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

[Mr. Gundam]

If I were single and didn't think about the future as much, I'd probably own stand alone HD-DVD AND Blu Ray players and buy even more movies than I do now.

But I'm not. I have to limit my purchases somehow, and going out and getting another player to play a whole other set of movies is just too much for me. Hell, if the PS3 didn't have a built in Blu Ray player, I'd have zero interest in the format war.

[Gay Boy]

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.

Which is likely why MS did this.

Many suspect MS of trying to sabotage this to bring a end to both for DD. I wouldn't be surprised if they threw moneyhats at WB as well soon, seeing as how WB already has some sort of favoritism with HD-DVD as it is.

[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.

Which is likely why MS did this.

Many suspect MS of trying to sabotage this to bring a end to both for DD. I wouldn't be surprised if they threw moneyhats at WB as well soon, seeing as how WB already has some sort of favoritism with HD-DVD as it is.

Microsoft has said just as much about digital downloads, actually.

It will be interesting to see what Warner does when BD Java is finalized this Fall. That's been their reasoning for certain titles being delayed (Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, Matrix, Polar Express).

[Howard Alan Treesong]

why are movies being delayed over fucking features, anyway
who gives a shit about picture-in-picture
I want to watch my movies with NICE LOOKING PICTURE and GOOD SOUNDING SOUND
nobody gives a shit about the rest

[Mr. Gundam]

Most of the time I don't even watch the special features, unless it's something absolutely brilliant like the feature-length documentary on the Hedwig and the Angry Inch DVD.

I know that the majority of EB thinks I'm an idiot for enjoying Transformers, but I was looking forward to getting it on Blu Ray. Oh well, I guess it's good that I bought my wife Dreamgirls on Blu Ray when I did....

[BlueTsunami]

why are movies being delayed over fucking features, anyway
who gives a shit about picture-in-picture
I want to watch my movies with NICE LOOKING PICTURE and GOOD SOUNDING SOUND
nobody gives a shit about the rest

On GAF, PiP of the director talking about how he took a shit during a particular scene and let a stage hand direct it is all the rage.

I also just want best Sound and Picture quality. Everything else is fluff

[Smooth Groove]

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!

Let me mention again.  Paying 34.99 for Children of Men am distinguished mentally-challenged.  The price difference between a regular DVD and HD movie is ridiculous.  Compare the HD price hike (200%) to the price differences (20%) between Xbox/PS2 and PS3/360 games.  It's especially hard to justify paying $30 or more for a HD movie when you consider that you can rent a dvd for just 2 to 3 bucks.   You have to watch it many times before the cost is justified. 

If I were single and didn't think about the future as much, I'd probably own stand alone HD-DVD AND Blu Ray players and buy even more movies than I do now.

But I'm not. I have to limit my purchases somehow, and going out and getting another player to play a whole other set of movies is just too much for me. Hell, if the PS3 didn't have a built in Blu Ray player, I'd have zero interest in the format war.

You can get the HD-DVD add on now at Best Buy for 179.99 along w/7  movies.  Includes the new 300 disc.  $180 for 7 movies with the look and sound of perfect is a great deal. 

[Mr. Gundam]

You can get the HD-DVD add on now at Best Buy for 179.99 along w/7  movies.  Includes the new 300 disc.  $180 for 7 movies with the look and sound of perfect is a great deal. 

$180 plus the cost of a 360. I already have 300 on Blu Ray and I'd rather have a stand alone HD-DVD player with HDMI video and audio.

And, like I said, I will only buy a HD-DVD if it ends up winning. At this rate, neither will.  :'(

[Smooth Groove]

You can get the HD-DVD add on now at Best Buy for 179.99 along w/7  movies.  Includes the new 300 disc.  $180 for 7 movies with the look and sound of perfect is a great deal. 

$180 plus the cost of a 360. I already have 300 on Blu Ray and I'd rather have a stand alone HD-DVD player with HDMI video and audio.

And, like I said, I will only buy a HD-DVD if it ends up winning. At this rate, neither will.  :'(

You don't need a 360, the add-on works on a PC. 

[MrAngryFace]

Neither Format is that great, lets wait for the next one. I called this a way off guys. lololol. I lub my dvds

[Smooth Groove]

Neither Format is that great, lets wait for the next one. I called this a way off guys. lololol. I lub my dvds

you're not jumping in until 2160P? 

[MrAngryFace]

Sony couldn't make UMD popular, this am strike 2 total lol

[Smooth Groove]

Sony couldn't make UMD popular, this am strike 2 total lol

Beta was strike 1! 

[MrAngryFace]

oh shits! they're OUTTA HERE!

I personally just wish there was some separate group that developed storage mediums so we wouldnt get stuck in these spots. Proprietary is no ones friend.

[Smooth Groove]

oh shits! they're OUTTA HERE!

I personally just wish there was some separate group that developed storage mediums so we wouldnt get stuck in these spots. Proprietary is no ones friend.

You're such a bad umpire, MAF. You gotta keep track of your strike count.  And I thought you've been playing MLB 07 religiously.  Seriously though, our discussion here is actually really great compared to other forums .  It's mostly due to the fact that very few of us are distinguished mentally-challenged fanboys that just blindly back the propaganda of the company that makes our system of choice.  Actually, I'm pretty sure that most of us here don't even have systems of choice, which is fortunate for legit gaming discussions. 

edit: I thought you were talking about group as in discussion group.    Afternoon naps am bad for reading skillz.   Anyways, I get your pt, but what I say is true too. 

[Stocky]

What about alcohol? Would you consider that to be everyone's friend?

[MrAngryFace]

Im just sayin ive got a huge ass collection of DVDs and people are trying to sell me on one medium or another, neither of which have anything I really want to watch in their format yet cause MOST NEW MOVIES BLOW ASS.

Stocky: Mine, and mine ALONE. lololol

[Mr. Gundam]

You can get the HD-DVD add on now at Best Buy for 179.99 along w/7  movies.  Includes the new 300 disc.  $180 for 7 movies with the look and sound of perfect is a great deal. 

$180 plus the cost of a 360. I already have 300 on Blu Ray and I'd rather have a stand alone HD-DVD player with HDMI video and audio.

And, like I said, I will only buy a HD-DVD if it ends up winning. At this rate, neither will.  :'(

You don't need a 360, the add-on works on a PC. 

Yeah, cause I'd rather watch movies on a PC monitor instead of my awesome 40" 1080p HDTV...

[Smooth Groove]

Media PC, bro!  It's why TVC has a fancy $200 keyboard.  I still watch movies sometimes on my 1080 24" monitor even though my tv is a 46" 1080p. 

[Rman]

Upscaled PS3 DVD playback FTW. 

I only have a 23 inch Samsung HDTV where I game and watch DVDs.  Since Sony updated their PS3 firmware DVDs look great on my set, but I'm no videophile either. 

I'm no format fanboy, but I boy do I want this "war" to end.  It's not good for the consumer and studios.  It also hinders adoption of either format.  I'll continue to rent Blu-ray via Netfilx but I'm not buying anything in that format until a clear victor is decided.  Hopefully, that would be Blu-ray.  Not because I'm a fanboy, but because I already have PS3.

[Solo]

I swear to god, every day I feel better about sticking with standard DVD. More releases, better releases, better prices, and no clusterfuck of a format war.

[bud]

this is pretty lame and weird. it'd weird, too, if hd-dvd was outselling brd and all of a sudden paramount would decide to go brd exclusive.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7498486&postcount=10671

manabyte

[abrader]

iv tried HDDVD, I have tried blu-ray - really I dont think either one of them are worth it...

its cool if you have this tech as a console add on, but if i spent $$ on one of those standalone players id be kiling someone....its the snake oil of home theatre....and yes I use HDMI and a display that supports 1080P and is 40" +

Letdown total.

[Bloodwake]

Paramount: oh, how you disappoint me.

Just one more studio that I have to buy DVDs from until they rejoin the better seller of the two, Blu-Ray.

The PS3 upscaling is fucking amazing though (as it's been said before) so it isn't that big of a loss thank god.

[bud]

paramount & dreamworks got $150m for the deal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/technology/21disney.html?ei=5088&en=d4e1f285e2f41437&ex=1345348800&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1187698143-B5wO3L/F+4r1NyAsum87vQ

[Gay Boy]

Paramount: oh, how you disappoint me.

Just one more studio that I have to buy DVDs from until they rejoin the better seller of the two, Blu-Ray.

The PS3 upscaling is fucking amazing though (as it's been said before) so it isn't that big of a loss thank god.

Except the most likely scenario is both crashing and burning.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7498486&postcount=10671

manabyte

That's my ManaByte!

[MrAngryFace]

I just use a stand-alone upscaling dvd player. Ps3 was too little too late lol.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

I just use a stand-alone upscaling dvd player. Ps3 was too little too late lol.

you down with OPPO yeah you know me-oh

[MrAngryFace]

DVDS ALL THE WAY, BRUH

[Stocky]

Do you ever find yourself drinking and watching DVDs alone?

[Saint Cornelius]

Okay, going into every thread MAF posts in to give him shit about his drinking is fucking annoying now, Stalky.

[Van Cruncheon]

yeah, the stalky-on-maf meme was cute at first, but given that this has become the sum of stalky's interaction around here, it's officially SAD AS FUCK.

[Mupepe]

I would stick with upscaled DVD's, but I've already enjoyed my Blu-Ray and HD-DVD's way too much.  I'll be getting another PS3 soon, so I'll jump back into Blu-Ray as well.  I really don't care which wins and how soon they win either.

[Smooth Groove]

I would stick with upscaled DVD's, but I've already enjoyed my Blu-Ray and HD-DVD's way too much.  I'll be getting another PS3 soon, so I'll jump back into Blu-Ray as well.  I really don't care which wins and how soon they win either.

You made a profit from selling a used PS3?  I bet that guy must have felt like a dumbass after 2 weeks.  How many Blu-rays did you get before selling the PS3? 

[Mupepe]

I didn't make a profit.  Sold it for straight 600 and 60 for the games to a friend.  I was just really busy and didn't foresee me playing many games for a while.  I bought 12 Blu Ray movies and I still own them.  So whenever I get my PS3, I can jump right back in.

[Smooth Groove]

Mupes, you still shop at Wal-mart for HD-DVD?  I checked it out after you told me about it but it seems that they no longer sell them for much cheaper than Best-buy.  Maybe it's different in Texas.  Where I live, we don't even have those gigantic Walmarts that also have supermarkets in them. 

[Mupepe]

Yeah, i get all my new releases at Wal Mart.  Usually the HD DVD it's on sale for the first day.  Older HD DVD's are expensive as fuck though still.  I get it at a Super Wal-Mart though.  So I dunno, buddy.

[Smooth Groove]

Ok, not getting it on the 1st day might be the problem.  Are their sales always for the 1st day only? 

[Mupepe]

Ok, not getting it on the 1st day might be the problem.  Are their sales always for the 1st day only? 

I think most of them are.  I usually go there every Tuesday night for new movies so that's just the day I happen to get them on.

[Smooth Groove]

I'll check it out next time there's a HD release I want.  I learned my lesson with Children of Men.  Never gamble $35 for a HD version of a movie that you might not like that much.  CoM wasn't that bad, it's just not worth 35 bucks to be watched in HD. 

[Mupepe]

I know my limits when I saw The Break Up for 37.99 at Best Buy and 24.99 at Wal Mart lololol  Fuck that.

[Mr. Gundam]

The two studios may have left themselves wiggle room, however. Paramount’s agreement to use only HD DVD is limited to only 18 months.

Huh.... $150 million for 18 months of exclusivity... I hope it's worth it.

Picked up The Lives of Others on Blu Ray at Fry's today for $25.

Foreign films in HD!! Yeah!!

[Mupepe]

I think 18 months is all that'll be necessary to declare a winner.  If Blu-Ray continues to outsell HD DVD even with Paramount, then I think it's enough to show that there's no chance for HD DVD.

[Mr. Gundam]

I think 18 months is all that'll be necessary to declare a winner.  If Blu-Ray continues to outsell HD DVD even with Paramount, then I think it's enough to show that there's no chance for HD DVD.

It sounds like Disney and Fox are going to ramp things up on Blu Ray even more than they had planned to try and beat Paramount's HD-DVD deal.

I really hate all this stuff, and I hate the people supporting format neutrality. Format neutrality just makes HD media even less attractive to the average consumer. I either want Blu Ray to defeat HD-DVD or HD-DVD to defeat Blu Ray. You won't hear me whining if Blu Ray loses, I just want a one format future, please.

In other news, Mana continues to get owned by the mods over at GAF...

[Mupepe]

Mana is a queer.  I don't care because I own an HD DVD player and I'll be getting a PS3 that can play Blu-Rays.  I'm set no matter who wins, so they can duke it out for all I care.

Have Blu-Rays special features been fixed yet?  that shit used to piss me off.

[Mr. Gundam]

Mana is a queer.  I don't care because I own an HD DVD player and I'll be getting a PS3 that can play Blu-Rays.  I'm set no matter who wins, so they can duke it out for all I care.

Have Blu-Rays special features been fixed yet?  that shit used to piss me off.

BDJ is set to be finished in October just in time for Fox and Disney's big releases.

[Mupepe]

Mana is a queer.  I don't care because I own an HD DVD player and I'll be getting a PS3 that can play Blu-Rays.  I'm set no matter who wins, so they can duke it out for all I care.

Have Blu-Rays special features been fixed yet?  that shit used to piss me off.

BDJ is set to be finished in October just in time for Fox and Disney's big releases.

Fucking sweet.

[Smooth Groove]

Mana is a queer.  I don't care because I own an HD DVD player and I'll be getting a PS3 that can play Blu-Rays.  I'm set no matter who wins, so they can duke it out for all I care.

Have Blu-Rays special features been fixed yet?  that shit used to piss me off.

Yeah.  I don't care either especially since picture and audio are virtually the same.  Blu-ray discs seem to be more durable though with that special coating.  Hd-dvds seem to be just as flimsy as Dvds.  I think it's good that Hd-dvd is pushing Blu-ray hard though, otherwise the Blu-ray guys will still be too cheap to use the better video codecs. 

[Mr. Gundam]

Hmmm....

Josh from AVSForum

Quote:
OK, here it is. As far as the Spielberg situation goes, it is true that any of his movies on Paramount:

Indiana Jones Trilogy
Saving Private Ryan
War of the Worlds

If released in the next 12 months will be on Blu-ray exclusively or dual-format. She has worked directly with the Spielberg camp for some time now and she has the understanding that Spielberg has the same agreement with his titles on Universal. So this means that when the following films are released in HDM, they will be on both formats if this agreement holds:

ET
Jurassic Park
Jaws

Now on to the suprising part of the phone call. She mentioned that several Directors, including Michael Bay, Francis Ford Coppola and even James Cameron have voiced their frustration to Paramount with this decision. She said she would not be surprised to see similar agreements reached with Coppola and Cameron as what has been reached with Spielberg.

Does this mean if The Godfather Trilogy and Titanic are released on HDM they will be on both formats? I do not know, but it seems like these Directors are going to put-up a fight.

She also mentioned that today they are getting more complaint calls from talent, producers and executives then yesterday. She said it is a madhouse right now. She also mentioned they recieved thousands of emails from Paramount customers over the past 24 hours voicing their displeasure for this decision.

That is all I have for now. I am going to leave her be for a few days as I can tell she is VERY busy. I may contact her again on Friday.

It will be very intersting to see how all of this falls out. I am starting to have my doubts that Paramount will be HD-DVD exclusive for a year IMO.

~Josh

[bud]

james cameron, the king, has spoken.

[BlueTsunami]

Would be hilarious if Paramount somehow backed out. The move was so obviously made to tailor a stalemate, S S S S S S UICIDE K K K K K KAMIKAZE

[Mupepe]

lol

[Stocky]

God, I just wish this bullshit could be over so I could buy one format.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

I actually wrote Viacom complaining. I never do that!

http://origin.www.viacom.com/CONTACT/default.aspx

Apparently, feedback from within the industry and consumers has been overwhelmingly and strongly negative (much to their surprise).

Probably too late for them to back out completely, but maybe if enough people bitch they'll look harder for loopholes.

[Gay Boy]

Would be hilarious if Paramount somehow backed out. The move was so obviously made to tailor a stalemate, S S S S S S UICIDE K K K K K KAMIKAZE

legally they cant back out. The deal is signed and done.

[Smooth Groove]

I actually wrote Viacom complaining. I never do that!

http://origin.www.viacom.com/CONTACT/default.aspx

Apparently, feedback from within the industry and consumers has been overwhelmingly and strongly negative (much to their surprise).

Probably too late for them to back out completely, but maybe if enough people bitch they'll look harder for loopholes.

Don't go down that road, Patel.  Pretty soon, you'll be getting people to sign petitions that don't mean anything.