@ darth

HD DVD would already be dead without the backing of Microsoft. It's in Microsoft's interest to prolong uncertainty for as long as possible as else PS3 sales would get an additional boost.

Microsoft's interest is not to serve consumers, as Blu-Ray is better specced and is supported by many more important companies. I think this IMO fake "war" isn't over soon. They know they are going to loose, so also they are making claims that internet movie delivery is the only good option for the near future (again, hoping to stir up uncertainty as the figures of HD DVD movie sales are going against them). It wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft paid Paramount a good deal of cash to re-ignite the uncertainty (through temperary exclusivity).

 MS has lot's of reasons to support HD DVD, teh least of which is the ps3.

They're mainly supporting HD DVD in the hopes of creating a stalemate.  If both formats lose, then MS can come in and take over with it's HD download services.  

makingmusic476,

ok so the other guy (DBZ) was saying crap ...

an for the HD DVD player it seems that in 2 months (sept ==> november), they succeed to double the number of standalone HD DVD player reaching
the 750 000 unit in NA (or USA only ?) !!!!!!!!!!!

there is already a thread about this.

It is just to say that if the cheap HD DVD player sell so well, the war is not over

Microsoft wants to hold sony back. They dont want sony to be a more valuable company than they are.

If blu-ray wins PS3 Wins, because DVD would become obsolete and PS3 is the only option for blu-ray movies.

The 750k number includes teh ~250k 360 add-ons, and yes, it is for the US only.  The US is the only region HD DVD has a chance.  Blu-Ray has 95% marketshare in Japan, and the HDM market in Europe is practically non-existent.

There are around 500k HD DVD standalones in the US right now, which is still about 60% more than they had two months ago.

The problem is that these cheap players aren't translating into software sales. Warner is the deciding factor in this war. Which way do you think they'll go?

can't they go on both?

That's what they're doing now, but recenet statements by Warner execs hint that they will be going exclusive one way or the other very soon.

They basically said, "The public is not deciding this war. We are in a position to do so. We'll be watching sales in the 4th quarter very closely."

Even if Warner stays neutral, Blu-Ray's larger marketshare has an effect on retailers too. Retailers continually expand the Blu-Ray movie section of their stores, often dwarfing the HD DVD section. This sends various messages to potential HDM purchasers. Which side would they choose?

MikeB said: Exactly. HD DVD's last hope was bottom of the barrel pricing. It's not working. What do they have left? How about this? (from September 2007) Buy The Matrix HD DVD, get free HD DVD player link

Yep, those 150 free HD DVD players will definitely turn the tide.

The problem is that these cheap players aren't translating into software sales. Warner is the deciding factor in this war. Which way do you think they'll go?

==> the PS3 has to match/catch the Xbox360 sales to continue to increase the numbers of BR potential users.
It needs another price drop, 400$ is too much expensive.
The 2008 game line-up should help too.
Of course, Warner going exclusive to BR would kill everything.

For the PAL, in fact, du to the PS3, the HD (particularly the BR in fact) begin to increase a little bit. The PS3 is opening the market.

In fact, if you take in count, the WW market, then the war is over.