BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!

[ThePatriot]

[Moderator Note: All related content merged into this single thread]

WARNER goes BLU!

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html

[NeilNo]

it seems WARNER goes BLU!

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html

Finally...

COuld this be the end of the format war?

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm

[NeilNo]

BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!

After months of speculation;

This is big news to all Hi Def media adopters!



NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES 2008-01-04 20:22:49 GMT (Reuters) (Reuters) — Time Warner's Warner Bros. studio Friday said it would exclusively release high-definition DVDs in Sony Corp's Blu-ray format, dealing a big blow to Toshiba Corp's rival HD DVD technology.
Warner Bros, Hollywood's biggest seller of DVDs, representing about 18 to 20% of sales in the United States, was one of the few studios that backed both formats.

All sides of the format war had agreed it was confusing to consumers and a stumbling block for a potential multibillion-dollar industry.

Total DVD unit sales fell 4.5% in 2007, the first major year-over-year decline since the disc format debuted in 1997, according to Adams Media Research. Sales fell 4.8% to $15.7 billion.

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers," Warner Bros Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Meyer said in a statement.

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a1CPtUYPjrBQ&refer=home

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm

[ThePatriot]

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html

here's the link provided by brod Neilno, thanks bro, happy new year!

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm 

[ThePatriot]

[NeilNo]

OPs please combine with the other posting.. 

[ThePatriot]

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0432340820080104

[NeilNo]

Official announcement from WB:

(January 4, 2008 – Burbank, CA) – In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.

“Warner Bros.’ move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,” said Meyer.  “The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger.  We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers.”

Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray.  After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.

“Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices,” said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment.  “Today’s decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner.”

“A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry,” said Tsujihara.  “Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience.  Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts.  We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future.”

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/boost-for-blu-ray-warner-bros-will-release-high-def-titles-exclusively-in-that-format/

[NeilNo]

Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively

Citing consumer confusion, studio will stop marketing HD DVD in May
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 1/4/2008

JAN. 4 | Warner Bros. Entertainment this year will begin releasing high-definition titles exclusively in Blu-ray Disc, dealing a severe blow to the HD DVD format.

The studio hopes its decision will help end the format war, and boost the chances of high-definition quickly becoming a vital business. Retailers have long complained that consumers are too confused by two formats to adopt either Blu-ray or HD DVD.

With Warner now in the BD camp, only Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertaiment/DreamWorks will produce and market titles in the HD DVD format.

Warner will be joining other BD-exclusive suppliers Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Lionsgate.

Warner’s shift to Blu-ray becomes effective later this year. All new releases are expected to street in BD and HD DVD through May 2008. However, during those upcoming months, there will be a short lag between the Blu-ray/standard DVD release and the HD DVD release.

“Warner Bros.’ move to exclusivity release in the Blu-ray Disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,” said Warner chair and CEO Barry Meyer. “The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers and, most importantly, consumers.”

Through last year, Warner had been touting its dual format strategy as a way to maximize high-definition revenue.

But Warner management decided switching to Blu-ray exclusivity was necessary to match increasing consumer demand toward the format over HD DVD. BD does enjoy a far larger hardware installation base, due mostly to the millions of BD-equipped PlayStation 3 consoles sold. Earlier in the year, attraction for the PS3 seemed stalled, but the introduction of a relatively cheap $399 system reinvigorated the gaming system.

“A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high-definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry,” said Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corp. in promoting high-definition media, and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6517192.html

[NeilNo]

Other HD websites headlines for Jan. 4, 2008.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Breaking:_Warner_Goes_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1325

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969114

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/breaking-news-warner-goes-blu-ray-only/5061

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/dueling_dvd_formats;_ylt=AoXzy2Hh8FGhnGbZOdi.V8r6L5A5

[NeilNo]

The end for HD DVD?

What's New
By Henning Molbaek
FIRST ONLINE Jan 4, 2008

It's official. Only hours before the start of the CES in Las Vegas Warner Bros. delievers what could be the biggest news of the show. They will drop support of HD DVD.

We have said it before and will say it again. Any format without Warner Bros. will have more than a hard time to survive. The studio owns one of the biggest film libraries in the world with classics like "Ben Hur" and "Gone With the Wind" and represents almost 20% of the market.

On January 6th (Sunday) 8.30PM the HD DVD group will hold a press conference at CES in Las Vegas. It will no doubt be interesting to hear their comments on todays announcement. Unless they have some VERY big news this could very well be the last CES with a HD DVD format attending.

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-end-for-hd-dvd/5063

[ThePatriot]

OPs please combine with the other posting.. 

hey bro, what is this? i saw your earlier post saying "some people just... " i didn't know that you created a new thread, if i knew why would i create another? i even acknowledged you in my thread, but it's okay.

Hi MODS, sorry for the double thread with the same topic, please delete mine, many thanks...

[raider18]

Warner! Winner !!!

Mr. Patriot may dumating ka plang 3 boxes from amazon 

[SirLaw11]

Since this will not take in effect until June 08 then i have ample of time to decide what complete BD player should i get.

I am hoping M$ and Toshiba are not sleeping and announce something at CES this Jan 06.

[pchin]

Oh my gosh...HD DVD biggest ticket has been just thrown out at the window! Following this news, probably Paramount/Dreamwork will revert back to Blu-ray after their HD DVD exclusive 18-month agreement is expired.

Yes, I believes this could spell the END of HD DVD.... :'(

[pchin]

Toshiba Responds to Warner Blu-ray Announcement

Chief HD DVD format-backer Toshiba has issued a statement in response to Warner's announcement that they plan drop HD DVD support.

The unusual statement, which lacks the familiar bluster of so many previous press releases issued by both camps, appears to suggest that the HD DVD camp had no advance warning of Warner's decision to exclusively back Blu-ray, and goes on to say that the company will "assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps."

The text of the statement follows below:

TOKYO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD. As central members of the DVD Forum, we have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros. We worked closely together to help standardize the first-generation DVD format as well as to define and shape HD DVD as its next-generation successor.

We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.

We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer.

Source

[Munskie]

Time to get that Panny BD30k....   Demand will be brisk, so get it while item is still low...

[ThePatriot]

Warner! Winner !!!

Mr. Patriot may dumating ka plang 3 boxes from amazon 

see you soon bro, i'm going back tomorrow afternoon, may pasalubong ako sa yo! happy new year brod! many thanks for taking care of my packages from amazon, back to work na ulit...

[ThePatriot]

Time to get that Panny BD30k....   Demand will be brisk, so get it while item is still low...

i'm also thinking of getting this player sana marami pa ring BOGO...

[pchin]

Ops...just saw this new thread. GUess, HD DVD fate is written on the wall na.

Toshiba Responds to Warner Blu-ray Announcement

Chief HD DVD format-backer Toshiba has issued a statement in response to Warner's announcement that it plans to drop HD DVD support, and back Blu-ray exclusively.

The unusual statement, which lacks the familiar bluster of so many previous press releases issued by both camps, appears to suggest that the HD DVD camp had no advance warning of Warner's decision to exclusively back Blu-ray, and goes on to say that the company will "assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps."

The text of the statement follows below:

TOKYO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD. As central members of the DVD Forum, we have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros. We worked closely together to help standardize the first-generation DVD format as well as to define and shape HD DVD as its next-generation successor.

We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.

We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer.

Source

[Mouldingo]

I guess those Warner HD DVD will become Collector's item. I think this is a done deal since last year, they didn't bother to wait for the sales figure of the last quarter to come in.

Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.

Hangang May 2008 na lang pala.

[pchin]

Looks like the speculation has been proven true after all...it's good the format war could end sooner than most people expected. There's really no point in prolonging the format war.

[ThePatriot]

Looks like the speculation has been proven true after all...it's good the format war could end sooner than most people expected. There's really no point in prolonging the format war.

sana marami pa ring BOGO, happy new year bro! regards to your family...

[Munskie]

no regrets....

[Mouldingo]

This is from AVS imfamous beatboy77 ...

Warner to Back Blu-ray Exclusively

Warner has announced that they will be switching to support Blu-ray exclusively. Warner has been supporting both formats since they were launched, but recent talk from top executives suggested that Warner couldn't continue down that road much longer, and that the all important holiday sales would help them make a decision. With Blu-ray winning every week in high definition sales this year, Warner has decided that The Future is Blu.

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers," Warner Bros Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Meyer said in a statement.

Its all over folks!

[oReOsHaKe]

Wow.. Buti na lang Tru Blu ako.. hehehe..

[pchin]

Hangang May 2008 na lang pala.

Consider it as a grace/transition period for the HD DVD fanboys.

Fot those Neutrals, I believe most consumers will just get the Blu-ray edition na lang.

[pchin]

no regrets....

Hehe nice one...

[pchin]

sana marami pa ring BOGO, happy new year bro! regards to your family...

Tnx bro same to you. Yup, got to take advantage of all the nice BOGO tittles out there.

[oReOsHaKe]

Looks like the speculation has been proven true after all...it's good the format war could end sooner than most people expected. There's really no point in prolonging the format war.

Yes.. I agree with this.. Now we can just concentrate on what Blu-ray titles to buy..