Blu-ray standard already being altered

Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 3rd April 2007
Comments (23) Stumble
Blu-ray standard already being altered

"Buy me, I'm obsolete!" -- current Blu-ray players may be out of date before too long.

So how many of you are excited over a nice, new, shiny Blu-ray player sitting underneath your HDTV? If you have your hand up, you may want to sit down, as this news may not be good for you. The Blu-Ray standard is already being revised, and it's likely to make many current players obsolete.

The change is actually in a new feature called "Blu-ray Java," which is exactly what it sounds like. Blu-ray discs will get the Sun-designed language as a programming medium, allowing complex menus and setups for picture-in-picture commentary and special features. In order to allow for this, the Blu-ray Disc association has mandated that players must comply with new hardware and firmware rules that can decode the language, something that current players just can't do.

Though this doesn't sound like a grand revision, it could have some startlingly large consequences. Movies that carry the new feature (which is mandated to be in service by October 31, 2007) may have very limited playback on older machines, if they even work at all. And since current-gen machines were retailing for $1,000 USD, it could mean some very unhappy early adopters.

Odds are that any machines that can have a firmware update may be able to comply with the new specifications, even if they don't adhere to them perfectly hardware-wise. Of course, LG's Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drives and the PlayStation 3 will have little problem at all. Since one is attached to a computer and the other is one on its own, neither should prevent an update.

Speculation is that the update won't make old players unable to view future movies, it will just greatly hinder the ability to make use of any special features. However, one never really knows what the future holds, particularly since the new standard will arrive so quickly and Blu-ray is still a very fledgeling format. Since the market is so new, there's no guarantee that movie makers won't start planning to use the features more extensively, given the design will be standard by October.

Do you have a thought on the format change? Or are you like me and think they should have had these ducks in a row before the first $1,000 unit hit the shelves? Tell us about it in our forums.
Quote BioSniper 3rd April 2007, 10:11
Shame the PS3 is upgradeable to comply by firmware, It would have fuelled the anti Sony/Blu-Ray fire more than it already is :p
Quote mclean007 3rd April 2007, 10:13
Hopefully won't cause problems for too many people - I guess most (if not all) Blu-Ray players on the market are firmware upgradeable, not that adoption has been huge as yet anyway.

PS3 is surely in many more homes than all other BR players put together, and as you say, it shouldn't have a problem with BR Java.

However, there's always a risk with early adoption - together with inflated costs, it's the price of having the latest tech before anyone else.
Quote Neogumbercules 3rd April 2007, 10:24
That just further proves that buying new technology like that right away is always a bad idea.
Quote sinizterguy 3rd April 2007, 10:44
Blu-Ray group never cared for its customers. Just wants more money.
Quote Woodstock 3rd April 2007, 10:56
well for what its worth i dont think too many people will be affected, people are alot more weary after betamax vs VHS
Quote David_Fitzy 3rd April 2007, 11:14
doesn't bother me when I do get a hidef DVD it will be HDDVD well at leas until they bring out HHDDVVDDBVD
Quote Djpuk 3rd April 2007, 11:32
Early adopters stung again, just as well these people usually have bags of money hey!
Quote Pricester 3rd April 2007, 12:18
Bang - and HD wins, since no-one will risk buying Blu-Ray if it's going to change...
Quote BioSniper 3rd April 2007, 13:18
That HHDDVVDDBVD I would buy on a T-shirt tbh.
How I love RvB :D
Quote Swafeman 3rd April 2007, 13:24
didnt blu ray come out about 3-4 years ago anyway? Im sure they made a gen 1 ages ago, i remember seing players for about 5 grand but nobody seemed interested at the time, i doubt these players are still supported either
Quote Firehed 3rd April 2007, 17:04
Does anyone actually use those features that they're set up upgrade anyways? Of all of the DVDs I've rented or own (having worked at a video store, that's quite a lot), I've looked at bonus features twice - once because it was really late and I couldn't sleep and had nothing else to do, and the other time just to play around. As far as I'm concerned, they'd be a lot better off just dumping the highest quality possible transfer on the disc with nothing more than a chapter index, save some production costs, charge us less, and sell more. But that would be too easy.
Quote Bluephoenix 3rd April 2007, 17:28
Java? please no.... just no. I already have enough trouble with it eating my RAM, now my future high-def players will need 4GB?
Quote fev 3rd April 2007, 18:26
buying blu-ray is sponsoring terrorism... so don't do it!
Quote sui_winbolo 3rd April 2007, 19:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by fev
buying blu-ray is sponsoring terrorism... so don't do it!

Rgr that!
Quote Aankhen 3rd April 2007, 23:21
That's strange. BD-J was supposed to have been supported by players since the beginning, and according to Wikipedia, a fair number do already… are they moving away from BD-J or something?

Ah, perhaps this bit from High-Def Digest could explain it somewhat:
Quote:
Currently, most Blu-ray players on the market can handle some form of BD-J interactivity on software titles, but not true video picture-in-picture playback. Sony's complete Blu-ray player line (including the PlayStation 3), plus decks from Philips, Pioneer and LG Electronics, have so far been unable to support the PIP function.
Quote sinizterguy 3rd April 2007, 23:59
Yep BD-J was supposed to have been supported, but it came out half baked.
Quote Tetsugaku-San 4th April 2007, 10:12
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinizterguy
Blu-Ray group never cared for its customers. Just wants more money.
Yes.

Because the HDDVD group is a charity that spends all profits on feeding Africa.....

Get a grip mate.
Quote sinizterguy 4th April 2007, 10:42
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tetsugaku-San
Yes.

Because the HDDVD group is a charity that spends all profits on feeding Africa.....

Get a grip mate.




Take it in context.

As for the HDDVD group - All their products work and have been decent. Their discs are region free and have no compatibility problems with current players. Early adopters of the format have not been shafted.

Idiotic replies like the above quoted one are not conductive to a good discussion.
Quote nry 4th April 2007, 12:49
Think i will wait for the whole thing to settle down and for one side to win. And for a cheap drive to appear for the PC :)
Alot easier playing movies through my pc than through an external player
Quote Woodstock 4th April 2007, 21:30
Quote:
Originally Posted by x1nick
Think i will wait for the whole thing to settle down and for one side to win. And for a cheap drive to appear for the PC :)
Alot easier playing movies through my pc than through an external player

If you want a cheap drive theres always the xbox 360 HD DVD add on works via usb or can be converted to 5 1/2in drive
Quote Tetsugaku-San 5th April 2007, 14:01
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinizterguy
Idiotic replies like the above quoted one are not conductive to a good discussion.

Then why state such a daft and none-too-subtle Sony bash then?

It's only a format.....although it does look like BR will win ;)
Quote IAmATeaf 5th April 2007, 17:43
You would have thought that they would have thought about this before the standard and players were released. Sucks big ones for the early adopters though.
Quote sinizterguy 5th April 2007, 17:46
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tetsugaku-San
Then why state such a daft and none-too-subtle Sony bash then?

It's only a format.....although it does look like BR will win ;)


Because I am not happy with how the Blu-Ray group are handling things. The major player in that being Sony.

HD-DVD is still leading in Europe and hopefully it will stay that way. I dont want region coding shoved down my throat. I prefer to have region-free standalone players allowing me to play whatever discs I choose to buy.
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