GameAmp: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

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Lightfoot27

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I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Okay, I apoligize if this turns into a rant, but I really need to get some of this out there regarding the current "HD format war". So, as many of you may have heard, WB recently (despite vehemently denying such actions just days prior) has decided to support bluray exclusively. They have made the comment that they are doing so because, and I quote "it is in the best interest of the consumer". Anyone who knows anything about the two formats (HD DVD and bluray) should know that bluray is not in the best interest of the consumer, but rather the best interest of the studio and $.

Not only is HD DVD already complete with a standardized format, but it is also cheaper. I am having a really hard time grasping HOW ON EARTH bluray is gaining the upper hand. Bottom line:

Sony released an incomplete format prematurely simply to stop toshiba (hd dvd) from providing universal HD support, and by their own admission, blame Toshiba for prematurely presenting HD content. Sony, in their own words, blames toshiba for THEIR incomplete format (released as profile 1.0). Now, profile 1.0 machines will not be able to play features of profile 1.1 discs, nor 2.0 discs (to be released in october along with standardized machines). From their own mouths, those early adoptors whom purchased bluray 1.0 machines "knew what they were getting into" and should purchase newer machines to play the newer discs. When you take all this into account, as well as the fact that bluray had to copy HD DVD's codec to fix some of their bitrate problems, how can any studio claim to have the consumers best interest in mind by switching to bluray.
Here is the article for most of this info, from sony (the BDA)'s mouth http://www.betanews.com/article/Bluray_Ear...into/1199841379

And here is a petition to warner, regarding this "consumer friendly" switch. http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVEHDD/petition.html

So, anyone have any thoughts on the issue? Sorry for the rant, I just feel the need to get the info out there so that sony doesn't force an inferior, expensive product down out throats while also eliminating the superior technological product.

Also, it is wise to do some research on Sony's DRM (digital rights management) or copy protection abilities with bluray, they already have open ended coding to enforce a pay to play protocol or single player registration playback.

01/15/08 15:12

bytekhan

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Sounds like the old VHS vs Beta war way back when. If I recall, the Beta format was technically superior to VHS format but VHS won out.

As a consumer, I'm gonna stick with standard DVD for a few years. Although I was impressed with the Bluray demos I've seen, I think regular old DVD is still pretty good.

01/15/08 15:36

Str0ker

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

I'm with you on this one, me and my friends have talked about this a lot. Mostly because of the PS3 and its crappy Blu-ray playback system. It all comes down to who has the biggest bank roll, Sony cut WB a huge back end deal to support Blu-ray and they saw a chance to pad their profit margin.

For all us older folks, Blu-Ray = VHS, and HD-DVD = Bata.

For all us crazy folks, its more tech crap given to us by the Alien Overlords that hide behind the scenes. (They Live)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

01/15/08 15:51

Lightfoot27

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Yeah, but if I'm not mistaken (as I was pretty young during the beta vs. vhs days) beta was a superior technological format, and vhs was cheaper. So cheaper won out (that and both formats were complete, and supported by all studios so that the consumer made the choice, not the studio). HD DVD is cheaper, complete, and more technological sound. It would be like if vhs cost twice as much per unit (or 3x in this case) but still wasn't as good as beta and yet somehow still won.

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01/15/08 16:12

RonJ73

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

My thoughts?

Just like with VHS and Beta...I'll wait until it's settled down before I pick winner. Honestly, my single opinion really isn't going to sway anyone, so I'll sit back and use my "terrible old" DVD player until all is said and done.

Quite frankly, I don't care which one wins. I don't even have an HD TV yet.

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01/15/08 16:22

Str0ker

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

I'm selling my DVD player, my TV, my Cellphone, buying a Good Radio, CB, and moving into a cave until they can just beam info straight into your brain.

01/15/08 16:22

Lightfoot27

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Hehe, you mean they don't already?

01/15/08 16:23

Str0ker

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

In my basement I have shelf of stupidity. On this self is Bata-Max player, a laser disc player, a Sega (with Sega CD, 32x, and Sega TV), an Engage, and a Virtual Boy. Soon I guess it will also house my HD-DVD player and my Xbox 360.

P.S. I also have a 12 foot satellite dish of stupidity in my yard from the late 80's early 90's, but its heavy and doesn't fit on my shelf.

01/15/08 16:44

Lightfoot27

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Haha, thats good stuff. Oddly enough, I've been pretty lucky with formats, didn't get into the dreamcast, sega cd or 32x. I did go saturn over the ps one and never regretted that one. Again, sony bought all the good game studios despite the better hardware of the saturn. I guess no matter how good the tech is, sony will always bring us back down.

Edit: Oh, except your 360, that one is beating the pants off of the ps3 (and MS isn't taking nearly the loss to move them that sony is). It pretty much boils down to sony sacrificing the ps3 to win the HD format war... so you won't have to put that 360 on the shelf for quite some time, if ever.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

01/15/08 16:47

Str0ker

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

QUOTE

Edit: Oh, except your 360, that one is beating the pants off of the ps3 (and MS isn't taking nearly the loss to move them that sony is). It pretty much boils down to sony sacrificing the ps3 to win the HD format war... so you won't have to put that 360 on the shelf for quite some time, if ever.

True, but the 360 is junk. Nice Graphics and games, but they physically made like crap. I've sent mine back like six times now.

01/15/08 16:58

Lightfoot27

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Ouch, well, at least they warranteed it. I'm still on my original, I give it alot of room to up the airflow. Of course, I also went with the elite for the native hdmi... because i'm a huge nerd... but I know the heat issue is still there. The major problem is that its too powerful a machine for the amount of heat management. Of course, there are very few companies that would man up and take the loss of a design flaw like MS did... so you gotta respect them for that. Either way though, doesn't belong on the shelf :P

01/15/08 17:19

LordXenophon

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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

QUOTE

Either way though, doesn't belong on the shelf :P

Definately not on the shelf. The heat would build up way too fast up in that crowded, high place.

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01/15/08 20:00

Lightfoot27

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Joined: 01/16/2007
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RE: I know this is way off topic, but I need to vent.

Wow, back onto my original topic, I just read that warner was paid almost 500 million to switch to bluray and fox, who was angry at the BDA, was paid 120 million not to switch to HD DVD. Does it bother anyone esle that the consumer has no choice as to which is the better format? I think a boycott is in order.

01/16/08 12:13

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