Comments on: New Line, HBO Go Blu-Ray. Paramount, Universal Soon To Follow

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:33:19 +0000

I guess we all missed where Universal said it “will always back HD-DVD 100%”… because they never said it!

The press releases of “support” for the HD-DVD format from the 2 sole remaining studios was tepid at best. What they said was their “current” plan was to continue in HD-DVD. That’s a far cry from unwaivering support. I think the fact that, despite the issuance of this “supportive” statement, they did not release details of ANY new HD-DVD releases for 2008 speaks volumes. Blu-ray discs were already outselling HD-DVD coservatively 2:1, generously 4:1, even with the higher hardware costs. Now, that gap can only increase.

No, HD-DVD is not dead… yet. But with 70%+ of Hollywood films now exclusively coming out on Blu-ray, the writing is certainly on the wall. Agreed, Blu-ray rushed their players to market and have been playing catch up, but with much larger disc storage capacity, all the features of HD-DVD and then some (when 2.0 standard is released shortly) and the lion’s share of movies exclusive to Blu-ray, one would have to be a fan boy to not believe HD-DVD needs to die to settle this nonsense once and for all… and the sooner the better.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:52:29 +0000

Okay, honestly Paramount or Universal will not go Blu-Ray. They are called rumors people. Paramount and Universal have spent way to much money on just HD DVD. I guess everyone missed CES when Universal said that will always back HD DVD 100%. Yes I will say WB’s choice in going just Blu-Ray will hurt HD DVD no doubt about that. But, HD DVD will be around for another 2 to 3 years. Plus with the amazing deals on HD DVD players most consumers look at price, they do not know the difference or they do not care.

It is not fair to say that HD DVD is dead. Its been a week since WB’s announcement. Hardware moves software guys, so if the price cut in HD DVD players helps Toshiba a lot, WB may think about going back to supporting both. Plus there will be an increase in HD DVD sales with more units being bought.

There is still going to be a a format war for a long time. I hate to break the news. Most of the news you hear about HD DVD being dead is either from people that do not know the market or they are hardcore Sony supporters.

By: craig

craig — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:25:09 +0000

@fredo
yeah i do!

By: Fredo

Fredo — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:38:34 +0000

Craig, you are smoking crack my friend. There is no difference in picture between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD on a 1080p television. Different lasers, same technology. And interactive? WTF? That’s totally off the deep end. HD-DVD is way more interactive.

Trust me folks, the more I read about this, the more I’m convinced this is an anti-Microsoft decision. HD-DVD is the better technology.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:56:08 +0000

This may or may not be a surprise, seeing that Warner Brothers, New Line, and HBO all fall under Time Warner. It may have been a Time Warner corporate thing.

By: craig

craig — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:43:34 +0000

glad i made the right choice i now have 18 bluray titles! i always thought bluray would preside over hd-dvd as after checking out my mates hd dvd i thought it was alright but not as interactive as blu ray and(i think)hold more data on them. Also with ps3 slowly coming down in price people will be more inclined to purchase one and eventually take steps into purchasing bluray discs.

I LOVE THEM!!! MY WHOLE SETUP IS 1080.
TRUST ME DO IT!!
CRAIG

By: Fredo

Fredo — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:30:10 +0000

Man, so many comments and so much, eh, wrongness. First off, HD-DVD looks fantastic. So does Blu-Ray. HUGE upgrade from the 480 or less lines most folks are getting. If you can’t see this or deny this, you are blind.

My advice (even though Blue-Ray seems to have won out)?

Wait.

Blu-Ray players are expensive. They will go down. Blu-Ray players have the ability to decode audio to 7.1 or the “true HD” sound. Most Blu-Ray movies aren’t made this way yet (same with HD).

Last but not least, while both players will play and look fantastic on a HDTV with 1080i, a 1080p TV has a titch more detail and, if you get one, make sure it has a 24 fps rate, as that is what film has naturally. Most TVs don’t.

So, to recap. Wait for Blu-Ray to go down. Save $3K or 5K. Buy the player, 7.1 surround, a 1080p TV with 24 fps and you’ll be good to go. And all your pals who jumped the gun will have more expensive, crappier equipment. That’s what I’m going to do. I have an XBOX 360 HD-DVD player and I’m going to live with that for at least another year.

By: John

John — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:18:03 +0000

Hey James,

No, it’s more like the way “the Halo project will die” sort of thing. :P

What can I say? It only took them 20 years to prove me wrong. Even I can’t be right 100% of the time. ;)

By: James

James — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:09:18 +0000

@John – “Blu-Ray is coming to Universal soon…”

Is that the same way in which a 4th Indiana Jones film will never be made?

By: John

John — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:47:29 +0000

Hey Bob,

Notice how they’re only saying “we’re going to SUPPORT HD DVD”. It’s the exact same thing the Paramount guy said. Blu-Ray is coming to Universal soon… they’ll just keep the HD DVD’s around for a while too.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:43:37 +0000

“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 incorrect story from Variety broke.” -http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Universal_expected_to_deny_Bluray_rumors/1199974983

By: Jake Vermont

Jake Vermont — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:34:59 +0000

Does anybody know if the movies that has been releadsed on HD DVD will come out in the Blue Ray format?? I mean if HD DVD is dead they have to dont they?