Blu-Ray Support at Macworld? Mac Pros Soon?

[JNB]

but the truth is that Blu Ray nor HD-DVD will ever catch on like the DVD format did.

Um, yeah, the "winning" format will surpass it. Study the history of media a little and it's obvious. DVD is just another phase, as is BluRay/HD-DVD. Just like 78's overtook wax rolls, which were overtaken by LP's, then 8-track/cassette, CD, etc., etc. People are going to be replacing existing content at a frightening pace, once this thing is settled in a bit, as they always have.

Considering the coming technical and regulatory landslide, HD content, media, displays, broadcast, are all ramping forward at a dizzying pace. This game is only just warming up.

If you've been around long enough to remember the Beta/VHS wars, you know this is just another transitional period. In less than ten years, BluRay/HD-DVD will be a fond memory, bank on it. New formats, new players, new landfills.

 

[mambodancer]

Warner drops HD DVD support

According to an Ars article...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/pos...tail-format-war-by-ending-hd-dvd-support.html

 

[Gokhan]

k

guys can i just find out what actual hardware upgrades apart from bluray (which i dont give two ***** about) will happen ??

cpus ?
graphics etc ???

what above prices will they be the same or will we see a reduction ??

thanks

my vote is for hd **** sony and their expensive to manufacture and purchase but nintendo served them anyway hehhehehe

 

[JNB]

guys can i just find out what actual hardware upgrades apart from bluray (which i dont give two ***** about) will happen ??

cpus ?
graphics etc ???

what above prices will they be the same or will we see a reduction ??

thanks

my vote is for hd **** sony and their expensive to manufacture and purchase but nintendo served them anyway hehhehehe

In about...

 

[Gokhan]

k

yeah but there must be indications on what sort of cpu and graphics update we can expect

 

[Lynxpro]

I personally don't care what direction Apple decides to go, I still refuse to support Sony in any capacity. Regardless that this is a Mac forum and most users on here are HEAVILY bias against Microsoft, if you think that Sony is a company that is looking out for your interests then you seriously have another thing coming. I've been on the Sony ship in the past when they came out with 'cutting edge' technology, and I can report that my MiniDisc sits today in a junk drawer. Enjoy riding the Sony ship...

So...will you be boycotting the Apple Stores because Apple has Sony TVs connected to the AppleTV units on display?

At least Sony has a history of making quality products...when has Microsoft ever been considered a manufacturer of quality products?

 

[Lynxpro]

Sorry dude, your side lost. Enjoy your friend's modern laserdisc while you can.

No, HD DVD is the modern CED. By comparing it to LaserDisc, you infer that HD DVD was a superior format, which it was not.

 

[gkarris]

No, HD DVD is the modern CED. By comparing it to LaserDisc, you infer that HD DVD was a superior format, which it was not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEd5h4wci70

(hugs RCA Selectavision CED player...)

 

[xbjllb]

It's OFFICIAL: Format war is over, Warner and Mac choose Blu-Ray!

This is NOT a rumor either.

Warner AND Mac choose Blu-Ray; format wars are OVER.

Details here.

Sorry all you Microsoft guys that threw away money on HD-DVD, the best format has won.

 

[Norco]

So...will you be boycotting the Apple Stores because Apple has Sony TVs connected to the AppleTV units on display?

At least Sony has a history of making quality products...when has Microsoft ever been considered a manufacturer of quality products?

No, I don't care what TV's their computers are hooked up to...I never purchase anything at the Apple Stores because I don't need to listen to morons try to sales pitch me.

Like I said before, this is a bias forum so I'm not going to waste my time trying to defend Microsoft...but how about Sony and their secret root kit, Playstation 2 lasers dying, (even the original playstation was cheaply made and had to be tipped upside down to often get it to play a game). And if you are forgetting, it was SONY's Betamax.

 

[Norco]

It's a consortium, not Sony.

Major hardware members include: Sony, Sharp, Hitachi, Panasonic, HP, Dell, LG, Thomson, Sun (Java), Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Mitsubishi Electric, TDK.

Pretty sure that Apple makes that list once they ship Blu-Ray players/burners.

It is and will continue to be known as "Sony's" Blu-Ray, just as HD-DVD is known as Toshiba's, even though it has the backing of its own consortium.

 

[Norco]

MiniDisc was actually an excellent replacement for casette tape. Put this into context... does a Newton and/or Motorolla ROKR sit next to the MiniDisc in your drawer? To paraphrase your point, do you think Apple have your personal interests in mind? Let's not refract perspectives for our own little personal hate agendas: if you feel that way about Sony, then you really must dislike every company.

No, I don't dislike all companies, just some. And of course Apple doesn't care about the end users, if they did they would have already released an updated Mac Pro and admitted that their iPod's have issues (namely iTouch, but others as well.)

 

[oxygen8]

I have been waiting exactly 1 year to buy a new Mac Pro. I waitied for iLife 08, then Leopard. I can't wait any longer! I want a new Mac Pro! I know as soon as I buy a new one, Apple will update the line with the new 3.2G procs. So I am forced to wait until the next revision.

Apple, please please please please please update the Mac Pro this month!

i run pro audio apps that are pigs for cpu and i haven't used half of my cpu power yet. the 3.2 is over kill. what i have is over kill.

 

[CWallace]

No, HD DVD is the modern CED. By comparing it to LaserDisc, you infer that HD DVD was a superior format, which it was not.

I bought CED instead of laser because it was cheaper and did more then VHS/Beta.

It looks like the same pattern might be emerging with HD-DVD. Cheaper then Blu-Ray and better then DVD, but not enough manufacturer and content support.

 

[Counter]

Mac Pro updates will be in the 4th quarter of this year, 10mhz bump on all procs and a blu-ray drive on the top end. Shhhhhhhhmokin'

 

[HDproducer]

No, I don't care what TV's their computers are hooked up to...I never purchase anything at the Apple Stores because I don't need to listen to morons try to sales pitch me.

. And if you are forgetting, it was SONY's Betamax.

And if you knew anything, you would know Betemax was the better format. In fact it is still in use today on a pro level, (Beta, BetaSP, DigiBeta) and VHS is barly still around as a consumer product.

So yes, BD is just like Betamax, a better option, only this time it looks like it will win. HD DVD will hang around much like Divx. If this format war never happened, just about everyone in this forum would have a player and all of the DVDs you just got for Christmas would have been High Def. and the 25% permium you pay for them would be gone. Instead there would be a 25% reduction for SD titles.

Indisputable facts- BD has per layer capacity. BD has higher data rates.

Any other differences are subjective as to which is better, and can be changed/upgraded at anytime via firmware or software updates.

OT: I do hope for BD support in the next update. I almost bought an HDDVD player simply because I can author HDDVD disks on regular DVDs. It is so nice to see the HD content the way it should be. To be able to burn proper BD would be great. Then the special announcement for the FCPUG could be DVDSP 5 with full BD authoring. Admittedly this is a long shot, but it would be nice. I can't imagine that they could keep that a secrete.

 

[bgillander]

Firmware updates

Indisputable facts- BD has per layer capacity. BD has higher data rates.

Any other differences are subjective as to which is better, and can be changed/upgraded at anytime via firmware or software updates.

Actually, this isn't true, as not everything can be added by firmware updates.

An Ethernet port cannot be added with a firmware update, which leaves most of the standalone blu-ray out of spec for Profile 2 (actually, I think it could be all the current standalone players.)

The ability to decode a second video stream could potentially be added with a firmware upgrade, assuming sufficient processing power already exists in the unit.

The PS3 already has the ethernet port and has had some great updates already, including the Profile 1.1 upgrade, so it looks promising for Profile 2, but it seems overly hopeful to expect the same for the other blu-ray players currently available.

 

[Norco]

And if you knew anything, you would know Betemax was the better format. In fact it is still in use today on a pro level, (Beta, BetaSP, DigiBeta) and VHS is barly still around as a consumer product.

Yeah and you can also kiss my @$$ with your self-righteous attitude. I know very well that Betamax is still being used in TV stations and the likes, but we are talking about the mass consumer market, not a limited niche.

 

[Eidorian]

barijazz in time out.

I don't think that was necessary.

You do need to strike a nice balance between media size and writing speed. It's quite painful to burn 50 GB right now. I do remember the early DVD days as well. Writing speeds just need to ramp up to meet capacity like DVD burners did.

I'm just going to hold out for a winner and when prices go down. Not that the $170 HD-DVD players at Sam's Club aren't tempting. My concern is more on the physical media end.

Eggs, one basket etc...

 

[HDproducer]

No, I don't care what TV's their computers are hooked up to...I never purchase anything at the Apple Stores because I don't need to listen to morons try to sales pitch me.

Like I said before, this is a bias forum so I'm not going to waste my time trying to defend Microsoft...but how about Sony and their secret root kit, Playstation 2 lasers dying, (even the original playstation was cheaply made and had to be tipped upside down to often get it to play a game). And if you are forgetting, it was SONY's Betamax.

Actually, this isn't true, as not everything can be added by firmware updates.

An Ethernet port cannot be added with a firmware update, which leaves most of the standalone blu-ray out of spec for Profile 2 (actually, I think it could be all the current standalone players.)

The ability to decode a second video stream could potentially be added with a firmware upgrade, assuming sufficient processing power already exists in the unit.

The PS3 already has the ethernet port and has had some great updates already, including the Profile 1.1 upgrade, so it looks promising for Profile 2, but it seems overly hopeful to expect the same for the other blu-ray players currently available.

You are right updates like that are considerably more than firmware. I was referring to the actual media itself, not the players. I am sure either player will be changing and adding features overtime and change from one manufacture to another.

 

[DakotaGuy]

well abercrombie boy, i guess I need to open my arms because as of may 2008 warner brothers is exclusive blu ray. im saying I told you so because I did, and you need to hear it and take it like a man.

I suggest you get on blu-ray.com when you are ready to join the future and ask questions....they have some of the most helpful and firendly people on the internet, but please do not come on and bicker about hd-dvd. its dead to me, as it should be to you.

the wii is cool, i agree....but aimed for a different crowd. search for the analyst yourself, because with this announcement I am confident the ps3 has a longer shelf life than the wii and we will see what happens in 5-10 years. have you played bowling for ps3? its virtually identical minus the controller being a little goofy. and of course it looks much much much better

It's fine...you were right and I was wrong. I'll admit when I am wrong about something. Are you the kind of person who will do the same? I don't mean that as a personal slam and I even sent you a PM to ask a few Blu-ray related questions, but that is just how you come across to me at times.

Since the few movies I own and my player are pretty much worthless at this point I might as well rent as many Netflix as I can and try to wear the thing out over the next year. Hopefully in a year or so there will be affordable, final profile standalone players. When that happens I will get one. Again, I don't want a PS3 because 1) I am not wild about Sony products (saw way to many friends PS2's with disc read errors) and 2) I don't "get" pushing little buttons at a high rate of speed for gaming. The last thing is because I really like my Harmony 890 RF remote and I from what I have read the PS3 is not compatible with that kind of remote.

Whatever you might think the Wii is and will continue to be very successful even if the craze dies down. Your right the Wii is aimed at a different crowd and that crowd is me and million of others that have been left behind by the gaming complexity war. I like a simple system that I can pick up and play for a few minutes here and there. There are quite a few games that I have had a lot of fun with and believe it or not...the graphics are not that bad. True, they don't compete with the PS3 or 360, but that isn't the point. I'm glad that Nintendo thought different and offered an Apple like solution to gaming. It's really impossible to even compare the Wii to the PS3 or the 360 because the market is so different, but Nintendo saw an untapped market and I am glad they decided to go for it.

 

[CWallace]

I wonder how much of an impact this will actually make in the "format wars" if it proves to be true.

Little to none.

(B)ut will the Blu-Ray Support be just a player or will it burn Blu-Ray as well?

My guess is they will offer both options.

 

[Jonny427]

Sorry dude, your side lost. Enjoy your friend's modern laserdisc while you can.

I wasn't supporting HD-DVD. In fact, I dont care which format wins. All i'm saying is that if there was just one type, then it would be much more widespread. This iteration of media will be overpassed by the next (teh internetz, flash drives or whatever it may be). I, for one, dont plan on purchasing either anytime soon. Perhaps next year the outlook will be different, and a $99 BD player will be on the market.

Its just funny to see so many BD supporters boasting their egos knowing they chose the more popular of the two formats. Kinda pathetic that you need to whip out your Blu Ray wang and wag it on the forums, no?

 

[DiamondMac]

All i'm saying is that if there was just one type, then it would be much more widespread.

It is getting there quickly

 

[haw-i-ya]

Blu-Ray for my MBP?

Would I be able to get this drive installed in my MacBook Pro if I bring it into the Apple store? I am so ready to make the switch to HD.