Question about "American Gangster" commercial? - Blu-ray Forum

zipbags · 02-06-2008, 02:46 AM

Sorry if this has been asked before. I have just seen a few commercials for Universal's "American Gangster". And usually with a dvd release you will hear "Coming soon on dvd and hd-dvd". This just says "Coming on dvd". Now, granted at the end. You do see a small line that says "Also available on hd-dvd combo". So I am curious if this is intentional and why?

Thanks!

Marcusarilius · 02-06-2008, 02:49 AM

Caught that commercial last night. Made me wonder with no mention of DUD. Just DVD. I know... "Try not to read anything into it?"

I did. Didn't convince me....

DetroitSportsFan · 02-06-2008, 03:50 AM

They certainly didn't promote HD-DVD the way Warner has been promoting Blu lately.

sj001 · 02-06-2008, 03:54 AM

It wouldn't have cost them much more to say "and HD-DVD"... hard to say if it's intentional, but it sure seems that way.

Marcusarilius · 02-06-2008, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sj001

It wouldn't have cost them much more to say "and HD-DVD"... hard to say if it's intentional, but it sure seems that way.

My thoughts as well. When you consider Toshiba shelled out a couple Mil for the Super Bowl DUD ad? Where is your studio support now Toshiba?

Living Near Shamu · 02-06-2008, 04:29 AM

This is the same logic when Paramount was advertising Shrek the Turd on TV. They would always say "coming soon to dvd" but never mentioned the hd dud side.

pro-bassoonist · 02-06-2008, 04:45 AM

It is along the lines of the new upconversion strategy...

Pro-B

BluPix · 02-06-2008, 04:51 AM

Maybe Universal plans to release the HD-DVD version later (though I would prefer if it just moved its collection over to Blu-ray altogether). I remember when New Line released Pan's Labyrinth on DVD with no obvious indication of any BD version. A few months later, the film was available on Blu-ray.

ymmv · 02-06-2008, 04:54 AM

Same thing with a recent ad for the upcoming Bee Movie DVD release which didn't mention the HD DVD version at all. In the same magazine there was an add for The Golden Compass which very specifically mentioned the Blu-Ray SE.

Are Universal and Paramount getting increasingly emberassed about their commitment to HD DVD?

Marcusarilius · 02-06-2008, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ymmv

Same thing with a recent ad for the upcoming Bee Movie DVD release which didn't mention the HD DVD version at all. In the same magazine there was an add for The Golden Compass which very specifically mentioned the Blu-Ray SE.

Are Universal and Paramount getting increasingly emberassed about their commitment to HD DVD?

Makes me wonder if in good conscious if they refuse to advertise a dead format to the public. They still have Viable DVD sales numbers to meet with the public and this is a conversion period. People buying into DUD at this point will not forgive Universal Dream works and Paramount for screwing them. Toshiba on the otherhand is on the Titanic with no life boats. They have no problem screwing the public just to make their last DUD player sales. But likewise, Toshiba will still be around. For the third time... I will never buy any Toshiba product again.. Ever!

PVJAG · 02-06-2008, 05:51 AM

I'd love to have American Gangster on BD. Didn't get a chance to see it in theaters so i've decided to go ahead and hold off until its Blu Day comes..

Aelun · 02-06-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ymmv

Are Universal and Paramount getting increasingly emberassed about their commitment to HD DVD?

True it's as if Uni and Paramount are embarassed to say they choose HD-DVD

u_nick · 02-06-2008, 02:26 PM

The commercial I saw had the HDDVD line at the end...

Maaz · 02-06-2008, 03:32 PM

You guys are reading into thisway too much

andyparhelia · 02-06-2008, 03:35 PM

Maybe their contracts with HD DVD are performance related.

If they shift less then x amount of units over a period of time then the format is not viable.

Maybe they're contributing to their own demise so they can jump ship quicker??

Also, Ratatouille is being advertised heavily on tv in Ireland and the UK with the blu-ray disc in front of the dvd with a nice healthy mention of 'Available on DVD and Blu Ray Disc'

Amel · 02-06-2008, 03:49 PM

they dont want to confuse the consumer

Wreck · 02-06-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVJAG

I'd love to have American Gangster on BD. Didn't get a chance to see it in theaters so i've decided to go ahead and hold off until its Blu Day comes..

its pretty good, but no Scarface.

whoelse · 02-06-2008, 04:27 PM

They are getting ready to support blu too and are just not mentioning HD DVD as to not confuse the customer.

ryoohki · 02-06-2008, 11:26 PM

The funniest thing is that the HD DVD version is there without loseless audio and it's the Theatrical cut, while the DVD version (on the combo) is the Director's Cut with 20+ minutes added..

Kairav · 02-06-2008, 11:52 PM

American Gangster and Beowolf are their so called "swan songs". I don't even think that with the current return rate, I don't even think that the HD DVD version is going to be in the Top 5 Hi Def selling titles. You might find it in the bottom spots. This month is going to be owned by blu. Jesse James, Micheal Clayton, Crimson Tide, Across The Universe, Gone Baby Gone, We Own The Night, The Brave One. Plus the price drops in the Planet Earth blu versions will make it even better.

If the HD DVD owners cry about getting less/weak releases, show them who has a bigger, better studio support.

02-06-2008, 02:46 AM	#1
zipbags Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Question about "American Gangster" commercial? Sorry if this has been asked before. I have just seen a few commercials for Universal's "American Gangster". And usually with a dvd release you will hear "Coming soon on dvd and hd-dvd". This just says "Coming on dvd". Now, granted at the end. You do see a small line that says "Also available on hd-dvd combo". So I am curious if this is intentional and why? Thanks!

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02-06-2008, 02:49 AM	#2
Marcusarilius Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Seattle, WA. Blu-ray reviews:52 Trading Score:1	Caught that commercial last night. Made me wonder with no mention of DUD. Just DVD. I know... "Try not to read anything into it?" I did. Didn't convince me....

02-06-2008, 03:50 AM	#3
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	They certainly didn't promote HD-DVD the way Warner has been promoting Blu lately.

02-06-2008, 03:54 AM	#4
sj001 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Rochester, NY Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:17 Trading Score:5	It wouldn't have cost them much more to say "and HD-DVD"... hard to say if it's intentional, but it sure seems that way.

02-06-2008, 04:29 AM	#6
Living Near Shamu Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Austin, TX Trading Score:42	This is the same logic when Paramount was advertising Shrek the Turd on TV. They would always say "coming soon to dvd" but never mentioned the hd dud side.

02-06-2008, 04:45 AM	#7
pro-bassoonist Blu-ray reviewer Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:X Home Theater Gallery:47 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 31 Trading Score:23	It is along the lines of the new upconversion strategy... Pro-B

02-06-2008, 04:51 AM	#8
BluPix Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 4K collection:61 Blu-ray collection:1687 DVD collection:20	Maybe Universal plans to release the HD-DVD version later (though I would prefer if it just moved its collection over to Blu-ray altogether). I remember when New Line released Pan's Labyrinth on DVD with no obvious indication of any BD version. A few months later, the film was available on Blu-ray.

02-06-2008, 04:54 AM	#9
ymmv Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:506	Same thing with a recent ad for the upcoming Bee Movie DVD release which didn't mention the HD DVD version at all. In the same magazine there was an add for The Golden Compass which very specifically mentioned the Blu-Ray SE. Are Universal and Paramount getting increasingly emberassed about their commitment to HD DVD?

02-06-2008, 05:51 AM	#11
PVJAG Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NYC Trading Score:100	I'd love to have American Gangster on BD. Didn't get a chance to see it in theaters so i've decided to go ahead and hold off until its Blu Day comes..

02-06-2008, 02:26 PM	#13
u_nick Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CT, US Trading Score:27	The commercial I saw had the HDDVD line at the end...

02-06-2008, 03:32 PM	#14
Maaz Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Trading Score:6	You guys are reading into thisway too much

02-06-2008, 03:35 PM	#15
andyparhelia Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Dublin, Ireland Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:492 Blu-ray reviews:1	Maybe their contracts with HD DVD are performance related. If they shift less then x amount of units over a period of time then the format is not viable. Maybe they're contributing to their own demise so they can jump ship quicker?? Also, Ratatouille is being advertised heavily on tv in Ireland and the UK with the blu-ray disc in front of the dvd with a nice healthy mention of 'Available on DVD and Blu Ray Disc'

02-06-2008, 03:49 PM	#16
Amel Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Clearwater FL Blu-ray collection:91 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	they dont want to confuse the consumer

02-06-2008, 04:27 PM	#18
whoelse Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:England	They are getting ready to support blu too and are just not mentioning HD DVD as to not confuse the customer.

02-06-2008, 11:26 PM	#19
ryoohki Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:6 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:5	The funniest thing is that the HD DVD version is there without loseless audio and it's the Theatrical cut, while the DVD version (on the combo) is the Director's Cut with 20+ minutes added..

02-06-2008, 11:52 PM	#20
Kairav Expert Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Atlanta Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:5	American Gangster and Beowolf are their so called "swan songs". I don't even think that with the current return rate, I don't even think that the HD DVD version is going to be in the Top 5 Hi Def selling titles. You might find it in the bottom spots. This month is going to be owned by blu. Jesse James, Micheal Clayton, Crimson Tide, Across The Universe, Gone Baby Gone, We Own The Night, The Brave One. Plus the price drops in the Planet Earth blu versions will make it even better. If the HD DVD owners cry about getting less/weak releases, show them who has a bigger, better studio support.

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