Just more proof that corporations control what we buy dont you think?

Question

Read this article about Toshiba and Sony:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080217/tecnology/tech_toshiba_hd_dvd_col

So Toshiba has conceded defeat and given up on HD-DVD and Sony's Blu-Ray DVDs win, meaning you and I will only be able to buy movies and videos that are Blu-Ray meaning all our DVD players etc. will be rendered useless. Even the 360 Xbox will eventually go to this format meaning you'll have to buy all new game systems.

Where is the justice to the consumer in all this?

I mean these companies cry the blues that THEY are losing money by people taking free music etc. and yet it's ok for them to s***w us over time and time again.

What about the tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands we've all spent over the years on music, movies, tvs, game systems etc.

It's really pathetic they can get away with all this.

I heard that sometime this year, Blockbuster will only stock HD-DVDs for rental, so start saving your hard earned money folks.

Answer 1

DVD is still around and will be for a long time to come. No-one is forcing anyone to buy Blu-ray. In fact I can (and have) made an argument for Blu-ray never being more than a premium niche format for those willing to pay for it.

Since the majority of consumers still buy DVDs, not Blu-ray or HD DVD disks, the studios would be cutting their own thoats by discontinuing DVDs. This won't change any time soon.

This is just one more of a never ending series of new formats for audio and video (VHS, Beta, S-VHS, Laserdisk, DVD, Mini-HD Tape, SACD, DVD-A, CD, HDCD, etc) and in it's turn Blu-ray will be replaced by the next big thing.

If you want to get upset about something consider how we have been forced to adopt HDMI -- at great cost -- not because there was anything wrong with component video or optical/coax digital audio -- but because studios didn't want to risk HD digital copying of copyright material. The concern is valid, but the means has stamped allover "fair use" law, superimposed heavy DRM mechanisms like BD+ (on Blu-ray disks) and forced HDCP/HDMI on any consumer who wants to watch HD. The hardware and software manufacturers reap the benefit while the consumer pays the cost in terms of expensive new equipement that provides little or no functional advantage over existing equipment and reduced flexibility. And Government enforces it.

You have a right to be upset, but you picked the wrong focus.

Answer 2

Technology will always move on. Engineers are hired to Invent!!

Regarding Blu-ray vs HD DVD, there is million of $$ at stake in royalties.  However, ultimately, all content will be downloadable.

And before starting complaining about the electronics industry, think first about the Fashion and cosmetics industry which tries to convince you to get into new fashions on a yearly basis.

Answer 3

The Consumer is the ultimate judge for survival of any business.

In any event, every new tecnology introduced into the market place is already Obsolete at the same time.

There's always some one designing a new mousetrap.

When the time is right, we will see 3D TV introduced.

Japan has already developed it, but not publicly feasable........

YET.