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[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Spankey

If Toshiba tries to prohibit Paramount from releasing on Blu, they would look even worse than they do now.

I hope everyone notices Toshiba gave a raspberry to Blu-ray in their announcements. They killed HD DVD, but at this point they've not indicated they are interested in Blu-ray.

They have a recorder war to re-enter and fight on the home front. And, at this point, it would seem their plan is to offer up flash memory as an archival medium, not a Blu-ray burner.

Toshiba is the new Sony.

Gary

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I hope everyone notices Toshiba gave a raspberry to Blu-ray in their announcements. They killed HD DVD, but at this point they've not indicated they are interested in Blu-ray.

They have a recorder war to re-enter and fight on the home front. And, at this point, it would seem their plan is to offer up flash memory as an archival medium, not a Blu-ray burner.

Toshiba is the new Sony.

Gary

Toshiba is still mad that nobody wanted to play in their sandbox. It will take them a while to get over it, but remember Sony eventually produced VHS machines and VHS tapes.

The thing I found most annoying is Toshiba not acting like a traditional Japanese company and trying to do whats best for another Japanese company (Sony) but acting like a self destructive American company. Who the heck do they think they are - Microsoft? I guess thats what happens when you get into bed with Microsoft!

[STARSCREAM]

This is bullsh*t! Toshiba SHOULD pay them in full. That is just ridiculous if they are withholding, I mean they are the ones who quit, not Paramount.

[Spankey]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

This is bullsh*t! Toshiba SHOULD pay them in full. That is just ridiculous if they are withholding, I mean they are the ones who quit, not Paramount.

I don't think it has anything to do with Toshiba not paying, but Paramount paying back. Be happy that we'll get Universal soon enough. Plenty of great titles in the next month or so. When Paramount does get out of their contract you will have some money to buy.

[Russell_L]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

I'm very disappointed that the special edition 24 season 1 is not coming to Blu-ray. Fox continues to drop the ball every chance they get as far as releases go. Not to mention they are holding the entire MGM catalog hostage as well.

I'm waiting for Fox to release Season 2 of 'Prison Break' on BD. I recently finished Season 1 on BD (just terrific!) and couldn't wait for a BD release of Season 2, so I ended up getting a used copy of the SD DVD. Doesn't look bad at all, really, but a BD release would've been preferable, of course. (And I'd still get Season 2 on BD if and when it is released.) C'mon, Fox!!!

Russell

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Spankey

I don't think it has anything to do with Toshiba not paying, but Paramount paying back. Be happy that we'll get Universal soon enough. Plenty of great titles in the next month or so. When Paramount does get out of their contract you will have some money to buy.

That is a good point. However, to limit the consumer's right to purchase a product is pathetic.

[NovaKane]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

The thing I found most annoying is Toshiba not acting like a traditional Japanese company and trying to do whats best for another Japanese company (Sony) but acting like a self destructive American company.

If I remember correctly, Maxpower stated in a post a few months back (not sure exactly which site, might have been AVS) that Toshiba had basically turned its back to the tacit business code Japanese corporations had with each other.

He (and I do hope I'm not mistaking Max as the source, and not some other insider) stated that Toshiba was acting, more or less, like a rogue entity, turning its back on the traditional way of doing business in Japan, which would be to favor other Japanese companies when looking for partners, and instead getting into bed with more American corporations this time around.

And I'm not too sure if he was talking solely in regards to their HD DVD venture. It might have been about Toshiba as a whole.

It was really interesting stuff to read.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

Gotta disagree with you here Rob. With BDs advantages, there is no reason to not have the dub and original in lossless. Thus folks like me that love our anime but have no choice in language tracks are not hosed.
Chris

The beauty of BD is that you SHOULD have room enough to make everyone happy. If something isn't included, it's either simple ignorance or there's a legal/contractual issue involved.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Guys, Bill's thread is not the place for the dub/sub debate

I know for a fact that Bill has contacted the appropriate people to get a response on this, please wait patiently till they get back to him

I'll let you all know what I hear when I hear it - might take a few days though. Hopefully sometime next week.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Thanks for the reply. Quick follow up.....Do you think it's possible we may never see some already released HD DVD titles released on Blu-ray due to low sales? Do you think Uni/Para/Dream may say to themselves "_____ didn't sell well on HD DVD so there's no reason to release it on Blu-ray."

Maybe in the short term, but ultimately they'll ALL be out on Blu-ray eventually. If they have a worthy high-def transfer, it doesn't make sense not to use that resource to make money on Blu-ray eventually.

[aygie]

hi Bill

i was hoping you maybe able to have a look at a question i asked Penton and give your thoughts too

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1430

Thanks

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

This could end up in the law courts, I hope it doesn't, if it does Paramount won't be able to release anything on BD until any court case is settled.

Yeah, I think they've made some pretty bad decisions. Picked the wrong format, pissed off backers of the winning format and now they've got this issue with Toshiba to work out. I'm betting it will be resolved sooner than later though. But we'll see. Not worth worrying about until there's reason to. Max will keep an eye on it. So will I and others.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Hi Bill!

Great article in Home Media today. A nice summary of things and what lies ahead.

While reading it, I kept thinking about a question related to "what's next" for Blu-ray that has been in the back of my mind. In the early days of DVD, you and The Bits were my greatest resource and teacher about that format. The more I learned, the more I could enjoy and appreciate my favorite films in a new way. Now I see consumer education to be in need of some sort of push that will help us all enjoy this new-fangled Blu-ray format.

Who's task is it to educate the consumers? (retailers, CE companies, studios, the media?)
And what would you recommend for them to do about it?

I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this.

As you know, there are a lot of misconceptions about codecs, lossless sound, HD resolutions, and some folks still don't know the difference between widescreen and 4:3 pan & scan!

Also, do you plan to write another book, this time about Blu-ray?

I think it's our task in the media, as well as retailers, manufactuers and the studios. It's all of our jobs. We'll definitely try to do our share on The Bits. As to a book... I don't know. Maybe. Something to think about.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by frank_t

Bill -

Do these studios realize we want to see encodes taking advantage of blue and are they willing to re-do some of what they have already done for HD-DVD? I won't spend my dollars on something this is just "ported over". Curious if you have any insight into this.

Thanks and hope the flu is passing...

Yes they do. Some will be ported over I suspect just for economic reasons, but I think the key titles at least will be re-encoded. They're definitely aware of the issue.

Thanks on the flu - I'm about 90% finally. Bad week to get the flu!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by OokieSpookie

Hey Bill, I usually hate questions like this but I like to this this is not the usual "is this title coming" post.
Fox is releasing a new 24 set as I found out on your site, May I think it is...
There is already one set on dvd of course, so my question is that if they are going to double dip what is keeping them from putting it on Blu also?
This would be the ideal time to put season one out and to build hype for the return of 24.
Any input?

I'm looking into this. It MIGHT be a little early to do a lot of TV on Blu-ray. More likely you'll see something in 2009, when the new season fires up.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

I'm very disappointed that the special edition 24 season 1 is not coming to Blu-ray. Fox continues to drop the ball every chance they get as far as releases go. Not to mention they are holding the entire MGM catalog hostage as well.

Give them a little time. They're working on some cool stuff.
Plus, keep letting them know how you feel. I'll certainly keep letting them know what people want. And you know, if you want them to release more, you have to buy what they release - even if sometimes it isn't exactly the best you might wish. That's the BEST way to encourage them, like it or not.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Spankey

If Toshiba tries to prohibit Paramount from releasing on Blu, they would look even worse than they do now.

The only question I have is whether or not money actually changed hands. If I remember correctly the money was supposed to be for promotion, etc. Almost as if it would be payed with time on a title by title basis.

Oh well. 6 months of an 18 month contract. Two companies that deserve each other.

Well, the money is obviously going to be an issue, but they might each have to swallow a little of this. The reality is it's in neither company's interests to prolong the issue.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by GJN

Bill, Is there enough capacity in the BD production network to absorb titles from Universal and Paramount without slowing down releases from old-line Blu-ray studios?

There might be a LITTLE crunch early in the year, but now that Blu-ray is the clear winner, every replicator in the business is going to be looking to expand their BD replication capacity. Max has said the BDA is looking to expand BD capacity by 600% by October - is that right Max? I wouldn't worry about this too much. You can be the industry is working heard to address this issue. Everyone wants to be ready for the holidays.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I hope everyone notices Toshiba gave a raspberry to Blu-ray in their announcements. They killed HD DVD, but at this point they've not indicated they are interested in Blu-ray.

They have a recorder war to re-enter and fight on the home front. And, at this point, it would seem their plan is to offer up flash memory as an archival medium, not a Blu-ray burner.

Toshiba is the new Sony.

Gary

Give them time. I think they need time to save face. The loss was pretty embarassing to them. I could see Tosh announcing a BD player or two at CES next year, if nothing else just to support their HD display business.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Spankey

I don't think it has anything to do with Toshiba not paying, but Paramount paying back. Be happy that we'll get Universal soon enough. Plenty of great titles in the next month or so. When Paramount does get out of their contract you will have some money to buy.

Keep in mind also, that nothing has been revealed as to what's going on, other than what insiders like Max and I are hinting at. So just be calm and patient. I'm telling you for a fact that Paramount is already working on LOTS of Blu-ray titles. You'll have at them soon enough.