Sony's Universal Media Disc facing last rites + shocking comment - Blu-ray Forum

Shadowself · 03-31-2006, 01:09 PM

"Universal Studios Home Entertainment has completely stopped producing UMD movies, according to executives who asked not to be identified by name. Said one high-ranking exec: 'It's awful. Sales are near zilch. It's another Sony bomb -- like Blu-ray.'"

Not only is the statement made by people who are supposedly from Universal (a distinctly anti Blu-ray company), the "sources" doe not even have the personal fortitude to go on the record and admit who they are! Who is this "high-ranking exec"? The chief janitor?

Marwin · 03-31-2006, 02:14 PM

That sure doesn't sound like something a "high-ranking executive" would ever say. They're usually more careful when choosing their words, especially when talking to the press.

Personally, I feel that the fundamental problem isn't that people don't want to watch movies on their PSP, but that they tried to create a whole new format specifically for portable movies that can't even be played in a stand-alone player. If the PSP supported DVD playback I'm sure it would boost sales of DVDs for the industry, just as the PS2 does for DVD and PS3 will do for Blu-ray.

AV_Integrated · 03-31-2006, 02:52 PM

Yes, that line is a lie - period.

1. No executive in their right mind would say something so blatently negative about a major manufacturer.

2. No person, with a clue, would compare Blu-ray to Beta, UMD, or Mini-Disc.

Why? Because Blu-ray is supported by 170+ companies. Unlike EVERY other format that failed, it has at least 4 manufacturers making hardware with several others possible (Panasonic, LG, Philips, Thomson?)... Sony while the key player, has tried very hard to play as part of the team and make it clear that they are NOT driving the ship alone.

UMD? 100% Sony
Mini-Disc? 100% Sony
Beta? Mostly Sony
Blu-ray? Not even close to all Sony.

zombie · 03-31-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marwin

That sure doesn't sound like something a "high-ranking executive" would ever say. They're usually more careful when choosing their words, especially when talking to the press.

Agreed. Sounds far more like the kind of comment which would be made from a disgruntled former Sony employee. That being said, on the off chance a higher up at Universal actually did say this, my reply would be - Sony will have the last laugh, no doubt you'll be joining BD in the end.

phloyd · 03-31-2006, 09:46 PM

The problem with UMD is that it costs too much. Last night in Circuit City I compared some prices - Super Troopers is $20 on UMD and $10 on DVD. Others were the same price.

Kids aren't gonna pay more or the same as DVD prices for this novelty... well, not many of them anyways.

zombie · 03-31-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phloyd

The problem with UMD is that it costs too much. Last night in Circuit City I compared some prices - Super Troopers is $20 on UMD and $10 on DVD. Others were the same price.

Kids aren't gonna pay more or the same as DVD prices for this novelty... well, not many of them anyways.

You're right. The pricing is definitely a factor in UMD's failure. Funny that it was only a couple of months ago that the industry was hailing UMD as a success.

Alex Pallas · 03-31-2006, 11:02 PM

isn't Universal an HD *****?...

markw · 04-01-2006, 05:21 PM

I saw this article yesterday and was so shocked! First, how can you call something a failure when it hasn't been released yet or had a chance to fail? I don't think blu-ray will be a failure. UMD was different. Yeah, who will pay $20 for a movie they can only play on a PSP. It would have been nice if it could have supported dvd but that would be too big to place in a psp. I've heard rumors of a PSP2 with a built in hard drive like a ipod. I think then it'll go to more of a download service like the video for the IPOD. As well, I've even heard that games may go to that with ps1 emulation and all ps1 games being available for download to a PSP. yet I think UMD will live on as a format for games for the PSP.

shiltz · 04-03-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg

You're right. The pricing is definitely a factor in UMD's failure. Funny that it was only a couple of months ago that the industry was hailing UMD as a success.

Unfortunatly that same thing could end up holding true for Blu-ray too, I was a definite going to get Blu-ray, now that the prices have been released and Blu-ray is rediculously high compaired to HD-DVD i'm either going to go HD-DVD or just wait till one of the formats dies and then buy one.

Sony1 · 04-03-2006, 01:22 PM

Same here, I just pre-ordered HD DVD, and will be getting a Playstation 3 when it comes out in November. I don't understand why Sony has taken so long to get Blue-ray on the market, they have had this technology for 3 years now, and should have released it along time ago. They could have released it to their premium consumers and charged a ton for it, but at least it would be out there and on the market. I think the cost of Blue-ray is way to high for the average consumer, and it could spell disaster if they don't come down in price.

03-31-2006, 01:09 PM	#1
Shadowself Senior Member Member since:Sep 2005	Consider the "sources" "Universal Studios Home Entertainment has completely stopped producing UMD movies, according to executives who asked not to be identified by name. Said one high-ranking exec: 'It's awful. Sales are near zilch. It's another Sony bomb -- like Blu-ray.'" Not only is the statement made by people who are supposedly from Universal (a distinctly anti Blu-ray company), the "sources" doe not even have the personal fortitude to go on the record and admit who they are! Who is this "high-ranking exec"? The chief janitor?

03-31-2006, 02:14 PM	#2
Marwin Developer Top contributor Member since:May 2003 Blu-ray collection:10 DVD collection:5 iTunes collection:1	That sure doesn't sound like something a "high-ranking executive" would ever say. They're usually more careful when choosing their words, especially when talking to the press. Personally, I feel that the fundamental problem isn't that people don't want to watch movies on their PSP, but that they tried to create a whole new format specifically for portable movies that can't even be played in a stand-alone player. If the PSP supported DVD playback I'm sure it would boost sales of DVDs for the industry, just as the PS2 does for DVD and PS3 will do for Blu-ray. Last edited by Marwin; 03-31-2006 at 02:31 PM.

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03-31-2006, 02:52 PM	#3
AV_Integrated Senior Member Member since:Jan 2005	Yes, that line is a lie - period. 1. No executive in their right mind would say something so blatently negative about a major manufacturer. 2. No person, with a clue, would compare Blu-ray to Beta, UMD, or Mini-Disc. Why? Because Blu-ray is supported by 170+ companies. Unlike EVERY other format that failed, it has at least 4 manufacturers making hardware with several others possible (Panasonic, LG, Philips, Thomson?)... Sony while the key player, has tried very hard to play as part of the team and make it clear that they are NOT driving the ship alone. UMD? 100% Sony Mini-Disc? 100% Sony Beta? Mostly Sony Blu-ray? Not even close to all Sony.

03-31-2006, 09:46 PM	#5
phloyd Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2003 Location:California Trading Score:5	The problem with UMD is that it costs too much. Last night in Circuit City I compared some prices - Super Troopers is $20 on UMD and $10 on DVD. Others were the same price. Kids aren't gonna pay more or the same as DVD prices for this novelty... well, not many of them anyways.

03-31-2006, 11:02 PM	#7
Alex Pallas Active Member Member since:Sep 2005 Location:The Belly Of The Beast (USA)	isn't Universal an HD *****?...

04-01-2006, 05:21 PM	#8
markw Member Member since:May 2003	I saw this article yesterday and was so shocked! First, how can you call something a failure when it hasn't been released yet or had a chance to fail? I don't think blu-ray will be a failure. UMD was different. Yeah, who will pay $20 for a movie they can only play on a PSP. It would have been nice if it could have supported dvd but that would be too big to place in a psp. I've heard rumors of a PSP2 with a built in hard drive like a ipod. I think then it'll go to more of a download service like the video for the IPOD. As well, I've even heard that games may go to that with ps1 emulation and all ps1 games being available for download to a PSP. yet I think UMD will live on as a format for games for the PSP.

04-03-2006, 01:22 PM	#10
Sony1 Banned Member since:Nov 2005	Same here, I just pre-ordered HD DVD, and will be getting a Playstation 3 when it comes out in November. I don't understand why Sony has taken so long to get Blue-ray on the market, they have had this technology for 3 years now, and should have released it along time ago. They could have released it to their premium consumers and charged a ton for it, but at least it would be out there and on the market. I think the cost of Blue-ray is way to high for the average consumer, and it could spell disaster if they don't come down in price.

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