Format war to end imminently?

[Butters]

A few close sources have revealed some interesting information backed up today by my visit to some large music stores in Cardiff.

The statements issued by Universal’s Ken Graffeo saying his studio is holding firm, was, in itself, a rumour.

In a technology conference this week, Both Paramount and Universal declared they would not be renewing contracts for HD-DVD and will remain open to both formats.

Shortly afterwards, Toshiba HD were due to hold a press release. This was cancelled.

Yestday, an email from Toshiba Ireland states that there are planned price reductions across their range of HD players.

HD-EP30 @ €94 trade.

HD-XE1 @ €334 trade.

One of these come with 7 HD titles and the other 5!!

I appreciate that could either be bowing out, or flooding the market.

Today, Virgin Megastores (Cardiff) & HMV (Cardiff):

Both stores are now only provisioning 1 metre wide stands for HD-DVD titles and upto 6 metre wide stands for Blu-Ray.

I rolled in as delivery boxes were being unpaced. Every box was BR titles, no further HD titles to be stocked but can be ordered.

This was the same in both stores.

 

[Butters]

Prices are dropping all the time tbh. Its not like Sony to get the right format first time round either!!

The PS3 was the real winner for home users. Plus, BR players are £70 for PC users.

Agreed though, prices do need to drop slightly, but if they have won the war, why should they bother?

 

[Butters]

[/b]

They take the same attitude with the PS3 and look how far behind they are in sales. Its not like DVD is a hugely inferior format (unlike VHS < DVD transition). It could be a slow uptake to BR at this rate with it remaining an enthusiast format.

Even kids with the PS3s would probably think twice at paying out for the BRs over DVDs.

I thought this until I tried an experiment.

Gone in 60 Seconds on VHS (yes, I know). Gone in 60 seconds on DVD.

Actually, very little in it really. The DVD was ahead on sound quality without any doubt.

Gone in 60 seconds on BR. Visually noticeably different (and audiably). Stunning picture which knocked the DVD off its socks.