Much to the dismay of HD enthusiasts world wide, the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD battle has been holding many people back from enjoying their content in HD. Much like happened with BetaMax and VHS back in the day, one of these formats is destined to lose, and its content will be rendered obsolete. After spending $500 on a player, and another few hundred on content, no one wants to repurchase it all in another format. Thusly, many have simply waited, sticking to there up-converting DVD players, trying to drown their standard def depression in simulated clarity.
Up until the Friday’s announcement, the divide between studio support was fairly equal. Universal, Paramount, Warner, and Dreamworks supported HD-DVD. Sony, Disney, Fox, Warner, and LionsGate supported Blue-Ray. However, with Warner’s switch to Blu-Ray only, many have been calling an end to the format war, as the sides are so stacked. With the studio support of Blu-ray, many feel that the others will abandon HD-DVD.
While this very well may be the case, I have a few issues with this bold statement. Firstly, some of the studio supporters of HD-DVD are very strong. For example, Paramount, in a shocking episode last summer, switched to HD-DVD exclusive. Many thought that huge pay-offs may have been involved, for a Blu-ray only manufacturer to abandon its format, and switch to HD-DVD. They also have strong hardware supporters, such as Microsoft and Intel, who are expected to do something unexpected at CES 2008. While Blu-ray still has more support, both in studio and hardware, enough may be invested in HD-DVD to leave some companies hesitant is ditching HD-DVD.
Secondly, consumers will still be anxious for HD-DVD content. With the recent lowering of prices , some players are going for as little as $199. Many who have been waiting for this price point snatched them up, and content along with it. These people will be very angry if and when their players become obsolete, so could drag on support for both formats by the studios for far longer than many predict.
Thirdly, the HD-DVD team may have some tricks up its sleeve for this weeks CES. Rumours abound over Microsoft putting an HD-DVD player in its Xbox 360. this could be huge, seeing as a large percentage of Blu-ray players reside in side Sony’s struggling PS3. others twists could include new functionality that Blu-ray can’t match, such as networking and interactivity that have not been explored on either side of the war. Cheaper players are also a last hope for HD-DVD.
However, in the face of the recent Warner decision, I still agree with the predictions of the end of the war, although still farther into the future. Lower prices on the Blu-ray side will really be the nail in the coffin, especially if they can reach the <$150 price range by mid year. This war has dragged on for too long, and its about time that a winner finally claims the throne. Last CES, Sony claimed victory. This year, they may have actually achieved it.
