http://www.criterionco.com/blog/index.html

Sticking with normal dvds untill there is ONLY ONE new format out.

sorry if old.

it's possible we won't see Criterion in high def for a few years then.

This is the right decision.

Hopefully that one format out will be hd dvd.

It's a sensible decision, but as an HD DVD owner (and someone who'll probably own a Blu-ray player at some point in the next year), it's still disappointing to hear.

Only if you want all High Definition to fail.

Small companies like this can't afford to support both and also can't afford to support the wrong one. You can bet Criterion is dying to release their stuff in HD and as soon as one formats gets a major advantage they will jump aboard. Question is when that time will come.

I don't want High Definition formats to fail. I just want one of them to fail.

I still feel they should support one or the other. And don't worry about releasing all your titles. Only release the HUGE titles or the highest selling titles. Simple.

And fast! I'm starting to get the itch but don't want to back the wrong horse.

well that is a kick in the ass - I really wanted a HiDef version of 'Playtime'

Yeah, hopefully blu-ray because it sucks.

Anyone think there is a possibility that someone could push one format or another to a point where that format would win.

Say...someone like George Lucas releasing SW on Blu-Ray with a declaration that SW would never be released in HD-DVD, or vice-versa.

I used to think that something like this would not work, but lately I've begun to think it's definitely possible that Lucas could do it.

Or Disney.

Unless these two each went with a different format, then that would probably result in a stalemate.

But if they went together, it would probably tip the balance completely.

The fact that there are two formats is the reason that I have not jumped on the bandwagon. It's retarded. You'd think that the VHS-Beta war would be evidence enough that one will fail. These companies that have agreed to disagree on two competing formats are not getting my money.

Glad they're waiting, I'm too

I am not jumping on the HD bandwagon until Criterion does!

Not to thread jack here, but I'm curious as to whehter one HD format has been doing better than the other so far, or if it's still too early to tell. I haven't really followed it and don't intend to buy HD until one goes away.

If both formats survive for a few more years, then I don't think either one will ever be declared the winning format.

Unless one format dies off quickly (as in, by the end of next year) then I think the only option for both formats will be combo players that can handle both.

The longer the market allows both competing formats to keep dumping exclusive hardware and software into stores and consumers' hands, the harder it's going to be for either side to declare victory if they're both doing well within their own niches.

From the business end, I think HD-DVD will have a tougher fight because it falls under the Time-Warner umbrella. The Warner film companies, by allowing their movies to be released to both formats, are probably damaging their own format in the long run. Blu-Ray has stronger studio support and more exclusive studios -- including the parent company.

I believe that Criterion is making the right move here, however. They are a small company, and a niche company that sells very specific material to a rather small group of consumers. It's a rare Criterion title that makes into Wal-Mart or Target. By throwing support to a losing format -- whichever one that may be -- they could end up crippling the company.

That's also why it will probably be a while before companies like Criterion, Anchor Bay, and Blue Underground, who license material from others, will support any HD format.

HD is going to fail because of Criterion? Ludicrous.

CC is making the correct choice for themselves at this point.

man...i just hope someone ask them to drop their prices on thier dvds

I respect their decision but I have bought my last standard definition DVD weeks ago. They either have to drop their prices or get onboard.

Good for Criterion. Like myself, nice to see them in no hurry to jump to hi-def. Like was said in the article: there are too many good films that aren't out on SD that people want now.

I guess if you only like mainstream films then I could see the reasoning behind never buying SD again. I won't be jumping to HD until the more obscure films are HD-only releases. I honestly don't see that happening for 5 to 6 years.... at least, if ever.

In fairness, though, they've already done most of the hard work. They already have HD transfers ready to go, and all of the supplements from the existing DVDs could be ported over. The only time consuming stretches would be menu design, authoring, and replication, and they more than likely wouldn't be doing those last two (if any of those steps) in-house anyway.

If tiny companies like Eagle Rock, Image Entertainment, Rhino, Rykodisc, and Magnolia Pictures can do it, so could Criterion. If Criterion doesn't see either format as being financially viable at the moment, then that's disappointing but understandable. It's not out of their reach, though, and there's no reason it'd prevent them from releasing additional titles on standard definition DVD or bankrupt them.

What would be cool is if each of the formats promised to let you trade in your failed format titles for winning format titles, even steven, when the dust clears.

DVDs didn't take off until Divx discs died.
I'd argue that both DVD-Audio and SACD are both dying/dead due to there being no clear winner (just two losers).

I can't blame Criterion for waiting. I have no plans to buy either format at this point.