Paramount/DreamWorks fallout... a primal scream therapy thread for Blu-ray fans

[Icemage]

I don't quite buy this train of logic.

Studios are, by and large, losing money on HDM. They are investing in the future to ensure they have a revenue stream tomorrow, not cashing in on the limited market that is available today (with the exception of Paramount/Dreamworks who have reportedly received more money under the table than they've spent on all HDM thus far and are therefore assumably quite happy to be losing a bit of that money).

The only studio not taking a bath in red ink would be Warner, and I'm not even sure about them.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Icemage

I don't quite buy this train of logic.

Studios are, by and large, losing money on HDM. They are investing in the future to ensure they have a revenue stream tomorrow, not cashing in on the limited market that is available today (with the exception of Paramount/Dreamworks who have reportedly received more money under the table than they've spent on all HDM thus far and are therefore assumably quite happy to be losing a bit of that money).

The only studio not taking a bath in red ink would be Warner, and I'm not even sure about them.

I bet if Universal went neutral, that may help lift them out of the red... wishful thinking, but it's gotta happen eventually.

[kpkelley]

I think the difference maker is not going to be content, but rather widespread consumer electronics adoption of one medium. VHS won because it was easy and accessible to record television shows or live events because the CE communitty made those options available. Currently Blu-ray is leading that front by a wide margin as computer drives and camcorders are adopting blu-ray compatability, while hd-dvd can't get any such electronics off the ground. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think there is even an hd-dvd recorder for the computer available.

[Go Blu]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I think the difference maker is not going to be content, but rather widespread consumer electronics adoption of one medium. VHS won because it was easy and accessible to record television shows or live events because the CE communitty made those options available. Currently Blu-ray is leading that front by a wide margin as computer drives and camcorders are adopting blu-ray compatability, while hd-dvd can't get any such electronics off the ground. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think there is even an hd-dvd recorder for the computer available.

You are absolutely right.

Utilizing all of Blu-rays capacity in all facets of CE is the second front which will decide this war. Lucky for us Dell and Apple are both on board with Blu. I personally think that the BDA should push a little harder in this area as well.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

... Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think there is even an hd-dvd recorder for the computer available.

Intentional or not, it has one advantage for now - no piracy.

Remember when software came on floppy? It was easy to copy. Then they started softkeys, and laser encoded disks in an attempt to stop it. None of it worked very well.

Then software came out on CD. You could not copy it for one very good reason, NO ONE had a burner. It simply did not exist. Sure, you might copy the contents to a hard drive, but you were not fitting it on a floppy. Now to get a pirate copy you had to borrow your friends disc. When software companies wised up to this problem, you now had to keep the CD in the drive to get the software to run. This is still the case with PC games. It was a pirate free world for a short while until burners came along.

They might not want HD DVD burners for that very reason. Doesn't sound logical, nor reasonable for something with a lot of storage, but eh. This IS Toshiba and Microsoft were are talking about.

At best, someone can rip a movie to a hard drive and burn it to DVD, but what is the point?

[Copywriter]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I think the difference maker is not going to be content, but rather widespread consumer electronics adoption of one medium. VHS won because it was easy and accessible to record television shows or live events because the CE communitty made those options available. Currently Blu-ray is leading that front by a wide margin as computer drives and camcorders are adopting blu-ray compatability, while hd-dvd can't get any such electronics off the ground. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think there is even an hd-dvd recorder for the computer available.

Content is always king.

DVD, for instance, was finally adapted by the mass market, because of two reasons.

1. Content available finally reached acceptable levels.
2. Price of conversion reached acceptable levels (specially, DVD players at $200 or less).

You are looking at what actually happened (and will happen) and not the "how & why" it happened (and will happen).

The "game" has past the innovator stage and is now in the early adopter stage. Once the above two conditions are satisfied, we'll head to the early majority stage (as before) and that's where you'll see one format gain dominance.

When there's about 1/3rd of the market into the game, we'll be in the early majority stage.

You can look to retail outlets as a gauge of where things stand. B&Ms like Best Buy are trying to get out in front and position themselves, which is why they have allocated larger BLU/HD DVD/ETC space in their stores than laggards like Target and Wal-Mart.

Unlike Best Buy, those two chains are positioned more towards the common shopper in the mass market, which is why BLU/HD DVD/ETC occupies minimal floor space within their electronics department.

When those two crank up their floor space, assortment and promotion, you'll know the market has really gone past early adoption.

[ulises76]

Is Bluray Planing On Releasing Transformers Anytime Soon?

[w_tanoto]

no

[tiger roach]

Worst troll ever. At least put a little effort into it for crissakes.

[bryaaaant]

A supporter who's even willing to sign up in a forum would know why.

1 post count? I smell a troll. But in case I'm mistaken, no, it's not - Paramount / Dreamworks , supposedly fueled by millions of dollars in bribe, went HD-DVD exclusive a few months ago.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by ulises76

Is Bluray Planing On Releasing Transformers Anytime Soon?

after the 18 months contract ends. there is 15 months or so left. welcome to the forum.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by ulises76

Is Bluray Planing On Releasing Transformers Anytime Soon?

in about 16 months. paramount sold themselves to toshiba for 18 months for 150 million dollars about 2 months ago.

[StilettoViper]

You know there are actually consumers who are uninformed out there. Don't u think if they were a troll they would be more obvious than this? Isn't it quite possible that he's asking a legitmate question? You geeks need to lighten up with the noobs.

[Elandyll]

Toshiba, to put a few blockbusters (namelyTransformers, Shrek 1-3 and the Bournes) to their side (HD-DVD) "bought" the exclusive support of Paramount/Dreamworks (with the notable exception of Spielberg movies) for a duration of 18 months.
This operation, a bribe by any other name (called a "commercial partnership" by Toshiba I bet), cost about $150M to Tosh (source: New York Times), but will only last till early 09.

So as far as Blu-Ray goes, and not counting a huge shift before that, could probably be expected early in 09, the $150M making for the loss in sales in Blu... In the mind of Paramount Execs that is

[buckshot]

well hd dvd definetly got its money worth. there are confirmed reports that the jack ryan collection has absolutely NO special features. the cover art advertises all the features. but no one can find them anywhere on the discs. I was reading all about it at hdd. it made me giggle. first transformers runs out of room so no hd audio, now ryan has no features. (clap clap clap clap) congratulations hd dvd.

[DaViD Boulet]

I'm thrilled that the HD DVD exclusive titles from Paramount are so piss-poor in regards to qualities like high-res/lossless audio and bonus material. The quicker HD DVD shows it's limitations, and frustrates fans in the process, the quicker that pressure will mount for Paramount (and other studios) to go Blu and use 50GB high-bandwidth.

[blu-rayfan101]

I don't think he is a troll because why would he sign up and then get banned after one post. And plus he has caused us no hard feelings like the warner rumor.