Paramount and Dreamworks going HD DVD exclusive

[macrosslover]

why do companies have to make things so difficult. just choose one format and be done with it. I have somebody gots out of business because of this nonsense.

[sn00pie]

Not a good surprise for Blu-Ray fanboys like myself! :ninja:

But to be honest it doesn't make that much of a difference for me. The movies that are HD-DVD exclusive still come out on DVD, which I can watch on my Blu-Ray player (PS3), so it's technically not that big of a loss. This is definatly going to help HD-DVD gain momentum, but I honestly don't think it will be enough to edge out Blu-Ray sales yet, I myself don't have any Blu-Ray movies, don't really plan too as long as DVDs look as good as they do on my PS3 :D.

I want Blu-Ray to win, you can tell why. ;)

I still don't get why we had/have VHS, then DVD, and now Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Why go from 1 format each generation, then 2 formats in the same generation! :|

[kak]

This is good for HD-DVD, but it hardly hurts the BR team the way 3/4 of you are playing it out. BR is outselling in hardware and software. I've never seen a report that showed HD-DVD selling more hardware, and if it did, it most likely excluded the PS3 as a BR player. I'm not exactly scared of a few movies going to a specific format when BR sales are crushing the competition. The only 'big' studio that BR needs is Universal and this will all end.

Toshiba is going to bankrupt themselves on this if it doesn't work out for them.

Edit - I also forgot to mention that this won't really help all that much as many places are now BR exclusive (Blockbuster, Target, etc). I see a major problem for the HD-DVD camp if they can't get their movies in the most popular rental outlet available.

Edited August 20, 2007 by kak

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

i think blue-ray vs HD DVD is just xbox vs PS3 :p

[sn00pie]

Who's side is Toshiba on? Aren't they making players that play both or am I just confused?

[spenser.d]

i think blue-ray vs HD DVD is just xbox vs PS3 :p

You're joking right?

I actually just saw Casino Royale at my friend's house on his PS3. It was the first time I watched an HD movie and it was pretty amazing.

This is good news for me as I do own a 360, so when I eventually get an HDTV, the obvious choice would be the HDDVD add-on.

@Game - you're entirely confused. Toshiba created the HDDVD player.

-Spenser

[mattmatik]

Who's side is Toshiba on? Aren't they making players that play both or am I just confused?

Toshiba is HD-DVD and is basically providing the shoulders for the format. As far as I know, LG is the only one with a dual format player, but I've seen it around $900-$1,000.

[gigapixels Veteran]

:( I was beaten to it.

[ntbnnt]

This is just a bad move for consumers. One company going exclusive with one technology and another company going with another technology. I know it might be expensive, but why can't these companies bring out both HD-DVD and Blu-ray products and let the consumer decide what he or she wants to purchase instead of being forced one way or the other. I refuse to buy into the Blu-ray or HD-DVD hype until there is a clear winner and the other technology slowly kills off. I just wish that would happen sooner rather than later. Grrr!

Grrr!

Haha, what if EMI had agreed to release in only cassette format... :omg:?Way?to?kill?choice?and?technology,?progress?and?the?other?jazz,?Paramount/Dreamworks!

[kak]

You're joking right?https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/shift_forum/folder_editor_images/rte-code-button.gif

Wrap in code tags

I actually just saw Casino Royale at my friend's house on his PS3. It was the first time I watched an HD movie and it was pretty amazing.

This is good news for me as I do own a 360, so when I eventually get an HDTV, the obvious choice would be the HDDVD add-on.

@Game - you're entirely confused. Toshiba created the HDDVD player.

-Spenser

It would be better to buy an actual player to use HDMI as your source and get high end formats (HDMI 1.3, HD audio, hardware decoding, etc).

[mattmatik]

It would be better to buy an actual player to use HDMI as your source and get high end formats (HDMI 1.3, HD audio, hardware decoding, etc).

Agree. As much as I enjoy the add-on for the 360 for being an entrance into HD movies for me, it really is pretty basic. Now that I've dug into the specs and trying to harness all that HD-DVD brings, the add-on lacks the features Kak mentioned. It's tough, though, because I don't really want to invest in a $400 player knowing dual players will be out soon.

For right now, the add-on is great when considering price. Just be wary of the fact you'll want to buy something "better" after having it :)

[PL_ Veteran]

Paramount...they make lots and lots of good films...they've also got some smart people. HD DVD must be very good if Paramount are leaving the format with most exclusive supporters. Maybe they know something we don't :ninja:

I still don't get why we had/have VHS/Betamax, then DVD/LaserDisc, and now Blu-Ray/HD-DVD.

Fixed :)

[Boz]

Agree. As much as I enjoy the add-on for the 360 for being an entrance into HD movies for me, it really is pretty basic. Now that I've dug into the specs and trying to harness all that HD-DVD brings, the add-on lacks the features Kak mentioned. It's tough, though, because I don't really want to invest in a $400 player knowing dual players will be out soon.

For right now, the add-on is great when considering price. Just be wary of the fact you'll want to buy something "better" after having it :)

There are only 2 limitations to the HD DVD add-on. I do agree with you it's basic, but it's still a good HD DVD unit for regular consumer.

2 limitations are no HDMI for older units, so this means that in order to get 1080p upscaling on REGULAR dvds you will need the vga cable.

Second limitatons is the missing TrueHD audio as I believe that add-on just does DD+ 5.1.

But trust me guys when I tell you, on the speaker system that most of you have, the difference between DD+ 5.1 and TrueHD is minimal. I'm not saying you should be content, but it's really not a big deal considering what you get for the price. That's all.

[Boz]

Paramount...they make lots and lots of good films...they've also got some smart people. HD DVD must be very good if Paramount are leaving the format with most exclusive supporters. Maybe they know something we don't :ninja:

Fixed :)

Well it's simple PureLegend. BDA will try to make this seem like a buyoff, but what people don't understand there's a very simple explanation.

1. Cheaper production of discs on HD DVD

2. Incredibly efficient and smooth development along with great dev support from MS for iHD. Unlike BD-J who have caused many studios headaches. Just ask the producers of Dragon's Lair BD title. HD DVD iHD just works and it is supported by all players without any problems.

3. sub $200 players that will hit stores this holiday season making it a no brainer for anyone who wants to go hi-def without braking their budget

Now tell me, if you were a business, would you pick a format where players cost $500+, production and replication cost of discs are higher and many features you do today won't work with new batch of players? We don't have to be scientists to figure that one out.

[sn00pie]

Paramount Drops Blu-ray Support; Does Not Include Spielberg Movies

Despite selling more movies on the Blu-ray format, Paramount has announced today that they will begin supporting HD DVD exclusively. This move, rumored to be driven by a $150M exclusivity deal with the HD DVD group, comes after Paramount began favoring Blu-ray releases with higher quality video encodings and more HD features. The deal covers all of Paramount's properties excluding those directed by Steven Spielberg.

The move will inevitably lengthen a format war which should never have been. Consumers will unfortunately suffer the most, as they will be forced to support a format which is being supported by corporations instead of consumers. No word was given as to how long the exclusivity agreement is for, but rumors indicate through 2008.

High definition enthusiasts can now only hope that a DVD-A/SACD situation hasn't been initiated by this decision.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=412

Interesting - that explains a possible reason why they've left BD support and gone with HD-DVD, it would make sense.

Why else would you leave the format that your selling more movies with?

[kak]

There are only 2 limitations to the HD DVD add-on. I do agree with you it's basic, but it's still a good HD DVD unit for regular consumer.

2 limitations are no HDMI for older units, so this means that in order to get 1080p upscaling on REGULAR dvds you will need the vga cable.

Second limitatons is the missing TrueHD audio as I believe that add-on just does DD+ 5.1.

But trust me guys when I tell you, on the speaker system that most of you have, the difference between DD+ 5.1 and TrueHD is minimal. I'm not saying you should be content, but it's really not a big deal considering what you get for the price. That's all.

The quality will also be down considering the X360 HD-DVD is software driven. Why it wasn't included in the console is beyond me as it now maxes the console out completely just to play a movie. The unit lacks the best HD outputs as well.

Funny thing you bring up prices. The whole price war will continue to go on regardless if there is another format. There would still be countless companies making players for the final format which would in turn drive prices down. As production increases, production costs would decrease as the process would become more streamlined and finalized as it is more logical to dump more money into R&D at that point. You're looking at short-term goals versus long-term.

Laughable amount to accept to go HD-DVD only as well. 150M is a ton of money, but again, its a short term gain. The loss in BR sales (if the ratio stays around the current area) will hurt them significantly over time, especially considering they sold more BR.

[Boz]

Paramount Drops Blu-ray Support; Does Not Include Spielberg Movies

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=412

Interesting - that explains a possible reason why they've left BD support and gone with HD-DVD, it would make sense.

Why else would you leave the format that your selling more movies with?

Game, you have to read between the lines man. What you just posted comes from a Blu-Ray site. Of course they need to spit and yell that it's foul play because if they don't it will seem that indeed HD DVD is better AND cheaper format and other studios (read Warner or Fox) might go all HD DVD or in Fox case neutral. That post is just trying to dampen this HUGE news and make it seem like HD DVD has to pay studios. But the fact is that Sony has been paying EVERYTHING.

It is highly unlikely that Toshiba would have the financial capacity for something like this..Microsoft...I don't think so as they already have HUGE losses with Xbox 360 problems...so who is left to buy that deal?

It's just like I said..it's very simple..Paramount saw a greater benefit to push HD DVD. Their production will be cheaper, less hassle developing features and compatibility problems and combo capability. These are all valid reasons to go HD DVD. If you were a business which one would you pick?

[AlphaPrime]

If you were a business which one would you pick?

The one that was selling better.

[kak]

The one that was selling better.

Exactly. He keeps harping on production costs. It doesn't matter if it is cheaper to make HD-DVD content if it doesn't sell as good. The marginal benefit is slim to none. And of course Paramount was persuaded by money. Why else would they ditch the format that sold more media for something else? Use logic.

[Nathanael]

Game, you have to read between the lines man. What you just posted comes from a Blu-Ray site. Of course they need to spit and yell that it's foul play because if they don't it will seem that indeed HD DVD is better AND cheaper format and other studios (read Warner or Fox) might go all HD DVD or in Fox case neutral. That post is just trying to dampen this HUGE news and make it seem like HD DVD has to pay studios. But the fact is that Sony has been paying EVERYTHING.

It is highly unlikely that Toshiba would have the financial capacity for something like this..Microsoft...I don't think so as they already have HUGE losses with Xbox 360 problems...so who is left to buy that deal?

It's just like I said..it's very simple..Paramount saw a greater benefit to push HD DVD. Their production will be cheaper, less hassle developing features and compatibility problems and combo capability. These are all valid reasons to go HD DVD. If you were a business which one would you pick?

Your replies in favor of MS/Xbox360/HD-DVD are just laughable. Don't you think that there would be some legal implications if Sony just decided to lie about the $150.000.000 and that there would be some justified replies pointing out the lie.

Now about "who has 150m to pay" - well they're called the HD-DVD group with a reason. A quick google reveals the following: "HD DVD Promotion Group Member List contains the main promoters of HD DVD, namely Toshiba, HP, NEC, Sanyo, Microsoft, RCA, Kenwood, Intel, and Memory-Tech Corporation."

About Sony paying everything - well everything is possible - but if the Sony camp is able to point out payouts, why wouldn't the HD-DVD camp be able to do the same thing?

About all the pro HD-DVD reasons -> well apparently there aren't enough, because it still takes 150 million dollars to get exclusivity.

Regards.

EDIT: Just for you boz:

There are 131 companies in the HD-DVD group.

http://www.hddvdprg.com/eng/about/member.html

[spenser.d]

Paramount Drops Blu-ray Support; Does Not Include Spielberg Movies

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=412

Interesting - that explains a possible reason why they've left BD support and gone with HD-DVD, it would make sense.

Why else would you leave the format that your selling more movies with?

:rofl: Go figure blu-ray.com puts a hugely negative spin on this. They're just ****ing their pants right now because of what happened.

-Spenser

[kak]

:rofl: Go figure blu-ray.com puts a hugely negative spin on this. They're just ****ing their pants right now because of what happened.

-Spenser

Is that the best you can come up with? The intelligence of this forum at times is baffling. Read the past 10 posts.

[Trong]

I'm smart though. :D

Exciting news, even though I own neither format's players.

[spenser.d]

Is that the best you can come up with? The intelligence of this forum at times is baffling. Read the past 10 posts.

Is that the best reply you can come up with?

Just because you think Blu-ray is the best doesn't make it so. Blu-ray sales were never crushing HDDVD sales. They may have been better, but they weren't crushing anything.

And I'll thank you for not questioning my intelligence just because my position on the matter is different than yours. The immaturity of some people on these forums is baffling to me.

-Spenser

[HeartsOfWar]

This is disappointing...

Consumers need a way to speak out against this shite. We need a better system in place to allow consumers to show their support without having to spend money until the "war" is over.

Who wants to spend money for their voice to be heard when they run the risk of losing that investment?

From what I can see, Blu Ray is superior in every category except DD+ and the only problem there is the fact it tops out at 1.7 mbps vs HDs 3.0 mbps. Everything else, the Blu Ray format can do and better than HD... no competition to me...

BR all the way - Paramount and DreamWorks are just making things tougher on consumers.