hdtvmagazine_tips Digest #1116

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Java into Blu-Ray
> From: "Howard A. Blackstead" <[email protected]>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 11:04:16 -0500
> Message-Id: <[email protected]>
>
> There is an implication here for WM9 (windows media 9). Since MS will
> not be involved it seems certain that there will be no WM9 blu-ray
> releases, and that codec will not likely be included in the
> software for
> B-R.
...
>
> Howard in South Bend

What in the world gives you that idea? Blu-ray group agreed to make VC-1
(wm9) one of its mandatory codec's before HD-dvd did. Currently both will
essentially require several codecs (and essentially the same list for HD
content) giving video producers a choice of which one to use.



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Timothy;

My suggestion is based on the apparent lack of of any stand-alone
playback device which can play WM9 DVDs now. Much discussion today and
yesterday related to a device which would seem to be able to replay WM9
media, but doesn't. It appears that MS requires a full Windows license
to play the WM9 media. If this were required of manufactures of hd-dvd
players, it would likely raise the unit cost by several $hundreds. This
based on a license cost of $50/unit and a cost based (conservatively) on
4x(parts + labor).

The notion of using JAVA implies that no full operating system
installation would be required, or that a (minimal) open-source Linux
operating system could be incorporated. It seems to me unlikely that the
Blue-ray guys would want to include an operating system they didn't use
and wouldn't use.

I agree that the prior information was that both Blue-Ray and HDDVD
would incorporate the WM9 codec; I will be surprised if MS grants a no-
cost license to the blue-ray developers. It may happen that extra costs
to support the HDDVD system will give it a big cost disadvantage as
compared to the JAVA based Blue-Ray player. The Blue-Ray system would be
significantly complicated by the addition of a second (red) laser
system, and there have been remarks that the Blue-Ray system would not
be backwards compatible with existing media.

Recent remarks about the saturation of the DVD market are also relevant.
I have essentially stopped purchase of DVDs because I do not enjoy the
lower resolution they provide, as compared to HD (I do have a
progressive DVD player). I am one of those to whom the industry plans to
re-sell prior DVDs in HD. I expect that it is essentially correct that
many consumers have completed replacement of their VHS tapes with DVDs.

Finally, I suggest that when HD DVDs (whatever format) become readily
available, broadcasters who persist in multi-casting will be really big
trouble, with a rapidly eroding viewer base. There is some reason to
believe that (even) conventional DVDs have had impact on viewing habits.

Those networks (on cable and satellite) which delay too long in
conversion to HD may simply disappear! (I hope!)

Howard in South Bend



On Sun, 2005-07-03 at 11:51 -0400, Timothy Springer wrote:
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Subject: Java into Blu-Ray
> > From: "Howard A. Blackstead" <[email protected]>
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 11:04:16 -0500
> > Message-Id: <[email protected]>
> >
> > There is an implication here for WM9 (windows media 9). Since MS will
> > not be involved it seems certain that there will be no WM9 blu-ray
> > releases, and that codec will not likely be included in the
> > software for
> > B-R.
> ...
> >
> > Howard in South Bend
>
> What in the world gives you that idea? Blu-ray group agreed to make VC-1
> (wm9) one of its mandatory codec's before HD-dvd did. Currently both will
> essentially require several codecs (and essentially the same list for HD
> content) giving video producers a choice of which one to use.
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
> [email protected]


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