The numbers in that article count consoles (PS3, XBox360) as Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players without accounting for the simple fact that many gamers don't watch movies on their consoles. If you look solely at standalone Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player sales, the numbers are closer to 100k vs. 150k, respectively.
(Besides, if the PS3 plays Blu-Ray discs only as well as the PS2 played DVDs, then...well, I'll still be shelling out for a standalone player.)
I'm still not convinced that Blu-Ray is sinficantly better than HD-DVD. Blu-Ray has more capacity, but that's the only significant difference I've seen so far. As far as movies go, that may amount to 9 hours of HD footage versus 8, but if most of that time goes towards special features, trailers, and so on, I know it'll be lost on us. We generally never do anything more than watch the movie, and both formats provide more than enough space for that.
Most videophile reviews I've seen indicate in side-by-side comparisons that for now, HD-DVD players generally provide better picture quality. I admit, though, that "better" is a matter of personal opinion, and by the time you're dealing with any sort of -phile, the differences may all be in the reviewers' heads.
Given the similarities, lots of analysts are saying this format war will just boil down to price and availability. HD-DVD players have broken the $500 plateau; Blu-Ray players haven't (excepting the PS3).
The Betamax vs. VHS war was ultimately decided, oddly enough, by the porn industry. While porn studios are backing HD-DVD this time, I don't think that will be a major factor. The internet and online delivery services didn't exist back in the 80's but are commonplace now.
Instead, I think this war may be decided by the retailers, and given that Wal-Mart is selling only HD-DVD, that may be a key influence, especially this holiday season.
no subject
(Besides, if the PS3 plays Blu-Ray discs only as well as the PS2 played DVDs, then...well, I'll still be shelling out for a standalone player.)
I'm still not convinced that Blu-Ray is sinficantly better than HD-DVD. Blu-Ray has more capacity, but that's the only significant difference I've seen so far. As far as movies go, that may amount to 9 hours of HD footage versus 8, but if most of that time goes towards special features, trailers, and so on, I know it'll be lost on us. We generally never do anything more than watch the movie, and both formats provide more than enough space for that.
Most videophile reviews I've seen indicate in side-by-side comparisons that for now, HD-DVD players generally provide better picture quality. I admit, though, that "better" is a matter of personal opinion, and by the time you're dealing with any sort of -phile, the differences may all be in the reviewers' heads.
Given the similarities, lots of analysts are saying this format war will just boil down to price and availability. HD-DVD players have broken the $500 plateau; Blu-Ray players haven't (excepting the PS3).
The Betamax vs. VHS war was ultimately decided, oddly enough, by the porn industry. While porn studios are backing HD-DVD this time, I don't think that will be a major factor. The internet and online delivery services didn't exist back in the 80's but are commonplace now.
Instead, I think this war may be decided by the retailers, and given that Wal-Mart is selling only HD-DVD, that may be a key influence, especially this holiday season.