Who will go Blu first Paramount or Universal?

[sphdle1]

Who do you think will be the first to make the announcement to Blu, Paramount or Universal. I think it will be Paramount with their "out" clause that has been rumored, and I think Universal won't be far behind once they hear the news, as I think Universal is planning to hold out and see what Paramount does first...

What do you think/know that might give some insight into this?

[tilallr1]

Parmount for sure. Since they already have been developing titles on Blu-ray. Where as Universal has never developed a blu-ray disc. They would have to rework there HD disc department from scratch.

[DealsR4theDevil]

I think it will be Universal. Paramount does have Blu-rays ready to go but their contract may be more binding than we think. Universal is prolly "free" to make the switch and they cant possibily think HD DVD still has a chance.

[Sporty]

Didn't we do this poll last week, and maybe the week before also



Personally I think both will announce just about the same time. They (Home Video Presidents), along with Dreamworks, probably have each other on speed dial.

[LordGamer]

I know Universal did, but did Paramount come out with the standard policy, "We are going to continue to support HD DVD." recently?

If not, I would lean toward Paramount. Originally, I was going to go with Universal, seeing as they may no longer be under any type of contract or agreement. But at times, Universal seems just as delusional as Toshi, so I don't know.

At this point though, they could keep 'em. I just want retailers to make the switch to being exclusively Blu (which is starting).

[seto]

Paramount seems to be the most likely candidate to be the first defecting studio that goes blue.

[Sporty]

Originally Posted by LordGamer

But at times, Universal seems just as delusional as Toshi, so I don't know.

I think Paramount said they will continue to support HD-DVD the day after CES but nothing since.

The problem with Universal is Ken being head of HD-DVD group seems like a conflict of interests. You don't know if he's talking for Universal or HD-DVD GRP when he does interviews.

But sooner or later he needs to put Universals Home Video division ahead of his secondary job before it becomes his only job.

(also both Paramount and Universals HD-DVD pledges didn't rule out BD support, so what they left out of that says a lot more then what they said)

[LordGamer]

Originally Posted by Sporty

(also both Paramount and Universals HD-DVD pledges didn't rule out BD support, so what they left out of that says a lot more then what they said)

Exactly. I didn't see any comments stating they would exclusively support HD DVD.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

Originally Posted by LordGamer

Exactly. I didn't see any comments stating they would exclusively support HD DVD.

True, they said that they will still support HD DVD but they didn't say anything about not going blu.

[mystiksuicide]

Who cares? in 2008 both will be blu!

[LordGamer]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

Who cares? in 2008 both will be blu!

Paramount and Universal should care. The last studio to go Blu gets 20,993 lashes (number of current Blu-ray.com members).

[davidPS3]

Come on, this is such a old topic. Where is the icon showing the dead horse being beaten.

Both of these studio's will be blu before the end of the year. It is not a race any more, the war is over. I don't think we have that many people screaming for their titles, yes, it will be nice once it happens to add to the library, but I am fine with out both of these studios for now and I know I am not alone.

Let's come up with some new topics

[dobyblue]

I think Dreamworks will go, then Paramount, then Universal.

I think the retailers will force Universal's hands, but I'm sure they are in talks with Panasonic right now about making the transition (disc authoring) as smooth, economically and efficiently as possible.

[MrRoy]

Ken also said that the consumer will decide (i believe). So, he isn't going to make the decision, he will let the consumers put Universal in a position where they have to go Blu. With the retailers making their decisions, they are forcing the public to go Blu. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, seeing that the DVD market had taken a hit due to the confusion created by this format war. So, he can use lost revenue as a reason to switch.

[MerrickG]

In my opinion, Paramount has already made the decision to go back to blu, but they wont announce it until next month or March with April being the latest. It has been said plenty of times that Paramounts heart was never really into HD-DVD and it has been mentioned by insiders that Paramount was actually starting to prefer bluray, but the underhanded deal by Alan Bell and Toshiba made Paramount change their stance.

Just an opinion, no inside information.

As for Universal, I think they are just as delusional as Toshiba if not worse. I hope they get embarrassed into supporting bluray.

[whoelse]

Since Universal has been with HD DVD since the beginning, i recon they will be LAST out.

[Joon]

I will go out on a limb on this one. The day that Paramount goes BD the same day Universal will as well. Both will switch the same day. Then we can pop the champagne and have a real party. Bring on the Speilberg movies.

[tru2blu707]

neither of them.....toshiba will go blu first

[whippersnapper]

Universal will go first. Paramount will stick around to milk Toshiba/Microsoft as long as possible since that "money for nothing" is easy and larger than they would net now producing BDs.

[whoelse]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Universal will go first. Paramount will stick around to milk Toshiba/Microsoft as long as possible since that "money for nothing" is easy and larger than they would net now producing BDs.

I doubt it.