Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended - Blu-ray Forum

ScarredLungs · 01-10-2008, 06:35 AM

I found this article below and saw it quoted on a couple of other sites as well. Is it official that Universal has Dumped HD DVD exclusively? Or is this just an article about more speculation? Thoughts anyone?

Blu-ray could win high-def battle
HD DVD backers could switch sides soon
By DIANE GARRETT, BEN FRITZ

The two remaining studios backing HD DVD could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended. And Paramount has an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release pics on Blu-ray after Warner Bros.' decision to back that format exclusively.
More than one option

Neither studio is ready to throw in the towel immediately, however. Universal is committed to a series of promotions for the high-def format in coming months, and Par has said its current plans are to keep supporting HD DVD, which it backed exclusively in August.

Should Toshiba concede defeat on the format, the decision to drop HD DVD would be made for both studios. But Toshiba doesn't appear ready to do that. At the Consumer Electronics Show, the manufacturer reaffirmed its commitment to the format, noting strong sales during the fourth quarter and indicating it would continue marketing its hardware through 2008.

But retailers may force the HD DVD camp's hand: They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor. With Warners' defection, only Par and U remain in the HD DVD camp; Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate remain ardent Blu-ray backers. Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.

Last summer, Blockbuster also threw its weight behind Blu-ray, though some HD DVD discs remain in stores.

And Warner will continue to release HD DVD discs for the next few months to honor its previous commitment to Toshiba, which extends through May 31. Paramount's HD DVD deal, which covers DreamWorks releases, was to run through this year.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=20&cs=1

Grisle · 01-10-2008, 06:40 AM

What is Daily Variety? Until I hear an official statement I think it's still speculation.

Maxell · 01-10-2008, 06:55 AM

no proof, just more rumors and speculation.

Zyclone · 01-10-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxell

no proof, just more rumors and speculation.

and we don't have enough of that as it is!

Malosch78 · 01-10-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxell

no proof, just more rumors and speculation.

Yes, but I can still hope

I like these kind of rumors. Had there been rumors about Fox going neutral or HD-DVD, i would have been

Cplhicks · 01-10-2008, 07:04 AM

Variety is a very respected Hollywood industry news magazine. It is published both daily and weekly, and pretty much everyone in Hollywood subscribes to it and the Hollywood Reporter. If they are writing this, it is likely true. However, nowhere does it say Universal will switch/go neutral officially. It just says Universal is no longer bound to an exclusivity agreement. That's how I read it anyway. It means Universal is free to go blu if they want, but they can choose not to as well.

Manco · 01-10-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grisle

What is Daily Variety?

Are you kidding me?? Daily Variety is THE daily magazine/newspaper read by EVERY Hollywood execute. I don't think there is anyone of importance in Hollywood that does not start their day without a cup of coffee and the Daily Variety.

If the Variety is reporting "Universal's exclusive commitment to HD-DVD has ended"...there must be something to it. They would not make up stuff like that. It would be rediculous for them to print such a statement without some hard facts behind it.

richard lichtenfelt · 01-10-2008, 07:08 AM

"Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended."

More than just a rumor according to Daily Variety. The word confirmed leaves no wiggle room.
Of course, it's not official until Universal says so, but I imagine they'll be doing just that around the close of CES.

WriteSimply · 01-10-2008, 07:35 AM

If Variety says so, then it is true. Seriously.

Here's hoping that Universal does their HD mastering and encoding carefully before replicating them on BD. I want to replace my Region 2 DVD of Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz immediately! If only the outtakes are in HD too...

fuad

darinp2 · 01-10-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

If Variety says so, then it is true. Seriously.

I think there are multiple ways to read what that article says. When I first read it I thought it meant that they had a contractual commitment that ended. But reading it again I think maybe what it means is that Universal is no longer saying, "We are HD DVD only" and maybe even told Variety that they will not be HD DVD only going forward. They wrote "contract" for the Paramount case, but not the Universal case. Maybe that was just to keep from reusing the same word, but I'm not sure. The article later says that Universal isn't ready to throw in the towel, but maybe they are saying Universal is open to going neutral.

--Darin

Manco · 01-10-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darinp2

There are multiple ways to read what that article says. When I first read it I thought it meant that they had a contractual commitment that ended. But reading it again I think maybe what it means is that Universal is no longer saying, "We are HD DVD only." They wrote "contract" for the Paramount case, but not the Universal case. Maybe that was just to keep from reusing the same word, but I'm not sure. The article later says that Universal isn't ready to throw in the towel, but maybe they are saying Universal is open to going neutral.

Yes. That is exactly what that are saying.

Neutral today. But probably exclusive by spring or summer.

Either way... once they go Neutral, they are never going back.

Finally Bourne on Blu!!

darinp2 · 01-10-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manco

Either way... once they go Neutral, they are never going back.

I definitely agree with that. BTW: Before I saw your response I modified one sentence to read:

But reading it again I think maybe what it means is that Universal is no longer saying, "We are HD DVD only" and maybe even told Variety that they will not be HD DVD only going forward.

If this means that Universal is now neutral, I hope they will make that really clear, and announce some titles. Even if they don't give specific dates, but more like months, quarters, or seasons.

--Darin

Mystique · 01-10-2008, 07:52 AM

Is this really true?!

JohnGalt · 01-10-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystique

Is this really true?!

Daily Variety would have excellent inside sources so it's probably accurate.

Manco · 01-10-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darinp2

If this means that Universal is now neutral, I hope they will make that really clear, and announce some titles.

..and that get's an official "Ebert & Roeper: Two Thumbs Up!"

Jack · 01-10-2008, 07:59 AM

This whole format war has more twists than all hollywood movies combined

Manco · 01-10-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack

This whole format war has more twists than all hollywood movies combined

The news of this will take off like a California wildfire come morning time on the West Coast. Thursday will be a very interesting day in the format war.

The plot thickens.....................

tofur69 · 01-10-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manco

Are you kidding me?? Daily Variety is THE daily magazine/newspaper read by EVERY Hollywood execute. I don't think there is anyone of importance in Hollywood that does not start their day without a cup of coffee and the Daily Variety.

If the Variety is reporting "Universal's exclusive commitment to HD-DVD has ended"...there must be something to it. They would not make up stuff like that. It would be rediculous for them to print such a statement without some hard facts behind it.

Amen. VARIETY is read by EVERYBODY in "the biz". I get email updates from them daily in my GM account for my theatre. They are the voice of Hollywood and they do not mess around with any news within "the biz". If they say it, it is a VERY strong probability that it is true.

Petra_Kalbrain · 01-10-2008, 08:08 AM

Despite the reputation of the 'Daily Variety', I'm still skeptical until an... make that "THE"... official press release is unleashed from the studios before I believe it to be true. Nevertheless, I believe that it has to happen for both studios to at least announce neutrality by the time Warner Bros. stops supporting HD DVD... at the latest!

TJandBLU-RAY · 01-10-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

If Variety says so, then it is true. Seriously.

Hope so.

01-10-2008, 06:35 AM	#1
ScarredLungs Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Utah 4K collection:65 Blu-ray collection:1433 Prime collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:4	Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended I found this article below and saw it quoted on a couple of other sites as well. Is it official that Universal has Dumped HD DVD exclusively? Or is this just an article about more speculation? Thoughts anyone? Blu-ray could win high-def battle HD DVD backers could switch sides soon By DIANE GARRETT, BEN FRITZ The two remaining studios backing HD DVD could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly. Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended. And Paramount has an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release pics on Blu-ray after Warner Bros.' decision to back that format exclusively. More than one option Neither studio is ready to throw in the towel immediately, however. Universal is committed to a series of promotions for the high-def format in coming months, and Par has said its current plans are to keep supporting HD DVD, which it backed exclusively in August. Should Toshiba concede defeat on the format, the decision to drop HD DVD would be made for both studios. But Toshiba doesn't appear ready to do that. At the Consumer Electronics Show, the manufacturer reaffirmed its commitment to the format, noting strong sales during the fourth quarter and indicating it would continue marketing its hardware through 2008. But retailers may force the HD DVD camp's hand: They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor. With Warners' defection, only Par and U remain in the HD DVD camp; Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate remain ardent Blu-ray backers. Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray. Last summer, Blockbuster also threw its weight behind Blu-ray, though some HD DVD discs remain in stores. And Warner will continue to release HD DVD discs for the next few months to honor its previous commitment to Toshiba, which extends through May 31. Paramount's HD DVD deal, which covers DreamWorks releases, was to run through this year. http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=20&cs=1

01-10-2008, 07:08 AM	#8
richard lichtenfelt Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:I'm not drunk, I'm just tired cause I been up all night drinking. Blu-ray reviews:3	"Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended." More than just a rumor according to Daily Variety. The word confirmed leaves no wiggle room. Of course, it's not official until Universal says so, but I imagine they'll be doing just that around the close of CES. Last edited by richard lichtenfelt; 01-10-2008 at 07:10 AM.

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01-10-2008, 06:40 AM	#2
Grisle Power Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Northern California 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:18 Trading Score:12	What is Daily Variety? Until I hear an official statement I think it's still speculation.

01-10-2008, 06:55 AM	#3
Maxell Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007	no proof, just more rumors and speculation.

01-10-2008, 07:04 AM	#6
Cplhicks Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 4K collection:276 Blu-ray collection:1996 DVD collection:798 MA collection:457 Digital collection:581 iTunes collection:668 Prime collection:446 Trading Score:31	Variety is a very respected Hollywood industry news magazine. It is published both daily and weekly, and pretty much everyone in Hollywood subscribes to it and the Hollywood Reporter. If they are writing this, it is likely true. However, nowhere does it say Universal will switch/go neutral officially. It just says Universal is no longer bound to an exclusivity agreement. That's how I read it anyway. It means Universal is free to go blu if they want, but they can choose not to as well.

01-10-2008, 07:35 AM	#9
WriteSimply Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	If Variety says so, then it is true. Seriously. Here's hoping that Universal does their HD mastering and encoding carefully before replicating them on BD. I want to replace my Region 2 DVD of Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz immediately! If only the outtakes are in HD too... fuad

01-10-2008, 07:52 AM	#13
Mystique Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Newark, CA Blu-ray collection:240 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:1	Is this really true?!

01-10-2008, 07:59 AM	#16
Jack Active Member Member since:Jun 2007	This whole format war has more twists than all hollywood movies combined

01-10-2008, 08:08 AM	#19
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	Despite the reputation of the 'Daily Variety', I'm still skeptical until an... make that "THE"... official press release is unleashed from the studios before I believe it to be true. Nevertheless, I believe that it has to happen for both studios to at least announce neutrality by the time Warner Bros. stops supporting HD DVD... at the latest!

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