For You HD/Blu-Ray Freaks: Paramount Goes HD-DVD Only

[Gay Boy]

This format war has taken another turn to self implosion. Paramount has gone from neutral to HD-DVD only. 

This format war is a fucking mess and this step has sealed it's likely fall. lololol no Indiana Jones, Transformers, Star Trek..etc on Blu-Ray. Universal & Paramount on one side. Fox, Disney, & Sony on another. Such a mess.

DVD WINS

[Howard Alan Treesong]

are you fucking kidding me

[Saint Cornelius]

ha ha to early adopters

Mondain am suiciding

Make sure Mondain is Ok guys.

 

[Smooth Groove]

Hopefully, it'll force Blu-ray prices to come down.  Hd-dvds are much cheaper in general. 

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Hopefully, it'll force Blu-ray prices to come down.  Hd-dvds are much cheaper in general. 

Hybrids (which Universal are so big on) are more expensive than either.

God, what a fucking cluster.

[demi]

Just bought a 360 add-on to go with my Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead

Wow, HD-DVD is where it's at!

[Gay Boy]

Mondain will think of some excuse for this probably.

Honestly I can't see a way for either format to fully take off when Studio's are fucking around like this. I wonder if Paramount did this to try to kill off the entire hd format blu-ray and hd-dvd. 

[Saint Cornelius]

This is why I still jerk off manually.

[Gay Boy]

Also someone at gaf during this announcement said that WB is rumored to also go hd-dvd only from neutral as well, I dunno if the buy it...but after this hell it wouldn't be shocking.

[TVC15]

Shit.  To think I was just about to start exclusively buying Blu-Rays (when available).  Back to DVD-only for me.  I guess this means Criterion probably isn't close to picking a side, either.

[MrAngryFace]

And mondain lectures me about sticking with DVDs

[demi]

Hot Fuzz on HD-DVD has great quality, and all the extras lacking from the DVD! HD-DVD rules! Woo!

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Shit.  To think I was just about to start exclusively buying Blu-Rays (when available).  Back to DVD-only for me.

Same; I had intended to make the leap to HD but now I'm not buying anything more than the two Blu-ray movies I own (300, The Fountain).

REAL next-gen gaming = PlayStation 2
REAL next-gen cinema = upscaled DVD

The future is now!

[Smooth Groove]

Hot Fuzz on HD-DVD has great quality, and all the extras lacking from the DVD! HD-DVD rules! Woo!

True that.

Also,  Hd-dvd owners, stay the fuck away from the Children of Men HD-DVD.  $30 for that movie was rape. 

[MrAngryFace]

A high quality DVD looks almost as nice upscaled imo if you dont spend 1500-2000 dollars an a QUALITY 1080p set. 720p for life yo muhahah

[Smooth Groove]

A high quality DVD looks almost as nice upscaled imo if you dont spend 1500-2000 dollars an a QUALITY 1080p set. 720p for life yo muhahah

It's mostly the blacks that make the difference.  Black looks really fuzzy in DVDs, even upscaled, in comparison to HD. 

[Saint Cornelius]

Sorry to be an idiot but what does all this "upscale" stuff mean?

It's mostly the blacks that make the difference.  Black looks really fuzzy in DVDs, even upscaled, in comparison to HD. 

Is this OA?

[FlameOfCallandor]

The public is not ready for a new format. HD/Blue ray is trash.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Sorry to be an idiot but what does all this "upscale" stuff mean?

It's mostly the blacks that make the difference.  Black looks really fuzzy in DVDs, even upscaled, in comparison to HD. 

Is this OA?

Black is a color , you nimrod.

Upscale means to convert from 480p to 720p using magical algorithms.

I kind of want to sell off my blu-Ray discs now, DVD for life.

The worst thing is, I've been buying fewer movies on DVD cause I've been waiting for the HD wars to finish. On the other hand, this is such bullshit at this point I'm about to write the entire next-gen off and just enjoy regular ol' DVDs again.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

What do you think of the theory that MS is trying to kill off BOTH formats so that their direct download service can swoop in for the kill in another year or two?

That makes as much sense as Paramount going HD-DVD exclusive.

[TVC15]

Sorry to be an idiot but what does all this "upscale" stuff mean?

It's mostly the blacks that make the difference.  Black looks really fuzzy in DVDs, even upscaled, in comparison to HD. 

Is this OA?

Blacks are definitely the first area that gets shitty when you stretch video too much.

Anyway, I think this is the death knell of the HD wars more than anything else.  This is just going to make more people following the shenanigans throw up their hands and say WTF?  The better format, the more popular format, and more importantly, the format with the better selling media is losing support?  That doesn't make any sense at all.  I can see things slowly petering out over the next year or two.  HD-DVD and Blu-Ray media sales are abysmal--no one is really buying into either format.  There will be a few more head scratching moves like this, and the HD formats will be shot in the foot.  Then who the fuck knows what happens.  

[Saint Cornelius]

Black is a color , you nimrod.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

[Smooth Groove]

To make this whole debacle worse, there're lots of really ignorant consumers who think that their PS3s or Hd-dvd players can play both formats.  All they know is that their player plays HD movies and it says HD on both boxes. 

Anyway, I think this is the death knell of the HD wars more than anything else.  This is just going to make more people following the shenanigans throw up their hands and say WTF?  The better format, the more popular format, and more importantly, the format with the better selling media is losing support?  That doesn't make any sense at all.  I can see things slowly petering out over the next year or two.  HD-DVD and Blu-Ray media sales are abysmal--no one is really buying into either format.  There will be a few more head scratching moves like this, and the HD formats will be shot in the foot.  Then who the fuck knows what happens. 

Hd-dvd has been better though so far, despite BD's big advantage in storage capacity.  Hd-dvd use superior video codecs from the start and even now they have better extra features because Java hasn't been implemented properly in BD players.  I luv BD's special coating that makes it harder to scratch though, much prettier than hd-dvd. 

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Anyway, I think this is the death knell of the HD wars more than anything else.  This is just going to make more people following the shenanigans throw up their hands and say WTF?  The better format, the more popular format, and more importantly, the format with the better selling media is losing support?  That doesn't make any sense at all.  I can see things slowly petering out over the next year or two.  HD-DVD and Blu-Ray media sales are abysmal--no one is really buying into either format.  There will be a few more head scratching moves like this, and the HD formats will be shot in the foot.  Then who the fuck knows what happens. 

I'm a die-hard technophile with all the next-gen systems (and a Wii lol), a 7.1 sound setup and an HD wall projector. And I can't be bothered to put up with this shit. And if the unfilthy rich are not willing to try and figure it out, what's in it for the consumer? It's just nonsense balls.

Really, though, blu-Ray was outselling HD-DVD 2:1. And now Paramount sides with HD-DVD? Ludicrous.

I give up! OPPO UBER ALLES

[FlameOfCallandor]

Fuck sony and their proprietary bullshit. The last thing consumers need is a Blue-Ray by Sony

[BlueTsunami]

Fuck sony and their proprietary bullshit. The last thing consumers need is a Blue-Ray by Sony

Thats PhoenixDark levels of "Don't know what I'm talking about but I'll post anyways". Theres a BD consortium that developed the BD spec, its not a Sony proprietary format.

Also, I've got 300 on BD and thats the ONLY High Def movie I'm buying. I'm not buying into anymore disks until all this is sorted out. I'll just use my PS3 upconverting function for DVDs.

[Fragamemnon]

  Then who the fuck knows what happens. 

Hopefully we just download shit. The problem with that is that it takes such a huge last mile pipe to really make that feasible.

[Gay Boy]

  Then who the fuck knows what happens. 

Hopefully we just download shit. The problem with that is that it takes such a huge last mile pipe to really make that feasible.

It will be good amount of years before we reach itunes like penetration in the market place of downloads with the speed of them for HD quality, it will happen but it's still quite a while off.

[BlueTsunami]

What do you think of the theory that MS is trying to kill off BOTH formats so that their direct download service can swoop in for the kill in another year or two?

That makes as much sense as Paramount going HD-DVD exclusive.

This sounds like the case. There is absolutely no logic in Paramount moving over to HDDVD

[Howard Alan Treesong]

The thing is, I did some comparisons, and on 80% of movies an upscaled DVD looks comparable to HD (at 720p). It's really only super-new, hyper-digital transfers that you see the difference. Anything with grain, DVD ftw.

[BlueTsunami]

* BlueTsunami smacks forehead

Forgot about renting movies (which I haven't in a while)

Netflix and Blockbuster ftw. I'll be renting from now on

[Saint Cornelius]

BBV only carries blu-ray

[Phoenix Dark]

Fuck sony and their proprietary bullshit. The last thing consumers need is a Blue-Ray by Sony

Thats PhoenixDark levels of "Don't know what I'm talking about but I'll post anyways". Theres a BD consortium that developed the BD spec, its not a Sony proprietary format.

Also, I've got 300 on BD and thats the ONLY High Def movie I'm buying. I'm not buying into anymore disks until all this is sorted out. I'll just use my PS3 upconverting function for DVDs.

I agree with Cheebs. Both formats aren't going anywhere, and DVD will remain king until an actual format evolution occurs. Prettier pictures and more space isn't enticing people; this jump isn't nearly as big as VHS to DVD

[Fragamemnon]

BBV only carries blu-ray

There were HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies for rent at my local Blockbuster when I visited last weekend.

[Saint Cornelius]

THAT'S JUST WHAT I HEARD, TOUGH GUY

[Mupepe]

YES VALIDATE MY PURCHASE DO IT LET'S DO IT NOW YES HD DVD AM NOT DEAD FUCK MORANS YES YES YES GOODYGOODNESS PARAMOUNT ON MUH HD DVD'S I AM NO LONGER SAD FUCK YOU BLU GAY

for real real, pretty sweet for hd dvd owners

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Based on today's news, I've come up with a new slogan:

DVD: The Look and Sound of Good Enough^TM

Also, how is this "sweet news" for HD DVD owners? Paramount was neutral before; now they're exclusive. You're not going to get anything you wouldn't have gotten before.

[Gay Boy]

Based on today's news, I've come up with a new slogan:

DVD: The Look and Sound of Good Enough^TM

Also, how is this "sweet news" for HD DVD owners? Paramount was neutral before; now they're exclusive. You're not going to get anything you wouldn't have gotten before.

Not a hd-dvd owner but when these companies tend to be exclusive they put more effort into their releases for some reason.

[Mupepe]

Based on today's news, I've come up with a new slogan:

DVD: The Look and Sound of Good Enough^TM

Also, how is this "sweet news" for HD DVD owners? Paramount was neutral before; now they're exclusive. You're not going to get anything you wouldn't have gotten before.

Not a hd-dvd owner but when these companies tend to be exclusive they put more effort into their releases for some reason.

not even that, i'm a dirty fanboy.  validate my purchase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HD DVD NOT DEAD FUCKERS   lalalalalalala

[TakingBackSunday]

why can't there be just one fucking universal hd medium?  After both of these fail, all the hotshits in video media need to get together and decide on ONE DIRECTION.

When DVD was first released, was there any competion with it (other than VHS lol)?  I seriously don't know, someone inform me.

[Mupepe]

fuck who wins.  just jump in boys.  HD!!!!!!!!!

[Howard Alan Treesong]

There was DiVX, Circuit City's abortive physical media/rental hybrid. (The successful codec later stole its name as an in-joke.)

Some studios were DiVX exclusive for 18-24 months, which led to all sorts of awful false starts.

[Phoenix Dark]

Isn't HD-DVD "losing" to Blu Ray right now?

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

L-O-fucking-L

[TVC15]

  Then who the fuck knows what happens. 

Hopefully we just download shit. The problem with that is that it takes such a huge last mile pipe to really make that feasible.

I wish this would happen, but I have to be honest:  I have terabytes of storage at home, and my movie collection, in DVD quality, would not fit on all my hard drive space, let alone HD versions of that same content.  Knowing that I have loads more HDD space than most people out there, we're a ways away from a great DVD-quality download solution, let alone an HD-quality one, and it has as much to do with storage requirements as it does bandwidth and networking capabilities.

[Mupepe]

Isn't HD-DVD "losing" to Blu Ray right now?

yep

i really think this could all change when standalone players are 199 and less

[Howard Alan Treesong]

I don't, I think next-gen is a wash right now and am firmly in the "HD-DVD and blu-Ray are both failures" camp.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

Isn't HD-DVD "losing" to Blu Ray right now?

yep

i really think this could all change when standalone players are 199 and less

Standalone players at 200 bucks is one thing but when the movies themselves are approaching $40, it really kind of defeats the purpose.  The disc prices need to come down as well if they really want these HD formats to take off.

[TVC15]

Isn't HD-DVD "losing" to Blu Ray right now?

yep

i really think this could all change when standalone players are 199 and less

Standalone players at 200 bucks is one thing but when the movies themselves are approaching $40, it really kind of defeats the purpose.  The disc prices need to come down as well if they really want these HD formats to take off.

This is true, too.  As of right now, the only BD movies I buy are lookers, especially pretty movies or flicks where shit blows up really nice.  And I only buy them on release week, on sale.  Them prices are no good. . .and I'm a Criterion whore.  Will my Crits in HD be costing 50-60 bucks?  Fuck that!

[FlameOfCallandor]

I dont mind paying extra for criterion, becuase you know the movie is quality.
I'm not going to pay $40 for shit like Big momma's house 2 on Blue ray.

[Mupepe]

I've never paid more than 29 bucks (still a lil high) for an HD DVD, people that pay 40 dollars for movies like "The Break Up" are fucking stupid and deserve to get ripped off.

I wait til most of my movies are at 20-25 bucks.

[brawndolicious]

apparently it's paramount and dreamworks:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/paramount-dreamworks-dropping-blu-ray-in-favor-of-hd-dvd-exclus/

they say the reason they went exclusive was probably the cheaper HD-DVD players this holiday (~$200) which they probably felt was more worth it then slightly higher sales right now.

that makes sense when you consider something like the bluray version of 300 (missing some extras but sold more then HD-DVD) only made Warner like $4 million.  I wouldn't be surprised if Warner went exclusive next.

[Saint Cornelius]

But really, does porn look better on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

[BlueTsunami]

But really, does porn look better on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

Neither, shave burns for the ewwww

[Saint Cornelius]

 

When hi def is TOO high

[Howard Alan Treesong]

no kidding, porn is best enjoyed in 480i or ideally low-bitrate RealVideo streams

[Mr. Gundam]

Way to go Paramount, you've just guaranteed that HD-DVD and Blu Ray will become the next SACD and DVD-Audio.

I don't want digital downloads (I'm looking at you, Microsoft), I want one of these damn formats to win, and stuff like this does not help. If HD-DVD were ahead, and Paramount made a move like this, it would be fine, as it would lead to a victor. This will just lead to continued bickering between the two camps, and more consumers avoiding both like the plague.

[hyp]

might have to pick up an HD-DVD strap on after all.

[Mr. Gundam]

I won't get into HD-DVD until Blu Ray goes the way of the Betamax, if it happens. I don't want to encourage multi-format support for movies.

[Mupepe]

i'll support both because i'm a masochist and I don't think about long term situations.