An open letter to Paramount, Universal and Retailers

[tron3]

First came this letter. You best read it again before reading this letter.
An Open Letter to the HD Video Industry https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=17513

But now I am through playing games. I understand that Toshiba has a responsibility to their stock holders. It is obvious to anyone that there is ZERO chance of Toshiba winning. So why are they sticking it out? Why do they continue to take jabs and bite us in the shins when they are on their knees fighting to get up? I won't begin to speculate as it is meaningless at this point.

One thing is certain, Toshiba is doing their best to perpetuate the illusion of a war to hinder blu-ray. We are at a crucial cross over point, peace is within reaching distance but Toshiba refuses to drop the gauntlet. We must drop it for them. Unlike Sony, Toshiba has no studio division that I am aware of. The only one who benefits from the survival of HD DVD is their own ego. Rumors suggest they want to throw MORE MONEY AFTER BAD and garner more exclusive support. This is either some attempt to wear down blu-ray studios to crossing back into no man's land, or just parting shots as they make their exit.

Since Toshiba has no intention to stop, they are responsible for inhibiting a multi-billion dollar industry. We must press forward and follow in Warner's footsteps. Paramount and Universal must drop any HD DVD support by years end. PERIOD. Retailers must stop carrying HD DVD players and HD DVD movies. PERIOD. Toshiba controls the market. Not through dominance, but through sobotage.

In short, to end this war we do NOT need Toshiba. They do not matter. They do not listen which is why this letter is not addressed to them. Someone had to lose this format war. But even two neutral studios will only confuse the market. People will presume the other studios will soon join HD DVD. Perception is reality to them, even when that reality is based in ignorance. To move on we must slay this red dragon and then build upon the success of DVD by convincing people to upgrade.

Toshiba seems dedicated to supporting their format. But do they care about the one million customers who spent millions in buying hundreds, or thousands of dollars in HD DVD media? If they did, they would make a dual format combo player to support those customers. Right now they are only trying to drag more consumers into the empty promise land of HD DVD.

Unity is key. There is no more room for politics in this war. No more room for neutrality. No more room for marketing games. Toshiba can't do anything without the studios nor shelf space. They need us, we don't need them.

It is time to dump Toshiba once and for all. For the good of the consumer, for the good of the stock holders, for the good of the movie industry, for the general good of public relations. End it now.