http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548492.htm

an official press release regarding the stance of Blue Ray Technologies and some reaction from the founder of the company includes a blurb which mentions 2 retailers which have been in the news recently...

"Toshiba and HD-DVD offered this deal because they are desperate. The public has chosen Blu-ray discs with their pocket books, buying BDs 2-to-1 over HD-DVDs this year," Hansen said.

"For retailers, it's like being forced to stock VHS tapes after the public chose DVDs," he added. "For the consumer it creates more confusion that hurts the industry-wide move to hi-def." Hanson noted DVD retail leaders Blockbuster and Target stores will only stock Blu-Ray on their shelves.

What's a "Blue Ray" technology?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548492.htm

an official press release regarding the stance of Blue Ray Technologies and some reaction from the founder of the company

Excellent news. :) Glad to see retailers pro-consumer...

Oh so now Target is 100% exclusive to BD? I thought they'd continue to sell HD DVD software? LOL...

He also mentions Blockbuster, but I bet with the recent announcement, BB is reconsidering it's stance. Actually, BB has always said that they'd adjust their shelves accordingly.

Does the fud ever stop from the BDA?

Oh so now Target is 100% exclusive to BD? I thought they'd continue to sell HD DVD software? LOL...

He also mentions Blockbuster, but I bet with the recent announcement, BB is reconsidering it's stance. They'd be a fool not too. Actually, BB has always said that they'd adjust their shelves accordingly.

Does the fud ever stop from the BDA?

This isn't FUD... This is reality. Big companies taking a stance will be able to overcome Microsofts pocket-book. Bill Gates can't pay every movie studio and retailer off...

Refute anything I said in my post. Go ahead, Supermans. If you can't, you're going back into my ignore list for contributing nothing for me to read other than your never ending pro-BD speculations.

Oh so now Target is 100% exclusive to BD? I thought they'd continue to sell HD DVD software? LOL...

He also mentions Blockbuster, but I bet with the recent announcement, BB is reconsidering it's stance. Actually, BB has always said that they'd adjust their shelves accordingly.

Does the fud ever stop from the BDA?


If this was Beatboy's big announcement then its a huge let down.

yeah, personally I have to admit I'm skeptical about Blockbuster and Target going completely Blu-ray, but the website of the source seems pretty legitimate... looking at the bio on the website, it doesn't sound like someone who would go around spreading BS

http://www.blueraytechnologies.com/

yeah, personally I have to admit I'm skeptical about Blockbuster and Target going completely Blu-ray, but the website of the source seems pretty legitimate... looking at the bio on the website, it doesn't sound like someone who would go around spreading BS

http://www.blueraytechnologies.com/

The thing is that none of this news is new. But they've made it sound like that now both Target and Blockbuster are 100% BD. It sounds like they made the claim without going into the real story behind them. Typical...

Refute anything I said in my post. Go ahead, Supermans. If you can't, you're going back into my ignore list for contributing nothing for me to read other than your never ending pro-BD speculations.

I already did.. I created a thread which was deleted in which I mention that consumer preference will win this one out. Since consumer preference is a huge factor partaking Blockbusters decision, I had no doubts they would do this. Target has firmly chosen Blu-Ray after a 2:1 software lead which is based on consumer choice once more.. You now have many people in the film industry upset at Paramount taking the money offered to them by a desperate HD DVD group on their last breath.. So please place me on your ignore list, I don't care..

Excellent news. :) Glad to see retailers pro-consumer...

:D:D:D Are you serious?

The Target thing isn't even true, it's been discussed many times.

I already did.. I created a thread which was deleted in which I mention that consumer preference will win this one out. Since consumer preference is a huge factor partaking Blockbusters decision, I had no doubts they would do this. Target has firmly chosen Blu-Ray after a 2:1 software lead which is based on consumer choice once more.. You now have many people in the film industry upset at Paramount taking the money offered to them by a desperate HD DVD group on their last breath.. So please place me on your ignore list, I don't care..

What does that have to do with the claim that Target is exclusive to Blu when the deal that we all know about applied to Hardware and not Software?

How is Blockbuster exclusive to Blu when they've mentioned themselves that they'll continue to stock HD DVD in 250 stores, and that they'll continue to adjust their shelves accordingly if the demand warrants it?

You just like the BDA are running with the MS payout without any proof whatsoever... which the BDA was the first to report and later picked up by other sources. It's really the only thing you have to down play the annoucement, but fact remains that it doesn't change squat. The deal is done, move on to a different argument.

As for placing you in my ignore list, done. Enjoy your stay.

Woah people - this guy Hanson doesn't know anything more about Target and BB than we do - he's speaking about Paramounts move and is really P.O.d. He is rehashing old stories...

Excellent news. Glad to see retailers pro-consumer... That is a classic comment...Thanks for the joke this morning. :)

:D:D:D Are you serious?

Of course, the vast majority of consumers doing their research when deciding between the two formats overwhelmingly have chosen Blu-Ray and this shows in the form of software sales. The rest happened to buy a PS3 for gaming and have become Blu-Ray supporters as well.. I purchased the PS3 for both after wanting all the titles I would be missing on HD-DVD which I had at that time. HD-DVD had the advantage for quite awhile until BD50's and AVC came along.. Buena Vista/Disney have shown the best quality releases so far and that's not just coming from me but the average of all the review sites combined.. So I'm rooting for the Blue Team and for consumer preference...

The Target thing isn't even true, it's been discussed many times.

We shall see how things play out in the coming weeks to see if any retailers will make some drastic changes on what exactly they will do.

We shall see how things play out in the coming weeks to see if any retailers will make some drastic changes on what exactly they will do.You are right on there - HD DVD might get some better placement in stores going into the holiday season. Perfect timing. :)

Blue Ray Technologies? You think they could be a bit more obvious?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548492.htm

an official press release regarding the stance of Blue Ray Technologies and some reaction from the founder of the company includes a blurb which mentions 2 retailers which have been in the news recently...

Desperate times call for desperate measures - including spreading misinformation. Target sells the HD DVD add on as well as HD DVD software, in addition Target.com sells HD DVD standalone players - Target will have Sony end caps. So this is not a general format support, but a specific vendor...

Blockbuster is not expanding HD DVD to stores that don't already have HD DVD software.

Neither companies are exclusive BD.

The BDA and their cronies are using misinformation and often straight lies to keep the format going. IMO this propaganda campaign will fail soon enough....

Reason for the misinformation? Of course!

Hansen is founder of Blue Ray Technologies (www.blueraytechnologies.com) which has built the first U.S. indie Blu-ray plant in Spokane, WA. The $12 million plant also has HD-DVD capacity, but Hansen has chosen to support Blu-ray for reasons of quality, capacity, and market penetration.

If Blu-Ray gets slammed this xmas, Hansen just lost 12 million dollars. Desperation sets in!

Blue Ray Technologies? You think they could be a bit more obvious?They just spent $12 million setting up for blu-ray replication. Can you blame them?

From here (http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/12980867/DGAP-News-Singulus-Technologies-AG-New-Disc-Formats) I read that blu-ray has sold 1.6 million discs to date. About 40% of those are DL discs. That leaves 1 million total SL discs produced to date.

If Blue-Ray-Tech has only one line, and it can produce just 12,000 discs a day - that's over 4 million SL BD discs a year in capacity. And that is on top of Sony and Cinram's North American production capacity. They need to amortize their $12 million investment - unlike HD DVD, their BD line can only produce BDs (and CDs). They can't have production line people standing around waiting for the phone to ring.

No wonder Erik Hansen is ticked off.

They probably can't make BD50's anyway, so they would be limited to 25GB. Sony might give them some games to do in exchange for PR activities.

Hmm? I thought Blue Ray Technologies was a replication factory and nothing more. Just keep churning out those discs, guys, and leave the press releases to studios, ok?

Here comes all the blah blah blah thats not trues HD rules crap...

Paramount and Universal can and should refuse to distribute their DVD's to both Target and Blockbuster unless they carry the full line of Paramount and Universal product, which of course, includes HD DVD. That would end all of this nonsense. Fight fire with fire.

Cheers,

Grant

Guys,

All it takes is $169 to sound like a clown on prweb.com. He's baaaaacccckkkk!

http://www.emediawire.com/prfiles/2007/08/07/141563/ErickHansenofBlueRayTechnologies.JPG

DVD pioneer Erick Hansen, founder and Chairman of Blue Ray Technology, will open the perhaps the [sic] first independent Blu-Ray factories to make high definition discs for the next generation of the super quality format....His Blu-ray facilities will be open for production in time for the Christmas 2006 buying season. (2/11/06)

2006, 2007...it's all good.

As for the rival format, Hansen was equally forthwith. "Simply put, HD-DVD is a transitional format. I have met few executives of digital delivery who believe otherwise. They are pilotlessness, leaderlessness and even sloppy when it comes to technological prowess -- plus run on an antiquated business model. Blu-Ray is clearly the future." (2/11/06)

Apparently the size of the pits on the disc determine the relevance of the business model.

High-definition disc manufacturer Blue Ray Technologies announced that the new anti-theft standard for its super quality HD DVD format will be an equally futuristic system, RFID...."RFID will definitely not interfere with the movie or sound in any way," assured Hansen. "Blu-ray will change the future of the industry, not only in quality of picture and sound, but in anti-piracy – thus returning the dollars to artists and content holders as well." (4/6/06)

This got laughed out of the industry.

Blue Ray Technologies is so sure that Blu-ray is the future, that they are becoming one of the largest buyers of HD libraries for international release. When asked about rival format HD DVD, Hansen said, "The competition is over. Blu-ray won." (8/8/07)

What a difference 12 days make...

Of course, the vast majority of consumers doing their research when deciding between the two formats overwhelmingly have chosen Blu-Ray and this shows in the form of software sales. The rest happened to buy a PS3 for gaming and have become Blu-Ray supporters as well..

With respect, I'm not sure this can be proven. Has any study been made with regard to the buying decisions of consumers after they have researched the two formats? That Blu-Ray software sales are running at around 2:1 against HD-DVD is undeniable, but no one has any idea as to the real breakdown between people who bought the PS3 primarily as a game console and who are buying the odd Blu movie (excuse the expression!) on the one hand, or people who on the other bought the PS3 or any other Blu Ray player primarily for Blu movies. We simply don't know for sure. However, given the poor ratio between the number of Blu Ray capable machines that have been sold and the number of BD discs that have been sold I would rather suspect that the vast majority of consumers who studied the two movie formats have not bought "overwhelmingly... chosen Blu-Ray". What is for sure is that HD-DVD standalone sales outstrip Blu-Ray standalone sales. I would suggest a scenario therefore, though this cannot be proven either, in which the breakdown of choice between those who have studied the relative merits of the formats is more or less even, with the extra margin on Blu-Ray disc sales being accounted for in casual disc sales to gamers. Either way to say that the 2:1 ratio is evidence that consumers have chosen is to mask a more complex reality. The PS3 simply muddies the waters too much for us to make any really accurate statement of fact in this regard, and I say that as a PS3 owner who bought it primarily for Blu movies (though not the smutty kind!). Cheers.

The last thing Target said is that they would carry both, and the Blockbuster I go to not only carries both, but gets new titles in both. Of course, after the "we love choice" rants of the last few days, I know that none of you support retailers going to one format at this point.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548492.htm

an official press release regarding the stance of Blue Ray Technologies and some reaction from the founder of the company includes a blurb which mentions 2 retailers which have been in the news recently...

For Blu-ray's sake (and I honestly do mean this) I hope this wasn't the "big" announcement.

This isn't FUD....
:D That's just what it is FUD..............whatever.

With respect, I'm not sure this can be proven. Has any study been made with regard to the buying decisions of consumers after they have researched the two formats? That Blu-Ray software sales are running at around 2:1 against HD-DVD is undeniable, but no one has any idea as to the real breakdown between people who bought the PS3 primarily as a game console and who are buying the odd Blu movie (excuse the expression!) on the one hand, or people who on the other bought the PS3 or any other Blu Ray player primarily for Blu movies. We simply don't know for sure. However, given the poor ratio between the number of Blu Ray capable machines that have been sold and the number of BD discs that have been sold I would rather suspect that the vast majority of consumers who studied the two movie formats have not bought "overwhelmingly... chosen Blu-Ray". What is for sure is that HD-DVD standalone sales outstrip Blu-Ray standalone sales. I would suggest a scenario therefore, though this cannot be proven either, in which the breakdown of choice between those who have studied the relative merits of the formats is more or less even, with the extra margin on Blu-Ray disc sales being accounted for in casual disc sales to gamers. Either way to say that the 2:1 ratio is evidence that consumers have chosen is to mask a more complex reality. The PS3 simply muddies the waters too much for us to make any really accurate statement of fact in this regard, and I say that as a PS3 owner who bought it primarily for Blu movies (though not the smutty kind!). Cheers.

Everyone keeps quoting the 2-1 sales ratio like it is gospel. Does anyone have any hard proof that the sales the studios see mirrors the 2-1 reported by Nielsen? Nielsen's ratio is only as good as the % of market share it covers. If Nielsen is covering only 50% of the HDM market, then the 2-1 could be entirely in error.

2-1 seems to be a talking point of BD fans, but I've yet to hear a studio confirm this disparity. I do believe WB has said both formats sel equally as well. From the studio perspective, they may be counting a disc bought by Toshiba for freebies, the same as a disc bought at retail. Who's to say this doesn't make the ratio 1-1 from a studios POV?

Definately denaible...

Everyone keeps quoting the 2-1 sales ratio like it is gospel. Does anyone have any hard proof that the sales the studios see mirrors the 2-1 reported by Nielsen? Nielsen's ratio is only as good as the % of market share it covers. If Nielsen is covering only 50% of the HDM market, then the 2-1 could be entirely in error.

2-1 seems to be a talking point of BD fans, but I've yet to hear a studio confirm this disparity. I do believe WB has said both formats sel equally as well. From the studio perspective, they may be counting a disc bought by Toshiba for freebies, the same as a disc bought at retail. Who's to say this doesn't make the ratio 1-1 from a studios POV?

Definately denaible...

The problem is that if I sell 2 and you sell 4, it's 2:1. It's just doesn't matter in those numbers. And, the fact is that BD and HDDVD really don't have the kinds of sales numbers to make any difference at the moment.

This isn't FUD....

Its only not FUD in BR fantasy land. Where all is well and no one wanted to see Transformers and Shrek3 anyway. Where the only important thing to look for in HDM is bitrate, and no one cares about extras and Internet connectivity.

In the real world, Target still sells HD DVD SW and the MS HD DVD add-on to play it, and many Blockbusters still rent HD DVD.

thats kind of funny though... so target and blockbuster will not carry any highdef universal, paramount, dreamworks, and soon to be warner bros titles?? i only put warner bros up there since all these people keep saying they have insider info stating warner in fact is going exclusive to hddvd...

Everyone keeps quoting the 2-1 sales ratio like it is gospel. Does anyone have any hard proof that the sales the studios see mirrors the 2-1 reported by Nielsen? Nielsen's ratio is only as good as the % of market share it covers. If Nielsen is covering only 50% of the HDM market, then the 2-1 could be entirely in error.
Definitely not gospel by any stretch. According to Home Media Research, the totals through July are 2.2 million in Blu-Ray and 1.5 million in HD DVD, or roughly 1.46:1.

Hopefully this aint the 'big' announcement Beatboy was talking about. This won't win anything....

This isn't FUD... This is reality. Big companies taking a stance will be able to overcome Microsofts pocket-book. Bill Gates can't pay every movie studio and retailer off...

LOL
Well, Mr.Gates cannot buy them all... just a few. If Paramount was the first, I'm sure everywhere we look, we'll see some post-it notes on Msft's exec's cars or discreet flags waving a discreet "buy me too"...

Honestly, Supermans...

Money is the most precious thing. Do you really think someone signed a check and a company like Viacom just went numb? Police-officers may spare you from a ticket in exchange for a $50 bill... or you can shell some extra cash and get tickets for a sold-out game... but... Viacom? Transformers alone will make 10 times that.

A $150 million Dollar bribe is the most stupid move any camp could make. It would reduce things to a matter of money. Maybe that's the reason for spreading such a stupid rumor.

Supermans, it is hard to say that the consumer has made any choice given the low number of HDM sales. They have chosen DVD not either HD format if they have chosen anything. HDM is in its very infancy and sales we have seen to date mean almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. Hasn't the Paramount annoucement taught you that?

Consumer Preference = Cheap HD Movie Players = HD DVD.

To think otherwise just means one is wearing Blue colored glasses

Consumer Preference = Cheap HD Movie Players = HD DVD.

To think otherwise just means one is wearing Blue colored glasses



Consumer Preference= Good Quality= Good value = Blu Ray

Cheap= happy with DVD

Transformers alone will make 10 times that.

...not on Blu-ray or HD DVD...

It would reduce things to a matter of money.

Which is all it's ever been to begin with anyway. I find it strange that so many are so quick to give reasons why said "bribe" is not set in stone, but so few go on record with their own views on the matter. So Technicolor, is your stance then that you believe Paramount did not receive $150 million?



Anyway as to the topic itself, that guy from Blue Ray Technologies is clearly just confused, and speaking in casual terms about news that's already on the table. There's no expansion of the Blu-ray commitment from either Target or Blockbuster.

Guys,

All it takes is $169 to sound like a clown on prweb.com. He's baaaaacccckkkk!

http://www.emediawire.com/prfiles/2007/08/07/141563/ErickHansenofBlueRayTechnologies.JPG

DVD pioneer Erick Hansen, founder and Chairman of Blue Ray Technology, will open the perhaps the [sic] first independent Blu-Ray factories to make high definition discs for the next generation of the super quality format....His Blu-ray facilities will be open for production in time for the Christmas 2006 buying season. (2/11/06)

2006, 2007...it's all good.

As for the rival format, Hansen was equally forthwith. "Simply put, HD-DVD is a transitional format. I have met few executives of digital delivery who believe otherwise. They are pilotlessness, leaderlessness and even sloppy when it comes to technological prowess -- plus run on an antiquated business model. Blu-Ray is clearly the future." (2/11/06)

Apparently the size of the pits on the disc determine the relevance of the business model.

High-definition disc manufacturer Blue Ray Technologies announced that the new anti-theft standard for its super quality HD DVD format will be an equally futuristic system, RFID...."RFID will definitely not interfere with the movie or sound in any way," assured Hansen. "Blu-ray will change the future of the industry, not only in quality of picture and sound, but in anti-piracy – thus returning the dollars to artists and content holders as well." (4/6/06)

This got laughed out of the industry.

Blue Ray Technologies is so sure that Blu-ray is the future, that they are becoming one of the largest buyers of HD libraries for international release. When asked about rival format HD DVD, Hansen said, "The competition is over. Blu-ray won." (8/8/07)

What a difference 12 days make...
heh, thank you for this analysis... I guess he might be a bit of a desparate man right now...

Of course, the early PS3 owners who either don't understand or don't care that there are two formats are dabbling in Blu-Ray since one came free in the box and this shows in the form of attach rates. ...

went ahead and fixed it for ya

Bill Gates can't pay every movie studio and retailer off...
Neither can Sony... ;)

Consumer Preference = Cheap HD Movie Players = HD DVD.

To think otherwise just means one is wearing Blue colored glasses

Interessting, i wonder why blu-ray is leading the sales by 2:1 ? and worldwide 3:1 ?

Neither can Sony... ;)

Well if the trend continues (vast majority choosing blu-ray over hd-dvd) they wouldn't need to anyways ;)

Interessting, i wonder why blu-ray is leading the sales by 2:1 ? and worldwide 3:1 ?

And still can't hold studios!

Consumer Preference= Good Quality= Good value = Blu Ray

Cheap= happy with DVD

"Good value = Blu Ray"??? Stop drinking the blu Kool Aid. How does the more expensive platform = good value. I guess then HD DVD = Better value. :D

Interessting, i wonder why blu-ray is leading the sales by 2:1 ? and worldwide 3:1 ?

Because you are talking about actual facts and aren't referring to fantasy land. Geez man, get with the Red program before you talk, you are making too much sense.

Guys,

All it takes is $169 to sound like a clown on prweb.com. He's baaaaacccckkkk!

http://www.emediawire.com/prfiles/2007/08/07/141563/ErickHansenofBlueRayTechnologies.JPG

DVD pioneer Erick Hansen, founder and Chairman of Blue Ray Technology, will open the perhaps the [sic] first independent Blu-Ray factories to make high definition discs for the next generation of the super quality format....His Blu-ray facilities will be open for production in time for the Christmas 2006 buying season. (2/11/06)

2006, 2007...it's all good.

As for the rival format, Hansen was equally forthwith. "Simply put, HD-DVD is a transitional format. I have met few executives of digital delivery who believe otherwise. They are pilotlessness, leaderlessness and even sloppy when it comes to technological prowess -- plus run on an antiquated business model. Blu-Ray is clearly the future." (2/11/06)

Apparently the size of the pits on the disc determine the relevance of the business model.

High-definition disc manufacturer Blue Ray Technologies announced that the new anti-theft standard for its super quality HD DVD format will be an equally futuristic system, RFID...."RFID will definitely not interfere with the movie or sound in any way," assured Hansen. "Blu-ray will change the future of the industry, not only in quality of picture and sound, but in anti-piracy – thus returning the dollars to artists and content holders as well." (4/6/06)

This got laughed out of the industry.

Blue Ray Technologies is so sure that Blu-ray is the future, that they are becoming one of the largest buyers of HD libraries for international release. When asked about rival format HD DVD, Hansen said, "The competition is over. Blu-ray won." (8/8/07)

What a difference 12 days make...


that was a funny post...AND PICTURE!

If you read the PR release, its only his assertion that Best Buy and Target are not ging to stock HD DVDs. That is in error.

Best Buy just last week just sent out storemap guidance to increase both HD DVD and Blu-ray shelf space to a mininimum of 100 title slots in a new HD media section.

He does not talk for BB or Target.

If they say something it might be news.

Otherwise is kinda like BD fan anger, except guy just spent millions on a BD replication line and is even more angry.

Otherwise is kinda like BD fan anger, except guy just spent millions on a BD replication line and is even more angry.

I am sure he had Blades of Glory already to go on the new line. Dooooh!

Guys,

All it takes is $169 to sound like a clown on prweb.com. He's baaaaacccckkkk!

http://www.emediawire.com/prfiles/2007/08/07/141563/ErickHansenofBlueRayTechnologies.JPG

DVD pioneer Erick Hansen, founder and Chairman of Blue Ray Technology, (2/11/06)



His kids are idiots too.

http://snoot.org/i/wuss/hanson.jpg

cute girls, must be from mom ;)

Desperate times call for desperate measures - including spreading misinformation. Target sells the HD DVD add on as well as HD DVD software, in addition Target.com sells HD DVD standalone players - Target will have Sony end caps. So this is not a general format support, but a specific vendor...

Blockbuster is not expanding HD DVD to stores that don't already have HD DVD software.

Neither companies are exclusive BD.

The BDA and their cronies are using misinformation and often straight lies to keep the format going. IMO this propaganda campaign will fail soon enough....

...and it can't fail soon enough! I am personally so tired of the BS from the BDA it isn't even funny. They have tried to buy public perception through this FUD-campaign and it's backfiring. They are so desperate to counter the huge Paramount / Dreamworks move that they've sunk to regurgitating old news that isn't even accurate. I cannot wait until they simply go away!

Please Warner, put them out of their misery NOW!

Well if the trend continues (vast majority choosing blu-ray over hd-dvd) they wouldn't need to anyways ;)
Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

Ouch, so that means the 1.8 million plus the standalones brings BD up to over 2 million units? Make the attach rate even that more laughable.

Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

Why don't you post how many HD-DVD add-on drives were sold as well, since we are talking about HD DVD vs Blu-Ray...

Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

And PS3 is outselling Toshiba standalones, and Blu-ray is outselling HD DVD...

Why are some HD DVD folk so capable of mentally compartmentalizing data? It's like whatever we're discussing, there's a reason why HD DVD is doing better. Standalones? Toshiba has more sales. PS3? Wii is outselling it (as if it's even related). Attach rates? BD sucks.

Everything is always doom and gloom for BD... everything but the actual media sales. And on that, we don't often hear too many theories - but we do hear a lot of excuses.

Of course, the vast majority of consumers doing their research when deciding between the two formats overwhelmingly have chosen Blu-Ray and this shows in the form of software sales.

There was never a consumer choice in this war.

For example. if consumers wanted Disney in high def, they are forced to buy Blu-ray. The same now goes for Universal/Paramount movies.

The only ones who have a choice are the studios. And they are making it for us.

I kind of expected this what with the Paramount announcement and all.

1. Fox/MGM renews their commitment to BD and actually publishes release dates for titles that they should have pushed out a year ago. They make this renewal announcement to try to make it look like some kind of new announcement.

2. Viscious rumor mill and BD Braintrust goes into overdrive (meltdown mode) with Bill Shill and others making ridiculous and unproveable claims about how MS 'bought off' Paramount. No mention from them on how many millions the BDA has pumped into trying to win the war.

3. Anyone with a financial stake in BD will say or do just about anything to prevent their investment from going down the tubes. Enter this clown who not only mistakingly claims that BD is the consumers choice (PS3 owners choice is more accurate), but then goes out and LIES about BB and Target positions.

It's getting quite humerous. Watch for other BD partners to start telling lies to try to distort the impact of this announcement. Seems like Sony is in full freakout mode and will do/say anything to try to salvage the situation.

And the typical AVS BD fan? Well, they've been having fun curb stomping HD DVD for the past few months but that look of horror on their face? Ya, HD DVD just turned around and kicked them in the junk.

^^^ All quite true.

Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

Ah, so blu-ray has an insanely higher attach rate than HD-DVD. Gotcha:p


Quite a shame that over 90% percent of 360 owners don't find any reason to buy HD DVD's.:D

I'm just amazed that with 2 mil BD players POTC 1 only sold 25000 copies.

Quite a shame that over 90% percent of 360 owners don't find any reason to buy HD DVD's.:D
Do you have anything to back up that statement, or are you just spreading more FUD? :confused:

Ah, so blu-ray has an insanely higher attach rate than HD-DVD. Gotcha:p


Quite a shame that over 90% percent of 360 owners don't find any reason to buy HD DVD's.:D

my point that was inferred :)

Quite a shame that over 90% percent of 360 owners don't find any reason to buy HD DVD's.:D
The reason might be that X360 owners actually have a bunch of decent games to play on their console. Leaves less time for movies. On PS3 it's vice-versa. I wonder what's going to happen to BD sales once Sony & co. manage to release a few good games for their platform.

This sounds like old news rehased with spun to make it sound like actual news.

"Target goes Blu-Ray exclusive!" So long as I walk into Target and can buy HD DVD movies and see people purchasing the 360 HD DVD add-on they aren't exclusive. Exclusive end cap was purchased by Blu-Ray.... but I'd rather have Paramount and Dreamworks

The Blockbuster news is old to. Everyone already knows they expanded the Blu-Ray but not HD DVD.

And PS3 is outselling Toshiba standalones, and Blu-ray is outselling HD DVD...

Why are some HD DVD folk so capable of mentally compartmentalizing data? It's like whatever we're discussing, there's a reason why HD DVD is doing better. Standalones? Toshiba has more sales. PS3? Wii is outselling it (as if it's even related). Attach rates? BD sucks.

Everything is always doom and gloom for BD... everything but the actual media sales. And on that, we don't often hear too many theories - but we do hear a lot of excuses.

And PS3 sales are horrible and continue to get out-sold by the XBox 360 (no need to even mention the Wii). And the attach rate for Blu-Ray is pathetic because a minute percentage of PS3 owners are actually buying movies!

Your problem, like many other PS3 / BD supporters on this board, is that you lack the ability to see the big picture. Blu-Ray had everything in its corner, including nearly 85% of Hollywood's studio support, a trojan horse in the unbelievably-hyped PS3, and considerably more CE companies offering players -- yet it has failed miserably in delivering what the BDA boasted would be a slam dunk! After over a year, they maintain a lead in sales units of around 700,000 discs over HD DVD, 2.2 million to 1.5 million. Someone with no concept of business may think this is good, but considering what was expected from the format it is pathetic!

Why do you think Paramount returned to HD DVD exclusivity? Oh, right, they were greased $150M so they decided to turn their back on the better format that offered the future in HD media. Or perhaps they, like others, could see that the promises of Blu-Ray were merely a pipe dream -- a fantasy created by Sony that was not materializing.

Many things need to be taken into account. BD is considerably more expensive to produce. Everytime it's mentioned, BD supporters take to arms in an attempt to refute the claim. I read quotes from disc manufacturers before either format had even launched discussing the extremely expensive set-up costs and disc-pressing costs associated with Blu-Ray. It's not a lie -- it's the absolute truth. Perhaps Sony's subsidizing of disc costs is ending and studios don't see the benefit in sticking with the format.

Then there's the obvious factor of Sony, a competing studio, making potentially billions of dollars in licensing fees fom other studios' future BD discs if it were to become the next standard. This, in itself, is not an appealing notion to Paramount or Warner (or any studio, for that matter). Warner has patents in HD DVD technology, and their subsequent favoring of HD DVD has been pretty obvious.

But the biggest disappointment with Blu-Ray has definitely been the PS3! Underwhelming sales, machines sitting in warehouses and needing to be discounted to move, continuously being beaten in sales by Microsoft, and only a handful of owners buying BD movies! Sony made the claim in December, 2006 that their studies indicated that 80% of PS3 owners would be buying movies. There are currently 4 million PS3 owners in the world, and the total sales of BD discs equals 2.2 million! Can anybody do the math on this? I even think the more conservative view of 20% of PS3 owners buying movies is high. The studios have the data and they know how to assess it.

Blu-Ray had a chance to succeed. They could have offered a completed format with great PQ from the launch, dual-layered discs from launch that optimized the format's capabilities, prices on par with HD DVD from the start -- you know, a reason to actually justify buying into the format. Now their opportunity has passed and studio support is wavering. The tide is turning, and lucky for all it is. HD DVD offers all the quality, more features, less DRM thus more consumer-oriented, and more affordable. Jump on the bandwagon fellas, you have nothing to lose but your pride! :D

Money is the most precious thing. Do you really think someone signed a check and a company like Viacom just went numb? Police-officers may spare you from a ticket in exchange for a $50 bill... or you can shell some extra cash and get tickets for a sold-out game... but... Viacom? Transformers alone will make 10 times that.
...not on Blu-ray or HD DVD...


Exactly. Transformers will do all that money on theatrical box-office and DVD sales. The money made on BD and HD DVD will be minimal. Does it take THAT much money to buy Dreamworks out? I don't think so.


Which is all it's ever been to begin with anyway. I find it strange that so many are so quick to give reasons why said "bribe" is not set in stone, but so few go on record with their own views on the matter. So Technicolor, is your stance then that you believe Paramount did not receive $150 million?


Listen... :)
All I can give you in my opinion. I do not work for Paramount. Neither do you... or Bill Hunt. To speak is easy. To speculate is even easier.

Having said that, to answer your question bluntly... YES, I do NOT think there was a $150 million Dollars payment for ALL the reasons I already explained. And I can explain again:

FIRST
As it was already stated here, several times, there are several ways to incentive a studio into going one format. Isn't that what Sony is doing? Or is Sony paying Disney and Fox $100 million Dollars too (each)? Incentives must be something the Blu-ray camp must have a Phd in.

So as far as I know, every time I hear a blu-ray supporter exposing or complaining about this supposed bribe, the only reason behind it must be to throw dirt on HD DVD... or Microsoft... or Toshiba.

Why?

SECOND
Think with me: cash is a precious resource. The moment (for example) Microsoft signs a check that high, they establish the price all future negotiations is based on.

This is the number one rule in negotiating anything: never DARE to mention a number... because the other party (or future other parties) will always go back to that number.

Anyone who ever negotiated anything will pray that "cash" will never come into the table... specially if this deal is just (we hope) the first of many. AND specially if you are the one who's paying.

So I doubt Microsoft or Toshiba would be STUPID, IDIOT, AMATEURISH to just throw a check on Paramount's table. I do not believe that's how these people work.

THIRD
Search my past posts and try to find where did I ever said Sony was paying Fox or Disney. I think you will never find me saying that because I really don't think those studios can be bribed.

the BIG problem with this "bribe" story is simple: it's horrible PR when it leaks. And the leakage in this case came from the BD camp in perfect sync with the Paramount announcement.

If BD was so surprised and shocked with the Paramount decision, why were they so quick with the answer? Because probably they new about the Paramount deal all along.

Just for comedy relief, I placed that "What should Paramount do with the Blades of glory DB discs?" poll... and some people pointed that those discs were never produced. Never produced? Don't you think Sony won't ask "why"? The BD version was due on the 28th, right? And this is just an example of possibilities.

We do not know what really happened.

FOURTH
Look at the software sales numbers numbers... who's selling more?

Wouldn't it be easier for the BD camp to buy Paramount into going exclusive? (assuming that it's all a matter of bribe - which I think is not!).

Why would Paramount AND Dreamworks start with both... watch the PS3 debut... watch blu-ray's software sales increase with no end... watch Blockbuster announce Blu-ray exclusivity (was that a bribe?)... and jump off the winning team?

TELL ME... DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?
Do you think $150 million will buy the shame and infamy of abandoning the winning team just to have the shame of going back to it one year from now when HD DVD is supposed to be dead?

Oh... haven't you heard? HD DVD will be dead next year. Isn't this notion the Gospel for these past two months?

FIFTH
I remember Amir saying (or quoting the official Tosh or Msft response - I cannot remember) that the HD DVD [group] felt Blocklobster's :D exclusivity announcement a short-sighted move.

And now this!

Now... dear xbdestrya:
Having read that when he said it, will you be surprised if I told you that such move by Paramount did not surprise me?

Why would it surprise Sony?

To answer your question again: NO, I do not believe there was such a payment. But I do believe Paramount and Dreamworks will get a kind the treatment Sony cannot give them (foot massage, maybe) :D

PLUS: I believe that structure of stability created by the BDA is not THAT stable as you think when it comes to studio support. Paramount's and Dreamwork's announcement may well have been an invisible fight (for us, mere mortals) in the last month.

SIXTH
Now... what bugs me is that the blu-supporters are so blind they cannot think think of any other reason why Paramount and Dreamworks went HD DVD if not for some stupid bribe...

And non-cash incentives aside (they are everywhere, right?), do you really have such disregard for those studios AND HD DVD that it cannot occur to you that Paramount and Dreamworks now agree with something Universal has been saying since mid 2006?

Please!

Now back on topic... Are Blockbuster and Target stocking Blu-ray only? LOLOLOLOLOL
After Paramount's announcement, that is a ridiculous attempt to downplay it with the few weapons you can find... and I won't even bother to waste pixels with it.

Thanks

I'm just amazed that with 2 mil BD players POTC 1 only sold 25000 copies.

I know, at last call I believe the software was 1,800,000? Hmm with 2,000,000 players, that is quite hilarious.:D But hey the "consumers have overwhelmingly" chosen BD...LMAO!!

Excellent news. :) Glad to see retailers pro-consumer...

Such a delusional hypocrite.


You used to be logical. But I guess everyman has his breaking point. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Somehow, I never know whether I'm on a console forum or a high-def forum with some posters...

But I'll try to learn the lesson... BD is losing because the XBox 360 is outselling it. Got it.

So what's your guess for tomorrow's Nielsen numbers Bob?

Such a delusional hypocrite.


You used to be logical. But I guess everyman has his breaking point. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

He is something. He's like Bono, he just likes listening to himself regardless of how clueless.

I know, at last call I believe the software was 1,800,000? Hmm with 2,000,000 players, that is quit hilarious.:D But hey the "consumers have overwhelmingly" chosen BD...LMAO!!

The "less than 1 movie sold per player" is hilarious. I wonder when they actually hit 1 movie per player sold?

Somehow, I never know whether I'm on a console forum or a high-def forum with some posters...

But I'll try to learn the lesson... BD is losing because the XBox 360 is outselling it. Got it.

So what's your guess for tomorrow's Nielsen numbers Bob?

Keep thinking Nielsen numbers mean jack **** at this point in HDM sales. YAY we got 2:1 of nothing!

Keep thinking Nielsen numbers mean jack **** at this point in HDM sales. YAY we got 2:1 of nothing!

Gotcha, HDM sales mean nothing - PS3's poor attach rate means everything.

Gotcha, HDM sales mean nothing - PS3's poor attach rate means everything.

Congrads, you've learned lesson 2 from the red combat manual. :eek:

Somehow, I never know whether I'm on a console forum or a high-def forum with some posters...

But I'll try to learn the lesson... BD is losing because the XBox 360 is outselling it. Got it.

So what's your guess for tomorrow's Nielsen numbers Bob?

NIELSEN #'S DON'T MEAN SQUAT WHEN THE TOTAL DISCS SOLD ARE 2 MILLION TOTAL DISCS IN OVER A YEAR! Do you simply not understand this? Studios aren't concerned with weekly nielsen #'s like so many pathetic people on this forum, they look at the big picture.

Do you think they cared when HD DVD was out-selling Blu-Ray in 2006 11:1? NO, because they were probably selling around five hundred discs a week!

Perhaps you should go run a studio since you're apparently so good at reading weekly nielsen numbers. :rolleyes:

If the 2:1 sales meant *anything*. Paramount would have turned down the 150m or any money for a bright future that was so guaranteed with a format that you call BD.

NIELSEN #'S DON'T MEAN SQUAT WHEN THE TOTAL DISCS SOLD ARE 2 MILLION TOTAL DISCS IN OVER A YEAR! Do you simply not understand this? Studios aren't concerned with weekly nielsen #'s like so many pathetic people on this forum, they look at the big picture.

Do you think they cared when HD DVD was out-selling Blu-Ray in 2006 11:1? NO, because they were probably selling around five hundred discs a week!

Perhaps you should go run a studio since you're apparently so good at reading weekly nielsen numbers. :rolleyes:

LOL you need to relax. Noone cares about neilsen numbers that is why they exist. Oh YOU don't care about them, my fault I was confused.

If the 2:1 sales meant *anything*. Paramount would have turned down the 150m or any money for a bright future that was so guaranteed with a format that you call BD.

The whole HDM market hasnt made $150 million in profits yet, Para would ABSOLUTELY take it for that reason.

The whole HDM market hasnt made $150 million in profits yet, Para would ABSOLUTELY take it for that reason.

Then so would Warner or any other studio. Somebody buy them all quick!:rolleyes:

So what's your guess for tomorrow's Nielsen numbers Bob?
What difference does it make? Who's to say they're complete?

According to Home Media Research, the totals through July are 2.2 million in Blu-Ray and 1.5 million in HD DVD, or roughly 1.46:1 - different from Nielsen.

Who's to say.

NIELSEN #'S DON'T MEAN SQUAT WHEN THE TOTAL DISCS SOLD ARE 2 MILLION TOTAL DISCS IN OVER A YEAR! Do you simply not understand this?

by the same logic, attach rates don't mean squat because they are based on software sales...if total discs sales do not mean anything, then any calculations that use them don't mean anything...

Do you simply not understand this???

What difference does it make? Who's to say they're complete?

According to Home Media Research, the totals through July are 2.2 million in Blu-Ray and 1.5 million in HD DVD, or roughly 1.46:1 - different from Nielsen.

Who's to say.

What difference indeed. But it's certainly more relevant than the fact that the PS3 is being outsold by the Wii and 360... a tidbit that has nothing to do with anything, but is often presented as if it were the definitive refutation to PS3's contribution.

I am looking forward to buying Transformers at Target and renting Shrek 3 from Blockbuster.

What about you guys?

What difference indeed. But it's certainly more relevant than the fact that the PS3 is being outsold by the Wii and 360... a tidbit that has nothing to do with anything, but is often presented as if it were the definitive refutation to PS3's contribution.
Yeah :D Why is the Wii even in here? HDTV Software Media discussion - I don't think the Wii makes that grade :D

I'm just amazed that with 2 mil BD players POTC 1 only sold 25000 copies.The 25,000 number is for POTC 1 & 2 if I remember correctly....

The 25,000 number is for POTC 1 & 2 if I remember correctly....

It was ~47,000 for both on their release week. Obviously since then, the figure has climbed.

by the same logic, attach rates don't mean squat because they are based on software sales...if total discs sales do not mean anything, then any calculations that use them don't mean anything...

Do you simply not understand this???

Actually if Paramount's move or Warner's CTO's comments tell us anything it's that they ARE more concerned with attach rates than with discs sold today.

Do you think that studio execs are happy about under 1 disc per PS3 attach rate? Warner already complained about this and said it was bad.

As more standalones get sold the PS3 effect becomes marginalized since you have more standalone players with higher attach rates. The attach rate for HD DVD is something like 4.5:1 compared to under 1:1 for BD.

The other thing we don't know is how much replication costs/subsidies, etc, changed after Paramount's one year "deal" to be neutral ran out.

What if Paramount got told that it's going to cost them $3 or $4 per unpackaged BD50 moving forward? What if they can produce HD DVD in bulk through their partners for $1? That's a huge deal to them. What if they did an analysis that showed that BD50 replication won't be able to keep up and they'll wind up paying more for BD25 than they would pay for HD30?

The bottom line is that Paramount are not idiots. They made this decision as a studio (not retailer) after running these sorts of scenarios.

Anyone who proposes "they took the money and run" is extremely short sighted or is already convinced that HDM is doomed.

LOL you need to relax. Noone cares about neilsen numbers that is why they exist. Oh YOU don't care about them, my fault I was confused.


They're good for comparing one movies' sales to anothers, not for the "f0rm4t w4rZ"

Oh so now Target is 100% exclusive to BD? I thought they'd continue to sell HD DVD software? LOL...

He also mentions Blockbuster, but I bet with the recent announcement, BB is reconsidering it's stance. Actually, BB has always said that they'd adjust their shelves accordingly.

Does the fud ever stop from the BDA?


I just purchased 300 on HD DVD at Target this afternoon. I guess I got the last one before the crackdown. ;)

What difference does it make? Who's to say they're complete?

According to Home Media Research, the totals through July are 2.2 million in Blu-Ray and 1.5 million in HD DVD, or roughly 1.46:1 - different from Nielsen.

Who's to say.

Plus there is always that wacky deduction called production costs. Claimed to be very different between formats with the exponentially expensive side going to BD.

Google a news article on "BluRay Indiana Plant" -- Apparently they are worried for their jobs with the recent news from Paramount. It's a facility that just got a $81 million investment to enable them to produce BluRay.

$81mi to get what? A percentage of 2.2 million units worth of sales. If this is an indication of what's in store for these studios prepare to see more jump ship once the Sony BRIBES er.. I mean.. duplication subsidies stop. (When PS3 bankrupts them)

This is more BS.

BB will flip again soon, and my local Target(s) here in Southern California have plenty of HD DVD discs in stock, also 360 HD DVD players.

Target should speak up and put these clowns in their place. They had no idea what they were getting into when they let Sony buy endcaps... they had no idea they would become the #1 talking point in a FUD campaign.

Plus there is always that wacky deduction called production costs. Claimed to be very different between formats with the exponentially expensive side going to BD.

Google a news article on "BluRay Indiana Plant" -- Apparently they are worried for their jobs with the recent news from Paramount. It's a facility that just got a $81 million investment to enable them to produce BluRay.

$81mi to get what? A percentage of 2.2 million units worth of sales. If this is an indication of what's in store for these studios prepare to see more jump ship once the Sony BRIBES er.. I mean.. duplication subsidies stop. (When PS3 bankrupts them)

Two points, first, replicators make their money up front before consumers buy the disc, so every unsold disc at retail has already been paid for, and second, Blu-ray replicators are almost certainly replicating more games than movies right now.

You guys crack me up. Hell, I don't need to watch HD movies, I get all the entertainment I need right here in these forums. What's next, Sony claims HD DVD is dead and they have won the war, for the fourth time this year?

Woah people - this guy Hanson doesn't know anything more about Target and BB than we do - he's speaking about Paramounts move and is really P.O.d. He is rehashing old stories...

That is a classic comment...Thanks for the joke this morning. :)
There you have it folks



You guys crack me up. Hell, I don't need to watch HD movies, I get all the entertainment I need right here in these forums. What's next, Sony claims HD DVD is dead and they have won the war, for the fourth time this year?

Don't be surprised if they do.



This is more BS.

BB will flip again soon, and my local Target(s) here in Southern California have plenty of HD DVD discs in stock, also 360 HD DVD players.

Target should speak up and put these clowns in their place. They had no idea what they were getting into when they let Sony buy endcaps... they had no idea they would become the #1 talking point in a FUD campaign.

It makes you wonder why they even bother doesn't it?


Here in the U.S., HD DVD standalone player sales vastly exceed the Blu-ray standalone sales - so yes, Sony will need to do something! ;)

And if you want to bring gaming consoles into the mix, you can look at this:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/total-wii-sales-surpass-the-xbox-360-worldwide

And see that Xbox is outselling the PS3 in sold (not shipped) consoles.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/console-sales-august.jpg

If BDA has a 2:1 on media and 5:1 on BDA players total...doesn't that leave a 3:1 deficit in media sold?

just came back from target, the hi def media section just changed, they now have 4 rows of blu-ray movies to 2 rows of hd-dvd, it used to be even.

just came back from target, the hi def media section just changed, they now have 4 rows of blu-ray movies to 2 rows of hd-dvd, it used to be even.



Well someone better tell them to find some Fox titles to fill thoses soon to be empty Paramount/Dreamworks Blu spaces.

if you cant find the media why buy the player

NIELSEN #'S DON'T MEAN SQUAT WHEN THE TOTAL DISCS SOLD ARE 2 MILLION TOTAL DISCS IN OVER A YEAR! Do you simply not understand this? Studios aren't concerned with weekly nielsen #'s like so many pathetic people on this forum, they look at the big picture.

Do you think they cared when HD DVD was out-selling Blu-Ray in 2006 11:1? NO, because they were probably selling around five hundred discs a week!

Perhaps you should go run a studio since you're apparently so good at reading weekly nielsen numbers. :rolleyes:

So that means hd dvd standalones outeslling BD don't mean squat either since the total numbers are so small, right?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548492.htm

an official press release regarding the stance of Blue Ray Technologies and some reaction from the founder of the company includes a blurb which mentions 2 retailers which have been in the news recently...

let us know when they learn the correct spelling of BD. thank you. and it is not smart move to attack potential hands that would feed you. That shows the mentality of the establishment.

Reason for the misinformation? Of course!

Hansen is founder of Blue Ray Technologies (www.blueraytechnologies.com (http://www.blueraytechnologies.com)) which has built the first U.S. indie Blu-ray plant in Spokane, WA. The $12 million plant also has HD-DVD capacity, but Hansen has chosen to support Blu-ray for reasons of quality, capacity, and market penetration.

If Blu-Ray gets slammed this xmas, Hansen just lost 12 million dollars. Desperation sets in!
Yep - and worse yet, the poor guy can only replicate BD25s for that $12 million.

Sony appears to be the only shop doing BD50s...

As of last week two local Targets still had an HD-DVD section as big as it's BLU-RAY section near me. They both were small and over priced but they were BOTH there.

Of course, the vast majority of consumers doing their research when deciding between the two formats overwhelmingly have chosen Blu-Ray and this shows in the form of software sales. The rest happened to buy a PS3 for gaming and have become Blu-Ray supporters as well.. I purchased the PS3 for both after wanting all the titles I would be missing on HD-DVD which I had at that time. HD-DVD had the advantage for quite awhile until BD50's and AVC came along.. Buena Vista/Disney have shown the best quality releases so far and that's not just coming from me but the average of all the review sites combined.. So I'm rooting for the Blue Team and for consumer preference...

What planet are you from? Vast majority of consumers? Like the whoppiong 4% that currently buy HD media? Chose Blu-ray? No, they had BD chosen for them via PS3. BD stand alones dont sell worth a damn...c'mon, you know this....right? The PS3 effect wont last forever and HD DVD stand alone sales still KILL BD stand alones and this wil get worse as the Holidays come along since BD just cant get away from suspect $500 stand alones. maybe they'll drop them to $479 for the Holidays..... :rolleyes:

Quality releases? Thats subjective....but now since BD hs NO Paramount, looks like you guys have nothing to offer except Pirates, Rats, and Spiders. Not everyone is enamored with those titles, trust me.....

Time for you to try the RED pill..... :D

Quality releases? Thats subjective....but now since BD hs NO Paramount, looks like you guys have nothing to offer except Pirates, Rats, and Spiders. Not everyone is enamored with those titles, trust me.....


LMAO !! :D:D:D:D:D:D

The amount of men that shop at Target = who cares. Every time I've been there, it's been women (almost exclusively) buying diapers or Ensure.

I was at a super Walmart today and for the first time I saw a big display playing HD and BD side by side running the promo discs. Under the screen were the movies to purchase. I asked a sales person for the hardware and he told me they were to expensive to display and that you have to ask for one and someone would go to the back and get one for you.