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Microsoft defends HD DVD support

6 November 2007 10:40 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 88 comments

Last week, at the Blu-ray Disc Festival in Los Angeles, 20th Century Fox president Mike Dunn took shots at a company he characterized as an 800 pound gorilla looking for customer confusion to spark online media sales. It was a thinly veiled reference to HD DVD supporter Microsoft, and later in the week a Microsoft representative responded, saying �The [Blu-ray] camp�s claims about Microsoft�s desire to have a format war are baseless.� Kevin Collins, director in the Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group said �Microsoft has over 100 people working on HD DVD interactivity and we believe that HD DVD is the next-generation optical format.�

Collins said the company's decision to back HD DVD was a result of purely pragmatic concerns such as lower disc manufacturing costs and mandated managed copying, which is supposed to make it possible to exercise some fair use rights without compromising DRM concerns. On the subject of copying, he said �AACS today is rapidly approaching the �final agreement� that will start to make this available for customers, though I do not have a firm timeline on this.� He added, �The key fact is that Microsoft believed that a next-generation format should be �consumer friendly� and at the time of the decision, only HD DVD supported this.�

He also addressed the decision not to make HD DVD a standard feature for the Xbox 360. �If you look historically at the attach rates (i.e. the number of DVDs purchased per DVD player) you will see that game consoles have a single-digit attach rate, while dedicated DVD players have an attach rate in the mid-20s,� said Collins. �Microsoft knew if we put in an HD DVD drive that we would have to raise costs and disenfranchise our customers (that are primarily gamers) as the unit would become too expensive.�

To illustrate this he pointed out the sales gap between Nintendo's Wii, which debuted at a significantly lower price than either the Xbox 360 or PS3 (and has no next-gen media support) and subsequently outsold both by a considerable margin. Microsoft recently introduced a bare bones version of the Xbox 360, called the Arcade Bundle, to close the price gap with Nintendo.

Source: Home Media Magazine

Permalink to this article | Topic: HD DVD

Warner Music CEO believes DRM was a mistake (15 November 2007)

Nintendo warns shoppers of Wii shortage in UK (14 November 2007)

HD DVD group touts attach rate figures in Europe (13 November 2007)

DivX support rumored for Xbox 360 again (13 November 2007)

Xbox 360 manages to briefly outsell PS3 in Japan (12 November 2007)

French Musiwave could get acquired by Microsoft (12 November 2007)

Samsung drops plans for mid-tier Blu-ray player (5 November 2007)

Warner staying dual-format in HD war (5 November 2007)

Microsoft to continue marketing HD DVD drive as a niche product (3 November 2007)

Update: Kmart is not choosing sides in HD war (2 November 2007)

Sony planning Blu-ray player price drop (2 November 2007)

Sony starts aggressive PlayStation 3 and Blu-ray campaign (1 November 2007)

HD VMD is coming to the US (27 October 2007)

HD DVD still in the race say analysts (24 October 2007)

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ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 9 November 2007 19:29
*Quote:* *Originally posted by zippyDSM:* dude...havle, 1/2,half, twice 2 times,X2........... so reduce 400$ 50% X 2 =100$ or 100X 2 =200$ X2 = 400$. Halve is to split in half....to do so twice is to quarter! ok DUDE! You win. Havle halve, BR, whatever! HD-DVD WINS!!! So you have nothing to say but that to show you have no thoughts or reason of your own other than the PR kool aid you drink, believe it or not the US has major consumer buying power still thus if tis cheap in the US and takes root the format or device will win because the US will suck it up why do you think the duct taped easy break oven(360) dose so well? Price will decide what wins market competition 8 time out of 10(the other 2 bankruptcy/give up or buy out/merger), BR is the better format for the long road but without them effecting the market now they are dead, much like Beta and UDM. There are more to formats and markets than the consumer drool they give out as brain washing kool aid, find a better drink..but stay away from the biter....it will make you pissy and hate everything >> [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 9 November 2007 20:11
*Originally posted by gleone:* 71% to 29% is 2:1??? On what planet? *Originally posted by gleone:* HIGH-DEF MARKET SHARE - BRD VS HD-DVD SOFTWARE SALES (11/4/07 - Nielsen/VideoScan): Week End. 11/4.....Blu-ray Disc: 71%.....HD-DVD: 29% Year to Date..........Blu-ray Disc: 64%.....HD-DVD: 36% Since Inception......Blu-ray Disc: 61%.....HD-DVD: 39% according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9 November 2007 20:19
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 25 November 2007 16:52
The fact is that Microsoft has put all its eggs in one basket and does want HD DVD to win the war. It will be hard for them to win i do feel the way thing s are going that both formats are going to last and eventually as we can see with some brands that dual format players are coming out and eventually dual format burners will follow. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 25 November 2007 17:56
*Originally posted by borhan9:* The fact is that Microsoft has put all its eggs in one basket and does want HD DVD to win the war. It will be hard for them to win i do feel the way thing s are going that both formats are going to last and eventually as we can see with some brands that dual format players are coming out and eventually dual format burners will follow. And sony has not? MS has more money to toss away,and that should help them with something,also unlike sony MS didn't put all their eggs in 1 basket but 2 or 3 if you count MS being more engrossed in the game depo than sony is. MS might be breaking even or keeping up with their debt sony is doing the same, really I can see the whole PS3 V 360 going into extra innings as far as games/sales go with the PS3 optimized and the 360 having HDVD games things will be interesting in 3+ years. [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 19:24
*Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Right! It's Nielsen weekly report! WEEKLY!!! Idiot! Just so everyone knows, weird0 is now deemed the official idiot of the United States. He posts on electronics sites but doesn't know Nielsen is weekly. KING IDIOT of the USA!!! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25 November 2007 19:45
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 20:32
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Right! It's Nielsen weekly report! WEEKLY!!! no shit! thats what i was pointing out i mentioned 2:1 disc sales lead, so i was obviously talking about overall disc sales. why would you quote that and then mention 71% to 29% data how bout some reading comprehension fucking idiot [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 20:45
*Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Right! It's Nielsen weekly report! WEEKLY!!! You couldn't be any dumber! LOL [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 20:45
*Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Right! It's Nielsen weekly report! WEEKLY!!! You couldn't be any dumber! LOL [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 20:48
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Right! It's Nielsen weekly report! WEEKLY!!! You couldn't be any dumber! LOL in my original post, did i mention Nielson weekly report? you attached it to my post. nice job son. keep making yourself look like a stupid n00b don't you get it? thats what i was trying to point out. ROFL!!!! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25 November 2007 20:52
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 21:08
*Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron LOL. You couldn't be any dumber. You still don't get it. Nielsen is a WEEKLY REPORT!!! According to my report 71% to 29% was ONLY for the week. It was NOT a total!!! Nielsen is WEEKLY!!! It's not that hard to get. It's a simple concept. W-E-E-K-L-Y!!! You're dumber than everyone first suspected. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 25 November 2007 21:11
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron LOL. You couldn't be any dumber. You still don't get it. Nielsen is a WEEKLY REPORT!!! According to my report 71% to 29% was ONLY for the week. It was NOT a total!!! Nielsen is WEEKLY!!! It's not that hard to get. It's a simple concept. W-E-E-K-L-Y!!! You're dumber than everyone first suspected. could it be that the report was based on that week and that the report is not from nelson? [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 21:21
*Originally posted by gleone:* *Quote:* with that many units out there, blu-ray can only manage a 2 to 1 disc sales lead? how pathetic 71% to 29% is 2:1??? On what planet? my original post, i was talking about total disc sales not weekly sales. like i said, how bout some reading comprehension idiot. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25 November 2007 21:42
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 21:37
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* my original post, i was talking about total disc sales not weekly sales. like i said, how bout some reading comprehension idiot Are you that dumb?!?!? I posted Nielsen's weekly numbers! Nielsen is WEEKLY!!! Nielsen is NOT total. It has nothing to do with your post. It's the WEEKLY numbers. go back to sleep. W-E-E-K-L-Y!!! It's not that hard to understand!!! [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 21:44
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* with that many units out there, blu-ray can only manage a 2 to 1 disc sales lead? how pathetic 71% to 29% is 2:1??? On what planet? go back and read the original post again. you responded to me not the other way around. that quote shows you bringing up weekly stats when i was obviously talking about total disc sales. Sony/blu-ray has their wee-wee so far up your ass that you can't even thing strait [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 22:01
*Originally posted by weird0:* with that many units out there, blu-ray can only manage a 2 to 1 disc sales lead? how pathetic You're missing the point. Nielsen is a weekly report. How do you not understand that. sales are 3:1 fyi [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 22:20
*Originally posted by gleone:* *Quote:* with that many units out there, blu-ray can only manage a 2 to 1 disc sales lead? how pathetic You're missing the point. Nielsen is a weekly report listen my brain damaged friend, that post that you originally responded to had nothing to do with nielsen weekly figures. yet for some reason you responded 71% to 29% yadda yadda dur dur. you're the dumbass for getting confused. please try and get that in that thick skull of yours [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 22:36
*Originally posted by weird0:* listen my brain damaged friend, that post that you originally responded to had nothing to do with nielsen weekly figures. yet for some reason you responded 71% to 29% yadda yadda dur dur. you're the dumbass for getting confused. please try and get that in that thick skull of yours No you're wrong. Nielsen is WEEKLY. That means it comes out once every week. How do you still not get that?!?!?! WOW. It's not that hard! [ + quote]
weird0 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 22:46
*Originally posted by gleone:* No you're wrong. Nielsen is WEEKLY. That means it comes out once every week. How do you still not get that?!?!?! WOW. It's not that hard! no dude, i get it. Neilsen is your dad, and he anally rapes you W-E-E-K-L-Y. enjoy [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 22:48
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* no dude, i get it. Nielsen is WEEKLY!!! It's not that hard. [ + quote]
jimmer (Newbie) 25 November 2007 23:09
*Originally posted by weird0:* WOW. It's not that hard! no dude, i get it. Neilsen is your dad, and he anally rapes you W-E-E-K-L-Y. enjoy LOL! [ + quote]
Scapp70 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 23:10
From the article: �The key fact is that Microsoft believed that a next-generation format should be �consumer friendly� and at the time of the decision, only HD DVD supported this.� I think the public will at most be only aquaintances as far as the goal of getting to the level of 'consumer friendly'. [ + quote]
Scapp70 (Newbie) 25 November 2007 23:26
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* no dude, i get it. Neilsen is your dad, and he anally rapes you W-E-E-K-L-Y. enjoy Wow Weirdo, you truly are a dopey moron. Your idiotic, immature remark shows that you actually DON'T get it. How freakin' hard is it to comprehend a stupid Nielsen's VideoScan Weekly Report? I suppose if you knew how to read it in the first place, it would be apparent to you that you backed the wrong horse in the first place. Maybe that's why you are getting so bent out of shape, don't take it out on Gleone. [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 25 November 2007 23:28
*Originally posted by jimmer:* WOW. It's not that hard! no dude, i get it. Neilsen is your dad, and he XXXXXX XXXXX XXXX W-E-E-K-L-Y. enjoy No jimmer, you have it all wrong. Nielsen does a weekly review of sales. The numbers I posted were the weekly stats. Thanks [ + quote]
gleone (Newbie) 26 November 2007 2:08
*Originally posted by weird0:* XXXX thats what i was pointing out i mentioned 2:1 disc sales lead, so i was obviously talking about overall disc sales. why would you quote that and then mention 71% to 29% data how bout some reading comprehension No. That's not correct. It's a weekly report. Nielsen Has always been putting out weekly reports. [ + quote]
Ketola (Admin) 26 November 2007 9:08
*Originally posted by weird0:* *Originally posted by jimmer:* *Originally posted by weird0:* WOW. It's not that hard! no dude, i get it. Neilsen is your dad, and he anally rapes you W-E-E-K-L-Y. enjoy LOL! Take a breath for a couple of days, and learn to mind the language. Thanks. Jari Ketola Administrator http://www.AfterDawn.com [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 27 November 2007 2:30
gleone (Newbie) 26 November 2007 16:05
*Quote:* *Originally posted by weird0:* according to what you posted earlier, that 71% to 29% was only for the week, not total... moron Nielsen does a weekly sales report. They added the YTD #'s in this one. Maybe this will help you. Here are the weeks past: Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending November 18th WE: BD-66% HDD-34% YTD: BD-65% HDD-35% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending November 11th WE: BD-65% HDD-35% YTD: BD-65% HDD-35% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending November 4th WE: BD-71% HDD-29% YTD: BD-64% HDD-36% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending October 28th WE: BD-55% HDD-45% YTD: BD-64% HDD-36% SI: BD-60% HDD-40% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending October 21th WE: BD-51% HDD-49% YTD: BD-65% HDD-35% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending October 14th WE: BD-71% HDD-29% YTD: BD-66% HDD-34% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% Nielsen/VideoScan Numbers ending October 7th WE: BD-68% HDD-32% YTD: BD-66% HDD-34% SI: BD-61% HDD-39% HD-DVD was actually doing better a year ago. Now that the word is out on the Weak format, it's only getting worse. HD-DVD will probably be around for approx 4 more months. Enjoy! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 26 November 2007 16:12