More Digital Bits - HD DVD camp starts its spin - Blu-ray Forum

Ispoke · 01-05-2008, 08:22 PM

Seems they have started spreading the Warner payoff rumour.

My 2 Cents

Makes interesting reading as to how Toshiba was also playing the game and lost

dialog_gvf · 01-05-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

The HD-DVD camp's strategy in the wake of their failure is to discredit Warner by leaking details of the deal to the HD-DVD friendly online media. The idea is to make Warner feel as much heat as Paramount and DreamWorks felt after THEY took money to flip HD-DVD exclusive last year. I checked out a couple of these sites this morning, and saw a bunch of this sort of thing: "If this is true, we are shocked and outraged to learn that Warner took as much as $500 million from the BDA!" This is no small amount of hypocrisy! You see... the HD-DVD camp offered Warner (and oh, by the way, Fox as well) a very similar sum of up-front money these past few weeks to flip to THEIR side. In other words, the HD-DVD camp got beat at their own game. Now they're embarrassed and pissed off about it, so they're leaking information to try to dust up outrage among the faithful and the fanboys online. It should surprise no one that format wars are a dirty, messy business.

Messy indeed. But, the HD DVD PRG set the new rules of war. Whining that the other side retaliated is rather pathetic.

Gary

JTK · 01-05-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Messy indeed. But, the HD DVD PRG set the new rules of war. Whining that the other side retaliated is rather pathetic.

Gary

But expected.

Seretur · 01-05-2008, 08:43 PM

Bill is right to point out the fact that WB have done this in a gentlemanly way, not cancelling any announcements.

And it's kind of poignant to see those Paramount BD covers...

SavagePotato · 01-05-2008, 08:45 PM

Watching the HD-D aka Heavy duty denial spewing from the DUD fanboys right now is making for some serious entertainment for me.

Reading the absolute BS coming from the pro DUD boards is like a circus of hilarity.

Favorite ones so far are:

"hd-dvd still has it in the bag as the manufacturing process is cheaper"

"the european union is going to save hd-dvd by forcing companies to release both over there, so you will still be able to get discs from europe."

"Warner is only testing the waters, they will back out of this long before may when they fully stop releasing hd-dvd"

Ispoke · 01-05-2008, 08:54 PM

What I find odd is that Toshiba say that it was an unexpected anouncement. Now wasn't it the president of fox Mike Dunn who said back in the middle of December that the 'table was set for 2008'

Now if Toshiba approached Fox and they said no it would have been before that statement by Dunn who obviously implied what was going to happen.

Someone is lying somewhere.... Toshiba anyone

kolasi · 01-05-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavagePotato

Watching the HD-D aka Heavy duty denial spewing from the DUD fanboys right now is making for some serious entertainment for me.

Reading the absolute BS coming from the pro DUD boards is like a circus of hilarity.

Favorite ones so far are:

"hd-dvd still has it in the bag as the manufacturing process is cheaper"

"the european union is going to save hd-dvd by forcing companies to release both over there, so you will still be able to get discs from europe."

"Warner is only testing the waters, they will back out of this long before may when they fully stop releasing hd-dvd"

lol just a bunch of crybabies.

bluetyler · 01-05-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavagePotato

"the european union is going to save hd-dvd by forcing companies to release both over there, so you will still be able to get discs from europe."
"

EU and MS? Oh dear. Tell FUD boy that history is not on his side

zipbags · 01-05-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavagePotato

Watching the HD-D aka Heavy duty denial spewing from the DUD fanboys right now is making for some serious entertainment for me.

Reading the absolute BS coming from the pro DUD boards is like a circus of hilarity.

Favorite ones so far are:

"hd-dvd still has it in the bag as the manufacturing process is cheaper"

"the european union is going to save hd-dvd by forcing companies to release both over there, so you will still be able to get discs from europe."

"Warner is only testing the waters, they will back out of this long before may when they fully stop releasing hd-dvd"

Seriously. People need to move on.

Alan Gordon · 01-05-2008, 09:11 PM

Had the BDA (or companies who are members of the BDA) paid WB to go exclusive prior to the DreamWorks/Paramount deal, I would have been extremely disappointed in their ethics. I don't believe in "an eye for an eye", but considering how low Toshiba/Microsoft had shown themselves to be, I think the BDA (or companies who are members of the BDA) are more than justified in this case.

However, this whole sour grapes regarding the alleged payout is quite comical given the DreamWorks/Paramount deal... but then it shows how reality can warp depending on your outlook. I've read a lot from HD DVD fans who simply would not believe that DW/P was paid off. They said that DW/P denied it, and that was better than from a BD biased journalist (etc..). Yet, when Warner denies being paid off, but a few sites state that WB was paid off, it must be true!

As far as being "classy", that appears to be more of a contract issue than trying to be "classy". It's also different in one other way from the DW/P debacle in that Blu-ray was still a format with legs when DW/P went HD DVD exclusive, but WB going Blu-ray exclusive is one of the final nails in HD DVD's coffin, so who IN THEIR RIGHT MIND (I stress the previous) is going to want to buy these titles on HD DVD?

EDIT: Another difference in the DW/P fiasco, and what the poster below beat me in saying this, is that WB was paid to go the way the market was heading. This in complete contrast to what DW/P did!

~Alan

Croweyes1121 · 01-05-2008, 09:21 PM

Well, my whole take on the whole supposed Warner payoff is this. Say you're Warner Bros. and you've got both camps offering you bribes to stick with them. You evaluate the HDM scene and think "hmm...I could go HD DVD exclusive, throw the whole war into a stalemate for a while longer and be seen as the stupid studio who is perpetuating this......or I could go Blu-exclusive, effectively end the war doing so, save HDM, and be a hero to early adopters". So obviously, the choice for them was clear...so why NOT take the money if it was offered if their minds were made up anyway?!! Why not take it when the choice is - go Blu WITHOUT a payoff OR go Blu WITH a payoff????? Where's the downside for them? LOL Honestly...I don't blame them a BIT.

CptGreedle · 01-05-2008, 09:31 PM

Didn't WB come out and SAY that they received NO payoff at all? (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...o_Blu-ray/1327)
Maybe the HD VDD camp was offering them something like 500 M, but they say they did not take anything from the BD camp.

MS, not everyone can be won with money!

Croweyes1121 · 01-05-2008, 09:34 PM

Yes, they did deny it...but my point is...if the money was there for the taking and they did in fact take it...then it was their right to do so...and WHO CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHEN THE END RESULT IS THE SAME??

chan1490 · 01-05-2008, 09:36 PM

With all the twists and turns, the format war would really make for a great fiction book. I would buy it.

gandley · 01-05-2008, 09:42 PM

well the BDA did say they tried to win on merit, which they were doing.
But when MS is in the game money was always going to become the real play card. and when all else fails, do whatever to get the job done.
looks like the gloves did come off

HA HA

JAGUAR1977 · 01-05-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ispoke

Seems they have started spreading the Warner payoff rumour.

My 2 Cents

Makes interesting reading as to how Toshiba was also playing the game and lost

It doesn't really matter what Toshiba say, after the initial denial and anger, even the most hardcore HD-DVD supporters will be jumping on Blu-ray by the end of the month.

Esox50 · 01-05-2008, 09:48 PM

Yep, Toshiba and Co. are pathetic. I'm really interested to see what, if anything Universal and Paramount say at CES.

At this point, will they even release title announcements for HD DVD (as I'm sure they had planned)? I'm betting, especially in the case of Universal, that they are very vague about their intentions for either side...

bmr76 · 01-05-2008, 09:52 PM

I remember the bda warned the hd camp that they were going to start playing hard ball. Hd dud was warned, I guess they thought the bda was bluffing.

Blu Titan · 01-05-2008, 09:56 PM

I could care less for what the HD DVD Group has to say. Their behinds are on fire and MOST of them will be FIRED! Good riddance!

Clark Kent · 01-06-2008, 12:14 AM

The whole nature of the war changed the day Paramount took their payoff. It obviously blindsided the BDA. But the BDA adapted and realized the longer HD DVD hung around the less chance any format would replace dvd. The HD DVD PRG has shown in the past they will blatantly lie and misinform to win the war and thankfully Warner saw through their lies.

01-05-2008, 08:22 PM	#1
Ispoke Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Cambridge Blu-ray collection:416	More Digital Bits - HD DVD camp starts its spin Seems they have started spreading the Warner payoff rumour. My 2 Cents Makes interesting reading as to how Toshiba was also playing the game and lost

01-05-2008, 08:54 PM	#6
Ispoke Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Cambridge Blu-ray collection:416	What I find odd is that Toshiba say that it was an unexpected anouncement. Now wasn't it the president of fox Mike Dunn who said back in the middle of December that the 'table was set for 2008' Now if Toshiba approached Fox and they said no it would have been before that statement by Dunn who obviously implied what was going to happen. Someone is lying somewhere.... Toshiba anyone Last edited by Ispoke; 01-05-2008 at 09:01 PM.

01-05-2008, 09:11 PM	#10
Alan Gordon Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Dawson, GA 4K collection:867 Blu-ray collection:2455 DVD collection:437 MA collection:1874 Digital collection:2065 iTunes collection:4091 Prime collection:1896 Trading Score:44	Had the BDA (or companies who are members of the BDA) paid WB to go exclusive prior to the DreamWorks/Paramount deal, I would have been extremely disappointed in their ethics. I don't believe in "an eye for an eye", but considering how low Toshiba/Microsoft had shown themselves to be, I think the BDA (or companies who are members of the BDA) are more than justified in this case. However, this whole sour grapes regarding the alleged payout is quite comical given the DreamWorks/Paramount deal... but then it shows how reality can warp depending on your outlook. I've read a lot from HD DVD fans who simply would not believe that DW/P was paid off. They said that DW/P denied it, and that was better than from a BD biased journalist (etc..). Yet, when Warner denies being paid off, but a few sites state that WB was paid off, it must be true! As far as being "classy", that appears to be more of a contract issue than trying to be "classy". It's also different in one other way from the DW/P debacle in that Blu-ray was still a format with legs when DW/P went HD DVD exclusive, but WB going Blu-ray exclusive is one of the final nails in HD DVD's coffin, so who IN THEIR RIGHT MIND (I stress the previous) is going to want to buy these titles on HD DVD? EDIT: Another difference in the DW/P fiasco, and what the poster below beat me in saying this, is that WB was paid to go the way the market was heading. This in complete contrast to what DW/P did! ~Alan Last edited by Alan Gordon; 01-05-2008 at 09:24 PM.

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01-05-2008, 08:43 PM	#4
Seretur Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:An Island in the Adriatic Blu-ray collection:521 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:2	Bill is right to point out the fact that WB have done this in a gentlemanly way, not cancelling any announcements. And it's kind of poignant to see those Paramount BD covers...

01-05-2008, 08:45 PM	#5
SavagePotato Active Member Member since:Jul 2007	Watching the HD-D aka Heavy duty denial spewing from the DUD fanboys right now is making for some serious entertainment for me. Reading the absolute BS coming from the pro DUD boards is like a circus of hilarity. Favorite ones so far are: "hd-dvd still has it in the bag as the manufacturing process is cheaper" "the european union is going to save hd-dvd by forcing companies to release both over there, so you will still be able to get discs from europe." "Warner is only testing the waters, they will back out of this long before may when they fully stop releasing hd-dvd"

01-05-2008, 09:21 PM	#11
Croweyes1121 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:May 2007 Location:Acworth, GA 4K collection:198 Blu-ray collection:548 DVD collection:113 Digital collection:373 Blu-ray reviews: 11 Trading Score:32	Well, my whole take on the whole supposed Warner payoff is this. Say you're Warner Bros. and you've got both camps offering you bribes to stick with them. You evaluate the HDM scene and think "hmm...I could go HD DVD exclusive, throw the whole war into a stalemate for a while longer and be seen as the stupid studio who is perpetuating this......or I could go Blu-exclusive, effectively end the war doing so, save HDM, and be a hero to early adopters". So obviously, the choice for them was clear...so why NOT take the money if it was offered if their minds were made up anyway?!! Why not take it when the choice is - go Blu WITHOUT a payoff OR go Blu WITH a payoff????? Where's the downside for them? LOL Honestly...I don't blame them a BIT.

01-05-2008, 09:31 PM	#12
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Didn't WB come out and SAY that they received NO payoff at all? (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...o_Blu-ray/1327) Maybe the HD VDD camp was offering them something like 500 M, but they say they did not take anything from the BD camp. MS, not everyone can be won with money!

01-05-2008, 09:34 PM	#13
Croweyes1121 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:May 2007 Location:Acworth, GA 4K collection:198 Blu-ray collection:548 DVD collection:113 Digital collection:373 Blu-ray reviews: 11 Trading Score:32	Yes, they did deny it...but my point is...if the money was there for the taking and they did in fact take it...then it was their right to do so...and WHO CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHEN THE END RESULT IS THE SAME??

01-05-2008, 09:36 PM	#14
chan1490 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Canada Blu-ray reviews:5	With all the twists and turns, the format war would really make for a great fiction book. I would buy it.

01-05-2008, 09:42 PM	#15
gandley Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:The Drowning Pool	well the BDA did say they tried to win on merit, which they were doing. But when MS is in the game money was always going to become the real play card. and when all else fails, do whatever to get the job done. looks like the gloves did come off HA HA

01-05-2008, 09:48 PM	#17
Esox50 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 4K collection:416 Blu-ray collection:488	Yep, Toshiba and Co. are pathetic. I'm really interested to see what, if anything Universal and Paramount say at CES. At this point, will they even release title announcements for HD DVD (as I'm sure they had planned)? I'm betting, especially in the case of Universal, that they are very vague about their intentions for either side...

01-05-2008, 09:52 PM	#18
bmr76 Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	I remember the bda warned the hd camp that they were going to start playing hard ball. Hd dud was warned, I guess they thought the bda was bluffing.

01-05-2008, 09:56 PM	#19
Blu Titan Super Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Edo, Land of the Samurai Home Theater Gallery:42 4K collection:41 Blu-ray collection:2864 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:92	I could care less for what the HD DVD Group has to say. Their behinds are on fire and MOST of them will be FIRED! Good riddance!

01-06-2008, 12:14 AM	#20
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	The whole nature of the war changed the day Paramount took their payoff. It obviously blindsided the BDA. But the BDA adapted and realized the longer HD DVD hung around the less chance any format would replace dvd. The HD DVD PRG has shown in the past they will blatantly lie and misinform to win the war and thankfully Warner saw through their lies.

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