Warner Bros to back Blu-ray exclusively!!!!!!

[Darklord Dave]

Mine didn't come with a remote, just the game controller. And the buttons aren't intuitive and even if I get the seperate remote, it's not controllable with my universal remote. So I've always leaned towards HD when there's a choice.

 

[Natrix]

Both formats do have technological advantages and disadvantages, so in that regard they are (mostly) equal, but it is clear that consumers have been favoring Blu-ray. Sales of Blu-ray discs have outdistanced HD DVD by almost 2-to-1 over the past year.

And you really need to separate your hatred of Sony from the format war. Sony is not synonymous with Blu-ray. They aren't the sole owner of the format. In many key areas, Panasonic/Matsu****a is as big (if not bigger) than Sony in the Blu-ray world. If you hate Sony, don't buy a Sony player. Buy a Panasonic or a Samsung, or one of the other brands available.

[Edit] Hmmm.... I guess I can't mention the name of Panasonic's parent company...

Read his post...Sony is synonymous with a PS3, which he said he was going to buy.

 

[Bullseye]

Mine didn't come with a remote, just the game controller. And the buttons aren't intuitive and even if I get the seperate remote, it's not controllable with my universal remote. So I've always leaned towards HD when there's a choice.

You can get the remotes for under $20.

 

[RoboDad]

Read his post...Sony is synonymous with a PS3, which he said he was going to buy.

Yes, he did say he was going to buy a PS3. The question is, why? His post seemed (at least to me) to be seething with rage against Sony, even though it isn't Sony that "won" the format war. If he has such hatred for Sony (which was not the subject of my reply), then he has numerous options for buying into Blu-ray without buying a PS3.

 

[gdb]

I got my PS3 set up to autostart when a disc is inserted and using the remote, the only reminder that I'm not using a dedicated disc player is in shutting it off.

 

[Kabukiman]

Now if only Parmamount would follow suit; I need my Star Trek!

 

[King Darkness]

Now if only Parmamount would follow suit; I need my Star Trek!

Its only a matter of time now

 

[SSC_Nerd]

I get the feeling that a lot of the companies on the sidelines were waiting for Warner to make a decision if they ever were to make one. I'd say we'll see some companies following suit in about a month or so. They gotsta get their sheet togetha'.

 

[darthviper107]

Yes, he did say he was going to buy a PS3. The question is, why? His post seemed (at least to me) to be seething with rage against Sony, even though it isn't Sony that "won" the format war. If he has such hatred for Sony (which was not the subject of my reply), then he has numerous options for buying into Blu-ray without buying a PS3.

The reason I don't like Sony is because they've been forcing the Blu-Ray format out even though there wasn't a reason for it, and it's probable that they paid Warner for the exclusivity and not that Warner actually thought it was the better format. It's like having a classroom vote where the class is splitted in half with the one person left to vote and then someone pays them to vote another way. Although I do acknowledge that Microsoft paid Paramount/Dreamworks for their exclusivity, but that didn't actually have much effect on tipping the scales. Plus all the issues they've created with the PS3. And I know they aren't the only Blu-Ray company, they are the main proponent.

As far as PS3 goes, it's a crappy gaming console with many reasons why that I don't really need to go into, but for someone who is looking into a Blu-Ray player it's the obvious choice. From what I know the cheaper players aren't as good, especially since the PS3 can update for the new profiles, plus it is a gaming console so the should be a couple good games on it. So why not.

 

[RoboDad]

Mine didn't come with a remote, just the game controller. And the buttons aren't intuitive and even if I get the seperate remote, it's not controllable with my universal remote. So I've always leaned towards HD when there's a choice.

I've never used the controller as a Blu-ray remote, so I can't speak to that, but the standard remote can be had for $20-25, and it does work very well. But, if you need universal compatibility, I've been told (by people who have it, although I have no personal experience with it) that there is a USB adapter you can purchase for the PS3 that makes it universal remote compatible, using a standard Sony DVD player configuration.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Sony hasn't won the format war, they've bought it. Perhaps when Paramount's contract expires they'll offer their format to the highest bidder and if Sony wins, that will be the final nail in the coffin. But it doesn't mean BR is any better, just that Sony was willing to buy the election.

From a production point of view it will have a great impact on smaller video companies. HD is much cheaper to author and manufacture than BR so many companies won't be able to keep up with the studios in releasing product.

 

[RoboDad]

The reason I don't like Sony is because they've been forcing the Blu-Ray format out even though there wasn't a reason for it, and it's probable that they paid Warner for the exclusivity and not that Warner actually thought it was the better format. It's like having a classroom vote where the class is splitted in half with the one person left to vote and then someone pays them to vote another way. Although I do acknowledge that Microsoft paid Paramount/Dreamworks for their exclusivity, but that didn't actually have much effect on tipping the scales. Plus all the issues they've created with the PS3. And I know they aren't the only Blu-Ray company, they are the main proponent.

As far as PS3 goes, it's a crappy gaming console with many reasons why that I don't really need to go into, but for someone who is looking into a Blu-Ray player it's the obvious choice. From what I know the cheaper players aren't as good, especially since the PS3 can update for the new profiles, plus it is a gaming console so the should be a couple good games on it. So why not.

As I already said, my post wasn't an attempt to convince you to start liking Sony. I was only pointing out that a) Sony is not the only proponent of Blu-ray (Panasonic is a very significant participant as well, nearly as large as Sony), and b) Sony is far from the only option when it comes to quality Blu-ray players. There are rumors that Panasonic will be unveiling a new Profile 2.0 player at CES, so perhaps a wait-and-see approach would be more prudent than lashing out at Sony just yet.

And, FWIW, Warner has already issued a statement to the press that there was no "payoff" for their exclusivity. You are free to disbelieve them, and accuse them of being in Sony's back pocket, but I see no reason for such suspicions or accusations.

 

[DouglasMcc]

The reason I don't like Sony is because they've been forcing the Blu-Ray format out even though there wasn't a reason for it, and it's probable that they paid Warner for the exclusivity and not that Warner actually thought it was the better format. It's like having a classroom vote where the class is splitted in half with the one person left to vote and then someone pays them to vote another way. Although I do acknowledge that Microsoft paid Paramount/Dreamworks for their exclusivity, but that didn't actually have much effect on tipping the scales. Plus all the issues they've created with the PS3. And I know they aren't the only Blu-Ray company, they are the main proponent.

As far as PS3 goes, it's a crappy gaming console with many reasons why that I don't really need to go into, but for someone who is looking into a Blu-Ray player it's the obvious choice. From what I know the cheaper players aren't as good, especially since the PS3 can update for the new profiles, plus it is a gaming console so the should be a couple good games on it. So why not.

That logic doesn't work Viper. You acknowledge that Microsoft paid off Dreamworks/Paramount, yet you write them a "get out of jail free" card. Why? Because it had less of an effect? Then that's Microsoft's fault for not going after someone higher up. And, it was Microsoft who started this whole "let's buy studio exclusivity" crap in the first place. Sony is only following suit. Sure, it's still underhanded ... and in the end, hurts consumers. But don't paint Microsoft as a saint in this little drama. That's like saying, "Well, Johnny, they caught you cheating on your test, but since you failed any way, no harm done." The logic just doesn't work.

Don't get me wrong, I own both a PS3 and a 360 HD-DVD player. I didn't want to wait out the format wars. I would disagree with you about PS3 being a "crappy" game machine. Sure, 360 has more exclusives now, but the future games for the PS3 look amazing. I have no doubt I will get my moneys worth out of both machines over the next 2 to 3 years.

 

[Vader AL]

Regular DVD's kicks both thier a$$es!

doesn't matter to me as long as there are choices in players to purchase. the competition has been great for free discs and specials. hopefully that will continue.

 

[RoboDad]

Sony hasn't won the format war, they've bought it. Perhaps when Paramount's contract expires they'll offer their format to the highest bidder and if Sony wins, that will be the final nail in the coffin. But it doesn't mean BR is any better, just that Sony was willing to buy the election.

It's difficult to compete with hyperbole, but there is no evidence of such action, and as I said above, Warner has already issued a press release flatly denying the rumors.

Most of the insider speculation I've been reading throughout the day has been that the decision wasn't made by Warner Home Video at all, but by the executives at the Time Warner corporate office. Apparently they felt that it was not cost-efficient to continue supporting two formats. The home video division is said to have tried to convince them to throw their support behind HD DVD, because of their long-standing relationship with Microsoft and the amount of effort they had already put into the success of that format. But the suits looked only at the bottom line from the Christmas shopping season, saw the results (Blu-ray outsold HD DVD by almost 2 to 1), and they made the call. Everyone is, of course, free to believe what they will.

 

[King Darkness]

Poor ol' HD DVD lovers and Sony haters.

 

[Jen]

I too am glad I am able to play both formats...so which ever wins doesn't really matter to me. I must say however that if both lose and Microsoft does the downloadable digital movies I will be PISSED AS ALL HELL because I f'n hate downloading crap. I hates it!!!! I like to just buy the product and put it in and play it..less hassle....less potential problems....The only time I download is for music tracks when I don't want to buy the whole CD. So if Blu-ray winning means Microsoft loses I will buy every damn movie that comes out on blu-ray whether I want it or not.

 

[RoboDad]

Poor ol' HD DVD lovers and Sony haters.

Now, now. Whether you had a horse in this race or not, there's no reason to pour salt on others' wounds. Many people made a significant investment in HD DVD players and movies, just as many did with Blu-ray. The unfortunate truth is that someone had to eventually win, and that means that some people will perceive their investment as wasted, and some will certainly want to place some of the blame for that on Sony, deservedly or not.

 

[King Darkness]

Down loadable digital movies doing away with any sort of DVD, be it standard or hi def, is YEARS away. We have to worry any about that happening any time soon.

 

[RoboDad]

I must say however that if both lose and Microsoft does the downloadable digital movies I will be PISSED AS ALL HELL because I f'n hate downloading crap. I hates it!!!! I like to just buy the product and put it in and play it..less hassle....less potential problems....The only time I download is for music tracks when I don't want to buy the whole CD. So if Blu-ray winning means Microsoft loses I will buy every damn movie that comes out on blu-ray whether I want it or not.

Boy, you are so right about that, Jen. If that Michael Bay rumor is true, then we have just dodged a huge bullet in the preservation of tangible, physical media for our movies. For music, I don't care so much, because music is, by nature, much more portable. Putting tons of music into an iPod is a great way to have a wide selection of tunes available anywhere you go. But for me that model breaks down very quickly when talking about movies.