Warner realizing HD DVD combos are worthless?

[BStecke]

No More Combo Discs?


Looks like Warner will be reissuing quite a few of its HD DVD/DVD combo discs in standard HD DVD-only releases. I wonder if this has anything to do with the *****-slapping the 300 HD DVD just took.

[j_rocca42]

The combo disc was stupid from the beginning. You were paying more money for a feature that you wouldn't even be using. Good ridance I say!

[WickyWoo]

At the very least they realized that the expense of keeping them in print is worthless after that initial push

[Petra_Kalbrain]

This means a bit of trouble for us "Blu-Bloods" (search 'nickname' to learn more about this). I know a few people who are dead set on sticking with HD-DVD until one format dies (we all know they are going to have to change eventually), but they are also 100% AGAINST buying the combo discs because of the restrictions it places on storage and quality performance. As a consumer who wants this war over I frown at this announcement. It means that these types of people will now be able to spend the money to start buying all of those previously released "combo only" titles. Thus, HD-DVD sales will start to rise!

Anyone see where I'm going with this? It could spell trouble.

[MasterXeus]

Warner is not the first studio to reissuing a HD-DVD combos movie to just HD-DVD only. Universal was the first, but Warner has the most so far being reissue.

Maybe this is another reason why Warner postponed HD-DVD/Blu-ray Combos.

[WickyWoo]

Warner postponed them because they can't make them in sufficient numbers to balance out the extra expense to make it worthwhile, and they know that by this time next year HD is going to be down for the count

[BStecke]

Let's hope the TotalHD idea never goes through. I don't want anything to do with keeping HD DVD afloat.

[supersix4]

lol if they had just stuck with making blu-rays theyd actually be making a profit

[Lord_Stewie]

from the beginning when DVDs had both side one for film and one for special feature i didn't like that. then seeing HDDVDs doing combo discs, it was one of the reasons why i decided to go with Bluray.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

This means a bit of trouble for us "Blu-Bloods" (search 'nickname' to learn more about this). I know a few people who are dead set on sticking with HD-DVD until one format dies (we all know they are going to have to change eventually), but they are also 100% AGAINST buying the combo discs because of the restrictions it places on storage and quality performance. As a consumer who wants this war over I frown at this announcement. It means that these types of people will now be able to spend the money to start buying all of those previously released "combo only" titles. Thus, HD-DVD sales will start to rise!

Anyone see where I'm going with this? It could spell trouble.

It could have been trouble if it was done earlier when the format war started. now, I don't think it could cause that much damage. more consumers already are on BD side, they bought the players and the discs, i don't think they will turn to HDDVD because they discontinued the combo discs.

[Irrob]

Such a dumb concept to begin with. I don't expect sales numbers to change as a result. No trouble for Blu-ray here.

[WickyWoo]

lol if they had just stuck with making blu-rays theyd actually be making a profit

Warner's sold more discs than anyone else

[Proteus]

This is good news and if I could find a link to back it up I would, but here's why anyway:

Combo discs weren't released as a 'consumer benefit'. That was not their intention. They totally disrupt the HDDVD Forums constant PR about being cheaper, as they are not.

So, why were combo discs done then? Simple.

Guess what the numero uno returned form of packaged media is in virtually every retailer in the world...

HDDVD's. People return them like CRAZY because they 'thought' they would work in a normal DVD player due to the name and all that. Retailers hate returns. I'm pretty sure this was emphasized fairly strongly to HDDVD folks at the factory and hence the 'combo' disc was invented.

Basically, it means if someone was too stupid to not know the difference they can still play the DVD side in their player, hence returns are reduced and retailers still allow HDDVD on the shelves.

I wouldn't be surprised if this move begins to enhance retailers dreams of only having to deal with one format on the shelves... Blu-ray (they rarely get returned as people do not mistake them due to the name).

I say let the returns pile up and the retailer fallout begin. Good riddance.

[mike79]

Originally Posted by BStecke

Let's hope the TotalHD idea never goes through. I don't want anything to do with keeping HD DVD afloat.

I agree, I really don't want those to come out.

[DTMoney84]

I understand Petrta's point with this. The other counter argument however is the fact that HD camp is having to change things up while Blu-ray is just moving along steady shows clearly which format is in trouble. If things were going well for HD they wouldnt need to make changes, however WB making these changes shows that they are seeing something wrong with the HD apporach. Next step is just to drop them all together

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

As a consumer who wants this war over I frown at this announcement. It means that these types of people will now be able to spend the money to start buying all of those previously released "combo only" titles. Thus, HD-DVD sales will start to rise!

Anyone see where I'm going with this? It could spell trouble.

The past few months have been nearly dead for exclusive Blu-ray content. With Aug 28 representing the low point (one title, a common, against Heroes). After that it is up and up.

One new release from Fox, just one, would probably sell more units than all those de-combos combined.

Gary

[WickyWoo]

HDDVD's. People return them like CRAZY because they 'thought' they would work in a normal DVD player due to the name and all that. Retailers hate returns. I'm pretty sure this was emphasized fairly strongly to HDDVD folks at the factory and hence the 'combo' disc was invented.

Half right, it's more that they dream of being able to charge more, and to ship one physical product to satisfy both customers. Studios, ESPECIALLY Universal, who has always been the biggest DVD-18/14 supporters are always looking for less and smaller product. Less space on shelf, more money. The big box retailers do not really have a limit on how many titles they carry, simply acreage they're willing to devote, so the more discs you can stuff in that box thebetter

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Half right, it's more that they dream of being able to charge more, and to ship one physical product to satisfy both customers. Studios, ESPECIALLY Universal, who has always been the biggest DVD-18/14 supporters are always looking for less and smaller product. Less space on shelf, more money. The big box retailers do not really have a limit on how many titles they carry, simply acreage they're willing to devote, so the more discs you can stuff in that box thebetter

Given that, why haven't they adopted the thin keepsake case format, instead of insisting the retailer stock lots and lots of packaged air?

Gary

[tron3]

It is becoming too late to back peddle. But Toshiba NEEDS to back peddle to regain consumer trust. They need to offer trade-in's on HD-DVD players and exchange exisiting titles for blu-ray ones. At least at a deep discount for the consumer but a tidy profit for them. Don't want to sink Toshiba, just that little war ship known as HD-DVD.

It really isn't a bad name nor technology. Blu-ray is just better. Besides, the cool name has let us call ourselves "blu-bloods". Maybe we can call HD-DVD users, "HarD-Heads".

[WickyWoo]

Given that, why haven't they adopted the thin keepsake case format, instead of insisting the retailer stock lots and lots of packaged air?

Because thinpacks have nearly unreadable spines, and a lot of stock goes spine out. Sony tried it with Panic Room and it didn't go off well

You'll still just see them in boxsets