Sony, Microsoft Never Really Cared About Next-Gen DVD?
Last I checked, the inclusion of the Blu-Ray player in the PS3 was Sony’s attempt to emulate the PS2’s success. Millions of people picked up the PS2 because it was a cheap DVD player when the price on standalones had yet to drop. We’re in a similar situation now, where Blu-Ray players are pretty expensive, and a PS3 is a cheaper alternative for those looking for hi-def DVD players. However, a study showed that 40% of PS3 owners didn’t even know it could play Blu-Ray movies. Microsoft, sitting in the HD-DVD camp, has the HD-DVD player add-on for the Xbox360. It would appear that both Sony and Microsoft were using their consoles to promote their pick for the next-generation of DVD.
Or ARE THEY?
Microsoft Consumer Media Group Director Kevin Collins, in an interview with Home Media Magazine, said “The [Blu-ray] camp’s claims about Microsoft’s desire to have a format war are baseless,” which makes sense. Of course. What better way to show you don’t care about a format war than coming out with an add-on opposite your competition’s format? I can’t think of one!
Sony CEO Howard Stringer told AP that he thinks the next-gen format war is in a “stalemate” due to the low prices of HD-DVD players and the recent exclusive deal with Paramount Pictures. He then downplayed the battle saying it was mostly a matter of prestige which format won. “It doesn’t mean as much as all that,” Stringer said. Sure it doesn’t.
Stringer tried to stay optimistic, though. The company aims to sell 10 million PS3s by the end of its fiscal year in March. For the record, Nintendo is already sitting at 13.2 million Wiis. Keep on trucking, guys.
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