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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20360863/Paramount picks HD DVD over Blu-Ray Company that offered both before will only release one for next-gen DVDs LOS ANGELES - Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format and drop support for Blu-ray, further complicating the race between the competing technologies. Monday's announcement affects the upcoming DVD release of the blockbuster "Shrek the Third" and all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment. Paramount previously released movies in both formats. "Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience," said Brad Grey, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. "I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high-quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount." The competition between Blu-ray and HD DVD has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market. Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of DreamWorks Animation, said consumers seeking to switch to high-definition DVDs will be enticed by the content available for HD-DVD players. He added the lower price for the devices will appeal to the family market. "Today Toshiba is making HD-DVD players available at $299, which is a first time that it's really been at an affordable price," Katzenberg said. "It's a game-changer, what they're doing, and it's why we decided to throw in with them." Katzenberg said that, until now, the price for high-definition players was too high for most families. "That barrier has just been broken and we believe it is going to, as I say, move down even further," he said. Paramount and DreamWorks aren't the only ones choosing sides. "Spider-Man 3" will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format when it is released by Sony Pictures, while people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD. In terms of discs sold, Blu-ray has always had the lead. The format recently got a big boost as Blockbuster Inc. announced it would stock only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def DVD offerings this year. Target Inc., the nation's second-largest retailer, said it will only sell Blu-ray DVD players in its stores in the fourth quarter. With Paramount dropping Blu-ray support, Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. remains the only major studio releasing movies in both formats. Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Co., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are releasing only in Blu-ray. Universal, owned by General Electric Co., backs HD DVD exclusively.
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Legend
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Time for me to run out and invent a player that reads in both HDDVD *and* Blue-Ray ... I'll also combine the two technologies and come up with a Blue-HD format that's twice as good. 
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Time for me to run out and invent a player that reads in both HDDVD *and* Blue-Ray
Too late it's already available......for $1000 though!!!!
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They should just stop bitching at each other and come to some sort of compromise.
But, that isn't going to happen.
All of the movie companies should develop for both platforms. Let the CONSUMER decide which one they like best. Not money-hungry corporations.
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Legend
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Betamax? 
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
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Legend
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I think we have 1 maybe 2 years before we see a definite direction.
It kind of sucks, because it leaves us, the consumer, in the middle without any idea which way to go.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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I posted it in the fantasy gaming area too... but this seems like a better spot.
"I'm a mog. Half man, half dog. I'm my own best friend."
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I think we have 1 maybe 2 years before we see a definite direction.
It kind of sucks, because it leaves us, the consumer, in the middle without any idea which way to go.
From what I've been reading in commentary and in forums, the payoff for this deal is in the neighborhood of $150 million and it's coming from Microsoft. The reason being they want you to be confused and they want HD media dead or the war prolonged until they get their HD download service up and running.
As much as it pains me to say this, I think MS is right. I can download H.264 content on newsgroups right now. If it's there, it could be on a legal site somewhere. There's no reason why I have to be tied to a physical disc any more. Regardless, at least my PS3 will still play games if both formats die (like DVD-A and SACD).
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I was on the fence on this before but now I'm leaning towards Blu-Ray due to the added storage space.
Plus more Blu-Ray players have been sold, and they sell more Blu-Ray discs.
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What good is an HD download service when probably less than 1% of the population has the ability to play it on their HDTV, or even the know how to setup their HDTV for a download setup?
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Dawg Talker
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This is one of those situations where the consumer loses either way.
1.You can make a decision now and only have access to some of the movies all the while hoping the system you chose wins out in the end.
2. You can wait and not get anything yet all the while not taking full advantage of the HDTV you spent good money on.
3. You can buy both. This would be the most expensive option and most can't really afford it or justify it for that matter
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Raven
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Quote:
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Time for me to run out and invent a player that reads in both HDDVD *and* Blue-Ray
Too late it's already available......for $1000 though!!!!
I was going to say that....
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Sony owns the Blu-Ray technology, so of course Sony pictures would release exclusively in Blu-Ray.
They are also notorious for making their products as incompatible and proprietary as possible, so I don't see them negotiating anything anytime soon.
So Toshiba has HD-DVD out for $299 and Blu-Ray is still around $700 for a player? Game's over, Sony.
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Game's over, Sony.
I think you need to look at the situation a little more closely.
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What good is an HD download service when probably less than 1% of the population has the ability to play it on their HDTV, or even the know how to setup their HDTV for a download setup?
A very small amount of people are watching HD discs right now, period. Even the best Blu-Ray/HD-DVD sales numbers are still laughable. It's not much of a stretch to think MS wants to kill off HD discs before they take hold. A lot more people have broadband than HD players.
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2nd String
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That's not 100% true. Sony is a member of the Blu Ray consortium. There are actually multiple companies supporting both formats. Some support both, Ironically I believe Sony is one that actually is a member of both groups. I would guess that they win either way. I just hope they can come to some sort of decision soon. I'd like to get an HD player, but I have movies I want in both formats. Might just get the player for my 360 since it is relatively cheap and then buy a Blu Ray if it ends up winning.
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So Toshiba has HD-DVD out for $299 and Blu-Ray is still around $700 for a player? Game's over, Sony.
Ummmmm, Blu-ray players are about $450, still more expensive than HD-DVD but not the big gap your claiming. Also the PS3 is $500 and it's a Blu-ray play, and a pretty darn good one that also upscales your regular DVD's to 1080i (might be 1080p not sure though but I know at least (i)). These prices are comming down rappidly since the Blue diode are becomming easier and cheaper to make.
All in all this war is FAR from over. It's only mile 2 of a marathon. 20th Centry Fox renewed it's commitment to Blu-ray after the Paramount annoucment. They have a whole slew of movies that will be on Blu-ray this year and 1st Quarter 08'.
It does suck for the consumer unless you have both players. But Sony, Disney and Fox make money off of Blu-ray sales so they obviously won't release on HD-DVD.
Paramount makes no money off of either disc sales but they were offered $100 million to be exclusivly HD-DVD. If you were the head of that company what would you do? I'd take the money also.
I think this war is going to end different than the last few format wars. I predict in the end a comprimise and a dual format players to be in every player. That way if no matter what disc you own you will be able to play it in future players regardless.
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I'm not gonna get into a pissing match over this cuz quite frankly I think it's stupid and a waste of time, like console wars except worse. I don't understand why they can't just support both formats. But here's links that say otherwise. Here's the bottom line to me: I can get a videogame system and Blu-Ray player in one for less than I could if I got a game system and an HD-DVD player. Plus Blu-Ray is much more future proof and can store more, this will be big when TV shows are released on an HD format. http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=397Blu-ray Disc Sales Continue Dominance Posted August 14, 2007 by Josh According to Home Media Research, during the first half of 2007 a total of 1.6M movies were sold on the Blu-ray format. Rival HD DVD sold less than half during the same time period, with a total of 795,000 movies sold. Since the launch of the formats, Blu-ray has amassed sales of 2.2M movies compared to just 1.5M on HD DVD (which includes data collected through July). Blu-ray continues to maintain a 2:1 sales advantage over its rival heading into the all-important holiday shopping season, and with the long list of upcoming Blu-ray releases, including 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' and 'Spider-man 3', that sales advantage will continue to increase. Consumers are overwhelmingly showing their support for Blu-ray, a fact that has not escaped many studios and retailers who recently announced Blu-ray exclusivity. The recent release of Warner Brothers '300' gave a sales boost to both formats. The Blu-ray version sold 190,000 copies since the title went on sale, compared to 97,000 on HD DVD, according to Warner's Steve Nickerson. Since the majority of these sales occurred in August, Blu-ray is expecting to report strong numbers for the month. http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=395Blu-ray Players Outpassing Rival HD DVD Posted August 11, 2007 by Josh Retailers are reporting that, despite HD DVD's price advantage, Blu-ray stand alone players are selling better than HD DVD stand alone players, and could be selling much more if supply could keep up with demand. Abt Electronics and Ultimate Electronics have reported that sales of Blu-ray players have increased dramatically since the introduction of low cost 2nd-generation players, and that current supplies are very tight. John Abt, VP of Abt Electronics commented, "With all of the introductions of Blu-ray product, we have seen more sales in BD than in HD DVD, because there are so many options now out for consumers." “We were seeing a 50/50 split in unit sales,†Bjorn Dybdahl, president of Bjorn's said. “That was primarily all three Toshiba players versus Sony's $499 players. If the Blu-ray group wants to put a death knell on HD DVD, then they need to get it everywhere very quickly.â€
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What good is an HD download service when probably less than 1% of the population has the ability to play it on their HDTV, or even the know how to setup their HDTV for a download setup?
A very small amount of people are watching HD discs right now, period. Even the best Blu-Ray/HD-DVD sales numbers are still laughable. It's not much of a stretch to think MS wants to kill off HD discs before they take hold. A lot more people have broadband than HD players.
I agree, but, how many people can barely hook-up a DVD player to their TV, much less hook up a MediaPC setup to an HDTV? not to mention the cost, or the knowledge of the product.
What it comes down to is the average consumer wants a simplistic device, "I turn it on, it starts playing the movie"
I am an IT guy here, and I have just under 50 users, of those 50, maybe 3 can do some decent searching on the internet, the rest don't even know how to use a search engine like Google, it's not like they just started using PCs, and you think they can figure out how to download and watch a movie?
I just don't see downloading movies becoming commonplace for several years, most people don't even understand On-Demand.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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I am an IT guy here, and I have just under 50 users, of those 50, maybe 3 can do some decent searching on the internet, the rest don't even know how to use a search engine like Google, it's not like they just started using PCs, and you think they can figure out how to download and watch a movie?
I just don't see downloading movies becoming commonplace for several years,
You're missing the big picture just to be snarky. HD movies/content on disc is not going to be commonplace for several years. If you're still wondering how MS thinks people are going to download and watch the material, think XBOX 360 and it will become clearer. Millions of people are using the 360 to download and play content like huge game demos. How is that any different from a movie? The answer is it's not.
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I am an IT guy here, and I have just under 50 users, of those 50, maybe 3 can do some decent searching on the internet, the rest don't even know how to use a search engine like Google, it's not like they just started using PCs, and you think they can figure out how to download and watch a movie?
I just don't see downloading movies becoming commonplace for several years,
You're missing the big picture just to be snarky. HD movies/content on disc is not going to be commonplace for several years. If you're still wondering how MS thinks people are going to download and watch the material, think XBOX 360 and it will become clearer. Millions of people are using the 360 to download and play content like huge game demos. How is that any different from a movie? The answer is it's not.
But how many of those people actually know what they're doing? I'll betcha a lot of them do. Most people who connect to Xbox Live know their tech stuff, and they're not the general public.
I can tell you just by watching my parents and other middle aged adults, they have enough trouble working a DVD player to be set for a widescreen TV and knowing what progressive scan is, let alone setting up a Wi-Fi connection to download content.
Plus I still think we're at least a few years off from having hard drive space capable of having a giant movie collection. I know 500 GBs can't even store my family's DVD collection, let alone how big that would be in Blu-Ray/HD-DVD sized files. And by that time both of these two formats will have hit the mass market price.
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Ammo, explained it well.
Aldamon, your viewing it from a perspective of people that have the know-how to do this sort of thing.
13 million X-box's to date versus about 25 million standard DVD players are sold each year.
I know people that still don't have a DVD player.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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11 million X-box's to date versus about 25 million standard DVD players are sold each year.
Fixed....Also every 360 != HD-DVD player. According to NPD and Media Create it's ~ 400,000 HD-DVD Add-on units sold compared to 25 million + DVD players.
100's of million DVD's sell each year and HD-DVD + Blu-ray may be over 2 million. That's alot of ground to make up.
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I can tell you just by watching my parents and other middle aged adults, they have enough trouble working a DVD player to be set for a widescreen TV and knowing what progressive scan is, let alone setting up a Wi-Fi connection to download content.
Except those aren't the people being targeted for HD discs and downloads. It's still a techie niche and will be for the foreseeable future. Going HD, in all its forms, requires technical know-how. There's no way around it at this point.
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Plus I still think we're at least a few years off from having hard drive space capable of having a giant movie collection. I know 500 GBs can't even store my family's DVD collection, let alone how big that would be in Blu-Ray/HD-DVD sized files.
Of course it's years off. That's why keeping HD-DVD alive makes sense for MS. People aren't going to settle on a format when both are still being funded and their favorite movies are being divied up. HD media is DOA according to Bill Gates:
"Gates made an additional comment that I think is worth noting:
For us it's not the physical format. Understand that this is the last physical format there will ever be. Everything's going to be streamed directly or on a hard disk. So, in this way, it's even unclear how much this one counts."
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20051017-5445.html
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And by that time both of these two formats will have hit the mass market price.
No. Don't you see? Read some of the chatter regarding this deal. Most people are now going to keep waiting for format stability that will NEVER come. Who benefits from this?
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13 million X-box's to date versus about 25 million standard DVD players are sold each year.
Yeah, but I would argue that continued DVD sales is another nail in the HD media coffin. Most people (like the folks quoted above) just don't care enough to upgrade. In fact, if you want to really complicate things, I doubt the average user with a run-of-the-mill 32" LCD HDTV (which is most likely 720P) could tell the difference between HD and upscaled DVD at a decent viewing distance.
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I see where Bill Gates is coming from. He thinks that movies are going to go the way of the Ipod and mp3. Why own a physical disc when you can just download it like an mp3? He doesn't want to bother with what could be the equivilent of the next generation of Compact Disc, when it's quite possible everything will be going file format in the future.
I mean it's quite possible that video stores of the future just have a download station, and you bring your Vpod and connect it to the kiosk and download your movie for price. Why bother with physical medias anymore?
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That Excl, is where it is headed..
but I think it's quite a few years off yet.
We've had the ability to download music, and store mass amounts on small handheld devices, memory cards, etc. Yet I don't see local music stores with download sections. I have heard they exist, but I have yet to see one.
I needed a song to practice that my band plans on doing for this show Saturday, that I didn't have in my CD collection, so I joined iTunes and proceeded to download it, only to find it downloads in a format only iTunes reads (.m4p ?? or something), this does me no good since i usually listen to these songs in my car where I can clearly hear all the parts I need to learn, and have plenty of time to listen to them uninterrupted. That p'd me off.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Here's the thing about video and music though ... people don't care as much about audio quality and it doesn't take up that much space to begin with. So you can compress the heck out of it, it still sounds just as good to a user, and you can download a 2MB file. Video is a completely different animal. A DVD is somewhere around 2-4 GB's, and if you try to compress it, people WILL notice a difference. And since we are talking about high-def here, expect those file sizes to get even bigger.
The biggest thing holding things up here is internet download speed. I don't think anyone is going to try to download 8GB, high-def video from the current internet. It would take too long. I see a solution as something as a Blockbuster "Kiosk", where you just plug in your Vpod or some sort of other storage device, and then download your movie through a hardwire connection.
Of course, then we have to worry about companies fighting over their own software formats, like you're saying. However the good thing about software ... it much cheaper to implement a reader that does multiple formats, unlike different hardware formats.
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I Agree Excl, I wasn't disputing you. I used music specifically because of it's smaller size and less exacting requirements, and yet we don't have wide-spread download purchasing of music yet.
I can hardly see downloading of movies, much less HD movies being mainstream for several years yet.
What I do see is a rather than a rental blockbuster ID car, you have a Blockbuster memory card, it not only has all your account info on it, but also room to store several movies, that you would then take home and insert into your Movie Card reader (similar to a DVD player) and watch your movie.
Imagine, you can also buy a reader/recorder for your PC and download the movies if you have a connection or the time to do so, or you get them at the store, and they are time coded to auto-erase after so many days, and no need to return to the store when finished.
We already have USB thumbdrives with several GB of storage space, so it's not such a far-off concept. If I was a video chain, I would be looking at such a concept.
My Car stereo take a CD and an SD Memory card. I hardly ever use the CD even though it reads .mp3's and can hold 200+ songs, I use a 4GB SD card mainly and seldom have to change the songs in it, unless I get a new CD. It sure beats the days of the large box of cassettes or CD's you carried around in the car and had to change regularly, and worry that they get stolen.
What I'm saying I guess is that the technology to do non-physical music media is here and has been for a couple years, yet we hardly scratch the surface on using it. I hardly see Video suddenly taking off, for like you said, people expect more out of their video quality, not to mention the other devices/tools and setup required for such a system.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Paramount picks HD DVD over
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