Why isn't Universal supporting Blu-ray?

[Ian110769]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea what's going on with Universal being the only major film studio that is so far not supporting Blu-ray? They are the only 1 out of the big 8 missing from the line up compared to HD-DVDs 3, of which Universal is one. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they owned by Viacom, the same people who own Paramount who are supporting both formats. I have to admit to looking forward to the prospect of the new Battlestar Gallactica in HD on Blu-ray which so far doesn't seem likely.

Moderator's note: Separated two different questions into separate threads. - nyg

[dracy69]

http://www.viacom.com/motionpic.jhtml
nope viacom doesnt own universal. eventually universal will switch over. with all the support blu-ray has people will start to turn away from HD-DVD. id really want jurassic park in HD for Blu-Ray....that would be sick

[hmurchison]

I find it reprehensible that the studios are forcing me to choose a platform to view their wares. And to think I felt sorry about piracy affecting their business once.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by hmurchison

I find it reprehensible that the studios are forcing me to choose a platform to view their wares. And to think I felt sorry about piracy affecting their business once.

Only if you're lacking in patience and insist on immediate early adoption.

No one is forcing you to do anything at all unless an agent comes to your house on behalf of either format and puts a gun to your head and makes you whip out that credit card and make a purchase.

[phloyd]

It took a long time for all of the studios to do DVD...

[JTK]

To answer the thread title: I think Microsoft probably wrote
Universal out a nice check.

[dracy69]

Sony could probably write a nicer one.....

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dracy69

Sony could probably write a nicer one.....

Tough call.

[dracy69]

Sony does make alot more money. the net value of the company isnt nearly as much as MS's but as a whole the company has and makes more money. and spends more money of course...

[Blue]

Guess what Universal's parent makes more (and spends more) than Microsoft and Sony combined!!! Although no offical announcement of any sort one has to wonder what sort of HD player GE will be making? One also has to wonder if there is any tie up with Toshiba and GE (although I doubt this one)? This one is a can of worms. But at the end of the day it's Columia / Tristar, Fox, MGM, Disney, Warner, (Paramount) vs Warner, Paramount and Universal. It's not hard to work out what type of player I want. I don't want teo different players. GE is not in the business of lossing money, so I'm sure one day soon, like about the end of the year Universal will be releasing BD-rom discs.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Blue

Guess what Universal's parent makes more (and spends more) than Microsoft and Sony combined!!! Although no offical announcement of any sort one has to wonder what sort of HD player GE will be making? One also has to wonder if there is any tie up with Toshiba and GE (although I doubt this one)? This one is a can of worms. But at the end of the day it's Columia / Tristar, Fox, MGM, Disney, Warner, (Paramount) vs Warner, Paramount and Universal. It's not hard to work out what type of player I want. I don't want teo different players. GE is not in the business of lossing money, so I'm sure one day soon, like about the end of the year Universal will be releasing BD-rom discs.

^^ Very likely.

[Dr Kain]

As long as King Kong, The Mummy, Riddick, and Jurassic Park make it oever to BR soon, I'll be happy.

[AV_Integrated]

The most recent thing I have heard is that Universal is claiming they are releasing on HD-DVD because it is 'Here and available'. This means that if Blu-ray does come through with production capability and sells well, there is no reason at all we shouldn't be seeing Universal titles out before the year is over. A lot depends on manufacturing capability of Blu-ray as well as sales though.

I would think that Universal may release movies on Blu-ray before we see some of Blu-rays own supporters releasing movies...

The bigger question is...

Where is DISNEY!?! WHERE IS FOX!?! WHERE IS WB!?!

I think that both formats may be having production capability issues that may keep things treading slowly for the next year.

[zombie]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

I would think that Universal may release movies on Blu-ray before we see some of Blu-rays own supporters releasing movies...

The bigger question is...

Where is DISNEY!?! WHERE IS FOX!?! WHERE IS WB!?!

I think that both formats may be having production capability issues that may keep things treading slowly for the next year.

The last I've read is that Disney and Fox are waiting for BD to launch before giving dates for their initial titles. Makes sense to me with all of the delays that they don't wanna get mixed up in the confusion as well. Warner will announce shortly after launch as well.

[Ian110769]

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

As long as King Kong, The Mummy, Riddick, and Jurassic Park make it oever to BR soon, I'll be happy.

I agree that I would also be happy if most of that little lot make it over to Blu-ray (you can keep Riddick personally, Pitch Black never did much for me). I'm sure there are other similar big Universal titles which currently escape me I would also be glad to see.

It only makes good sense in the long run that they will release their big money titles on both formats. Having had a look at their current HD-DVD release plans I have to say there are only about 2 in their I would entertain giving house room to currently - nothing there to make me do anything rash like rush out and buy HD-DVD! As they say time will tell....

[yvzpa]

I have read from somewhere before that Universal is not supporting Blu-ray because they no longer believe in Sony since they persuaded Universal into investing large sums of money in UMD.

I can't find the original article but here is a little bit of beef shown by a Universal exec in the following:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has completely stopped producing UMD movies, according to executives who asked not to be identified by name. Said one high-ranking exec: "It's awful. Sales are near zilch. It's another Sony bomb -- like Blu-ray."

Source:http://videogames.yahoo.com/newsarti...=448940&page=0

[suprmallet]

UMD was a bad idea from the start. Universal should kick themselves for going into it instead of kicking Sony for creating it.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by suprmallet

UMD was a bad idea from the start. Universal should kick themselves for going into it instead of kicking Sony for creating it.

Exactly right.

UMD was, imo, needless and redundant. Too proprietary.

Just make the PSP a slick portable DVD player that can play videogames and call it a day.


On that note: Some people try to compare Blu-Ray to UMD in the same breath and they couldn't be more wrong if they tried for the most obvious reasons of all: Hardware and software support. It's not even close.

[Ian110769]

Originally Posted by yvzpa

I have read from somewhere before that Universal is not supporting Blu-ray because they no longer believe in Sony since they persuaded Universal into investing large sums of money in UMD.

I can't find the original article but here is a little bit of beef shown by a Universal exec in the following:

Source:http://videogames.yahoo.com/newsarti...=448940&page=0

Oh dear this doesn't exactly bode well for Universal's support of Blu-ray in the short term does it? It seems a shame to me that UMD movie disc have to relate in the slightest to HD Blu-ray but that's business I suppose. UMD always did seem like a non-starter to me, why would you want to watch a movie on a tiny PSP screen anyway? It only surprised me how many titles were coming out for it at all!

Anyway I guess only time well tell as always, but if Blu-ray is as successful as it should be - and I still think the PS3 will be a major factor in ensuring that happens - Universal will start releasing movies on it too. They may have a beef with Sony at the moment but business is business and they aren't gonna pass up the chance to make a buck!

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Ian110769

Oh dear this doesn't exactly bode well for Universal's support of Blu-ray in the short term does it? It seems a shame to me that UMD movie disc have to relate in the slightest to HD Blu-ray but that's business I suppose. UMD always did seem like a non-starter to me, why would you want to watch a movie on a tiny PSP screen anyway? It only surprised me how many titles were coming out for it at all!

Anyway I guess only time well tell as always, but if Blu-ray is as successful as it should be - and I still think the PS3 will be a major factor in ensuring that happens - Universal will start releasing movies on it too. They may have a beef with Sony at the moment but business is business and they aren't gonna pass up the chance to make a buck!

I figured no logic or rational thinking went into it, really.

Someone at Universal made a decision in anger and on emotion and this is the result.

Why not support BOTH formats like pretty much everyone else?

This is just silly.