HD DVD "postpones" CES Press Conference

[The Round Peg]

CES HD DVD Event canceled due to Warner announcement: Link

Notice of CES Press Conference Cancellation by North American HD DVD Promotion Group

“Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, we have decided to postpone our CES 2008 press conference scheduled for Sunday, January 6th at 8:30 p.m. in the Wynn Hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD’s commitment to quality and affordability – a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on new developments around HD DVD.”

[calereneau]

Awww....poor guys.

[Krycek7o2]

Yup, its sad to see the end of a Format. But, at least one format is slowly becoming mainstream.

[Satans Puppet]

But is it though? It concerns me now that the HD format may now only reach the market through downloads because Blu players are not afforable enough for the average house hold...

Yes gamers and us techy folk will buy them but in the short term was this a bad decision by warner... if the general DVD folk don't see HD Market comparable to DVD then they're simply not going to adopt.

[michealo]

DVD players didn't get cheap for a long time, and neither was software available. i remember working at blockbuster video and the first shelf of DVD's were put out. they collected dust for weeks.

nothing matters in the short term.

[Aurora]

But is it though? It concerns me now that the HD format may now only reach the market through downloads because Blu players are not afforable enough for the average house hold...

So downloads are going to win in the coming months before Blu-ray prices have a chance to come down? Like, because the player isn't "affordable enough for the average household" (apparently $100 is a complete backbreaker when someone just spent about $1000 on a new TV) right this second, a market that is 2-3 years from being fully realized is going to win?

[iontyre]

But is it though? It concerns me now that the HD format may now only reach the market through downloads because Blu players are not afforable enough for the average house hold...

Yes gamers and us techy folk will buy them but in the short term was this a bad decision by warner... if the general DVD folk don't see HD Market comparable to DVD then they're simply not going to adopt.

Someday I suppose they will get prices down to the rest of us. Sad, but for now I am out of luck. I had just finished watching The Bourne Ultimatum when I got online and saw the news. They certainly would have looked like idiots if they had gone ahead with the conference.

I guess for now the rich blu boys will have their party...

[Keegs]

So downloads are going to win in the coming months before Blu-ray prices have a chance to come down? Like, because the player isn't "affordable enough for the average household" (apparently $100 is a complete backbreaker when someone just spent about $1000 on a new TV) right this second, a market that is 2-3 years from being fully realized is going to win?

HAHA! So true

[dominica]

So downloads are going to win in the coming months before Blu-ray prices have a chance to come down? Like, because the player isn't "affordable enough for the average household" (apparently $100 is a complete backbreaker when someone just spent about $1000 on a new TV) right this second, a market that is 2-3 years from being fully realized is going to win?

I see many people saying that they will go Digital download, don't you still have to buy the equipment to see Digital downloads? or you will have to spend money on a HTPC to view the downloads? Plus it will still have DRM etc.... you will still have to spend money. No matter what side you pick, they are in it for the money and thats what many people seem to forget. We now have to come under one format and support it, if it has to compete vs DVD. I can't see myself dong Digital downloads right now. I have to own my own disc, plus the PQ and AQ of BD.

$399 for the VUDU!

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/01...view-round-up/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/04/h...u-set-top-box/

[Sky_Captain]

Maybe they weren't happy with the snacks being provided...

[JasonS]

That's code for "oh shit how do we get off the sinking ship."

[supra2jzgte]

The war is over. HD-DVD cannot survive very long without more studios on board. Now maybe they can focus on lowering prices (wont need to anymore without competition) and get PC drives down (Readers are $200+) not cool.

[rded]

CES HD DVD Event canceled due to Warner announcement: Link

Notice of CES Press Conference Cancellation by North American HD DVD Promotion Group

“Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, we have decided to postpone our CES 2008 press conference scheduled for Sunday, January 6th at 8:30 p.m. in the Wynn Hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD’s commitment to quality and affordability – a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on new developments around HD DVD.”

That's a WHITE FLAG being waved! A towel tossed into the ring!

[LastSonOfKrypton]

I won't support digital downloads until the download = blu ray/hd-dvd disc...meaning until I can download a full movie in 1080p with TrueHD/DTS-MA/PCM then blu-ray will be superior.

I rented "The Reaping" off of XBL a few weeks ago and I was far from impressed which I figured I would be. I think the movie was 6.x GB...compare that quality with the HD-DVD where the movie alone prolly takes up damn near 20gb.

Broadband connections will need to see fast upgrades as well. Time Warner upgraded me from 10mb down/1mb up to a 15mb down/1mb up but that's a far cry from what FIOS top tier speeds are.

IMHO blu-ray is here to stay. Hopefully the BDA can capitalize on the situation and help get out some J6P priced players.

[Satans Puppet]

So downloads are going to win in the coming months before Blu-ray prices have a chance to come down? Like, because the player isn't "affordable enough for the average household" (apparently $100 is a complete backbreaker when someone just spent about $1000 on a new TV) right this second, a market that is 2-3 years from being fully realized is going to win?

Not what I'm saying, I still prefer the physical products but with Digital services offering set top boxes with hard disks even freeview boxes here in the UK... who's to say these can't launch rental services like Xbox Live/PS3?

I'd prefer to have a disc in my hand with nice artwork and what not but right now... when HD-DVD goes down the pan, I am PRICED out of the HD market unless I choose Digital Downloads which I won't.