I hate the thought of thinking that Universal holds the key to HD-DVD's success with such a huge catalogue, but it is true. I think that once they open the floodgates on more of their library, you will see more people jumping to the HD-DVD format. I own both so I'm format neutral. Here is a list of titles that could really make HD-DVD stand out even more.

Jaws Franchise
Jurassic Park Franchise
Scarface
Tremors Franchise
Childs Play Franchise
The Matrix franchise
American Pie Franchise
Blues Brothers Franchise
Billy Madison
Happy Gilmore
Mallrats
Meet Fockers
The Office tv show
Knight Rider tv show
Universal Monsters movies
21 Grams
Cape Fear
Dawn of the Dead (04)
Back to the Future Trilogy
E.T.
Land Before Time Franchise
The Birds
Columbo tv show
Duel
Psycho Franchise
Legend

You could see Jaws this year possibly...ET & Jurassic Park are now unlikely since Spielberg has more control of those particular titles. Scarface, Legend, American Pie, Blues Brothers, Meet the Fockers, Dawn Of the Dead, Mallrats, Psycho, Billy Madison are coming this year. The Matrix films belong to Warner Brothers, and are expected in 2007 as well.

I agree Back To the Future would be a great release, but who knows if we'll see it this year. All in all, Universal has been doing a fantastic job with HD-DVD. We can only hope for similar support from Warner & Paramount in the near future.

Happy GilmoreSome of those could do well, but take this one for instance. It is the #143rd ranked HD DVD and below #25,000 on Amazon. Looks like it might be selling a copy or two a day on there from the in stock numbers. I think the day-and-date releases make the biggest difference in general if the movies are even close to the same level and while some of the top tier that are out on DVD could do well on these new formats, it is likely to be titles at close to that high level, but released day-and-date that make the biggest difference. "Jaws" could sell well, but it was just on UniversalHD about a month ago. I'm not even sure how long it has been since I've had at least on of the "Back to the Future" movies recorded in HD and haven't watched it. I don't remember if those were OAR, but I believe "Jaws" was.

Also, the Matrix movies are Warner. We'll have to see what they do as far as whether they release on HD DVD first or wait and release on both (or TotalHD discs) at one time.

--Darin

The Matrix franchise

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e182/1337_GamerGuyX/warner_bros_pictures_time_warner_co.jpg

As much as I've enjoyed Knight Rider on DVD, I can't see it looking any better in HD. In fact, I think most old TV shows are a better value on SD DVD. I did have to chuckle at the notion that Knight Rider was a big trump card for Universal to own. It didn't seem to fit on the list above Back to the Future, for example. Thanks for the laugh.

Don't know about tremors either. The first great but it went way down hill after that each one being worse. The guy who played burt was the only one left for #4.

But hopfully we see a lot more day and date movies. I hate waiting for the HDDVD version..
Lot of older films I'd like to see...

There are better titles from Universal...than some of those you mentioned there.

There are better titles from Universal...than some of those you mentioned there.

For sure, I just mentioned a few titles. It would be cool for others to add some more Universal releases that I missed on.

It could only help Universal to put out their big hits. If they do really well, HD DVD prospers. If somehow Blu-ray 'wins', Universal gets to double-dip on BD for those that bought them on HD DVD (and don't keep their obsoleted players).

It's a win-win situation for Universal to release their big hits (granted, the numbers sold are trivial compared to SD DVD at this point) ;)

I made a nice post in another thread and I though I should share it here since this is about Universal.


I think it's about execution. The J6P's arent buying HD DVD we are. I refuse to buy reg dvd's so why should I have to pay for the reg DVD, thats why I bought HD DVD. I under stand HD DVD's thinking in making combos so ppl can feel comfortable with there future purchases, but at the prices they are not selling to J6P they are selling to US the BASE. I paid 29.99 for fearless CC I needed some content fast ( i know Amazon was cheaper, the wife got some loot and I was trying to spend some of it ) All im saying is drop the reg dvd, sell only HD DVD combos at reg dvd new release prices. This way you get the HD nOObs, and you keep your base. Iam a new Realestate invester and I can see this is the key to mass adoption. Uni is the only one really puttin IME to good use. Some of the other studios just throw toghter HD DVDs no extras, no commentary no pip. Can you say The Departed or Bable. I like my Uni titles they are filling up my NEXT GEN needs with HD DVD, they just need to formulate the price plan to get J6P, and keep or pockets full of lint.

Thx

I hate the thought of thinking that Universal holds the key to HD-DVD's success with such a huge catalogue, but it is true. I think that once they open the floodgates on more of their library, you will see more people jumping to the HD-DVD format. I own both so I'm format neutral. Here is a list of titles that could really make HD-DVD stand out even more.

Jaws Franchise
Jurassic Park Franchise
Scarface
Tremors Franchise
Childs Play Franchise
The Matrix franchise
American Pie Franchise
Blues Brothers Franchise
Billy Madison
Happy Gilmore
Mallrats
Meet Fockers
The Office tv show
Knight Rider tv show
Universal Monsters movies
21 Grams
Cape Fear
Dawn of the Dead (04)
Back to the Future Trilogy
E.T.
Land Before Time Franchise
The Birds
Columbo tv show
Duel
Psycho Franchise
Legend

You do know that osme of the titles you have put in this list ahve been released or announced already....

Is Universal a HD DVD supporter or both?

Is Universal a HD DVD supporter or both?

They are exclusive to HD DVD. ;)

They are exclusive to HD DVD. ;)
This is 100% fact. Don't let anyone on these boards try to convince you otherwise.

I hate the thought of thinking that Universal holds the key to HD-DVD's success with such a huge catalogue, but it is true. I think that once they open the floodgates on more of their library, you will see more people jumping to the HD-DVD format. I own both so I'm format neutral. Here is a list of titles that could really make HD-DVD stand out even more.

Jaws Franchise
Jurassic Park Franchise
Scarface
Tremors Franchise
Childs Play Franchise
The Matrix franchise
American Pie Franchise
Blues Brothers Franchise
Billy Madison
Happy Gilmore
Mallrats
Meet Fockers
The Office tv show
Knight Rider tv show
Universal Monsters movies
21 Grams
Cape Fear
Dawn of the Dead (04)
Back to the Future Trilogy
E.T.
Land Before Time Franchise
The Birds
Columbo tv show
Duel
Psycho Franchise
Legend

That is one pretty sad & pathetic list to count on for the survival of a format...

Most are old movies, which don't hold up well in this century.

Others were never that good to begin with.

Here's a better list of Universal titles, which I feel, will impact sales on HD DVD:

The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Alpha Dog
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete First Season
The Big Lebowski
The Bourne Identity
Children of Men
The Nutty Professor (1996)
Scarface
Smokin' Aces

And...that's about it for Universal in 2007. Keep in mind, this is strictly in terms of making a positive impact on a format (ie. moving inventory, sales).

Now in terms of Warner/Paramount, well, I'll be getting the HD DVD version over Blu-ray, only if the audio is Dolby TrueHD.

For example, its been confirmed that Happy Feet will release on HD DVD using Dolby TrueHD... Blu-ray will have a DolbyD EX track.

I just can't for the life of me figure out why Universal doesn't put more Dolby TrueHD tracks on their HD DVD titles. I believe they have about 4 Dolby TrueHD titles currently available. And I keep reading more and more future titles will only have DD plus. Are they insane???

I hate the thought of thinking that Universal holds the key to HD-DVD's success with such a huge catalogue, but it is true. I think that once they open the floodgates on more of their library, you will see more people jumping to the HD-DVD format. I own both so I'm format neutral. Here is a list of titles that could really make HD-DVD stand out even more.

Jaws Franchise
Jurassic Park Franchise
Scarface
Tremors Franchise
Childs Play Franchise
The Matrix franchise
American Pie Franchise
Blues Brothers Franchise
Billy Madison
Happy Gilmore
Mallrats
Meet Fockers
The Office tv show
Knight Rider tv show
Universal Monsters movies
21 Grams
Cape Fear
Dawn of the Dead (04)
Back to the Future Trilogy
E.T.
Land Before Time Franchise
The Birds
Columbo tv show
Duel
Psycho Franchise
Legend

But how many of those are in the bargain bin on SD DVD?

A strong back catalogue is needed, but it's new blockbusters, riding off the back of good box office receipts, that will drive hardware sales.

And the 2007 blockbusters should appear on HD DVD as well as Blu Ray:

Norbit (Paramount is the dist.)
Shooter
Transformers
300
Music & Lyrics
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Zodiac
Black Snake Moan

HD DVD will do just fine when it comes to the "blockbuster" releases. Even the BDA believes this.

And the 2007 blockbusters should appear on HD DVD as well as Blu Ray:

Norbit (Paramount is the dist.)
Shooter
Transformers
300
Music & Lyrics
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Zodiac
Black Snake Moan

HD DVD will do just fine when it comes to the "blockbuster" releases. Even the BDA believes this.

They do??

HD DVD will do just fine when it comes to the "blockbuster" releases. Yes. I don't understand why some people keep saying that only BD will get all the blockbusters. In addition to those that you listed, there are e.g. Harry Potter 5, Ocean's 13, Shrek 3 from formatneutral studios, and some like Bourne Ultimatum, Evan Almighty, Kingdom, Sin City 2 (does this come out in 2007?) will probably even be HD-DVD exclusive. Plenty of new films with mass appeal ...

I've seen guys dumping on certain studios selections for a while now....anyone dissing Universal is a nimrod IMO...if you've got a Blu player of any kind and Universal announced neutrality today, you'd be doing effin' backflips and you know it, not because it would be a significant blow in the war (and if that is what you REALLY care about - boasting rights and the "we win" thing, well, you're not a true movie enthusiast IMO, as you obviously care more about the wrong thing...we're selfishly in this for movies folks, remember), but because you'd now have more great movies to select and buy, and thats that, and they DO have some must haves no matter how you slice it. I'd love to save some of the posts I've seen of the guys saying Universal has rubbish, then throw 'em back up later when/if they went neutral and the same guy then says: "well, I was only kidding about Universal, I'm buying such and such when it comes out!" The same is true for the HD side, I've seen some guys ripping the BD selection, saying they don't have squat you'd wan't, etc...if Disney for example went neutral, you'd have more great titles to chose from, bottom line. I suppose I'm just greedy, don't care about the "war" and who wins/ties/loses...just gimmie movies. =)

I'd love to see The Burbs on HD-DVD.

I made a nice post in another thread and I though I should share it here since this is about Universal.


I think it's about execution. The J6P's arent buying HD DVD we are. I refuse to buy reg dvd's so why should I have to pay for the reg DVD, thats why I bought HD DVD. I under stand HD DVD's thinking in making combos so ppl can feel comfortable with there future purchases, but at the prices they are not selling to J6P they are selling to US the BASE. I paid 29.99 for fearless CC I needed some content fast ( i know Amazon was cheaper, the wife got some loot and I was trying to spend some of it ) All im saying is drop the reg dvd, sell only HD DVD combos at reg dvd new release prices. This way you get the HD nOObs, and you keep your base. Iam a new Realestate invester and I can see this is the key to mass adoption. Uni is the only one really puttin IME to good use. Some of the other studios just throw toghter HD DVDs no extras, no commentary no pip. Can you say The Departed or Bable. I like my Uni titles they are filling up my NEXT GEN needs with HD DVD, they just need to formulate the price plan to get J6P, and keep or pockets full of lint.

ThxI couldn't say it better, I don't know what kind of people run universal, but their ideas of selling a good idea (combo) to the public at an unreasonable price will only ruin the idea and kill off combos. Everyone likes to point out that HD has cheaper players, and thats one of their only advantages and so fourth, but no one will buy the players if the material is to much money, it kind of defeats the purpose of buying a cheap player. I would love to buy fearless, but when I saw it (I think at BB) it was 37-39 bucks. I couldn't believe my eyes, then I thought hey what about departed? Well that was 35 bucks, thats almost the price of 2 non combos price matched from target. Why on earth wpould anybody want to spend 40 bucks on one movie if they can get 2 for the same price. ITs just makes me want to get the standrd DVD and upconvert it.

If the key to HD DVD success lies with Columbo, Land Before Time, Knight Rider, MallRats, Duel, Legend, Cape Fear, 21 Grams, Happy Gilmore, and Billy Madison - then the folks at Blu-Ray can rest easy. Not that some of those are very good (I particularly like 21 Grams) but I don't think any of them will help move a single HD DVD unit out the doors. :rolleyes:

However, Universal has a great catalog. You should check it out sometime. They could release a very compelling slate of films. I understand why they wouldn't for marketing reasons though.

I've seen guys dumping on certain studios selections for a while now....anyone dissing Universal is a nimrod IMO...if you've got a Blu player of any kind and Universal announced neutrality today, you'd be doing effin' backflips and you know it, not because it would be a significant blow in the war (and if that is what you REALLY care about - boasting rights and the "we win" thing, well, you're not a true movie enthusiast IMO, as you obviously care more about the wrong thing...we're selfishly in this for movies folks, remember), but because you'd now have more great movies to select and buy, and thats that, and they DO have some must haves no matter how you slice it. I'd love to save some of the posts I've seen of the guys saying Universal has rubbish, then throw 'em back up later when/if they went neutral and the same guy then says: "well, I was only kidding about Universal, I'm buying such and such when it comes out!" The same is true for the HD side, I've seen some guys ripping the BD selection, saying they don't have squat you'd wan't, etc...if Disney for example went neutral, you'd have more great titles to chose from, bottom line. I suppose I'm just greedy, don't care about the "war" and who wins/ties/loses...just gimmie movies. =)

Raises hand! PS3 owner here who would do backflips if Universal went neutral because I'd now have more great movies to select and buy. Gimmie movies. . .movies, movies, movies :D

For sure, I just mentioned a few titles. It would be cool for others to add some more Universal releases that I missed on.

Carlito's Way would be great :)

What both formats need more of right now are the 'killer apps'. In the video game world, these are the high volume titles that people will purchase hardware just to play. The same analogy holds for HD movie formats. Looking at past movie sales, I would say that Batman Begins and maybe Serenity have historically served this role for HD DVD, while Casino Royale is clearly one for BD. Unfortunately, most of these titles are being closely held by the studios until the hardware install base grows larger. Your original list includes some truly great movies, but I don't think they will sell that much hardware beyond the enthusiast crowd.

I made a nice post in another thread and I though I should share it here since this is about Universal.


I think it's about execution. The J6P's arent buying HD DVD we are. I refuse to buy reg dvd's so why should I have to pay for the reg DVD, thats why I bought HD DVD. I under stand HD DVD's thinking in making combos so ppl can feel comfortable with there future purchases, but at the prices they are not selling to J6P they are selling to US the BASE. I paid 29.99 for fearless CC I needed some content fast ( i know Amazon was cheaper, the wife got some loot and I was trying to spend some of it ) All im saying is drop the reg dvd, sell only HD DVD combos at reg dvd new release prices. This way you get the HD nOObs, and you keep your base. Iam a new Realestate invester and I can see this is the key to mass adoption. Uni is the only one really puttin IME to good use. Some of the other studios just throw toghter HD DVDs no extras, no commentary no pip. Can you say The Departed or Bable. I like my Uni titles they are filling up my NEXT GEN needs with HD DVD, they just need to formulate the price plan to get J6P, and keep or pockets full of lint.

Thx
Amen. But first, the numbers have got to work, and that's for Universal's bean-counters to tackle.

Enjoy!

Milt R. Smith
mrsmith2002@yahoo.com

Speaking of Horror/Suspense. Some movies I would like to see soon


Videodrome
The Serpent & the Ranbow
The Sentinel
People under the Stairs
Ghost Story
Funhouse
Frankenstein (Original)
Dracula(Original)
Session 9
They Live
Psycho(Original)
Rear Window
Red Dragon
Sea of Love
Skulls
Vertigo

For example, its been confirmed that Happy Feet will release on HD DVD using Dolby TrueHD... Blu-ray will have a DolbyD EX track.



Happy Feet isn't getting a LPCM track?
Yep that'll definetly steer me into the hands of a HD-DVD disc.

The Matrix franchise
...

http://i19.tinypic.com/2ptvvyd.jpg

:D

New blockbuster releases are alot more important than catalogue titles, most people(me included) won't pay $25-30 for a movie they already own on DVD. And alot of the older movies won't look much better than the DVD version in the first place.

I hate the thought of thinking that Universal holds the key to HD-DVD's success with such a huge catalogue, but it is true. I think that once they open the floodgates on more of their library, you will see more people jumping to the HD-DVD format. I own both so I'm format neutral. Here is a list of titles that could really make HD-DVD stand out even more.

Jaws Franchise (Steven's)
Jurassic Park Franchise (Steven's)
Scarface
Tremors Franchise (...franchise? Tremors? It was one okay b-movie with a bunch of crap afterward)
Childs Play Franchise
The Matrix franchise (This is WB's, not Universal)
American Pie Franchise
Blues Brothers Franchise
Billy Madison
Happy Gilmore
Mallrats
Meet Fockers
The Office tv show (Yeah, this one is going to show off HD DVD!)
Knight Rider tv show
Universal Monsters movies
21 Grams
Cape Fear
Dawn of the Dead (04)
Back to the Future Trilogy (Steven's)
E.T. (Steven's)
Land Before Time Franchise
The Birds
Columbo tv show
Duel
Psycho Franchise
Legend


Now. Take out the Steven Spielberg movies that won't hit HD DVD without Universal outright bribing Steven to let them happen. And he ain't so happy with them right now for that whole "Dreamworks" thing. Not enough money in HD DVD to make them do that. Take out The Matrix, which is WB's.

There are some good hits in there, but they've really blown most of their best movies already. There really is one course after this year, once they've released most of these catalog hits (except the Speilberg ones).

Go neutral, re-release them all on Blu-ray and rake in the cash. They'll have given HD DVD 2 good years and fulfilled their commitment while setting everyone up to do the ultimate double-dip to get their movies AGAIN in the format that will win the format war ultimately.

And no, Universal going neutral won't necessarily kill HD DVD because they could continue a very niche product for years with just Universal, WB, and Paramount supporting it in a very neutral-way. It's just that Blu-ray can "win" the format war without killing HD DVD.

It just has to keep up the 2:1 or greater lead and soon, HD DVD will be so niche people won't want to buy it because why would anyone want to go into Best Buy and have to ignore those large Blu-Aisles to look at the Red shelf? ;)

Now. Take out the Steven Spielberg movies that won't hit HD DVD without Universal outright bribing Steven to let them happen. And he ain't so happy with them right now for that whole "Dreamworks" thing. Not enough money in HD DVD to make them do that. Take out The Matrix, which is WB's.

There are some good hits in there, but they've really blown most of their best movies already. There really is one course after this year, once they've released most of these catalog hits (except the Speilberg ones).

Go neutral, re-release them all on Blu-ray and rake in the cash. They'll have given HD DVD 2 good years and fulfilled their commitment while setting everyone up to do the ultimate double-dip to get their movies AGAIN in the format that will win the format war ultimately.

And no, Universal going neutral won't necessarily kill HD DVD because they could continue a very niche product for years with just Universal, WB, and Paramount supporting it in a very neutral-way. It's just that Blu-ray can "win" the format war without killing HD DVD.

It just has to keep up the 2:1 or greater lead and soon, HD DVD will be so niche people won't want to buy it because why would anyone want to go into Best Buy and have to ignore those large Blu-Aisles to look at the Red shelf? ;)
Hey speaking of Red, I've heard there is a Red Shift coming, and its called the Chinese- HD dvd

There are some good hits in there, but they've really blown most of their best movies already. There really is one course after this year, once they've released most of these catalog hits (except the Speilberg ones).

Universal hasn't even come close to releasing their big hits on HD DVD, regardless of what you may have read here. I'm not going to post every single movie Universal has ever done (like any studio they have a few stinkers in the bunch) but Universal as a company has been around since the 1920's at the very least.

Contrary to popular belief, Universal's catalogue does not begin and end with the films directed and produced by Speilberg.

Now. Take out the Steven Spielberg movies that won't hit HD DVD without Universal outright bribing Steven to let them happen. And he ain't so happy with them right now for that whole "Dreamworks" thing. Not enough money in HD DVD to make them do that. Take out The Matrix, which is WB's.

There are some good hits in there, but they've really blown most of their best movies already. There really is one course after this year, once they've released most of these catalog hits (except the Speilberg ones).

Go neutral, re-release them all on Blu-ray and rake in the cash. They'll have given HD DVD 2 good years and fulfilled their commitment while setting everyone up to do the ultimate double-dip to get their movies AGAIN in the format that will win the format war ultimately.

And no, Universal going neutral won't necessarily kill HD DVD because they could continue a very niche product for years with just Universal, WB, and Paramount supporting it in a very neutral-way. It's just that Blu-ray can "win" the format war without killing HD DVD.

It just has to keep up the 2:1 or greater lead and soon, HD DVD will be so niche people won't want to buy it because why would anyone want to go into Best Buy and have to ignore those large Blu-Aisles to look at the Red shelf? ;)
"Rake in the cash"????We are talking about 2 formats that have sold about 1.3 million disks COMBINED,so far.I seriously doubt that by the end of 2007 ,even with the big blockbusters coming to the format, blu ray disk sales will be so great that Universal will be so tempted to go neutral to "rake in the cash".

Even with some sales coming from the ps3 i can't imagine 99% of blu ray(or HDDVD of course) titles having any sort of significant sales with the exception of 2-3 titles like spider man 3.Some of you are sounding like the Blu ray studios can't keep up collecting all their profits from disk sales.

Even if Blu ray actually increases the 2-1 lead,you will have to take into account how these bigger sales divide among the ,many more,titles released on the format.

Universal could stay HDDVD-exclusive for the next 3-4 years and i doubt they would loose that much cash by not going neutral.If they have a strong policy about this format war(and i believe that they do),i don't think that they will be tempted by a few extra sales from going neutral.

BD standalone players must start selling in huge numbers(and actually start outselling HDDVD players) before serious claims about what universal has to gain by going neutral.

Universal hasn't even come close to releasing their big hits on HD DVD, regardless of what you may have read here. I'm not going to post every single movie Universal has ever done (like any studio they have a few stinkers in the bunch) but Universal as a company has been around since the 1920's at the very least.

Contrary to popular belief, Universal's catalogue does not begin and end with the films directed and produced by Speilberg.


Thank you. As far as I am concerned JAWS, MUNICH and SCHINDLER'S LIST are the only worthy Spielberg films Universal owns. Maybe E.T. But as a Studio, Universal has Many, Many, Many titles that being HD DVD exclusive are attractive enough to keep HD DVD going.

Hey speaking of Red, I've heard there is a Red Shift coming, and its called the Chinese- HD dvd
If you're referring to the red-laser Chinese hi-def format for its domestic market, consider this: their standalone player is purportedly going to sell for about US$79. That appeared on the net at least two months ago, and has never been contradicted or challenged, so it may indeed be accurate. (No word on cost of their hi-def disks). Can you just IMAGINE that market with 1.3-BILLION people?! If Sony or Toshiba really wanted to end the format war worldwide, either of them could simply produce a compeititively-priced HD-DVD or BluRay player for the Chinese domestic market, and the war WOULD indeed be over - in a heartbeat.

But how many of those are in the bargain bin on SD DVD?

A strong back catalogue is needed, but it's new blockbusters, riding off the back of good box office receipts, that will drive hardware sales.



You can find almost ANY SD DVD in bargain bins these days. The studios are trying to unload stock.

You can find almost ANY SD DVD in bargain bins these days. The studios are trying to unload stock.
Agreed.Even new releases are dirt-cheap on SDVD.

Seriously i don't believe that either blu ray or HDDVD will replace DVDs.Both HD formats wll be niche for many years to come.

If you're referring to the red-laser Chinese hi-def format for its domestic market, consider this: their standalone player is purportedly going to sell for about US$79. That appeared on the net at least two months ago, and has never been contradicted or challenged, so it may indeed be accurate. (No word on cost of their hi-def disks). Can you just IMAGINE that market with 1.3-BILLION people?! If Sony or Toshiba really wanted to end the format war worldwide, either of them could simply produce a compeititively-priced HD-DVD or BluRay player for the Chinese domestic market, and the war WOULD indeed be over - in a heartbeat.No I don't think its the red laser, I think the blue with their HD DVDs that are AVS codex based

No I don't think its the red laser, I think the blue with their HD DVDs that are AVS codex based
Could it then be that you're referring to the so-called C-HD-DVD? Is that based on a blue laser as is our regulart HD-DVD? If that's true, with their extraordinary advantage in labor costs, to just build regular HD-DVD players side-by-side on the same lines for nickels & dimes? If that's true, I think the format war would soon be over and HD-DVD would win very easily.