LOL! Now AVS HDdvd owners mostly saying combos are GOOD!

[blitz6speed]

Originally Posted by phloyd

I don't think Universal is giving them a lot of choice.

Either buy Combos or buy someone else's movies.

Heres their mindset.

"Ok, MS just paid us 4 suitcases full of cash, and 2 exotic hookers for each of us. Now, we have to announce 100 titles for hd-dvd for this year as part of the agreement. Since we're going to go neutral anyway, we might as well really make the best of it. 90% of the movies will end up as combo discs. For one, we make more money on them. HD-DVD owners are content starved as it is, might as well screw them by going the extra mile. And most importantly, when we go Blu-Ray, a lot of these suckers will be forced to purchase the movies again on that format since we'll use lossless audio and get another sale on each and every one of them. Sound good? Meeting ended."

[ProvenFlipper]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

Heres their mindset.

"Ok, MS just paid us 4 suitcases full of cash, and 2 exotic hookers for each of us. Now, we have to announce 100 titles for hd-dvd for this year as part of the agreement. Since we're going to go neutral anyway, we might as well really make the best of it. 90% of the movies will end up as combo discs. For one, we make more money on them. HD-DVD owners are content starved as it is, might as well screw them by going the extra mile. And most importantly, when we go Blu-Ray, a lot of these suckers will be forced to purchase the movies again on that format since we'll use lossless audio and get another sale on each and every one of them. Sound good? Meeting ended."

LOL... Great way to start my morning. Thanks Blitz!

[JTK]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

Heres their mindset.

"Ok, MS just paid us 4 suitcases full of cash, and 2 exotic hookers for each of us. Now, we have to announce 100 titles for hd-dvd for this year as part of the agreement. Since we're going to go neutral anyway, we might as well really make the best of it. 90% of the movies will end up as combo discs. For one, we make more money on them. HD-DVD owners are content starved as it is, might as well screw them by going the extra mile. And most importantly, when we go Blu-Ray, a lot of these suckers will be forced to purchase the movies again on that format since we'll use lossless audio and get another sale on each and every one of them. Sound good? Meeting ended."

^^ Hilarious!

[pretender2j]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

And most importantly, when we go Blu-Ray, a lot of these suckers will be forced to purchase the movies again on that format since we'll use lossless audio and get another sale on each and every one of them.

Seriously I think this could very well be what they are thinking at the moment. Get Microsoft to pay for everything make some profit selling as many HD DVD's as possible in the time left and then go neutral. Most of the early adopters like good quality so Uni will re-release with better sound / PQ and everone has to repurchase.

JB

[dialog_gvf]

It seems to be the usual suspects with the "now I think about it, this is why combos are the greatest idea ever" posts.

It's what they're getting. They better love it, or how can they continue to support HD DVD?

Gary

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

It seems to be the usual suspects with the "now I think about it, this is why combos are the greatest idea ever" posts.

It's what they're getting. They better love it, or how can they continue to support HD DVD?

Gary

I voted "no combos ever" FWIW, but that poll is ridiculous.

I can't believe even that many people would really favor these stupid things, but I think you've analyzed that situation perfectly.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JTK

I can't believe even that many people would really favor these stupid things, but I think you've analyzed that situation perfectly.

And yet, these fools will still claim HD DVD is the consumer friendly format.

Yep, except for the part of charging you more for what you don't want.

Amir would love to push the idea that BD couldn't do combo. Clearly Total HD destroys this concept. But, it seems the research showed people weren't interested in combos PERIOD. So the development for them on BD stopped.

I'll still maintain the two most likely reasons for combos are cheapness (they eliminate the need to author extras for the HD DVD side) and consumer confusion. HD DVD could easily be confused by consumers as being something for HDTV rather than something requiring as special new player.

Gary

[dialog_gvf]

Why combos? It has always been a head scratcher considering the public reaction. But the studios seem to want to use it more. And even for catalog titles which the consumer likely already has the DVD.

Here are possible reasons:

1) Cheapness and greed. It allows the DVD to be handed out as the extras transport vehicle. Less authoring cost. Higher SRP.

2) An honest intent to eventually release only on combo. Over time the replication equipment to accomplish it will be upgraded and replaced.

3) Consumer confusion avoidance. The fanboys are all on about how HD DVD is a better name, but an ignorant consumer may think it means they can get HD for their HDTV out of a regular DVD player.

I can certainly imagine when there are lots of titles, and they've come down in price, that they start being sold more and more to DVD owners. That will become a customer support nightmare.

Gary

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Why combos? It has always been a head scratcher considering the public reaction. But the studios seem to want to use it more. And even for catalog titles which the consumer likely already has the DVD.

Here are possible reasons:

1) Cheapness and greed. It allows the DVD to be handed out as the extras transport vehicle. Less authoring cost. Higher SRP.

2) An honest intent to eventually release only on combo. Over time the replication equipment to accomplish it will be upgraded and replaced.

3) Consumer confusion avoidance. The fanboys are all on about how HD DVD is a better name, but an ignorant consumer may think it means they can get HD for their HDTV out of a regular DVD player.

I can certainly imagine when there are lots of titles, and they've come down in price, that they start being sold more and more to DVD owners. That will become a customer support nightmare.

Gary

What's ironic is: The HD-DVD crowd has done a wonderful job contributing and increasing customer confusion all over the place, despite the more "familliar" name.

They FUD-ded and doomed and gloomed the whole Blu-Ray name and concept and yet they are the ones keeping the market deliberately split up and increasing customer confusion all the more with this sort of nonsense.

Even I'm pleasantly surprised at how the term "Blu-Ray" is at least generally known now when you go out somewhere at random and get in a chat with someone.

Biggest reason for that: Advertising and marketing <- Two areas that the BDA has owned HD-DVD on practically since day one.

I smile everytime I see a DVD ad now and I see and hear clear as day: "Coming out Tuesday on DVD and Blu-Ray!"

[Knight-Errant]

Well Blu-ray trips off the tongue WAY more easily than HD-DVD doesn't it?

It's a charming term really.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Knight-Errant

Well Blu-ray trips off the tongue WAY more easily than HD-DVD doesn't it?

It's a charming term really.

I've always liked it. It sounds sleek, futuristic, and distinct.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JTK

Even I'm pleasantly surprised at how the term "Blu-Ray" is at least generally known now when you go out somewhere at random and get in a chat with someone.

- If people don't know what it is, they won't think it is for DVD players, and they won't be surprised if they learn it isn't.

- When they do know what it is, they know what it isn't.

So, zero confusion.

Gary