Apparently, Paramount reserved the right to switch back to Blu Ray  

That is actually interesting news. If true, it will happen soon, as surely Paramount wants a single format as much as Warner and the other studios.

Amen Brother!!

Wow, very interasting if something comes of that.

I suspect that Universal can do whatever it wants at this point.

and if universal goes, what will parmount do?

Neither one want to be left holding the last red box. If Paramount can exit, they will do so ASAP.

Serenity and Transformers with 24/48 True HD or DTS MA. I can't wait.

Proof would be nice

Logic dictates that it is most likely true. We should know in a few days anyway.

It's been known for quite some time that Universal has not renewed any exclusivity deals with the HD-DVD Promo Group. This indicates that they were at least trying to keep their options open.

I imagine this announcement by Warner will just seal the deal. Expect Universal on Blu-ray disc any time now - maybe even announced during CES.

As for Paramount, if this news is true, I can't imagine they'll be far behind.

Not that it matters. The format war is over...

There were some that were speculating that Warner had a 2-year contract (as does Universal, so the theory goes) with the HD DVD group that ends at the end of May. If this were true, then maybe Universal might also go blue after May ... as for Paramount, I dunno, but I sure hope that they have an easy-out clause, so this crap will end sooner rather than later.

There are some nice Paramount movies I'd like to see on Blu-Ray, though Transformers is not one of them. This may be over sooner than we think.

If that is true, I hope Warner got enough money for the court battle they are about to face.

What court battle?

Did you miss the memo where Warner is stopping HD-DVD support in May? That would be 2 years and fulfillment of the contract.

Ever hear of "good faith" as it pertains to a contract?

i would think they have some of the best lawyers on retainer avaliable.

If universal goes neutral we might finally see a remastered Jurrasic park and back to the future.

Based on the Toshiba press conference I'd say that any exclusivity contracts might be ignored at this point.

Toshiba barely mentioned HD-DVD. Since it was widely assumed an A4/A40/A45 product line would be introduced and Toshiba would spend most of their conference gushing about HD-DVD's 2nd place ("But we're a strong second!") status, I'd say it's the officially the end.

That's not what he said.

Of course.

If one agrees Paramount reserves the right to switch to BluRay/Neutral, then it follows that their decision likely wasn't swayed by $ and that there was no 18 month contract.

LOL. It's funny how people interpret what people say.

THey could not just perhaps be taking the studied approach of spending a few days to discuss the best strategy with the other HD DVD partners and Toshiba? Making a careful consideration could be the furthest thing from reality right?
Oh you guys are just so ....

Dee

You've never heard of any company out there negotiating a new contract with another company, even before their current one expires? Athletes do it all the time.

You're not reading at all.

I don't have a clue.
And?

Umm, no. When they switched, Blu-ray was beating HD DVD. They obviously had some sort of clause that if Warner goes Blu-ray or if HD DVD can't overturn Blu-ray's lead by Q4 2007, then they reserve the right. You can bet the lawyers made sure there were Clauses.

^^^ +1000!!!

I haven't seen anyone cheering for a lawsuit. Paramount has the right to do with it's product what it wants to do. Breaching a contract is another thing. If Paramount breached a contract they should have been held accountable.