Paramount to decide within a month?

[Ispoke]

Some new information on Paramount that I have not seen:

Warner Bros.' decision last week to start making movies exclusively for Blu-ray players, rather than HD DVD, triggered an "out" clause in Paramount Pictures' contract with the HD DVD camp. An industry source said there was a significant possibility that Paramount would exercise that clause. It plans to decide within a month.

Paramount officials said they would continue to support HD DVD, a format for displaying videos in higher quality whose backers include Toshiba Corp. and Microsoft Corp. Universal Pictures, which has been a strong supporter from the beginning, issued no public statement on the matter here.

Toshiba said Tuesday that retailers have expressed their commitment to HD DVD during private meetings at the show, which is the world's largest consumer tech gathering.

Toshiba more spin? Comments......

Link

[Kairav]

maybe a week or so............

[Blu Titan]

The people from Tosh that have been major proponents of HD DVD stand to lose their positions. Obviously, they are not going to change their stance. The internal corporate power struggles (Paramount) will make sure that a blu-ray commitment will be forthcoming. Guess I will be checking here very frequently

[hc666]

Yes, basically Toshiba itself isn't the enemy, it's the folks who stand to be unemployed soon

Funny, it's all so office-political BS really.

[GregBlu5]

Good ol' Universal. Still silent.

[hc666]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Good ol' Universal. Still silent.

They know it's over. Silence speaks loudly.

[Ispoke]

Originally Posted by Kairav

maybe a week or so............

Agreed, but first time I have seen any real time scale put on it.

[Terjyn]

If it wasn't for people in charge at Universal's statements in the past I would still completely respect them.

Regardless of the fact that I think they picked the losing side at least they picked a side and stuck with it, at least until things were obviously headed one way.

Paramount is the one I'm still pissed at.

[Go Blu]

They have some BIG finanacial and legal issues to work out before they make an announcement. But rest assured It's coming!

[Ispoke]

Originally Posted by BlueNeon

The people from Tosh that have been major proponents of HD DVD stand to lose their positions. Obviously, they are not going to change their stance. The internal corporate power struggles (Paramount) will make sure that a blu-ray commitment will be forthcoming. Guess I will be checking here very frequently

When the first major retailer drops HD DVD their quote will come back to haunt them

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Good ol' Universal. Still silent.

I believe Universal has yet to release any titles for 2008 at the CES. I find that very interesting.

[Grisle]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

They have some BIG finanacial and legal issues to work out before they make an announcement. But rest assured It's coming!

I kinda think they've been working on this stuff already. If they had an escape clause with Warner going exclusive I would imagine they have some sort of plan set in place should such a thing happen. These guys are privy to information that most are not so I would think they had a heads up...especially with the comments made at the festival and the Lionsgate comments.

[JonD7]

ah man, if I get Sweeney Todd or Hellboy II in my hands sooner then I thought i'll pee myself in excitment.

[dobyblue]

By "retailers" I'm sure they mean Robert Zohn.

[Ispoke]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

By "retailers" I'm sure they mean Robert Zohn.

LOL.... Had forgotten about that guy. Gee, thanks for the reminder. Was he at HD DVD conference this year

[bhuyanp]

Paramount should excercise that option and get away with the bounty from M$ and share with others in BLU-CAMP.

[clownface]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Good ol' Universal. Still silent.

HA!!! True, I wonder what's going on in their offices as we speak?

[Neo65]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

By "retailers" I'm sure they mean Robert Zohn.

Speaking of ValueElectronics, what's their official stance in CES? Was Zohn in any presentation? I bought my 2nd A1 from Zohn. Had to ship it to someone in US and reship to Canada because it was so much cheaper in US.

Zohn at one point was telling all his customers upscaled DVDs look as good as blu-rays. He had also been actively marketing the Toshiba players to his customers.

Has he said anything about WB, Paramount, Universal so far?

[Ispoke]

Didn't he make a descision not to post until sober after the AVS fiasco........ could be a long time then

On a serious note a statement by Toshiba about the retailers is designed to tell people that HD DVD is still viable. To counter retailers should start proclaiming their stance on the Warner anouncement.

Surprised we have note seen anything yet.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by hc666

They know it's over. Silence speaks loudly.

The perfect song for Universal & Toshiba... "I Know It's Over" by The Smiths:

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said.
I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know where else I can go Oh ...
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
The knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me ?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
(Though she needs you
More than she loves you)
And I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
Over and over and over and over
Over and over, la ...
I know it's over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said :
"If you're so funny
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
And if you're so clever
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you're so very entertaining
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you're so very good-looking
Why do you sleep alone tonight ?
I know ...
'Cause tonight is just like any other night
That's why you're on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they're in each other's arms..." (WB & blu-ray)
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over
Love is Natural and Real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is Natural and Real
But not for such as you and I, my love (Uni & Toshiba)
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my ...
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can even feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my ...