Didn't see this anywhere. Although I hate Blockbuster, I support Blu-ray so this is good news.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070618/...5kLfnpFDcE1vAI
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Didn't see this anywhere. Although I hate Blockbuster, I support Blu-ray so this is good news.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070618/...5kLfnpFDcE1vAI
Damn them! I have HD-DVD so I say damn them!
Hopefully those hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD discs get used, the technology exists...
And it's going to cost you more for them too. Screw Warner for even coming up with dual format disc. Because of the thickness limitations, it restricts how many layers can be used. So, an image quality issue comes into play, as well as the lacking of extras. So, no, eff that. On top of the fact that both sides cannot (right now) be created in the same location.Quote:
Originally Posted by dsctaz
Some notes of interest: Universal and The Weinstein Company are the only "studios" that are HD DVD exclusive. What's interesting is that the Weinsteins have another exclusive contract of their own: a 4-year rental deal with Blockbuster that's only been in place since 11/06. I bet they (TWC) go neutral soon. If not, that would be 1450 more stores that DON'T have an HD copy of their titles. If you don't think that would sting, think about it this way:
If your studio has 10 HD titles, and each store only carried 4 of each for rental, that would 5800 more rental ops. What's the point of the exclusive rental deal if their HD titles are regulated to 250 stores? (The test store count that Blockbuster said they would continue carrying HD DVD at.)
Now it's just a matter of time, not when, Universal goes neutral or Blu-ray. Again, I have a few contacts at UHV and everyone there knows the future of HD DVD but the President.
So, we'll see.
sweet! i have a ps3 (which i bought for blu ray). at least i'll know i can use it for something. i just wish it had more exclusive titles so i can justify having it and a 360 :)
It's all becoming clear why HD-DVD is the cheaper format - it's handicapped by its support. Even the exclusive titles that are being released from Universal currently are rushed, sub-par transfers just to pump up the release numbers.
4Q this year should be the big knock out punch. As the box office chugs along, the potential blockbusters are all coming from studios that are either Blu-Ray exclusive (Spiderman 3, Pirates, Die Hard) or format neutral (Shrek, Transformers, Harry Potter). Universal has a hit in a comedy that probably won't help sell a high-flair format in Knocked Up, and I think they'll take a bath with Evan Almighty.
Assuming the BDA can get Fox back on board with releases (BD+ is supposed to be working any day, which was their rumored sticking point), and Anchor Bay just declaring Blu-ray exclusive today as well, I don't think that dirt cheap players are going to be able to survive in a market with a shoddy selection of titles.
Anyone who has owned/watched the Pirates movies in Blu-ray can't deny that with a full 50GB available for a title, the results are extremely impressive.
If history is to repeat itself anything supported by Blockbuster will be a bust. I hope Netflix is smart enough to carry both versions.
Unfortunately the future of HD-DVD isn't very positive. I was always a supporter of hddvd because of the economic players.
However, I was always upset that they never came out with a public hd-dvd r/w drive. Sure they have been built, but they aren't in circulation. If I'm paying upwards of 30 bucks a movie I want to back that ***** up. I've also noticed that Dell has now integrated BD players and burners in their higher end units. Industry is now making this decision for the consumers since this "war" has taken over a year without a clear victor.
I'll end up selling my hd-dvd player here pretty soon as soon as I see another jump to BD.
This won't effect Blockbuster's battle with Netflix too much, as Blockbuster will still offer HD-DVD through their online program.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingsfan626
This is bad for HD-DVD because consumers (currently renting DVDs, and usually new releases) will see the presence of Blu-ray in store. Not to mention the press that was generated by this announcement. (I actually heard about it on the local Vegas news on Monday, not having access to the internet at the time.) This made it into a lot of channels, and public perception is going to play a big role when all is said and done.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, price will always be a factor, but it will not be the deciding factor in this war. Families looking to invest in a new video format are going to look at the rack of movies, and when they see a company like Disney firmly planted in the Blu-Ray side of the field, it won't be a difficult decision for them.
They have since both formats were released. But like dgrycan said, the public perception has been heavily swayyed whether they patron Blockbuster or not. They see a big chain like BB making this move, they think "there must be something behind that Blu-ray thingy." ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingsfan626
Seriously though. I've seen it first hand at NBC where I work. A couple of guys talking about how it effects the company since Uni is HD DVD exclusive. Of course, they're bringing it up for a different reason than the consumer, but they only were talking about it because of Monday's announcement. I never heard from either of these guys about HD DVD or Blu-ray before then.
There is something that I'm a bit confused about. Sony OWNS MGM and Fox is only distributing the MGM titles for them. So, if Sony is Fox's boss in this scenario, why is Fox dictating the release dates of MGM titles? Why isn't Sony just saying to Fox "put them out, you clowns?" Weird.
Format wars aside, that is a strange decision. I mean I could saying that if a movie is available in both formats you will pick the bluray, but if a movie only comes in HDDVD why wouldn't you carry it?
