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Fox Backs Blu-ray DVD Technology

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

August 1, 2005, 5:17 PM

Fox on Monday announced that it would use next-generation DVD technology Blu-ray for future releases of television shows, films, and other titles.

The announcement marks yet another big win for the nascent format, and puts rival HD-DVD in a tough spot as more and more Hollywood studios back the Sony-created technology.

However, some analysts suggest that each format has its advantages, and it will likely be a result of which one the consumer picks in the end rather than the amount of endorsements a particular technology may have.

The group behind Toshiba-designed HD-DVD, however, was quick to downplay claims by Fox that Blu-ray offers superior protection against the copying of DVD discs.

"(The) announcement by 20th Century Fox regarding its support of the Blu-ray Disc format is surprising and misleading in terms of which format provides for more robust copy protection," a group of HD-DVD backers said in a statement.

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By stewrt

edited Aug 9, 2005 - 6:54 PM

From what I've seen, Blue Ray will be more fragile as it doesnt have the protective coating thickness that DVDs and HDDVD will have. 1 scratch and she could be useless. Also Blu Ray will be much more susseptable to skipping and showing artifacts in players. Due to the distance and pitch of the pits and lands on the media.
I'd rather have reliable more compatible media that is still bigger than what I have, than something that is so darn fragile.
As Well I've heard that HDDVD could possibly increase their Capacity before coming to market.
Just the facts that I've read though.
Reference: Sound and Vision, or Home Theatre Mag. cant recall which right now.

Stewrt

Score: 0

By ArabianNight

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 6:53 PM

1. Sony was always better than Toshiba always will be.

2. Blu-Ray is bigger, more storage.

3. NO MATTER WHAT PROTECTION YOU PUT, IT WIIIIILLLL BE CRACKED!!!!

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 2:18 PM

How about neither format?

Since neither market is finalized, it would be wise to avoid BOTH, no matter the strengths or weaknesses of one over the other. So one is cheaper? Big deal, when you have an investment of thousands of dollars and that format fails, the price difference per disk is silly to cry about.

I prefer the larger format, as I don't care about more movies per disk. I want this to replace TAPES as a removeable backup potential. 5 of these puppies and I have a smaller footprint for tape storage...

Score: 0

By tipsyboy

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 11:41 AM

Blue-Ray is cool and has a lot of advantages over HD-DVD.

But you never know what the outcome will be.

Just think of DVD-RAM - being the main DVD type over in Asia - and DVD-ROM. DVD-Ram offers superior data security (in terms of material and burning process) but is still not used here and very expensive, compared to DVD-ROM.

So, I figure it'`s not always the really good stuff that is promoted everywhere - for what reason ever...

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 9:04 AM

How about they use whatever they think will work, then someone will crack it, and then everything will be the same again.

Score: 0

By shy_one

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 3:18 AM

I would like to see these competing formats played side by side on a large screen HDTV to compare picture quality and then see the price difference between the two.

I know a lot of people have already taken sides on this new format war but shouldn't you atleast wait untill they hit the market first to make a judgement on them by compairing quality and price difference?

Score: 0

By hardgiant

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 5:35 AM

BluRAY has more space and this is very useful for computer users. Most people will only want to pick one format so they can burn movies on their computers and then play them on their Home Theaters.

This of course means HD-DVD is annoyance since it will be obsolete before it even launched.

Will 15 gigs be enough over say 5 years ?

You know how long it took to get DVD burners with dual layer and the price is still to high to be used by most people.

BluRAY is a better investment in the long run and the price of production like as always will fall fast once they mass produce it.

As far as picture quality BluRAY offers everything that HD-DVD does plus has higher bit rates which means it will probably offer better picture quality.

The retail stores only want a single format since they are carrying VHS and DVD right now and carrying two more is just not a great idea when it comes to space.

Score: 0

By athome

edited Aug 2, 2005 - 10:30 AM

removed

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 7:20 AM

??? Blu-Ray units will also play DVD's Not sure where you got your info from, but it's flawed.

Whilst Blue-Ray itself is not backwards compatible, consumer units like PS3, will have dual lasers, being able to read both blue ray and "red ray" discs (ie. DVD's).

How on earth do you think Sony was going to implement playing of PS1 and PS2 games on the PS3???

Score: 0

By athome

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 10:42 AM

Chill out! Misinformation, OK

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 12:09 AM

That's what I'm calling my new band...

Score: 0

By zridling

posted Aug 1, 2005 - 6:56 PM

Whatever Fox likes, I hate. Movies are so.... 20th century anyway.

Score: 0

By Kramy

posted Aug 1, 2005 - 10:26 PM

Unless you stream them via your FIOS connection. :P

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 1, 2005 - 5:52 PM

Looks like Blu-ray is going to win for sure--bad news for MS who alluded just the other day that Xbox 360 will use HD-DVD...

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Aug 2, 2005 - 4:37 AM

Indeed, BluRay is the compelling format, with everything going for it. As for picture quality, this is directly proportional to storage capacity, so Blu Ray will also have the better picture quality, due to it's higher storage capacity....

Score: 0

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