Universal's Kornblau wants format war to continue

[Spankey]

[QUOTE]One should be a BIG hit (Bourne Ultimatum) if it comes out Q4./QUOTE]

The problem with Bourne coming out during the 4th quarter is that it will get lost among the other Blu-ray titles.

NBC/Universal's connections to MS via MSNBC is probably the reason Universal is so adamant about their stance.

I don't see Universal capitulating any time soon. Odd that they realize HD-DVD would fold without them, but still want to champion a dying format.

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by JTK

especially if the big exclusive studios like Fox finally come out of their coma and really deliver some goods.

Don't expext Fox to come out of it's coma till 2008, as I have heard that no one will be implementing BD+ this year. (though not a stated fact yet)

We will need to rely on Sony, Disney, lionsgate to supply us with exclusive hits.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by monkyman

Don't expext Fox to come out of it's coma till 2008, as I have heard that no one will be implementing BD+ this year. (though not a stated fact yet)

Sorry, that's just not true. There's no way they're skipping out on this forthcoming, large holiday season. BD+ is finished. Java is more or less finished.

BD+ or not, I can't fathom Fox missing out on the kind of money they can make with their DVD's and Blu-Ray this Christmas.

We will need to rely on Sony, Disney, lionsgate to supply us with exclusive hits.

They won't be alone.

[phil]

I really think you're going to have to see Univeral or HD DVD turning in a negative profit before you see any let up with their strategy whatever it may be. I mean they're proving us wrong everyday with their holdout. You're gonna have to nuke them to get them to Surrender, LOL.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by phil

I really think you're going to have to see Univeral or HD DVD turning in a negative profit before you see any let up with their strategy whatever it may be.

I think if the expected BD blow out happens this Christmas that'll more or less finish it.

There's money to be made in HD-DVD now. Their hardware is being firesaled, no other CE companies are going to touch that, the studios are content to at least stay where they're at...it's all on Universal. They're keeping this charade alive in defiance of common sense and good business practices.

One of their own essentially admits all that right in this article.

[phil]

Well whatever I like to think that I can thank HD DVD for at least keeping the prices of my beloved Blu Rays at 20 some dollars and keeping sony honest. Hey let's be honest here history has shown that Sony isn't always offering the best prices on their equipment. Advanced and great, yes! but you always had to question how much value you were getting. I mean don't get me wrong here or read this the wrong way, I love blu ray and all, but I'm not 40-50 dollar loving it.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by phil

Well whatever I like to think that I can thank HD DVD for at least keeping the prices of my beloved Blu Rays at 20 some dollars and keeping sony honest. Hey let's be honest here history has shown that Sony isn't always offering the best prices on their equipment. Advanced and great, yes! but you always had to question how much value you were getting. I mean don't get me wrong here or read this the wrong way, I love blu ray and all, but I'm not 40-50 dollar loving it.

That's fine.

But again, and it's even admitted: This short term "perk" of the format war is at an end.

Any conceivable usefulness is done.

HD-DVD needs to die and get out of the way of progress ASAP.

[Slapper]

It sucks, but I think Universal has a plan. They are making money from the HD-DVD format even if it's just a small amount, or they would not support it.

Now WHEN HD-DVD dies, and we all know it will, Universal will concede and say, "well, we did the best we could with HD-DVD but Blu-ray has always been the better format and consumers agree, so here are the new Universal movies coming soon to Blu-ray..."

Now they make their money from the Blu-ray camp, which by then will have a much larger player penetration. Plus, the die-hard HD-DVD folks will HAVE TO SWITCH to Blu-ray and Universal may get double-dips from those poor HD-DVDers who'll want to have their movie collection in one format, Blu-ray.

Universal can then say, "well we supported hi-def from the beginning we just picked the wrong horse. But, this HD-DVD/Blu-ray war we prolonged drove Blu-ray player prices down, so this actually helped you, the consumer." <insert sarcasm for those in the know> "We weren't waiting for Blu-ray player penetration in order to maximize our profits, no, no, no..." This will make them look like the good guys to the average joe who doesn't know squat about what's really going on.

If Universal is "forced" to release on Blu-ray (IE: when there's no more money to be made from HD-DVD), then the war will be over.

Yeah, I think this really sucks because I support Blu-ray 100% and I would like to have the Bourne movies, Kong, Shaun, and Fuzz, but I guess I can wait until the "war" is over.

My $.02 before taxes.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Slapper

It sucks, but I think Universal has a plan. They are making money from the HD-DVD format even if it's just a small amount, or they would not support it.

Now WHEN HD-DVD dies, and we all know it will, Universal will concede and say, "well, we did the best we could with HD-DVD but Blu-ray has always been the better format and consumers agree, so here are the new Universal movies coming soon to Blu-ray..."

Now they make their money from the Blu-ray camp, which by then will have a much larger player penetration. Plus, the die-hard HD-DVD folks will HAVE TO SWITCH to Blu-ray and Universal may get double-dips from those poor HD-DVDers who'll want to have their movie collection in one format, Blu-ray.

Universal can then say, "well we supported hi-def from the beginning we just picked the wrong horse. But, this HD-DVD/Blu-ray war we prolonged drove Blu-ray player prices down, so this actually helped you, the consumer." <insert sarcasm for those in the know> "We weren't waiting for Blu-ray player penetration in order to maximize our profits, no, no, no..." This will make them look like the good guys to the average joe who doesn't know squat about what's really going on.

If Universal is "forced" to release on Blu-ray, they only have more to gain by waiting.

Yeah, I think this really sucks because I support Blu-ray 100% and I would like to have the Bourne movies, Kong, Shaun, and Fuzz, but I guess I can wait until the "war" is over.

My $.02 before taxes.

If their recent releases are any indicator, it feels like they already have a back door cracked open somewhere with a foot.

They have a contract with HD-DVD that's supposed to expire at the end of '07 I think? Something like that?

They'll fulfill that obligation but it certainly doesn't look like they'll fulfill it with shock and awe, that's for sure.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by phil

Well whatever I like to think that I can thank HD DVD for at least keeping the prices of my beloved Blu Rays at 20 some dollars and keeping sony honest.

And why isn't it Warner Blu-ray's doing that? Why is Universal being exclusive the control?

[Mr. Joshua]

Here is the big picture for Kornblau: He is president of Universal. I'm sure he has a contract with Universal as most company presidents do with the company they steer. I'm betting he has a sweet golden parachute that if he is fired, he will get millions in severance pay per his contract. Then he is free to go on to the next company, maybe a blu-ray supporter company. Something to think about. Damn, I should be president of Universal. I want to get fired and become a millionaire.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by wsciv123

Here is the big picture for Kornblau: He is president of Universal. I'm sure he has a contract with Universal as most company presidents do with the company they steer. I'm betting he has a sweet golden parachute that if he is fired, he will get millions in severance pay per his contract. Then he is free to go on to the next company, maybe a blu-ray supporter company. Something to think about. Damn, I should be president of Universal. I want to get fired and become a millionaire.

I think articles like the HiHD one aren't going to help him with the future job prospects at BD studios.

Him and Graffeo are playing career games here.

[Blu_J]

On the issue of competition driving down prices. Don't forget that once our little skirmish with HD is over the real war begins with DVD. That is some pretty hefty competition. Enough to, I'd say, continue to drive down Blu prices. Perhaps not as quickly as HD is forcing them down, but down none-the-less.

[Slapper]

Originally Posted by Blu_J

On the issue of competition driving down prices. Don't forget that once our little skirmish with HD is over the real war begins with DVD. That is some pretty hefty competition. Enough to, I'd say, continue to drive down Blu prices. Perhaps not as quickly as HD is forcing them down, but down none-the-less.

Good point Blu_J. I guess the big war has yet to come. Sometimes the forest and the trees get all blurry in my head. Then there's forest fires and everyone's getting burned...

Man, I need some sleep...analogies...going...too...far...

[The Big Blue]

paidgeek has responded to this in the insiders thread.

[binarymelon]

http://digg.com/tech_news/Universal_...isc_Format_War

Digg it!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by The Big Blue

paidgeek has responded to this in the insiders thread.

ITYM Penton-man.

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by The Big Blue

paidgeek has responded to this in the insiders thread.

What is the post number, I am definately not seeing it

[The Big Blue]

Sorry it was Penton-man. Pg. 93.

ITYM

Can't figure out the actual words here but it must mean that I'm a moron.

[Iceman_II]

ITYM = I thank you much???