January 7-10: The CES 2008 Thread

[Rich Peterson]

Greetings. I have been lurking on this forum for a while but thought I would register to add to this thread.

I plan to attend most of not all of these press conferences and report back in the AVS forum as I have done for the last several years. I report on all HD related news, not just HDM.

To respond to the posts above, the HD DVD promotions group press conference follows Bill Gate's pre-show keynote session. Last year it was a press conference followed by a wine-and-dine reception where the press could mingle with HD DVD principals. If they are doing the same this year that would explain why it's two hours long. But the actual presentation to the press was maybe only a half hour or 45 minutes.

[hc666]

Originally Posted by Rich Peterson

Greetings. I have been lurking on this forum for a while but thought I would register to add to this thread.

I plan to attend most of not all of these press conferences and report back in the AVS forum as I have done for the last several years. I report on all HD related news, not just HDM.

To respond to the posts above, the HD DVD promotions group press conference follows Bill Gate's pre-show keynote session. Last year it was a press conference followed by a wine-and-dine reception where the press could mingle with HD DVD principals. If they are doing the same this year that would explain why it's two hours long. But the actual presentation to the press was maybe only a half hour or 45 minutes.

Cool, free drinks

[Thundercrash07]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

LOL!!!

[Branden]

Originally Posted by Rich Peterson

Last year it was a press conference followed by a wine-and-dine reception where the press could mingle with HD DVD principals. If they are doing the same this year that would explain why it's two hours long. But the actual presentation to the press was maybe only a half hour or 45 minutes.

just like a cougar, it'll take a few drinks to make hd-dvd seem attractive.

[ironrefault]

Originally Posted by Branden

just like a cougar, it'll take a few drinks to make hd-dvd seem attractive.

lol. You guys are too much.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by quexos

Isn't it strange that there is no mention of Warner in that schedule ?
Why are they the only ones not mentioned on the schedule ?

WB is a movie studio, not an electronics manufacturer. There aren't any movie studios on the list.
There is nothing inferred by the lack of movie studios at a consumer electronics show. They would speak during their respective formats time if they have anything to say. I assume that if WB does announce blu-ray exclusivity at CES it will be at the end of blu-rays time slot, which is the end of the conference.

[Phane]

Originally Posted by g.k.

Hmm two hours for HD DVD and one hour for Blu-ray?

It takes 2 hours to downplay the importance of sales statistics and try to misdirect, mislead and otherwise confuse people into thinking that HD-DVD is the better format and that it is doing just fine and dandy and will win the war.

It takes 15 minutes to show the statistics and make the audience realize that Blu-ray is the better format and has already effectively won the war. Then they can spend the other 45 talking about whatever they feel like.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by g.k.

Primo time slot there.. wow.

Worst possible time unless they plan on having an open bar. Otherwise, everyone will be where there is one...

[Manco]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Honestly I don't think Warner will announce anything at CES.
If anything it will be after at some point.
They wouldn't want to steal the thunder of the event.

RIGHT. Can you imagine the riot that would ensue and the possibility of violence and bodily harm to attendees.

A CES 2008 announcement from Warner's is NOT going to happen simply for safety reasons of the staff and attendees. Everyone knows this is a very visceral issue.

[Rich Peterson]

Originally Posted by hc666

Cool, free drinks

Many of the later-in-the-day CES press events often have free drinks (including Sony).

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Manco

RIGHT. Can you imagine the riot that would ensue and the possibility of violence and bodily harm to attendees.

A CES 2008 announcement from Warner's is NOT going to happen simply for safety reasons of the staff and attendees. Everyone know this is a very visceral issue.

IF WB does not announce exclusivity at CES 2008, it would be crappy of them to announce a bunch of titles for HD DVD in 2008 only to cancel them shortly later.

I'm really hoping they will announce something after Christmas. Perhaps the first week of January... as it will give them a chance to see how many of those HD DVD players given for Christmas will be used to buy HD DVDs...

Of course, they could stay silent on HDM releases at CES (ala Universal at CES 2007), and announce exclusivity later that week, or the week after.

Personally, I would LOVE for them to hit the ground running at CES as an EXCLUSIVE studio so that their title announcements, etc... will get the most attention...

~Alan

[Manco]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

IF WB does not announce exclusivity at CES 2008, it would be crappy of them to announce a bunch of titles for HD DVD in 2008 only to cancel them shortly later.

I'm really hoping they will announce something after Christmas. Perhaps the first week of January... as it will give them a chance to see how many of those HD DVD players given for Christmas will be used to buy HD DVDs...

Of course, they could stay silent on HDM releases at CES (ala Universal at CES 2007), and announce exclusivity later that week, or the week after.

Personally, I would LOVE for them to hit the ground running at CES as an EXCLUSIVE studio so that their title announcements, etc... will get the most attention...

~Alan

It will be a Press Release after CES is all said and done when all the execs are safely back at home base.

Although personally.... I don't think an annoucement is imminent. My gut is sometime Summer '08.

The entertainment industry is cut-throat. They will care little about stiffing either side on releases. WB neutrality is all about $$$. They are using BD and HD-DVD supporters alike to the benefit of their own greedy ends. Make no mistake. If you are looking for something else, join a Missionary organization of your local church.

[JimboTHX1138]

The only problem announcing it early Jan is that there will be a couple of pissed off HD-DVD owners who got a player for christmas. It would be better for them to announce it now, but I'm guessing after CES, probably Febuary sometime.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Manco

RIGHT. Can you imagine the riot that would ensue and the possibility of violence and bodily harm to attendees.

A CES 2008 announcement from Warner's is NOT going to happen simply for safety reasons of the staff and attendees. Everyone knows this is a very visceral issue.

Not likely, I think. CES is an industry-only show, and I suspect that industry peeps will less, umm, physical in their reactions than regular Duddites.

[Rich Peterson]

The HD DVD promo group says they will have representatives from Warner at their CES press event (along with Universal and Paramount)

[Manco]

Originally Posted by richteer

Not likely, I think. CES is an industry-only show, and I suspect that industry peeps will less, umm, physical in their reactions than regular Duddites.

Somewhat agreed. But the CE's and Studios are well aware that AVS shut down their HDM forum due to activities that ultimately included "threats and police activity with certain individuals".

[Manco]

A second reason it won't happen...

Has there been any rumor...no matter how remote...that Toshiba will not be at CES?? Not that I'm aware of. If WB announces BD exclusivity, that would basically spell the end of HD-DVD. There would be no purpose for Toshiba to even show up at that point. Warner's would not tarnish their corporate image among the other top name companies by intentionally doing a **smack down** on Toshiba in such a public way without first communicating their intentions. This would have already been leaked if it were the case.

[blix01]

Originally Posted by Rich Peterson

The HD DVD promo group says they will have representatives from Warner at their CES press event (along with Universal and Paramount)

We're being misled by Warner then.

[Manco]

Originally Posted by blix01

We're being misled by Warner then.

THANK YOU.

Stop holding your breath everyone. Nothing is going to change in the format war at CES.

[Crackbone]

Originally Posted by blix01

We're being misled by Warner then.

If you assume they were to announce @ CES.
I however never have assumed that. Or if they were to, it doesn't mean they have to change anything in appearance until they are ready to change.

IF it comes @ CES, awesome, if not, hopefully shortly thereafter.