The Format War

[Zenien]

More so to point out that everyone was expecting a Blu Ray/HD-DVD combo, and they're going BR only and this is replacing their high end player of old. You can still use your PC as the article states.

 

[Zenien]

Lost Season 3 is coming to Blu-ray on Dec. 11th and the pre-order link is up...


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TFINY6/panandscathed-20


Also Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is up for pre-order with a Dec. 4th date...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000U7UWVA/panandscathed-20

 

[KALEL114]

Awesome news! Thanks.^^

Stanley Kubrick on Blu-ray Dated
Posted July 25, 2007 by Josh

Warner Home Video has announced that the majority of the Stanley Kubrick library is coming to Blu-ray on October 23rd. These titles include '2001: A Space Odyssey (Special Edition)', 'A Clockwork Orange (Special Edition)', 'Eyes Wide Shut (Special Edition)', 'Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition)', and 'The Shining (Special Edition)'. Each will come on a BD-50 and feature a TrueHD soundtrack.

Edit: Each disc will be sold separately.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=348

 

[KALEL114]

Dragon Ball Z Heads to Blu-ray
Posted July 25, 2007 by Josh

FUNimation Entertainment is planning to announce the release of their first Blu-ray disc later this week at the San Diego Comic-Con. Their first title will be two Dragon Ball Z titles on the same disc - 'Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan' and 'Broly: Second Coming' - due out November 13th. The disc will be presented in 1080p with a new 5.1 surround sound mix.

Both titles, which are two of the best selling Dragon Ball Z titles ever, have been digitally remastered from the original 35mm print. All extras will also be in 1080p, including a special featurette describing the restoration process called "Dragon Ball Z: A New Look". FUNimation plans to continue releasing their most popular titles on Blu-ray in the near future.

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/807/807832p1.html

 

[KALEL114]

Thieves choose Blu-ray over HD DVD in mass disc heist
Posted Jul 25th 2007 11:46AM by Richard Lawler
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

The high definition format war took an unexpected twist Sunday morning, when a group of thieves broke into a video store. What they took -- every Blu-ray movie in stock -- isn't as interesting as what they left behind. The gang ignored the HD DVD selection entirely, apparently deciding that only the BDA's baby was worth a five finger discount. Blockbuster choosing Blu-ray for its nationwide rollout is one thing, but being ignored when the price of acquisition is the low low price of free is a reality check for any fledgling standard. We suppose such early morning escapades are one way to build your library after getting the now lower-priced PS3, but it's not recommended. No word yet on if HD DVD fans are planning a coordinated group theft to reestablish the popularity of their chosen format.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/25/thieves-choose-blu-ray-over-hd-dvd-in-mass-disc-heist/

 

[Havok83]

Thieves choose Blu-ray over HD DVD in mass disc heist
Posted Jul 25th 2007 11:46AM by Richard Lawler
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

The high definition format war took an unexpected twist Sunday morning, when a group of thieves broke into a video store. What they took -- every Blu-ray movie in stock -- isn't as interesting as what they left behind. The gang ignored the HD DVD selection entirely, apparently deciding that only the BDA's baby was worth a five finger discount. Blockbuster choosing Blu-ray for its nationwide rollout is one thing, but being ignored when the price of acquisition is the low low price of free is a reality check for any fledgling standard. We suppose such early morning escapades are one way to build your library after getting the now lower-priced PS3, but it's not recommended. No word yet on if HD DVD fans are planning a coordinated group theft to reestablish the popularity of their chosen format.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/25/thieves-choose-blu-ray-over-hd-dvd-in-mass-disc-heist/

thats bc the thieves own PS3s...lol

 

[Fading]

Awesome news! Thanks.^^

Stanley Kubrick on Blu-ray Dated
Posted July 25, 2007 by Josh

Warner Home Video has announced that the majority of the Stanley Kubrick library is coming to Blu-ray on October 23rd. These titles include '2001: A Space Odyssey (Special Edition)', 'A Clockwork Orange (Special Edition)', 'Eyes Wide Shut (Special Edition)', 'Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition)', and 'The Shining (Special Edition)'. Each will come on a BD-50 and feature a TrueHD soundtrack.

Edit: Each disc will be sold separately.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=348

Nice, again most of those I own and might not feel the need to replace, but nice news nonetheless. A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shinning are all great movies I'd recommend to anyone.

 

[Fading]

Thieves choose Blu-ray over HD DVD in mass disc heist
Posted Jul 25th 2007 11:46AM by Richard Lawler
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

The high definition format war took an unexpected twist Sunday morning, when a group of thieves broke into a video store. What they took -- every Blu-ray movie in stock -- isn't as interesting as what they left behind. The gang ignored the HD DVD selection entirely, apparently deciding that only the BDA's baby was worth a five finger discount. Blockbuster choosing Blu-ray for its nationwide rollout is one thing, but being ignored when the price of acquisition is the low low price of free is a reality check for any fledgling standard. We suppose such early morning escapades are one way to build your library after getting the now lower-priced PS3, but it's not recommended. No word yet on if HD DVD fans are planning a coordinated group theft to reestablish the popularity of their chosen format.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/25/thieves-choose-blu-ray-over-hd-dvd-in-mass-disc-heist/

LMAO, that is funny. No offense to HD-DVD or it's supporters, but it is funny that thieves of all ppl were selective on what they stole in a movie rental place.

 

[Zenien]

Looks like we may finally get FOX back into the HD game:

On the Blu-ray Disc front, Fox has announced one new MGM title for release on the format on 9/11... Jeepers Creepers 2. Fox also informed us at the EMA conference that they're getting close to announcing more Blu-ray Disc titles of their own, and that when they do, they'll "be back in a big way." We hope to learn more very soon.

http://www.digitalbits.com/#mytwocents

Target to Promote Blu-Ray DVD Format

By GARY GENTILE 07.25.07, 5:31 PM E

LOS ANGELES - Target Corp., the nation's second-largest retailer, will start selling a Sony Blu-ray high-definition DVD player during the critical holiday shopping period and feature the player along with Blu-ray discs in store displays, dealing a potential blow to the rival HD DVD format.

The move, which the companies will formally announce Thursday, is another step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.
Target (nyse: TGT - news - people ) said it will sell the Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) BDP-S300 for $499 in October and display it along with Blu-ray DVDs from three studios, including Sony Corp. and The Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS - news - people ), at the ends of store aisles.

The Target announcement comes five weeks after a decision by video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. (nyse: BBI - news - people ) to offer only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def offerings this fall.

Blu-ray is backed by Sony, which developed it. Most Hollywood studios are releasing films either exclusively in Blu-ray or together with the rival HD DVD format, which is backed by its developer, Toshiba Corp. (other-otc: TOSBF.PK - news - people )

Only Universal Studios, a unit of General Electric (nyse: GE - news - people ) Corp., is releasing films exclusively in HD DVD.

Both formats offer a high-definition picture that is crisper and brighter than standard DVDs, as well as more storage that allows interactive features and games to be packaged with movies.

Consumers have been slow to embrace either format, worried they might get stuck with a losing technology.

Target does not sell high-def DVD players in its stores, although it does sell a Toshiba HD DVD player for $299 on its Web site.

Target stores do sell an HD DVD add-on for the Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) Xbox 360. They also sell Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3, which comes with a Blu-ray player built in.

Target would not say why it decided to sell only Blu-ray players in stores. Sony is paying a fee to have its products featured in the end-of-aisle display, called an endcap, although Sony executives said the retailer contacted them about the decision.

"We are not proclaiming one format vs. the other as the preferred consumer technology, and software will continue to be available to our guests in both the Blu-ray and HD DVD format," Target spokeswoman Brie Heath said.

Target will track customer feedback and adjust offerings as necessary, Heath said.
The HD DVD camp was not fazed by the Target decision, pointing out that HD DVD players continue to outsell Blu-ray players, which cost at least twice as much. They also point out that HD DVD players and DVDs are featured in endcap displays in Circuit City Stores Inc. (nyse: CC - news - people ) and Best Buy Co. (nyse: BBY - news - people ) locations.

HD DVD promoters also contend that consumers are more influenced by price than product selection.

"HD DVD players are the most affordable," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. "It's one thing to have a player featured, but it's another if it doesn't sell."

While more titles are available in the Blu-ray format, this fall should provide a head-to-head contest between the two formats.

Two blockbuster films - "Spider-Man 3" from Sony and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" from Disney - will be available exclusively on Blu-ray.

The HD DVD camp will be counting on sales of the blockbuster film "300" from Warner Bros., which will be released in both formats, and the first season of the popular sci-fi TV show "Heroes," which will be available exclusively on HD DVD.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/25/ap3952696.html

 

[imdaly]

Awesome news! Thanks.^^

Stanley Kubrick on Blu-ray Dated
Posted July 25, 2007 by Josh

Warner Home Video has announced that the majority of the Stanley Kubrick library is coming to Blu-ray on October 23rd. These titles include '2001: A Space Odyssey (Special Edition)', 'A Clockwork Orange (Special Edition)', 'Eyes Wide Shut (Special Edition)', 'Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition)', and 'The Shining (Special Edition)'. Each will come on a BD-50 and feature a TrueHD soundtrack.

Edit: Each disc will be sold separately.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=348

They're all coming out on HD DVD the same day.

Thieves choose Blu-ray over HD DVD in mass disc heist
Posted Jul 25th 2007 11:46AM by Richard Lawler
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

The high definition format war took an unexpected twist Sunday morning, when a group of thieves broke into a video store. What they took -- every Blu-ray movie in stock -- isn't as interesting as what they left behind. The gang ignored the HD DVD selection entirely, apparently deciding that only the BDA's baby was worth a five finger discount. Blockbuster choosing Blu-ray for its nationwide rollout is one thing, but being ignored when the price of acquisition is the low low price of free is a reality check for any fledgling standard. We suppose such early morning escapades are one way to build your library after getting the now lower-priced PS3, but it's not recommended. No word yet on if HD DVD fans are planning a coordinated group theft to reestablish the popularity of their chosen format.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/25/thieves-choose-blu-ray-over-hd-dvd-in-mass-disc-heist/

LMAO, that is funny. No offense to HD-DVD or it's supporters, but it is funny that thieves of all ppl were selective on what they stole in a movie rental place.

Probably because they just bought a player and can't afford to buy any movies for them.

Hey, at least the discs are copyrighted, right?

 

[Zenien]

I will give you credit, you are the master of Damage control.

The player price comment was pretty good.

 

[Fading]

Looks like we may finally get FOX back into the HD game:



http://www.digitalbits.com/#mytwocents



http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/25/ap3952696.html

So in stores Target is just selling BR players? Ouch, that's as hard a hit as Blockbuster going BR in stores. I'm sure both will sell both types online, but more ppl still buy things in person.

As for Fox, how many false starts have they had so far? I really hope they put out some movies soon as they have a great list, but they keep saying soon, and then time passes and they say soon again.

 

[Fading]

I will give you credit, you are the master of Damage control.

The player price comment was pretty good.

Lol agreed, he may get some grief in here sometimes but he can hold his own despite there being a lot more pro-BR backers here.

 

[imdaly]

So in stores Target is just selling BR players? Ouch, that's as hard a hit as Blockbuster going BR in stores. I'm sure both will sell both types online, but more ppl still buy things in person.

This is good news for Blu-ray, though I do have to point out a few things.

- Target is going to sell one Blu-ray player this fall, the $500 Sony.
- Who's gonna want a $500 Blu-ray player and not get the PS3?
- This one Blu-ray player they will be selling will be neither BD-Live nor BD-J Profile 1.1 compatible.
- Target will still be selling HD DVD discs and teh XBOX360 HD DVD add-on in stores.
- Target will still be selling an HD DVD player on their website.

As for Fox, how many false starts have they had so far? I really hope they put out some movies soon as they have a great list, but they keep saying soon, and then time passes and they say soon again.

I know you're shocked by this, but I completely agree with this.

 

[imdaly]

I will give you credit, you are the master of Damage control.

The player price comment was pretty good.

Lol agreed, he may get some grief in here sometimes but he can hold his own despite there being a lot more pro-BR backers here.

I hope you guys know I do respect you and your comments/decisions on here. I think we all just like what excites us and like to debate. Nothing wrong with that as long as we all keep civilized about it, which I like to think we do.

 

[Fading]

I hope you guys know I do respect you and your comments/decisions on here. I think we all just like what excites us and like to debate. Nothing wrong with that as long as we all keep civilized about it, which I like to think we do.

Same here, I def meant it as a complement. Debates fun, and if you weren't here giving the HD side, it'd just be -

"BR's going to win"

"Yeah"

"Here's more BR news"

"BR's winning"

"Woot"

"Yup"

over and over lol. Plus you are civil about it, and do bring up good counter points.

As for the Target thing, I agree that the player their going to sell isn't astounding, but that it's a door opener. If they are truely going pro BR then this is only the start, and knowing that could sway consumers. I mean if I'm going to pick up a movie out of their section and only see BR players and titles, and then go to Blockbuster and see the same, then it slowly adds up. When Target adds more to their line up, or more and more stores start to go exclusive it'll send a message to consumers that more and more store and video chains are going with BR.

 

[Zenien]

Yeah imdaly is cool.

Spoiler

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Has there ever been good news for Blu-Ray that he hasn't spun around to look good for HD-DVD?

 

[imdaly]

Has there ever been good news for Blu-Ray that he hasn't spun around to look good for HD-DVD?

It's not so much about spinning pro-Blu-ray news to make it look like pro-HD DVD news, but more of putting the news into another perspective and thinking about what certain news really means.

Take the Target news for example. You can clearly see in my post about it where I said this is good news for Blu-ray. BUT it's not really as big of news as one might think at first glance once you realize its only one player, that the player is just as expensive as the PS3 which does what this player does PLUS more, that there IS still an HD DVD player and discs in stores, and that the one standalone Blu-ray player that will be carried will be incompatible with the upcoming required feature sets that will be in place in November.

I'm not spinning it, I'm putting perspective to it. I do the same for HD DVD news, too.

When I posted the news about the "300" HD DVD disc having yet another feature not found on the Blu-ray counterpart, where you could purchase ringtones and such from the player itself, I mentioned that it's nothing I could really see myself taking advantage of.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

I didn't mean spinning in a negative way I just mean that when something comes out in favor of Blu-Ray you always find someway to parlay it into a positive for HD-DVD. You're a hell of a debater...but HD-DVD is still going down. And on a sidenote who the **** cares about 300 ringtones?

 

[imdaly]

I didn't mean spinning in a negative way I just mean that when something comes out in favor of Blu-Ray you always find someway to parlay it into a positive for HD-DVD.

I ask you again to read my comments about news such as the Target news. Nowhere do I make it out to be good news for HD DVD.

Same with the Blockbuster deal. Never attempted to make that sound like a plus for HD DVD. Of course I could have spun that by saying something like "well that just means less Blu-rays actually bought, since it's easier to just rent", but I try not to be that type of debater.

You're a hell of a debater...

...perhaps some may same I'm a Master-debater??? Sorry, couldn't resist. haha

And thank you.

but HD-DVD is still going down.

...in history as the format to smear Blu-ray's ass all over the floor when all is said and done.

[/QUOTE]And on a sidenote who the **** cares about 300 ringtones?[/quote]

"Not I," said the Rabbit!

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

...in history as the format to smear Blu-ray's ass all over the floor when all is said and done.

It is just not happening. According to Amazon.com the bestsellers list it has...

#1 300 (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

#5 300 Blu-Ray

#12 300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD)

Take away everything else the debates on picture quality, audio, extras, special features, space, etc, etc. It all comes down to sales period and Blu-Ray has been outselling HD DVD. I think if HD DVD gets hit with one major blow such as Universal going neutral or switching to Blu or what have you it is over for HD DVD. Blu-Ray has so much backing one studio switching or going neutral wouldn't affect it as heavily.

 

[imdaly]

A person would have to be delirious to think that "300" wouldn't sell better on Blu-ray than on HD DVD, as the movie is geared DIRECTLY to the PS3 crowd, and the HD DVD version is $5 more, since it's got the standard DVD with it.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

A person would have to be delirious to think that "300" wouldn't sell better on Blu-ray than on HD DVD, as the movie is geared DIRECTLY to the PS3 crowd, and the HD DVD version is $5 more, since it's got the standard DVD with it.

I was just using 300 as a recent example. Despite the HD DVD having so much more to offer features and extras wise Blu-Ray will still outsell it. And it is geared to the PS3 crowd?? How so?

 

[Zenien]

Bleh 300 is such an over-rated movie. The politics and things happening in the city itself were much more interesting to me, the battle was just... repetitive.

[blackout]I would have slept with the kings wife in a heartbeat [/blackout]