R.I.P. HD DVD
04 January 2008, 11:19 PM
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R.I.P. HD DVD
Warner Bros. Goes Blu-ray Exclusive
From the press release:
Originally Posted by Warner Bros
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.
04 January 2008, 11:29 PM
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Combo players on the market now anyway, but unless someone makes a decent film this year they'll both fail. If last year was anything to go by, my DVD purchases dried to almost nothing, and most of those were re-releases.
04 January 2008, 11:47 PM
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I always thought that the specific 'xxx-industry' is the key decision maker for the future of one of these High Definition formats. Remember, this specific industry is only supported by HD-DVD (Blu-Ray is strictly against xxx movies). Reason enough for me to pick HD-DVD. 
I don't think this game is over yet for any format.
I don't think this game is over yet for any format.
04 January 2008, 11:54 PM
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Swiss is right, Sony have banned the XXX industry from BD, and those movies bring in much more cash than Hollywood. Another factor could be the Bollywood market which eclipses the rest of the world for sales. SD DVD is still holding its own too, with most ordinary people enjoying the cut-price discs whilst the marketing men try to promote the relatively unpopular new formats.
05 January 2008, 12:54 AM
#7
Lemmie think, the consumers still are naive and think a hdtv is great, they don't know they need an hd source, movie watchers havent a clue what blu-ray is, hmm maybe sony chucked a few quid their way to pursuade them.
The shortsightedness is blu-ray standalones are expensive and baseing it on a ps3 clientbase who probably only 10% want movies is a mistake.
At the end of the day all this bollox is based on money, doesnt matter if a product is good or bad if it's backed by the money men it will be the next thing.
The shortsightedness is blu-ray standalones are expensive and baseing it on a ps3 clientbase who probably only 10% want movies is a mistake.
At the end of the day all this bollox is based on money, doesnt matter if a product is good or bad if it's backed by the money men it will be the next thing.
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05 January 2008, 12:57 AM
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I'll never ever buy a DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-Ray film. I'll always download it... like many others. Baffles me those who buy DVD's. I mean how many films do you watch over and over? For me..Top Gun, Airplane, Naked Gun, Blazing Saddles. Of those I think only Top Gun may benefit from HD and that's just the volleyball scene x
05 January 2008, 12:43 PM
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Lemmie think, the consumers still are naive and think a hdtv is great, they don't know they need an hd source, movie watchers havent a clue what blu-ray is, hmm maybe sony chucked a few quid their way to pursuade them.
The shortsightedness is blu-ray standalones are expensive and baseing it on a ps3 clientbase who probably only 10% want movies is a mistake.
At the end of the day all this bollox is based on money, doesnt matter if a product is good or bad if it's backed by the money men it will be the next thing.
The shortsightedness is blu-ray standalones are expensive and baseing it on a ps3 clientbase who probably only 10% want movies is a mistake.
At the end of the day all this bollox is based on money, doesnt matter if a product is good or bad if it's backed by the money men it will be the next thing.
Sorry but guess again. 'Gamers' are the single biggest consuming demographic of both movies and music.
05 January 2008, 01:01 PM
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Not strictly true, the available replicating plants are/were the issue. The sony owned ones wouldn't produce adult, the ones working for Disney weren't allowed by Disney to produce adult material if they wanted to continue working with Disney.
As production facilities become available for use, studios are using them.
I think Vivid already have and Digital Playground have a release in Jan.
Digital Playground to Release First Blu-ray Title | High-Def Digest
Adult industry jumps into bed with Blu-ray
As production facilities become available for use, studios are using them.
I think Vivid already have and Digital Playground have a release in Jan.
Digital Playground to Release First Blu-ray Title | High-Def Digest
Adult industry jumps into bed with Blu-ray
05 January 2008, 04:43 PM
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Its a shame as HDDVD is much more consumer friendly than Blu-ray. I guess the consumer loses again and it allows the studios to make even more money.
05 January 2008, 08:50 PM
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DailyTech - HD DVD Group Cancels CES Press Conference, 1:1 Meetings
Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, the HD DVD Promotional Group has decided to cancel 1:1 press meetings at CES, in addition to the press conference that was scheduled for Sunday evening. 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.
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.
05 January 2008, 11:37 PM
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06 January 2008, 12:41 AM
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06 January 2008, 09:41 AM
#15
Also known as daz
Or better idea, ask how many in this thread own ps3's.
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
I had hd-dvd and seen br and tbh there's little in it if anything hd-dvd looked sharper, but i sold it as there's very little in a standard dvd when your screen is 32" you're looking at least 42" and above before you notice any real difference.
R.I.P blu ray.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
I had hd-dvd and seen br and tbh there's little in it if anything hd-dvd looked sharper, but i sold it as there's very little in a standard dvd when your screen is 32" you're looking at least 42" and above before you notice any real difference.
R.I.P blu ray.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
Last edited by hux309; 06 January 2008 at 09:48 AM.
06 January 2008, 12:38 PM
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06 January 2008, 02:00 PM
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Or better idea, ask how many in this thread own ps3's.
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
I had hd-dvd and seen br and tbh there's little in it if anything hd-dvd looked sharper, but i sold it as there's very little in a standard dvd when your screen is 32" you're looking at least 42" and above before you notice any real difference.
R.I.P blu ray.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
I had hd-dvd and seen br and tbh there's little in it if anything hd-dvd looked sharper, but i sold it as there's very little in a standard dvd when your screen is 32" you're looking at least 42" and above before you notice any real difference.
R.I.P blu ray.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
Simple pie charts for you fella
Pie Charts Show True Impact of Warner Bros. Move to Blu-ray | ripten
Roll on Xbox 720
06 January 2008, 04:27 PM
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So how long did Microsofts cheque buy exclusivity from Paramount?
Despite having both my feet in the blu-ray camp, I didnt see any reason why the 2 formats couldn't co-exist when basically there's little to choose to between them when the physical difference between the two is minimal.
My guessing is that Warner realise that lots of people are holding off from buying either format until a winner is obvious, by going with BR they may persuade those sitting on the fence that there is a winner and triggering a sales boost - if they'd gone HD DVD exclusive they'd still be in the minority and cause further confusion.
Now then WB, pull your finger out and finish the Matrix boxset will you please?
Despite having both my feet in the blu-ray camp, I didnt see any reason why the 2 formats couldn't co-exist when basically there's little to choose to between them when the physical difference between the two is minimal.
My guessing is that Warner realise that lots of people are holding off from buying either format until a winner is obvious, by going with BR they may persuade those sitting on the fence that there is a winner and triggering a sales boost - if they'd gone HD DVD exclusive they'd still be in the minority and cause further confusion.
Now then WB, pull your finger out and finish the Matrix boxset will you please?
06 January 2008, 08:14 PM
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Or better idea, ask how many in this thread own ps3's.
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
The've always knocked hd-dvd as br was their only moot point against the 360, that's until the xbox ultimate comes along.
HD DVD touts sales growth over Blu-ray's decline - Engadget
Ultimate is machine the 360 should have been from day 1
06 January 2008, 08:49 PM
#20
Also known as daz
Too true, i was going to plump for a ps3 but did a fair bit of reading and at the time the 360 was a far better choice.
But anyway i have no need for hd-dvd or br atm as im sure a lot are finding dvd plenty good enough especially when upscaled.
But anyway i have no need for hd-dvd or br atm as im sure a lot are finding dvd plenty good enough especially when upscaled.
06 January 2008, 11:19 PM
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to be honest, i was planning on getting a hd player when the format war was over, but i`m now more intrested in just downloading the content when needed, fwiw i cant actualy see the difference unless i have my contact lenses in anyway, so normal dvd`s will do me fine until i build up the bottle to get my eyes laserd to death
until i build up the bottle to get my eyes laserd to death
07 January 2008, 01:01 AM
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The difference isnt that great Mick. I watched (a clip of) Casino Royale on an HD demo the other day and it didnt look noticably better than it did up-scaled on my cheap Toshiba DVD player and 40" Sony.
07 January 2008, 10:26 AM
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The difference between the BR version and an upscaled DVD on the PS3 is huge.
Anyone mentioned that Warner's decision also includes sister company New Line? no LOTR for the HD DVD owners now then either, and you wont be able to finish off your Harry Potter collection either. (without going BR that is)
Anyone mentioned that Warner's decision also includes sister company New Line? no LOTR for the HD DVD owners now then either, and you wont be able to finish off your Harry Potter collection either. (without going BR that is)
07 January 2008, 02:33 PM
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Took the plunge with a Tosh HDDVD in Dec, with 7 free films was a steal So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.
Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
07 January 2008, 02:48 PM
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Took the plunge with a Tosh HDDVD in Dec, with 7 free films was a steal So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.
Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
Well there are 7 Million PS3s out there with BluRay - which is quite a big number when comparing it to stand alone players.
The writing is pretty much on the wall for HD DVD - Most of the big studios are now BluRay Exclusive, the rest (bar Paramount obviously) are doing both for now.
07 January 2008, 02:56 PM
#28
Took the plunge with a Tosh HDDVD in Dec, with 7 free films was a steal So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.
Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
So far so good, and looking on AV Forums dedicated players (not consoles) has several HDDVD players in the top ten of most US electronic sites with no BD in there.Demand will be the ultimate winning factor IMHO so we'll have to see how it goes!
Come on HD-DVD!!
To be honest, my reason for going with HD-DVD over Blueray was the name.
At least HD-DVD is at least an indication that its HD, rather than something that sounds like some marine life. And I think thats important to general public.
07 January 2008, 03:28 PM
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too late...
Maybe the reason they're giving away 7 films with them is that there isn't any other reason to buy one and they're getting rid of their HD DVD stock so they can get more BR discs in!!
Sorry mate, not trying to belittle your purchase as I'm sure you'll enjoy it greatly, but HD DVD is really up against it following Warner's decision.
Rumours of BR being incorporated into Mac Pro's next week at Apple's WWDC.
Maybe the reason they're giving away 7 films with them is that there isn't any other reason to buy one and they're getting rid of their HD DVD stock so they can get more BR discs in!!
Sorry mate, not trying to belittle your purchase as I'm sure you'll enjoy it greatly, but HD DVD is really up against it following Warner's decision.
Rumours of BR being incorporated into Mac Pro's next week at Apple's WWDC.