I believe Universal will release in Blu-ray!

[sohjonn]

sorry for the misleading title, but i know for a fact that they will distribute BD very shortly or no later than Q1 08'. I'm 110% sure Universal is under contract with the HD-DVD group like Paramount and Dreamworks.

Why? many reasons to think about:

1. Universal doesn't want to renew their contract with the HD-DVD group; making the HDDVD group desperate, because they knew if they lose Universal to neutrality, the war will be over PERIOD!

What will they do to survive and piss off a lot of consumers? Make a deal with Paramount/Dreamworks for a mere $150M to extend the war another 18 months. $150M might sound like a lot to you, but it's a bargain compared to what Universal would demand.

2. If Universal were not under contract and simply produced HD-DVD because they believed HD-DVD was a "superior product" and "cheap" (no pun intended), then they must be wrong on both counts, b/c BD is outselling 2:1. The HD-DVD group will always counter this fact with attach rates and stand-alone market share: but let me tell you this, you can have 1:99 in favour of HD-DVD standalone players, Xbox addons and cpu drives, but if you if your media is trailing 2:1 to blu-ray, that number means squat, b/c that's where all the money is made: in the media produced.

Is a cheaper player better? it's all about perception! If i buy a blu-ray player for $500 and the movies cost $35, hey that's not too bad, seems about right. if i get a hd-dvd player for $100 and the movies are $30...wow that's expensive! remember you have to have a mindset of the average consumer HD DVD thinks we're all cheap, if we're cheap enough to buy your player, we won't be cheap enough to buy the movies. if i was that cheap, i would just continue getting my movies 'elsewhere' and watching it in standard def.

Back to 'if Universal wasn't under contract', they ought to be reall pissed that Paramount/DW received such 'high' incentives when Universal has been so 'loyal' and got diddly squat. that's an outright slap in the face. However, what was Universal's reaction to the deal? There was none, nothing, no frown, no celebration, nadda. Because they are under contract and it is about to expire so to respect their contract, they have to keep quiet and quietly support HD-DVD. There's only one reason for any studio to produce in HD-DVD exclusively and that's b/c they were paid out to do so.

[SS316SRV]

Speculation...but I like it. Let's start that rumor here. Universal is going neutral. They have to (I really want the Bourne trilogy ). To repeat...UNIVERSAL IS GOING BLU!!!

[BillCable]

Originally Posted by sohjonn

sorry for the misleading title

Apology not accepted. I came in here expecting some real news, not more speculation.

[Bombthroat]

I can't say I agree with you on all points. I do hope Universal decides to become neutral sometime in the not to distant future. I'd like to have some of their releases, but only using high bit-rate video and lossless audio.

Foreward to Universal:
This isn't HD DUD Universal, Blu-ray owners expect a truly next-gen experience not a "good enough" experience.

[ussrelativity]

Originally Posted by Bombthroat

I can't say I agree with you on all points. I do hope Universal decides to become neutral sometime in the not to distant future. I'd like to have some of their releases, but only using high bit-rate video and lossless audio.

Foreward to Universal:
This isn't HD DUD Universal, Blu-ray owners expect a truly next-gen experience not a "good enough" experience.

With Blu-ray, it can be done.

[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

Speculation...but I like it. Let's start that rumor here. Universal is going neutral. They have to (I really want the Bourne trilogy ). To repeat...UNIVERSAL IS GOING BLU!!!

Let's also start the following rumor: Universal paid Paramount/Dreamworks the $150M because they are too damn lazy to create Blu-ray titles.

[SS316SRV]

Let's try and be positive. I hope that Universal goes Blu exclusive, or even better...Toshiba goes bankrupt and MSoft has to bail them out. That would make any investment into Toshiba an investment into damaged goods. I hope that tomorrow Microsoft admits that Java is a better codec than HDi. I hope everybody gets a free 1080P TV of their choice to watch Blu-ray movies on. I hope that...Universal goes over to the Blu side.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Sohjonn you stated that you know for a fact. Do you have insider contacts or are you one yourself? Not trying to be argumentative. I just want to know how excited I should get. Is this a gut feeling, an opinion, or more. I hope it is the latter.

[sohjonn]

Originally Posted by TheDooD

Call me skeptic...

1. Universal doesn't want to renew their contract? Who's to say Universal has any contract and even if so according to who?

2. Thats just baffling. According to you, consumers should have no problem spending $35 for software because they have spent $500+ for a Blu Ray player. But they would have a problem spending the same for software when the players cost $200? Do you realize how stupid that sounds? Consumers on both sides aren't happy about the cost of software, but it comes with new technology. If anything HD DVD owners are happy that the competition has forced Toshiba to lower the prices of their players. I have even thought about going neutral because of this. Maybe it isn't such a bad idea for the BDA to follow lead.

I recall an article where someone from Universal actually praised Paramounts stupid move. I'll try to find the link.

Like I've said in previous posts, I only own a Blu Ray player but I'm also a very logical person and I'm not going to sit here and act blind to reality when I've spoken and continue to speak with my wallet for the Blu Ray cause. Chances of Universal going neutral are probably more slimmer than ever now. If anything Paramounts move just made Universal more comfortable in supporting HD DVD since Universal was basically the only large studio supporting a dying format. Who knows, maybe something is in place for Universal supporting HD DVD?

you're a skeptic , and just in case nobody knows, i own 5 HD-DVD players...that's b/c i've sold out all of my blu-ray players nah just kidding, but i do own only the hd-dvd player...nah, just kidding again

[ESUNintel]

If Universal goes neutral it be great, if they go Blu it be even better!!

Let's continue supporting Blu-ray all the way, lets continue hoping Blu-ray will win, and it might because it actually has a chance. This time Sony is not alone, and many agree that Blu-ray is the better format.

If worse turns into worst, well guess what? I'm sure that by then HD-DVD/Blu-ray combo players will be cheaper (I've heard Samsung has a plan to release one for $500 soon). That means that even if Blu-ray dies out, we are not throwing money away, we'll have the opportunity to play our BD movies on combo players. There is no reason to go neutral really (for us, consumers), since we'll still be able to enjoy which ever format looses on those future players.

...anyways, let us continue supporting the better format (cause if we back down now, we're simply surrendering, not being logical). If Blu-ray continues being the superior format, and the most purchased, than maybe Universal will start making Blu-ray movies, and maybe so will Paramount in 18 months.

[sohjonn]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

Sohjonn you stated that you know for a fact. Do you have insider contacts or are you one yourself? Not trying to be argumentative. I just want to know how excited I should get. Is this a gut feeling, an opinion, or more. I hope it is the latter.

i'll be honest, it's just a gut feeling. Sure my gut feelings are always wrong, but there's something special about this one. i just know it! if i'm wrong, i'll definately scare the crap out of the HD-DVD supporters, because although, it's all 'rumoured', it could be true; just remember this could happen...and it will. I promise it. BD supporters, just go out and be confident and believe this story and tell it like you believe and eventually it'll be the truth.

[PaulDubya]

Originally Posted by TheDooD

Call me skeptic...

1. Universal doesn't want to renew their contract? Who's to say Universal has any contract and even if so according to who?

2. Thats just baffling. According to you, consumers should have no problem spending $35 for software because they have spent $500+ for a Blu Ray player. But they would have a problem spending the same for software when the players cost $200? Do you realize how stupid that sounds? Consumers on both sides aren't happy about the cost of software, but it comes with new technology. If anything HD DVD owners are happy that the competition has forced Toshiba to lower the prices of their players. I have even thought about going neutral because of this. Maybe it isn't such a bad idea for the BDA to follow lead.

I recall an article where someone from Universal actually praised Paramounts stupid move. I'll try to find the link.

Like I've said in previous posts, I only own a Blu Ray player but I'm also a very logical person and I'm not going to sit here and act blind to reality when I've spoken and continue to speak with my wallet for the Blu Ray cause. Chances of Universal going neutral are probably more slimmer than ever now. If anything Paramounts move just made Universal more comfortable in supporting HD DVD since Universal was basically the only large studio supporting a dying format. Who knows, maybe something is in place for Universal supporting HD DVD?

You going neutral isnt going to help the war. Secondly you will be paying upwards of $750.00 for a Hd-dud player that actually processes 1080p. The cheap $299.00 players only output @ 1080i, theres a big difference young jedi. I wonder if you knew that?

Secondly your kinda talkin outa both sides of your mouth u supoort blu with your wallet but then you'd consider going DUD just causee they got a cheaper player. Your supporting a dieing cause. Even the retards that work @ CC and Best buy that dont know squat about the HD war pick Bluray and will tell u that HD-DUD wont be around to much longer.

Im not being negative by the way, but you really sounded confused. You need to do more homework in the HD arena before criticising the other guy for his speculative thoughts. Just a thought. One love BLU

[sohjonn]

Originally Posted by TheDooD

How about answering to my post instead? If you want to be immature about it, then fine.

I have a hard time believing that someone stating things as facts like they have some insider knowledge, would reply with some of the most childish jibberish I've seen here.

sorry didn't mean to offend you, why are you so uptight, relax. to answer your question

"1. Universal doesn't want to renew their contract? Who's to say Universal has any contract and even if so according to who?"

if that is the initial question, i gave 2 scenarios in my original post for if Universal is under contract and if Universal isn't under contract, both point to them going neutral. it may sound illogical to you, but Paramount/DW going Exclusive to HD-DVD is like an unsolvable rubix cube.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Blu-Poo

Sweet I found the circle jerk party!!!

You love circle jerks.

[GaS]

Originally Posted by Blu-Poo

Sweet I found the circle jerk party!!!

Who has the ban stick?

[PaulDubya]

Originally Posted by GaS

Who has the ban stick?

I think the dee de dee was banned just moments ago. His thread that he started was banned in record time.

[SS316SRV]

"Why is that I will have to go out and buy another player to make use of things only attainable with future 1.1 profile players? My $700 Sony which is only 1.0 will not be fully compatible with future interactivity "


Interactivity? How about pure picture and audio quality. I really don't care about hearing a Millionaire talk about how hard it was to learn stunts. I want the best. HDDVD can't give me, or you, that. Sony is improving their technology because it can be improved. HDDVD is maxed out. The Tosh A2s - A20s and whatever player they come out with will be no better than the one before it. Sweet deal to me. I want to stand still with my technology.

[PaulDubya]

Originally Posted by TheDooD

It's kind of ironic that you call me confused, but you can't seem to know that the cheapest 1080p HD player is actually around $320. Yes, I've looked. No I'm not speaking out of both sides of my mouth, I'm not going to miss out on movies I want because they aren't going to be on Blu Ray any longer. I thought HD DVD was a dieing cause, who didn't? But I see that the tide has shifted, maybe not completely in favor of HD DVD but it has shifted enough to probably guarantee that both formats are going to be around a while.

And who can't be confused by this? The BDA claimed this war was over multiple times and now it seems almost endless. Tell me why the chairman of the BDA seems unsure about Blu Ray now? Why is that I will have to go out and buy another player to make use of things only attainable with future 1.1 profile players? My $700 Sony which is only 1.0 will not be fully compatible with future interactivity according to Paidgeek. WTF?

Get my drift, I'm ticked off that the BDA has put themselves in this position and that later I find out my $700 will not support interactive features of future titles. Clearly all is not great behind the scenes and I wish I was there to hear just 5 minutes of it.

Very well there may be a player that is $325.00 but does that justify a move to a dyeing format? Who cares if your BD player hooks up to the net. Do you actually video games on your standard DVD player? Then what are the odds of you actually using that interactivity? If you do use it then i see your point. But realize young jedi that all films will come to Blu-ray eventually. You need to look at it from this point: How can i help end the war. NOT BY BUYING AN HD-PLAYER. But you sound rather impatient. So if you cant wait for the bourne trilogy or fast and the furious, then by all means go spend another 3 bones on a DUD player. Your loss. I'm only trying to help you lool at it from a reaistic point of view, not saying that you havent made som good points but either way its food forr thought homie.

[PaulDubya]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

"Why is that I will have to go out and buy another player to make use of things only attainable with future 1.1 profile players? My $700 Sony which is only 1.0 will not be fully compatible with future interactivity "


Interactivity? How about pure picture and audio quality. I really don't care about hearing a Millionaire talk about how hard it was to learn stunts. I want the best. HDDVD can't give me, or you, that. Sony is improving their technology because it can be improved. HDDVD is maxed out. The Tosh A2s - A20s and whatever player they come out with will be no better than the one before it. Sweet deal to me. I want to stand still with my technology.

U have wisdom beyond your years young jedi. Cause i dont give a flyin hd-dvd about commentary and stupid games, just give me awesome picture and sound.

[TruBlu2]

What date does this contract expire?

I've heard that Universal is going neutral no later then Jan.08. Hopefully sooner