Paramount Switching to Blu-Ray!

[jedijeff]

Old school WWF vs WCW

Now you've gone to darn far WCW was clearly the best wrestling in the early 90's!!!!!!!!!

I am kidding of course :)

LOL hee hee. I actually felt both had their merit, WWF had better Uppercard performers, and WCW midcard was great with the Cruiserweight division.

:)

[Bryancd]

Yeah, I actually think this is going to be more Beta vs. VHS, with the winner becoming the ONLY format.

[Jobydrone]

This was interesting news, it seems Blu-ray is taking an early lead in this format war.  I'm glad I got a PS3 for X-mas.  I still think as soon as the dual format players become priced at an affordable level for the masses the whole issue will become moot.

[Bryancd]

I hate to say it, but I don't think a dual format DVD is going to work for consumers.

[Geekyfanboy]

HD DVD Backers to Switch to Blu-ray Soon?
Source: Variety
January 10, 2008

Variety reports that the two remaining studios backing HD DVD could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

The trade has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended. And Paramount has an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release films on Blu-ray Disc after Warner Bros.' decision to back that format exclusively.

Neither studio is ready to throw in the towel immediately, however. Universal is committed to a series of promotions for the high-def format in coming months, and Paramount has said its current plans are to keep supporting HD DVD, which it backed exclusively in August and the deal was to run through this year.

Should Toshiba concede defeat on the format, the decision to drop HD DVD would be made for both studios. But Toshiba doesn't appear ready to do that.

But retailers may force the HD DVD camp's hand: They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor. With Warners' defection, only Paramount/DreamWorks and Universal remain in the HD DVD camp; Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate remain ardent Blu-ray backers. Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.

[Geekyfanboy]

I'm not choosing sides here, I have neither a HD DVD or Blu-Ray.. I think both formats can exist in this world.. but talk around town (entertainment industry) is HD DVD is on it's way out. But only time will tell.

[Blackride]

I'm not choosing sides here

I think it is silly that these topics turn into people feeling that they need to choose sides. I am not saying you, Kenny or anyone else on these boards are doing that but if you read other articles it's like this is a a Good vs. Evil debate.

In reality these formats are not different in the quality they produce and that's what matters to me.

[Ktrek]

In reality these formats are not different in the quality they produce and that's what matters to me.

Actually that's only partially true. Blu-Ray holds about 20 gigs more data which will allow interactive game features and other things and not to mention that HD-DVD has to compress the sound much more than Blu-Ray and from what I have heard from a friend who has both there is a noticeable difference in sound although there is not in picture.

I do think that both formats could exist together but I also think the general public does not want to have to buy two players just to watch their movies. Most people do not have the kind of cash to lay out for that kind of an investment. The one advantage I did see for HD-DVD is that several titles provided both the HD and SD versions on a single disc. That way people who felt like they wanted to someday purchase a player when they could afford one they could still enjoy the movie on their current SD player.

I suppose what we may see if Blu-Ray does come out a decisive winner that some incentives will be given to people who have already purchased the HD-DVD units and movies.

I think the pressure from the big retailers who invest in these products to sell is also going to have a huge impact. There will likely be a move by retailers to push Blu-Ray over HD with the situation as it currently lies and that will diminish HD-DVD even further.

And even though, as I said, I do think both formats could co-exist, I really wish that it would go one way or the other. I'd prefer the industry be standardized. It will mean lower prices quickly on players and movies and the consumer is the one who will benefit from that.

I saw some pictures from the CES convention and it was kind of sad to see only a couple of people at the HD booth and the Blu-Ray booth was packed.

Kevin

[Blackride]

I meant picutre when I said there was not a difference, my mistake. I have both and to be honest unless you have a high end audio system you will not tell the difference. I have a lot of money in my audio systems and can tell a difference between Blu-Ray audio and HD-DVD audtio based on which compression or un-conpressed options you use. I am not sure anyone would notice a difference on something below 2k in audio. Just my opinion as always :)

[space_invader64]

Sadly, I think this will have a huge impact.

http://www.t3.com/news/blu-ray-porn?=35064

[Blackride]

Sadly, I think this will have a huge impact.

http://www.t3.com/news/blu-ray-porn?=35064

That will drive Blu-Ray...

[space_invader64]

"After all, Betamax got beaten down because VHS embraced the filth"  From the story....

[Bryancd]

Again, there will NOT be 2 formats out there. HD-DVD's market penetration isn't nearly large enough to sustain it if the studios back content on Blu-Ray, so we can forget that pipe dream.

[jedijeff]

So did porn industry get a half billion dollar check from Sony as well? ;)

[Ktrek]

Actually Sony has been doing everything they can to not support the porn industry in Blu-Ray. They have refused to even work with the porn industry and that industry has had to find manufacturers on their own if they wanted to use Blu-Ray. If HD-DVD is but a byword then that will change.

Kevin