Random Observations from someone on the fringe of the home entertainment industry

[Jack Torrance]

Okay - I've posted probably far too many times in this forum. I was a "format neutral" type of guy through to about the last quarter of 2006 when the amazing amount of hatred and fud against Blu-ray and the ps3 turned me to an unapologetic blu-ray lover.

I am not in the "home entertainment" part of the industry, but because of what I do, I have a vested interest in one format surviving (and though downloads are perhaps the future, right now I don't want to think about it... too easy to rip off and not enough money to be made for those of us that create content).

Anyway, I just wanted to share some random observations - I hear things and see things in my day to day existence here in la-la land... and just wanted to see if it matched with what anyone else was thinking?

1. Had a meeting over at Warner Bros. the other day. Outside the studio is a bloody big billboard for "Superman II, the Richard Donner cut" ... to which it also said "Coming to DVD and HD DVD" but no mention of blu-ray. Though this title is available on blu-ray. If it wasn't clear before, this certainly lets you know what side of the fence Warner is sitting on in this format war.

2. In my comings and goings, at Universal, when just talking the conversation always comes to other movies and more than once I've heard "Yeah, we're looking at blu-ray over here" (as in "we're going blue-ray"). This seems to connect with what Bill Hunt has been saying... but I'm sure most people reading this will say I'm full of it... but any industry folk who've heard this kind of talk, hey let me know so I don't think I'm going crazy.

3. On the Universal HD channel, they're showing more than a couple Sony movies in HD -- is this a possible future sign that they're already doing business with one another and some kind of blu-ray deal is in the works? Universal HD really only showed Universal/NBC content until just recently (they used to fill the spare time with re-runs of the bloody olympics from years ago).

Anyway, none of these were worthy of seperate emails (or really even this one). Just putting it out into the cosmos and seeing if anyone is listening.

[nhaase]

For number 1, I kind of feel the same way. BUT, when The Departed was being advertised before its release, the commercials would say "Coming to DVD and HD-DVD." Then, when it had come out, the end of the commercial said, "now available on DVD and Blu-ray disc." That was also right around the time it passed HD-DVD. So while I think they're 65/35 in favor of HD-DVD, it seems like they have something against saying every format they release on, which is just odd.

As for number 3, I raise my glass in the hope of it meaning something. Hopefully some insider info. would sort it out. By the way, what movies are being shown, older or newer?

[HDTV1080P]

I like reading your postings Jack Torrance. I do not know if Universal will go BLU-RAY, that is something Universal will have to decide. I do think possible that Universal might have had talks with Sony just in case HD-DVD fails or in case by some miracle they decide to go format neutral.
Universal has the power to end this format war by releasing titles in BLU-Ray since they are the only major excusive HD-DVD studio. I do worry that if Universal Studios does not start releasing soon on BLU-RAY that there is a possibility that a flood of Universal combo players will hit the market and both formats will coexist.
If Universal Studios would just release on BLU-RAY there would be no need for universal players that plays both formats.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by nhaase

what movies are being shown, older or newer?

Well on Saturday, for example, UHD is showing Ghostbusters II -- maybe it means nothing, but if sony really wanted to be dicks, they wouldn't license anything to them (and again, I think UHD didn't show any sony product until the last month or so... )

EDIT:

AND also they are showing THREESOME on monday... not a huge catalogue title, but a Sony title again none the less... and all of these are hi-def transfers to boot, which haven't been shown anywhere else (they are also showing in the prime 8pm timeslot)... and THE DOORS, a carolco release (lionsgate?) that was released by Tristar (aka Sony).

SECOND EDIT:

In fact UHD pretty much only shows movies from Universal and Sony! No Paramount, Warner, Fox or MGM. UHD needed HD content to prop up their HD channel and they make a deal with... Sony? Like I said, maybe it means nothing, but interesting to think out loud...

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

I like reading your postings Jack Torrance. I do not know if Universal will go BLU-RAY, that is something Universal will have to decide. I do think possible that Universal might have had talks with Sony just in case HD-DVD fails or in case by some miracle they decide to go format neutral.
Universal has the power to end this format war by releasing titles in BLU-Ray since they are the only major excusive HD-DVD studio. I do worry that if Universal Studios does not start releasing soon on BLU-RAY that there is a possibility that a flood of Universal combo players will hit the market and both formats will coexist.
If Universal Studios would just release on BLU-RAY there would be no need for universal players that plays both formats.

Thanks HDTV - same here... your postings are informative and on the money. And agree about your comments about Universal... though Paramount could end it too if they went just blu-ray.

[HDTV1080P]

Your right if one of the 3 major studios that are currently format neutral would decide to drop HD-DVD and release only on BLU-RAY that would or could be the deciding factor in HD-DVD’s death.

[dobyblue]

I would be very surprised if one of the two following things doesn't happen at CES 2008.

1) Universal goes neutral
2) Paramount drops HD DVD support, starts releasing major catalogue titles like Indiana Jones, Titanic, etc., only on Blu-ray.

Either one will be a sign to the others, leading the way so to speak. This would mark the first change since the discs started being released so it will be huge.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Okay - I've posted probably far too many times in this forum. I was a "format neutral" type of guy through to about the last quarter of 2006 when the amazing amount of hatred and fud against Blu-ray and the ps3 turned me to an unapologetic blu-ray lover.

Yep.

For me not only do M$ lose my previous Xbox business, they lose pretty well everything else in my personal space as well - forever until their behavior significantly changes. I just don't want to give my money to a corporation that spends all their energy and money abusing their monopoly power and trash talking, FUDing everyone around them - instead of just building competitive products and being real leaders.

They are not a role model that inspires any level of loyalty and they bring leadership and civility down about 5 notches. And the behavior is top to bottom across all product divisions.

People voting with their wallets is the only thing they will hear. Even though the PS3 is a much better machine and my first choice..I would have considered also getting a 360 at some point..but not now.

[nhaase]

I think a substantial action will be Warners releasing their heavy hitters on BD. Not sufficient action, but substantial, but when Batman, V, Matrix, and others come to BD, it will show something when the numbers come in and get compared to the HD-DVD numbers of those titles.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

Yep.

For me not only do M$ lose my previous Xbox business, they lose pretty well everything else in my personal space as well - forever until their behavior significantly changes. I just don't want to give my money to a corporation that spends all their energy and money abusing their monopoly power and trash talking, FUDing everyone around them - instead of just building competitive products and being real leaders.

They are not a role model that inspires any level of loyalty and they bring leadership and civility down about 5 notches. And the behavior is top to bottom across all product divisions.

People voting with their wallets is the only thing they will hear. Even though the PS3 is a much better machine and my first choice..I would have considered also getting a 360 at some point..but not now.

I was one of the "lucky" ones to get an Xbox 360 at launch... but, seriously, with all the crap they threw at the ps3 and blu-ray last year... screw 'em. There's a few games on the 360 I like (Dead Rising rules), but the 360 now collects dust while I enjoy the ps3... watching blu-ray movies on it and the games (can't wait for GTA IV!). M$ has lost my business (big loss to them ... hah), but I know I'm not the only one that thinks like this.

[Jack Torrance]

(Just reposting this in case the previous reply gets buried and I think it's interesting to at least consider)

Originally Posted by nhaase

By the way, what movies are being shown, older or newer?

Well on Saturday, for example, UHD is showing Ghostbusters II -- maybe it means nothing, but if sony really wanted to be dicks, they wouldn't license anything to them (and again, I think UHD didn't show any sony product until the last month or so... )

EDIT:

AND also they are showing THREESOME on monday... not a huge catalogue title, but a Sony title again none the less... and all of these are hi-def transfers to boot, which haven't been shown anywhere else (they are also showing in the prime 8pm timeslot)... and THE DOORS, a carolco release (lionsgate?) that was released by Tristar (aka Sony).

SECOND EDIT:

In fact UHD pretty much only shows movies from Universal and Sony! No Paramount, Warner, Fox or MGM. UHD needed HD content to prop up their HD channel and they make a deal with... Sony? Like I said, maybe it means nothing, but interesting to think out loud...

[HDTV1080P]

I think Warner this fall might start releasing BLU-RAY and HD-DVD new releases the same day since November 1st 2007 is the day that all BLU-RAY players manufactured are mandated by the BLU-RAY association to have picture and picture support. If in 2008 we do not see HD-DVD and BLU-RAY releases the same day from Warner then it would be clear that Warner maybe favoring the HD-DVD format.
The PIP feature is clearly a minor feature to most consumers. After October 31st there will be no good reason for a studio to delay releases on BLU-RAY since every new player will have that PIP feature.
The good thing is not having the PIP feature has not hurt the BLU-RAY format too much. Most consumers care about 3 things title selection, picture quality, and sound quality.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

2. In my comings and goings, at Universal, when just talking the conversation always comes to other movies and more than once I've heard "Yeah, we're looking at blu-ray over here" (as in "we're going blue-ray"). This seems to connect with what Bill Hunt has been saying... but I'm sure most people reading this will say I'm full of it... but any industry folk who've heard this kind of talk, hey let me know so I don't think I'm going crazy.

I'm sure they are looking into it. But, whether that is real intent or it's all talk to extract something from MS-Toshiba is the big question.

The 100K for Casino Royale is sure to perk some ears up. But, you need to start with a Casino Royale. Universal is not creating any box office buzz these days.

At this point I don't think that Universal is losing enough business to worry much. But, like Japan, things may change because of strategic issues, not tactical ones.

Gary

[Valore]

I Have A Dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of bluray.

I Have A Dream Today!

I Have A Dream...That one day...Universal and Warner, will hold hands with the rest of the blu-ray nation.

(I apologize now to anyone who has taken offense to this)

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

3. On the Universal HD channel, they're showing more than a couple Sony movies in HD -- is this a possible future sign that they're already doing business with one another and some kind of blu-ray deal is in the works? Universal HD really only showed Universal/NBC content until just recently (they used to fill the spare time with re-runs of the bloody olympics from years ago).

I noticed the Sony pictures stuff on UHD and also thought it was interesting!

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by phloyd

I noticed the Sony pictures stuff on UHD and also thought it was interesting!

Like I said in one my responses above... pretty much the only HD movie content for UHD comes from Universal and Sony... seems a bit odd to me...

[Deciazulado]

Like the odd couple? Matthau and Lemmon

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Like the odd couple? Matthau and Lemmon

For my money, Blu-Ray is the scrappy, messy, funny, always-trying-to-push-the-boundaries Oscar... while Hd-dud is that old fuddy duddy Felix, boring, set in their ways, old fashioned, ruining everone's fun and gets a nasty cold when they sit under a draft.

[onyxx]

What if Sony is planing on purchasing Universal, now that would be something...wouldn't it ? Universal not going neutral but BD over night...

[WriteSimply]

Sony is not financially strong to do a take-over. Even so, the FCC won't allow it.


fuad