Warner will continue releasing in HD-DVD until May, regardless of Toshiba pulling out

[Umalakai]

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

First, Warner has said that there are currently no changes planned in its release schedule as a result of Toshiba's decision. The studio will continue releasing HD-DVD titles until May.
Also, Toshiba has said that it will continue to provide "ongoing product support and after sales service" for those with HD-DVD players via this phone number: 1-888-MY HDDVD (1-888-694-3383).

Finally, the Blu-ray camp has issued a number of statements today. Here's the BDA's comment:

"We in the Blu-ray Disc Association are very happy that this long format war is officially over. Now the task ahead for our member companies is to promote the Blu-ray Disc format as the best way to bring premier quality high-definition content into consumers’ lives." - Andy Parsons, Blu-ray Disc Association U.S. Promotions Committee chairman and Pioneer Electronics senior VP

Here is Sony's official statement:

"Overwhelming support from all the relevant industries, including Hollywood studios, consumer electronics and IT companies, retailers and video rental stores, is clear proof that consumers have chosen Blu-ray as the next-generation optical disc format. We believe that a single format will benefit both consumers and the industry and will accelerate the expansion of the market."

And here's the Entertainment Merchants Association statement:

"Now that consumer confusion concerning dueling formats has ended, it is time for suppliers and retailers to redouble their efforts to bring home the message that Blu-ray discs deliver the finest viewing experience for the world's best entertainment. It is critically important for all content companies to deliver their best new releases and their rich catalog slates to the market in Blu-ray strategically. We believe there is pent up demand for high-definition optical discs in thousands of applications." - Bo Andersen, EMA president

Stay tuned...

[w_tanoto]

QUESTION: is Universal neutral now or exclusive to BD (as they said it will focus on BD)?

It would be ironic of Universal goes Blu-exclusive first

[stockstar1138]

i'm pretty sure they will be blu-ray excluisve in about 6 weeks. once fletch comes out, i think they are done with hd dvd.

[Beta-guy]

this is exactly what I expected, Warner knows (unlike a certain studio) that you don't make friends by dropping thier format like a hot potato the first chance you get...

[kamiller42]

That's fine Warner. Throw the kids a bone every once in a while.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Beta-guy

this is exactly what I expected, Warner knows (unlike a certain studio) that you don't make friends by dropping thier format like a hot potato the first chance you get...

i do expect these warner titles to be in very limited supply. i doubt best buy, wal-mart, circuity city, fry's, etc. will be ordering very many of them. these wb titles could be very hard to come by as I expect they will only press a couple (10-20) thousand.

[whoelse]

I guess that makes sense as there are over 1 million players out there (and a few more to come). The actual HD DVD customers is probably more like 800,000 as some have bought more than one.

[Beta-guy]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

i do expect these warner titles to be in very limited supply. i doubt best buy, wal-mart, circuity city, fry's, etc. will be ordering very many of them. these wb titles could be very hard to come by as I expect they will only press a couple (10-20) thousand.

that too sounds reasonable.

[Geoff Gibson]

I'm glad Warner is doing the right thing. Wish Paramount had too. I said it before, and I will say it again, I hope when Paramount does embrace the Blu they do not pull the releases they already announced on Red.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by whoelse

I guess that makes sense as there are over 1 million players out there (and a few more to come). The actual HD DVD customers is probably more like 800,000 as some have bought more than one.

there is no way 800,000 people still support hd dvd. toshiba even stated this morning that they never did hit 1 million hd dvd players (standalones + add on) in the US. It was more like 900,000. The million comes from them including pc sales that basically very little people used.

People who bought HD DVD, may now exclusively support blu-ray, enjoy hd dvd, but not buy anymore, didn't even use hd dvd playback as a feature, just used it for upscaling, or bought more than 1 player, im thinking the number of people still supporting this format is down to about 200,000 and i think a lot of those don't really know what has happened.

[whoelse]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

there is no way 800,000 people still support hd dvd. toshiba even stated this morning that they never did hit 1 million hd dvd players (standalones + add on) in the US. It was more like 900,000. The million comes from them including pc sales that basically very little people used.

People who bought HD DVD, may now exclusively support blu-ray, enjoy hd dvd, but not buy anymore, didn't even use hd dvd playback as a feature, just used it for upscaling, or bought more than 1 player, im thinking the number of people still supporting this format is down to about 200,000 and i think a lot of those don't really know what has happened.

Im talking globally.

[flinx1241]

Good for WB! I'm sure production will be limited, but it's nice that they're not just yanking the rug...

[bluskiessmingatme]

"Also, Toshiba has said that it will continue to provide "ongoing product support and after sales service" for those with HD-DVD players via this phone number: 1-888-MY HDDVD (1-888-694-3383)."

The phone number also spells out 1-888-MY HD FUD and 1-888-MY HD DUD (I know, "HDDUD" has long been used by others, but never by me, but since Toshiba is spelling out the phone number, it is fair game as the numbers/letter do match).

[krylonman]

Not to be all sour-grapesy, but:

Overwhelming support from all the relevant industries, including Hollywood studios, consumer electronics and IT companies, retailers and video rental stores, is clear proof that consumers have chosen Blu-ray as the next-generation optical disc format.

Doesn't that sentence, like, totally contradict itself?

[krylonman]

Originally Posted by bluskiessmingatme

(I know, "HDDUD" has long been used by others, but never by me, but since Toshiba is spelling out the phone number, it is fair game as the numbers/letter do match).

Or you could just not bother bringing it up at all. But what would be the point of that, amirite?