High Def Digest confirms it: High Def Digest: Paramount says it is still supporting HD DVD but is also not announcing any new titles at CES (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DreamWorks/Paramount/CES_2008/Paramount/DreamWorks:__Still_Supporting_HD_DVD_[UPDATED]/1345)

This can't be a good sign for HD DVD...

Were all the studios due to announce releases? I have heard nothing from Universal, New Line yet?

This sounds a lot like the WB comments of the past. Actions often speak louder than words. No titles hardly looks like a strong endorsement.

Remember when Paramount switched? Fox came out blasting right away. So far, neither Universal or Paramount has said much.

Don't throw good money after bad. Everyone now has the information to make a decision to limit losses in this area.

High Def Digest confirms it: High Def Digest: Paramount says it is still supporting HD DVD but is also not announcing any new titles at CES (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DreamWorks/Paramount/CES_2008/Paramount/DreamWorks:__Still_Supporting_HD_DVD_[UPDATED]/1345)

This can't be a good sign for HD DVD...

Ominous sign for HD-DVD. At PR-fests like CES, silent supporters are not supporters at all.

maybe the retailers will make the decision for them read somewhere target went blu
only today for players.

Paramount is still too busy counting their $50,000,000 payout to be concerned with announcing any new movies.

Paramount only cares about money, not HD DVD. They'll gladly stab HD DVD in the back just as swiftly as they did Blu-ray last year if they can escape their contract.

This is worst than last year with the silence of Universal and the speculation. And has Universal announced? Don't think so. Not good any way you cut it. Just a statement by Paramount that they continue to support HD DVD. No new titles and Universal is mum.

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.

I'd say this year is significantly different than last year, wouldn't you?

Paramount only cares about money, not HD DVD. They'll gladly stab HD DVD in the back just as swiftly as they did Blu-ray last year if they can escape their contract.

And you think any corporation care for anything but the bottom line.WOW

What may be worse for HD DVD supporters is if Universal DOES announce new titles...

The writings on the wall.

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.HD DVD hadn't just been told they were losing 20%-40% of the HDM market, either. Nor had they been told they sold less non-console players than Blu-ray during the holidays. They also didn't cancel their press conference.

It's a wee bit different this year...

I'd say this year is significantly different than last year, wouldn't you?

You mean just because Toshiba is under the mat with no legs to stand on?

HD DVD hadn't just been told they were losing 20%-40% of the HDM market, either. Nor had they been told they sold less non-console players than Blu-ray during the holidays. They also didn't cancel their press conference.

It's a wee bit different this year...

Not really

Well then I'm sure you can tell us why it's "not really"...

Blu-Ray got Warner. Media proclaims Blu-Ray winner. Panasonic announces new player. Sharp announces new player. Philips announces new player. Samsung announces new player. Sony hypes BD-Live. Fox and Disney announce titles.

HD-DVD cancels press conference. And: crickets.

If there is a clearer sign than silence at the biggest PR event of the year, I don't know what it is.

When does the Blu-Ray press conference start?!

HAHAHA!!!

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.It did mean something last year. HD DVD gave up a fair amount of ground in Q1 and then had to fight back from being behind. It is unlikely they could go through another Q1 with Universal not releasing much (and Warner delaying the HD DVD versions and people knowing Warner is dropping HD DVD this time) without falling even further behind. And this time I'm not sure Toshiba will be willing to come up with the incentives for Universal to pick up the pace.

--Darin

I realize everyone wants to read into things, but at the same time Universal did not announce titles last year either.

Remember when Universal was quiet last CES, everyone was all about "Universal's going neutral!!!"

I would fold up the jump to conclusions mat for the moment and wait a little longer.

I realize everyone wants to read into things, but at the same time Universal did not announce titles last year either.
My memory is that they didn't announce many titles, and then didn't release many for a while either. Their lack of announcements at CES seemed to be a good indicator of how slim their Q1 releases were last year.

I agree that it didn't mean they were going neutral last year, but Toshiba doesn't just need Universal to not release on Blu-ray, Toshiba needs them to release good stuff on HD DVD (and lots of it).

--Darin

All this has to go through the company meat grinders. If all these were US companies it might have happened already, but... So, in the next week or so we should have a clearer picture, after a bunch of meetings, if it was a real surprise (I think it was - Warner was being two-faced about it all)

My memory is that they didn't announce many titles, and then didn't release many for a while either. Their lack of announcements at CES seemed to be a good indicator of how slim their Q1 releases were last year.

I agree that it didn't mean they were going neutral last year, but Toshiba doesn't just need Universal to not release on Blu-ray, Toshiba needs them to release good stuff on HD DVD (and lots of it).

--Darin

Well yes. They do. And they need Paramount to do the same. They need both to not only continue on with Iron Man, and the other Day/Date stuff, but (Paramount more than Universal) dig into the catalog.

Whether that happens or not, we'll see. I don't at all take what they do or do not do at CES to be any indicator. In fact, right now with all the Blu-ray hoopla at CES why bother drawing any attention you don't want right now? Regroup, let Blu-ray run supreme at CES, then do what you have to do.

I realize the BD folks on the forum think Uni and Paramount should just jump ship and give the big middle finger to those who bought HD DVD players over the last 2 years, but I can't imagine they would. And I know if the tables were reversed Blu-ray owners would be up in arms if Fox then Disney did that to them.

It did mean something last year. HD DVD gave up a fair amount of ground in Q1 and then had to fight back from being behind. It is unlikely they could go through another Q1 with Universal not releasing much (and Warner delaying the HD DVD versions and people knowing Warner is dropping HD DVD this time) without falling even further behind. And this time I'm not sure Toshiba will be willing to come up with the incentives for Universal to pick up the pace.

--Darin

Yes thank you for mentioning this. Their silence and paltry releases for at least 4 months was one of the definitive low points in HD DVD`s existence. And although the PS3 certainly had a function to play in that the dry period given its concurrent release to the Universal shortfall, it was done at the most inopportune time, knocked the wind out of HD DVD`s momentum, a momentum it was never able to regain. The dryspell and silence was of sufficient concern to me that at the end of January I purchased the PS3. In a format war it was a major blunder which for some reason passed blithely over Toshiba`s head and the collective heads of the HD DVD group.

I don't blame them, I would keep everything quiet for now until BDA announces their plans. There is no point in showing your hands early, especially when your going to be up against tough competition.

I realize everyone wants to read into things, but at the same time Universal did not announce titles last year either.

Remember when Universal was quiet last CES, everyone was all about "Universal's going neutral!!!"

I would fold up the jump to conclusions mat for the moment and wait a little longer.

Do you honestly believe that after the Warner announcement it should be just business as usual for Universal, IF they are at all interested in HD DVD`s survival. They were roundly criticized for last year`s silence so the only thing I can assume from this is that they have little concern in picking up the pieces of the Warner fallout.

Well yes. They do. And they need Paramount to do the same. They need both to not only continue on with Iron Man, and the other Day/Date stuff, but (Paramount more than Universal) dig into the catalog.

Whether that happens or not, we'll see. I don't at all take what they do or do not do at CES to be any indicator. In fact, right now with all the Blu-ray hoopla at CES why bother drawing any attention you don't want right now? Regroup, let Blu-ray run supreme at CES, then do what you have to do.

I realize the BD folks on the forum think Uni and Paramount should just jump ship and give the big middle finger to those who bought HD DVD players over the last 2 years, but I can't imagine they would. And I know if the tables were reversed Blu-ray owners would be up in arms if Fox then Disney did that to them.

Excellent post Michael... How does that motto go :

"No news is good news" ;)

Do you honestly believe that after the Warner announcement it should be just business as usual for Universal, IF they are at all interested in HD DVD`s survival. They were roundly criticized for last year`s silence so the only thing I can assume from this is that they have little concern in picking up the pieces of the Warner fallout.

Or perhaps that is just how they do things.

Again, I am all for waiting to see what they do before making a baseless claim.

Excellent post Michael... How does that motto go :

"No news is good news" ;)Not in the business world...

Not in the business world...

If you say so....

Excellent post Michael... How does that motto go :

"No news is good news" ;)

You know, I wish I could just slip into "Blu-ray fanboi" mode like some who insist that both studios are just going to dump HD DVD and never look back (not saying that's you). But I just can't seem to find the desire to do so.

So for now, I'll wait to hear something official from Paramount and/or Universal. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my two HD formats.

No news is simply no news.

There is no point in hd promo group announcing anything until they have a plan.

If they are going to throw in the towel, very possible, they need to have a plan for the most graceful exit possible. They'll want to minimize their losses on the way out and who knows they might even be thinking a little a bit about how they best leave hundreds of thousands of hd dvd owners.

If they are not going to throw in the towel then they need to have a plan even more and they have to do more than announce movies, they have to layout the plan so any possible backers have something to get behind and support, both business supporters and consumers.

Simply announcing movies would fall completely flat at this point, they have to say what they are going to attempt to do in 2008 one way or the other.

more great marketing from HD DVD ;)

This is clearly a bad bad sign.

You know, I wish I could just slip into "Blu-ray fanboi" mode like some who insist that both studios are just going to dump HD DVD and never look back (not saying that's you). But I just can't seem to find the desire to do so.

So for now, I'll wait to hear something official from Paramount and/or Universal. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my two HD formats.

No news is simply no news.

Definitely not dumping my hardware or software Michael & will continue to support HD DVD until I can get myself to go neutral

Paramount only cares about money, not HD DVD. They'll gladly stab HD DVD in the back just as swiftly as they did Blu-ray last year if they can escape their contract.
Paramount may stick with HD DVD in order to milk their contract. All of HDM was only worth $300 million in 2007, so the contract could be worth more than the sales!

Or, Paramount may wait until HD DVD is really in the dumps, so that they may re-negotiate the terms of pulling out at a time when Toshiba may want out in order to cut their losses.

more great marketing from HD DVD ;)

Actually tsb this strategy should appeal to you. You have long championed HDM being nothing more than a niche format so that studios wouldn't skimp on quality and encodes just to mass produce for the mainstream.

In reality, shouldn't the idea of HD DVD possibly falling into a 2 studio niche format be more to your liking then the idea of Disney, Fox, Sony and Warner trying to gain mass adoption, which goes against your beliefs?

You know, I wish I could just slip into "Blu-ray fanboi" mode like some who insist that both studios are just going to dump HD DVD and never look back (not saying that's you). But I just can't seem to find the desire to do so.

So for now, I'll wait to hear something official from Paramount and/or Universal. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my two HD formats.

No news is simply no news.

Except this is the CES show, the biggest CE showcase of the entire year.

To have NOTHING to say or announce in terms of hardware and movies is tanatamount to waving the white flag.

If the HDDVD companies were determined to fight on, we SHOULD have seen hardware announcements from Toshbia (A4 etc) and mutliple movie announcments to combat the overwhelming tide of releases coming from the BDA.

As it stands Tosbiba and friends are giving up faster than the French in WW2. Total capitulation in less than 3 days.

Yeah, it's CES not the film makers convention.

Except this is the CES show, the biggest CE showcase of the entire year.

To have NOTHING to say or announce in terms of hardware and movies is tanatamount to waving the white flag.

O'rly? So the fact that Warner then has made no announcements should be a sign that they really aren't supporting Blu-ray after all. It was just a token announcement, but they really aren't making any MOVIES for the format.

:rolleyes:

If the HDDVD companies were determined to fight on, we SHOULD have seen hardware announcements from Toshbia (A4 etc) and mutliple movie announcments to combat the overwhelming tide of releases coming from the BDA.

Considering the A3, A30, A35 are still current models, and there is no profile 1.1 or 2.0 needed, I would imagine they don't need new models.

Although oddly enough they announced a whole new line of laptops with HD DVD drives......oh and a new burner.

But you're right, they made NO hardware announcements. :rolleyes:

As it stands Tosbiba and friends are giving up faster than the French in WW2. Total capitulation in less than 3 days.

As evidence by the statement that they still firmly remain committed to the format.

I realize everyone wants to read into things, but at the same time Universal did not announce titles last year either.

Remember when Universal was quiet last CES, everyone was all about "Universal's going neutral!!!"

I would fold up the jump to conclusions mat for the moment and wait a little longer.

Universal, Paramount and Warner were slated to appear at the HD DVD press conference. What were they going to do there, if not announce titles?

Universal, Paramount and Warner were slated to appear at the HD DVD press conference. What were they going to do there, if not announce titles?
Warner was going to announce HD DVD exclusivity.

The only thing that would have raised my spirits from an hddvd perspective would have been the announcement of Gladiator. Now I find myself comparing the features of all the BR players that were announced! Something tells me I can get better quality from a standalone (other than use my PS3)

"have no plans", hmmm, where did I hear that phrase before. Oh yeah! Warner said that about choosing a side. As a matter a fact, I've heard that term so often during this war that it doesn't mean anything anymore.

Warner was going to announce HD DVD exclusivity.

Reference please?

In any case, its moot to argue over 'what-if' points.

-HD DVD CANCELS their CES conference
-No new hardware announced by Toshiba. 4 Minutes total spent discussing HDDVD at their conference, mostly to lament about Warner
-Microsoft does not even MENTION HDDVD their they presentation
-Amir from MS confirms that they knew well in advance of the Warner announcement of the defection, which pretty much dispells the FUD being spewed that this was a last minute change in direction.

All this and yet the HDDVD fanboys cannot let go of the fight.

Warner was going to announce HD DVD exclusivity.

Is this true? Does anybody have any evidence that this was gonna happen before Warner changed their mind?

Warner was going to announce HD DVD exclusivity.
If that were true (which it's most likely not), that would be a prime example of counting your chickens before they've hatched.

Is this true? Does anybody have any evidence that this was gonna happen before Warner changed their mind?

I heard that rumor from a flying pig the other day, so it must have been true. :D

Universal, Paramount and Warner were slated to appear at the HD DVD press conference. What were they going to do there, if not announce titles?

Universal's man is the co-president of the HD DVD PRG. Ken Graffeo is always there to address the press. He didn't announce titles last year. He was going to talk about HD DVD's strides in interactivity and such.

This is clearly a bad bad sign.

It clearly means nothing but what you want it to mean.

Again, same story last CES. Hi Def Digest ran a BS story about HD DVD coming up empty and everyone started crying about Universal going neutral.

Sony had a list of upcoming BD titles last CES, but how few of them actually showed up?

It's meaningless, and those people saying things like "it's a bad bad sign" are just trying to frighten people and further their own agenda.

If that were true (which it's most likely not), that would be a prime example of counting your chickens before they've hatched.
Something the bluboyz are doing ATM.

I heard that rumor from a flying pig the other day, so it must have been true. :D


So is this the latest strategy? Let's pretend that Warner wasn't about to announce HD DVD exclusivity..

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.

At the time to me it meant they probably were not going to release many prime titles until the new AACS copy protection key in place. And that turned out to be true. Not that it did much.

- Tom

So is this the latest strategy? Let's pretend that Warner wasn't about to announce HD DVD exclusivity..

Not really. There are rumors to that effect, they went the other way, so let's be gracious. Warner *almost* went for HD-DVD.

So what movies did the BDA studios announce?
Anything?
So this whole thread is a moot point then, right?

Give up, already.

A) Blu-ray titles were announced on Friday, no HD DVD titles were
B) The press conference just ended 5 minutes ago
C) We know that Paramount won't announce anything, Blu-ray studios have the whole week open to them
D) Like every single other trade show, they don't announce titles at press conferences, they use press releases

So what movies did the BDA studios announce?
Anything?
So this whole thread is a moot point then, right?

Read somewhere in a thread that Men In Black was being shown as a new release.

I suspect Toshiba and company are discussing their strategy on how to proceed from here. Paramount and Universal announcing titles at this time would hardly make a splash in the face of the news from Warner Bros. I would guess we will here a series of coordinated announcements in the weeks ahead, after the dust settles...

So is this the latest strategy? Let's pretend that Warner was about to announce HD DVD exclusivity..

...

Something the bluboyz are doing ATM.

I'd expect that from consumers, but not studios.

So what movies did the BDA studios announce?
Anything?
So this whole thread is a moot point then, right?

Disney: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_disney_2008.html

Fox: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_fox_q1_2008.html

Also, Sony and Lionsgate implied some big announcements in their BD-Live demos.

So is this the latest strategy? Let's pretend that Warner wasn't about to announce HD DVD exclusivity..

With the only evidence heard so far being amirm saying they weren't about to, it's not just pretending.

It wasn't going to happen.

Disney: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_disney_2008.html

Fox: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_fox_q1_2008.html

Also, Sony and Lionsgate implied some big announcements in their BD-Live demos.Compare to:

Paramount: Nothing and will be nothing
Universal: Nothing (and presumably will be nothing)
HD DVD PRG: Nothing
Microsoft: Nothing
Toshiba: Public admission of shock, surprise, and sadness
Any other HD DVD company: Nothing

Compare to:

Paramount: Nothing and will be nothing
Universal: Nothing (and presumably will be nothing)
HD DVD PRG: Nothing
Microsoft: Nothing
Toshiba: Public admission of shock, surprise, and sadness
Any other HD DVD company: Nothing

HDDVD has 2 supporters: diddly and squat.

What the heck?!? The Fox page shows all movies as MPEG2?? I hope that's a missprint...


As for the topic of this thread, I can't believe Paramount didn't anounce any titles. They're either going to (a) regroup, go totally Gung Ho and anounce a whole new slate of awesome titles next week or (b) quietly start printing the minimum number of titles they're committed to while discussing options with their lawyers.

I'm a big time HD DVD supporter, so I certainly hope its (a), but Paramount has NOT exactly been a "Gung Ho" company in regards to HD.

HD DVD hadn't just been told they were losing 20%-40% of the HDM market, either. Nor had they been told they sold less non-console players than Blu-ray during the holidays. They also didn't cancel their press conference.

It's a wee bit different this year...

Word.

Compare to:

Paramount: Nothing and will be nothing
Universal: Nothing (and presumably will be nothing)
HD DVD PRG: Nothing
Microsoft: Nothing
Toshiba: Public admission of shock, surprise, and sadness
Any other HD DVD company: Nothing


Yep, there's absolutely nothing anywhere. HD DVD just turned to dust and everything is gone. All titles canceled, they'll start pulling titles tomorrow as well, I mean HD DVD already sent most of the A3 inventory to Africa and a few other 3rd world countries and all that happened in 2 days. Ha ha ha.

You are funny and sad at the same time. Would you mind me asking, how old are you? No, don't answer that, I can imagine.

They call what you wrote, premature speculation. ;)

Disney: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_disney_2008.html

Fox: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_fox_q1_2008.html

Also, Sony and Lionsgate implied some big announcements in their BD-Live demos.

So Fox announced 2 "new" titles while talking about titles they announced last year that were delayed? Disney once again announced the same titles we knew were coming out. What new in there?

Even if Paramount had a CES announcement for HD-DVD, would anyone be listening?

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/ilovezune/blurayhddvd.jpg

Not in the business world...

Definitely not good.

So Fox announced 2 "new" titles while talking about titles they announced last year that were delayed? Disney once again announced the same titles we knew were coming out. What new in there?

You know, SONY is a company made of hypes and building hypes is what they are good at.:)

Reference please?


-Amir from MS confirms that they knew well in advance of the Warner announcement of the defection, which pretty much dispells the FUD being spewed that this was a last minute change in direction.

All this and yet the HDDVD fanboys cannot let go of the fight.

Can you refer me to the thread in which Amir states this?

These are rumors, but very strong rumors...

Is Paramount preparing to abandon HD DVD? (http://www.hdtvinfo.eu/news/hd-video-formats/is-paramount-preparing-to-abandon-hd-dvd.html)

I'm glad I still didn't choose for a certain format, to be hones I don't like discs anymore, since I'm using a Media Center...

It's in the insider's thread.

This is just like last year when Universal announced no new titles at CES... It meant nothing, yet the BD people went crazy then too, tossing around the same variety of FUD.

Well, it did mean a pretty bad release slate for HD-DVD in Q1 2007. What would the impact of a similarly sparse release slate for HD-DVD in Q1 2008 be?

At CES 2007 there was about 25 titles announced overall, everything came after... Just wait your HD DVD player will still be validated.