Two Qs about the future of Blu-ray..

[blueblood]

Im new here and just wanted to ask these two questions to get some opinions from yall.

My first question is; Which would you prefer, or which would be better for BluRay, Warner going BD exclusive or Uni going neutral? I was kinda hoping to get reasons for your choice Im not too sure which is more valuable to us and would like to know more about this

My second question would be, if it could be decided that tomorrow we would have a winner in the format war, would you be for it or would you prefer for this war to continue.

I hope these questions dont come off as a pointless thead, I just want to get as much info on this as possible. Thanks to all

[WickyWoo]

Warner going exclusive would be the death blow. They're worth a neutral Uni and Paramount combined when it comes to sheer volume of titles and market share.

It needed to end before it began

[HK-48]

I agree. HD DVD doesn't have much studio support, and they would be crippled if Warner Brothers stopped supporting them. In this entire format war, Warner Brothers has the highest market share of all studios, while Universal is only ahead of the smaller studio Lionsgate and the other category. And if Universal went neutral, HD DVD wouldn't lose any studio support, so I choose Warner Brothers going Blu-Ray exclusive. (Which will hopefully happen soon )

I'd rather have the war end ASAP. That way I can watch all movies on Blu-Ray and not some on Blu-Ray and some on DVD.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Warner going exclusive would be the death blow. They're worth a neutral Uni and Paramount combined when it comes to sheer volume of titles and market share.

It needed to end before it began

I would have to agree wioth your suggestion, Warner going exclusive would definitely be the most crushing to death blow to HD-DVD. They have a huge catalog of titles and it would hurt HD-DVD really bad if they lost almost 1/3 of their movies, including their biggest HD-DVD movie in 300. I hope Warner will go Blu exclusive in 08.

[Scrapanatchi]

if warner went blu only i would expect a few mayor retailers would follow them.. then a short time after that, universal would have to announce blu-ray support... that would pretty much end it...

[ground chuck]

there's only one answer to this question and its warner going blu.

[The Guardian]

Warner, for sure. And of course we want the war to end... we already all own BD players so we don't care much if prices get driven down if there is no competing format...

I think the question becomes more interesting if you make it a choice between Warner going Blu, or Universal going Blu (not just neutral)... In that case, I'd pick Universal.

[Slapper]

I just don't know if Warner will go Blu exclusive any time soon because this decision is kind of a double-edged sword for them.

Yes, going Blu exclusive would end this hi-def format war much faster than "letting the consumer decide." Warner has a huge catalog of titles and we all know that software sells the hardware. Without Warner's catalog, HD-DVD would be severely crippled. Blu-ray would be the only real choice for hi-def (on disc) for consumers. This would cause the adoption rate for Blu-ray to sky-rocket.

But, that decision to go Blu would also hurt the biggest money-maker for Warner (and all the other studios for that matter), which is DVD. I guess it really depends on whether or not Warner is willing to help prematurely kill off DVD. Yes, I said prematurely. Turning the DVD format into fertilizer to help Blu-ray's growth doesn't make sense at this time. Hi-def disc sales are still in the single digits (percentage wise) compared to DVD sales. DVD is a monster money-maker. Remaining neutral, when DVD is still pretty darn strong, is in Warner's best financial interest.

Heck, Paramount may have taken the Toshiba bribe partially for this reason. I'm sure the $150 million was a big incentive, but perhaps they could see that leveling the hi-def playing field a bit more would artificially extend the life of DVD.

We have to remember it's all about the $$$. It would take a boatload of money from the BDA to get Warner to go Blu exclusive because the BDA would have to pay for all of Warner's "potentially lost DVD sales." We're talking really big money. I think Warner will stay neutral, milk DVD and HD-DVD for as long as they're able (as long as DVD keeps making mad cash), then choose Blu. Hunker down, it could be a long time.

Edit: I guess i got side-tracked and didn't really answer your questions, Blueblood. Sorry about that. Anyhoo, I think Warner going Blu would bring a resolution to the war. Uni going neutral would not make that much difference IMO. If the hi-def war could end tomorrow (with Blu-ray the winner) then I would be a very happy camper. I may even have time to WATCH some of my Blu-ray movies instead of spending a large chunk of my free time here.

[jorg]

i think when usa sales favor blu-ray 3-1 or 4-1 is when warner will go exlusive

[HK-48]

Originally Posted by Slapper

I just don't know if Warner will go Blu exclusive any time soon because this decision is kind of a double-edged sword for them.

Yes, going Blu exclusive would end this hi-def format war much faster than "letting the consumer decide." Warner has a huge catalog of titles and we all know that software sells the hardware. Without Warner's catalog, HD-DVD would be severely crippled. Blu-ray would be the only real choice for hi-def (on disc) for consumers. This would cause the adoption rate for Blu-ray to sky-rocket.

But, that decision to go Blu would also hurt the biggest money-maker for Warner (and all the other studios for that matter), which is DVD. I guess it really depends on whether or not Warner is willing to help prematurely kill off DVD. Yes, I said prematurely. Hi-def disc sales are still in the single digits (percentage wise) compared to DVD sales. DVD is a monster money-maker. Remaining neutral, when DVD is still pretty darn strong, is in Warner's best financial interest.

Heck, Paramount may have taken the Toshiba bribe partially for this reason. I'm sure the $150 million was a big incentive, but perhaps they could see that leveling the hi-def playing field a bit more would artificially extend the life of DVD.

It's all about the $$$. It would take a boatload of money from the BDA to get Warner to go Blu exclusive because the BDA would have to pay for all of Warner's "potentially lost DVD sales." We're talking really big money. I think Warner will stay neutral, milk DVD and HD-DVD for as long as they're able (as long as DVD keeps making mad cash), then choose Blu. Hunker down, it could be a long time.

Edit: I guess i got side-tracked and didn't really answer your questions, Blueblood. Sorry about that. Anyhoo, I think Warner going Blu would bring a resolution to the war. Uni going neutral would not make that much difference IMO. If the hi-def war could end tomorrow (with Blu-ray the winner) then I would be a very happy camper. I may even have time to WATCH some of my Blu-ray movies instead of spending a large chunk of my free time here.

I doubt any studio will stop releasing their films in DVD until most homes in the world have an HD TV and a Blu-Ray player. And it's not like Warner can't go Blu-Ray exclusive while releasing their films in DVD as well.

[Maxell]

I wish Warner could go Blu exclusive.
I have a gut feeling that Toshiba will not be satisfied by Transformers numbers and may be talking to the bank for another big payoff, but to WB. WB is too much on the fence with a history of leaning towards hddvd (Batman Begins, Matrix, etc).

[Stylelss Blu]

personaly guys i have no intention to ever buy hd dvd....im an all out sony fan...but to tell u the truth i dont care about whether there is a thing called hd dvd in existance...so what...let there be two formats....big freaking woopdy doo....all i want is my movies on blu....so for me i just want freaking universal to get their sh*t together and do whats right....so uni going neutral is much more desired in my eyes...besides if there is two formats the ppl who are hd dvd fans wont get screwed to buy new players and hd dvds.. im no hater so let them have their fun too.....

[Slapper]

Originally Posted by HK-48

I doubt any studio will stop releasing their films in DVD until most homes in the world have an HD TV and a Blu-Ray player. And it's not like Warner can't go Blu-Ray exclusive while releasing their films in DVD as well.

But, Warner can potentially keep their DVD sales high by remaining neutral.

Take Transformers for example (yeah I know it's not Warner). I have seen many people here say they have bought the DVD since it's not available on Blu-ray. In a couple of years when it is released on Blu-ray, they will probably buy that version too. The studio just made two sales to that person for the same film. The same could be said about the fence-sitters: "Oh, I'll just keep buying DVD until there is only one hi-def format." It's all about squeezing as much money out of the DVD format (and their films) as they're able.

Warner going Blu exclusive WILL HURT DVD SALES across the board (see my other post above). If I was in charge of Warner, going Blu exclusive when DVD sales are still great wouldn't make sense to me. Get the DVD sale, then when DVD sales are lacking, go Blu exclusive and shift focus of the home video market to hi-def.

[Whytewash]

I want Warner to go exclusive. That would be the best but lemme tell ya, I would sure as shit be stoked if Uni went neutral. I would be happy with either news but Warner would be a better one to have...

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Slapper

Warner going Blu exclusive WILL HURT DVD SALES across the board (see my other post above). If I was in charge of Warner, going Blu exclusive when DVD sales are still great wouldn't make sense to me. Get the DVD sale, then when DVD sales are lacking, go Blu exclusive and shift focus of the home video market to hi-def.

How on *earth* would Warner going Blu-exclusive hurt their DVD sales? THe people who would've bought their stuff on HD DVD will either buy it on Blu or DVD.

Oh, and the industry can't wait for high def to replace DVD. They want a new, high margin cash cow, and high def is their ticket. Once the war is over, mass adoption can begin, with the profits that go with it.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Slapper

Warner going Blu exclusive WILL HURT DVD SALES across the board (see my other post above).

DVD sales are already going down, and the availability of HDM has practically nothing to do with it. 2007 could be the first year in which consumer spending on DVDs actually declines. DVD is a decade old. You can get a DVD player for $30; they're in 4 out 5 households with TVs. There's very little catalog left to buy, leaving the market at the mercy of new relases; there is precious little DVD can offer in the way of upgrades to justify any further double-dipping on titles consumers already own. DVD has become a victim of its own success.

[Sonny]

warner would have the biggest impact, but there are a lot of universal titles I want Fear and loathing in Las Vegas, Scarface....... miramax,? is with who ?? cause I want Pulp Fiction.

[Anthony P]

My first question is; Which would you prefer, or which would be better for BluRay, Warner going BD exclusive or Uni going neutral? I was kinda hoping to get reasons for your choice Im not too sure which is more valuable to us and would like to know more about this

Uni. Just because that would mean Uni titles coming on BD earlier. It will also make owning dual players (or buying a second player) less enticing.


though I agree with others that Warner would be a major loss for HD DVD. it is now around 80-50 with Warner going HD DVD it becomes roughly 50-50 with them going BD it is 80-20

My second question would be, if it could be decided that tomorrow we would have a winner in the format war, would you be for it or would you prefer for this war to continue.

the faster the better.

[Slapper]

Originally Posted by richteer

How on *earth* would Warner going Blu-exclusive hurt their DVD sales? THe people who would've bought their stuff on HD DVD will either buy it on Blu or DVD.

Oh, and the industry can't wait for high def to replace DVD. They want a new, high margin cash cow, and high def is their ticket. Once the war is over, mass adoption can begin, with the profits that go with it.

If you think DVD is not a high margin cash cow right now then you are wrong. DVD is still bringing in tons of cash.

The folks on the fence that are still buying DVDs will no longer buy DVDs if Blu becomes the hi-def standard right now. DVD sales are still 95%+ of the home video market. That is huge compared to hi-def. The studios would like to squeeze as much SD $$$ as they can out of the DVD format before moving on full steam ahead with the hi-def market. Blu-ray at 1080p, may be the last home video on disc format and a Blu-ray sale to a customer may be the last purchase that customer makes for that film.

But, at the same time, the studio can't ignore the hi-def market either since it will, eventually, become the new "high margin cash cow".

I just don't see Warner going Blu exclusive until DVD sales are in the toilet, or if Blu-ray sales become a very large percentage of the overall home video market.

Warner said they are going to be watching holiday sales. They are not just watching hi-def sales. If DVD sales remain strong, then there is not a whole helluva lot of incentive to go Blu exclusive.

[yspkrk]

Originally Posted by richteer

How on *earth* would Warner going Blu-exclusive hurt their DVD sales? THe people who would've bought their stuff on HD DVD will either buy it on Blu or DVD.

Oh, and the industry can't wait for high def to replace DVD. They want a new, high margin cash cow, and high def is their ticket. Once the war is over, mass adoption can begin, with the profits that go with it.

I totally agree. Warner also knows the fact that a full HD broadcasting will officially begin in Feb. 2009 nation wide. At the point, those who have only analogue TVs must buy either a converter to receive the digital signal or an HD TV. And they will want to upgrade their DVD players to either BD or HD DVD players (hopefully the war has been over and blu is the only choice by the time). So... all studios know conventional DVDs are destined to die after all and the "HUGE" HD market will be blooming soon.