Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well you can trust us “guys”, hell I even brought bad news to Blu-ray folks about the Paramount deal because I knew that Nikki was about to break it on the internet the next day. The AVS reds just never appreciated it.....or else thought it was some ruse.

But, you’ll have to tell me exactly what Bill over at Digital Bits posted because even though it is a very, very worthwhile place to read and visit (he has been a home theater and film aficionado a long time before this format war started), I just don’t have the bloody time to read him. So please at least post a link or something as to what you are referring to.

Other sources? – I would go by their track record as to their credibility, no matter what their affiliation, online “credentials”, etc.

So tell me what Bill said while I go to my PM box to clean up things there.

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

The paragraph of interest is:

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

In other news today, there are plenty of ongoing preparations for next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (which starts on Monday, January 7th) happening around the industry. As always, we'll be there to cover the details. You can bet there will be plenty of format war news. Both sides will be trumpeting their holiday sales and spinning the numbers to their advantage. The rumor mill is buzzing wildly on the Net this week, with high-def enthusiasts claiming on the various discussion boards that Warner is about to go exclusive with one format or the other at the show. Most of it is FUD as usual, but it is true that both camps are courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now. We've heard word from our own (and highly reliable) industry sources that insanely large financial incentives are being waved in front of the studio by both sides. The reason is simple: Both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps know that as Warner goes, so (almost certainly) goes the format war. Could Warner decide go exclusive to one of these high-def formats? Yes, it's absolutely possible. In fact, we think it WILL happen sooner or later in 2008. Warner knows that continuing to support both formats is not what's going to grow high-def packaged media beyond the early adopter market. Still, we don't believe this is likely to happen at CES. If and when it happens, our guess is it will happen at least a few weeks later. But it's going to be very interesting to see what kind of presence Warner has at CES in the booths and presentations of both camps.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well you can trust us “guys”, hell I even brought bad news to Blu-ray folks about the Paramount deal because I knew that Nikki was about to break it on the internet the next day. The AVS reds just never appreciated it.....or else thought it was some ruse.

But, you’ll have to tell me exactly what Bill over at Digital Bits posted because even though it is a very, very worthwhile place to read and visit (he has been a home theater and film aficionado a long time before this format war started), I just don’t have the bloody time to read him. So please at least post a link or something as to what you are referring to.

Other sources? – I would go by their track record as to their credibility, no matter what their affiliation, online “credentials”, etc.

So tell me what Bill said while I go to my PM box to clean up things there.

From Bill,


" In other news today, there are plenty of ongoing preparations for next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (which starts on Monday, January 7th) happening around the industry. As always, we'll be there to cover the details. You can bet there will be plenty of format war news. Both sides will be trumpeting their holiday sales and spinning the numbers to their advantage. The rumor mill is buzzing wildly on the Net this week, with high-def enthusiasts claiming on the various discussion boards that Warner is about to go exclusive with one format or the other at the show. Most of it is FUD as usual, but it is true that both camps are courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now. We've heard word from our own (and highly reliable) industry sources that insanely large financial incentives are being waved in front of the studio by both sides. The reason is simple: Both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps know that as Warner goes, so (almost certainly) goes the format war. Could Warner decide go exclusive to one of these high-def formats? Yes, it's absolutely possible. In fact, we think it WILL happen sooner or later in 2008. Warner knows that continuing to support both formats is not what's going to grow high-def packaged media beyond the early adopter market. Still, we don't believe this is likely to happen at CES. If and when it happens, our guess is it will happen at least a few weeks later. But it's going to be very interesting to see what kind of presence Warner has at CES in the booths and presentations of both camps."

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by JasonS

From Bill,


" In other news today, there are plenty of ongoing preparations for next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (which starts on Monday, January 7th) happening around the industry. As always, we'll be there to cover the details. You can bet there will be plenty of format war news. Both sides will be trumpeting their holiday sales and spinning the numbers to their advantage. The rumor mill is buzzing wildly on the Net this week, with high-def enthusiasts claiming on the various discussion boards that Warner is about to go exclusive with one format or the other at the show. Most of it is FUD as usual, but it is true that both camps are courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now. We've heard word from our own (and highly reliable) industry sources that insanely large financial incentives are being waved in front of the studio by both sides. The reason is simple: Both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps know that as Warner goes, so (almost certainly) goes the format war. Could Warner decide go exclusive to one of these high-def formats? Yes, it's absolutely possible. In fact, we think it WILL happen sooner or later in 2008. Warner knows that continuing to support both formats is not what's going to grow high-def packaged media beyond the early adopter market. Still, we don't believe this is likely to happen at CES. If and when it happens, our guess is it will happen at least a few weeks later. But it's going to be very interesting to see what kind of presence Warner has at CES in the booths and presentations of both camps."

I said it FIRST!!!!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by merrick97

I said it FIRST!!!!

O.K. I got the drift, you guys are brain washing me now.

Give me a few moments to find an old post to make a point for context of timing.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by JasonS

From Bill,


" In other news today, there are plenty of ongoing preparations for next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (which starts on Monday, January 7th) happening around the industry. As always, we'll be there to cover the details. You can bet there will be plenty of format war news. Both sides will be trumpeting their holiday sales and spinning the numbers to their advantage. The rumor mill is buzzing wildly on the Net this week, with high-def enthusiasts claiming on the various discussion boards that Warner is about to go exclusive with one format or the other at the show. Most of it is FUD as usual, but it is true that both camps are courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now. We've heard word from our own (and highly reliable) industry sources that insanely large financial incentives are being waved in front of the studio by both sides. The reason is simple: Both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps know that as Warner goes, so (almost certainly) goes the format war. Could Warner decide go exclusive to one of these high-def formats? Yes, it's absolutely possible. In fact, we think it WILL happen sooner or later in 2008. Warner knows that continuing to support both formats is not what's going to grow high-def packaged media beyond the early adopter market. Still, we don't believe this is likely to happen at CES. If and when it happens, our guess is it will happen at least a few weeks later. But it's going to be very interesting to see what kind of presence Warner has at CES in the booths and presentations of both camps."

Regarding Bill’s article posted above. I would say that is a fairly good assessment of the situation without divulging anything that could potentially disrupt the process and at the same time being disrespectful to the folks at WB.

Except that, this process (i.e.” courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now") has been going on for quite awhile (I am speaking in regards to the Blu camp) see……….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3632

I really think this whole idea of WB making an expedited high-def format publishing decision would have gotten little or no traction on the forums, news outlets, blogs, etc. if Michael (Burns) hadn’t made his “rumor” comments several weeks back. Because everyone in the business was keeping it under wraps. So it is by no means a “courting now” thing, it has been happening for awhile unbeknownst to the layman/laywomen.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by JasonS

Here is a question for an Insider: I thought that back when Paramount was bought out, Warner was courted with money then but they declined it to stay neutral and decide on merits (disc sales).

It is about merit which has been a predominant factor throughout the entire year. It’s just that the quest for a quick and rapid solution to the format war has brought it to different levels of assessment that may be factored in now when they weren’t a consideration during the summertime.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by JasonS

Here is a question for an Insider: I thought that back when Paramount was bought out, Warner was courted with money then but they declined it to stay neutral and decide on merits (disc sales). Why all of a sudden are we hearing posts from you guys and The Digital Bits and other sources that Warner is now suddenly considering and being offered large sums of money from both sides?

How do they say it on The Hill ?

I do not recall any mention of ..............$$.

[Penton-Man]

Have a safe and Happy Blu Year, folks.

Later.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Have a safe and Happy Blu Year, folks.

Later.

You too Penton and everyone on the board.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Regarding Bill’s article posted above. I would say that is a fairly good assessment of the situation without divulging anything that could potentially disrupt the process and at the same time being disrespectful to the folks at WB.

Except that, this process (i.e.” courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now") has been going on for quite awhile (I am speaking in regards to the Blu camp) see……….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3632

I really think this whole idea of WB making an expedited high-def format publishing decision would have gotten little or no traction on the forums, news outlets, blogs, etc. if Michael (Burns) hadn’t made his “rumor” comments several weeks back. Because everyone in the business was keeping it under wraps. So it is by no means a “courting now” thing, it has been happening for awhile unbeknownst to the layman/laywomen.

You're just saving the good news for your 1000th post!

[ironrefault]

We've discussed Warner Brothers enough. How about the other WB:

What's happening with the Weinstein company? I notice a lot of MGM films are distributed in partnership with Weinstein.

[JasonS]

Thanks for the info tonight Penton, appreciated as always. I have another NON WB question for an INSIDER!

I just got back from the theater checking out National Treasure 2 and I couldn't help but think the entire time "wow this picture doesn't look near as good as Blu-ray on my home theater setup."

Which begs the question: with Hollywood pushing for hi-def at home, when are movie theaters going to consider going to hi-def for the big screen? Wouldn't the transition just be replacing all projectors with HD projectors and getting an HD master from the studio?

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by androvsky

I wholeheartedly second this. I was going to bring up rifftrax several times before since I'm a huge fan, but I figured I'd wait until the dust settles from this stupid format war (two pages today just about another forum??). It wouldn't be too hard to implement, especially on the ps3, all that would have to be done is to work on an open standard for timing/sync. I've noticed that Sony, at least the PS3 arm anyway, is all about user-created content these days.

And yes, getting users involved like that is the absolute best way to compete with Youtube. You'll have people going nuts to buy random catalog titles just so they can add on some crazy soundtrack.

I am not an insider but I wouldn't hold my breath for official support of something like that. I would imagine some studios like Disney would not want a rifftrax with very adult language being downloaded and listened to by some child on something like Underdog. The PR hit they would take is not worth the marginal value official support would bring.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Regarding Bill’s article posted above. I would say that is a fairly good assessment of the situation without divulging anything that could potentially disrupt the process and at the same time being disrespectful to the folks at WB.

Except that, this process (i.e.” courting Warner like the belle of the ball right now") has been going on for quite awhile (I am speaking in regards to the Blu camp) see……….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3632

I really think this whole idea of WB making an expedited high-def format publishing decision would have gotten little or no traction on the forums, news outlets, blogs, etc. if Michael (Burns) hadn’t made his “rumor” comments several weeks back. Because everyone in the business was keeping it under wraps. So it is by no means a “courting now” thing, it has been happening for awhile unbeknownst to the layman/laywomen.

This certainly sounds like a VERY good sign, especially considering the exact content of his rumor.

Thanks Penton, Happy Blu Year!

[wakeboredb]

Penton,

You keep refering to a movie releasing soon that stars a dirty blond. Could the movie you're refering to be Dukes of Hazard by any chance?

[blitz6speed]

Do you see what i see? Do you see what i see? A Contract, A Contract, and its got the BDA Signature on the dotted line, with warners name next to it.. With warners name next to it....

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

It was a bit of both, no FSP, and a sort of contract/gentleman's agreement made with the HD DVD guys made by a certain Steve Nickerson when WB were told to go neutral by Jeff Bewkes.

This is the first time I think I've seen any insider comment on the specific effects of Steve Nickerson on the imbalance between title releases at Warner.

Are there other cogs in the machine that continue to push for titles like The Matrix and Batman Begins to stay off of Blu-ray, or would you say the path should now be clear and it should just be a matter of timing (barring the outcome of any supposed negotiations)?

[blindcat87]

Thanks so much for this tidbit! Makes my New Years. I had been hoping that WB was not going to take the poor reception of great classic films on HD DVD and not bother with BD releases. I knew the big titles would be eventually released, but kept wanting to scream every time I heard people say that just because the red release of this or that classic film tanked that Warner would not bother with a Blu release.

Happy New Year!

Chris

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I figured that some of the more experienced members would pick up on that!



It really is all a matter of timing now, BB will come with the Dark Knight, the Matrix some time close to Xmas, and the classics are back on the roster last I heard because sales of Blade Runner and Close Encounters were so good on Blu-ray showing that the segment for classic movies is mature enough on Blu to warrant a release.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

It was a bit of both, no FSP, and a sort of contract/gentleman's agreement made with the HD DVD guys made by a certain Steve Nickerson when WB were told to go neutral by Jeff Bewkes.

It's hard to understand how Nickerson was able to get away with things like this.

Max, do you have any comments on the accuracy and significance of reports that the latest New Line release, Shoot 'Em Up, has BD level bitrates?

[scott1256ca]

Max, since you are around, I don't know if you are in a position to comment on this post I made earlier

to the insiders:

Do you know if MS has approached any studios and offered cash in return for exclusive download rights WITHOUT mentioning HD DVD?

Related: Universal has talked a good game about the future of downloads. Do they actually believe HD media has little future? Or rather, are they, or any studio, expecting large revenue streams in the future from HD downloads? Any downloads?

Thanks
__________________

Also, do you know how much any of the studios are going to be counting on downloads as a revenue stream in the future?