FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DONT SUBSCRIBE TO THIS EMAIL:


CampaignHD Supporter Alert
Action Required February 1st, 2007

Bluray problems now holding back HD DVDs!?
Here is the sample letter that you can use

Dear HD Supporter!


Greetings and best wishes to all. We are just putting the finishing touches on our February Newsletter, which goes out next week. I think you will be happy to hear all about the release dates announced for France and Germany for The Matrix trilogy, the Harry Potter series and more .

But what's that you say? Why were these announcements for France and Germany but they haven't also announced for the US and other markets? THIS brings us to the issue of our first formal Supporter Action Alert.

I think you'll want to act now on this one - right now....


Edward


Bluray problems now holding back HD DVDs!?


There's been discussion lately about a lot of Bluray releases being held up by development problems related to Advanced BDJ implementations. One recent discussion talks of the problems faced by format-neutral studio, Warner Brothers - http://www.avsforum.com/avs- vb/showthread.php?t=796592

As you know, Warner has been a staunch neutral supporter of HD DVD and have given many fantastic releases for which we should thank them profusely. However, some Bluray fans gave them a very hard time because they were releasing many more movies on HD DVD than in the Bluray format. So in December, Warner announced that they would only release HD DVDs at the same time as Bluray - http://www.avsforum.com/avs- vb/showthread.php?t=772035

Unfortunately, it is becoming apparent that this new policy, while formed with the best of intentions, is now hurting the HD DVD format. Why? Because Warner is a big provider of films for the HD DVD format. It now appears that the ongoing problems with Advanced BDJ development with Bluray has held back many releases on HD DVD because the Bluray version is not ready! - http://www.avsforum.com/avs- vb/showthread.php?t=797524

The scarcity of new releases for the format is hurting the movies sales figures of the HD DVD format badly right now, and could hurt the format even more as time goes by - not to mention we are not getting new movies to enjoy! An online poll at AVS Forum shows that both HD DVD and Bluray supporters would like Warner to release these movies now, quickly, even if it means that the Bluray versions do not have the Interactive BDJ content. About 90% say that the HD DVD movies should NOT be held back to wait for the Bluray problems to be sorted out - http://www.avsforum.com/avs- vb/showthread.php?t=797764

We need to make our feelings known to Warner immediately. While we are very grateful for their support, we must urge them to re-consider this well- intentioned policy which is proving to be misguided in light of the apparent ongoing Bluray problems.

Warner is a friendly studio and should be treated with appreciation and respect, so a sample letter is provided below which you can cut and paste for your message to Warner. Remember - The POLICY is the problem, not Warner. The policy is punishing the HD DVD format and HD DVD owners for the poor state of Bluray development tools. This is unfair - if HD DVD titles are faster and easier to produce then they should be released when ready. If the starter gun firesat an 800-meter race, does the starter hold back one runner because the other has not put his shoes on yet?

Please use the below letter as your template and send to the following contacts:

Customer Service Form - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t%3d4chch7bab...mer_service.jsp
Customer Service Email Link - customerservice@wb.com
Emily Zalenski - emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com
Ronnee Sass - ronnee.sass@warnerbros.com



Here is the sample letter that you can use


Dear Warner Home Video,

I am an owner of the HD DVD video format and would like to first express my true appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful support you have provided the format, in the form of fantastic releases to HD DVD. Your contribution has truly helped demonstrate what this remarkable format is capable of and has given me hours of enjoyment.

However, I am writing today to express my great concern at discussions that Warner may be holding back releases of many HD DVD movie titles. Apparently, this is due to TWO factors. One, a new policy of Warner Home Video that it would not release any HD DVDs without the matching Bluray version. Two, that problems being encountered in developing Advanced (IME) BD-Video content on the Bluray format have caused many titles to be delayed (see http://www.avsforum.com/ avs-vb/showthread.php? t=796592&page=1&pp=30 ).

While I fully respect that the intentions of this new policy were GOOD, I would like to point out that, given the special circumstances occasioned by said Bluray development problems, these good intentions are actually now causing great damage to the HD DVD format.

Due to your greatly reduced volume of releases on the format, HD DVD movie sales have slowed dramatically for lack of content, and this could hurt the format badly in the ongoing "format war". As such, I would like you to know that I believe this to a bad policy, no matter how good the intentions for it were - and implore you to reconsider this policy URGENTLY.

I do not think it is fair that the HD DVD format should be penalised for the complexities and development problems of the competing format. In fact, shouldn't it be the other way around? If HD DVD is easier and quicker to develop for, shouldn't these releases be allowed to hit the street as soon as they are ready? There is a discussion about this exact point here http://www.avsforum.com/ avs-vb/showthread.php? t=797524&page=1&pp=30

In fact, very many Bluray supporter feel the same way. In an online poll here http://www.avsforum.com/avs- vb/showthread.php?t=797764 Bluray supporters and HD DVD supporters have both said let the movies out now, rather than later, even if it means that the Bluray versions don't have the "Advanced Interactive" features.

I am a big supporter of Warner and your films. Please do understand that I do not view Warner as the problem here but the POLICY. Won't you PLEASE reconsider this noble but misguided policy in the context of the real damage it is doing, given the realities of the state of development on the two movie formats!

HD DVD needs your releases more than any other format, for obvious reasons, and restraining the content will hurt. After all, if the starter fires his starter pistol for a footrace, does he hold one runner back because the other one hasn't put his shoes on yet?

I wish to thank you again for your excellent and valued support of the HD DVD format and for your concern, urgent consideration and prompt action on this important request.

Very sincerely yours



Quick Links...

CampaignHD HomePage
Join AVS Forum and discuss these issues!
Warner Brothers Hi-Def
Warner Home Video DVD

email: campaignhq@btinternet.com
phone: 305 420 6643
web: http://www.campaignhd.com

"Some BluRay fans" would hardly have presuaded WB to hold back HD-DVD releases. Well, that's not true - I'd imagine that new policy was helped along by Blu-Ray's #1 fan: Sony.

If the non-release of The Matrix and Harry Potter before their Blu-Ray release is going to kill the format, there isn't much hope to begin with.

No need for letters and such, in my humble opinion. It is actually as simple as it gets: Warner does not release HD DVDs, Warner does not get my money. My media allowance will instead go to Universal, Weinstein, videogames and other things and that money will forever be lost to WB.

That said, I wish you the best of luck with this approach.

HD DVD's best bet right now is not Warner, but Chinese players releasing for under $300.

HD DVD's best bet right now is not Warner, but Chinese players releasing for under $300.And Universal releasing some movies now!

If the Matrix came out on HD DVD on Tuesday it would be like Optimus Prime knocking out Megatron.

I am not aware of any company, especially someone like WB responding to a petition such as this. I am not even sure anyone will read it.

It's a free country. WB will do what they feel is their best interest. Right now their total HD DVD release is equivalent to one decent DVD release in terms of revenue....JMHO.

I live in Europe so happy with the French releases. Americans themselves will not dictate or decide the format war.

Amazon fr may get a few orders from me if this is the case. Ill get matrix early..

This is why I had my name taken off the mailing list. Feel free to mail those folks, it couldn't hurt. I suspect they'll hold off until THD is ready. Frankly, I'ld rather Universal started cranking out more titles.
J

I say if you want the movies that bad just import them. Sure you pay alittle more but then you get them that much earlier then everyone else. Importing HP and the Goblet of Fire was a good thing for me since it may not be out here in the States for awhile...

Stand up and fight or sit back and you will have no right to bitch. If this attitude being displayed in this room was the same attitude 230 + years ago you would all be paying homage to the King. I did my part. Now lets fight the good fight. I don't want to support sony and their messed up business model.

Fighting the 'good fight', is supporting HD DVD? Ok

HD DVD supporters have always demonstrated their willingness to buy content. I'm sure Warner knows this. And also the HD DVD Prg. And the HD DVD insiders on this very forum with contacts in Warner. It should really be up to them to counter any pressure that may be being asserted on Warner to delay HD DVD releases. If the format backers are not willing to step up to the plate, we consumers have an even smaller chance of making a difference.

I sent my own email to Warner. When it comes to buying I'll be supporting Universal and just put Warner's titles down as rentals as with the releases from the BD studios. Warner has to provide me with a reason to part with my money. At the moment they're not!

Cheers,

Grant

Edward, your efforts are admirable. But every email to a studio I've seen from you is pretty bad. You really need to find someone else. They always come off as very unprofessional.

1) Any mail like this stands a small chance of being read. You make yours so long an convoluted, that you pretty much guarantee that they won't be read.
2)) Your thesis and approach is always wrong. You never address it from the studios point of view. Why does Warner care if HD DVD succeeds or fails? They have no vested interest in helping it succeed over BD.
3) Citing AVS threads as a reference is pretty weak. I don't even think I need to go into detail here.

You can keep fighting the good fight, but you need help on this if you are going to.

Dave

Stand up and fight or sit back and you will have no right to bitch. If this attitude being displayed in this room was the same attitude 230 + years ago you would all be paying homage to the King. I did my part. Now lets fight the good fight. I don't want to support sony and their messed up business model.

I hope you're not wearing blue face-paint on half of your face as you type that.

Yes, a video format war is comparable to the American Revolution. Haha.

What in the world is there to "fight"? Fight WB for not selling you something? Trust me, they are aware that the small number of people who own HD-DVD players would buy The Matrix and Harry Potter. They are more than likely more concerned with their brilliant TotalHD product which will hurt both formats. If you want to fight, write them a letter telling them you won't pay more money for a format you don't own.

If "The Matrix" were released on Tuesday, HD-DVD might see a spike in sales for a week. It's one title. Look at the release list for the next two weeks for both formats. "The Matrix" and WB isn't going to be HD-DVD's savior. Especially when it's still getting released on Blu-Ray eventually anyway.

I sent my email to Warner. It is easy enough to do. It couldn't hurt.

ahartig - Thanks for the assist! :)

Person99 - ouch! I thought this was a pretty good one. Now I'm sad.... ;)

HD GAMER - That Right! This is about "doing something" - some nuts have got to do it I suppose :p

I think I will just give a quick summary of what we're doing here, the collective "we" that is - not the insane genius we.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - rdjam major opinion delivery imminent - shield your eyes :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please - no 200 part posts telling me it's "over the top", it's wrong, I can't sing - - I already know. It's just opinion, so there IS no "wrong", just more opinions. With that said:

The bottom line is we seem to be in a bit of an unexpected dry spell here. There is a pitiful trickle of releases hitting the street and therefore spending is going to be low. It's embarrassing for the format, since if we had the same flow of new titles as we had late last year, the sales would be strong as an ox. It's particularly embarrassing, since the Videoscan data that was "supposed" to start being released in October, actually only started being released when these titles dried up.

So I was thinking on it for a while trying to figure out why - then I bumped into the BDJ thread and everything clicked. That thread has now been going just five days, and mine probably three or four. but things are moving very fast because it's a big issue for BD and potentially hugely emabarrassing.

The problems now seem so obvious - I just hadn't actually comprehended how serious they could be until 2 days ago. I now understand where some of these neutral studios are at. So this mini-campaign is to get the users on both formats involved and get the word to the studios: "stop pussy footing around" - in a NICE way :) of course. Because it's NOT THEIR FAULT. They've been led into this position by promises that "things are gonna happen".

If I was at Warner now, I'd be seething... In fact, I opine that in November last year, they were probably confident that these problems would be solved by now. I cannot imagine them agreeing publicly to "bind" the release dates for both formats if they thought it would mean that they would have almost nothing to release. It's embarrassing for them and not good PR to have customers unhappy about it. And Warner is the only ones that got outed in Grubert's thread - How is Paramount affected in this situation?

But I think it's potentially far more emabarrassing for BD. The one entity working hard behind the scenes now to get Warner to NOT change this policy will be the BDA fellas, IMO. Can you imagine the PR challenges to have to explain that Warner is going ahead with the other format's releases because the BDJ IME stuff just isn't coming together.

Someone whispered to me that they think that BD deliberately strung Warner out, to create a situation where the HD DVD format was starved of releases at this critical comparison point - so they could declare a knockout punch on the heels of the PS3 Christmas sales. Why else, this fellow asked me, would Disney and Fox be getting so many titles out OK, while Paramount and Warner seem to have been left in the lurch? I have to say it's an intriguing possibility.

But now that we've been creating this stink for only a few days, we see this press release THIS MORNING that Panasonic is going to create a "BLURAY TESTING CENTER" in the heart of Hollywood! Wow - a WHOLE "BLURAY TESTING CENTER"? That sounds like a big project - when, six months, 3 months?... Nope... today, no seriously they just sent out a press release this morning saying their going to clear an office, kinda thing, and invite everyone to bring their own BD players over and put 'em all in this room so we can start testing this BDJ stuff.... today...

Whose bringing the beer, then? Here - read this for yourself - http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070202PR208.html

You mean to tell me that NO-ONE has at least brought these players over to Larry's house yet and tested some of this stuff? Now I'm only being funny, of course - but it SEEMS to me that this morning's press release was put together rather hurriedly, even the grammar seems to show it. And I think it has ONLY one purpose - create confidence. That's it - just create confidence that "we're gonna solve these problems". Create confidence - and do so FAST, QUICKLY dammit. Before someone tells us to stick BD-Video somewhere and starts moving their HD DVD releases to market.

So now BD is showing they can "spring into action". Is "confidence" going to fix these suipposed issues? Is this press release going to solve anything? Is it going to fix the problems overnight? Is the world going to suddenly hum itself to sleep and BD-Video will become a happy dream? IMO - Not A Chance... IMO, this thing has been a confidence game for far too much of the last two years. And that's all I see here again, more confidence game. There are not even development tools for it yet, because you can't write tools for something that isn't finished? Everything is coded by hand. And the insider that answered that question of mine in the Insiders thread seemed somewhat bemused or puzzled that I would have expected there to be any tools. :) Another poster afterwards even joked "We don' need no steenking tools!" :) (or something to that effect)

No, in my view this test center announcement is just another "confidence move" (albeit a bit more desperate) to try to stop the neutral studios from unlinking their formats' releases. BD-Video was no where near ready enough to propose linking releases. And Panasonic was just given the short straw in my opinion, to take the focus off the company that has been most involved with defining the Bluray format to date, and who I'm sure many of us would have felt would most logically be the one to open a Bluray test center...

Do I subscribe to the theory of my little whisperer. I don't know, but it sure is funny how it worked out, tho. And the only ones embarrassed till now are the ones whose "confidence" was built up.

Why didn't the BD-bunch "spring into action" sooner - by some accounts this tension has been bubbling for a long time? Why now? Agitation by customers during a big trade show week got some attention? Who knows....

But my opinion is that this IME problem isn't going to be fixed next week - not next month - not the month after that either. WHY? Because the standards are not yet set, and testing (the REAL testing that is) is not supposed to start until the second half of the year, with the possibility for IME Bluray discs landing said to be November.

AND WHO HERE wants to wait that long? Who wants to see either format strangled slowly like that. Hell, I'll have taken up Golf by then rather than sit here and tap away for another 11 months. That's why we are making a BIG noise together right now - to present a big "opening" to the studios for reconsideration, an "opportunity" grab the goodwill of fans here by saying: "You know what, everything's fine with BDJ. But we can see you're anxious to get some new releases, so we're going to concentrate on doing just that for you right now".

And then you know what - none of us will give a rat's behind about any supposed BDJ problems, because we won't care, because we'll have the releases we've been waiting all of last year for, like the Matrix, and stuff, stuff, stuff. Because we'll be happy we won't sit here at a keyboard for the next 5 months digging away at the state of the BD nation...

Life could be that way :) At peace...

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming...

Stand up and fight or sit back and you will have no right to bitch. If this attitude being displayed in this room was the same attitude 230 + years ago you would all be paying homage to the King. I did my part. Now lets fight the good fight. I don't want to support sony and their messed up business model.

My God. Are you really trying to compare the idiotic DVD war to the American Revolution? "Let's fight the good fight"?????? No wonder HD DVD is bound to fail!!!

Very impassioned and concise post rdjam. However I personally feel the fight should be the HD DVD Promotional Group's and not ours. Why is it the BDA seems to be able to exert pressure on anyone they like and get what they want and thereby dictate what a format neutral studio like Warner should release?

We always seem to be asking the question, what is the HD DVD camp doing for its own format? How long have we been complaining about lack of advertising and AAA releases? We, the consumers are doing our part and buying HD DVD's - but if there are no releases what can we do? Its up to Universal, Toshiba, Microsoft and the HD DVD PRG to exert their own pressure in this case to get HD DVD releases out there. When it comes down to it, if these companies cant do it what hope do we have of making a difference?

This war has to be fought from the top as well, not just left to the foot-soldiers.

ahartig - Thanks for the assist! :)

Person99 - ouch! I thought this was a pretty good one. Now I'm sad.... ;)

HD GAMER - That Right! This is about "doing something" - some nuts have got to do it I suppose :p

I think I will just give a quick summary of what we're doing here, the collective "we" that is - not the insane genius we.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - rdjam major opinion delivery imminent - shield your eyes :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please - no 200 part posts telling me it's "over the top", it's wrong, I can't sing - - I already know. It's just opinion, so there IS no "wrong", just more opinions. With that said:

The bottom line is we seem to be in a bit of an unexpected dry spell here. There is a pitiful trickle of releases hitting the street and therefore spending is going to be low. It's embarrassing for the format, since if we had the same flow of new titles as we had late last year, the sales would be strong as an ox. It's particularly embarrassing, since the Videoscan data that was "supposed" to start being released in October, actually only started being released when these titles dried up.

So I was thinking on it for a while trying to figure out why - then I bumped into the BDJ thread and everything clicked. That thread has now been going just five days, and mine probably three or four. but things are moving very fast because it's a big issue for BD and potentially hugely emabarrassing.

The problems now seem so obvious - I just hadn't actually comprehended how serious they could be until 2 days ago. I now understand where some of these neutral studios are at. So this mini-campaign is to get the users on both formats involved and get the word to the studios: "stop pussy footing around" - in a NICE way :) of course. Because it's NOT THEIR FAULT. They've been led into this position by promises that "things are gonna happen".

If I was at Warner now, I'd be seething... In fact, I opine that in November last year, they were probably confident that these problems would be solved by now. I cannot imagine them agreeing publicly to "bind" the release dates for both formats if they thought it would mean that they would have almost nothing to release. It's embarrassing for them and not good PR to have customers unhappy about it. And Warner is the only ones that got outed in Grubert's thread - How is Paramount affected in this situation?

But I think it's potentially far more emabarrassing for BD. The one entity working hard behind the scenes now to get Warner to NOT change this policy will be the BDA fellas, IMO. Can you imagine the PR challenges to have to explain that Warner is going ahead with the other format's releases because the BDJ IME stuff just isn't coming together.

Someone whispered to me that they think that BD deliberately strung Warner out, to create a situation where the HD DVD format was starved of releases at this critical comparison point - so they could declare a knockout punch on the heels of the PS3 Christmas sales. Why else, this fellow asked me, would Disney and Fox be getting so many titles out OK, while Paramount and Warner seem to have been left in the lurch? I have to say it's an intriguing possibility.

But now that we've been creating this stink for only a few days, we see this press release THIS MORNING that Panasonic is going to create a "BLURAY TESTING CENTER" in the heart of Hollywood! Wow - a WHOLE "BLURAY TESTING CENTER"? That sounds like a big project - when, six months, 3 months?... Nope... today, no seriously they just sent out a press release this morning saying their going to clear an office, kinda thing, and invite everyone to bring their own BD players over and put 'em all in this room so we can start testing this BDJ stuff.... today...

Whose bringing the beer, then? Here - read this for yourself - http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070202PR208.html

You mean to tell me that NO-ONE has at least brought these players over to Larry's house yet and tested some of this stuff? Now I'm only being funny, of course - but it SEEMS to me that this morning's press release was put together rather hurriedly, even the grammar seems to show it. And I think it has ONLY one purpose - create confidence. That's it - just create confidence that "we're gonna solve these problems". Create confidence - and do so FAST, QUICKLY dammit. Before someone tells us to stick BD-Video somewhere and starts moving their HD DVD releases to market.

So now BD is showing they can "spring into action". Is "confidence" going to fix these suipposed issues? Is this press release going to solve anything? Is it going to fix the problems overnight? Is the world going to suddenly hum itself to sleep and BD-Video will become a happy dream? IMO - Not A Chance... IMO, this thing has been a confidence game for far too much of the last two years. And that's all I see here again, more confidence game. There are not even development tools for it yet, because you can't write tools for something that isn't finished? Everything is coded by hand. And the insider that answered that question of mine in the Insiders thread seemed somewhat bemused or puzzled that I would have expected there to be any tools. :) Another poster afterwards even joked "We don' need no steenking tools!" :) (or something to that effect)

No, in my view this test center announcement is just another "confidence move" (albeit a bit more desperate) to try to stop the neutral studios from unlinking their formats' releases. BD-Video was no where near ready enough to propose linking releases. And Panasonic was just given the short straw in my opinion, to take the focus off the company that has been most involved with defining the Bluray format to date, and who I'm sure many of us would have felt would most logically be the one to open a Bluray test center...

Do I subscribe to the theory of my little whisperer. I don't know, but it sure is funny how it worked out, tho. And the only ones embarrassed till now are the ones whose "confidence" was built up.

Why didn't the BD-bunch "spring into action" sooner - by some accounts this tension has been bubbling for a long time? Why now? Agitation by customers during a big trade show week got some attention? Who knows....

But my opinion is that this IME problem isn't going to be fixed next week - not next month - not the month after that either. WHY? Because the standards are not yet set, and testing (the REAL testing that is) is not supposed to start until the second half of the year, with the possibility for IME Bluray discs landing said to be November.

AND WHO HERE wants to wait that long? Who wants to see either format strangled slowly like that. Hell, I'll have taken up Golf by then rather than sit here and tap away for another 11 months. That's why we are making a BIG noise together right now - to present a big "opening" to the studios for reconsideration, an "opportunity" grab the goodwill of fans here by saying: "You know what, everything's fine with BDJ. But we can see you're anxious to get some new releases, so we're going to concentrate on doing just that for you right now".

And then you know what - none of us will give a rat's behind about any supposed BDJ problems, because we won't care, because we'll have the releases we've been waiting all of last year for, like the Matrix, and stuff, stuff, stuff. Because we'll be happy we won't sit here at a keyboard for the next 5 months digging away at the state of the BD nation...

Life could be that way :) At peace...

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming...

Does anyone understand this? By the third paragraph, I needed 10 Aspirin.

Does anyone understand this? By the third paragraph, I needed 10 Aspirin.

What's not to understand? I enjoy rdjam's writing style and passion, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. He comes across as very intelligent and reasonable, and he "gets" the problems in an intuitive manner.

This is the HD DVD Software forum, isn't it? Why aren't we all behind this kind of push? What is the point of your post, really?

Im fighitng for both right now......I cant win.

What's not to understand? I enjoy rdjam's writing style and passion, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. He comes across as very intelligent and reasonable, and he "gets" the problems in an intuitive manner.

This is the HD DVD Software forum, isn't it? Why aren't we all behind this kind of push? What is the point of your post, really?
Good post, as aways, Paul. :)

Does anyone understand this? By the third paragraph, I needed 10 Aspirin.

Makes complete sense from beginning to end. Perhaps your format preference is interfering with your comprehension skills :)!

Well, I sent mine.

My God. Are you really trying to compare the idiotic DVD war to the American Revolution? "Let's fight the good fight"?????? No wonder HD DVD is bound to fail!!!

I for one like the look and feel of HD-DVD but then again I liked Laser Disc. I unlike others starting to emerge in this forum don’t have an infinite disposable income to buy both sonys and Toshibas solution to interactive HD movie playback. After all, I have a mortgage in Southern California. The American revolution is a perfect reference although not in scale but you either can be lead and accept a reality chosen for you or take ownership and shape your own destiny. If you truly believe in a cause, any cause you should do everything reasonable within your power to help progress that cause. All complacently leads to is failure.

BTW I liked the Bravehart reference. Cute. :p

The bottom line is we seem to be in a bit of an unexpected dry spell here. There is a pitiful trickle of releases hitting the street and therefore spending is going to be low.

I don't get this mentality. How was a dry spell "unexpected." You knew full well that you were buying into a format that has only 3 major studios releasing content on it. I mean seriously what did you expect to happen.

I for one like the look and feel of HD-DVD but then again I liked Laser Disc. I unlike others starting to emerge in this forum don’t have an infinite disposable income to buy both sonys and Toshibas solution to interactive HD movie playback. After all, I have a mortgage in Southern California. The American revolution is a perfect reference although not in scale but you either can be lead and accept a reality chosen for you or take ownership and shape your own destiny. If you truly believe in a cause, any cause you should do everything reasonable within your power to help progress that cause. All complacently leads to is failure.

BTW I liked the Bravehart reference. Cute. :p

You're not really shaping anything, this isn't something like "I'm going to go to college and become XYZ!" One person doesn't make a difference in this case. I too would like a better release schedule for HD DVDs cause it's pretty damn pathetic right now, but your actions or my actions don't affect the vast majority in this case.

You're not really shaping anything, this isn't something like "I'm going to go to college and become XYZ!" One person doesn't make a difference in this case. I too would like a better release schedule for HD DVDs cause it's pretty damn pathetic right now, but your actions or my actions don't affect the vast majority in this case.

Couldn't the same thing be said regarding voting for political candidates? After all, it's only one vote?

If you're going to send a letter to Warner Brothers, at least spell realized correctly. It's not realised.

Warner is just hurting themselves by not releasing HD-DVDs now. By waiting, they are continually losing money. Not to mention time invested in getting the whole BDJ working.

Personally the HD-DVD wasn't in the mood for a format war. If they were, they would have stomped BD guts out when BD was unconscious on the ground last year.

People saying wait for $300 Chinese players can wait all they want. Content is going to be the factor now, NOT PLAYERS. Cheap players can be had on both sides now. Content is what is hurting HD-DVD.

Some of you guys need to wake up.

I just sent them an email, ripping them on the fact that they haven't released either the Matrix or Goblet of Fire in the US, considering the fact that these were both demo clips of upcoming material being shown on their other released titles, and especially since we know the UK got GOF and we're still waiting for a stateside release.

Bad, Warner, Bad! :-P

If you're going to send a letter to Warner Brothers, at least spell realized correctly. It's not realised.


even when spelled in england...?

If you're going to send a letter to Warner Brothers, at least spell realized correctly. It's not realised.

Only in America is it spelled realised with a z. Every other English (as in England, the home of the language) speaking nation spells it with an s. So please less ignorance.

I don't get this mentality. How was a dry spell "unexpected." You knew full well that you were buying into a format that has only 3 major studios releasing content on it. I mean seriously what did you expect to happen.
I'll tell you what I didn't expect to happen. I didn't expect Warner Brothers to hold discs which are completely mastered and ready for production -- and have already been released in other regions -- while they wait for the Blu-Ray team to stop clutching their wangs and finish implementing interactivity features. For crying out loud, every HD-DVD player since the release almost a year ago has had interactivity in place because it was part of the specification.

even when spelled in england...?
Correct - I apologise for my English roots :)

:)

I'm english, scottish and irish!!!
Talk about a confilcted personality!!!

d

:)

I'm english, scottish and irish!!!
Talk about a confilcted personality!!!

d
Your ancestors were English and Scottish....You are an American.

I'll tell you what I didn't expect to happen. I didn't expect Warner Brothers to hold discs which are completely mastered and ready for production -- and have already been released in other regions -- while they wait for the Blu-Ray team to stop clutching their wangs and finish implementing interactivity features. For crying out loud, every HD-DVD player since the release almost a year ago has had interactivity in place because it was part of the specification.
You must admit, it's a very slick ploy by the BDA. And perfectly timed and executed too.

The amazing thing is that the HD DVD group is allowing that to happen.

You're not really shaping anything, this isn't something like "I'm going to go to college and become XYZ!" One person doesn't make a difference in this case. I too would like a better release schedule for HD DVDs cause it's pretty damn pathetic right now, but your actions or my actions don't affect the vast majority in this case.
Maybe so but our collective actions can and will make a difference.

:)

They've been led into this position by promises that "things are gonna happen".

It's funny that you mention that. I'll post the actual place that was said so you can qoute it. There is actually more than one quote so you can take your pick.

"They have committed strongly to releasing their titles for this year, including day and date for new movies yet to even come to theaters."

"They have shown this in the past, and will continue to do so in the future with stellar products."

"Everything takes time. One has to have patience."

"And that trend is going to continue with doubling the number of titles to some 600 by the end of this year."

"Trust me on this. A lot of people changed their mind at CES."

"But you can count us announcing new CE partners this year."

"It is inevitable that content companies will follow where the sockets and positive momentum are. They did so when DVD came and they were on Divx bandwagon. They will do so again."

"Remember, that alliances can change overnight. An executive could choose to support the other format with one decision and have titles in the market next month."

"Together, we are strong and headed on a very positive trajectory."

You've probably guessed by now that those qoutes are Amir talking about HD DVD. Just demonstrating that proponents of either format are going to claim that 'their' format is going somewhere.

JB

Does anyone understand this? By the third paragraph, I needed 10 Aspirin.
It is perfectly understandable. Posts and users like this are THE reason AVS stands above all the others.

Your ancestors were English and Scottish....You are an American.

don't forget irish.

and well, yes of course I am american. Didn't think that needed to be said. Thought it would be obvious to most.

Moderator deleted: inappropriate

:)

I'm english, scottish and irish!!!
Talk about a confilcted personality!!!

d
Heh! :)

All of the above, plus Prussian - god knows what that makes me? :D

Has Amir commented on these Warner rumors? I'm just wondering if he can shed some new light on the subject.

rdjam!
We have a critter on the way who will be irish , english, scottish, russian, polish, spanish, (american..)
with jewish, protestant and catholic ancestors!
should be interesting! We can call him/her tapestry!


:)

Makes complete sense from beginning to end. Perhaps your format preference is interfering with your comprehension skills :)!

LOL. I thought the same. The BD boys seem to spend soooo much time in this forum.

even when spelled in england...?

I am not from England but went to an English Boarding school. We always used 's' instead of 'z'. So, realized was spelt as realised :)

If you're going to send a letter to Warner Brothers, at least spell realized correctly. It's not realised.

Check the dictionary next time.

i always preferred color spelled the original "colour" myself.

:)

i always preferred color spelled the original "colour" myself.

:)

Americans, butchering our fine language when will it end :p.

Looks like Amir has heard something from Warner on this...

From the insider's thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9674619&&#post9674619):


Just FYI that Warner has a formal response to recent set of questions on title availability for this year. They are supplying it to those people who contacted them through the petition site (http://www.hdnowonline.com/). Apparently they got some 40 emails from them . I have seen the reply but I am trying to find out if they want me to post it here or not.

Americans, butchering our fine language when will it end :p.

Well, I try not to...!
A funny story.
We had some contractors working at my old theater and one guy was from England and had a VERY strong "eastender" type accent and one of the supervisors had alot of trouble understanding him (and also didn't like him I believe because they argued quite a bit...) and once said,
" I can't undrstand this guy! Tell him to speak english!"
his response was, "I AM speaking english!" You are speaking bloody AMERICAN!!"
was funny to me at the time. My ex is from Winchester and we had alot of friends come visit the states and stay with us so I got used to hearing many different accents. Birmingham's was fun!

;)

You must admit, it's a very slick ploy by the BDA. And perfectly timed and executed too.

The amazing thing is that the HD DVD group is allowing that to happen.

Hi,

Could you please elaborate?

If Warner is hellbent on foregoing revenues, by what means can the HD DVD group prevent them from releasing titles as they see fit, no matter how ill-advised? In what way is the HD DVD group "allowing" this to happen?

Thanks.

Larry

Looks like Amir has heard something from Warner on this...

From the insider's thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9674619&&#post9674619):I can only hope that the total abandonment of Total HD is mentioned somewhere in Warner's response... ;)

Great news, Folks.

Warner has indicated that they have heard our calls and are issuing a response!

As I've mentioned in one of the other threads, I've been travelling since Saturday and left my petition laptop at home (argh! :) ) So I don't know what the response is.

They will be apparently sending a personal message out soon to everyone who emailed them.

I'd just like to show some big appreciation and respect to Warner here.

Regardless of what their response is, I think it shows tremendous respect for their customers for them to be this responsive.

Hats off to Warner for responding. And hats off to those who sent emails out to them on this subject - you have been heard!

[QUOTE=plazman]I am not aware of any company, especially someone like WB responding to a petition such as this. I am not even sure anyone will read it. /QUOTE]

How do you think Serinaty got made. Alot of Firefly browncoats made it happen

serenity

Does anyone understand this? By the third paragraph, I needed 10 Aspirin.
The truth must hurt you, then.

I guess if it's not in press release format, some Blu-Ray fanboys just can't comprehend it.

wow, that's impressive, indeed. Hopefully, they'll actually listen to us. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical that the foot stomping would actually get us anywhere.

Congrats and thanks for continuing to beat the drum.

Great news, Folks.

Warner has indicated that they have heard our calls and are issuing a response!

As I've mentioned in one of the other threads, I've been travelling since Saturday and left my petition laptop at home (argh! :) ) So I don't know what the response is.

They will be apparently sending a personal message out soon to everyone who emailed them.

I'd just like to show some big appreciation and respect to Warner here.

Regardless of what their response is, I think it shows tremendous respect for their customers for them to be this responsive.

Hats off to Warner for responding. And hats off to those who sent emails out to them on this subject - you have been heard!

Great news, Folks.

Warner has indicated that they have heard our calls and are issuing a response!

As I've mentioned in one of the other threads, I've been travelling since Saturday and left my petition laptop at home (argh! :) ) So I don't know what the response is.

They will be apparently sending a personal message out soon to everyone who emailed them.

I'd just like to show some big appreciation and respect to Warner here.

Regardless of what their response is, I think it shows tremendous respect for their customers for them to be this responsive.

Hats off to Warner for responding. And hats off to those who sent emails out to them on this subject - you have been heard!
Are you going to post your reply in this thread when you get it?

I thought the reply was supposed to be out already. Did it never happen?

I wrote to Warner today, and got the following response:

First of all, thank you for your support of Warner Bros. and for our films in the new HD DVD format, as well as the existing SD DVD format. As you have pointed out in your note, there have recently been on-line discussions claiming that Warner Home Video is holding titles back from the marketplace in the HD DVD format due to plans in BD, and that this is now a company policy. Regardless of the source of this information, it is not true.

Warner Home Video is releasing titles in both high definition formats, and where possible we try to release a title simultaneously in both formats. But this is not always the case, and in fact since we released our first titles in April, 2006 there have been some titles that have been released in HD DVD before BD, and some that have been released in BD before HD DVD.

There are many factors that determine the timing for the release of a motion picture in DVD, HD DVD, and BD. We currently have released more titles in HD DVD than any other studio, and we are anticipating a very exciting schedule for the rest of 2007. In the month of January 2007, we released 4 new titles in HD DVD.

We hope you will enjoy our upcoming HD DVD releases, including two of our best movies from last year (and both recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations), THE DEPARTED and HAPPY FEET, which will be released in February and March 2007, respectively.

We also expect to announce shortly some title plans for April and May. The titles will be quite a thrill for all HD DVD owners and supporters.

Best regards.

I wrote to Warner today, and got the following response:
hmmm that letter sure does sound interesting to see what is on their plate for what is to be released in April/May. I'm hoping for at least the Matrix. I've been waiting for that move since I got my A1 and I just feel like my collection will never be complete until the Matrix is sitting in there in HD. :D

You should start a new thread with that SomethingMore.

If I paraphrase, the first good news is that "holding back HD DVD releases for BD is NOT a policy". This is good news, as a previous discussion seemed to say it was policy. So I'm very happy to hear this.

The second good news is in the last sentence of the last paragraph. Read that carefully and I think it will make many of us quite happy.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about these April/May releases.

Here's an interesting development that seems to back Grubert up...

Both Fox and MGM have just cancelled their release schedules for a whole bunch of Bluray movies, citing "unforseen technical difficulties"... Does this sound like deja-vu or what? Looks like it's more than just Warner that's being hurt by this BD-J problem?

http://www.foxretail.com/sadoc/static/530.pdf

http://www.foxretail.com/sadoc/static/528.pdf

A few more postponed according to this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=804448) thread in the Blu-ray forum. Here's a quote:

According to highdefdigest the following have all been postponed:

1. Commando
2. Dances with Wolves
3. Dodgeball, Ice Age
4. The Thomas Crown Affair
5. Dude, Where's My Car?
6. The Fly
7. Hannibal
8. The Silence of the Lambs
9. Tristan & Isolde
10. Turistas

I wrote to Warner today, and got the following response:

For the love of god... just give me my movies! :D

OK Folks - looks like The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded is on sale on a couple of Canadian web sites, Best Buy and Future Shop - no word on the US yet. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=803912&page=1&pp=30

Some of you may want ask Warner to confirm these dates, and whether the US will get them also? http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9787093&&#post9787093

This is GREAT NEWS!

So whats Universals excuse, are they putting an end to the format by default?