Microsoft joins Apple in stance against Blu-ray
Apple has a surprising ally in its campaign of apathy against Sony's Blu-ray disc format. Microsoft, of all companies, has also stepped out with a passive-aggressive stance against the standard, as UK head of Xbox gaming head Steven McGill says that "Blu-ray is going to be passed by as a format." He says that Microsoft was right to stick with the older DVD format for its game consoles, and that with the rise of streaming content and the infrastructure to deliver it, there's no longer a need for a disc-based format.Apple would probably agree, given the recent introduction of the Apple TV and its streaming content possibilities. Apple and Jobs alike have never been interested in Blu-ray as a format -- originally, the reason given was that they just wanted to see whether HD-DVD or Blu-ray would become the preferred standard, but at this point, with iTunes moving more and more away from physical media entirely, it seems unlikely that Apple will court Sony and its proprietary format at all. So on this issue, at least, Apple and Microsoft appear to have found some common ground.
[via Slashdot]
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Apple has a surprising ally in its campaign of apathy against Sony's Blu-ray disc format. Microsoft, of all companies, has also stepped out...
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I don't have a problem with STREAMING/DOWNLOADING movies, but ONLY when we have large enough bandwidths to either STREAM the FULL 1080/7.1 video "in real time [without "buffering..." or stuttering] - or DOWNLOAD the FULL 1080/7.1 video IN LESS TIME than it takes me to DRIVE to my local DVD retailer and drive home again. AND, it would have to be a LOT cheaper than the physical media is today.
As it is NOW, ordering a DVD from Amazon (with FedEx delivery) is STILL faster than a DOWNLOAD of the FULL DVD (Blu-ray).
So, WHAT? We're supposed to be SO A.D.H.D. that we'll settle for a CRAPPY version, so long as we can get "Instant Gratification"?
I say NO... Hell NO!
Until the standard for download and streaming HD movies is full 1080p blu-ray quality in every way, and also all the usual extra features that come on a blu-ray disk, my money will still be spent on "old obsolete" physical disks to play on my 1080p 120mhz 46" television.
September 27 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"Microsoft, of all companies..."
What? Microsoft has been the biggest enemy of Blu-ray since it was first announced.
Why doesn't anyone ever mention sound? Do you know how huge a movie would be to download in 1080p AND 7.1 uncompressed audio? Any downloadable movie at best, right now, is 720p and STEREO sound. Might as well watch it on YouTube. Sound is so critical to a movie, but no one ever mentions it. Until downloadable movies are 1080p AND uncompressed audio, Blu-ray is the way to go. And for those that say 1080p is not necessary and 720p is good enough obviously have a TV that is 32 inches or smaller. That's the only time you can't tell a difference. Upgrade to a 60 inch TV, then come tell me there's no difference. Of course the people who say downloading a 720p/Stereo movie is good enough is probably watching said movie on their computer or a 27 inch TV and they are using the TVs built in speakers. I didn't spend $8500+ on my home theater to watch 720p/Stereo crap. I want the best quality--video and audio--and right now only Blu-Ray delivers which is why I have more than 100 of them.
September 23 2010 at 3:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBo Bo Bo as a keen video maker I would be very disappointed if Apple doesn't
Support this format, we should have freedom of choice, and lack of flash and blu Ray is making the apple format less and less appealing to more and more users. I love the hardware and software apple but if they want to increase and keep there market share they have to change, or they will get overtaken.
Apple's reluctance to put BR drives in its Mac product line really ends up only doing two things: (a) inconveniencing & punishing its very own customers, and (b) sending more money over to the movie studios and rental outlets, such as NetFlix.
Look, no one is arguing that iTunes Store is a great content delivery infrastructure. But, what Apple needs to realize is that not every household can solely use iTunes Store as its means of content delivery- be it to a Mac or a home entertainment system.
In a perfect "Apple" or "Steve Jobs" universe, everyone has unlimited funds to buy or rent every episode of every show, movie, or music album from the iTunes store. But, the reality is that consumers want choices and are always on the look out for the best bang for the buck for their consumption patterns. The success of NetFlix has already proven this- lock, stock, and barrel.
Time to wake up and smell the roses Apple...
It's clear that Apple doesn't care about "pro" users anymore, but without Blu-Ray support us video producers can't even use Final Cut Pro to deliver HD projects - ironic since Apple LOVES to tout the HD capabilities of FCP. Many of my colleagues have given up on it entirely since it never gets updated any more and is clearly on the brink of being totally abandoned by Apple.
September 23 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI work for a very Pro shop and we do just fine with using 3rd party software and an external drive to produce blu-ray disks.
September 24 2010 at 1:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi'm a huge bluray fan. just wanted to chime in with my vote. i think steve and MS have got this one all wrong.
September 23 2010 at 12:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI couldn't care less about Blu-Ray
September 23 2010 at 11:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWell, iTunes or any stream relative are CRAP. Why? There are no fricking Closed Caption! I aware of iTunes have few.. .just FEW movies with closed caption and NONE on TV shows.
CRAP! I'm tell you!
WOW. Are you serious?? That's a pretty damning short-coming. I'm stunned.
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