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Analyst Wu: Apple soon to ship Macs with Blu-ray drives

Thursday, January 3, 2008 · 11:39 am · 34 Comments

“In a report issued to clients early Thursday morning, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu cited sources who say the Cupertino-based Mac maker, which already occupies a seat on the Blu-ray consortium, is set to begin shipping some of its computers with support for the next-generation DVD format,” Slash Lane reports for AppleInsider.

“‘We believe this is a key announcement as current Macs ship with the DVD format and Sony gains a strong ally in Blu-ray,’ the analyst told clients. He added that Disney, for which Apple chief executive Steve Jobs is a Director, is a firm supporter of Blu-ray, while rival Microsoft Corp. has placed most of its eggs in the HD-DVD basket,” Lane reports.

“However, Wu hedged his bets somewhat, saying there is ‘a smaller chance Apple may use a combo Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive to ensure full compatibility and not get involved in the format wars,’” Lane reports.

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Comment Feed

34 Comments

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Buster

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:47 pm · Reply

I just bought an HD-DVD….I feel like such a traitor
TowerTone

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:50 pm · Reply

“I just bought an HD-DVD….I feel like such a traitor”

Then I suggest you move to Canada…..oh, wait……
Zune Tang®

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:58 pm · Reply

Buster, congratulations on the HD-DVD purchase! I only wish it was brown to match my 1st gen. Zune. I’m absolutely certain Microsoft appreciates your support and you can count on many years of enjoyment from your new player. As you know one of the bonuses of acquiring Microsoft sanctioned technology is the security in knowing you—the end user—will be treated like a king. Not the studios. Not the device manufacturer. You. It’s Microsoft’s credo. Good job, Buster.

I feel sorry for the MAC sheep who would probably get non-Microsoft approved technology. Dorks.

Your potential. Our passion.™
KillBill

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:59 pm · Reply

Wu says “while rival Microsoft Corp. has placed most of its eggs in the HD-DVD basket…”

Err??? What? There wouldn’t be HD-DVD without Microsoft, the game would have been unsustainable without the benefits of MS’s plunder.
Predrag

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:02 pm · Reply

Well, let’s just hope this begins the final drive to the finish of “Revenge of the Format Wars” saga. We have never seen the end of the format wars for DVD (-R, +R), which would have made blank DVDs much cheaper than they are now. The two HD formats are even more different and if they both continue to survive, the prices will take forever to go down.

While I agree with those who believe that by the time this war is over, people will move on from optical HD media to digital downloads, it is still necessary for the one standard to emerge in the end. There is a large wide world out there that does not have enough broadband (not to mention business infrastructure) for consumption of HD content. They need cheap, standard optical medium. Large parts of the US market are just not mentally ready for consuming their video content without a tangible product.

If this rumour proves to be true, and BluRay becomes the media of choice for Apple, coupled with Mac’s rapid growth rate, HD-DVD is pretty much going the way of Betamax.
flappo

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:13 pm · Reply

maybe sony and apple will merge ?

and destroy microsuck once and for all !!!!
fenman

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:14 pm · Reply

I think this so-called war is not really a war. We now live in an age where player technology can support multiple formats and that I think is where the hardware will be.

Actual media distribution will then be able to support whatever format is appropriate for the content.

With Betamax and VHS a shared hardware compatibility was not possible because packaging formats were different. If the physical aspects of Betamax tapes and VHS tapes had been identical then dual format players would have become the default.

As there is a steadily increasing number of dual HD and BluRay players either available or announced, it is my opinion that this is the future, not one or the other.
Punch Card

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:15 pm · Reply

Some have claimed that MSFT, and others are purposefully fueling the format war to delay adoption because they want more time to iron out online distribution.
Ampar

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:16 pm · Reply

“non-Microsoft approved technology”

I tried that once but the handful of people waiting in line were a bit too scary.
G4Dualie

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:16 pm · Reply

HD-DVD is pretty much going the way of Betamax.

No, I don’t think so. Betamax was relegated to professional-level arena when consumers rejected it.

Betamax rules in the world of professional video and somehow I don’t see that happening for HD-DVD.
madgunde

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:26 pm · Reply

I just don’t see much of the point. Blu-Ray is overkill for watching movies on a computer screen, even 24-30″ screens. Most people just won’t see the difference. The only reason to put Blu-Ray in a Mac is if it’s writable, as a storage and backup medium, but I don’t think Blu-Ray writers are economically feasible to include except as maybe a BTO option.

Then factor in the fact that AppleTV doesn’t have an optical drive whatsoever, and that Blu-Ray movies compete directly with Apple’s vision of online distribution, and you have to wonder why Apple would want to help Blu-Ray out at all? On top of all that, there really isn’t much of a market for watching Blu-Ray movies yet anyway.

Not saying it won’t happen, but I’m just having a hard time seeing Apple’s motives in doing it.
Macromancer

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 1:28 pm · Reply

Blu-ray FTW!
Rob

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 2:17 pm · Reply

“maybe sony and apple will merge ?”

Why? Sony would be like an anchor.
deepdish

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 2:36 pm · Reply

does handbrake rip bluray yet?

if not, wake me up when it does.
Buster

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 2:37 pm · Reply

Hey the HD-DVD player was 99 bucks and I got 7 free HD movies with it. its as if they threw in the player with the purchase of a few movies. I will rent movies until Blu-ray gets a little more affordable (currently $550).

@ZT….if it was brown I would flush it down….know what I mean?
Anthony

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 2:39 pm · Reply

What if they were to add a Blu-Ray Player to the Apple TV and Mac Minis?

Those are designed to be hooked up to your state-of-the-art Digital and Plasma HD TVs where the image quality would be worthwhile.
Roberto

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 2:49 pm · Reply

On another note, Dell computers will soon feature their patented Death-Ray™ Drives, guaranteed Vista-Ready!
ChrissyOne

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 3:10 pm · Reply

Well if they do I’ll finally buy a new player. I have been holding off until the dust settles.
Switcher 05

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 3:31 pm · Reply

I’ve wanted this in an iMac for awhile now.
Original Shiva

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 3:32 pm · Reply

Zune,
You crack me up. I love satire. Are you waiting, like I am, until the 16th to buy a new computer?