Blu Ray vs. HD DVD

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  • Boz0

    Here's a summary:

    Despite the consumer wishes, where 43% of mainstream HDTV consumers preferred HD DVD compared to 27% favoring Blu-Ray while around 30% being undecided (according to global research from The Diffusion Group) and obvious mass adoption possibilities like already established DVD disc replication factories, SD and HD dvd on one disc capability and cheaper price the format war ended up being decided by studios and CE companies.

    It is just a matter of time now,but Warner Bros is now officially backing Blu-ray exclusively. With now over 60% of US global movie catalog market share Blu-Ray has been pronounced a winner.

    After canceling an already scheduled CES press conference, Toshiba and HD DVD Group pointed out that they were extremely surprised and disappointed by Warner's decision in addition to the fact they have several contracts still active.

    Universal, Paramount and Dreamworks along with Toshiba have not made any official announcements as to the next steps, but in a brief email to Bloomberg, Paramount representative pointed out that Paramount still continues to support HD DVD. Toshiba made a brief statement at CES mentioning that HD DVD has been called dead before. Universal was unable for comments at this point.

    Judging by insider sources close to the whole situation and negotiations say that unconfirmed $500 million deal was reached between Sony and Warner Bros. The initial deal was meant to be between Toshiba and Warner as they've already planned to hold the press conference together with the 2 party event following at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

    It has been said that Warner was going HD DVD and asked another Blu-Ray studio to follow. 20th Century Fox was the second studio and on January 4th, Fox bailed out leaving Warner with a hard choice to make. Feeling that the format war needs to end before hi-def market goes into niche, they made a 180 flip and went with Blu-Ray as a stronger ally. Warner executives have said that no money has exchanged hands but failed to comment on any incentives or subsidization costs offered mentioned in the $500 million deal.

    Current studio alliances:

    HD DVD still exclusive studios:

    - Universal Studios
    - Paramount Pictures
    - DreamWorks Pictures
    - Focus Features
    - Rogue Pictures
    - Nickelodeon Movies
    - MTV Films
    - First Look Studios
    - Image Entertainment
    - Discovery Channel
    - Magnolia Pictures
    - Wicked Pictures
    - Pink Visual
    - Bang Bros
    - ClubJenna
    - Digital Playground

    Europe:
    Studio Canal,
    Universum Films,
    Kinowelt Home Entertainment,
    DVD International,
    Opus Arte,
    MK2,
    Momentum Pictures,
    Twister Home Video,
    Medusa Home Entertainment

    Blu-Ray:
    Sony Pictures
    MGM
    Warner Bros
    New Line Cinema
    Disney Pictures
    20th Century Fox
    Lionsgate
    Columbia Pictures
    Tristar
    Digital Playground

    In Europe:
    StudioCanal (limited)

    Boz 0Permalink
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