In what seems like a preemptive excuses session, Sony recently mentioned that they don't think they'll be able to meet demand for
Blu-ray players in the US. They blamed it on an electronic component shortage due to the high demand for
cellphones of all things. We weren't aware that RAZR of ours housed a blue laser and 1080p processing power, but we're going to give it a once over just to make sure. Because of this shortage, Sony stated that their Blu-ray players are "going to be expensive," since "it will take time to get component prices down." We really could've believed a more credible excuse for player shortages and high prices, but we're not sure if we buy this whole "blame the phones" thing. The good news is that the possibility of a hybrid HD DVD and Blu-ray player was mentioned, which could save a bit of blood loss in the format war that is upon us.
[Via
HD Beat]
posted May 16th 2006 6:47PM
Sony are screwed already, you can tell.
I mean, they are planning a hybrid?
They want to put an HD-DVD drive in one of THEIR players??
This is one of sony's last ditch efforts to actually turn a profit. Dont believe the hype people... and dont buy bluray garbage. for that matter dont buy HD-DVD either. Stick with your trusty progressive scan DVD players until content providers can supply us with instant digital downloads of HD material. I say we skip this whole "next generation" of optical media.
"I say we skip this whole "next generation" of optical media."
if Columbus had waited long enough, he could have just flown.
Now I am getting kind of worried. Apple is backing Blu-ray. I hope Apple doesn't start putting Blu-ray drives in Macs the way things are going now. Apple doesn't have the best track record when it comes to drives though. How long was it till Macs had CD burners? I definitely love Macs, but I love them even more when they support popular standards (USB, DVI = good; ADB, ADC = bad). Hopefully Apple and most computer companies will give people the option to choose a Blu-ray or HD-DVD drive.
They really think that BluRay will be in high demand? With $700+ players and $25+ movies, when many consumers aren't that excited about HD? Give me a break. Sony, learn to go with the flow instead of trying all of these proprietary formats. You have a hit or two, but also have so many failures it's becoming a joke.
I want Sony's Blu-Ray to win the war, but I am not ready for a new format, I love my up-conversion Denon DVD player. The DVD format is so popular, why would any company want to cut into that market. I just don't understand it.
The question on everyone's mind:
what is this going to do to the already damaged ego of the PS3??
I can't think of a single component that a cellphone and a Blu-Ray player would share.
have sony actually got an excuse division now?
First the horrible reviews of the HD-DVD players, and now Sony's Blu-Ray player won't be able to meet the demand?
I'm skipping this generation of optical media along with with 2 and 3.
Man, something is really going wrong at Sony. Like, on an epic, company wide scale.
#10 (Charlie) I dont remember seeing any horrible reviews of HD-DVD.. I have seen the players at the store playing HD movies and think they look great... The only reason I am rooting for HD-DVD is price... Blu-Ray just doesn't provide a big enough advantage for it to cost twice as much... I would consider getting into an HD-DVD player when they come down a little of the if the drive for the 360 is cheap enough...
Things are not looking great for Sony though... And what about the Samsung player that is due out first? Is Sony (the front runner of the blu-ray camp) the only one that will have a problem with hardware shortages?
bahh!
I'm getting annoyed about this... I remember at CES'06 in Las Vegas (weird that they had an Adult Convention next to it) that PS3 would be the best thing to buy rather than getting a regular BD player since BD players would be so expensive. Now I'm seeing PS3 delayed to be released. Now their players are being delayed too... I saw the HD quality of both BD & HD-DVD and both looks awesome to me but seriously now that I'm thinking, you'll need one hell of a good screen/monitor to show all that quality or it'd be all just a waste. And as I look at my eye glasses... HD won't mean anything since these HD stuff that I'm trying to watch and stare in awe are really the cause that is making my eyes blurry and blind! What's the use of it being crystal clear if my eyes won't be able to see it in the future. Why can't they think of something where the quality of its resolution changes to your preception, that way it's always hi-def? I'm happy that these HD-DVD and BD are delayed and hoping that the Holodisc won't come out soon too or I'd be blind sooner than expected cuz I can't help stare at all those HD quality movies,commercials and games.
< Sony stated that their Blu-ray players are "going to be expensive" >
uhm. They said the same thing with the ps3, and its EXPENSIVE.
there is demand? surely you jest.
You guys are hilarious. Sony announces component shortages and suddenly Engadget is run by a bunch of electrical engineers.
Why don't you guys take a chill pill. Sony's got every incentive to bring them out fast and cheap so they can win the format war. If they can't get them out quickly, there's clearly a problem in production. What does it matter what the details are?
Sheesh.
Biggest lie I excuse I have ever heard!.......A cell phone(yea right)
I can think of one shared component: ELECTRICITY. Since cellphones...errr...portable multimedia communication devices.... use electricity, that is going to cause Sony blu-ray shortages.
Also, isn't it a bit ironic that Sony's major blu-ray device - the PS3 is going to have "the fastest ramp up ever" and is going to "ship 1 million consoles a month" yet at the same time "cellphones are going to cause blu-ray shortages and we won't meet demand". If there are shortages coming for Sony's blu-ray devices, won't those probably translate into PS3 shortages at some point? If I had to guess, I'd say Sony's going to have a component shortage for the PS3 and it will only hit 3 million units by March, the same thing that happened to the Xbox 360.
Like many have mentioned, while I don't see the need for better DVDs as I'm already pretty happy with the quality and features, I am kind of anxious about the next generation of data discs. When we're in the age of 500+ GB hard drives, it'd be nice to have media that didn't take hundreds of discs to archive.
People who believe things that Sony says are stupid. Sony is full of lies and efforts at consumer rape.
Their recent track record with consumers is horrible. Now this statement connecting cell phones to blu-ray players sounds like nothing less than a stupid, quick and cheap excuse for some more internal mistakes.
mole, you may have hit the nail on the head. Sony is probably using its blu-ray resources toward their PS3s.
FYI - Apple sits on the Blu-ray comittee, but their authoring tools (including DVD Studio Pro) already support HD-DVD.
Digitally, the formats are very similar. The differences lie in the interactive layer and in the media itself.
Blu-ray media is more advanced, but far more expensive to manufacture. HD-DVD discs are based on exiting manufacturing technology, making them MUCH cheaper to mass produce. The hardware is also built on a commodity platform (the PC), which is why they can release a player for $500.
What you need to realize is that the mytical "200gig Blu-ray discs" require *8* layers. Does anyone realize how difficult it will be to manufacture these sort of discs and have a laser that can focus through 8 layers? If you think that there will ever be 200gig writable discs, keep dreaming.
Look how long it took for dual-layer dvd writables to hit the market? Even now, they are still expensive when compared with single layer writables. Do you see where I am going with this?
Another thing to keep in mind is that 30gig dual layer HD-DVD's are on the market today and this is more than enough to accomodate a full high definition film encoded with H.264 or VC-1.
Don't get me wrong... Blu-ray has lots of potential. It's a matter of how long it will take to REALIZE that potential. HD-DVD has a cost advantage on the hardware and software front. It also has a head start and is here now. As such, Sony will be playing catch-up. Unless they can make a big splash this holiday season, I have a feeling that it will be an uphill battle in 2007. It will be interesting to see how competitive the Blu-ray camp will be.
This actually sounds familiar. Way back in 2000 when DVD drives were first coming out there was a shortage that was blamed on cell phones getting priority for the required chips. According to this article, RF amplifiers are the common component.
http://news.com.com/Electronics+companies+search+for+spare+parts/2100-1040_3-241097.html
I know this is a bit off topic but all ebgame employees got an e-mail today stating that sony will only have 2 million ps3's at launch with no more then 1million allocated to the US. EB also won't be taking preorders until october.
OK more bias comments coming from engadget.
The article said Electronic components (could be for LED and other such circuit components) and that cell phones play a big role in that because they are selling at exponential rates. They are the most sold electronic products after all. They don?t just affect Blu-Ray but all electronics. Please read the article not Engadget's bias post:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1960283,00.asp
BTW for those yapping about HDDVD please note that the PS3 takes away the price advantage of HDDVD so for those who were wishing that this what's going to get HDDVD to win, I am sorry to inform you that this will not be so anymore. It will actually be considered more expensive to go and buy a $500 HD-DVD without 1080p (toshiba's 500 doesn?t support 1080p their 750 unit does) instead of a $499 PS3 or even the higher priced PS3.
And don?t mention the 360 + add-on deal because it was just reported that price will most likely be $250-300. $400(360) + $250-300(add-on) = $650-700 (and that's probably without 1080P support, eek!)
So quit your whining and let it play out. By the way every time a new format comes out someone comes out and says we don?t need better quality or more space (Tapes to CD to DVD) but when they start using the format they can?t imagine how they lived without it (imagine no DVD today :-O ) but then a new format again shows it?s head and that someone again claims that we don?t need the space or the boost in image quality. I wonder when that someone will learn. And BTW all new HD players will support DVD so you don?t have to throw or replace those ever if you don?t want to.
I worked at a medical device company around 1999 where some of our components were delayed due to a huge worldwide demand of tantalum capacitors. Driven mostly by the demand for cell phones.
So... this is what it's like to watch a train wreck unfold.
The hubris that Sony is exhibiting should be a wake-up call to consumers. First, Sony claims that the PS3 was still on track for a "Spring 2006 Release". Then they announce that due to the lack of a finalized DRM standard for Blu-Ray, the PS3 launch will be delayed until Nov. Then at E3, they demo early betas of games running on dev machines and prototypes which clearly show that Blu-Ray was NOT the true cause for the delay in launching. Even if Sony went with standard DVD technology, they weren't ready to launch in the Spring.
Now they're pre-emptively providing an explanation for why Blu-Ray will be (A) in short supply and (B) expensive. It doesn't take much of a leap in logic to see the next step... Sony announcing the delay of the PS3 launch until early 2007. At the very least they are establishing an excuse NOW for PS3 shortages later.
Why anyone still believes Sony or supports them at this point in time only proves that PT Barnum was right... there's a sucker born every minute.
I love the fact that Sony fanboys live in a world totally amongst themselves. Oh Engadget is biased or the comments are planted by Micosoft or Nintendo fanboys. No the comments are consumer comments who hate Sony. Over-hyping and failing to deliver products while shunning consumer wants and charging an arm and a leg isn't going to get the average consumer to run out and buy Sony products. The tide for Sony has completely turned against them and they have unquestionably lost the battle for the next generation of optical media format and console. Blue-Ray will be a disgusting flop, hitting its ass out the door by late next year. The PS3 will be stagnant at best, it will be supported but title availability and sales will only be matched only by Gamecube (sorry Nintendo fans). If you don't like the consumer comments on this board then go and find a Sony fanboy blog. Beware however, Engadget isn't the only board where consumers are voicing their anti-Sony sentiment.
"Won't be able to meet demaand..." I just about fell out of my chair considering 90% of the typical consumer population probably has know idea what Blu-ray even is. I am going to start informally polling people I meet on the street with this question:
I plan to purchase:
A. Blu-ray
B. HD-DVD
C. I have no plans to upgrade my microwave at present
Most of Weblogs, Inc advertisement and capital comes from Microsoft
I completely agree #25
You will never get decent news about Sony on any of the Weblogs sites:
This includes:
Joystiq
Engadget and the rest of the ones mentioned below.
If you like Sony I suggest you run, check out psp.qj.net and which is really pspupdates.com, or even playstaion.qj.net, here is where you get the latest and greatest Sony news plus somewhat objective reviews.
These guys have a hard time paying their bills if they don?t post negative things about Sony products. Just look at PSPFanboy all their post are negative rumors and reviews (opposite reviews to other major gaming sites) and most the readers have abandon it.
I don't have much faith in Sony. Many years ago, I bought 2 very expensive Betamax recorders and hundreds of movies on Beta. I had to switch to VHS when Sony abandoned the format. I'm not about to run out and buy a high priced blu-ray player. If only there was available a reasonably priced high definition DVD recorder. I'm 56 now. I could be dead by the time that happens.
um... for a fact i remember seeing that blu-ray can read DVD anyway, so whats the problem? the problem is silicon, too many boob implants and not enough consols. and sure, sony will have trouble getting the product out there if there is a lack of materials, GIVE THEM A BREAK
-That is all-
31. im pretty sure AOL owns engadget/joystiq and the rest? i dont think microsoft will have an influence
yep and #31 and 25 should work for Sony's new excuse department
I don't know what is going on in Sony's HQ but something is certainly not right. I don't really like sony for their bad business practices and reputation though its sometimes sad to see a company that is so powerful go down so quickly. What's up Sony? Caught a cold?
To be honest, I don't know why Sony even bothers to say anything these days. I would hazard a guess that the majority of blog/e-news reading consumers have very little faith in anything they say these days. Taken together with their other woes (fading Walkman brand, appalling software, recent LCD/plasma TV trouble, Dual Shock litigation), I think it's pretty clear that Sony has some serious and potentially fatal internal issues. Most observers would agree that it's being going on for far too long for it to be "business cycle" related. Every half-baked, over-hyped, patently false announcement they make serves only to damage their already flagging reputation. Those in the financial industry will know the what I mean by reputational risk; just look at Citigroup. Arrogance can only get you so far.
To be honest, I don't know why Sony even bothers to say anything these days. I would hazard a guess that the majority of blog/e-news reading consumers have very little faith in anything they say these days. Taken together with their other woes (fading Walkman brand, appalling software, recent LCD/plasma TV trouble, Dual Shock litigation), I think it's pretty clear that Sony has some serious and potentially fatal internal issues. Most observers would agree that it's being going on for far too long for it to be "business cycle" related. Every half-baked, over-hyped, patently false announcement they make serves only to damage their already flagging reputation. Those in the financial industry will know the what I mean by reputational risk; just look at Citigroup. Arrogance can only get you so far.
I'm skipping this whole generation.
DRM makes any gains in quality or performance moot.
Let's forget about bluray and HDDVD all together. And see how those blood suckers work.
We are all, as Engadget readers, fan, embracor of new technology but NOT this way !!!!!
FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BETA vs VHS
uuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Lmao 36.
There's something I don't understand about Sony's newest excuse (and #25's explanation):
if the BR delay is because of shortage of electronic components due to the growth in the cellphone industry, why aren't other companies experiencing these shortages? How come Samsung isn't delaying their player? are the components so different?
And last but not least, #31: How can you say that objective sites such as engadget are owned by the evil Microsoft, and are thus biased, and then recommend Sony sites to be more objective? That would be like me referring you all to Microsoft.com.
The truth is, Sony sucks these days. Even the most partial person on the planet understands that. They are constantly screwing up. So fanboys, instead of blaming the whole world for Sony's problems, first evaluate your own.
-Ex-sony fanboy
Bridge, shut up, stop being such a prick.
The point is, for such a MASSIVE rollout of 1 of 2 potential replacements for the DVD, you'd think Sony would have handled it better - buy up stocks of components well in advance, buy manufacturing runs in advance, etc. Now they're floundering.
I though Sony said they wouldn't have these types of problems becasue they manufactured everything in their own factories?
Where in the world did you read that 360's HD-DVD add on would be $250 - $350 ???
No one has ever said that. In fact this week several Microsoft sources were saying that the HD-DVD add on drive together with a 360 will definately cost less that the PS3.
I'm guessing the 360 does not lower price this Christmas but offers an HD-DVD add on for $99 - $150. This would still leave 360 users with a choice...and early adopters will be happy as to get HD-DVD cheaper than Toshibas $500 and cheaper than a PS3. Besides....everyone knows how shity PS2 DVD player was. Probably one of the worst. So who in the world is waiting in line to buy a Sony PS3 Blu-Ray drive. It will probably suck just the same.
Basically what Sony is trying to say, without saying it is.... "We are creating an artificial demand, in order to support the high prices that we expect you, the consumers to pay."
Same old Sony strategy, turn something not popular into Sonyfanboy musthave, i.e. "the PlayStation 2" buzz that killed the Sega Dreamcast, even though Sega's machine was much better console.
BTW for those yapping about HDDVD please note that the PS3 takes away the price advantage of HDDVD so for those who were wishing that this what's going to get HDDVD to win, I am sorry to inform you that this will not be so anymore. It will actually be considered more expensive to go and buy a $500 HD-DVD without 1080p (toshiba's 500 doesn?t support 1080p their 750 unit does) instead of a $499 PS3 or even the higher priced PS3.
Please stop taking drugs and the Sony monkey off yer back!
Most gamers already own a Xbox 360 and a HD-DVD add-on will not be a big deal breaker.
Most people don't own a HD TV yet, so 1080p is still a pipe dream, unless you got cash to burn - like Paris Hilton.
Most people are tired of Sony and their formats that go for hot to cold in less time than it takes Bush to receite the abc's.
People who come to this and other weblogs account for a small percentage of the "Joe Consumers". These are the people who account for the mainstream of Sony's pocketbook.
Anyone one that is thinking the ps3 will be a cheap alternative to a Blu-Ray player consider this...Current dvd players in xbox, ps2, and he 360 are all garbage players. Yes they read dvd's but they are the lowest common denominator. The ps3 already costs gobs of money so it only makes sense to throw the bare min. blu-ray player just to say it has blu-ray. Same goes for the 360 hd-dvd player. If you actually care about hi-def you aren't going to buy the hd-dvd because it will suck! So essentially you have to buy an actual blu-ray/hd-dvd player to get the full effect, going the console route will nullify your efforts later down the road.
wow. it took 45 comments before prickly pete reveals the TRUTH.
What? They can't meet the demands of 5 people?
I agree with #45 on his first comment. But his second: "buzz that killed the Sega Dreamcast, even though Sega's machine was much better console" is incorrect. The PS2 was a far better machine. Sega's Dreamcast died because it was released too early.
Sega got the rep. of "ditching" its products as soon as something better was possible. Think SegaCD, 32X, Nomad, Saturn, etc. They sucked with new product rollout and they only survived as long as they did by the incredible games they made in-house.
Nintendo would also be only a software developer by now if it weren't for the gameboy.
-Brett
Sony is shtupped, they've always been shtupped and will continue to be shtupped because of their stupid arrogance. Beta, Elcaset, DAT, memory stick..... If it has Sony's name on it, there's a good chance that it's going to end up in history's waste bins. EVERY Sony product I've ever bought has failed prematurely. I have boycotted this company's products for 10+ years and will absolutely refuse to support them in any way. As soon as Toshiba has a 1080p player out, I'm diving in!
Paul