Here is where to put all the files that we have completed, such as different parts and/or total products. This way we can keep a log of what we have done.
As HD DVD is pushed out of the market, no real competition is emerging to battle for top rank of picture and sound quality. This basic monopoly of technology will give Sony and other blu-ray technology players the advantage, but the consumers will suffer with no real competition or need for product growth from other manufacturers. Although, the top rank of blu-ray will not likely be beaten by anyone there are several alternatives to experiencing high definition quality picture and sound.
Solutions:
Many americans have already purchased an extensive library of DVD's. Blu-ray players are not backward-compatable with standard DVD's. Therefore in order to view your already large collection of movies you will have to purchase them again to watch and enjoy them in the comfort of your home. However, there are several other hardware and software options available for experiencing high-definition in the home. In fact, there are so many other options available it would be nearly impossible to list them all. Some of the cheapest and most popular alternatives will follow.
First, an up-converting DVD player will take the standard definition DVD resolution of 720x480, 480i, to 720p or 1080i. Granted this jump in resolution will not match the high definition of video and audio that comes with blu-ray, but it has the potential to become a rival for the player as long as the cost ratio stays similar to what it is now. For example, any individual looking to make this purchase for the home could walk into most any electronic stores and look at the price of a blu-ray player, which is at least $400, and then compare it to the price of an upconverting DVD player, slightly more than $50. This same individual could then quickly compare the quantity of movies that could be purchased on each of the players at that cost. The table quickly turns in favor of the upconverting DVD player.
Another possible option for viewing high definition movies at home is using a digital downloading service, such as iTunes. The iTunes Store was created in April of 2003. As of January 2008, over 4 billion songs have been downloaded. With the movie studios coming aboard the iTunes bandwagon, we can only assume they will do nearly as well as the music industry. The iTunes Store not only allows the purchase and download of movies, but allows movie rentals, too. Also, Apple, Inc. has created a set top box that can stream and sync video from multiple computers on the network. This set-top box, called TV, allows users to download and view movies right from the iTunes store. This will allow users to select, purchase, and view a movie without ever leaving the couch.
Another option for viewing video content is by using a device called Slingbox. It was developed by Sling Media, Inc. "The focus of Sling Media is to embrace - not replace - existing products and standards by enhancing them with hardware and software that make divergent technologies compatible and greatly improve the consumer experience" (Sling 1). The Slingbox turns any internet-connected computer or smartphone into a users home television. This means that someone could potentially watch any live program that was captured using the Slingbox anywhere in the world. This also means HD content. If a user decides to watch a program that is in HD, the Slingbox will be able to stream the same HD content through the internet. The Slinbox will even be able to connect an TV and stream that content.
In the near future many companies will be bringing their own set-top box to the market. In fact, Netflix has announced they will have competition for the TV in the second half of 2008. Though neither of these options give nearly as rich of an experience as the blu-ray players they certainly pose a potential threat to the blu-ray player. This threat will not only help the movie industry in selling their product, but it will certainly require the blu-ray camp to keep innovating great products. This, in turn, will help the consumer the most.
Nick, if you need any help with anything let me know and I'll do whatever needs to be done. Thanks for putting this together and I am very happy you chose the design layout that differed from the other groups. I, personally, think it looked way better than any other groups. GOOD WORK!
Now that the format war is over, it’s time to purchase the next generation equipment, right? Well, not so fast, you might benefit more if you were to wait some time before making that new purchase. Just because Sony has won the format war with its Blu-Ray technology doesn’t mean that it has become or will soon be mainstream yet. Previously, during the battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, new movie titles were slow to come to the new format. Now that there is a sole winner, more titles should be released along with its regular DVD counterpart. But, until it becomes more popular with consumers, it might be best to wait out purchasing the new Blu-Ray equipment until Blu-Ray movie releases becomes a standard. Recently, a new way of obtaining movies is through downloads over the Internet. While there have been movie downloads over the internet for some time now, no company has had extreme success due to the difficulty of downloading the movies and then watching them on your TV. Apple has recently re-released it’s own TV companion, Apple TV, which has been well received. In the second half of 2008 Netflix will release it’s own set-top box that will allow you to do the same thing and maybe more then what the Apple TV does currently. So, even though Blu-Ray has won the format war, there are still hidden competitors that can win the hearts of consumers by eliminating the use of discs altogether.
Not Waiting
Maybe waiting is not an option for you because you want to have the latest and greatest equipment and would rather view videos in unparallel quality that you can’t find on the current generation DVD’s. Then purchasing the new Blu-Ray equipment will be a great addition to your current home entertainment system. Even though the price for the equipment and the DVD’s themselves might seem expensive, you are purchasing the next-generation experience that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. While movie downloads is becoming popular, there are benefits between downloading and having a physical copy. Unlike movie downloads, you will always have a hard copy of the movie along with the additional features it may include, rather than only the video itself when you download it. Knowing that Sony has won the format war with Blu-Ray, you won’t have to second guess yourself when purchasing equipment since you know what you’re buying won’t be replaced any time soon.
Here is both the White Paper unedited as of Monday for class AND it with a few revisions (tracked changes are on so you can see) and all the notes from the other group and the ones I took down as they were talking. It looks to be coming along good, especially after the notes and stuff that we got from Monday. Really if all you guys would do is edit your part again that you had sent out earlier instead of the entire document, it would be probably easier for all of us. If you have design changes or other stuff that you want/think need changes, then go ahead and use the whole document and I just look through it and add those changes. Thanks. (Sorry this wasn't out sooner.)
Problem and Solution 2
****REVISED****
I've also posted some pictures I had on my computer that might help Nick out with the design or layout.
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Problem:
As HD DVD is pushed out of the market, no real competition is emerging to battle for top rank of picture and sound quality. This basic monopoly of technology will give Sony and other blu-ray technology players the advantage, but the consumers will suffer with no real competition or need for product growth from other manufacturers. Although, the top rank of blu-ray will not likely be beaten by anyone there are several alternatives to experiencing high definition quality picture and sound.
Solutions:
Many americans have already purchased an extensive library of DVD's. Blu-ray players are not backward-compatable with standard DVD's. Therefore in order to view your already large collection of movies you will have to purchase them again to watch and enjoy them in the comfort of your home. However, there are several other hardware and software options available for experiencing high-definition in the home. In fact, there are so many other options available it would be nearly impossible to list them all. Some of the cheapest and most popular alternatives will follow.
First, an up-converting DVD player will take the standard definition DVD resolution of 720x480, 480i, to 720p or 1080i. Granted this jump in resolution will not match the high definition of video and audio that comes with blu-ray, but it has the potential to become a rival for the player as long as the cost ratio stays similar to what it is now. For example, any individual looking to make this purchase for the home could walk into most any electronic stores and look at the price of a blu-ray player, which is at least $400, and then compare it to the price of an upconverting DVD player, slightly more than $50. This same individual could then quickly compare the quantity of movies that could be purchased on each of the players at that cost. The table quickly turns in favor of the upconverting DVD player.
Another possible option for viewing high definition movies at home is using a digital downloading service, such as iTunes. The iTunes Store was created in April of 2003. As of January 2008, over 4 billion songs have been downloaded. With the movie studios coming aboard the iTunes bandwagon, we can only assume they will do nearly as well as the music industry. The iTunes Store not only allows the purchase and download of movies, but allows movie rentals, too. Also, Apple, Inc. has created a set top box that can stream and sync video from multiple computers on the network. This set-top box, called TV, allows users to download and view movies right from the iTunes store. This will allow users to select, purchase, and view a movie without ever leaving the couch.
Another option for viewing video content is by using a device called Slingbox. It was developed by Sling Media, Inc. "The focus of Sling Media is to embrace - not replace - existing products and standards by enhancing them with hardware and software that make divergent technologies compatible and greatly improve the consumer experience" (Sling 1). The Slingbox turns any internet-connected computer or smartphone into a users home television. This means that someone could potentially watch any live program that was captured using the Slingbox anywhere in the world. This also means HD content. If a user decides to watch a program that is in HD, the Slingbox will be able to stream the same HD content through the internet. The Slinbox will even be able to connect an TV and stream that content.
In the near future many companies will be bringing their own set-top box to the market. In fact, Netflix has announced they will have competition for the TV in the second half of 2008. Though neither of these options give nearly as rich of an experience as the blu-ray players they certainly pose a potential threat to the blu-ray player. This threat will not only help the movie industry in selling their product, but it will certainly require the blu-ray camp to keep innovating great products. This, in turn, will help the consumer the most.
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Also, here is a source that I used to find the info about the slingbox:
Sling Media, Inc. Sling Media - About. 2008. 20 Mar. 2008 http://www.slingmedia.com/go/about.
Nick, if you need any help with anything let me know and I'll do whatever needs to be done. Thanks for putting this together and I am very happy you chose the design layout that differed from the other groups. I, personally, think it looked way better than any other groups. GOOD WORK!
Waiting/Not Waiting
Definitely a rough draft.
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Waiting
Now that the format war is over, it’s time to purchase the next generation equipment, right? Well, not so fast, you might benefit more if you were to wait some time before making that new purchase. Just because Sony has won the format war with its Blu-Ray technology doesn’t mean that it has become or will soon be mainstream yet. Previously, during the battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, new movie titles were slow to come to the new format. Now that there is a sole winner, more titles should be released along with its regular DVD counterpart. But, until it becomes more popular with consumers, it might be best to wait out purchasing the new Blu-Ray equipment until Blu-Ray movie releases becomes a standard. Recently, a new way of obtaining movies is through downloads over the Internet. While there have been movie downloads over the internet for some time now, no company has had extreme success due to the difficulty of downloading the movies and then watching them on your TV. Apple has recently re-released it’s own TV companion, Apple TV, which has been well received. In the second half of 2008 Netflix will release it’s own set-top box that will allow you to do the same thing and maybe more then what the Apple TV does currently. So, even though Blu-Ray has won the format war, there are still hidden competitors that can win the hearts of consumers by eliminating the use of discs altogether.
Not Waiting
Maybe waiting is not an option for you because you want to have the latest and greatest equipment and would rather view videos in unparallel quality that you can’t find on the current generation DVD’s. Then purchasing the new Blu-Ray equipment will be a great addition to your current home entertainment system. Even though the price for the equipment and the DVD’s themselves might seem expensive, you are purchasing the next-generation experience that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. While movie downloads is becoming popular, there are benefits between downloading and having a physical copy. Unlike movie downloads, you will always have a hard copy of the movie along with the additional features it may include, rather than only the video itself when you download it. Knowing that Sony has won the format war with Blu-Ray, you won’t have to second guess yourself when purchasing equipment since you know what you’re buying won’t be replaced any time soon.
White Paper Document and Document with Revision Notes
Here is both the White Paper unedited as of Monday for class AND it with a few revisions (tracked changes are on so you can see) and all the notes from the other group and the ones I took down as they were talking. It looks to be coming along good, especially after the notes and stuff that we got from Monday. Really if all you guys would do is edit your part again that you had sent out earlier instead of the entire document, it would be probably easier for all of us. If you have design changes or other stuff that you want/think need changes, then go ahead and use the whole document and I just look through it and add those changes. Thanks. (Sorry this wasn't out sooner.)
Updated Background and Waiting/Not Waiting
I revised these pieces some more. I'll look over them again before the deadline.