HD DVD thread - Toshiba: HD DVD DISCONTINUED, REPAIR/SUPPORT CONTINUES, NO BLU PLANS

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[quote name='Sporadic']Sucks, it's a pretty big blow but not a death one.

Universal and Paramount are plenty to carry a format.[/quote]Even guyver is making more sense than you now.
I'll give you time to grieve though.
 
[quote name='guyver2077']its been a fun ride but this is a lethal blow[/QUOTE]

Blah, this is pretty far from a death blow and I said months ago that Warner switching to either side would be enough for a death blow.

If Universal announced they were leaving, than that would be the absolute end but right now we have Universal and Paramount and they aren't going anywhere. Don't get me wrong though, it sucks, it sucks really hard.
 
[quote name='guyver2077']so that leaves us with what? universal and paramount? 2 freaking studios..

warner was the xfactor here..
[/QUOTE]

As long as Paramount picks up the pace releasing movies, it will be enough to keep HD-DVD moving along.

Alot of big movies are coming from them this year.
 
One thing that really pissess me off, Dark Knight will be exclusive to Blu-Ray.

I'm optimistic like Sporadic but to Joe Schmo who's looking to buy HDM and sees all the support that Blu-Ray has vs HD DVD, is pretty much what makes Blu-Ray look like a sure thing.
 
[quote name='LinkinPrime']One thing that really pissess me off, Dark Knight will be exclusive to Blu-Ray.

I'm optimistic like Sporadic but to Joe Schmo who's looking to buy HDM and sees all the support that Blu-Ray has vs HD DVD, is pretty much what makes Blu-Ray look like a sure thing.[/QUOTE]

i think the big problem is stores are just going to pull out from HD DVD, probably before May even rolls around

the best buy b3g2 makes more sense now. i wouldn't be surprised if in the next couple of months they have more sales, but the inventory doesn't get replenished until they dump it all. other stores will probably follow. as of right now the only place to really buy HD DVD's at a reasonable prices are best buy/circuit city/frys. CostCo/Walmart/Sam's Club seem to be random in what they carry and the bookstores like Borders/BN and speciality stores like J&R are way overpriced.

then the only place to get hd dvd would be online and that would be the final "nail" or whatever you wanna call it.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']As long as Paramount picks up the pace releasing movies, it will be enough to keep HD-DVD moving along.

Alot of big movies are coming from them this year.[/QUOTE]

Let's be realistic here. Warner was the only major player left, and now that's dried up. UP may have some nice titles, but they aren't the juggernaut that Warner is.

There's no longer a point to buying the HP or Batman movies on HD, those will probably see the price cuts first.

I have like 12-13 titles, and at least 7 are WB. I'm fairly sure those numbers hold up for other casual buyers as well.
 
Nighty night.

I've been saying this for a while now, it was bound to happen. No regrets - I wouldn't have even bought an HD DVD player if I didn't get such a good price on it. It's not like my movies stop working.

I'll hold out for a dual format player, though. The less clutter, the better.
 
I'll continue to only support HD DVD. I'd rather support Al Queda right now than a Sony format.

We'll see what is announced at CES Sunday.

If HD DVD truly does die, I will just wait for high bitrate direct distribution. Guess I'll start researching www.vudu.com more now.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']Let's be realistic here. Warner was the only major player left, and now that's dried up. UP may have some nice titles, but they aren't the juggernaut that Warner is.[/QUOTE]

???

Paramount has alot of heavyhitters on the way. There Will Be Blood? Cloverfield? The Godfather films?

Universal still has some gas in the tank. American Gangster? The Incredible Hulk? (on a smaller level) The Hitchcock films?

Yeah, they aren't the juggernaut that Warner is but they still have a vast library and a number of blockbusters.

Enough that people will still go "oh damn it why can't I get *name of movie*"

[quote name='CocheseUGA']I have like 12-13 titles, and at least 7 are WB. I'm fairly sure those numbers hold up for other casual buyers as well.[/QUOTE]

My numbers were

Warner (25)
Universal (25)
Showgate/Toshiba (6)
StudioCanal (6)
BBC Video (3)
Paramount (2)

so this hurts for me alot. But at least I feel better with my decision to import Band Of Brothers.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']I'll continue to only support HD DVD. I'd rather support Al Queda right now than a Sony format.

We'll see what is announced at CES Sunday.

If HD DVD truly does die, I will just wait for high bitrate direct distribution. Guess I'll start researching www.vudu.com more now.[/QUOTE]

I hope you're wealthy. DD is going to be more expensive than Blu-Ray by a long shot.

Kinda bummed HD-DVD is dying now because this may mean an end to the insane sales (or will it eventually spur a lowering of BR prices as they focus on competing with DVDs?)

I wonder if Paramount has some kind of escape clause in their contract...

Bring on the HD-DVD firesales! If I can get a 1080p player for around $50-100 I'll pick it up just to enjoy a few movies I've been missing out on.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']???

Paramount has alot of heavyhitters on the way. There Will Be Blood? Cloverfield? The Godfather films?

Universal still has some gas in the tank. American Gangster? The Incredible Hulk? (on a smaller level) The Hitchcock films?[/QUOTE]

I'm guessing Speed Racer/The Dark Knight will match the sales of all of those movies combined... Regardless of the movie's quality, Speed Racer looks visually amazing. Wouldn't be surprised if both of those discs were heavily featured in Best Buy store displays come Holiday 2008.
 
Even more than Warner jumping, what's more notable for me personally is that New Line will almost certainly be Blu-Ray exclusive now as well, since Warner is the parent company. That's the studio I wanted the most stuff from.


[quote name='getmyrunon']I wonder if Paramount has some kind of escape clause in their contract...[/quote]
I would guess so, in the case of extreme circumstances at least. I don't know if Warner bowing out 5 months from now is classified as extreme circumstances.

Bring on the HD-DVD firesales!
Click to expand...
Yup. If I hadn't gotten decent deals on all the stuff I recently bought, I'd be pretty pissed about dropping that much cash on this format, when we're going to start seeing clearances left and right.


I'm probably going to dump my Potter discs since we'll never see the final two and I'd rather they all be uniform, but other than that I don't plan on getting rid of any discs due to this.
 
[quote name='getmyrunon']I'm guessing Speed Racer/The Dark Knight will match the sales of all of those movies combined... Regardless of the movie's quality, Speed Racer looks visually amazing. Wouldn't be surprised if both of those discs were heavily featured in Best Buy store displays come Holiday 2008.[/QUOTE]

Not to mention the last two HP + the mega giftset (that'll be what I buy) and all the Speilberg holdouts (don't think for a second this won't have some influence - same with TF2).

Pretty much anything that has sequels/continuing stories past May 2008 won't be worth buying on HD DVD.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']Not to mention the last two HP + the mega giftset (that'll be what I buy) and all the Speilberg holdouts (don't think for a second this won't have some influence - same with TF2).[/QUOTE]

All the Speilberg holdouts? I thought Warner doesn't have any Speilberg movies besides Poltergeist?
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']I would guess so, in the case of extreme circumstances at least. I don't know if Warner bowing out 5 months from now is classified as extreme circumstances.[/QUOTE]

Universal isn't going anywhere, so that's enough, I imagine, to prevent Paramount from getting out of their contract.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']All the Speilberg holdouts? I thought Warner doesn't have any Speilberg movies besides Poltergeist?[/QUOTE]

I'm talking about himself holding out big titles until the format is decided. The writing is on the wall. It's over.
 
Ah, just for the hell of it, I'll make a prediction now that will probably come back to haunt me one way or the other:

HD DVD survives 2008 but bleeds all over the place, Uni and Paramount announce Blu-Ray support at CES next year. The end.
 
Toshiba chimes in....this is pretty close to a the "Blu-Ray reaction to Paramount" redux, and nothing earth-shattering:

TOKYO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD. As central members of the DVD Forum, we have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros. We worked closely together to help standardize the first-generation DVD format as well as to define and shape HD DVD as its next-generation successor.

We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.

We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer.
Click to expand...

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/s...e,250140.shtml
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Ah, just for the hell of it, I'll make a prediction now that will probably come back to haunt me one way or the other:

HD DVD survives 2008 but bleeds all over the place, Uni and Paramount announce Blu-Ray support at CES next year. The end.[/quote]
and Sony realizes that the only reason people buy PS3's its for its Blu-Ray movies so they release a PS3 with no hard drive and sell it as a standalone player/game system for $200 ;)
 
It will be more amusing than anything if they really go ahead with the 360 HD DVD internal drive now...uh, yeah, thanks. You were needed last summer. Now is too little, too late.
 
Well, no regrets for me either as I got the HD-DVD add-on at discount a while back and I have a decent slate of movies in the collection and actually a few more in the pipe thanks to Amazon hidef discount pre-orders.

I'll prolly still get Crank import on HD-DVD too as that sounds like a good one.

I don't mind too about standardizing the format, though. I think this is a right first step for HiDef in general as competing formats wasn't going to fly in the long run.
 
[quote name='LinkinPrime']and Sony realizes that the only reason people buy PS3's its for its Blu-Ray movies so they release a PS3 with no hard drive and sell it as a standalone player/game system for $200 ;)[/quote]

You know, thinking about that...what incentive does Sony have now to push new, original IP games for the system? They can now shift focus of PS3 into an HD Media Center if they want and let the 3rd parties make cross-platform games forever. Could this really be bad news for PS3 gamers? Crazy thought, I know.

I mean, I think Sony is smart enough to know they still need to make good first party/unique/exclusive games to ensure the PS3s long term success, but on the other hand....
 
[quote name='gunm']You know, thinking about that...what incentive does Sony have now to push new, original IP games for the system? They can now shift focus of PS3 into an HD Media Center if they want and let the 3rd parties make cross-platform games forever. Could this really be bad news for PS3 gamers? Crazy thought, I know.

I mean, I think Sony is smart enough to know they still need to make good first party/unique/exclusive games to ensure the PS3s long term success, but on the other hand....[/QUOTE]

You forget, the PS3 is a Sony Computer Entertainment device. They have WAY too much money invested in software development to cut tail and run, especially since the PS3 is still losing them money. The only way Sony stays afloat is via its software arm.
 
Still, its not like all the movies out there are going to spontaniously combust.

Wasnt HD-DVD supposed to have a huge announcement for CES? I know the "Vagina Clown" has been hinting at it in the podcasts.

Maybe we'll get lucky and WHV will clearance out their HD-DVDs.
 
[quote name='Bezerker']Wasnt HD-DVD supposed to have a huge announcement for CES? I know the "Vagina Clown" has been hinting at it in the podcasts.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but like I said above...too little, too late I think.

Maybe we'll get lucky and WHV will clearance out their HD-DVDs.
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Yeah I hope so...there are still a few Warner titles here and there I'd like to pick up.
 
[quote name='getmyrunon']I hope you're wealthy. DD is going to be more expensive than Blu-Ray by a long shot.
[/QUOTE]

Proof?

I actually am content, for now, in just renting HD Movies off of live marketplace. Most of the HD DVD's I have been buying anyway I will not watch more than once or possibly twice.
 
Good news I guess, but I'd be really surprised if New Line didn't go Blu-Ray exclusive as well...hell, they're already leaning that way with their delayed HD DVD titles.


I was just at Best Buy picking up a keyboard, and I stopped to look at the HD DVDs. Sort of a sad irony here was a couple next to me had an HD-A3 in their cart and were looking at the discs...this was the first time I had ever seen someone buying an HD player (either format) in person.

No, I didn't say anything to them about the day's events. If they're just getting started they've got a crapload of titles to pick from anyway.
 
Well, this is a bummer.

However, even if this is the deathblow to HD-DVD I don't have any regrets. I'll still have an upscaling DVD player in my A3 and it's not like the collection of HD-DVD's I've amassed is all of a sudden not going to work.
 
[size=+2]CAGST 3000 Harry Potter OotP Community Screening[/size]​

Off the popular topic a bit...for those of you who have the disc, let's set a date to try this out. I'm thinking Sunday afternoon sometime, those who want in let me know what your username is. You can sign up from the HD DVD menu, or go here:

http://hddvd.warnerbros.com/hdc/reg/login.do

And sign up. May as well do it now, who knows if Warner is going to leave this thing up once they bail out. Let me know what your username is and I will add you to my friends list. You will probably need a USB keyboard unless you want to type with the remote :lol:

If Sunday is horrible for everyone we can change it. I'll add this to the OP once we have a date.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']:applause: fucking awesome.

I heart BBC/New Line.[/quote]

dont keep your hopes up...newline is very doubtful.. and keeping bbc will not really make a big splash either..

i guess its just not my demographic but i dont care for bbc movies.. (its awesome that they sold so well though on hd)
 
[quote name='guyver2077']dont keep your hopes up...newline is very doubtful.. and keeping bbc will not really make a big splash either..

i guess its just not my demographic but i dont care for bbc movies.. (its awesome that they sold so well though on hd)[/QUOTE]

I really enjoy BBC's content. I actually imported one of their mini-series from the UK.

New Line would be nice but if they go Blu exclusive, I wouldn't be too hurt. Most of the stuff I want from them is catalog releases anyways.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']If we get Disney as neutral I'd be happy.

I wonder when that ass Chris From Cali will come in and brag.[/quote]

That's what I'm hoping for.
 
[quote name='LinkinPrime']That's what I'm hoping for.[/QUOTE]
The Disney thing or the bragging? :lol:



I think the sides have been chosen at this point, there won't be any more switching (is anyone of any importance still neutral?)
 
Well I wonder what Toshiba will do to fight back. You know they are not going to sit on their ass now that they lost Warner.

If I was Toshiba I would just inigrate the HD-dvd player in the every new xbox and not raise the price of the console. But that is never going to happen.

Anyone want to make a prediction as to what Toshiba will do to save face?
 
lol why does everyone keep mentioning chris from cali..

i could of sworn he bought an hd player..

honestly i dont even know what toshiba can do to counter.. i dont think its possible.. what can offset warner?

This sucks.. fucking promoting wb store all the time, always picking up hd versions because they were usually superior, and now they dip.
 
[quote name='KingDox']Well I wonder what Toshiba will do to fight back. You know they are not going to sit on their ass now that they lost Warner.

If I was Toshiba I would just inigrate the HD-dvd player in the every new xbox and not raise the price of the console. But that is never going to happen.

Anyone want to make a prediction as to what Toshiba will do to save face?[/quote]

Um.

Put out Team America damnit.
 
[quote name='KingDox']Anyone want to make a prediction as to what Toshiba will do to save face?[/QUOTE]

Probably not much, which has been par the course for them throughout this battle they've been half-heartedly waging....especially because it looks like this announcement caught them with their pants down.

Really, what CAN they do at this point? Announce new players? Who cares? Announce an internal 360 drive? Like I said, too late for that. That was needed 6 months ago. Toshiba is a sitting duck right now. It's going to be up to their remaining studios to drop some major names at the show, and I wouldn't hold my breath for that, if past CES performance is any indication.



Sony fought this like their company's life depended on it, because it kind of did. It showed.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']Proof?[/QUOTE]

Logic. Digital downloads don't take up shelf space, so there's no need for providers to clearance price them. Plus B&Ms competing with each other to sell the same media products = deals for consumers. Every one of my BRs was purchased with some kind of deal / coupon. There aren't going to be the same types of opportunities when companies go digital for a long time (because the early stages will likely be monopolized by a handful of leading services).
 
[quote name='guyver2077']honestly i dont even know what toshiba can do to counter.. i dont think its possible.. what can offset warner?

This sucks.. fucking promoting wb store all the time, always picking up hd versions because they were usually superior, and now they dip.[/QUOTE]

They could always get Paramount to release the list of movies they plan to release this year. Depending on what they have cooking (possible releases include Godfather, Titanic, Gladiator, Indiana Jones, Collateral etc.) that would offset the sting a little bit.

They could throw pile of cash at Weinstein and try to get them to release movies again. 1408, Grindhouse, Diary Of The Dead would be nice.

Besides that, I bet they are just trying to figure out what the hell happened so they don't look stupid at their press conference.

That said, the hundreds of dollars worth of movies Warner sent me for free was one hell of a going away present ;)
 
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