Commentary from the Insiders Thread

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Teazle

That's a good observation. The Paramount announcement did spin out badly in the press.

I don't think it was coincidence. BDA found out too late to stop the deal, but at least they made sure numbers like "$150mil" was all over the news on the very first day. I was quite surprised that even NYT and WSJ picked those numbers up. I bet some Sony or Panasonic people called up their "friends" in the press to make sure they have the right figures.

As a result, the announcement came both as a great news for DUD, but almost as significantly etched into people's minds how low their tactics went, and that Para***** made this decision against technical and market merits.

enjoy
gandalf

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

The question is why wouldn't they? Since it would drive up the price. If I can get multiple offers on my house I'm getting more money. End of story. To NOT do that is dereliction of duty in regards to shareholders interests.

Because it's illegal and they didn't want to get arrested for antitrust violation by openly admitting it?

It had to be done behind closed doors for that reason, and M$ took full advantage of it by making sure it didn't leak anywhere (including the BDA).

enjoy
gandalf

[Охранное]

Originally Posted by gand41f

Because it's illegal and they didn't want to get arrested for antitrust violation by openly admitting it?

People keep saying this, any evidence to support this? BD Insiders? If it is illegal, where is the investigation? Why do other industries negotiate exclusive contracts with incentive payments, marketing funds, etc. every day?

[Blubaru]

Originally Posted by ????????

People keep saying this, any evidence to support this? BD Insiders? If it is illegal, where is the investigation?

They're coming. These things take time.

[Jamh]

It's called anti-trust and M$ has been investigated for this before, so I'm sure they know how to get around it. It is legal to pay someone to carry your product, however it is illegal (anti-trust) to pay someone to drop a competitor's product. Why there hasn't been an investigation is beyond me though.

[BluFox]

Originally Posted by gand41f

Because it's illegal and they didn't want to get arrested for antitrust violation by openly admitting it?

So by going to the BDA and asking to top the HD-DVD camp offer would have resulted in an obvious open anti-trust violation and Para***** would have ended up with nothing?!

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by BluFox

So by going to the BDA and asking to top the HD-DVD camp offer would have resulted in an obvious open anti-trust violation and Para***** would have ended up with nothing?!

No, my point is that this kind of stuff is usually a two-party negotiation between closed doors. It's much harder to try to conduct an illegal transaction when you have both sides involved (and you know one of them is going to be unhappy at the end).

enjoy
gandalf

[scott1256ca]

The downside is………….. both are high maintenance.

Jack Russell Terriers? (If they are women friends, I apologize. I'm trying to read between the lines).

[Petra_Kalbrain]

A change is coming regarding WB! Unfortunately, I cannot say who, how, or when, but this is what was said by a WB employee regarding the supposed Microsoft offer: "There has been no change yet."

Coupled with the news of Nickerson stepping down this could go any of three ways.

#1. WB has denied the M$ offer and is going exlusively Blu-ray (which is why Mr. Pro-HD DVD Nickerson resigned)

#2. WB has denied the M$ offer and is remaining neutral (Nickerson may have been insistant on HD DVD exclusivity... this is highly unlikely though considering the words "change" and "yet" which implies that their corporate focus is about to change and not remain as is)

#3. WB has accepted M$ offer and is going HD DVD exclusive (This makes the least sense in correlation to Nickerson... unless he was adamant about remaining neutral or going Blu-ray exclusive - which countermands all reports that he was Pro-HD DVD)

This CEDIA event could yet prove to be the biggest surprise yet in the format war, EVEN IF NOTHING CHANGES!!!

[johnno1986]

G'day guys,

I keep seeing the word CEDIA. Can someone please tell me what this is? Probably a stupid question, just am not sure.

Cheers.

United we stand.

[lch]

Originally Posted by johnno1986

G'day guys,

I keep seeing the word CEDIA. Can someone please tell me what this is? Probably a stupid question, just am not sure.

Cheers.

United we stand.

Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association
http://www.cedia.co.uk/
http://www.cedia.net/expo/

[johnno1986]

G'day again,

Thanks guys for responding to my query.

Cheers.

United we stand.

[WickyWoo]

People keep saying this, any evidence to support this? BD Insiders? If it is illegal, where is the investigation? Why do other industries negotiate exclusive contracts with incentive payments, marketing funds, etc. every day?

It's simple

We know how much it costs to press the discs (the differences are pennies)

Blu-Ray is outselling HD 2-1 and the margin is ever increasing.

BR has all the CEs but one, All the Studios but 1(now 2)

And every financial institution out there was telling them it was a dumb move

And it happened at the same time there's a major "investment" and "advertising assistance" made in Paramount studios

Riigggght.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Охранное

People keep saying this, any evidence to support this? BD Insiders? If it is illegal, where is the investigation? Why do other industries negotiate exclusive contracts with incentive payments, marketing funds, etc. every day?

I know things seem shockingly slow given the usual swift action of governments during the summer months, but I'm going to give it a few more days.

[Охранное]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

It's simple

We know how much it costs to press the discs (the differences are pennies)

Blu-Ray is outselling HD 2-1 and the margin is ever increasing.

BR has all the CEs but one, All the Studios but 1(now 2)

And every financial institution out there was telling them it was a dumb move

And it happened at the same time there's a major "investment" and "advertising assistance" made in Paramount studios

Riigggght.

I don't disagree that there was an exclusive contract negotiated between the two parties, with one party paying soft-dollar benefits, marketing funds, incentive paybacks, whatever.

My only question is whether or not it is truly illegal. In my industry we negotiate exclusive contracts all of the time with all of these pieces in place. Sometimes the best solution wins, but usually it's the solution that meets the minimum reqs and offers the greatest total "incentive" package.

[Lepton]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Plus when I found out that Amir M. was speaking at CEDIA on behalf of AVS, I just sort of lost interest in that whole show altogether.

Amir is speaking at CEDIA?!?!?

Let me ready my slingshot.

[WickyWoo]

We should send him a nice fruit basket

[WickyWoo]

My only question is whether or not it is truly illegal. In my industry we negotiate exclusive contracts all of the time with all of these pieces in place. Sometimes the best solution wins, but usually it's the solution that meets the minimum reqs and offers the greatest total "incentive" package.

It's a letter/spirit of the law thing.

Let me put it this way, there's enough evidence that if a prosecutor wanted to go for it he'd get a conviction virtually guaranteed. Fortunately Viacom and MS have all the right wheels greased, so it'll never happen

[Rob Zuber]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Plus when I found out that Amir M. was speaking at CEDIA on behalf of AVS, I just sort of lost interest in that whole show altogether.

I seriously believe that all BD insiders should stop posting at AVS. It is lending credibility to a corrupt organization.

All responses to Amir's lies could be done here. Regular folks who cross-post here and there could refer AVS users here.

I think this should be seriously considered. I'd love to see a mass "resignation" of BD insiders from AVS. The continued presence of BD insiders at AVS gives them an air of credibility that they should no longer enjoy.

[WickyWoo]

I think this should be seriously considered. I'd love to see a mass "resignation" of BD insiders from AVS. The continued presence of BD insiders at AVS gives them an air of credibility that they should no longer enjoy.

Absolutely not. Like it or not, AVS is gospel among a lot of people who have no clue what's actually going on. It's the default referral for AV advice

We need them over there FUD-fighting. At least they're unlikely to get banned for it.