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

[spam.curitiba]

Originally Posted by 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..

yah but that 199 for hd dvd will be the POS A2 that doesn't do true HD......video and sound......

blu-ray will most likely have the first 199 player that is actually true HD IMO.......

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

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...

want to know whats funny Toshiba already does.MAKE BLU-RAY OPTICAL DRIVES.but SAMSUNG AND TOSHIBA WILL NOT ADMIT IT OPENLY:
CHECK IT OUT:

PART : A

Toshiba and Samsung Electronics Announce Details of Integration of Optical Disk Businesses

13 January, 2004

Toshiba Corporation
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Tokyo -- Toshiba Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today revealed the details of their new joint venture for optical-disk drives (ODD), as initially announced in a memorandum of terms announced on September 22, 2003.

The new joint venture, Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation, will start operation on April 1, 2004. The company will integrate product and business planning, product development, procurement and sales and marketing of ODDs, including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives. Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation will be headquartered in Japan with a wholly owned subsidiary in Korea.

The new joint venture will construct a competitive business structure that promotes optimized use of management resources and leadership in the global market
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2004_01/pr1301.htm

PART: B

Toshiba Samsung completes Blu-ray Drive

TSST Korea (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation) announced that it has completed the technical development of its Blu-ray disc drives. These offer a storage capacity up to 25GB at a single layer disc.

In the Blu-ray drive, the blue laser is the core factor that enables the next-generation optical disc format. Current DVDs use a red laser (650nm) to read and write data, while Blu-ray and HD DVD use a shorter-wavelength blue laser (405nm). As a result, the Blu-ray beam can focus more precisely, enabling it to read information recorded in pits that are only 0.16 microns long, which is more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD. Also, the smaller pit length allows for the storing of up to 25GB in a single layer disc -- about five times more than can be stored on a standard DVD disc.

The enhanced design that was first incorporated into Samsung's External DVD Writer is being adapted to the Blu-ray Drive as well. Samsung's Blu-ray Drive has the sophisticated black and silver color design of a high-end A/V product that would look perfect even in a living room. Blu-ray offers 50GB of storage capacity on a double-layer disc (25GB on a single-layer disc). A single-layer Blu-ray disc can hold 25GB, which can be used to record over 2 hours of HDTV or more than 13 hours of standard-definition TV. There are also dual-layer versions of the discs that can hold 50GB.

Like all the other Samsung ODD Drives, the Blu-ray drive is eco-friendly and supports Firmware Live Updates that allow users to ensure they always have the latest Blu-ray firmware version. Samsung Electronics is a member of the Blu-ray Association and will launch internal and external Blu-ray drives simultaneously in 2006 under the Samsung brand through the Samsung Electronics distribution channel.

http://www.emedialive.com/Articles/R...rticleID=10987

PART C:
LOOK AT WHAT SONY AND NEC DID.
NOTE WHAT MAKES NEC sony news IRONIC:

When Sony announced its joint venture with NEC over a year ago (resulting in a company called Optiarc), the company said it would be creating Blu-ray and DVD drives, and may produce HD DVD drives. CeBIT was another story, where the company rolled out no less than five Blu-ray burners at the big euro-show. Will the company also offer HD DVD burners, or, heaven forbid, combo devices that can handle both HD DVD and Blu-ray? Maybe.

Topping the quintet of drives is the BD-M100A (pictured above), a 2x Blu-ray writer for desktops that can also burn single- and dual-layer DVDs. Optiarc also rolled out the BD5500A, 5500S, 5600S, and 5710S, all with the same specs (see the gallery for a full spec list) except for their laptop-sized form factor and serial ATA connectivity on the models ending with "S". Details on all these drives were murky, but pricing is said to start at 599 Euros, or $796, and they'll be available in July. – Charlie White

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/periphera...ght-245906.php

what makes NEC so special:
IS Nec CO CREATED THE HD DVD format. BUT YET THEY SIT ON THE CO-VICE CHAIR OF THE HD DVD PROMOTIONAL GROUP..but support blu-ray

i say to everyone not to worry at all if anyone is getting played is the HD DVD early adopters. HD DVD did not stand a chance and this just proves it.

Q: DOES SAMSUNG STILL PRODUCE BLU-RAY players
Q: DID SONY MAKE A HD DVD drive

[Colorado Blu Skies]

Originally Posted by 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..

PS2's though made DVD a household name and really pushed the format...

[Klaus]

I purchased my PS2 as a portable DVD player first and game machine second. Same can be said about my PS3 purchase.

[spam.curitiba]

thats what I thought too

[E-Dogg]

I personally think Warner and New Line are waiting til the end of this holiday season to see where they will lay their allegience. PLEASE EVERYONE, MAKE THIS A BLU-XMAS BY PURCHASING AS MANY BLU-RAYS AS POSSIBLE. I am not saying waste your $ on movies you don't care about, but to buy every movie you do. I know I have at least 30 coming by December.

[PaulDubya]

I still dont understand how you can buy Paramounts intrests in the HD Market with $150m. They are acting like cheap hookers. They went down for a low price. What dumb asses!

[Lt. Drebin]

Originally Posted by grognard66

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.

So what does that mean when better games start arriving on the PS3?? Is Blu_ray inadvertantly harmed by this??

[Scorxpion]

PS3 has a big sticker on the box get your free Casino Royale when you registered your PS3.so this should help too around when someone purchase PS3 only for games.

obviously its clear PS3 can play BD movies all the way

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by Lt. Drebin

So what does that mean when better games start arriving on the PS3?? Is Blu_ray inadvertantly harmed by this??

PS3 is selling like hotcakes dont worry about anything just sit and enjoy BD experience

[jason_grumpy]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Has anyone got a reply from Paramount? Have any of their reps been invited over here to explain their position?

The only explanation you're going to get from any person officially speaking for Paramount right now is those dictated by the $150 million contract. Namely, all of HD-DVD's talking points of being 'cheaper', and 'finalized'. Think Amir, but just a different figure at a different company. This contract was mainly about promotion, not movies. You will not see any official statement regarding the 2-1 and 3-1 sales ratio's in favor of BR, since inception numbers, nor BR's superior specs. Conveniently, they will also ignore the 1+ million and increasing PS3's with Blu-Ray drives.

Instead you will hear of HD-DVD's attach rates (including the PS3) to make it look better, Standalone Sales of HD-DVD (excluding the PS3) to make it look great, 'Finalized Specs' (even though any device requiring firmware for playing discs is not finalized) to make it look complete, and Consumer want (even though Target, BJ's, BlockBuster, and other retailers are favoring BR) to make the consumer change their mind about HD-DVD.

Right now, their CTO is looking like a horses ass considering the sales data pointed in the opposite direction for the past year, and the holiday's has great potential for the PS3 to do extremely well this year. I wonder how long it will be until members in the press hit paramount with hard facts that we here have known for a while.

The best you'll get is off the record chat from insiders at paramount speaking against this. This was obviously a case of execs seeing $$$ and large bonuses as reported to the NYT. Something like that is not leaked litely, so someone's toes at paramount definitely got stepped on.

So don't expect any official responses pro Blu-Ray until that $150 million dries up. Breach of contract is serious, especially with money involved. The memo more than likely has already been sent out to all managers in a position to talk to the press officially, and that is no comment.

I find it funny that Paramount has been Lack-Luster on both sides, and just now they are pretending they are all important.

Just like a recent Casino robbery in the west. I can say that what was said to the press was completely different than what was going on behind closed doors. Pretending that the money didn't matter, and that they cared about the employees not being hurt. Hahaha, thats why most everyone involved in that was fired and are still in process of getting fired.

[cartier]

For those of you boycotting Paramount movies, will you also boycott Indiana Jones 4, when it comes out on Memorial Day 2008? I ask because it is a Spielberg movie, and he is Pro Blu-ray in case you did not know.

Also, any clarification on Spielberg's movies. Verifiable facts only, not guesses please.

1) Will they be Blu-ray exclusive, meaning they will be released by Paramount but only on Blu-ray within the next 18 months?

2) Will they be released on both Blu-ray and HD-DVD within the next 18 months.

3) Will they not see the light of day until Paramount and Spielberg see eye-to-eye, meaning Paramount will release it only on Blu-ray after the 18 month HD-DVD exclusivity is over.

Thanks!

[frank_t]

I expect that in light of recent events, the next salvo to be fired from the HD-DVD camp will be the $199 player. You can bet it'll be a crappy player, but that's ok: @ 199, they go mainstream.

If Sony could afford to further subsidize their players, they should consider a preemptive strike here and drop the price of the 300 down to $199. It may be an insane thing to do, but a little pain could seal the deal.

It takes away from Paramount, Universal, and Michael Bay, their most compelling argument: price.

In the absence of that argument, what do they have left?

Oh yeah -- and FOX at least needs to get their pricing in-line. Now if Sony could also drop the price of BD down to DVD, then it's game-set-match.

Pay the price now, reap the reward later. You've got 10+ years ahead of you to recoup those costs.

[Spankey]

Nah. A few BD supporters will not effect the box office of Indy 4. It is also a Spielberg fil which will most likely be released on BD if either format is still around.

[monkyman]

They could always make a deal to include a free Warner BD with every PS3, sony flippng the bill and Warner selling mllions of discs to them.

[yellowletmello36]

I'll be seeing it, and spielberg flicks are blu ray exclusive I thought?

[CptGreedle]

I don't think the BDA can get out a $200 player by the holidays. We are still over twice that in price.
But all our players are higher quality and give full support. While the HD-DVD camp is spitting out things like Blu-ray doesn't have required internet access and that HD-DVD does, Blu-ray has so far held true to remaining trueHD. Our players all support 1080p (at least the cheapest do ).
I wonder where their priorities are at sometimes. But I do know that we will be able to drop the price of a BD player to something much lower than it is, possibly in the range of $250-$300 by years end. This may or may not happen but it would be good if it does.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Lt. Drebin

So what does that mean when better games start arriving on the PS3?? Is Blu_ray inadvertantly harmed by this??

No. That's an old FUD. But, consider if a game comes along that is so compelling it has a significant impact on Blu-ray movie usage. Wouldn't that also be compelling to game players who would purchase lots of PS/3? Whatever reduction occured would be more than compensated for by that.

No matter how much the HD DVD zealots want to believe it, game players are not single minded robots. They do like movies.

Gary

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

[moweeis]

naah, they are both formats. We just got the first title exclusive as it's a sony title his films are split among the companies =)

[Teazle]

Agree 100%