Quote Originally Posted by eco2geek
I'm not going to get involved in this particular debate, except to point out that, as you know, the technology that becomes the most successful in the marketplace is not necessarily the "best" technology (although, of course, "best" is always debatable). Betamax vs. VHS, for example.
I couldn't agree with you more, as a second example, and one that is "truely" not the "better" of the two who won: Dolby vs. DBX ( used for audio noise elimination )

Most of Dolby, and Dolby "B" noise reduction can be played without having ANY decoder, whereas, if you use DBX, the encoded sound can not be played without "noticable" sound missing, unless you have the DBX decoder. DBX is far more advanced, had more "head room", more expanded dynamic range, and, this is the kicker, absolutely no noise, period. Why did DBX lose the battle with Dolby? Because Dolby "pounded" the market, was a simple, "clonable" chip, and got into the market first. Dolby is like a tricycle, whereas, DBX is the laburdgini [sp].

Not always does the "best" ever win, more often than not, it is either the "worst" or the "less than average" that beats out what is even better than it is...

Not trying to spur a "flame war", just mentioned the facts...
Ms. Cuddles