Format War - HD DVD vs. Blu-Ray - *Its Over...Toshiba Swings White Flag*

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[quote name='rodeojones903']I'm surprised the sales ratios went so far into Blu-ray's favor that quickly. I expected it to be even better on the blu side, but not that good.[/QUOTE]

It was CES week, and HD DVD owners were stunned without a doubt, coupled with a slight increase in optimism that BD is *the* format, no doubt both invigorating those who own BD, and pushing the weak-willed format agnostic types who considered WB's move the final blow, and became the first of the "I'm waiting until there's a clear winner" folks to buy into HDM.

This is pretty damned high, IMO. I don't expect to see anything closer than 70/30 anymore, but I don't expect to see 85/15 regularly.

At least for as long as Paramount/Universal hold out on releasing BD, anyway.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']and pushing the weak-willed format agnostic types who considered WB's move the final blow, and became the first of the "I'm waiting until there's a clear winner" folks to buy into HDM.[/QUOTE]

I would fall under this category. After the cheap HD-DVD players and Paramount deal, I kinda stopped purchasing BDs for a while. It wasn't until the Warner announcement that I decided to start buying again (bought Pan's Labyrinth this week). I figured BD wouldn't be going anywhere, but I just wanted this war to come to an end before I invested any more into it. I figured, after the Warner announcement, it's pretty much going to be blu from here on out.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Judging by the article mentioning it can perfectly replicate any piece of art I'm assuming it can do blacks perfectly? I'm wondering how this is possible given that it's a Plasma. If it can't I'm not interested.[/quote]
The demos given at CES involved taking people into a completely blacked-out room where there was no light whatsoever until the video demo started. But the TV was on the entire time. :) Anything on a black background appeared to be floating in space, because the rest of the screen was totally invisible.
 
Well, LED LCD's are capable of doing that as well, only problem is they are expensive. I still wish Canon can get their SED technology going, that looks the most promising out of any I have seen.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Judging by the article mentioning it can perfectly replicate any piece of art I'm assuming it can do blacks perfectly? I'm wondering how this is possible given that it's a Plasma. If it can't I'm not interested.[/quote]Black levels on Kuro plasmas are better than every other HDTV out there.

And it's as good as CRT on their latest model.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']It was CES week, and HD DVD owners were stunned without a doubt, coupled with a slight increase in optimism that BD is *the* format, no doubt both invigorating those who own BD, and pushing the weak-willed format agnostic types who considered WB's move the final blow, and became the first of the "I'm waiting until there's a clear winner" folks to buy into HDM.

This is pretty damned high, IMO. I don't expect to see anything closer than 70/30 anymore, but I don't expect to see 85/15 regularly.

At least for as long as Paramount/Universal hold out on releasing BD, anyway.[/quote]

That is what happened with my brother, actually. He wanted to wait until there was a clear cut winner. Evidently, he thought Warner going blu was pretty clear cut, so he picked up a PS3:applause:
 
There was also that Amazon BOGO that week, no? I think that had a marginal impact - in the absence of the Warner move, the BOGO would usually amount to - what? - a 74/26 week?
 
I have a 32" Sharp LCD and I just put the TV on the movie setting for the best picture :p

The TV has this neat little feature where it adjusts the picture depending on the lighting in the room, so it works for me.
 
[quote name='H.Cornerstone']Well, LED LCD's are capable of doing that as well, only problem is they are expensive. I still wish Canon can get their SED technology going, that looks the most promising out of any I have seen.[/quote]

Yeah but then when there's actually something to display it's not as good.


The next wave will be OLED's possibly and also possibly laser.
 
[quote name='seanr1221']I have a 32" Sharp LCD and I just put the TV on the movie setting for the best picture :p

The TV has this neat little feature where it adjusts the picture depending on the lighting in the room, so it works for me.[/QUOTE]

Well then dont start to tweak it, the movie settings do help somewhat but once you tweak you can see how the sharpness is turned down on the factory settings etc.
 
[quote name='SuppaMan']Yeah but then when there's actually something to display it's not as good.


The next wave will be OLED's possibly and also possibly laser.[/quote]

I dunno, with the way the market is and the demand for flat panel, I see OLED taking off if they can get sizes up and prices down.
 
[quote name='InuFaye']I dunno, with the way the market is and the demand for flat panel, I see OLED taking off if they can get sizes up and prices down.[/quote]

The main problem with OLED's is that they have a very short lifespan, which is the biggest hurdle they need to get over IMO.
 
[quote name='H.Cornerstone']The main problem with OLED's is that they have a very short lifespan, which is the biggest hurdle they need to get over IMO.[/quote]

More so then having a panel size of over 13"?
 
Not that it matters anymore, but the full numbers are up:

Week ended 1-13: 85/15
YTD: 74/26
SI: 63/37
Code: 
Top 10 by SKU:

1.  3:10 to Yuma                100
2.  300 BR                    28.05
3.  Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End    27.38
4.  Resident Evil: Extinction            25.79
5.  Blood Diamond BR                23.36
6.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire BR    22.30
7.  War                        22.16
8.  Goodfellas BR                21.06
9.  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban BR    20.84
10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone BR    20.03

xx. The Kingdom                    12.00
xx. The Bourne Ultimatum            11.11
xx. Zodiac: Director's Cut            10.49
xx. Blade Runner: Collector's Edition HD    7.35
xx. Blood Diamond HD                7.30
xx. Goodfellas HD                4.88
xx. 300 HD                    2.50
xx. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire HD    1.13
xx. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban HD    0.86


Top 10 by Title:

1.  3:10 to Yuma                100
2.  300                        30.55
3.  Blood Diamond                29.66
4.  Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End    27.38
5.  Goodfellas                    25.94
6.  Resident Evil: Extinction            25.79
7.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire        23.43
8.  War                        22.16
9.  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix    22.13
10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban    21.70

xx. The Kingdom                    12.00
xx. The Bourne Ultimatum            11.11
xx. Zodiac: Director's Cut            10.49


Top 5 Blu-Ray:

1.  3:10 to Yuma                100
2.  300                        28.05
3.  Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End    27.38
4.  Resident Evil: Extinction            25.79
5.  Blood Diamond                23.36

Top 5 HD DVD:

1.  The Kingdom                    100
2.  The Bourne Ultimatum            92.59
3.  Zodiac: Director's Cut            87.36
4.  Blade Runner: Collector's Edition        61.22
5.  Blood Diamond                60

xx. Goodfellas                    40.66
xx. 300                        20.83
xx. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire        9.41
xx. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban    7.17
 
blu-ray-8515.jpg


Blu Pac-Man is almost full.
 
[quote name='H.Cornerstone']The main problem with OLED's is that they have a very short lifespan, which is the biggest hurdle they need to get over IMO.[/quote]

Exactly. SED is all but dead, lasers provide an intruiging option, OLED has major lifespan issues (not just cost, that would likely go way down over time), problem is, between costs needing to quickly go down along with the lifespan, something revolutionary could wind up being developed before that hits a mass penetration point (OLEDs or anything currently in development right now). It's hard to say what the next big thing will be.


Though if they solve the lifespan issues (and sensitivity) and the costs go way down, OLED's will be the next big thing probably.
 
[quote name='SuppaMan']Exactly. SED is all but dead, lasers provide an intruiging option, OLED has major lifespan issues (not just cost, that would likely go way down over time), problem is, between costs needing to quickly go down along with the lifespan, something revolutionary could wind up being developed before that hits a mass penetration point (OLEDs or anything currently in development right now). It's hard to say what the next big thing will be.


Though if they solve the lifespan issues (and sensitivity) and the costs go way down, OLED's will be the next big thing probably.[/quote]

I don't believe OLED's are expensive persay. Sansa uses them in their MP3 players because of the ridiculously low amount of battery life they use, for their screens. I am still hoping that Canon will be allowed to work with Toshiba and get SED's going. If not, I will have to pray that LED LCD's work out.
 
[quote name='sonicfreak5']wait. if WWE hasnt decided whether to go HD-DVD or Blu Ray. We wil know in the upcoming months. This might have an impact , just thinking future.[/QUOTE]No, it won't. They're definately going Blu.
 
[quote name='sonicfreak5']wait. if WWE hasnt decided whether to go HD-DVD or Blu Ray. We wil know in the upcoming months. This might have an impact , just thinking future.[/QUOTE]

Not so much, since they don't have a library of HD-quality video. They can only (reasonably) release the WWE stuff from now forward on HDM, so it's going to be very limited going forward (Pay-Per-Views only at best, select PPVs at worst).
 
This used to be my favorite thread. Now with this lame TV bickering this thread is fading.

So, perhaps can some one summarize what's up with Universal and why they are HD DVD? They weren't paid off like Paramount was presumed to be.

I want my fucking Bourne Blu-ray already!!! The only 3 movies on HD DVD I want. I'm damn near tempted to spend the money to get a player for just these 3.
 
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...ersal_Sets_American_Gangster_HD_DVD_Date/1380

Absolutely ridiculous and one ups Fox's fuck up with Die Hard. The DVD side has the extended cut but the high def side doesn't. Gimme a fucking break.

On another note, I think I am going to get an A3 tomorrow. I have enough BB credit where it won't be much out of pocket and there are a few movies I have been wanting to pick up anyways (plus I want a player for when I get an HDTV upstairs). Probably going to nab Zodiac and Pan's with it (though I might swap that out for Blade Runner).
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/Disc_Announcements/Universal_Sets_American_Gangster_HD_DVD_Date/1380

Absolutely ridiculous and one ups Fox's fuck up with Die Hard. The DVD side has the extended cut but the high def side doesn't. Gimme a fucking break.

On another note, I think I am going to get an A3 tomorrow. I have enough BB credit where it won't be much out of pocket and there are a few movies I have been wanting to pick up anyways (plus I want a player for when I get an HDTV upstairs). Probably going to nab Zodiac and Pan's with it (though I might swap that out for Blade Runner).[/quote]

wow... just wow...
 
[quote name='mykevermin']The inevitable Blu-Ray release better have those 17 fucking minutes put back in.

Of course, that might not appear until close to Christmas.[/QUOTE]

Which makes me a sad panda...I love that movie.
 
[quote name='sonicfreak5']wait. if WWE hasnt decided whether to go HD-DVD or Blu Ray. We wil know in the upcoming months. This might have an impact , just thinking future.[/QUOTE]

Well for what it's worth, Genius Products (AKA Weinstein) has the rights to home media releases in America so technically you would think they would be HD-DVD exclusive (although since it's Weinstein, we probably won't get any WWE HDM anytime soon)

SANTA MONICA, CA -- Genius Products, LLC. has entered into a multi-year agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE), to be the exclusive home entertainment distributor of all WWE DVD titles, effective November 1, 2006, a partnership that lays the foundation for a "Smackdown" on the entertainment industry.

The announcement was made today by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Co-Chairmen of The Weinstein Company, the majority owner of Genius Products, and Vince McMahon, WWE's Chairman, along with Genius Products' Trevor Drinkwater, President and CEO, Genius Products' Stephen K. Bannon, Chairman, and WWE's Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President, Global Media, and Donna Goldsmith, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products.

"Home entertainment is a major part of the WWE's business, and we believe we have found in Genius a company that understands our brand and will help us continue to drive our company's growth," said Vince McMahon. "Bob and Harvey Weinstein have a tremendous track record. We're excited about this partnership and its long-term potential."
Click to expand...

http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2006/2006_10_17.jsp

That said, I don't give a damn which way they go permanently, only thing I want is Wrestlemania 24 to be released on HD-DVD (since I'm going :bouncy: )

- edit [quote name='CaseyRyback']http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...ersal_Sets_American_Gangster_HD_DVD_Date/1380

Absolutely ridiculous and one ups Fox's fuck up with Die Hard. The DVD side has the extended cut but the high def side doesn't. Gimme a fucking break. [/QUOTE]

That's nothing new. Miami Vice did the same thing except in reverse.

I'm kind of glad that we are getting the theatrical version in HD, I can't tell you how many "extended" cuts suck compared to the original.
 
[quote name='dallow']Black levels on Kuro plasmas are better than every other HDTV out there.

And it's as good as CRT on their latest model.[/QUOTE]

Finally a flat screen I can buy.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']I'm kind of glad that we are getting the theatrical version in HD, I can't tell you how many "extended" cuts suck compared to the original.[/quote]IMO, with these new HD formats we ought to have both cuts on the one disc. Would that be so hard to do? I think with 30+GB on a disc, it ought to be okay. Any special features can go on a second disc.
 
[quote name='GrilledWitOnions']IMO, with these new HD formats we ought to have both cuts on the one disc. Would that be so hard to do? I think with 30+GB on a disc, it ought to be okay. Any special features can go on a second disc.[/QUOTE]

Well seamless branching is suppose to do it no problem.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Well seamless branching is suppose to do it no problem.[/quote]
Yeah that's how Warner fit 3 versions of Blade Runner on a BD25/HD30, and also how they did the "choose your own adventure" version of House on Haunted Hill.
 
Myke,

Where did you come across that, is it an official promotion poster or something made up? Properties revealed...nothing...

Excuse me for being Naive at this point, but say something huge happened (let me be clear, it wont) is it possible the WB could again go neutral? I mean have they entered into a contract with Blu starting off in May already, or just said they will?
 
[quote name='GrilledWitOnions']IMO, with these new HD formats we ought to have both cuts on the one disc. Would that be so hard to do? I think with 30+GB on a disc, it ought to be okay. Any special features can go on a second disc.[/quote]

I agree.

I guess that Universal figured "well, they have it on the other side" and decided to call it a day. I don't think anybody (corporate level) is too keen on the idea of adding a second disc to a combo release since a combo disc already cost extra.
 
[quote name='Snake2715']Myke,

Where did you come across that, is it an official promotion poster or something made up? Properties revealed...nothing...

Excuse me for being Naive at this point, but say something huge happened (let me be clear, it wont) is it possible the WB could again go neutral? I mean have they entered into a contract with Blu starting off in May already, or just said they will?[/quote]

I'm guessing that it's a promotional poster that somebody over at blu-ray.com "cleverly" photoshopped.

WB has the contract all signed at this point and the only out they have (that I heard of) is if player/disc sales don't meet a certain number.

I wouldn't count on them coming back any time soon though.
 
I'm done buying HD DVDs. I was thinking about buying American Gangster, since its a combo disc, but since its not the extended version, why bother?
 
[quote name='anomynous']I'm done buying HD DVDs. I was thinking about buying American Gangster, since its a combo disc, but since its not the extended version, why bother?[/quote]

Because it's still the only way you will be able to see the movie in HD and it's the same one you would have seen in theaters anyways?

- edit And because it wasn't shoehorned into a PG13 rating to get more viewers ala Die Hard 4 or butchered like other Ridley Scott films.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']Because it's still the only way you will be able to see the movie in HD and it's the same one you would have seen in theaters anyways?

- edit And because it wasn't shoehorned into a PG13 rating to get more viewers ala Die Hard 4 or butchered like other Ridley Scott films.[/quote]Or because it will eventually be released on the other format.
 
RB Films Drops HD-DVD Support because of HD-DVD AVS Forum posters (yes, seriously)

Yes, but I made that decision before Warner made any announcement. By decision was based on my experience with the HD-DVD audience and the abuse I took in the AVS Forum. It is obvious they do not appreciate our efforts to raise the bar ... and in all honesty, they were not very nice about it .... so we are excluding HD-DVD with respect to our future releases.
Click to expand...
http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2008/01/20/rb-films-to-exclude-hd-dvd-for-future-releases/

I loled.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']...and yours clouded in naivete.[/quote]

Not really, people running around spouting that HD-DVD is dead due to one week of sales in a week when basically nothing was released on our side(besides 1 catalog title [which never sell] and 1 semicatalog title [which again don't sell very well]) or completely writing off Paramount/Universal, those would be the people clouded in naivete.

I'd say wait until late Feburary/early March before touting the numbers around.

- edit :rofl: @ the thing Dallow's posted.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']Not really, people running around spouting that HD-DVD is dead due to one week of sales in a week when basically nothing was released on our side(besides 1 catalog title [which never sell] and 1 semicatalog title [which again don't sell very well]) or completely writing off Paramount/Universal, those would be the people clouded in naivete.

I'd say wait until late Feburary/early March before touting the numbers around.[/QUOTE]

Just off the top of my head, I think what Cnet said and the CES event have a little bit more to do with why people feel the format is dying.
 
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