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Crutchfield wants only one format.

2410 Views 43 Replies 27 Participants Last post by  TNG
In the recent Crutchfield, catalog, I received, Crutchfield is asking for comments to be sent to them, which they will forward to manufacturers. Crutchfield feels that there should only be one HD DVD format. Use the email address below.

[email protected]
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How much of an influence would Crutchfield have? Atleast someone is willing to take the time to create data and send it to the studios...
Here is what I just sent them:


______

There is no reason for more than one format.


While each format has its advantages and disadvantages, from the perspective of high definition video and sound, they are virtually identical. They include the same codecs. While we can expect manufacturing differences in machines from different manufacturers, the bits on the disks may be nearly identical.


I am a long-time early adopter. While I would like the benefits of either one of these formats, I am not willing to commit to either one until the matter is resolved. I am also holding up on purchasing new DVD's and new AV equipment out of concern for their becoming obsolete.


I am also concerned about the HDMI/ICT/DOT situation. The studios have gone way overboard with copyright protection. I have been unable to get my expensive HDCP-enabled machine to work with any HDMI device. This is common if you read the blogs.


The sound is also a concern. While these formats promise higher quality sound, nothing is very clear right now. There are no sound processors or receivers on the market that will take full advantage of these new formats.


My friends all look to me for advice about what to buy. I am telling them all to hold off on any purchases until these matters are resolved:

-- the format war

-- HDMI/ICT/DOT

-- audio codec and equipment issues.


BTW: thanks for listening. I really appreciate Crutchfield taking a proactive interest in this!
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Seems kinda silly on their part - they're in the business of selling merchandise. Why should they give a hoot if there's more than format? It should give them the chance to sell more merchandise.


I don't care if there 1, 2 or 9 formats - as long as one of them is HD DVD, as I already invested in a XA1 player & 6 HD DVD titles.


I have more concern about HDMI. While I have the XA1 player's HDMI working fine on the HDCP compliant DVI input on my Sony HDTV, I will put off considering any new TV purchases until they decide which version of HDMI is going to be around for awhile. Software upgrades are easy; hardware upgrades make for a lot of expensive junk for the landfill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveinTucson
Seems kinda silly on their part - they're in the business of selling merchandise. Why should they give a hoot if there's more than format? It should give them the chance to sell more merchandise.
Actually, the two formats are very much alike from a software perspective. The codecs are virtually identical, and the studios are looking to doing one encoding and then transferring it to both machines. Whatever BENEFITS we might see from true competition and distinction are outweighed by the fact that the unnecessary but real incompatibility will hinder adoption and may even kill off both formats.


It is my understanding that major retailers have told the CE companies and studios that they are crazy for some time, publicly and privately. They want to move merchandise, not explain minor differences and deal with consumer confusion and resistance.


I know a number of high-end boutique retailers and a number of them are staying away completely and continuing to sell high-end upscaling DVD players.
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Problem with the high end upscaling DVD players is that, IMO, they can not touch the picture quality of HD-DVD that we have right now. If someone sold me an expensive upscaling player without informing me what's available right now (HD-DVD) it would be the last time I'd do business with them! Give me complete disclosure and let me make up my own mind, thank you very much.


Cheers,


Grant
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlsmith
Here is what I just sent them:


______

There is no reason for more than one format.


While each format has its advantages and disadvantages, from the perspective of high definition video and sound, they are virtually identical. They include the same codecs. While we can expect manufacturing differences in machines from different manufacturers, the bits on the disks may be nearly identical.


I am a long-time early adopter. While I would like the benefits of either one of these formats, I am not willing to commit to either one until the matter is resolved. I am also holding up on purchasing new DVD's and new AV equipment out of concern for their becoming obsolete.


I am also concerned about the HDMI/ICT/DOT situation. The studios have gone way overboard with copyright protection. I have been unable to get my expensive HDCP-enabled machine to work with any HDMI device. This is common if you read the blogs.


The sound is also a concern. While these formats promise higher quality sound, nothing is very clear right now. There are no sound processors or receivers on the market that will take full advantage of these new formats.


My friends all look to me for advice about what to buy. I am telling them all to hold off on any purchases until these matters are resolved:

-- the format war

-- HDMI/ICT/DOT

-- audio codec and equipment issues.


BTW: thanks for listening. I really appreciate Crutchfield taking a proactive interest in this!
Why can't both formats co exist together.? Having a choice is a good thing.. I'm buying a HD DVD player ASAP.. Can't wait for the winner..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KBI
Why can't both formats co exist together.? Having a choice is a good thing.. I'm buying a HD DVD player ASAP.. Can't wait for the winner..
Maybe they can but most experts think it is unlikely.


I agree that choice is a good thing. But, in this case, the kind of choice that might be best would be a large number of manufacturers building different gear to the same basic standard. This is what happened in the "Windows/Intel" computer world. (Note that Linux and Macintosh are now also using the same hardware standard as Windows basically.)


By having two different standards, to some degree we have less choice. Witness the fact that only Toshiba is building HD DVD players at the moment (I have heard that the RCA/Thomson is a Toshiba OEM). Blu-Ray has a larger stable of manufacturers but low volumes may keep pricing high. Clearly the PS3 will be a single-source item (Sony).


A single standard, with multiple manufacturers building variations, would probably be best for the consumer.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KBI
Why can't both formats co exist together.? Having a choice is a good thing.. I'm buying a HD DVD player ASAP.. Can't wait for the winner..
You just did a Clinton.
Quote:
Originally Posted by realracer2
In the recent Crutchfield, catalog, I received, Crutchfield is asking for comments to be sent to them, which they will forward to manufacturers. Crutchfield feels that there should only be one HD DVD format. Use the email address below.

[email protected]
Yawn-o-fricking-rama ... how many of u 'tards think this "plea" is going to influence anything at a retailer? Web-votes?

ROFL
Ilka, I really am beginning to think you are the Troll Denmother.


What does it add to this to come here and call the posters "u 'tards"?
It probably won't influence anything but atleast the publics voices have a platform...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilka
Yawn-o-fricking-rama ... how many of u 'tards think this "plea" is going to influence anything at a retailer? Web-votes?

ROFL
Anyone have a mirror?
Crutchfield doing it because its a popular stance, ie. for customer relations - although its not going to matter


Two formats are no big deal
did anyone notice that Crutchfield specifically pointed out in the specs for both bluray players that it is possible to pass 720p and 1080i via component, but failed to mention it in the HD-DVD player specs even though it is also true for the Tosh as well? I sent that in my email, but don't know if they are actually reading them or just forwarding them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlsmith
I know a number of high-end boutique retailers and a number of them are staying away completely and continuing to sell high-end upscaling DVD players.
A high upscaling DVD player costs more than a BD + HD DVD player combined!


More money, less picture, less audio - I'll take that ;)
That's a good one... :D
Sony is not going anywere with bluray. I imagine this "war" wont be over anytime soon.
I emailed them and told them that Universal is to blame. If they agreed to support Blu-ray this thing would be over before you HD DVD fanboys had a chance to cry about it.
I think if you are sitting back not enjoying the best HD we have ever had to prove a point, having two formats would be very very painful.


I'm a fan of having the best HD in my home I can get,I have been waiting a decade for these little discs and they are here. The cost of the player and titles is very very low compared to past format starts ( Beta ,VHS,LD,DVD). I'm convinced that in some ways a non unified format has been good.


I know one thing when that friggin Universal HDDVD logo comes up I get a cubby. :D


Art
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