Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[blindcat87]

OK, that takes care of the question about Penton's screen name, now what about the Paramount thing? ~_*

Chris

Originally Posted by OokieSpookie

I personally believe that this situation is so sensitive that our guys will not go near it publicly until it is locked

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by Balian

If you want some hint about Paramount from Penton, I think this was it:



Four months could be considered as a one night stand.

I think he was referring to Microsoft and the meetings that took place where they pulled their support.

[PaulGo]

When Paramount anounce they are blu it will be Universally accepted.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

When Paramount anounce they are blu it will be Universally accepted.

This is also a possibility...Universal has had "no comment" in multiple instances when asked about HD DVD's future after the WB switch.

[*TIMMIE*]

Originally Posted by JasonS

I believe this is the post that is being continously referenced from Penton:

"Hey guys, I’ve told you time and again don’t call me at work.

One lady wants highlights and another new customer just walked in and wants a color change.
I’m busy!

Take advantage of kjack and talkstr8t while they’re here.
Later. "

Color Change: 1 studio
Highlights: 1 studio

Warner already happened. Which means there is another move in the wings *if* this post is to be believed as *cryptic*

I thought he also said this was not regarding Warner. I think Weinstein wants a color change and Universal needs to get highlights. We will see.... soon!

On the Dutch forums som (HD DUD) members claim Blu Ray still can't win, because "a lot of" independent movie distributors chose for HD DUD. I am curious how the international (independent) market will be played by BDA.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by *TIMMIE*

I thought he also said this was not regarding Warner. I think Weinstein wants a color change and Universal needs to get highlights. We will see.... soon!

God I hope Weinstein comes out of the closet. I mean no comment on the format war AT ALL in 9 months??? They better have been working up something mighty good over there in all this time.

[WickyWoo]

guess it's time to share the secret to my success with insider info with you guys

[OokieSpookie]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

guess it's time to share the secret to my success with insider info with you guys

That is not the one ring we are looking for

[GreenScar]

Wicky -

What do you know about all the Paramount rumors?

[Mote]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

guess it's time to share the secret to my success with insider info with you guys

Hopefully that ring didn't come from the same factory as the "flood of cheap chinese HD DVD players".

[tvted]

Originally Posted by richteer

I've often wondered that myself!

Since he has often metioned biking, my bet is http://www.pentonusa.org/featured_bikes/featured_1.asp

now back to the regularily scheduled discussion
ted

[Seretur]

Two more pages of this thread, and not a single post by Pantene, I mean, Penton-Man?

[g.k.]

Originally Posted by kjack

Sorry, I can't steal another company's thunder, except to say that there will be at least one Chinese BD player at the show.

kjack (or anyone),

Where is this Chinese player? The only thing that seems to come close is the Funai announcement, and aren't they Japanese?

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Why not?

If they think that the money made in HDM is more than the penalty of buying themselves out of a contract then why wouldn't they do it.

I'm not saying they will, but what they are doing is weighing up how much money they could make with Blu-ray against the amount it will take to buy themselves out of any exclusivity arrangements they have with Toshiba.

Thanks Max, informative post.

[Member-9711]

Is there likely to be more information from CES regarding Blu-Ray? I read the transcripts from the BDA Press Event yesterday and it was a real sleeping pill. Will the studios have their own press event, title announcements etc?

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Why not?

If they think that the money made in HDM is more than the penalty of buying themselves out of a contract then why wouldn't they do it.

I'm not saying they will, but what they are doing is weighing up how much money they could make with Blu-ray against the amount it will take to buy themselves out of any exclusivity arrangements they have with Toshiba.

Very informative post. I think this is the most information we've heard about the contract yet. So we know that Paramount needed Warner to go Blu (done) and they have to return some of the money or buy out of it.

It obviously isn't more than $150 million. Let's divide $150 million by the 18 months they are supposedly under contract...that's about 8.3 million per month. And they've been under contract since August so about 4 months is all. That's 33.2 million. Which means Paramount would potentially have to pay back / pay out $117 million to get back to even ground. Can they make that much money in Blu-ray in 2008? Highly unlikely with the market the way it currently is, but maybe under a unified front it would take off a bit more. Very interesting...

[Razzy]

Max, I see you're fighting the good fight over at AVS. Good work.

Originally Posted by Dave Vaughn

Let's look at this from a business perspective. Is Toshiba harmed by losing HD DVD? Yes, but not to the degree that Sony would be if Blu-ray died. Sony has literally bet the farm on Blu-ray with the PS3. The PS3 isn't considered a successful game machine (yet), and if Sony lost Fox and Warner after the Paramount defection, that would have been the end of Blu-ray and possibly the end of Sony as we know it.

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

That's not true and you know it Dave, Sony didn't bet anything near the amount you are suggesting on Blu-ray.

Please elaborate on areas in which you think Sony would have made heavy losses should Blu-ray have failed?

LOL! Just noticed, someone posted they didn't like your tone.

[elwaylite]

I think the Financial Times article could be on to something. Paramount has not refuted considering BD, they have just said they wont drop HDDVD.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc409afa-b...0779fd2ac.html

[darkprime]

I think there's some truth to that $150 million deal being paid partially by advertising and other discounts. If that's the case, I think they would have to pay back far less than $117 million. Can any insider comment on that?

[Azumi]

Hi. A question to Maxpower1987:

We're currently in a phase that I would categorize as "almost there but not quite":

The Warner announcement had a tremendous impact and things are truly looking good for Blu-ray on all counts (numbers, perception, retailers, film companies). But at the same time the format war isn't over yet. What is still missing is the final chapter -- and hence this feeling of unification that will pave the way for the consumers at large to invest *with confidence* into Blu-ray.

Aside from the talks that may be talking place now, do you feel that there is a consensus from all the parties involved, to reach a favorable outcome within the next few weeks to clear the road for the general audience?

In short, are the involved companies interested to put the format war behind us once and for all - and the sooner the better, or are there still icebergs ahead that might take longer to circumnavigate?