Based on all the evidence we've seen - it seems clear to me that Paramount is the "flightiest"/least commital studio out of all of them. I mean, even "flight-risk"/"mysterious agenda" studios like Universal and Lionsgate seem to have more ties, loyalties, and deep, long-term plans to the sides they support than what apparently Paramount has for its stake in the war.

If you believe the rumors, Paramount could possibly be bought back by the BDA or at the very least release a slew of BD backlog titles/exclusives the day HD DVD exclusivity contracts expire.

And if you believe Paramount's press "honesty" - Paramount may just legitimately decide to start releasing some titles on BD - the second the BD tech-advantages of capacity/bandwidth/finished profile specs/etc start kicking in along with price (i.e. end of this year - maybe right about the time exclusivity contracts for certain "major" titles are expiring anyway?)

I don't mean to diminish the gain for HD DVD (because, of course, it is quite big - no denying that) - but, I'm just saying - that if you look at the history of how studios have committed to formats they have NEVER done anything like what Paramount has done today. I mean the studios that supported Divx and even UMD seemed like they were completely in it "til violent death do them part".

Paramount's attitude seems unique - maybe they will be more of a "free agent" in this war?

Paramount/Dreamworks Animation are exclusive for 18 months as reported by the New York Times.

Based on all the evidence we've seen - it seems clear to me that Paramount is the "flightiest"/least commital studio out of all of them.Just seem like mercenaries to some degree. I'm not saying that is wrong, but seems like it might be their approach. There was an article from 2005 that said that Paramount got wind that Warner was thinking of going neutral and Paramount decided to get the best deal it could first. Maybe they are just fast on their toes. If their decision makers feel that their job is to make the most money for the company they can and deals are a good way to do that, then I can understand that.

--Darin

Paramount/Dreamworks Animation are exclusive for 18 months as reported by the New York Times.^^^Um, maybe. Who is to say that that could not still actually fall under the "if you believe the rumors" tag? See ongoing discussion in the other thread about the crediblity/motives of the NY Times sources...

Paramount/Dreamworks Animation are exclusive for 18 months as reported by the New York Times.Really? I had seen a "several years" comment reported several places, and "1 year" reported in one place. If NYT is right that would take them past the Holiday season next year. By that point the BD and HD DVD landscape could look significantly different, as far as features and player prices (not to mention sales trends). This early in the game as far as total sales vs. DVD that is probably not going to make a big difference even to them in the long term (doing this period of exclusivity). Guess we'll have to wait and see what develops. I agree they don't seem as committed to a long-term plan as some of the other studios; but maybe they don't have some of the motivations some of those studios do. I also read in an insider post that the CTO for Paramount has only been there a year, and came from Warner. He obviously wasn't involved in Paramount's previous decision to go dual-format. The other thing that is often overlooked in this discussion is that DreamWorks Animation is a totally separate company, distributed by Paramount. From reports it sounds like they negotiated their own deal (or made their own decision, depending on which way you lean).

Paramount is gone for at least the next year. I trust the contracts have been signed.

There's no use in Blu-ray fans holding out for Universal and now Paramount to go neutral. It ain't happening folks.

TBH have you looked at paramounts catalog? Transformers aside, which wasnt all that great, their top 50 selling movies are pretty weak when you take out Speilberg directed flicks.

Besides gladiator, and the godfather flicks im seeing no big loss.

Fox re-dedicating to BD is far more significant including with MGM. Just think if Fox releases Star Wars solely to BD

TBH have you looked at paramounts catalog? Transformers aside, which wasnt all that great, their top 50 selling movies are pretty weak when you take out Speilberg directed flicks.

Besides gladiator, and the godfather flicks im seeing no big loss.

Fox re-dedicating to BD is far more significant including with MGM. Just think if Fox releases Star Wars solely to BD

Where can I buy these Fox titles again? They were all scheduled months ago and you consider this big news?

I'll believe it when they are on the shelf, not until then. Their history is a joke to say the least.

Where can I buy these Fox titles again? They were all scheduled months ago and you consider this big news?

I'll believe it when they are on the shelf, not until then. Their history is a joke to say the least.

Regardless of your faith in fox, i think most movie buffs would agree the fox/mgm catalog is far more valuable than parmount/dream works.

TBH have you looked at paramounts catalog? Transformers aside, which wasnt all that great, their top 50 selling movies are pretty weak when you take out Speilberg directed flicks.

Besides gladiator, and the godfather flicks im seeing no big loss.

Fox re-dedicating to BD is far more significant including with MGM. Just think if Fox releases Star Wars solely to BD

How many times do I have to buy Star Wars? It's kind of losing its lustre and frankly if Spielberg has the right to decide whether his movies are cross platform or not I know Lucas does.

Paramount has 3x the distributed movies that Fox does. YMMV on whether you like Fox movies more or Paramount.

Regardless of your faith in fox, i think most movie buffs would agree the fox/mgm catalog is far more valuable than parmount/dream works.

Really? I guess your a big Star Wars fan. And my "opinion" of Fox is history, not opinion. There is a difference you know.

To say that Paramount is "flighty" is an overstatement when compared to Fox, at least Paramount cared enough to release day-and-date releases with a number of catalog titles thrown in consistently although not aggressive enough; Fox on the other hand has been less than enthusiastic (this is worst than being flighty, at least in terms of high-def media), Fox is better with words but not with action (worst there isn't even any action within the past 5 months or so).

Regardless of your faith in fox, i think most movie buffs would agree the fox/mgm catalog is far more valuable than parmount/dream works.

Well if that makes you feel better now that BD lost Paramount.

I love all the posts saying "Transformers" wasnt that great anyways, I'll just buy it on DVD. Now that Paramount has left the Blu Side.

Well if that makes you feel better now that BD lost Paramount.

I love all the posts saying "Transformers" wasnt that great anyways, I'll just buy it on DVD. Now that Paramount has left the Blu Side.

I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"

Well glancing over my substantial dvd collection I'd say less than 5% is paramount/dreamworks. So maybe its just me?

Either way the only paramount title in my collection I would really miss, which who knows if it will come before or after this 18month deal is the Godfather trilogy. The Indy set would be a worry but those will be dual format.

So the paramount deal doesnt bother me that much. Sure I may miss out on some future titles, transformers was good, but I dont know that it was on my "must buy list".

And its just as important to me to be able to update old titles/sets eventually as it is to buy new releases too, even though I could upscale dvds to 1080p through my player.

I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"

I'm a blu fan and I'm certainly not. I guess that loving feeling didn't last long now that somebody introduced a dose of reality for you. Sorry :(

I'm a blu fan and I'm certainly not. I guess that loving feeling didn't last long now that somebody introduced a dose of reality for you. Sorry :(

Read the thread in the BD section where quite a list of people are giving up on HD media. I never said every single Blu fan was btw... Just that I was looking at "all the fans that ARE..."

I'm glad that you're not giving up. you're acting smart actually. no matter who wins or loses we'll be enjoying the movies we bought for years to come.

Read the thread in the BD section where quite a list of people are giving up on HD media. I never said every single Blu fan was btw... Just that I was looking at "all the fans that ARE..."

I'm glad that you're not giving up. you're acting smart actually. no matter who wins or loses we'll be enjoying the movies we bought for years to come.


Weird, the portion I quoted was different than what you just put in quotes. Thanks for clarifying. I agree, seem silly to "boycott" something that decided not to sale to you, though I understand the frustration and anger and it does suck for home theater enthusiast. Here's hoping to being able to import Top Gun and others like we can with Face Off.

"I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"

Weird, the portion I quoted was different than what you just put in quotes. Thanks for clarifying. I agree, seem silly to "boycott" something that decided not to sale to you, though I understand the frustration and anger and it does suck for home theater enthusiast. Here's hoping to being able to import Top Gun and others like we can with Face Off.

"I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"

Yeah, I looked over it, could have worded it better. My gripe was with the whole "boycott" of HD media because of a studio jumping ship, I wasn't bashing BD supporters or reveling in their demise type of situation. Apologies for those who interpreted it that way.

Nobody's leaving anything, it's just posturing.

18 months is a long time, that's two holidays, and a lot build-up of titles on HD DVDs side. Lots and lots of HD water will have passed under the bridge by then. HD DVD just got themselves a year-and-a-half to flaunt their price advantage.

Curious as to why Blades of Glory (non-combo) is listed as being more expensive on HD-DVD than the Blu-ray version. I keep hearing that HD DVD's are supposedly much less expensive to produce yet on average they cost more than blu-ray movies.

Curious as to why Blades of Glory (non-combo) is listed as being more expensive on HD-DVD than the Blu-ray version. I keep hearing that HD DVD's are supposedly much less expensive to produce yet on average they cost more than blu-ray movies.
More expensive by a dollar. :) Seriously though, the Blu-Ray price seems like an oddity. Both versions MSRP for $39.95, and titles with that list price are almost always $27.95 at amazon. Don't know why this particular title wound up a buck cheaper on Blu-Ray.

More expensive by a dollar. :) Seriously though, the Blu-Ray price seems like an oddity. Both versions MSRP for $39.95, and titles with that list price are almost always $27.95 at amazon. Don't know why this particular title wound up a buck cheaper on Blu-Ray.

could be due to subsidies on the blu side, or added profit on the red side.

Didn't the original rumor that started all of thic claim the Paramount catalog was exclusive through 2010?

I know people are saying the rumor is 18 months, but the original rumor would put it at least at 29 months.

Didn't the original rumor that started all of thic claim the Paramount catalog was exclusive through 2010?

I know people are saying the rumor is 18 months, but the original rumor would put it at least at 29 months.

I don't think it matters. 2009 is a long way (longer than both formats have existed so far). This "deal" will keep HD DVD alive at least through 2009. I certainly expect a $149-$199 HD DVD player this holiday season and $99-$149 next Holiday season. The HD Addon drive cost less than $80 (as evident by spare part sales on ebay) so there is no reason the Addon can't drop to $99 if needed and eventually $69,$79? These prices will jump start consumer buying. Warner has always leaned towards HD DVD. If the sales # can inch closer towards 50/50 (say even a 58/42 split) then Warner knows their titles could put it over the edge.

IMHO it doesn't matter if the deal is Feb 2009, Feb 2010, or Feb 2039. 2 holiday seasons is more than enough time for HD DVD to stand on it's own merit. If BD still beats it in 2010 then so be it but this war is just getting started.

Didn't the original rumor that started all of thic claim the Paramount catalog was exclusive through 2010?

I know people are saying the rumor is 18 months, but the original rumor would put it at least at 29 months.

New York Times and Wall Street Journal vs. internet gossip

Dream on, Gonna be 18 months till you see any real blu content (if ever).

Accept it.

I wish it was so easy to dismiss, but Paramount just got $150m for 18months of hddvd.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

A lot of people on here will go 'yayyy, hddvd will last now!'

It sometimes amazes me how utterly self destructive people are in the long term when it comes to politics or stuff like this. 'spite their noses' is more than a phrase, it's the way of life in America.

I wish it was so easy to dismiss, but Paramount just got $150m for 18months of hddvd.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

A lot of people on here will go 'yayyy, hddvd will last now!'

It sometimes amazes me how utterly self destructive people are in the long term when it comes to politics or stuff like this. 'spite their noses' is more than a phrase, it's the way of life in America.


Paramount abandoned Blu-ray after working with it for 1 year. Perhaps it is time for you too.

WoW .. maybe we will see blu-ray Paramount releases in 18 months time.

Maybe we will se Disney blu-ray movies too at that time, and HEY maybe the blu-ray format will be completed..

Wouldnt that be sweet.. come back for a a complete re-launch of blu-ray in 18 months! bah.

I wish it was so easy to dismiss, but Paramount just got $150m for 18months of hddvd.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

A lot of people on here will go 'yayyy, hddvd will last now!'

It sometimes amazes me how utterly self destructive people are in the long term when it comes to politics or stuff like this. 'spite their noses' is more than a phrase, it's the way of life in America.


Maybe BD taking it is not the best thing that could happen - DRM, region coding, fluid hardware specs - all under the control of Sony. Thanks but no thanks. Complete neutrality is best, from all parties. Then I, the consumer can make my choice, on software and hardware.

Just wondering, why does it have to be the blu way or no way?

Maybe BD taking it is not the best thing that could happen - DRM, region coding, fluid hardware specs - all under the control of Sony. Thanks but no thanks. Complete neutrality is best, from all parties. Then I, the consumer can make my choice, on software and hardware.

Just wondering, why does it have to be the blu way or no way?


I'd rather hddvd win, even though it's the lower bandwidth/capacity format and locked into an older spic, than have this war go on and neither win.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

I totally agree. I, like many, have been on the sidelines waiting for a winner. I really don't care which format wins so long as ONE does assuring HDM survival. So when it looked like Blu was going to win I was excited because it would mean and end to this stupid war. So gloat all you want HD-DVD fanboys but in the end it just may turn out that we'll have neither format. Gee, I can't wait.:mad:

I have been logical about it. If 80% of CE's and 80% of studios supported BD, I wanted the higher tech BD to win.

IF it's 50/50, I just want one, either, to do something to end this war. When BD was in the lead, it was best to end the war. That was best for *everyone* even hddvd supporters.

Now, it's bad for everyone except for SD supporters.

Paramount/Dreamworks Animation are exclusive for 18 months as reported by the New York Times.

Lets just wait for the small print.

There could be a suprise or two instore.

And its just as important to me to be able to update old titles/sets eventually as it is to buy new releases too, even though I could upscale dvds to 1080p through my player.


LOL yeah because as we all know "upscale" is the same as an HD DVD!!

I wish it was so easy to dismiss, but Paramount just got $150m for 18months of hddvd.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

A lot of people on here will go 'yayyy, hddvd will last now!'

It sometimes amazes me how utterly self destructive people are in the long term when it comes to politics or stuff like this. 'spite their noses' is more than a phrase, it's the way of life in America.

I'd rather it be unwinnable than BD winning. BD is not even a complete product at this point. See 300.

I totally agree. I, like many, have been on the sidelines waiting for a winner. I really don't care which format wins so long as ONE does assuring HDM survival. So when it looked like Blu was going to win I was excited because it would mean and end to this stupid war. So gloat all you want HD-DVD fanboys but in the end it just may turn out that we'll have neither format. Gee, I can't wait.:mad:


It all comes down to Sony hatred. It's just that simple minded. They'd rather lose all HDM than have Sony win. That's the reality of a lot of AVS now. Hell, I was just told today how great 1080i 8gig download is compared to full BD, since that's how things will apparently be now. Of course, that was from an hddvd supporter.

I'd rather it be unwinnable than BD winning. BD is not even a complete product at this point. See 300.


Weird, I played 300 fine, and it outsold hddvd 2:1.

I don't mind maturing extras, since I'm in the IT field. The base movies will play fine. You'd rather there be SD only than BD since your 300 disc doesn't do what you want??

Just seem like mercenaries to some degree. I'm not saying that is wrong, but seems like it might be their approach. There was an article from 2005 that said that Paramount got wind that Warner was thinking of going neutral and Paramount decided to get the best deal it could first. Maybe they are just fast on their toes. If their decision makers feel that their job is to make the most money for the company they can and deals are a good way to do that, then I can understand that.

--Darin

And Disney and Fox are not being mercenary? We have no ideas what juicy deals have been offered to different studios.

All we know is that millions of dollars are being thrown around by both the BDA and the HD DVD PG to keep their format going. All of this portrayel of BD as being guiltless or blameless in all of this is a laugh. Now that HD DVD gets in the mud with them they are the bad guys for drawing things out. :rolleyes:

As far as Paramount's commitment goes, it seems to be more than skin deep. We already have some announced titles that will be HD DVD this fall and it sounds like they will be releasing quite a bit of catalog during the 18 months they are HD DVD exclusive.

Warner has already expressed frustration with BDs inability to sell more media with the hardware base they have, for all we know Paramount feels the same way, or maybe they didn't like what they were seeing for long term projections of media costs, or maybe...... you get the idea.

Didn't the original rumor that started all of thic claim the Paramount catalog was exclusive through 2010?

I know people are saying the rumor is 18 months, but the original rumor would put it at least at 29 months.

Months/years mean nothing. This was a high level corporate decisions based on the long term return.

Several studios are complaining (even those BD exclusive ones) that the price of BD media, uncertainty in defining the "final release spec", problems with java development, cost of revamping duplication systems, cost of stand alone players, lack of sales when compared to play adoption.. etc. etc. etc. is grave cause for concern.

Sony doesn't report that the fault rates for BD media production is much higher than HD-DVD production. (Thats when they do a run of say 10,000 copies and x% is bad).

A company like Paramount doesn't make a decision like this for "just a few months" to get some money. They make it for life. If they have to go back on the decision and move back to BD, it would be cause a loss of confidence of their customers. No company EVER wants to admit they were wrong. That is why this decision is based on some pretty hard numbers. Likely production costs once HD media accounts for more than 2.1 million out of 2 billion copies.

It's all over the news. I haven't seen ANY press in the past year about HDDVD/BD except in the "High Tech" sections of news papers, online, or in the technology publications. This story made almost every major newsprint today. New York Times, LA Times, National Post, Globe & Mail. If you think the Ma and Pa consumers aren't reading this story.. they are. Even if they have never heard anything about BD/HDVD since PS3 was launched.

When a company as big as Paramount makes such a bold move -- walking away from BD technology as an overpriced PS3 fad -- they are telling the worlds consumers what the future holds... not the happy harmony of two formats -- but the death of BD. As the BD camp once said, the nail is in the coffin -- but for them.

There will be no announcements for the next month or two. Then they will be a dime a dozen. Studio X supprting HD-DVD. Studio X going exlusive HD-DVD. Blockbuster now renting HD-DVD in wake of recent studio releases. Walmart selling HD-DVD players for $199 citing increased demand.

Anyone who thinks there aren't other companies ready to do the same as Paramount are wrong. They are waiting to see the fallout first. If it's what they expect, they will be making announcements soon. Just in time for Christmas.

I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"Some of these folks could be HD-DVD fans posing as Blu-ray fans. And no, I'm not going to be running all over to find links for anyone. It was just something I've noticed with some new posters appearing and making statements such as that.

Months/years mean nothing. This was a high level corporate decisions based on the long term return.

Several studios are complaining (even those BD exclusive ones) that the price of BD media, uncertainty in defining the "final release spec", problems with java development, cost of revamping duplication systems, cost of stand alone players, lack of sales when compared to play adoption.. etc. etc. etc. is grave cause for concern.

Sony doesn't report that the fault rates for BD media production is much higher than HD-DVD production. (Thats when they do a run of say 10,000 copies and x% is bad).

A company like Paramount doesn't make a decision like this for "just a few months" to get some money. They make it for life. If they have to go back on the decision and move back to BD, it would be cause a loss of confidence of their customers. No company EVER wants to admit they were wrong. That is why this decision is based on some pretty hard numbers. Likely production costs once HD media accounts for more than 2.1 million out of 2 billion copies.

It's all over the news. I haven't seen ANY press in the past year about HDDVD/BD except in the "High Tech" sections of news papers, online, or in the technology publications. This story made almost every major newsprint today. New York Times, LA Times, National Post, Globe & Mail. If you think the Ma and Pa consumers aren't reading this story.. they are. Even if they have never heard anything about BD/HDVD since PS3 was launched.

When a company as big as Paramount makes such a bold move -- walking away from BD technology as an overpriced PS3 fad -- they are telling the worlds consumers what the future holds... not the happy harmony of two formats -- but the death of BD. As the BD camp once said, the nail is in the coffin -- but for them.

There will be no announcements for the next month or two. Then they will be a dime a dozen. Studio X supprting HD-DVD. Studio X going exlusive HD-DVD. Blockbuster now renting HD-DVD in wake of recent studio releases. Walmart selling HD-DVD players for $199 citing increased demand.

Anyone who thinks there aren't other companies ready to do the same as Paramount are wrong. They are waiting to see the fallout first. If it's what they expect, they will be making announcements soon. Just in time for Christmas.Well you're "talking the talk". Will you be back weekly when the Nielsens come out to see if HD-DVD is "walking the walk".

Well you're "talking the talk". Will you be back weekly when the Nielsens come out to see if HD-DVD is "walking the walk".

In working for a consumer goods company, I am intelligent enough to understand that AC Nielson "sales" figures are just that. SALES.

What goes on behind closed corporate doors is that they merge the AC Nielson data with their own cost vs. profit information (the stuff that's confidential) and then compute out the final figure. How much they are making at the end of the day.

It's public knowledge that creating BD titles is a much much much more costly investment and operation than HD-DVD titles.

If the company is selling 2:1 BD to HD-DVD but at the end of the day is losing more money doing BD runs, they will prefer the later.

For example if you sell 100,000 items for a $1 and they cost you .50cents to manufacture -- you can sell 50,000 items for $1 that cost you only .15 cents to manufacture you're making 16% more profit. Which part of Paramounts decision was unwise?

Do take into consideration that 2.5 million units isn't even a blip on the sales radar for the studio. These companies are moving BILLIONS of units of SD-DVDs.

Paramount/Dreamworks Animation are exclusive for 18 months as reported by the New York Times.

Who also said that Microsoft paid them for it. Yet Microsoft denies this.

So does this mean that since no money changed hands, and MS has gone on record to deny any money changed hands, that Paramount could change their minds at any time?

I'd say so.

Wow for 150 mil HD DVD bought a studio and some amazing PR . Money well spent.

Lets just wait for the small print.

There could be a suprise or two instore.

You can read an interview with the CTO of Paramount. The link is posted in the HD DVD software forum.

Bottom line. It is indefinite. No future support for Blu-ray. He explains the cost benefit of HD DVD manufacturing and HDi relative to Blu-ray and BD-J.

Well you're "talking the talk". Will you be back weekly when the Nielsens come out to see if HD-DVD is "walking the walk".

The Nielsens thread is a joke in light of the Paramount/Dreamworks news.

Totally irrelevant ...

Nielsens does not track all sales and does not take into account cost to produce. Paramount/Dreamworks CTO (link to interview in HD DVD software forum) claims cost to produce Blu-ray and lack of finished spec. was key in "indefinite" abandonment of the format. See for yourself.

I wish it was so easy to dismiss, but Paramount just got $150m for 18months of hddvd.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

A lot of people on here will go 'yayyy, hddvd will last now!'

It sometimes amazes me how utterly self destructive people are in the long term when it comes to politics or stuff like this. 'spite their noses' is more than a phrase, it's the way of life in America.

Bd was not 'damn near about to take it". That was the perception that the BDA, aided and abetted by fan(boys) like Mr Hunt, were furiously trying to foster- but it was never the reality.
For one thing, at this point in time (and for much of the foreseeable future, the masses are apathetic to this technology. They don't need it, and they certainly don't want to spend a premium to have it.
Regardless of Paramounts move, HD DVD could have existed for the next two years regardless because the lines that support HD DVD replication are not solely dedicated to a niche format (unlike Bd lines). Even though Bd lines can pump out PS3 games, that is still a niche (not a dominant) game format. The flexability to swing easily from a low run niche title on HD to a larger mass run of a dvd title...using the same equipment is a HUGE + in HD DVDs favor.

I own both so the sturm and drang attendent with this news doesn't have the same effect on me as it does with some of the partisans. But it is interesting to see some of the effects of near continuous stream the kool-aid washing off, and people sobering up to some hard realities- and to see other refusing to acknowledge reality.

If Blu-ray had such an inherent advantage...and was poised to explode in popularity and had the ability to scale with that...Paramount would not have left. The fact they could be wooed away fairly easily should tell people something.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136253-c,dvdtechnology/article.htmlHere's the link...

New York Times and Wall Street Journal vs. internet gossip

Face the facts for a change. Please.

1. 18 months is minimum

2. No studio is history has gone neutral -->Exclusive -->neutral. After 18 months, it just ain't gonna happen!

3. Paramount in their own statement (where people disclosed their names as opposed to unnamed sources) said it was indefinite.

4. Clearly, a lot of thought went into this. Paramount probably knows they are putting a stake in the ground here...

5. If you are a rabid BD fan you have to be depressed. If you are obsessed with the Neilson 2:1 ratio, you have to realize it means little in the scheme of things....right now. Studios care about $$$ not ratios. The gap in actual units sold and $ generated between the formats is very close.

6. Abandoning BD for $150M (If that is even true) show how truly pathetic Paramount thought the future of it is. Universal did not budge....when offered the same deal from the other side.

7. Never declare mission accomplished until it really is. I don't see the HD promo group gloating over this like the BDA is won't to do at the smallest pro BD sneeze!

8. We were wondering when a major studio would act - I thought it would be a BD exclusive that would go neutral first. Instead it was a neutral that went exclusive to HD DVD! Who would have thought that :eek:

Next time you get all excited with the Neilson 2:1 ratio - focus on the units sold and $. No company decides on ratios. Hopefully, I finally proved my point to those who were nit picking ;)

Based on all the evidence we've seen - it seems clear to me that Paramount is the "flightiest"/least commital studio out of all of them.

Just because they decided to go with HD DVD (of course, with incentives), doesn't make them "flighty" or non-commital. Read the interview with their CTO a few posts up. Seems like a pretty well-thought-out approach to me. They tried both, decided that one side was best for them to make a go of it. Just because they didn't pick the side you wanted them to, doesn't make them flighty.


I realize this is bad news for BD, but everyone just has to accept that Paramount and Dreamworks are gone for the next 1.5 years or longer. That's a LONG time. Two holiday seasons is a hell of a long time to build momentum. Even if they technically can go blu after that time, who says they're going to want to do so in early 2009?


As for this "other than Transformers and Godfather, they've got nothing" talk (that I've seen turn up in a few threads now)... what a joke.

Titanic, Forrest Gump, Anchorman, Beverly Hills Cop, Lemony Snicket, Terms of Endearment, Ghost, Over the Hedge, Blue Hawaii, Zodiac, The Ten Commandments, Grease, What Women Want, The Firm, Braveheart, Charlotte's Web, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Top Gun, Love Story, Madagascar, Gladiator, Apocalypse Now, Shark Tale, Wayne's World, Fatal Attraction, Flushed Away, What Lies Beneath, Flashdance, Barnyard, Rosemary's Baby, The Ring, American Beauty...

...TV shows like CSI, South Park, I Love Lucy, Dexter, Twin Peaks, the entire Star Trek franchise...

... and upcoming titles like Iron Man, The Bee Movie, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Beowulf, 01-18-08.

I suspect they might be able to find a *few* titles of interest to most people within the next year or two. Right?

Well you're "talking the talk". Will you be back weekly when the Nielsens come out to see if HD-DVD is "walking the walk".

You don't honestly think the weekly first alert ratios mean anything now. It's clear that they mattered pretty much only to the posters on various internet forums.

Ratios don't win battles. Ratios aren't even relevant when you're dealing with two different markets. 65% of relatively nothing is relatively nothing.

People need to sit back and think about how this will make the format war unwinnable by both sides, when BD was damn near about to take it.

Now it's clear that that was just a delusion; A delusion I was buying in to as well as many others around here. It's clear BD was nowhere close to "taking it."

LOL yeah because as we all know "upscale" is the same as an HD DVD!!

TEEHEEE TEEHEH. You are so funny chris! I hope stand up is your career of choice. Not once did I say they were the same thing.

The point was upscaling for the time being is not being able to afford a 2nd formats player. Hell the only reason I even consider one of these DRM ridden formats is because I am picking up a Ps3 in a couple weeks.

If its waiting a year or two for godfather, and gladiator, or till one format wins out, or for dual format players so be it. I dont NEED to upgrade my old paramount titles anytime soon was the point.

^^^Um, maybe. Who is to say that that could not still actually fall under the "if you believe the rumors" tag? See ongoing discussion in the other thread about the crediblity/motives of the NY Times sources...

sir... read ... it not a rumor...18 months.the ny times is one of many that reported this.:)

I love even more is all the Blu fans dropping all hd media and going back to SD because "HDM has officially been killed"

another dumb post

I totally agree. I, like many, have been on the sidelines waiting for a winner. I really don't care which format wins so long as ONE does assuring HDM survival. So when it looked like Blu was going to win I was excited because it would mean and end to this stupid war. So gloat all you want HD-DVD fanboys but in the end it just may turn out that we'll have neither format. Gee, I can't wait.:mad:

oh my god!! this war is far from over.if the bda loses anymore studios ... maybe blu-ray would be history....not likely to happen. you guys are something,
one thing happens on ether side and all you can say is bd is history or hd dvd is history....what a bunch of babies .... god grow up...its a war,these things happen...on i sorry you didnt know that! geez

sir... read ... it not a rumor...18 months.the ny times is one of many that reported this.:)

Was it written by Jason Blair? :D

Face the facts for a change. Please.

1. 18 months is minimum

2. No studio is history has gone neutral -->Exclusive -->neutral. After 18 months, it just ain't gonna happen!

3. Paramount in their own statement (where people disclosed their names as opposed to unnamed sources) said it was indefinite.

4. Clearly, a lot of thought went into this. Paramount probably knows they are putting a stake in the ground here...

5. If you are a rabid BD fan you have to be depressed. If you are obsessed with the Neilson 2:1 ratio, you have to realize it means little in the scheme of things....right now. Studios care about $$$ not ratios. The gap in actual units sold and $ generated between the formats is very close.

6. Abandoning BD for $150M (If that is even true) show how truly pathetic Paramount thought the future of it is. Universal did not budge....when offered the same deal from the other side.

7. Never declare mission accomplished until it really is. I don't see the HD promo group gloating over this like the BDA is won't to do at the smallest pro BD sneeze!

8. We were wondering when a major studio would act - I thought it would be a BD exclusive that would go neutral first. Instead it was a neutral that went exclusive to HD DVD! Who would have thought that :eek:

Next time you get all excited with the Neilson 2:1 ratio - focus on the units sold and $. No company decides on ratios. Hopefully, I finally proved my point to those who were nit picking ;)

nice to hear from you,as always you make sense!