Breaking News!! Warner is soon to be Blu-Ray Exclusive!

Is it better for us?

In the end Is it better for us the consumer? I am Format neutral for I have a duo player on the way. For me it will make no difference which format wins because I will be able to play them both. But at the same time Its like saying it's silly to have more than one automobile manufacturer whether it be a Ford or a Chevy etc. Take away the competition and you have a monopoly. Which makes me think the announcement seems a bit premature since there are now 3 dual format players. IMO with the eventual availability of less expensive duo players it could have ended the format war. If this is indeed the end of HD DVD then Blu-Ray will not have any competition, so there will be no reason to offer the consumer a lower price for the player or the disc. At first I too thought the two formats was silly... from a consumer point of view But what about the Manufacturers point of view? From what I understand the HD DVD does not require any special retooling to manufacturer so the manufacturers of SD DVD can still make both discs from the same plant. and that to Blu-Ray discs require a totally different manufacturing process requiring retooling to make those discs and that the Blu-Ray is a lot more expensive to make. Sounds like the SD DVD manufacturers who are also now manufacturing HD DVD will be forced to stop making SD DVD or stop making HD DVD and/or add a completely new production line to the plant to make Blu-Ray. I believe this could cause the price to stay high for Blu-Ray and a possible increase in the SD DVD as well.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

There is no monopoly. The same companies that release software on HD DVD can release software on Blu-ray and compete against all other companies to release the best software at the best price. If consumers don't buy single region coded Blu-ray discs or if all-region coded discs sell better, all of the studios will know that. I don't expect any change in the percentage of single region coded Blu-ray software and if Paramount and Universal join in, I expect the percentage to go down.

Having two formats has nothing whatsoever to do with creating competition and in fact drives consumers away and limits competition. This is good news and not bad news in any regard, even as it concerns all-region software, there will be more not less is my prediction.

Chris

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I own three BR players and 150 BR discs, why would I be bitter? The end of this war makes it easier for me because now I can restrict my buying of HD DVD discs which in the end will hopefully save me from investing money in HDM of a losing format. I just don't want to hear people espousing this crap about the market deciding this war or that Warner is better than Paramount for doing the exact same thing Paramount did, months ago.




Crawdaddy

Re: Is it better for us?

I hope it will be better for the consumer. For me personally, I think it will save me money by not investing any further in software or hardware in a losing format. Only in time, will we know for sure, if pricing comes down for both hardware and software or that the Blu-ray format continues to improve their product and offer us the consumers the very best we can get for our home theater money.





Crawdaddy

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Can the same companies do this with the same equipment that HD DVD is made with at the same manufacturing cost?

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

The points made in this thread:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d-toshiba.html

demonstrate otherwise.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Zack has nailed what appears to be the real story and I'm sure that Ron can verify (or not). Several industry insiders are revealed:

1) The studios (all of them) were not happy with the relatively slow growth of both formats. While, at the same time, standard def DVD sales were declining.

2) Warner preferred to go HD DVD exclusive but didn't want to do it by themselves. They felt they needed one more studio from the Blu-ray camp to go HD DVD exclusive.

3) Warner and Fox had worked out a deal where both of them would announce going HD DVD exclusive at CES' HD DVD press conference. That was what the big news was going to be.

4) At the last minute, Fox got a better offer from the Blu camp and backed out of the deal.

5) Warner, feeling that the format war needed to end sooner rather than later (see #1), threw in the towel and accepted the fat offer that the Blu camp had been dangling in front of them.

Folks, this ALMOST went the other way. It was just two days from being a huge HD DVD success story. Yesterday's news was a HUGE surprise to many in the industry!

Mark

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

That's about it!

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Fascinating. This certainly belies the "it was an inevitable BR victory" claims.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

How happy were so many consumers around Thanksgiving when the Toshiba HD DVD deals started happening?
I picked up an A3 for $159, as did many other folks I know.
After sitting on the sidelines for close to 2 years, jumping in and getting chopped so quick stinks.
I feel stupid.
It's like Toshiba knew and was liquidating.

Some people don't have the cash to throw around like many HT enthusiasts, this news is only good for BR supporters and the folks who sat on the side throughout the format confusion.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I find it strange that some people think that if there is just one HD format then it will relieve the winning format manufacturers of the need to improve and develop their players. That is ridiculous. SD DVD had one format pretty much from day one with no competition from an alternate format and yet SD DVD players have improved a lot since their inception. There's absolutely no reason to believe the same won't be true of Blu Ray when it is ultimately declared the winner. It is in their own best interest to give the customer the best product the can.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Fits my understanding of the events exactly, which proves how crazy and unpredictable this whole war has truly become.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Sounds more like wishful thinking to me though. Any facts to back it up?

Why would they decide to go HD when Blu Ray is outselling them?

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I think Warner has shown to favor HD for quite some time. It's not shocking that they would want them to win and that is essentially what would have happened if they and fox went HD exclusive, regardless of Blu-rays sales numbers.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

This whole thread is beginning to read like a recipe of conspiracy theories.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I don't buy it at all. If that is truly what Warner wanted all they would have to do is announce they are going HD exclusive and Fox (if THEY truly wanted to go HD exclusive) would of followed. Took Warners lead so to speak. Until there is some authentic proof this is what went down and I mean official release from either WB or Fox not some so called "insider" then we will just have to see this as wishful thinking on behave of those that got burned. Either way it's water under the bridge now.



Shown favor how exactly?

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I, for one, am thrilled. I just wish they had made this decision BEFORE they released Blade Runner. As teriffic as it looks, how much better might it look with an extra 20 GB of space to use instead of limiting the BD to the 30 GB handicap of HD-DVD. With only Blu-Ray in their future, Warner can now maximize the space that is available like Disney is doing and put out some truly remarkable product.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

They need to be pissed at themselves for making the decision. If they can't be a man about their decision and the risks, they should not have made it. And for customers that were not informed, I don't feel anything for them. It's THEIR FAULT. Not Warners, no BR. Just themselves.

I'd feel the exact same way if the tables were turned.

And I don't buy the Warner took a payoff to make this work. They gave HD all of the chances they could and they couldn't do anything with it. Warner is doing what's best for them and the HDM market. The money they got was just a bonus but not THE reason for their move.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Amazing!

It took a mere day for people to get this information.

I am rather speechless that this leaked out the way it did. It
just goes to show that nobody was intent on keeping this secret
for long.

That's exactly my understanding of what happened.
I wasn't going to be the person to tell everyone, but now that
it's all over the Internet, I am not going to deny that's just about
the exact information I got.

This is no conspiracy theory.

We not only came this this close to Warner going HD-DVD
(which in reality is what they wanted), but a Blu-ray studio was
going to join the fray. This was all in oral agreement.

What happened soon after, I'd rather not say, but in the end, it is my
belief (though I have no proof) that Toshiba got "played" and that's all I'll
say about that!

I don't care if you believe it or not, but it's just amazing that so many
people are surfacing with the same story.

It's all water under the bridge at this point. It doesn't really matter anymore.
We just don't want anyone to take for granted some of the stuff that has been
posted on other websites that say Blu-ray won for the good of the people. This
war started out of corporate greed and ended with corporate greed. The consumer
was never a factor here.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Obviously you bought a $99 special and not a full price A1 on day 1 =)

I agree that the STUDIOS that supported and support HD DVD do a great job but lets not get crazy complimenting Toshiba, a lot of the first gen HD decks were awful, I know mine is.

The HDA1 is the worst deck I have ever owned and the most expensive. It locks up constantly, takes almost a full minute to power on, and is slow in just about every other respect. It also has the worst remote I've ever used, with a directional pad that fails constantly and is useless in even near dark.

And I repeat what I said in another thread: The war is GREAT for enthusiasts but LOUSY for the general public. As soon as there is a single format I can actually recommend that my friends and family buy into it. I told my friends to think carefully about the cheapy $99 decks cause they might get some good deals up front that they will regret down the line. I'm not declaring victory on that yet but I do feel a bit vindicated... It's not over by a long shot and tomorrow nights Bill Gates announcement oughta be REALLY interesting now.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

You know, to the guys that think that all the studios should put movies on Blu-ray as well as HD DVD and let the customers battle it out. Well, as i see it, it doesnt make great business sense cause it would be what we have now. No one will buy anything, cause they dont get it anyway. How about we take it a step further. Toshiba should HAVE to make a Blu-ray player, and lets see what SONY can do with an HD DVD player. Course a big hunk of royalties will go to Toshiba, and SONY wont make a dime, cause Tosh is selling their players for 99 bucks. And why would Toshiba want to make a Blu-ray player and sell short the bounty they would make in royalties on HD DVD? The studios shouldnt be forced to sell software anymore than a company should be forced to sell the hardware. Its a business decision. Shoot, i have to explain to people what BOTH are. Most dont get the benefit of HD anyway. That 10 year old rear projection TV with the guns out of alignment is good enough, and so it that $25 DVD player. They are not awake at night rocking in bed crying because Warner went Blu. Many didnt want to buy into the things cause they didnt want to pick the wrong one, and be pissed that they did...its a risk...and Blu may die too. I still have my LD player, and have had one for 20 years. Even if it didnt catch on! I will have to ask someone at work if they can name a movie and the studio that made it. Cause i bet they just dont care, and they would say what a movie nut i am.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Gee, y'know what, all this makes what Paramount did seem downright dignified.

Well I know one thing, I'll be damned if I give either of these two formats ANY of my money for at least 12 more months. Or I might seriously skip this whole thing and wait for the next big thing. Screw the lot of them!

DVD is just fine, thanks. I can enjoy my movies with SO much less stress! :-)

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

This seems a bit contradictory. If Warner Bros. really really really wanted to go HD DVD, then how exactly did Toshiba get played? And by whom? The BDA? They were just looking out for themselves.

The only way Toshiba get played is if Warner Bros. intentionally put the two formats associations into a bidding war. And if that's the case, they did not really really really want to go HD DVD, just single format to the highest bidder.

EDIT: Also, oral agreements aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I didn't get burned, I've favored Blu from the start (but didn't buy any player until after the Warner announcement). I said I would consider this rumor until confirmed, and it has been. You can choose to believe whatever you want, the facts will remain the same. You're not going to get an embarrassing press release about internal business matters from Warner or Fox.

Warner has been a vocal supporter of HD-DVD, releasing numerous titles in HD only and many dual releases have shown to have stronger support on the HD-DVD side. With the cheaper cost of players, media, and production costs and their history with Toshiba I don't see how hard it is to believe they favored HD-DVD.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Interesting Fox was considering going HDDVD

BTW, I havent had a single problem with my HDA1. Not one. Sam, maybe you were just unlucky and got a lemon player.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

I'd like to note that the AVS thread on this has, within 12 hours, reached 105 pages. I much prefer the discussion here =) Lot more signal lot less noize =)

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Joe,

I think situation goes a little deeper than what has been leaked.

I don't want to comment on anything I have no proof on. The
only reason I confirmed the above is because it was leaked from
someone else and I just clarified that it was the exact same story
I had heard.

I am not going to speculate any further, but I have a feeling that
if this information has surfaced so fast, there will probably be more.

PS: Thank You Sam Posten for the above. We pride ourselves on
the fact that discussions here are far more civil.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Unless Sony came and offered Fox and Warner still MORE money, which sounds like what happened. Completely believable.

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

And really, this goes to show you just how silly this whole format war is.

While the big boys play, consumers end up getting caught in the middle. So regardless of how it went down, I hope this signals the end of this format war. I am tired of not being able to delve into the HDM market.

I am glad Warner had the balls to take the first step that will, hopefully, end this war.

F

Re: BREAKING NEWS!! Warner Brothers is now Blu-ray Exclusive

Ron, I'm sure you're right about that. I was just pointing out that on it's face somethings didn't make sense.

Agreed with you and Sam. I've tried many times over the years to follow AVS, but the environment is too nasty. I too much prefer it over here. Thanks Ron (and Parker and the moderators).