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Rumors about Paramount changing allegiances
http://www.reuters.com/article/compa...20151820080108
TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Paramount studios is poised to drop its support of the high-definition DVD (HD DVD) format after Warner Bros studio said it would back the competing Blu-ray format, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The loss of support from Paramount, which is owned by Viacom Inc (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research), would likely deal the final blow to the HD DVD format backed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and put an end to the format war, the newspaper said on its Web site. Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Warner Bros studio on Friday said it would exclusively release high-definition DVDs in Sony Corp's (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Blu-ray format, marking a major setback to the HD DVD camp. [ID:nN04446354] Blu-ray discs outsold HD DVD by nearly two-to-one in the United States last year, but HD DVD had secured major allies in August when Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc said they would go exclusively with HD DVD. But Paramount is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to change sides if Warner Bros backed Blu-ray, the Financial Times said, citing people familiar with the situation. (Reporting by Nathan Layne) |
Denied... http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...bU&refer=japan
Paramount Denies Report It Will Drop Toshiba's HD DVD (Update2) By Andy Fixmer and John Liu Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures denied a newspaper report that the studio is poised to follow Time Warner Inc. in abandoning Toshiba Corp.'s HD DVD technology. ``Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,'' Brenda Ciccone, a spokeswoman for Paramount, said in an e-mail today. Toshiba, the leading promoter of the HD DVD format for high- definition video discs, fell in Tokyo trading after the Financial Times reported Paramount is poised to adopt Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray format instead. Paramount can defect because a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp allows the studio to switch to Blu-ray if Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. dropped its support of Toshiba's standard, the newspaper reported today, citing unidentified people familiar with the plan. Warner Bros. said on Jan. 4 it would drop its support of HD DVD. Keisuke Ohmori, a spokesman for Tokyo-based Toshiba, said the report is speculative. Masayo Endo, a spokeswoman for Sony, declined to comment on the report. |
Originally Posted by sm8680
http://www.reuters.com/article/compa...20151820080108
TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Paramount studios is poised to drop its support of the high-definition DVD (HD DVD) format after Warner Bros studio said it would back the competing Blu-ray format, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The loss of support from Paramount, which is owned by Viacom Inc (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research), would likely deal the final blow to the HD DVD format backed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and put an end to the format war, the newspaper said on its Web site. Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Warner Bros studio on Friday said it would exclusively release high-definition DVDs in Sony Corp's (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Blu-ray format, marking a major setback to the HD DVD camp. [ID:nN04446354] Blu-ray discs outsold HD DVD by nearly two-to-one in the United States last year, but HD DVD had secured major allies in August when Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc said they would go exclusively with HD DVD. But Paramount is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to change sides if Warner Bros backed Blu-ray, the Financial Times said, citing people familiar with the situation. (Reporting by Nathan Layne) |
I'd rather they bail on HD-DVD right now. If the alternative is for them to sit on their asses for the next year and release no catalog titles while they wait for their exclusive deal to expire, just end the damn format war today.
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I'm just speculating here, but if such a clause exists, then they probably can't officially bail until WB officially bails (i.e. May of 2008). Saying otherwise at this point could be seen as a violation of the contract.
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Originally Posted by kenbuzz
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<--- Requesting thread closure. |
Originally Posted by firteen88
Of course HD DVD representatives are going to say the story is false for now.
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Paramount <i>did</i> say it was false, but with no new major announcements coming out of CES one does have to wonder...
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While title announcements have been made in the past at CES, it's not always a guarantee. People read too much into things like that.
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More Information....
Well... we've had SOME confirmation this morning of the details of the Financial Times story from last night. While the studio isn't yet commenting, reliable industry sources are telling us that Paramount is indeed preparing to end their HD-DVD support and announce a return to the Blu-ray fold. Details are currently being finalized, and an announcement is expected as soon as they're complete. Paramount's first new Blu-rays will almost certainly include many of those titles that were cancelled last year, but that were already packaged and ready for shipping, so you could see them in stores very quickly once the studio announces. Meanwhile, sources are telling us that Universal has also been talking with the BDA, and is looking to follow Paramount and Warner's lead as soon as possible. On a related note, Times Online in the U.K. is now reporting that as many as 20 additional firms currently backing HD-DVD are also considering defection in the wake of Warner's Friday announcement, including Fujitsu, Lenovo, Kenwood and Pony Canyon (which is a major Japanese film and music studio). What's more, word is starting to circulate at CES that major big box retailers will begin winding down in-store support for HD-DVD as soon as these studios go public with their decisions. We're told that the industry's major retail partners are already pressuring Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal to go Blu following Warner's decision. Rumors are also beginning to circulate here that Apple's Steve Jobs may announce the addition of Blu-ray Disc drives to their Mac desktop lineup at next week's Macworld Expo in San Francisco. We would caution you to keep in mind that all of this should be considered unofficial until the studios make their actual announcements. Things are moving very fast, and the situation is highly fluid. Still, it really looks like this is the end for HD-DVD, and the end of the format war overall. We'll keep you up to date with new developments as they break. Stay tuned... |
Originally Posted by KillerCannabis
Paramount <i>did</i> say it was false, but with no new major announcements coming out of CES one does have to wonder...
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sucks.... now we would have to pay more |
As a blu-ray supporter I'd like it to be true, but postings by the less than subjective digitalbits are difficult to take credence in.
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Originally Posted by KillerCannabis
Paramount <i>did</i> say it was false, but with no new major announcements coming out of CES one does have to wonder...
but it's lack of news or committment that undermines HD-DVD. The way both Paramount and Universal have been with the lack of major titles, it becomes painful obvious that the two studios that would want and need to keep HD-DVD afloat, haven't been as aggressive as they should be. |
Originally Posted by Giles
but it's lack of news or committment that undermines HD-DVD. The way both Paramount and Universal have been with the lack of major titles, it becomes painful obvious that the two studios that would want and need to keep HD-DVD afloat, haven't been as aggressive as they should be.
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God I think everyone is going to let out a collective groan if Paramount's first title back is Blades of Glory and not Transformers.
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Originally Posted by kenbuzz
He can wish it not so, but for now, Paramount is HD DVD exclusive. Also, this proves that Harry Lime is not here to participate, but to cause trouble. He clearly doesn't read anything that anyone else posts or he would have seen the denial from Paramount, which consequently debunked his copying and pasting of Bill Hunt'spost. |
Originally Posted by raven56706
sucks.... now we would have to pay more
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Of course there are rumors about Paramount (and I'm sure Universal) to switch sides.
Until it's announced we should not be posting stuff like tdb commentary on it since it's no more valid than you or I commenting on it. It's gonna happen, probably sooner rather than later, lets just wait til the STUDIO announces it. |
Originally Posted by tonymontana313
God I think everyone is going to let out a collective groan if Paramount's first title back is Blades of Glory and not Transformers.
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I don't care what paramount does as long as they get me Braveheart on one of the formats.
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I don't care what Paramount does as long as they get me The Godfather Trilogy on one of the formats.
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Originally Posted by DVD Josh
No, you won't. Prices will remain the same or better.
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What? Pony Canyon too? :(
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Originally Posted by tonymontana313
God I think everyone is going to let out a collective groan if Paramount's first title back is Blades of Glory and not Transformers.
Now, personally, they could drop all that stuff and give me a 1-disc version with TrueHD and I'd be happy, but I recognize many would not want this scenario. I would think we'd get Top Gun pretty quickly, along with Next (which I think was also almost ready), and maybe even Jack Ryan. If this Paramount move does happen, looks like my Jack Ryan HD boxset will become a rarity. |
Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
Honestly, what more can be said? This is a pretty good debunking of this speculation. Harry Lime can shill the Hunt "more information" post but it is all speculation , and denied speculation at that.
He can wish it not so, but for now, Paramount is HD DVD exclusive. Also, this proves that Harry Lime is not here to participate, but to cause trouble. He clearly doesn't read anything that anyone else posts or he would have seen the denial from Paramount, which consequently debunked his copying and pasting of Bill Hunt'spost. For all that's said about Bill Hunt, just remember the two points he stressed above all others, points he included in a whole lot of his columns: 1. Early adopters who are truly uncertain & afraid of getting burned should wait for a victor before jumping in. 2. If you still really wanted to jump in, pick Blu. He proved to be 100% correct. If more in here would've listened to Bill Hunt than the many spinners floating around, there would be a whole lot less unhappy people looking to move their HD DVD gear & discs today. |
Originally Posted by Hammer99
Only if Transformers has a lossless soundtrack. There'll be a whole lot more groaning if it doesn't.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but not every BD player supports DD+ decoding. If that's true, they couldn't just put the same DD+ track on the BD. I don't think they'd step down to just DD either. Plus, considering what they pulled off with 30GB, I don't see any reason not to put lossless with 20GB extra to work with. |
Originally Posted by bunkaroo
I don't see how they could not do lossless.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but not every BD player supports DD+ decoding. If that's true, they couldn't just put the same DD+ track on the BD. I don't think they'd step down to just DD either. Plus, considering what they pulled off with 30GB, I don't see any reason not to put lossless with 20GB extra to work with. |
I love how they say that their "current" plan is ..... So, by saying that, they can always do something different tomorrow.
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Originally Posted by Hammer99
I hope you're right... I don't remember if specs were ever listed for the BD Transformers prior to Paramount flipping last year.
On an unrelated note, HBO-HD played Braveheart the other day in OAR, but the transfer was atrocious. Washed out and tons of debris. I popped in the new SCE DVD and it looked much better in terms of color saturation and there were no flaws I could see. I really hope the HD transfer I saw on HBO-HD was an old one. |
Yes there were denials, but not of everything in the article. If the point about the contract clause is true, it's still quite a story and makes the deinals nothing but legal lip service.
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Interesting that Paramount denied the rumor to switch but did NOT deny the rumor of the existance of a "Warner Bros. escape clause" in their contract. If such a clause does exist, it's just a matter of time...
EDIT: In other words, what he ^^ said. :blush: |
Originally Posted by achau9598
I love how they say that their "current" plan is ..... So, by saying that, they can always do something different tomorrow.
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Originally Posted by Hammer99
Paramount's 'denial' proved absolutely nothing, especially since it's Paramount. Thanks Harry, I hadn't seen Bill Hunt's report posted here yet.
For all that's said about Bill Hunt, just remember the two points he stressed above all others, points he included in a whole lot of his columns: 1. Early adopters who are truly uncertain & afraid of getting burned should wait for a victor before jumping in. 2. If you still really wanted to jump in, pick Blu. He proved to be 100% correct. If more in here would've listened to Bill Hunt than the many spinners floating around, there would be a whole lot less unhappy people looking to move their HD DVD gear & discs today. PARAMOUNT, not some guy on a website, PARAMOUNT, denied the rumors. FOR NOW, until PARAMOUNT confirms rumors that PARAMOUNT, is indeed switching, PARAMOUNT is HD DVD exclusive. We must consider PARAMOUNT to be experts on PARAMOUNT matters and take their word as the truth until the say otherwise. Jesus, you people are insane. The rumors about the Warner payoff HAVE to be false because Warner refuted them in a press release. So why is THIS any different? I am not saying I think Paramount will stay HD DVD exclusive for very long, but you guys take this worship to a ridiculous level. Bill Hunt got very lucky that Warner and Fox didn't flip red instead of Blu. He looks like a soothsayer instead of a wacko. Stop acting like he is Nostradomus or something. |
Who's Bill Hunt?
Is that Mike's brother? |
Originally Posted by cardaway
Exactly. As usual watch carefully the terms used when they make these kind of statements. Basically they responded but didn't really say anything definitive.
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I'm no fan of Bill Hunt, but I must admit that I'm a bit confused by the "this has been debunked so we shouldn't even be talking about it any more" talk. It's just speculation. Something that accounts for at least half of the discussion in this forum.
Were you (and I mean the collective 'you') against the speculative discussion regarding Warner's potential "choosing of a side" last month, even after Warner (who should be an expert on Warner matters) flatly denied it? |
Paramount staying HD-Dvd only would amount to nothing more than a shitty decision.
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Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
I am not saying I think Paramount will stay HD DVD exclusive for very long, but you guys take this worship to a ridiculous level.
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