[MRMOTA]

The Digital Bits wrap up comments of CES 2007

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

 

[Rob Zuber]

From the article:

Quote:
Looking at the HD-DVD side of things, I'm a bit puzzled. Over the years, I've spoken to many people who work in the consumer electronics sector, who have said that the main reason the hardware manufacturers were eager for a new high-def format to take off, was that the profit margins had dropped out of the DVD player business about 5 or 6 years in. .... So how can getting those same manufactures involved in making cheaper HD-DVD players in the format's first year help the format long-term? ...in the long term, doesn't it hurt the major hardware manufacturers' bottom lines? The business wisdom of this just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Microsoft is leading the HD-DVD fight. They couldn't care less about the CE manufacturers' problems. They want to keep Java out of the home entertainment business. The poor CE makers are just chess pieces in a game.

 

[hmurchison]

Did Bill Hunt really put "ass-pimples" in one of his articles? Rock on.

 

[hmurchison]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Zuber /forum/post/0


From the article:


Microsoft is leading the HD-DVD fight. They couldn't care less about the CE manufacturers' problems. They want to keep Java out of the home entertainment business. The poor CE makers are just chess pieces in a game.

Ron you're close. I do think Microsoft cares about CE manufacturers or they wouldn't be working with Broadcom on a Reference design for HD DVD players. However I'd be remiss if I said this was for philanthropic means. Microsoft has an excellent platform in CE 6.0 and HD DVD/Blu-ray could have a great inpact in the future of Media Cente PC. I think Sony lost Microsoft and Intel support primarily on their stubborness and thinly vieled desire to factor out the computing sector in Blu-ray's future.


There's has to be a little something for everyone to keep things moving forward smoothly.

 

[dialog_gvf]



Quote:
Originally Posted by hmurchison /forum/post/0


I think Sony lost Microsoft and Intel support primarily on their stubborness and thinly vieled desire to factor out the computing sector in Blu-ray's future.

So why all the BD burner drives (one of the first from Sony) if computing was being factored out?


In contrast, the HD DVD side in computing has been mostly a coincidence (add-on) rather than an attempt at this point.


It would be fair to say Sony has tended toward factoring out Microsoft from the computing side of BD.


Gary

 

[hmurchison]

Gary


Let me clarify. I'm speaking about the ability to utilize a feature like Managed Copy. I should have been more clear at the time of writing.


Of course when Microsoft made their decision they were in the midst of preparing Xbox Live Marketplace and HD movie downloads.


Frankly I think that Managed Copy is a huge benefit that I would spend a wee bit extra for. With Hitachi due to deliver a $400 1TB hard drive it's not too far off to see the typical enthusiast with 6 TB of hard drive space to contain their movies and other media.


I don't listen to music off of CD anymore. If it's not ripped it's neglected. Eventually I'm going to want the same for my movies. If I was a CEO at one of the studios I'd be looking for ways to sell services based movie purchases. These bozos are too concerned about ending the war and not concerned enough about taking advantage of services and Web 2.0. Not everyone would pay say $12 a month for the ability to update their content with unique offerings, but a lot of movie lovers would.


I think Microsoft realize this. I think Apple realizes this but the studios are stuck in the modal...ship boxes...ship boxes. People pay $3 for a silly little ringtone or an expensive cup of coffee not because they need it but because it's cool. These studios need to get cool