Posted by Larry Qualig on 06/23/06 01:45

asj wrote:
> Ray Ingles wrote:
> > Gee, really pulling out all the stops there. I'm a big fan of the
> > Terminator (the movie, not the governor), but even I wouldn't shell out
> > that kind of cash to watch it in HD... and I wouldn't shell out *any*
> > amount of cash for the others
>
> Only the initial group of titles from one of many studios. Hold on to
> your hats, the battle for the world's living rooms is about to turn
> hot. Microsoft with its stoodge toshiba on one end and Java/Linux/etc
> on the other side.

It is the consumer that will determine the ultimate winner in the
HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray battle. Consumers don't know and don't care what
format MS, Java, Linux, etc are standing behind. What consumers care
about is cost. When they walk into a BestBuy/CircuitCity store and see
one unit selling for $1000 and another unit for $599 they will buy the
less expensive model.

They won't care which one has marginally better quality video. Most
people can can tell the difference between standard video and HD but
few consumers will be able to discern the subtle difference in quality
between these two formats. The difference in price... that's something
they understand.

At current prices not enough of either format will be sold to determine
the outcome. The real battle will be to see which format can break the
$399 barrier first. My prediction... first player to sell for $399 or
less will be the winner.

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