- LOCK - Format War - HD DVD vs. Blu-Ray - LOCK -

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Spielberg movies still coming to BD, PHEW!

Despite selling more movies on the Blu-ray format, Paramount has announced today that they will begin supporting HD DVD exclusively. This move, rumored to be driven by a $150M exclusivity deal with the HD DVD group, comes after Paramount began favoring Blu-ray releases with higher quality video encodings and more HD features. The deal covers all of Paramount's properties excluding those directed by Steven Spielberg.
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Hmm...I wonder if they will stop pressing new Blu-Ray discs for already released movies as well? They may actually become valuable...[/quote]All I see are dollar signs.... got a list?
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Some of the comments I've read at other blogs are clamoring for a boycott against Paramount. :lol: They're really going to notice people not buying movies they aren't releasing on BR.[/QUOTE]

:rofl: Stupid fanboys.
 
[quote name='dallow']Spielberg movies still coming to BD, PHEW![/QUOTE]

Its from Blu-Ray.com...I wouldn't really believe it 100% yet. Anything can change and if Paramount pulls in huge numbers with HD DVD titles...I expect Spielberg to jump as well.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Its from Blu-Ray.com...I wouldn't really believe it 100% yet. Anything can change and if Paramount pulls in huge numbers with HD DVD titles...I expect Spielberg to jump as well.[/quote]:rofl:
 
And here's a list of current Paramount titles on BD.

fuckers never used lossless audio did they? (except for the most very recent releases)
Only DD5.1 on every title.

Aeon Flux Paramount Pictures Oct 10, 2006
An Officer and a Gentleman Paramount Pictures -
Babel Paramount Pictures Feb 20, 2007
Black Rain Paramount Pictures Jan 23, 2007
Black Snake Moan Paramount Pictures Jun 26, 2007
Blades of Glory Paramount Pictures Aug 28, 2007
Coming to America Paramount Pictures Jun 05, 2007
Disturbia Paramount Pictures Aug 07, 2007
Dreamgirls Paramount Pictures May 01, 2007
Face/Off Paramount Pictures Oct 30, 2007
Failure to Launch Paramount Pictures Apr 24, 2007
Flags of Our Fathers Paramount Pictures May 22, 2007
Flashdance Paramount Pictures -
Four Brothers Paramount Pictures Sep 26, 2006
Freedom Writers Paramount Pictures May 22, 2007
Ghost Paramount Pictures -
Hustle & Flow Paramount Pictures Jun 26, 2007
The Italian Job Paramount Pictures Oct 24, 2006
The Jack Ryan Collection Paramount Pictures Oct 23, 2007
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Paramount Pictures Sep 26, 2006
The Manchurian Candidate Paramount Pictures Jan 23, 2007
Mission Impossible Paramount Pictures May 22, 2007
Mission Impossible II Paramount Pictures May 22, 2007
Mission Impossible III Paramount Pictures Oct 30, 2006
Mission Impossible: Ultimate Missions Collection Paramount Pictures Oct 30, 2006
Nacho Libre Paramount Pictures Oct 24, 2006
Next Paramount Pictures Sep 25, 2007
Norbit Paramount Pictures Jun 05, 2007
Payback: Straight Up Paramount Pictures Apr 10, 2007
Reds: 25th Anniversary Edition Paramount Pictures Nov 07, 2006
Sahara Paramount Pictures Oct 24, 2006
Saturday Night Fever Paramount Pictures -
Shooter Paramount Pictures Jul 31, 2007
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Paramount Pictures Sep 26, 2006
Sleepy Hollow Paramount Pictures Sep 26, 2006
Top Gun Paramount Pictures Oct 02, 2007
Trading Places Paramount Pictures Jun 05, 2007
U2: Rattle and Hum Paramount Pictures Oct 10, 2006
The Untouchables Paramount Pictures Jul 03, 2007
The Warriors: Ultimate Director's Cut Paramount Pictures Jul 03, 2007
We Were Soldiers Paramount Pictures Jan 23, 2007
World Trade Center Paramount Pictures Dec 12, 2006
Zodiac
 
[quote name='dallow']Spielberg movies still coming to BD, PHEW![/quote] 2 things:

1) Have a link to this on a neutral (preferably mainstream news) site? Because the only place I've seen it is Blu-Ray.com. Not exactly the bastion of unbiased info on the format war. :)

2) That portion of the quote does NOT say Spielberg films are coming to Blu-Ray. It simply claims the films are not covered by the exclusivity agreement.

This is an important distinction. It could mean a few things. One of those things being that Spielberg titles will be neutral when released. However, the most likely is that Paramount can not unilaterally decide to release these movies on HD DVD without Spielberg's say-so. Which is no different than before.

What this means to me, if it is in fact true, is that the likelyhood of seeing Spielberg films on HD DVD remains small, as it was before. And the likelyhood of them being released on Blu-Ray just got a hair smaller.
 
[quote name='dallow']:rofl:[/QUOTE]

Laugh all you want about it, but the fact is if you want movies from Paramount/Dreamworks you need to own an HD DVD player. Just watch HD DVD standalone sales go through the roof in the next few weeks and even more so when Transformers comes out.
 
[quote name='geko29']2 things:

1) Have a link to this on a neutral (preferably mainstream news) site? Because the only place I've seen it is Blu-Ray.com. Not exactly the bastion of unbiased info on the format war. :)

2) That portion of the quote does NOT say Spielberg films are coming to Blu-Ray. It simply claims the films are not covered by the exclusivity agreement.

This is an important distinction. It could mean a few things. One of those things being that Spielberg titles will be neutral when released. However, the most likely is that Paramount can not unilaterally decide to release these movies on HD DVD without Spielberg's say-so. Which is no different than before.

What this means to me, if it is in fact true, is that the likelyhood of seeing Spielberg films on HD DVD remains small, as it was before. And the likelyhood of them being released on Blu-Ray just got a hair smaller.

This is reinforced by the fact that Paramount just announced that Transformers (a Spielberg movie) WILL be HD DVD exlusive.[/QUOTE]

http://www.viacom.com/NEWS/NewsText.aspx?RID=1042073

I didn't know Spielberg was involved with Transformers. Huh.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Its from Blu-Ray.com...I wouldn't really believe it 100% yet. Anything can change and if Paramount pulls in huge numbers with HD DVD titles...I expect Spielberg to jump as well.[/QUOTE]

You realize he would be going from HD-DVD+BD to just HD-DVD.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']I didn't know Spielberg was involved with Transformers. Huh.[/quote] I edited my post and removed the reference. Spielberg was Executive Producer, but NOT Director, and the announcement said "directed by Steven Spielberg", so I was incorrect. It was directed by Michael Bay.
 
Another good thing about this move, is that hopefully when all things become Blu again, Paramount will rerelease all but the 4 titles that only have Dolby Digital sountracks with at least DolbyTrueHD or LPCM.
 
While I do like that HD DVD is finally getting some good news, this just means that it'll be less likely for Disney or Fox to become neutral because...

A. The BDA wants to keep their exclusive studios exclusive

and

B. Disney's biggest animation rival is Dreamworks... (Note that I didn't say threat, but rival)
 
[quote name='dallow']Another good thing about this move, is that hopefully when all things become Blu again, Paramount will rerelease all but the 4 titles that only have Dolby Digital sountracks with at least DolbyTrueHD or LPCM.[/quote]
Now now, HD DVD fans (like myself) had to take their lumps with the BBV and Target announcements. I encourage you to take yours with dignity and not try to spin this into some kind of victory.
 
[quote name='orimental']While I do like that HD DVD is finally getting some good news, this just means that it'll be less likely for Disney or Fox to become neutral because...

A. The BDA wants to keep their exclusive studios exclusive

and

B. Disney's biggest animation rival is Dreamworks... (Note that I didn't say threat, but rival)[/QUOTE]

Unless you have been living under a rock, Fox has been non-existant for months now. If they do decide to come back and play, expect them to leave shortly after BD+ gets cracked.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Unless you have been living under a rock, Fox has been non-existant for months now. If they do decide to come back and play, expect them to leave shortly after BD+ gets cracked.[/QUOTE]

Pink starfish be damned, living under a rock is still better than living in a world without HD DVD.
 
[quote name='geko29']Now now, HD DVD fans (like myself) had to take their lumps with the BBV and Target announcements. I encourage you to take yours with dignity and not try to spin this into some kind of victory.[/quote]I'm speaking as a purely PQ and AQ whore who doesn't want to buy another movie player.

Not even the HD DVD versions had lossless audio.

I could care less about extra features.
 
Well it's about time HD fought back. It's good to see they are finally doing something that could sway this war. I have often said they needed to get more studio support. snagging Paramount/Dreamworks is a big blow to BR. Can't wait to see what BR does to counterstrike, maybe a WB exclusivity?
 
[quote name='millrat1030']Well it's about time HD fought back. It's good to see they are finally doing something that could sway this war. I have often said they needed to get more studio support. snagging Paramount/Dreamworks is a big blow to BR. Can't wait to see what BR does to counterstrike, maybe a WB exclusivity?[/QUOTE]

Its gonna be interesting to see how the BDA handle this. Their own website is already spinning the news. Blockbuster is owned by Paramount/Viacom...right? Hmm... This is a game changer no doubt about it.
 
Interesting, the HD DVD version of Blades of Glory doesn't have a lossless audio track but the BD does (or did).

Will have to find to see if it'll be worth anything.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Its gonna be interesting to see how the BDA handle this. Their own website is already spinning the news. Blockbuster is owned by Paramount/Viacom...right? Hmm... This is a game changer no doubt about it.[/QUOTE]

If you're talking about Blu-ray.com, then that's not a BDA site. It's pro-BR, sure, but not an official site. Blu-raydisc.com is the official BDA site.
 
Short term, it'll be interesting to see what this means for Paramount's 30 current titles.

If currently released Blu-Rays are discontinued, then a new Blu-Ray purchaser will be missing out on 52% of available HiDef titles, while the HD DVD purchaser only forgoes 28%. If this exclusivity only applies to titles to be released in the future, it will be a slower change, but the numbers will wind up close to that.
 
[quote name='millrat1030']Can't wait to see what BR does to counterstrike, maybe a WB exclusivity?[/QUOTE]

That will never ever ever happen.

WB is currently at the top of the HD pile with 30% of the pie and they are working on their TotalHD disc (Blu one side/HD the other)

They want studios to go neutral (sweet sweet royalities) not exclusive.
 
[quote name='millrat1030']Can't wait to see what BR does to counterstrike, maybe a WB exclusivity?[/QUOTE]

Not likely. Especially with WB pushing their dual format technology.

I'd imagine, if anything, Sony will ask Disney to ramp up their releases.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Blockbuster is owned by Paramount/Viacom...right? Hmm... This is a game changer no doubt about it.[/quote] Not anymore. They sold it to their shareholders as an independent entity in 2004.

Another interesting thing about this deal. It comes about EXACTLY one year after Paramount's first Blu-Ray releases (September 26, 2006), and coincidentally lines up with the end of Sony's one year of BD50 subsidies for BD-producing studios.
 
[quote name='orimental']If you're talking about Blu-ray.com, then that's not a BDA site. It's pro-BR, sure, but not an official site. Blu-raydisc.com is the official BDA site.[/QUOTE]

Gotcha, my bad.
Wonder how they got to keep the name blu-ray.com? Figured the BDA would buy that domain name as well.
 
[quote name='geko29']Short term, it'll be interesting to see what this means for Paramount's 30 current titles.

If currently released Blu-Rays are discontinued, then a new Blu-Ray purchaser will be missing out on 52% of available HiDef titles, while the HD DVD purchaser only forgoes 28%. If this exclusivity only applies to titles to be released in the future, it will be a slower change, but the numbers will wind up close to that.[/quote]Wait, can you explain this please?

You don't mean to say that this studio's movies account for 52% of BD's catalog do you?
 
I think this earns a title of meh. If it was Disney or something of that nature I would have thought "holy shit thats huge" but Paramount? I guess that's cool though for the HD dvd nuts.
 
[quote name='dallow']Wait, can you explain this please?

You don't mean to say that this studio's movies account for 52% of BD's catalog do you?[/quote]
Currently, 60% of the titles on each format are exclusive, with 40% neutral. Since both formats have the same number of titles (287 on HD, 293 on Blu-Ray), that means that owners of one format or the other currently miss out on 40% of all titles available (the other format's exclusives). Paramount and Dreamworks combined make up 12% of the titles available. Ergo, that takes 12% out of the neutral pot and puts it in the exclusive pot for HD DVD.
 
thingstocomevj0ek3.jpg
 
After months of silence, Fox Home Entertainment is planning to issue an announcement later today renewing its support for the Blu-ray format, and outlining the studio's upcoming release plans.

The move comes after this morning's shocking revelation that Paramount and DreamWorks have switched allegiances exclusively to rival HD DVD, news which has left those on all sides of the format war blind-sided.

We've since received official confirmation from Fox today that in response to Paramount's announcement, they are currently fast-tracking a press release reiterating their exclusive support for Blu-ray, as well as providinglong-awaited details on their future release plans.

Though Fox (who also distributes MGM titles) was one of the early and most vocal major studio backers of Blu-ray, the studio has largely stepped out of the high-def sweepstakes for the past several months. Neither Fox nor MGM has released nor announced a single Blu-ray title on the format since 'Hoosiers' in early March. They also cancelled a huge slate of planned winter high-def releases, including such hits as 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' 'From Hell' and 'Me, Myself & Irene,' which have yet to be rescheduled.

We'll certainly keep you posted as soon as Fox's press release is unveiled in the coming hours. Watch this space!
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FINALLY!!!! The Paramount news pushed Fox to actually do something. Lets see how long they last until BD+ is cracked. This shit is heating up!
 
[quote name='dallow']
Not like that MGS4 on 360 pic.
Hehe, still makes me chuckle.[/quote]

It was amusing the first time, after I'd seen it posted the 837th time the joke really wore thin.

That Sony domino looks terrible though.
 
[quote name='benjamouth']It was amusing the first time, after I'd seen it posted the 837th time the joke really wore thin.

That Sony domino looks terrible though.[/QUOTE]

Its suppose to according to the guy on AVS who made it. He wanted Sony to look bad...which they already are doing a fine job of themselves.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']FINALLY!!!! The Paramount news pushed Fox to actually do something. Lets see how long they last until BD+ is cracked. This shit is heating up![/QUOTE]

Where did that come from?

I was hoping for a neutral announcement from either them or Lionsgate :cry:
 
[quote name='Sporadic']Where did that come from?

I was hoping for a neutral announcement from either them or Lionsgate :cry:[/QUOTE]

Fox has been calling EVERYONE and telling them "we are announcing stuff today!!!!". The BDA is trying to downplay the whole Paramount thing :lol:

Can't wait for a shitload of announcements, see some come out, the rest get canceled. Rinse and Repeat.
 
Great news the division of the studios is the only driving force in the format war. Its helping drive the prices down, otherwise they could charge whatever they wanted...
 
[quote name='kjauburn']Great news the division of the studios is the only driving force in the format war. Its helping drive the prices down, otherwise they could charge whatever they wanted...[/quote]wtf?
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Fox has been calling EVERYONE and telling them "we are announcing stuff today!!!!". The BDA is trying to downplay the whole Paramount thing :lol:

Can't wait for a shitload of announcements, see some come out, the rest get canceled. Rinse and Repeat.[/QUOTE]

Cancelled movies is something to get excited about?
 
Fox and MGM Unveil Blu-Ray Exclusive Worldwide Releases for 2007
Aug 20 at 15:59


29 Titles To Debut Packed With Soon-to-Be-Announced BD Industry 'Firsts' - PLUS
- Fox's First TV Title 'PRISON BREAK' FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER
And LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD and Other Titles To Debut Day-and-Date on BD/DVD --
Blu-ray Out-Performing HD DVD 2-to-1 At Retail in 2007 --

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) today unveiled an
aggressive global Blu-ray Disc release strategy including 29 new release and
"must-have" catalog titles that runs through the end of the 2007 calendar year.
Among the many highlights of the impressive worldwide slate are six day & date
BD/DVD new theatrical releases from Fox including the $241 million box-office
family favorite FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER and the $335 million
box-office action powerhouse LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, four day & date BD/DVD (U.S.
only) new theatrical releases from MGM, 19 'must-have on BD' films from the two
studios' libraries, Fox's first-ever TV release on BD - PRISON BREAK -- and
Fox's intention to release at least one state-of-the-art title per month
featuring numerous BD 'firsts.'
The only high-definition packaged media universally supported by the film,
music, gaming and computer industries, BD is the #1 selling high-definition
packaged media. In fact, on a worldwide basis, BD is averaging nearly 70%
market-share per week of all high definition titles sold this year and, in the
U.S., it is out-performing HD DVD by a margin of 115%.
"Given that Blu-ray has consistently outsold HD DVD all year, and this is
the case for any titles released by any studio in both formats, we believe that
the time is right for us to accelerate our activities and help convert the
nearly 60 million high definition households worldwide into Blu-ray households,"
noted Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
"By the end of this calendar year there will be expansive availability of
technically vibrant releases featuring never-before-seen, advanced BD-J
interactivity as well as a broad offering of playback devices at attractive
prices that will prove to any doubting consumers once and for all that Blu-ray
is the only way."
"And as Blu-ray continues to grows stronger, it has become survival of the
fittest which is most apparent in the retail landscape where our eager and
growing global Blu-ray consumer base has caused a shift that is forcing the
allocation of more space to the format that is selling the best. And, in many
recent instances of note, top retailers in North America are choosing to promote
the Blu-ray format exclusively in their stores," continued Dunn.
Among the BD industry 'firsts' from the Studios' upcoming global release
slate are picture in picture capability, enhanced viewing and surround sound
modes with the ability to mix and match picture and sound, direct access to
in-movie features through one of the four colored buttons on the BD remote and
the most technically vibrant BD-Java interactive multi-player challenge and
trivia games to date. The Studios' slate also takes full advantage of BD-Live
functionality this fourth quarter. Internet-connected consumers will enjoy
unique, title specific "web-enabled" interactive features and games and
"web-exclusive" downloadable content with the ability to connect and interact
with other broadband BD users worldwide.
Cementing its leadership position within the industry - previous BD
releases NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM and X-MEN THE LAST STAND rank in the Top 20
best-sellers - the vast majority of the Studios' upcoming global slate will be
presented on 50 GB dual-layer discs with advanced BD-J interactivity and feature
numerous Blu-ray exclusive high-definition bonus materials that further realizes
BD's incredible potential. Consumers will enjoy the superior video and audio
elements of AVC encoding and Lossless HD audio on many of the coming titles as
well as enhanced and integrated menus, personal scene selections, search
indexing, trivia and other title specific games and high-definition bonus
materials.
Upcoming BD-J features exclusive to priority catalogue titles from Fox and
MGM include an "Alien Scavenger Hunt" (INDEPENDENCE DAY) that challenges players
to earn points by identifying the correct number of aliens in select scenes to
unlock additional bonus features; a "Global Warming Trivia Track" (THE DAY AFTER
TOMORROW) where users must correctly answer questions about global warming to
keep the Earth's temperature from rising and being destroyed; and a historical
and geographical pop-up map (MASTER & COMMANDER) that tracks the location of
Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey and his enemies.
Listed below are the upcoming Blu-ray Disc releases from Fox and MGM
excluding new theatrical day & date BD/DVD releases. EXACT TITLE CONFIGURATIONS
TO FOLLOW IN THE COMING WEEKS.

TITLE N.A. RELEASE INTERNATIONAL RELEASE
MASTER & COMMANDER OCT. 2 OCT.
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW OCT. 2 NOV.
FROM HELL OCT. 9 OCT.
THE FLY (1986) OCT. 9 Q1 08
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS OCT. 9 NOV.
28 DAYS LATER OCT. 9 North America Only
ROBOCOP (MGM) OCT. 9 DEC.
AMITYVILLE HORROR (1979) (MGM) OCT. 9 North America Only
BATTLE OF BRITAIN (MGM) NOV. 6 Q1 08
A BRIDGE TOO FAR (MGM) NOV. 6 Q1 08
I, ROBOT NOV. 13 Q1 08
DIE HARD NOV. NOV.
DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER NOV NOV.
DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE NOV. NOV.
RED DAWN (MGM) NOV. Q1 08
MR. AND MRS. SMITH DEC. 4 DEC.
INDEPENDENCE DAY DEC. 4 DEC.
CAST AWAY DEC. 4 North America Only
RONIN (MGM) DEC. 4 DEC.

Blu-ray Disc is a next generation optical disc format developed for
high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer
Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc
holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the
Blu-ray Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with
current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for high definition feature films
with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material. Blu-ray also
features the most advanced copy protection, player backward compatibility with
the current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity.
Fox takes advantage of the next generation format's high definition
technology and advanced functionality to present its titles with the highest
quality audiovisual elements. Showcasing picture quality with six times the
resolution of DVD and theater quality "uncompressed" audio for the purest
digital sound, the cutting-edge discs also feature enhanced and integrated
menus, games, high-definition bonus materials and Java-encoding for more dynamic
and sophisticated interactivity.
The Studio's commitment to emerging technologies is dedicated to enhancing
the consumer experience of its products and providing for backward compatibility
with their existing home entertainment libraries while also aggressively
protecting its intellectual property from piracy. The Blu-ray companies fully
embrace the Studio's steadfast commitment to the fight against piracy and the
preservation of the integrity of its properties. Twentieth Century Fox is a
member of the Board of Directors of the Blu- ray Disc Association.
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home
Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution
company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc
(BD) as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases
all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE
introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to
retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores
and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News
Corporation company.
Source: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Contact: Fox Home Entertainment
North America
Steve Feldstein/Callie Jernigan
310.369.5369 / 310.369.8370
or
International
Marla Rothschild/Stephanie Wenborn
310.369.5827 / 44.77.986.28695
Click to expand...

Love the 2:1 mention at the top. Gotta keep doing that!

Awesome! BD-J features that only PS3 owners and people that buy new players can use! Unfinished Format FTW!
 
[quote name='dallow']wtf?[/quote]

If one format loses early on do your really think the price drops on hardware and specials on some dvd's would continue at this rate.
 
I love it within a few hours of a major blow by HD, BR is already firing back. That is what HD needed to do all along, give BR a kick every time BR threw a punch. So HD it's your turn again.
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!!
 
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