Warner drops HD DVD, goes Blu-Ray only
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jan 4th 2008 at 6:30PM }
The question we find ourselves asking is "what does Michael Bay think?" Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced that the company will discontinue releasing its movies on HD DVD beginning in May of this year in favor of Blu-Ray exclusivity. The decision comes as Warner Bros. CEO Bary Meyer airs concerns that "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger." In other words, if one format doesn't win out soon, a newer format could dominate them both. Digital downloads, perhaps? Maybe Michael Bay was right after all. Whatever your position in the format war (we're happy with our DVDs, thanks), this represents a big blow to HD DVD, and rumor has it that Warner Bros. received a hefty chunk of change in exchange for Blu-Ray exclusivity.
So, starting this summer, your 360 HD DVD player might be feeling a bit lonely (except for the fine films from Paramount and Dreamworks, of course). We're guessing you'll still be able to pick up Warner Bros. movies off of Video Marketplace though.
[Via EngadgetHD]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
sabert360 @ Jan 27th 2008 10:15PM
I was just reading over at 1080living.com that circuit city is dropping HD-DVD now. Is this is end for HD? I like my A3 player but man if no movies are coming out. I will keep the 360 though.
Sethiroth @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:02PM
Right after Bill Gates goes on a spiel about how free capitalism is bad (even though that's how he got all of his money), his company is humiliated by devastating losses. First Yahoo denies an enormous bid from Microsoft. Then virtually every major consumer market decides to destroy the future of his precious hd dvd format, simultaneously pummeling prospects for the hd-dvd oriented Xbox market.
In years past Sony's higher standard formats have lost the battles; these failures are primarily attributable to the fact that the web had not yet evolved, and so people weren't aware of how much better Sony's format actually was. For the same reason - the few that were aware of Sony's superiority were unable to spread opinion and truth.
In this format battle it was not the CEOs who made the decisions. People were aware of which format was better because of the availability of information through the online community. Through blogs and online communication, companies quickly learned which format was more favorable to customers.
That is how Sony won.
nick.bonanno @ Jan 4th 2008 6:35PM
Michael Bay is never right!
Platinum_Skeet @ Jan 4th 2008 7:36PM
I honestly want him to be right. If no true winner comes out of this war then people will move onto something better (direct downloads).
I rather just keep stacking my media center pc up and streaming all the movies and shows to my 360's through my house. It is way more convenient than HD-DVD or Blu-Ray...
Chester @ Jan 4th 2008 6:39PM
Right now 5 people are crying!
JakubK666 @ Jan 4th 2008 7:34PM
After three seconds I've realised that I didn't give a shit about it in first place. Scratch one...
John @ Jan 5th 2008 8:15AM
Yeah
As long as they still make regular DVD's im happy
:D
Larry *not allowed to say cheevo* @ Jan 4th 2008 6:39PM
Awww, damn it. Why can't they just produce both? I buy a TON of HD DVD's... what I can't get in the US, I buy out of the country. You can get EVERY movie EVER in HD DVD at:
http://xploitedcinema.com
Ian @ Jan 4th 2008 7:05PM
HD DVD has (had?) the advantage of region-free releases as a default. Whilst BluRay also supports region-free, more studios seem to be releasing region-locked content; case in point: "Lost season 3" is Region A only, despite the fact that the DVD boxset came out earlier in Region 2 and that there is no financial incentive to region-lock the BD release. Particularly annoying is that Buena Vista UK have no plans on releasing Lost on BD in Region B in the foreseeable future...
Rob2251 @ Jan 4th 2008 6:42PM
it'd be ironic if tommorow we find out sony paid warner bros. alot of cash for letting go of HD-DVD's. Ironic...
Anticrawl @ Jan 4th 2008 11:29PM
They actually did, a loyalty sum. Could have been as much as 500 million dollars. Either way it is only a verbal agreement. Nothing is set in stone.
That aside I could care less. I'm waiting for both formats to fail and a true next-generation format to rise from the blue ashes. One that isn't an inferior blue-laser tech disc(as there are red laser discs that far surpase HD-DVD and Blu-ray in every possible way. SEE: VMD).
I'll wait for holographic cards to come into affect thanks, if they don't well then I'll just pirate every HD movie I can get my hands on and stream it to my HDTV. Which is easier than it sounds, not to mention cheaper.
Anticrawl @ Jan 4th 2008 11:32PM
Or even better than streaming, I'll just put the movies on my laptop, sit that in the place where my HD player would be and either run them through component wires or perhaps fiber optic cable. May even go so far as to use HDMI, god forbid. But I'll be damned if I buy into either of these lousy formats.
Eddie @ Jan 4th 2008 6:41PM
They can have my HD DVD when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.
I'll never buy Sony's DRM infested, anti-consumer solution for HDM, even if I have to go back to VHS. Not to mention the fact that I can't afford it. So, ladies and gentlemen, the future of HD Movies brought to you by the makers of Beta, Laserdisc, MiniDisc, SACD, and ATRAC.
MS? You've never been one to go down without a fight, instead choosing to play rope-a-dope with the competition only to come out on top in the end (a la xbox 360)- Are you going to take your three hundred spartans and battle the evil Sony Empire at CES this year on behalf of consumers everywhere? Let me know if you need someone to don the spartan armor getup.
Ian @ Jan 4th 2008 7:01PM
Except Beta continues to be an industry standard in DigiBeta form, and Beta was - in technical terms - a far superior format to JVC's VHS, but a quicker transition to rental markets coupled with the porn industry choosing VHS as a release format put the nail in Beta's coffin in the home market... Still, it persists in the film and video industries due to reliability VHS could only dream of. Not every format Sony have released has failed you know :)
JakubK666 @ Jan 4th 2008 7:39PM
Considering popularity of Halo ,13 Million Spartans sounds more like it.
Then again 300 will fight while the rest will trash-talk [Sony] to death.
Matt @ Jan 5th 2008 12:27AM
Laserdisc was Pioneer I think. And it wasnt a failure. It was a great alternative to VHS. Very clear picture at the time.
eugene @ Jan 5th 2008 1:12AM
You know you're in a bad spot when you're holding up fraking Microsoft as some sort of champion of the masses.
Eddie @ Jan 5th 2008 2:16AM
"A bad spot" describes my predicament like saying "the boat sprang a leak" describes the Titanic.
Another reminder of how completely people fail to assess situations properly before running with them to the death. I felt similarly when Al Gore lost in 2000, when Kerry lost in 2004 and I'm sure I'll feel the same when Obama loses in 2008. I already feel it every night as I flip past yet another reality show to Seinfeld reruns, why should it be any different with my HD format of choice?
Oh well. HDM was fun while it lasted.
Trashman @ Jan 6th 2008 2:39AM
As much as i will hate it cause i boycott all sony products, i may have to buy blu ray movies when i upgrade to HD which wont be for about 6 years if hd dvd is non-existent and i hope it doesn't turn out that way
ccc @ Jan 4th 2008 6:46PM
This makes no sense at all, why wouldn't they go along with the other big companies that already committed to hd dvd.
Dont want confusion? They are making it harder the dumb asses. I'm gonna email this thick headed fuck.
Boldy @ Jan 5th 2008 11:08AM
Please give me his e-mail when you find it because I want to do the same.
Louis @ Jan 4th 2008 6:48PM
HD-DVD is currently the much better standard and seems to be far ahead of BluRay feature-wise, and while BluRay has the promise of more space, I still feel like we are going to be stuck with a shite standard.
The only problem is that once again, a standard was chosen, not by the consuming public, but by warring companies. People didn't go out and say, we want BluRay, it is a better standard. The powers that be decided that. We just pick up the check.
ron @ Jan 4th 2008 6:59PM
Louis- Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share figures shows that consumers buy blu, its that simple. Theres no way any company would stop supporting something if there was strong demand and money to be made. So by consumers buying Bluray and not HDDVD they have in effect said its a better standard.
carl @ Jan 4th 2008 9:39PM
Blu-ray has more demand so I guess its a better standard than HD-DVD. The disc itself is better than HD-DVD.
Alien @ Jan 4th 2008 6:53PM
Well ... what can I say ... with the exclusive content for the BRD from both Sony ( duh ) and WB , the future of the HD-DVD isnt looking so bright . And the recent rumors that Paramount could go neutral to ... well RIP HD-DVD ...
Don @ Jan 4th 2008 6:59PM
This is great news, I'm sick of this format war. Blu-ray is the better of the two so I'm glad Warner Bros went with that. I feel sorry for the stupid fucks that invested in the inferior format but that's what happens in these things. Now it's just a matter of time before the few studios that are left make the same leap.
Uncle Rodeo @ Jan 4th 2008 7:06PM
How is Blu-Ray the better format? Almost every single cinema/audiophile agrees that HD-DVD yields the best picture and sound quality. The only reason there is a format war is because Sony decided to create Blu-Ray to sell their inferior game system. The group that created DVD's also created HD-DVD's...Sony just had ulterior motives.
stephenbratz2 @ Jan 6th 2008 1:49AM
Thank-you for calling me a "stupid fuck". I am sure there are more than a couple people here that would like to thank you in person for that. Mind sharing your home address?
LesbianHam @ Jan 4th 2008 7:02PM
FUCK!
Andrew M @ Jan 4th 2008 8:14PM
This past Boxing Day Futureshop (CDN) had the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive on for $150, cheapest I've seeen it. Still couldn't bring myself to purchase it. I treated myself to an upconverting DVD player, and bought every episode of the X-Files ever made with the money I saved.
Now WB releases a lot of killer flicks, Batman Begins is one of the best looking movies ever realeased in a high-definition format. Just knowing The Dark Knight will only be released on Blu-Ray pushes me arse back up onto the fence.
Why can't we all just... get along?
refinedsugar @ Jan 5th 2008 12:10AM
The 360 add-on for $150 wasn't bad, but the real deal was the Toshiba HD-D3 HD-DVD player for $99 if you could get a hold of one. Hundred bucks for a decent HD player plus two free pack-in movies valued at thirty bucks a piece if you were to buy 'em separately.
rd2000 @ Jan 4th 2008 7:15PM
@13 your comment just prove that people don't read what they don't want too...
Yes it's true that the first FW for Blu-ray was inferior CONTENT-wise to HD-DVD.
With FW 1.1 for Blu-ray, that has been corrected.
With FW 1.1 Blu-ray got java build in. And with java and the multitude of options it provides, Blu'ray now blows HD-DVD out of the water in all aspects..
Duscrom @ Jan 5th 2008 2:31AM
Yup.. So.... all early adopters who aren't PS3 owners, get ready to toss out you $1500 Blu-Ray players!
As much as HD DVD owners MAY get F*ed over this... (I've got a X360 HD DVD player).. we're not as bad off as those who got early stand alone Blu-Ray players.
David W. @ Jan 4th 2008 7:18PM
...HD-DVD is cheaper...so this sucks, haha
BananaBoat @ Jan 4th 2008 7:35PM
I love it how some people can add up "Just now caught up to the features HD-DVD has had for over a year" and equate it to Blu-Ray blowing HD-DVD "Out of the water"
I guess if I only had one or the other format, and one was destined to die, I too would be insane with fanboy rage. Fortunately I bought the HD-DVD add-on, and I was given a PS3 as a gift, so I'm sitting pretty, no matter which format wins.
That said, this is a gigantic victory for Blu-Ray, and I'm not sure how HD-DVD is going to recover (in the long run). Unless Warner flip flops and goes back to dual releases, the other studios will probably follow.
Then again, I've already said it, what do I care? =P
(As an aside; If there are a ton of Blu-ray titles on Amazon for like 20 bucks a pop..how can Blu-ray be more expensive? I think that ship sailed with the factories coming on-line this past year)
Slushturtle @ Jan 4th 2008 7:38PM
Dammit...this blows. Another inferior standard. I hope no one buys it.
I realized this was the way things would turn out when I walked into Best Buy and saw GIANT Blu-Ray ads and demo stations throughout the store and a tiny HD DVD end cap in the corner...
bs6268d @ Jan 4th 2008 7:46PM
maybe ms will go blu
JakubK666 @ Jan 4th 2008 7:49PM
Guys you're missing the goddamn point arguing why Blu-Ray does better than HD-DVD. Look all those years back at PS2.
Sony uses a built-in Blu-Ray in PS3's which benefits the sales as right now nobody wants to spend $1000 to get a high def player. I'm sure that 95% of you uses either PS3 or Xbox 360 add-on HD-DVD Player.
PS3 is the only reason why Blu-Ray succeeds. If PS3 didn't have it built in, HD-DVD would probably win.
Don @ Jan 4th 2008 8:04PM
Actually, I think Blu-Ray kicked the crap out of HD-DVD because of the studio support that Blu-Ray had from the start. Blu-Ray also had more support from the major electronic companies. HD-DVD had no chance, and it's ashame more people didn't see this in the beginning like I did.
JakubK666 @ Jan 5th 2008 8:04AM
But why didn't HD-DVD have the chance? The answer lies within the PS3.
SteveMB @ Jan 5th 2008 4:13PM
I have to agree with you, HD-DVD would be selling a lot more players if it weren't for the PS3. (I mean HD-DVD would be winning if they didn't count the PS3)
DeadPlasmaCell @ Jan 4th 2008 8:02PM
Yea, the big payoff is why they went exclusive.. there really is no other reason.. The PQ is identical, HD-DVD has and has had more features, cheaper players, name recognition, etc. I own both, but always rooted for the underdog, in this case it's always been scrappy HD-DVD. IF MS decides to do the HD-DVD 360, it will be a really poor decision to do it this late in the game, it should have been already included @ launch.. then there would have never been a format war.. but who knows. Good job Blu-Ray, but their fanboys can still DIAF.
tobin92 @ Jan 4th 2008 8:33PM
I am SO happy I didn't get an HD-DVD player for Christmas.
But heres the deal everyone..... IF HD-DVD gets $100 players out before Blu-RAY, Warner maybe switching back.... If Xbox 360 gets a built in HD-DVD drive, They will also switch back.
Warner is simply hoping that there will be a snowball effect...but because of the small amount of players sold and the potential of a cheap player on either side dominating the market....This may not be the case....
\
I have a feeling Toshiba will reach into MS pockets and grab its self an exclusive studio.
Don @ Jan 4th 2008 9:22PM
Give it up already, you're starting to sound real pathetic. HD-DVD is over and it wasn't even a valiant effort, it was actually quite sad. Just be thankful that you didn't purchase a HD-DVD player and move on, do yourself a favor and get a PS3.
Carl @ Jan 4th 2008 9:47PM
If XBOX 360 came out with an HD-DVD Drive before then yeah...maybe....
But they didnt (but there are rumors that are being announced).
Ever since Black Friday, there were $100.00 HD-DVD Players Standalone being sold. And Toshiba even claimed that there are more HD-DVD than Blu-ray Standalone players. That didnt work either..
Bottom line is Toshiba and Microsoft are too late. Watch, when Paramount's contract expire in 2009, they might even go back to Blu-ray. Heck Christmas might even come early when Universal suddenly decides to quit on Toshiba and move to Blu-ray too.
carl @ Jan 4th 2008 9:34PM
Guys you know its just about the money. No matter how many Cheap Stand Alone HD-DVD Players out there. Blu-ray has a better studio support. Which means bigger library, which means more money being made. It's always about what consumers want. And as of right now, Consumers want Blu-ray. They also want pornography and Blu-ray also has that.
mezzanine @ Jan 4th 2008 9:39PM
That means no Dark Knight playing on your 360!
Killer @ Jan 4th 2008 10:12PM
Either way I'm set, I got my HD DVD add for my 360, my HD-A35, and my panny BD30K Blu-ray player, Which blows that Non-playing DTS-HD player out of the water (cough ps3 cough) and I got it almost 100 dollars cheaper.
$314 ;)
Personally I see no reason for there to be a dying format, They're almost Identical in Features, (space isnt an issue). Dual Players baby and what is the $hit about confusing consumers from Warner Brothers?
Most people don't care, because DVD are fine with them, not because there is a war. Also we're they the one's that were all, "We will never choose sides"?
TrueHD Cough*
Confusion is around only because both formats are based around the same god damn design. They look like DVD player, and the disc do too to normal consumers. What do you expect? At least when VHS, was kicked by DVD, the DVD was completely different.
Blu-ray and HD DVD, different specs, same design. It's like trading in a Piece for a Rolls Royce. It's looks and sounds of the movies, and I'll tell you this much. Normal consumers don't buy 7.1 channel sound systems. They're expensive, trust me. So exactly why does everyone NEED a Blu-ray or HD DVD? JUst because its HD, isnt going to make every person, want to go out and buy the expensive players and buy movies they already bought, at a price of 30 dollars each. Prices will go down, but the companies will have to kill DVD, and alot of people that are perfectly content with DVD's are going to get pissed off.
This isn't the VHS to DVD Days of...
"Omg, you don't have to rewind it, that's amazing, I want one..."
lildude56 @ Jan 7th 2008 8:24PM
Yeah, you are right. It doesnt play DTS-HD, it plays uncompressed, which sounds way better than any compressed audio.
bugatti23007 @ Jan 4th 2008 10:30PM
Why would anyone want Blu-Gay?Blue is girly and Red is manly so get yourself an HD DVD.But seriously though Microsoft shot themselves in the foot by not putting HD DVD in the 360.They made a crappy space hog thats ugly looking but decent HD DVD add on for the 360.If the 360 died then you have no way of watching HD DVD.Also Microsoft never maid commercials saying you can buy a HD DVD player add on for the 360.They never even showed a commercial saying buy the Matrix on HD DVD and listen in 7.1 surround sound.But I definitely remember Sony saying buy the movie Cars on Blu-ray and listen in 7.1 Surround Sound and they went off saying the Future is Blu.Microsoft had no slogan.They don't seem determined helping HD DVD win only to hurt Sony and make people download movies which helps Xbox Live Marketplace.On the bright side though it seems that another format will soon take over both blu-ray and HD DVD which should have by now but it hasn't and don't know why and that is Holographic Versatile Disk (HVD).Here is a link http://holographicversatiledisk.blogspot.com/
http://dvd.ign.com/articles/590/590428p1.html