The rumor is that Warner is coming aboard soon

[JTK]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Indeed. Business week is no SA0CD. Plus with the added hint drops for Penton on Warner as well as Universal, I'd say I'm liking where this is potentially heading.

Even the normally subdued Paidgeek dropping some hints gets my attention.

I'm seeing some vibe here and off the boards through some of my own distant contacts and such that definitely has me perked up a notch vs. the normal, random rumors.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by sj001

The only thing about Universal that gives me pause is that douchebag Ken Graffeo who sits on the HD-DVD PG board, I'm sure he will resist everything in going neutral or Blu. Hopefully they will can his sorry ass!

Ken maybe in a new job.

[CptGreedle]

They did announce fewer titles next year, and fewer players...
I think this might be yet another sign of the inevitable.
Uni seen in Blu-ray factories
WB rumor calling out Uni
Not as many titles for HD DVD

I can't see why Uni would hold out either honestly. Sure their CEO loves HD DVD, but if they go neutral, there is nothing stopping them from releasing on HD DVD still, that is until it dies. But with the latest dual format players coming out you have no need to worry about that anymore.

Uni has a win win situation here. They can get in on Blu, make more money on sales, save face with 2/3 of the HD community, and (help) end the war!

[darkblueme]

Originally Posted by JTK

Even the normally subdued Paidgeek dropping some hints gets my attention.

I'm seeing some vibe here and off the boards through some of my own distant contacts and such that definitely has me perked up a notch vs. the normal, random rumors.

Agreed. The Warner Rumor is always good for the soul.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by JTK

...that definitely has me perked up a notch vs. the normal, random rumors.

Sporting wood are we?

[sj001]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

They did announce fewer titles next year, and fewer players...
I think this might be yet another sign of the inevitable.
Uni seen in Blu-ray factories
WB rumor calling out Uni
Not as many titles for HD DVD

I can't see why Uni would hold out either honestly. Sure their CEO loves HD DVD, but if they go neutral, there is nothing stopping them from releasing on HD DVD still, that is until it dies. But with the latest dual format players coming out you have no need to worry about that anymore.

Uni has a win win situation here. They can get in on Blu, make more money on sales, save face with 2/3 of the HD community, and (help) end the war!

I also recall in some distant news where Craig Kornblau was under some heated questions that their owning company GE was putting them under considerable pressure to switch over.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by JTK

Even the normally subdued Paidgeek dropping some hints gets my attention.

I'm seeing some vibe here and off the boards through some of my own distant contacts and such that definitely has me perked up a notch vs. the normal, random rumors.

It will be interesting to see if Bill Hunt is able to add anything to this via his contacts.

[Esox50]

So, have the conspiracy theories started on AVS and HidefDigest yet? You know, the one where an HD DVD tool comes on and says, "This is a paid story by the BDA @ Newsweek to stall the 'booming' hardware sales by Toshiba and how HD DVD is winning the 4Q and therefore they know WB is really going HD DVD exclusive".

[olarmy96]

He not a VP at Lionsgate. He's the Vice-Chairman. That's #2 in the whole company, and those guys usually go on to become #1 eventually. I doubt he's saying things off the cuff and there's probably some basis for his quote. What else could he say even if he was 99.9% sure Warner's coming over at CES?

Originally Posted by sj001

The thing is, with how many companies that are in the BDA, I can't see how they COULDN'T match or exceed anything that Microshiba were to offer WB. I really hope this Lionsgate VP knows what he is talking about...

[sj001]

Originally Posted by olarmy96

He not a VP at Lionsgate. He's the Vice-Chairman. That's #2 in the whole company, and those guys usually go on to become #1 eventually. I doubt he's saying things off the cuff and there's probably some basis for his quote. What else could he say even if he was 99.9% sure Warner's coming over at CES?

Thanks for the correction. I hope he is right...

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Esox50

So, have the conspiracy theories started on AVS and HidefDigest yet? You know, the one where an HD DVD tool comes on and says, "This is a paid story by the BDA @ Newsweek to stall the 'booming' hardware sales by Toshiba and how HD DVD is winning the 4Q and therefore they know WB is really going HD DVD exclusive".

You mean like when the BDA paid off the Wall Street Journal to out the $150 Paramount deal?

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Esox50

Sporting wood are we?

Not quite. I simply refuse to get my hopes up too high this time.

I'll ultimately believe it when I see it.

Originally Posted by RUR

It will be interesting to see if Bill Hunt is able to add anything to this via his contacts.

Agreed.

[PaulGo]

Well in the AVS HD news column they erased all mention of the Business Week article. So obviously it never happened!

[sj001]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

Well in the AVS HD news column they erased all mention of the Business Week article. So obviously it never happened!

I wonder when WB goes Blu if they will do the same thing, just refuse to acknowledge it. Absolute denial.

[spicynacho]

It just popped up on engadget. This should help put it on the radar of the tech community at large.

[JBlacklow]

Originally Posted by JTK

Not quite. I simply refuse to get my hopes up too high this time.

I'll ultimately believe it when I see it.

QFT. I'm just going to assume status quo for the foreseeable future.

Unless, of course, Warner doesn't join the HD DVD PRG on stage (and/or announce any HD DVDs) at CES.

[jon s]

discussing rumors gets us nowhere. until an "official" announcement is made, any speculation is just that. rumors of universal checking blu-ray plants has been floating awhile. remember last year when everyone said universal did not announce to many titles then suddenly out popped 50 new titles for the year? or when that really bad rumor from a troll posted that warner was to announce their blu-ray exclusivity? we had enuff roller coaster rides this year.... all i can say is that i will be very happy when the format war is over and everyone can be civil again....

[C6 Z06]

Originally Posted by RedIsNotBlue

Nah I don't see Paramount getting out of their contract early. What it ends in Q3 of 2008?? I think will ride it out till the end and come back to Blu-ray heads hung in shame.

Death of Red will end Paramounts contract.

[Bullseye]

http://homeentertainment.engadget.com/

[sj001]

There may be an "out" clause in that contract if their titles don't perform well enough, which, other than Transformers, have not on Red. Not that they have release anything of significance, Shrek 3 hardly made a dent.