Is Paramount Following Warner Bros. in Leaving HD DVD?

[GlocksRock]

Looks like they are scouring their contracts for the get out clauses.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/07/paramount-following-warner-out-the-hd-dvd-door/

This could be great news for all those Transformers fans that want the movie released on Blu Ray with TrueHD or PCM audio!

 

[Jey Jockey]

I can't see the Finacial Times publishing this if they didn't have a very reliable source, its not like they are the Enquirer or the bits

 

[aberkowitz]

When it rains it pours.....

 

[GlocksRock]

When it rains it pours.....

Exactly. Looks like the format war will be over even quicker than I thought.

 

[Duffinator]

Exactly. Looks like the format war will be over even quicker than I thought.

Yep, much faster than I thought. Now if I can find a player that decodes and outputs both DD HD and DTS MA I'll be happy!

 

[GlocksRock]

I am upset that the PS3 doesn't currently decode DTS-HD MA, and just as upset that it can't output TrueHD or DD+, or DTS-HD MA(once it gets decoding capability) via bitstream. But I know in the future there will eventually be less expensive standalone players that will do that, so I just have to give it time.

 

[j_garcia]

I am sure Paramount also sees the writing on the wall and with recession looming in the US, they know the market will be too tight to be part of a format war, especially one that isn't looking so good on the side they've chosen right now. Their only hope for pushing the technology is to all work together to supplant DVD and that will take a lot longer than the format war was going to last regardless.

 

[GlocksRock]

I guess this news will give Universal something to comment on as well. I'm sure now that they know Paramount is trying to get out of their deal, they will be going BD exclusive very soon.

 

[j_garcia]

Paramount already said when the original switch to HD DVD exclusiveity that it was not permanent and was for a limited time span to see how things developed. Apparently it didn't pan out as I am sure their sales dropped somewhat once they switched over. That alone would be very telling. I am sure their deal probably said something to the effect of "If we don't sell xxx number of units or make xxx dollars in these quarters, the deal is off".

 

[D.R. Payne]

Paramount just issued a press release denying the rumour, though the words "for now" did appear.

 

[GlocksRock]

And Microsoft denied that they would ever put a HD DVD drive in the 360, and it looks like their new XBOX 360 Ultimate will have one.... I love how we constantly hear companies deny things, only to turn around and do what they just said they wouldn't.

 

[j_garcia]

Well now that everyone already bought a new one to play Halo, who is going to buy an Ultimate?

 

[GlocksRock]

Well now that everyone already bought a new one to play Halo, who is going to buy an Ultimate?

Nobody now that HD DVD is dead, no sense in buying it since MS will not put games out on HD DVD since nobody's xbox could play them, except for those that bought an Ultimate. And I wouldn't have any use for it's other extras either, and I'm sure you will be able to buy the huge hard drive separately if you really needed it, and I keep mine hard wired, so no need for an Ultimate 360 for me... My elite will do me just fine.

 

[Duffinator]

I am sure Paramount also sees the writing on the wall and with recession looming in the US, they know the market will be too tight to be part of a format war, especially one that isn't looking so good on the side they've chosen right now. Their only hope for pushing the technology is to all work together to supplant DVD and that will take a lot longer than the format war was going to last regardless.

Excellent point.

 

[j_garcia]

Apparently, Microsoft says they aren't counting out including Blu-ray support... :

Xbox video gaming unit still fully backs Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) HD-DVD high-definition DVD format but could consider supporting Sony Corp's (6758.T) rival Blu-ray technology should consumers want it, an executive said on Tuesday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080108/tc_nm/show_xbox_dc_1

I read that HD DVD was not ready when MS was pushing to get the 360 to market which is why it was not included; sounds like that may have paid off for them long term, though it also wouldn't surprise me that they also didn't want it to be as big of a factor in the console since a format war was inevitable.

 

[mike c]

so if BD wins ... will dual format players stay or die as well? cause that would suck for those who own lots of HD DVD's!

 

[j_garcia]

That would be the assumption. No reason to make a dual format player (or a stand alone for that matter), just as there would be no reason for MS to build the "Ultimate" 360 with an HD DVD drive internal, as both just increase for a format that may not survive.

 

[aberkowitz]

That would be the assumption. No reason to make a dual format player (or a stand alone for that matter), just as there would be no reason for MS to build the "Ultimate" 360 with an HD DVD drive internal, as both just increase for a format that may not survive.

That really sucks for Samsung. I think the BD UP-5000 would have sold like gangbusters (among the early adopters) b/c it was a great hedge for not a lot of money.

 

[GlocksRock]

Apparently, Microsoft says they aren't counting out including Blu-ray support... :



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080108/tc_nm/show_xbox_dc_1

I read that HD DVD was not ready when MS was pushing to get the 360 to market which is why it was not included; sounds like that may have paid off for them long term, though it also wouldn't surprise me that they also didn't want it to be as big of a factor in the console since a format war was inevitable.

I know HD DVD wasn't ready when the 360 was released, but MS also said they didn't want to force customers to buy something they didn't really need either. Leaving that drive out also kept the cost down, but at the same time it could possibly have helped them win the format war. I really believe one of the main reasons Blu ray has done so well is because of the PS3 having a built in drive, regardless of the surveys that say close to half of the people who own one don't know that it can play blu ray discs.

 

[aberkowitz]

I know HD DVD wasn't ready when the 360 was released, but MS also said they didn't want to force customers to buy something they didn't really need either. Leaving that drive out also kept the cost down, but at the same time it could possibly have helped them win the format war. I really believe one of the main reasons Blu ray has done so well is because of the PS3 having a built in drive, regardless of the surveys that say close to half of the people who own one don't know that it can play blu ray discs.

This was the exact argument that the WSJ article I posted the other day made... maybe if Toshiba decides to share the cost burden of adding on the drives (which probably works out to about the same amount they lost by selling the A2 & A3 at deep discounts) then they get an even bigger headstart on Blu Ray. All speculation at this point....