ShangHai, LaoMa, Freedom: Voice from China

Toshiba announced that it stopped promoting the HD DVD standard is one of the major events in technology industry in the recent year. Toshiba lose the war to Sony as the main opponent of the next-generation HD DVD format in the past three years. Toshiba reduced the HD DVD player and recorder shipments, and completely cessation at the end of March. Toshiba, the leader of current DVD standard, have some advantages in next-generation HD DVD in early day. HD DVD have the compatibility advantage and can lower down the cost which allowed Toshiba got the film producers Warner Bros. and Paramount support in November 2004. Standards battle caused the final major change occurred in October 2005, Warner Brothers and Paramount originally only supports Toshiba's HD DVD, announced to support the Blu-ray DVD format at the same time. MGM announced support for Sony on November 2005, Blockbuster announced focused on Sony's Blu-ray DVD in June 2007. Toshiba still focus on computer manufacturers and video-based maker of the Union activities during these period of time. Toshiba also set up the HD DVD Societies in North America and Europe in July 2006 and March 2007 respectively. The battle looks no major winner/loser. Sony clearly knows that consumers and channels is critical for the success. Blu-ray DVD movies issued breakthrough 1 million on April 2007 in North America. The channel force the filmmakers turn the standard to Blu-ray. Long-term perspective on the DVD, the demand is declining. The digital content should take the road by the Internet players, next-generation DVD can create the past success or not is doubt. Let’s back to the computer market, How can we make Open Solaris win is what we really care? Should we learn from Sony and more focus on channel and customers? Sony finally learned big lesson on VHS format battle, and do we learn from the battle on the Linux? It is exactly what I am think !