Universal Responds to Blockbuster Blu-ray Move

[Aaron]

Once again, Universal finds somthing wrong with Blu-ray.

Only a few days ago Blockbuster made the announcement that it was prioritising Blu-ray over HD DVD rentals from its stores, which was widely reported as a major blow to the Toshiba led camp. It was timely then that some of the key supporters of the format came together to give a selected group of journalists an update on the current state-of-play from the HD DVD camp.

The key question was naturally enough what its response was to Blockbuster’s move to drop HD DVD rentals from 250 of its US stores. Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of High Definition Strategic Marketing for Universal and co-president HD DVD Promotional Group, shrugged off the Blockbuster move, stating that rental counted for less the one per cent of its revenue. He also pointed out that Blockbuster still offered HD DVD on its online stores.



Ken then said that the interactive and online features of HD DVD that gave it an edge over Blu-ray, stating that Blu-ray’s BD-J had only just been finally ratified, rendering early players obsolete. By contrast HD DVD was a fixed standard and that any player that didn’t conform could not use the official logo, hence its absence from LG’s new dual format player.
Interestingly, Microsoft’s Xavier Bringué implied that it was only when the Blu-ray camp decided it was going with Java that it decided to stop being format agnostic and go with HD DVD – a tacit admission that the move was purely political, based on Microsoft’s poor relationship with Sun. Bringué also scotched rumours that Microsoft had any plans for a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox in the future. *

What Ken really said would win the format war was price, with HD DVD’s lower production costs giving it an advantage here over Blu-ray. When asked about when we would see a £100 HD DVD player, Toshiba’s Olivier Van Wynendaele, said it was unlikely to be this year, but that we could soon expect for see decks from Chinese manufactures that would undercut its own entry-level HD-E1 deck, which can currently be picked up for around £260.


Link: www.toshiba.co.uk

• Update: Microsoft has taken exception to my take on Xavier Bringué's comments on why it supports HD DVD. For the record this is its response:
  
  “Microsoft believes that HD DVD's HDi, with its mandatory features and superior interactivity provides a better experience for the consumer. This was one of several reasons Microsoft and Intel decided to endorse HD DVD. We believe that the latest HD DVD titles in the market prove our point.”
  
  So now you know.

Link

[dialog_gvf]

The key question was naturally enough what its response was to Blockbuster’s move to drop HD DVD rentals from 250 of its US stores.

Well, that isn't accurate. They decided not to advance HD DVD beyond those 250, but to add Blu-ray to 1450 more stores.

Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of High Definition Strategic Marketing for Universal and co-president HD DVD Promotional Group, shrugged off the Blockbuster move, stating that rental counted for less the one per cent of its revenue. He also pointed out that Blockbuster still offered HD DVD on its online stores.

Ken says "big whoop rental means squat to us, let them eat online cake" and that is supposed to rally the troops?

Gary

[Musashi]

Why dies Graffeo continue to torture himself with false hope? "Price will win", "Advantages over", "players obsolete"(which they're not). What a dumbass.

And of course, Microshaft continues their lie about why they supported Toshiba.

[Esox50]

He probably HAS to say these things. We'll hopefully get our chance in the next 12 months to see how fast he changes his tune...

[Shin-Ra]

All players support BD-J, as well.

[atomik kinder]

Why do these people keep ignoring the fact that what people see they will buy. Do you not think that if someone goes into a Blockbuster and sees only Blu-ray discs they would purchase a Blu-ray player and NOT an HD-DVD player when the time came for them to make a choice? Which, would lead to more sales for Blu-ray discs. Visiblility is a factor. Titles are a factor. Inexpensive is often times perceived as inferior.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Once again, Universal finds somthing wrong with Blu-ray.
Link

Well not much of a rebuttal. Pretty lame really.

But I have questions that come out of their comments about fixed mandatory standards .. aren't the HiDef Audio formats part of the official HD-DVD standard?

Does that mean the xbox add-on actually does not have an official logo since it doesn't support them? Right?

If it does come with an official logo then what does the fixed standard that he is referring to mean? The same thing - that he is claiming is a disadvantage of Blu-ray?

And I thought BD-J was supported?

I'm so confused....that's why I'm so glad I went with the PS3 and it's upgrade capabilities.

[movies3]

HD DVD = Confusing LOL

[JTK]

The more I read this stuff, the more pleasure I take in NOT sending any money in Universal's direction. Let 'em rot with HD-DVD. I dare them to ignore BD entirely for another holiday season and lose their shirts doing it. They all deserve each other and all deserve the same fate.

[movies3]

Originally Posted by JTK

The more I read this stuff, the more pleasure I take in NOT sending any money in Universal's direction. Let 'em rot with HD-DVD. I dare them to ignore BD entirely for another holiday season and lose their shirts doing it. They all deserve each other and all deserve the same fate.

wow a blu-ray king now!! damn you have alot of posts lol

[JTK]

Originally Posted by movies3

wow a blu-ray king now!! damn you have alot of posts lol

I know. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened.

[JToddler]

Originally Posted by JTK

I know. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened.

That's amazing! I myself may never get to post too much, I am just plain too busy! Luckily, I have a couple of minutes reading and maybe replying to each and everyone's interesting post!

As for Universal, only time will tell what's going to happen! Turn blue and you'll get more dough!

[JTK]

Originally Posted by SumYonGuy

That's amazing! I myself may never get to post too much, I am just plain too busy! Luckily, I have a couple of minutes reading and maybe replying to each and everyone's interesting post!

I remember when I joined here it was summer time and I was in between jobs so that probably has something to do with it as well.

It doesn't hurt that I can type rather quickly as well.

As for Universal, only time will tell what's going to happen! Turn blue and you'll get more dough!

I think it's just a matter of time.

[calgarymarc]

Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of High Definition Strategic Marketing for Universal and co-president HD DVD Promotional Group, shrugged off the Blockbuster move, stating that rental counted for less the one per cent of its revenue.

I wonder why less than 1% of Universals revenues come from rentals. Universal hasn't had much success in the quality of movies out lately.
This article is junk.

[thunderhawk]

Originally Posted by calgarymarc

I wonder why less than 1% of Universals revenues come from rentals. Universal hasn't had much success in the quality of movies out lately.
This article is junk.

Indeed. "Oh it's just 1%". They forgot they're missing a potential user base that could buy the HD DVDs...

M$ forgot they delay the adoption of BD with supporting HD DVD so they can further roll out their Video-On-Demand service...

[BTBuck1]

After this last wave of trash I got on HDDVD (Liar/Liar, Bruce almighty, Harshtimes) I think I am going to be very very careful what I buy blind on HDDVD. Their recent releases have just seemed to be ported over with the equivelant care and concern of BD's like "Hitch" & "The Punisher"

[movies3]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

After this last wave of trash I got on HDDVD (Liar/Liar, Bruce almighty, Harshtimes) I think I am going to be very very careful what I buy blind on HDDVD. Their recent releases have just seemed to be ported over with the equivelant care and concern of BD's like "Hitch" & "The Punisher"

i would sell them if i were you

[GasCat]

One person is clearly fighting for their job.

M$ must answer all claims that they went with HD-DVD because of Sun's Java on Blu-Ray. Otherwise they will face anti-trust litigation.

Sadly a large number of tech-saavy people under the age of 25 do not recall M$'s heavy handed tactics in destroying software companies. These mis-informed people sit on boards defending them.