Toshiba and Sony to agree on Blu Ray standard

**Domination** · 05-09-2005, 09:07 PM

TOKYO (Nikkei)--In ongoing negotiations between Sony Corp. (SNE) and Toshiba Corp. (6502.TO) toward developing a unified standard for next-generation DVDs, the two sides are hammering out a format in which Toshiba's software technology would be coupled with Sony's disc structure, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports in its Tuesday morning edition.

The Blu-ray Disc format proposed by Sony and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (6752.TO) is incompatible with the HD DVD standard supported by Toshiba. The three firms have been in talks to craft a common standard, and a detailed plan could be finalized within the week.

While Toshiba would be forced to make concessions on disc structure, it is considering accepting the arrangement after assessing such factors as production costs. Sony and Toshiba could secure the backing of participating members as early as May 16, when both are scheduled to hold meetings.

The two camps are focusing on the Sony format for the optical disc structure, in which data is recorded 0.1mm from the disc's surface. Toshiba's software, which offers efficient data transfer and copyright protection, would be incorporated into the unified format.

The Sony standard allows for stacked recording layers, paving the way for increased capacity. However, it requires advanced production technology. The Toshiba-format discs, which use the same structure as current DVDs, can be produced at lower cost than their Sony counterparts.

Toshiba had proposed the use of its own recording format, which records data at a depth of 0.6mm, in conjunction with Sony's high-capacity technology. But Sony and Matsushita expressed reservations, saying major Hollywood studios - such as Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - as well as the computer and video game industries were calling for a high-capacity recording medium.

In recent talks, Toshiba has taken a more flexible stance, noting that the Sony disc structure may be inevitable in light of various considerations. The company is seeking proof that the discs based on the Sony format can be mass-produced at low cost.

The chances of the rival camps failing to reach a unified standard are seen as low. But given that Time Warner Inc. (TWX) and parts manufacturers that have prepared software under the Toshiba standard are expected to resist the revised format, the negotiations could take more time.

Source

**xbdestroya** · 05-09-2005, 09:09 PM

Well, this time we posted it the EXACT same minute Dom - so we'll consider this round a tie. 8)

**imported_The_One** · 05-09-2005, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by xbdestroya

Well, this time we posted it the EXACT same minute Dom - so we'll consider this round a tie. 8)

And I'm always left in the dust

.

The two camps are focusing on the Sony format for the optical disc structure, in which data is recorded 0.1mm from the disc's surface. Toshiba's software, which offers efficient data transfer and copyright protection, would be incorporated into the unified format.

On the bright side, at least we'll still have the higher storage capacity and transfer rate associated with Blu-Ray 8).

**Domination** · 05-09-2005, 09:16 PM

fair enough.

This is great news, though. I really didn't want to settle with Toshiba's idea: way too inferior for my taste. It is said by Toshiba that Sony's Blu Ray solution seems to be inevitable to turn down. But first they'll have to make sure their solution will be profitable. Hopefully something will turn up before E3.

That's means cheaper discs and DVD drives.

**xbdestroya** · 05-09-2005, 10:35 PM

Sony, Toshiba to agree on new DVD format -paper
Mon May 9, 2005 5:25 PM ET

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research)
and Toshiba Corp. (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) are close to finalizing
a plan to develop a common standard for next-generation DVDs to resolve a
three-year-long battle over formats that threatened the industry's growth, a
Japanese newspaper reported on Monday.

A detailed plan could be unveiled ahead of a key meeting of manufacturers
involved in the manufacture of next-generation DVDs scheduled for May 16,
the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said.

Sony, along with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (6752.T: Quote,
Profile, Research), maker of Panasonic brand products, had been pushing for
the standard it calls Blu-ray, while Toshiba, with NEC Corp. (6701.T: Quote,
Profile, Research) and Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. (6764.T: Quote, Profile,
Research), has been promoting a technology called HD DVD.

Both sides have indicated that a new, unified format will use Sony's
technology for recording information onto an optical disk while Toshiba will
supply software that will handle efficient data transfer and copyright
protection.

(Reuters)

**indie85** · 05-09-2005, 10:48 PM

If you think about it this is a win-win situation for sony, instead of blu-ray we're getting blu-ray+ which is compatible with HD-DVD. Good news. I just wanna see some pics now of what this thing can do, I've been waiting for soooooo long.

**senas8** · 05-09-2005, 10:53 PM

Yeaaaaahhhhhhh....not that I profit from it.

**cpiasminc** · 05-09-2005, 11:22 PM

Hmmm... "in light of various considerations..." I'm wondering what sort of strings Sony pulled there.

Let me see if I can make that out -- Sony offered Toshiba a chance to get their hooks deeper into PS3 than simply their part in CELL (perhaps the audio processor? Toshiba does have a good DSP line) so long as Sony gets to stick by Bluray for PS3. And now Toshiba is deciding to concede that Bluray will have an immediate customer base thereby perpetuating it in the longrun... now that they're probably getting a larger profitshare of PS3, anyway.

**FerrianX** · 05-09-2005, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by cpiasminc

Hmmm... "in light of various considerations..." I'm wondering what sort of strings Sony pulled there.

Let me see if I can make that out -- Sony offered Toshiba a chance to get their hooks deeper into PS3 than simply their part in CELL (perhaps the audio processor? Toshiba does have a good DSP line) so long as Sony gets to stick by Bluray for PS3. And now Toshiba is deciding to concede that Bluray will have an immediate customer base thereby perpetuating it in the longrun... now that they're probably getting a larger profitshare of PS3, anyway.

I'm not so sure it was due to Sony pulling strings as opposed to various backers of BluRay putting their foot down. In the end everyone has to relize BluRay is the superior product... Toshiba IMHO is lucky to be getting this good a deal.

**lilkoy123** · 05-10-2005, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by senas8

Yeaaaaahhhhhhh....not that I profit from it.

Well... we're going to profit from all gaming and entertainment goodness it's going to give us. 8)

**the legendary ice man** · 05-10-2005, 06:23 AM

Wasn't the Blu-Ray - HD-DVD split right between to the main industries.

Gamers for Blu-Ray and Film makers (not including MGM and Sony) for HD-DVD?

Z · 05-10-2005, 09:08 AM

actually BD has the most support in every market- most notably the PC manufacturers. The only one which is a tie is the movie industry. I still scratch my head asking why Sony compromised. Maybe they are playing it safe.

**Pina** · 05-10-2005, 09:57 AM

Nobody wants another VHS Betamax thing, one format to rule them all! is better for everyone.

**anthonyp0696** · 05-10-2005, 10:50 AM

I'm glad that they settled on an all purpose system, because until blu ray is proven a lot of companys will stsill resist. SO now even if hollywood still chooses hd dvd we still pay out in the end. By we I mean those hopin to get their clutches on a PS3.

**FerrianX** · 05-10-2005, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by anthonyp0696

I'm glad that they settled on an all purpose system, because until blu ray is proven a lot of companys will stsill resist. SO now even if hollywood still chooses hd dvd we still pay out in the end. By we I mean those hopin to get their clutches on a PS3.

As Z stated the gaming and PC Industry almost all back Bluray. That makes the only people whom are opposed to this merger the other half hollywood since they are split 50/50. Even that I only think it's Time Warner whom are complaining since they have already agreed to launch some titles on the hd-dvd format. Give it time the remaining half of Hollywood will see the 'blu' light

**anthonyp0696** · 05-10-2005, 12:14 PM

lol time warner is always messing something up for everybody. O well let em be stubborn all they want eventuall when they figure out that dvd is old tech an not worth the discs they pressed on the will change their minds.

**lilkoy123** · 05-10-2005, 02:42 PM

:x Darn it. Toshiba's too stubborn.

Toshiba Denies Blu-ray
The high definition soap opera continues as reports of Blu-ray's victory are denied.
by Anoop Gantayat

May 10, 2005 - Sony and Toshiba have issued statements on today's Nihon Kiezai Shimbun report of a settlement in negotiations for a single high definition DVD standard. Both parties deny the report, which suggested that an agreement had been forged to adopt Sony's 0.1 millimeter Blu-ray disk technology and Toshiba's software technology for the new format.

Toshiba, a major backer of the HD-DVD next generation format, acknowledged that, under the belief that a single format would most benefit customers, negotiations are still under way with Matsushita and Sony, Blu-ray's primary backers, but denied that a settlement has been reached. In addition, the company revealed plans to show off the current HD-DVD format at the Media Tech Expo, set to kick off in Las Vegas on 5/11.

Sony offered a similar denial, stating that while a single format is ideal, there have been no major advancements since negotiations were first announced on April 21. "The only true aspect of this report is that Sony, Matsushita and Toshiba are currently engaged in negotiations," a Sony representative stated.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun has had breaking news stories denied and then proven correct many times before. Is this a case of Toshiba and Sony trying to take control of a bit of hot information that leaked out ahead of schedule, or have there truly been no advancements in negotiations for a single format next generation DVD? We expect more details to surface shortly (and be subsequently denied).

**xbdestroya** · 05-10-2005, 02:56 PM

Yeah, PR departments from both are in denial today, but I have a feeling something serious is up. :wink:

Afterall, the Nihon Keizai is a major newspapr that wouldn't just report on stuff unless they felt they had a decent line.

**O.D.S** · 05-10-2005, 04:13 PM

By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Toshiba Corp. has developed a prototype HD-DVD disc that increases the format’s storage capacity by 50 percent and brings it much closer to that of the rival Blu-ray Disc, the company said Tuesday.

The new disc has a capacity of 45GB, which is just under the 50GB offered by a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc, and will give content producers additional space to store longer high-definition movies or extras such as trailers, out-takes or interactive features.

Toshiba accomplished the capacity jump by adding an extra data storage layer to the disc. Each HD-DVD layer has a capacity of 15GB and the new disc packs three such layers.

Good news or Bad News? :?

**indie85** · 05-10-2005, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by duga10

By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Toshiba Corp. has developed a prototype HD-DVD disc that increases the format’s storage capacity by 50 percent and brings it much closer to that of the rival Blu-ray Disc, the company said Tuesday.

The new disc has a capacity of 45GB, which is just under the 50GB offered by a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc, and will give content producers additional space to store longer high-definition movies or extras such as trailers, out-takes or interactive features.

Toshiba accomplished the capacity jump by adding an extra data storage layer to the disc. Each HD-DVD layer has a capacity of 15GB and the new disc packs three such layers.

Good news or Bad News? :?

Hah, ok pack another layer on a blu-ray disc and you've got 100GB. Toshiba is really being stupid if it wants to go alone.