Nice job. I'm giving you a B+ (if you gave Sony an "F", I'd give you an "A" 
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Blu Ray Report Card, October 2006
I have some time on my hands so figured I'd throw this out there for debate. Here's my take on the various companies involved so far in the Blu Ray launch. Please don't take this too seriously, that's not how it was meant.
Samsung: B+
Ah, poor Samsung. For all the FUD being flung around in all directions, you got more than your fair share of splash damage. But where would we be without you and your BDP-1000? When I saw the Sony and Pioneer being repeatedly pushed back, I was only too quick to believe the rumors that your player would suffer a similar fate. Imagine our collective surprise when it showed up at Best Buy a week or so early! Then the early software has everyone pointing fingers at your hardware. But you hung tough and didn't panic, and the software improved, and now we all see what a solid launch box you guys put out there. I can't quite bring myself to give you an "A" though - your communication skills need some work -- you should be out there on the net refuting these rumors (Bad noise reduction chip, won't play dual layer, etc) BEFORE they get out of control. Also your launch pricing could have been a little more aggressive. But overall, nice work!
Lionsgate: B
Nice job, guys. I wouldn't have guessed a few months ago what an excellent library you guys would be able to produce despite some serious limitations and hit-or-miss tools support. You guys picked movies that we actually WANT to see and took the care to make them as good as circumstances would allow. We're all anxious to see you raise this grade to an "A" next report card by hitting the books in your "Advanced Codecs" classes. Also, let's not see a repeat of this DTS stuttering problem - work with Samsung and resolve your differences!
Warner Brothers: A-
Even though you weren't there from day 1, you guys blasted on the scene in a big way by putting out the first VC-1 releases and schooling some of your classmates in a big way. While you still have a little catching up to do (let's get all those back-catalog HD-DVD releases out, pronto!), you're doing great and keep up the good work. You could be on track for an A+ if you decide to take advantage of those BD50 discs and really let your encoders stretch their legs a little. And why not be a little more aggressive in pulling out more of your top gems from the back catalog next season?
Sony: D-
I feel bad, you guys. You have a lot on your plate lately, and the cards just haven't been falling your way. Granted, a lot of your wounds are self-inflicted. You should consider an extensive house-cleaning at your digital mastering facility as soon as possible. You must be trying to decide which fire to fight first, at this point. You seem to have recovered somewhat lately, so that is encouraging for the future. Nice job getting the Dual Layer issue settled in a somewhat timely manner, that's one less mistake left unresolved. While we feel a lot of love for you guys over the invention of the format in general, so far you haven't given us a lot to applaud beyond that. I think your best move so far was in opening up the standard as widely as possible and creating a big tent for the hardware and software guys. That's a good business move by someone "at the top". Let's have the software guys focus 100% on quality in the coming year, and let the hardware guys focus on low-cost quantity. Not the other way around.
Paramount: Incomplete
I'm sorry Paramount, but you just didn't attend enough classes to get a grade this semester. While you certainly show potential, you seemed content to wait on the sidelines and let everyone else play the first half of the game, for shame. Let's step it up a bit and try to be aggressive out there. Your films aren't THAT goo that we'll wait all day for them. Maybe MI3 will give us something to get excited about, don't screw it up!
Disney: B
Nice going, Disney. You obviously are confident enough to play around a bit with codecs and experiment with the types of films you bring to the table. You waiting a little while to dive in, but now seem to be swimming with the big kids pretty well. We'd like to see you open up that famous "Vault" a little bit and bring out the big guns, what are you waiting for, an installed base? (little joke, there). Keep the faith and stay exclusive, and you will be handsomely rewarded. Maybe with a little extra work you could overtake Warner brothers next semester.
Panasonic: C
While we didn't expect too much from you this semester, you just barely showed up to the party, and your efforts, while appreciated, don't look destined to set the world on fire. I can't say I was ever a huge Panasonic fan, but you definitely had a good thing going with your Plasma TVs over the last few years. But frankly you've never been too good at remote controls or navigation menus on your DVD players. You need to work on your weak spots and try a little harder to hit your dates. Hang in there and move quickly to round 2, I think round 1 has sort of passed you by already. Don't let the anticipated lackluster sales of your first box deter you from trying again.
Microsoft: D
I'm a bit disappointed with you guys. You do great software, VC-1 is a marvel and we have to recognize and appreciate you guys pushing to get it part of the BD standards, bravo. But now, let's just say that hardware isn't your forte. Why do you continue to pick sides and try to influence the course of the consumer electronics industry? Is monopolizing the software side not enough? You should spend more time worrying about Linux or Firefox and less time worrying about what Sony or Toshiba are up to. One reason Windows always worked so well is it was hardware agnostic. With all this HD-DVD advocacy and podcasts and sniping comments and posts, you're really overplaying your hand a bit. If you wanted to dip a toe into the harware war, the XB360 launch was the time to do it. Now you'll either have to bite the bullet and make an HD-integrated 360, or be content to know your place as an impartial software advocate of HD. ALL HD.
Universal: B
I wondered, should I even give you a grade? But I think your tenacity and commitment deserves some recognition. You've done a great job of pushing HD-DVD and putting out some of your best stuff and done the disks in top form - well done. We've love to have you on the team, but even so, we can certainly admire the skill with which you play for the other side. Sometimes it must seem like you're holding up the tent single-handedly with the number of releases you're putting out there, but you are fighting hard and hopefully advancing the cause of HD film in general by some measure. You could easily be an MVP if you hop the fence, guys! We're pulling for you!
Samsung: B+
Ah, poor Samsung. For all the FUD being flung around in all directions, you got more than your fair share of splash damage. But where would we be without you and your BDP-1000? When I saw the Sony and Pioneer being repeatedly pushed back, I was only too quick to believe the rumors that your player would suffer a similar fate. Imagine our collective surprise when it showed up at Best Buy a week or so early! Then the early software has everyone pointing fingers at your hardware. But you hung tough and didn't panic, and the software improved, and now we all see what a solid launch box you guys put out there. I can't quite bring myself to give you an "A" though - your communication skills need some work -- you should be out there on the net refuting these rumors (Bad noise reduction chip, won't play dual layer, etc) BEFORE they get out of control. Also your launch pricing could have been a little more aggressive. But overall, nice work!
Lionsgate: B
Nice job, guys. I wouldn't have guessed a few months ago what an excellent library you guys would be able to produce despite some serious limitations and hit-or-miss tools support. You guys picked movies that we actually WANT to see and took the care to make them as good as circumstances would allow. We're all anxious to see you raise this grade to an "A" next report card by hitting the books in your "Advanced Codecs" classes. Also, let's not see a repeat of this DTS stuttering problem - work with Samsung and resolve your differences!
Warner Brothers: A-
Even though you weren't there from day 1, you guys blasted on the scene in a big way by putting out the first VC-1 releases and schooling some of your classmates in a big way. While you still have a little catching up to do (let's get all those back-catalog HD-DVD releases out, pronto!), you're doing great and keep up the good work. You could be on track for an A+ if you decide to take advantage of those BD50 discs and really let your encoders stretch their legs a little. And why not be a little more aggressive in pulling out more of your top gems from the back catalog next season?
Sony: D-
I feel bad, you guys. You have a lot on your plate lately, and the cards just haven't been falling your way. Granted, a lot of your wounds are self-inflicted. You should consider an extensive house-cleaning at your digital mastering facility as soon as possible. You must be trying to decide which fire to fight first, at this point. You seem to have recovered somewhat lately, so that is encouraging for the future. Nice job getting the Dual Layer issue settled in a somewhat timely manner, that's one less mistake left unresolved. While we feel a lot of love for you guys over the invention of the format in general, so far you haven't given us a lot to applaud beyond that. I think your best move so far was in opening up the standard as widely as possible and creating a big tent for the hardware and software guys. That's a good business move by someone "at the top". Let's have the software guys focus 100% on quality in the coming year, and let the hardware guys focus on low-cost quantity. Not the other way around.
Paramount: Incomplete
I'm sorry Paramount, but you just didn't attend enough classes to get a grade this semester. While you certainly show potential, you seemed content to wait on the sidelines and let everyone else play the first half of the game, for shame. Let's step it up a bit and try to be aggressive out there. Your films aren't THAT goo that we'll wait all day for them. Maybe MI3 will give us something to get excited about, don't screw it up!
Disney: B
Nice going, Disney. You obviously are confident enough to play around a bit with codecs and experiment with the types of films you bring to the table. You waiting a little while to dive in, but now seem to be swimming with the big kids pretty well. We'd like to see you open up that famous "Vault" a little bit and bring out the big guns, what are you waiting for, an installed base? (little joke, there). Keep the faith and stay exclusive, and you will be handsomely rewarded. Maybe with a little extra work you could overtake Warner brothers next semester.
Panasonic: C
While we didn't expect too much from you this semester, you just barely showed up to the party, and your efforts, while appreciated, don't look destined to set the world on fire. I can't say I was ever a huge Panasonic fan, but you definitely had a good thing going with your Plasma TVs over the last few years. But frankly you've never been too good at remote controls or navigation menus on your DVD players. You need to work on your weak spots and try a little harder to hit your dates. Hang in there and move quickly to round 2, I think round 1 has sort of passed you by already. Don't let the anticipated lackluster sales of your first box deter you from trying again.
Microsoft: D
I'm a bit disappointed with you guys. You do great software, VC-1 is a marvel and we have to recognize and appreciate you guys pushing to get it part of the BD standards, bravo. But now, let's just say that hardware isn't your forte. Why do you continue to pick sides and try to influence the course of the consumer electronics industry? Is monopolizing the software side not enough? You should spend more time worrying about Linux or Firefox and less time worrying about what Sony or Toshiba are up to. One reason Windows always worked so well is it was hardware agnostic. With all this HD-DVD advocacy and podcasts and sniping comments and posts, you're really overplaying your hand a bit. If you wanted to dip a toe into the harware war, the XB360 launch was the time to do it. Now you'll either have to bite the bullet and make an HD-integrated 360, or be content to know your place as an impartial software advocate of HD. ALL HD.
Universal: B
I wondered, should I even give you a grade? But I think your tenacity and commitment deserves some recognition. You've done a great job of pushing HD-DVD and putting out some of your best stuff and done the disks in top form - well done. We've love to have you on the team, but even so, we can certainly admire the skill with which you play for the other side. Sometimes it must seem like you're holding up the tent single-handedly with the number of releases you're putting out there, but you are fighting hard and hopefully advancing the cause of HD film in general by some measure. You could easily be an MVP if you hop the fence, guys! We're pulling for you!
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Yeah, I'd have to agree with the previous posted. Sony deserves nothing more than an "F".
Quote:
Nice, you get that in the big picture, its probably a good thing one studio is exclusive to HD DVD. If anything, it'll give BD something to cheer if their movie studio hegemony is completed. I wouldn't rag on Warner too much, they are more than pulling their weight as far as studios go.
Lastly, what about Fox? I would assume they get an "I" as well as Paramount, although their announced titles all have DTS-MA (not that any BD stand-alones can decode it, but its there for the future).
| Originally Posted by Innerloop Universal: B I wondered, should I even give you a grade? But I think your tenacity and commitment deserves some recognition. You've done a great job of pushing HD-DVD and putting out some of your best stuff and done the disks in top form - well done. We've love to have you on the team, but even so, we can certainly admire the skill with which you play for the other side. Sometimes it must seem like you're holding up the tent single-handedly with the number of releases you're putting out there, but you are fighting hard and hopefully advancing the cause of HD film in general by some measure. You could easily be an MVP if you hop the fence, guys! We're pulling for you! |
Lastly, what about Fox? I would assume they get an "I" as well as Paramount, although their announced titles all have DTS-MA (not that any BD stand-alones can decode it, but its there for the future).
Microsoft deserves a B in my eyes.
Give MS an A - they're making it a horse race. Think how crappy BR would be without them.
Quote:
They can't stay neutral here. BD has decided to use Java based technology, so they are viciously going to fight it to the death.
| Originally Posted by Innerloop Microsoft: D ...Why do you continue to pick sides and try to influence the course of the consumer electronics industry? |
Will the score for 'Disney & lionsgate' change after CES jan 07?
I also can't wait for 'The Doors' from Lionsgate, i wonder when or if it will make it to either formats?
I also can't wait for 'The Doors' from Lionsgate, i wonder when or if it will make it to either formats?
Quote:
100% disagree....I think what MS is doing with the Xbox 360 is fantastic. Give casual consumers a choice in the matter and dont over-charge for your console. It seems with the Xbox 360 they are doing everything RIGHT this time around. This is the AVS forum but we are outnumbered in the people who really dont care about HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080p or any of that other stuff we drool over.
| Originally Posted by Innerloop Microsoft: D I'm a bit disappointed with you guys. You do great software, VC-1 is a marvel and we have to recognize and appreciate you guys pushing to get it part of the BD standards, bravo. But now, let's just say that hardware isn't your forte. Why do you continue to pick sides and try to influence the course of the consumer electronics industry? Is monopolizing the software side not enough? You should spend more time worrying about Linux or Firefox and less time worrying about what Sony or Toshiba are up to. One reason Windows always worked so well is it was hardware agnostic. With all this HD-DVD advocacy and podcasts and sniping comments and posts, you're really overplaying your hand a bit. If you wanted to dip a toe into the harware war, the XB360 launch was the time to do it. Now you'll either have to bite the bullet and make an HD-integrated 360, or be content to know your place as an impartial software advocate of HD. ALL HD. |
Quote:
Think of how much friendlier this forum would be without them.
| Originally Posted by WayneL Give MS an A - they're making it a horse race. Think how crappy BR would be without them. |
Quote:
And I 100% disagree. That choice mantra is nothing but pure spin.
Do the math if you CHOOSE to actually have all the features.
360 Premimum = $400
Wireless adapter = $100
HD-DVD player = $200
Xbox Live = $50/year
so, that is already $750 if you CHOOSE to have everything. With NO software. And NO analogue out. And NO HDMI. I can not CHOOSE to have those from MS. So, no thanks.
However, I do agree that the general population does not give a hoot. Of course, will not stop the FUD from flowing on here.
| Originally Posted by Jann Lee 100% disagree....I think what MS is doing with the Xbox 360 is fantastic. Give casual consumers a choice in the matter and dont over-charge for your console. It seems with the Xbox 360 they are doing everything RIGHT this time around. This is the AVS forum but we are outnumbered in the people who really dont care about HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080p or any of that other stuff we drool over. |
Do the math if you CHOOSE to actually have all the features.
360 Premimum = $400
Wireless adapter = $100
HD-DVD player = $200
Xbox Live = $50/year
so, that is already $750 if you CHOOSE to have everything. With NO software. And NO analogue out. And NO HDMI. I can not CHOOSE to have those from MS. So, no thanks.
However, I do agree that the general population does not give a hoot. Of course, will not stop the FUD from flowing on here.
Quote:
Unfortuantely the casual consumer doesnt care about a wireless adapter and a HD-DVD player If you want all those things then maybe the PS3 would be the best option. The Xbox 360 is meant to be a mainstream market machine. Casual gamers want to know when the next Madden, Halo and GTA are coming out. Giving someone a choice is not PR spin.....I know many people who have said why the hell is Blu-Ray in the PS3? I just want to play MGS4 and FFXIII.
MS will be able to drop the price faster then Sony can and get to a mass market price. You have to look at the situation from a videogame point of view. This is about selling a videogame machine.
Mass Market doesnt care about HDMI, Analog Vs. Digital and all that other stuff. People will look for the machine that will play the next Madden at the most affordable price. Whoever wins the console war it will have nothing to do with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Its about software and competitve pricing....Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is a VERY small piece of the pie.
Hey MS PR....are you guys hiring?
| Originally Posted by emilsjr And I 100% disagree. That choice mantra is nothing but pure spin. Do the math if you CHOOSE to actually have all the features. 360 Premimum = $400 Wireless adapter = $100 HD-DVD player = $200 Xbox Live = $50/year so, that is already $750 if you CHOOSE to have everything. With NO software. And NO analogue out. And NO HDMI. I can not CHOOSE to have those from MS. So, no thanks. However, I do agree that the general population does not give a hoot. Of course, will not stop the FUD from flowing on here. |
MS will be able to drop the price faster then Sony can and get to a mass market price. You have to look at the situation from a videogame point of view. This is about selling a videogame machine.
Mass Market doesnt care about HDMI, Analog Vs. Digital and all that other stuff. People will look for the machine that will play the next Madden at the most affordable price. Whoever wins the console war it will have nothing to do with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Its about software and competitve pricing....Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is a VERY small piece of the pie.
Hey MS PR....are you guys hiring?
Warner should be given a A+ in being the only company releasing decent PQ on the format. I have yet to read any reviews that were not mixed concerning mpeg-2 encoding except for Warner. For every 4 star review of Tears of the Sun I can find a 2 star review http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=24073 . As a whole due to mpeg 2 rates at 18 mbps average (lower than atsc broadcast by the way) for the most part the discs look great one minute and dvd quality the next. The reviews of these discs have been consistantly inconsistant. It does seem that the 2 disney mpeg-4 releases are the first to get somewhat consistant reviews. By in large, Warners vc1 hddvd portovers are the crown gem of your format.
I would give Microsoft an "A" since without VC1 BD would really be in a mess. Heck what if HD DVD had never launched then we would be stuck with poor transfers, 25GB discs, and Sony telling us that's they way it's supposed to look.
Quote:
I totally agree.Its a shame people can't put there MS bias aside, one poster above even comments on how better the forums would be without MS, i mean come on wth is that all about? did you really think Sony has set the standard with there software releases?
Compitition is good, good for us 'The Consumer'.
| Originally Posted by Robert D I would give Microsoft an "A" since without VC1 BD would really be in a mess. Heck what if HD DVD had never launched then we would be stuck with poor transfers, 25GB discs, and Sony telling us that's they way it's supposed to look. |
Compitition is good, good for us 'The Consumer'.
Well, the OP lost all credibility when he stated that MS does great software. /end of thread
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ever played Flight Sim? That game/series is awesome!
| Originally Posted by TwinTurboZX Well, the OP lost all credibility when he stated that MS does great software. /end of thread |
Quote:
Sorry MS PR....i cant defend this statement. (You gotta know when to fold)
haha.
| Originally Posted by TwinTurboZX Well, the OP lost all credibility when he stated that MS does great software. /end of thread |
haha.
There are so many blind Microsoft haters. I guess there is no way to reason with the unreasonable, though. If Microsoft is so horrible, you have 95% of the modernized world to blame for it. /shrug
Quote:
So if its all about choice, why not give us the choice of a Blu Ray add-on? Why not open the hardware business to third parties so someone else (Samsung?) could make one? Microsoft seems to want openness when it suits them, and when it doesn't - look out!
| Originally Posted by Jann Lee 100% disagree....I think what MS is doing with the Xbox 360 is fantastic. Give casual consumers a choice in the matter and dont over-charge for your console. It seems with the Xbox 360 they are doing everything RIGHT this time around. This is the AVS forum but we are outnumbered in the people who really dont care about HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080p or any of that other stuff we drool over. |
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
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