PS3’s Blu-ray Destined To Fail?

[FantasyGhost]

Sony’s PlayStation 3 has already taken a major hit, and now the Hollywood movie studios are lining up to give it a big kick while it’s down.

The president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment has come out in favor of Microsoft’s backed HD-DVD format rather than Sony’s Blu-ray. That puts Universal, Warner, Paramount, HBO, New Line Cinemas and the Weinstein Company all in the HD-DVD camp.

Sure, it does have some support coming in the form of Disney and Fox, but the line up against is looking more and more impressive.

So, why should this be of concern to video gamers? Because Sony has made it a concern. Rather than go sans next-gen movies like Wii, or opt for an external drive like Microsoft, Sony’s made Blu-ray a huge part of its console’s hype. In fact, that big-ticket price on the PS3 console comes mostly because of the Blu-ray capability included.

But now it seems Blu-ray could be Sony’s own downfall (OK, that along with some serious ego issues and bad planning).

The next-gen movie concept not being embraced by the studios is a serious blow. Sony’s been counting on it to push the PS3 as a total entertainment device. Sony execs have used the Blu-ray inclusion as a way to justify the pricing of the console. They’re now blaming it for the delay in launch and the scaling back of launch numbers.

If the Hollywood studios don’t back the device, why would anyone want to buy it? Sure, hard core gamers will want it in hopes of high-def video gaming action, but what about the rest of the potential buyers out there? Will they be willing to plunk down the price Sony’s asking for a device that may or may not have good movie support?

It’s doubtful and this could put a beating on sales when the console does make its worldwide launch. Add to this the fact Blu-ray movies are expensive, and it really starts to lose its appeal over the optional HD-DVD capabilities of the Xbox 360.

The closer it gets to Sony’s PS3 launch, the more it’s looking like Blu-ray is destined to go the way of the UMD even before it’s really hit the ground running. It didn’t have to be this way for Sony, but it appears greed, arrogance and maybe even a bit of foolishness have made it so.

http://www.igniq.com/2006/09/ps3s-blu-ray-destined-to-fail.html

[born2phrag]

I don't think this will be a problem for gamers or Sony fan-boys. It's not much of a problem to me either (a gamer, not a fan-boy :p). It won't affect my decision if and when I get a PS3 (whenever that may be). I can see how this will affect the decision of 'Joe Consumer' since they'll see that as a sign that Blu-Ray isn't going to be the all that great. Add to that the price issue that you have said, it doesn't look too good.

Regardless of the Blu-Ray support, one thing I will say Sony have going for them is the fact the PS3 will cost less than a stand-alone BR player will (I think). That fact alone may be the saving grace the PS3 console itself is in desperate need of. Although when people buy the PS3 for BR movie playback only, it will be a kick in the teeth of Sony who are relying on software sales to even try to make a profit outta the PS3.

Also are Fox and Disney not going to support HD-DVD then?

[FantasyGhost]

That's the problem. The fanboy base is very small against the general public, even the people that always want the latest thing is really small. It's not the point that the PS3 has less of a price tag then the stand alone Blu-ray player. What's the point in buying one to play movies if it doesn't have the studios to back it up.

The main reason the PS2 sold that great in the first place is because it was a cheap DVD player to start with. But then again the DVD was already well set in the home. While with Blu-rayis a whole new media, it just started, and as it's already been mentioned not everyone got the money to buy a new HDTV to enjoy it. This was also one of the things Sony wanted to get the general public to buy just for watching movies, and playing games for them was more like some plus for the kids. After all it's the parents that buy the $600 console, not some 12y old.

About the backup support from Disney and FOX studios for HD-DVD i'm not sure.

[FantasyGhost]

Looks like the editor of the story is way far off on this one.

Taken from PSINEXT (http://forums.e-mpire.com/showthread.php?t=62003)
What bloody comedian wrote that? Blu Ray has 90% of the movie industry behind it.

And all those studios listed as in the HD DVD camp except Universal are also making Blu Ray disks.

Top grossing studios:

http://www.the-numbers.com/market/Distributors/

1 Buena Vista 15.06% - 100% Blu Ray
2 Warner Bros. 13.15% - BD/HD DVD
3 Sony Pictures 12.58% - 100% Blu Ray
4 20th Century Fox 11.68% - 100% Blu Ray
5 Universal 10.68% - 100% HD DVD
6 Paramount Pictures 9.48% BD/HD DVD

Does this guy know how well Cars and Pirates of the Caribean did? That's BV/Disney. Some people....It was believed Universal backed up HD-DVD from day one.

[born2phrag]

I think as a DVD media format, Blu-Ray has alot of good qualities. But I still don't see it as being as successful as HD-DVD. I think the proce is going to turn too many people away (not talking PS3 here, takling about BR-DVD players). From what I've heard the Blu-Ray players sell at around $1000 compared to the $400 price of HD-DVD players. Of course not living in the US, or being a home theatre enthusiast, I don't really know alot about the prices.

[Random]

Meh! Even so, i'm still buying a PS3, I couldn't care less about Blu-ray and HD-DVD, i'm not going to be using my PS3 for that.

Like you've stated above, it would seem only hcore gamers and fan-boys will buy the PS3, like I said in another thread, blu-ray seriously needs publicising, otherwise its another lost media war by Sony.

BTW, I though blu-ray was supported by more companies than HD-DVD was... :beigeconf

[FantasyGhost]

I'll need to look into that media war a bit more because people are claiming this others claim that... I'll see if i can get some info from the source.

HD-DVD Support

HD-DVD is supported on the hardware side by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Thomson (Note: Thomson also supports Blu-ray). On the software side, HD-DVD is supported by New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures (also supports Blu-ray), Paramount (also supports Blu-ray), Warner (also supports Blu-ray) and Universal Pictures. Microsoft has also added its support to HD-DVD.

Blu-ray: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/

Blu-ray Support

Blu-ray is supported on the hardware side by Hitachi, LG, Matsush!ta (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, HP, Dell, Apple, TDK, and Thomson (Note: Thomson also supports HD-DVD). On the software side, Blu-ray is supported by Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, MGM, Paramount Pictures (also supports HD-DVD), Paramount (also supports HD-DVD) and Warner (also supports HD-DVD). Apple Computer has also announced support for Blu-ray.

A more neutral source: http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdbasics/a/bluhddvdinfo.htm they have some pretty good info on there for both formats.

If that's not enough: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc#Corporate_support

[fdjc4]

I bet the ps3 will be as buggy as the early ps2 range ;)

hance i shall be staying away for a few generations untill like the 5th revision lol.

we currently have how many ps2 revisions.....15?

[Random]

Its on its 12th m8, most likely, but its the same with all the consoles, plus you have forgotten the PS3 will have continual firmware updates as the PSP does. ;)

[born2phrag]

Doesn't surprise me that Apple are supporting Blu-Ray...

[Random]

Seems pretty even to me, like i've said many times before, only time will tell. :)

[FantasyGhost]

The latest PSTwo is already at number 15, started at 12. And let's not forget the pink one is probably a new version too.

[Random]

The latest PSTwo is already at number 15, started at 12. And let's not forget the pink one is probably a new version too.

Hehe, I always get confused, my PSTwo is Rev12 so I always think its the last version for some reason. :p

[FantasyGhost]

Hehe, I always get confused, my PSTwo is Rev12 so I always think its the last version for some reason. :pIt's just crazy how they change so fast. The silver PS2 was vesrion 10 or 11, that's why i'm betting for another version for the pink one.I bet the ps3 will be as buggy as the early ps2 range

hance i shall be staying away for a few generations untill like the 5th revision lol.

we currently have how many ps2 revisions.....15?Between 17 November and 21 March is a long time so i'm leaving the BETA testing to US and Japan. If all goes well i'll get mine at launch. I've already paid €100 up front.

[fdjc4]

Its beyond a joke, its the most unreliable console of the last decade by my guesses. So many people have the dreaded blue disc not booting problem around here its just like "aw its broke go buy another..."

no wonder its sold so many
most people are on their second or third one by now.

[JAGPANZER]

If it isn't going gang busters for SCE by June 2007,
there may not be a third version much less an 11th or 13th.

From what I understand Hustler, Vivid, Private, Wicked, & Platinum X
are among a few of the porno companies already filming in HD with
a strong leaning towards HD-DVD as that format would require far less
retooling and investment in DVD production upgrade.

Porno availability decided the video tape format war.
If the past is any indicator of the future, Sony is already slacking.
If you think HD porn isn't going to make much of a difference,
you clearly haven't seen one. From what I understand, with the proper
monitor you feel more like a voyuer than a viewer.

Nobody thought porno would matter regarding VHS vs Beta either.


When will people learn?
Porno drives innovation in the electronic media.
Jpegs, Mpegs, AVI; all were based on concepts to send pic/vids
of naked women all over the planet.

Birds do it.
Bees do it,
but the PS3 won't...........

[born2phrag]

It is not at all surprising that the porn industry is the main reason for most technological advancements (media-wise). Afterall, sex is the only reason men do anything productive... ;)

[Random]

LMAO! Porn on a HDTV, now that I gotta see! :D :grinangel

[JAGPANZER]

Oh yeah, being able to count the freckles and individual hairs..mmm-mmm.
Even my wife is a bit curious to how different they would look.

[echo prime]

Meh! Even so, i'm still buying a PS3, I couldn't care less about Blu-ray and HD-DVD, i'm not going to be using my PS3 for that.

All I had to say was said bt Random...
SO cheers!! :beer:

[FantasyGhost]

Disney Sees $1 million revenue in iTunes first week!

Disney has experienced a weekly revenue of $1 million during it's first week on the iTunes network. It sold 125,000 full lenth movies on the medium, with $50 million expected in revenue generated for the first full year.

Disney sees $1 million revenue through iTunes in its first week
Disney's Chief Executive Robert Iger told Reuters today that the company has sold 125,000 movie downloads in the United States since the launch of downloadable full-length movies on the iTunes Store only a week ago. The sales have already racked up $1million in revenue with $50million in revenue expected for the first year through iTunes, he said.

With only 75 movies introduced on the iTunes Store last week, the numbers look promising for Disney and other movie studios who may be considering getting on board.


News Source: Arstechnica.com (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/9/19/5342)