Warner Bros to back Blu-ray DVD format exclusively

By Rob2687
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Grand Master

AlphaPrime

Posted
Posted
It's not a realistic indication of demand if you were basically forced to choose between the formats based on which studio released what film on which format, when the studios may have gone exclusive to one based solely on the cash they were offered. It skews the numbers.

Again and again. For every studio that has been neutral, their movies have sold more on Blu-ray. If every studio did release their movies on both formats, BR would still have the lead since it just has a larger marketshare of hardware, we'd be seeing the same ratios, not HD-DVD leading (Toshiba needed a trojan horse like Sony). The standalones and add-ons just weren't enough to combat the PS3. We would be in the same position. Stores wouldn't like it, consumers would get confused by it. You didn't respond to the rest of course, but one format is the best way to go.

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mstrstud22

Posted
Posted
The hardware is overpriced, most of the hardware doesn't support simple features like Picture in Picture and when films come out on both formats, the HD DVD version generally has more extra features (Harry Potter, 300 etc.). Plus, here begins another beginning into region coded films.

Remember, Sony p*ss people off easily and regularly. Let's see how long people can ride it out.

I am saddened than HD DVD is apparently losing but as long as the format war is over, I can start my venture into HD!

Dude, idk what you're talking about here. I just watched 3 blu ray movies today (home sick with the flu :p ) and they all have the features you apparently crave including PiP and the pop up menus. If anything Blu is better with more space, therefore more ability to provide features and high quality content

Grand Master

Boz

Posted
Posted

Sigh, yep.. it seems the number is 500 million for Warner. Insiders say that Warner wanted to go HD DVD if one more studio followed. When that studio didn't go for it, they've decided to try to end this war by going Blu-Ray and with the hefty number of green bills it was a no brainer.

http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2008...n-from-the-bda/

Grand Master

Boz

Posted
Posted
And you have the President of the company saying that no money was accepted. Perhaps the BDA offered free BD50s? :p

Dude don't be naive, please. It is obvious and confirmed by many many insiders from everywhere that money exchanged hands. Not that something is wrong with this.. I'd do the same thing if I was Warner. It just sucks for consumers.

Grand Master

kak

Posted
Posted
Dude don't be naive, please. It is obvious and confirmed by many many insiders from everywhere that money exchanged hands. Not that something is wrong with this.. I'd do the same thing if I was Warner. It just sucks for consumers.

I'm just going by what he said. It doesn't suck for consumers. I love it as I primarily support Blu-Ray. The whole 'final spec' argument only affects those who are obsessed with extras and those people haven't jumped over (in mass) yet [since this is still early adopter phase].

Grand Master

Boz

Posted
Posted
I'm just going by what he said. It doesn't suck for consumers. I love it as I primarily support Blu-Ray. The whole 'final spec' argument only affects those who are obsessed with extras and those people haven't jumped over (in mass) yet [since this is still early adopter phase].

No, it's not that.. it's the fact that I'm buying a feature limited product for more money. That's why.

It's like buying a car with no hi-fi system in there, no sattelite radio etc. And you are paying more for not having those. And if you want to see how this looks like, then you have to pay even more.

Please tell me you don't realize that's what Blu-Ray is at this point. We'll see, but I don't think we'll see $99 Blu-Ray players for YEARS to come. One way or the other.

When you go and buy things do you say hey even though I can get more for my money, I'll pay even more and get less because I might not need it. It's a very narrow way of looking at things that has no real touch with reality. I'm sure you don't do that in real life, but you are just supporting that attitude now because it suits your Blu-Ray support thing.

And I agree with many people that I've taked to now. High-def market is doomed now. There is not mass adoption at $300 prices and by the time they lower the prices to acceptible <$200 HD VOD and services like hi-def downloads will take over completely.

Warner made the worst possible move they could.

As consumers we've been screwed big time.

Mentor

NateB1

Posted
Posted
And I agree with many people that I've taked to now. High-def market is doomed now. There is not mass adoption at $300 prices and by the time they lower the prices to acceptible <$200 HD VOD and services like hi-def downloads will take over completely.

Warner made the worst possible move they could.

As consumers we've been screwed big time.

QFT x100

Grand Master

kak

Posted
Posted

C'mon now, you're just being silly. The only reason we saw a $99 HD-DVD player was due to Toshiba discontinuing the model and getting it out of the door for really cheap. But wait, I bought a car with a hi-fi system or something since it only outputs 1080i, it fails to read some combo discs correctly, ridiculous start-up time and load times, etc.

How soon you forget about the software sales advantage that BR held over HD-DVD as well. I'm sure that HD media is completely doomed :p Also, $300 isn't a bad entry point considering how much DVD players cost in the beginning AND considering it is HD material. Hell, it'll look great sitting next to the $100-$200 HDMI cables on the rack that most consumers think are the only prices for them. Not to mention the product name is mostly SONY and the general public associates the SONY brand with top notch electronics [which in some areas may be true, others not.. but thats not what is up for debate here].

It was exciting while it lasted. I'm going to keep my A2 and play my HD-DVDs on it since they all of a sudden won't stop playing when Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks go neutral. Hell, I'll probably go buy a faster loading player once the prices fall :)

Grand Master

Boz

Posted
Posted

I can't argue when you are saying that $99 players that offer full functionality are bad. How can you argue that. You had a few problems with discs. I'm sure that all Blu-Ray movies played fine. Mayve you should ask those people who paid a $1000 for players that couldn't player movies. Those hiccups are present on both sides. For you to just point in HD DVD direction is what's silly.

If some people see $300+ players for the same thing as something we were getting for $99 several times and it was going that way this year and you are ok with that I can't really argue that.

God willing we will see the consequence of this, but I know that I won't be paying any money for more Blu-Ray players until they are in <$200 for full Profile 2.0 I like my players to have all features I can get, not something that will do basic function. I'm sorry but I like technology.

I don't see mass public buying $300+ players either. As I said, we've been screwed and now we are going to be paying through the nose for something that we didn't have to pay.

I won't argue anymore. We'll see what happens in the future.

Grand Master

AlphaPrime

Posted
Posted

Michael Bay:

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! ;)

Bay

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=842

Contributor

Eros

Posted
Posted

well now only Microsoft can save HD DVD, in they want. Since Microsoft spending Billions in XBOX, all they have to do is, buy one XBOX & get that HD DVD add-on for free, early XBOX360 owners will get that player as well for free and ppls who owns HD DVD addon will get 5 additional movie for free. So think about this, there will be 20 millions XBOX360 HD DVD owners and movie studios will have no options but to jump on to those 20 millions market. I think Microsoft can afford this ;)

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