http://img701.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2008/09/17/forumorg06b-4bwblm904.jpeg


The Steering Committee of the DVD Forum has just held its 43rd meeting. Apart from the now-usual DVD Download specs approved (and HD DVD-ROM 51G), there is something new - namely decision 6:

Consolidation and streamlining of the DVD Forum, with FDSG to propose final details to be voted upon at the November 2008 Steering Committee meeting and to become effective in February 2009. Consolidation will include:

-Suspension of the present FLAG and PCC, subject to reactivation by SC if it becomes necessary. FDSG will consult with FLAG and PCC Chairs regarding the implementation of such a change.

-Consolidation of TCG and VPC into a reorganized TCG. FDSG will consult with TCG and VPC Chairs about the implementation and process of such a change.

-Reduction in number of SC meetings to twice a year, with additional meetings scheduled if necessary.

FDSG to monitor and review the results of the consolidation and changes, and report to SC by September 2009.

http://www.dvdforum.org/43scmtg-resolution.htm

The objective of FLAG [Format/Logo Advisory Group] was "advising the Steering Committee on matters relating to the determination of names/logos for DVD Formats and the licensing of DVD Formats and DVD logos." Currently chaired by Toshiba.

The objective of the PCC [Promotional & Communication Committee] was "to promote the exchange of information among participants in order to facilitate common understandings and wide acceptance of the DVD Format in each region, and promote communication with consumers and organizations outside of the DVD Forum." Currently chaired by Sanyo.

The objective of the VPC [Verification Policy Committee] was "supervising and establishing policies for verification". Currently co-chaired by Toshiba and Crest Digital.


http://www.dvdforum.org/about-charter.htm




Note: the results of previous meetings of the SC has been the object of threads (see here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=925510) or here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=939385)).

Seems logical. DVD is Toshiba's show now. They probably feel a more aggressive approach is to their advantage.

I guess Sony, Samsung, Panny etc could stop selling DVD players and studios could stop releasing on DVD. But with virtual no competition they can call the shots!

The Blu Ray organization is probably going to full frontal marketing mode soon, probably see a lot of paid research ;)

This is getting interesting, to say the least :)

A reduction in the number of SC meetings makes sense since with HD DVD gone there are only a few major projects that the DVD Forum is still working on. The other measures look to be done for cost cutting.


Seems logical. DVD is Toshiba's show now. They probably feel a more aggressive approach is to their advantage.Where do you get the impression that having 2 SC meetings per year is more aggressive than having 4 SC meetings per year?

Less meetings = get more done. Less politics, less conflicts to resolve. Less time spent in consensus building. Less money wasted.

A few months ago I read that the DVD Forum would become 'a shell of an organization.' We are now seeing that come to pass. The China Subcommittee is idle now (everything regarding the China format is being decided by OMNERC), the RPC Subcommittee is all but moot, and the HD DVD Video signed application subcommittee...

So basically all that is left is the SC, and the TCG and MPC reporting to it.

DVD is a complete and well defined mature format by now. Except for Toshiba most if not all of the big name have picked up their marbles and are moving on to new pasture (BDA).

Less politics, less conflicts to resolve. Less time spent in consensus building. Less money wasted.With HD DVD dead there are less conflicts, less politics, and less time spent in consensus building so Blu-ray winning the format war did help reduce costs for the DVD Forum.

It will be interesting to see when Toshiba announces support for Blu-ray.

My guess is that retailers are going to be telling them that Toshiba needs Blu-ray in order to continue to have a viable HDTV business. Retailers will be running a lot of specials bundling Blu-ray players with HDTV's, and Toshiba is not well positioned for this activity without their own player.

My prediction: Toshiba will join up CES 2009.

With HD DVD dead there are less conflicts, less politics, and less time spent in consensus building so Blu-ray winning the format war did help reduce costs for the DVD Forum.

I am not sure if Sony and Panny are thrilled with the DVD digital copy and other Toshiba driven initiatives.

While I agree retailers are trying their best to push out DVD in favor of Blu Ray. It seems like a poor business decision. I am skeptical of their strategy of trying to increase the avg. purchase price for consumers will work. It is more likely to scare people off from their stores altogether. It's guys like Target, Costco and others who will gain. Circuit City and Best Buy are going to make a big mistake if they believe they can effectively replace DVD with Blu Ray just by making it hard to buy a DVD player - which is what I think they will do. Stack the space with Blu ray hardware.

We'll see.

A few months ago I read that the DVD Forum would become 'a shell of an organization.' We are now seeing that come to pass. The China Subcommittee is idle now (everything regarding the China format is being decided by OMNERC), the RPC Subcommittee is all but moot, and the HD DVD Video signed application subcommittee...

So basically all that is left is the SC, and the TCG and MPC reporting to it.

So Toshiba runs the show for the format selling 90% of all content sold world wide for home video, while the rest focus on the 2% Blu Ray market? Makes a lot of sense :)

I am sure Toshiba feels terrible about being left with the store, while other go to play in the glamorous world of Blu Ray...LOL

So Toshiba runs the show for the format selling 90% of all content sold world wide for home video, while the rest focus on the 2% Blu Ray market? Makes a lot of sense :)

I am sure Toshiba feels terrible about being left with the store, while other go to play in the glamorous world of Blu Ray...LOL

They are left watching the house of DVD and must be pretty worried if they are trying to sell the XD-E500 DVD Upconveter for $150.

Also, lets not forget those DVD production plants are switching to blu-ray production plants, leaving for less DVD production lines in the future.
The DVD stick is being whittled down and Toshiba is feeling the knife getting closer to the core.

I am not sure if Sony and Panny are thrilled with the DVD digital copy and other Toshiba driven initiatives.Sony is currently leading the DECE (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122126555405930765.html?mod=googlenews_wsj) which is planning to offer downloadable DVD movies so I don't think they have a problem with it. It is only logical that Blu-ray companies will continue to sell products for DVD as long as it remains profitable.


DVD is Toshiba's show now.So Toshiba runs the show for the format selling 90% of all content sold world wide for home video, while the rest focus on the 2% Blu Ray market?Toshiba is only one of 20 companies of the DVD Forum Steering Committee (http://www.dvdforum.org/about-steering.htm). I would point out that most of the companies that run the DVD Forum also support Blu-ray.


I am sure Toshiba feels terrible about being left with the store, while other go to play in the glamorous world of Blu Ray...LOLDo you believe that Toshiba won't make Blu-ray players in the future?

Sony is currently leading the DECE (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122126555405930765.html?mod=googlenews_wsj) which is planning to offer downloadable DVD movies so I don't think they have a problem with it. It is only logical that Blu-ray companies will continue to sell products for DVD as long as it remains profitable.


Toshiba is only one of 20 companies of the DVD Forum Steering Committee (http://www.dvdforum.org/about-steering.htm). I would point out that most of the companies that run the DVD Forum also support Blu-ray.


Do you believe that Toshiba won't make Blu-ray players in the future?

I think they can and probably will.

Also, I was responding to what looked to me to be an attempt to show that DVD was becoming irrelevant. The bottomline is that DVD has it's place. It is still very popular. Probably has a bigger share in home video than Wndows has in the desktop/notebook computer market!

And, if I look at the numbers it is the de facto bread and butter of the industry.

Also, I am aware that Toshiba isn't the only member of DVD forum, just as Sony isn't the only one to run Blu Ray. But synbolically they represent the most well recognized companies for the 2 formats.

So, it's not like the DVD Forum is hurting for business here. I bet they're getting royalties even on every Blu Ray player sold :)

On hindsight DVD digital download is very complimentary with Blu Ray. Blu Ray for disks, DVD for digital download. In fact if that became mandatory for Blu Ray. I'd dump my DVD disk player altogether! No digital copy is scary for me.

I guess that is where the 2 formats have a common interest.

They are left watching the house of DVD and must be pretty worried if they are trying to sell the XD-E500 DVD Upconveter for $150.

Also, lets not forget those DVD production plants are switching to blu-ray production plants, leaving for less DVD production lines in the future.
The DVD stick is being whittled down and Toshiba is feeling the knife getting closer to the core.

Did you read the recent NPD numbers? 89% of new players bought were DVD. Upconverting DVD players sold 3X as much as Blu Ray. And more people were aware of Blu ray than DVD upconversion!

If you put it all together you'll see it means that while upconverting DVD players like the XDE sold 3X as many units as Blu Ray players this was with LESS consumer awareness. So when consumers are more aware of what technologies like SRT and XDE do...

For those who are switching DVD to Blu Ray lines. Again, seems like poor business if it is at the expense of losing DVD business. There are far more releases on DVD v. Blu Ray and week after week the market share of DVD continues to be in the 95% range.

I think we differ on what the market is telling us. Only way Blu Ray will sell well is if retailer make it hard to buy DVD hardware - which folks like Best Buy and Circuit City WILL do this year, and for studios to swing the advantage of new content in favor of Blu Ray - which they will not do. DVD accounts for most of their revenue and messing with it could cost higher ups dearly. Blu Ray sales are a puddle in the sea of DVD :)

Toshiba doesnt make much money selling DVD players

They will not make much money selling BD players.


They do make money that other people sell DVD players
They do make money that other people sell DVD movies.
They do make money that other people sell DVD-R disc.

They do make money that other people sell DVD players

All BD players launched to date also play DVD.

They do make money that other people sell DVD movies.
They do make money that other people sell DVD-R disc.

Just not enough money, from what was reported today...

The electrical giant expects to suffer an operating loss of some 30 billion yen (290 million dollars) in the six months through September as a global slowdown hurts demand for microchips, the Nikkei newspaper said.

The loss would be a turn-around from a year-before profit of 82.5 billion yen and the first time in five years the group has posted an operating loss for a first half.

Toshiba, whose businesses include US nuclear power plant maker Westinghouse, had earlier projected an operating profit of 70 billion yen.

Toshiba in a statement would not confirm the report, saying it was still compiling earnings data.

The Nikkei, which did not identify its sources, said Toshiba would consider reducing the 367 billion yen it has earmarked for capital investment in the semiconductor segment this year.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080918/ts_afp/japanelectricalcompanyearningstoshiba_080918043838

All BD players launched to date also play DVD.


Yes, so they make money that other sell BD players, unless I have missed something.



Just not enough money, from what was reported today...


I dont think selling BD player will help them very much. Its pocket money. And in a worse case scenario they would even loose money on selling BD players.


This thing is all about the royalites.

Yes, so they make money that other sell BD players, unless I have missed something.




For argument's sake, let's say Toshiba makes one dollar in royalties out of every DVD player sold. It follows that they'll also make one dollar out of every BD player sold. (Actually more, because they also get royalties out of VC-1 and AVC).

For argument's sake, let's say Toshiba makes one dollar in royalties out of every DVD player sold. It follows that they'll also make one dollar out of every BD player sold. (Actually more, because they also get royalties out of VC-1 and AVC).

But how much profit do they make on selling BD players themself?

Pretend they get a profit of 50$

And they sell a million player during a year.

50 000 000$

While its much to you and me, its not "that" much for them. And I dont think they will sell a million BD players with a profitmargin of 50$.


Also what they dont make money on, is BD disc sold. So thats whats important for them, to get DVD disc sold instead of BD disc.

Player side is no problem, because I think it would be stupid to sell a BD player that doesnt have support for DVD and CD.

All BD players launched to date also play DVD.



Just not enough money, from what was reported today...



http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080918/ts_afp/japanelectricalcompanyearningstoshiba_080918043838

Can you compare this with how much money Sony expects from selling Blu Ray? Royalties are not the major source of revenue for these companies. But I'd bet DVD royalties are far greater than Blu Ray royalties (especially for royalties paid by major hollywood studios).

For argument's sake, let's say Toshiba makes one dollar in royalties out of every DVD player sold. It follows that they'll also make one dollar out of every BD player sold. (Actually more, because they also get royalties out of VC-1 and AVC).


This is technically right. The Blu Ray market is very small and the competition is very tight at the low end. Toshiba would have a really hard time making any money there, although they may be forced into it. My guess is IF Microsoft goes Blu with their xbox 360, Toshiba will as well.

Only reason for Toshiba to have a Blu Ray player (sooner rather than later) would be to play along with Best Buy and Circuit City's plans to phase out DVD only players from their shelves. It will be interesting to see how this plan plays out.

Another option for Toshiba is to come up with a hybrid player (like LG): It would be DVD + Blu Ray + Microsoft Marketplace/Netflix/Media Server. Would be differentiated and IF the DVD implementation was SRT and the Network implementation was good, people may actually buy it. Toshiba could also improve their image as an innovative player.

But Toshiba seems to be pretty conservative. So who knows what they'll do. To me their product packaging is terrible. They can do a much better job with packaging their SRT LCD panels to compete with Sharp, their notebooks are some of the ugliest around today and the build quality on almost all their consumer electronics products show no flair for design or quality materials. To me, that is not how you build a brand. They have some impressive technology, they need to package it better to make it more appealing. Just my impressions.

But how much profit do they make on selling BD players themself?

Pretend they get a profit of 50$

And they sell a million player during a year.

50 000 000$

While its much to you and me, its not "that" much for them. And I dont think they will sell a million BD players with a profitmargin of 50$.


Also what they dont make money on, is BD disc sold. So thats whats important for them, to get DVD disc sold instead of BD disc.

Player side is no problem, because I think it would be stupid to sell a BD player that doesnt have support for DVD and CD.

They also get royalties on the DVD digital downloads. So, if that is mandated with Blu Rays, they would be covered from the royalty loss. Seems like a win win to me :)

Interesting to see that DECE includes Microsoft, Toshiba and HP (major backers of HD DVD), but not Panasonic, Samsung, Apple, Dell and Pioneer - major backers of Blu Ray. Philips was kicked off the DVD Forum, but they are in the mix again here. Or perhaps I didn't see their name in the founding list some how. Also, when we say Sony is leading it. It seems to be Sony Pictures specifically.

At any rate, DVD patents will ineluctably expire in 7-8 years' time. (a bit later for +/-R / RW).

At any rate, DVD patents will ineluctably expire in 7-8 years' time. (a bit later for +/-R / RW).

I'll be shocked if DVD is the primary video format 7-8 years from now. I am betting 2 years in the US and 4 for rest of the world before DVD sales start a major decline.

Circuit City and Best Buy are going to make a big mistake if they believe they can effectively replace DVD with Blu Ray just by making it hard to buy a DVD player - which is what I think they will do. Stack the space with Blu ray hardware.

We'll see.

Right now, the only DVD players selling in high numbers are the sub-$100 (actually the $30 range), units may look good, but revenue on shelf-space is not that interesting to them. That's likely why these retailers have to switch.

They also get royalties on the DVD digital downloads. So, if that is mandated with Blu Rays, they would be covered from the royalty loss. Seems like a win win to me :)

Interesting to see that DECE includes Microsoft, Toshiba and HP (major backers of HD DVD), but not Panasonic, Samsung, Apple, Dell and Pioneer - major backers of Blu Ray. Philips was kicked off the DVD Forum, but they are in the mix again here. Or perhaps I didn't see their name in the founding list some how. Also, when we say Sony is leading it. It seems to be Sony Pictures specifically.

There's something going on with Philips CE. They sold their north american tv division to funai, and it might be that they're retrenching or restrategizing CE.

Last year the number of DVD players sold was 142 million worldwide.
Until now this year it's down less than 10%.
About 30 million BD players, including PS3, sold worldwide in total since launch.
Why would "revenue on shelf-space" be more interesting for BD than DVD?

It's natural that the DVD Forum slow down their activity because there's not much more developement can or wnat to do with DVD specs.
Also, as most of the members of the steering commitee is BD founders and backers, and they naturly rather use their energy in the BDA where they have their hands full with the "untangle" of the BD specifications, which is no small job.

Last year the number of DVD players sold was 142 million worldwide.
Until now this year it's down less than 10%.
About 30 million BD players, including PS3, sold worldwide in total since launch.
Why would "revenue on shelf-space" be more interesting for BD than DVD?

It's natural that the DVD Forum slow down their activity because there's not much more developement can or wnat to do with DVD specs.
Also, as most of the members of the steering commitee is BD founders and backers, and they naturly rather use their energy in the BDA where they have their hands full with the "untangle" of the BD specifications, which is no small job.

I agree with you that since DVD is now a mature spec there is very little work to be done. Add to that the death of HD-DVD and they have no future work to do.

I suspect the shelf space issue will be to reduce the number of models of DVD players offered to make room for more BD players for the upcoming holiday season. Their can’t be much profit in selling those $40 DVD players so I can see how they will want to put more emphasis on BD and higher end up scaling DVD players.

Right now, the only DVD players selling in high numbers are the sub-$100 (actually the $30 range), units may look good, but revenue on shelf-space is not that interesting to them. That's likely why these retailers have to switch.

+1
Why waste shelf space on those $30 - $40 dvd players that likely cost them more money to stock than they can make off the sale. Leave that market to Wal-mart and Target and focus on higher end with upscaling DVD and BD players.

"Good news for Blu-ray" ;-)

I am not sure if Sony and Panny are thrilled with the DVD digital copy and other Toshiba driven initiatives.


I am not sure customers are thrilled with digital copy, either. :D

I am not sure customers are thrilled with digital copy, either. :D
Not sure they're so thrilled with Blu Rays either except perhaps for super hero inspired action movies :)

However we will probably see a future with both Blu Ray and downloadable content. The studios seem to be backing digital downloads as can be seen with sony Pictures heading up the initiative. Anyway it's interesting to see how the HDM market continues to evolve in multiple directions.

"Good news for Blu-ray" ;-)
However, if this gamble does not pay off for them (i.e. down play DVD and upsell Blu Ray), we may see retailers go in a different direction next year.

If you back Blu Ray, this holiday season is time to show support. Everyone should buy at least 20 titles or so for themselves and when possible gift Blu ray players and disks.

Only way Blu Ray will sell well is if retailer make it hard to buy DVD hardware - which folks like Best Buy and Circuit City WILL do this year,Only reason for Toshiba to have a Blu Ray player (sooner rather than later) would be to play along with Best Buy and Circuit City's plans to phase out DVD only players from their shelves.When did Best Buy or Circuit City say that they would no longer be stocking DVD players?

When did Best Buy or Circuit City say that they would no longer be stocking DVD players?

If I told you, I'd have to kill you then :) I believe they will be stocking, but the bare minimum. They'll have a few DVD/VCR combo machines, DVD Recorders and DVD HTiB. May be at most 2-3 DVD upconverters (with very limited shelf space). The idea is not to sell low priced DVD players.

The floor space will be stacked with Blu Ray players. They want to maximize attachment rate of HDTV sales with Blu Ray players.

I'd be surprised if they came out and said, "sorry, if you want to buy a DVD player you better get used to buying from Amazon or Wal Mart or Costco". But I am sure people should start noticing this soon.

I also won't be surprised if Best Buy starts assigning more and more CD and DVD space for Blu Ray. Right now, their problem is that there are not enough hot selling titles to justify the change in space, not that the intention is not there.

To me it looks like an interesting gamble for a format that even the industry has said is pretty small compared to DVD. DVD upscalers have outsold Blu Ray players 3X and DVD regular players have sold 4X as much as Blu Ray players. Overall, DVD players accounted for 89% of STB sales and probably well north of 90% of optical disks. It's rare to see the industry try and deprecate such a dominating product as part of a deliberate sales strategy.


Possibly, by the end of next year, DVD could end up being the niche product and Blu Ray the mainstream at many retailers in the US if this holiday season plays out as expected for them.

Again. This is just my personal reading of the leaves and personal insight and not official insider info.

Possibly, by the end of next year, DVD could end up being the niche product and Blu Ray the mainstream at many retailers in the US if this holiday season plays out as expected for them.

Not going to happen that fast.

Not going to happen that fast.

I agree. Until Blu-Ray is fully accessible to the Wal-Mart crowd, which will take another two years at the least, it's not gonna be the biggest kid on the block.

I agree. Until Blu-Ray is fully accessible to the Wal-Mart crowd, which will take another two years at the least, it's not gonna be the biggest kid on the block.

Last time I checked, Wal-mart carries blu-ray discs and several players at prices below most CE stores.

So Toshiba runs the show for the format selling 90% of all content sold world wide for home video, while the rest focus on the 2% Blu Ray market? Makes a lot of sense :)

I am sure Toshiba feels terrible about being left with the store, while other go to play in the glamorous world of Blu Ray...LOL

You seem to not want BR to be a success?
Why tout an inferior tech?

2%? Have to start somewhere... DVD was at 2% at one point... Like DVD, Blu-ray has displaced it's launch competitor before getting rid of the inferior predecessor that was once in the 98% category of its home video market. like DVD, BD's moment to truly thrive has not yet arrived, but it WILL.

viral marketing? You're giving away your previous identities. ;)

Unless they should pull off an unlikely reversal of their modus operandi, CC will probably go away since their stores largely stink and their advertising / marketing / pricing is simply not competitive. That is as it should be.

When I used to attend DVD Forum SC meetings, 90% of the time was allocated to DVD, not HD DVD! There would be countless reports on stuff most of us didn't care about, with the requisite fight between Philips representing DVD+RW forum and Japanese companies (never mind that Sony was also a co-founder of DVD+RW forum). SC meetings span two days and HD DVD issues would usually be close to the end. Made for great oppotunity to clean up my email inbox! :)

I supsect some of the activity went down with Philips not being there. Closing of the subgroups was also a major step to eliminate a lot of what was going on in the meeting. And of course, HD DVD reduces the workload further.

One has to have great appreciate for how much effort these standards orgs take, when DVD after a decade required that level of participation and expense.

http://img701.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2008/09/17/forumorg06b-4bwblm904.jpeg


The Steering Committee of the DVD Forum has just held its 43rd meeting. Apart from the now-usual DVD Download specs approved (and HD DVD-ROM 51G), there is something new - namely decision 6:



http://www.dvdforum.org/43scmtg-resolution.htm

The objective of FLAG [Format/Logo Advisory Group] was "advising the Steering Committee on matters relating to the determination of names/logos for DVD Formats and the licensing of DVD Formats and DVD logos." Currently chaired by Toshiba.

The objective of the PCC [Promotional & Communication Committee] was "to promote the exchange of information among participants in order to facilitate common understandings and wide acceptance of the DVD Format in each region, and promote communication with consumers and organizations outside of the DVD Forum." Currently chaired by Sanyo.

The objective of the VPC [Verification Policy Committee] was "supervising and establishing policies for verification". Currently co-chaired by Toshiba and Crest Digital.


http://www.dvdforum.org/about-charter.htm




Note: the results of previous meetings of the SC has been the object of threads (see here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=925510) or here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=939385)).

What does this thread cap have to do with HDM?

It seems to have turned out to be a dvd trojan horse.

2%? Have to start somewhere... DVD was at 2% at one point... Like DVD, Blu-ray has displaced it's launch competitor before getting rid of the inferior predecessor that was once in the 98% category of its home video market. like DVD, BD's moment to truly thrive has not yet arrived, but it WILL.

viral marketing? You're giving away your previous identities. ;)

Unless they should pull off an unlikely reversal of their modus operandi, CC will probably go away since their stores largely stink and their advertising / marketing / pricing is simply not competitive. That is as it should be.

Exactly.

I also wonder how long CC will be around. I love my Fry's, if Best Buy and Circuit City weren't around I doubt they'd still have such good prices ;)

what does this thread cap have to do with hdm?

It seems to have turned out to be a dvd trojan horse.
To some DVD upconverted is "good enough" HD so in a way, this is a discussion about "HDM."
:D

To some DVD upconverted is "good enough" HD so in a way, this is a discussion about "HDM."
:D


Actually, if you go by the numbers most people think dvd "Is good enough":)

To some DVD upconverted is "good enough" HD so in a way, this is a discussion about "HDM."
:D

Additionally, during the same meeting, the Steering Committee approved the "DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disc (HD DVD-ROM 51G) Part 2 File System Specifications Version 2.0." So technically the DVD Forum is still relevant in HDM.

However, it is clear that they are now in 'maintenance mode' (as Kosty said elsewhere).

Sort of like a breakout session for members of the Edsel Club at the Ford shareholders meeting.:)

The Steering Committee just held its 45th Meeting.

One of its decisions has been to amend the Charter of the DVD Forum, including a streamlining of the working groups, which go from the previous nine to five now.

From the amended DVD Forum charter (
http://www.dvdforum.org/about-charter.htm), Article 10, these are now the working groups:

Article 10. Working Groups

(1) The Forum shall have the following technical Working Groups (the “Working Group(s)” or “WGs”) to establish, improve and enhance each format of the DVD products:

(a) WG-P (Physical Format and Test Specifications)
(b) WG-L (Logical Format)
(c) WG-A (Application Format and Test Specifications)
(d) WG-C (Content Protection)
(e) WG-V (Verification)
(f) Other Working Group(s) that the Steering Committee may establish


http://www.dvdforum.org/images/forumorg-wg11-08.jpg
The extinct WG-11

When did Best Buy or Circuit City say that they would no longer be stocking DVD players?

Well, Ciruit City said it just last month when they declared chapter 11. They are in the process of shutting down operations. You can see a list of the press reports here (http://investor.circuitcity.com/). :(

Yet another loss in this stinking economy.

Well considering the DVD Forum was founded with the sole purpose of companies agreeing on set standards specifically for the purpose of avoiding format wars; shows just how completly useless the Forum now is while its own founding members refuse to follow those same standards and actively profit by seeing DVD Forums standards fail.

Talk about a Fraudlent Conflict of Interest....