Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition - Page 103 - Blu-ray Forum

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

As I am not personally involved in negotiations this time, I can't give a first hand account, but from what I have heard people within my company are saying "everything is going as expected", which to me and you means well.

Great. At this point, "expected" from them means MOVING in the right direction.

What I did not want them to do is get WB and then sit on it. Strike while the iron is hot.

Any ideas on time frames for new moves. 90 days, 6 mo's, 12 mo's

Bullseye · 01-08-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

As I am not personally involved in negotiations this time, I can't give a first hand account, but from what I have heard people within my company are saying "everything is going as expected", which to me and you means well.

I expect this to be finished rather quickly. Universal first and then Paramount. Its early 2008 why not have a unified format for the entire year.

Living Near Shamu · 01-08-2008, 01:41 PM

Hey Max,

Do you wish that you could be in the States during CES to see the show? Have you ever attended it?

Razzy · 01-08-2008, 01:42 PM

Stole this from AVS:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I know Paramount are not best pleased with Toshiba atm, and are reconsidering their exclusivity arrangement.

I can't really talk about Universal, it isn't my place.

I will try and give some advance warning beforehand if anything does go down, but for now that is all I can say.

C'mon Max, you can tell us right?

j/k

WriteSimply · 01-08-2008, 01:53 PM

Max, well since you confirmed the BD-optimization test at WB/NL and that WB will be BD exclusive soon, here's a bunch of questions:

1) Have the current slate of titles prior to May been encoded yet?

1-a) If not, would WB (since the President of New Line basically said that Pan's Labyrinth is the last HD-DVD they'll ever release) be doing two seperate encodes?

1-b) If so, would WB consider doing a BD-optimized encode?

2) We've heard that Pioneer paid for a re-encode of Superman Returns which includes TrueHD (?) as the soundtrack. So far, this encode is not available for purchase. Would WB release this encode soon or would WB tweak it to include PiP, like the HD-DVD version?

*puts a quid in the coffer*

fuad

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 02:00 PM

Also, was it not reported that Dreamworks will leave Para end of this year?

Scorxpion · 01-08-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Paramount were given around $50m for their exclusivity, remember that they are separate from DreamWorks Animation, so they would have to negoitate a release based on that figure, not the $150m.

As for DreamWorks Animation, they don't seem to bothered, but then that was to be expected as they have always been sceptical about HDM in general, and not just Blu-ray. Hell, it took them a $100m cheque to get them releasing on HD DVD.

So my fellows do you conclude as i conclude from this answer,is too much easy for Paramount to broke the contract and shift neutral or exclusivity for BD.
Paramount is going to release very soon BD again,Announcement is on the door!!!

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 02:11 PM

Yeah, I'd have to say they are looking hard. Very quiet still on the Uni front. Universal hasnt really said much have they. Still to busy checking out the replication facilities?

dobyblue · 01-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

2) We've heard that Pioneer paid for a re-encode of Superman Returns which includes TrueHD (?) as the soundtrack. So far, this encode is not available for purchase. Would WB release this encode soon or would WB tweak it to include PiP, like the HD-DVD version?

There is no PIP feature on the HD DVD version of Superman Returns.

Quote:

HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There?
No exclusive HD content to speak of, which is a real surprise. In interviews earlier this year, Bryan Singer said that he had recorded a new introduction and other material for a planned "In-Movie Experience" feature for the HD DVD release of 'Superman Returns.' So what happened -- where did it go?

The stocks of the initial version are depleted at Warner and this new version is being treated as a running change.
You'll have to keep checking the back of the box for the PCM/TrueHD version.

mfinochio · 01-08-2008, 02:41 PM

Max and Talk,
Thanks for trying to keep a level head at AVS. I really think you might as well fire yourselves into a wall than get through to some of those people.
Max,
Do you have a "personal opinion" of when this format war is truly over? I know some think this is over now, but until we have everyone behind one format it will not be over.
Thanks,
Michael

g.k. · 01-08-2008, 02:42 PM

Max, I must say you are being VERY open on AVS right now. Did something change with to allow that?

Ie, is it a foregone conclusion that the war will end now, so you are allowed to discuss more?

BTW, you are doing a great job responding to the attack squad. I can't believe some of them think TL51 even matters anymore.

Elandyll · 01-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Paramount were given around $50m for their exclusivity, remember that they are separate from DreamWorks Animation, so they would have to negoitate a release based on that figure, not the $150m.

As for DreamWorks Animation, they don't seem to bothered, but then that was to be expected as they have always been sceptical about HDM in general, and not just Blu-ray. Hell, it took them a $100m cheque to get them releasing on HD DVD.

Thank you for all the insider infos Max

This being said, and just in case you would happen to have an opinion/ infos about this, what is the word in Hollywood about Mr Spielberg's and Luca's take on HD?
I don't recall reading anything from them on the subject, and now you saying that Dreamworks (well, you do specify "Animation") isn't too interested in HDM makes me wonder...

We are all of course waiting for the "ultimate" Star Wars collection in Blu Ray (along with LotR - shame that the question wasn't asked during the Blu Ray Q&A), but among others a movie like "Minority Report" would look stuning in HD...

Nooff · 01-08-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Why not?

If they think that the money made in HDM is more than the penalty of buying themselves out of a contract then why wouldn't they do it.

I'm not saying they will, but what they are doing is weighing up how much money they could make with Blu-ray against the amount it will take to buy themselves out of any exclusivity arrangements they have with Toshiba.

You can bet on it that selling Blu-Ray makes them more money than this penalty they get from Tosh. Warner hasn't made the decession in one day, and neither rushing it. It should be taken as an example, and my bet is that's exactly what Paramount is doing a.t.m.

WickyWoo · 01-08-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

There is no PIP feature on the HD DVD version of Superman Returns.

They did make one though, I know that for a fact. I don't think they could fit it on the HD DVD tho

JasonS · 01-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Maxpower, You've indicated that the "get out of contract" amount is about $50 million. I could definitely see Paramount paying that to release on Blu-ray, but this indicates that they can't just switch outright to Blu...they would still have to be Neutral because the contract was just for exclusivity.

My question is why Neutral? That would give Blu-ray all but one major studio so who would touch HD DVD with a ten foot pole at that point? Seems like being "Neutral" would kill their HD DVD sales.

Blubaru · 01-08-2008, 03:07 PM

What ever happened to the big "Major retailer dropping HD-DVD"?

It's it still coming or were the insiders just messing with us.

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 03:09 PM

It does appear the Target deal was once again not what we expected.

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Did we mess with you when we talked about WB?

Have a little faith...

WriteSimply · 01-08-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

1. The workflow of GDMX is quite fluid....

Thanks Max for the prompt reply. Hopefully you'll get your feet on the ground pretty quick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The stocks of the initial version are depleted at Warner and this new version is being treated as a running change.
You'll have to keep checking the back of the box for the PCM/TrueHD version.

Thanks doby. I'll wait until July before I get 'em.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

They did make one though, I know that for a fact. I don't think they could fit it on the HD DVD tho

So you're saying it was burnt on a BD-R50?

Max, since SPHE does not turn on dialog normalization as a default on their TrueHD tracks, do you know if WB/GDMX does this too as a default? *puts five quid*

fuad

elwaylite · 01-08-2008, 03:15 PM

Well, AVSinsider question got dumped quickly after Amir posted his Paramount denial.

I stated that they denied they would "drop" HDDVD, but they did not say they would not look at going neutral.

Correct?

All that was deleted in like 10 minutes. As far as Im concerned its a question.

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01-08-2008, 02:00 PM	#2046
elwaylite Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2007	Also, was it not reported that Dreamworks will leave Para end of this year?

01-08-2008, 02:11 PM	#2048
elwaylite Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2007	Yeah, I'd have to say they are looking hard. Very quiet still on the Uni front. Universal hasnt really said much have they. Still to busy checking out the replication facilities?

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mfinochio Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Flagstaff, Arizona Blu-ray collection:103 Trading Score:79	Max and Talk, Thanks for trying to keep a level head at AVS. I really think you might as well fire yourselves into a wall than get through to some of those people. Max, Do you have a "personal opinion" of when this format war is truly over? I know some think this is over now, but until we have everyone behind one format it will not be over. Thanks, Michael

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g.k. Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	Max, I must say you are being VERY open on AVS right now. Did something change with to allow that? Ie, is it a foregone conclusion that the war will end now, so you are allowed to discuss more? BTW, you are doing a great job responding to the attack squad. I can't believe some of them think TL51 even matters anymore.

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JasonS Special Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Denver, CO Blu-ray collection:107 Trading Score:76	Maxpower, You've indicated that the "get out of contract" amount is about $50 million. I could definitely see Paramount paying that to release on Blu-ray, but this indicates that they can't just switch outright to Blu...they would still have to be Neutral because the contract was just for exclusivity. My question is why Neutral? That would give Blu-ray all but one major studio so who would touch HD DVD with a ten foot pole at that point? Seems like being "Neutral" would kill their HD DVD sales.

01-08-2008, 03:07 PM	#2056
Blubaru Expert Member Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Tonight! you!	What ever happened to the big "Major retailer dropping HD-DVD"? It's it still coming or were the insiders just messing with us.

01-08-2008, 03:09 PM	#2057
elwaylite Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2007	It does appear the Target deal was once again not what we expected.

01-08-2008, 03:15 PM	#2060
elwaylite Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2007	Well, AVSinsider question got dumped quickly after Amir posted his Paramount denial. I stated that they denied they would "drop" HDDVD, but they did not say they would not look at going neutral. Correct? All that was deleted in like 10 minutes. As far as Im concerned its a question.

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