It does NOT. If did, the BDA would have approved three or four layer discs as well. They haven't, therefore those 100GB discs are not ready for market. They likely will be in the future, but saying they're ready now is just a lie, same as claiming the ten layer HD-DVDs are just as ready. 

I didn't think I needed to mention that they were for movies. Why would anyone try to argue that a movie format war would be won with music?

The second point is fair, though. I do believe that digital distribution will take the lead in this race, but only time will tell on that one.

"Once the majority of the world has the internet speed necessary to download a standard definition movie, let alone a high definition movie, in just a few minutes, let me know. "

Once the majority of the world can acquire said movie without A) having it shipped B) going out to buy/rent it, then your argument holds water, like when they invent the teleporter.

Otherwise, buying a movie online for cheaper than it costs to buy it in a store/ship it still seems worth the time to me.

And FYI, Digital Cable allows you to do this as well.

In a "shocking" development, Stringer reaffirms his commitment to blu-ray. He has the sense not to outright retract his previous statements, but still says they have a chance at winning. One key point is that official price cuts well below $400 are not planned.  I'm taking his word on that, considering it's so close to black Friday. 

Sony CEO Stringer Reaffirms Blu-ray Support

Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 01:22 PM ET
Tags: Sony (all tags)

Ten days after he was quoted pondering a possible loss in the high-def format war, Sony CEO Howard Stringer is reaffirming his company's commitment to Blu-ray.

In an new interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Stringer pointed to both industry and fan support for the format, saying Blu-ray has "the momentum and the scale" to beat HD DVD in the battle for high-def disc supremacy.

"I think Blu-ray is just a better format," Stringer said. "Our partners are with Blu-ray Disc because, first of all, we have greater security, which Fox is particularly good at. Disney thinks it's a better picture. And the sheer amount of bandwidth on the disc gives directors and beyond all kinds of future opportunity, including director's cuts and who knows what 3-D capabilities will be down the road."

"I think that's why Steven Spielberg held out his own product from going to HD DVD," he added. "Ultimately, if you're passionate about movies, which these DVD collectors are, Blu-ray is the best answer. I think that is true, and we see that in the blogging environment."

Stringer's comments come almost two weeks after the CEO was quoted downplaying the outcome of the format war, saying "it doesn't mean as much as all that," and describing a win for either side as mostly a matter of prestige. His earlier remarks were interpreted by some as signaling a retreat by Sony from the format war.

In his more recent comments, Stringer acknowledged a recent set of price cuts for HD DVD hardware, saying Blu-ray "isn't the cheaper format, but it is the better format."

The Sony CEO went on to say that Blu-ray hardware prices probably won't sink much below $400. "We haven't announced any price cuts yet, but obviously the PS3 at $399 was a price cut, and that's also a Blu-ray player," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "We're comfortable with the situation at the moment."

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Politically, ofcourse he's got to! What will his stockholders think if he didn't correct his statement? What will the other manufacturers think if their leader waver? If he doesn't correct his statement, then he's not fit to be a CEO. Statements that bring speculation among investers and consumers can never mean a good thing. It only brings doubt on the future of the business.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Think this war will ever end? Not according to Toshiba. Apparently, Toshiba knows they can't full out win the war, and they're just trying keep enough marketshare to receive at least something in royalties from disc sales.

From Pocket-Lint.Uk:

Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer made a somewhat similar comment the other day, saying:

Warner has also made similar comments:

It appears that both Warner and Sony recognize the fact that this war is starting to stalemate, yet niether wants a dual-format world. As Warner said above, they are in a position to decide this war, so they will probably go exclusive one way or another before long. I personally believe that going Blu exclusive would be the only way to end anything. If they went HD exclusive, the studio support would be even more even, with it being 4 studios vs 3 (Sony, Disney, Fox, and Lionsgate vs Universal, Paramount, and Warner), and this war would only drag oneven further.

If Warner went with Toshiba, it would only ensure the dual format world that Toshiba currently envisions, and they'd inevitably want to produce two versions of each movie anyway. However, if they Went Blu exclusive, Blu-Ray would have 5 major studios exclusively supporting the format, and it would ensure victory, leading to a one format world.

I don't want multiple formats. I hope Warner goes Blu exclusive in early '08 so all of this could end.

Well if both sides decide to release dual players, and let studios decide what format to put their movies on, then a dual format existence wouldn't be so bad.

 GASP!  You mean, real competition?

Well it took until the PS2 for DVD players to look attractive to the mainstream. Although it's still a niche, high-def seems to be getting more traction in over one year than DVD took in over three, thanks to both sides doing their best to make hi-def appealing. That says the format war is not hurting, despite the whining of those who want a winner.