Author Topic: BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive! (Read 24871 times)

rexdc · « **Reply #120 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

darkwing · « **Reply #121 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

Marl☆1 · « **Reply #122 on:** Jan 08, 2008 at 04:41 PM »

Tsk tsk tsk... not good. Not good at all. $:-\$

oReOsHaKe · « **Reply #123 on:** Jan 08, 2008 at 04:55 PM »

Mukhang na foresee ng Universal and Paramount na Warner will go Blu-ray Exclusive..

john5479 · « **Reply #124 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!

darkwing · « **Reply #125 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

Mouldingo · « **Reply #126 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

darkwing · « **Reply #127 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 @_@

aiebo · « **Reply #128 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?

SirLaw11 · « **Reply #129 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/

aiebo · « **Reply #130 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?

darkwing · « **Reply #131 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."

aiebo · « **Reply #132 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

Mouldingo · « **Reply #133 on:** Jan 09, 2008 at 07:22 AM »

Transformers Blu ray anyone?

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

Mouldingo · « **Reply #134 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 :'( :'( :'(

pchin · « **Reply #135 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

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."

Mouldingo · « **Reply #136 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.

juneaki · « **Reply #137 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

Mouldingo · « **Reply #138 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...

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...

pchin · « **Reply #139 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.

oReOsHaKe · « **Reply #140 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...

pchin · « **Reply #141 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.

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #142 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=

pchin · « **Reply #143 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.

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. $:-\$

barrister · « **Reply #144 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.

darkwing · « **Reply #145 on:** Jan 09, 2008 at 12:45 PM »

who knows CES is not yet over ^_^

krazy · « **Reply #146 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:

Looks pretty lonely at the red camp

SirLaw11 · « **Reply #147 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

antikryst · « **Reply #148 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.

NeilNo · « **Reply #149 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