C|NET: HD-DVD's Xbox 360 Strategy

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6446304-1.html?tag=feat' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6446304-1.html?tag=feat</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Let's get this straight from the start: This isn't a column about how Toshiba is working with Microsoft to implement HD-DVD drives in the next rev of the Xbox 360. And yes, theoretically there's some sort of newfangled external HD-DVD player in the works for Xbox 360. But this column isn't about that either. It's about how Toshiba hopes that, by being first to market and pricing its next-generation, high-def DVD players lower than the Sony-backed Blu-ray players from assorted manufacturers, it will gain the upper hand in the next-generation DVD war. If you're hearing echoes of Microsoft's strategy for defeating Sony's PlayStation 3--getting to market earlier and cheaper--then the column's title should make more sense."</i><br /><br />An interesting article about Toshiba's strategy of being first to market, and how they're hoping that will given them enough lead over Blu-Ray to achieve market dominance. It's funny, but even though I care about image quality a great deal, and have a nice big TV, I don't care about HD-DVD or Blu-Ray all that much. The content is really what matters, and as the columnist points out, who wants to go out and buy DVDs that might not work in the player that achieves market dominance? Using a DVD rental service such as Netflix or Zip (for us Canadians) is a good option, if only they didn't suck so much. I cancelled my Zip subscription because I could never get new releases fast enough. Six to eight weeks is a ridiculous wait time to watch a new movie. Is anyone out there planning on buying one of the Toshiba HD-DVD players when they arrive? Anyone at all?

[entropy1980]

I am. After seeing the picture quality differences it really is a huge jump to me. As an avid LOST fan I watch it every week in Hi-Def, I also purchased the 1st season DVD set, and let me tell you although the DVD looks good it still doesn't touch HD. Period. Even with my upscaling LG dvd player hooked up via HDMI it's no contest. Really to me it's not only about the content but also about the quality of the picture. I am dying to get my hands on an HD version of the LOTR triology when it drops, and I am *hoping* expecting HD DVD to be the winner based upon the fact of 2 things:
1. Players are cheaper by half over announced Blu-Ray players.
2. HD is in the name. Non-technophiles don't know or care about the fact the danged thing has a blue laser, they do care about HD and it's in HD DVD's name.
3. Sony will be late with PS3 thus driving back further any potential sales by default through purchasing a PS3.

Just my $.02

[Outlaw94]

I'll be sitting on the bench for these new formats (Blue Ray and HD DVD) for a couple reasons. First is not knowing who will win. Why should I buy HD DVD if three years down the road it gets crushed by Blue Ray and my nice expensive investment is now worthless. Second, I already own a good deal of movies and while Star Wars, LOTR, etc. would look good in HD, why should I purchase a movie I already own and at a higher price than when I bought it on DVD. (I didn't own any VHS so the VHS to DVD didnlt effect me.) And third, I don;t own an HD tv set because I can't warrent buying one right now. To get HD content where I live would cost substantially more per month and I won't get stations that I would watch regularly so why bother?

Until there is a clear winner, I'll be happy with my standard def TV, DVDs, and all at a more reasonable price.