really, because I don’t have an HDTV yet, but I was hoping HD DVD would win). Personally, I think there’s some irony in it’s best feature being the ability to play movies. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736/60 "2008-02-11T21:40:34Z")
hey, a reason I keep hearing for why the Gamecube failed is cuz it didn’t include the ability to play DVDs. Always seemed like a stupid excuse to me, especially since the PS2’s built-in DVD player was horrible. Apparently there ARE lots of people who bought the PS3 just so they wouldn’t have to buy a separate BluRay player… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-blu-ray-won-what-happened/432736.md?page=4)