Warner Shelves "Total HD" Hybrid Disc Plans

[jed]

Speaking exclusively with High-Def Digest, Warner Home Entertainment says its previously announced HD DVD/Blu-ray hybrid disc won't be hitting stores anytime soon.

Full story:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/1147

[ccphilly1984]

i wouldn't think total hd would be a good idea anyways... enough people complain about the dvd/hddvd combo discs... It would be tough to market the discs because it wouldn't fit in with the red disc cases or the blu ones...

[undawater]

Agreed – if it costs a $5. premium –*and you don't want the other format, it's bad for sales.

[LtLalue]

what if they had purple cases?
i can see how this could be easier for Warner to do..since they dual format release anyway
but whatever

[DueNorth]

Interesting... they are focusing on retailer concerns and having TWO formats won't help (plus another one if they have TotalHD. They will most likely pick one format to continue in the future.

[Giantfoot08]

I think this is also a good idea. I think it would confuse the consumer even more. There is no way this disc could cost the same as the current releases do. I would not want to pay extra for a Blu-ray version of the film if I do not have a Blu-ray player.
I really think this annoucment is in preparation for Warner to chose a side in the war. After they take a look at the sales number from this holiday season, I would not be surprised if they became Blu-ray or HD DVD exclusive.

[ericede]

It sounds like they are still watching for possible single format adoption.

Warner's words about not wanting to drop another procduct on its retailers is a crucial statement. I've believed for some time that ultimately retailers are not going to accept carrying all these formats. The dual format disc may have been an offering to appease them (since it would obviously be an expensive disc to create)

They have a time table for something big, and they are doing a good job keeping it quiet.

[HDAlien]

I think they are going to choose a format soon, that is why they wont release Total HD. Funny the are looking at Par/Dream works and sales, they will choose soon.

[HDTV1080P]

I hope Total HD never comes to market. If one owns a BLU-RAY or HD-DVD player then paying extra for a side of a disc that one can not play would hurt sales. It would be better to have dual format combo players then to have a Total HD disc. Better yet I wish BLU-RAY would have 100% studio support so that owning a combo player would not be needed.

[crazzeto]

In away I think this sad.. I'm heavily invested in HD, but if a disc such as this one was available to me I might consider buying the movie in that format rather than strictly HD so if BD happens to win out I won't need to either keep an old (obsolete) player around, or rebuy HDM. I guess it's not the end of the world for me since obviously I didn't have a problem with taking a risk (particularly with $130 in hardware costs), but by the same token if there's any such thing as "future proof", this is it.

[Fettastic]

Just shows how ahead of the curve we all are. As soon as it was announced we all thought "There's no way best Buy is going to stock a THIRD HD disc section!" and we were right.

Since WB has said they are commited to both formats for the time being, everything looks fine for now.

However, if that 2:1 sales lead for Blu-ray gets any bigger, they may decide it's time to get off the pot. As long as TotalHD was available, they could live with HD DVD losses and the format would have an assured survival at least for awhile. Now that option is off the table so it's one less lifeline for HD DVD.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by HDAlien

I think they are going to choose a format soon, that is why they wont release Total HD. Funny the are looking at Par/Dream works and sales, they will choose soon.

I agree Warner most likely in the future will be going either BLU-RAY or HD-DVD exclusive.

[MrE]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

I agree Warner most likely in the future will be going either BLU-RAY or HD-DVD exclusive.

I have a bad feeling they will be going to HD DVD exclusive.

[Favelle]

"a Warner exec has now confirmed to High-Def Digest that all current plans for Total HD have been shelved in response to a perceived shift in retailer needs following Paramount's move to HD DVD exclusivity."

Wow.....interesting is an understatement!

[HDAlien]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

I have a bad feeling they will be going to HD DVD exclusive.

They may, I support HD DVD, but if they all went Blu that would be OK with me, I just want them (the Studios) to pick one format.