Beginning of the End for HD-DVD?

[mikeyj92]

From Blu-ray.com
Posted May 9, 2007

Heise Online, a German IT website, is reporting that during a press conference, representatives from Pioneer announced that Universal will break their exclusivity agreement with HD DVD. This would allow Universal, the only large studio exclusively supporting HD DVD, to freely distribute their movies on Blu-ray. It is important to note that this announcement has not yet been confirmed by Universal.

It has long been speculated that Universal was receiving monetary compensation for being an exclusive HD DVD studio. This announcement would signal that they have decided to forgo the compensation in order to release titles on Blu-ray. Most would agree that this move would effectively end the war, and no matter what side you support, a single HD format is the best long term solution.

Keep watching this space, and we'll update the story as needed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the beginning of the end?

 

[stratman]

From Blu-ray.com
Posted May 9, 2007

Heise Online, a German IT website, is reporting that during a press conference, representatives from Pioneer announced that Universal will break their exclusivity agreement with HD DVD. This would allow Universal, the only large studio exclusively supporting HD DVD, to freely distribute their movies on Blu-ray. It is important to note that this announcement has not yet been confirmed by Universal.

It has long been speculated that Universal was receiving monetary compensation for being an exclusive HD DVD studio. This announcement would signal that they have decided to forgo the compensation in order to release titles on Blu-ray. Most would agree that this move would effectively end the war, and no matter what side you support, a single HD format is the best long term solution.

Keep watching this space, and we'll update the story as needed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the beginning of the end?

It won't be the end, HD DVD has actually shown signs of a recovery. Wait till end of summer, more dualy players will be released, plus there are UNCONFIRMED rumors that other manufacturers besides LG and Samsung will be jumping on the dualy market. If that were to materialize it could actually lengthen the "war", Cinram one of the largest duplicator in the industry saw an increase in high def dvd production giving credence that the market is growing at a fast pace despite "war", my opinion is that Bluray will eventually win out, my reason for this opinion is simple: advertising. HD DVD hasn't spent nearly as much as the Bluray consortium in advertising and "brainwashing", when I speak to non-technophiles, usually older folks, surprisingly a lot of them have heard of Bluray but mention HD DVD and the answer I usually get is "oh yeah, that's the high defintion dvd isn't it? Its called Bluray I think", most don't know (or care) that there are two competing formats. They won't be buying either, being quite content with regular dvds.

 

[mikeyj92]

Why would anyone need a dual-format player if you can just buy a less expensive Blu-Ray player and then get every movie for it?

Why would anyone buy an HDDVD and purposely cut down the number of movies available for purchase?

Again, all asked IF this is true and assuming the exclusive studios to Blu-Ray stay exclusive.

I don't see how HDDVD will survive this...and I just hope this leads to a "winner" as fast a possible.

 

[billnchristy]

Because HD-DVDs are still cheaper to produce and apparently the players are much cheaper to build.

How long can sony lose $350 a unit on the PS3?

Onkyo is building an HD-DVD player as is some cheap Chinese company that wal-mart might possibly sell.

What HD-DVD needs to do is get rid off the stupid and expensive dual-format HD/SD discs.

 

[stratman]

Why would anyone need a dual-format player if you can just buy a less expensive Blu-Ray player and then get every movie for it?

Why would anyone buy an HDDVD and purposely cut down the number of movies available for purchase?

Again, all asked IF this is true and assuming the exclusive studios to Blu-Ray stay exclusive.

I don't see how HDDVD will survive this...and I just hope this leads to a "winner" as fast a possible.

Those that jumped the gun and started to collect HD DVD might need that dualy, or if the winds of fortune change, those that jumped the gun and started to collect Bluray might. Nothing is written in stone yet as far as high definiton dvds go, these are all plausible and very interesting scenarios, but at the point of sounding like an old cliche, "it ain't over till the fat lady sings."

 

[mikeyj92]

but at the point of sounding like an old cliche, "it ain't over till the fat lady sings."

Well lets find one and get her to start singing already...

 

[stratman]

Well lets find one and get her to start singing already...

Now that she's been kicked out of the View, maybe Rosie can step in and save the day.

 

[Crackerballer]

Do you not understand why Sony can afford to lose $350 a PS3? It's because they make so much on software and license. Just like razors. The company makes no money on the razors, all because the profit on the blades is so high. You get a PS3 in every kids hands, and rack up dollars off games and licensing fees from other companies.

Same thing with next gen players. Get them out fast, and make money off the discs.

 

[EnzoPolotso]

Do you not understand why Sony can afford to lose $350 a PS3? It's because they make so much on software and license. Just like razors. The company makes no money on the razors, all because the profit on the blades is so high. You get a PS3 in every kids hands, and rack up dollars off games and licensing fees from other companies.

Same thing with next gen players. Get them out fast, and make money off the discs.

Get a $600 console in every kid's hands? These things are sitting on shelves collecting dust, not flying out the door.

 

[avliner]

I wouldn't say that HD DVD is anywhere near to death...
...unless Microsoft decides to quit, who knows?

IMO, both formats will struggle & survive, which leads me to believe that both sides have at least learned something about another useless war, where there were no winners on both sides at all (the "almost-dead" SACD / DVD-A formats; a pitty, IMO).

Let's wait & see anyway...

 

[aarond]

false rumor started by pioneer here is universals response http://www.dvdtown.com/news/universal-responds-to-blu-ray-rumors/4456
also amazon has the hda2 for $285 with 5 free movies costco has it in stores for $350 and walmart rumored to have orders for 2 million hd-dvd players it would a little premature to write its obituary. i'll wait for the dust to settle so that i don't get another betamax

 

[Crackerballer]

Wal Mart did not order 2million HD players. That statement was cleared up after much debate over the translation and whether it was to be HD or Blu Ray.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/fuh-yuan-retracts-299-wal-mart-hd-dvd-statement/

 

[stratman]

Audioholics had the whole story under industry news, the order was not placed pending, quantity, timetable and price. Walmart had asked for an RFB paper. (request for bid) Two million was a number thrown as starting basis, the number can be much higher dpending on bid figures.

 

[Seth=L]

It is pretty sad that the fate of HD-DVD sort-of rests in the hands of our largest retailer. If Blu-ray gets support from Universal, HD-DVD will no longer have any exclusive support from major studios. I have not seen any pornography released on either format, but then I would have to say I haven't been looking for it.

If Wal-Mart does not purchase massive quantities of HD-DVD players they can sell easily and if the XBOX 360 starts making a Blu-ray drive add-on, I think that HD-DVD will be on its toes and very near to ill-fate. This is just my humble opinion.

 

[korgoth]

ive heard pornography is leaning towards blue ray as well.

blue ray is looking to be leading the way, but hd has support from the computer savvy since its easier to use. blue ray has a ton of copyright protection and will be much more difficult.

ive always wanted blue ray to win, but if im not able to do everything that i could with dvd media, then im going to be upset.

 

[avaserfi]

ive heard pornography is leaning towards blue ray as well.

blue ray is looking to be leading the way, but hd has support from the computer savvy since its easier to use. blue ray has a ton of copyright protection and will be much more difficult.

ive always wanted blue ray to win, but if im not able to do everything that i could with dvd media, then im going to be upset.

Actually pornography was and probably still is leaning towards HD simply because Sony wont manufacture any porn in their factories and finding a Blu-ray factory is harder than finding a HD factory.

 

[j_garcia]

Porn isn't a factor anymore, that's what the internet is for...

 

[avaserfi]

Porn isn't a factor anymore, that's what the internet is for...

Thats why consoles with internet access instantly become pornography machines . Everyone still thinks of porn as a factor though because of previous format wars. My view is anyone who pays 50 bucks to do the deal has too much money just go download it!

 

[darien87]

Actually pornography was and probably still is leaning towards HD simply because Sony wont manufacture any porn in their factories and finding a Blu-ray factory is harder than finding a HD factory.

The only High-def porn I have seen is Pirates. My DVD came with an HD-DVD version. Too bad I can't watch it.

 

[avaserfi]

The only High-def porn I have seen is Pirates. My DVD came with an HD-DVD version. Too bad I can't watch it.

Highest production cost porn ever and hilarious! I love the scores (musical) and the acting .