5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
The best they can muster are more "current" - "currently" statements? If you haven't seen this picture of the HD DVD booth (snapped by engadget), that says more to me than the combined marketing and spokesperson quotes from the "current" HD DVD companies.
5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
A bit more fuel to the fire
Sure, they're committed to HD DVD (until the clear product and ramp up Blu Ray). There is nothing dishonest there. As for MS, they're so dedicated that they're positioned to drop it in an instant without feeling an ounce of pain since they only support it as an add-on peripheral. Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
I love the use of current.
Currently, I'm at work. (I'll leave at 5:00 but thats not what I'm currently doing).
I always stated that if something didn't happen immediately after the 07 holidays, that the war would continue for a long time. Guess half of it was right.
I'm glad this is going quickly. I think Toshiba should still keep the technology around but for Optical Media back ups. I really think they hurt by not releasing hd-dvd burners. There are a lot of hd-dvd / blu-ray hybrid drives out there. I would love to have 31gb backups for $1.00 each. Otherwise it would be a lot of wasted $.
Why not 50GB backups for a $1 each with a roadmap to take it higher. Last I heard it was 200GB but what's blu-ray up to at the moment?
Actually I've had enough of discs - bring on the chips.
Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
MS would create an add-on Pez dispenser that contained chunks of recycled particle board if they thought it would drive console sales and licensee products. So, um... yeah. Blu-Ray in a heartbeat.
Sure, they're committed to HD DVD (until the clear product and ramp up Blu Ray). There is nothing dishonest there. As for MS, they're so dedicated that they're positioned to drop it in an instant without feeling an ounce of pain since they only support it as an add-on peripheral. Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
I love the use of current.
Currently, I'm at work. (I'll leave at 5:00 but thats not what I'm currently doing).
Let's hope they are being that coy. Otherwise, they may be planning to go scorched earth with this thing. Perhaps Toshiba, M$ and Universal just wish to let this become a war of attrition, so that no clear winner emerges. In other words, "us losing is better than our opponent winning." I mean, they've already ignored two solid years of sales data. They've already pulled all the stops, dropping players to as low as $99, paying off Paramount to pick their losing format, etc. One has to wonder.
Let's hope they are being that coy. Otherwise, they may be planning to go scorched earth with this thing...
MS may have enough money and 'tude to go "scorched earth", but most companies have shareholders who want the company to make money, not wage wars of spite. The studios have the following choices:
1. continue the silly war
2. end the war and start making money
If they choose #1 in the face of what's happened, they end up selling content to an ever diminishing audience while Blu Ray expands further with its greater studio backing. People who thrive on conflict and "forum cockfighting" rejoice!
If they choose #2, the waters are cleared, people can all safely purchase a single format player and buy HD movies with no worries at all about compatibility (leaving aside the inevitable "but it's not 1.1 or 2.0 compliant" stuff for a moment. Toshiba's feelings may be hurt but did Sony just give up when things didn't go their way? Have they shut their doors and just said "screw it"? these companies are in this to make money.
I know this is already apparent and #2 is more likely, especially if the rumored sales #'s are anywhere near accurate. There's also rumors (unsubstantiated of course) that people have been trying to return HD DVD players purchased over the holidays.
At any rate, the next few months should be interesting. I'm still curious about the rumored "olive branch" suggested last week.
My understanding has been that MS is so pro HD DVD because Blu-Ray uses Java. Universal is NBC is MSNBC is MS is HD DVD. It will be interesting to see how Universal plays this and what their alliance with MS will turn into if/when they switch.
Woo I'm glad Sony are going to win, they obviously have the better format for future expanasion since it has so much more storage space then HD-DVD. Plus Beta-Max lost out to VHS (which was shit) so its just fair Sony wins this one
The format wars.
1. VHS vs. Beta-Max
2. DVD vs. Laser DIsc
3. HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray
If I'm not mistaken, I believe laser disc was also a Sony format.. Yeah, they deserve a win!
listen to all the happy optimism as if Sony is going to play nice once they have the 'monopoly.' Remember that in saying you are glad Microsoft has lost this battle, you are somehow happy the just-as-bad Sony has won. Also, don't forget, Sony is still 'improving' the BD specs. That means, now that they have the go-ahead, they can implement all kinds of format-breaking DRM, restrictions, and hoops that they want, and to hell with the customer.
Comments
The shock would be if they didn't.
i have over 65 bluray's and no drm bullshit issues
plus my ps3 get profile updates
Gee, what a shock, Universal may go Blu-Ray.
The shock would be if they didn't.
I'm still waiting for the Toshiba response (delivered in the voice of the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
At this point HD DVD is still trying to block Arthur with both arms and one leg missing.
Scroo Universal!!
/
Blu-ray just sounds cooler than the alternative's clunky alphabet soup.
Also, Microsoft is pushing hard for HD-DVD.
Two good reasons to prefer one standard over the other, don't you think?
Another is region coding that you all seem to just love with blu-ray.
Another is region coding that you all seem to just love with blu-ray.
Considering how much region coding honestly affected my viewing experience with DVDs you'll have to forgive me if I'm not worried all that much.
I did notice that one of the sites I'd looked at showed the region map and it looked *less* segregated than the one for DVD.
edit: I checked again and there are 3 BR regions to 6 DVD regions.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
http://www.dvdtown.com/news/microsof...vd-format/5104
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
A bit more fuel to the fire
5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
http://www.dvdtown.com/news/microsof...vd-format/5104
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
The best they can muster are more "current" - "currently" statements? If you haven't seen this picture of the HD DVD booth (snapped by engadget), that says more to me than the combined marketing and spokesperson quotes from the "current" HD DVD companies.
5:00 pm ET January 10, 2008 -- Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.
"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.
The response would have come sooner, but many HD DVD executives were on flights home from CES when the incorrect story from Variety broke.
http://www.dvdtown.com/news/microsof...vd-format/5104
According to gaming site kotaku.com Microsoft has made it clear that they remain dedicated to the HD DVD format. "There was a critical element of our comments missing from the story -- Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices." a MS spokesperson clarified.
A bit more fuel to the fire
Sure, they're committed to HD DVD (until the clear product and ramp up Blu Ray). There is nothing dishonest there. As for MS, they're so dedicated that they're positioned to drop it in an instant without feeling an ounce of pain since they only support it as an add-on peripheral. Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
I love the use of current.
Currently, I'm at work. (I'll leave at 5:00 but thats not what I'm currently doing).
I always stated that if something didn't happen immediately after the 07 holidays, that the war would continue for a long time. Guess half of it was right.
I'm glad this is going quickly. I think Toshiba should still keep the technology around but for Optical Media back ups. I really think they hurt by not releasing hd-dvd burners. There are a lot of hd-dvd / blu-ray hybrid drives out there. I would love to have 31gb backups for $1.00 each. Otherwise it would be a lot of wasted $.
Why not 50GB backups for a $1 each with a roadmap to take it higher. Last I heard it was 200GB but what's blu-ray up to at the moment?
Actually I've had enough of discs - bring on the chips.
McD
Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
MS would create an add-on Pez dispenser that contained chunks of recycled particle board if they thought it would drive console sales and licensee products. So, um... yeah. Blu-Ray in a heartbeat.
Sure, they're committed to HD DVD (until the clear product and ramp up Blu Ray). There is nothing dishonest there. As for MS, they're so dedicated that they're positioned to drop it in an instant without feeling an ounce of pain since they only support it as an add-on peripheral. Can they create a BR add-on if it's clear that the market demands it? I think the answer would be yes.
I love the use of current.
Currently, I'm at work. (I'll leave at 5:00 but thats not what I'm currently doing).
Let's hope they are being that coy. Otherwise, they may be planning to go scorched earth with this thing. Perhaps Toshiba, M$ and Universal just wish to let this become a war of attrition, so that no clear winner emerges. In other words, "us losing is better than our opponent winning." I mean, they've already ignored two solid years of sales data. They've already pulled all the stops, dropping players to as low as $99, paying off Paramount to pick their losing format, etc. One has to wonder.
Let's hope they are being that coy. Otherwise, they may be planning to go scorched earth with this thing...
MS may have enough money and 'tude to go "scorched earth", but most companies have shareholders who want the company to make money, not wage wars of spite. The studios have the following choices:
1. continue the silly war
2. end the war and start making money
If they choose #1 in the face of what's happened, they end up selling content to an ever diminishing audience while Blu Ray expands further with its greater studio backing. People who thrive on conflict and "forum cockfighting" rejoice!
If they choose #2, the waters are cleared, people can all safely purchase a single format player and buy HD movies with no worries at all about compatibility (leaving aside the inevitable "but it's not 1.1 or 2.0 compliant" stuff for a moment. Toshiba's feelings may be hurt but did Sony just give up when things didn't go their way? Have they shut their doors and just said "screw it"? these companies are in this to make money.
I know this is already apparent and #2 is more likely, especially if the rumored sales #'s are anywhere near accurate. There's also rumors (unsubstantiated of course) that people have been trying to return HD DVD players purchased over the holidays.
At any rate, the next few months should be interesting. I'm still curious about the rumored "olive branch" suggested last week.
I just want The Matrix on blu-ray...please.
The Matrix trilogy on BD is in the works.
Woo I'm glad Sony are going to win, they obviously have the better format for future expanasion since it has so much more storage space then HD-DVD. Plus Beta-Max lost out to VHS (which was shit) so its just fair Sony wins this one
The format wars.
1. VHS vs. Beta-Max
2. DVD vs. Laser DIsc
3. HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray
If I'm not mistaken, I believe laser disc was also a Sony format.. Yeah, they deserve a win!
Blu-ray just sounds cooler than the alternative's clunky alphabet soup.
Also, Microsoft is pushing hard for HD-DVD.
Two good reasons to prefer one standard over the other, don't you think?
They are pretty superfluous reasons, in my opinion, but understandable.
I was under the impression that the "Firefly" was under the 20th Century FOX umbrella and "Serenity" was under the Universal umbrella.
I'd like to see both, though I hear that the CG was upscaled for HD cable, the film shots looked great. I'd really like to see it all as native HD.
Good luck with that.