Times Online: Will Paramount’s switch to Blu-ray spell the end for HD DVD? - Page 3 - Blu-ray Forum

Mr. Al · 01-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grisle

I've got another question...it's not often I can talk to a level headed HD-DVD supporter. Why were the events so surprising to you?

Because they were so close to an deal with Toshiba to be HD exclusive (from the rumors that I have heard) and then, Bam! A deal with the BDA. All in a matter of a couple days.

Icemage · 01-09-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Al

Because they were so close to an deal with Toshiba to be HD exclusive (from the rumors that I have heard) and then, Bam! A deal with the BDA. All in a matter of a couple days.

Do you really believe that to be true, though? The rumor was about (of ALL studios)... Fox. Who just got their birthday wish with BD+. And they already have region coding (which they use quite aggressively).

I would have found the rumors more credible had they been revolving around Disney (but only marginally so, snce Disney seems so very much in love with Blu-ray's higher specs on their releases).

My read of that rumor is that, if it has any substance at all, it was a sting operation to distract the HD DVD PRG and Toshiba, perhaps even orchestrated in advance.

It's probably been told in this way for the same reason both sides have insiders working the forums on the net: propaganda. After all, it wouldn't do to have the HD DVD supporters backlash on them for being completely blindsided by a deal, so spin it in the only way they can... "Well, we were talking to these guys and they almost agreed..."

rwduke · 01-09-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye

This is totally uncalled for and should be deleted.

Agreed. What a pathetic post.

CastingStones · 01-09-2008, 01:36 PM

Well, I thought id chuck this in, even it is known already....

If you are going to trust anything - trust the share price movements on th stock market...

"...Financial Times says movie studio has the option to switch camps in wake of Warner's decision; studio reiterates HD-DVD stand.
By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK
Posted Jan 8, 2008 7:53 am PT

Things are heating up in the HD DVD versus Blu-ray format wars--and it's no longer looking like the stalemate that Sony CEO Howard Stringer declared two months ago.

At the end of last week, Warner Bros. announced that it had decided to back Blu-ray--and now there are rumours that because of this move, Paramount and possibly DreamWorks Animation won't be far behind.

Today's Financial Times reveals that according to its sources, Paramount is "poised to reveal" it will be abandoning the HD DVD format in order to go Blu-ray exclusive.

The article states, "Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros. backing Blu-ray."

The newspaper believes that this would be the "death knell" for HD DVD and would see the format "likely to suffer the same fate as Sony's now obsolete Betamax video technology, which lost out to VHS in a similar format war in the 1980s."

Blu-ray is currently backed by 20th Century Fox, MGM, Walt Disney, and most recently Warner Bros.; if Paramount jumps ship, Universal will be left as the biggest HD DVD backer.

However, according to a later report from Bloomberg, Paramount has denied that it will be making the move. Brenda Ciccone told the financial Web site, "Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format." Toshiba spokesperson Keisuke Ohmori called the report "speculative," while Sony declined to comment.

The rumours had an immediate effect on the stock market--Toshiba's stock fell 0.1 percent to close at ¥782 ($7.17), though during the day the shares had dropped as much as a 1.3 percent, whereas Sony's rose 3.4 percent..."

iwanttobeabmoviestar · 01-09-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Al

The turn of events suprised me big time. Didn't make me angry or cry like other people.

I was an early adopter and knew quite well that there was going to be a loser in the format war. In the end, the one I supported lost. I accept it and move on.

I am more pissed off that I will have to replace my entire dvd collection lol! It took me eight years to build it up though. I have been giving my collection that I have upgraded to my mother, sister and niece. So I guess I didn't waste my money after all.

i TOTALLY know how you feel im embarresed to admit that i invested in the original divix over dvd and learned from that to support blue after tooonnns of research good luck and glad to hear some are rational to the fact of early adaption being a risk but not blaming sony or microsoft or whoever produces the products noone forces us to buy this stuff and could have gone either way at some point so my hat off to you and welcome to the blu world .

terjeber · 01-09-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Al

Because they were so close to an deal with Toshiba to be HD exclusive (from the rumors that I have heard) and then, Bam! A deal with the BDA. All in a matter of a couple days.

This is the interesting part. The only place one would ever read about Warner being close to a deal with Toshiba seemed to be in posts from the most rabid HD DVD fans. All the insiders I ever read claimed that Warner time and again had rebuffed the moves of MS and Tosh. To me the "Warner will go HD DVD exclusive" seemed like fantasies taken way to seriously.

Considering we now know that Warner started working on Blu exclusivity back in September, the fantasy seems to be exactly that, pure fantasy. We know Tosh and MS courted Warner all the way up to the announcement, and quite frankly, I think this is where the pay off rumor comes from. Last time I heard Tosh/MS had put $300M on the table to Warner back in December, and Warner still said "no thanks". I am willing to bet the $500M was not from the BD side at all, I am willing to bet it was the final offer last week from Tosh/MS.

pitabun · 01-09-2008, 02:13 PM

the read got me all warm and fuzzy inside!

Rheologuy · 01-09-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwduke

Agreed. What a pathetic post.

You both are (a) very young, (b) very politically correct or (c) very lacking in the humor department.

terjeber · 01-09-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye

This is totally uncalled for and should be deleted.

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/humor

gearyt · 01-09-2008, 02:27 PM

Mr. Al... a sincere thanks for your input. and welcome !!

Zotar · 01-09-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwduke

Agreed. What a pathetic post.

Do you prefer this one then?

Sylin · 01-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CastingStones

Well, I thought id chuck this in, even it is known already....

If you are going to trust anything - trust the share price movements on th stock market...

Agreed 100%. If the media makes a statement that results in stock price decline, the usual posturing is for the affected company to pour on the positive press and then threaten lawsuits. But here's the rub: Financial Times hasn't pulled the article. They haven't retracted their statements. Which means they AREN'T being threatened. Which means... their statements are factual.

davidPS3 · 01-09-2008, 02:45 PM

It is only a matter of time before the rest of the studio's switch to blu. I now see that people are talking about now taking on S DVD and the next war is on. I don't think we have to go into battle on this one. Customers will slowly switch over and move up, but it will take time. No reason in my mind to make another war. S DVD did not take off over night vs. VHS, time to enjoy the victory we have right now.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
I can’t bring myself to pay more than $20 for a Blu-ray unless it’s due to tax being	General Chat	jlaavenger	72	07-30-2009 04:43 AM
CEPro: "HD DVD vs. Blu-ray: It’s the Interactivity, Stupid!"	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	inaz4sun	10	02-05-2008 10:57 PM
Apparently, Paramount reserved the right to switch back to Blu-ray	General Chat	AlexanderG	86	01-07-2008 03:18 AM
Enderle: Will Time Warner’s Move to Blu-ray End HD War?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	Iron Man	96	12-12-2007 10:22 PM
Paramount CTO Speaks Out On Switch to HD DVD	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	HDTV1080P	18	08-22-2007 11:43 PM

01-09-2008, 01:36 PM	#44
CastingStones Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Manchester, UK	Well, I thought id chuck this in, even it is known already.... If you are going to trust anything - trust the share price movements on th stock market... "...Financial Times says movie studio has the option to switch camps in wake of Warner's decision; studio reiterates HD-DVD stand. By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK Posted Jan 8, 2008 7:53 am PT Things are heating up in the HD DVD versus Blu-ray format wars--and it's no longer looking like the stalemate that Sony CEO Howard Stringer declared two months ago. At the end of last week, Warner Bros. announced that it had decided to back Blu-ray--and now there are rumours that because of this move, Paramount and possibly DreamWorks Animation won't be far behind. Today's Financial Times reveals that according to its sources, Paramount is "poised to reveal" it will be abandoning the HD DVD format in order to go Blu-ray exclusive. The article states, "Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros. backing Blu-ray." The newspaper believes that this would be the "death knell" for HD DVD and would see the format "likely to suffer the same fate as Sony's now obsolete Betamax video technology, which lost out to VHS in a similar format war in the 1980s." Blu-ray is currently backed by 20th Century Fox, MGM, Walt Disney, and most recently Warner Bros.; if Paramount jumps ship, Universal will be left as the biggest HD DVD backer. However, according to a later report from Bloomberg, Paramount has denied that it will be making the move. Brenda Ciccone told the financial Web site, "Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format." Toshiba spokesperson Keisuke Ohmori called the report "speculative," while Sony declined to comment. The rumours had an immediate effect on the stock market--Toshiba's stock fell 0.1 percent to close at ¥782 ($7.17), though during the day the shares had dropped as much as a 1.3 percent, whereas Sony's rose 3.4 percent..."

01-09-2008, 02:13 PM	#47
pitabun Active Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Orange County, CA	the read got me all warm and fuzzy inside!

01-09-2008, 02:27 PM	#50
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	Mr. Al... a sincere thanks for your input. and welcome !!

01-09-2008, 02:45 PM	#53
davidPS3 Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Seattle	It is only a matter of time before the rest of the studio's switch to blu. I now see that people are talking about now taking on S DVD and the next war is on. I don't think we have to go into battle on this one. Customers will slowly switch over and move up, but it will take time. No reason in my mind to make another war. S DVD did not take off over night vs. VHS, time to enjoy the victory we have right now.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals