[darkpuppet]

actually, HD DVD did throw money at the studios.

I think there's 2 things that ultimately hurt HD DVD
- too open a format (studios don't want to support a regionless format or otherwise that could lose them money down the road)
- brand name didn't separate it far enough from DVD -- people know the clear difference between BD and DVD, but not necessary HD DVD and DVD

in a format war based soley on content, you really need the studios on board, and I think that sony eventually was able to win them over by providing a stronger brand separation, possiblity of increased profits and a pre-existing user base (PS3 owners).