Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[mel2]

Thanks Bill. hope to read your column tomorrow, or today. do mind those freaks over at hdd. they're just in denial and want to take it out on people who told them so over and over again.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by ezcobar411

We did it Bill, thanks for everything.

What is up with Toshy's comments about HDM being a short lived format? Sounds like Toshy and MS don't want to join the blu party. Shame on them, well maybe not MS, not like there is much to be contributed from the company anyway

I think they're really trying hard to save face. Downloads have a LONG way to go to compete with Blu-ray in quality, and the fact is most average, non-gaming people actually LIKE physical media. No matter what Bill Gates says.

[micks_address]

Hi Bill,

amazing news really, and i cant believe how fast things have moved! - would you expect news from paramount and universal this week on releases? do you think its possible paramount would announce Transformers for Blue ray in the next few months? Also as they seemed to be gearing towards PCM sound before they went HD DVD exclusive - do you think they might release with with PCM or should we just expect the same as the HD DVD ?

Cheers,
Mick

[Bullseye]

Bill many thanks to you and your site for giving the BD side and the general public in general excellent information on this long drawn out affair.

[Icemage]

Bill,

You were right about DVD. You were right about anamorphic. You were right about Blu-ray.

Thank you for all your hard work over these many years, and for never once steering the home theater community wrong.

[AaronSCH]

Well, over a year ago, in anger, I stated in another forum that The Digital Bits was irrelevant and not the place to go for up-to-the-minute information. I was wrong. These last few months, weeks, days and hours have proven that your site continues to be the place to go for accurate and timely information. All I can say is I am thankful I heeded your advice and invested in Blu-ray. Thank you for the courage of your convictions.

[plee]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think they're really trying hard to save face. Downloads have a LONG way to go to compete with Blu-ray in quality, and the fact is most average, non-gaming people actually LIKE physical media. No matter what Bill Gates says.

When has Bill G. been correct.

[Blu Titan]

Thank you for your efforts and honesty Bill.

[Grisle]

I think it's ugly what these guys are saying about Bill. These people are so angry and sore and it seems that they want to do anything to be childish. It's too bad really, but I guess it helps me not to feel sorry for them.

[bferr1]

Bill,

Has your idea of rebates for HD DVD owners to buy BD players gained any traction? Now would be a good time for BD companies to announce such plans.

- Bryan

[akbungle]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Bill,

You were right about DVD. You were right about anamorphic. You were right about Blu-ray.

Thank you for all your hard work over these many years, and for never once steering the home theater community wrong.

You forgot Bill being a huge voice on killing Divx(the DVD format), anyway thanks a million and heres hoping WB listened about the PCM/ lossless and Para/DW and Uni follow suit!

[MrXpress]

Bill,

Now that Blu-ray has won the format war, there seems to be three distinct groups of consumers; people who love Blu-ray and will buy discs, people who like Blu-ray but won't spend $30/disc, and people who are fine with standard DVD and have no desire to upgrade. The first group is obviously covered, and the third I don't think will be relevant until the second group can be 'converted', so to speak. If that sounds confusing, it's because it came out of my brain in chunks.

That said, have you heard anything or could you maybe make a guess as to how the BDA will go about going after that second group? It certainly seems like there are a lot of people who appreciate the difference in video/audio from regular DVD to Blu-ray, and maybe have a PS3 or something sitting around, but have only bought 2 or 3 Blu-rays and have no intentions to buy many more. What that 'barrier' is, I don't know, but I'd imagine a lot of that has to do with price. Does the BDA honestly think they can gain mainstream acceptance with $39.98 MSRPs and $29.99 retail prices in B&M stores? Or do you think that with HD DVD out of the way, the pricing structure may be in for a change?

Thanks.

[JBlacklow]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think they're really trying hard to save face. Downloads have a LONG way to go to compete with Blu-ray in quality, and the fact is most average, non-gaming people actually LIKE physical media. No matter what Bill Gates says.

First of all, Thanks! Second of all, is there any way you could summarize what the Nikkei article said apart from Toshiba considering suing Warner? I ask because the new HD DVD supporter meme that's been started is that the article exposes all sorts of underhanded dealings from Warner and the BDA.

[BPHusker]

Should we be expecting any announcements from Universal, Paramount or Dreamworks today?

[Elder]

With the announcement that Toshiba is officially backing out of the HD DVD business, what do you think Warner Bros. will do? Will they continue to release their movies on HD DVD until the end of May? They should no longer be contractually obligated to do so and in my opinion it would benefit them if they stopped releasing HD DVDs altogether. While we all wait for announcements from Paramount and Universal, I’m almost equally interested in seeing what Warner Bros. does. The sooner there are no discs on store shelves, the quicker the masses can come onboard.

PS - Great work over the past couple of days, weeks, years

[PeteS]

Bill, well done. You deserve to treat yourself to something nice today.
I'm a technologist first, Blu-ray supporter only because it was right. In the bigger, broader scheme of things and wider truth of technology as a whole, your work and recommendations continue to be invaluable.

[Croweyes1121]

Hey, Bill. As someone who once asked you for advice on which HDM format to buy into (and from someone who *almost* took the low-priced HD DVD bait), I first want to say "thank you"!! Secondly...

1. Naturally, the one thing on everyone's mind right now is Paramount/Dreamworks and Universal. There's an entire forum set up on this already here, but in your experience, what kind of time frame do you think we're looking at on the heels of this news? Nothing *too* specific, but would you put your money on days, weeks, or months?

2. How do you think this is going to impact upcoming releases for both formats? Do you think, for example, that Paramount will actually release "There Will Be Blood" on HD DVD?

3. Do you know how (or if) this affects Warner's upcoming release plans? Are they still going to bother with the HD DVD versions or just nix them altogether now?

4. Provided there's an announcement, say tomorrow...how long would you say it'll be before I could FINALLY see King Kong in HD? That one has been the thorn in my side ever since I decided to go HD!!

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think maybe they should have listened to me. They'd be a lot happier right now, I suspect. But you know... as they say... you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

... send a boy to college but you can't make him think...

~Alan

[GarettP]

Bill thanks for all of the info. you have shared with us and taking time to post here. Now I will be looking to the bits and here for release announcements!

[Croweyes1121]

Heh...well, never mind about the time frame question I guess, Bill. HAHA This is GREAT!