Is tomorrow going to be huge? - Blu-ray Forum

cajmoyper · 01-31-2008, 01:40 PM

I was wondering this because I heard that Universal's contract with Dud will be up and I know that they're pretty invested in the format but they cold at least go neutral.

MOONPHASE · 01-31-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I was wondering this because I heard that Universal's contract with Dud will be up and I know that they're pretty invested in the format but they cold at least go neutral.

neutral is a good possibility but not holding my breath on it and they are for sure not going to be blu exclusive anytime soon

ResOGlas · 01-31-2008, 01:51 PM

They won't be going neutral if Crazy Ken Graffeo has anything to say about it.

Blubaru · 01-31-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I was wondering this because I heard that Universal's contract with Dud will be up and I know that they're pretty invested in the format but they cold at least go neutral.

SA0CD, is that you? jkjk

Where did you hear this bit of info at?

stockstar1138 · 01-31-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaru

SA0CD, is that you? jkjk

Where did you hear this bit of info at?

it was reported a few weeks ago, that Universal's contract ends 2/1/08, later I think it was determined this was false and that it was really 1/1/08.

However, even though from our best intelligence Universal is out of their contract, they won't be going blu anytime soon. They have millions of HD DVDs on the shelves and if they go neutral, HD DVD sales will plummet even more. Then, Universal is stuck with a lot of HD DVDs getting returned back to them. Universal needs to promote HD DVD a lot, liquidate the stock, then announce they have been working on blu-ray encodes and will have blu-ray titles on the shelf within the next few weeks. Think about what would happen to their upcoming titles sales if they announced they are supporting blu-ray, there is no way they would sell more than a few thousand copies, at least now a big titles like American Gangster might sell 15k copies.

MOONPHASE · 01-31-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResOGlas

They won't be going neutral if Crazy Ken Graffeo has anything to say about it.

all he said was no blu exclusive he never said anything about being neutral so its a possibility but like i said not holding my breath on it

The Don · 01-31-2008, 01:58 PM

this is sort of left field....who would possibly give out such information?

CAB · 01-31-2008, 02:01 PM

Reckon Toshiba will want Ken to continue to lead the HD DVD PRG if his studio is neutral? I'd expect an announce of a new lead prior to a shift by Uni. Most insider hints have been that we not expect anything 1Q. Slow time, production ramp up needed, face saving for Toshiba and themselves . . . The only people in a rush about this is Blu fans.

Luis_A51 · 01-31-2008, 02:29 PM

I dont feel Universal will go neutral that soon. They need to appear very pro-HDDVD in order to convince buyers that they should buy Universal HDDVDs.

However they know they will never sell them all. Once sales drop off dramatically, or when the cost of trying to make those extra sales is outweighed by potential BD sales, they will go neutral.

So lets hope retailers continue to drop HDDVD, then Universal will have no choice. For all we know they might be crazy enough to hold out for another 3-4 months otherwise.

Rob_BluRay · 01-31-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResOGlas

They won't be going neutral if Crazy Ken Graffeo has anything to say about it.

I honestly believe his hands are tied. Any smart businessman at this point knows Blu has won.

glenn22 · 01-31-2008, 02:34 PM

who knows what's going on in the minds of Universal... I would NOT expect an annoucement tomorrow if I was you.

unreal1080p · 01-31-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResOGlas

They won't be going neutral if Crazy Ken Graffeo has anything to say about it.

Did'nt you hear? Ken Graffeo is being publicaly executed during the SuperBowl halftime show this Sunday

davidPS3 · 01-31-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAB

Reckon Toshiba will want Ken to continue to lead the HD DVD PRG if his studio is neutral? I'd expect an announce of a new lead prior to a shift by Uni. Most insider hints have been that we not expect anything 1Q. Slow time, production ramp up needed, face saving for Toshiba and themselves . . . The only people in a rush about this is Blu fans.

I agree and this has been out there that they will be taking the slow train to being even neutral. Blu exclusive is only a dream.

Thegide · 01-31-2008, 02:56 PM

We all waited in anticipation following Warner's CES dropout to see what Paramount and Universal would do. Nothing happened immediately which is unsurprising. If Warner really did catch everyone off guard, as has been claimed, new business plans had do be developed to make smart reactionary decisions.

I don't think anyone is deceived into believing that HD DVD has a chance of comeback, and it would be awfully arrogant of them to think they can maintain a dual format with only a 15-20% share of HDM. Therefore, Blu is in their future plans, but there are some caveats which prevent them from doing so immediately. These could include contract obligations and CE incentives, but it is more likely that agressive stock liquidation prior to a blu transition would better recover their investments. A neutral announcement now would jeopardize that plan. It was mentioned above, but going blu now could leave them with warehouses full of HDDVDs that they can't do anything with. Keep in mind as well, that since they have been authoring on HD DVD, they would need to re-encode releases for blu-ray and get their blu production lines up and running - all of which could take considerable time.

It has been mentioned that Universal(?) was visiting Blu production facilities. Things are in the works I believe, but going neutral requires a lot of work and time. Warner had been preparing for months to drop HD DVD, according to PM - I would imagine at least 6 months to start something new would be in order for Universal. Maybe less for Paramount since they were previously authoring on Blu.

bajor27 · 01-31-2008, 02:59 PM

Some people may see this as hopeful news:

Anyway, I read TVShowsOnDVD.com pretty religiously and sometime last week they reported that amazon had the bionic woman up for preorder with a date.

They contacted Universal, and they gave the "we haven't determined a release or announced that title yet" blah blah blah spiel. Just yesterday they officially announced it with the same date that amazon had originally posted.

Just more proof that these companies will deny the truth even after it slips out until they are ready to announce. It partially restored some faith in the Amazon.co.uk Paramount listings, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Living Near Shamu · 01-31-2008, 03:00 PM

I bet they go blu around mid-year, or when KG leaves Uni. Whichever comes first.

darkpoet25 · 01-31-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

Did'nt you hear? Ken Graffeo is being publicaly executed during the SuperBowl halftime show this Sunday

So what would be the OTHER big event that Toshiba will announce?

Bullseye · 01-31-2008, 03:06 PM

Did Ken G. convince Universal to go HD-DVD exclusive? Why do people feel that he needs to go for Universal to go at least neutral. Surely he is only repeating what he is told to say by the board of directors. Is he even on that board of directors of Universal.

stockstar1138 · 01-31-2008, 03:09 PM

it took 4 months to broker the Warner deal. It is going to take just as long to broker the Paramount and Universal deals. Q2 is when I would expect the announcement. These studios are going to want to have blu-ray titles out for the holidays.

CAB · 01-31-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Did Ken G. convince Universal to go HD-DVD exclusive? Why do people feel that he needs to go for Universal to go at least neutral. Surely he is only repeating what he is told to say by the board of directors. Is he even on that board of directors of Universal.

I did not say he needs to leave Uni but step down or be replaced as chair of the program group.

01-31-2008, 01:40 PM	#1
cajmoyper Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:182	Is tomorrow going to be huge? I was wondering this because I heard that Universal's contract with Dud will be up and I know that they're pretty invested in the format but they cold at least go neutral.

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01-31-2008, 01:51 PM	#3
ResOGlas Active Member Member since:Jul 2007	They won't be going neutral if Crazy Ken Graffeo has anything to say about it.

01-31-2008, 01:58 PM	#7
The Don Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2006 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:2	this is sort of left field....who would possibly give out such information?

01-31-2008, 02:01 PM	#8
CAB Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2007 Location:::1 4K collection:88 Blu-ray collection:1827 Trading Score:4	Reckon Toshiba will want Ken to continue to lead the HD DVD PRG if his studio is neutral? I'd expect an announce of a new lead prior to a shift by Uni. Most insider hints have been that we not expect anything 1Q. Slow time, production ramp up needed, face saving for Toshiba and themselves . . . The only people in a rush about this is Blu fans.

01-31-2008, 02:29 PM	#9
Luis_A51 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Calgary, AB Blu-ray reviews:4	I dont feel Universal will go neutral that soon. They need to appear very pro-HDDVD in order to convince buyers that they should buy Universal HDDVDs. However they know they will never sell them all. Once sales drop off dramatically, or when the cost of trying to make those extra sales is outweighed by potential BD sales, they will go neutral. So lets hope retailers continue to drop HDDVD, then Universal will have no choice. For all we know they might be crazy enough to hold out for another 3-4 months otherwise.

01-31-2008, 02:34 PM	#11
glenn22 Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Vancouver, Canada	who knows what's going on in the minds of Universal... I would NOT expect an annoucement tomorrow if I was you.

01-31-2008, 02:56 PM	#14
Thegide Senior Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Ottawa, ON	We all waited in anticipation following Warner's CES dropout to see what Paramount and Universal would do. Nothing happened immediately which is unsurprising. If Warner really did catch everyone off guard, as has been claimed, new business plans had do be developed to make smart reactionary decisions. I don't think anyone is deceived into believing that HD DVD has a chance of comeback, and it would be awfully arrogant of them to think they can maintain a dual format with only a 15-20% share of HDM. Therefore, Blu is in their future plans, but there are some caveats which prevent them from doing so immediately. These could include contract obligations and CE incentives, but it is more likely that agressive stock liquidation prior to a blu transition would better recover their investments. A neutral announcement now would jeopardize that plan. It was mentioned above, but going blu now could leave them with warehouses full of HDDVDs that they can't do anything with. Keep in mind as well, that since they have been authoring on HD DVD, they would need to re-encode releases for blu-ray and get their blu production lines up and running - all of which could take considerable time. It has been mentioned that Universal(?) was visiting Blu production facilities. Things are in the works I believe, but going neutral requires a lot of work and time. Warner had been preparing for months to drop HD DVD, according to PM - I would imagine at least 6 months to start something new would be in order for Universal. Maybe less for Paramount since they were previously authoring on Blu.

01-31-2008, 02:59 PM	#15
bajor27 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:BC, Canada Blu-ray collection:1031 DVD collection:2 Trading Score:5	Some people may see this as hopeful news: Anyway, I read TVShowsOnDVD.com pretty religiously and sometime last week they reported that amazon had the bionic woman up for preorder with a date. They contacted Universal, and they gave the "we haven't determined a release or announced that title yet" blah blah blah spiel. Just yesterday they officially announced it with the same date that amazon had originally posted. Just more proof that these companies will deny the truth even after it slips out until they are ready to announce. It partially restored some faith in the Amazon.co.uk Paramount listings, but we'll just have to wait and see.

01-31-2008, 03:00 PM	#16
Living Near Shamu Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Austin, TX Trading Score:42	I bet they go blu around mid-year, or when KG leaves Uni. Whichever comes first.

01-31-2008, 03:06 PM	#18
Bullseye Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Ireland Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:760 Blu-ray reviews: 44	Did Ken G. convince Universal to go HD-DVD exclusive? Why do people feel that he needs to go for Universal to go at least neutral. Surely he is only repeating what he is told to say by the board of directors. Is he even on that board of directors of Universal.

01-31-2008, 03:09 PM	#19
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	it took 4 months to broker the Warner deal. It is going to take just as long to broker the Paramount and Universal deals. Q2 is when I would expect the announcement. These studios are going to want to have blu-ray titles out for the holidays.

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