Apple in Talks with Sony about Blu-ray Drives

MacRumors · Mar 10, 2008, 01:34 AM

Financial Times reported that in the wake of Sony's Blu-ray win over HD-DVD, that Sony is in talks with both Microsoft and Apple about inclusion of Blu-ray with future machines. Microsoft had previously been shipping an HD-DVD accessory for their Xbox 360, so their adoption of Blu-ray would represent a significant turnaround.

Apple, however, has not yet shipped any high definition drives with any of their computers. They've instead focused on distributing digital content through their iTunes Store.

With the demise of the HD-DVD format, it seems only a matter of time before Apple adopts Blu-ray drives in their machines.

Article Link

deathshrub · Mar 10, 2008, 01:36 AM

Not a surprise.

luminosity · Mar 10, 2008, 01:40 AM

Ultimately, I think blu-ray is an updated version of the last horse-drawn carriage. Optical drives aren't going to last forever, and I think they'll start getting phased out en masse within a few years (whereas DVDs have been around almost a decade now).

Quu · Mar 10, 2008, 01:40 AM

It's about time.

I have a 1st generation MacBook Pro and I'm looking forward to upgrading it. A Bluray drive might be the last piece of the puzzle for me.

studiopix · Mar 10, 2008, 01:42 AM

...would be the killer combination for the ultimate next-gen console.

It would be nice to have optional recordable BD drives for the Mac on the condition that the prices of the drives and media are within reason. 50GBs would be very convenient for backups.

gibbz · Mar 10, 2008, 01:42 AM

I think I read that Sony just wants to sell a BR reader, while Apple wants writer capability as well. Talked about here.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...microsoft.html

Grimace · Mar 10, 2008, 01:44 AM

My portable data needs don't really justify burning a 25/50GB disc. I would back up to an internal/external hard drive for that purpose.

I suppose that large video and audio files would benefit, but I can't see a "need" as much as the times we considered whether or not to get a superdrive. 4.7GB/disc was a big deal, and a capacity that had universal appeal. I can't see as many people buying a BD burner just yet. Maybe BD-R/DVD-RW drives will become the standard with a $200 upgrade to the BD-R/W version.

ilflyya · 01:49 AM

Physical Data isn't likely to go away. Downloading movies isn't something that everyone is capable of doing. The net connection I have right now sucks, and SBC says it is the best they can do because I'm at the end of their line, and I live in the suburbs of Indianapolis. Downloading a youtube video, let alone a full length movie, isn't even worth it. Bring on BR, even if it is a upgraded horse and buggy, I'll love the quality of it as well on my 65 inch big screen!

zombitronic · Mar 10, 2008, 01:50 AM

I'd love to see Blu-Ray in the Mini upgrade. This would be a television's best friend.

danielpi · Mar 10, 2008, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luminosity

Ultimately, I think blu-ray is an updated version of the last horse-drawn carriage. Optical drives aren't going to last forever, and I think they'll start getting phased out en masse within a few years (whereas DVDs have been around almost a decade now).

Disagree. Are you suggesting that you would save a library of HD films on your hard drive? How about when 2k or 4k become the standard? Given the rate at which hard drive technology is improving, and the rate at which network connections improve -- these will be dwarfed by the increasing memory demands of films, and there will remain a need for some form of hard storage (not necessarily optical drives, but the wifi world you imagine is not in the forseeable future, methinks).

Undecided · Mar 10, 2008, 01:52 AM

It seems bad for the industry, and the users, if everyone has to pay homage to Sony and only Sony.

richthomas · 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studiopix

...would be the killer combination for the ultimate next-gen console.

It would be nice to have optional recordable BD drives for the Mac on the condition that the prices of the drives and media are within reason. 50GBs would be very convenient for backups.

i think the next gen XBox will have a Blu-Ray drive as Microsoft probably know by now that they made the wrong decision choosing HD DVD with most of the major film studios now going to Blu-Ray and Toshiba and NetFlix going Blu-Ray exclusive.

Beric · Mar 10, 2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luminosity

Ultimately, I think blu-ray is an updated version of the last horse-drawn carriage. Optical drives aren't going to last forever, and I think they'll start getting phased out en masse within a few years (whereas DVDs have been around almost a decade now).

This is my opinion as well.

rezonat0r · Mar 10, 2008, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undecided

It seems bad for the industry, and the users, if everyone has to pay homage to Sony and only Sony.

You should probably read up on exactly who makes up the Blu-ray Disc Association.

rezonat0r · Mar 10, 2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

I'd love to see Blu-Ray in the Mini upgrade. This would be a television's best friend.

Hear hear!

Add a dash of XBMC on OS X and you'll never leave the house again!

MacFly123 · Mar 10, 2008, 01:58 AM

So what exactly was this rumor reporting besides old news and the obvious???

notnek · Mar 10, 2008, 02:03 AM

Would be sick if apple made a firewire BR drive that hooked up to current Intel machines.

megfilmworks · Mar 10, 2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luminosity

Ultimately, I think blu-ray is an updated version of the last horse-drawn carriage. Optical drives aren't going to last forever, and I think they'll start getting phased out en masse within a few years (whereas DVDs have been around almost a decade now).

I agree. In fact they are already phasing optical drives out; MBA.

MacFly123 · Mar 10, 2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimace

I can't see as many people buying a BD burner just yet. Maybe BD-R/DVD-RW drives will become the standard with a $200 upgrade to the BD-R/W version.

So Apple could make a Super Drive that reads and burns CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray? That is what I would want!

sharp65 · Mar 10, 2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megfilmworks

I agree. In fact they are already phasing optical drives out; MBA.

What??? The MBA was a joke, it's not the future of technology by any means.

gwangung · Mar 10, 2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megfilmworks

I agree. In fact they are already phasing optical drives out; MBA.

Fr mobile machines.

For stationary machines...probably not so much...

randyharris · Mar 10, 2008, 02:15 AM

I really couldn't care less about a Bluray drive in my iMac, but oh my - wouldn't an AppleTV with a Bluray player be hot hot hot!

takeabyteoutta · Mar 10, 2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilflyya

Physical Data isn't likely to go away. Downloading movies isn't something that everyone is capable of doing. The net connection I have right now sucks, and SBC says it is the best they can do because I'm at the end of their line, and I live in the suburbs of Indianapolis. Downloading a youtube video, let alone a full length movie, isn't even worth it. Bring on BR, even if it is a upgraded horse and buggy, I'll love the quality of it as well on my 65 inch big screen!

What you need is a blu-ray player, such as a PS3, not a blu-ray player in your mac.

This rumor has little to no substance anyway.

MacFly123 · Mar 10, 2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyharris

I really couldn't care less about a Bluray drive in my iMac, but oh my - wouldn't an AppleTV with a Bluray player be hot hot hot!

Yes it would, but I think it defeats their goal of the digital model. And I just want to say how nice it is to hear someone say the "couldN'T care less" expression correctly for once

tizy · Mar 10, 2008, 02:18 AM

I don't think Apple is that eager to adopt new blu-ray drives, due to the fact that they have two competing products (sort of)...
1)Movie titles in the form of downloadable content through iTunes.
2)Time Machine (sort of) for saving hard drive contents
... and the reason i say sort of is because I know there are other uses.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:34 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple in Talks with Sony about Blu-ray Drives Financial Times reported that in the wake of Sony's Blu-ray win over HD-DVD, that Sony is in talks with both Microsoft and Apple about inclusion of Blu-ray with future machines. Microsoft had previously been shipping an HD-DVD accessory for their Xbox 360, so their adoption of Blu-ray would represent a significant turnaround. Apple, however, has not yet shipped any high definition drives with any of their computers. They've instead focused on distributing digital content through their iTunes Store. With the demise of the HD-DVD format, it seems only a matter of time before Apple adopts Blu-ray drives in their machines. Article Link

Mar 10, 2008, 01:40 AM	#3
luminosity macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arizona	Ultimately, I think blu-ray is an updated version of the last horse-drawn carriage. Optical drives aren't going to last forever, and I think they'll start getting phased out en masse within a few years (whereas DVDs have been around almost a decade now). __________________ 17'' MBP 2.8 4 GB RAM 500 HD, 15'' MBP 2.33, 2 GB RAM 120 HD

Mar 10, 2008, 01:42 AM	#5
studiopix macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2003	Blu-Ray intergrated in the XBox 360... ...would be the killer combination for the ultimate next-gen console. It would be nice to have optional recordable BD drives for the Mac on the condition that the prices of the drives and media are within reason. 50GBs would be very convenient for backups.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:42 AM	#6
gibbz macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: National Weather Center	I think I read that Sony just wants to sell a BR reader, while Apple wants writer capability as well. Talked about here. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...microsoft.html __________________ 32GB iPhone 3G S⃣ UMB 2.4/4GB/250GB MP 8x2.8/16GB MP 8x2.93/16GB/2x24" Apple LED Apple TV Gibbz

Mar 10, 2008, 01:44 AM	#7
Grimace Contributor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: with Hamburglar.	My portable data needs don't really justify burning a 25/50GB disc. I would back up to an internal/external hard drive for that purpose. I suppose that large video and audio files would benefit, but I can't see a "need" as much as the times we considered whether or not to get a superdrive. 4.7GB/disc was a big deal, and a capacity that had universal appeal. I can't see as many people buying a BD burner just yet. Maybe BD-R/DVD-RW drives will become the standard with a $200 upgrade to the BD-R/W version. __________________ Canon 1Ds Mk III • Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm f/2.8L II • 24-70mm f/2.8L • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 50mm f/1.2L • 85mm f/1.2L • 135mm f/2L • 300mm f/2.8L IS

Mar 10, 2008, 01:36 AM	#2
deathshrub Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Christmas Island	Not a surprise.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:40 AM	#4
Quu macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2007	It's about time. I have a 1st generation MacBook Pro and I'm looking forward to upgrading it. A Bluray drive might be the last piece of the puzzle for me.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:48 AM	#8
ilflyya macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Indiana	Physical Data Physical Data isn't likely to go away. Downloading movies isn't something that everyone is capable of doing. The net connection I have right now sucks, and SBC says it is the best they can do because I'm at the end of their line, and I live in the suburbs of Indianapolis. Downloading a youtube video, let alone a full length movie, isn't even worth it. Bring on BR, even if it is a upgraded horse and buggy, I'll love the quality of it as well on my 65 inch big screen! Last edited by ilflyya : Mar 10, 2008 at 01:49 AM. Reason: Grammar

Mar 10, 2008, 01:50 AM	#9
zombitronic macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2007	I'd love to see Blu-Ray in the Mini upgrade. This would be a television's best friend.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:52 AM	#11
Undecided macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005	Is blu-ray an open standard? It seems bad for the industry, and the users, if everyone has to pay homage to Sony and only Sony.

Mar 10, 2008, 01:58 AM	#16
MacFly123 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2006	So what exactly was this rumor reporting besides old news and the obvious??? __________________ - Steve Jobs' best friend!

Mar 10, 2008, 02:03 AM	#17
notnek macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007	Would be sick if apple made a firewire BR drive that hooked up to current Intel machines.

Mar 10, 2008, 02:15 AM	#22
randyharris macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2006	I really couldn't care less about a Bluray drive in my iMac, but oh my - wouldn't an AppleTV with a Bluray player be hot hot hot! __________________ Randy at MacSeven.com

Mar 10, 2008, 02:18 AM	#25
tizy macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY	I don't think Apple is that eager to adopt new blu-ray drives, due to the fact that they have two competing products (sort of)... 1)Movie titles in the form of downloadable content through iTunes. 2)Time Machine (sort of) for saving hard drive contents ... and the reason i say sort of is because I know there are other uses.

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