Netflix picks Blu-ray as exclusive high-def DVD format

[Duane]

Netflix picks Blu-ray as exclusive high-def DVD format

Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Netflix, the online movie rental company, said today it is switching exclusively to the Blu-ray format for high-definition DVDs, following four major movie studios in selecting the Sony technology over one pushed by Toshiba.

Toshiba and Sony have been vying to set the standard for high-definition DVDs for several years. The stakes are high because the winner will also get a boost in sales of DVD players needed to read the new format.

Walt Disney, Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have endorsed Blu-ray. Paramount and Universal Studios publish their high-definition DVDs in Toshiba's HD DVD format.

Netflix has stocked both formats since they became available in 2006, but said the decision of four of the six major studios to issue films only in Blu-ray format made it likely that the Sony format will prevail.

"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers," the company said, adding that not many customers order high-def DVDs.

 

[Kevinicus]

Guess I'll never get to watch A Mighty Heart on HD-DVD since Blockbluster is clueless and still has it listed as "Release Date Unknown" even though it's been out since late October or early November.

 

[burmafrd]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/15/technology/wal-mart_blu-ray/index.htm?cnn=yes

Walmart putting one of the final nails in the coffin of HD-DVD.

 

[joseephuss]

What is the exact difference?

It was easy to see the difference between Beta and VHS. I am not familiar enough with either HD DVD or Blu-ray to see a significant difference.

 

[Duane]

What is the exact difference?

It was easy to see the difference between Beta and VHS. I am not familiar enough with either HD DVD or Blu-ray to see a significant difference.

http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division/

Blu-ray vs HD DVD: State of the Division

...So here's the technical nitty gritty before we drop the graphs n' charts on you. Both Blu-ray and HD DVD use the same kind of 405nm wavelength blue-violet laser, but their optics differ in two ways. Since the Blu-ray disc has a tighter track pitch (the single thread of data that spirals from the inside of the disc all the way out -- think grooves on a 12-inch vinyl single vs. an Elvis Costello full-length album with 40 songs), it can hold more pits (those microscopic 0s and 1s) on the same size disc as HD DVD even with a laser of the same wavelength.

The differing track pitch of the Blu-ray disc makes its pickup apertures differ, however-0.65 for HD DVD vs. 0.85 for Blu-ray-thus also making the two pickups technically incompatible despite using lasers of the same type. HD DVD discs also have a different surface layer (the clear plastic layer on the surface of the data-what you get fingerprints and scratches on) from Blu-ray discs. HD DVD use a 0.6 mm-thick surface layer, the same as DVD, while Blu-ray has a much smaller 0.1mm layer to help enable the laser to focus with that 0.85 aperture.

Herein lies the issues associated with the higher cost of Blu-ray discs. This thinner surface layer is what makes the discs cost more; because Blu-ray discs do not share the same surface layer thickness of DVDs, costly production facilities must be modified or replaced in order to produce the discs. A special hard coating must also be applied to Blu-ray discs, so their surface is sufficiently resilient enough to protect the data a mere 0.1mm beneath-this also drives the cost up. The added benefit of keeping the data layer closer to the surface, however, is more room for extra layers.

Still with us? No? Blu-ray discs are more expensive, but hold more data -- there, that's all...

 

[tomson75]

I wish Microsoft would just go ahead and make a xbox 360 compatible Blu-Ray drive...this thing is all but over.

 

[Achozen]

I wish Microsoft would just go ahead and make a xbox 360 compatible Blu-Ray drive...this thing is all but over.

Word. Good thing I held out on the HD DVD Drive.

 

[Route 66]

IT'S OVER...

Toshiba to exit HD DVD, end format war-NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp is planning to stop production of equipment compatible with the HD DVD format for high-definition video, allowing the competing Blu-Ray camp a free run, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.

Toshiba is expected to suffer losses amounting to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to exit the business, Japan's NHK said on its website.

No one at Toshiba could be reached for comment.

The format war between the Toshiba-backed HD DVD and Sony Corp's Blu-Ray, often compared to the Betamax-VHS battle in the 1980s, has slowed the development of what is expected to be a multibillion dollar high-definition DVD industry.

Toshiba was dealt a blow on Friday when Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it would abandon the HD DVD format, becoming the latest in a series of top retailers and movie studios to rally behind Blu-ray technology for high definition DVDs.

Toshiba plans to continue selling HD DVD equipment at stores for the time being but will not put resources into developing new devices, NHK said.

 

[Concord]

IT'S OVER...

Toshiba to exit HD DVD, end format war-NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp is planning to stop production of equipment compatible with the HD DVD format for high-definition video, allowing the competing Blu-Ray camp a free run, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.

Toshiba is expected to suffer losses amounting to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to exit the business, Japan's NHK said on its website.

No one at Toshiba could be reached for comment.

The format war between the Toshiba-backed HD DVD and Sony Corp's Blu-Ray, often compared to the Betamax-VHS battle in the 1980s, has slowed the development of what is expected to be a multibillion dollar high-definition DVD industry.

Toshiba was dealt a blow on Friday when Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it would abandon the HD DVD format, becoming the latest in a series of top retailers and movie studios to rally behind Blu-ray technology for high definition DVDs.

Toshiba plans to continue selling HD DVD equipment at stores for the time being but will not put resources into developing new devices, NHK said.

I just saw that on C-Net.

Well Sony lost the videotape war but not this one.

And in all honesty they shouldn't have lost the videotape war. I had at one time both Betamax and VHS and Beta was better.

 

[theogt]

I just saw that on C-Net.

Well Sony lost the videotape war but not this one.

And in all honesty they shouldn't have lost the videotape war. I had at one time both Betamax and VHS and Beta was better.

What's funny is that Sony won't even necessarily be better off because it cost them so much to win the damn war. It cost them nearly $1 billion to convince studios to stick with their format. Sony and Toshiba should have just compromised from the beginning.

 

[burmafrd]

This time the arguably better technically speaking format won. Though really in the long run neither really had a big edge.
Just glad its over.

 

[Route 66]

Must...not...be...tempted, to buy.......................a Blu Ray now! I must......hold back..................

I want to get one now but I think I will wait for awhile longer to see if they can iron out all the software releases to at least a minimum as well as slightly quicker load times.

 

[Kevinicus]

Must...not...be...tempted, to buy.......................a Blu Ray now! I must......hold back..................

I want to get one now but I think I will wait for awhile longer to see if they can iron out all the software releases to at least a minimum as well as slightly quicker load times.

Either get a PS3 or wait until players that are 2.0 compliant are cheap.

 

[Route 66]

Is it just me or has any of you noticed that movies in Blu Ray look like you are on the movie set? I can't decide if this is a good thing or not. Obviously high definition and clarity are important but I'm not sure that movies look like er, movies.

When I watch any scene, it just looks like I am watching some actors on stage. This is why low budget movies look fake because they don't have that "big screen" appearance to them. Either it's the film that they use or something but I saw an example of Spiderman 3 and couldn't believe how I felt like I wasn't watching the movie but actual outtakes from scenes.

 

[Blake]

Is it just me or has any of you noticed that movies in Blu Ray look like you are on the movie set? I can't decide if this is a good thing or not. Obviously high definition and clarity are important but I'm not sure that movies look like er, movies.

When I watch any scene, it just looks like I am watching some actors on stage. This is why low budget movies look fake because they don't have that "big screen" appearance to them. Either it's the film that they use or something but I saw an example of Spiderman 3 and couldn't believe how I felt like I wasn't watching the movie but actual outtakes from scenes.

Spiderman 3 kinda sucks to begin with. First movie I watched on bluray was oceans13 and I rather enjoyed it. As I stated in the other thread the clarity compared to DVD is so obvious. I love me some bluray.