Blu-ray and Universal in 2008?

[tru_to_blu]

HD DVD will die soon and everything will be BLU exclusive.

[LeoneFan]

Universal is M$'s *****, they won't release on BD until Toshiba/M$ pull the plug on HDDVD.

[Zyclone]

Originally Posted by ranma

Doesn't universal music is one of the blu-ray backer?
What's the relationship between universal music and universal studios?

i dont think there is a major one im pretty sure music is a different body , hence why we are seeing in on blu ray.

[simpspin]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

I must admit I am not a business expert but at times this format war makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

It's like making bad decisions is the norm

None of these companies cares what the public wants (even BR ones) because it's about what makes them the most money the quickest, and that's cash either from consumers, or from other 'under the table' deals.

[plee]

Originally Posted by simpspin

None of these companies cares what the public wants (even BR ones) because it's about what makes them the most money the quickest, and that's cash either from consumers, or from other 'under the table' deals.

In some sense that's true, but DVD sales have started to decline which means they will start looking for other avenues of revenue. DVD has been a real cash cow for the studios (one reason for the writers strike) so if HD sales start to pick up it will put it on the radar as another revenue stream.

[Crackbone]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

I must admit I am not a business expert but at times this format war makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

It's like making bad decisions is the norm

Because up until now, it hasn't been about business. It's been about ego and politicking.

Hopefully we start seeing some reality on the business front of this war. I would think with DVD sales in decline, up to 1+ billion dollars next year, that the studios might want to end this format war so they can start making some $$.

[Dalese]

It's all about the dollars and each company's decision makers being able to defend to their bosses an stockholders that the path they have chosen is making money for their company.

The Blu studios are able to use the arguments that posters on this site repeat often enough that Blu-ray is the future format, leading in disc sales for all of 2007 (hooray), and that all signs point to a blu media future.

Warner with their "neutrality" can say that the high-def media market is still too small and in order to maximize sales, they will release in both format.

Universal and Paramount IMO have gotten themselves wrapped up in so many financial "deals" from Toshiba and "other soures" that they can defend their actions by saying the monetary benefit of the deals (along with their existing HD-DVD sales) out weighs what they could be making by selling Blu-ray.

There has to be hope that the powers-that-be at Warner, Universal, and Paramount realize that that the DVD market is not growing or is as profitable as it once was. Any hope of a true successor to DVD needs to be in a single format and that by supporting HD-DVD they are preventing just that. If they value media disc sales revenue that realization will need to be made.

As more and more focus is put on high-def media, more people within these companies should start asking "Why aren't we doing more with Blu-ray?" The question now is... when?

[darkpoet25]

Originally Posted by Dalese

It's all about the dollars and each company's decision makers being able to defend to their bosses an stockholders that the path they have chosen is making money for their company.

The Blu studios are able to use the arguments that posters on this site repeat often enough that Blu-ray is the future format, leading in disc sales for all of 2007 (hooray), and that all signs point to a blu media future.

Warner with their "neutrality" can say that the high-def media market is still too small and in order to maximize sales, they will release in both format.

Universal and Paramount IMO have gotten themselves wrapped up in so many financial "deals" from Toshiba and "other soures" that they can defend their actions by saying the monetary benefit of the deals (along with their existing HD-DVD sales) out weighs what they could be making by selling Blu-ray.

There has to be hope that the powers-that-be at Warner, Universal, and Paramount realize that that the DVD market is not growing or is as profitable as it once was. Any hope of a true successor to DVD needs to be in a single format and that by supporting HD-DVD they are preventing just that. If they value media disc sales revenue that realization will need to be made.

As more and more focus is put on high-def media, more people within these companies should start asking "Why aren't we doing more with Blu-ray?" The question now is... when?

Don't forget that Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks Animation, Toshiba, and M$ are all in bed together. If they see that HDM won't sell in the numbers they want they could follow Bill Gates and go digital downloads. My brother got the newest issue of OXM, and they already advertise Transformers for download both in HD and SD for the 360.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

Also, for anyone wanting to learn something, check out DIVX (Digital Video Express)
... aah... memories!!

~Alan

CHeck this thread out: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...nboy#post72386

[TruBlu2]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

So much Chatter about Warner going BD exclusive in 2008, but what about Universal? The topic usually goes something like: "If Warner goes exclusive blu-ray in 08, Universal will follow suit or at least be duel format sometime there after in 08." My Question is: When is Universal's contract up with HD DVD? Also, considering the Speilberg factor, and the approx 70% BD sales ratio compared to HD DVD, can/would Universal be influenced to become BD exclusive without the avalanche/domino effect of Warner going BD exclusive? Or are they somehow engrained into that format beyond good business sense or reason? What are the chances of Universal taking a Hero's lead stance and becoming BD exclusive without any outside circumstances or influence?

Universal contract with the hddud promotions group expired in October 07 I believe. They have just continued business as usual.

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by tru_to_blu

HD DVD will die soon and everything will be BLU exclusive.

Yep. I think we can pretty much bank on that statement. Warner's Blu-ray exclusivity will be the final nail in the HD DVD coffin. The shelf space at Best Buy will disappear to make room for more Blu-ray discs. I predit that by the end of 2008, Universal, Paramount and yes, even Toshiba will be runnin' to the Blu-ray camp with their tails between their legs.

Buy a Mac and dump that piece of crap PC.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

Don't forget that Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks Animation, Toshiba, and M$ are all in bed together. If they see that HDM won't sell in the numbers they want they could follow Bill Gates and go digital downloads. My brother got the newest issue of OXM, and they already advertise Transformers for download both in HD and SD for the 360.

For the 360, yes... but is it 1080p with Hi-Def sound? Hardly. They won't advertise these specs on the so-called HD downloadable content though. In essence, they are selling a "not quite so HD" product as HD. If it were true HD, the file wouldn't fit on most Xbox360 hard drives. Even the 120GB hard drive that came with the Elite model would only be able to hold a few. And, since you can't store these d/loads anywhere else, nobobdy will want to throw away the money they spent to get the material. So, after filling the hard drive and then having to delete some material, consumers will revolt at the idea knowing that they can't keep the material. At least with the PS3, those types of files could be stored onto an external hard drive. But, even then, it will still get annoying to wait the 3 days it would take to d/load 1 film... which would also cripple all internet traffic in the residence for the duration of the d/load... and, again, the quality would be sh!t due to the lack of Hi-Def!

There are just too many negatives to digital content for my liking.

[richard lichtenfelt]

^+1.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

For the 360, yes... but is it 1080p with Hi-Def sound? Hardly. They won't advertise these specs on the so-called HD downloadable content though. In essence, they are selling a "not quite so HD" product as HD. If it were true HD, the file wouldn't fit on most Xbox360 hard drives. Even the 120GB hard drive that came with the Elite model would only be able to hold a few. And, since you can't store these d/loads anywhere else, nobobdy will want to throw away the money they spent to get the material. So, after filling the hard drive and then having to delete some material, consumers will revolt at the idea knowing that they can't keep the material. At least with the PS3, those types of files could be stored onto an external hard drive. But, even then, it will still get annoying to wait the 3 days it would take to d/load 1 film... which would also cripple all internet traffic in the residence for the duration of the d/load... and, again, the quality would be sh!t due to the lack of Hi-Def!

There are just too many negatives to digital content for my liking.

Right. We're not talking DLing a couple of songs from iTunes here. This is gonna be (or likely not going to be) a much more intensive, potentially costly endeavour.

[dobyblue]

If you think those two clowns will still be working for Universal this time next year you're sadly mistaken.
they'll be out on their asses when GE tells Uni to go neutral and fire Kornblau and his stoned buddy Graffeo.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by TruBlu2

Universal contract with the hddud promotions group expired in October 07 I believe. They have just continued business as usual.

I was pretty sure it was January 1st, 2008.
Warner's licence for Blu-ray was up in October 07, but obviously they have renewed it otherwise we wouldn't have gotten The Aviator.

[darkpoet25]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

For the 360, yes... but is it 1080p with Hi-Def sound? Hardly. They won't advertise these specs on the so-called HD downloadable content though. In essence, they are selling a "not quite so HD" product as HD. If it were true HD, the file wouldn't fit on most Xbox360 hard drives. Even the 120GB hard drive that came with the Elite model would only be able to hold a few. And, since you can't store these d/loads anywhere else, nobobdy will want to throw away the money they spent to get the material. So, after filling the hard drive and then having to delete some material, consumers will revolt at the idea knowing that they can't keep the material. At least with the PS3, those types of files could be stored onto an external hard drive. But, even then, it will still get annoying to wait the 3 days it would take to d/load 1 film... which would also cripple all internet traffic in the residence for the duration of the d/load... and, again, the quality would be sh!t due to the lack of Hi-Def!

There are just too many negatives to digital content for my liking.

I couldn't agree more with you. Bill Gate$ however doesn't see things this way, he only sees things HIS way. Besides that, I think far too many of us(myself included) and many others like having the actual disc itself. I like to see the cases on my shelf and watch my BD's and movies whenever I feel free to do so. On a side note, if anyone IS looking for a bigger hard drive, I saw that Best Buy had a 1 terabyte external USB 2.0 hard drive for around $250.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by bajor27

Personally, I could never imagine them going Blu Exclusive first. I could maybe see them going Neutral before Warner decides. ....

I have to agree. Everyone keeps saying Paramount could get out of the HD DVD exclusive contract under some clause. But we still do not see nor hear any evidence of such a thing. The last 3 big studios all seem too afraid to move one direction or the other.

Will Universal go neutral? Will Warner go exclusive? My guess is a resounding "NO.". At least for 2008. If anything, Universal MIGHT join us this year. If Universal doesn't budge, we might just see another year of HD DVD for Paramount because of Universal. Goes against all logical good business sense, I know, but so was the move to exclusive HD DVD support. Anything is possible.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

Im sure at one time people thought that there was no way Sony would ever make VHS. Sony did indeed make VHS tape and players.
The time will come when they will have to answer to they're stock holders as to why they are selling they're disc to a smaller market.

what?

[Jock Blu]

Originally Posted by saprano

what?

I think mystik is referring to Universal having to answer to their shareholders, not Sony...

Joe