Paramount's HD DVD Decision Is Anti-Consumer - Page 6

Sadly I do, I started programming on a Sys 360

Thanks for the reminder

Really? What IS relevant? What IS the discussion then? People are whining about Paramount's decision being anti-consumer without any factual basis whatsoever. Valid counterpoints and questions were presented (posts #31 and #52) with no responses. Just more people screaming the same "anti-consumer" mantra onto a third page.

But I post a link showing that the patent holder of the format chosen by the screamers has not given up their attempts at rootkits, and it's not relevant? Sorry, but it is entirely relevant. Maybe the confusion is because I didn't post it as a whine and fail to provide any source.

The purpose of the software in question is to obsfucate code, so that hackers won't gain access to the identifiers. It's fingerprint software after all. Yes, Sony could have chosen a better option but this has nothing to do with DRM or the format war or anything like that. Such accusatory posts only serve to give HD DVD supporters a bad name.

To quote from the very article you posted:

I didn't make any accusations. I posted a link and invited people to read/discuss. Some may feel it's anti-consumer, some not. Just like some feel Paramount's decision is anti-consumer, some not. Personally, I feel that rootkits should be highlighted and the consumer given the choice whether to proceed with installation. Particularly since hiding directories from AV scanners creates a security vulnerability. Sony apparently disagrees. You didn't quote that part. You also didn't quote the fact that the author gave Sony an opportunity to respond, and they chose not to. So perhaps you should not speak to Sony's reasoning where Sony has failed to speak for themselves.

I maintain that my link is just as relevant as any other discussion here about anti-consumer behavior. You say it is unrelated to the HDM war, yet BDA is certainly marketing BD towards use as computer data storage as well as for movies. I would submit that the possibility of a rootkit on commercial BDs is relevant to the war, particularly where it involves discussion on consumer friendlines.

More root kit actions by Sony is (if still sold that way) definitely evidence they have not yet learned their lesson. Any attempt here to argue these cloaking attempts are justfied will show the poster feels the same way. Eventually companies will be held liable for actions creating security vulnerabilities on users machines, especially without proper disclosure.

Sony is certainly not the only one but if they are still distributing this software I think they still have some lessons to be learned in the PC world both from consumers and probably government authorities.

- Tom

You are doing this forum a disservice by continuing to quote the $150million incentive as fact. Paramount has already stated they did their own sums... if money was all it took, then Sony et. al. would have done the same to ensure success.


How does a consumer wait until one format wins? Surely someone needs to be buying for a win to occur. Also, how can you be so sure a win is even in the cards? Both formats could fail miserably.

4million PS3s and a some standalones produce total movie sales of 2.2million.

That means that even if everyone only bought 1 movie, only half of the hardware base did. There isn't even an attach rate of 1! Yet supposedly 80% of PS3 owners will buy BD movies according to Sony. That was misleading, that it didn't come to pass means Paramount has every reason to re-evaluate their stance.

Put it this way, the population of HD movie buyers is tiny. If BD wins... then people are forced to buy into expensive hardware. If HD wins... at least there are cheaper alternatives. If both stick around, then people will have to own both (or not...)

Paramount wants the HD market to supplant DVD (or at least be in the game).

It looks at it's choices:

A) Go BD exclusive in hopes of precipitating an end to the format war.
B) Go HD exclusive in hopes of precipitating an end to the format war.
C) Stay Neutral leaving the format war to be determined by others.

Choice A results in a $500 buy in.
Choice B results in a $300 buy in.
Choice C results in a $800 buy in.

(going with standalones here).

Paramount decides that B) has the highest probability of making headway into DVD territory.

Anyways... this thread is silly... silly me for responding.

They're ALL doing it. Unfortunately they are trying to collectively make this true without any proof or evidence. Unfortunately some of the BD "Insiders" continue to try and push this too.



Just needed to highlight this for truth.

I read somewhere in one of these forums that the unprecidented Paramount exclusive decision is a pre-emptive strike against a big Blu-Ray update. Has this been announced yet? Did I just miss it?

With the news of El Cheapo HD DVD players coming out soon, HD DVD is on an awesome run, so far.

I'm sure BD will announce a few things at CEDIA, but the rumour here by the BD fan was supposedly for last Friday. It never happened obviously.

So what will BD announce at CEDIA? I dunno. I doubt Warner would go BD exclusively. It's possible one or more other small studios will though. They'll probably also announce a cheap Funai Blu-ray player.

Chinese.... Blu-ray player?