all new HD formats suck, go dvd go

[alpha_dk]

euclid said:
another common reply to saying we need the extra space is: "when you compress data the quality of the picture and the sound go down... don't you want the best experience money can buy?"

Okay, I know you aren't saying this. I just am going to say, for those who may believe what he is quoting people as saying:

::Very Math Oriented::

::Wiki Article::

::Wiki Article on an easy to understand Lossless algorithm::

Lossless compression is REAL. It is a mathematical truth, and especially in anything digital, lossless compression is cheap and easy.

I was going to have an example here, but it took up too much space. There is a good example on the Huffman page (link #3).

In any case I am not saying this to you euclid. Just to those who might believe what he was saying some people believe.

 

And then, On-Topic:

I definitely think that neither HD format will win.  The vast majority of people are fine with DVD for now, and a LOT i think will move to downloadable content.  Its easier, more convenient, and frankly its good enough.  The media companies seem to agree with me also: there's a reason all the music labels are so worried about Apple becoming too strong with iTMS.  There's a reason NBC is trying to get some additional money.  They are worried about the ease with which alternative entertainment to them can be found/made popular when they are not in control of how we get our media.

 It is in the media companies' best interests for us to all be on physical mediums.  The barrier to entry will be higher, the cost of distribution is several orders of magnitude higher, etc.  Not only that, but copyleft culture (for example, the Creative Commons) becomes MUCH more of a threat when they are not in control of the primary means of distribution.  The media companies want you going through them for everything.

 Just like they've admitted is the case with DRM, it isn't about protecting their content.  It is about controlling you, the consumer.  It is about controlling what you see and what you watch it on.  If they tell you anything else, it is a lie.