Transformers Transformers on HD-DVD Only?

[JediMasterConor]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36487

Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. and DreamWorks Animation SKG, each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit Blades of Glory on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year Transformers and Shrek the Third. These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.

"The combination of Paramount and DreamWorks Animation brings a critical mass of current box office hits to consumers with a line-up of live action and animated films that are perfect for HD DVD," stated Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, which is currently the leading studio in domestic box office. "Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience. I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."

"We decided to release 'Shrek the Third' and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience -- families," stated DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. "We believe the combination of this year's low-priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home."

With the rapid increase of HD TV screens in households, and audiences wanting to enjoy the total entertainment experience, HD DVD has emerged as the most affordable way for consumers to watch their movies in high definition. In addition to pristine quality, HD DVD also offers consumers the chance to personalize the movie-watching experience, to interact with their movies and even to connect with a community of other fans.

Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today's announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format.


What the hell? What about all of us who don't have the HD-DVD players?

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

I am sure this will be released on regular DVD. It just wont be released on Blu-Ray. They would be morons to not release this on regular DVDs & this would not make as much money on HD-DVD only that is obvious

 

[cosmicherosa]

Having a HD-DVD player and Blu-ray since launch, I can relay some info about it.

Normally, HD-DVD's come with a DVD version of the movie. Blu-rays do not. So you pretty much get both standard and HD with HD-DVD.

Reflecting on the announcement above, I am pissed. I think this whole format war is completely horrible for the CONSUMERS alone, not the movie studios. They have more money than God, and in the end it is the consumers purchasing either of these formats who are risking tons of wasted money on the losing format.

The differences between both formats, visual and audio-wise, are hardly slight. You would have to be a Video/Audio Tyrant to actually care.

Blu-ray is crushing HD-DVD right now in sales.


So in closing: This is stupid garbage. Plain and simple. Buy an up-converting DVD player.

Fantastic Fantastic Player:
Oppo DV-981HD or Oppo DV-970D


So so great. Check em out.

 

[bluedragon77]

I think this is total B.S. first it happened with batman begins, one of my faves movies at the time, i went out and bought an hd dvd addon for my 360. i figured that hd dvd would win cuz there were getting a lot of exclusives round that time, then comes the exclusive blu ray movies, and i was torn as to which one would win out. i agree completly, this war is ridiculous all it does is seperate good movies. u have to have both players in order to guarentee the movie u want will be on that format. i cant wait till this stupid war is over so we dont have to guess as to which movie will be on what format.. screw the execs and there stupid decisions, when transformers comes out on hd dvd, im gonna burn it and convert it to mp4 to play on my ps3. and they wonder why some people pirate hd movies now. this is why people, it really gets under my skin, that studios care more about the profit margin then the consumers who shell out the money for it. wouldnt it be easier for them to put them on both formats? theyd make the money back im sure. idiots i swear..
-end rant- lol

 

[bluedragon77]

oh and not to mention that when a movies DOES get put on both formats they tend to be different discs with one or two exclusive features, in order to 1 up the competition while screwing the consumer in the process..

 

[Cth]

Toldja so.

 

[Crook]

Normally, HD-DVD's come with a DVD version of the movie. Blu-rays do not. So you pretty much get both standard and HD with HD-DVD.

The consumer will have to look for the "HD-DVD/DVD Combo Format" tag on the box. If it's not there, it'll just be HD-DVD.

As for this news, being a supporter for HD-DVD, I'm glad. I was positive they were going to die out, but this news pretty much puts them back in the map. Especially since TF and Shrek are now exclusives. Not to mention the various catalog titles that has now been gained.

The format war is in for an interesting Christmas.

 

[Tempest19]

I for one am definitely NOT fcking glad!

Does this mean that those wanting TF DVD have to go out and fckin' buy a HD DVD Player now? WTF?!

Is it coming out on regular DVD too???? That news article is way way way too unclear!

 

[cosmicherosa]

It's coming out on DVD also. No worries.

DVD players just recently finally passed total VCR sales, years after DVD's being released on the market.

I'll tell ya what though. This is a HUGE win for HD-DVD. As a consumer just like all of you, I am very happy that they switched to HD-DVD. It is the cheaper, more recognizable product. And in most cases, the more superior. HD-DVD players aleady cost under $200. That is huge, since some DVD players are already and still that cost.

Like I said before, the vidual and audio differences between the both, at least according to me, is small.

But you read some of the hardcore websites that debate this stuff, and you will see quality impressions leaning to HD-DVD.

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

 

[cosmicherosa]

Is that Michael Vick laughing at the "Rich Person" sentence he got for killing tons of dogs?? BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-zing!

/sick of rich people
//wish I was rich
///an uncorrupt rich

 

[cosmicherosa]

Just occurred to me.


Lot of chains that are Blu-ray exclusive (Blockbuster, Questar, Woolworths, possibly Target and more) are now losing Shrek and Transformers in HD. Shrek, one of the biggest movie franchises of all-time, and Transformers, one of the biggest summer movies and potential massive franchises of all-time, will not be sold in HD at their stores.

Huge mistake, me thinks. This is a messy format war.

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

That is what happens when you pick sides to early. They will have to pay the price for it now.

 

[Super Kal]

this is why I still just have a plain old DVD player

 

[tviceman]

After I watch Transformers at an IMAX theatre, I won't really give a crap if it comes out in HD-DVD or Blue Ray because it won't be able to hold a candle to the IMAX experience.





I still own just a plain old DVD player, anyways.

 

[toddly6666]

That would be F'ed up! That sounds like something that George Lucas would do if his original trilogy wasn't already on regular DVD.

 

[PuMpKiN EsCoBaR]

Oh well. I was really looking forward to this on Blu-Ray. Upscaled DVD will have to do. Thanks alot Paramount

 

[FatA$$]

i couldnt be happier...SCREW BLU-RAY

 

[Golgo-13]

I don't care for either one of them personally. First they start out dating VCR's so the 474,447,047,477,444 movies i have on vhs don't look as great as on dvd, then i start getting dvd's and now i have to change yet again to Blue-Ray or HD...?

**** that!

 

[cosmicherosa]

I don't care for either one of them personally. First they start out dating VCR's so the 474,447,047,477,444 movies i have on vhs don't look as great as on dvd, then i start getting dvd's and now i have to change yet again to Blue-Ray or HD...?

**** that!

Some HD-DVD players and Blu-Ray movies are back compat and upscale DVD's...

 

[Kryptonian Warrior]

Ok people, since we now know that it is going to be on HD DVD only, how bout we start throwing some numbers around. How many will be sold on HD DVD the first week? I would be willing to bet that it will surpass the mark left by the movie "300". To be quite honest, I dont really know how many were sold, all I know is that it holds the current record for HD DVD sales.

 

[Kryptonian Warrior]

Some HD-DVD players and Blu-Ray movies are back compat and upscale DVD's...

All of them are except for the HD DVD add-on for the XBOX 360.

 

[Eternalzero]

Having a HD-DVD player and Blu-ray since launch, I can relay some info about it.

Blu-ray is crushing HD-DVD right now in sales.


So in closing: This is stupid garbage. Plain and simple. Buy an up-converting DVD player.

Fantastic Fantastic Player:
Oppo DV-981HD or Oppo DV-970D


So so great. Check em out.

Yeah it is, but Microsoft has to look the other way and piss Sony off with the HD-DVD Xbox360 enhancement. Can't wait until my computer plays the lower quality HD-DVD instead of blue-ray.

Really, PS3's blue-ray is significantly better, transformers would've been awesome on it, but sadly, I am forced to stick with the lower quality DVD because I won't waste my money buying a product that has no gauranteed future.

GG, Sony. Quality product.

 

[Eternalzero]

That is what happens when you pick sides to early. They will have to pay the price for it now.

Nah, just wait another year and buy a player that plays both.

 

[cosmicherosa]

All of them are except for the HD DVD add-on for the XBOX 360.

You have the Xbox 360 to play DVD's, and it uppconverts DVD's if you use the HDMI cables.

If you use the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive on your computer through USB, you most likely have a DVD drive on your computer already.