wow.....if this is true....universal has done a good thing read on - Blu-ray Forum

joeorc · 03-23-2007, 03:17 AM

well to this info...if true ..

VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Hide thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007:
VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Show thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007 - 28 responses - Last response on March 22, 2007
I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD D... Show entire thread and 28 responses
- I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD DVD first. He had some VERY interesting things to say about this and other subjects. Here is his reply. *****"Well... from my understanding, the Matrix films have been ready to go for a long time. Warner has wanted to release them simultaneously, but it's taking the BD-Java authoring tool sets and player compatibility longer to catch up. Warner wants to release all their titles with the same features on both formats. Which is why we haven't seen Batman Begins or V for Vendetta yet either on BD. I talk with people almost daily within the company, who I've known for years now, who swear to me that they're trying to support both formats equally. The Matrix release decision was apparently VERY controversial within the company and there's a TON of debate going on today. You may yet see the BD version on the same day as the HD, whether it has IME or not. The other interesting thing that's going on right now, is that friends who work at authoring facilities around town have been e-mailing me to say that Universal reps have been stopping by investigating Blu-ray authoring pretty seriously in the last couple of weeks. From what a lot of people I trust in the trenches are telling me, the writing is starting to be on the wall for HD-DVD. The Casino Royale sales numbers, coupled with the fact that Sony claims they'll have shipped 6 million PS3s worldwide by the end of this month, AND apparently promises by at least 4 major BD player manufacturers that they'll have players for under $400 available by the end of the year - all of those things have really changed a lot of minds around town in the last few weeks. As far as Warner wanting to sell out their HD-DVDs before the format dies, I think the feeling internally at the studio is that any profits they'd make by doing that are offset by the extra costs of having to author both formats. As I said, there's a lot of debate going on at Warner right now over all this."

http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/..%5CviewComments.cfm

miked924 · 03-23-2007, 03:27 AM

You must be very special for him give you that inside info....nice made up situation though

theknub · 03-23-2007, 04:13 AM

this has been posted in numerous places already. it was not given to him. as far as a made up situation, it is definitely a possibility.

Jack Torrance · 03-23-2007, 04:30 AM

I heard a rumor from some industry folk a few weeks back that said Uni were talking blu-ray. This, if it's really from Bill Hunt, would be major news.

ra1024 · 03-23-2007, 04:54 AM

Seems Bill responded to this in the Blu-Ray section on AVS. In regards to Uni going BR, he had this to say.

"4. As for Universal, it would only make good business sense for them to keep their options open by at least exploring BD authoring, and my sources say that they are. That doesn't necessairly mean that they're switching formats or going format neutral anytime soon. Would I like them to go format neutral? Sure. Hell, at this point I'm all for ALL the studios going format neutral, including the BD exclusive studios. Anything to put an end at least some part of this needless format war."

This part, "my sources say that they are" seems to indicate that they are indeed actively considering it despite what the HD-DVD fans would have you believe.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=823589

BTBuck1 · 03-23-2007, 05:04 AM

What did my boy JTK say a while back?

something about a fat lady clearing her throat and stepping up to the mic.

It's all but over.

Adios brick colored cases, it was real and it was fun, but it wasn't "real fun"

HDTV1080P · 03-23-2007, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeorc

well to this info...if true ..

VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Hide thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007:
VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Show thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007 - 28 responses - Last response on March 22, 2007
I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD D... Show entire thread and 28 responses
- I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD DVD first. He had some VERY interesting things to say about this and other subjects. Here is his reply. *****"Well... from my understanding, the Matrix films have been ready to go for a long time. Warner has wanted to release them simultaneously, but it's taking the BD-Java authoring tool sets and player compatibility longer to catch up. Warner wants to release all their titles with the same features on both formats. Which is why we haven't seen Batman Begins or V for Vendetta yet either on BD. I talk with people almost daily within the company, who I've known for years now, who swear to me that they're trying to support both formats equally. The Matrix release decision was apparently VERY controversial within the company and there's a TON of debate going on today. You may yet see the BD version on the same day as the HD, whether it has IME or not. The other interesting thing that's going on right now, is that friends who work at authoring facilities around town have been e-mailing me to say that Universal reps have been stopping by investigating Blu-ray authoring pretty seriously in the last couple of weeks. From what a lot of people I trust in the trenches are telling me, the writing is starting to be on the wall for HD-DVD. The Casino Royale sales numbers, coupled with the fact that Sony claims they'll have shipped 6 million PS3s worldwide by the end of this month, AND apparently promises by at least 4 major BD player manufacturers that they'll have players for under $400 available by the end of the year - all of those things have really changed a lot of minds around town in the last few weeks. As far as Warner wanting to sell out their HD-DVDs before the format dies, I think the feeling internally at the studio is that any profits they'd make by doing that are offset by the extra costs of having to author both formats. As I said, there's a lot of debate going on at Warner right now over all this."

http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/..%5CviewComments.cfm

Thanks for the info, wish the rumors were true. Universal might decide to stay exclusive to HD-DVD for another year. Most likely Universal might have had talks with Sony in case HD-DVD fails or if in a year they decide to start making both HD-DVD and BLU-RAY discs.
The under $400 price for BLU-RAY players is a strong possibility toward the Christmas season. Most likely in April the Samsung BDP-1000 will be selling for $399. The Sony second generation BLU-RAY player that is scheduled to launch in June will list for $599 but most likely will be able to be purchased for $499 in July from Internet companies.
In October Sony could decides to lower the price of the PS3 to $399 for the 20GB model to increase sales. Also the second generation Sony BLU-RAY player could be lowered to a $499 list price in October with an Internet price of $399. Maybe Pioneer and Philips will have BLU-RAY players with street prices of $399 close to Christmas.
** My comments are all speculation only, The rumors people hear are not facts. BLU-RAY players would need to be made in quantity to be able to be profitable at a $400 price point. Of Course Sony could sale the BLU-RAY players at or below cost in the hopes of making the money up on future BLU-RAY movie or videogame sales. **

BTBuck1 · 03-23-2007, 05:30 AM

^^^ Thinking outloud.

Nismobeach · 03-23-2007, 06:18 AM

The 20GB PS3 is only $99 above that $400 target. Phil Harrison said that they should have some wiggle room to lower the price come Christmas time.

Chris Beveridge · 03-23-2007, 01:30 PM

Honestly, even if it's not true, the perception of it being possible is now out there and those that aren't knee deep in forums about this like here and AVS will write off HD DVD even more.

Case in point; there's a lot going on with the anime side right now because of Bandai Visual's plans. $80 HD DVDs for movies and $40 HD DVD twin discs for 30 minutes of content. It's drawing ire from people just for the price, but they're actively trying to figure out what's going on with the format war since it's creeping into their domain now. We're running a poll of our readers, many of which aren't buying yet, but are stating their preference. It's 86% BD and 14% HD DVD. The comments are generally what many BD folks have been saying since the beginning; the specs look better, there's more hardware support, more studio support and the PS3 is playing a very large factor.

Now, if they hear that there's a chance that the only HD DVD exclusive studio is even looking at BD, and they're already intent on getting a PS3 in the next year, they won't even bother looking at HD DVD since it won't be compatible in their setup.

The writing is on the wall for a lot of people - whether it's true or not.

dialog_gvf · 03-23-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

We're running a poll of our readers, many of which aren't buying yet, but are stating their preference. It's 86% BD and 14% HD DVD. The comments are generally what many BD folks have been saying since the beginning; the specs look better, there's more hardware support, more studio support and the PS3 is playing a very large factor.

Are the Japanese numbers not a factor?

If I was a big anime fan, I would be looking to see how the formats are doing in the primary anime market. HD DVD has already lost in Japan.

Gary

simpspin · 03-24-2007, 01:19 AM

The best news if Uni makes some 'insider' announcments of going to the BD camp, you can be the mainstream media will REALLY be declaring BD the winner because of the 99 percent studio support.

(Not sure about Wienstien, though...)

nhaase · 03-24-2007, 01:47 AM

Yea, and then everyone will be ostracizing Weinstein then, wondering why they're the only ones supporting HD-DVD when that format's biggest supporter has changed their mind.

Esox50 · 03-24-2007, 06:52 PM

You guys should check out the closed "Bill Hunt" thread at AVSForum in the BD software.

Very reliable source posted publicly before it was closed...

I know a lot of HD DVD'ers are still in denial and refuse to believe it, and it's fun to read their posts because they are totally oblivious to what's about to hit them. The tremors from this one are going to be AMAZING. Get the popcorn and a few beers, sit back, and enjoy as this unfolds in the coming months...

Rob Tomlin · 03-24-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esox50

You guys should check out the closed "Bill Hunt" thread at AVSForum in the BD software.

Very reliable source posted publicly before it was closed...

I know a lot of HD DVD'ers are still in denial and refuse to believe it, and it's fun to read their posts because they are totally oblivious to what's about to hit them. The tremors from this one are going to be AMAZING. Get the popcorn and a few beers, sit back, and enjoy as this unfolds in the coming months...

Penton Man had indicated to me via PM (and said I could share it) from CES earlier this year that there were strong rumblings/rumors circulating among insiders indicating that Universal would go neutral by the end of 2007, and possibly as soon as the end of summer.

Bill Hunt's info would tend to lend some credence to this possibility.

shamus · 03-24-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

Penton Man had indicated to me via PM (and said I could share it) from CES earlier this year that there were strong rumblings/rumors circulating among insiders indicating that Universal would go neutral by the end of 2007, and possibly as soon as the end of summer.

Bill Hunt's info would tend to lend some credence to this possibility.

These sales numbers could speed things up I would think.... I would really like to have Universal by the time the third Bourne movie is released!!!!

Jack Torrance · 03-24-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

Penton Man had indicated to me via PM (and said I could share it) from CES earlier this year that there were strong rumblings/rumors circulating among insiders indicating that Universal would go neutral by the end of 2007, and possibly as soon as the end of summer.

Bill Hunt's info would tend to lend some credence to this possibility.

The eventuality of Universal going neutral is like the Hitchcock definition of suspense (like the bomb on the bus on Saboteur) - we know it's there... we know it's going to go off, it's just a matter of when.

Deciazulado · 03-24-2007, 07:40 PM

And we're hanging to the edge of our seat till it goes off?

mm Hitchcock, Kubrick, BD. mmm mmm!

03-23-2007, 03:17 AM	#1
joeorc Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:GROVEPORT ,OHIO	wow.....if this is true....universal has done a good thing read on well to this info...if true .. VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Hide thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007: VERY interesting e-mail from Bill Hunt.,link - Show thread - By Brian on March 22, 2007 - 28 responses - Last response on March 22, 2007 I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD D... Show entire thread and 28 responses - I know I just started another thread, but then this showed up in my e-mail box. I had e-mailed Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits about the Matrix on HD DVD and why Warner had chosen to release it on HD DVD first. He had some VERY interesting things to say about this and other subjects. Here is his reply. *****"Well... from my understanding, the Matrix films have been ready to go for a long time. Warner has wanted to release them simultaneously, but it's taking the BD-Java authoring tool sets and player compatibility longer to catch up. Warner wants to release all their titles with the same features on both formats. Which is why we haven't seen Batman Begins or V for Vendetta yet either on BD. I talk with people almost daily within the company, who I've known for years now, who swear to me that they're trying to support both formats equally. The Matrix release decision was apparently VERY controversial within the company and there's a TON of debate going on today. You may yet see the BD version on the same day as the HD, whether it has IME or not. The other interesting thing that's going on right now, is that friends who work at authoring facilities around town have been e-mailing me to say that Universal reps have been stopping by investigating Blu-ray authoring pretty seriously in the last couple of weeks. From what a lot of people I trust in the trenches are telling me, the writing is starting to be on the wall for HD-DVD. The Casino Royale sales numbers, coupled with the fact that Sony claims they'll have shipped 6 million PS3s worldwide by the end of this month, AND apparently promises by at least 4 major BD player manufacturers that they'll have players for under $400 available by the end of the year - all of those things have really changed a lot of minds around town in the last few weeks. As far as Warner wanting to sell out their HD-DVDs before the format dies, I think the feeling internally at the studio is that any profits they'd make by doing that are offset by the extra costs of having to author both formats. As I said, there's a lot of debate going on at Warner right now over all this." http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/..%5CviewComments.cfm

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03-23-2007, 03:27 AM	#2
miked924 Expert Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Queens, NY Home Theater Gallery:5 4K collection:295 Blu-ray collection:1038 DVD collection:22 iTunes collection:4 Prime collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:2	You must be very special for him give you that inside info....nice made up situation though

03-23-2007, 04:13 AM	#3
theknub Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2006	this has been posted in numerous places already. it was not given to him. as far as a made up situation, it is definitely a possibility.

03-23-2007, 04:30 AM	#4
Jack Torrance Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Overlook Hotel Blu-ray reviews:1	I heard a rumor from some industry folk a few weeks back that said Uni were talking blu-ray. This, if it's really from Bill Hunt, would be major news.

03-23-2007, 04:54 AM	#5
ra1024 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:1	Seems Bill responded to this in the Blu-Ray section on AVS. In regards to Uni going BR, he had this to say. "4. As for Universal, it would only make good business sense for them to keep their options open by at least exploring BD authoring, and my sources say that they are. That doesn't necessairly mean that they're switching formats or going format neutral anytime soon. Would I like them to go format neutral? Sure. Hell, at this point I'm all for ALL the studios going format neutral, including the BD exclusive studios. Anything to put an end at least some part of this needless format war." This part, "my sources say that they are" seems to indicate that they are indeed actively considering it despite what the HD-DVD fans would have you believe. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=823589

03-23-2007, 05:04 AM	#6
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	What did my boy JTK say a while back? something about a fat lady clearing her throat and stepping up to the mic. It's all but over. Adios brick colored cases, it was real and it was fun, but it wasn't "real fun"

03-23-2007, 05:30 AM	#8
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	^^^ Thinking outloud.

03-23-2007, 06:18 AM	#9
Nismobeach Senior Member Member since:Dec 2006	The 20GB PS3 is only $99 above that $400 target. Phil Harrison said that they should have some wiggle room to lower the price come Christmas time.

03-23-2007, 01:30 PM	#10
Chris Beveridge Moderator Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Hudson, MA Blu-ray reviews:3	Honestly, even if it's not true, the perception of it being possible is now out there and those that aren't knee deep in forums about this like here and AVS will write off HD DVD even more. Case in point; there's a lot going on with the anime side right now because of Bandai Visual's plans. $80 HD DVDs for movies and $40 HD DVD twin discs for 30 minutes of content. It's drawing ire from people just for the price, but they're actively trying to figure out what's going on with the format war since it's creeping into their domain now. We're running a poll of our readers, many of which aren't buying yet, but are stating their preference. It's 86% BD and 14% HD DVD. The comments are generally what many BD folks have been saying since the beginning; the specs look better, there's more hardware support, more studio support and the PS3 is playing a very large factor. Now, if they hear that there's a chance that the only HD DVD exclusive studio is even looking at BD, and they're already intent on getting a PS3 in the next year, they won't even bother looking at HD DVD since it won't be compatible in their setup. The writing is on the wall for a lot of people - whether it's true or not.

03-24-2007, 01:19 AM	#12
simpspin Active Member Member since:Dec 2006	The best news if Uni makes some 'insider' announcments of going to the BD camp, you can be the mainstream media will REALLY be declaring BD the winner because of the 99 percent studio support. (Not sure about Wienstien, though...)

03-24-2007, 01:47 AM	#13
nhaase Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Trading Score:2	Yea, and then everyone will be ostracizing Weinstein then, wondering why they're the only ones supporting HD-DVD when that format's biggest supporter has changed their mind.

03-24-2007, 06:52 PM	#14
Esox50 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 4K collection:416 Blu-ray collection:488	You guys should check out the closed "Bill Hunt" thread at AVSForum in the BD software. Very reliable source posted publicly before it was closed... I know a lot of HD DVD'ers are still in denial and refuse to believe it, and it's fun to read their posts because they are totally oblivious to what's about to hit them. The tremors from this one are going to be AMAZING. Get the popcorn and a few beers, sit back, and enjoy as this unfolds in the coming months...

03-24-2007, 07:40 PM	#18
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7044 DVD collection:4040	And we're hanging to the edge of our seat till it goes off? mm Hitchcock, Kubrick, BD. mmm mmm!

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