Paramount/DreamWorks fallout... a primal scream therapy thread for Blu-ray fans

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by lokus

I apologize for posting this as I am sure it has either already been said or many of us are feeling like it. I recently purchased a PS3 (I'm not a huge gamer, if one at all) to support Blu-ray. I am growing a little concerned at the fact that, regardless of why, Paramount has jumped ship. They carry a lot of titles that I like. I am concerned that I made an impulse buy ($500). I should have just waited until after Christmas like I was going to. In any event, it is hard for me to swallow because I consider Disney and Fox to be two huuuge studios. Let's face it, Disney movies suck in consumers. Can anyone calm my concerned thoughts?

look at this notice something:
Supporting Companies
January 04, 2006
2006-01-04T00:00:00.0000000+01:00

The Blu-ray Disc Association has member companies from the consumer electronics (CE), information technology (IT), media and software industries. The lists below include current members as well as applicants.

For more information about the various membership levels and how to become a member, please refer to the the About Us section at the top of the screen.

Last updated: March 1, 2007

Board of Directors
Apple, Inc.
Dell
HP
Hitachi
LG
Mitsubishi Electric
Panasonic
Pioneer
Philips
Samsung
Sharp
Sony
Sun Microsystems
TDK
Thomson
Twentieth Century Fox
Walt Disney
Warner Bros.

now notice this: "who is not on the BDA BOD"

Contributors
Paramount Pictures Corporation

now you may say things could change and more studios can jump ship
read on does this sound like DISNEY is jumping ship notice the dates:

Transcript: Disney CEO Iger Talks Up Blu-ray in Analyst Call
had this INTERVIEW IN MAY 2007

I think the single greatest thing we can do right now is to not waffle, but to be very, very blunt about it, to continue our support of Blu-ray because we sense a real advantage. The best thing that could happen is for the format war to end, which will be very pro-consumer, particularly as hardware comes down.

The other thing I want to note is, if you look across the globe, the only place there is really a format war is in the United States. In other markets where next-gen DVD is starting to penetrate, Blu-ray is winning, and substantially; so much so there isn’t even a perceived format war.

So I think we made the right decision, the trends we are seeing seem to validate the decision. We think long-term, this is going to be a nice growth area for the company, because as you know sell-through DVD is a big business for the Walt Disney Company, even though we believe in things like VOD and the rental model. People want to own a Disney DVD, particularly in the next-generation format."

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news...alyst_Call/622

1)now lets look at recent events: XBOX360 GETS DIGITAL DOWNLOADS OF DISNEY MOVIES BUT HD DVD does not...E3
2)magical blu-ray tour from DISNEY in the malls of america 40ft display in 18 malls across the us. on a tour aug 2007
3) DISNEY AND WB AND fox are all on the BDA BOD

i will say it again DISNEY WILL BE THE DEATH OF HD DVD

[ground chuck]

Originally Posted by lokus

I apologize for posting this as I am sure it has either already been said or many of us are feeling like it. I recently purchased a PS3 (I'm not a huge gamer, if one at all) to support Blu-ray. I am growing a little concerned at the fact that, regardless of why, Paramount has jumped ship. They carry a lot of titles that I like. I am concerned that I made an impulse buy ($500). I should have just waited until after Christmas like I was going to. In any event, it is hard for me to swallow because I consider Disney and Fox to be two huuuge studios. Let's face it, Disney movies suck in consumers. Can anyone calm my concerned thoughts?

disney movies suck in consumers....are you kidding me? that could be one of the dumbest quotes i've seen in while.

[Iceman_II]

I think you mis-read that.... I believe he means to say that disney movies DRAW in consumers as in, Disney movies attract people, not that disney movies suck.

[lokus]

That is exactly what I meant. I apologize for not stating that clearly. Disney movies are what many people usually remember from their childhood.

[eRICH]

lokus... I to have just purchased a PS3 (big gamer). I love the fact that it has BLU RAY!! You should not feel like you did an impulse buy! BLU RAY will win the format war just hang out for 18 months until Paramount is out of contract with HD DVD then you will get all those movies in BLU! Hang in there and just buy the classic movies on BLU!

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

I think you mis-read that.... I believe he means to say that disney movies DRAW in consumers as in, Disney movies attract people, not that disney movies suck.

like a Whirlpool

HD DVD is dead without DISNEY... AND THE HD DVD PROMOTIONAL GROUP knows this..why do you think they are worried. they needed something to counter the MAGICAL BLU-RAY Disney TOUR

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by lokus

That is exactly what I meant. I apologize for not stating that clearly. Disney movies are what many people usually remember from their childhood.

LOL don't apologise that was a pretty funny misunderstanding

[JAGUAR1977]

HD-DVD's given themselves 12 months breathing space, they may even have a few more surprises, but they know long term they can't compete with Blu-rays industry support and PS3.

Microsoft have big resources, but their only goal is to see both formats fail, paving the way for everyone to be locked into their VOD service.

[DavePS3]

I have absolutely no respect for Paramount now and won't go to see or buy any of their releases now. It's all a matter of greed. They could probably have made that 150 million up just on the worldwide Blu-Ray sales of Transformers alone. Somebody over there should get his ass fired over this. Microsoft doesn't want HD-DVD to survive... they don't want BD to survive, they want to turn it all into downloads but typical of Microsoft, they can't get one thing bug-free before bringing out something else. That's not bug-free either and it's easier and more profitable to just bring out new stuff and just tell everyone they're not supporting the former thing. ...and people don't complain. Has any Windows version been without huge faults? Has any game they've ever brought out not had bugs? They simply bring out a new product and drop support of the old.

If Paramount wants to bleed the money they just received and then some, I say let's show them how much they can lose - and it'll be a Hell of a lot more than 150 million... don't go to see or buy any Paramount release. They'll feel it soon enough. If public anger doesn't phase them, boycott their asses. They'll soon care when they don't make enough money on a film release to cover the cost of making it. Hit them where it hurts. Same with Microsoft. It's time their monopoly received a slap in the head.

[Canada]

With Paramounts decision to support HD DVD exclusivly New Line Cinemas and Warner Brothers became very important. Warner Brothers has said they don't want to support Blu Ray becase most of the players are PS3's and the PS3 owners bought it primary for playing games. I for one did not buy it for games it's a nice side bonus but it is primarly a Blu Ray movie player for me. It breaks down this way in my head 4.28 million PS3 (Wikipidia, June 30, 2007) have been sold that is 4.28 million Blu Ray players. Unfortunatly only about half know it doubles as a Blu Ray player. Does any one have any suggestions as to how Sony can let existing PS3 owner now they already have a Blu Ray player in there house? We should e-mail Sony if we have any suggestions. New PS3 owners will be much easier to tell just slap a huge sticker on the front Can play Blu Ray Movies.That is still 2.14 million approx. PS3 being used for Blu Ray movies and that does not even take into account the number of stand alone units beeing sold. If Blu Ray can get New Line exclusive Paramount may not seem like such a big loss. Seeing as how New Line made the biggest trilogy (Lord of the Rings) this side of Star Wars, oh don't forget that Blu Ray also has The Spiderman and Pirates trilogy coming out in early December. Warner Brothers is very important to bag as well with the new Batman franchise (Christian Bale) starting to roll it would be a huge blow to HD DVD if it was Blu Ray only. I did not like the Matrix Trilogy a lot but it would be a huge seller on Blu, where is it by the way?

[spam.curitiba]

I think with the new ps3 buyers are aware of the blu-ray capability because of the special going on right now where they get 5 free blu-ray movies. I think this will help that 40% go up.

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by joeorc

like a Whirlpool

HD DVD is dead without DISNEY... AND THE HD DVD PROMOTIONAL GROUP knows this..why do you think they are worried. they needed something to counter the MAGICAL BLU-RAY Disney TOUR

This is dead-on! The "normal" buyer will never buy into a hi-def disc format without Disney on board.

HD-DUD is on life support and they know it.

The problem is that this bonehead move by Paramount just prolongs the inevitable. HD-DUD needs to go away and Toshiba needs to start producing Blu-Ray players........maybe we need to flood Toshiba with e-mails and letters asking them to produce Blu-Ray machines...

[Pestilence]

This is Disney's chance to shine and they've been doing a great job for the Blu-ray camp so far but I don't understand why they aren't pulling out their big guns, they're blockbusters! We are coming up on the most important holiday season ever for HD media and they haven't even mentioned some of their most successful movies yet! Why no Toy Story, why no Incredibles, why no Aladdin?! These are movies that would absolutely crush anything from Dreamworks and I assure you that each of these titles on their own could easily outsell Transformers on HD DVD. Come on Disney, give your supporters something to go on, give your customers a reason to stay format exclusive!

[bryaaaant]

AMAZON MOVERS AND SHAKERS:

http://amazon.com/gp/movers-and-shak...blurayforum-20

is it just me or is blu-ray totally dominating hd-dud?

have faith in blu.

..and keep in mind, we have to support it if we want this war to end.. pre-order/buy more BR's!

[Wet1]

I believe Warner owns NL (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong). Since Warner already leans toward HD-DVD and receives royalties from the HD-DVD format, I fear they could be persuaded a little easier toward the red side if the right amount of money were offered.

If Warner/NL were to go one direction or the other, it would be VERY damaging to the opposite format. Let's just hope they stay neutral or go BR exclusive...

[cruzzer cruz]

I'm getting kind of scared now lol. I wasn't before, but now it's like the goddamn Cold War. We have this ever-looming threat that Warner will turn Commie and nuke us with Red-exclusive releases.

[BTBuck1]

I think a start for Sony would be including either component cables or an HDMI or Both & toss Casino Royale in the box.

[IamNhobdy]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

I think a start for Sony would be including either component cables or an HDMI or Both & toss Casino Royale in the box.

Good call. People like not having to buy extra crap.

[DViper2399]

Packaging Casino Royale would be Smart & huge!! I think %80 of PS3 owners are aware it plays Blu-ray's & I myself bought it as a Blu-Ray player that also happens to play PS3 games, & I know several people that share my opinion. Warner is HUGE!! & Important much more then Paramount ever was take away Transformers & Shrek what do they have left? Warner has (not that I care) but they have the Harry Potter franchise & that is Gigantic to the HD growth of movies, plus they have Batman, LOTR, Rush Hour(not to big but a still a plus), Also The Golden Compass. Warner is right where they want to be in the middle knowingly that thier move is the most important to the 2 sides right now, Cause if they go Blu game over!! If they go HD-DVD it will give them much more life & become a much stronger opponent!

[grognard66]

Interesting post, Canada. I think you may have inadvertently explained Paramounts and Warner Brothers rationale for their past comments though. The problem Blu-Ray is having is that game devices historically have represented a trivial percentage of movie playing devices. The fact that there are so many more PS3's out there than stand-alone HD-DVD's proves that fact as Blu-Ray should be outselling HD-DVD movies by at least 4 to 1 if people viewed PS3's as movie devices.

The attach rate is so low precisely because PS3's are game machines that happen to play movies and not vice versa - and most people who buy a PS3 bought it to play games primarily. The CD format just celebrated it's 25 year anniversary which helps put things in perspective. Studios are not looking at the next few years but the next 20+ years. In that context, PS3 sales will represent an insignificant number of total movie playing devices.

Studios understand that the average game device only has a 5-6 year life cycle and that early Blu-Ray movie results are skewed as early PS3 adopters look for things to do with their units until the game catalog matures - at which point they'll spend more time playing games on PS3 than watching movies. It is worth noting that stand-alone HD-DVD players outsell stand-alone Blu-Ray players by 50% and the continued price difference between the formats will likely see that ratio maintained (or even increase) this Holiday Season. The importance of hitting the $199 "magic number" cannot be overstated as every major electronic consumer device realizes the vast majority of its sales after hitting that number.

This format war is far from over..