Lots of HD DVD collectors at HTF have expressed, understandably, their frustration with Warner's recent decision given the potential obselescence of their HD collection and hardware given the money they've invested. And this is true even for many who also see the advantage of the industry finally having a viable single-HD format. Even though HD DVD players will continue working for some time, and nothing is going to stop those 5" discs from putting out the great 1080p picture they did before January 4th, it's understandable that an avid HD DVD collector would have some discontented emotions over Warner's decision, *especially* given Warner's public comments just a few weeks prior suggesting that they had no plans to change their format-neutral course, and given their hard-push for software sales of *both* formats this Christmas season.
I hope that describes fairly what some HD DVD owners might be feeling.
Some HTF members have already suggested that a "peace offering" of some sort fromm the BDA, such as a credit towards a BD player purchase or trade-in for HD DVD titles, would be fair given that HD DVD consumers have been handed a raw deal. I agree, and if the BDA is willing to pay Warner a nice sum to seal their BD-deal, why not offer the same courtesy to the folks ACTUALLY resonsible for HD disc media becoming a viable product in the market place: The consumers - specifically a large portion of the consumers who've already taken a great risk in helping establish a market for HD software on HD DVD, and invested their hard-earned cash to prove it.
Bill Hunt has this to say and I agree with him:
Folks, we've rallyed and made a difference before. It was HTF fans that Got Warner to embrace OAR for "family films", and the influence we've had here has gone much further than that one case study. What say you? express yourself here. Tell Warner and the BDA that a very practical way to smooth over hard feelings with an sizeable group of their HD-disc buying consumer market would be to extend a peace-offering to make switching over to blu less painful. I'd suggest to Warner and the BDA that the "pay off" to HD DVD consumers is a very, VERY profitable long-term investment: You've got a large group of early-adoptors who are avid disc-purchases and know the advantage of buying HD software over standard DVD. Those individuals will spend MUCH MUCH MORE over the next 10 years on Blu-ray Discs than the cost of a free Blu-ray player to help the transition today. And those consumsers have friends and family, who they might just convince to invest in HD disc media as well.
Warner stated publically that improving adoption and HD disc sales was one of their guiding factors in their decision to help create a single-format solution. Ok then, how about starting with your own loyal consumer base who've already put their money on the line to buy your product?
What do you think?
I hope that describes fairly what some HD DVD owners might be feeling.
Some HTF members have already suggested that a "peace offering" of some sort fromm the BDA, such as a credit towards a BD player purchase or trade-in for HD DVD titles, would be fair given that HD DVD consumers have been handed a raw deal. I agree, and if the BDA is willing to pay Warner a nice sum to seal their BD-deal, why not offer the same courtesy to the folks ACTUALLY resonsible for HD disc media becoming a viable product in the market place: The consumers - specifically a large portion of the consumers who've already taken a great risk in helping establish a market for HD software on HD DVD, and invested their hard-earned cash to prove it.
Bill Hunt has this to say and I agree with him:
Quote:
| I was thinking last night about how HD-DVD fans must be feeling right now, in the wake of Warner's announcement of their intent to go Blu-ray only later this year. We've gotten more than a few e-mails from them over the last 24 hours, as you might imagine, and they're understandably feeling a bit down right now. I have to say, however, that with just a few exceptions, they've been very classy today in accepting what most of them acknowledge is the defeat of their preferred format with good grace. Given that, I think it would be wise at this point for the Blu-ray Disc Association and its member studios and manufacturers to make a peace offering of sorts to HD-DVD supporters. Warner and the rest of the BDA should make some kind of offer to HD-DVD enthusiasts that would allow them to exchange a few of their HD-DVD discs for Blu-ray versions of the same titles, or to provide some kind of additional discount on Blu-ray players to those who have purchased HD-DVD players prior to December 31st 2007, to help them migrate to Blu-ray more easily and painlessly. It would be a nice gesture. It's not like both camps aren't giving tons of free discs away already in "buy one get one free" offers. It might cost the BDA a little up front, but the goodwill it would generate among enthusiasts would be worth the expense, I think. It would be a nice way to welcome HD-DVD consumers into the Blu-ray fold, and it's a way to help put this format war foolishness - and the acrimony that it's inspired online - behind us. It's worth considering. |
Folks, we've rallyed and made a difference before. It was HTF fans that Got Warner to embrace OAR for "family films", and the influence we've had here has gone much further than that one case study. What say you? express yourself here. Tell Warner and the BDA that a very practical way to smooth over hard feelings with an sizeable group of their HD-disc buying consumer market would be to extend a peace-offering to make switching over to blu less painful. I'd suggest to Warner and the BDA that the "pay off" to HD DVD consumers is a very, VERY profitable long-term investment: You've got a large group of early-adoptors who are avid disc-purchases and know the advantage of buying HD software over standard DVD. Those individuals will spend MUCH MUCH MORE over the next 10 years on Blu-ray Discs than the cost of a free Blu-ray player to help the transition today. And those consumsers have friends and family, who they might just convince to invest in HD disc media as well.
Warner stated publically that improving adoption and HD disc sales was one of their guiding factors in their decision to help create a single-format solution. Ok then, how about starting with your own loyal consumer base who've already put their money on the line to buy your product?
What do you think?
when you go beyond high definition, the laws of time and space change.
