I'm having a slow day (forgot to pay the brain bill this month); would you mind telling me what that means, exactly? Does it mean LG & Disney have already made a decision to go neutral?

The ambiguity was intentional.

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but in this month's Playboy Advisor someone asked about going into HD DVD and/or Blu-Ray. Tech editor Scott Alexander advised for buyers to wait "a few years" before buying into it. I've yet to see a big MSM article encouraging people to go into one of the formats and to do it now. For the most part, I agree with them. The only reason I jumped into this at all was that I needed a new DVD player.

I'm very interested to see how the next few months pan out for BD sales.

Yes. Where have you been? They just haven't officially announced it yet.

And this was said regarding Fox at the meeting yesterday:

My common sense tells me that it's legit, given the supposed "hints" the companies' actions have given. However, I'm also one that likes hearing definite things, like "Yes, we at Disney/Lionsgate will be releasing on HD DVD..." It just makes me more confident to see official confirmation.

Of course! Don't we all. There's a certain press release that I can't WAIT to read but I have a feeling it's about a year down the line. ;)

Regardless, I'm sure there will be a thread that stays close to the top of this forum as soon as the news is released. It'll probably be started by me. ;)

a year from now? That's a long time to wait for an announcement that could tilt any scale for this "war" don't ya think? I'm sure this "war" will still be going though, don't get me wrong, but a year from now, Sony will have had a long time to perfect their product and get their true launch out and steam rolling.

I just don't see Toshiba/HD overcoming that huge media push and advertising dollars that Sony and it's partners have spent, and will spend. Not only that, we have the idiots and morons that work at all the retail stores that cloud our cities with lies, filth and deceipt about products. Don't forget the impact of those losers on J6P.

I am still holding out for HD though, I always root for the small guy. I just can't see myself investing in them right now with the other studios holding the majority of my favorite discs. I have never been a fan of being a beta tester for a company either. I will however buy a HD player given the right price though heh.

You don't think Toshiba will have time to perfect their product? HD DVD is backed by Microsoft as well, so I see no reason why they won't advertise just as aggressively. They have launched a $150 million HD DVD ad campaign, so that's a nice start. Big rumors are that LionsGate will become a neutral supporter, so BD will be losing one of its exclusive studios. Disney is rumored to follow, that would be 2. Those would be positives for HD DVD.

And don't forget the major manufacturers that are rumored to start making HD DVD players next year.

And Zman...the announcement I have in my head isn't about "tilting." It's about "ending." ;)

Oh no, I do think Toshiba will continue to improve their product. It's the media/retail people that will be the biggest hurdle and the impact on J6P. Remember most of us (me included) are not HUGE AV guys. I go one step further by doing a ton of research on all products so maybe i'm just a tad above the regular J6P. Think of how many arent though, how many don't look up reviews on players or discs. How many people go to BB on a daily basis thinking they are true experts in their craft and get talked to death about BD format?

When if Lionsgate and Disney make the move over to HD, then they have another buyer 100% in me and at least 5 of us here locally. That would be fantastic news, but if it took 1 year to get that news out, that'd be just that much more time for BD to keep selling on false promises and rumors alone.

I don't see that happening anytime soon due to certain STUBBORN parties, but wouldn't that be sweet.

Also the fact that the Chinese HD DVD players should by out by Q1 '07. Last I checked the BD group was strongly against allowing Chinese manufacturers to build BD players. Getting those sub $200 players onto the market first will be a HUGE advantage, which in the end probably means more than any studio jumping over.

Drop my "1 year" comment.

LG will be with HD DVD officially by the end of the year. Disney will be officially by January.

Link, or is that just your speculation?

If true, I'd probably break down and get HD-DVD.

edit: n/m, just read up in the thread. But I'm still doing nothing until it's actually official.

Again, it's NOT OFFICIAL YET.

Every Insider has been talking about it for the last few weeks though. It's definite. But not official.

While I agree that seems like a logical outcome I have been puzzled that we haven't seen any two disc releases thus far. They studios seem really wary of doing that for some reason. So far at least. Perhaps the extra cost of the disc is a factor.

Seems like a no brainer to me: Use 30 GB for the feature with the best PQ and AQ possible. Then dump the extras on a separate disc. But that takes away from much touted extras like IME and introduces the hassle factor of swapping discs, I suppose.

MI3 will be a 2 disc. It will be the first.

I'd really like to believe that. But in the world of electronics, definite has similar connotations as maybe. It was only 18 months ago that all the insiders said that BD was a clear winner and that HD DVD was definitely dead, just not official.

IME can be (needs to be) on the movie disc. Dump all the other extras on a separate disc.

Get ready for another one, a hint ... it involves a couple policeman.



Edit: oops.

Yeah, I'm personally tired of the rumors. I will believe it when they come out and actually announce it. Too many rumors on AVS for me to believe any of them.

Ah, so the BD50 doesnt really matter now. ;)

Exactly....I think J6P will actually think he is getting a better deal with a 2 disc HD-DVD versus 1 BD disc even though they have the same content.

I'm assuming that's World Trade Center. It's coming 12/12/06 on both formats in 2-disc form.

Wasn't that about two policemen?

fixed it.

HAHA

Heheh okay, I thought you were talking about WTC, but I wasn't sure since I haven't seen it yet.

Good.

I'd prefer to see your post saying you were wrong when it IS official.

I'd love to be wrong. I'd be ECSTATIC if one format were to be officially declared dead. I'll probably start that thread (unless you beat me to it).

This title will use a BD50, not two BD25s.

That wasn't really the point. It was more about studios deciding to switch.

But regardless, i'll wait for your post either way. ;)

Either way? :hscratch:

Even if the said studios actually switch or go neutral by January, the fact remains that the word definite holds no more water than maybe when it comes to new technology. Maybe means that sometimes it'll happen and sometimes it won't. So even if it happens, I'm still right. This was just one of those times where it did happen.

I think you can agree that HD DVD is in fact NOT definitely dead as previously claimed by the insiders.

:up: :up:

Damn, I was hoping it was going to be Police Academy V. :(

There will be still be 2 discs.

HD-dvd promotion release

HD DVD Brings the Heat to Digital Life 2006 With New Titles and Consumer Momentum

Thursday October 12, 12:01 am ET
HD DVD Mobile Experience Rolls Into New York Fueled by Strong Consumer Adoption and New Blockbuster Title Announcements

NEW YORK, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at Digital Life 2006, the North American HD DVD Promotional Group showcased increasing momentum for the high definition format, offering a glimpse at new titles and interactive features that continue to redefine the standard for high definition movie experiences. With the 18-wheeled HD DVD Mobile Experience set-up inside the Javits Center, attendees were treated to HD DVD's unrivaled video and sound quality, and unique interactive capabilities that are already tipping the scales with consumers.

Bringing new meaning to "action-packed," Universal Studios Home Entertainment announces the release of one of the year's most anticipated crime thrillers and the first HD DVD title shot completely in high definition -- "Miami Vice." Shooting in high definition offered benefits that are clear for HD DVD, providing a new level of depth and clarity that often can be lost on film. Coming to stores on December 5, 2006, "Miami Vice" will be released as a combo disc that will play the R-rated version of the film in standard DVD players and an Unrated version in HD DVD players. The high definition Unrated version introduces 19 minutes of never-before-seen footage coupled with mind-blowing interactive features enabled by Universal's revolutionary "U Control" menu system. Without leaving the Unrated movie, you can check out the tech specs on the expensive cars and boats, track the car chases through the streets of Miami with an on-screen GPS locator, or examine production photographs and details about the cast as you watch the scenes.

According to recent ACNielsen reports, the average HD DVD owner has purchased 8.4 HD DVD movies to date.(1) By annualizing this rate of activity, the average HD DVD household will own more than 28 HD DVDs after one year. During the month of August alone, HD DVD movies outsold all other high definition formats by a factor of nearly three.(2) Last week, Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," became one of the fastest selling HD DVD movies, selling through 30% of inventory on the first day of availability.

"Titles such as the recently released 'Batman Returns' from Warner, and upcoming titles like 'Miami Vice' from Universal are taking full advantage of the unique capabilities only HD DVD can offer," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "When you add in the combo disc option that gives you both a standard DVD version and a high definition version of the movie on one disc, consumers can be assured that it will play on any player in the home. We're not settling for offering great high definition movies with cutting edge interactivity -- we also want to deliver value by future-proofing your collections."

For anyone who owns an HDTV, but isn't getting the full high definition experience, HD DVD players for the living room, the PC, and for Xbox 360 are on the market or coming soon at competitive price points, providing an easy, affordable transition to HD. Recently, HP unveiled HD DVD-enabled PCs and an external drive that will be available for sale this holiday season, and Toshiba announced its second generation HD DVD players for the U.S. market, the HD-A2 and HD-XA2. The HD-XA2 is designed to output 1920 x 1080p, the highest HD signal currently available. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player available this holiday will come packaged with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote and a copy of Universal's "King Kong," all for $199. These products will offer consumers a wide variety of options this holiday season to experience movies the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

The lineup of great titles available in HD DVD continues to grow with Warner Home Video's latest title announcements, including "V for Vendetta," starring Natalie Portman. With a release date scheduled for October 31, "V for Vendetta" will make its HD DVD debut with In-Movie Experience (IME), the interactive feature allowing viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material while the movie is running. The IME for "V for Vendetta" features the Director's Notebook: Reimagining a Cult Classic for the 21st Century. And on November 28, this summer's blockbuster, "Superman Returns" will make its debut, along with two special edition versions on the HD DVD format: the original "Superman: The Movie," as well as the completely re-edited version from the original director himself, "Superman II: The Richard Donnor Cut."

There are now more than 80 HD DVD titles available from major studios -- more titles than any high definition format, with more than 150 titles expected this holiday season including "Mission: Impossible 3," "King Kong" and "Nacho Libre." Additionally, with the backing of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video, Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, HBO, New Line Home Entertainment, Rhino Entertainment, Image Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Brentwood and HDNET, HD DVD ensures consumers will continue to receive some of the best HD movie content available.

About HD DVD

The DVD Forum develops and defines DVD formats. Its more than 200 strong membership brings together leaders in movies and entertainment, computing, consumer electronics and software. In November 2003, the DVD Forum selected a single technology as the next-generation, post-DVD standard for high capacity, high definition optical discs -- HD DVD. HD DVD is fast becoming the primary visual medium for the age of high-definition TV. The North American HD DVD Promotional Group, Inc. is an organization established to promote the HD DVD format and educate consumers in North America. For more information and a complete listing of HD DVD launch titles please visit http://www.TheLookAndSoundOfPerfect.com .

(1) Source: ACNielsen

(2) Source: Nielsen VideoScan DVD sell-through data for August 2006

I'll be going to this this weekend. We all got free tickets tonight. :)

Btw...meeting Amir and everyone else was awesome. The night actually ran over and when I left, there was still a lot of people there.

Saw the Media tech slides today and noticed something interesting. It seems New Line has already decided to use Sonopress and Cinram for their HD-dvd production. Nothing listed for Blu-Ray, unlike the other studios. Maybe they are going to use DADC, maybe they'll wait longer for Blu-Ray ....

Did you get a free pen and shirt? :)

2 shirts and several pens. ;) Actually, one of the great guys from Toshiba gave me a shitload of them when he found out who I was. It seems the Toshiba guys are always reading the boards and apparently I had been saying either here or on AVS that I better get a free pen or I wasn't going. He went nuts when he saw me. He said "you want pens? I'll give you pens!" And went over to get a stack of them. Amir and a few others seemed to be very happy to meet me and *ahem* freaked out when they found out who I was. Nice to be a lil' bit famous because of these boards. :)