HD-DVD Delayed Into 2006

[The Stinger]

http://www.betanews.com/article/Toshiba_May_Delay_HDDVD_Until_2006/1125587154

There are a number of reasons Sony's Blu-Ray has the one up on Toshiba's next-generation media format HD-DVD, but an early launch was one point HD-DVD had over its competition. It doesn't have that anymore; BetaNews says Toshiba's on the verge of making an official delay into 2006.
Toshiba might as well kiss their chance at competing in the next-generation media marketplace goodbye. PlayStation 3 will be well on its way to launching when Toshiba finally moves HD-DVD into position, and by then it will be too late.

"We are now in talks with Hollywood studios and large-scale retailers to seek the most effective timing of the launch and best way to launch," said a Toshiba spokesperson. "We originally aimed for the year-end launch in the United States. But we have not really decided on that."

'Have not really decided on that' means they're gearing up for a delay, so consider it more or less official at this point. The last question is: what's this mean for Xbox 360? Right now, we just don't know, but chances are Microsoft is watching the situation closely.

[ebenton]

Maybe it's just me, but I am becoming very apathetic about the whole HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray thing. There has been so much up-and-down, back-and-forth publicity on both formats, that I no longer care.
I have owned an HD TV for about 9 months now, and while I continue to be impressed by the quality of the picture that I see on HBO HD and Showtime HD and others, I have noticed that most of the movies still suck. Being able to see more lint on the clothes and wrinkles on the faces doesn't make them any better.
It probably is just me, but until some unifying standard HD format wins or is invented, I think I will stick to broadcast HD and continue to have a resting heartbeat rate when I see articles about either proposed HD optical disk format.

[lordsmurf]

while I continue to be impressed by the quality of the picture that I see on HBO HD and Showtime HD and others, I have noticed that most of the movies still suck. Being able to see more lint on the clothes and wrinkles on the faces doesn't make them any better.

Agreed.