Just discovered this. This could be a nuclear bomb if true. Any verification?
http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2006/03/lg_dual_format_.html

Unless Disney has a surprise in store at CES this isn't true.

This article is from March 2006 almost a year ago. No Disney has not changed their stance. They are still Blu-ray exclusive.

thanks zzapp64, I wasn't sure since I didn't find a date on the article. It looks like the LG part came true though.

More recently:

http://news.com.com/New+disc+may+sway+DVD+wars/2100-1041_3-6147053.html

In recent interviews, executives at Fox and Disney were unequivocal in their support for Blu-ray. They said they believed that releasing DVDs in both formats would only prolong confusion and the emergence of a winning format. "I think the fastest way to end the format war is through decisiveness and strength," said Bob Chapek, the president of Buena Vista Worldwide Entertainment, the home video arm of Walt Disney.

thanks zzapp64, I wasn't sure since I didn't find a date on the article. It looks like the LG part came true though.

Which is why you can discount Chapek's comments. Companies don't offer promises. Bob Iger the CEO of Disney opined that he thought they'd end up supporting both formats.

Warners Total HD disc could make supporting both formats trivial. Chapek has the wrong idea. Studio exclusivity simply hurts your consumers.

We now can presume that LG is going to deliver a Universal player and Warner has the process for Universal discs. There is no real reason for studio exclusivity.

We now can presume that LG is going to deliver a Universal player and Warner has the process for Universal discs. There is no real reason for studio exclusivity.

It's the opposite. The dual-format player announcement essentially means there's less reason to consider ending exclusivity.

nyet

Dual Format players but studios in a quandry. Do they stay the course and potentially miss out on revenue or do they support both formats and perhaps take a closer look at what Warner has cooking with Total HD.

The sublime efficacy of a single SKU for both formats is hard to pass up if it's affordable.

nyet

Dual Format players but studios in a quandry. Do they stay the course and potentially miss out on revenue....

H, dual format players *expand* the user base that can play movies put out on a studios chosen format. If every player was dual-format... the studios could just pick a single format and go with it, see what I'm saying? The more dual-format players there are, the less pressure studios face to consider release on the 'other' format, and the greater the chances that both formats may stick around indefinitely, and that neither format will lose.


or do they support both formats and perhaps take a closer look at what Warner has cooking with Total HD.

The sublime efficacy of a single SKU for both formats is hard to pass up if it's affordable.

Sublime efficacy? That Total HD idea of Warners is an utter bomb, and no way it catches on. How many people are fans of these HD DVD/SD DVD releases that have been in play thus far? Now think that, only more expensive. What in the world is the point of it? Royalties for Warner; nothing more, nothing less.

Universal players will indeep expand the market but that will be a little of cannibalization and net new customers. You will still have the high volume product in dedicated players for each format. Studios will indeed have the chance to maintain status quo but let's be honest, few people feel Blu-ray is cheaper than HD DVD to produce so it's a bit foolhardy to assume that studios won't look at other options.

I'm not going to denigrate Warner for coming up with a solution that helps studios and retailers manage their product more effectively. That's how progress manifests itself. Problems must be met with solutions. The only and I repeat ONLY negative thing people are bringing up is cost. I'm not assuming that this format need cost more than your typical Fox Blu-ray disc or Combo disc which is $27.95.

Sublime efficacy...I made that up..I've never seen it paired before. Don't you try and trademark it. I'll lawyer up :)

Ah, but Chapek also promised Iger that BD would be winning in sales for the christmas season.

Bob is going to do what's best for DISNEY. He believes that a format war is bad, and Chapek agrees. Chapek feels that you support one and hope it wins. Bob is begining to think there is room for BOTH without a winner. Neutrality across the board would end up with increased sales.

Disney may very well be a Jones in this case. They make the switch to neutrality claiming it's for the consumer (and it is). They make a big PR "We love the consumer," campaign about it, and the other Studios will follow suit.

Bob's right. The format war is bad. However LP & Cassettes lived side by side for a long time.

Such is life with digital data. We used to debate the merit or lacktherof of totally dissimilar analog technologies. With Digital Data it's just a stream of number thus we consumers end up looking a bit foolish because we are debate the plastic carrier the discs com on and the aluminum hte one and zeroes are stamped on.

Frankly studio neutrality is the best way now that we know both formats can co-exist. The next battle is how to manage two different platforms in a cost effective way. Warner has an idea on that but we'll see if it cuts muster.

LP & Cassettes lived side by side for a long time.

Yep, so did VHS and DVD. Two formats can co-exist. IMO, studios being exclusive shows utter arrogance and disdain for consumers. Consumers aren't that stupid. They may not know technical details but the can tell quality and they know what they like. That's why Honda and Toyota battle it out. That's why Windows and Mac battle it out. That's why Hershey's and Nestle's battle it out. I trust consumers not to be so baffled by red and blue boxes. I trust they can figure out what they are getting. Exclusive studios are reprehensible in their utter cynicsm. Normally, a company tries to win market share by improving quality and pricing. The exclusive studios instead make their product unavailable to consumers in order to support a hidden agenda. This is so wrong.`

Warners Total HD disc could make supporting both formats trivial. Chapek has the wrong idea.If Disney wants the 50GB capability for their releases, then going with those Total HD discs pretty much kills that.

--Darin

Iger needs to fire Chapek and take everydime he ever took from Disney. Chapek is a moron!

Iger needs to fire Chapek and take everydime he ever took from Disney. Chapek is a moron!

Chapek is smart enough to recognize that a protracted format war will do more harm than good for hidef in general. What he didn't expect is the clever move made by Toshiba and MS in this war, and the disconcerting move by LG and Warner to go hybrid.

Best to review your hidef strategy again Mr. Chapek. :)

Chapek is smart enough to recognize that a protracted format war will do more harm than good for hidef in general.

But not smart enough to realize that at this point in the formats' cycle, this so-called war is now being perpetuated by the studios that are exclusive to one format. Hardware is now readily available in both formats. Software capabilities have now proven to provide a quality product for both formats. Only those studios that are not publishing on both formats are making it difficult for consumers and reducing profits for themselves.

If all studios were now publishing on both formats, there would be no real confusion in consumers' minds. They could buy whatever hardware suited their desires and budget and still be assured of being able to buy whatever movies they wanted in a good HD format.

With the annoucement of numbers (and HD DVD taking it big), any studio that isn't producing HD DVDs is either anti-consumer (against consumer interests) or else foolish. HD DVD isn't disappearing for years, it has the best and probably only shot of reaching 1 million stand alones by 2007.

With the annoucement of numbers (and HD DVD taking it big), any studio that isn't producing HD DVDs is either anti-consumer (against consumer interests) or else foolish. HD DVD isn't disappearing for years, it has the best and probably only shot of reaching 1 million stand alones by 2007.That's very convenient, isn't it? :) But I think studios are not discounting non-stand-alone players. Disc sales in 2007 (may be first two or three quarters) will indicate the real trend.

With the annoucement of numbers (and HD DVD taking it big), any studio that isn't producing HD DVDs is either anti-consumer (against consumer interests) or else foolish. HD DVD isn't disappearing for years, it has the best and probably only shot of reaching 1 million stand alones by 2007.

Not only is it anti-consumer, it might be anti-competitive as well. Anti-trust commission in EU is already asking difficult & probing questions about this format war.......

Disney may very well be a Jones in this case. They make the switch to neutrality claiming it's for the consumer (and it is). They make a big PR "We love the consumer," campaign about it, and the other Studios will follow suit.

Warner Bros actually has the lead on that thinking. Everything they have done they have publically said was for the consumer. Supporting both formats, and now the Total HD discs.

I still believe neutrality will end this war faster than exclusivity. Let the consumer decide. If HD DVD players are selling better than Blu-ray players with the playing field at a level, than THAT is what is going to force Samsung, Pioneer, Sony, etc: to lower their player prices. Not each other.

THAT is when you're going to see one format over another win out. Price is still keeping HD DVD ahead despite more studios being in BD's corner. Price.

Universal players will indeep expand the market but that will be a little of cannibalization and net new customers. You will still have the high volume product in dedicated players for each format. Studios will indeed have the chance to maintain status quo but let's be honest, few people feel Blu-ray is cheaper than HD DVD to produce so it's a bit foolhardy to assume that studios won't look at other options.

obviously there's more to it than disk production costs otherwise disney would be releasing on hd dvd by now. if dual format players becomes the standard, then there will be absolutely no incentive for studios exclusive to one format to release on the other since the vast majority of players will be able to play both.

Not only is it anti-consumer, it might be anti-competitive as well. Anti-trust commission in EU is already asking difficult & probing questions about this format war.......

and nothing is going to happen. if the EU can't force game studios that make games exclusively for playstation release on xbox what makes you think a BD exclusive movie studio can be forced to release on hd dvd?

and nothing is going to happen. if the EU can't force game studios that make games exclusively for playstation release on xbox what makes you think a BD exclusive movie studio can be forced to release on hd dvd?

There wasn't even an investigation by EU about game studio & console recently but there is an on-going investigation about Hollywood studio and CE mfr...hmm I wonder why? Licensing issue aside...the Commission is quite concern about concerted back door dealing like promising cap on replicating cost in return for pledge of alligiance to a singular format......

But not smart enough to realize that at this point in the formats' cycle, this so-called war is now being perpetuated by the studios that are exclusive to one format. Hardware is now readily available in both formats. Software capabilities have now proven to provide a quality product for both formats. Only those studios that are not publishing on both formats are making it difficult for consumers and reducing profits for themselves.
There you go again Robert. Making things simple and sensical.
How's a studio exec suppose to grasp these concepts ;)

Ah, but Chapek also promised Iger that BD would be winning in sales for the christmas season.

Bob is going to do what's best for DISNEY. He believes that a format war is bad, and Chapek agrees. Chapek feels that you support one and hope it wins. Bob is begining to think there is room for BOTH without a winner. Neutrality across the board would end up with increased sales.

Disney may very well be a Jones in this case. They make the switch to neutrality claiming it's for the consumer (and it is). They make a big PR "We love the consumer," campaign about it, and the other Studios will follow suit.

Bob's right. The format war is bad. However LP & Cassettes lived side by side for a long time.

Here is a quote from today on thedigitalbits.com:

______________
Additional catalog Blu-ray title announcements will follow in the weeks ahead. This is in addition to a number of new-release Blu-ray announcements that are expected to happen throughout 2007. Says BVWHE president Bob Chapek: "Blu-ray is the strongest high definition format on the market and we are very pleased to add this amazing slate of Blu-ray releases that will appeal to our core demographic. With the dual-layer, 50GB discs now becoming standard, the possibilities for exciting new interactive features and additional bonus content are endless."
______________

It would appear from this that Mr. Chapek has decided to stay with Blu-ray exclusivity as the best solution for resolving the format war.

WRT your analogy about LP and cassettes co-existing: yes but they met very different use-cases. LP's were for at home, and cassettes were for cars and Walkmen. Both were put out of business by the CD, which matched both use cases. In the case of Blu-ray and HD DVD, I fail to see how these formats have that kind of difference.

You seem to have been recently arguing for co-existence of both formats. Personally, I could live with that, but I think that the market is rejecting both formats because of the format war.

I counted up today that I have 12 friends with expensive, front-projection home theatre systems, not to mention all of the people that I know who have flat panel HDTV's. Not a single one has bought either format!

This includes a theatre owner who owns 130 screens, 20 video stores, and has a 35mm screening room as well as two front-projection setups. Another friend used to own a laser disk store and just bought a new 1080P projector. A third is a former union projectionist (as am I). Etc.

I am the only person I know who has bought one of the new formats. Years ago, I used to show people my LD's, and a few days later, they would tell me they had bought an LD player. Now, I show them my hd disk player, they say "wow", but then decline to invest because of the format war. Several people have told me, "Call me and tell me when the format war is resolved so I can buy one."

As opposed as I have been to studio exclusivity, I am wondering if it isn't time for a decision to be made for one or the other format and move forward with that format, rather than continue to go nowhere.

As opposed as I have been to studio exclusivity, I am wondering if it isn't time for a decision to be made for one or the other format and move forward with that format, rather than continue to go nowhere.

It is. Studios should either adopt WB new total HD disc or just produce in both formats and let the paying consumer decide.

It is high time the studios start looking at us as paying consumers rather than hapless ATMs :mad:

There wasn't even an investigation by EU about game studio & console recently but there is an on-going investigation about Hollywood studio and CE mfr...hmm I wonder why? Licensing issue aside...the Commission is quite concern about concerted back door dealing like promising cap on replicating cost in return for pledge of alligiance to a singular format......


so what if there wasn't any recent investigation? my point is that the EU lets sony and MS get away with paying game studios to NOT publish on the other format. how is that any different from what is ALLEGEDLY going on with the BDA and BD exclusive movie studios? wait, the only difference is instead of getting what is basically an outright bribe, the movie studios only get a discount on disc replication.

and even if the EU did try to make a case, how would that fly in a court when the same thing has been going on for DECADES with no intervention between console makers and game studios?

this so called investigation is going NOWHERE. even the thought of being investigated for anti-trust violations is silly...the BDA is not a monopoly, nor is it a market maker.

Bob Chapek can say whatever he wants about "possibilities" and "potential". Money talks. Price moves all.

If HD DVD players come down in price and more people start picking them up, that is less money Buena Vista makes on Blu-ray titles they won't put out on HD DVD. And so all the bravado about "strength" won't last very long if the studio isn't seeing a return on their exclusivity.

At some point Iger will step in if that happens. People here on this forum who support Blu-ray may not agree, but the fact is the consumer will never forcefully buy something they don't want. It doesn't matter how many Blu-ray titles BVHE announces. If people want to continue to buy into HD DVD because it's less expensive, they will. And they'll simply continue to by SD versions of BV movies and let their HD DVD players upconvert.

Consumer choice is the reason I support Warner Bros so much. They understand no matter what format I chose, they were there to supply me with movies.

Here is a quote from today on thedigitalbits.com:

______________
Additional catalog Blu-ray title announcements will follow in the weeks ahead. This is in addition to a number of new-release Blu-ray announcements that are expected to happen throughout 2007. Says BVWHE president Bob Chapek: "Blu-ray is the strongest high definition format on the market and we are very pleased to add this amazing slate of Blu-ray releases that will appeal to our core demographic. With the dual-layer, 50GB discs now becoming standard, the possibilities for exciting new interactive features and additional bonus content are endless."
______________

.

That quote is total marketing nonsense. For one it's all lies. "strongest," how? Is the disc actually stronger and able to hold more weight? Because in standalone player sales, attachment rates, and software it's the weakest link. Endless? I'm rather sure that isn't true.

It's just pure market talk.

Chapek has told Iger what he believes is the case of the market. The consumers have also told Iger with their wallets. Iger will make the best decision for Disney stockholders. He doesn't want to get bashed at this year's stock holders meeting. Numbers are DISMAL for BD.

______________
Says BVWHE president Bob Chapek: "Blu-ray is the strongest high definition format on the market and we are very pleased to add this amazing slate of Blu-ray releases that will appeal to our core demographic. With the dual-layer, 50GB discs now becoming standard, the possibilities for exciting new interactive features and additional bonus content are endless."
______________



Do you want to dig what HP's comments were before going neutral ? ;)

Not only is it anti-consumer, it might be anti-competitive as well. Anti-trust commission in EU is already asking difficult & probing questions about this format war.......
Yep- and in the p.m. of January 12th, 2007, I'll be deciding whether to engage a tricky "next stage" of the petition campaign.

I hope I don't have to (cross fingers)...

Consumers aren't that stupid... I trust they can figure out what they are getting.

You have obviously never worked retail or in customer support.

The exclusive studios instead make their product unavailable to consumers in order to support a hidden agenda.

Does that apply to HD-DVD exclusive Universal and the as yet non-releasing Dreamworks and New Line studios, or just BD exclusive studios? Picking sides is what killed Betamax and ended the last format war, so could we stop with the conspiracy theories.

That quote is total marketing nonsense. For one it's all lies. "strongest," how? Is the disc actually stronger and able to hold more weight? Because in standalone player sales, attachment rates, and software it's the weakest link. Endless? I'm rather sure that isn't true.

You have some sort of inside scoop on software sales? I'd love to see that data, and I'm not even being facetious.


Chapek has told Iger what he believes is the case of the market. The consumers have also told Iger with their wallets. Iger will make the best decision for Disney stockholders. He doesn't want to get bashed at this year's stock holders meeting. Numbers are DISMAL for BD.

So far, the only numbers we've seen have been from the WSJ quoting an analyst who could have pulled those numbers out of his butt because neither the DVD Forum or the BDA have announced their hardware or software numbers. If the numbers are as good as those analysts said they were for HD-DVD, then why hasn't there been a press release from the DVD Forum? Maybe we'll see one at CES, but if we don't that says something, because the numbers the analyst presented in the WSJ painted a picture of HD-DVD being adopted at a faster rate than DVD, and that would be something I would think the DVD Forum would want to be making public.

You have some sort of inside scoop on software sales? I'd love to see that data, and I'm not even being facetious.




So far, the only numbers we've seen have been from the WSJ quoting an analyst who could have pulled those numbers out of his butt because neither the DVD Forum or the BDA have announced their hardware or software numbers. If the numbers are as good as those analysts said they were for HD-DVD, then why hasn't there been a press release from the DVD Forum? Maybe we'll see one at CES, but if we don't that says something, because the numbers the analyst presented in the WSJ painted a picture of HD-DVD being adopted at a faster rate than DVD, and that would be something I would think the DVD Forum would want to be making public.

I own a chain of stores. It's in my best interest to subscribe to as many different things as possible that includes VIDEOSCAN where the numbers are there for anyone. We get NDP numbers as well. So I have both software and hardware numbers, and from the looks of them Mr. Adams was not lying, but stating hard facts.

I believe that DVD sold 300,000 units or there abouts in it's first year with a 2 month head start on HD-DVD and I believe HD-DVD matched it at worst, so yes it's been fastly catching on. Understand that it was so fast that Studios jumped from DIV-X, and we will see that too.

So you keep on claiming. Still waiting on Lions Gate...

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/070108/ca_buena_vista_home.html?.v=1

Disney didn't go neutral! Inconceivable!

Not only is it anti-consumer, it might be anti-competitive as well. Anti-trust commission in EU is already asking difficult & probing questions about this format war.......

Which is why I'm sure you're really upset with Universal for exclusively supporting HD DVD.



The real reason so many pro-HD DVD supporters are upset with Disney is that we all know that if Disney really does stick to their BD-exlusive guns, they can actually determine which way the winds of the format war will ultimately blow.

The largest group of consumers are on the fence watching and waiting. And they're watching studios like Disney. They are not reading threads like this at AVS.

Right now all of us HT enthusiasts at AVS make up about .0000001 percent of the buying public. Our current adoption of these HD media pretty much means squat. It's the droves who haven't yet bought EITHER format that will decided this war. Not you and me.

And they'll start to make their choice in about a year's time when both HD DVD and BD player prices are more affordable and it starts to become clear which is the dominant format, or which format has most of the movies they want. If they have kids, chances are they'll go Blu-ray if they only choose one format to satisfy the family with those Disney titles.

Yes, it's all about software content. And with the BDA group of exclusive studios not budging their stance, things look grim for HD-DVD. Unless Disney or Fox go neutral, things look grim for HD-DVD. Disney is the big one. People like you and I don't care, but the casual buyer certainly does.

Whoever has Disney is going to win the format war. If Disney goes neutral, then both will survive.

Does that apply to HD-DVD exclusive Universal

Yes.

Disney is the big one. People like you and I don't care, but the casual buyer certainly does.

I can't help but agree with this. Disney is Lion King. Millions and millions of DVD's watched endlessly by little kids and their families on $80 DVD players. Why do they even care which format is which? That guy Capek or whoever he is, does not get it. Disney should be more format neutral than anyone. They are the everyman corporation. All they should be promoting is happy kids.

They are the everyman corporation. All they should be promoting is happy kids.

While they've successfully communicated that desired corporate image. I think if you check out their whole picture, they are anything BUT. It's all about the benjamins and who they think can get them the most.

That guy Capek or whoever he is, does not get it. Disney should be more format neutral than anyone. They are the everyman corporation. All they should be promoting is happy kids.

What do you mean he "doesnt' get it"?

Are you suggesting that if Disney doesn't support both formats that little children all over the world will be forced to go without their favorite movies in HD?

Plllleeeaaze!

If those parents even care about HD at all, they'll buy a BD player just because of Disney movies. And Capek will have helped bring this format war to a close more quickly in the process. Not everyone is bothered by this.

Read Disney's statements about the format war.

I believe he thinks that the existence of two competing formats is hurting the entire product category. I believe he is right.

While I have always supported studio neutrality, I am beginning to think that someone or some group is going to have to force a choice. The studios should have done this 18 months ago. Perhaps someone thought that the two formats could both thrive, but that has been proven wrong.

Disney's solution? Pick a format (maybe doesn't matter which one), and support it and make it the winner.

I believe he thinks that the existence of two competing formats is hurting the entire product category. I believe he is right.

While I have always supported studio neutrality, I am beginning to think that someone or some group is going to have to force a choice. The studios should have done this 18 months ago. Perhaps someone thought that the two formats could both thrive, but that has been proven wrong.

Disney's solution? Pick a format (maybe doesn't matter which one), and support it and make it the winner.

That's exactly it. And no matter how much they want to deny it, HD-DVD is the one pooping in the punch bowl.

Disney will decide this war, especially if Fox remains exclusive as well. The only studio not supporting Blu-Ray is Universal. The writing is on the wall unless Disney or Fox changes their stance.

I own a chain of stores. It's in my best interest to subscribe to as many different things as possible that includes VIDEOSCAN where the numbers are there for anyone. We get NDP numbers as well. So I have both software and hardware numbers, and from the looks of them Mr. Adams was not lying, but stating hard facts.

I believe that DVD sold 300,000 units or there abouts in it's first year with a 2 month head start on HD-DVD and I believe HD-DVD matched it at worst, so yes it's been fastly catching on. Understand that it was so fast that Studios jumped from DIV-X, and we will see that too.

Since you own a chain of stores, I think you would see that the format war is really hampering hd sales. People are ready to buy something but are wary of making a mistake. I also have a friend who owns 120 screens and 30 video store in a distant state, he tells me the same thing.

We are not in a position to have these two formats both thriving in the marketplace.

You seem to think that the consumers have somehow chosen HD DVD. I think they have chosen "none of the above".

Last summer, HD DVD had two months in the marketplace before the Blu-ray launch, and then had several additional months during which Blu-ray's reputation was a mess due to their infamous launch problems. HD DVD had about six months to make their case.

Aside to AVSforum early adopters, the consumers ignored HD DVD last summer and fall. HD DVD had the market rather to themselves, and they failed to make their case.

While I have always supported format neutrality, that is not the way it has worked out.

It is time to make some decision about which format to select. I suspect what we are seeing from many of the studios is just this attitude: it doesn't matter which one, just do something.

Since you own a chain of stores, I think you would see that the format war is really hampering hd sales. People are ready to buy something but are wary of making a mistake. I also have a friend who owns 120 screens and 30 video store in a distant state, he tells me the same thing.

We are not in a position to have these two formats both thriving in the marketplace.

You seem to think that the consumers have somehow chosen HD DVD. I think they have chosen "none of the above".

Last summer, HD DVD had two months in the marketplace before the Blu-ray launch, and then had several additional months during which Blu-ray's reputation was a mess due to their infamous launch problems. HD DVD had about six months to make their case.

Aside to AVSforum early adopters, the consumers ignored HD DVD last summer and fall. HD DVD had the market rather to themselves, and they failed to make their case.

While I have always supported format neutrality, that is not the way it has worked out.

It is time to make some decision about which format to select. I suspect what we are seeing from many of the studios is just this attitude: it doesn't matter which one, just do something.

I believe HD-DVD made their case. I think Onkyo/Integra going HD-DVD was big news. I think Meridian was big news. I think Bandei was interesting news. The 4 chinese player companies making HD-DVD players between $200 and $250 who will be flooding them into Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, and Target are HUGE news.

The cheap player is upon us, and BDA's only answer is the PS3.

They have nothing else. Now we're going to have players half the price of the PS3 and less on the market for HD-DVD and 25% of the cost of a STANDALONE Player.

Which is why I'm sure you're really upset with Universal for exclusively supporting HD DVD.



The real reason so many pro-HD DVD supporters are upset with Disney is that we all know that if Disney really does stick to their BD-exlusive guns, they can actually determine which way the winds of the format war will ultimately blow.

The largest group of consumers are on the fence watching and waiting. And they're watching studios like Disney. They are not reading threads like this at AVS.

Right now all of us HT enthusiasts at AVS make up about .0000001 percent of the buying public. Our current adoption of these HD media pretty much means squat. It's the droves who haven't yet bought EITHER format that will decided this war. Not you and me.

And they'll start to make their choice in about a year's time when both HD DVD and BD player prices are more affordable and it starts to become clear which is the dominant format, or which format has most of the movies they want. If they have kids, chances are they'll go Blu-ray if they only choose one format to satisfy the family with those Disney titles.

Your logic is partially right and partially wrong. There is a huge segment of the population that doesn't care about the format war and its important for them to access Disney movies for their kids. But they will continue to buy DVDs that the kids will watch in the minivan or on their 13 inch tv. They don't care about AVS forum, the format war or Blu-Ray either. To think that this is the audience that will decide a format war over what is now (and will be for many, many years)a niche product is naive.

Since you own a chain of stores, I think you would see that the format war is really hampering hd sales.

wait a minute...Didn't say tsd2005 he worked in the film industry, and his former business partner is a board member at disney?

wait a minute...Didn't say tsd2005 he worked in the film industry, and his former business partner is a board member at disney?

He's made a lot of claims, none of which seem to have panned out as true.

Your logic is partially right and partially wrong. There is a huge segment of the population that doesn't care about the format war and its important for them to access Disney movies for their kids. But they will continue to buy DVDs that the kids will watch in the minivan or on their 13 inch tv.

What you're both forgetting is that the studios eventually want to stop selling on DVD because of it's cracked security. The new formats are as much about DRM as they are about High Definition.

As soon as they can drop DVD and still make some profit, they will. That DVD sales have already peaked and started a downward trend is neither here nor there. ;)

What you're both forgetting is that the studios eventually want to stop selling on DVD because of it's cracked security. The new formats are as much about DRM as they are about High Definition.

As soon as they can drop DVD and still make some profit, they will. That DVD sales have already peaked and started a downward trend is neither here nor there. ;)

~10 years of DVD and I still see new releases on VHS all the time, what makes you thing this is going to happen any faster. :P

~10 years of DVD and I still see new releases on VHS all the time, what makes you thing this is going to happen any faster. :P

All the studios have stopped VHS distribution, at least as of the end of last year.

Where are you seeing these anyway? Because virtually all the retailers stopped stocking VHS a year ago

wait a minute...Didn't say tsd2005 he worked in the film industry, and his former business partner is a board member at disney?

I don't know the gentleman so I cannot say what he does for sure. Here is a quote from his post (see above) that prompted me in my post.
_______

Originally Posted by tsd2005
I own a chain of stores. It's in my best interest to subscribe to as many different things as possible that includes VIDEOSCAN where the numbers are there for anyone. We get NDP numbers as well. So I have both software and hardware numbers, and from the looks of them Mr. Adams was not lying, but stating hard facts. ..etc.
_______

Your logic is partially right and partially wrong. There is a huge segment of the population that doesn't care about the format war and its important for them to access Disney movies for their kids. But they will continue to buy DVDs that the kids will watch in the minivan or on their 13 inch tv. They don't care about AVS forum, the format war or Blu-Ray either. To think that this is the audience that will decide a format war over what is now (and will be for many, many years)a niche product is naive.
johnovox:are you trying to say if you are an AVSer or HD that you don't have kids or friends and family with kids or an adult that might enjoy a good animated film? :)

no one thinks every J6P will run out and buy a BD player to watch Disney in HD tomorrow. But content matters and Disney is a big name in movies and a big name with a dedicated following. Disney has always marketed it's name, I am sure if you ask regular people to name 10 titles from each of the big studios, the Disney titles would be the easiest. It must way on the decision of every parent out there when deciding what format to buy, and that I think in the end that was David’s point.

It's really simple. If you want Disney buy blu-ray. :)
No need to hold your breath until you pass out.

It's really simple. If you want Disney buy blu-ray. :)
No need to hold your breath until you pass out.

For real.

With the Blu-ray titles coming out this year, if any self-described 'HD Enthusiast' does not own a Blu-ray player by year end... and holds out waiting for three, massive and exclusive, studios to cross the aisle before enjoying these films... well - it's a strange way of thinking, to be sure. At least on this side of the fence, only one studio's releases get missed.

Bob Chapek can say whatever he wants about "possibilities" and "potential". Money talks. Price moves all.

If HD DVD players come down in price and more people start picking them up, that is less money Buena Vista makes on Blu-ray titles they won't put out on HD DVD. And so all the bravado about "strength" won't last very long if the studio isn't seeing a return on their exclusivity.

At some point Iger will step in if that happens. People here on this forum who support Blu-ray may not agree, but the fact is the consumer will never forcefully buy something they don't want. It doesn't matter how many Blu-ray titles BVHE announces. If people want to continue to buy into HD DVD because it's less expensive, they will. And they'll simply continue to by SD versions of BV movies and let their HD DVD players upconvert.

Consumer choice is the reason I support Warner Bros so much. They understand no matter what format I chose, they were there to supply me with movies.A true and honest post...well done!

I install hometheatre systems here in australia.
Its amazing how many average people get a expensive hd screen and have cheap dvd players.Many bargain for a dvd or set top box to be thrown in the deal.
Many screens have built in hd set top boxes now so they ask for a dvd or hardrive recorder thrown in.I can see "we will throw in a hd dvd player for you at that price"Some already have their dvd player but not a hd dvd player---this is a whole new ball game with a huge market. This happens all the time in retail--the customer thinks hes getting a great deal and happy----THIS IS WHERE THE CHEAP HDDVD WILL REALLY SHINE.
I say again---I see this all the time with the average customer.

Disney = Pixar = Steve Jobs = Apple = BD

FOX got the rights to release MGM Titles which belongs to Sony (was there a special deal...?)

So I don't think both of them will release their titles on HD DVD soon....

and nothing is going to happen. if the EU can't force game studios that make games exclusively for playstation release on xbox what makes you think a BD exclusive movie studio can be forced to release on hd dvd?

consumers would not have to be forced to spend $999 when they can only spend $499 to enjoy hidef movies ?

consumers would not have to be forced to spend $999 when they can only spend $499 to enjoy hidef movies


I spent exactly $499 to watch my Blu-ray HD movies.

consumers would not have to be forced to spend $999 when they can only spend $499 to enjoy hidef movies ?
Consumers aren't forced to do anything. Either make the choice or don't. It's pretty simple.

Disney = Pixar = Steve Jobs = Apple = BD

FOX got the rights to release MGM Titles which belongs to Sony (was there a special deal...?)

So I don't think both of them will release their titles on HD DVD soon....
Actually - MGM owns the rights to MGM movies, generally.

They had a distribution agreement with Sony for their Home Video Releases, but they cancelled the agreement with Sony for "non performance: (ie they weren't happy) and drew up a new contract with Fox.

Sony kept some rights to "Casino Royale" and a few others, due to their investment in them.

consumers would not have to be forced to spend $999 when they can only spend $499 to enjoy hidef movies ?

When did the "Consumer must not buy Samsung or PS/3" Act get passed by Congress?

Did I miss a thread?

Gary

Josh, I remember some of what rdjam is saying too:

They had a distribution agreement with Sony for their Home Video Releases, but they cancelled the agreement with Sony for "non performance: (ie they weren't happy) and drew up a new contract with Fox.

I think I saw that on the bits. Could you both be right but talking about different aspects of the issue?

Wow, you got that totally wrong.

Sony purchased MGM in order to gain distro rights. MGM board - which maintained control of distro after the purchased, voted to sell their catalog distro to Fox (they had enough combined votes even after Sony's votes). They own all MGM's movies after the purchase, including Casino Royale.Oh, DID I...

Perhaps Business Week got that one wrong, too?

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_47/b4010065.htm

Or Hollywood reporter?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002577675

No question that the MGM library is why Sony wanted to buy in on 20% of MGM, but they lost control in May 2006... just as I stated...

Furthermore, MGM did not "sell their catalog" to Fox, as you say, but made a distribution agreement with Fox, for home video, as I stated...