Warner Bros Home Video Survey

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by sphdle1

My thoughts are that because the high-def sales combined are only peanuts for a huge studio like Warner, they are only watching to see which way the sales ratio changes...whether HD DVD starts making it go from 2:1 to 1.5:1, in which case they will likely hold onto HD DVD & keep both formats, thus prolonging the war (or worst case, going exclusively HD DVD, which I don't think will happen, but don't trust Warner enough to bet on it). Or if it goes from 2:1 to 2.5:1 (or even 3:1) for Blu-ray sales increase, I would think that would guarantee them dropping HD DVD, and causing the war to be over much sooner.

I think the catalyst needed to end this war is Warner, and I think this 4th quarter is extremely critical that Blu come way out on top with Warner titles, starting with their big Harry Potter movies coming out. If Blu supporters "that can afford it" can ban together and focus on buying the critical Warner titles like HP's, that will spell the beginning of the end for the war. But you have to want the titles you purchase. No one should expect anyone to go out and buy ones they don't want, but if you want a couple of Sony/Disney titles & a couple of Warner titles, but can only afford one or the other, then because of the situation, I would advise that those people choose the Warner titles this quarter, and wait on the others for after the new year, as eventually Sony/Disney will get those sales, but it would be better to delay those ones (if money is an issue), and concentrate on the Warner ones that you want...for the sake of ending this war quicker & thus getting those other Warner titles not yet available, more quickly (The Matrix, etc.).

I also think that Warner could easily bring this war to a close by going Blu-Ray exclusive. But my point was do you think recent comments could just be self-serving BS designed to increase sales of Warner discs in both formats?

I don't expect nor want anyone to go out and buy discs they don't want just to show their support for Warner (although some people on this sound like that that's what they want). Even if people just go out and buy WB Blu-Ray instead of say Fox or Disney, it benefits Warner most of all. Besides the Harry Potter movies, there really isn't much from Warner I want right now that I don't already own.

So again, do you think that Warner's recent comments could really be intended to just spur sales of Warner discs and not really indicate their future plans?

[edgebsl]

Can someone pm me?

I would like to take the survey.

[sphdle1]

Originally Posted by caliminius

I also think that Warner could easily bring this war to a close by going Blu-Ray exclusive. But my point was do you think recent comments could just be self-serving BS designed to increase sales of Warner discs in both formats?

I don't expect nor want anyone to go out and buy discs they don't want just to show their support for Warner (although some people on this sound like that that's what they want). Even if people just go out and buy WB Blu-Ray instead of say Fox or Disney, it benefits Warner most of all. Besides the Harry Potter movies, there really isn't much from Warner I want right now that I don't already own.

So again, do you think that Warner's recent comments could really be intended to just spur sales of Warner discs and not really indicate their future plans?

I really don't know for sure, but I would guess that warner had nothing to do with the recent comments (If they ever got caught, would not be good for them ... to me it's just not something any big studio would risk for the sake of small market high-def sales) Regardless, I wouldn't be willing to risk it by ignoring Warner sales ratio and not buying their titles this 4th quarter.
Both my gut & business sense tell me it's not Warner behind these recent comments...

I truly think the HD DVD guys see this as their big opportunity to capitalize on getting Warner for themselves, now that "they think" they have all the momentum with the price drop in players...

We need to take this seriously, and counter it big time & pull out as close to a 3:1 ratio as possible! We collectively have more buying power, and if we are together on this as a Blu team, we can pull out a 2.5:1 at minimum!

[Azzkker]

on the question that asks if you have completed a survey in the last 6 months or something like that select no as i was being honest and said yes because i took one of the sony ones last week and the survey was over. so if you want to take part answer no to the first 2 questions.

thanks
anthony

[soniqstylz]

Originally Posted by johnnyd1

I just received via e-mail and completed a survey for Warner Bros Video.
Questions concerning type's of DVD's bought in the last 12 month's. BLU RAY, hddvd, etc.

Also questions as far as what type and make of DVD players I have and use, eg. BLU RAY, hddvd, PlayStation 3, etc.

Keep an eye out for it !!!! It is being conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide .

Maybe something IS cooking over at Warner ?

Warner had a similar survey done over the summer.

[sphdle1]

Originally Posted by GreenMotion

Nevermind, I tried to retake the survey and it said it had already been completed. So the username/passwords are unique.

I Hope it's not rigged, whereby they sent out an equal amount or even more surveys to the HD DVD guys...

[Bullseye]

I wonder do WB think that the war is more likely to end if they go BD exclusive knowing that the BD side has the majority studios and manufacturers on their side already. By going HD-DVD exclusive they would surely realise that it will only prolong the war even further. Are they assuming that Sony, Fox and Disney are all of a sudden going to drop BD after all three have basically slammed HD-DVD. I don't recall either Universal or even Paramount slamming BD as a format.

[sphdle1]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

I wonder do WB think that the war is more likely to end if they go BD exclusive knowing that the BD side has the majority studios and manufacturers on their side already. By going HD-DVD exclusive they would surely realise that it will only prolong the war even further. Are they assuming that Sony, Fox and Disney are all of a sudden going to drop BD after all three have basically slammed HD-DVD. I don't recall either Universal or even Paramount slamming BD as a format.

This is true on how you'd think Warner would look at it, but I wouldn't trust Warner on it, so focusing on kicking 'butt' on Warner titles this quarter is of critical importance for the Blu team, with all those new HDDUD players out there (which likely won't make much difference anyway), and especially on their bigger titles like Harry Potter.

[BluStar88]

Originally Posted by caliminius

I came up with the theory yesterday that maybe WB's comments might just be complete BS to drum up sales for their products. Now that they've hinted they might go exclusive to one format after Quarter 4, and further hinted it would be Blu-Ray you've got people on this site encouraging people to buy WB discs to show them that the public wants Blu-Ray. I'm sure if I looked at HD-DVD forums, there are people encouraging others to buy Warner HD-DVDs to keep them from possibly going Blu exclusive. Either way, the net effect could easily be that sales for WB climb dramatically.

The Warner execs can just sit back with a sh*t-eating grin on their faces and watch the sales for their Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs go through the roof during the lucrative holiday season. Then when January rolls around, they can put out some equally BS statement about how sales indicate there is still a strong demand for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD and remain neutral. Then if sales dip, they can just wait a few months and leak more nonsense about going to one format or the other to boost sales again.

Any thoughts on this theory?

Your theory may very well have merit for the short term but i believe that warners comments that neutrality will not help accelerate next gen to take market share from DVD.. ultimately if they want fatter margins (DVD at <$9 USD a pop is not doing it) they need 1 successor to DVD to get it.