Okay, just to add another wrinkle to an already massively confused story.
As has been reported here (and everywhere else) Engadget got ahold of a press release, apparently from Chinese manufacturer Fuh Yuan, indicating that Walmart had placed an order for 2,000,000 HD DVD players, which was then later retracted due to an odd translation, and many then thought that Walmart was ordering Blu-ray players. What remained odd was that no press release was ever issued by Walmart, the HD DVD or Blu-ray promotions groups, or anyone else who would be involved. Fuh Yuan also failed to clarify this "story" and industry "insiders" posting on internet messageboards had no idea what was happening.
A CED Industry Newsletter (that unfortunately does not seem to exist online) is now apparently reporting the following:
Quote:
Sources we queried who are familiar with HD DVD licensing and Chinese OEMs were flummoxed by the reports. Neither Fuh Yuan nor Great Wall appear on any rosters of DVD and HD DVD licensees. Our search of major English-language newspapers and news services in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong didn't turn up any reports on Fuh Yuan or Great Wall or the purported deal with Wal-Mart. From translations of the Fuh Yuan announcement we've seen, it was part of a ramp-up for an IPO the company will launch in July.
The latest understanding seems to be that the "story" was part of an IPO information kit sent out to potential investors of the new company, which HOPES to create a low cost HD DVD player in volume that they COULD sell to a low-end retailer like Walmart, after their upcoming IPO. Neither Walmart nor anyone else appears to have been approached with an offer. Basically, it's just a "marketing ploy" to lure investors to buy into a new Chinese company.
I can't link to a copy of the article yet. Hopefully someone can scan one, and I'll link to that, but the industry newsletter came out today and this information is starting to be shared across various Blu-ray/HD DVD forums. It should be a nasty next couple of days as people debate what exactly is going on here.
If this article is correct, though, we've all been duped, and vested interests all over the internet are either crying or cheering right now.
UPDATE: And now, another update, this time from Engadget that ran the original story:
Quote:
The biggest news to hit the format war in some time hit last week with word that Wal-Mart and China's Great Wall corporation struck a deal to bring inexpensive HD DVD players to market. While this is would be great news for all HD fans, we were left a bit worrisome by the translation dispute between the two camps. Just to make sure we had our facts straight, we updated the post and contacted HD DVD to get the full story. While the HD DVD camp reminded us that they have inexpensive players from China on the way, they weren't able to confirm any "specific reports relating to Wal-Mart". It seems to us that if this were indeed true, that the HD DVD camp would be the first to trumpet its significance to their success in the format war. As much as we all want inexpensive next generation HD disc players, we will just have to wait for something more official before we hold off on our purchases waiting for Wal-Mart.
So it appears that Engadget is backing off the story as well.
more than likely its true. low cost chinese players were promised at ces 2007. dont see why this is a big deal. they said it was gonna happen, and it happened.
Quote:
HD DVD expects to sell at least 1.8 million players this year, add over 300 titles to its library, and have a recorded profit of over $600 million in 2007 LINK
Quote:
HD DVD signed on several hardware manufacturers to manufacture HD DVD players: Onkyo(Japan), Alco(China), and Shinco(China) LINK
i dont think they would have promised 2mil players by the end of 2007 if they didnt have a big deal in the works. **** they recently just hit the 100k mark, and its been 1 year already.
more than likely its true. low cost chinese players were promised at ces 2007. dont see why this is a big deal. they said it was gonna happen, and it happened.
i dont think they would have promised 2mil players by the end of 2007 if they didnt have a big deal in the works. **** they recently just hit the 100k mark, and its been 1 year already.
Fine if true, but Walmart has not made a decision. They will prob carry both. Losing out on Disney, Columbia, and Fox HD movies would not be smart.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhymeaj
I dont understand it..yall bash Jay-Z in every thread....
yet this mafucka GUCCI MANE gets an appreciate thread???
They'll carry both and then once the winner becomes clear cut drop the other like a bad habit. But hey who knows maybe both will linger on for a long time. I don't see it happening but this is a very different "war"
It makes no point for WalMart to support both. HD-DVD can get cheaper faster. That is the bottom line. There are already retailers at the AVSforums saying that this is real. It's a done deal. Why support both and keep people confused? HD-DVD is going to kill Blu-Ray by this time next year.
__________________
Xbox Live Gamertag - Agent Ice
Playstation 3 username - AgentIce
It makes no point for WalMart to support both. HD-DVD can get cheaper faster. That is the bottom line. There are already retailers at the AVSforums saying that this is real. It's a done deal. Why support both and keep people confused? HD-DVD is going to kill Blu-Ray by this time next year.
LMAO. Some of you want BluRay to fail so bad it's disgusting...and LMAO @ not couting the PS3 sales.
4 of the biggest movies this summer (Spidey 3, Pirates, Die Hard 4, and FF2) are gonna be on what HD format exclusively in the fall...
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhymeaj
I dont understand it..yall bash Jay-Z in every thread....
yet this mafucka GUCCI MANE gets an appreciate thread???
LMAO. Some of you want BluRay to fail so bad it's disgusting...and LMAO @ not couting the PS3 sales.
4 of the biggest movies this summer (Spidey 3, Pirates, Die Hard 4, and FF2) are gonna be on what HD format exclusively in the fall...
For real though, where are all those anti SONY chumps that were so hyped a minute ago.
*Looks for mcg*
__________________
Life is hard, you know that **** gets taxin,
Thats why when you find me Ima be relaxin...
US retail giant Wal-Mart is to fill its North American store shelves with a 2m low-cost HD DVD players, a move that could help kick up a gear consumer interest in the next-gen optical disc format.
According to a report by the Chinese-language Economic Daily News, local operation Fukuhiko Electronic will make the players, which will be sold for around $299.
That's around $100 less than the list price of Toshiba's entry-level HD-A2 player, though we've seen it on discount for as little as $330.
The 2m players won't arrive at once - the deal calls for delivery by the end of 2008. But it does suggest Wal-Mart favours HD DVD over rival format Blu-ray Disc - though the retailer currently offers both formats online and in its stores.
Even with an extra 2m HD DVD players in the market - assuming, of course, they're destined for the US, a point that's by no means certain at this stage - that's still likely to leave HD DVD hardware sales well behind Blu-ray's. However, Wal-Mart's move will help drive down HD DVD prices and establish the format as the consumers'
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04...hdvdvd_buy_in/
Wal-Mart orders 2m HD DVD players from China
By Tony Smith
26th April 2007 11:08 GMT
US retail giant Wal-Mart is to fill its North American store shelves with a 2m low-cost HD DVD players, a move that could help kick up a gear consumer interest in the next-gen optical disc format.
According to a report by the Chinese-language Economic Daily News, local operation Fukuhiko Electronic will make the players, which will be sold for around $299.
That's around $100 less than the list price of Toshiba's entry-level HD-A2 player, though we've seen it on discount for as little as $330.
The 2m players won't arrive at once - the deal calls for delivery by the end of 2008. But it does suggest Wal-Mart favours HD DVD over rival format Blu-ray Disc - though the retailer currently offers both formats online and in its stores.
Even with an extra 2m HD DVD players in the market - assuming, of course, they're destined for the US, a point that's by no means certain at this stage - that's still likely to leave HD DVD hardware sales well behind Blu-ray's. However, Wal-Mart's move will help drive down HD DVD prices and establish the format as the consumers'
*exits thread behind a congregation of the Sony fanboys*
__________________
Thank you Jay-Z for making people believe in me
<--- Lotame Behavioral Tags --- >
<--- Lotame Behavioral Tags --- >
Walmart/HD DVD "story" false?
? 
*exits thread behind a congregation of the Sony fanboys*
