In my opinion, which ever side Warner goes on, will spell death to the competing format within 2008. But at the same time, price plays a very large role in this format war, and HD DVD players are getting to be dirt $cheap$. People can still buy very affordable HD DVD movies (Older Movies), so movie prices won't be a factor IMO.

Nevertheless Warner holds the balance in this war and I think they know this 100%. Warner's massive Hi Def movie contribution for both formats makes FOX & Disney look really stupid & proves the power in their films.

If Warner goes HD DVD Exclusive, I can see FOX & Disney going Neutral. That would obviously kill off Blu-Ray sooner rather then later IMO.

What do you guys think? I created this thread so we can predict & dissect Warner's possibilities of exclusivity with one HD Format.

In my opinion, which ever side Warner goes on, will spell death to the competing format within 2008. But at the same time, price plays a very large role in this format war, and HD DVD players are getting to be dirt $cheap$. People can still buy very affordable HD DVD movies (Older Movies), so movie prices won't be a factor IMO.

Nevertheless Warner holds the balance in this war and I think they know this 100%. Warner's massive Hi Def movie contribution for both formats makes FOX & Disney look really stupid & proves the power in their films.

If Warner goes HD DVD Exclusive, I can see FOX & Disney going Neutral. That would obviously kill off Blu-Ray sooner rather then later IMO.

What do you guys think? I created this thread so we can predict & dissect Warner's possibilities of exclusivity with one HD Format.

Whatever side they pick, I think it would eventually kill off the other side.

I have heard BD fans time and time again saying WB going HDDVD would not kill off BD and cause a stalemate, but if WB went BD it would kill off HDDVD. This is complete bunk. I dont think EITHER side can afford to lose WB.

I just wish WB would finally pick a side, so we can have one format. I prefer HDDVD, put if BD gets WB, I will throw all my support behind BD.

I highly doubt they're going HD DVD exclusive, it looks more like it is going to be the other way around.

Also there was Dan Silverberg, VP of high-definition media for Warner Home Video, which since Paramount’s move to the HD DVD camp is the only studio to support both next-generation formats.

That may not be for long, Silverberg said. “One thing that may be changing is our strategy,” he said. “When both formats launched and hardware prices were high, we made a decision to support both formats and let the consumer decide. But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide — so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter.”

Silverberg noted that Warner has the top-selling Blu-ray title of all time with 300 and is consistently No. 1 or No. 2 in both Blu-ray sales market share and in number of Blu-ray titles in the market.

“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.”

I think that Warner always wanted to with HD-DVD, but gave Blu-ray the benefit of the doubt. But now they're almost done testing the waters, and with HD-DVD having a lower price point as well as standards in place, they're just going to go ahead with the exclusivity.

But then again, their movies apparently sell well on both formats, and I am not sure if they would want to give up those profits. Perhaps it would be worth it, since they would save money by only authoring for one format?

Someone forgot the option of sinking both formats.

fitprod

No, even if HD DVD were to dominate as a result of a move as discussed in the OP, I think there would be a niche for PS3 owners there with BD.

I think if Toshiba offered them some Sony-like "incentives" it may just happen. I could see Disney being the next to go. To me, though, it's all very far fetched..but then again, I would have said the same thing if I heard any rumors of Paramount going exclusive before hearing the official announcement.

So, with low priced HD DVD's hitting the market, and the closest Blu-ray player twice the price, Warner is going to pull that stunt? That would be a bad bad bad move.

Are you aware that they say the same thing about both formats. Warner is like a player who's got 2 girlfriends. Each girl wants him "exclusively" but instead he will continue to tell them what they want to hear so he can continue to sleep with both of them.

I know its a Blu Ray event but this comment I find odd :

That may not be for long, Silverberg said. “One thing that may be changing is our strategy,” he said. “When both formats launched and hardware prices were high, we made a decision to support both formats and let the consumer decide. But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide — so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter.”


$399 vs $198.

I dont want to be flamed for this but, what are the chances of WB having a deal made and the BD group having no clue about it?

With the current quantities they are selling, it wouldn't be much of a loss to lose the HD-DVD sales in the short term. They could make that back quickly with economies of scale with only blu to support. Plus the move would most probably end the "war" as we know it. No format war, more consumer confidence, more sales (of hardware and software).

With the current quantities they are selling, it wouldn't be much of a loss to lose the HD-DVD sales in the short term. They could make that back quickly with economies of scale with only blu to support. Plus the move would most probably end the "war" as we know it. No format war, more consumer confidence, more sales (of hardware and software).

Yeah, but as much as us blue and red guys love to say that we would not support the other format, it would be MUCH easier for a blu guy to buy a HD DVD player for under $200, than it would be for a red guy to buy a Blu-ray player for $400.

Are you aware that they say the same thing about both formats. Warner is like a player who's got 2 girlfriends. Each girl wants him "exclusively" but instead he will continue to tell them what they want to hear so he can continue to sleep with both of them.

Can I get the # of your two girl friends?

Warner going HD DVD exclusive would cause a stalemate similar to the one experienced with SACD and DVD Audio. Both formats would survive for 3-5 more years just like SACD and DVD Audio but would never be adopted by the public. The general public is confused about HDM and happy with SD just look at the numbers SD sells. Eventually each format tank and all us early adopters would be the only ones using the formats, kind of like Laser Disk, DVD Audio and SACD.

Even if WB went exclusive HD DVD, I don't think it will cause the "death" of BD. Right now BD software consistently outsells HD DVD by a 2:1 ratio. If Warner went exclusive to HD DVD, I think it would even the market some. BD will still have Sony/MGM/Columbia, Disney, Fox and a few others. As long as those studios remain exclusive to BD, they are viable, IMO.

i would say no not at all WB really hasnt done a lot on BD so far. their are a few more movies on HD-DVD now.
i think both sides need to step it up in terms of movies. i want a lot more each side has its issues with studios not steping up.

the only thing that would kill blu-ray wold be one of the big studios such as fox or disney. sony will o down with the ship just as universial would although i think universal would be the first to publish BDs if they lost were as sony would wait a few years still pushing BDs from time to time (UMD anyone).


i think becase of the style of this format both sides will stay around as the physcail media is the same. were as beta and VHS werent you can't make duel players that would work well. i suposse a duel deck but why.

i hope to get a BD player as well. dont know if it will be a ps3 or player. if they can get a player down to a MSRP of $299 with the abilty to UG as they change the spec im their.

I know its a Blu Ray event but this comment I find odd :



$399 vs $198.

I dont want to be flamed for this but, what are the chances of WB having a deal made and the BD group having no clue about it?

It seems to be referring to the time when bluray players were at the $1000 dollar mark. The chance they gave was for the price to come down. Now, at the $400 mark, they consider it affordable. And given they have higher sales on blu than hd-dvd, it would seem totally illogical to chose the lesser selling format for your studios future.

What do you mean by die ? Marginalized yes.

Art

While I support HD-DVD, I do not want BR to die. As long as both are battling it out, each side will be forced to adopt the other's strengths in order to survive. The innovations will continue, and they will keep each other honest.

Think back to SD-DVDs. After the first couple of years, there were essentially no innovations or enhancements to PQ or SQ, and no increases in capacity. May both formats survive for a long time.

I highly doubt they're going HD DVD exclusive, it looks more like it is going to be the other way around.

There you go..typical re-quoting of already debunked misleading quotes by Blu-Ray crowd.

I'll post that same quote to you when they go HD DVD exclusive and ask you again in 2-3 months.

Endgame! :D

What do you mean by die ? Marginalized yes.

Art

Is there a difference?:D

MGM, Disney, Columbia and Fox would mean we would still have two formats for a long time. Warner would just even things out.

There you go..typical re-quoting of already debunked misleading quotes by Blu-Ray crowd.

I'll post that same quote to you when they go HD DVD exclusive and ask you again in 2-3 months.

Let us stipulate that Berman was the one that said "“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.”

It doesn't matter. The crux of the comments were by Silverberg. Even if he didn't say he was "committed", the commitment is obvious from his actual comments.

Whatever side they pick, I think it would eventually kill off the other side.

I have heard BD fans time and time again saying WB going HDDVD would not kill off BD and cause a stalemate, but if WB went BD it would kill off HDDVD. This is complete bunk. I dont think EITHER side can afford to lose WB.

I just wish WB would finally pick a side, so we can have one format. I prefer HDDVD, but if BD gets WB, I will throw all my support behind BD.
Ditto, iv had enough already, choose one and lets move on.
No, even if HD DVD were to dominate as a result of a move as discussed in the OP, I think there would be a niche for PS3 owners there with BD.
Totally agree. They will call it 'Superbit' part 2 just the bare bone movie ect..
Warner going HD DVD exclusive would cause a stalemate similar to the one experienced with SACD and DVD Audio. Both formats would survive for 3-5 more years just like SACD and DVD Audio but would never be adopted by the public. The general public is confused about HDM and happy with SD just look at the numbers SD sells. Eventually each format tank and all us early adopters would be the only ones using the formats, kind of like Laser Disk, DVD Audio and SACD.

You could not be more wrong.

I highly doubt they're going HD DVD exclusive, it looks more like it is going to be the other way around.


Wow dude, you drank the Kool Aid. How on earth does that mean they are going blu? We dont really know what they are doing.

Warner going HD DVD exclusive would cause a stalemate similar to the one experienced with SACD and DVD Audio. Both formats would survive for 3-5 more years just like SACD and DVD Audio but would never be adopted by the public. The general public is confused about HDM and happy with SD just look at the numbers SD sells. Eventually each format tank and all us early adopters would be the only ones using the formats, kind of like Laser Disk, DVD Audio and SACD.

Here we go, just like I said. That silly talking point that somehow if BD lost WB, it would be a stalemate.

I will say it again, let the kool aid go, whoever gets WB, its over.

Yeah, but as much as us blue and red guys love to say that we would not support the other format, it would be MUCH easier for a blu guy to buy a HD DVD player for under $200, than it would be for a red guy to buy a Blu-ray player for $400.

That's a good call. Honestly, I would *LOVE* a Blu-Ray player, but A) I'm not buying one until the 1.1 certified profile models hit and B) I simply can't afford to pay $400 to $500 for one, even if it's that one model "PS-3". ;) Would love to have PotC in HD!!!

I don't think it would be good PR if everyone were to find out that since both formats launched, 2 of the major studios had dropped Blu-ray.

Here we go, just like I said. That silly talking point that somehow if BD lost WB, it would be a stalemate.

I will say it again, let the kool aid go, whoever gets WB, its over.

Yup. totally agree.

Basically any studio that changes their stance at this point will probably tip the boat.

Warmer -> Exclusive
Fox -> Neutral
Universal -> Neutral
Disney -> Neutral.

If any one of the four happens by CES, the war will be over.

The fact that the comments were made at a blu-ray event could allow one to imply blu...

On the other hand watching the 4th quarter results knowing hd dvd is more affordable could mean giving hd dvd a serious look, esp. considering that pre launch, before the all-out PS3 commitment, Warner was headed hd dvd exclusive.

Blu would last longer if they lost Warner but ultimately would not likely survive to profitability. Higher cost media production and big subisidies most likely require an outright win for BD to have a chance at profitability.

The combination of Warner moving + low cost standalone players + a built-in 360 drive would be too much in long run.

Even if WB went exclusive HD DVD, I don't think it will cause the "death" of BD. Right now BD software consistently outsells HD DVD by a 2:1 ratio. If Warner went exclusive to HD DVD, I think it would even the market some.

How much of that 2:1 BD ratio is Warner? Take that away from BD then do the math. BTW which do you think would sell more Spidey 1,2,3 BD or the Harry Potter titles exclusive to HD DVD? ;)

I dont want to be flamed for this but, what are the chances of WB having a deal made and the BD group having no clue about it?

50/50

I voted no.

Disney, Fox, Sony/Columbia, etc would keep blu ray alive.
IMO all WB would do by going hdvd exclusive is tilt the software sales towards hd dvd.
We all know that having a lead in software sales does not mean that the other side dies.

I voted yes for "will this spell DEATH to the Competing Format in 2008?"

But, it really depends. If Warner goes Blu, HD DVD is a goner. If Warner goes HD DVD, both formats will survive for awhile as a form of continuing stalemate. Warner is a HUGE player, and I think their side will have the edge, be it Blu or HD.

I highly doubt they're going HD DVD exclusive, it looks more like it is going to be the other way around.


Why don't you post the FULL article instead of just stopping right where you did.

Why don't you post the FULL article instead of just stopping right where you did.

Because the full article was statements from different studios, and he only posted Warner's statements. Makes perfect sense, considering we're talking about Warner...

I dont want to be flamed for this but, what are the chances of WB having a deal made and the BD group having no clue about it?
Blu-ray would probably know - I think they knew in the few days leading up to the Paramount announcement. In this case, the question is - will WB re-sign and pay the money to remain a BD Forum member. If they didn't do that by the end of tomorrow (assuming the rumors are correct and their contract expires Oct. 31), then BD will definitely know, even if we don't.

Yup. totally agree.

Basically any studio that changes their stance at this point will probably tip the boat.

Warmer -> Exclusive
Fox -> Neutral
Universal -> Neutral
Disney -> Neutral.

If any one of the four happens by CES, the war will be over.

I disagree - Fox and Disney are likely locked into some sort of contract related to their payoffs. I think BD will stagger on until the end of those contracts, should WB defect to HD DVD.

By the way, and I know you know this, Universal is HD DVD exclusive - did you mean somebody else?

I voted "yes" but must add they wouldn't die so much as loose the war, there's a difference.

Warner going HD DVD would IMO make Disney, and Lionsgate go neutral, and possibly get Criterion to run a release or two up the flagpole. By the end of 08 it would be clear BD was the PS3 format, and BD only CEMs would be DF all the way.

:olink to artical plz.

Here we go, just like I said. That silly talking point that somehow if BD lost WB, it would be a stalemate.

I will say it again, let the kool aid go, whoever gets WB, its over.Interesting when someone doesn't think as you do it's koolaid.

:olink to artical plz.


http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11449

Business as usual until 2009 no matter what happens.

Warner is a huge studio and the side that gets them, wins. Will it happen in a year? I don't think so but the losing format will not be profitable. CE's will drop it like a rock, studios will go neutral. It might as well be over but neither will give up in a year. To much at stake and major payoffs are always a possability to bring them back into the game.

That being said, BR is in serious trouble!!!!

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11449

If you read the article notice how the supposed Silverberg qoutes are strategically placed in another paragraph having nothing to do with Warner. This was a Bluray press event after all and having a biased press there would go without saying. I believe this is just more brilliant BR pr spin.

Seriously not even considering how poorly written it is. You would not end a section of an article with Silverberg talking bluray support quoting "We can definitely talk bluray". That quote would start the section of the article.

Sounds to me like WB is going more pro-Blu-ray. They did seem positive that Blu-ray players were getting cheaper and then stated they'd be choosing sides for the consumer.

Unless I'm wrong (and anyone on either side could be eating crow... not just me... soon) it sounds like WB may be tipping towards Blu-ray. Their HD titles do sell better on Blu. Perhaps the BDA is wooing them as Toshiba/Microsoft wooed Paramount.

Dan

It won't die. It just cant, it would still be a "PS3" Format only disc. There would still continue business as usual.

Sounds to me like WB is going more pro-Blu-ray. They did seem positive that Blu-ray players were getting cheaper and then stated they'd be choosing sides for the consumer.

Unless I'm wrong (and anyone on either side could be eating crow... not just me... soon) it sounds like WB may be tipping towards Blu-ray. Their HD titles do sell better on Blu. Perhaps the BDA is wooing them as Toshiba/Microsoft wooed Paramount.

Dan

And yet they invited Toshiba to their press event last week. And they're packing in 300 with the 3rd gen Toshiba players???

No way. If anything Toshiba would drop 300 from the package as quick as they sniffed something being off with Warner.

I voted No.

While WB going Blu would be harsh for HD DVD, I don't think it could kill it.

Conversely, WB going HD would just even things up.

I just emailed the author of the article http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11449 and asked who he was referring to when he wrote: “We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.” In the following paragraph:

“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.” At the Monday morning kickoff, the featured speaker was David Berman, director of Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying consortium of 62 dealers and 800 installers with combined revenue of more than half a billion dollars a year. He said the HTSA supports Blu-ray because a member survey found 92% favoring Blu-ray over HD DVD

The author simple wrote back:

"Silverberg
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld"

Nothing more nothing less thats what I received from him. If anyone doesn't believe me email him his email is at the top of the article and he responded within 2 minutes.

Sounds to me like WB is going more pro-Blu-ray. They did seem positive that Blu-ray players were getting cheaper and then stated they'd be choosing sides for the consumer.

Unless I'm wrong (and anyone on either side could be eating crow... not just me... soon) it sounds like WB may be tipping towards Blu-ray. Their HD titles do sell better on Blu. Perhaps the BDA is wooing them as Toshiba/Microsoft wooed Paramount.

Dan

I think that would be a massive loss for HD-DVD. I support and own both, but I dont believe HD-DVD has any chance of survival without WB.

This seems like such a different spin then the one we got from eyecrave just recently though. The impression from that HD-DVD event seemed to be on of HD-DVD getting WB, whereas this even seems to be quite a bit more Blu leaning. The next couple of months will be interesting for sure.

Terrantula

I just e-mailed the author and asked him where he got his writing degree, out of a crackerjack box?

The author simply wrote back:

No, Cereal

SO, there you go!

I think if WB went exclusive BD it will hurt HD DVD FAR MORE than it would hurt BD if WB went exclusive HD DVD. There's already a 2:1 ratio in favor of BD, If HD DVD lost WB, it would probably be 3:1. We better hope WB doesn't go BD.

“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.”

What do you expect WB to say at a “Blu-ray Festival”


Silverberg said. “One thing that may be changing is our strategy,” he said. “When both formats launched and hardware prices were high, we made a decision to support both formats and let the consumer decide. But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide — so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter.”

Sounds like the same thing they've been saying. That they'll wait and see how the 4th qtr goes before making any decisions.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11449

First of all, Home Media Magazine has shown a Blu-ray bias in the past, even writing an editorial on how Microsoft is prolonging the format war. BTW: the editor who wrote that article is the same guy who reported this story.

But anyway, I really don’t think there is any news in this article. They have said all along that they are going to evaluate the results of the 4th quarter and that’s what he said they are doing. They have done promotion for Blu-ray and they have done promotion for HD DVD. At a Blu-ray event, obviously they discussed their Blu-ray success.

It would spell a slow death. Sony will continue to support it via it's own studio releases, and there is quite a bit of WB content out there for BD already. But not in 2008. Neither format will die next year. One may be merely a zombie, but neither will be seen motionless in a shallow pit grave.

MEC2

At the Monday morning kickoff, the featured speaker was David Berman, director of Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying consortium of 62 dealers and 800 installers with combined revenue of more than half a billion dollars a year. (I)"We can definitely talk Blu-ray," he said. "We are committed to the format." He said the HTSA supports Blu-ray because a member survey found 92% favoring Blu-ray over HD DVD


All fan boy crap aside, doesn't the paragraph make a lot more sense this way?

It sure doesn't the other way. IMO of course.

I voted no because it won't go away, but it would be relegated to a "PS3 format". I think HD DVD would become the next standard.

At the Monday morning kickoff, the featured speaker was David Berman, director of Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying consortium of 62 dealers and 800 installers with combined revenue of more than half a billion dollars a year. (I)"We can definitely talk Blu-ray," he said. "We are committed to the format." He said the HTSA supports Blu-ray because a member survey found 92% favoring Blu-ray over HD DVD


All fan boy crap aside, doesn't the paragraph make a lot more sense this way?

It sure doesn't the other way. IMO of course.

You are dead on target here. These quotes if from Silverberg should not be in the HTSA paragraph at all. This was a bluray press event by the way with bluray biased press. Their PR spin machine if anything is outstanding. If this guy wrote the other article concerning Microsoft it is a no brainer. He strategically placed Bermans comments in the HTSA paragraph to sound like Silverbergs.

Question is, how many HD movies has each studio released? For example, Paramount released 50 BR, and 56 HDDVD, and so on. What kind of contribution have Fox and Disney actually made to the BR side?

James

At the Monday morning kickoff, the featured speaker was David Berman, director of Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying consortium of 62 dealers and 800 installers with combined revenue of more than half a billion dollars a year. (I)"We can definitely talk Blu-ray," he said. "We are committed to the format." He said the HTSA supports Blu-ray because a member survey found 92% favoring Blu-ray over HD DVD


All fan boy crap aside, doesn't the paragraph make a lot more sense this way?

It sure doesn't the other way. IMO of course.I agree the sentence does make more sense that way, but what about this article:
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6495359.html?desc=topstory

WB was also partially funding the event:


“Some people believe you can plug a DVD player into a high-def TV and that’s the best you can get,” said Dan Silverberg, VP of HD media development for Warner Home Video. The ads, he said, “marry the concept of Blu-ray discs and TV.”

Select studios and electronics manufacturers are “funding this incremental education,” said Silverberg, who was networking at the Blu-ray Festival press event hosted by the Blu-ray Disc Assn., 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Panasonic in Los Angeles Monday and Tuesday.

In all reality notice how at the WB press event in Canada last week there were no BD hardware manufacturers there or blurays discs for that matter. It was Toshiba and HDDVD. No Bluray section was present.

The only thing confirmed here is Warner is considering changing their Dual format stance, which to me is a pitty. (Unless this is a gambit to force an neutral agreement on everyone with the TotalHD disk )

Hum, they tell a blu friendly group one thing and they tell a HD friendly group another.

But what does it matter? Reading the tea leaves? At blu friendly event Warner's words are shaped towards that particular audience or interpreted that way by the audience. Same thing happen at a HD friendly event. Cancels each other out IMO

Wait until there is an official announcement before drawing conclusions.
Its a dead horse, but the market isn't being overwhelmed by public demand for HDM. Hopefully that changes.
If Bill Gates (or Toshiba for that matter) really cared about the sales data he could spend a $100 million buying a few million's worth of disk each week and keep HD DVD at the top of the sales charts well in the 1st Q of 08.

Looking at story, the quotes all of the hubbub is about, that paragraph is improperly written. I'm willing to give the writer the benefit of the doubt because it may have look different on his word processor than it does on-line.

Dan Silverberg may well be responsible for the quotes, but as written it could also imply they came from the speaker of the event.

Also the questions asked would help understand the answers. Was that part of a quote from Silverberg or was it an answer to an exact question?
like; "Are there any problems programming BD disks?" (“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,”)
&
"Are you going drop BD?" (“We are committed to the format.”)

But I don't take any of this seriously, it is akin to a politician going to the NRA to speak and detailing their (the politician's) plans to repeal the 2nd amendment. You don't do that (and live;) ).

Someone mention earlier about insider trading being a major concern for these companies, I don't know how true that is but we already have dozens of broken promises/misleading statements from these players, studio & CE, who knew for a fact they were lowering the price and when they planed to start/stop support.

All the rest of it is FUD, generated by us. Pro one side/anti another. We don't have the facts and we can't know what is going on behind closed doors. And thats they way they like it.

We may get hints and glimmers of the going ons but we should remember we are being manipulated by the powers that be. Don't invest too much hope/promises in these statements and other rumors.

The games are just getting started. It's fun to speculate and to try to out analyze the analysts :D

AND if they were going to go Blu-ray only, why have Toshiba pack in 300 into all the 3rd generation players??


.


I've been thinking and Warner is droping blu for this reason.

And the fact that every 360 sold you get a free copy of 300 HD DVD.

What kinda of movie deals had Warner done with Blu-ray?

You are dead on target here. These quotes if from Silverberg should not be in the HTSA paragraph at all. This was a bluray press event by the way with bluray biased press. Their PR spin machine if anything is outstanding. If this guy wrote the other article concerning Microsoft it is a no brainer. He strategically placed Bermans comments in the HTSA paragraph to sound like Silverbergs.

Despite the fact that the author has replied to multiple emails stating that the statement in question was Silverberg, I'm sure more than one person will write an article. All we can hope is that the next article is written by somebody that graduated high school.

But I don't take any of this seriously, it is akin to a politician going to the NRA to speak and detailing their (the politician's) plans to repeal the 2nd amendment. You don't do that (and live;) ).


Hmm.... "a politician"..."their plans" - is that Blu-Ray Forum's plans, or the politician and his/her plans?

:)

I've been thinking and Warner is droping blu for this reason.

And the fact that every 360 sold you get a free copy of 300 HD DVD.

What kinda of movie deals had Warner done with Blu-ray?

Woah...300 in HD with every X-Box 360? Awesome! Do you have a link to the article?

Nice....

James

Despite the fact that the author has replied to multiple emails stating that the statement in question was Silverberg, I'm sure more than one person will write an article. All we can hope is that the next article is written by somebody that graduated high school.

He also wrote an article on "Why Microsoft is Prolonging the Format War." So with that bias up front and pushing his own agenda I take his comments with a grain of salt.

I've been thinking and Warner is droping blu for this reason.

And the fact that every 360 sold you get a free copy of 300 HD DVD.

What kinda of movie deals had Warner done with Blu-ray?

That was a walmart.com promotion and they have pulled it since it was first seen.

300 is included with the A3's though.

Woah...300 in HD with every X-Box 360? Awesome! Do you have a link to the article?

Nice....

James


They changed it now its heros.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hddvdplayer/hddvdnow/default.htm

That was a walmart.com promotion and they have pulled it since it was first seen.


It was on the same Xbox site as this link

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hddvdplayer/hddvdnow/default.htm


Sorry I cant find it.

Hmm.... "a politician"..."their plans" - is that Blu-Ray Forum's plans, or the politician and his/her plans?

:)

What? the blu forum is planning to repeal the 2nd amendment???!!! When were they invited to speak to the NRA???! And why they hell did they accept???!

Oh, well, what's done is done, the BRF had best keep a low profile. :)



On the 300 HD DVD free with a Xbox 360 happened a month ago, Google or forum search might dig it up. It may have been a Wal-mart deal only.

I can't wait for either side to win. No matter what there will be a lot of crow to eat around these boards and enough quotes to use for a long time.

I love being format neutral, no stress wondering if my side will win and I can just buy the movies I want to watch. When the dust settles I will just buy a dual player for all the movies I have on the losing side.

I look at it this way. 90% of the movies I like are from WB. If they drop HD-DVD support then I drop the support as well. I know I will not buy a blu-ray player. It will just end the HD format war for me and I will just be happy with what movies I do have on HD and just be happy with the good enough dvd.

If WB picks Blu-ray, I think HD DVD will slowly die away, perhaps not in 2008, but definitely in 2 or 3 years.

However if WB picks HD DVD, I think Blu-ray will turn into a niche format that will cater to small minority group of videophiles (think AVS Forum members) much like LDs, Superbit DVDs, and Criterion collection.

And yet they invited Toshiba to their press event last week. And they're packing in 300 with the 3rd gen Toshiba players???

No way. If anything Toshiba would drop 300 from the package as quick as they sniffed something being off with Warner.

In a vacuum you could get away with making that argument.

However, we have recent actual history of a comparable event.

Paramount abandoned Blu-ray while Paramount titles were included in new Blu-ray player promotions. There is no reason (other than Warner deciding to be more ethical businessmen) why Toshiba couldn't be left holding the bag.

Well if WB goes HD-DVD there is really no need for blu-ray. I don't see how it could last.

I mean the only player thats going to lose it when it dies is the PS3 for games. I know WB will make the right choice and go HD-DVD only. I am sure they want this war to be over with so they can start to really make some money on this in the coming year.

A company like this has it's foot in the door for both formats and is keeping one of them alive. Once it falls into the door they chose to go all the way into the other format will just go away.

Dan Silverberg may well be responsible for the quotes, but as written it could also imply they came from the speaker of the event.

Also the questions asked would help understand the answers. Was that part of a quote from Silverberg or was it an answer to an exact question?
like; "Are there any problems programming BD disks?" (“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,”)
&
"Are you going drop BD?" (“We are committed to the format.”)

But I don't take any of this seriously, it is akin to a politician going to the NRA to speak and detailing their (the politician's) plans to repeal the 2nd amendment. You don't do that (and live;) ).

Someone mention earlier about insider trading being a major concern for these companies, I don't know how true that is but we already have dozens of broken promises/misleading statements from these players, studio & CE, who knew for a fact they were lowering the price and when they planed to start/stop support.

All the rest of it is FUD, generated by us. Pro one side/anti another. We don't have the facts and we can't know what is going on behind closed doors. And thats they way they like it.


When are people going to learn that companies usually don't pre-announce such plans, the reason is simple. If Warner isn't going to move one way or the other until Jan. 08, why tell you what that move is now? So that the sales of the format they aren't choosing dry up before they're done selling it and during the holiday gift buying season?

Expect no notice, and no hints. Also expect them to put on a good show of support to both until they choose, because doing any less would give them away.

Also expect them to put on a good show of support to both until they choose, because doing any less would give them away.

No doubt. On top of all that, I think a lot of posters on this forum put more thought into interpreting these statements than the people who originally spoke them.

As for the Poll... I haven't the energy to discuss every angle for what's confirmed and present reality, let alone every "what if" incarnation. :-)

You won a tier 0 award. I am jealous!!!!! :D

When are people going to learn that companies usually don't pre-announce such plans, the reason is simple. If Warner isn't going to move one way or the other until Jan. 08, why tell you what that move is now? So that the sales of the format they aren't choosing dry up before they're done selling it and during the holiday gift buying season?

There is no concrete evidence that Warner will choose in Jan. Yes they've said it, but Paramount could've also waited until Jan after seeing what numbers Transformers would have done on Blu-ray (which would've been in excess of 2:1 IMO). Warner may choose their format of choice HD DVD or Blu-ray based on how they can see profits rolling. They may decide: "Ok, if we go HD DVD in Nov, the added sales boost will be worth it, than if we wait until the dry month of Jan 08."

Expect no notice, and no hints. Also expect them to put on a good show of support to both until they choose, because doing any less would give them away.

Exactly.

I just emailed the author of the article http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11449 and asked who he was referring to when he wrote: “We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.” In the following paragraph:

“We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.” At the Monday morning kickoff, the featured speaker was David Berman, director of Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying consortium of 62 dealers and 800 installers with combined revenue of more than half a billion dollars a year. He said the HTSA supports Blu-ray because a member survey found 92% favoring Blu-ray over HD DVD

The author simple wrote back:

"Silverberg
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld"

Nothing more nothing less thats what I received from him. If anyone doesn't believe me email him his email is at the top of the article and he responded within 2 minutes.


That statement means nothing. Wasn't Paramount committed to blu-ray right up until they went HD DVD exclusive?

That statement means nothing. Wasn't Paramount committed to blu-ray right up until they went HD DVD exclusive?

Yep. :D;)

From the comments, it seems that the decision has already been made.

We can definitely talk Blu-Ray means ... let's discuss what Blu-Ray has to offer and put it on the table. That could be money, benefits, royalties, incentives and what not.

Warner is in a prime position and they will go to the highest bidder. If you ask me, I think they are pulling a classic rope-a-dope.

It goes without saying that Warner choosing one side is a big step forward in this format war and a decisive step at that. The format war will end soon.

From the comments, it seems that the decision has already been made.

We can definitely talk Blu-Ray means ... let's discuss what Blu-Ray has to offer and put it on the table. That could be money, benefits, royalties, incentives and what not.

Warner is in a prime position and they will go to the highest bidder. If you ask me, I think they are pulling a classic rope-a-dope.

It goes without saying that Warner choosing one side is a big step forward in this format war and a decisive step at that. The format war will end soon.

Hmm, It's going to take more than a cryptic peck-on-ass that could mean everything and nothing at BD promo event to convince me that they're goin bleau. Red still seems more likely to me, but I'll agree what some are seeing as a valentine sounds a little more hard-ball to me.

Hmm, I know what you and the other boy's in blue are hoping for, but it's going to take more than a cryptic peck-on-ass that could mean everything and nothing at BD promo event to convince me that they're goin bleau. Red still seems more likely to me.

I think you have totally misconstrued my comment. :)


Rope-a-dope is a term used in boxing where the boxer shows one side but punches from the other one as it comes totally unexpected. That is what my gut feeling is on all this. I just think they are showing Blu and doing the rope-a-dope to go Red eventually with a classic sucker punch.

Kinda makes you wonder. What would things be like right now had Warner never gone neutral in the first place?

You won a tier 0 award. I am jealous!!!!! :D

and without ever leaving this forum, though I sure they imagine we go by many names in many places :rolleyes:

I think you have totally misconstrued my comment. :)


Rope-a-dope is a term used in boxing where the boxer shows one side but punches from the other one as it comes totally unexpected. That is what my gut feeling is on all this. I just think they are showing Blu and doing the rope-a-dope to go Red eventually with a classic sucker punch.

I did, and made a kinder, gentler post in response. :)

Doesnt WB hold patents involved with HD-DVD? if so they would be shooting them selves in the foot to go blu-ray exclusive.

Kinda makes you wonder. What would things be like right now had Warner never gone neutral in the first place?

Oddly enough, I think better for BD than dumping them now would look. That sort of shift at this juncture would basically look as if Warner was giving BD a vote of no-confidence after having used it. It's finality would be very damaging.

On the other hand, had they stuck to HD DVD they probably would have kicked out more releases.

I did, and made a kinder, gentler post in response. :)

I support HD-DVD. ;)


Red is better than Blue in any case.


AC Milan > Internazionale FC

Manchester United > Manchester City

Liverpool FC > Everton FC

Ferrari > Ford

RedWings, Avalanche, Canadiens > Teams in blue

.
.
.
.
.

The list goes on ... :D It's a universal trend surprisingly. :eek:

HDDVD needs Warner more than BluRay. Without Warner there are only 2 studios supporting HDDVD. The format would be dead by 2008. If BluRay loses Warner they still have Sony,MGM, Disney, Fox and Lionsgate. Based on their comments, I don't see Disney or Fox going neutral any time soon unless there was a definitive victory for HDDVD like 90:10 in software sales. Even at that point Sony, being a stubborn company, would stay Blu until it's last dying breath.

Doesnt WB hold patents involved with HD-DVD? if so they would be shooting them selves in the foot to go blu-ray exclusive.

Yes

One of the big reasons software sales probably mean very little in their decision given how miserable they are, and since their very decision will tip the scales anyway.

If BluRay loses Warner they still have Sony,MGM, Disney, Fox and Lionsgate.

Sure, but for how long? Disney and Lionsgate would go neutral pretty quick IMO.

Sure, but for how long? Disney and Lionsgate would go neutral pretty quick IMO.

Maybe Lionsgate, I'm not so sure about Disney. They've been very supportive of BluRay considering it was their titles offered in the BOGO to counter Transformers. I also believe Disney has received ''incentives'' to stay Blu.

I wonder if Warner's so-far neutrality is only to achieve low-cost HDM players as quickly as possible. If so, now is the time (as Paramount explained to Bay) to go HD DVD exclusive because player prices will be $169-$198 in the coming weeks.

I have yet to figure out why any of the BD studios wanted to jump in bed with a competitor (Sony).

I just got an e-mail that Warner has invited major press, including the AP to an previously unscheduled press event on the 31st on relatively short notice.

Could be something as innocuous as new releases or something really significant, but it was implied that it was an unusual event and major announcement(s) would be made.

I just got an e-mail that Warner has invited major press, including the AP to an previously unscheduled press event on the 31st on relatively short notice.

Could be something as innocuous as new releases or something really significant, but it was implied that it was an unusual event and major announcement(s) would be made.

:eek:

Blu Ray exclusivity??

HD DVD exclusivity??

:D

One thing some in this forum and almost everyone in the Blue Ray Forum are forgetting is the opposite is happening to the Playstation 3 in regards of studio support for it's(PS3)main reason for existing in the first place, which is also meant to be it's bread and butter, VIDEO game support.Many studios including but not limited to Bungie(now indie of MS),Activision,Valve,ID Software,THQ,etc. have ALL stated that they will no longer support the PS3 with versions of their games , or are totally rethinking PS3 support due to the unnecessary difficulty,time, and money games for the PS3 require to be made.Since the PS3 is currently in 3rd place and likely to stay there(i own a PS3 and see their point), it's likely to see less and less exclusives and even less version of games that also release on the 360/Wii.Studios simply are only making marginal profits on only the very TOP PS3 sellers and losing tons of money on the rest.Whatever may be said by Sony loyalists this fact cannot be changed and now we are seeing developers simply stop production on anything to do with the PS3.Some have tried using profits made from games for the other two systems to subsidize PS3 game developement but don't seem to be able to or want to do so anymore.

How does this effect BRD support in the future?I think your going to see the PS3 become a nonreason for whatever format does win out in the end, whether that be HD DVD(my personal choice because of price and consistant quality)or BRD(which will have to rely on whatever it's own advantages are one not being the PS3 very much longer).Walmart is gearing up for it's introduction of the $200 HD DVD player but we'll have to see how market penetration goes before i see that will help push HD DVD into more mainstream living rooms and BRD of the side of the bridge(if in fact it does).

I just got an e-mail that Warner has invited major press, including the AP to an previously unscheduled press event on the 31st on relatively short notice.

Could be something as innocuous as new releases or something really significant, but it was implied that it was an unusual event and major announcement(s) would be made.

hmm... we'll have to wait and see... very interesting!

Just did a bit of search and found someone else knowing about this on a thread discussing Warner, on of all places, the very blu site.

If interested in the thread on that site PM me , or find it yourself , the thread is titled

"Any Speculations on WB's contract?" in their General forum.

Someone there heard of this a day or so ago, and it got them all a twitter.

Absolutely nothing I have heard has pointed to anything bad coming our way. While something is going on on Oct 31, I have no reason to believe that it's anything to worry about.

If anything, I'd say it's Warner's "Hey look at our Christmas stuff" for the US press, where they might pull a few cool announcements out for titles for next year, or a few more to add to the roster.

If Warner goes HD DVD I think it will look very bad for blu-ray. Imagine people reading their newspaper and seing 'first Paramount, now Warner' 'Sony = Betamax' stories etc. Perception counts for a lot and it will seem like studios are jumping a sinking ship.

thank you