theoretical speculation on Hi-Def trends

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J(
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joynsyde (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 13:14 GMT
#1812885

Hi all,

I'd like to open a discussion theorizing about the future of technology.  History, as we know, has a way of repeating itself, if we aren't careful.  There is currently a format war going on between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD for high definition video, and there appears to be somewhat of a stalemate.  Remember what happened a decade or so ago with Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio? The two similar formats confused the consumers and competed each other out of business.  I think the world is worse-off because of it.  There have been many other examples like this.  I'm a big believer in the free-market, but when it comes to setting technology standards, sometimes competition does more harm than good.

So my question is: What do you think should have been done to prevent the death of high-def audio, and what do you think should be (or could have been) done to prevent the death of high-def video? (If it's not already too late.)  Of course this is all theoretical, and there's probably little any of us can do now, but let's be idealistic for awhile, shall we?

Best, 

Aj 

C(
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Craig (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 13:43 GMT
#1812886

   Well in an Ideal World(nice thought) the manufacturers of both formats should have got together and produced one joint format. Seems to be another Betamax / VHS scenario. As we saw from that not always the better format wins. There have been a few Audio and Video formats which never caught on. CDI, DAT, CDV, and Minidics to name a few. These were not even because of format wars. They just never caught on.

 

Craig🙂

S(
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stax (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 14:16 GMT
#1812887
I am hopeful about the future of hi-def audio and video. The arguments over Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD or even SACD vs. DVD-Audio are just the method by which the hi-def content gets from the shop to your home. 
Who needs those little silvery disks when you can have a big fat broadband pipe delivering hi-def content straight to your computer's hard disk?
stax
K(
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Killyp (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 14:34 GMT
#1812888
S(
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soundproof (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 15:06 GMT
#1812889
Here's one trend. Soon people will be demanding 1080p on the screens of their mobile phones. 😁
S(
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symmes (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 15:06 GMT
#1812890
I believe you have the answer Stax.  It will be interesting to see how the internet version of robber barons will conspire to make sure that there are an abundant number of incompatible standards from which we can choose.  Ooops, I shouldn't have written that on my business computer!
J(
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jandyt (archived)
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Posted August 3, 2007 at 15:14 GMT
#1812891

I think this is one of the reasons that Bang and Olufsen are so slow to commit to anything new.
Did they not jump on the Philips V2000 video bandwagon too soon?

Andy T.

J(
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joynsyde (archived)
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Posted August 4, 2007 at 13:25 GMT
#1812892

I just wonder why there are usually two (at least) similar but incompatible formats that emerge around the same time made by different people.  Are people just discovering the same things around the same time? Or is there really a conspiracy? 😜

Here's one idea:  When consumers or companies detect a need for a better/newer format that will be in wide usage, governments should support research and standardize a single format.  Then let businesses compete simply on the features and qualities of machines that will use that format.  Kind of like "land-line" telephones.  Each country has a single standard for their public telephone network, but there are many companies that make devices to hook up to that network.  But maybe that's a slippery slope, asking the government to be involved...

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Christian (archived)
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Posted August 4, 2007 at 14:12 GMT
#1812893
S(
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stax (archived)
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Posted August 4, 2007 at 16:31 GMT
#1812894
joynsyde:

I just wonder why there are usually two (at least) similar but incompatible formats that emerge around the same time made by different people.  Are people just discovering the same things around the same time? Or is there really a conspiracy? 😜

Nylon, for stockings etc.,was invented at the same time in London and in New York. So it might not be a conspiracy, but merely a coincidence. (Nylon = N.Y. LONdon)


Hmmm. Are you sure about the London thing? I thought it was just Dupont (USA). Or perhaps this is just a conspiracy too?
stax 
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