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are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively? - Page 2

post #31 of 43
1/5/08 at 4:58pm

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Universal has been supporting lossless on a lot more titles than they used to.

I think it will come down to what is Toshiba going to do and what will retailers do. Based on their catalog getting a Lionsgate or Starz will do no good. It would be nice if Sony and the BDA could work out some accomidation with Toshiba, Universal and Paramount to truly end it.

While I have met a lot of the players on both sides, I don't know them personally, and I don't know if there will be any egos or bitterness (on either side) that get in the way of settling this sooner rather than later.
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post #32 of 43
1/5/08 at 5:23pm

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

We still will have to see how well this all is playing out for the parties involved. Toshiba doesn't have to fork out $500 - $650 mil. to mention one difference. Nor does Microsoft.

This will given HD DVD some financial background that BD no longer has.

It's going to be a very interesting period to watch.

(And as always, it will stay as fscinationg to watch movies. Perhaps someone will make a "behind the screens"-movie - pun intended - about this HD-format episode.)


Cees
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post #33 of 43
1/6/08 at 5:34am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

" This will given HD DVD some financial background that BD no longer has. "

Interesting point . It all depends how ' up for it ' they are . Presumably , the BDA won't feel it neccessary pay Universal/Paramount to come on board ( even if they had cash left over ) so there will only be the 'political' need to follow/create the HD market . But as with the Warners decision , politics often wins the day....

Certainly , post-May , BD had better show huge percentage increase in sales or there won't be any alibis left . The late arrival of ' 2.0' Final spec. players may hinder that .

~M~
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post #34 of 43
1/6/08 at 5:46am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Listen....

You can say that BOTH camps have been releasing good to
mediocre fare to their formats over the past year -- and for
good reason!

Until any of these formats really start to penetrate the market,
none of the studios want to put out their best titles.

The same thing happened with DVD in its infant years.
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post #35 of 43
1/6/08 at 6:03am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Posten
Combo is great as a bridge technology..

This doesn´t seem to work for the masses and so many people are against them, so IMO they should just drop them. I don´t believe that these combo-releases are coming to Blu-ray, so at least we have one studio less to release them after May..
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post #36 of 43
1/6/08 at 6:21am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
at least we have one studio less to release them after May

With Warner, you always had the option of buying Blu-ray since they initially supported both formats. Why, then, would you be concerned about combo HD DVDs from this studio? You could just pick the format that doesn't offer this option.

It's one thing to complain about combo releases if they are your only option, but that was not the case here, and I know you have the equipment to play back both formats.
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post #37 of 43
1/6/08 at 6:25am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
This doesn´t seem to work for the masses and so many people are against them,
I'm half-willing to bet that "the masses" don't have any issue with combos (when they work, which they have for me) other than the $5 premium Warner charged. We get a lot of re-enforcement of them being annoying here because this forum is full of people who see no use for the SD side.
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post #38 of 43
1/6/08 at 6:39am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

I guess I hit the "combo-nerve" again, so sorry about that. Sure, with Warner there has usually been a choice (another reason why I´ve picked Blu-ray in most cases).
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post #39 of 43
1/6/08 at 10:41am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

I actually concur with Sam on the brdige technology issue. And besides, I have always liked HD DVD's combo discs and the option one would have on playing one side in your HD-based system and the other side in your SD-based system. I have done this with several of my combi titles thus far between my main and seconday systems and, to be quite honest, I dig the flexibility it provides.

In fact, during Circuit City's recent Buy 3, Get 2 free HD DVD promotion, a couple of eligible titles were listed with previously-released combo status, Superman Returns and Happy Feet. I found the former quickly in combo formation, but it took me some doing to find the latter, but when I did, the time taken was well worth the wait. Now I have both titles to go with those combi's I already own.


I admit I will miss this about WB's BR exclusitivity status, yet I look forward to getting what I can for such combo discs for as long as they are manufactured.
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post #40 of 43
1/6/08 at 10:54am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Universal has been supporting lossless on a lot more titles than they used to.

Good point. Hopefully that trend will continue. While I would love for Universal and Paramount to release on BD, I really would like for them to make the most of the format and not start out with product with lossy sound while other studios are having no problem providing 100% lossless audio... I don't want to have to double/tripple dip in HD over and over just to get better sound! (ie, don't mind double dipping for new bonus material and "SE" status... but give me optimal picture and sound the first time around)
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post #41 of 43
1/6/08 at 11:22am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Just a guess on my part but I don't think Universal or Paramount will go blu-ray anytime this year.

Well, if this is the case, they will both be saving me a lot of money this year. I don't intend to "feed" this format war any longer. I'll be more than happy renting any Paramount or Universal HD product as long as they continue to remain HD DVD exclusive.
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post #42 of 43
1/6/08 at 11:25am

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Seaver
I'm half-willing to bet that "the masses" don't have any issue with combos (when they work, which they have for me) other than the $5 premium Warner charged. We get a lot of re-enforcement of them being annoying here because this forum is full of people who see no use for the SD side.

Honestly I love the combo format. For an extra $5 I get something that I would have to spend another $20 if I bought the SD DVD of it. That is an enormous value.

Doug
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post #43 of 43
1/6/08 at 12:29pm

Re: are Paramount and universal sticking with hd-dvd exclusively?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
When Universal and Paramount do start to release on BD in 2008 (hint hint), they BETTER use updated film transfers (not the 10-year+ masters they've been putting on HD DVD for catalog titles) and they BETTER provide lossless audio.

Frankly, I don't want their film to be delivered in the same sub-par manner only to be re-released later mastered/authored properly.

I'd like them to get everything right the first time but it's not going to happen. Subsequent dipping used to be a novelty in the DVD marketplace but now it seems to be the norm. I wouldn't expect that to change with HD releases (and given the bare bones condition of many of the current HD titles, I WANT them to re-release them!). Plus, aside from the economic motivation, the studios are in a bind. It takes time to remaster so if they hold up releases, titles will trickle out. It appears from Warner's statement that it is afraid that the window of opportunity for HD is closing fast. If that's a concern, I would think the priority will be to increase the flow of titles to persuade consumers to bite. I think speed will take priority over perfection.
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