This announcement was such a blow, even HD-DVD's PR group couldn't figure out a way to spin it.
So they cancelled the HD-DVD event at CES instead.
:laugh:
So they cancelled the HD-DVD event at CES instead.
:laugh:
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Warner Bros goes Blu-Ray exclusive
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:roll:
It's the final blow. I have two HD-DVD players and a couple dozen HD-DVD movies, and I sure as hell know there isn't a way to come back from this. WB is the most prolific studio in terms of high-definition releases and sales, and is one of the most prolific movies studios in the industry.
Paramount (which includes Dreamworks) is still busy counting their $150 million payout; I'm sure once the 18 months are up, they'll be done counting and ready to release some Blu-Ray titles.
Universal has no such exclusivity agreement and will likely go neutral. No big deal if they don't, however, since they can't touch any of Spielberg's movies anyway.
Regardless, HD-DVD exclusive studios will be busy bench-warming until the format bows out.
HeroOfPellinor
Lifer
Well, I do also find it laughable that Toshiba was caught with their pants down. Their response was, "It surprised us too."
Secondarily, having guessed right on the Hi Def war by making the dumb choice is nothing to brag about.
HeroOfPellinor
Lifer
Given that hi Def is still like, what, 2% of the market, I don't think they'll be crying in their beers.
If anything, they may accelerate plans for the next format which will hopefully be a bigger leap than either HD-DVD or Blu Ray. Like I've said all along, the difference in quality for movies is noticeable but doesn't change the experience. I've been far more moved by sports in Hi Def and I get those from Satellite. Would be hillarious if the next Hi Def format was released before Blu Ray had a chance to get a foot hold. I'm sure direct competitors like Microsoft aren't going to be enthusiastic about putting Blu Ray players in the Xbox 4.
imported_Imp
Diamond Member
I thought HD DVD had some exclusives too... man I've missed something if this is the supposed "nail" in the coffin for Toshiba.
Oh well, at least now I don't have to worry about my PS3 having no movies to play.
Oh well, at least now I don't have to worry about my PS3 having no movies to play.
DVD was 2% of the home movie market at one point in time.
There is no "next" format on the horizon. Maybe in 5 years one will appear.
Except a majority of studios and a majority of hardware manufacturers are now unified in their support for Blu-Ray, and have no interest in supporting a competing format.
cliftonite
Diamond Member
Blu-Ray studios will now have 70% of all releases....
HeroOfPellinor
Lifer
DVD offered major advances over VHS namely better image quality and also instant advancement to any part of the movie and data storage and interactivity. Blu Ray offer only increased picture and audio quality......that's not much incentive to purchase a $300 player and start replacing your DVD collection.
Well for the next year or two HD-DVD and Blu Ray will still be niches.
Who cares what thre studios are doing. The money is still in SD until consumers switch over and they aren't going to switch over at $300 a machine.
HeroOfPellinor
Lifer
Yeah, but a handful of blockbusters comprised half of all HD movies sold.....Transformers, 300, Spiderman, Pirates. It's quality right now and not quantity that moves titles.
HeroOfPellinor
Lifer
I have a Sony receiver and headphones and love them. I, personally like Sony. Some of their products are the best in their price ranges and when in doubt, choosing Sony gives you better odds of ending up with something decent than any other brand.
That said, as far as Hi Def format, it was clear that HD-DVD was superior other than the studios that refused to support it for some reason ($$$$$$$$). Just because you guys bought a PS3 and were praying Blu Ray wouldn't die so you could justify your purchase of an overpriced console with lackluster games doesn't mean you sat down and did the reasoning and chose a format based on that.....you're fanboys......who got lucky.
Toshiba can successfully fight this. They can straight buy off Disney. The HD-DVD movies this year will beat Blu Ray titles including Warner, so they can survivie another year at 60:40 if all the studios stay exclusive......and they have no reason not to given what a niche Hi Def and what low volumes and profits there are in that market right now. Who knows. But if they don't throw in the towel and start bringing out the marquis catalog titles, it might not be over.
Either way, I moved to HD-DVD because my DVD players tray got broken by my daughters and I needed a new player and I picked up an HD-A2 + 12 movies for $160. But a 6x increase in PQ wasn't going to get me to buy a player otherwise. It's nice, but it doesn't lend anything to a movie experience. I'll be perfectly content to buy any movies I like in SD or HD-DVD, but I get my real Hi Def fix from watching HD channels on Satellite.
DaveSimmons
Elite Member
Paramount might realize they're on the losing side, cut back HD-DVD releases to top sellers like transofrmers, and pocket the $150 million as profit for sitting out the war until the 18 month exlcusive clock runs out.
Given the low sales in both formats, that could make them more money than releasing any HD-DVDs beyond ones already in the production pipeline or that are requred as part of the $150m deal.
Meanwhile WB, Disney, Sony, etc. build up the market to the point where it's profitable for Paramount to go back to blu-ray after the 18 months expire.
If the Paramount execs thought that far ahead, hats off to those evil geniuses 🙂
Given the low sales in both formats, that could make them more money than releasing any HD-DVDs beyond ones already in the production pipeline or that are requred as part of the $150m deal.
Meanwhile WB, Disney, Sony, etc. build up the market to the point where it's profitable for Paramount to go back to blu-ray after the 18 months expire.
If the Paramount execs thought that far ahead, hats off to those evil geniuses 🙂
Fingolfin269
Lifer
To be fair, I don't think Blu or HD-DVD are going to be comparable to VHS/Beta. I don't think either will have the legs of VHS. Hell VHS is still in damn video stores with almost as many copies as quantities of DVDs.
ProfJohn
Lifer
I?ll never understand the ?consumers made the choice? type arguments.
With all the studio exclusive deals the consumers never really had a choice to make. When movies like Spiderman or POTC or Transformers come out in only one format if you own that format you buy the movie, but if you don?t own that format then you?re out of luck.
However, if ALL the studios were format neutral then the consumer would really be able to choose for themselves.
Finally, the format war has never been about extra storage space or special features, most consumers could care less about that. Given that both formats produce nearly the exact same thing on screen the only thing that really matters is the content, and since blu-ray has better content it will most likely win the format war.
With all the studio exclusive deals the consumers never really had a choice to make. When movies like Spiderman or POTC or Transformers come out in only one format if you own that format you buy the movie, but if you don?t own that format then you?re out of luck.
However, if ALL the studios were format neutral then the consumer would really be able to choose for themselves.
Finally, the format war has never been about extra storage space or special features, most consumers could care less about that. Given that both formats produce nearly the exact same thing on screen the only thing that really matters is the content, and since blu-ray has better content it will most likely win the format war.
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