Augustes

I am personally waiting to choose a HD format until one side wins 100% of studio support. It seems like Fox and Sony have significant reasons why they wouldn't offer HDVD, but does anyone know the specific reason why Universal is backing HDVD over BD? I would think if Sony were ever able to sway Universal to their side the 100% studio converage they would enjoy would end this war.

Nimbus

Nothing definitive.

Universal seems to still be miffed over the failure of UMD, judging by some of their comments about BD in the past.

Some suspect that the relationship between Universal and Microsoft re: MSNBC is to blame but see this as only a temporary hurdle for BD support.

redford

What is Fox's significant reason?BD+. That's it, and that's all. If HD DVD had adopted it and Blu-ray hadn't, Fox would be in the HD DVD court right now.

Augustes

They are big supporters of BD+ and are pissed off about being ignored by the DVD forum.

I agree. The first format to get 100% studio support wins. If Sony supports HD-DVD before Universal supports Blu-Ray then HD-DVD wins. Thats not gonna happen though.

Nimbus

I don't see either one caving. I could see Universal and Sony being the only hold-outs on both sides.

Nero

Universal loyalties to HD-DVD are about on the same level as Fox's loyalties to Blu-Ray. Disney is more likely to support HD-DVD then Universal to Blu-Ray but Disney supporting HD-DVD would be punching Blu-Ray in the stomach but Universal supporting Blu-Ray would be shooting HD-DVD in the head.

redford

I don't think so. If Sony becomes the only studio supporting BR exclusively, then BR loses.

If it becomes clear that Sony is trying to force a format on the industry, BR will collapse.

I think studio support will go agnostic and they'll let the marketplace decide. It lets them all save face by essentially 'putting it up for a vote'.

HD-DVD is priced to sell and I'm not sure BR can compete with that. If HD-DVD pulls away I believe Sony will pull the plug faster than anyone thinks. They're in the business to make money... especially after they take their beating on BR.

Augustes

Actually, consumers are the key. Whatever the majority buys is what will win. HD-DVD's pricing certainly gives them an advantage. Will the majority of customers want to pay double the price to watch high definition content? Or will they want to save $500 to do so?

Nimbus

I think we are putting too much importance on 2006. 2006 is a year that is important to HD DVD to try and build a following, but what happens in 2007 will probably decide this format war and in that respect Blu-ray still has a major advantage. They will have their prices down to make the format more appealing and they still have a big advantage in studio and hardware support.

Nero

Won't HD-DVD have their prices even cheaper in '07 as well? I don't think it's out of the question if we see a BD only studio also support HD-DVD in '07 either.