Transformers Transformers on HD-DVD Only?

[Cth]

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.

Just so it's clear.. Target's "exclusiveness" was yet more PR BS from the Blu Ray group.

Turns out they only bought an end cap and tried to claim it was exclusive.

Can you imagine though.. Target, who paid a lot to get some exclusive Transformers merchandise, missing out on the movie? Doubtful.

This is pretty big news for HD-DVD.. pretty much all of Marvel's future films (Hulk/Iron Man) as well as Cloverfield/1-18-08, Trek, etc are going HD-DVD.

The funny part of all this are the fanboys who suddenly see HD-DVD as a threat, despite only a week ago claiming the war was over.

Seeing the meltdown across the web is pretty funny though. Boycotts, encouraging people to buy 5 Blu Rays to offset Transformer sales, etc..

 

[Cth]

Oh, and same thing with Blockbuster.

BB said the very next day that they were still carrying HD-DVDs and shipping them online as well.

It was something like 100 stores or 1/100th of their stores stocking with Blu Ray discs in the store. As usual the Blu Ray group claimed early victory.

BB execs immediately said they hadn't dropped HD-DVD and would considering stocking HD-DVDs in stores if demand increased.

So much PR spin it's crazy.

 

[Jack_Sparrow789]

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.

I agree. The format war is getting way out of hand. I'm so ****ing sick of microsoft and sony's stupid little bs wars over everything. Too bad the PS3 sucked, maybe thats why they're really pushing the blu ray market hard. Personally, I think that eventually DVD will become like the VHS. Unattainable. But the problem here is that unlike the change form VHS to DVD, we have to choose between two different formats. Either way, the customer loses, because not everyone is going to rush out and buy a high-def machine right now, and as we can see here, some studios only go with certain formats. Right now, HD DVD has my vote of confidence. Call me dumb, quote random tech specs at me, I dont give a ****. WB, Paramount, and Dreamworks are all on HD, which means that they get me because the majority of my movies in my current DVD collection are form one of those studios.

No this does not mean no regular DVD for Transformers. I garuntee that. They would have to be complete and utter idiots to do something that stupid. But on the offset chance they do, *knock on wood*, there will be many unhapy people.

 

[Drago]

This is a huge factor in the format war- not only did Blu-ray just lose Transformers and the Shrek flicks to HD DVD, but a majority of next summer's blockbuster flicks are now HD DVD exclusive...

Although having said that, Sony's already paid bajillions of dollars to get Target, Blockbuster, etc. to go Blu-ray, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them toss out another 50-100 million to get Paramount/Dreamworks neutral again and try to redeem themselves along with the PS3.

 

[Drago]

Oh, and same thing with Blockbuster.

BB said the very next day that they were still carrying HD-DVDs and shipping them online as well.

It was something like 100 stores or 1/100th of their stores stocking with Blu Ray discs in the store. As usual the Blu Ray group claimed early victory.

BB execs immediately said they hadn't dropped HD-DVD and would considering stocking HD-DVDs in stores if demand increased.

So much PR spin it's crazy.

Blockbuster is carrying HD DVD online and in the few stores they had it in originally... but every BB will now have Blu-ray. It's tough following all this PR nonsense (like you said)... it's become quite 'political' very quickly.

 

[Timstuff]

blarg double post

 

[Timstuff]

Paramount made a very ******ed mistake today by abandoning the large majority of HD movie disc buyers, who chose Blu-Ray over HD-DVD. They've shot themselves in the foot, and I hope they suffer for it until they're non-pigheaded enough to atone for their mistake. Myself, I am not going to buy Transformers in any format other than Blu-Ray, so Paramount can suck it.

 

[Uncanny]

http://www.viacom.com/NEWS/NewsText.aspx?RID=1042073


http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=412&filter=rating30

Not too many people with Blu-ray like this. I know I don't. It seemed like Blu-ray had this war won. More people are buying them and more movie studios are with them.

 

[Timstuff]

And what's worse, this comes at the same time that IGN is reporting that Universal may finally go format neutral. I am definately believing in the reports of a 150 million dollar payoff by To$hiba. They were about to loose their only exclusive backer, so what do they do? They just go and BUY a new one.

 

[Crook]

With Paramount moving to HD-DVD, I doubt Universal is going to go neutral right now. Dirty move by Toshiba? Yup. But they're playing fire with fire, let's not forget that Sony has done this before.

 

[Mar420x]

well since the spiderman trilogy is only gonna b blu ray i guess i cant complain. i had a feelin HD dvd had 2 do something and they did 2day. i cant believe it. im now considerin on buyin an HD dvd player now. i already have my a ps3 for my blurays. but this is money i didnt plan on spending this yr.. thanks. lol. amazon.com here i come.

 

[Timstuff]

If anything, it's a mark of more desperation. They probably did indeed save their support from Universal (for now, at least) with this move, but I still don't see it helping much in the long run. To$hiba payed a hefty 150 million to Paramount, which obviously Paramount is not going to discuss when listing their reasons for choosing to support HD-DVD only, even though their Blu-Ray movies were selling much better.

Presumeably, Paramount saw the $150M token from To$hiba to be more profitable in the short run than simply making money off of Blu-Ray, since the overall HD market is still fairly small. But one can only hope that this shady deal does not bar Paramount from resuming Blu-Ray production in the future. Since I loved Transformers and it was my most eagerly awaited Blu-Ray disc of the year, for me the end of the format war can't possibly come to soon. I want Transformers on Blu-Ray, and if it takes killing HD-DVD to get it, then I say EN GARDE, TO$HIBA!

 

[Jack_Sparrow789]

Eh, personally, I'm content sticking with standard DVD for now. I cant find anything wrong with standard that didnt get fixed when I bought my up-convertable dvd player for my dorm room. Honestly, this format war is just getting out of hand. The main reason I find myself against Sony as usual, is because just like with the Beta vs VHS war, they, as well as Apple, always want to make their stuff only play on Sony technology. Which means, to watch something on blu-ray, I'd have to either fork over $700 (like hell I have that kind of money to spend on a hi-def player) for an actual blu-ray player, or fork over $600 for a crap-ass PS3, which I refuse to have anything to do with. Besides, I've heard that the blu-ray playback on the PS3 isnt very reliable. The Japanese company that made VHS, DVD, and HD-DVD, on the other hand, make things more customer and studio friendly by giving us one system that plays alot more than one format, as well as many different distributors getting to make their products HD capable. For instance, I can upgrade my XBOX 360 to play not only DVD but also HD-DVD. I can also play both DVD and HD-DVD on almost any HD-DVD player out there. I prefer universally workign things, not this "exclusitivity" bullcrap that Sony loves to attempt to try. What we need is one universal hi-def player that plays everything, so as to end this stupid war once and for all.

 

[Timstuff]

It sounds to me like you just need some antidote for the Sony-hater virus.

 

[SuperJediHero]

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.

DO NOT listen to this...

Man, the Difference between High Definition and Standard DVD is CLEAR and Night & Day difference!

Here is a Scene from Casino Royale in Blu-Ray (Also keep in mind, that if this was on HD DVD, it would look just as good) and DVD upconverted on Xbox 360.
http://cid-fad2153b6545157e.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Pictures/007BluRay2.jpg

http://cid-fad2153b6545157e.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Pictures/007HDDVD2.jpg

It's Clear High Definition is WAY better!

I have Both BluRay and HD DVD now, so either format is fine, but I kinda hope HD DVD wins!

So I am not Pissed!

 

[Timstuff]

Cosmicherosa needs glasses.

Upscaling DVD players do not add detail, they only blur out pixelation, which gives everything a smoothed over but muddy look. The only way to get the original theatrical presentation is with a native HD source.

 

[bluejake01]

Cosmicherosa needs glasses.

Upscaling DVD players do not add detail, they only blur out pixelation, which gives everything a smoothed over but muddy look. The only way to get the original theatrical presentation is with a native HD source.

You mean BETTER than the original theatrical presentation...considering most theaters use substandard and underpowered projectors.

 

[SuperJediHero]

I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks! They were progressive by having two formats. No Transformers 2 for me!

Bay

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

He like Blu-ray more? HD DVD has better Features than Blu-ray. BR is not really a Better format!

What? How about Fox and Disney going Neutral too?

 

[Kryptonian Warrior]

I have no idea where he is getting the idea that all XBOX 360 consoles upconvert, when they dont. Its only the newer 360's that have HDMI connectivity. At first it was the XBOX 360 Elite that had HDMI, but now I believe that I saw something on the web that said something about the newer versions of the standard 360 has HDMI. Therefore, the majority of people that have an older 360 have to deal with 480p at best for standard DVD watching.

 

[Cth]

Blockbuster is carrying HD DVD online and in the few stores they had it in originally... but every BB will now have Blu-ray. It's tough following all this PR nonsense (like you said)... it's become quite 'political' very quickly.

Do you have a source on that? I'm pretty sure they stated it would only be in select stores and not nationwide.

There's about 5000 stores, with only 1500 going Blu Ray.

 

[Timstuff]

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

He like Blu-ray more? HD DVD has better Features than Blu-ray. BR is not really a Better format!

What? How about Fox and Disney going Neutral too?

Dang, I just saw this! If this idiotic descision by Paramount results in Bay not directing Transformers 2, HEADS WILL ROLL AT PARAMOUNT! Hopefully, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg use some of their influence to muscle Paramount into putting Transformers on both formats!

 

[KenK]

As long as regular DVDs aren't going anywhere for the time being, I could give a rat's ass about HD or Blu-Ray.

 

[Crook]

Dang, I just saw this! If this idiotic descision by Paramount results in Bay not directing Transformers 2, HEADS WILL ROLL AT PARAMOUNT! Hopefully, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg use some of their influence to muscle Paramount into putting Transformers on both formats!

Paramount will be in even bigger trouble if they go against a deal they just made. Aren't contracts made for that sorta stuff?

I'm sure Bay will come to, when there's a big fat paycheck waiting for him to direct the sequel.

 

[Timstuff]

Paramount will be in even bigger trouble if they go against a deal they just made. Aren't contracts made for that sorta stuff?

We don't know anything about the conditions of Toshiba's deal with Paramount, but there's probably a way to get out of it if Paramount decides it really was a mistake.

 

[dpm07]

I've been sitting on the fence for the longest time trying to decide whether to get a Blu-Ray player or an HD-DVD player. I currently have an X-Box 360, and was considering getting the HD-DVD add-on.

I don't want to get the HD-DVD only to find out that later on down the line Blu-Ray will win and be the exclusive player.

My brother lives in Germany, and he says a lot of his friends who are techies, prefer the HD-DVD format.

So, I am still confused on which I should get.