NY Times: Sony Set to Exert Influence on Discs

[hank alrich]

Excerpt from:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html

The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
discs.

The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
technological standard.

--
ha

[Don Cooper]

hank alrich wrote:
>
> Excerpt from:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
>
> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> discs.
>
> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
> technological standard.


Oy.

Did I miss something? I thought Ted Turner bought these films in the
'80's, and I assumed that Time Warner bought it all from him.

[Don Cooper]

hank alrich wrote:
>
> Excerpt from:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
>
> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> discs.
>
> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
> technological standard.


Oy.

Did I miss something? I thought Ted Turner bought these films in the
'80's, and I assumed that Time Warner bought it all from him.

[anybody-but-bush]

"Don Cooper" > wrote in message
...
:
:
: hank alrich wrote:
: >
: > Excerpt from:
: >
: > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
: >
: > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
: > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
: > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
: > discs.
: >
: > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
: > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
: > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
: > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
: > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
: > technological standard.
:
Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need yet another video
format why?

Phil

[anybody-but-bush]

"Don Cooper" > wrote in message
...
:
:
: hank alrich wrote:
: >
: > Excerpt from:
: >
: > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
: >
: > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
: > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
: > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
: > discs.
: >
: > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
: > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
: > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
: > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
: > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
: > technological standard.
:
Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need yet another video
format why?

Phil

[Arny Krueger]

"anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote in message
ink.net
> "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> hank alrich wrote:
>>>
>>> Excerpt from:
>>>
>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
>>>
>>> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
>>> only give the company an enormous film library but also
>>> considerable power in its fight to set the format for the next
>>> generation of digital video discs.
>>>
>>> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
>>> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
>>> of dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that
>>> runs them. Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a
>>> consortium of major electronics makers, is at the forefront of
>>> efforts to develop the new technological standard.
>>
> Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We
> need yet another video format why?

One word: HDTV

It's all about getting more data on the same-sized low-cost pre-recordable
media.

[Arny Krueger]

"anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote in message
ink.net
> "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> hank alrich wrote:
>>>
>>> Excerpt from:
>>>
>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
>>>
>>> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
>>> only give the company an enormous film library but also
>>> considerable power in its fight to set the format for the next
>>> generation of digital video discs.
>>>
>>> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
>>> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
>>> of dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that
>>> runs them. Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a
>>> consortium of major electronics makers, is at the forefront of
>>> efforts to develop the new technological standard.
>>
> Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We
> need yet another video format why?

One word: HDTV

It's all about getting more data on the same-sized low-cost pre-recordable
media.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> discs.
>
> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> Sony

What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
player yet.

I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
players - but not very long.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> discs.
>
> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> Sony

What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
player yet.

I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
players - but not very long.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Arny Krueger]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
>> only give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
>> power in its fight to set the format for the next generation of
>> digital video discs.
>>
>> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
>> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
>> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
>> them. Sony
>
> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.
>
> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> players - but not very long.

Maybe $2500 for a writer, but that's way too high for readers or players. By
now everybody, even Hollywood knows about the magic of the $200 price
point....

[Arny Krueger]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
>> only give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
>> power in its fight to set the format for the next generation of
>> digital video discs.
>>
>> The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
>> available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
>> dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
>> them. Sony
>
> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.
>
> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> players - but not very long.

Maybe $2500 for a writer, but that's way too high for readers or players. By
now everybody, even Hollywood knows about the magic of the $200 price
point....

[Jay Kadis]

In article et>,
"anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:

> "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> ...
> :
> :
> : hank alrich wrote:
> : >
> : > Excerpt from:
> : >
> : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> : >
> : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> : > discs.
> : >
> : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
> : > technological standard.
> :
> Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need yet
> another video
> format why?
>
> Phil
>
>

More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x

[Jay Kadis]

In article et>,
"anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:

> "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> ...
> :
> :
> : hank alrich wrote:
> : >
> : > Excerpt from:
> : >
> : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> : >
> : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> : > discs.
> : >
> : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the new
> : > technological standard.
> :
> Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need yet
> another video
> format why?
>
> Phil
>
>

More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x-------- http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~jay/ ----------x

[Don Cooper]

Mike Rivers wrote:

> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.


Mike, if this happens, the DVD players will probably be $19, and the
discs will be $1.00.

The downside will be the space it takes up in your home.

: )

[Don Cooper]

Mike Rivers wrote:

> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.


Mike, if this happens, the DVD players will probably be $19, and the
discs will be $1.00.

The downside will be the space it takes up in your home.

: )

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Jay Kadis" > wrote in message
...
> In article et>,
> "anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:
>
> > "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > :
> > :
> > : hank alrich wrote:
> > : >
> > : > Excerpt from:
> > : >
> > : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> > : >
> > : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
only
> > : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
power in
> > : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > : > discs.
> > : >
> > : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
of
> > : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
them.
> > : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> > : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the
new
> > : > technological standard.
> > :
> > Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need
yet
> > another video
> > format why?
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
>
> More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)
>
That, and more room for HD video. The standard DVD disc holds 4.7gb of data;
the DVD-9 and new dual layer discs hold 8.7gb. Blu-ray and blu-ray dual
layer hold 27gb and ~50gb respectively. Besides, the current technology is
pretty much at its limit. 16x writers are already hitting the market, and
that's as fast as she goes. We will see improvement to the RW write times
and the dual layer write times, probably up to 8x for both. Blu-ray is the
future.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Jay Kadis" > wrote in message
...
> In article et>,
> "anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:
>
> > "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > :
> > :
> > : hank alrich wrote:
> > : >
> > : > Excerpt from:
> > : >
> > : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> > : >
> > : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
only
> > : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
power in
> > : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > : > discs.
> > : >
> > : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
of
> > : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
them.
> > : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> > : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the
new
> > : > technological standard.
> > :
> > Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need
yet
> > another video
> > format why?
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
>
> More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)
>
That, and more room for HD video. The standard DVD disc holds 4.7gb of data;
the DVD-9 and new dual layer discs hold 8.7gb. Blu-ray and blu-ray dual
layer hold 27gb and ~50gb respectively. Besides, the current technology is
pretty much at its limit. 16x writers are already hitting the market, and
that's as fast as she goes. We will see improvement to the RW write times
and the dual layer write times, probably up to 8x for both. Blu-ray is the
future.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>
> In article >
writes:
>
> > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > discs.
> >
> > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> > Sony
>
> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.
>
> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> players - but not very long.
>
Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and the
price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R 2.4
writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with dual
layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's a
rapidly moving market.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>
> In article >
writes:
>
> > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not only
> > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable power in
> > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > discs.
> >
> > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions of
> > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs them.
> > Sony
>
> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> player yet.
>
> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> players - but not very long.
>
Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and the
price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R 2.4
writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with dual
layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's a
rapidly moving market.

Glenn D.

[James Perrett]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> >
> >
> > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> > player yet.
> >
> > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > players - but not very long.
> >
> Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and the
> price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R 2.4
> writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with dual
> layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's a
> rapidly moving market.

The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
formats in the future.

Cheers.

James.

[James Perrett]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> >
> >
> > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> > player yet.
> >
> > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > players - but not very long.
> >
> Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and the
> price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R 2.4
> writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with dual
> layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's a
> rapidly moving market.

The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
formats in the future.

Cheers.

James.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> formats in the future.

Now if only a CD-R drive that's five years old would write on disks
commonly available today. (Sure, I've found Taiyo Yudens that work
reliably after a rash of failures with dime-store blanks, but how long
will they be available?)


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> formats in the future.

Now if only a CD-R drive that's five years old would write on disks
commonly available today. (Sure, I've found Taiyo Yudens that work
reliably after a rash of failures with dime-store blanks, but how long
will they be available?)


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[reddred]

"James Perrett" > wrote in message
...
> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
> >
> > "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> > news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> > >
> > >
> > > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> > > player yet.
> > >
> > > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> > > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > > players - but not very long.
> > >
> > Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and
the
> > price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R
2.4
> > writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with
dual
> > layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's
a
> > rapidly moving market.
>
> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> formats in the future.
>

The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make old
formats obsolete.

jb

..

[reddred]

"James Perrett" > wrote in message
...
> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
> >
> > "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> > news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> > >
> > >
> > > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a DVD
> > > player yet.
> > >
> > > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for a
> > > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > > players - but not very long.
> > >
> > Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and
the
> > price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R
2.4
> > writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with
dual
> > layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100. It's
a
> > rapidly moving market.
>
> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> formats in the future.
>

The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make old
formats obsolete.

jb

..

[Arny Krueger]

"reddred" > wrote in message

> "James Perrett" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>>>
>>> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
>>> news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a
>>>> DVD player yet.
>>>>
>>>> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500
>>>> for a computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are
>>>> $50 home players - but not very long.
>>>>
>>> Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x
>>> and
> the
>>> price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate.
>>> DVD+R
> 2.4
>>> writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers
>>> with dual layer write capability will go this holiday season for
>>> under $100. It's
> a
>>> rapidly moving market.
>>
>> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
>> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a
>> format that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand
>> it, Blu Ray and the other high capacity contenders still use the
>> same size discs as CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same
>> player shouldn't play all formats in the future.
>>
>
> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable
> with current formats is that the consortium can make more money if
> they make old formats obsolete.

That's balanced by consumer resistance to products that will make old
formats obsolete without adequate offsetting benefits. There's a great
object lesson in this fact ongoing before our eyes as SACD and DVD-A
continue to crash and burn in the marketplace.

[Arny Krueger]

"reddred" > wrote in message

> "James Perrett" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>>>
>>> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
>>> news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a
>>>> DVD player yet.
>>>>
>>>> I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500
>>>> for a computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are
>>>> $50 home players - but not very long.
>>>>
>>> Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x
>>> and
> the
>>> price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate.
>>> DVD+R
> 2.4
>>> writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers
>>> with dual layer write capability will go this holiday season for
>>> under $100. It's
> a
>>> rapidly moving market.
>>
>> The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
>> backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a
>> format that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand
>> it, Blu Ray and the other high capacity contenders still use the
>> same size discs as CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same
>> player shouldn't play all formats in the future.
>>
>
> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable
> with current formats is that the consortium can make more money if
> they make old formats obsolete.

That's balanced by consumer resistance to products that will make old
formats obsolete without adequate offsetting benefits. There's a great
object lesson in this fact ongoing before our eyes as SACD and DVD-A
continue to crash and burn in the marketplace.

[Marc Wielage]

On Sep 14, 2004, Don Cooper > commented:

> Did I miss something? I thought Ted Turner bought these films in the
> '80's, and I assumed that Time Warner bought it all from him.
>--------------------------------snip----------------------------------<

Turner opted to keep some of the MGM films, but not all of them. (I believe
he retained the rights to GONE WITH THE WIND, if memory serves.)

All the trades have reported that MGM's library added about 4000 films to
Sony's existing library, so there was still quite a bit that Warner didn't
own.

--MFW
[remove the extra M above for email]

[Marc Wielage]

On Sep 14, 2004, Don Cooper > commented:

> Did I miss something? I thought Ted Turner bought these films in the
> '80's, and I assumed that Time Warner bought it all from him.
>--------------------------------snip----------------------------------<

Turner opted to keep some of the MGM films, but not all of them. (I believe
he retained the rights to GONE WITH THE WIND, if memory serves.)

All the trades have reported that MGM's library added about 4000 films to
Sony's existing library, so there was still quite a bit that Warner didn't
own.

--MFW
[remove the extra M above for email]

[Don Cooper]

Marc Wielage wrote:

> Turner opted to keep some of the MGM films, but not all of them. (I believe
> he retained the rights to GONE WITH THE WIND, if memory serves.)
>
> All the trades have reported that MGM's library added about 4000 films to
> Sony's existing library, so there was still quite a bit that Warner didn't
> own.


Thank you.

[Don Cooper]

Marc Wielage wrote:

> Turner opted to keep some of the MGM films, but not all of them. (I believe
> he retained the rights to GONE WITH THE WIND, if memory serves.)
>
> All the trades have reported that MGM's library added about 4000 films to
> Sony's existing library, so there was still quite a bit that Warner didn't
> own.


Thank you.

[Mike]

"Glenn Dowdy" > wrote in message >...
> "Jay Kadis" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article et>,
> > "anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:
> >
> > > "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > :
> > > :
> > > : hank alrich wrote:
> > > : >
> > > : > Excerpt from:
> > > : >
> > > : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> > > : >
> > > : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
> only
> > > : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
> power in
> > > : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > > : > discs.
> > > : >
> > > : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > > : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
> of
> > > : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
> them.
> > > : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> > > : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the
> new
> > > : > technological standard.
> > > :
> > > Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need
> yet
> > > another video
> > > format why?
> > >
> > > Phil
> > >
> > >
> >
> > More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)
> >
> That, and more room for HD video. The standard DVD disc holds 4.7gb of data;
> the DVD-9 and new dual layer discs hold 8.7gb. Blu-ray and blu-ray dual
> layer hold 27gb and ~50gb respectively. Besides, the current technology is
> pretty much at its limit. 16x writers are already hitting the market, and
> that's as fast as she goes. We will see improvement to the RW write times
> and the dual layer write times, probably up to 8x for both. Blu-ray is the
> future.
>
> Glenn D.

I wonder where the saturation point of all this will be. I see
somewhere in the future a big crash of the home entertainment market.


Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com

[Mike]

"Glenn Dowdy" > wrote in message >...
> "Jay Kadis" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article et>,
> > "anybody-but-bush" <Anybody But > wrote:
> >
> > > "Don Cooper" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > :
> > > :
> > > : hank alrich wrote:
> > > : >
> > > : > Excerpt from:
> > > : >
> > > : > http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/business/media/15sony.html
> > > : >
> > > : > The purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a group led by Sony will not
> only
> > > : > give the company an enormous film library but also considerable
> power in
> > > : > its fight to set the format for the next generation of digital video
> > > : > discs.
> > > : >
> > > : > The transition to the new discs, which are not expected to be widely
> > > : > available until next year at the earliest, could generate billions
> of
> > > : > dollars in royalties to the developers of the technology that runs
> them.
> > > : > Sony, as part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium of major
> > > : > electronics makers, is at the forefront of efforts to develop the
> new
> > > : > technological standard.
> > > :
> > > Is this going to be another whopping success like SACD and Beta? We need
> yet
> > > another video
> > > format why?
> > >
> > > Phil
> > >
> > >
> >
> > More robust copy protection. (See SACD.)
> >
> That, and more room for HD video. The standard DVD disc holds 4.7gb of data;
> the DVD-9 and new dual layer discs hold 8.7gb. Blu-ray and blu-ray dual
> layer hold 27gb and ~50gb respectively. Besides, the current technology is
> pretty much at its limit. 16x writers are already hitting the market, and
> that's as fast as she goes. We will see improvement to the RW write times
> and the dual layer write times, probably up to 8x for both. Blu-ray is the
> future.
>
> Glenn D.

I wonder where the saturation point of all this will be. I see
somewhere in the future a big crash of the home entertainment market.


Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com

[Glenn Dowdy]

"reddred" > wrote in message
...
>
> "James Perrett" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Glenn Dowdy wrote:
> > >
> > > "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> > > news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a
DVD
> > > > player yet.
> > > >
> > > > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for
a
> > > > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > > > players - but not very long.
> > > >
> > > Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and
> the
> > > price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R
> 2.4
> > > writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with
> dual
> > > layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100.
It's
> a
> > > rapidly moving market.
> >
> > The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> > backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> > that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> > and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> > CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> > formats in the future.
> >
>
> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
old
> formats obsolete.
>
Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"reddred" > wrote in message
...
>
> "James Perrett" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Glenn Dowdy wrote:
> > >
> > > "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> > > news:znr1095248578k@trad...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > What? Yet another video disk format? Good thing I haven't bought a
DVD
> > > > player yet.
> > > >
> > > > I expect that Blu-Ray will come around eventually, but at $2500 for
a
> > > > computer drive, it'll be a couple of years before there are $50 home
> > > > players - but not very long.
> > > >
> > > Yep. When HP entered the CD-R market in 1995, CD-R speeds were 4x and
> the
> > > price was $1200. I've seen 32x CD-R drives for $5 after rebate. DVD+R
> 2.4
> > > writers were $300 about three years ago. Now, 16x DVD+-RW writers with
> dual
> > > layer write capability will go this holiday season for under $100.
It's
> a
> > > rapidly moving market.
> >
> > The great thing about all the current DVD drives is that they are
> > backwards compatible with CD's. They will still read discs in a format
> > that was first introduced over 20 years ago. As I understand it, Blu Ray
> > and the other high capacity contenders still use the same size discs as
> > CD and DVD so there's no reason why the same player shouldn't play all
> > formats in the future.
> >
>
> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
old
> formats obsolete.
>
Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.

Glenn D.

[Kurt Albershardt]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:

> "reddred" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
>> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
>> old formats obsolete.
>
>
> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.

Just to clarify:

Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.

CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

[Kurt Albershardt]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:

> "reddred" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
>> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
>> old formats obsolete.
>
>
> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.

Just to clarify:

Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.

CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Kurt Albershardt" > wrote in message
...
> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
> > "reddred" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >>
> >>
> >> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
> >> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
> >> old formats obsolete.
> >
> >
> > Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
> Just to clarify:
>
> Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.
>
> CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.
>
Clarification appreciated.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Kurt Albershardt" > wrote in message
...
> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
> > "reddred" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >>
> >>
> >> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable with
> >> current formats is that the consortium can make more money if they make
> >> old formats obsolete.
> >
> >
> > Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
> Just to clarify:
>
> Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.
>
> CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.
>
Clarification appreciated.

Glenn D.

[Scott Dorsey]

Kurt Albershardt > wrote:
>>
>> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
>Just to clarify:
>
>Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.
>
>CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Kurt Albershardt > wrote:
>>
>> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
>Just to clarify:
>
>Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.
>
>CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Arny Krueger]

"Kurt Albershardt" > wrote in message

> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
>> "reddred" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable
>>> with current formats is that the consortium can make more money if
>>> they make old formats obsolete.
>>
>>
>> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
> Just to clarify:

> Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.

> CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039

Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc
recording and playback

[Arny Krueger]

"Kurt Albershardt" > wrote in message

> Glenn Dowdy wrote:
>
>> "reddred" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> The reason some player in the future won't be backwards compatable
>>> with current formats is that the consortium can make more money if
>>> they make old formats obsolete.
>>
>>
>> Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with CD-R and DVDR.
>
> Just to clarify:

> Blu-Ray players will play most of the CD* and DVD* discs.

> CD and DVD players will not play Blu-Ray discs.

http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039

Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc
recording and playback

[Bob Cain]

Arny Krueger wrote:


> http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
>
> Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc
> recording and playback

Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
see that on the market?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

[Bob Cain]

Arny Krueger wrote:


> http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
>
> Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc
> recording and playback

Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
see that on the market?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Bob Cain" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Arny Krueger wrote:
>
>
> > http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
> >
> > Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray
Disc
> > recording and playback
>
> Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
> see that on the market?
>
>
No, not yet. There's a lot of behind the scenes work still going on. The
blank media has to be ready, too, and all of the IP interests served, etc.

Glenn D.

[Glenn Dowdy]

"Bob Cain" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Arny Krueger wrote:
>
>
> > http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
> >
> > Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray
Disc
> > recording and playback
>
> Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
> see that on the market?
>
>
No, not yet. There's a lot of behind the scenes work still going on. The
blank media has to be ready, too, and all of the IP interests served, etc.

Glenn D.

[Bob Cain]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:

> "Bob Cain" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>
>>Arny Krueger wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
>>>
>>>Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray
>
> Disc
>
>>>recording and playback
>>
>>Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
>>see that on the market?
>>
>>
>
> No, not yet. There's a lot of behind the scenes work still going on. The
> blank media has to be ready, too, and all of the IP interests served, etc.

Actually, I hadn't read far enough into the article. It
says 2006 but that's pretty broad. Think it could be any
sooner?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

[Bob Cain]

Glenn Dowdy wrote:

> "Bob Cain" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>
>>Arny Krueger wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>http://www.physicsweb.org/press/7039
>>>
>>>Philips develops all-in-one optical pickup unit for CD, DVD and Blu-ray
>
> Disc
>
>>>recording and playback
>>
>>Very cool! Any hints anywhere as to when we can expect to
>>see that on the market?
>>
>>
>
> No, not yet. There's a lot of behind the scenes work still going on. The
> blank media has to be ready, too, and all of the IP interests served, etc.

Actually, I hadn't read far enough into the article. It
says 2006 but that's pretty broad. Think it could be any
sooner?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

[Bob Olhsson]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>.. What? Yet another video disk format?

I told everybody there'd be a new video disk format three years ago when
movie-swapping began. If swapping can't be slowed down significantly using
technology, the funding of new motion picture production is likely to
completely go away.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

[Bob Olhsson]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1095248578k@trad...
>.. What? Yet another video disk format?

I told everybody there'd be a new video disk format three years ago when
movie-swapping began. If swapping can't be slowed down significantly using
technology, the funding of new motion picture production is likely to
completely go away.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

[Hal Laurent]

"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
>
> Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?

Dr. Bronner's snack food products??? That sounds scary. I thought
they just sold snake oil.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Hal Laurent]

"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
>
> Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?

Dr. Bronner's snack food products??? That sounds scary. I thought
they just sold snake oil.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Scott Dorsey]

Hal Laurent > wrote:
>"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?
>
>Dr. Bronner's snack food products??? That sounds scary. I thought
>they just sold snake oil.

Their soap used to be great until they reformulated it. The older
"castille soap for babies" had very low residue and was great for cleaning
78s, but they have reformulated them all with hemp oil and added some sort
of scent to the baby soap. The residue level is much higher and they don't
lather as well in the shower either.

But in addition to this stuff, Dr. Bronner makes a line of really wretched
snack foods, sold as HEALTHY HUNZA FOOD. Most health food stores will carry
the soap, but nobody wants to carry the snack food items.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Hal Laurent > wrote:
>"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> Isn't Blu-Ray one of those Dr. Bronner's snack food products?
>
>Dr. Bronner's snack food products??? That sounds scary. I thought
>they just sold snake oil.

Their soap used to be great until they reformulated it. The older
"castille soap for babies" had very low residue and was great for cleaning
78s, but they have reformulated them all with hemp oil and added some sort
of scent to the baby soap. The residue level is much higher and they don't
lather as well in the shower either.

But in addition to this stuff, Dr. Bronner makes a line of really wretched
snack foods, sold as HEALTHY HUNZA FOOD. Most health food stores will carry
the soap, but nobody wants to carry the snack food items.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Kevin Kelly]

<< If swapping can't be slowed down significantly using
technology, the funding of new motion picture production is likely to
completely go away. >><BR><BR>


Sound vaguely familiar?



Kevin M. Kelly
"There needs to be a 12-step program for us gearheads"

[Kevin Kelly]

<< If swapping can't be slowed down significantly using
technology, the funding of new motion picture production is likely to
completely go away. >><BR><BR>


Sound vaguely familiar?



Kevin M. Kelly
"There needs to be a 12-step program for us gearheads"