Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by The Don

I personally think that Uni is within 30 days of going Blu....and shortly after Paramount will come...

silence is golden....and that's what Uni has given.....

nothing..

Youre right, Max has declined comment on Uni due to a NDA, and Uni aint saying shat.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[scragham]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Did you just say "it has activated a release clause?"

holy crapolies.

i do believe he did say that.

mind-blowing.

[jason_grumpy]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Did you just say "it has activated a release clause?"

Don't get over-zealous on this just yet or read into it more than what it is.

Just because release clauses HAVE been activated in the contract due to recent events, Paramount still needs to make the decision to move on it or not.

I'd venture to say that it has to do with sales figures from the 4th QTR, CE support, and 70% + of market share in favor of Blu with WB going exclusive.

Take it how it is -- Paramount can activate a clause (more than likely a buyout of the contract), but Max did not say that Paramount has actually activated it. Think of it as an option for Paramount.

However, one can read between the lines -- why look for a clause the past 4 days if you don't intend to use it.

[Pellaeon]

I dont think either Paramount nor Universal would stab their partner Toshiba in the back during CES, definately NOT Universal.

Now, after CES, when the HD-DVD standalone sales plummet and BLUs increase exponentially, then I think a change will happen, not until then.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by jason_grumpy

Don't get over-zealous on this just yet or read into it more than what it is.

Just because release clauses HAVE been activated in the contract due to recent events, Paramount still needs to make the decision to move on it or not.

I'd venture to say that it has to do with sales figures from the 4th QTR, CE support, and 70% + of market share in favor of Blu with WB going exclusive.

Take it how it is -- Paramount can activate a clause (more than likely a buyout of the contract), but Max did not say that Paramount has actually activated it. Think of it as an option for Paramount.

However, one can read between the lines -- why look for a clause the past 4 days if you don't intend to use it.

Exactly, just because the gun is loaded does not mean you have to fire it. They may sit on it awhile

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Pellaeon

I dont think either Paramount nor Universal would stab their partner Toshiba in the back during CES, definately NOT Universal.

Now, after CES, when the HD-DVD standalone sales plummet and BLUs increase exponentially, then I think a change will happen, not until then.

Universal yes, Paramount no. HD DVD lied to paramount, they made them look foolish, Paramount does not like HD DVD right now. They don't want to look like fools coming out of CES, thousands of articles will be written that show paramount is backing a loser. if paramount goes at least neutral before CES they will look good in the public eye and redeem themselves a bit.

[The Don]

well..it's not like it has triggered an automatic Blu jump....

but basically....he's saying there's a chance

[Spankey]

"Escape Clause Activated...HD-DVD will self-destruct in T-Minus 10 Minutes"

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by jopemoro

Remember what Penton-man said (paraphrasing): there would not be a 'final blow' to HD DVD coming out of CES, but a string of good news starting these days would make clear the eventual outcome...

I was thinking that was Talk, but what do I know...

~Alan

[Skygod]

Originally Posted by Spankey

"Escape Clause Activated...HD-DVD will self-destruct in T-Minus 10 Minutes"

That's very funny. Nice.

[Proteus]

First off...

I would like to thank Paidgeek directly as it appears he has acknowledged and passed along my request for the PSP version of all films to be released on the BD! Yay! This is awesome.

Second...

Per the Paramount thing, I really doubt the 'escape clause' revolved too much around studio support, but rather retailer support.

Frankly, I suspect in such a contract the 'release' would involve a retailer announcing exclusivity that would exclude Paramount/Dreamworks from selling HDM product in their stores. That is a far more logical assumption to me. Restriction on the sale of products has historically always been a foregone conclusion that a contract becomes 'null'.

[Bullseye]

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

Well... we've had SOME confirmation this morning of the details of the Financial Times story from last night. While the studio isn't yet commenting, reliable industry sources are telling us that Paramount is indeed preparing to end their HD-DVD support and announce a return to the Blu-ray fold. Details are currently being finalized, and an announcement is expected as soon as they're complete. Paramount's first new Blu-rays will almost certainly include many of those titles that were cancelled last year, but that were already packaged and ready for shipping, so you could see them in stores very quickly once the studio announces.

Meanwhile, sources are telling us that Universal has also been talking with the BDA, and is looking to follow Paramount and Warner's lead as soon as possible.

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

"We're told that the industry's major retail partners are already pressuring Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal to go Blu following Warner's decision."


Transformers & Bourne hopefully soon!

[Nick Graham]

I'm feeling good that I never got around to snagging Face/Off. Perhaps a Blu version with lossless will be on shelves soon?

[eat_me_cool]

I've been reading MaxPowers replies over at AVS. There is a link to an article to the cost of a Singulus BD line being $1.2Million. Obviously there other equipment involved but it gives a perspective.

These machines produce a DVD in 2sec, HD-DVD in 3seconds and Blu-ray in 4 seconds.

So one line running 365/24/7 will produce

15.7 Million DVD's
10.5 Million HD-DVD's
7.88 Million Blu-rays

So for all the of trumpeted price difference in production and the 'converting existing DVD' line arguments the actual capital investment required in minimal.

It would require one line to produce all the HD-DVD's sold to date and only two to cover all the Blu-ray films to day (games are different matter). Both lines can switch between either formats as required (plus CD etc).

Writing off the cost ($2m?) over 5 years would add $0.05 to the 39 million Blu-rays produced or $0.038 to the HD-DVD.

As a percentage its 30% more but as an absolute cost difference is insignificant.

Replication costs of BD50's are 30% more HD30's but thats only a difference of $0.45.

Again, insignificant and the price will be hammered down over time. New lines are being shipped, I think there is about 12 on order.

[hollywoodguy]

Originally Posted by Proteus

I would like to thank Paidgeek directly as it appears he has acknowledged and passed along my request for the PSP version of all films to be released on the BD! Yay! This is awesome.

Yes & the PS3 TV commercials have been put on the PlayStation Network a while back. IIRC, that was also asked for by some on this forum. Paidgeek's track record of actually following up in the real world on requests by us enthusiasts on this and other forums remains UNPRECEDENTED. I hope he returns soon to take a bow!

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I'll clarify this now before it gets out of hand.

These two single events when put alone were not part of the agreement, but other events were included and when put together it has activated a release clause.

According to the hairdresser (you know who you are!), one customer wants highlights while the other wants a change of color.

The customer with the color change has gotten a new do. The customer that wants highlights hasn't come out yet . Since the post that Max was referring to contains TWO separate past/future events that did not include Paramount, and that these events had already triggered the release clause, the customer with the highlights isn't Weinstein. And if I get it right, the ink is drying...


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[Steverhcp02]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

The others don't have anything to do with other studios switching to Blu, more along the lines of studios switching away from Blu, which obviously didn't happen and therefore activated said clause.

wow so paramount was essentially told theyd(HD DVD) get BD only studios on board or they could split? lol, nice.

[Whyser]

Hey Max,

Reading over the Insider's forum on AVS, it seems that talking to those people is like talking to little kids. They only hear what they want to, and the come back with pathetic little arguments that they think apply to Blu-Ray, but for some reason don't apply to HD DVD.

Keep up the good work Max, at least here we appreciate all the info you have, and for those of us who keep up with your posts on AVS, we appreciate the info there as well.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

The others don't have anything to do with other studios switching to Blu, more along the lines of studios switching away from Blu, which obviously didn't happen and therefore activated said clause.

Thanks again for clarifying, Max! That still leaves the customer who wanted highlights...

A question: how has GDMX cope with authoring in BD-J? Are they getting better at it after a full year doing HDi?


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