I read this over at Cinematical and I must admit it did spark something in my head that I’d read ages ago, but I’m not sure if it was the same thing. Regardless it seems as if there is going to be another player in the format war…just one that may be a little late.
In an effort to break the foreign stranglehold on DVD patents, China has announced for the second time in a decade that it intends to create new DVD technology. Though more than three-quarters of the world’s DVD players are made in China, roughly 40% of the cost of each unit comes from fees that manufacturers must pay to license the DVD technology. With a new, domestic format, the costs of player production will go way down, thus giving producers a great profit margin even if they pass some of their savings along to the consumer.
The new format, which reportedly will offer “higher definition, better sound and better anti-piracy measures,” won’t potentially hit markets until 2008.
I think 2008 is going to be far too late, regardless of the specs, cost or benefits to the consumer, the other formats will have been out for years and one of the formats, or even both, will have already pushed into our homes by then. For another format to arrive at that late stage will place an almost impossible task ahead of the marketing people. Sure it might work in China, but would it beat through into the foreign markets? I don’t think so, especially with all the Studios producing content for their chosen format, if not by then the winning format.
I’m going to buy one player, dependant on content, specification and backing, I’m not buying three and ending up with four different format players!
