Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[kjack]

Originally Posted by TechJunkie

Would they have to join the BDA or simply get a license to Blu-ray technologies through MPEG LA like any other company can do without being discriminated against?

You have to join BDA, sign appropriate agreements, and pay appropriate fees, then you are allowed to sell a BD player with a BD logo on it. MPEG LA stuff is IP licensing that BD uses. Plus there are other licenses, such as AACS, BD+, etc. that MPEG LA won't be handling. But BDA cannot refuse a company from making a BD player as long as they meet the critera.

[Jermastr]

Hi Blu crew. I'm new and want to say hello to all!!!

My thoughts on the downloadable content from MS is crazy. With how fast things have changed most folks don't even understand what true Hi-Def is. If Bill G. thinks my grandmother is going to learn how to turn on a 360 and download a movie he is nuts! Most who went and spent big bucks on a TV think they are going to get true Hi-Def from that alone. Bill needs to slow down and let the public get caught up with the current changes taking place. I want a hard copy of my movies!!!!!!

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by sj001

Glad to hear this Max, now at least I know that it's the BDA companies trying to be polite to one another, and not technical issues.

I'll bet ya paidgeek has a PS3 running test firmware for DTS-MA somewhere in the office or at home.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Esox50

I'll bet ya paidgeek has a PS3 running test firmware for DTS-MA somewhere in the office or at home.

Yeah probably does, lucky son of a gun... but he deserves it.

[CptGreedle]

I have to once again Applaud the efforts (especially the count-up by Penton) by our wonderful insiders!
Without you guys, we would be lost! I can't wait to see what Bill Hunt says, and what happens tomorrow at CES

[WickyWoo]

Penton hit your PMs please, there's a few

[spicynacho]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

the rumor is that the Weinstein deal was locked before the WB deal. However, Weinstein want $ to say that they now support blu-ray and then they wanted more $ to actually make blu-ray movies. The BDA refused on the later. Supposedly they already got money for basically ditching hd dvd for blu-ray (not publically yet, but soon), they are going to have a real hard time getting money now for releasing titles.

Weinstein is having financial problems if you didn't know that.

I would tell them, "10,000 free copies of your first 10 blu ray releases and no setup fees for the next 40. Your coupons expire 12/31/2008 and this is a one time offer. Take it or leave it, you will be releasing on blu eventually and you aren't that big of a studio."

[Azumi]

to the Insiders:

Now that WB is on our side, do you think there's a possibility that one of their representatives could post here in the near future?

Or at least, could it be possible to organize a chat session with them? I'm sure there's half a million of movie questions we'd love to ask

Looking forward, when the format war is over, it'd be great if this site could host regular talks with Studio reps.

[dko1971]

Insiders, how are the negotiations being done with Universal & Paramount, now that Warner is out of the way? A $2.5 million incentives deal for each to come over together, or a game of who blinks first - ie $5 million deal to whoever puts their hand up first, and nothing for the loser? (Personally, I'd say screw the last holdout - PAY US if you want to release in BD...)

Out of curiosity - how close are the executives of the competing studios and more importantly, do they tend to have short-term memory? Although Paramount almost jeopardized HDM for everyone last year, if and when they rejoin, is everything immediately forgiven by the other studios?

[ottscay]

FWIW regarding Warner and the Matrix Trilogy; the article quotes WB as saying that BonusView titles will be here shortly, and later in the article cites Batman Begins and the Matrix Trilogy as examples of titles with BonusView features.

Nothing in the article hints that the Matrix will be released shortly (and we are fairly confident that BB will be released in Q2) so I see no reason to infer anything about the Matrix coming soon; I'd guess that it will be coming on the original schedule (presumably Q4, as has been previously hinted).

[narrowgate]

Originally Posted by Azumi

to the Insiders:

Now that WB is on our side, do you think there's a possibility that one of their representatives could post here in the near future?

Or at least, could it be possible to organize a chat session with them? I'm sure there's half a million of movie questions we'd love to ask

Looking forward, when the format war is over, it'd be great if this site could host regular talks with Studio reps.

And we need a New Line insider so they can give us info on LOTR!

Or does WB distribute LOTR?

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by ottscay

FWIW regarding Warner and the Matrix Trilogy; the article quotes WB as saying that BonusView titles will be here shortly, and later in the article cites Batman Begins and the Matrix Trilogy as examples of titles with BonusView features.

Nothing in the article hints that the Matrix will be released shortly (and we are fairly confident that BB will be released in Q2) so I see no reason to infer anything about the Matrix coming soon; I'd guess that it will be coming on the original schedule (presumably Q4, as has been previously hinted).

I can think of two other "bonus view" titles they have that I want: V for Vendetta and Constantine. I expect those to be released on Blu-ray this year as well.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by dko1971

... Although Paramount almost jeopardized HDM for everyone last year, if and when they rejoin, is everything immediately forgiven by the other studios?

Exactly. I can at least respect Uni for remaining firm in their stance. Paramount PO'd a bunch of early BD adopters. I can tell you this, Paramount BDs will be at the bottom of my purchase list for a long time unless they outright apologize in their press release for making the mistake of dropping BD in the first place. But on the other hand I think Paramount going HD DVD forced Warners hand to start the beginning of the end for HD DVD.

[Bullseye]

To the insiders. I know alot has been going on in the background with regards to Uni and Para going BD but have the BDA been in touch with Toshiba at all?

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by CraigW

Exactly. I can at least respect Uni for remaining firm in their stance. Paramount PO'd a bunch of early BD adopters. I can tell you this, Paramount BDs will be at the bottom of my purchase list for a long time unless they outright apologize in their press release for making the mistake of dropping BD in the first place. But on the other hand I think Paramount going HD DVD forced Warners hand to start the beginning of the end for HD DVD.

I disagree. I bought a $98 a2 just to own transformers.

Ill gladly rebuy it on blu and a few of the other big movies they have coming this summer.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by CraigW

But on the other hand I think Paramount going HD DVD forced Warners hand to start the beginning of the end for HD DVD.

You got it. I can't be mad at Paramount for this. If they stayed Neutral, there wouldn't have been loads of pressure on Warner to pick a side and we'd probably still be dead locked right now with two neutral studios. In a way, what they did was sealed HD DVD's defeat.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by JasonS

You got it. I can't be mad at Paramount for this. If they stayed Neutral, there wouldn't have been loads of pressure on Warner to pick a side and we'd probably still be dead locked right now with two neutral studios. In a way, what they did was sealed HD DVD's defeat.

You know, if you had posted this last August I would have said you were crazy. Now? You just might be right.

[Balian]

Originally Posted by CraigW

Exactly. I can at least respect Uni for remaining firm in their stance. Paramount PO'd a bunch of early BD adopters. I can tell you this, Paramount BDs will be at the bottom of my purchase list for a long time unless they outright apologize in their press release for making the mistake of dropping BD in the first place. But on the other hand I think Paramount going HD DVD forced Warners hand to start the beginning of the end for HD DVD.

Actually, if Paramount hadn't switched, the Christmas shopping season would have been much more lopsided. They would end up both switching at CES. Different scenario, about the same result ...assuming Paramount will indeed switch soon.

Imagine Transformers and Shrek were available for both formats. Transformers would have sold over 250,000 easily and not a lot of consumers would have to buy a HD DVD player just to get Transformers. Transformers had a multiplier effect on HD DVD sales. Fortunately for us, it wasn't that great to offset Blu-ray's strength.

[Jermastr]

Hate to ask a stupid question but, What is BD-Live?

[OokieSpookie]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

by the way to our insiders, what is the validity of spartanjohnson over at HDD. He said the night of WB that Parmaount was furious and looking to get out now with an out clause, so it seems like he has some validity.

Spartan is a HIGH SCHOOL KID with a BLOGSPOT blog.
They have NO inside information and have not once been correct out of every attempt they have made.
The fact that people even quote him is sad.