HDD Show HDDVD Bias

[Dotpattern]

For a site that's supposed to be format neutral, they sure give off a lot of pro-HDDVD vibes!

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=34833

"Received a short but sweet statement from Paramount/DreamWorks: "We are still supporting HD DVD." - PeterB HDD Editor-In-Chief

[Nick Graham]

That's a biased statement? You're reading between lines that aren't even there. The first person to reply is an obvious Blu fan, and he doesn't seem to notice anything biased about it.

[JasonS]

I think their bias became blatantly obvious when they let HDNow, rdjam, Amir, etc. post on there like wild fire leading up to the Warner announcement.

Do you notice how Paramount also says all titles that were going to be announced at CES "are now up in the air." Doesn't sound to convincing for them.

[Petra]

HDD is AVS little brother. The mods over there are all pro-HD-DVD

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Nick Graham

That's a biased statement? You're reading between lines that aren't even there. The first person to reply is an obvious Blu fan, and he doesn't seem to notice anything biased about it.

"We received a sweet message" sure sounds biased to me. If he were a fan of HDM they would be recommending people accept BD otherwise both BD and HD-DVD will go the way of Laserdisc. It is time these sites considered the big picture.

[95pgtproject]

That site has always been HD DVD bias. The mods are complete idiots and hd dud fanboys and the reviews suck.

[SuprSlow]

"We are still supporting HD DVD" doesn't EXCLUDE possibly Blu-ray releases

[Dotpattern]

Originally Posted by Nick Graham

That's a biased statement? You're reading between lines that aren't even there. The first person to reply is an obvious Blu fan, and he doesn't seem to notice anything biased about it.

I'm not referring to the replies. I'm talking about that quote. First of all he refers to the statement as "sweet." Yeah, yeah, I know the cliche - short and sweet, but why is it sweet? Why is it even worth noting, posting, or a headline at all? Paramount basically had no comment. Not to mention Paramount has no choice but to stay with HDDVD per their contract.

This is a biased statement/story to give hope where there is none for those still looking for something to cling to.

Instead, they should just put up a picture of Colonel Trautman, from First Blood and quote him as saying, "It's over, Johnny. It's over!"

[kali]

As a former mod at HDD I will say that they make a valiant attempt at neutrality and succeed most of the time. That said, I do sometimes sense a subtle red editorial bias like with the reporting of the Paramount notice. If you read it carefully it is clear that Paramount is saying they still support HD DVD (ie we are not dropping) rather than saying we support HD DVD exclusively.

The editorial bias came in how this report was translated into a headline. But I have seen examples which could be argued going the other way too (ie blu biased) so perhaps it is just their style of being sensationalistic. Afterall if you are selling yourself as the one premiere HD news sites then it seems like a good strategy.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by kali

As a former mod at HDD I will say that they make a valiant attempt at neutrality and succeed most of the time. That said, I do sometimes sense a subtle red editorial bias like with the reporting of the Paramount notice. If you read it carefully it is clear that Paramount is saying they still support HD DVD (ie we are not dropping) rather than saying we support HD DVD exclusively.

The editorial bias came in how this report was translated into a headline. But I have seen examples which could be argued going the other way too (ie blu biased) so perhaps it is just their style of being sensationalistic. Afterall if you are selling yourself as the one premiere HD news sites then it seems like a good strategy.

Welcome to the forum kali!

[unreal1080p]

Paramount/DreamWorks responded to Warner's shift to Blu-ray exclusivity today, saying that the studios have no plans to abandon the HD DVD format

High-Def Digest contacted Paramount for comment, and we were told by a spokesperson that despite the events of the past few days, "we are still supporting HD DVD," and that neither Paramount nor DreamWorks had any further statements on the matter at this time.

As for any Paramount HD DVD title announcements originally planned for CES, at press time any such plans were "up in the air." Needless to say, we'll keep you posted.

The REAL meaning of the BOLD passages:

We are going to honour our contract with HD DUD and continue to release DUD's for the duration of the 18 months...but... certain events may put this decision out of our hands and not allow us to complete the 18 months:

1) The media keeps punishing HD DUD from all angles calling it DEAD and demanding a bow out

2) The B&M's publicaly drop HD DUD (completely) or diminish support for it to such an extent that they might as well not be carrying it at all.

3) HDM fans punish HD DUD by boycotting DUD movies and returning both movies and players to stores (further prompting more B&M's to drop the format)

4) The "smart" DUD fan (if there is such a thing ) can now go on Ebay and pick up DUD movies and players for 10cents on the dollar... destroying what little is left of DUD sales in both B&M's and online stores.

4) Universal makes a move (wether it be Blu exclusive or temporary neutrality)

5) Toshiba closes up shop on HD DUD

P.S. We certainly aren't crazy enough to actually announce more DUD titles for a format that has a high probability of being Dead in 90 days (or less) and then have fans hold it over our heads.
Oh, and another thing: We NEVER said we would'nt be releasing movies on Blu-Ray also...

[Seretur]

Hi, Kali!

Here's a cold shower for the Paramount fans:

UPDATE: We have received word from Paramount/DreamWorks that although they continue to support HD DVD, they will not be making any new high-def title announcements at CES 2008.

Ouch.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by Seretur

Ouch.

BURN!



One more Blu pain circle for the Red DUD man

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

I'm not referring to the replies. I'm talking about that quote. First of all he refers to the statement as "sweet." Yeah, yeah, I know the cliche - short and sweet, but why is it sweet? Why is it even worth noting, posting, or a headline at all? Paramount basically had no comment. Not to mention Paramount has no choice but to stay with HDDVD per their contract.

This is a biased statement/story to give hope where there is none for those still looking for something to cling to.

Instead, they should just put up a picture of Colonel Trautman, from First Blood and quote him as saying, "It's over, Johnny. It's over!"

Indeed. It really is a very biased opinion of the news. But I have no problem with their bias. I'm biased, too. I would have had MANY things to say about that press release... but, why bother kicking HD DVD fans when their format is officially dead.

UPDATE: We have received word from Paramount/DreamWorks that although they continue to support HD DVD, they will not be making any new high-def title announcements at CES 2008.

And that, my friends, says it all.

[LynxFX]

The message was short and sweet because they are all busy working on how to get out of the hole they dug.

[jason_grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

For a site that's supposed to be format neutral, they sure give off a lot of pro-HDDVD vibes!

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=34833

"Received a short but sweet statement from Paramount/DreamWorks: "We are still supporting HD DVD." - PeterB HDD Editor-In-Chief

It's definitely reading between the lines. Right now only the most die hard HD-DVD fans are saying 'we still have Paramount and Universal!' The more level headed ones realize the war is over and already have stated they've bought into Blu.

The real question is for how long and what is NOT being said by Paramount and Universal.

Why have both refused to answer the exclusivity question?

The key point here is that Paramount IS locked into a contract to release on HD-DVD. This does not mean there isn't some clause or the ability to go purple and release on Blu later. I expect that Paramount is in a similar deal as WB is until May, but just with them for 18 months. Why didn't that short and sweet statement say "We are still supporting HD-DVD exclusively?". The silence on the exclusivity part is deafening, especially as they would not comment further and pulled ALL of their CES title announcements.

The only bright side for HD-DVD fans is since Paramount is under contract, they can't screw you guys as they screwed us with yanking titles on the way to stores. Don't think for one minute that if they weren't under contract, you'd still have Paramount support 5 minutes after the WB announcement.

Universal is same, and again has NOT commented on remaining exclusive like their partner Paramount. Sure they'll support HD-DVD, but will it be exclusively? That's the key. They've released some half hearted comments, and when asked directly about the exclusivity position they reply no comment. That says a LOT compared to what was said a few months ago.

Universal's statements on HD-DVD sound more like a eulogy. They are the studio that is not under contract locked and can go Blu exclusive at anytime.

"The HD DVD camp has always stuck to a simple set of principles," said Ken
Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal
Studios Home Entertainment, and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group. "Give consumers who buy into HD DVD what they paid for. In fact, give them more than they expected. Show them that quality and value go hand in hand with HD DVD. Show them what advanced interactivity really means and how it can enrich your favorite movies that you watch over and over."

My advice to Ken, who I wouldn't doubt is reading this board -- the time for principles is now over. Principals didn't win the format war. Value didn't win the war. Content support did along with all those pesky PS3's and people like me who own 30+ Blu movies with it. As far as giving consumers the 'best', take a look at Bluray and all the BD-Live stuff coming from Sony, Lionsgate, Fox, and Disney. I'd expect Warner and New Line to announce BD-Live titles as well. Keep your ethics and phase out HD-DVD like WB is doing in a very classy fashion. Time to get on the boat Ken. Make your apologies and suck it up, cause the ship is full of studios and retailers leaving with or without you.

Now the HD-DVD boys can continue to live in fantasyland thinking Paramount and Universal will awe and amaze us by releasing every title they own on HD-DVD the next month and keep the format afloat. They forget just how long it will take before the retailers drop HD-DVD now that one format DOES have overbearing studio backing. Rumors about this is already happening or plans are in place to phase it out. More rumors is that the return rate for HD-DVD players is staggeringly high the past couple days in retail stores. Ebay is becoming saturated with HD-DVD players, and any publication has all but said avoid HD-DVD and or the format war is OVER. Even if Universal and Paramount stay, where will the normal consumer buy the mainstream merchandise when it's not carried at any B&M? Amazon or Ebay? I don't think so.

Hell, we've already seen HD-DVD players being sold as up converters.

So instead of looking for Bias, it's time to read what is NOT being said. A lot of us did so before the WB move, and knew exactly what was coming.

[Joon]

It's hilarious how much they are backing HD-DVD and yet will not announce any new titles to be released on HD-DVD. I think it is safe to say that both Paramount and Universal are on a lonely island and they want off.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

For a site that's supposed to be format neutral, they sure give off a lot of pro-HDDVD vibes!

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=34833

"Received a short but sweet statement from Paramount/DreamWorks: "We are still supporting HD DVD." - PeterB HDD Editor-In-Chief

They are BIASED! Too bad for the, they are also OWNED

[Pilam69]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

"We received a sweet message" sure sounds biased to me. If he were a fan of HDM they would be recommending people accept BD otherwise both BD and HD-DVD will go the way of Laserdisc. It is time these sites considered the big picture.

If I were to quote you like you just quoted that post it might go something like this. "If he were a fan of HDM he would recommend Laserdisc."

They did ban Rdjam and HDNOW as well. Yes, it is a pro-red board, just as this is a pro-blue board.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Pilam69

If I were to quote you like you just quoted that post it might go something like this. "If he were a fan of HDM he would recommend Laserdisc."

They did ban Rdjam and HDNOW as well. Yes, it is a pro-red board, just as this is a pro-blue board.

Yeah but this is a biased board and makes no apologies for it. HDD claim to be neutral. I think alot of the guys there probably are but to use the words "Sweet news". For who? HD-DVD fans? Surely not for people who realise that the future of HDM is now Blu Ray unless this format war gets dragged on by Toshiba and its cheques to Universal and Paramount.