View Full Version : Warner Bros. going HD-DVD only?
nelson
09-11-2007, 02:28 PM
I always though Warner Bros. would be the first one of the dual-supporters to go HD-DVD only...being that The Matrix trilogy is only only available in HD-DVD and not Blu-ray.
Now comes rumors through the DVD Emipre blog that it might be happening (http://hidefdvdempire.blogspot.com/2007/09/will-warner-bros-go-hd-dvd-exclusive.html).
Now comes rumors that WB may be making a similar deal...or one close to it. Reports are circulating this morning that the studio is mulling a deal which would make some big releases, such as Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, exclusive to the HD_DVDformat. Toshiba is behind the offer, apparently offering Warners millions if they'll make the move.
Trigger Mike
09-11-2007, 05:40 PM
I read about this the other day and it's worrying.
You can consider both HD DVD and Blu-ray completely fucked if Warner Bros. go HD DVD only. That will give us a complete split down the middle as far as Hollywood studios are concerned, thus screwing both consumers and themselves. If they want people to get on board with HD movies, they really need to settle on one format.
I think the Blu-ray Disc Association need to start opening their wallet to the studios just as the DVD Forum are doing.
JesterJJZ
09-11-2007, 06:29 PM
I think the Blu-ray Disc Association need to start opening their wallet to the studios just as the DVD Forum are doing.
Or give up...
Best option would be for both camps to cut their tech licensing fees in half and have everyone make dual players.
I read about this the other day and it's worrying.
You can consider both HD DVD and Blu-ray completely fucked if Warner Bros. go HD DVD only. That will give us a complete split down the middle as far as Hollywood studios are concerned, thus screwing both consumers and themselves. If they want people to get on board with HD movies, they really need to settle on one format.
I think the Blu-ray Disc Association need to start opening their wallet to the studios just as the DVD Forum are doing.
The rumors about Warner have been flying around since the week Paramount went exclusive, they just happen to hit website headlines this week. As for the BDA opening up their wallets, they have been doing that already, but obviously it's not something that will get discussed openly, here's a quote from IFA, 2 weeks ago:
"Question to BDA: it's about Paramount/Dreamworks. People speculated that Paramount were given 'sweeteners''. The person asking wants a Yes or No answer from all of the studios - have you been 'sweetened' to stick exclusively with Blu-ray?
Answer: (Nobody wants to answer this).
Update: some execs state "no, no sweeteners" (apologies that this was not clearer in the article before).
The FOX exec is given the mic: "We were given very good content protection" (smiles).
Disney/Buena Vista rep states "no comment".
(They continue passing the mic around).
Question to BDA: The guy who originally asked the question wants a definite confirmation that NO studio has received any sweetener to stay with Blu-ray.
Answer from Buena Vista: "That's not what I said. I said no comment".
Take it as you will, but if they didn't why just not say it? Fox says copy protection, but BD+ has yet to be implemented on any release.
As far as both sides being fucked if Warner does go HD DVD, highly unlikely, such a move would put pressure on Disney and Fox to go neutral. Warner could end the format war if they wanted to, and so far it looks like its only a matter of time for this to happen.
Both Paramount and Warner were HD DVD exclusive at some point, ever wonder why the change of heart? There's a lot of talk about production costs of BD50's, people believe this is one of the main reasons for the Paramount move.
r-type
09-11-2007, 06:38 PM
Anybody heard anything about the triple layer 51 gig HD-DVD? I read that it had been given the go-ahead by the DVD Forum. Any of you more knowledgeable peeps care to chime in on what that may do to this ongoing feud?
Anybody heard anything about the triple layer 51 gig HD-DVD? I read that it had been given the go-ahead by the DVD Forum. Any of you more knowledgeable peeps care to chime in on what that may do to this ongoing feud?
Yes, that actually went thru, at the beginning they were looking at a 45g disc, but they were having problems with the laser reading the layers, but by changing the angle they fixed the reading problem and increased disc capacity at the same time, it hasn't been officially announced but insiders are confirming that this disc is compatible with all hardware, first, second and third generation players.
As far as making a difference? maybe, but this is mainly for PR, bragging rights, that's the way I'm looking at it anyway.
JesterJJZ
09-11-2007, 07:09 PM
Doesn't the proposed Blu-Ray spec go up to 200gigs on a single disc?
xAgonyxScenex
09-11-2007, 10:02 PM
if warners goes hd-dvd exclusive...im done buying next gen movie, until a format wins out....cause this is getting stupid
Trigger Mike
09-12-2007, 02:15 AM
Or give up...
Not when they have a majority market share.
Doesn't the proposed Blu-Ray spec go up to 200gigs on a single disc?
Yes.
JesterJJZ
09-12-2007, 05:31 AM
if warners goes hd-dvd exclusive...im done buying next gen movie, until a format wins out....cause this is getting stupid
I haven't taken the plunge yet. I'm looking into the Samsung Dual player that's supposed to come out soon. I think it's supposed to be like $599 when it's finally released. When that it's under $500 I'm sold. Seriously, yeah the technology is new, but it's only expensive cause there's no demand. If all the manufacturers lowered their prices on the hardware, more people might jump for it. The small initial hit would be worth the sales of movies.
We can expect player prices to drop by this holiday season, but the samsung you're talking about will go for $999.00 MSRP, sadly.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/05/more-details-on-samsungs-999-bd-up5000-combo-player/
xAgonyxScenex
09-12-2007, 11:28 AM
I haven't taken the plunge yet. I'm looking into the Samsung Dual player that's supposed to come out soon. I think it's supposed to be like $599 when it's finally released. When that it's under $500 I'm sold. Seriously, yeah the technology is new, but it's only expensive cause there's no demand. If all the manufacturers lowered their prices on the hardware, more people might jump for it. The small initial hit would be worth the sales of movies.
wishful thinking...the rich just want to get richer
ClaytonMG
09-12-2007, 11:43 AM
Yes, that actually went thru, at the beginning they were looking at a 45g disc, but they were having problems with the laser reading the layers, but by changing the angle they fixed the reading problem and increased disc capacity at the same time, it hasn't been officially announced but insiders are confirming that this disc is compatible with all hardware, first, second and third generation players.
As far as making a difference? maybe, but this is mainly for PR, bragging rights, that's the way I'm looking at it anyway.
That's weird... The interview I read with a tech guy from Toshiba said that it's impossible to get the first players to read these discs and it wont be for a very long time before they actually start using them. He said around quarter 3 next year...
Also this WB thing is old news. It was from DreamWorks and Paramount were paid off. WB already turned them down. And the reason The Matrix is HD-DVD exclusive is for 2 reasons, one Blu-Ray couldn't handle the features at the time of the release (at least not the way WB wanted them) and also HD-DVD paid for an exclusive time period for the films.
That's weird... The interview I read with a tech guy from Toshiba said that it's impossible to get the first players to read these discs and it wont be for a very long time before they actually start using them. He said around quarter 3 next year...
Also this WB thing is old news. It was from DreamWorks and Paramount were paid off. WB already turned them down. And the reason The Matrix is HD-DVD exclusive is for 2 reasons, one Blu-Ray couldn't handle the features at the time of the release (at least not the way WB wanted them) and also HD-DVD paid for an exclusive time period for the films.
Can you link the interview and the HD DVD-Matrix pay off? This is the first time I ever hear anything about anything like this. I'd like to know how old the interview is, since the info I mentioned is about 2 days old, also the 51g disc was approved recently.
The reason for Matrix and even Batman begins, as far as I know is the fact that the Blu-Ray spec didnt make PiP mandatory and both of these titles have an IME feature.
ClaytonMG
09-12-2007, 02:50 PM
Can you link the interview and the HD DVD-Matrix pay off? This is the first time I ever hear anything about anything like this. I'd like to know how old the interview is, since the info I mentioned is about 2 days old, also the 51g disc was approved recently.
The reason for Matrix and even Batman begins, as far as I know is the fact that the Blu-Ray spec didnt make PiP mandatory and both of these titles have an IME feature.
It was actually The Matrix, not Batman Begins. I can't find the link for that, since it's been a while since it was released. As for the DVD Forum approving the TL-51, that happened August 31st. Here's the interview:
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62615
I don't really think this guy knows what's going on though...
It was actually The Matrix, not Batman Begins. I can't find the link for that, since it's been a while since it was released. As for the DVD Forum approving the TL-51, that happened August 31st. Here's the interview:
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62615
I don't really think this guy knows what's going on though...
This interview is over a year old, last years IFA to be exact, august 30, 2006. They're discussing rumors of a triple layer 45g disc, which we now know it became the TL51, a lot of things changed since then.
The IFA date is at the top of the page, the publication date is at the very end of the article.
ClaytonMG
09-12-2007, 06:00 PM
This interview is over a year old, last years IFA to be exact, august 30, 2006. They're discussing rumors of a triple layer 45g disc, which we now know it became the TL51, a lot of things changed since then.
The IFA date is at the top of the page, the publication date is at the very end of the article.
Holy crap! No wonder the dude seemed very confused. I was wondering why they were talking about the 45gb discs when the TL-51 is, well obviously 51gb. I never made it to the end of the article. I quit reading about 34ths of the way through because the tech guy didn't seem to know what was going on. Now I know why.
ClaytonMG
09-14-2007, 10:53 AM
Here:
http://www.betanews.com/article/Toshiba_DVD_Forum_Hasnt_Yet_Approved_Final_51_GB_H D_DVD_After_All/1189716943
This one is a little more recent than that other interview lol Boy did I feel dumb with that one!
Anyone hear that Twister (from WB) is being released on Blu-Ray and HD-DVD in January? Imagine the sound on that one!
r-type
09-14-2007, 11:54 AM
Looks like Warner is staying neutral....for now.
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6477849.html?nid=2402
(http://[url/)
Trigger Mike
09-14-2007, 12:14 PM
Yeah, Warners do appear to be standing strong. Good for them.
Things can obviously change over night in this pathetic little scrap of a war that's going on. Let's wait and see what other studios decide to go against their word.