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High-Def => Blu-ray Content => Topic started by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:25 AM

Title: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:25 AM: [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 (http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html)
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:34 AM: Quote from: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:25 AM
it seems WARNER goes BLU!

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html (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 (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm)
Title: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:37 AM: BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!

After months of speculation;

This is big news to all Hi Def media adopters!

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/images/post/4/4823/original.jpeg)

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.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a1CPtUYPjrBQ&refer=home (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 (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm)
Title: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:41 AM: http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1700383,00.html (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 (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-01-04-warner-brothers-blu-ray_N.htm)
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:50 AM: (http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2006/12/warnerbros.jpg)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:15 AM: OPs please combine with the other posting.. >:(
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:18 AM: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0432340820080104 (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0432340820080104)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:18 AM: 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/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/boost-for-blu-ray-warner-bros-will-release-high-def-titles-exclusively-in-that-format/)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:25 AM: 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 (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6517192.html)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:41 AM: Other HD websites headlines for Jan. 4, 2008.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Breaking:_Warner_Goes_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1325 (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.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969114)

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/breaking-news-warner-goes-blu-ray-only/5061 (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 (http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/dueling_dvd_formats;_ylt=AoXzy2Hh8FGhnGbZOdi.V8r6L5A5)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:44 AM: 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 (http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-end-for-hd-dvd/5063)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:52 AM: Quote from: NeilNo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:15 AM
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...
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: raider18 on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:18 AM: Warner! Winner !!! :)

Mr. Patriot may dumating ka plang 3 boxes from amazon 8)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:29 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:36 AM: 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.... :'(
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:39 AM: 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 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Toshiba/Toshiba_Responds_to_Warner_Blu-ray_Announcement/1326)
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:40 AM: Time to get that Panny BD30k.... ;D ;D Demand will be brisk, so get it while item is still low... :)
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:45 AM: Quote from: raider18 on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Warner! Winner !!! :)

Mr. Patriot may dumating ka plang 3 boxes from amazon 8)

;D ;D ;D 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... :) :) :)
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:47 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Time to get that Panny BD30k.... ;D ;D 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... :) :) :)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:48 AM: 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 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Toshiba/Toshiba_Responds_to_Warner_Blu-ray_Announcement/1326)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:59 AM: 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.

Quote
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.
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:06 AM: 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. :)
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:08 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:06 AM
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... :) :) :)
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:09 AM: no regrets....

(http://forums.highdefdigest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=933&d=1199490857)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:09 AM: 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!
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:11 AM: Wow.. Buti na lang Tru Blu ako.. hehehe..
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:11 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Hangang May 2008 na lang pala.

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

Fot those Neutrals, I believe most consumers will just get the Blu-ray edition na lang.
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:14 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:09 AM
no regrets....

(http://forums.highdefdigest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=933&d=1199490857)

Hehe nice one... ;D
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:17 AM: Quote from: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:08 AM
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. :)
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:20 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:06 AM
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.. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Warner backs Blu-ray exclusively
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:24 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Tnx bro same to you. Yup, got to take advantage of all the nice BOGO tittles out there. :)

yup, baka maubusan tayo nang stock sa amazon :) :) :)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:25 AM: Phew, buti yung Face/Off ko is blu ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:26 AM: Quote from: oReOsHaKe on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Wow.. Buti na lang Tru Blu ako.. hehehe..

happy new year bro! sana marami pa ring BOGO like before para di mabigat sa bulsa... :) :) :)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM: Mouldingo, let me know if you want to sell off your HD DVD collection! ;)
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:31 AM: We have to give the SONY PS3 its due credit. Despite all the mudslinging, this product may have single handedly brought blu ray to the mainstream. And special thanks to Steven Spielberg for not including your films and Michael Bay for having little faith... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: et414 on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:35 AM: its over! ;D looks like Bluray's strategy worked :) instead of paying a studio $150M to switch sides, they just subsidized a whole bunch of buy one get one sales. IMO thats a great way to increase the adoption rate especially for the gamers who bought the ps3
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: nels76 on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:37 AM: I am sure the HD DVD Camp will come out with an offensive for this so let us not be too quick to say that
it is over for HD DVD. ;)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:43 AM: Ang init ng topic na 'to sa AVS Forums, 46 pages agad :o :o :o Maraming umamin na talagang game over na :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Mouldingo, let me know if you want to sell off your HD DVD collection! ;)

Sino may gusto sa Band of Brothers (Japan Import)? :D :D :D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:49 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Sino may gusto sa Band of Brothers (Japan Import)? :D :D :D

Gusto ko but wala subtitle eh.... :'(
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:06 AM: Quote from: nels76 on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I am sure the HD DVD Camp will come out with an offensive for this so let us not be too quick to say that
it is over for HD DVD. ;)
Ill go nuts if some BD exclusives go neutral.......but I seriously doubt it.....but with the way announcements are going.....anything can happen.

But for now, the prognosis for HD DVD is pretty dim. One feet buried on the ground and falling.......fast. ;D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: ert on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:20 AM: sayang.. :-\ i just bought a toshiba a35 and i'm using it right now..tapos ganito pa yung news wahh..who wants my hd-dvd player and movies? hehe :D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Moks007 on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:21 AM: wow big news. Man last nite I almost bought the a35 with the ten free discs at amazon. What a blessing in disguise for me. It was out of stock in December. What a good thing it was out of stock. hehe..Recently have been really mad with the xbox360 for it broke down on me twice already in one year. What a bad trip. Now after this news for sure the players will come down I think. I was gonna ask you guys last night for an opinion..Now with this news, Do I just buy the A30? or still the A35 when it comes down in price? I still have lots of hddvds, and to me not a loss because I love movies and I can watch them over and over again. Except of course some titles I cant watch it over and over hehe..
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: d4nu65+3R on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:23 AM: O-U-C-H!!!!

looks like i have to start saving up with the recent developments...
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Maximus on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:33 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Sino may gusto sa Band of Brothers (Japan Import)? :D :D :D

I'm very tempted to get that title, it's just so difficult and expensive to import it :D , Baka meron na sa ebay after what happened :)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:35 AM: Quote from: Moks007 on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:21 AM
wow big news. Man last nite I almost bought the a35 with the ten free discs at amazon. What a blessing in disguise for me. It was out of stock in December. What a good thing it was out of stock. hehe..Recently have been really mad with the xbox360 for it broke down on me twice already in one year. What a bad trip. Now after this news for sure the players will come down I think. I was gonna ask you guys last night for an opinion..Now with this news, Do I just buy the A30? or still the A35 when it comes down in price? I still have lots of hddvds, and to me not a loss because I love movies and I can watch them over and over again. Except of course some titles I cant watch it over and over hehe..
wait for more CES announcements. If HD DVD camp cannot win over some BD studios at least going neutral, then it certainly will be almost game over for them. Look for Toshiba at least to drop their prices fast to counter the free-fall. :)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:48 AM: Toshiba at CES 2008

(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3522/95664155si2fi1.png) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: barrister on Jan 05, 2008 at 10:11 AM: I'm a big fan of HD DVD, but I don't think it can survive this latest development.

Quote from: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 07:48 AM

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. ....

Hmmm.... parang nagpaparinig ng demandahan a ...
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 05, 2008 at 10:58 AM: Quote from: barrister on Jan 05, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I'm a big fan of HD DVD, but I don't think it can survive this latest development.

Hmmm.... parang nagpaparinig ng demandahan a ...

Kaya cguro May 2008 pa Blu-ray exclusive talaga sila because the contracts will expire on May.. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: barrister on Jan 05, 2008 at 11:20 AM: Ganun? Sayang, akala ko demandahan na ... :D
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: barrid on Jan 05, 2008 at 11:59 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 05, 2008 at 08:09 AM
no regrets....

(http://forums.highdefdigest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=933&d=1199490857)

Me too. I will surely complete all the titles if they go on SALE. Five dollars each perhaps??? ;D
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 12:08 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Toshiba at CES 2008

(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3522/95664155si2fi1.png) (http://imageshack.us)

HD DVD Promo Group Cancels CES Press Conference

It was among the most highly anticipated press events of this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but following today's announcement from Warner Home Video that it would exclusively support Blu-ray, this Sunday's press conference from the HD DVD Promotions Group has been cancelled.

Organizers sent out a note to members of the media and invited guests late Friday, attributing the cancellation to the timing of Warner's announcement. A rep for the group told us this evening that the press conference will not be rescheduled, but that the group will still have a presence at the show from its booth on the convention floor.

The full text of the HD DVD Promo Group's email follows below:

Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, we have decided to postpone our CES 2008 press conference scheduled for Sunday, January 6th at 8:30 p.m. in the Wynn Hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD’s commitment to quality and affordability – a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

Source (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/CES_2008/HD_DVD_Promo_Group_Cancels_CES_Press_Conference/1331)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: john5479 on Jan 05, 2008 at 01:38 PM: I always preferred hd dvd but with this development, things look dim for hd dvd. Whatever the reasons Warner has with the switch, it makes the choice easier for the consumer as content wise Blu Ray has the edge.
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: juanch on Jan 05, 2008 at 03:40 PM: man, this is hard for me.
I always was for HD-DVD(even until now)

However, I am really greatly disturbed with this news.

anyway, It won't end my world.
I just hope Blu-Ray/HD-DVD remains niche much like the Laserdisc. :-\ :-\ :-\ :( :( :( :P
Title: Re: Warner
Post by: ThePatriot on Jan 05, 2008 at 03:42 PM: HD DVD Promo Group Cancels CES Press Conference
Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 10:51 PM ET

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/images/post/4/4815/original.jpeg)

It was among the most highly anticipated press events of this year's Consumer Electronics Show, but following today's announcement from Warner Home Video, this Sunday's press conference from the HD DVD Promotions Group has been cancelled.

Organizers sent out a note to members of the media and invited guests late Friday, attributing the cancellation to the timing of Warner's announcement. A rep for the group told us this evening that the press conference will not be rescheduled, but that the group will still have a presence at the show from its booth on the convention floor.

The full text of the HD DVD Promo Group's email follows below:

Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, we have decided to postpone our CES 2008 press conference scheduled for Sunday, January 6th at 8:30 p.m. in the Wynn Hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD’s commitment to quality and affordability – a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on new developments around HD DVD.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/CES_2008/HD_DVD_Promo_Group_Cancels_CES_Press_Conference/1331 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/CES_2008/HD_DVD_Promo_Group_Cancels_CES_Press_Conference/1331)
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: DonKB on Jan 05, 2008 at 03:50 PM: And to think a few days ago, I was considering getting the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on. :P Lalo na patuloy na lumalakas yung Piso sa Dollar. Baka sakaling mas bumaba pa sa Data Blitz yung add-on. :D Alam ko nararamdaman ng mga HD-DVD fans. Masakit talaga. Ganyan din naramdaman ko nung na-discontinue ng Sega yung Dreamcast. >:( Oh, well. May new releases pa naman hanggang May 2008 according to others. (Waits patiently for Transformers BD... ::) )
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: 1ringwd4s on Jan 05, 2008 at 04:57 PM: This is a major blow to HD-DVD. One step closer to ending the format wars and making the world "Blu". Warner, welcome to the Blu family that includes Walt Disney, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures and Lionsgate.
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 04:58 PM: Quote
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.

I think Warner realized that HD is their next sales market, and its being neutral has cost that market. The quicker blu become the standard, the better. Now the next target for blu is SD DVD...
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mr. Hankey on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:01 PM: Grr... Argh!
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: dts-HD 3D on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:04 PM: wow . . . with over 20+ Warner hd-dvd exclusives, i didnt expect it would turn out this way.

Call this a premonition, but my first haul of BD titles were made just yesterday @4pm . . . 9 titles . . . kaya pala :'(
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:21 PM: Videobusiness.com is reporting that Warner sister company New Line Home Entertainment and HBO Video are also included in the move to Blu-ray exclusivity (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6517192.html).
Title: Re: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:41 PM: Quote from: 1ringwd4s on Jan 05, 2008 at 04:57 PM
This is a major blow to HD-DVD. One step closer to ending the format wars and making the world "Blu".

For all HD DVD fanboys, it's considered the Death Blow na.... :-[
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:48 PM: Reaction from the HD DVD camp:

Report says that Warner was paid $500 Million by BDA !?

Report a lso says Fox was paid off, too ! We have heard today of Warner's shock move to Bluray. And we have heard some gossip in online forums that both HD DVD and Bluray had been courting Warner.

But imagine how shocked we were to read a report on Format War Central that appears to give a lot more information! According to this report, Warner has been promised $500 for their support of Bluray and dropping HD DVD! Yes, that's HALF A BILLION DOLLARS!!

It says that up to last week, Warner had been set to go over to the HD DVD side, and that Fox was set to go with them. We assume that this also means that MGM would have moved over to HD DVD, but no information has been given yet regarding this assumption.

However, at the last moment, it is said, Fox changed their mind and accepted a hefty deal from the BDA.

Full article (http://www.campaignhd.com/080104_Warner_Paid.html)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:57 PM: Warner Bros. backs Blu-ray
Studio to support Sony high-def format

Warner Bros. will throw all its weight behind Blu-ray later this year, a decision that could serve as a death blow to the rival HD DVD format.

Warner Bros. Studio, which had hinted it might drop one format after the holidays, said it decided to back Blu-ray to try and reduce confusion brought on by the high-def format war and better drive mainstream adoption. Warner made the decision heading into the annual Consumer Electronics Show confab in Las Vegas, where it had been skedded to participate in activities promoting the rival HD DVD format on Sunday evening.

Warner's move leaves only Paramount and Universal squarely in the HD DVD camp. Sony, Fox, Disney and Lionsgate all back Blu-ray. Warner sister company New Line confirmed it will shift allegiance to Blu-ray only as well.

Warner has been the sole major backing both formats since late this summer, when Paramount dropped Blu-ray in favor of HD DVD, due in part to marketing incentives proffered by Toshiba and belief HD DVD's lower cost would drive greater mainstream adoption.

However, hardware manufacturers for both sides offered sizable discounts for players during the holidays, reducing the price gap between the two formats. And studios did their part to dangle promotional incentives on the software side.

Yet Warner found that consumers still hesitated to dip their toes into the high-def waters due to confusion over the dueling formats.

"The price impediment was going away, but the take up wasn't increasing that much," said Warner Home Entertainment topper Kevin Tsujihara. "The research was making it pretty clear there was still a tremendous amount of confusion among consumers."

Supporting both formats came with a cost for the studio, which had to maintain dual inventories for their releases. And while the studio had some of the best sellers on high-def when both formats were added together, they couldn't help but wonder whether dual support was helping, or hurting, the transition to a next-gen format.

"By us being both, we were playing into consumer confusion," Tsujihara said. "There's a window of opportunity with first time buyers of HD TVs to also buy a high-def player at the same time."

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Barry Meyer seconded.

However, the studio insists that cost was not the underlying motivation for the shift. Paramount drew a lot of flak for taking Toshiba incentives, said to be $150 million, to exclusively back HD DVD.

"This was not a bidding war," Tsujihara said.

He pointed out that worldwide the DVD biz brings in $42 billion annually and his studio draws the greatest portion of that as market share leader.

"That amount far dwarfs any financial incentives," he said.

And indeed, Paramount has maintained that it backed HD DVD because it was generally lower priced and therefore had a greater chance of mass adoption.

Warners' Blu-ray shift has been rumored for some time, but the studio insisted it would wait to see how both formats fared during the crucial holiday sales period before backing one format exclusively. Indeed, late in the fourth quarter, the studio ran full page newspaper ads touting HD DVD benefits on one side and Blu-ray on the other. During this point, homevid topper Ron Sanders talked openly of the need to move beyond the format war and convince consumers of the benefits of high-def (Variety, Dec. 17-23).

Warner’s timing apparently took the HD DVD camp by surprise, however. Thursday afternoon, shortly before Warner said it notified Toshiba of the decision, HD DVD backers were paying media calls. The North American HD DVD Promo Group cancelled its Sunday CES confab after Warner’s went public with the decision Friday afternoon.

Warner's shift toward Blu-ray is expected to hasten the demise of HD DVD. Victory would give Sony a long awaited triumph after Betamax lost the videocassette war to VHS.

Variety.com (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 06:01 PM: Same rumour when Paramount jumped ship... :-\ :-\ :-\

Warner: No Payoff for Move to Blu-ray

Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara says the studio took no pay-offs to exclusively back Blu-ray.

In a post-announcement conference call, Tsujihara flatly denied rumors that studio had accepted anywhere from 250M to $500M in exchange for dropping its HD DVD format support.

According to the exec, Warner's sole motivation in dropping its HD DVD format support was to ensure growth of the "category" and the long-term health of the industry.

"The packaged media business is a $42 billion dollar business worldwide at the retail level, and we [Warner] have the largest market share of anybody," said Tsujihara. "From our perspective, the most important piece of this whole puzzle is, "How do we get growth back into this category?" That far outweighed anything else."

This [decision] was one hundred percent around what makes the most sense for the consumer, the retailer and the industry. This was not a bidding war. This was all about what was best, strategically, for us."

source (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Warner:_No_Payoff_for_Move_to_Blu-ray/1327)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: tonedeaf on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:57 PM: darn it. my hd-dvd player hasn't even arrived here in the Phils. yet...and it looks like it will be obsolete soon. Now the only question is, when will the price of the PS3 or other blu-ray players be at hd-dvd player price levels?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 10:10 PM: Interesting insights to why Warner dumped neutrality. May trickle effect yung Format War sa sales sa Standard DVDs too.

Blu-Ray Stand Alone Outsell HD DVD Stand Alone in December

Meanwhile, industry observer "Media Wonk" (aka Paul Sweeting) has also posted an interesting feature over at Content Agenda, in which a couple of points that we've been making lately here at The Bits are confirmed by Warner's Sanders. First, Blu-ray stand alone players outsold HD-DVD in December. Here's the quote:

"One of the things you see in the NPD data for this fourth quarter was that even with a $100 premium, BD set-tops outsold HD set-tops in December," said Sanders. "Even with Toshiba having the lower-cost player in the marekt, software sales remained 2-to-1 in favor of Blu-ray. Our titles were running roughly 60/40 Blu-ray and that didn't change in the fourth quarter even with the price advantage HD had on the hardware side."

"You also can't underestimate the impact of PS3 as a playback device," Sanders said. "The attachment rate may not be very high, and in fact it isn't, but in the aggregate that still adds up to a lot of software sales."

Second, many avid movie buyers have stopped purchasing DVDs while they've been waiting for the format war to end...

"We're seeing research now that shows that consumers are starting to delay purchases because of the format war, not just on high-def but standard-def purchases as well. That's very alarming."

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#itsover
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: RadicalDude on Jan 05, 2008 at 10:33 PM: Honestly, I'm happy with the announcement. Sorry guys, I don't hate HD DVD. It's just that I'm already a fanboy of... not Blu-ray, but of Sony products... ;D That's why I go for Blu. Ayaw ko na ng maraming gastos eh...

... anyway, still hoping for Transformers to come back to Blu...
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 05, 2008 at 11:06 PM: Quote from: tonedeaf on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:57 PM
darn it. my hd-dvd player hasn't even arrived here in the Phils.

Wrong timing? No worry bro, you can still buy those HD DVD exclusive for the time being...;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 12:25 AM: Quote from: tonedeaf on Jan 05, 2008 at 09:57 PM
darn it. my hd-dvd player hasn't even arrived here in the Phils. yet...and it looks like it will be obsolete soon. Now the only question is, when will the price of the PS3 or other blu-ray players be at hd-dvd player price levels?

Same here. A3 already in transit to enable me to go neutral. Anyways, no worries - i'll just treat it like I bought ten (10) HD discs and got a free player to boot. ;) There's no denying though that this is clearly a solid blow to HD-DVD's cause - let's see how effectively the RED camp can do damage control. ;)

Kudos to Bluray for a sound strategy with the PS3 'trojan-horse' insertion and for spearheading the aggressive BOGO deals. Very consistent. ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 12:38 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 05, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Warner Bros. backs Blu-ray
Studio to support Sony high-def format

Warner sister company New Line confirmed it will shift allegiance to Blu-ray only as well.

Per the updated newsline below, seems like the 'blu-jump' of the Warner affiliates ain't official yet... ;)

Warner: New Line, HBO Not Covered By Blu-ray Announcement (UPDATED)
Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 08:35 PM ET

UPDATE: (3:10am ET, 1/05/08) Variety is reporting that Warner sister company New Line has confirmed that it too plans to shift to Blu-ray exclusivity.

Though it's widely expected that Warner Bros. subsidiaries New Line and HBO will follow Warner Home Entertainment to Blu-ray exclusivity, for the moment they remain format-agnostic.

That's according to Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara, who said that the studio's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support does not extend to titles released by New Line, HBO or the BBC (which Warner distributes here in the US).

"They'll be making whatever decision they're going to make," said Tsujihara. "I assume they'll let people know very quickly, but they are not covered by this initial announcement."

Tsujihara's comments came in a post-announcement conference call with various members of the media, including High-Def Digest.

Stay tuned for more news from the Warner conference call...

(http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/images/post/4/4813/original.jpeg)

Source: Hi Def Digest
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 01:03 AM: Here's a cool unbiased reactionary write-up of Daniel H. in DVD Talk to the WB goes Blu topic.. (wow 94+ blazin' pages already in the AVS forums in just a couple of days!) It may make some of you feel a tad better if you could identify with the writer... ;)

Warner Goes Blu

Normally I wouldn't post a new HD Talk column so soon on the heels of the the previous one, but when a studio drops neutrality and announces format exclusivity, you have to break with convention. On January 4th, 2008, Warner Bros. announced that they would phase out their HD DVD releases in favor of Blu-ray, not producing any new HD DVD discs after the month of May. While rumors of WB going non-neutral have been circulating for weeks, the news itself still comes as shock, especially when you consider that Warner had several strong financial incentives to back HD DVD. In fact, there's word going around that WB intended to go HD DVD exclusive in conjunction with Fox (you read that right: Fox) going format neutral. At the 11th hour, Fox backed out, and Warner decided to go with Blu-ray instead.

Whether or not the above is true, the fact remains that the decision is momentous. Anyone roaming the information superhighway on this night can see that the general consensus is that this move signifies the end of HD DVD. Not in an immediate, all the discs are off the shelves tomorrow, every HD DVD rises in value 1000% kind of way, of course. But this is the start of a chain reaction that will spread to the rest of the studios. We're already hearing reports of Universal looking at Blu-ray authoring houses and Paramount studying the clauses that might let them out of their exclusivity contract. Within hours of the announcement, the HD DVD group canceled their CES presentation. The writing appears to be on the wall.

(http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/194/1199528988_1.jpg)
Warner Bros. upcoming blockbuster The Dark Knight will now be available only on Blu-ray.

Previously, I was of the opinion that this format war was doing us, the consumers, much more good than harm. Without it, would we have seen players become as cheap as they are, or get a new Buy One Get One Free sale every week? Would we have seen titles that consistently hit new heights of quality and innovation? Absolutely not. But by now, it seems as if perhaps we've gotten the gains and are starting to feel the losses. A stalemate in format sales and increasing tension between the two camps were only compounded by the seeming indifference by the vast majority of electronics buyers out there. It's possible that Warner Bros. move could be the very thing that shifts the tide.

Of course, it cannot be denied that this leaves HD DVD owners out in the cold. Some people are already throwing their hands up in disgust, trying to dump their players and discs before the ink is even dry on the press release. I would wager that I have far more HD DVD titles than most, including several large and expensive box sets, but I have no regrets about my purchases. I went into this knowing full well that there were two competing formats and that more than likely one of them would give way to the other. I've spent countless hours enjoying all kinds of movies, from classics like Casablanca and The Adventures of Robin Hood, to modern masterpieces like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Unforgiven, and brand new releases like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. And that's not even counting all of the great releases from Universal and Paramount.

Even better, none of those discs are going anywhere. I will be able to enjoy all of these movies for years and even decades to come. Heck, I still have some of my old laserdiscs, so there's no reason why I wouldn't be holding on to HD DVDs in 2018. The other thing to think about is that as the HD DVD format fades away, the prices for the hardware and the media are going to drop sharply, meaning an eagle-eyed buyer can stock up on all those missing pieces in their collection for pennies on the dollar. Perhaps, in the right light, this negative could still be seen as a positive.

(http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/194/1199528988_2.jpg)
But will Paramount's much-anticipated Iron Man only be on HD DVD?

Where does the future lead? It's hard to say. I doubt Blu-ray will overtake DVD anytime soon, although having everyone on the same page will offer some kind of boost to awareness and sales. I would like to think that companies can now turn to ironing out the remaining issues the format has. For example, so few players are currently Profile 1.1 enabled (and let's not even go into Profile 2.0 yet, as so far no player is compliant on that), and getting DTS-HD MA decoding is like pulling teeth. Warner Bros. was a leader in HD DVD interactivity, and with a new commitment to Blu-ray, they will hopefully blaze new trails on that front, as well. The possibilities are wide open.

Finally, what does this mean for DVD Talk? After all, we've been staunchly format neutral, even when other sites have felt compelled to hunker down behind one format or the other. Now that I've just spent an entire article prophesying the end of HD DVD, does that mean that DVD Talk has finally broken its cardinal rule, and gone to fatefully pick a format of choice? No, not at all. My opinions on the future of HD media are just that--my opinions. It's my analysis based on the facts at hand. DVD Talk will continue to report on both formats comprehensively for as long as they're being made. We have nothing to gain by supporting one format or another, as the site is here for the readers. While we may make recommendations on which discs are worth buying, renting, skipping, what have you, we seek out a variety of opinions and don't see the value in telling anyone to buy only one format, as so many of the staff members at HD Talk own both. You can count on DVD Talk to offer neutral and unbiased HD coverage for as long as there's something to be unbiased and neutral about.

-Daniel Hirshleifer

Source: DVD Talk - HD News
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 06, 2008 at 01:42 AM: HD DVDs future is 'bleak' indeed.

But who knows, it may become a niche format like the LD. ;D

I just hope that with only one major format we don't have to pay premium for the softwares as there is no more competition in the market.

Yup, blu-ray BOGOs may be a thing of the past.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 06, 2008 at 02:03 AM: New Line Confirms Going Blu-ray Exclusive

(http://dvd.themanroom.com/images/news/1889.jpg)

Warner Home Video's announcement yesterday declaring exclusive support for Blu-ray Disc starting in June left a lot of unanswered questions on the table. One of the bigger unknowns was how the announcement would affect HBO and New Line, both of whom are owned by Time/Warner.

Via Variety (read story), we can now confirm New Line Home Entertainment has taken a stance, and that stance is bathed in Blu. New Line only began releasing high-def titles in November starting with Hairspray, and only one New Line HD DVD title has been released: Pan's Labyrinth. Additional HD DVD new theatrical titles were held up due to region timing issues, and now it looks as if these titles may never see the light of day.

http://dvd.themanroom.com/news/New_Line_Confirms_Going_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1889 (http://dvd.themanroom.com/news/New_Line_Confirms_Going_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1889)

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mo®pHeOu$ on Jan 06, 2008 at 07:13 AM: No format war probably means no more BOGO. :P
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:52 AM: Yup, BOGO could be wiped out too.... :-X

Guess the money we saved from HD DVD will be used for Blu-ray. :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:58 AM: Quote from: Marl_1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Per the updated newsline below, seems like the 'blu-jump' of the Warner affiliates ain't official yet... ;)

Warner: New Line, HBO Not Covered By Blu-ray Announcement (UPDATED)
Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 08:35 PM ET

UPDATE: (3:10am ET, 1/05/08) Variety is reporting that Warner sister company New Line has confirmed that it too plans to shift to Blu-ray exclusivity.

Though it's widely expected that Warner Bros. subsidiaries New Line and HBO will follow Warner Home Entertainment to Blu-ray exclusivity, for the moment they remain format-agnostic.

That's according to Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara, who said that the studio's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support does not extend to titles released by New Line, HBO or the BBC (which Warner distributes here in the US).

"They'll be making whatever decision they're going to make," said Tsujihara. "I assume they'll let people know very quickly, but they are not covered by this initial announcement."

Tsujihara's comments came in a post-announcement conference call with various members of the media, including High-Def Digest.

Stay tuned for more news from the Warner conference call...

(http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/images/post/4/4813/original.jpeg)

Source: Hi Def Digest

There's an insertion in the article you quoted that mentions the same Variety news I quoted. Also VideoBusiness mentions the same story. So no more Hairspray for HD DVD, especially no more LOTR.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:33 AM: Ito na naman si urong-sulong director... ;D ;D ;D

Michael Bay: "Blu-ray is Just Better"

Outspoken director Michael Bay has once again posted his views on the format war, discussing how he feels about the recent announcement that Warner Brothers would exclusively support Blu-ray. After claiming HD DVD would "die a slow death", he gave hope to his fans that his recent blockbuster film 'Transformers' would one day be on Blu-ray.

"Well another studio down. Maybe I was right? Blu ray is just better. HD will die a slow death. It's what I predicted a year ago. Now with Warner's down for the count with Blu Ray. That makes it easier for Wal-Mart to push Blu Ray. And whatever Wal-Mart pushes - wins. Hd better start giving out those $120 million dollars checks to stay alive. Maybe they can give me some so I can give it to my Make-A-Wish charity, just to shut me up. Have faith people Transformers will come out in Blu-ray one day!"

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=807
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: docelmo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:49 AM: Been reading this ever-growing thread since yesterday!
Hitting me like a ton of bricks!!! That my first dip in the hi-def world w/
a tosh a-3(that has yet to arrive :() will soon be over before it begins!!!

Oh well, enjoy ko na din muna 1st 3hd-dvd(in transit din) Top Gun, Transformers
and Eagles:Farewell Tour....hehehe magiging collector's items ito ;D

Sana naman hd will go the dvd-audio route
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 06, 2008 at 12:55 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Ito na naman si urong-sulong director... ;D ;D ;D

Michael Bay: "Blu-ray is Just Better"

Outspoken director Michael Bay has once again posted his views on the format war, discussing how he feels about the recent announcement that Warner Brothers would exclusively support Blu-ray. ...

I'm shocked that a famous personality would write that in a very public forum. In American culture, gloating is considered incredibly rude.

Ewan ko lang sa Pinoy culture, wala nga yatang Tagalog equivalent ang salitang "gloat". Wala nga ba?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: 1ringwd4s on Jan 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM: Quote from: NeilNo on Jan 06, 2008 at 02:03 AM

New Line Confirms Going Blu-ray Exclusive

(http://dvd.themanroom.com/images/news/1889.jpg)

Warner Home Video's announcement yesterday declaring exclusive support for Blu-ray Disc starting in June left a lot of unanswered questions on the table. One of the bigger unknowns was how the announcement would affect HBO and New Line, both of whom are owned by Time/Warner.

Via Variety (read story), we can now confirm New Line Home Entertainment has taken a stance, and that stance is bathed in Blu. New Line only began releasing high-def titles in November starting with Hairspray, and only one New Line HD DVD title has been released: Pan's Labyrinth. Additional HD DVD new theatrical titles were held up due to region timing issues, and now it looks as if these titles may never see the light of day.

http://dvd.themanroom.com/news/New_Line_Confirms_Going_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1889 (http://dvd.themanroom.com/news/New_Line_Confirms_Going_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1889)

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978461.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1)

oh man. imagine LOTR in Blu.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: 1ringwd4s on Jan 06, 2008 at 01:58 PM: Does this mean The Matrix and Batman Begins will be available in Blu format anytime soon?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 06, 2008 at 04:24 PM: Quote from: 1ringwd4s on Jan 06, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Does this mean The Matrix and Batman Begins will be available in Blu format anytime soon?

I guess not anytime soon...
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: RadicalDude on Jan 06, 2008 at 04:25 PM: But I'm still looking forward to that...
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 06, 2008 at 05:14 PM: Most probably sooner since lalabas na yung Dark Knight... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 06, 2008 at 06:44 PM: i'm guessing Universal and Dreamworks would go back na? lols
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 06, 2008 at 07:26 PM: CNET also picked up on the Warner news and gives out an advise in its Quick Guide: HD vs Blu Ray

Quote
Editor's note, January 5, 2008: Because of the recent news that Warner Bros. Entertainment will be exclusively supporting Blu-ray, CNET recommends refraining from purchasing an HD DVD player in the near future. Exclusive support of Warner Bros. Entertainment gives Blu-ray a large advantage in terms of studio backing, leaving only Paramount and Universal as major studios releasing movies exclusively on the HD DVD format. This guide will be overhauled after CES to reflect this and any other news announced at the show.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-6462511-1.html
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Munskie on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:00 PM: a look at Blu-ray and HD DVD exclusives for 2008

Universal
American Gangster
Charlie Wilson's War (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts).
Wanted
The Incredible Hulk
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Mamma Mia!
The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Paramount/Dreamworks
Bee Movie
Beowulf
Sweeney Todd
1-18-08 (Cloverfield)
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Kung Fu Panda (animated from Dreamworks)
The Love Guru (Mike Myers new comedy)
Tropic Thunder (Spielberg produced Action Comedy with Ben Stiller)
Iron Man

Warner
Fred Claus
I Am Legend
Get Smart
The Dark Knight
Speed Racer
10,000 B.C.

New Line
The Golden Compass
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo

Sony
Vantage Point
Hancock
Step Brothers
You Don't Mess with Zohan (Adam Sandler)

Fox/MGM
Hitman
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
The Mist
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Starship Dave (Eddie Murphy)
X-Files 2 (films in December, supposed to come out in July at theaters)
Jumper
Horton Hears a Who

Disney
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Wall-E
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: lord_vader on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:43 PM: There's one way for Toshiba to survive: they will suddenly announce a player which can play both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Now this is what I call a real consumer friendly move! Wishful thinking!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: jcdvo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:58 PM: if its for the hd-dvd format's survival its about time to consider free licensing. ;D'

who knows, hd-dvd may become hd for the masses just like what vcd is to dvd here. ::)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 11:54 PM: Quote from: jcdvo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:58 PM
if its for the hd-dvd format's survival its about time to consider free licensing. ;D'

who knows, hd-dvd may become hd for the masses just like what vcd is to dvd here. ::)

very interesting thought buddy. well, in this scenario, one obstacle they have to contend with as well is the cost of their players. the analogy break down when you consider that dvd players can play vcds AND that vcd players are dime a dozen. ;)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: streetsmart on Jan 07, 2008 at 07:15 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:00 PM
a look at Blu-ray and HD DVD exclusives for 2008

Universal
American Gangster
Charlie Wilson's War (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts).
Wanted
The Incredible Hulk
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Mamma Mia!
The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Paramount/Dreamworks
Bee Movie
Beowulf
Sweeney Todd
1-18-08 (Cloverfield)
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Kung Fu Panda (animated from Dreamworks)
The Love Guru (Mike Myers new comedy)
Tropic Thunder (Spielberg produced Action Comedy with Ben Stiller)
Iron Man

Warner
Fred Claus
I Am Legend
Get Smart
The Dark Knight
Speed Racer
10,000 B.C.

New Line
The Golden Compass
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo

Sony
Vantage Point
Hancock
Step Brothers
You Don't Mess with Zohan (Adam Sandler)

Fox/MGM
Hitman
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
The Mist
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Starship Dave (Eddie Murphy)
X-Files 2 (films in December, supposed to come out in July at theaters)
Jumper
Horton Hears a Who

Disney
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Wall-E

For me, parang mas maganda pa rin mga upcoming releases sa HD-DVD kaysa Blu-Ray! :)

Thanks for the info! :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 07:53 AM: Quote from: jcdvo on Jan 06, 2008 at 09:58 PM
if its for the hd-dvd format's survival its about time to consider free licensing. ;D'

who knows, hd-dvd may become hd for the masses just like what vcd is to dvd here. ::)

problem is that 70% of the movie studio is now blue
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: RadicalDude on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:13 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 06, 2008 at 08:00 PM
a look at Blu-ray and HD DVD exclusives for 2008

Universal
American Gangster
Charlie Wilson's War (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts).
Wanted
The Incredible Hulk
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Mamma Mia!
The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Ey... the first Hellboy's in Blu... how come the second one's in Red?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:17 AM: Hmm...HD DVD still has some nice exclusives for 2008. :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:36 AM: i would add 'timed exclusive' to that ^_^
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: baby on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:39 AM: Quote from: RadicalDude on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Ey... the first Hellboy's in Blu... how come the second one's in Red?
1st one is in Columbia tri star. :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:48 AM: Di natin masabi na exclusives pa mga 'to for long. Maraming chismis ngayon umiikot na NBC Universal might go neutral and Viacom Paramount might execute their exit clause sa 18 month contract nila w/ Toshiba. Maliit kasi ang HD DVD market share ng mga 'to compared to Warner, especially Paramount. Lalong liliit pa ang market with Warner gone... :'( :'( :'(

(http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7537/riphddvdla0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: newbie pa rin on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:51 AM: Time to save for a blue ray player.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:01 AM: Its a big blow to HD camp, but i will not say its over yet. This situation is something similar when Paramount/Dreamworks dropped blu-ray last year. HD DVD is cheaper, and if Universal/Paramount/Dreamworks fully commit to HD then the market is still gonna be seperated even though it will be 60/40. CE companies will be force to make dual player. And thus continue the war. Samsung is making another combo player to replace there recently release BD-UP5000 with BD-UP5500. This was announced today at CES 2008.

Anything can happen at any given time with M$ at toshiba's side, everything is possible. Wishful thinking on my part i guess. The good thing that i can say is, i can always import warner's title overseas for my HD DVD ;) once they go exclusive this June 08.

I will definitely buy a blu ray player once they come up with a decent complete profile 2.0 specs. But for now i will remain in the red camp.

Update:

Toshiba "Firmly Commited to HD DVD"

http://www.cepro.com/article/toshiba_firmly_committed_to_hd_dvd_despite_warner_move/ (http://www.cepro.com/article/toshiba_firmly_committed_to_hd_dvd_despite_warner_move/)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: viperkid on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:19 AM: It would not surprsie me if HD pulls a rabbit out of the hat so to speak since Microsoft is one of the backers of HD-DVD. I personally is Ok with the news since I'm neutral currently owns a HD-DVD player and plans to get a PS3 when MGS4 comes out.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Munskie on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:25 AM: Quote from: RadicalDude on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Ey... the first Hellboy's in Blu... how come the second one's in Red?
Universal acquired the project when Revolution studios orpahned the film. Universal now will finance and distribute the sequel... :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Munskie on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:28 AM: Quote from: streetsmart on Jan 07, 2008 at 07:15 AM
For me, parang mas maganda pa rin mga upcoming releases sa HD-DVD kaysa Blu-Ray! :)

Thanks for the info! :)

Quote from: pchin on Jan 07, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Hmm...HD DVD still has some nice exclusives for 2008. :)

I agree. If no switching will happen (and thats a big "IF"), then ill still have valuable use for my HD DVD player... ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:38 AM: Quote from: Munskie on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I agree. If no switching will happen (and thats a big "IF"), then ill still have valuable use for my HD DVD player... ;D

hehehe its not like our hd dvd players will stop working after May 08. I love my HDXA2 :) as my primary player. SD upconvert is close to HD ;)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:47 AM: Now that the news is out, it's very hard to get rid of our HD DVD collections & players so we can still enjoy watching our favourite movies for many years to come or at least until our HD DVD players kaput & konk-out! :P
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: baby on Jan 07, 2008 at 10:06 AM: I don't know but the news Warner abandoning HD-DVD camp sounds fishy. Maybe there is a dispute. Something big is coming. Lets wait and see.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:35 AM: Sony has said it will update the PS3 with BD2.0 specs at CES 2008, Warner has said the going exclusive is for them to push just 1 format and they waited to see who was leading, it makes sense to push just 1 format, less confusing sa consumers
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: juneaki on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:41 AM: Hmmm! Billy is silent! Will he take this new development sitting down? It's interesting to wait for his announcement in the CES!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:46 AM: Quote from: juneaki on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Hmmm! Billy is silent! Will he take this new development sitting down? It's interesting to wait for his announcement in the CES!

MS has been pushing for download services na
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 07, 2008 at 12:02 PM: Quote from: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Sony has said it will update the PS3 with BD2.0 specs at CES 2008

Another update so soon....good to hear. :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: krazy on Jan 07, 2008 at 01:11 PM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 07, 2008 at 09:01 AM
The good thing that i can say is, i can always import warner's title overseas for my HD DVD ;) once they go exclusive this June 08.

But Warner's switch to Blu-Ray is global (not just the US), after May of this year no more Warner and New Line HD DVD's will be produced/released anywhere. So for upcoming movies like The Dark Knight, you will need a PS3 or standalone BD player as BD will be the only version available after May 2008.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 07, 2008 at 01:32 PM: no surprise here in the stock market after the WB move

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8VXNBrm2jMw&refer=home

"Toshiba, the rival HD DVD standard's leading promoter, fell 2.5 percent to its lowest in more than nine months."
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 07, 2008 at 04:08 PM: Quote from: krazy on Jan 07, 2008 at 01:11 PM
But Warner's switch to Blu-Ray is global (not just the US), after May of this year no more Warner and New Line HD DVD's will be produced/released anywhere. So for upcoming movies like The Dark Knight, you will need a PS3 or standalone BD player as BD will be the only version available after May 2008.

SD-DVD will still be released though.. So for those die-hard HD-DVD fans who dont want to go neutral, then SD-DVD is the way to go.. hehehe
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 07, 2008 at 10:35 PM: Format war reworks 1980s video fight

...As they made their decision, Warner executives were particularly mindful of the international market. The studio has one of the industry’s most powerful overseas distribution networks, which it has emphasised as a vital source of growth. While Blu-ray disc sales had opened only a modest lead over HD-DVD in the US, the advantage had swung to a wide margin elsewhere.

In the UK and France, for example, Blu-ray discs accounted for 75 per cent of the market. In Japan, that was more than 90 per cent.

The studio’s switch means the outlook is gloomy for the studios that have championed HD-DVD. Universal, owned by General Electric, has been the format’s biggest champion but it was keeping tight-lipped yesterday about its next move.

It was also unclear yesterday whether the other studios backing HD-DVD would change sides, although it is understood Paramount has reserved the right to switch its backing to Blu-ray.

Full Article from the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8d56c2a8-bc89-11dc-bcf9-0000779fd2ac.html)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: juanch on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:13 PM: I really hope Toshiba w/M$ volleys offensive against the blu-camp.

for some reason I'm enjoying this war, for me it's like a watching a really fun Pacquiao fight.

I don't want to see HD-DVD go down without a fight.

;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrid on Jan 08, 2008 at 06:40 AM: I will surely go neutral when the prices of Blu-Ray hardware goes down to less than 200 dollars. ;) maybe, the reds will come out with cheaper Blu-Ray player. :-\
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 08, 2008 at 07:38 AM: WOW BITIN >:( >:( >:(

Paramount/DreamWorks: "Still Supporting HD DVD" [UPDATED]

UPDATE: We have received word from Paramount/DreamWorks that although they continue to support HD DVD, they will not be making any new high-def title announcements at CES 2008.

Paramount/DreamWorks responded to Warner's shift to Blu-ray exclusivity today, saying that the studios have no plans to abandon the HD DVD format.

Following Warner's shocking defection to Blu-ray last Friday, and the subsequent cancellation by the HD DVD Promotions Group of its planned CES media event Sunday night, speculation has run rampant regarding Paramount's next move, as well as the fate of any HD DVD title announcements they had originally planned for CES.

High-Def Digest contacted Paramount for comment, and we were told by a spokesperson that despite the events of the past few days, "we are still supporting HD DVD," and that neither Paramount nor DreamWorks had any further statements on the matter at this time.

As for any Paramount HD DVD title announcements originally planned for CES, at press time any such plans were "up in the air." Needless to say, we'll keep you posted.

Watch this space for continuing coverage....
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 08, 2008 at 08:49 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 08, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Paramount/DreamWorks: "Still Supporting HD DVD" [UPDATED]

UPDATE: We have received word from Paramount/DreamWorks that although they continue to support HD DVD, they will not be making any new high-def title announcements at CES 2008.

With Paramount/DreamWorks refuse to make any new high-def title announcements, thus I'm very dubious of their long term comitment to HD DVD. It's hard NOT to abandon a sinking ship esp they have a special clause in their agreement of 18-month period with HD DVD.

For all we know, they maybe trying to find a way to exit this whole mess... :-[
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 08, 2008 at 12:37 PM: Quote
they will not be making any new high-def title announcements at CES 2008.

Everyone was caught off guard with warners sudden deflection to blu ray. Even Universal's pr saying they have no comment when they were ask about the hd dvd. I'm a patient guy so i will wait for there real answer.

With the affirmation of Toshiba supporting HD DVD despite a set back from warner, i will still support them just like i have support them before. Now with the recent announcement of PS3 having 2.0 in there future firmware, then i will be glad to buy one for my high def needs.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 08, 2008 at 01:36 PM: when MS goes on CES without any mention of HD-DVD you know something is wrong, or was Toshiba left holding the bag alone, just imagine the HD-DVD booth at CES 2008, we only need Paramount to go neutral for this war to end completely, WB has the intent of only having one HD format, not two, people were just waiting to see who was the winner before buying in
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: rexdc on Jan 08, 2008 at 02:24 PM: RUMOR: HD DVD Really Dead Now: Paramount Following Warner to Blu-ray-Only Party

Financial Times is reporting that Paramount has a clause in its HD DVD exclusivity contract allowing them to bail from the sinking HD DVD ship if Warner defected to Blu-ray, and they are "poised" to do so.

Warner's switch already put 70 percent of Hollywood's output on Blu-ray—Paramount rolling Blu-ray too would leave Universal and Dreamworks as the last major studios in the HD DVD camp, promptly and undoubtfully closing the books on HD DVD's future in Hollywood. Imagine: Michael Bay is sipping a mojito somewhere with a smile on his face.

http://gizmodo.com/341983/hd-dvd-really-dead-now-paramount-following-warner-to-blu+ray+only-party
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 08, 2008 at 03:06 PM: ito yung link sa Financial Times

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc409afa-bd75-11dc-b7e6-0000779fd2ac,dwp_uuid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 08, 2008 at 04:41 PM: Tsk tsk tsk... not good. Not good at all. :-\
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 08, 2008 at 04:55 PM: Mukhang na foresee ng Universal and Paramount na Warner will go Blu-ray Exclusive.. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: john5479 on Jan 08, 2008 at 05:05 PM: Here is what bloomberg says:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...bU&refer=japan

Paramount Denies Report It Will Drop Toshiba's HD DVD

By Andy Fixmer and John Liu

Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures denied a newspaper report that the studio is poised to follow Time Warner Inc. in abandoning Toshiba Corp.'s HD DVD technology.

``Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,'' Brenda Ciccone, a spokeswoman for Paramount, said in an e-mail today.

Toshiba, the leading promoter of the HD DVD format for high- definition video discs, fell in Tokyo trading after the Financial Times reported Paramount is poised to adopt Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray format instead.

Paramount can defect because a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp allows the studio to switch to Blu-ray if Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. dropped its support of Toshiba's standard, the newspaper reported today, citing unidentified people familiar with the plan. Warner Bros. said on Jan. 4 it would drop its support of HD DVD.

Keisuke Ohmori, a spokesman for Tokyo-based Toshiba, said the report is speculative. Masayo Endo, a spokeswoman for Sony, declined to comment on the report.

Toshiba's shares fell 0.1 percent to close at 782 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange after dropping as much as 1.3 percent. Sony's stock rose 3.4 percent.

*Then again if Paramount has that clause moving to Blu Ray is the next step then its game over! 8)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 08, 2008 at 05:14 PM: Paramount can just go format neutral for this war to be truly over, for example Spielberg won't allow any of his films to be released in HD-DVD only
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 08, 2008 at 05:47 PM: First, at the BDA press conference a short time ago, I asked Warner's Ron Sanders if his studio's decision to go Blu-ray only extended to New Line and HBO as well (as there's been some lingering uncertainty online). He once again diplomatically suggested that each affiliate company will be making their own decisions and announcements. So at the Digital Entertainment Group reception afterwards, I spoke directly with a senior New Line Home Entertainment executive, who confirmed that not only is New Line following Warner's lead, Pan's Labyrinth is the studio's last HD-DVD release. Their next major title will likely be The Golden Compass, on DVD and Blu-ray only later this year.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 08, 2008 at 09:15 PM: wow if Pan's LAbyrinth is the studio's last release, it was released last month pa @_@
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: aiebo on Jan 09, 2008 at 03:25 AM: ang dami ng "paramount" movie trailers sa PSN store (PS3 US site)

* Beowulf
* Stop-Loss
* Strange Wilderness
* Spiderwick Chronicles
* Bee Movie
* Ironman
* CloverField
* Drillbit Taylor

sign na kaya eto?? pasunod na kaya ang paramount sa move ng Warner Bros?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 09, 2008 at 05:06 AM: Quote from: aiebo on Jan 09, 2008 at 03:25 AM
ang dami ng "paramount" movie trailers sa PSN store (PS3 US site)

* Beowulf
* Stop-Loss
* Strange Wilderness
* Spiderwick Chronicles
* Bee Movie
* Ironman
* CloverField
* Drillbit Taylor

sign na kaya eto?? pasunod na kaya ang paramount sa move ng Warner Bros?

Nah its just like saying that since xbox 360 have MGM, Disney and Fox available for dl in xbox360 they will go neutral and release there movies in HD DVD.

update:
Microsoft stands behind HD DVD for Xbox 360

Quote
While Warner Bros. decision to drop HD DVD and speculation that Paramount would follow suit clearly hindered the format, Penello said that Microsoft would remain committed. "Until Toshiba goes out of business, this war is not over," he stated.

Penello is Microsoft's director of global marketing for the Xbox 360

Paramount Sticking With HD DVD - Star Trek Seasons 2 & 3 Still On Track for 2008:

http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/08/paramount-sticking-with-hd-dvd-star-trek-seasons-2-3-still-on-track-for-2008/ (http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/08/paramount-sticking-with-hd-dvd-star-trek-seasons-2-3-still-on-track-for-2008/)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: aiebo on Jan 09, 2008 at 06:22 AM: Quote
Nah its just like saying that since xbox 360 have MGM, Disney and Fox available for dl in xbox360 they will go neutral and release there movies in HD DVD.

since available din yung mga paramount titles sa PSN network. maglalabas din kaya sila ng bluray version?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 09, 2008 at 06:29 AM: Quote from: aiebo on Jan 09, 2008 at 06:22 AM
which means na maglalabas din sila ng bluray version?

i don't think tapos pa ang developments this week ^_^ in other news

New Line dropping HD-DVD immediately

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/New_Line/Industry_Trends/New_Line_Details_Transition_to_Blu-ray/1351

"Confirming earlier reports that it would follow Warner to Blu-ray exclusivity, New Line says its first HD DVD title ('Pan's Labryinth') will also be its last.

Though it was widely assumed that New Line (whose parent company is Time-Warner) would follow Warner Home Video's lead and continue to release on HD DVD through May 2008, a company rep tells us that New Line's move will go into immediate effect, with all of the studio's planned HD DVD releases now cancelled (including the HD DVD versions of current Blu-ray releases 'Hairspray' and 'Rush Hour 3,' which had previously been planned for HD DVD release sometime in early 2008).

As for 'Pan's Labryinth,' which hit stores late last year as the first (and only) New Line HD DVD release, the studio says that once current retail supplies are depleted, the title will be discontinued -- making it an instant collector's item.

New Line says it's not planning to issue an official press release trumpeting the move, ending its short-lived HD DVD support with a relative whimper.

The studio also tells us they won't be revealing any new Blu-ray titles at CES, though they do plan to continue to support the format throughout 2008 with a variety of new release and catalog titles to be announced in the future."
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: aiebo on Jan 09, 2008 at 06:57 AM: @darkwing,
:) thanks bro...

more news >>>

From Times Online
January 8, 2008

Blu-Ray takes inside edge in war with HD-DVD

Up to 20 firms backing HD-DVD consider defection after Warner opted for Blu-Ray and Paramount is poised to follow
Leo Lewis, Asia Business Correspondent

The sprawling consortium of technology and media companies assembled to promote the HD-DVD format of next-generation high definition discs faces a spate of defections to the rival Blu-Ray Disc consortium.

As many as 20 companies currently part of the HD-DVD Promotion Group could be preparing to remove their names from the alliance’s 130-strong membership list, The Times has learned.

Paramount yesterday emerged as the latest major Hollywood studio poised to switch allegiances

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3153038.ece (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3153038.ece)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 09, 2008 at 07:22 AM: Transformers Blu ray anyone? ;D ;D ;D

Well... we've had SOME confirmation this morning of the details of the Financial Times story from last night. While the studio isn't yet commenting, reliable industry sources are telling us that Paramount is indeed preparing to end their HD-DVD support and announce a return to the Blu-ray fold. Details are currently being finalized, and an announcement is expected as soon as they're complete. Paramount's first new Blu-rays will almost certainly include many of those titles that were cancelled last year, but that were already packaged and ready for shipping, so you could see them in stores very quickly once the studio announces.

Meanwhile, sources are telling us that Universal has also been talking with the BDA, and is looking to follow Paramount and Warner's lead as soon as possible.

On a related note, Times Online in the U.K. is now reporting that as many as 20 additional firms currently backing HD-DVD are also considering defection in the wake of Warner's Friday announcement, including Fujitsu, Lenovo, Kenwood and Pony Canyon (which is a major Japanese film and music studio).

What's more, word is starting to circulate at CES that major big box retailers will begin winding down in-store support for HD-DVD as soon as these studios go public with their decisions. We're told that the industry's major retail partners are already pressuring Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal to go Blu following Warner's decision.

Rumors are also beginning to circulate here that Apple's Steve Jobs may announce the addition of Blu-ray Disc drives to their Mac desktop lineup at next week's Macworld Expo in San Francisco.

We would caution you to keep in mind that all of this should be considered unofficial until the studios make their actual announcements. Things are moving very fast, and the situation is highly fluid. Still, it really looks like this is the end for HD-DVD, and the end of the format war overall. We'll keep you up to date with new developments as they break.

Stay tuned...

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 09, 2008 at 07:38 AM: Paano if Paramount does jump ship, will they still continue operating the internet sites for the online feature of the exisitng disc like Transformers? I guess I have to unload the HD DVD titles that are still sealed :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 09, 2008 at 07:48 AM: Quote from: darkwing on Jan 08, 2008 at 09:15 PM
wow if Pan's LAbyrinth is the studio's last release, it was released last month pa @_@

True. Guess I will pick it up for the collectible value ;D

Quote:
"As for 'Pan's Labryinth,' which hit stores late last year as the first (and only) New Line HD DVD release, the studio says that once current retail supplies are depleted, the title will be discontinued -- making it an instant collector's item."
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:05 AM: Hehe, just took a peek at the AVSforums and they are still in denial phase of their HD DVD depression.

(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6308/hddvddeath2a5fa8wj8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: juneaki on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:09 AM: BLURAY WON THE BATTLE BUT LOSES THE WAR!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080108/bs_nf/57617;_ylt=AmpODqMp9GNnZP5cggaFl1MN7YV4
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:20 AM: Quote from: juneaki on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:09 AM
BLURAY WON THE BATTLE BUT LOSES THE WAR!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080108/bs_nf/57617;_ylt=AmpODqMp9GNnZP5cggaFl1MN7YV4

Your mentioned title is different from the actual article title... :P :P :P

Blu-ray Wins the Battle, But May Lose the War

Blu-ray appears to have won the high-def DVD format war, as Paramount announced on Monday that it would dump HD-DVD in favor of Sony's Blu-ray format. Last week, Warner Bros. also threw its weight behind Blu-ray.

Wala pang official annoncement... ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:23 AM: Now it's a question of whether Blu-ray will be able to continue pushing its format to the main stream & sustaining it with growth! Giving BDA the benefit of doubt....the WAR is still on going but on a different frontier.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:38 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Now it's a question of whether Blu-ray will be able to continue pushing its format to the main stream & sustaining it with growth! Giving BDA the benefit of doubt....the WAR is still on going but on a different frontier.

It's the same as DVD when it came out... At first, people were hesitant to go into DVD but then again it was accepted after a slow momentum...
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:51 AM: Quote from: oReOsHaKe on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:38 AM
It's the same as DVD when it came out... At first, people were hesitant to go into DVD but then again it was accepted after a slow momentum...

True it's similar but today there's video on demand & internet download. Consumers have far more options & cheaper alternatives including the existing DVD.

Winning the format war in only the begining. A lot of $ is invested & of course they will push for its survival. It's just that they can't take their victory lightly. There's still lots of hard work & challenges facing BDA. :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mr. Hankey on Jan 09, 2008 at 10:23 AM: Quote from: juneaki on Jan 09, 2008 at 08:09 AM
BLURAY WON THE BATTLE BUT LOSES THE WAR!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080108/bs_nf/57617;_ylt=AmpODqMp9GNnZP5cggaFl1MN7YV4

That's actually an odd article, since a newer article on Yahoo states that Paramount has denied already shifting to Blu-ray.

Related links: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=paramount+blu-ray&c=
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 09, 2008 at 10:41 AM: Hehe after tons of news speculating that Paramount will defect HD DVD, it is only right that the company makes a statement to deny & maintain its support for the HD DVD format in order to difuse/calm the tensed air. ;D

Note that the spokeswoman said "Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format".

Gosh...with the mounting pressure...soon Universal might bow down & throw in their towel too. :-\
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 09, 2008 at 12:43 PM: Quote from: Mr. Hankey on Jan 09, 2008 at 10:23 AM
That's actually an odd article, since a newer article on Yahoo states that Paramount has denied already shifting to Blu-ray.

Related links: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=paramount+blu-ray&c=

I wouldn't say it's odd. But I would describe it as inaccurate.

Yahoo News is just an aggregator of internet-based news. Yahoo does not write its own news articles.

Most articles come from reliable news services like Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), etc. In this case, however, the article came from newsfactor.com which is apparently not the site for news accuracy.

Unfortunately, the brand Yahoo News gives a mistaken impression of accuracy simply because the name Yahoo already enjoys public trust and confidence.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 09, 2008 at 12:45 PM: who knows CES is not yet over ^_^
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: krazy on Jan 09, 2008 at 01:31 PM: Quote from: darkwing on Jan 09, 2008 at 12:45 PM
who knows CES is not yet over ^_^

Speaking of CES, here's a look at the HD DVD and Blu-Ray booths at CES which are (naturally) right next to each other:
(http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/01/neighbors.jpg)
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x163/sorrow880/bluray_vs_hd_dvd_war_2.jpg)

Looks pretty lonely at the red camp ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 09, 2008 at 05:21 PM: No Exit Plan Seen In HD Disc Format War

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6517466.html?industryid=23099 (http://www.twice.com/article/CA6517466.html?industryid=23099)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: antikryst on Jan 09, 2008 at 05:23 PM: GAAAHAHHHHHHHH!

having my sister send back the HD DVD player I had her get from the states. Ill still stock up on HD DVS... and wait for a sub 200$ BD player.

Im sure there will be BD+HDDVD plater combo thats going to be affordable in the future. HD DVD will still be played no matter what.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 10, 2008 at 05:15 AM: HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity

(http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2008/01/1-10-08-hbo-logo.jpg)

As expected, HBO Home Video has fallen in line with parent Warner, confirming that it too will drop HD DVD support in favor of Blu-ray.

HBO Home Video president Henry McGee told the Hollywood Reporter today that the company will be "following the same policy as Warner Home Video" and will no longer release titles on HD DVD.

Distributed under the Warner umbrella along with New Line Home Entertainment and BBC Home Video, HBO had been format-neutral, releasing titles in both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Following New Line's move to Blu-ray, HBO now becomes the third Warner company to abandon HD DVD, leaving only the BBC (which Warner distributes domestically) to declare its future format intentions.

McGee offered no further details on the HBo Video's plans to transition to sole Blu-ray support, or the fate of its current HD DVD releases, which include two box set releases of the top-selling 'The Sopranos.'

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 10, 2008 at 06:48 AM: Quote from: NeilNo on Jan 10, 2008 at 05:15 AM
HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity

As expected, HBO Home Video has fallen in line with parent Warner, confirming that it too will drop HD DVD support in favor of Blu-ray.

HBO Home Video president Henry McGee told the Hollywood Reporter today that the company will be "following the same policy as Warner Home Video" and will no longer release titles on HD DVD.

Distributed under the Warner umbrella along with New Line Home Entertainment and BBC Home Video, HBO had been format-neutral, releasing titles in both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Following New Line's move to Blu-ray, HBO now becomes the third Warner company to abandon HD DVD, leaving only the BBC (which Warner distributes domestically) to declare its future format intentions.

McGee offered no further details on the HBo Video's plans to transition to sole Blu-ray support, or the fate of its current HD DVD releases, which include two box set releases of the top-selling 'The Sopranos.'

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357)

I'm glad I hold off buying the Band of Brothers DVD set ^_^ release it in BD already!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 07:28 AM: Quote from: darkwing on Jan 10, 2008 at 06:48 AM
I'm glad I hold off buying the Band of Brothers DVD set ^_^ release it in BD already!

DreamWorks holds the rights to BoB. :( :( :(
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 07:42 AM: MY TWO CENTS - 1/9/08 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt

We remain convinced that both Paramount and Universal are moving towards announcing Blu-ray Disc support soon, and we have real reason for that belief, not the least of which is that our sources in this situation are second to none - a fact which should be readily obvious by now. Announcements could happen tomorrow, they could happen next week, they could happen next month. We'd be surprised if it took longer than a month or two. We're hearing that Universal may not announce until February at the earliest, as we're given to understand that their contract period with the HD-DVD camp expires at the end of January. So everyone needs to just take a deep breath and relax. We know that's hard, given how fast things have been moving this past week. Rest assured, sources continue to tell us that Paramount and Universal are going Blu, but sorting out all the legal details and organizing the logistics takes time. The Warner move was apparently well planned, but Paramount and Universal have only just started that process. They may or may not continue releasing HD-DVDs for a time - we'll have to wait and see. But retailers are now seriously pressuring these studios to go Blu, and we'd be surprised if many mainstream stores still have HD-DVD hardware and software on their shelves come next Christmas. I suspect that Paramount especially wants to be able to announce a few actual titles when they announce their Blu-ray support, and it takes time to get all that ready. Keep in mind that things have been extremely chaotic within the home video industry this week. So everyone just take a deep breath and try to calm down, while we wait for things to play out.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 08:04 AM: CES: All Quiet on the Universal Front

(http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/781/originalrj5.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Amidst mounting speculation that it is soon to shift alliances, Universal Studios has confirmed that it will not be making any new HD DVD title announcements at this year's CES.

Though previous years have seen a cavalcade of title announcements from HD DVD-supporting studios at CES, this year's deafening silence from Universal and Paramount/DreamWorks has only fueled speculation that one (or both) of the studios are plotting a move to format neutrality or perhaps even Blu-ray exclusivity.

While Universal is issuing a terse "no comment" in response to the persistent rumors, a studio spokesperson did confirm for us that they will not be making any new title announcements at this year's CES.

Paramount similarly declined to make any new title announcements at CES, but as we first reported Monday, the studio is shooting down reports that it plans to abandon the format

HiDefDigest (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/CES_2008/CES:_All_Quiet_on_the_Universal_Front/1352)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 10, 2008 at 08:46 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 07:42 AM
MY TWO CENTS - 1/9/08 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt

We remain convinced that both Paramount and Universal are moving towards announcing Blu-ray Disc support soon,

...We're hearing that Universal may not announce until February at the earliest, as we're given to understand that their contract period with the HD-DVD camp expires at the end of January.

Yup, expect the worst. Can't blame them if it really happen cos no one likes to sail & sit on a sinking ship.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: 1ringwd4s on Jan 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM: Quote from: NeilNo on Jan 10, 2008 at 05:15 AM
HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity

As expected, HBO Home Video has fallen in line with parent Warner, confirming that it too will drop HD DVD support in favor of Blu-ray.

HBO Home Video president Henry McGee told the Hollywood Reporter today that the company will be "following the same policy as Warner Home Video" and will no longer release titles on HD DVD.

Distributed under the Warner umbrella along with New Line Home Entertainment and BBC Home Video, HBO had been format-neutral, releasing titles in both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Following New Line's move to Blu-ray, HBO now becomes the third Warner company to abandon HD DVD, leaving only the BBC (which Warner distributes domestically) to declare its future format intentions.

McGee offered no further details on the HBo Video's plans to transition to sole Blu-ray support, or the fate of its current HD DVD releases, which include two box set releases of the top-selling 'The Sopranos.'

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357 (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/HBO/Industry_Trends/HBO_Confirms_Switch_to_Blu-ray_Exclusivity/1357)

Yeah! The Sopranos, Sex and the City!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 10, 2008 at 12:57 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 07:28 AM
DreamWorks holds the rights to BoB. :( :( :(
then its just a matter of time then ^_^
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 10, 2008 at 05:22 PM: Still on speculative mode :P :P :P Universal finally going Neutral. Jason Bourne will be blu soon...

(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1092/bournebv5pr3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Blu-ray could win high-def battle

The two remaining studios backing HD DVD could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended. And Paramount has an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release pics on Blu-ray after Warner Bros.' decision to back that format exclusively.More than one option

Neither studio is ready to throw in the towel immediately, however. Universal is committed to a series of promotions for the high-def format in coming months, and Par has said its current plans are to keep supporting HD DVD, which it backed exclusively in August.

Should Toshiba concede defeat on the format, the decision to drop HD DVD would be made for both studios. But Toshiba doesn't appear ready to do that. At the Consumer Electronics Show, the manufacturer reaffirmed its commitment to the format, noting strong sales during the fourth quarter and indicating it would continue marketing its hardware through 2008.

But retailers may force the HD DVD camp's hand: They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor. With Warners' defection, only Par and U remain in the HD DVD camp; Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate remain ardent Blu-ray backers. Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.

Last summer, Blockbuster also threw its weight behind Blu-ray, though some HD DVD discs remain in stores.

And Warner will continue to release HD DVD discs for the next few months to honor its previous commitment to Toshiba, which extends through May 31. Paramount's HD DVD deal, which covers DreamWorks releases, was to run through this year.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978760.html?categoryid=20&cs=1
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 10, 2008 at 05:57 PM: finally the Trilogy in BD50 gb goodness ^_^
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 11, 2008 at 02:34 AM: Not good for Toshiba and HD DVD..

Universal HD DVD exclusivity contract has expired, sits non-renewed

More news from the format war today, and it isn't good for the red camp. Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's agreement to stick with HD DVD has ended and has not been renewed. Additionally, Paramount has an escape clause in its contract that can be exercised following Warner's departure from the (now dwindling) HD DVD ranks. The article highlights various ongoing commitments both companies have to the format, but we've heard these kind of promises before from studios. It's feeling like a party where everyone leaves at once; nobody wants to be the first out the door, but everyone's looking in that direction.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/universal-hd-dvd-exclusivity-contract-has-expired-sits-non-rene/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/universal-hd-dvd-exclusivity-contract-has-expired-sits-non-rene/)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 11, 2008 at 07:03 AM: Universal will stay with HD DVD

http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Universal_expected_to_deny_Bluray_rumors/1199974983 (http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Universal_expected_to_deny_Bluray_rumors/1199974983)

Quote
5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the story from Variety broke
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:05 AM: MY TWO CENTS - 1/10/08

(EARLY UPDATE - 1/10/08 - 10:30 AM PST)

Reuters spoke with a number of retailers at CES who, contrary to Toshiba's claims of being supportive, seem afraid of the format war continuing to drag on. Says Wal-Mart's senior vice president in charge of electronics, Gary Severson: "It would be our hope that by this Christmas there would be a clearer choice for the customer, instead of battling back and forth." Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson adds that Warner's decision makes it "a lot easier to see the likelihood that we get to one format, and it makes it easier for us as retailers to help push it to that one format." None of these retailers are likely to immediately remove HD-DVD from their store shelves, for fear of angering those consumers who just purchased the format over the holidays. However, you can be certain that they'll be watching sales figures and will react accordingly.

In order to better assess retailers' possible next moves, we contacted a variety of local Orange County, CA retail locations yesterday (including Best Buy and Circuit City stores, as well as Frys Electronics and a couple of specialty retailers) for an informal poll, and have learned that since Warner's decision on Friday, Blu-ray Disc hardware has begun outselling HD-DVD hardware dramatically, jumping from 3 to 1 early last week to a factor of roughly 20 to 1 (on average) over the weekend. Sales people are now more confidently recommending Blu-ray to their customers as the preferred of the two formats, and there have apparently been returns of HD-DVD decks. Said one Best Buy employee yesterday of HD-DVD: "We'll keep it around until it goes on clearance, but in a couple months, it probably won't be there anymore."

The number of HD-DVD players available for sale on eBay appears to have spiked over the weekend as well.

It gets worse for HD-DVD today. Constantin Film AG (one of Germany's top indie film companies) has announced that it too will go all Blu-ray in the wake of Warner's move, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: juneaki on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM: This maybe OT. My first TV is a Sony 14" color TV. During the first year of use, i brought it to the repairman twice before it's declared dead one and half year after. I bought a Sony VCD karaoke player and during it's lifetime (two years more or less) i have it repaired 3x for not reading disc efficiently or not reading at all. Then just yesterday my children's PS2 was pronounced dead by the repairman after less than two years of use. Minsan tuloy gusto kong magduda sa quality ng Sony but then again baka naman malas lang ako sa Sony products! Ang mahal pa naman ng product nila.

Sana ang manalo talaga sa format war na ito ay ang mga consumers, hindi ang Sony o ang Toshiba o ang mga Film producers! >:(
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:53 AM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 11, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Universal will stay with HD DVD

http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Universal_expected_to_deny_Bluray_rumors/1199974983 (http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Universal_expected_to_deny_Bluray_rumors/1199974983)

For me I feel Universal isn't telling the whole truth...at least they don't want to result another wide-spread panicking for the HD DVD camp/fans. Sure....currently or in the meantime Universal will continue to support the HD DVD format but what's the next move 6 months from now?

One main thing in their press statement is that they fail to clarify, explain or even mention if their agreement with HD DVD really has ended (this is what everyone wants to know) and what are they going to do about it.... :-\
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:57 AM: Digitalbits = Blu-ray Fanboy, everyone knows that Bill Hunt is being paid by sony and putting out more propaganda than any other sony fanboy.

Retailers said HD format war seen dragging on

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN027579720080109 (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN027579720080109)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 11, 2008 at 09:02 AM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:53 AM
For me I feel Universal isn't telling the whole truth...at least they don't want to result another wide-spread panicking for the HD DVD camp/fans. Sure....currently or in the meantime Universal will continue to support the HD DVD format but what's the next move 6 months from now?

One main thing in their press statement is that they fail to clarify, explain or even mention if their agreement with HD DVD really has ended (this is what everyone wants to know) and what are they going to do about it.... :-\

They dont have to, people are reading too much between the lines. Universal have invested so much money in HD DVD thats why they are sticking to the format. If and If they decide to leave HD DVD then i will accept the fact that the format is dead. Until then i will still enjoy the format of my choice. The fact that they have stated that they will continue to support HD DVD is good enough for me. ;D

Sorry for the double post....
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 11, 2008 at 10:01 AM: Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray support

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0851332620080108 (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0851332620080108)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Clondalkin on Jan 11, 2008 at 11:11 AM: Bakit nyo minamadali? The only thing certain is the decision of Warner to phase out HD DVD. Everything else is speculation. and yeah, too much reading between the lines..too much paranoia, and IMO, too much posting of links from other sites. What is so interesting about that? Is PinoyDVD supposed to be a mere "portal" of other sites?..I understand this is one of the most favorite sites for many members but everybody interested in high-def should know AVS, high-def digest, reuters, cnn, yahoo, digital bits, engadget, etc. by now right? What would be most helpful is if somebody would translate the entire texts in Tagalog. Sorry, I dont have the time to do that.

Out of curiosity, I recently estimated the number of hours I actually spent watching HD DVD. My conservative estimate is 112 hours (72 hours on each of the 18 titles (viewed 2x each), 20 hours on Heroes, 10 hours on Matrix Trilogy and 10 hours for Planet Earth). I paid about $180 for my add-on in 2006, so as of this writing, it has costed me an additional $1.61 per viewing time on top of the cost of the software itself (many of which are free). So for those who own like 200 HD DVD titles, you are good for at least 5 years. In all honesty, what are the chances youd be as interested and passionate and excited in your present collection of titles 5 years from now??? Occassional re-watching maybe.

And although I concede that it would be very very tough for HD DVD to turn this thing around, I just look at the likes of Heroes, The Matrix, The Bourne Trilogy, Transformers..and say...BELAT...sukang suka na ako sa kakaulit, hintay pa rin kayo ng hintay ng BD version...he he he..just taking it easy guys...yeah yeah, BD may eventually have all these titles too..hintay hintay lang kayo.. BD may win it all but it's fine by me...and as long as HD DVD releases titles I want to buy (not to collect - to buy because it is too expensive for me to go to moviehouses), then I'll continue to support HD DVD, added bonus na that the add-on works perfectly with my PC as well.

So when do I buy a PS3? kapag wala na akong mabiling HD DVD.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 11, 2008 at 12:04 PM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 11, 2008 at 09:02 AM

They dont have to, people are reading too much between the lines. Universal have invested so much money in HD DVD thats why they are sticking to the format. If and If they decide to leave HD DVD then i will accept the fact that the format is dead. Until then i will still enjoy the format of my choice. The fact that they have stated that they will continue to support HD DVD is good enough for me. ;D

Yup, they dont have to but that's exactly what causing more wild fire speculations..... ;D

Agreed! Regardless of the outcome, we can still enjoy HD DVD for many many years to come with our HD DVD players. ;) Nevertheless, we can't deny the fact that Warner's defection does indeed bring a big impact to the HD industry & consumers.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 11, 2008 at 12:42 PM: we only need the remaining studios (30% left) to go neutral and that's it ^_^ which maybe not so far away....

http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006254.html
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: aiebo on Jan 11, 2008 at 03:48 PM: honga wag natin madaliin.. ganyan din ang nangyari sa bluray last year. ang daming kuro kuro na mawawala na ang bluray kagaya ng nangyari sa betamax, md, umd... blah blah blah... :D

hintayin na lang natin ;D malay natin at baka bumaliktad na naman lahat. :P
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 11, 2008 at 04:26 PM: Universal Re-Affirms HD DVD Support
Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 06:39 PM ET

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/images/post/1/1853/original.jpeg)

Responding to published reports that its commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended, Universal has issued a new statement of support for HD DVD.

"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.

Graffeo's comments follow a report in yesterday's Variety that Universal's agreement to exclusively support HD DVD had ended and had not been renewed. The report went on to speculate that both Universal and Paramount could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

A Universal spokesperson told us this afternoon that the studio plans to issue new upcoming HD DVD title announcements in the near future.

The HD DVD Promotions Group is also said to be planning its own statement regarding the rumors of a Universal switch to format neutrality.

SOUCE: http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/Industry_Trends/Universal_Re-Affirms_HD_DVD_Support/1362
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 11, 2008 at 05:11 PM: Phew...for the moment there I thought I was in AVS Forum, with Amir speculating HD DVD winnability.

From the New York Times (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/hd-dvds-fall-like-dominoes/)

HD DVDs Fall Like Dominoes

Nothing has been announced, but Variety is reporting that the last two major studios backing HD DVD — NBC Universal and Paramount — are opening the door for a switch to Blu-ray. These studios have commitments to release some discs this year in HD DVD, but both have ended their exclusive commitment to that format, which is backed by a group led by Toshiba.
This comes after Warner Brothers, which had been issuing movies in both formats, decided to go exclusively with Sony’s Blu-ray format. Variety also reports that retailers may also put pressure on Universal and Paramount to back Blu-ray. Last summer, Blockbuster decided to go with Blu-ray only.
So what appeared to be a stalemate may, with one relatively small move by Warner, now turn out to be a quick victory for Sony. The fight between the systems has hurt studios, electronics makers and consumers. And I suspect a winner — any winner — will be welcomed by all sides (except Toshiba and Microsoft, a key partner).
Of course, one reason for the standoff is that there are real merits to both sides, as many of the comments to our post on Warner’s move expressed.
Loosely speaking, Blu-ray discs can hold more data, while HD DVD discs and players are less expensive to make. Also, several readers who have used both say they prefer the menu system on the current batch of HD DVD players. My take on this is that once the format wars are over, the normal process of engineering improvements will work through many of the kinks in Blu-ray. Costs for this sort of thing just go down, and they fall faster with volume. Menus are software and can be fixed. Again, everybody benefits from a standard.
The other interesting discussion is whether we really need a high-definition disc at all. Some people suggested that the latest round of “upconverting” DVD players can turn the 480 lines of resolution on DVDs into a very nice picture on a 720 or 1080 line HD set.
I don’t have a personal view on this. The Hansell household is currently served by a 20-year-old, 13-inch Hitachi set that is particularly well suited to foggy dream sequences. But I do know that in electronics shops, big numbers sell. Look at the people who raced to buy cameras with far more megapixels than they ever would need for 4-by-6 prints. (I know those are fighting words to some.) If a high-definition player and disc was just a tiny bit more money than a standard one, lots of people would say, why not go for it?
But do we need discs at all? With Comcast promising high-definition downloads in 4 minutes and prices of flash memory falling like a rock, maybe we will jump right to a world where video simply lives as a file on a hard drive or flash disk.
There’s logic to that, of course, at least in an engineering sort of way. Why spend all the money and time to stamp out discs and distribute them through stores, when the information on them can be simply zapped over a network to someone’s television?
I wouldn’t bet against this vision in the long run at all. But I also suspect there will be enough demand for physical discs over the next decade to justify the industry’s moves. Consumers have a practical rationality and they understand that discs give them simplicity and control that is elusive for now in an all-digital environment. Instead of relying on some sort of software system to find a movie, you simply pull one off your shelf, out of your pile or from under the bed — however you like to keep your movies.
And it is still not clear what you get when you buy a movie download. Consider Wal-Mart’s shuttered movie download service. People who bought movies from the service cannot move them onto new computers to play because of the digital-rights management scheme used.
As with the disc technology, all these problems with downloads will get worked through over the coming years.
But for now, if you actually want a copy of a movie that you can count on playing in the future, it’s rational to buy one in a format supported by all the players in the industry, and one that exists in three dimensions. The seeming triumph of Blu-ray only makes that easier and safer.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 11, 2008 at 05:26 PM: I remember just last month how HD DVD fanboys made fun of bluray.com with a fake report about WB pending BD exclusive which proved to be true. Yeah WB made a lot of similar press releases denying the inevitable. Many of Bill Hunt's indusry rumours proved to be true at least. Now if either remaining HD DVD studios were to come out with a added list of upcoming releases til december with dates to prove its commitment to the format, I will be convinced HD DVD will still be around next holiday season. All they mention is their support are for the short term. They know if they withdrew their support now, there will be a lot of returned players and discs.

From Wall Street Journal (http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20080110/mistah-hd-dvd-he-dead/)

Mistah HD DVD–He Dead …

(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/566/fail102627fd3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Reports of HD DVD’s death may have been exaggerated, but reports of its fast-declining health have not.

Though Paramount Pictures has denied reports that it plans to abandon the next-generation DVD format, news of an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release films on Blu-ray has the industry wondering aloud about the format’s continued viability.

And for good reason. Earlier this week Universal dropped its exclusive support of HD DVD. And last Friday, on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show, Warner Bros. stunned the industry by announcing plans to end support of the format entirely in June. “[That] maybe the pivotal event that resolves the format war,” said Thomas Coughlin of Coughlin Associates. “It certainly changes the rules and the playing field. I think everyone is trying to reassess what this means–including the HD DVD guys. [If Blu-ray does come out on top] it would be poetic justice after the Betamax vs. VHS war. That time, Sony lost.”

But is it truly the format’s death knell? Ovum analyst Carl Gressum says no. “There is a lot of speculation whether this is the end of HD DVD,” he said. “It is not, but we are getting dangerously close to a ‘chapter 11’ for the group. If the other supporting studios now decide to drop HD DVD, the situation will turn dire, and HD DVD could become more of a replacement to DVD on the PC client than as a movie-distribution playback format.”
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 11, 2008 at 05:30 PM: MY TWO CENTS - 1/10/08 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just released a brief statement with regards to its HD-DVD support. EVP of HD strategic marketing Ken Graffeo says the following: "Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format."

It's worth noting that nothing in this statement negates the possibility of Universal announcing Blu-ray support (in addition to HD-DVD) in the future. This is similar to Paramount's recent official comments that they intend to continue supporting HD-DVD as well, which does not preclude possible future Blu-ray Disc support. One would expect a similar statement out of Toshiba and/or the HD-DVD Promotions Group soon as well. Regardless, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to realize that they're being careful about their phrasing so as to keep their options open. We'd frankly expect both studios to continue releasing HD-DVD product for some time, regardless of any Blu-ray plans they might announce in the future.

By the way, we contacted The Weinstein Company and Genius Products today. A spokesperson told us that the company hadn't firmed up their HD plans yet.

Meanwhile, the bad mainstream press for HD-DVD keeps mounting. The New York Times' technology section features a report entitled "HD DVDs Fall Like Dominoes" today. And The Wall Street Journal's Digital Digital column goes a step further with "Mistah HD DVD - He Dead..." It will be interesting to see how all these press reports out of CES, in the wake of Warner's Blu-ray move, will impact the high-def hardware and software sales numbers over the next few weeks.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: antikryst on Jan 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM: its really sad. i chose HD DVD as at that time... the xbox addon was too good a deal to turn down. then i got an A3. i preferred HD DVD to win as the standards were more set... and more "open" in a way.

hope it doesnt die completely. competition was good...until this happened. hd dvds were going down in price..players as well.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:46 PM: Quote from: antikryst on Jan 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM
its really sad. i chose HD DVD as at that time... the xbox addon was too good a deal to turn down. then i got an A3. i preferred HD DVD to win as the standards were more set... and more "open" in a way.

hope it doesnt die completely. competition was good...until this happened. hd dvds were going down in price..players as well.

Yup, not only on the HD DVD side but a lot of BOGOs on the blu-ray side as well. ;)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 12, 2008 at 05:38 AM: Quote from: antikryst on Jan 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM
its really sad. i chose HD DVD as at that time... the xbox addon was too good a deal to turn down. then i got an A3. i preferred HD DVD to win as the standards were more set... and more "open" in a way.

hope it doesnt die completely. competition was good...until this happened. hd dvds were going down in price..players as well.

it was competition that drove Warner to chose a side, confusing kasi with two formats, ok lang if all studios were neutral but it's not
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM: Ok this just came in from a known HD DVD fanboy site...Marami nagagalit na >:( >:( >:(

Universal: 'current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format.' Currently.

Universal Studios issued a terse statement today, denying rumors that the HD DVD stalwart is looking to take advantage of that lapsed exclusivity contract and jump ship for cross-town high-def adversary, Blu-ray. Ken Graffeo – veep of HD strategic marketing at Universal and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group – said simply "Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format." That Universal's response was almost verbatim to HD DVD ally Paramount's should come as little surprise. How about this, movie executive types: let us know about your future plans and we'll skirt this whole song and dance, okay?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/universal-current-plan-is-to-continue-to-support-the-hd-dvd-fo/
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 12, 2008 at 08:47 AM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM
How about this, movie executive types: let us know about your future plans and we'll skirt this whole song and dance, okay?

Very similar to the previous news...yeah we want to know teh answer to that question! ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Munskie on Jan 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM: Drunk na with all the news and speculations....... its like a string of rumors/news lash......just get the movies and watch!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 12, 2008 at 03:47 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Universal: 'current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format.' Currently.

...How about this, movie executive types: let us know about your future plans and we'll skirt this whole song and dance, okay?

Sa akin, OK lang yung statement. Translated in plain English, Universal is really saying "no comment".

Style lang talaga yan. It's so common that they even have a term for it -- they call it "doublespeak" (deliberately ambiguous or obscure language).

That's the way politicians talk. Observe press statements from politicians. They have this ability to issue statements without really saying anything. It's an art form in itself. :D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 12, 2008 at 06:37 PM: Quote from: barrister on Jan 12, 2008 at 03:47 PM

Sa akin, OK lang yung statement. Translated in plain English, Universal is really saying "no comment".

Style lang talaga yan. It's so common that they even have a term for it -- they call it "doublespeak" (deliberately ambiguous or obscure language).

That's the way politicians talk. Observe press statements from politicians. They have this ability to issue statements without really saying anything. It's an art form in itself. :D

I concur. Hey,that's really the way it's played, and in almost all industries i might add. WB did some dancing themselves when they even re-affirmed their neutrality stance late last year amidst prying rumors, only to unleash the flip-bomb start of the year (after they harvested the peak holiday income first). That's the way it is. IMO, some fanboys should just have to get a grip and show some maturity reacting to the situation. Steady lang dapat - ganun talaga ikot ng mundo with all these 'double-speaks,' or safe PC statements and euphemisms going around. 8)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM: Currently, I will continue to support & buy HD DVDs with all my heart & with all my money! ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mr. Hankey on Jan 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM: Quote from: Marl_1 on Jan 06, 2008 at 12:38 AM
That's according to Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara, who said that the studio's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support does not extend to titles released by New Line, HBO or the BBC (which Warner distributes here in the US).

"They'll be making whatever decision they're going to make," said Tsujihara. "I assume they'll let people know very quickly, but they are not covered by this initial announcement."

A (very) minor victory for HD DVD in the Warner fiasco: The BBC was contacted by tvshowsondvd.com, and they replied that they will continue to support both formats for now, and "will evaluate the marketplace before committing to one format." This is mainly because they sold more copies of the best-selling Planet Earth on HD DVD than Blu-ray, and they already have 4 different titles intended for HD DVD and Blu-ray release in 2008.

Source: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-More-Hi-Def-Decisions/8765
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Moks007 on Jan 12, 2008 at 11:23 PM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Currently, I will continue to support & buy HD DVDs with all my heart & with all my money! ;D

Same here, I just ordered Dragonheart, Nutty prof 2, Anchorman, old school. all 14 plus dollars, to me great price..I will just look for great deals.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Marl☆1 on Jan 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM: Quote from: pchin on Jan 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Currently, I will continue to support & buy HD DVDs with all my heart & with all my money! ;D

Am likewise with ya bud... Just keep the BOGO's coming. ;)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrid on Jan 14, 2008 at 07:33 AM: ^ Same here !!! :)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 14, 2008 at 05:49 PM: Toshiba fights bad news with lower prices

Toshiba's third generation 1080i-capable HD-A3 is selling for a mere $139.98 on Amazon.com. The 1080p-capable HD-A30 is not much more expensive at $179.98. For the price of an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, consumers can now purchase a fully-fledged set top box with 1080p support.

http://www.dailytech.com/Toshiba+Launches+HD+DVD+Player+Fire+Sale/article10318.htm
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 14, 2008 at 06:36 PM: didn't their $99 player got outsold by BD players? well Toshiba got one thing right, 100% of the HD-DVD player market!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: NeilNo on Jan 14, 2008 at 09:44 PM: Quote from: bachwitz on Jan 14, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Toshiba fights bad news with lower prices

Toshiba's third generation 1080i-capable HD-A3 is selling for a mere $139.98 on Amazon.com. The 1080p-capable HD-A30 is not much more expensive at $179.98. For the price of an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, consumers can now purchase a fully-fledged set top box with 1080p support.

http://www.dailytech.com/Toshiba+Launches+HD+DVD+Player+Fire+Sale/article10318.htm

Here too;

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/hd-dvd-fires-back-slashes-hardware-and-software-prices/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/hd-dvd-fires-back-slashes-hardware-and-software-prices/)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 14, 2008 at 11:33 PM: Toshiba's Announcement a Cover-Up

It's finally safe for consumers to jump with both feet into the hi-def disc market with Blu-ray now that Warner is throwing 100% support behind the format.

Unfortunately, Toshiba is stubbornly refusing to acccept defeat or go away quietly, which is doing nothing more than causing more harm to consumers by trying to convince them to buy HD DVD product that they must know is about to become obsolete.

Toshiba's announcement today that it is discounting prices on its exisiting HD DVD players and touting the DVD upscaling features of those players is nothing more than a desperate effort to unload excess product and put a good face on an advertising campaign that had to have been in the works prior to Warner's announcement that it is abandoning HD DVD.

There was not enough time in the past week for Toshiba to get an ad campaign like that together and in Sunday newspaper circulars.

Under the heading of "buyer beware," consumers should take note that there are no supporting statements in today's announcement by Paramount, Universal or DreamWorks. Perhaps they understand the legal dangers of promoting a product knowing full well that the plug will soon be pulled on that product. No doubt that is why Toshiba is pushing the "upscaling" elements of its HD DVD players, which would perhaps give them a legal position if they want to claim they were simply promoting a machine that would upconvert DVDs as opposed to a machine designed to play a soon-to-be-obsolete format.

In any case, do not be distracted by this latest Toshiba sleight of hand. There is no reason to feel even slightly hesitant about the future viability of Blu-ray now that all but two of the biggest studios are aggressively supporting Blu-ray. The more quickly everyone gets behind Blu, the more quickly we will see even more of our favorite releases on Blu, from the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises to the James Bond series and the libary of Disney animated classics

http://www.hollywoodinhidef.com/blog_detail.php?id=162
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM: What I want to know is inside info about the Warner deal. There's one tiny bit of detail nobody seems to be asking about: The time frame for Warner's Blu-ray deal.

I'm sure that there's a time period for Warner's promise of exclusivity, since it's highly unlikely that Warner signed a contract with an unlimited time period until kingdom come.

Blu ray should do everything it can to ensure complete victory before their Warner deal expires, and HD DVD should also do everything to prevent this from happening.

HD DVD has to find out the time period of this exclusivity deal, leak the info to the tech press, and do what it can to survive while waiting for the contract to expire.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: newbie pa rin on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:41 PM: Patience is a virtue - in 6 months time everything must have settled.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:57 PM: not sure what the impact will be, but I believe the jumpship is caused by warners announcement.

US porn studio and HD-DVD camp in divorce row

It's one blow after another for the Toshiba-lead HD-DVD consortium. This time round, it's California-based Digital Playground Inc. turning its back on the red camp.

http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2008/01/14/us-porn-studio-and-hd-dvd-camp-on-divorce-roll/
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 15, 2008 at 02:45 PM: Warner's decision is permanent unlike Paramount/Dreamworks, here's part of their press release again and news sites are not reporting any timed exclusive, Warner is basically going to stop making HD-DVD after May, and even now its delaying HD-DVD titles

“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."
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:15 PM: I don't see anything in that press statement that indicates permanence.

News sites are not reporting any expiration date because they have no inside information about the contract. Simply put, they're not reporting because they don't know.

The only difference between the Paramount/Dreamworks contract and the Warner contract is that the expiration date of the first was leaked to the media, the second was not.

Warner announced that it will stop releasing titles staring June 2008. Warner is now delaying HD DVD releases. Both of these events reflect their present deal with Blu ray. But these events are not sufficient to indicate that Warner signed an exclusivity agreement that will last until Armageddon.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:23 PM: Quote from: barrister on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:15 PM

Warner announced that it will stop releasing titles staring June 2008. Warner is now delaying HD DVD releases. Both of these events reflect their present deal with Blu ray. But these events are not sufficient to indicate that Warner signed an exclusivity agreement that will last until Armageddon.

So you think HD DVD will still be around when this exclusivity expires? Isn't it a little bit too optimistic?

HMM: HD DVD Should "Knock It Off" for Inevitable Blu-ray Victory

Home Media Magazine, the weekly industry magazine which alerts retailers and those inside the home media industry to news and releases, has posted a statement to the HD DVD Promotional Group: "Knock it off". Stating consumer confusion as the reason for lack of consumer adoption of high definition home media, magazine contributor Thomas K. Arnold has asked that HD DVD step down instead of delaying the inevitable Blu-ray victory

With Warner Home Video dumping HD DVD, the format has the support of just two of the six major studios. It cannot win. At best, it can be a spoiler, but I'm hoping Toshiba, Universal and Paramount will take the high road and, for the good of the entire industry, bow out. Universal and Paramount, in particular, need to jump on the Blu-ray Disc bandwagon so we can go into the new year with a unified front and a unified mission: To educate consumers about the advantages of high-definition media and convince them the time to transition from standard DVD to Blu-ray is the day they bring that HDTV into their home.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=859
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: barrister on Jan 15, 2008 at 07:48 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 15, 2008 at 05:23 PM
So you think HD DVD will still be around when this exclusivity expires? Isn't it a little bit too optimistic?

;D No, I think it's already dead. By the time the deal expires, it will have been too late to recover. Too bad, I really wanted it to win. :-[
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 15, 2008 at 08:43 PM: They are now speculating that Toshiba-Universal-Paramount is trying to blackmail the whole HD market or buy-me-out strategy... :( :( :( Talk about desperation... :P :P :P

Greeson has been fairly close to the HD-DVD camp in the last year, and as recently as mid December was saying that the "next wave of consumers" would decide the format war in favor of HD-DVD. We're guessing maybe not so much anymore. Still, he has an interesting point here. With over 70% of the Hollywood studios now aligned against HD-DVD, there isn't anyone left in this industry who seriously thinks Toshiba can win the format war. You can almost certainly expect hardware and software sales to shift strongly in favor of Blu-ray over the course of 2008, particularly as Warner begins to release Blu-ray exclusive titles in June. What Toshiba CAN still do, however, is delay the inevitable Blu-ray victory by continuing to talk tough, and encouraging Universal and Paramount to keep releasing HD-DVD software in the meantime. In fact, Universal could be adopting a similar strategy. By digging in their heels in support of HD-DVD in the next few months, the studio may be hoping that the BDA will make them a lucrative offer to back down before yet another holiday season is squandered by the continued perception of a format war. If true, this would be a cagey - and risky - strategy on the part of both Toshiba and Universal. On the other hand, having bet so heavily on the wrong horse, what else do they have left to lose? It'll be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few months.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Battousai on Jan 15, 2008 at 11:18 PM: Quote from: bachwitz on Jan 15, 2008 at 01:57 PM
not sure what the impact will be, but I believe the jumpship is caused by warners announcement.

US porn studio and HD-DVD camp in divorce row

It's one blow after another for the Toshiba-lead HD-DVD consortium.
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2008/01/14/us-porn-studio-and-hd-dvd-camp-on-divorce-roll/

Man, that really sucks. ;D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM: Quote from: barrister on Jan 15, 2008 at 07:48 PM
;D No, I think it's already dead. By the time the deal expires, it will have been too late to recover. Too bad, I really wanted it to win. :-[

True eh...regret to see HD DVD will need to bow down soon.... :-\
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: frootloops on Jan 16, 2008 at 02:38 AM: Some feedback on the recently concluded Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9840585-1.html?tag=blog.5

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9841437-7.html?tag=blog.1

DVD rentals like Blockbusters, Netflix, etc are now renting Blu-rays. Player will be $99 and downward compatible to standard DVD. Coming soon!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:15 AM: Sound Advice: Blu-ray wins in format war, but at what cost?

In the past I have strongly recommended the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers. Surprising developments this month led Warner Bros. to drop support for the format, which likely will lead to a Blu-ray victory in the format war. I started receiving inside information about a week before it happened and will recount the story here.

Warner Bros. publishes on both HD DVD and Blu-ray and found the "format war" was not only slowing the adoption of high-definition discs, but also hurting their regular DVD sales -- clearly an untenable situation for them. They wanted to bring the format war to a quick close by picking a side.

If they chose HD DVD, studio support would be roughly equal but would likely go HD DVD's way eventually, as Warner is the biggest producer of high-definition discs. If they chose Blu-ray, studio support for Blu-ray would be lopsided and the war would end more quickly.

When rumors started flying publicly, I e-mailed Jim Noonan, a Warner Bros. vice president, who immediately replied that they had not decided to change their policy. A WB executive in New Zealand issued an even stronger public statement denying imminent changes.

Obviously, they had decided to change -- they just didn't know the direction. Given their long partnership, Warner gave Toshiba an opportunity to lure a Blu-ray studio to HD DVD, in which case they would go HD DVD exclusive and give HD DVD a clear studio advantage. A deal was nearly secured with Fox, which had been having trouble with Blu-ray disc production due to the lack of manufacturing infrastructure. At the 11th hour, Fox went to Sony with its concerns and received a reported $120 million payout to stay with Blu-ray.

With no studio joining them on the HD DVD side, Warner's hand was forced and it went with Blu-ray, receiving a reported $500 million for doing so.

Obviously I am saddened by the implications for my readers, the industry and consumers, but still believe I recommended the better, more solid format, which was much more affordable, as well.

I was at their booth at the Consumer Electronics Show and regretted I could not find a single stand-alone player worthy of recommendation -- and if HD DVD goes away, the cost of entry to high-definition movies will be doubled. It's sad for the consumer, really.

My mind and my heart were in agreement that HD DVD was the way to go. To not recommend HD DVD would not be true to my own convictions, and it would be unfair of me to not recognize Toshiba's accomplishment in bringing an affordable, fully developed product to market.

Many in the industry agreed with me, and no one in the media expected Warner to pull the plug so quickly when HD DVD stand-alones were selling so well this holiday season. As for my future course, I will recommend the Playstation 3 to people who want Blu-ray until fully specified Blu-ray Profile 2.0 players are available and their performance matches the PS3.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08012/848675-96.stm

REBUTTAL

First of all, this is a format war. So not surprisingly, the main rule at play thus far with these two camps has seemed to be: "All's fair in love and war." For all the talk about how Warner must surely only have bitten the blue pill due to huge payoffs from the BDA (something Warner's Ron Sanders and others have repeatedly denied, I might add), does anyone really think that the HD-DVD camp didn't offer an equally "green" red pill to Warner to go HD-DVD only? And apparently also to Fox, according to Lindich's original story?

Second, I'll again point out that the HD-DVD camp did the exact same thing with Paramount and DreamWorks last year, to the tune of $150 million. And we're now hearing that they MAY be trying to do it again, to keep the remaining HD-DVD studios loyal in the wake of Warner's decision. So this would seem to be a case of "what goes around comes around." As we noted last week, you may recall that, at the time, Paramount simply cancelled many Blu-ray titles that had already been solicited with retailers. Warner is not only still releasing the HD-DVD titles it's announced, but it's releasing more that haven't yet been announced. The bottom line is that HD-DVD enthusiasts have until 5/31 to enjoy titles from Warner on that format, and there are still MAJOR Warner titles on HD-DVD that have yet to be released on Blu-ray.

Finally, as to these rumors about Fox... does anyone REALLY believe Fox would have flipped to the HD-DVD camp after all their talk about how important Blu-ray's added BD+ copy protection was? As some of you might recall, Fox actually delayed releasing titles on Blu-ray for a period of many months last year in order to wait for BD+ to be finalized. And all this was happening while AACS decryption keys were being extracted from HD-DVD releases and posted online. Fox has been one of the most vocal supporters of Blu-ray. The idea that they would suddenly flip to HD-DVD exclusivity, when software of their preferred format is not only more protected in their eyes but has also been outselling HD-DVD for over a year now, is completely absurd. That would be like a marathon runner with a significant lead at mile twenty-four suddenly deciding to sit down for a coffee break before finishing the race. The belief that Fox was about to go HD-DVD only may simply have been a case of wishful thinking, but wishing does not make it so.

As it happens, I've actually spoken about this today with Fox's senior VP of corporate and marketing communications, Steve Feldstein, who echoed something Warner's Ron Sanders has also said in recent days: "The kind of money they're talking about [in these stories] isn't worth jeopardizing a multi-billion dollar business." In other words, payoffs would not have impacted Fox and Warner's decisions. Feldstein also told me that when The Pittsburgh Post Gazette piece broke, he contacted Lindich immediately to let him know that he was being misled by someone. When Don posted the same piece on his own blog, it was edited to reflect this. Specifically, the references to $120 million and $500 million payoffs were gone - something that's worthy of note.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:29 AM: The DOWN FALL OF HD DVD from YouTube...hillarious ;D ;D ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: pchin on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:46 AM: Gosh....what an insult to HD DVD! >:(

I think it's not real, they just insert the sub-titles into the scenes but great acting anyway. :)

The part where only those who own a dedicated HD DVD player will stay...funny talaga! :D
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 16, 2008 at 01:30 PM: A slapped on Warner and New Line's Face:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-More-Hi-Def-Decisions/8765 (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-More-Hi-Def-Decisions/8765)

BBC to continue to support HD DVD because they have sold more copies of planet earth in HD DVD than Blu ray.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 16, 2008 at 02:46 PM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 16, 2008 at 01:30 PM
A slapped on Warner and New Line's Face:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-More-Hi-Def-Decisions/8765 (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-More-Hi-Def-Decisions/8765)

BBC to continue to support HD DVD because they have sold more copies of planet earth in HD DVD than Blu ray.

why is it a slap? BBC is still supporting both formats? It just so happen that they have sold more planet earth on HD-DVD.

"The reason given for the steady support of both HD DVD and Blu-ray is because they have sold more copies of Planet Earth on HD-DVD, and because they already have 4 different high-definition titles planned for 2008, spec'ed out for both Blu-ray and HD DVD. "
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:13 PM: Quote from: bachwitz on Jan 16, 2008 at 02:46 PM
why is it a slap? BBC is still supporting both formats? It just so happen that they have sold more planet earth on HD-DVD.

"The reason given for the steady support of both HD DVD and Blu-ray is because they have sold more copies of Planet Earth on HD-DVD, and because they already have 4 different high-definition titles planned for 2008, spec'ed out for both Blu-ray and HD DVD. "

It is because despite Warner and New Line's shift to blu ray, BBC on the other hand did'nt drop support for HD DVD. Since all company are own by Time Warner, the decision that BBC made clearly made it a slap in the face on both Warner and New Line.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:20 PM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:13 PM
It is because despite Warner and New Line's shift to blu ray, BBC on the other hand did'nt drop support for HD DVD. Since all company are own by Time Warner, the decision that BBC made clearly made it a slap in the face on both Warner and New Line.

BBC is also own by Time Warner? This I didnt know. ???
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Clondalkin on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:28 PM: I thought the BBC is UK's state channel, much like NHK in Japan?
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:30 PM: Quote from: bachwitz on Jan 16, 2008 at 03:20 PM
BBC is also own by Time Warner? This I didnt know. ???

My apology, BBC is being distributed by Warner here in the US.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Battousai on Jan 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM: Quote from: Mouldingo on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:29 AM
The DOWN FALL OF HD DVD from YouTube...hillarious ;D ;D ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ

Hehehe. I remember they did an Xbox Live subtitle with this video, too.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: 1ringwd4s on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:11 AM: I think retailers all over the world will be one of the reasons HD-DVD will die. They will think twice to sell HD-DVDs if they knew that sooner or later it will be phased out.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: JAZZ on Jan 17, 2008 at 01:03 PM: Quote from: Battousai on Jan 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Hehehe. I remember they did an Xbox Live subtitle with this video, too.

Yeah, this is already an old video previously used to show Hitler getting banned in Xbox Live.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: DaSilva on Jan 17, 2008 at 06:32 PM: that film with hitler is "downfall" by oliver hirschbiegel
imdb link here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363163/
highly recommended!

btw, it's supposed to be available in hd-dvd, how's that for irony!
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 19, 2008 at 12:23 PM: Don't Say Goodbye To HD DVD, Yet

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/17/don_t_say_goodbye_to_hd_dvd_yet/ (http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/17/don_t_say_goodbye_to_hd_dvd_yet/)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 22, 2008 at 07:41 AM: Thousands Sign "Save HD DVD" Petition

UPDATE: (Jan 21, 6:00pm ET) Several readers have written in to point out that HD DVD fans aren't the only ones to have set up online petitions in the wake of Warner's announcement. Several other petitions have been set up by early adopters urging Paramount, Universal and Toshiba to drop their HD DVD support, back Blu-ray and bring the high-def format war to a swift end.

Over six thousand HD DVD supporters have signed an online petition urging Warner Home Entertainment to reconsider its decision to abandon the HD DVD format.

First posted on January 5th, the petition takes issue with Warner's earlier press statements that the "consumer has clearly chosen Blu-ray," pointing to the HD DVD format's lower hardware prices and "better technological capabilities" as more consumer-friendly than its high-def rival.

Supporters hope that the petition will convince Warner to reverse its decision, and that it will help prove to HD DVD-backing studios Universal and Paramount that the format still has supporters.
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 22, 2008 at 07:43 AM: Retailers Make More Room For Blu-ray

According to a new Video Business report, some retail chains have begun adjusting their high-def shelf space to make more room for Blu-ray discs (and less for HD DVD).

The industry trade says that Trans World Entertainment, Newbury Comics, Video Buyers Group members and Hastings Entertainment are among the retailers beginning to emphasize Blu-ray in the wake of Warner's announcement that it would abandon its support of the HD DVD format as of this coming June.

Trans World, which operates over 800 stores under several brand names (including FYE, Suncoast, Coconouts and Wherehouse), says that though it will continue to order key new releases on HD DVD, it will begin dedicating more shelf space to Blu-ray, both for new releases and catalog titles.

"As retailers, we need to simplify things for the consumers as much as we can with merchandising one format," said Trans World VP Mark Higgins. "We don’t want to be biased, but it is clearly the direction that high-def production looks to be going."

Other retailers (including Best Buy, Amazon.com, DVDEmpire.com) said they had no current plans to adjust their merchandise mix.

"Obviously, Warner’s announcement has made us a little more cautious about how many HD DVDs we bring in," DVDEmpire's Shannon Nutt told Video Business. "But that’s not going to stop us from stocking strong on what we feel will be solid HD DVD releases, like the upcoming Bee Movie. Although it looks like the writing may be on the wall, DVDEmpire will continue to push both formats equally until our customers show there is no longer any demand for one format or the other."

source
(http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/High-Def_Retailing/Retailers_Make_More_Room_For_Blu-ray/1388)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 22, 2008 at 07:57 AM: New evidence that Paramount is going Blu?

In what could just as easily be an honest mistake but is causing lots of discussion among Blu-ray fans -- Amazon.co.uk has three Paramount titles available for pre-order. All three titles have a expected ship date of March 10th and all those hopeful for a single format to get behind, want to believe this is another slip by our friends at Amazon that would confirm the rumor that Paramount is using its exit clause to go Blu. We're sure if we asked Paramount it'd be denied 'til the cows come home, but even though these titles were previously available on Blu-ray, we'd still put our money on this being just like the third generation HD DVD player situation.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/21/new-evidence-that-paramount-is-going-blu/
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: SirLaw11 on Jan 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM: Interview: Universal EVP Ken Graffeo says HD DVD is here to stay

http://www.betanews.com/article/Interview_Universal_EVP_Ken_Graffeo_says_HD_DVD_is_here_to_stay/1200951636 (http://www.betanews.com/article/Interview_Universal_EVP_Ken_Graffeo_says_HD_DVD_is_here_to_stay/1200951636)
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: darkwing on Jan 22, 2008 at 09:44 PM: Quote from: SirLaw11 on Jan 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Interview: Universal EVP Ken Graffeo says HD DVD is here to stay

http://www.betanews.com/article/Interview_Universal_EVP_Ken_Graffeo_says_HD_DVD_is_here_to_stay/1200951636 (http://www.betanews.com/article/Interview_Universal_EVP_Ken_Graffeo_says_HD_DVD_is_here_to_stay/1200951636)

hehehe what can you expect from poor Ken? He is vice chairman of the HD-DVD promotions group, if he is saying its not, its basically saying his group is dead lols
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 23, 2008 at 02:07 PM: Dunno how true since this is from the BD website. But if it is, seems this news is the reason for HD-DVD price cut.

Blu-ray Hardware Sales Pick Up After Warner Announcement

A new NPD Group report shows that stand-alone Blu-ray player sales benefited greatly from the recent announcement that Warner would be going Blu-ray exclusive. The first week of January, before Warner made their announcement, there was a nearly 50-50 split between Blu-ray and HD DVD standalone players. The following week, after the announcement, Blu-ray players grabbed 93% of the market.

On the whole, December sales data showed that Blu-ray players held 60% of the standalone market, despite much cheaper players from the HD DVD camp. Looking at only the first two weeks of January, Blu-ray already has a nearly 70% market share which is sure to increase as the month continues and consumers continue to chose Blu-ray over its rival format.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=883
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: Mouldingo on Jan 26, 2008 at 05:08 PM: MY TWO CENTS - 1/25/08 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt

FYI, this post is all format war, so if you don't care about such things, you've been warned :-X :-X :-X

The Nielsen VideoScan software sales numbers for the week ending 1/20 are now in. This would be the second full week of data after the Warner announcement. Here's what it looks like...

(http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6601/nvshddata0120081c0036av7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

As you can see, Blu-ray Disc software retained much of its market share from the previous week, while HD-DVD software managed only a 3% rebound. Obviously, these numbers are largely affected by the number and quality of the titles released on each format from week to week, and it's fair to say that not much of significance was released in either format during the week ending 1/20, so these numbers almost entirely reflect continuing sales of the previous week's titles. Again, two weeks of sales under 20% doesn't necessarily represent a trend for HD-DVD. On the other hand, it certainly isn't good news for the format either. Especially if it's true that at least a portion of electronics retailers are planning to phase out their stock of HD-DVD players and discs in the weeks and months ahead.

The reality is, despite cautionary statements here and there, the home video and electronics industries are ready for this format war to be over. That's the overwhelming sense we're getting from our many industry contacts, and the outward signs of this sentiment are starting to appear everywhere. Just go to your favorite local electronics or video store and ask their employees which format they recommend, which is selling better and which they think will win. Visit Amazon.com, which has now started warning its customers about Warner's plans to drop HD-DVD with a notice on the order page for the studio's HD-DVD titles. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6247872_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000192241&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=product-alert&pf_rd_r=1675CYTQWVZCW1CF7QV1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=359805801&pf_rd_i=B000V7O0H6) Read the statements of various retail and studio representatives in mainstream media reports... not to mention the editorial opinions of those same mainstream media outlets.

Meanwhile, in the online enthusiast community, things have actually gotten so absurd in the last couple of weeks that there are now dueling petitions to alternately save or kill HD-DVD (complete with thousands of signatures real and fake, genuine and mocking), and one discussion forum recently hosted a thread in which its members were casting the actors who might star in a hypothetical Format War: The Movie (predictably, what started in good humor quickly became contentious and the thread was locked, like so many others before it).

Bottom line: Ending this format war now is the right thing to do for this industry and for consumers overall. It's time to stop all the bitterness and the hostility, both real world and virtual, and it's time to put this unnecessary and damaging dispute behind us.

It's just time.

And with that, we wish you all a lovely weekend, whichever side of this thing you may be on. Stay tuned...

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Title: Re: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive!
Post by: bachwitz on Jan 29, 2008 at 12:50 PM: Woolworths feeling Blu

In March, Woolworths will become the first U.K. retailer to offer exclusive in-store support for Blu-ray DVD, relegating sales of the HD DVD format to its Web site only, the company said Monday.

The 820-store chain -- one of the largest DVD retailers in the U.K., with about 10% of the 2.3 billion euro ($4.6 billion) local DVD sell-through business -- said it will drop HD DVDs from its stores, although they will still be available online. It said it made its decision after Sony's Blu-ray outsold Toshiba's HD DVD by 10-1 in its outlets over Christmas.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/international/news/e3ie3c4d9e8dbdfad6a15cb0d10f5b462de

In another note, I guess the main reason that WB chose BD is to end the war. If they opt to choose HDDVD IMO it will just be a stalemate and my prolonged the confusion of the consumers