Warner and release policy

[dialog_gvf]

The rdjam site recently had an e-mail campaign to encourage Warner to release HD DVD titles even if the IME isn't ready for Blu-ray. In other words, they were begging for preferential releases.

Here's Warner's response to one person:

First of all, thank you for your support of Warner Bros. and for our films in the new HD DVD format, as well as the existing SD DVD format. As you have pointed out in your note, there have recently been on-line discussions claiming that Warner Home Video is holding titles back from the marketplace in the HD DVD format due to plans in BD, and that this is now a company policy. Regardless of the source of this information, it is not true.

Warner Home Video is releasing titles in both high definition formats, and where possible we try to release a title simultaneously in both formats. But this is not always the case, and in fact since we released our first titles in April, 2006 there have been some titles that have been released in HD DVD before BD, and some that have been released in BD before HD DVD.

There are many factors that determine the timing for the release of a motion picture in DVD, HD DVD, and BD. We currently have released more titles in HD DVD than any other studio, and we are anticipating a very exciting schedule for the rest of 2007. In the month of January 2007, we released 4 new titles in HD DVD.

We hope you will enjoy our upcoming HD DVD releases, including two of our best movies from last year (and both recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations), THE DEPARTED and HAPPY FEET, which will be released in February and March 2007, respectively.

We also expect to announce shortly some title plans for April and May. The titles will be quite a thrill for all HD DVD owners and supporters.

Best regards.

Doesn't really mean they aren't planning on catching up with BD and are going to slow down on HD DVD + BD releases because of the logistics of this catchup.

All it says is they won't be holding back HD DVD because of BD. They can choose to simply not prepare anything.

Gary

[hyperdine]

Most of this looks like a pretty canned response. There's a lot more to the story here. Especially, if the rumor about Warren Liebfarb is true.

[blitz6speed]

The e-mail just reaffirms what is already known, Titles will be out on both formats same day. It confirms rdfag's main concern, and he then thanks warner for it. Perhaps they will send him some Suede knee pads next time as well.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

Most of this looks like a pretty canned response. There's a lot more to the story here. Especially, if the rumor about Warren Liebfarb is true.

Not a rumour. Penton-Man knows the man personally. He's simply telling us what he's heard.

Gary

[degas]

Ok, I feel I've missed something here.
Could anyone explain who Warren Liebfarb is, and his role in HD DVD?

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

Most of this looks like a pretty canned response. There's a lot more to the story here. Especially, if the rumor about Warren Liebfarb is true.

What rumor is that?

[Deciazulado]

Didn't your mom taught you not to spread rumours?

We currently have released more titles in HD DVD than any other studio

Mmm I count 62 Universal movie HD DVDs and 60 Warner/WEA/HBO HD DVD titles. hmmmmm..

[hyperdine]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Not a rumour. Penton-Man knows the man personally. He's simply telling us what he's heard.

Gary

WOW! That's even better than I thought. Didn't realize they were so close.

[goodstuff]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

Most of this looks like a pretty canned response. There's a lot more to the story here. Especially, if the rumor about Warren Liebfarb is true.

Yep, this was a total non-answer.

[Chris Beveridge]

Originally Posted by degas

Ok, I feel I've missed something here.
Could anyone explain who Warren Liebfarb is, and his role in HD DVD?

His role in DVD is often considered to be the father of it in the sense that he was in charge of it at Warner during the key time of the format. He was very aggressive about it and did a lot of good work in getting it out there. Very valuable.

Since leaving Warner, I think few knew where he really landed but he turned up last year at a consulting firm doing stuff for HD DVD but was actually MS if I recall correctly. Apparently he's out of that now and supposedly ready to talk a bit about what he sees via his own opinion as opposed to that of the firm/client he worked for.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by degas

Ok, I feel I've missed something here.
Could anyone explain who Warren Liebfarb is, and his role in HD DVD?

Adding to what Chris said:

Warren Liebfarb PERSONALLY has DVD related patents. And so, extending DVD into HD DVD for another generation would have be very lucrative for him.

Usually, that would lead to all sorts of denial. If he's seeing the realities, it must be obvious now to insiders.

Gary

[Chris Beveridge]

In regards to the actual letter being sent out in response to *forty* letters sent in...

well, that's a pretty canned non-commital response. It doesn't cause any enthusiasm. Seeing rdjam's reply to someone else posting it basically saying that it's somewhat encouraging news won't help the rest of the disillusioned. It's not like we didn't know that they have titles coming in April and May. And it's easy to suspect some good sized ones considering they'd be from the 06 holiday season. But for most of them they'll probably be on both formats. A couple may get IME'd and the BD side gets pushed back but still, at this point, it's a couple of titles stemming the blu-wave. Warner's not the one to look to for salvation. The bulk of their titles will be dual format and even more so come TotalHD. So what helps HD DVD helps BD as well.

The more this goes on, the less I care. My stack of movies is growing and I've got a great slate of titles coming up to pick and choose from. Universal can wait and so can Weinstein. I can play that game just as easily. The companies that I want to support are getting my money.

[degas]

Chris & dialog: thanks for clearing that up, now I understand the controversy of Penton-Mans statement.
This is getting interesting for sure.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

The more this goes on, the less I care. My stack of movies is growing and I've got a great slate of titles coming up to pick and choose from. Universal can wait and so can Weinstein. I can play that game just as easily. The companies that I want to support are getting my money.

Well put. Why should the consumer pay for this war by being forced to purchase a more expensive combo-player?!

Universal is keeping HD DVD on life-support. They better be getting well compensated for that.

Gary

[Chris Beveridge]

One of the things I said early on about this format war was that if you have a preference, make your voice heard by putting your money where your mouth is. It unfortunately took some BD supporters longer to do so because they wanted to go the PS3 route.

Beyond my one hardware purchase for HD DVD in case I have to review anything anime related on it, I haven't purchased HD DVDs. I refuse to support Warners HD DVD releases, PAramounts or Universals. If they put out something I want, I'll either get it on BD if it's a dual format provider or wait if not. Waiting isn't hard, I'm in my thirties and not in quite so much of a rush for things. I get to complement my BD viewing with HD via Comcast (excellent service in my location) so I get to see Universal movies there on pay channels or via UniversalHD. Or hell, I can watch the DVD version. I don't even bother with HD DVD rentals, there's too much in my BD queue in addition to BD purchases.

At most, I'm simply delaying my enjoyment of some Universal content. But I'll see it eventually. Or not, it just means they don't get my money. My money speaks more than my emails to the companies or forum posts.

[degas]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

I refuse to support Warners HD DVD releases, PAramounts or Universals. If they put out something I want, I'll either get it on BD if it's a dual format provider or wait if not. Waiting isn't hard, I'm in my thirties and not in quite so much of a rush for things. I get to complement my BD viewing with HD via Comcast (excellent service in my location) so I get to see Universal movies there on pay channels or via UniversalHD. Or hell, I can watch the DVD version. I don't even bother with HD DVD rentals, there's too much in my BD queue in addition to BD purchases.

At most, I'm simply delaying my enjoyment of some Universal content. But I'll see it eventually. Or not, it just means they don't get my money. My money speaks more than my emails to the companies or forum posts.

This is exactly how I feel as well, even if I joined the party late (or early depending on how you look at it, since I'm in Europe).
I have no problem waiting on the Universal titles, since we (as a contrast to the other side) has a lot of nice content coming out from the other studios.

[KenThompson]

Universal won't see anything from me either. I won't buy on standard dvd either. Bought just one dvd in last 2 years waiting for Blu-Ray and only because the wife had to have it.You know what they say , good things come to those that wait. So I'll wait and if Universal doesn't go Blu then they will be 3 or 4 hundred shorter in their pocket books per year. Got 600 dvd's so I'm a collector,but oddly not alot of them are from Universal.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

At most, I'm simply delaying my enjoyment of some Universal content. But I'll see it eventually. Or not, it just means they don't get my money. My money speaks more than my emails to the companies or forum posts.

In the interim the BD encoders are getting better and better, and the replication capacity is growing at rapid clip. When Universal is ready, they'll find it quite economical to put out BD.

Gary