Yahoo News Article - Blu-ray Forum

jimfear · 09-03-2007, 07:12 PM

Division over next-generation DVDs deepening By Gina Keating
Mon Sep 3, 9:59 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood studios are becoming deeply divided over which high-definition technology will replace the DVD, increasing prospects that it will be years before next-generation players become standard equipment in U.S. households.

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Paramount Pictures (VIAb.N) and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc (DWA.N) signed exclusivity deals to distribute their next-generation discs on Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) HD DVD format for the next 18 months, a move that evened a contest where Sony Corp's (6758.T) Blu-Ray Disc appeared to be pulling ahead.

Paramount expected the lower-priced HD DVD players, which start at $299 compared with $499 for Blu-Ray, to tempt consumers more this holiday season when summer box office blockbusters are released on high-definition DVD.

"We are in a very nascent stage in the world of high definition packaged media," said Kelley Avery, president of Paramount Home Entertainment. "Our approach is taking a look at what will motivate the consumer."

But the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), a Blu-Ray supporter, has sent a traveling road show to the top eight U.S. shopping malls to promote Blu-Ray players to those looking to upgrade.

"Our goal with the Disney Magical Blu-Ray Tour is to reach as many people as possible and help educate consumers across all demographics," said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield said Paramount's defection from Blu-Ray "alter(s) the landscape meaningfully, as Paramount is the leading theatrical distributor year-to-date."

Eight of the 15 top-grossing films of the year, including "Shrek the Third," "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were released by studios that distribute exclusively on HD DVD or on both formats.

SEDATE TRANSITION

Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, said the 18-month period of exclusivity for HD DVDs at the two studios comes during slow but growing sales for the new technology and will have little impact on consumers.

"It was going to be a more sedate transition in our view anyway," Adams said. "That's one reason that a period of exclusivity didn't sound too terrifying to the studios."

The 1.66 billion standard DVD and VHS units sold so far this year dwarf the 3.9 million next-generation discs sold since the format was launched last year.

Preliminary estimates compiled by Adams Media Research show that about 1.5 million U.S. households can play Blu-Ray discs on Sony PlayStations 3 video game machines or dedicated players, versus about 300,000 households whose Microsoft XBoxes or dedicated players are HD DVD compatible.

Sony has dominated high-definition software sales as well, selling twice as many discs as HD DVD in the United States.

The two formats are nearly at parity in the number of titles each has released -- about 200, according to Digital Entertainment Group data.

Despite Sony's early edge, Adams and others warn it is simply too early to tell which format will prevail.

Adams expects HD DVD to be ahead in 2008, in terms of dedicated players, capturing about 1.1 million U.S. households, compared with 900,000 households with dedicated Blu-Ray players.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers also expects to wait several years for a winner to emerge and give large numbers of U.S. consumers confidence to buy.

"Relatively few stand-alone (high definition) players have been purchased, which suggests that the presence of two incompatible ... standards could be inhibiting the market," PWC said in its Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2007-2011.

In the long wait for a winner, studios that chose one format could find they're leaving money on the table, Adams said.

"The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats."

Universal Studios is a unit of General Electric Co (GE.N). Warner Bros is owned by Time Warner Inc (TWX.N). Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of News Corp (NWSa.N). Paramount is a unit of Viacom Inc (VIAb.N).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

nate4241 · 09-03-2007, 07:37 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

Is it just me or is this article seriously biased? Also it says 8 of the top 15 movies this year will be released on HD DVD exclusively including harry potter and the order of the phoenix? This is seriously incorrect right?

alkalinesi · 09-03-2007, 08:13 PM

yea what happened to spiderman 3 and pirates! thats one thing i cant stand is biased people who have no clue. and shrek the third i heard was a turd! hd dud for the loss

Proteus · 09-03-2007, 08:20 PM

it said 'HDDVD or both formats'.

The only argument for bias may be that she didn't say 'HDDVD and some on both HDDVD and Blu-ray'. But, I'm sure she was simply trying to keep it simple.

There is no bias in the article. It quotes people and that's about it. People at legit research firms no less.

The message was clear: No one knows WTF is going on.

The Adams guy was kinda right, but worded it poorly. He should have said, "The best case scenario would be for _all_ studios to go format neutral so the market could truly decide for itself." But, that still leaves the fact that all major manufacturers are only making Blu-ray devices (only exception being Toshiba).

kowhite · 09-03-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate4241

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

Is it just me or is this article seriously biased? Also it says 8 of the top 15 movies this year will be released on HD DVD exclusively including harry potter and the order of the phoenix? This is seriously incorrect right?

"Eight of the 15 top-grossing films of the year, including "Shrek the Third," "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were released by studios that distribute exclusively on HD DVD or on both formats."

It's not incorrect...though one has to ask why a neutral article wouldn't list the same fact for Blu-Ray...which has 10 of the top 15 movies.

warhawk21114 · 09-03-2007, 08:23 PM

just saw that and I wonder what went through their heads. Just look at the numbers game. we hold the upper hand studio wise and mfg. wise plus sales wise, sure we were a little rough getting started but what has not? Blu-Ray will still dominate. While they may have the stand alone player edge, movie wise we have the edge, a lot of people use their ps3 as a player and those #'s smack down the 360 add on, so more studio support, movie selection, player selection, more companies supporting it, isn't it obvious to even a blind man which way the wind is blowing and has been All Year! I wish pr people could get their facts straight.

joeorc · 09-03-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate4241

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

Is it just me or is this article seriously biased? Also it says 8 of the top 15 movies this year will be released on HD DVD exclusively including harry potter and the order of the phoenix? This is seriously incorrect right?

HEY LETS SEE:

""The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats."

now lets see if we put this statement in it's place:

"The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the HD DVD-exclusive studios start releasing on Blu-Ray," . "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats."

thats what i thought..why is it always Touted in the Media "IF ONLY THE BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES STUDIOS" AND not the other way around...

there is a BIAS in a ton of the Media AGAINST BLU-RAY i wonder why....

Dadds · 09-03-2007, 08:30 PM

There are articles everywhere this week saying hd dvd is looking good. I guess people have no idea whats really going on.

dgator783 · 09-03-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate4241

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

Is it just me or is this article seriously biased? Also it says 8 of the top 15 movies this year will be released on HD DVD exclusively including harry potter and the order of the phoenix? This is seriously incorrect right?

the other 7 will be just Blu Ray and some of the left over 8 will be Blu Ray as well.....so we get more.....suck it yahoo

halon · 09-03-2007, 07:40 PM

i'm sick of hearing the words "stand alone player". i've said it before, a player is a player. so it plays games too, that's a bonus.

joeorc · 09-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by den4blu

i'm sick of hearing the words "stand alone player". i've said it before, a player is a player. so it plays games too, that's a bonus.

YUP that STANDALONE argument FUD is BS pure and simple..the playstation 3 is the following:

a games console
a LINUX PC hell it can even run windows 2000...

a MOVIE PLAYER..that includes DVD's

the playstation 3 is a convergence device.more for your money
but to FUDSTER'S thats a bad thing...

Lasercat · 09-03-2007, 08:47 PM

"The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats."

Microsoft: Check's in the mail, Gina!

Seriously, what a biased article. Those dots (...) mean the quote was altered. I wonder what Adams said that she felt needed to be removed. And Harry Potter? Someone didn't do her research.

BigMESA · 09-03-2007, 09:54 PM

Of course it's biased. One only has to look at the photos included in the story to see which way the writer leans.

Bullseye · 09-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Was Yahoo recently bought by MS?

Bullseye · 09-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimfear

Eight of the 15 top-grossing films of the year, including "Shrek the Third," "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were released by studios that distribute exclusively on HD DVD or on both formats.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

Thats a very biased way of putting it. It gives the impression that the HP series is HD exclusive which it is not.

09-03-2007, 07:12 PM	#1
jimfear Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Webster	Just saw this on Yahoo Division over next-generation DVDs deepening By Gina Keating Mon Sep 3, 9:59 AM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood studios are becoming deeply divided over which high-definition technology will replace the DVD, increasing prospects that it will be years before next-generation players become standard equipment in U.S. households. ADVERTISEMENT Paramount Pictures (VIAb.N) and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc (DWA.N) signed exclusivity deals to distribute their next-generation discs on Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) HD DVD format for the next 18 months, a move that evened a contest where Sony Corp's (6758.T) Blu-Ray Disc appeared to be pulling ahead. Paramount expected the lower-priced HD DVD players, which start at $299 compared with $499 for Blu-Ray, to tempt consumers more this holiday season when summer box office blockbusters are released on high-definition DVD. "We are in a very nascent stage in the world of high definition packaged media," said Kelley Avery, president of Paramount Home Entertainment. "Our approach is taking a look at what will motivate the consumer." But the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), a Blu-Ray supporter, has sent a traveling road show to the top eight U.S. shopping malls to promote Blu-Ray players to those looking to upgrade. "Our goal with the Disney Magical Blu-Ray Tour is to reach as many people as possible and help educate consumers across all demographics," said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield said Paramount's defection from Blu-Ray "alter(s) the landscape meaningfully, as Paramount is the leading theatrical distributor year-to-date." Eight of the 15 top-grossing films of the year, including "Shrek the Third," "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were released by studios that distribute exclusively on HD DVD or on both formats. SEDATE TRANSITION Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, said the 18-month period of exclusivity for HD DVDs at the two studios comes during slow but growing sales for the new technology and will have little impact on consumers. "It was going to be a more sedate transition in our view anyway," Adams said. "That's one reason that a period of exclusivity didn't sound too terrifying to the studios." The 1.66 billion standard DVD and VHS units sold so far this year dwarf the 3.9 million next-generation discs sold since the format was launched last year. Preliminary estimates compiled by Adams Media Research show that about 1.5 million U.S. households can play Blu-Ray discs on Sony PlayStations 3 video game machines or dedicated players, versus about 300,000 households whose Microsoft XBoxes or dedicated players are HD DVD compatible. Sony has dominated high-definition software sales as well, selling twice as many discs as HD DVD in the United States. The two formats are nearly at parity in the number of titles each has released -- about 200, according to Digital Entertainment Group data. Despite Sony's early edge, Adams and others warn it is simply too early to tell which format will prevail. Adams expects HD DVD to be ahead in 2008, in terms of dedicated players, capturing about 1.1 million U.S. households, compared with 900,000 households with dedicated Blu-Ray players. PriceWaterhouseCoopers also expects to wait several years for a winner to emerge and give large numbers of U.S. consumers confidence to buy. "Relatively few stand-alone (high definition) players have been purchased, which suggests that the presence of two incompatible ... standards could be inhibiting the market," PWC said in its Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2007-2011. In the long wait for a winner, studios that chose one format could find they're leaving money on the table, Adams said. "The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats." Universal Studios is a unit of General Electric Co (GE.N). Warner Bros is owned by Time Warner Inc (TWX.N). Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of News Corp (NWSa.N). Paramount is a unit of Viacom Inc (VIAb.N). http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc

09-03-2007, 07:37 PM	#2
nate4241 Member Member since:Aug 2007	Yahoo News Article http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070903/...inition_war_dc Is it just me or is this article seriously biased? Also it says 8 of the top 15 movies this year will be released on HD DVD exclusively including harry potter and the order of the phoenix? This is seriously incorrect right?

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09-03-2007, 08:13 PM	#3
alkalinesi Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:South Jersey Home Theater Gallery:35 Blu-ray collection:429 DVD collection:20 Trading Score:52	yea what happened to spiderman 3 and pirates! thats one thing i cant stand is biased people who have no clue. and shrek the third i heard was a turd! hd dud for the loss

09-03-2007, 08:20 PM	#4
Proteus Power Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:SoCal PSN:CaptBurn	it said 'HDDVD or both formats'. The only argument for bias may be that she didn't say 'HDDVD and some on both HDDVD and Blu-ray'. But, I'm sure she was simply trying to keep it simple. There is no bias in the article. It quotes people and that's about it. People at legit research firms no less. The message was clear: No one knows WTF is going on. The Adams guy was kinda right, but worded it poorly. He should have said, "The best case scenario would be for _all_ studios to go format neutral so the market could truly decide for itself." But, that still leaves the fact that all major manufacturers are only making Blu-ray devices (only exception being Toshiba).

09-03-2007, 08:23 PM	#6
warhawk21114 Active Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Maryland Blu-ray collection:4	just saw that and I wonder what went through their heads. Just look at the numbers game. we hold the upper hand studio wise and mfg. wise plus sales wise, sure we were a little rough getting started but what has not? Blu-Ray will still dominate. While they may have the stand alone player edge, movie wise we have the edge, a lot of people use their ps3 as a player and those #'s smack down the 360 add on, so more studio support, movie selection, player selection, more companies supporting it, isn't it obvious to even a blind man which way the wind is blowing and has been All Year! I wish pr people could get their facts straight.

09-03-2007, 08:30 PM	#8
Dadds Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:South NJ Blu-ray reviews:3	There are articles everywhere this week saying hd dvd is looking good. I guess people have no idea whats really going on.

09-03-2007, 07:40 PM	#10
halon Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Pennsylvania 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:18 Blu-ray reviews:4	i'm sick of hearing the words "stand alone player". i've said it before, a player is a player. so it plays games too, that's a bonus.

09-03-2007, 08:47 PM	#12
Lasercat Junior Member Member since:Aug 2007	"The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats." Microsoft: Check's in the mail, Gina! Seriously, what a biased article. Those dots (...) mean the quote was altered. I wonder what Adams said that she felt needed to be removed. And Harry Potter? Someone didn't do her research.

09-03-2007, 09:54 PM	#13
BigMESA Member Member since:Aug 2007	Of course it's biased. One only has to look at the photos included in the story to see which way the writer leans.

09-03-2007, 10:19 PM	#14
Bullseye Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Ireland Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:760 Blu-ray reviews: 44	Was Yahoo recently bought by MS?

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