January 4th, 2008 - the day it was safe to come off of the fence - Page 3 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

I_Want_My_HDTV · 2008-01-04, 11:59 PM

When Toshiba abandons HD DVD and starts selling a BD player for $199, I will buy an HD disc player. Until then...

oilblue · 2008-01-05, 12:07 AM

danimator:
I'm exactly in the same situation. Feels the same to me too. Definitely a kick in the groin to have patiently waited on the sidelines only to have it evaporate within a month of entering the waters.

As for future direction, I'm waiting about a week to see what other shoes drop. Today might be as bad as it gets if HD DVD can somehow pull something out of their hat (doubtful), or it could get worse. Either direction helps make my decision.

I'll either keep the player and enjoy the handful of movies accumulated thus (yikes) and use it to upconvert DVDs. Or, I'll return as much as I can to Future Shop. In any case, it looks like a bumpy week ahead.

BTW, even if I return all my HD stuff, I won't be going BD anytime soon (see the last paragraph of this post for the reasons). Guess that means WB's move put me back on the sidelines.

danimator · 2008-01-05, 12:08 AM

I know exactly how you feel oilblue. So the next (hypothetical) question..

Can HDDVD realistically turn this around?

Everyone thought the Paramount/DW deal was a death knell for Blu. Granted that deal wasn't anywhere near the magnitude of this one, but Tosh and MS are both billion-dollar corporations and if they're in this for the long haul, what do they have to do to get back some momentum?

Basically, I just want to know my HD player will have enough decent new content to last until BR players are cheap.

darrylr · 2008-01-05, 12:11 AM

Well Microsoft and Toshiba don't make movies so the only likely way to stay in the game in my opinion is for them to get one of the big Blu-ray studios to switch sides or to buy one of them. Other than that, I don't see how Universal can compete against all the other studios combined - especially if Paramount/Dreamworks reverts back to Blu-ray 18 months after their deal.

A tentative list of 2008 Universal theatrical releases...

Quote:

January 11
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - A VeggieTales Movie

February 8
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins

February 14
Definitely, Maybe

April 4
Leatherheads

April 4
Wild Child

April 18
Baby Mama

May 30
Forgetting Sarah Marshall

June 13
The Incredible Hulk

June 27
Wanted

July 11
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

July 18
Mamma Mia!

August 1
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

September 26
Death Race

October 3
The Express

October 10
The Tale of Despereaux

TBA
Changeling

TBA
Frost/Nixon

TBA
Flash of Genius

TBA
Doomsday

TBA
Kids in America

TBA
Untitled Mentor Project

codywatkins · 2008-01-05, 12:23 AM

Why do I have a feeling that the big guys wallets are going to open, and this war won't end anytime in the near future?

Honestly, I feel for all those thousands and thousands of people who bought a HD-DVD player over xmas after being told by WB "not dropping any format".

After that sleezy act, I hope we see some legal action against them. Wow, all those families out all that money....

oilblue · 2008-01-05, 12:28 AM

daminator:
Realistically turning it around?... Doesn't look very good today, that's for sure. Maybe they've postphoned the presser on Sunday to give a few business days time to hash a couple things out (i.e. open the pocketbook). Or, maybe the big announcment was a 360 with an HD DVD drive...in which case they didn't have much. Ouch.

BTW, Universal is no slouch either (not sure what 2008 theatrical releases have to do with things). They may be prepared for the long haul (i.e. until combo players become cheap enough). At that point, format doesn't matter.

On the other hand, darrylr may be right...and getting a major studio to switch from BR exclusive to HD DVD exclusive doesn't seem remotely possible to me Then again, I didn't think WB would switch this year, so I'm completely clueless. The rumours of Fox coming over with WB indicate Fox may have been playing a role, never intending to switch. Taking another look, how would they get a blue studio to be red, when they couldn't get a purple to do it? There are the dual format players still--New Line and HBO. Still, the shockwaves from the WB move likely have them headed for BR too. D'oh. I was looking forward to LoTR on HD DVD.

Sad really, as the HD DVD have been consistently good, while BR slowly rounded into form. Where would they be without HD DVD?

More announcements as the week goes on I'm sure. Not placing a lot of stock that things will turn around, but not abandoning hope either.

darrylr · 2008-01-05, 12:31 AM

He was asking about future titles that will be coming on HD DVD. The list of theatrical releases for Universal in 2008 shows what releases should be coming on HD DVD.

oilblue · 2008-01-05, 12:32 AM

In 2009. I thought he was more concerned with 2008 myself (since that what I'm looking at).

darrylr · 2008-01-05, 12:36 AM

Many of the titles in that list should be on HD DVD in 2008. Just look at the turnaround time on many of the Universal titles that were out for sale on HD DVD at xmas.

recycleman02 · 2008-01-05, 01:48 AM

Didn't we have this same argument when transformers and shrek were HD DVD only?? BLU was done. We should all be worried about prices. Competition is a good thing. Prices come down. What stopping prices from going back up. No more bogo. Then we don't have a choice. Btw im have adopted both formats and will not be kicking either format out of my house.

HIDEF · 2008-01-05, 02:26 AM

i guess we will be seeing much more $99. HD DVD players and ill be right there to buy one. If anything, its a great upconversion player as well.

penguin44 · 2008-01-05, 05:16 AM

Well, I jumped ship. I only just opened the a3 player for 2 days. Went and got a blu. Not for this reason alone but it was a big one. I liked HD, fast, easy acces etc... but! Movie support is more important. Most of my faves are on Blu only.

skypilot · 2008-01-05, 09:49 AM

I followed this war for months and eventually bought a BDP-S300 in early December. Nothing against HD-DVD; most titles are wanted were in Blu and I kind of sensed that Blu-ray would prevail in the end. Had I bought HD-DVD I would for sure be returning it.

hc666 · 2008-01-05, 12:25 PM

I finally bought some warner titles I wanted.

Pan's Labirynth
Blade Runner
2001 Space Oddesy

All on Blu, was scared to buy them up until now.

Larry · 2008-01-05, 12:30 PM

I was almost ready to jump in with HD DVD with the prices coming into reasonable territory. Now I'm back waiting - not going to buy HD DVD at this point, and I'm not paying $500+ for a BR player. For me the WB decision has pushed my timelines into at least 2009.

View Poll Results: Purchase plans in light of Warner announcement?
I will go 100% HD DVD gear	8	4.00%
I will go 100% Blu Ray gear	99	49.50%
I will use both formats as required	51	25.50%
I have not made a decision	31	15.50%
Leave me alone... I'm going to lie down, you insensitive clod!	11	5.50%
Voters: 200. You may not vote on this poll

2008-01-05, 09:49 AM	#43
skypilot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West Lorne, ON Posts: 537	I followed this war for months and eventually bought a BDP-S300 in early December. Nothing against HD-DVD; most titles are wanted were in Blu and I kind of sensed that Blu-ray would prevail in the end. Had I bought HD-DVD I would for sure be returning it. __________________ Sony XBR-52HX909 / Sony BDP-S570 / BTV 9242 PVR / XM Inno & subs in Focus & Fiesta (all SXM)

2008-01-05, 12:25 PM	#44
hc666 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 864	I finally bought some warner titles I wanted. Pan's Labirynth Blade Runner 2001 Space Oddesy All on Blu, was scared to buy them up until now. __________________ Panasonic Bluray DMPBD30 - Toshiba 52XV540 120Hz LCD HDTV - Onkyo TX-SR605 with 7.1

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2008-01-04, 11:59 PM	#31
I_Want_My_HDTV . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 6,297	When Toshiba abandons HD DVD and starts selling a BD player for $199, I will buy an HD disc player. Until then...

2008-01-05, 12:07 AM	#32
oilblue Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,752	danimator: I'm exactly in the same situation. Feels the same to me too. Definitely a kick in the groin to have patiently waited on the sidelines only to have it evaporate within a month of entering the waters. As for future direction, I'm waiting about a week to see what other shoes drop. Today might be as bad as it gets if HD DVD can somehow pull something out of their hat (doubtful), or it could get worse. Either direction helps make my decision. I'll either keep the player and enjoy the handful of movies accumulated thus (yikes) and use it to upconvert DVDs. Or, I'll return as much as I can to Future Shop. In any case, it looks like a bumpy week ahead. BTW, even if I return all my HD stuff, I won't be going BD anytime soon (see the last paragraph of this post for the reasons). Guess that means WB's move put me back on the sidelines.

2008-01-05, 12:08 AM	#33
danimator Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4	I know exactly how you feel oilblue. So the next (hypothetical) question.. Can HDDVD realistically turn this around? Everyone thought the Paramount/DW deal was a death knell for Blu. Granted that deal wasn't anywhere near the magnitude of this one, but Tosh and MS are both billion-dollar corporations and if they're in this for the long haul, what do they have to do to get back some momentum? Basically, I just want to know my HD player will have enough decent new content to last until BR players are cheap.

2008-01-05, 12:23 AM	#35
codywatkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 80	Why do I have a feeling that the big guys wallets are going to open, and this war won't end anytime in the near future? Honestly, I feel for all those thousands and thousands of people who bought a HD-DVD player over xmas after being told by WB "not dropping any format". After that sleezy act, I hope we see some legal action against them. Wow, all those families out all that money....

2008-01-05, 12:28 AM	#36
oilblue Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,752	daminator: Realistically turning it around?... Doesn't look very good today, that's for sure. Maybe they've postphoned the presser on Sunday to give a few business days time to hash a couple things out (i.e. open the pocketbook). Or, maybe the big announcment was a 360 with an HD DVD drive...in which case they didn't have much. Ouch. BTW, Universal is no slouch either (not sure what 2008 theatrical releases have to do with things). They may be prepared for the long haul (i.e. until combo players become cheap enough). At that point, format doesn't matter. On the other hand, darrylr may be right...and getting a major studio to switch from BR exclusive to HD DVD exclusive doesn't seem remotely possible to me Then again, I didn't think WB would switch this year, so I'm completely clueless. The rumours of Fox coming over with WB indicate Fox may have been playing a role, never intending to switch. Taking another look, how would they get a blue studio to be red, when they couldn't get a purple to do it? There are the dual format players still--New Line and HBO. Still, the shockwaves from the WB move likely have them headed for BR too. D'oh. I was looking forward to LoTR on HD DVD. Sad really, as the HD DVD have been consistently good, while BR slowly rounded into form. Where would they be without HD DVD? More announcements as the week goes on I'm sure. Not placing a lot of stock that things will turn around, but not abandoning hope either.

2008-01-05, 12:31 AM	#37
darrylr Veteran Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nepean, Ontario Posts: 2,980	He was asking about future titles that will be coming on HD DVD. The list of theatrical releases for Universal in 2008 shows what releases should be coming on HD DVD.

2008-01-05, 12:32 AM	#38
oilblue Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,752	In 2009. I thought he was more concerned with 2008 myself (since that what I'm looking at).

2008-01-05, 12:36 AM	#39
darrylr Veteran Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nepean, Ontario Posts: 2,980	Many of the titles in that list should be on HD DVD in 2008. Just look at the turnaround time on many of the Universal titles that were out for sale on HD DVD at xmas.

2008-01-05, 01:48 AM	#40
recycleman02 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Edmonton, Ab Posts: 140	Didn't we have this same argument when transformers and shrek were HD DVD only?? BLU was done. We should all be worried about prices. Competition is a good thing. Prices come down. What stopping prices from going back up. No more bogo. Then we don't have a choice. Btw im have adopted both formats and will not be kicking either format out of my house.

2008-01-05, 02:26 AM	#41
HIDEF Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cisco 8642HD-Sony KDL60NX810-Denon AVR-890-Paradigm 7.1-PS3s-XboX360s-HDA2-BDT-310 3D-BDP-CX960-ATV2 Posts: 138	i guess we will be seeing much more $99. HD DVD players and ill be right there to buy one. If anything, its a great upconversion player as well.

2008-01-05, 05:16 AM	#42
penguin44 Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 239	Well, I jumped ship. I only just opened the a3 player for 2 days. Went and got a blu. Not for this reason alone but it was a big one. I liked HD, fast, easy acces etc... but! Movie support is more important. Most of my faves are on Blu only.

2008-01-05, 12:30 PM	#45
Larry Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Rogers) Posts: 1,521	I was almost ready to jump in with HD DVD with the prices coming into reasonable territory. Now I'm back waiting - not going to buy HD DVD at this point, and I'm not paying $500+ for a BR player. For me the WB decision has pushed my timelines into at least 2009.