RSSHP Backs Off Blu-ray Support Over DRM
By Nate Mook | Published October 20, 2005, 11:28 AM
Seemingly reversing its stance in next-generation DVD battle, Hewlett-Packard has asked Blu-ray to re-think its planned copyright protection and instead implement the "managed copy" feature found in HD DVD, which would enable consumers to copy movies to their PCs and stream them across a network.
HP additionally requested that Blu-ray implement interactive menus using iHD, also found in HD DVD. iHD -- developed by Toshiba and Microsoft -- will bring advanced interactivity to DVD movies and is slated to be natively supported by Windows Vista.
Maureen Weber, HP's general manager of personal storage, was in Los Angeles this week for discussions with Blu-ray about the demands.
"We're still supporting Blu-ray, but we're very serious that we want these technologies. If in the end, they're supported in one and then not the other; we'll have to make a choice," Weber told Reuters.
However, Weber's new position contradicts statements she made just last month following news that Microsoft and Intel would support HD DVD. The companies cited the format's rights management that includes support for PC environments.
"Every computer manufacturer in the BDA carefully reviewed both formats and ultimately chose Blu-ray as the superior solution for meeting customer demands," Weber said at the time. "It is surprising that [Microsoft's] announcement is not aligned with that of the vast majority of the computer industry and is contrary to our consumer research."
But now, the world's number-two computer maker is joining a number of PC industry heavyweights pushing for more freedom when it comes to high-definition DVDs.
Sony's Blu-ray is more restrictive, HD DVD supporters claim, and Bill Gates recently labeled format as anti-consumer. "The inconvenience is that the [movie] studios got too much protection at the expense consumers and it won't work well on PCs," Gates explained.
For its part, Blu-ray has staunchly denied such assertions.
Dell, the largest PC manufacturer and Blu-ray supporter, has not yet weighed in on the recent events. In September, company CTO Kevin Kettler said, "Dell has no doubt that Blu-ray Disc best meets the needs of computer users and provides the type of open industry standards needed to drive innovation and growth of the format across all platforms."
Still, it's unclear whether consumers will even express interest in high-definition DVD - especially with the confusion a fractured marketplace will bring. Movie studios could create hybrid discs that also contain original DVD content, but that won't encourage users to make the leap into HD.
Ah. The first indication that "the truth really does set you free".
How many people reading this really think that HP, Dell, and the other players outside of the maniacally paranoid Motion Picture industry really gave this decision some serious thought about how an innovative HD experience could be created. No, these butt-kissers were basically only thinking about aligning themselves with whatever Hollywood wants.
I find it interesting that Microsoft & Intel's announcement has been virtually the only thing that's brought the real issues and real facts about the two formats to bear.
There's an analysis of the original facts behind Intel & Microsoft's announcement highlighting consumer choice that's very compelling:
http://arstechnica.com/a...re/microsoft-hd-dvd.ars
There's also an article the goes over the issue of next gen DVD media durability and the economics of disk protection which frankly makes one wonder why there is even a discussion:
http://arstechnica.com/a...rdware/next-gen-dvd.ars
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|wow, now Warner joins the Blu-ray camp. They are all migrating to the Blu.
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|Heh heh...knowing who I used to work for, you might believe me that I'm pretty sure Dell just might be changing their minds about Blu-Ray support...
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|I don't know who you used to work for.
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|yeah, and that's what they are trying to avoid, a war. We don't want the same thing to happen w/ Divx, Betamax vs VHS, kflex vs x92 and some others.
They want the technology to be uniform and still be easy for the consumer. Blue Ray was the first to hit the market, but it had some early problems, then Sony chimed in, "hey we need to protect it so we don't have copywrite infringement".. It went downhill from there.
There are 2 ideologies here.
First there is the prevent copyright we don't care how you do it philsophy because we don't want to lose money.
Second is the consumer needs to have an easy way to use this technology because if the consumer won't use it we won't make ANY money in the first place.
no one ever asks the consumer what they think, that's the bottom line. I have yet to see 1 technology that EVER goes to the trouble to get feedback from end user about how something should work. The closest is Windows (which is everyone's favorite evil giant). Ironically, Windows was built for the consumer and was improved based upon comments from end users, but its fearcely contested by the same peers that adopted in the first place. but that's another story.
That's relevant because MS is backing the HD-DVD technology which doesn't have these daunting limitations and extreme measures to prevent theft.
The basic principle behind ANY protection is cost. Why do you think thieves steal? Its not because they enjoy the act, its because the items are HIGH priced, marketable items that can turn a quick buck.
If computer manufacturers would simply make items cheaper more cost effective, they would make more money and the customer wouldn't feel like we are being raped. One of the main reasons why I won't buy an iPod. They cost too damn much. Its a notebook hard drive, in a case that has synch capability. The software isn't much difference. I can buy a cheaper Mp3 player with the same capabilities as the iPod, and its works just as well, if not better.
so why must Apple INSIST on charging an arm and a leg for their product? Same with this technology. New Technology they want to keep the price high, hype it, so that demand will be high and therefore justifies the high price. But what if it sucks? Has anyone actually test blue ray or HD - DVD? I haven't seen anyone with it, nor have I talked to anyone that has had a chance to use it. so we pay all this money and for what? Suck a** technology.
I am tired of it. If they would make it cheaper, make it work well, and make it easy to use, People will buy it. Period. but no, the people at the top of the silly a** companies don't involve the people actually using it, therefore they don't know what will sell, therefore it becomes a "niche" commodity, therefore it becomes a toy for the rich, and there you go... blackmarket and piracy wins.
For once, I want to see a product list for a price that it will eventually end up from day one. People won't steal items that are reasonable to aquire. Music, games, gadgets..
One more math puzzle before I quit this long rant,
10 people buy a Blue Ray for 500 dollars. that's 5,000 dollars. That's only 10 customers.
100 people buy Blue Ray for 50 dollars. That's still 5,000 dollars. But its now 10x more customers. That's 10x more for shipping, disc media, potential for word of mouth advertising. The company ultimately will get their 5,000 costs back, and then some.. but no, companies are too damn greedy for this to ever take place, so the consumer customers and big business could care less.
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|Dangit. I knew this was gonna happen. The cheaper route always wins. It's sounding more and more like the format war is almost over before it began.
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|Good! I dont want to buy another betamax! :)
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