Should BDA carry the brunt of HD DVD's demise and give reparation to supporters?

[What'sHD]

If the BDA does what is suggested, it sets a terrible precedent for tech consumers. Next time there is a format war or competing platforms, customers will expect to be recompensed for basically, either lack of research before buying OR getting greedy and buying the cheap alternative.

Not a good precedent. The precedent we should set is that people must not jump into format wars without some research or with expectations of being bailed out.

2c

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[saginawjuggalo]

Maybe "Warner" should give HD DVD owners who registered their players (as proof) 15-25% off future Blu-ray movies.. I can see this maybe. That way Warner Blu-ray won't be losing out as much on HDM.. before anyone jumps my shit, Warner WAS selling those Reds and soon they will lose out if they don't get HD DVD owners actively buying into Blu-ray.. I'm sure many are gonna hold this switchover against Warner. Some may even boycott. This could would help heel the open wounds IMO

:edit: If they does, Paramount should do the same for Blu-ray owners.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

I may start a new thread on this (and started one at HTF), but insiders:

Any chance that the BDA/WB will offer an olive-branch to HD DVD consumers who've stood by Warner and invested money in a format Warner has just revoked? If the BDA were to offer a $300 credit towards a BD player, for instance, it would go a long way to gaining the loyalty and good-will of consumers who have ALREADY DEMONSTRATED they are HD DISC COLLECTORS.

That $300 will come back 100 fold over the next 5-10 years. I think it's important to help smooth the obvious frustration HD DVD consumers must be feeling right now, and make the transition to blu as painless as possible. These folks have invested $$$ in HD DVD and now is not the time to ignore their feelings after closing the lid on their format.

i have to agree with DRINKMORE!!! Warner isn't obligated to pay anything because of someone making a bad investment. all the while Warner was wasting too much time and money, which by the way led to confusion later, and starting shipping HDDVDs in BD boxes, that was too much hassle and headache. Now they have made the right decision to only support Blu.

[Lord_Stewie]

Generally this format war is very surprising its not over yet but it will be soon. one major lesson out of this format war, is everyone got to study any new format and check the differences between the format, if its too confusing and you can't make a decision then maybe you should hold on to the money until there is a clear winner. That is what HDDVD supporters should have done to begin with. if they did wait then by now they would have known that Blu is the way to go.

[Kayne314]

Years and years ago when dinosaurs still ruled the Earth...

Okay about 25 years ago... Kodak decided to make an instant camera to compete with Polaroid. They were excellent cameras, and were actually better and faster than Polaroid. They sold like hotcakes. Problem was Polaroid owned several patents that actually made Kodak's camera illegal to produce. Kodak was forced to stop making those excellent cameras, and were forced to even stop making film for them.

To placate the owners of said defunct cameras, Kodak offered a cash or trade-in allowance for people returning the now useless cameras. My mother was one of those customers. She still misses that camera.

The point is that there IS a precedent for this sort of thing... but it should really come from Toshiba, not Warner Brothers. Offering cash, or a trade in allowance would be good business for a company like Toshiba should they ever see the light and admit HD DVD is dead.

Warner Brothers shouldn't even be considered into the equation. Although I do like the idea of a trade in offer for my HD DVD WB titles. I just don't see it though.

[saginawjuggalo]

How about Toshiba give out discounts to past HD DVD owners on their future Blu-ray players?

Maybe a trade in program...

45% off your next Toshiba Blu-ray player.. Toshiba will more the likely make combo players for many years to come, so I doubt they would do anything for past HD DVD owners.. I guess they would be if they still made combos.. oh well, screw it

[Ispoke]

Well looks like the BDA are going to offer something of an olive branch according to Bill Hunt on Digital Bits, go read there.

Nothing clear yet......me I don't agree with this concept.

[olarmy96]

Companies do run these types of promotions, but the OP has the scale way too high. I would expect you could see a $50 off maybe somewhere like Best Buy if you turn in a HD-DVD player. They would collect and dispose of the players while selling you a $200+ player. $5 or $10 off of a Blu-ray movie if you turn-in a HD-DVD could work as well.

These moves would be beneficial to the retailers and the BDA. The $300 is laughable as you'd actually be paying people more than what their player is worth. I hope they run this deal. I could buy 10,000 $199 HD-DVD players and trade them in for $300 players? Though a quick million sounds nice that ain't happenin'.

[Zazou]

Following on from Ispoke's comment, here's what Bill Hunt says over at Digital Bits.

"...One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."

Lee

[olarmy96]

I can't wait to see this. I've been Blu since 11/06 and PS3 launch (2 games, 50+ BD movies). I will really laugh, though, once people are seen actually throwing HD-DVD in the trash for a chance at Blu discounts.

Here's an idea for the BDA: How about a contest? Most original HD-DVD destruction on YouTube gets a free BD player?

Originally Posted by Zazou

Following on from Ispoke's comment, here's what Bill Hunt says over at Digital Bits.

"...One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."

Lee

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by Zazou

Following on from Ispoke's comment, here's what Bill Hunt says over at Digital Bits.

"...I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead"

Wow, that's unexpected. That should make the HD DVDers a little happier. I wonder though, if roles had been reversed would Toshiba/M$ have helped us? Probably not.

If this move helps end this mess a little quicker then I'm all for it.

[Denzelio]

Offer nothing!.... That will teach them for siding with evil Microsoft

[L or S of Perfect?]

No.

If anything toshiba, warner, universal, paramount, could have rebate programs when people turn in their hd dvd stuff. Like $5 per movie or $20 per player.

Nothing done by the BDA. Why would they reward people that bought into the competition. They should be rewarding loyal supporters with BOGOs & sales.

[olarmy96]

It wouldn't be rewarding them. They don't get the reward unless they buy a player. If they buy a player, they'll buy movies and you make the $50 back. See?

It's true that they might eventually buy a BD player anyway, but a move like that basically ensures a faster BD ramp.

It's also a nice slap in the face to HD-DVD.

Originally Posted by L or S of Perfect?

No.

If anything toshiba, warner, universal, paramount, could have rebate programs when people turn in their hd dvd stuff. Like $5 per movie or $20 per player.

Nothing done by the BDA. Why would they reward people that bought into the competition. They should be rewarding loyal supporters with BOGOs & sales.

[Bullseye]

On this logic Toshiba is the more obvious company responsible for people loosing out. If they had not paid off Paramount when they did then this FW could have been over earlier and all those players (I don't think there was a huge number anyway) bougth over Christmas would not have happened. Paramount should also take responsibility as they are another reason for this war being dragged out.

No. I do not think WB should pay any money to the HD-DVD group. I do however think that the BDA should get together with Toshiba and do a deal to allow them produce a duel player and allow Universal and Paramount release on BD. Although i suspect Uni might make that decision themselves.

[Zyclone]

Originally Posted by Denzelio

Offer nothing!.... That will teach them for siding with evil Microsoft

yeah since mircosoft have done wonders for hd dvd

[Ispoke]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

......I do however think that the BDA should get together with Toshiba and do a deal to allow them produce a duel player and allow Universal and Paramount release on BD. Although i suspect Uni might make that decision themselves.

Dual player is a bad idea IMO, it will only help keep HD DVD alive longer and slow up migration to Blu-ray. At the same time it gives HD DVD fanboys a glimmer of hope that the format will survive long enough for things to swing back their way. Kill it now is the only answer.

Us early adopters have taken all the risk’s and paid premium prices for players and media to help win this war. Adoption will happen now without incentives to the HD DVD mob from the BDA.

No I say.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Ispoke

Dual player is a bad idea IMO, it will only help keep HD DVD alive longer and slow up migration to Blu-ray. At the same time it gives HD DVD fanboys a glimmer of hope that the format will survive long enough for things to swing back there way. Kill it now is the only answer.

I disagree. Combo players will help those who were HD DVD only bridge over to Blu-ray as it will be able to play both formats. It's not like it won't play Blu-ray you know.

[Ispoke]

HD DVD owners already own a player, so why pay more than needed. Combo’s are very expensive, why not just go out and buy a Blu-ray player at half the cost?

In the end Toshiba would no doubt spin such an event to suggest that HD DVD is still viable and should be kept alive, we don’t need that now.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Ispoke

HD DVD owners already own a player, so why pay more than needed. Combo’s are very expensive, why not just go out and buy a Blu-ray player at half the cost?

In the end Toshiba would no doubt spin such an event to suggest that HD DVD is still viable and should be kept alive, we don’t need that now.

Well, for those HD DVD owners who want to get into Blu-ray and have a all-in-one solution, a combo player would be a perfect way to bridge the gap over to Blu-ray. Not everyone wants two players in their rack. Plus, it's not all that expensive, just look at the new Samsung combo player that will hit in the fall...$599 and will probably street lower. Not bad for a combo player.