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-   -   Warner, New Line, Paramount, Universal ... The Studios/Networks Thread - Part 2 (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/hd-talk/521834-warner-new-line-paramount-universal-studios-networks-thread-part-2-a.html)

Bill Geiger 01-07-08 09:07 AM


Originally Posted by DVD Josh
Really, WB is the only one that can do this, and the list of titles would be short.

Exactly. No biggie as the only WB title I will get via the rebate is Swordfish. But since I sold my player, I'll have to dump the 5 titles. Might even sell them for about $30 bucks when received....if ever. :)

Qui Gon Jim 01-07-08 09:13 AM


Originally Posted by The Bus
I've heard numerous times from Sony execs that the PS3 is their flagship BD Player and whatever updates BD will get, the PS3 will get. So, until a final BD Profile comes out, that's probably your best bet.

It is also probably the easiest machine to do a firmware update to because the BD player is "virtual" running on the cell. It has the horsepower to emulate hardware that may need to be present in other models.

Deadpool 01-07-08 09:18 AM


Originally Posted by Maxflier
Shit, I just bought a player last night. I bet they will do some kind of discount now and I will miss out on it for acting too soon...

Take it back

Qui Gon Jim 01-07-08 09:22 AM


Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
This was posted on The Digital Bits:

"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."

"One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."

This could be good news depending on what they do. I think they need to make this a serious offer, or it may be a very long time before they get back the people that just got players in the past month or so. I've had an HD DVD player for over a year so I don't feel burned, but I would imagine that I would feel very different if I got one for Christmas. It could turn me off of the whole thing.

Draven 01-07-08 09:24 AM


Originally Posted by Yavin
I'm excited about this possibility. Makes me think that I should wait a bit longer before sending in my rebate for the 5 free-by-mail HD-DVDs. I have a feeling that, with my luck, the day after I cut out the A3's UPC and mail it in for the rebate there will be news that owners of Toshiba players can get some sort of discount off a Blu-Ray player ... but it will require sending in the original UPC.

I wouldn't be surprised if that happened because it will all but guarantee that most people wouldn't be able to take advantage of it, since everyone sent in their UPC for the free discs.

Yavin 01-07-08 09:32 AM


Originally Posted by Draven
I wouldn't be surprised if that happened because it will all but guarantee that most people wouldn't be able to take advantage of it, since everyone sent in their UPC for the free discs.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. And with my luck it's probably what is going to happen. I even said to my friends after I bought my A3 player, "Now that I've bought one, Blu-Ray is probably going to win". I just hope that Toshiba doesn't decide to cancel the 5 free by mail-in-rebate offer before the 2/28 deadline if no Blu-Ray offer appears before then. But if it is true, I would guess they'd offer $100 off any Blu-Ray player valid until the 12/31/2008, with original receipt and UPC from any Toshiba HD-DVD player.

DVD Polizei 01-07-08 09:44 AM

Why the hek would I return all of my HD DVDs for Blu-ray discs and have to buy ANOTHER player? I already have an HD DVD player. In the future, I'll buy a combo player and call it good.

TheMovieman 01-07-08 09:46 AM


Originally Posted by DVD Polizei
Why the hek would I return all of my HD DVDs for Blu-ray discs and have to buy ANOTHER player? I already have an HD DVD player. In the future, I'll buy a combo player and call it good.

I'd exchange certain HD-DVDs (*cough*COMBO DISCS*cough*) but the others I'd keep...

bmello 01-07-08 09:54 AM


Originally Posted by namja
I don't know if $250 is low enough for Blu-ray to be accepted by the mainstream. $200 is a psychological barrier ($199 seems so much more affordable than $200). For sales of BD to really kick in, it really needs cheaper players.

This isn't at all similar to the DVD overtaking VHS. Plenty of people, including myself, bought a DVD player for <$200 pre-2002 (got mine for $140 in Oct 1999, less than one year of DVD's launch). When DVD players were $200, VHS players were still $100. Fast forward to today, the Blu-ray players are still $350 while DVD players can be had for $50. For Blu-ray to survive, it really needs to bring the prices down more quickly. I look forward to $200 Blu-ray player prices soon, and maybe even $150 at 2008 Black Friday.

They also need to get the prices of new releases down to the $15 - $18 range. How many people are going to pay $25 - $30 for a DVD every week or so?

akolang2 01-07-08 09:55 AM

Darkside, thanks for the explanation:)

dsa_shea 01-07-08 10:23 AM


Originally Posted by bmello
They also need to get the prices of new releases down to the $15 - $18 range. How many people are going to pay $25 - $30 for a DVD every week or so?

You're asking them to lower the prices on new releases to basically the same price they have the SD version of them on sale for on release week. Why didn't HD-Dvd drop their new release prices to 15-18 dollars? Had they none of this would have happened.

Ocelot 01-07-08 10:46 AM


Originally Posted by dsa_shea
You're asking them to lower the prices on new releases to basically the same price they have the SD version of them on sale for on release week. Why didn't HD-Dvd drop their new release prices to 15-18 dollars? Had they none of this would have happened.


i agree with that logic... i know $20-$30 a HD movie is a lot for most, but it's not like hd-dvd prices are significantly cheaper than BDs. If hd-dvds are prices at $15-$25, do you think BD have a chance? again, i blame all this on hd-dvd campers, they're not doing much (hell, nothing). Remember all of those eye rolling BD promotions? Well, apparently it's working for BD...

GCS 01-07-08 10:51 AM

Hmmm interesting idea. I would like to see what the proposal is going to be of course. I am only interested in getting another BR player vs movies.

I have HD-DVD in all 3 spots in my home and will stay that way until the players die. I will not swap out the HD-DVD titles I have for BRs unless it is an exact 1-1 swap out AND I have BR capability all through the house.

My reasoning for HD-DVD thoughout the house was pricing. I was able to get 3 HD-DVD players for less than the price the (1) PS3 I bought for BR playback. The HD players do a great job on the upconvert and I have been pretty darn pleased with them.

Anyway this will be interesting to see and I hope the offer is at least decent but I am guessing it won't be. Probably something like a $100 rebate on a player (you have to turn in your old one I bet) and movies can be exchanged for probably $5 shipping/handling per movie and your limit is something like 10 per household or something.

We'll see what happens.

Greg

RockStrongo 01-07-08 10:53 AM


Originally Posted by bmello
They also need to get the prices of new releases down to the $15 - $18 range. How many people are going to pay $25 - $30 for a DVD every week or so?

I still dont think its gonna happen. Yes, it will become more mainstream, BUT DVD is tooooo engrained in our culture. Its just not enough of a quality increase for most people.

Just think about every place that a DVD player would need to be replaced by a Bluray player. There are sooo many in houses, cars, travel players and more. Not gonna happen.

This format is gonna be second to DVD until something else comes along.

Yavin 01-07-08 10:58 AM


Originally Posted by RockStrongo
I still dont think its gonna happen. Yes, it will become more mainstream, BUT DVD is tooooo engrained in our culture. Its just not enough of a quality increase for most people.

Just think about every place that a DVD player would need to be replaced by a Bluray player. There are sooo many in houses, cars, travel players and more. Not gonna happen.

This format is gonna be second to DVD until something else comes along.

Agreed that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are still a long way from being mainstream. It surprises me how many people still don't know what HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are. Over the holidays I overheard someone asking a salesperson at the Sony Store what the difference was ... the Sony Store! And I have a co-worker who isn't even aware of HD-DVD. He thought that just because he was watching DVDs on his Plasma that it was already HD. Not to mention the woman I saw recently at Best Buy who was browsing the DVD section and asked everyone around her, "What are these, movies, or games?!" ... but that's another story.

steebo777 01-07-08 11:20 AM


Originally Posted by RockStrongo
This format is gonna be second to DVD until something else comes along.

HD movies On Demand. That's where I've always stood as the most logical next HD format for the mainstream. Until then, my HD-DVD player is keeping me happy.

Breakfast with Girls 01-07-08 11:29 AM


Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
This was posted on The Digital Bits:

"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."

"One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."

That would be nice. I would get in on that.

Drexl 01-07-08 11:45 AM

I really hope the offer is in the form of discs rather than a discount on a player. Unless my PS3 breaks down, I have no intention of buying another player for at least a couple of years. When I spend $500 on something, I'd like to get a few years of use out of it (not that I'm criticizing those who have upgraded their players already).

Draven 01-07-08 11:54 AM


Originally Posted by RockStrongo
Just think about every place that a DVD player would need to be replaced by a Bluray player. There are sooo many in houses, cars, travel players and more. Not gonna happen.

This is why I like the combos so much. I can watch the same disc on my HD DVD player and projection screen downstairs, my DVD player and RPTV in the family room, my DVD player and LCD TV in the bedroom, my DVD player in the car and I can rip them to my iPod.

I'm really going to miss those things.

rdclark 01-07-08 12:00 PM


Originally Posted by RockStrongo
I still dont think its gonna happen. Yes, it will become more mainstream, BUT DVD is tooooo engrained in our culture. Its just not enough of a quality increase for most people.

Just think about every place that a DVD player would need to be replaced by a Bluray player. There are sooo many in houses, cars, travel players and more. Not gonna happen.

This format is gonna be second to DVD until something else comes along.

I think it will happen. Both the studios and the hardware manufacturers have every reason to push the market to make it happen. Dual inventories are the bane of retailing.

SD DVD (as a retail commodity) will be replaced by streaming video, which may or may not also be available in 1080i.

BD will be the collectible retail format, for people who want 1080p, bonus features, interactivity, etc.

People who don't want to replace old DVD players will be able to burn their streamed content to standard DVDs. BDs might even start to include an SD copy of the main movie that can be copied to a DVD burner for portable use.

Total disc sales will probably never again reach their current levels. Just as the music CD market is being permanently eroded by music downloads, the SD video (and perhaps also the 1080i video) market will be eroded by streaming, VOD, downloading, etc.

Burned SD-DVD will remain in use as a portable container for SD video for many years, just like VHS did, just like CD-ROMs still do.

I think we'll see the the last mainstream SD-DVD releases by the end of 2013.

Mr. Cinema 01-07-08 01:15 PM

I think what's going to happen over the next few months is retailers beginning to focus solely on Blu-ray. They want this war to end as well. They want rid of one sku so they can dedicate more shelf space to the winning format. I won't be surprised if this happens. Actually, I hope this happens.

bunkaroo 01-07-08 01:23 PM


Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
I think what's going to happen over the next few months is retailers beginning to focus solely on Blu-ray. They want this war to end as well. They want rid of one sku so they can dedicate more shelf space to the winning format. I won't be surprised if this happens. Actually, I hope this happens.

I think so too.

In fact I would put money down that Target will be the first to eliminate their HD DVD section. They already reduced it last year.

Target is notoriously stingy with every inch of their shelf space, and I really don't see their home office keeping HD DVD in the plan-o-gram for the next reset.

OTOH, I would expect Best Buy to keep their HD DVD section until they stop selling the hardware. Maybe they'll just further reduce its size.

Trevor 01-07-08 02:05 PM

I thought Target had already announced that they are going BR only, was in the other thread.

Gizmo 01-07-08 02:08 PM


Originally Posted by bunkaroo
I think so too.

In fact I would put money down that Target will be the first to eliminate their HD DVD section. They already reduced it last year.

Target is notoriously stingy with every inch of their shelf space, and I really don't see their home office keeping HD DVD in the plan-o-gram for the next reset.

OTOH, I would expect Best Buy to keep their HD DVD section until they stop selling the hardware. Maybe they'll just further reduce its size.

Target did not reduce the HD DVD section, they increased Blu-ray per the deal with Sony (to carry only the BDP-300 and no HD DVD players for the holiday season).

Still waiting to see the apparent memo they are going to discontinue HD DVD.

Maxflier 01-07-08 02:18 PM


Originally Posted by Trevor
I thought Target had already announced that they are going BR only, was in the other thread.

I think that was only for hardware, I could be wrong though.


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