US high-definition guru, Philip Swann, believes that Blockbuster's decision to back Blu-ray is the beginning of the end for HD-DVD – unless it can pull off at least one of his three suggested steps for survival.
In his video post on tvpredictions.com, Swann discusses three possible actions that HD-DVD supporters like Toshiba can take to fend off these latest developments across the pond.
The three steps are as follows:
1. Get its own deal similar to the one that Blu-ray and Blockbuster have made by approaching a rival video retailer to exclusively stock HD-DVD films
2. Persuade one of the four Hollywood Studios that are exclusively backing Blu-ray to accept HD-DVD too.
3. Lower the prices further of entry-level HD-DVD players from leading manufacturers like Toshiba
Swann still believes HD-DVD is a now a long shot to survive but even achieving one of his three suggestions will help level the playing field. So could this be the end of the HD format war?
Via
TVpredictions
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4. Produce hybrid players which also fully support Blu-Ray... then there would be no reason to buy a dedicated Blu-ray player. Till then it definately looks like buying a Blu-Ray player is the sensible way to go.
This is ridiculous.
The 'war' hasn't even got going yet and both sides have problems.
PS3 sales are stalled and they just aren't shifting the enormous numbers of BD movies some expected and HD DVD have yet to break the $200 barrier.
With the way Toshiba prices have been going I expect them to be at less than $200 for X-mas and the 3 brands of Chinese HD DVD players coing (no matter what Walmart do) to be way less than that - $100 - $150?
Then we'll see what happens over the following 18 - 24mths.
Personally I reckon both are now to big to actually die off (or be killed off) and some kind of dual format is inevitable.