Dewlard Packard to support HD-DVD

[Steroyd]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=13683

PC manufacturer no longer exclusively backing Sony's preferred format

Computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard, which has previously backed Blu-Ray exclusively in the war of the next-gen DVD formats, has announced that it will now also support HD-DVD.

HP had requested that the Blu-Ray Disc Association commit to including two features already locked down for HD-DVD - Mandatory Managed Copy, which allows consumers to legally copy video content, and iHD, said to offer greater interactivity and ensure "a more compelling user experience when recording HDTV programs." Although the Blu-Ray camp agreed to adopt MMC, iHD has not been approved.

In a statement, HP said that the integration of iHD into Microsoft's new Windows Vista OS will "reduce development costs and provide a more affordable solution for consumers."

"In addition, HD-DVD provides a rich, cost-competitive solution for the consumer and is easier to manufacture."

The company has not withdrawn its support for Blu-Ray, however: "We're encouraged that the Blu-ray Disc Association is adopting Mandatory Managed Copy. Because HP wants to deliver the most user-friendly and cost-effective solution to our customers, we have decided to support both formats," said HP general manager Maureen Weber.

"By joining the HD-DVD Promotions Group and continuing work with the Blu-Ray Disc Association, HP will be in a better position to assess true development costs and, ultimately, provide the best and most affordable solution for consumers."

so basically HP aren't exclusively backing Blu-ray because of iHD, even though javaHD is more flexible.

ow well guess we'll see if thishas any affect on Blu-ay although i highly doubt it.

[MiThRaZoR]

They're actually DUMB!! They said, to save money, they will be backing both formats. I'll let you figure that out. Tell me how that saves money.

[Ryunosuke]

What I find funny is they started out defending Blu-Ray against something Microsoft said, they then have a meeting with Microsoft and for some reason after that meeting they have had some type of agenda against Blu-Ray.

[MiThRaZoR]

Lol yeah, it's like Microsoft has em whipped.

Poor HP.

[The House]

HP can kiss my left behind, no iam just kidding i own a 3 yeard old hp PC with a dvd burner.

[Cixx]

Microsoft wants iHD because it's an XML-based interface system. Windows Vista uses... an XML-based interface system. Windows Vista systems will also presumably be able to port the interface for these systems to other devices, much the same way that Media Center apps can be run on a MCPC, but the interface can show up on your xbox360.
The java-based interface that BluRay is using actually allows for some incredible interactivity - at least the equal to iHD. The difference is, it is much more difficult to do all the processing on the PC and stream the interface over the network with a java-based system. Oh wait - didn't Microsoft neglect to put any kind of a next-gen drive in the X360? Do you suppose that might just be having some bearing on why they're backing iHD so emphatically?

MS is pushing iHD because they developed it and I imagine would be getting royalties for every disc sold and every
authoring software that would allow you to create a disc with iHD features. That's the reason..., that and the fact
that MS is allergic to Java. I wouldn't worry about HP's support for HDDVD
( btw doesn't it sound like a disease or disorder of some sort ? Whenever I hear it I'm picturing a conversation
A: Guess what, I got HDDVD !
B: Ooh, sorry to hear that. Is it contagious ? .... sorry for the side note )
by the time PC drives/recorders and recordable discs are cheap enough HDDVD will likely be on its last breath.

[Steroyd]

The most important line in that whole paragraph was the bit about Betamax.

Here's the deal, if all companies choose to go the path HP has and support both, it's bad for the market, no matter who wins. Prices stay up because no one format is selling enough to mass produce. Companies have to continue to pay higher prices for Blu-Ray, HD-DVD prices won't drop much either. It hurts everyone in the long run. That is of course if the majority of companies choose to support both.

Sure you let the consumer decide, but fact is consumers don't always choose the best product, as evident with the Betamax. If majority of companies choose to support both, I can see Blu-Ray dieing out. It won't be quick, but without majority support Blu-Ray costs will remain high for longer than expected. That won't help them win any war.

I don't think this is a big deal, yet, as HP is only one company, and alone won't effect either HD-DVD or Blu-Ray's future, but that's the point of this article, and how it can be bad news for Sony. If other companies follow suit, expect high product prices.

Even if Blu-ray as a whole does bomb, Sony will contain enough support from the PS3 alone.

look at UMD, that probably cost a bit for R&D yet PSP is the only format that utilises it.

[Angelcurio]

In a statement, HP said that the integration of iHD into Microsoft's new Windows Vista OS will "reduce development costs and provide a more affordable solution for consumers."

As expected, more monopoly from Microsoft's hand. Yeah, right, iHD comes with windows vista and you are worried about the consumer experience, but what about the open source users? guess what, we are left out of the picture, so it looks like all the open source users aren't even considered costumers. Say you have any distribution of linux, but since you don't have iHD support (until some crazy hacker makes some nice drivers) you won't be able to use your HD-DVD unit in your PC. Simply Brilliant M$

[WhatRuOn]

The only reason I see HD-DVD having any chance of surviving, is because of the market share M$ has in the PC world. When next-gen DVD formats over take the current ones, just like the DVD did for VHS, home users will buy what they know. Being that M$ will bundle all kinds of support for HD-DVD in future updates for Windows, the average consumer isn't going to know which one is better, they are only going to know the one that is force-fed to them. Damn I hate Bill.

[Steroyd]

The only reason I see HD-DVD having any chance of surviving, is because of the market share M$ has in the PC world. When next-gen DVD formats over take the current ones, just like the DVD did for VHS, home users will buy what they know. Being that M$ will bundle all kinds of support for HD-DVD in future updates for Windows, the average consumer isn't going to know which one is better, they are only going to know the one that is force-fed to them. Damn I hate Bill.

actually MS can't do jack.

as much support MS can do for HD-DVD, they can't block blu-ray out of the picture, unless MS do something miraculous and make Blu-ray players inoperatble on windows OS well they'd run into a bit of trouble there.

[surtur]

as much support MS can do for HD-DVD, they can't block blu-ray out of the picture, unless MS do something miraculous and make Blu-ray players inoperatble on windows OS well they'd run into a bit of trouble there.

i belive that would be an issue for the courts as it would be a manopolistic move to make one not work it would be like blocking any non M$ program from loading in windows i cant see it happening but if it does i bet there would be a bunch of non M$ updates that would alow Blu-ray to work. I think M$ just wants to do everythingin its power to prevent there competitor from gaining any kind of foothold esp in there main market IE computers.

[curryking1]

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[BustenRhymes7790]

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