Is Universal about to announce BD support? - Blu-ray Forum

dialog_gvf · 01-26-2007, 04:02 AM

A Conversation with Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Quote:

Q: Will you release titles on Blu-ray and if so when?
A: Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray.

Q: Will you release titles on the new Total HD discs and if so when?
A: At this time Universal has no plans to release titles in the Total HD format. They like the idea of the combo discs (DVD on side and HD DVD on the other) and Total HD won’t support that.

Clues:

(1) This interview would not have been the forum for an announcement.

(2) Up to now Universal has admantly denied interest.

A few weeks back it was "exclusive in 2007" now it's "Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray."

How wishy washy is that?

(3) Not liking Total HD because it can't support DVD/HD DVD combo seems an odd thing considering the main problem you'd think they have with it is that it is a Blu-ray/HD DVD combo format that they don't need.

Gary

JBlacklow · 01-26-2007, 04:17 AM

I disagree, although not because I think Universal is doing all that good. Financially, I don't think Universal has a good prognosis for 2007, which would put switching/going neutral out of reach right now. For better or (much more likely) worse, they gotta dance with them that brought 'em. The inability to buy Spielberg's love is an example, as is the IMO lackluster lineup consisting mostly of 90s catalog titles. I believe holiday season 2007 will either make or break them, or give us another SACD-DVDA fizzle.

Pai Pai Master · 01-26-2007, 04:39 AM

Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray.

Wait, so that means they are going to support Blu-ray?

I personally think your logic is a little flawed. I'd love to see it happen but I honestly don't think it will until some time next year.

blitz6speed · 01-26-2007, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pai Pai Master

Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray.

Wait, so that means they are going to support Blu-ray?

I personally think your logic is a little flawed. I'd love to see it happen but I honestly don't think it will until some time next year.

I think what he is saying, is that previously all Universal talk has been that Blu-Ray is dead and there will never be a universal Blu-Ray title, and that HD-DVD is the format forever, rah rah rah bullshit. Now the company line is: At this time we dont support blu-ray. Obviously, there is quite a difference from past discussions to what is being said now, and thats what he is pointing out.

jorg · 01-26-2007, 04:50 AM

i personally think this whole this is a scam and something it going on behind the scenes because how could universal be so ignorant look at the install base of blu-ray. we will see tho the winner will be announced by end of this year

BriS2K · 01-26-2007, 04:52 AM

This war is ridiculous, as is Universal. Sony should collaborate with a few like Disney and Fox and have them release KILLER titles (i.e. classic Disney films, Star Wars, etc) ASAP to just end this war. The sooner the great films are out on BD, the sooner people will adopt BD meaning better for everyone.

Deciazulado · 01-26-2007, 05:51 AM

They currently have no plans
__________________
"Yes, we are exclusive to HD DVD and we choose to be with them because of their copy protection that they could provide and the fact that they are a more durable format. HD DVD is doing very well and getting great press, but if Blu-ray comes along and takes the lead and proves they are a better fit then we'll have NO problem supporting them." - Universal rep.

HDTV1080P · 01-26-2007, 06:06 AM

If 1,000 BLU-RAY titles with 50GB capacity were a available in two years then this would help win the format war. I would hope that 500+ titles total would be released on BLU-RAY this year. I still prefer quality over quantity. It is possible for both.

Chris Beveridge · 01-26-2007, 12:43 PM

Warner and Paramount had no plans either. Until they day they switched. Even when it was "common internet knowledge" that it was happening in the weeks before the formal announcement.

calgarymarc · 01-26-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

Warner and Paramount had no plans either. Until they day they switched. Even when it was "common internet knowledge" that it was happening in the weeks before the formal announcement.

Ditto.
It'll happen, the question: "WHEN?"

dialog_gvf · 01-26-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pai Pai Master

Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray.

Wait, so that means they are going to support Blu-ray?

I personally think your logic is a little flawed. I'd love to see it happen but I honestly don't think it will until some time next year.

The top line is the standard non-denial denial.

Microsoft has no plans to release an XBox 360 w/HDMI.
Sony has no plans to drop the price of the PS/3 in North America.

They have "no plans" until they suddenly announce something.

My post is in the form of a question. I'm not saying it will happen. Or happen soon. But, the rhetoric from Universal suddenly disappeared.

>Will you release titles on the new Total HD discs and if so when?

I would have thought the reason they weren't interested in Total HD was that they aren't interested in releasing on Blu-ray. That is not the reason stated. Total HD has one purpose: To combine HD DVD and BD in a single disc.

Gary

dialog_gvf · 01-26-2007, 01:29 PM

A thought:

If this Total HD process works, Universal can always use it to make BD/DVD flippy combos.

I wonder if this fascination with combos really is a way of reducing production costs for the extras. The extras are on the DVD side. No extra work.

Gary

Deane Johnson · 01-26-2007, 01:30 PM

While on this subject, Bill Hunt's Digital Bits may have something of interest next week about what Universal may be doing in the future. Bill usually does his research pretty well. Don't know what he might come up with, but this statement from him sounds interesting.

Quote:

By the way, as it happens today, I had the chance to speak directly with senior Universal reps this afternoon for a story about their HD-DVD support and the format war in general. So watch for lots more on this subject here at The Bits next week.

JTK · 01-26-2007, 01:40 PM

I'll be looking forward to it.

You all know my stance on this: I think by Christmas time we start seeing the first BD discs from Universal.

You know there's one thing none of us has mentioned yet, and maybe it deserves its own thread and I'll leave that to the mods to split this off if they deem it necessary or want to do it:

When, or what would it take for any of the other studios that are currently supporting both formats (Warner, Paramount, etc.) to STOP supporting one format or the other?

I would think if BD continues at its present upward clip, to say nothing about if that clip increases...would there come a point where those studios would look at HD-DVD and consider it a lost cause?

What would it take and when would it happen?

Spankey · 01-26-2007, 01:50 PM

I like to take the approach that it will happen when and if it happens. Do I think it will happen? Yes. When? No idea really.

Something still seems fishy about these new releases. Why would 90% of these movies need to be combos? The HD-DVD enthusiasts don't want them. They cost more to make and tend to cost more. It really puts the budget minded HD-DVD fan in a bind. They bought into one format for a cheaper player, but that profit may be consumed by higher priced discs. The average DVD buyer is going to avoid these flippers because they just don't get them.

That leaves rental. Does Universal see HD as a niche market that can be supported via rental chains like Netflix, etc. Producing one disc for both formats allows Universal to supply the rental chains with fewer discs. Only thing that makes sense.

The whole announcement does not seem to follow any kind of logic. Remember, Fox, Sony, and Disney released titles for the first quarter/half of the year. Universal has now blown their load for the year. What's left? They still need to make good on all these releases.

Bizarre.

Deane Johnson · 01-26-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm not sure it's necessary for the "neutral" studios to end their support of one of the formats. If Universal were to go neutral, the Blu-ray promotion position would be pretty simple. The only format that gives you all the content.

JTK · 01-26-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

I'm not sure it's necessary for the "neutral" studios to end their support of one of the formats. If Universal were to go neutral, the Blu-ray promotion position would be pretty simple. The only format that gives you all the content.

You got it.

ra1024 · 01-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sltmag

That leaves rental. Does Universal see HD as a niche market that can be supported via rental chains like Netflix, etc. Producing one disc for both formats allows Universal to supply the rental chains with fewer discs. Only thing that makes sense.
Bizarre.

I would think that would cut down their disc sales if the rental chains only had to buy one copy to supply two markets. I could see this as a benefit to those who make money off the hd dvd format but I didn't think Universal had anything to gain from the hd dvd format. I just assumed they made their money off the disc sales along with any temporary incentives for being exclusive.

Deane Johnson · 01-26-2007, 02:15 PM

One of the administrators over at the Home Theater Forum had a conversation with an exec at Universal and had a chance to ask some questions, which he relayed in his posts. However, he indicated there was additional information that he couldn't release until later (next week I think).

Not being a conspiracy theorist, or a believer in Elvis sightings, I still wonder if this, coupled with Bill Hunt's "teaser", could mean some sort of announcement next week. We can hope.

Blubaru · 01-26-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

I'm not sure it's necessary for the "neutral" studios to end their support of one of the formats. If Universal were to go neutral, the Blu-ray promotion position would be pretty simple. The only format that gives you all the content.

yep.

01-26-2007, 04:50 AM	#5
jorg Power Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:2	. i personally think this whole this is a scam and something it going on behind the scenes because how could universal be so ignorant look at the install base of blu-ray. we will see tho the winner will be announced by end of this year

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01-26-2007, 04:17 AM	#2
JBlacklow Senior Member Member since:Dec 2006	I disagree, although not because I think Universal is doing all that good. Financially, I don't think Universal has a good prognosis for 2007, which would put switching/going neutral out of reach right now. For better or (much more likely) worse, they gotta dance with them that brought 'em. The inability to buy Spielberg's love is an example, as is the IMO lackluster lineup consisting mostly of 90s catalog titles. I believe holiday season 2007 will either make or break them, or give us another SACD-DVDA fizzle.

01-26-2007, 04:39 AM	#3
Pai Pai Master Member Member since:Jan 2007	Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray. Wait, so that means they are going to support Blu-ray? I personally think your logic is a little flawed. I'd love to see it happen but I honestly don't think it will until some time next year.

01-26-2007, 04:52 AM	#6
BriS2K Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:94 Blu-ray reviews:5	This war is ridiculous, as is Universal. Sony should collaborate with a few like Disney and Fox and have them release KILLER titles (i.e. classic Disney films, Star Wars, etc) ASAP to just end this war. The sooner the great films are out on BD, the sooner people will adopt BD meaning better for everyone.

01-26-2007, 05:51 AM	#7
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1161 Blu-ray collection:7052 DVD collection:4062	They currently have no plans __________________ "Yes, we are exclusive to HD DVD and we choose to be with them because of their copy protection that they could provide and the fact that they are a more durable format. HD DVD is doing very well and getting great press, but if Blu-ray comes along and takes the lead and proves they are a better fit then we'll have NO problem supporting them." - Universal rep.

01-26-2007, 06:06 AM	#8
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	If 1,000 BLU-RAY titles with 50GB capacity were a available in two years then this would help win the format war. I would hope that 500+ titles total would be released on BLU-RAY this year. I still prefer quality over quantity. It is possible for both.

01-26-2007, 12:43 PM	#9
Chris Beveridge Moderator Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Hudson, MA Blu-ray reviews:3	Warner and Paramount had no plans either. Until they day they switched. Even when it was "common internet knowledge" that it was happening in the weeks before the formal announcement.

01-26-2007, 01:29 PM	#12
dialog_gvf Moderator Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Toronto Blu-ray collection:320	A thought: If this Total HD process works, Universal can always use it to make BD/DVD flippy combos. I wonder if this fascination with combos really is a way of reducing production costs for the extras. The extras are on the DVD side. No extra work. Gary

01-26-2007, 01:40 PM	#14
JTK Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2006 Location:www.blurayoasis.com	I'll be looking forward to it. You all know my stance on this: I think by Christmas time we start seeing the first BD discs from Universal. You know there's one thing none of us has mentioned yet, and maybe it deserves its own thread and I'll leave that to the mods to split this off if they deem it necessary or want to do it: When, or what would it take for any of the other studios that are currently supporting both formats (Warner, Paramount, etc.) to STOP supporting one format or the other? I would think if BD continues at its present upward clip, to say nothing about if that clip increases...would there come a point where those studios would look at HD-DVD and consider it a lost cause? What would it take and when would it happen?

01-26-2007, 01:50 PM	#15
Spankey Power Member Member since:Oct 2006	I like to take the approach that it will happen when and if it happens. Do I think it will happen? Yes. When? No idea really. Something still seems fishy about these new releases. Why would 90% of these movies need to be combos? The HD-DVD enthusiasts don't want them. They cost more to make and tend to cost more. It really puts the budget minded HD-DVD fan in a bind. They bought into one format for a cheaper player, but that profit may be consumed by higher priced discs. The average DVD buyer is going to avoid these flippers because they just don't get them. That leaves rental. Does Universal see HD as a niche market that can be supported via rental chains like Netflix, etc. Producing one disc for both formats allows Universal to supply the rental chains with fewer discs. Only thing that makes sense. The whole announcement does not seem to follow any kind of logic. Remember, Fox, Sony, and Disney released titles for the first quarter/half of the year. Universal has now blown their load for the year. What's left? They still need to make good on all these releases. Bizarre.

01-26-2007, 01:50 PM	#16
Deane Johnson Active Member Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Omaha, NE	I'm not sure it's necessary for the "neutral" studios to end their support of one of the formats. If Universal were to go neutral, the Blu-ray promotion position would be pretty simple. The only format that gives you all the content.

01-26-2007, 02:15 PM	#19
Deane Johnson Active Member Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Omaha, NE	One of the administrators over at the Home Theater Forum had a conversation with an exec at Universal and had a chance to ask some questions, which he relayed in his posts. However, he indicated there was additional information that he couldn't release until later (next week I think). Not being a conspiracy theorist, or a believer in Elvis sightings, I still wonder if this, coupled with Bill Hunt's "teaser", could mean some sort of announcement next week. We can hope.

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