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Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

#31
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1/22/08 at 10:30am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Reuben
If you're referring to last year's EMA panel, which was attended by numerous HTF members, that is not what he said. He said that he was getting calls about the situation, but not the substance of the calls. He certainly never said he was being pressured by GE to adopt Blu-ray.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Blacklow
Odd, the transcript says otherwise
Where? He says he hears "a lot" about being "the only HD-DVD sole studio" (which, BTW, he shortly would no longer be). You have to assume a lot to get from there to GE pressuring him to go Blu-ray.

M.
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#32
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1/22/08 at 10:46am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

I can't honestly believe that you're saying there's a huge logical leap between

"hearing a lot from GE about being the sole HD DVD studio"
and
"GE pressuring him to release on Blu-ray"

What else do you think he's "hearing a lot" about? Puppies?
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#33
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1/22/08 at 10:49am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigluigi
WTG.....I just started reading this thread and for a moment I thought I was at that "smackdown" forum.

Why?

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#34
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1/22/08 at 11:00am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Blacklow
I can't honestly believe that you're saying there's a huge logical leap between

"hearing a lot from GE about being the sold HD DVD studio"
and
"GE pressuring him to release on Blu-ray"

What else do you think he's "hearing a lot" about? Puppies?
I can't help what you "can't honestly believe". Maybe it's that I have more experience with the way corporate overseers generally communicate with the department heads in their subsidiaries. They're more likely to ask things like:
  • Do you remain confident that we've chosen the right strategy?
  • Do you stand by the projections you sent us at the beginning of the quarter (or whenever the last set was provided)?
  • Does (insert recent development) warrant a change in strategy?
  • Have you had any success in persuading another studio to join our camp, either exclusively or as a neutral?
  • What is the state of your negotiations with (insert name of whoever was most recently the subject of negotations)?
  • Should we ask Toshiba for any additional commitments?
  • Should we ask Microsoft for any additional commitments?
All of these are things that someone in Mr. Graffeo's position could be expected to hear about "every day" from his corporate superiors, and these are merely examples. None of them involve switching to Blu-ray. Or puppies.

M.
Zoloft and Paxil and Buspar and Xanex, Depacon, Chronaphin, Ambien, Prozac,
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#35
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1/22/08 at 12:19pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Michael,

That's a great response. Certainly helps put it in perspective -- and I can certainly see how that's the way it goes.

However, it does seem at least interesting that KG seemed to actually volunteer his added comment about GE on top of his reply to the more general question (of "feeling pressure") based on the transcript quote. To me, that does seem to suggest GE was asserting some pressure though maybe not explicitly/directly/intentionally so. And that would not need to be contrary to what you're saying either.

To put it another way. If my boss constantly grills me about how I'm doing on some specific project that I "own" and lead -- much more so than usual -- I'd be feeling the pressure from him even if he didn't really intend it that way. And I probably wouldn't volunteer the impression to outsiders that I feel pressure from my boss unless I really do.

Of course, it still doesn't necessarily mean GE is demanding that Universal go Blu (or Purple).

_Man_

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Reuben
I can't help what you "can't honestly believe". Maybe it's that I have more experience with the way corporate overseers generally communicate with the department heads in their subsidiaries. They're more likely to ask things like:
  • Do you remain confident that we've chosen the right strategy?
  • Do you stand by the projections you sent us at the beginning of the quarter (or whenever the last set was provided)?
  • Does (insert recent development) warrant a change in strategy?
  • Have you had any success in persuading another studio to join our camp, either exclusively or as a neutral?
  • What is the state of your negotiations with (insert name of whoever was most recently the subject of negotations)?
  • Should we ask Toshiba for any additional commitments?
  • Should we ask Microsoft for any additional commitments?
All of these are things that someone in Mr. Graffeo's position could be expected to hear about "every day" from his corporate superiors, and these are merely examples. None of them involve switching to Blu-ray. Or puppies.

M.

Just another amateur learning to paint w/ "the light of the world".

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#36
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1/22/08 at 2:27pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

I probably shouldn't be, but I'm a little surprised that it sounds as though both Toshiba (from their "surprised and disappointed" statement shortly after the WHV shift) and Universal (from Mr. Graffeo's comments here) received no advance word of WHV's intentions. WHV is on the board of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. I'd sure like to have thought that means there was an obligation (probably too strong a word) to notify their partners of this significant of news. Or if not an obligation, then as a professional courtesy. That may have avoided what certainly must have been a lot of awkwardness and embarassment.
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#37
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1/22/08 at 3:34pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

The transcript of that interview almost seems to have been written by the HD DVD Promotional Group. The interviewer in the guise of questions, literally mouth feeds the answers to Mr. Graffeo. How can anyoone take this interview seriously is beyond me. This interview, or should I call it a PR statement, has obviously been planned in detail with all questions and answers, seeming to have been prepared by the same person. Basically it seems the questions have been designed to allow very specific answers. The most important question than any journalist would have asked would have been, to ask how can Universal continue to justify remaining HD-DVD exclusive under the current circumstances.

Sanjay
Member since July - August 1997

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#38
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1/22/08 at 4:00pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

To further elaborate on Michaels remarks, the panel was actually hosted/sponsored by HTF. He was the only studio executive who was willing to sit down in front of a crowd split 50/50 between HD DVD and BD fans (including Bill Hunt) and talk to us. At the time they were the only exclusive HD DVD studio and were being blamed for causing the format war. That took guts and I repect him for that as did most of the attendees. The GE remark has been greatly overstated. When he answered the question by far most of the pressure was coming from fans and the other studios and CE companies.

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#39
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1/22/08 at 4:41pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul.S
I probably shouldn't be, but I'm a little surprised that it sounds as though both Toshiba (from their "surprised and disappointed" statement shortly after the WHV shift) and Universal (from Mr. Graffeo's comments here) received no advance word of WHV's intentions. WHV is on the board of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. I'd sure like to have thought that means there was an obligation (probably too strong a word) to notify their partners of this significant of news. Or if not an obligation, then as a professional courtesy. That may have avoided what certainly must have been a lot of awkwardness and embarassment.

Toshiba reportedly found out when Warner made their announcement on Friday, January 4 (or perhaps the night before?). Prior to that, Toshiba thought there was going to be a different outcome with Warner.

Graffeo makes it clear that he was in the air on that Friday, already on his way to CES. I'm sure Graffeo didn't find out until he touched down in Vegas.

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#40
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1/22/08 at 7:46pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Universal would look like fools if they still stuck to their guns and dragged this format war onward. Paramount may have an out, and now Universal needs to find one.

They need to make the switch and soon so they don't have so many titles to re-issue from their HD-DVD days.

Go Blu!!

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#41
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1/22/08 at 8:06pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

With all due respect, it would seem extremely obvious that Graffeo is determined to stay the coarse with HD DVD. The high def arena at Universal is Graffeo's to control. Frankly, I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise right now.

If you are a fan of movies on High Def, the ONLY solution that make sense right now is going format neutral. HD DVD isn't likely to "win" this war at this point but it certainly isn't going to "lose" yet either. It's still a stalemate. Admittedly, a more lopsided stalemate now with Warner's announcement, but a stalemate nonetheless.

I don't expect that situation to change anytime this year. Who knows, I could get run over by a truck next week. I choose to live for the here and now and enjoy as much HD content as I can by being format neutral. I can watch and enjoy ANY title released in EITHER format. Those discs will play and those players will still work 10 years from now. So what's the worry?

I mean, if an HD DVD or Blu-ray player was the size of a room, I could understand the concerns over fitting both of them into your rack. But holy crap, the two of them together take up less space than a single Laserdisc player. A ton of us managed to find room for a Laserdisc player (not to mention the $1K purchase price early on) and we got to enjoy the best home theater experience available back then.

So what's the big deal with having BOTH formats? Particularly if you already own or are leaning toward Blu and can get an HD DVD player for pretty small sum of money.

Purple is where it is at! Embrace it!

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#42
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1/22/08 at 8:16pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Going purple now is completely irresponsible. There is a real need to start switching to Blu now that the tide is turning.

Perpetuating this war will only kill both. Retailers know this, dealers know this. Manufacturers know this.

It's time to pick a side and it's got to be a serious commitment to Blu-ray. Universal and Paramount, if they are too stubborn and can't see the writing on the wall now, will at that point!

Go Blu!!

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#43
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1/22/08 at 8:33pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman
Going purple now is completely irresponsible. There is a real need to start switching to Blu now that the tide is turning.

Perpetuating this war will only kill both. Retailers know this, dealers know this. Manufacturers know this.

It's time to pick a side and it's got to be a serious commitment to Blu-ray. Universal and Paramount, if they are too stubborn and can't see the writing on the wall now, will at that point!

I'll continue to buy titles on Blu-ray. Titles that of are interest to me that is. But the problem is that FAR more Universal and Paramount titles are of interest to me. And I'm not about to wait for those titles to become available on Blu-ray. First, it could be years before that happens. Second, I simply want to enjoy as much high def software as I possibly can, as soon as I can. I don't collect this stuff just to let it sit on the shelf. On average, I watch 4-5 movies per week. Hell, I spent almost nine hours yesterday watching all of the Sopranos Season 6 Part II. (Though, admittedly, I stayed home from work because of a bad cold.)

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#44
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1/22/08 at 9:14pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

I wouldn't say it's irresponsible to be purple now. It's literally a non-factor at this point. With both hold-outs having made their intentions to go Blu in private (as confirmed by multiple Blu-Ray insiders), I don't see the harm in anybody stocking up their HD-DVD library while they still can. With the issues Universal is facing that Bill Hunt has alluded to yesterday, I wouldn't buy many Universal catalog titles if you have a Blu-Ray player as well, but I'll be surprised if I don't at least grab Into The Wild and the Zodiac set if I can find them at a significant discount used or new. With the likelihood of new transfers for certain Universal catalog titles when they hit Blu, and the likelihood of lossless audio on Paramount Blu releases that are lossy on HD, I'm sticking with rentals beyond that.
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#45
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1/22/08 at 9:29pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

It's (more than) a little melodramatic and judgemental to say "going purple now is completely irresponsible," Dan. If someone chooses to do so for their own hopefully well-informed reasons, then that's their choice. It doesn't mean they're fomenting the "war," especially if the "writing is on the wall."

Nick, what makes you says there's a "likelihood of lossless audio on Paramount Blu releases that are lossy on HD"? I really wish that were true, but--despite that comment from a Par exec about the absence of lossless on Optimus being due to space--I don't think Par will embrace lossless just because of BD's greater capacity. I think this is a "corporate" issue, not a format one: has Par released any HDM with lossless aud? Not even the movie-only Top Gun (!) has it.
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#46
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1/22/08 at 10:48pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

I'm format neutral but Bourne Ultimatum was the last HD-DVD I will have purchased. I'll still enjoy the ones I already own like Batman Begins and Casablanca but I won't be buying anything else. I was a big fan of American Gangster but I can wait. If Best Buy indeed pulls HD-DVD off the shelves later this year, that will be the last straw.
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#47
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1/22/08 at 11:22pm
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Booth
If you are a fan of movies on High Def, the ONLY solution that make sense right now is going format neutral. HD DVD isn't likely to "win" this war at this point but it certainly isn't going to "lose" yet either. It's still a stalemate.

With equal all due respect, I can´t really see how can you say "ONLY solution" and people should NOW go "format neutral", when the situation is quite "open" for HD DVD at the moment. I mean e.g. Universal can be "format neutral" or supporting Blu-ray in the summer.. Movies cost money and not all people are that "passionate" about these HD-films as we do (not all want to get 2 formats - especially now when the other one is finally "winning"). (sure, war is not over yet)

I´m sure you understand, that many people now (perhaps more than ever?) feel that they should at least wait, IF they are not format neutral or haven´t bought any HD-player yet. Sure, that "cheap Toshiba" is not a big investment and still plays those SD DVDs etc - I agree, but will people want to keep buying HD DVD-releases is a different matter.

At least this Graffeo-interview includes very little "real information" (it´s mostly PR-stuff), since after all both Paramount and Warner also said "no plans" not that long before both eventually "switched sides". So you really have to have faith if this interview now "proves" that Universal "won´t go format neutral/Blu-ray" this year.

But: Are there that many Universal/Paramount-titles to choose from (new ones, I mean) in the first place? If HD DVD is really fighting or showing that they still "mean business", they shoud keep releasing movies (catalog ones at least).. I guess even the hardcore HD DVD-fans admit that. Show us some movies and then we talk about it. "American Gangster", sure, but something more.. Hell, I could buy some of them.

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*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#48
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1/23/08 at 12:04am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Graham
I wouldn't say it's irresponsible to be purple now. It's literally a non-factor at this point. With both hold-outs having made their intentions to go Blu in private (as confirmed by multiple Blu-Ray insiders), I don't see the harm in anybody stocking up their HD-DVD library while they still can. With the issues Universal is facing that Bill Hunt has alluded to yesterday, I wouldn't buy many Universal catalog titles if you have a Blu-Ray player as well, but I'll be surprised if I don't at least grab Into The Wild and the Zodiac set if I can find them at a significant discount used or new. With the likelihood of new transfers for certain Universal catalog titles when they hit Blu, and the likelihood of lossless audio on Paramount Blu releases that are lossy on HD, I'm sticking with rentals beyond that.


You put too much faith in Bill Hunt. He's been wrong far too many times before and, in fact, is known to "correct" his facts 12-15 hours after initially posting them.

And his comments about Universal transfers is utter hogwash. Universal has some of the finest transfers available on HDM. If you want weak transfers, look to the early mpeg2 transfers of Blu-ray. Now there are some titles that need to remastered.

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#49
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1/23/08 at 12:14am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
But: Are there that many Universal/Paramount-titles to choose from (new ones, I mean) in the first place? If HD DVD is really fighting or showing that they still "mean business", they shoud keep releasing movies (catalog ones at least).. I guess even the hardcore HD DVD-fans admit that. Show us some movies and then we talk about it. "American Gangster", sure, but something more.. Hell, I could buy some of them.

If the rumors I read in another forum are true, watch for Paramount/Dreamwork's announcement for these titles on HD DVD by summer:

Titanic
Braveheart
Gladiator
Deep Impact
The Prince of Egypt
Saving Private Ryan
American Beauty
Shrek 1 & 2
The Time Machine
A Beautiful Mind

Plus a few others I don't remember right now.

Again, strictly rumor but reportedly from a studio writer that works for Paramount.

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#50
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1/23/08 at 12:42am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Booth
You put too much faith in Bill Hunt. He's been wrong far too many times before and, in fact, is known to "correct" his facts 12-15 hours after initially posting them.

His site has "news" and then "rumors" and "his opinions". So far Bill has been betting the right horse. We´ll see what happens eventually..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Booth
And his comments about Universal transfers is utter hogwash. Universal has some of the finest transfers available on HDM..

I agree that his "Universal transfers"-comments are a bit too vague for my taste, but "finest transfers available" is almost equally vague comment (it´s like that "Blu-ray fan" vs "HD DVD fan" when I look at both of the comments).

ALL studios have great transfers, but all have some mediocre ones also. It´s widely reported (I have also around 40 HD DVD-titles myself) that some of those Universal catalog-titles have a bit "mediocre"-transfers, so let´s not get carried away here. Not "bad" necessarily, but certainly not the "finest transfers available" always. Which studios have HD-titles that are all "great" in anyway?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Booth
If you want weak transfers, look to the early mpeg2 transfers of Blu-ray. Now there are some titles that need to remastered.

Oh boy. The "mpeg2 transfers of Blu-ray"-argument from 2006. Now that´s a strong argument at this point in the war..

And I would like to see that link to those "upcoming HD DVD-titles"-rumors, since quite frankly I haven´t see that list of titles and it seems unlikely that Spielberg-titles like "Saving Private Ryan" would suddenly come in HD.. Possible of course, I have no idea what´s going on deep inside of these studios.. My point is (was), that "rumors" and PR-interviews won´t keep the fans happy for long. They need the actual film titles. Many are waiting.. And they won´t wait forever. Summer is closing. Not all of these HD DVD-fans think that they should be somehow "loyal" to the bitter end. They buy HD-titles because they love films. Not formats.

But hey, this discussion is about to turn childish "HD-debate", so perhaps it´s best to move on a bit. I mean after all, both me and you Mark are "format neutral", so we got nothing to worry about.. I just want that "one HD format" and you probably not, so in that sense we don´t see fully eye-to-eye.

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*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
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#51
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1/23/08 at 12:54am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Terms like "completely irresponsible" and "look like fools" are much too strong, I believe. Irresponsible to whom? I think everyone's situation might be different, and probably best judged by the individual him/herself.
Concentrating on the consumers for the moment (let the studios take care of themselves), I could use my own position in this as an example.

I am format neutral, but, dictated by personal circumstances and considerations, only own a HD DVD player currently, no BD-player. I'm still waiting for a combo player. Might a suitable combo-player not arrive on the market, then I will reconsider my position in this respect.

In the meantime, I currently own 24 Blu-ray releases (which by the way is even more than some self-proclaimed "supporters" of the format do), but 164 HD DVDs. Software-wise I'm purple already and to protect my investment when going purple player-wise, I may buy another (cheaper) HD DVD player in the future as well.

My point is: all those purchases will be made based on personal considerations at the moment of the transaction, and to my best judgement.

Qualifying actions of others in a general sense as "irresponsible" or even advising them too quickly, without considering their specific personal situation - that might indeed be unwise.


Cees
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#52
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1/23/08 at 1:19am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
And I would like to see that link to those "upcoming HD DVD-titles"-rumors, since quite frankly I haven´t see that list of titles and it seems unlikely that Spielberg-titles like "Saving Private Ryan" would suddenly come in HD..

As I mentioned, reportedly from a studio writer at Paramount. Here's the full text of the message that was posted:

Quote:
Here is an e-mail I received by a fellow studio writer & a great friend. One studio to another studio.
-----------------------------------------------
Paramount/DreamWorks Home Entertainment - Classified Information.
Proposed list for 1st Quarter 2008 to 2nd Quarter 2008 HD DVD / More to come:

Titanic TLT
Braveheart TLT
Gladiator TLT
Deep Impact HD
The Prince of Egypt HD
Saving Private Ryan HD
Small Soldiers
American Beauty HD
Cast Away TLT
Shrek 1 & 2 (Also Trilogy BOX Set w/P3)
TLT
The Last Castle HD
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence HD
A Beautiful Mind HD
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion HD
The Time Machine HD
The Tuxedo HD
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas TL51
Shark Tale HD
Nothing is written in stone, but this is what I found out within the studio.
You owe me a beer lol,

BTW, I realize some of those titles will throw up some yellow flags. For instance, Cast Away. But, as it turns out, Dreamworks has the distribution rights for Cast Away outside of the US. So they may be referring to an import title.

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#53
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1/23/08 at 1:23am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Booth
As I mentioned, reportedly from a studio writer at Paramount.

Hmm. So this "proposed list" was done after or before the Warner news? I´m sorry, but this sounds rather vague to me. But who knows..

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#54
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1/23/08 at 1:38am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
Hmm. So this "proposed list" was done after or before the Warner news? I´m sorry, but this sounds rather vague to me. But who knows..

It was just shared by the studio writer yesterday (Jan 22).

Mark

As of July 2009, I own more movies in High-Definition than in Standard-Definition.
http://mydiscs.markshangout.com

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#55
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1/23/08 at 1:43am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
it seems unlikely that Spielberg-titles like "Saving Private Ryan" would suddenly come in HD..
Not "suddenly": there is some strong info that certain Spielberg titles are in the pipe-line indeed. Planning and realizing a release takes more than a few months, so any announcement you will see the next weeks must have been prepared before the Warner PR.


Cees
HTF Rules (uhm ... and has Rules)
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#56
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1/23/08 at 1:49am
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  • Location: Suva, Fiji
  • Post Count: 2,165

Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

TLT = Triple layer twin?
P/3?

Why would Sinbad be the only TL51?

Classified info being emailed about?

I would buy them all anyway!
Yumbiosis - all things Yumbo
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#57
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1/23/08 at 2:05am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cees Alons
Not "suddenly": there is some strong info that certain Spielberg titles are in the pipe-line indeed. Planning and realizing a release takes more than a few months, so any announcement you will see the next weeks must have been prepared before the Warner PR.

Yes, well I don´t say that these titles are "not coming", since I have no idea. IF they come, e.g. "Saving Private Ryan", "Braveheart", etc will be mine ASAP. I love those films.

I was actually THAT close to order all 5 volumes of "Band Of Brothers" from Japan ( DVD/HD DVD/HMV , where they are around 30$/volume now) in HD DVD, but in the last minute "backed off".
EDIT: Update: roughly 30$/volume, sorry!)

So again: It´s about the films for me at the end of the day..

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#58
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1/23/08 at 2:32am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman
Going purple now is completely irresponsible. There is a real need to start switching to Blu now that the tide is turning.

Perpetuating this war will only kill both. Retailers know this, dealers know this. Manufacturers know this.

It's time to pick a side and it's got to be a serious commitment to Blu-ray. Universal and Paramount, if they are too stubborn and can't see the writing on the wall now, will at that point!
I won't accept you trying to place responsibility on me about this format war. I am a consumer and will spend my money as I please and if the war continues as a stalemate I will continue to enjoy my HDM library for years to come. Furthermore, in the end, if this war kills both formats then I will just move over to the next format brought before us.

I really hate the self-righteous tone certain format proponents are trying to force on others that don't have any emotional attachment to either format.



Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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#59
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1/23/08 at 3:13am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
..that don't have any emotional attachment to either format.

I think NOT having "emotional attachment to either format" is the key to survive from this foolishness. These are just formats created for the physical distribution of HD-films. Since there are two of these formats, you have to make that choice, be "format neutral" or just forget the damn thing until we have at least that one format. Getting too "emotional" will only do more harm than good. These companies are in it for the money (in the end - there are also other reasons), any "can´t we all just get along"-sob-stories won´t stop them from switching sides or whatever.

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#60
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1/23/08 at 3:21am
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Re: Universal's Graffeo: HD DVD is here to stay!

Give me a break. There are some of us who invested in HD-DVD who want players that can handle both. Saying dump everything and "Go Blu!" makes you sound like a technological fascist. I love how other people can be so amazingly condescending about other people's choices.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman
Going purple now is completely irresponsible. There is a real need to start switching to Blu now that the tide is turning.

Perpetuating this war will only kill both. Retailers know this, dealers know this. Manufacturers know this.

It's time to pick a side and it's got to be a serious commitment to Blu-ray. Universal and Paramount, if they are too stubborn and can't see the writing on the wall now, will at that point!
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