Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Revved up USB 3.0 carries 10 times the power of Thunderbolt]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/revved-up-usb-3-0-carries-10-times-the-power-of-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/revved-up-usb-3-0-carries-10-times-the-power-of-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/revved-up-usb-3-0-carries-10-times-the-power-of-thunderbolt/#comments Wow. Those rockstars at the USB 3.0 promoter group haven't taken the threat of Thunderbolt lying down. They've been working long into the night (we imagine) screaming "More Power!" and "Liiiiive, damn you, liiiive!". In a press release, the group announces a new power delivery specification which will push USB 3.0's limit from 4.5 watts all the way up to 100. You all of course remember that Thunderbolt's maximum is a mere-by-comparison 10 watts. Brad Saunders, the promotion group's chairman, believes that the new standard could enable USB 3.0 to supply a laptop with energy at the same time as it delivers data between your devices. (After all that time sponging off your laptop's meager battery it's about time your USB-powered foot warmer started returning the favor.) At the moment it's only a specification and won't be implemented until 2012 at the earliest, but this could just turn into an arms race of electrifying proportions.

Revved up USB 3.0 carries 10 times the power of Thunderbolt originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 watts100 watts100Watts10WattsBrad SaundersBradSaundersFormat WarFormat War Centralformat warsformatwarFormatWarCentralFormatWarsIOthunderboltUSBUSB 3.0USB 3.0 promoter groupUSB 3.0 superspeedUSB promoter groupUSB vs ThunderboltUsb3.0Usb3.0PromoterGroupUsb3.0SuperspeedUsbPromoterGroupUSBvsThunderboltThu, 11 Aug 2011 01:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/#comments Google renewed a heated discussion when it said it was dropping H.264 support from Chrome's HTML5 video tag last week, but it seems the company's ready and willing to push its WebM alternative video format hard -- not only is hardware decoder IP now available for the VP8 codec, but the project team is presently readying WebM plug-ins for Safari and Internet Explorer 9, neither of which include it themselves. As to the little matter of whether any of this is the right move for the web at large, we'll paraphrase what Google had to say for itself: H.264 licenses cost money; Firefox and Opera don't support H.264 either; and big companies like Google are helping the little guy by championing this open alternative. We have to say, the eternal optimist in us is cheering them on. Oh, and the linguist in us, too. Read Google's own words at our source link, and decide for yourself.

Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeccodecsFirefoxformat warformat warsFormatWarFormatWarsGoogleH.264IE9internet explorer 9InternetExplorer9licensingMPEG-LAopenopen standardopen standardsOpenStandardOpenStandardsOperaplug-inroyaltiesSafarivideovideo formatvideo formatsVideoFormatVideoFormatsVP8web videoWebMWebVideoSun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/#comments We knew Google was rather fond of its WebM video standard, but we never expected a move like this: the company says it will drop support for the rival H.264 codec in its HTML5 video tag, and is justifying the move in the name of open standards somehow. Considering that H.264 is presently one of (if not the) most widely supported format out there, it sounds a little like Google shooting itself in the foot with a .357 round -- especially considering the MPEG-LA just made H.264 royalty-free as long as it's freely distributed just a few months ago. If that's the case, Chrome users will have to download a H.264 plug-in to play most web video that's not bundled up in Flash... which isn't exactly an open format itself. Or hey, perhaps everyone will magically switch to Chrome, video providers will kowtow, unicorns will gaily prance, and WebM will dominate from now on.

Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromechromiumcodeccodecsformatformat warformatsFormatWargoogleh.264h264html5legalmpeg-lastreaming videoStreamingVideotheoravideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingvp8Web videoWebMWebVideoTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST<![CDATA[MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/#commentsThe H.264 codec that makes a good deal of digital video possible has actually been free to use (under certain conditions) for many years, but following recent controversies over the future of web video, rightholders have agreed to extend that freedom in perpetuity. Whereas originally standards organization MPEG-LA had said it wouldn't collect royalties from those freely distributing AVC/H.264 video until 2016, the limitless new timeframe may mean that content providers banking on WebM and HTML5 video won't have an expensive surprise in the years to come. Then again, patent licensing is complicated stuff and we'd hate to get your hopes up -- just know that if you're an end-user uploading H.264 content you own and intend to freely share with the world, you shouldn't expect a collection agency to come knocking on your door. PR after the break.

Continue reading MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed

MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AVCcodeccodecsformatformat warFormatWarfreeh.264HTML5legallicensingMPEGmpeg laMPEG-4MPEG-LAMpegLapatent licensingPatentLicensingroyaltiesroyalty freeroyalty-freeRoyaltyFreestreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingVP8web videoWebMWebVideoThu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/#commentsKnow Your Rights is Engadget's technology law series, written by our own totally punk ex-copyright attorney Nilay Patel. In it we'll try to answer some fundamental tech-law questions to help you stay out of trouble in this brave new world. This isn't legal advice or analysis, so don't get all donked in the head.

What on earth is going on with H.264, patents, and video encoding on the web? It seems like ever since Steve Jobs published his Thoughts on Flash the world has gone crazy.

We know what you mean! It's getting pretty silly out there. OSNews just declared that H.264 would be the death of video art and culture because professional video cameras are only licensed by AT&T for personal and non-commercial usage. Terrifying, although most of the creative people we know have continued working free of devastating laser attacks from space.

Continue reading Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you

Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleformatformat warFormatWargoogleh.264know your rightsKnowYourRightskyrlarry hornLarryHornmicrosoftmpeg lampeg-laMpegLaoggogg theoraOggTheoratheoravideovideo formatvideo formatsVideoFormatVideoFormatsweb videoWebVideoTue, 04 May 2010 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Deadlands 2 cancellation puts an unnecessary nail in HD DVD's coffin]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/24/deadlands-2-cancellation-puts-an-unnecessary-nail-in-hd-dvds-co/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/24/deadlands-2-cancellation-puts-an-unnecessary-nail-in-hd-dvds-co/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/24/deadlands-2-cancellation-puts-an-unnecessary-nail-in-hd-dvds-co/#commentsWe're sure there's a few people out there still waving the Red flag, unfortunately for them a planned last hurrah for HD DVD won't go off, as the release of Deadlands 2: Trapped on the format has been cancelled. Director Gary Ugarek had attempted a limited edition pressing of the flick to raise dormant HD-A1s and the like from the dead but ran into "one too many roadblocks" including U.S. printers backing out and has been forced to end the project. Those already on the preorder list can email Anthem Pictures at info@anthemdvd.com for a refund, while others can check the trailer after the break and wonder what might have been..

Continue reading Deadlands 2 cancellation puts an unnecessary nail in HD DVD's coffin

Deadlands 2 cancellation puts an unnecessary nail in HD DVD's coffin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlandsdeadlands 2: trappedDeadlands2:Trappedformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdWed, 24 Feb 2010 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[HD DVD rides again: TCL brings China Blue HD & Blu-ray together for a CES face-off]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/hd-dvd-rides-again-tcl-brings-china-blue-hd-and-blu-ray-together/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/hd-dvd-rides-again-tcl-brings-china-blue-hd-and-blu-ray-together/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/hd-dvd-rides-again-tcl-brings-china-blue-hd-and-blu-ray-together/#comments Ah, HD DVD, our old friend - we thought we'd never see you again. But there was no mistaking it, here's the logo tucked away in Chinese manufacturer TCL's booth on a China Blue HD deck next to a similar Blu-ray player. The Blu-ray demo appeared to be down when we stopped by making this not much of a fight -- although with recent gains by CBHD like adding studio support from Paramount, it may want to take this challenger more seriously. We'll move the threat level on this conflict to yellow.

Gallery: TCL brings the CBHD-Blu-ray battle to CES

HD DVD rides again: TCL brings China Blue HD & Blu-ray together for a CES face-off originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raycbhdcesces 2010Ces2010chinachina blue hdChinaBlueHdchineseformat warFormatWarhands-onhd dvdHdDvdtclMon, 11 Jan 2010 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/#comments We've given HD DVD's bastard child China Blue HD its due for a good start in its native land, but now that U.K. Importer GBAX has made a few units available it's time for English language buyers to at least consider this Blu-ray alternative. Of course, with a £259.99 ($413.22 U.S.) pricetag for this plain TCL player, AV and HD cables, plus 14 CBHD movies (The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Invasion, The Island, Flood, Poseidon & 8 Chinese-only flicks) to get you started the barrier to entry is high, but as shown in the unboxing / preview video -- embedded after the break, watch for ninjas -- the experience is very familiar. As Format War Central points out, the 220/240Hz power cord makes things complicated for the U.S. and other places outside Europe, but hardcore HD DVD holdouts are used to a world filled with only Warner and Universal movies already, so why not give the other blue laser flavor a try?

[Via Format War Central]

Continue reading China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable

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China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayblue laserBlueLasercbhdchina blue hdChinaBlueHdeueuropeformatformat warFormatWarhdtvhigh definitionHighDefinitionimportoptical discoptical disksOpticalDiscOpticalDisksplayerspoundstclukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 13 Oct 2009 21:24:00 EST<![CDATA[China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/#comments We've given HD DVD's bastard child China Blue HD its due for a good start in its native land, but now that U.K. Importer GBAX has made a few units available it's time for English language buyers to at least consider this Blu-ray alternative. Of course, with a £259.99 ($413.22 U.S.) pricetag for this plain TCL player, AV and HD cables, plus 14 CBHD movies (The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Invasion, The Island, Flood, Poseidon & 8 Chinese-only flicks) to get you started the barrier to entry is high, but as shown in the unboxing / preview video -- embedded after the break, watch for ninjas -- the experience is very familiar. As Format War Central points out, the 220/240Hz power cord makes things complicated for the U.S. and other places outside Europe, but hardcore HD DVD holdouts are used to a world filled with only Warner and Universal movies already, so why not give the other blue laser flavor a try?

[Via Format War Central]

Continue reading China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable

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China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayblue laserBlueLasercbhdchina blue hdChinaBlueHdeueuropeformatformat warFormatWarhdhigh definitionHighDefinitionimportoptical discoptical disksOpticalDiscOpticalDisksother formatsotherformatsplayerspoundstclukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 13 Oct 2009 21:24:00 EST<![CDATA[China Blue HD adding supporters and talking trash to Blu-ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/china-blue-hd-adding-supporters-and-talking-trash-to-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/china-blue-hd-adding-supporters-and-talking-trash-to-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/china-blue-hd-adding-supporters-and-talking-trash-to-blu-ray/#comments It momentarily slipped under our US-centric noses, but another log was thrown on the Chinese high definition format war recently when Universal Studios and National Geographic joined Warner in supporting China Blue HD. Format War Central also reports 8 new manufacturers have signed up to join the CHDA backing the format. That plus a claimed 3-1 sales advantage have the CHDA calling the format war "a game no one played" thanks to Blu-ray's high prices and licensing fees. It's still unlikely China's son of HD DVD could affect that high definition movie marketplace anywhere else, but it will be interesting to see if the country's manufacturers choose that path and upgrade their existing DVD equipment instead of replacing it to produce the even cheaper Blu-ray players we'd hoped for.

[Via Format War Central]

Filed under: ,

China Blue HD adding supporters and talking trash to Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraycbhdchdachinachina blue hdChinaBlueHdchineseformat warFormatWarhdother formatsotherformatsThu, 01 Oct 2009 03:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/#comments
We'd already heard that Toshiba -- the outfit best known for solidly backing HD DVD during the two-year format war of the early 21st century -- was preparing to swallow its pride and kick out a Blu-ray player by the year's end, but now it's official. The outfit just announced moments ago that it has "applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and plans to introduce products that support the Blu-ray format." Sadly, Tosh doesn't bother to mention exactly what kinds of BD-capable wares it hopes to produce, nor is it ready to disclose product launch time frames. We'd tell you exactly how it wants us to just be patient and all, but you're probably better off hearing it directly from the horse's trap:
"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA. Toshiba aims to introduce digital products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. Details of the products, including the timing of regional launches, are now under consideration. We will make announcements in due course."

Filed under: , , , ,

Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdBDAblu rayblu-rayblu-ray disc associationblu-ray laptopblu-ray playerBlu-rayDiscAssociationBlu-rayLaptopBlu-rayPlayerbluraybreaking newsBreakingNewsformat warFormatWarhdother hardwareotherhardwaretoshibaMon, 10 Aug 2009 03:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/toshiba-applies-for-bda-admission-blu-ray-players-and-laptops-c/#comments
We'd already heard that Toshiba -- the outfit best known for solidly backing HD DVD during the two-year format war of the early 21st century -- was preparing to swallow its pride and kick out a Blu-ray player by the year's end, but now it's official. The outfit just announced moments ago that it has "applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and plans to introduce products that support the Blu-ray format." Sadly, Tosh doesn't bother to mention exactly what kinds of BD-capable wares it hopes to produce, nor is it ready to disclose product launch time frames. We'd tell you exactly how it wants us to just be patient and all, but you're probably better off hearing it directly from the horse's trap:
"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA. Toshiba aims to introduce digital products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. Details of the products, including the timing of regional launches, are now under consideration. We will make announcements in due course."

Filed under:

Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdBDAblu-rayblu-ray disc associationblu-ray laptopblu-ray playerBlu-rayDiscAssociationBlu-rayLaptopBlu-rayPlayerbreaking newsBreakingNewsformat warFormatWarlaptoptoshibaMon, 10 Aug 2009 03:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray reportedly trailing CBHD in China, the second theater of the format war begins]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/#comments
Just because Toshiba has given up on HD DVD and moved on, doesn't mean the format war is totally over for red. According to a report by a Japanese TV station, its successor, China Blue HD is actually leading Blu-ray in marketshare in that country. Of course, based on the article found by our friends at FormatWarCentral, all we have to go on is a machine translated description of a video in a language we don't speak describing the apparent initial success of the government backed format in a socialist republic. If you need more evidence than that to declare the format war officially restarted, you're probably a communist, but before we drag you in front of the Un-American activities committee check out the video for a peek at the slick new CBHD cases that The Onion will surely be shipping its videos in very soon.

[Via FormatWarCentral]

Filed under: ,

Blu-ray reportedly trailing CBHD in China, the second theater of the format war begins originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raycbhdchinachina blue hdChinaBlueHdchineseformat warFormatWarhd dvdHdDvdhdtvmarketsharetv tokyoTvTokyoSat, 25 Jul 2009 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray reportedly trailing CBHD in China, the second theater of the format war begins]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/25/blu-ray-reportedly-trailing-cbhd-in-china-the-second-theater-of/#comments
Just because Toshiba has given up on HD DVD and moved on, doesn't mean the format war is totally over for red. According to a report by a Japanese TV station, its successor, China Blue HD is actually leading Blu-ray in marketshare in that country. Of course, based on the article found by our friends at FormatWarCentral, all we have to go on is a machine translated description of a video in a language we don't speak describing the apparent initial success of the government backed format in a socialist republic. If you need more evidence than that to declare the format war officially restarted, you're probably a communist, but before we drag you in front of the Un-American activities committee check out the video for a peek at the slick new CBHD cases that The Onion will surely be shipping its videos in very soon.

[Via FormatWarCentral]

Filed under: ,

Blu-ray reportedly trailing CBHD in China, the second theater of the format war begins originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraycbhdchinachina blue hdChinaBlueHdchineseformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdmarketsharetv tokyoTvTokyoSat, 25 Jul 2009 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba launching Blu-ray player by year's end]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/#comments
Need a little something to get you over the Saturday lull? Gnaw on this. Japan's own Yomiuri is reporting today that Toshiba is expected to finally admit defeat and enter the dark, devious world of Blu-ray later this year. For those keeping tabs, we've heard both confirmations and denials about the outfit finally caving and supporting the format it once battled so valiantly, but this seems to solidify it. If machine translation is to be believed, the company's first DVD / Blu-ray deck is slated for release somewhere in the world by the year's end. The article also mentions that Tosh is strongly considering a Blu-ray recorder for the Japanese market, though no further details on that are available. C'mon Toshiba -- get this bad boy to the States before Christmas. We're anxious for a BD price war.

[Thanks, Rata]

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Toshiba launching Blu-ray player by year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdbd 18bd-18Bd18blu rayblu-rayblu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayerbluraybreaking newsBreakingNewsformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdjapantoshibaSat, 18 Jul 2009 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba launching Blu-ray player by year's end]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/toshiba-launching-bd-18-blu-ray-player-by-years-end/#comments
Need a little something to get you over the Saturday lull? Gnaw on this. Japan's own Yomiuri is reporting today that Toshiba is expected to finally admit defeat and enter the dark, devious world of Blu-ray later this year. For those keeping tabs, we've heard both confirmations and denials about the outfit finally caving and supporting the format it once battled so valiantly, but this seems to solidify it. If machine translation is to be believed, the company's first DVD / Blu-ray deck is slated for release somewhere in the world by the year's end. The article also mentions that Tosh is strongly considering a Blu-ray recorder for the Japanese market, though no further details on that are available. C'mon Toshiba -- get this bad boy to the States before Christmas. We're anxious for a BD price war.

[Thanks, Rata]

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Toshiba launching Blu-ray player by year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdbd 18bd-18Bd18blu-rayblu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayerbreaking newsBreakingNewsformat warFormatWarhd dvdHdDvdhdtvjapantoshibaSat, 18 Jul 2009 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba CEO mentions the possibility of supporting Blu-ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/toshiba-ceo-mentions-the-possibility-of-supporting-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/toshiba-ceo-mentions-the-possibility-of-supporting-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/toshiba-ceo-mentions-the-possibility-of-supporting-blu-ray/#commentsThough some iffy poll results & a Chinese spinoff may have you thinking HD DVD is just on the cusp of a comeback, Toshiba president Atsutoshi Nishida suggested today that the company might join the rest of the consumer electronics community and support Blu-ray. In the midst of defeat last year he said it had "no plans" to switch sides, focusing on flash memory and DVD upscaling tech instead, but after a few billion in losses that might have changed, as the prez indicated just losing the format war wasn't enough reason to skip out on the Blu-ray market and that Toshiba "would like to keep our options open." Besides enjoying the good news that our exes have found gainful employment as executive speechwriters, we'll be keeping an eye out for another Cell-based Blu-ray player to join the PS3, if not tomorrow, someday.

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Toshiba CEO mentions the possibility of supporting Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atsutoshi nishidaAtsutoshiNishidablu rayblu-rayblurayformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdtoshibaWed, 24 Jun 2009 06:27:00 EST<![CDATA[New CES, same doubts about Blu-ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/new-ces-same-doubts-about-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/new-ces-same-doubts-about-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/new-ces-same-doubts-about-blu-ray/#comments

You know the drill by now, every year around this time the Blu-ray disc format enters under suspicion that it won't measure up, with too many competitors already in place or on the way. Despite delivering improved second gen players in 2007, and a surprise victory over HD DVD to open CES '08, today's New York Times leads up to the electronics show with an article pointing out Blu-ray's fuzzy future. Whether or not 2009 is Blu-ray's last, best chance to prove it can properly replace DVD, we all know what's necessary to leave the niche product tag behind. In the face of growing Internet video delivery and tightening consumer spending, we'll see if there's at least one more command performance left in discs.

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New CES, same doubts about Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdablu rayblu-raybluraycesces 2009Ces2009doubtsdvdformat warFormatWarhdMon, 05 Jan 2009 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Blu-ray rival lacks key manufacturer support]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/chinas-blu-ray-rival-lacks-key-manufacturer-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/chinas-blu-ray-rival-lacks-key-manufacturer-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/chinas-blu-ray-rival-lacks-key-manufacturer-support/#comments
HD DVD's strike from beyond the grave may be falling short before it even gets started, as Digitimes reports no Taiwan drive manufacturers have joined the China Blue HD team so far -- and according to the always talkative anonymous sources, there's little optimism they will. Unfortunately the manufacturer support stage is where VMD, EVD and FVD failed before it and with no Hollywood support and cheaper Blu-ray hardware on the way, it's hard to see how CBHD will ever have much impact.

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China's Blu-ray rival lacks key manufacturer support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraycbhdchinachina bluechina blue hdchina blue high-definitio discChinaBlueChinaBlueHdChinaBlueHigh-definitioDiscformatformat warFormatWarhdother formatsotherformatsWed, 24 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[HD DVD sales apparently still going strong]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/30/hd-dvd-sales-apparently-still-going-strong/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/30/hd-dvd-sales-apparently-still-going-strong/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/30/hd-dvd-sales-apparently-still-going-strong/#comments
Sure, sure, the format war is over, but we never expected HD DVD to just disappear overnight, and it looks like the combination of deeply-discounted hardware, cheap media, and a weak economy are keeping Red alive even as Toshiba pretends no one really wants true HD anyway. Players are going for as little as $60 with movies available for $10, and retailers like Buy.com say that "sales are still very strong." Of course, eventually all this stock has to run out, so we doubt this'll be a long-lasting phenomenon, but hey -- stranger things have happened.

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HD DVD sales apparently still going strong originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, sure, the format war is over, but we never expected HD DVD to just disappear overnight, and it looks like the combination of deeply-discounted hardware, cheap media, and a weak economy are keeping Red alive even as Toshiba pretends no one really wants true HD anyway. Players are going for as little as $60 with movies available for $10, and retailers like Buy.com say that "sales are still very strong." Of course, eventually all this stock has to run out, so we doubt this'll be a long-lasting phenomenon, but hey -- stranger things have happened.

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HD DVD sales apparently still going strong originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>format warFormatWarhd dvdHdDvdhdtvtoshibaTue, 30 Sep 2008 13:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: Did you purchase an HD DVD player post-format war?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/poll-did-you-purchase-an-hd-dvd-player-post-format-war/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/poll-did-you-purchase-an-hd-dvd-player-post-format-war/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/09/poll-did-you-purchase-an-hd-dvd-player-post-format-war/#comments
While scads of HD DVD adopters took advantage of extended return periods in order to rid themselves of the defunct format, we wonder who ran out to acquire a player at rock-bottom prices? Even now, the cost of entry into Blu-ray is still ridiculously high, and it's not like we ever had any issues with the image / audio quality of HD DVDs. Rather than beating around the proverbial bush, we'll get right down to it: did you rush out to buy an HD DVD player soon after the format war concluded? Did you stock up on HD DVD titles at bargain basement prices? Are you still enjoying your HD DVD player right now? Tell us how your unit is faring after a few months of being shunned by everyone else, and don't even think of being shy.

View Poll


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Poll: Did you purchase an HD DVD player post-format war? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bargaincheapformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdplayerpollpollsSat, 09 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forbes tells the inside story of how the format war was won]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/forbes-tells-the-inside-story-of-how-the-format-war-was-won/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/forbes-tells-the-inside-story-of-how-the-format-war-was-won/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/forbes-tells-the-inside-story-of-how-the-format-war-was-won/#commentsIn a recent Forbes article about the big turn around at Sony, we found the moves it took to ensure Blu-ray would win, to be the most interesting. According to the article, the Paramount move (understandably) had the BDA scrambling, which was evidently enough of a stressor to motivate all the divisions of Sony to work together towards a common goal. Among other things, the gaming division dropped the price of the PS3 and the movie studio had to give away Blu-ray movies with the PS3. Overall there's nothing new in the article if you've been following it all along, but aside from a few obvious mistakes -- Blue-ray and HD-DVD Forbes, really? -- it is interesting to get an inside perspective to the series of events that will always hold a special place in our gadget lives.

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Forbes tells the inside story of how the format war was won originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayBlu-rayblurayForbesFormat Warhdhd dvdhddvdSonyTue, 29 Jul 2008 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Blu-ray competitor CBHD brings HD DVD back from the dead]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/#comments
CBHD, née CH-DVD -- the Chinese version of the now-deceased HD DVD format -- is in production, gearing up for a fourth quarter launch. DigiTimes cites reports from enorth.com.cn that Shanghai United Optical Disc has laid out the first production line, although Taiwanese disc makers (already burned by HD DVD) aren't as confident it can take on Blu-ray, even with considerably lower royalty fees and hardware costs for disc replicators. Coming alongside news that Chinese-built Blu-ray players based on increasingly affordable hardware is on the way, plus a decided lack of studio support, it's not hard to see how this one will turn out (again.) Not to underrate China's national pride, but unless it can gain an unexpected foothold among DVD pirates, CBHD will probably be on the high definition scrap heap alongside HD DVD, EVD and the rest before long.

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China's Blu-ray competitor CBHD brings HD DVD back from the dead originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-rayblue laserBlueLaserbluraycbhdch dvdch-dvdChDvdchianchinesedigitimesformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdother formatsotherformatsMon, 28 Jul 2008 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Blu-ray competitor CBHD brings HD DVD back from the dead]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/chinas-blu-ray-competitor-cbhd-brings-hd-dvd-back-from-the-dead/#comments
CBHD, née CH-DVD -- the Chinese version of the now-deceased HD DVD format -- is in production, gearing up for a fourth quarter launch. DigiTimes cites reports from enorth.com.cn that Shanghai United Optical Disc has laid out the first production line, although Taiwanese disc makers (already burned by HD DVD) aren't as confident it can take on Blu-ray, even with considerably lower royalty fees and hardware costs for disc replicators. Coming alongside news that Chinese-built Blu-ray players based on increasingly affordable hardware is on the way, plus a decided lack of studio support, it's not hard to see how this one will turn out (again.) Not to underrate China's national pride, but unless it can gain an unexpected foothold among DVD pirates, CBHD will probably be on the high definition scrap heap alongside HD DVD, EVD and the rest before long.

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China's Blu-ray competitor CBHD brings HD DVD back from the dead originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raycbhdch-dvdchinachineseformat warFormatWarhdtvMon, 28 Jul 2008 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[87% of PlayStation 3 owners watching Blu-ray movies? Survey says yes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/87-of-playstation-3-owners-watching-blu-ray-movies-survey-says/#comments
Buried under predictions that 2012 will bring dominance for Blu-ray over DVD and breaking news that the PS3 just may have had a hand in winning the format war the Entertainment Merchant's Association 2008 Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry holds survey results showing 87% of PS3 owners reported they watch Blu-ray movies on their console. That's a stark contrast to last year's NPD survey indicating 60% of owners didn't even know it played them. We don't know what's behind the jump, be it better marketing/consumer education, or something wrong with how one the surveys were conducted. You can mull that one over during the fast money round while also peeping results that say 22% of HDTV owners think they're watching HD programming, but in fact are not -- not like we haven't heard that before.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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87% of PlayStation 3 owners watching Blu-ray movies? Survey says yes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buried under predictions that 2012 will bring dominance for Blu-ray over DVD and breaking news that the PS3 just may have had a hand in winning the format war the Entertainment Merchant's Association 2008 Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry holds survey results showing 87% of PS3 owners reported they watch Blu-ray movies on their console. That's a stark contrast to last year's NPD survey indicating 60% of owners didn't even know it played them. We don't know what's behind the jump, be it better marketing/consumer education, or something wrong with how one the surveys were conducted. You can mull that one over during the fast money round while also peeping results that say 22% of HDTV owners think they're watching HD programming, but in fact are not -- not like we haven't heard that before.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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87% of PlayStation 3 owners watching Blu-ray movies? Survey says yes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>87blu rayblu-rayblurayemaentertainment mercha...EntertainmentMercha...format warFormatWarhdplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonysurveyFri, 04 Jul 2008 21:09:00 EST<![CDATA[LG to halt production of Super Blu combo players, launch Blu-ray deck this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/lg-to-halt-production-of-super-blu-combo-players-launch-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/lg-to-halt-production-of-super-blu-combo-players-launch-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/lg-to-halt-production-of-super-blu-combo-players-launch-blu-ray/#comments
Last we heard, LG was hanging tight to HD DVD in hopes of accommodating early adopters who still yearned for a dedicated player that handled both formats. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. In a recent report put out by the Korea Times, a spokesman for LG was quoted as saying that the "decision for it to halt the production of the combos" was "very tough," but he maintained that the outfit would "stop manufacturing the Super Blu series from the second half of this year." For those unfamiliar, the Super Blu crew contained the two-faced BH200 and BH100. Interestingly, the same individual noted that LG would be "unveiling a new Blu-ray player to catch up with the industry trend" at IFA in just a few months, but no further details were disclosed. August 29th just got a lot more interesting, yeah?

[Thanks, Harmin]

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LG to halt production of Super Blu combo players, launch Blu-ray deck this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 May 2008 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bh-200blu rayblu-raybluraycombo playerComboPlayerformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdhybrid playerHybridPlayerlgproductionsamsungsuper bluSuperBluWed, 14 May 2008 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/toshibas-brazil-unit-peddling-blu-ray-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/toshibas-brazil-unit-peddling-blu-ray-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/toshibas-brazil-unit-peddling-blu-ray-hardware/#comments
While Toshiba still hasn't announced any new HD moves since withdrawing from the format war earlier this year, its Brazilian arm may be moving on with a hybrid HTPC. Powered by a Core Duo 6300 and Vista Home Premium, Semp Toshiba's Spectra packs a TV tuner and an optical drive ready for Blu-ray and HD DVD and should be available later this month. Society Eletromercantil Paulista merged with Toshiba in 1977 and has operated as Semp Toshiba in Brazil ever since, but it might be working a little more independently of its parent company than usual on this project, unless there are more Toshiba-branded Blu-ray products on the way. We'll keep this one on rumor status pending a more official announcement (or a significant improvement in our Portuguese skills.) Check out another image after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware?

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Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Toshiba still hasn't announced any new HD moves since withdrawing from the format war earlier this year, its Brazilian arm may be moving on with a hybrid HTPC. Powered by a Core Duo 6300 and Vista Home Premium, Semp Toshiba's Spectra packs a TV tuner and an optical drive ready for Blu-ray and HD DVD and should be available later this month. Society Eletromercantil Paulista merged with Toshiba in 1977 and has operated as Semp Toshiba in Brazil ever since, but it might be working a little more independently of its parent company than usual on this project, unless there are more Toshiba-branded Blu-ray products on the way. We'll keep this one on rumor status pending a more official announcement (or a significant improvement in our Portuguese skills.) Check out another image after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware?

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Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-rayblurayformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdhddvdhybridsemp toshibaSempToshibatoshibaThu, 24 Apr 2008 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: PS3 to lead Blu-ray installed base until 2013]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/analyst-ps3-to-lead-blu-ray-installed-base-until-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/analyst-ps3-to-lead-blu-ray-installed-base-until-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/analyst-ps3-to-lead-blu-ray-installed-base-until-2013/#commentsBlu-ray still has a lot of convincing to do before ABI believes it's the future, mostly because of upconverting DVD players. According to the analyst's figures, while 35% of DVD players sold today (that low?) upconvert, 60% will by 2013 (again, that low?). The state of Blu-ray hardware going forward isn't to their liking either, with principal analyst Steve Wilson stating "studios better hope that people are playing movies on their Playstations. Otherwise there's very little installed base." With PS3s accounting for 85% of Blu-ray players in 2008, ABI doesn't see things evening out until 2013, with high prices for dedicated players keeping sales volume lower than studios would like. Of course, ABI also saw combo drives as the next big thing in 2012, so we wouldn't return all of our high def discs just yet.

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Analyst: PS3 to lead Blu-ray installed base until 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abianalystblu rayblu-rayblurayformat warFormatWarhdpredictionsonyTue, 22 Apr 2008 19:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/#commentsWe won't have to wait long to find out Universal's plans for Blu-ray, Reuters just noted that later today the studio will announce plans to release about 40 movies on the format in the second half of the year, including Doomsday. The only studio to support solely HD DVD from the beginning will come out with all three of its Mummy films: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King July 22 (sounds like someone's bitter about HD DVD and taking it out on Blu-ray owners to us), with catalog releases jumping over from red like Miami Vice, Knocked Up, American Gangster and others before the year is out. Keep an eye out for specifics later on, like whether those U-Control and community features from the HD DVD versions will make the jump intact

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Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybreaking newsBreakingNewsformat warFormatWarhdtvscheduleu-controluniversalThu, 17 Apr 2008 04:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/universals-blu-ray-release-plans-uncovered-details-later-today/#commentsWe won't have to wait long to find out Universal's plans for Blu-ray, Reuters just noted that later today the studio will announce plans to release about 40 movies on the format in the second half of the year, including Doomsday. The only studio to support solely HD DVD from the beginning will come out with all three of its Mummy films: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King July 22 (sounds like someone's bitter about HD DVD and taking it out on Blu-ray owners to us), with catalog releases jumping over from red like Miami Vice, Knocked Up, American Gangster and others before the year is out. Keep an eye out for specifics later on, like whether those U-Control and community features from the HD DVD versions will make the jump intact

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Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whoa there, partner. Anxious to pull the trigger on that upgrade to PowerDVD 8? If you plan on playing back any HD DVDs with it in the future, we'd politely recommend you didn't. Apparently CyberLink saw fit to remove HD DVD compatibility altogether from its latest version of PowerDVD, leaving v7.3 as the last remaining edition that played nice with red. Thankfully, the company has emailed out a statement to those questioning the move and assured us all that both v7.3 and v8.0 can be installed on a computer at the same time without issue, so at least all hope isn't lost. A lot can change in 16 months, huh?

[Thanks, Ryan]

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CyberLink's PowerDVD 8 pretends HD DVD never existed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraycyberlinkformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdpowerdvdpowerdvd 7powerdvd 8Powerdvd7Powerdvd8softwareThu, 10 Apr 2008 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[HD VMD clears up European Union, spring break related rumors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/hd-vmd-clears-up-european-union-spring-break-related-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/hd-vmd-clears-up-european-union-spring-break-related-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/hd-vmd-clears-up-european-union-spring-break-related-rumors/#commentsAlleviating worries that mere format war irrelevance had gotten our friends in the VMD camp down, a statement was issued today regarding stories "emerging" on the internets alleging EU officials had confiscated money from Microsoft and/or Sony, and given to NME to subsidize its fledgling red laser HD disc (Hadn't heard about it? Neither did we.) NME, the backers of HD VMD, would like everyone to know that not only is that completely false, it also did not have sex with Brad at Cabo San Lucas, as had been reported. With that rumor smashed we can go back to eagerly anticipating our pre-ordered Lazy Town HD VMDs, just 499,999 more to go!

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HD VMD clears up European Union, spring break related rumors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-rayblurayeueuropean unionEuropeanUnionformat warFormatWarhdhd dvdhd vmdhddvdHdVmdmicrosoftnmeother formatsotherformatsotherssonyvmdMon, 07 Apr 2008 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-mart offers up HD DVD returns]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/wal-mart-offers-up-hd-dvd-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/wal-mart-offers-up-hd-dvd-returns/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/wal-mart-offers-up-hd-dvd-returns/#comments
More good news for those left on the short end of the format war, Wal-Mart has quietly decided to offer refunds for anyone who purchased their HD DVD player between November 1, 2007 and now. You won't need the box it came in, but the receipt will be necessary, and get moving because this offer is only open until the 30th. A $50 gift card just 'cause this isn't, but for those looking to erase a red moment in their lives, Wal-mart's doors are open.

[Thanks, Tavaris]


Read - Wall Street Journal
Read - Slickdeals.net

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Wal-mart offers up HD DVD returns originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>format warFormatWarhdhd dvdHdDvdrefundreturnwal martwal-martWalMartMon, 07 Apr 2008 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/#commentsIf you're suddenly overcome with a feeling akin to déjà vu, go ahead and kill that speed dial to your physician. For the second time in a month, Microsoft has actually come forward to squash a Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. This go 'round, an alleged statement from Redmond states quite outrightly that "Lite-On is not manufacturing Blu-ray drives for Xbox 360," and it continues on by noting that "customers who want a premium movie experience [can check out the] library of on-demand HD content" available to console owners. Still, we've grown accustomed to these denials by now, and while you'd think that having a pair of rumors on the matter smashed would put the issue to rest, we've all ideas this one isn't quite dead and buried just yet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayformat warFormatWarhdtvlite-onmicrosoftrumorxblmxboxxbox 360xbox360Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/02/microsoft-hoses-down-latest-xbox-360-blu-ray-rumor/#commentsIf you're suddenly overcome with a feeling akin to déjà vu, go ahead and kill that speed dial to your physician. For the second time in a month, Microsoft has actually come forward to squash a Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. This go 'round, an alleged statement from Redmond states quite outrightly that "Lite-On is not manufacturing Blu-ray drives for Xbox 360," and it continues on by noting that "customers who want a premium movie experience [can check out the] library of on-demand HD content" available to console owners. Still, we've grown accustomed to these denials by now, and while you'd think that having a pair of rumors on the matter smashed would put the issue to rest, we've all ideas this one isn't quite dead and buried just yet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayformat warFormatWarhdlite-onmicrosoftrumorxblmxboxxbox 360xbox360Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolves in a high-res burst of tears]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/#comments
Well, it's no surprise that it was going to happen, but the HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolved today, leaving behind nothing but this terse message on its website, directing us to "individual selling agencies." And so, with literally nothing left of HD DVD, we formally close the sad chapter of consumer electronics history known as the HD Format War, remembering those times when HD DVD rode high, with low prices, more features and less restrictive rights management as its rallying cry, and the rantings of Michael Bay still only the delusional fantasies of a fool. May the resistance live on, and our PS3s always be reminded of a time when their ascension was not guaranteed. Red's dead, baby.

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HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolves in a high-res burst of tears originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>format warFormatWarhdhd dvdhd dvd promotion grouphddvdHdDvdPromotionGroupFri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:00 EST<![CDATA[HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolves in a high-res burst of tears]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/hd-dvd-promotion-group-officially-dissolves-in-a-high-res-burst/#comments
Well, it's no surprise that it was going to happen, but the HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolved today, leaving behind nothing but this terse message directing us to individual "selling agencies." And so, with literally nothing left of HD DVD, we formally close the sad chapter of consumer electronics history known as the HD Format War, remembering those times when HD DVD rode high, with low prices, more features and less restrictive rights management as its rallying cries, and the rantings of Michael Bay still only the delusional fantasies of a fool. May the resistance live on, and our PS3s always be reminded of a time when their ascension was not guaranteed. Red's dead, baby.

Filed under: ,

HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolves in a high-res burst of tears originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>format warFormatWarhd dvdHdDvdhdtvFri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:00 EST