Fallout Begins Over Warner Bros. Blu-ray Decision; Is the Party Over (Literally)?

Iria · Jan 5, 2008, 01:02 PM

Source: Tech-Ex
___________
Yesterday Warner Bros., the last "on the fence" studio, announced its decision to drop HD-DVD at the of end of May and focus on Blu-ray only. Fallout,as well as some crowing, and even some veiled threats, has begun.

Mr cairo · Jan 5, 2008, 01:29 PM

i am curious about something does this also mean that films that were HDDvD exclusive will now start to filter over to Blu-Ray as there are some glaring Blu-Ray titles missing Batman Begins and Bourne spring to mind

will the companies that signed up for HDDvD support only now renegotiate the contract so they can support both for a while or would they have to wait until the current one runs out and then change

and in all honesty isnt there really a market for the both 360 will play HDDVD and the PS3 will play BD so really as long as people buy the consoles wont they have a market

mayby in the long run 3rd party cheap dual players would be the way to go but that results in pricier disks .......

frikking minefield really ..

must say though that me the lad and the wife just watched Spiderman3 on the ps3 and it looked absolutly stunning

mike2h · Jan 5, 2008, 01:38 PM

from cnbc -

Quote:

Warner Bros. has become the latest studio to back Blu-ray exclusively. The announcement scheduled for Monday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas instead leaked out today with the studio now confirming the news.

There had been speculation for some time that Warner would go this way, but all along, Warner has been sending signals that it would not pick a side in the contentious battle for next-generation DVDs.

In fact, most experts agree that the jockeying among Hollywood heavyweights for one format or another has been the key reason for the slow adoption of the new technology. Disney and Fox have already made the choice, so Warner jumping on the Blu-ray bandwagon will be a difficult pill to swallow for the HD DVD camp.

Warner is a particularly big win for Blu-ray since it's not only a content pioneer, but tech pioneer as well, holding 11 patents and one of the key early supporters of HD DVD.

Of course, Warner's news comes amid a flurry of speculation that Apple Inc. will also give its nod to Blu-ray at the company's big Macworld trade show coming up on January 15.

Blu-ray, of course, has seen much of its success come from sales of Sony's PlayStation 3, since a Blu-ray player is included in that console. HD DVD has seen huge momentum recently, thanks to significant price breaks by retailers and the platform's chief backer, Toshiba.

Some Blu-ray backers have maintained that HD DVD has always enjoyed a price advantage, but without studios offering "dual platform" content, HD DVD would be at significant disadvantage, unable to offer all the content consumers were looking for.

The Warner Bros. decision to go Blu-ray becomes a serious problem for the HD-DVD camp, and could give companies like Samsung and LG a boost since at present, those are the only two consumer electronics makers that manufacture and sell dual-format players that play back films in both formats. For now.

With companies like NetFlix soon offering IPTV direct downloads of HD movies direct from the net, the days of a "format" war may be short-lived. Consumers soon will be able to go the web, rent or buy movies and watch them on their television no matter what format the studio backed. Some felt those days were still years away.

But as the format wars with "physical" media heat up, some tech companies may try to spur IPTV's adoption and availability. And that could eliminate the format wars gripping so many key players in consumer electronics.

HD DVD is backed by the likes of Toshiba and Microsoft. Sony is the primary supporter of Blu-ray, along with Dell, HP Hewlett-Packard Co and others. Warner's news becomes a big problem for Microsoft, no question.

interspaced · Jan 5, 2008, 01:55 PM

All I want is for the war to end so i can choose whatever movie i want from any studio honestly there should be a law against this kind of competition. It will also be an end to the animosity that has been plaguing the internet though no doubt that all parties involved will continue to be blamed/hated for their part in this scandel.

Yeah i'm pleased blu ray won since it always seemed to have stronger support from the japanese manufactures and studios from the start. However that doesn't excuse what both Toshiba/microsoft and members of the BDA have done. They've turned videophiles against each other and spread their crap to the console market. Nobody's a saint in all this.

Feel sorry for Warner in the end it couldn't continue like this. Whilst they'll be hated by many I hope those with open minds will see it as I do and that is a positive step forward.

mike2h · Jan 5, 2008, 02:29 PM

i agree, all i have ever wanted was for this to be over, regardless who won.
i was going to by a hd-dvd deck next month as an early birthday present. guess ill be getting something else now.

Necrosis · Jan 5, 2008, 04:42 PM

A have a few questions to pick everyone's brain.

1. Does anyone know if Warner is under contract w/ Toshiba for releasing movies until May? I would think they would want to dump HD DVD as soon as possible based on their press release.

2. Who thinks there will be any legal actions, consumer, or corporate?

3. If all the studios switch to BR will we ever see a Blu-Ray add on drive for the 360?

4. What do you think about the rumor of money exchanging hands?

5. How do you think this will effect prices on both sides?

My own personal statement reading thru all the comments on other sites, forms. I'm seeing quite a few worries being expressed by both sides. For once (besides the die hard fan boys) there has been some real discussion on this issue. I hope we can continue that here.

thunderclap · Jan 5, 2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

1. Does anyone know if Warner is under contract w/ Toshiba for releasing movies until May? I would think they would want to dump HD DVD as soon as possible based on their press release.

According to the press release they will be releasing HD-DVD until May due to contract. But they will be delayed and won't be released the same day as DVD or Blu-Ray.

Quote:

2. Who thinks there will be any legal actions, consumer, or corporate?

Toshiba has said in a press release that Warner did break contract. Whether or not they will pursue legal action is up in the air. As for consumers... most likely someone in the U.S. will. We are in fact sue crazy these days.

Quote:

3. If all the studios switch to BR will we ever see a Blu-Ray add on drive for the 360?

Maybe. It all depends on what Microsoft wants to do.

Quote:

4. What do you think about the rumor of money exchanging hands?

Both parties have done it so I think it's sort of a moot point.

Quote:

5. How do you think this will effect prices on both sides?

HD-DVD prices will drop as stores begin to clear out inventory. Unsure about Blu-Ray. All the recent sales were in response to Toshiba's. I do believe that if Blu-Ray has any hope of penetrating the DVD market the prices will have to be the same if not lower to convince people to switch.

Necrosis · Jan 5, 2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

According to the press release they will be releasing HD-DVD until May due to contract. But they will be delayed and won't be released the same day as DVD or Blu-Ray.

I never quite caught them using the word "contract" in their release so that is why I was wondering. Also how Paramount just dropped Blu-Ray w/o any delay made me wonder why they would wait or not limit their releases.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

Toshiba has said in a press release that Warner did break contract. Whether or not they will pursue legal action is up in the air. As for consumers... most likely someone in the U.S. will. We are in fact sue crazy these days.

I myself doubt there will be any thing majorly done at the corporate level, if anything just a means to get some money from TW to Toshiba. However, the consumer level is where I think the proverbial stuff will hit the fan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

Maybe. It all depends on what Microsoft wants to do.

Do you think Sony would license the tech to MS? If anything it would be Samsung or LG who helps make it happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

HD-DVD prices will drop as stores begin to clear out inventory. Unsure about Blu-Ray. All the recent sales were in response to Toshiba's. I do believe that if Blu-Ray has any hope of penetrating the DVD market the prices will have to be the same if not lower to convince people to switch.

There is still two major studios releasing in HD DVD so I'd wait to hear what is announced by the HD DVD camp. We're still not out of the woods yet. I'm in a great position if need I'll be able to convert all of my movies over if need be.

I'm waiting on a decent BR player below the $300.00 mark, and hopefully they'll finally stick to a standard too.

Iria · Jan 5, 2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

A have a few questions to pick everyone's brain.

1. Does anyone know if Warner is under contract w/ Toshiba for releasing movies until May? I would think they would want to dump HD DVD as soon as possible based on their press release.

2. Who thinks there will be any legal actions, consumer, or corporate?

3. If all the studios switch to BR will we ever see a Blu-Ray add on drive for the 360?

4. What do you think about the rumor of money exchanging hands?

5. How do you think this will effect prices on both sides?

My own personal statement reading thru all the comments on other sites, forms. I'm seeing quite a few worries being expressed by both sides. For once (besides the die hard fan boys) there has been some real discussion on this issue. I hope we can continue that here.

1) According to Toshiba's press release as indicated in the article, they are under contract, and Toshiba actually made it sound like a veiled threat. Did you read the article?

2) See 1)

4) Likely, I think.

It's also interesting how the HD-DVD Group cancelled their Sunday party / press conference.

Mr cairo · Jan 5, 2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

3. If all the studios switch to BR will we ever see a Blu-Ray add on drive for the 360?

I suppose thats not unlikey ... someone may develope a 3rd party bluray player if its ok to make a 3rd party controller , cable , mouse , webcam , headset for the 360 then why not a 3rd party blu-ray player ?

as for money changing hands ... thats more than likley TBH

interspaced · Jan 5, 2008, 07:41 PM

With regards to a payoff Warner: No Payoff for Move to Blu-ray | High-Def Digest is the Warner stance.

I guess it makes sense if the format war ends then there's a chance that high-def simply won't exisit as a niche product and the long term prospects will equate to more money than any company offer.

I know some of you won't believe this. Again it's a testament to the effects the format war has had on those that have followed it.

Necrosis · Jan 6, 2008, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iria

1) According to Toshiba's press release as indicated in the article, they are under contract, and Toshiba actually made it sound like a veiled threat. Did you read the article?

2) See 1)

4) Likely, I think.

It's also interesting how the HD-DVD Group cancelled their Sunday party / press conference.

What I was commenting on initially is Time Warner's press release. I would imagine if TW is releasing movies as per their contract until it runs out then they're not breaching contract. Toshiba's statement specifically mentions "support". It could be in regards to the delayed release of HD DVD versions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr cairo

I suppose thats not unlikey ... someone may develope a 3rd party bluray player if its ok to make a 3rd party controller , cable , mouse , webcam , headset for the 360 then why not a 3rd party blu-ray player ?

as for money changing hands ... thats more than likley TBH

It would be nice to know why MS supported HD DVD in the first place? However, you can download movies that are only available on BR from Live Market place. Weird stuff if you ask me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by interspaced

With regards to a payoff Warner: No Payoff for Move to Blu-ray | High-Def Digest is the Warner stance.

I guess it makes sense if the format war ends then there's a chance that high-def simply won't exisit as a niche product and the long term prospects will equate to more money than any company offer.

I know some of you won't believe this. Again it's a testament to the effects the format war has had on those that have followed it.

Slighty off topic but one of the new rumors is that BDA is going to start offering special deals to HD DVD owners. Which I think would be a great thing to do to mend bridges.

I really don't know if TW took money now, or is going to take some money later. It also could be some technology sharing as well or other deals w/ studios in the BDA. What I will say is I have to take what TW says now w/ a grain of salt. Heck, 2-3 weeks ago they were saying they won't support BR exclusively.

Jan 5, 2008, 01:02 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	Fallout Begins Over Warner Bros. Blu-ray Decision; Is the Party Over (Literally)? Source: Tech-Ex ___________ Yesterday Warner Bros., the last "on the fence" studio, announced its decision to drop HD-DVD at the of end of May and focus on Blu-ray only. Fallout,as well as some crowing, and even some veiled threats, has begun.

Jan 5, 2008, 01:29 PM	#2
Mr cairo White Swan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Slightly to the left Posts: 1,352 Rep Power: 53 System Specs	i am curious about something does this also mean that films that were HDDvD exclusive will now start to filter over to Blu-Ray as there are some glaring Blu-Ray titles missing Batman Begins and Bourne spring to mind will the companies that signed up for HDDvD support only now renegotiate the contract so they can support both for a while or would they have to wait until the current one runs out and then change and in all honesty isnt there really a market for the both 360 will play HDDVD and the PS3 will play BD so really as long as people buy the consoles wont they have a market mayby in the long run 3rd party cheap dual players would be the way to go but that results in pricier disks ....... frikking minefield really .. must say though that me the lad and the wife just watched Spiderman3 on the ps3 and it looked absolutly stunning __________________ homepage Last edited by Mr cairo; Jan 6, 2008 at 04:02 AM.

Jan 5, 2008, 02:29 PM	#5
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,489 Rep Power: 74 System Specs	i agree, all i have ever wanted was for this to be over, regardless who won. i was going to by a hd-dvd deck next month as an early birthday present. guess ill be getting something else now. __________________

Jan 5, 2008, 01:55 PM	#4
interspaced DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 293 Rep Power: 0	All I want is for the war to end so i can choose whatever movie i want from any studio honestly there should be a law against this kind of competition. It will also be an end to the animosity that has been plaguing the internet though no doubt that all parties involved will continue to be blamed/hated for their part in this scandel. Yeah i'm pleased blu ray won since it always seemed to have stronger support from the japanese manufactures and studios from the start. However that doesn't excuse what both Toshiba/microsoft and members of the BDA have done. They've turned videophiles against each other and spread their crap to the console market. Nobody's a saint in all this. Feel sorry for Warner in the end it couldn't continue like this. Whilst they'll be hated by many I hope those with open minds will see it as I do and that is a positive step forward.

Jan 5, 2008, 07:41 PM	#11
interspaced DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 293 Rep Power: 0	With regards to a payoff Warner: No Payoff for Move to Blu-ray \| High-Def Digest is the Warner stance. I guess it makes sense if the format war ends then there's a chance that high-def simply won't exisit as a niche product and the long term prospects will equate to more money than any company offer. I know some of you won't believe this. Again it's a testament to the effects the format war has had on those that have followed it.