Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsume...432340820080104 NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Warner Bros studio on Friday said it would exclusively release high-definition DVDs in Sony Corp's (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Blu-ray format, dealing a big blow to Toshiba Corp's (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) rival HD DVD technology. Warner Bros, Hollywood's biggest seller of DVDs, representing about 18 to 20 percent of sales in the United States, was one of the few studios that backed both formats. All sides of the format war had agreed it was confusing to consumers and a stumbling block for a potential multibillion-dollar industry. Total DVD unit sales fell 4.5 percent in 2007, the first major year-over-year decline since the disc format debuted in 1997, according to Adams Media Research. Sales fell 4.8 percent to $15.7 billion. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers," Warner Bros Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Meyer said in a statement. News Corp's (NWSa.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Co (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research), and Lionsgate (LGF.N: Quote, Profile, Research) are among studios backing the Blu-ray format. Viacom Inc's (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Paramount studios and General Electric's (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) NBC Universal release movies in HD DVD format. Warner said it would continue releasing in the HD DVD format until the end of May, although those releases would follow the standard DVD and Blu-ray releases. (Reporting by Kenneth Li in New York and Bob Tourtellotte and Peter Henderson in Los Angeles; Editing by Brian Moss) so let me get this straight... no more 300, Planet Earth, Harry Potter, Batman movies, etc. etc.? yeah we can wrap this one up... sorry TimC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Once a Blu Ray module is created for the 360, that'll be the final nail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Once a Blu Ray module is created for the 360, that'll be the final nail. ahaha...that would be hilarious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egret Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 ahaha...that would be hilarious... One of the reasons a HD-DVD drive wasn't built in to the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 One of the reasons a HD-DVD drive wasn't built in to the unit. if overheating was already a problem.....i could only imagine what having a HD-DVD drive built in would do.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Didn't the porn industry go with HD? I thought for sure that would be the death blow (no pun intended) for Blu Ray... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Some people were saying that high def DVDs won't be a replacement to regular ones, as DVDs were to VHS, but more of a luxury upgrade. I guess it depends on the pricing? I gotta imagine the difference between DVDs and BluRay/HDDVDs is minimal unless you have a 1080p unit. I'll probably just get an upconverting player for my 720p TV. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Didn't the porn industry go with HD? I thought for sure that would be the death blow (no pun intended) for Blu Ray... the pron industry was a big deal back when you could only get it on VHS... pron is available on both formats....anyways... not to mention that it's free online... people look at how the pron industry ended the VHS/betamax war...but the scenario was different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Some people were saying that high def DVDs won't be a replacement to regular ones, as DVDs were to VHS, but more of a luxury upgrade. I guess it depends on the pricing? I gotta imagine the difference between DVDs and BluRay/HDDVDs is minimal unless you have a 1080p unit. I'll probably just get an upconverting player for my 720p TV. Thoughts? I have a 32" 720p set in the basement and a 42" 1080i set in the LR... Blu-ray has been on both sets and it clearly looks better than DVD... it looks better than DVD even on a SD television set...but it's not enough to warrant the price... movies are coming down in price as well as being offered in all sorts of BOGO's etc. blu-rayboxsets.com ...best prices I have ever seen... movies like Spider-man 3 on Blu for under 11 bucks...the prices change throughout the day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Some people were saying that high def DVDs won't be a replacement to regular ones, as DVDs were to VHS, but more of a luxury upgrade. I guess it depends on the pricing? I gotta imagine the difference between DVDs and BluRay/HDDVDs is minimal unless you have a 1080p unit. I'll probably just get an upconverting player for my 720p TV. Thoughts? there is a very noticeable difference, but DVDs still look fine. maybe not worth the money for most people to buy a blu-ray just yet unless you have a BIG set, or you're into gaming (in which case the ps3 doing double duty might make a lot of sense). once they start coming in routinely in that $250-300 range though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 there is a very noticeable difference, but DVDs still look fine. maybe not worth the money for most people to buy a blu-ray just yet unless you have a BIG set, or you're into gaming (in which case the ps3 doing double duty might make a lot of sense). once they start coming in routinely in that $250-300 range though... that 250-300 range is growing nearer... that is what is needed to overtake DVD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I gotta imagine the difference between DVDs and BluRay/HDDVDs is minimal unless you have a 1080p unit. I'll probably just get an upconverting player for my 720p TV. depends on how much of a videophile/purist you are and your set. the upconverted DVDs look very sharp, but there is a clear difference between that and native HD at 1080p on a bigger screen. the upconverting, multi-format DVD players are starting to come out that can play both Blu and HD, but they are a bit pricey. for me it was worth the extra couple hundred to get both the multi-format and the upconverting features now, but if you can wait, these players will be coming down in price and hopefully will help to make this more of a non-issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat2334 Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 that 250-300 range is growing nearer... that is what is needed to overtake DVD... Avernus, our resident PS3 and BluRay guru, I am thinking about converting to the Sony darkside.........it is just too tempting with the BluRay blastin movies on my Pioneer. My question- which of these bundles and systems is the best deal?? I noticed in my Blockbuster- they are offering 5 free movies and 20 rentals, an extra controller i think and added chit for $600, I assume that is the 80gig? I noitced the same machine on amazon for $500 - where would I get the best bundle??? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 if overheating was already a problem.....i could only imagine what having a HD-DVD drive built in would do.. Koolance makes a nice water cooling mod for the 360 I modded all 3 of the kids xbox 360 with the tailspoon fans , and replaced the chitty thermal paste with artic silver, removed the x-clamps as well, and altered the fan shroud.......................no heating issues for us anylonger. Mind you i did this before M$ decided to extend the 1 year 3ROD warrenty to 3 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I have 1080p projecter and nice screen, and while there is a benefit for viewing against the DVD's , i can't find much difference when viewing Cable or DirecTV broadcasted HD, which is about 650P when it gets to your TV sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 As one who makes his living in the enertainment business, my general opinion on this stuff is as follows: you want the best monitor and computer system you can get. Stick with your DVD technology for now. Seriously, part of the point of the writer's strike is the general acceptance the the internet is going to be the primary delivery format for media in the long run. Classic "media" as in the physical item of 'media' be it dvd, cd or what have you is already on the way out. Sell your collections while you still can, because in about 5 years they'll be worth little more than your typical Atari 2600 cartridge. There will be collector value, but if you want long term savings and less headaches accept this reality now and don't kill yourself trying to get the most tricked out DVD player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Avernus, our resident PS3 and BluRay guru, I am thinking about converting to the Sony darkside.........it is just too tempting with the BluRay blastin movies on my Pioneer. My question- which of these bundles and systems is the best deal?? I noticed in my Blockbuster- they are offering 5 free movies and 20 rentals, an extra controller i think and added chit for $600, I assume that is the 80gig? I noitced the same machine on amazon for $500 - where would I get the best bundle??? TIA you can find better deals outside of Blockbuster... check amazon and some other online retailers... I may update this thread with a nice deal if I come across something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) As one who makes his living in the enertainment business, my general opinion on this stuff is as follows: you want the best monitor and computer system you can get. Stick with your DVD technology for now. Seriously, part of the point of the writer's strike is the general acceptance the the internet is going to be the primary delivery format for media in the long run. Classic "media" as in the physical item of 'media' be it dvd, cd or what have you is already on the way out. Sell your collections while you still can, because in about 5 years they'll be worth little more than your typical Atari 2600 cartridge. There will be collector value, but if you want long term savings and less headaches accept this reality now and don't kill yourself trying to get the most tricked out DVD player. Good point. I was reading on a tech forum a few months back where a group had created a connection that could transfer (stream) 4 GB's per second. Now, Time Warner has to do some serious work to catch up as streaming HD content would require more bandwidth then we have now. Even on 1 GB network w/ Cat6 wires, it can bottleneck and cause freezing. I know i've read somewhere about the next generation of high speed wireing, but i really have no idea if the current cables they drop can provide what is needed...........???? Maybe someone else knows better then I. Heck even playing back an HD or BluRay on your pc is a struggle now. The requirements of the media player, graphics card and processor need to be top of the line to do so. Streaming HD to your PC Edited January 4, 2008 by theeohiostate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Avernus, our resident PS3 and BluRay guru, I am thinking about converting to the Sony darkside.........it is just too tempting with the BluRay blastin movies on my Pioneer. My question- which of these bundles and systems is the best deal?? I noticed in my Blockbuster- they are offering 5 free movies and 20 rentals, an extra controller i think and added chit for $600, I assume that is the 80gig? I noitced the same machine on amazon for $500 - where would I get the best bundle??? TIA right now that looks like the best deal I can find if it is the 80 gig... it just depends if you want all that stuff and make sure it comes with the bluetooth remote for that sort of price... that remote is genius.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) For any interested, appears the 1st generation of HD streaming will arrive ths spring. Sling said the Pro-HD's codec chip is capable of converting a TV image to 1080i resolution, Edited January 4, 2008 by theeohiostate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Good point. I was reading on a tech forum a few months back where a group had created a connection that could transfer (stream) 4 GB's per second. Now, Time Warner has to do some serious work to catch up as streaming HD content would require more bandwidth then we have now. Even on 1 GB network w/ Cat6 wires, it can bottleneck and cause freezing. I know i've read somewhere about the next generation of high speed wireing, but i really have no idea if the current cables they drop can provide what is needed...........???? Maybe someone else knows better then I. Heck even playing back an HD or BluRay on your pc is a struggle now. The requirements of the media player, graphics card and processor need to be top of the line to do so. Streaming HD to your PC I just stream HD to my PS3....or send it to my PS3 from my computer for the movies I can't get on Blu-ray... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 For any interested, appears the 1st generation of HD streaming will arrive ths spring.http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/04/ce...o_hd_unwrapped/ without HDMI...that just isn't worth it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 without HDMI...that just isn't worth it.. Yes. If you are to purchase a monitor from this point forward 1080p and HDMI (preferably 2 slots) is a must, otherwise you're buying a TV that in a sense is behind a curve it will never catch up from. Once 1080p and i signals start to make it through satellite distribution, then movies and games won't be far behind. There will be no 'broadcast times' anymore either. You'll go to heroes.com and stream the episode at the 'release time' which will be Mondays at 8pm simply to keep the semblance of a TV schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I just stream HD to my PS3....or send it to my PS3 from my computer for the movies I can't get on Blu-ray... Not very familar at all with PS3 systems, but I remember something about installing Red Hat Linux and being able to boot up , is that how your getting the BluRays off the PS3? Sony can't possibly be allowing the streaming of BluRay to your pc HDD can they? If so, that would kill the manufacturers of BluRay Player and what about copy protection..............i'd imagine this is a homebrew loader your using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Once 1080p and i signals start to make it through satellite distribution, then movies and games won't be far behind. With the introduction on NVidia's 780i chipset mobos, you can now have 3 graphics cards in SLI , That'd have to be the thought behind this new product so HD Gaming could be utilized. It'll be as close to real life as possible and Dells new touch screen monitor with native 1600x1200 makes the future of gaming experience seem life like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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