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

[Blue]

Originally Posted by jwbbud

well answering the question(Why are people in this forum so anticompetition) that was asked is pretty simple, this is a blu-ray forum, with blu-ray supporters expressing their interest in blu-ray. I did not see anything about HDDVD, anywhere in the web address. I am sure the hddvd webiste is the same way, downplaying blu-ray. Just reading the news and sales history I am not so sure there is much positive to talk about.
Just think, HDDVD has Paramount now, and Paramount abondoned blu-ray....Now using this as an equation(The recent release of 300 on both formatsBD sold 162,500 copies and
HD DVD 87,500 copies) I cannot believe Paramount would just throw that revenue away.(162500*27.00=4,387,500) Thats alot of dvds that they are going to have to sell at half the price just to recoup the revenue lost. I dont forsee the HDDVD selling anymore than 100,000 copies. And adding that its the christmas season when sales increase, the figures might increase alot as well.
Just some food for thought.

Paramount has not thrown that revenue away, according to reports they were paid between US$ 50,000,000 - 150,000,000 to go exclusive (well excluding a number of titles they have to release on both formats). Where that money came from is open to speculation as I don't think the HD-DVD forum has been sitting on it for the last couple of years. I guess they are working on the theory that they can sell titles for the next couple of years on one format, then sell them again a few years later on a different format. That means it's possible for someone to own VHS Top Gun, LaserDisc Top Gun, DVD Top Gun, HD-DVD Top Gun and for the ultimate (in a few years) Blu-ray Top Gun, not bad if you can get away with it. If they went the other way I think the chance of them selling onto HD-DVD would not be an option.

[tallballer25]

One of the reasons I believe Paramount did this was because of the movies they have coming out in the up coming year and how big transformers was. Being the fastest to make 1 billion dollars in domestic gross and having up Coming Movie Releases like

Indiana Jones (Memorial Day 2008)
Beowulf (11/6/07)
Star trek (12-25-08)
The heart break kid (Oct 5)
Iron man (2008)
Clover Field (1-18-08)

Hd-dvd better have paid 150 million for exculsive rights because with these movies having gone to both hd dvd or blu-ray, we know who would really win the format war. It would be interesting if people boycotted paramount's movies because the customers decide which format will win.

[tallballer25]

One of the reasons I believe Paramount did this was because of the movies they have coming out in the up coming year and how big transformers was. Being the fastest to make 1 billion dollars in domestic gross and having up Coming Movie Releases like

Indiana Jones (Memorial Day 2008)
Beowulf (11/6/07)
Star trek (12-25-08)
The heart break kid (Oct 5)
Iron man (2008)
Clover Field (1-18-08)

Hd-dvd better have paid 150 million for exculsive rights because with these movies having gone to both hd dvd or blu-ray, we know who would really win the format war. It would be interesting if people boycotted paramount's movies because the customers decide which format will win.

[Wet1]

I just saw this posted over on AVS and thought there were some interesting comments made in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=894040

There's a huge "IF" in there, but it does sound like there might be a provision within the contract that suggests that not only the SS films aren't included (which we knew), but that some other big catalog titles might also be excluded in the HD-DVD exclusive contract. It would be nice to see the 'big titles' stuff (such as MI1&2, Titanic, Saving PR, etc) released on BR as well during the next 18 months.

Hopefully someone can confirm or deny this rumor...

[adonischarming]

I have puchases about 62 Blu-ray Movies since the end of 06; and I have to tell you that this HDDVD exclusive contract with Paramount is a concern. I am almost scared to buy anymore because I don't wan't to support two formats.
How worried should we all be by this point. I mean,.. Blu has more momentum at this point, and higher sales; however, Paramount is taking steps in the opposite direction of what consumer want. Thoughts

[Julman]

If I remember correctly, back in the day of the DVD vs. DIVX format war Paramount supported DIVX hoping to do away with DVD. They lost millions due to their incompetence and lack of technical awareness. DVD is still going strong. When's the last time you heard of someone playing a DIVX disc. Much will be the same with HD-DVD. Paramount will learn the hard way once again.

[rsound]

Basically, all this means is Microsoft bought HD DVD another year. They saw the data coming in and they new the holiday season would be the make or break for HD DVD. It will be interesting to see if Shrek 3 and Transformers will be able to carry them through holiday. Sony and Blu Ray must be working on a stratigic - HD DVD holiday crusher. Come on George - release one of the Star Wars.

[scott1256ca]

I am almost scared to buy anymore because I don't wan't to support two formats.

Why? You have a player. If BD looks like it will lose, which is VERY unlikely at this point, you will get lots of warning and be able to pick up a "spare" player to keep you going for years.

Your alternative is either support both, support BD where you can, or only buy dvd even when a high def alternative is available, where you give up the high quality picture and sound. Or you could do mid-def downloads that are currently on a rental basis, or do illegal downloads (I'm not condoning that).

Personally, I'll continue to buy BD until HD DVD looks like it is going to win the war, and I just can't see that happening.

In the meantime, I'll live without any more Paramount/Dreamworks pictures, and when someone asks me to go to a movie, I'll refuse if it is Paramount/Dreamworks. I have no other control, and Paramount/Dreamworks greed is not sitting particularly well with me.

[jermwhl]

So they are not 100% exclusive. Pretty much eliminates Transformers (which is what I wanted the most) but I can wait 18 months.
She also didn't specify 18 months...but UP TO 18 months. And with alot of clauses in the contract, it may not be as bad as everyone is making it out to be!!! Maybe they just captured the major blockbuster titles for HD-DVD exclusitivity

[Need0fMany]

I'm in the same boat as you with over 50 Blu-ray titles so far and about half a dozen on order. However, I am not worried at all. Why? Because Sony's PS3 will be around for a good 10 years and I will be able to keep watching those movies no matter what happens. 10 years from now, movies will probably have moved to some IMAX-3D form anyway or maybe 4k by 4k, so a new format will be introduced anyway.

[ottscay]

I understand your concern, but at this point I still don't think HD DVD can win the war. I do think they can prolong it (which could ultimately lead to Blu-ray not reaching the same adoption rate as DVD) but the best way to avoid that is to continue supporting Blu-ray.

[WickyWoo]

There seems to be a lot of qualifiers and opportunities for outs in that contract

Methinks it's completely based on HD improving their numbers a lot whether it actually remains in effect

[Smackos]

Originally Posted by rsound

Basically, all this means is Microsoft bought HD DVD another year. They saw the data coming in and they new the holiday season would be the make or break for HD DVD. It will be interesting to see if Shrek 3 and Transformers will be able to carry them through holiday. Sony and Blu Ray must be working on a stratigic - HD DVD holiday crusher. Come on George - release one of the Star Wars.

I think with Shrek, Zodiac, Next, Transformers as well as the Bourne Movies they've staved off anniliation for this year now.. more's the pity. Also, looking ahead we've got to presume that lined up next year is going to be Indiana Jones 4..not to be underestimated. Plus whatever the hell "project Cloverfield" is, Iron Man and the new Stark Trek film..

[Gremal]

Dude, put it in some perspective. The top three studios, Sony, Disney and Fox, are Blu-ray EXCLUSIVELY. If that changes, maybe you should start to worry, but until that magical moment happens, keep supporting the format you like.

[BluDrew]

No Paramount Blu-ray titles for Christmas 2007. Likely no Paramount Blu-ray titles for Christmas 2008. This is VERY bad imo for Blu-ray. Already, there are a LOT of people going neutral or considering going neutral and will be buying HD DVD players, especially if they under $200 this holiday season.

[ClaytonMG]

A lot of people are like "18 months are nothing"... I can wait 18 months for a movie, but your average consumer will sit this war out for anothe 18 months. So here's my thoughts... Microsoft doesn't want to win. They know they can't at this stage, so they found a way to make it so that both formats will fail because this format war took to long for the average consumer. Basically, after a year and a half (technically, all together close to 3 years) the average person wont want anything to do with either of these 2 formats because they'll think they're devided (which they're not, Blu-Ray still has killer support). So basically, Microsoft wants both formats to fail, to jump start their downloadable media. Anyone agree?

[ground chuck]

this is just a set back not the end for blu.

[CptGreedle]

My thoughts exactly..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...767#post173767

[WickyWoo]

There appears to be a lot of qualifiers on that 18 months

I have a feeling that it's "Guaranteed HD support for 18 months, exclusivity based on sales targets" (aka massively improved market share)

[jermwhl]

there's no stopping this train now! Just prolonging the inevidible.
screw paramount! They'll come back soon with their tail between their legs..dragging a bloody, battered universal with them!!!