Blu-ray loses Paramount/Dreamworks + Michael Bay flip-flops

[quotedea2cd11b8]LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc said on Monday they will release their next-generation DVD titles exclusively on HD DVD ahead of what they say could be the biggest holiday season ever for DVDs.

Paramount had sold titles in both the new high-definition formats -- HD DVD and Blu-Ray -- but settled exclusively on HD DVD after deciding that it offered better quality, lower-priced players and lower manufacturing costs, Kelley Avery, president of Paramount Home Entertainment, told Reuters.

"This has been the biggest summer on record for movies, it will be the biggest fourth quarter for popular movies for consumers," Avery said. "At the same time, we have HD DVD players that are truly affordable."

HD DVD and Blu-Ray are waging a battle to dominate the next generation of DVD players that promise better pictures, sound and in some cases more content in the multibillion-dollar home-entertainment arena.

So far, most of the major Hollywood studios are selling Blu-Ray titles, and HD DVD sales have lagged. But some HD DVD supporters hope to broaden their appeal to consumers based on cost. The lowest-priced, stand-alone HD DVD player sells for $299, compared with $499 for the lowest-cost Blu-Ray option.

Paramount's first releases under the exclusive HD DVD program include "Blades of Glory" on August 28, and the summer blockbusters "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third," due for release later this fall.

"SHREK" PREFERS HD DVD

DreamWorks Animation, maker of the blockbuster "Shrek" animated movie franchise, had not committed exclusively to either high-definition format but was swayed to HD DVD by the lower-cost player, DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Katzenberg said.

"They have a high-quality consumer experience that is now being offered at a price point that we believe is going to connect with the consumer," Katzenberg told Reuters. Continued...[/quotedea2cd11b8]

http//www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN2028331720070820

Score one for HD-DVD!

http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302][img="f6a5407302]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/84705198d6bc05414706b494e94357ed.gif[" alt=""/imgf6a5407302]

http//gizmodo.com/gadgets/format-war/state-of-high-definition-whos-winning-the-studio-support-war-291361.php

hellz yeah, just when I thought HD-dvd was gonna die. )

I like HD-DVDs but only to watch on my computer monitor / HDTV

The director of the transformers and a few other big hits has said that he will no longer do movies for paramount unless they change their minds.

[quote9d6c1fc999="ahaxton"]The director of the transformers and a few other big hits has said that he will no longer do movies for paramount unless they change their minds.[/quote9d6c1fc999]

WOW really? Do you have a source I want to tell my husband. He was devastated over their decision to drop Blu-Ray

I'm stll leaning towards HD-DVD instead of blue ray but I won't make up my mind for another year when prices drop

NYTimes confirm Paramount received a $150 million pay off to drop Blu-ray

if you think if it was about them liking the format you are mistaken lol

[quote782f2c6f96="egyptianruin"][quote782f2c6f96="ahaxton"]The director of the transformers and a few other big hits has said that he will no longer do movies for paramount unless they change their minds.[/quote782f2c6f96]

WOW really? Do you have a source I want to tell my husband. He was devastated over their decision to drop Blu-Ray[/quote782f2c6f96]

http//www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=415
http//www.411mania.com/movies/news/58699/%5BMovies%5D-Bay-Rejects-Transformers-2.htm

[quote6c6f751375="egyptianruin"]WOW really? Do you have a source I want to tell my husband. He was devastated over their decision to drop Blu-Ray[/quote6c6f751375]
It's on his blog but they might've removed the post. By an intermediary, he says they should be on both formats here-
http//www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2300[]http//www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2300

Bay is a douche anyway.

I don't know why you guys care so much one way or the other. Just buy whatever you prefer, no one is stopping you. I'm not taking sides but I hate exclusivity one way or the other as it harms consumers. I would be happy if all movies are releaed on both formats. Same goes for fucking console games. You HD-DVD fanboys have said you don't like BR because its DRM harms consumers (or is anti-consumer) but doesn't paying off a studio to the tune of $150 million for exclusivity hurt consumers as well? HDDVD has DRM as well (remember the hex fiasco) and they get royalties too, so both sides are greedy. Still, I know it's business, a competition, and that's why these things exist but at least quit using stupid reasoning to justify your fanboy-ness.

[quote2743949194="hehehhehe"]HDDVD has DRM as well (remember the hex fiasco)[/quote2743949194]

http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/3ed1090d0364d7e31762a26dc369b470.gif[" alt=""/img2743949194]

Of course HD DVD has DRM but it doesn't work like a Root Kit like Blu-Ray's BD+. Thats what I have a problem with.

... and I'll say it one more time and I won't repeat myself anymore (if you can't comprehend the words, its really not my problem)

I said the BD was [b2743949194][u2743949194]capable[/u2743949194][/b2743949194] (not that Sony would necessarily implement such a thing) of self-destruction (based on a 2 year old article from Engadget I posted). I never made up anything out of thin air, I merely stated it was capable and provided the article.

If you have a problem with it, then you should write to the author (Ryan Block) of the Engadget article instead of making accusations.

The article in question "the big hex fiasco" as hehehhehe puts it

[quote2743949194]On top of that, consumers should expect punishment for tinkering with their Blu-ray players, as many have done with current DVD players, for instance to remove regional coding. The new, Internet-connected and secure players will report any "hack" and the device can be disabled remotely.[/quote2743949194]

http//www.engadget.com/2005/09/02/blu-ray-players-to-punish-users-who-hack-their-gear/

That is all I'm going to say about the situation. I've repeated myself too many times and you still don't seem to get it.

[quote5737987989="h3x"]Of course HD DVD has DRM but it doesn't work like a Root Kit like Blu-Ray's BD+. Thats what I have a problem with.[/quote5737987989]
I have no idea what this means oops . could you elaborate or post a link?

[quote5b4bdfb272="h3x"][quote5b4bdfb272="hehehhehe"]HDDVD has DRM as well (remember the hex fiasco)[/quote5b4bdfb272]

http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/3ed1090d0364d7e31762a26dc369b470.gif[" alt=""/img5b4bdfb272]

Of course HD DVD has DRM but it doesn't work like a Root Kit like Blu-Ray's BD+. Thats what I have a problem with.

... and I'll say it one more time and I won't repeat myself anymore (if you can't comprehend the words, its really not my problem)

I said the BD was [b5b4bdfb272][u5b4bdfb272]capable[/u5b4bdfb272][/b5b4bdfb272] (not that Sony would necessarily implement such a thing) of self-destruction (based on a 2 year old article from Engadget I posted). I never made up anything out of thin air, I merely stated it was capable and provided the article.

If you have a problem with it, then you should write to the author (Ryan Block) of the Engadget article instead of making accusations.

The article in question "the big hex fiasco" as hehehhehe puts it

[quote5b4bdfb272]On top of that, consumers should expect punishment for tinkering with their Blu-ray players, as many have done with current DVD players, for instance to remove regional coding. The new, Internet-connected and secure players will report any "hack" and the device can be disabled remotely.[/quote5b4bdfb272]

http//www.engadget.com/2005/09/02/blu-ray-players-to-punish-users-who-hack-their-gear/

That is all I'm going to say about the situation. I've repeated myself too many times and you still don't seem to get it.[/quote5b4bdfb272]
LO fucking L. I'm sorry you got so offended but I was talking about the hex code leak where they made a big fuss on digg. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but the "hex fiasco" had nothing to do with you. Quit being such a baby. lol Either that or quit being so super defensive and thinking people are attacking you when they're not.

As for that bluray DRM self destruct BS, people can read the discussion [url==http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?p=706111#706111]here[=http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?p=706111#706111]here[/url]. No need to repeat it here, it's not like your argument gets any stronger. Just from that insignificant blog post and no original article (try the link), you posted that these players can (or [b5b4bdfb272][u5b4bdfb272]capable[/u5b4bdfb272][/b5b4bdfb272] of, what's the difference) self destruct. That was hilarious. Don't tell me to take it up with the blogger when you used the info to support your argument.

I think that's all you're going to say because there is no real defense for fanboy behavior. Like I've said before, just drop it.

Read the discussion that he posted (it only repeats the same thing as I've posted here already). I will always stand by my words. You can accuse and call me a fanboy to your heart's content, it won't change a damn thing.

I'm confused. what can I do with HD DVD that I can't do with blu-ray?

Blu-ray has more storage per layer (HD DVD has 15 GB on a single layer, 30 GB on a double layer whereas Blu-ray has 25 GB on a single layer, and 50 GB on a double layer).

HD DVD is region-free, where as Blu-ray is region-locked (so you can't play a European disc in a U.S. BD player and vice-versa).

As for actual features, HD DVD features HDi http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDi_Interactive_Format, and Blu-ray has BD-J http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BD-J.

Other than that, the resolution is the exact same as they both use the same video codecs except that HD DVD supports more audio codecs as mandatory (Dolby Digital Plus, and lossless formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD).

To sum it up More choices with audio, region-free, and better interactive features.

maybe paying $150 million to keep this stupid format war alive is worse for consumers than not being able to play a European disc or a certain kind of audio?

Michael Bay is now flip-flopping...

[quote93c8260f5a]
Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three Blu-Ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-Ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 130 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.

As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.

So today I saw 300 on HD-DVD, it rocks!

So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!

Michael Bay[/quote93c8260f5a]

http//www.michaelbay.com/blog/index.html

I don't care if Michael Bay likes eating dog poo, we need more movies like Transformers....

[quote2531279330="h3x"]Michael Bay is now flip-flopping...

[quote2531279330]
Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three Blu-Ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-Ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 130 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.

As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.

So today I saw 300 on HD-DVD, it rocks!

So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!

Michael Bay[/quote2531279330]

http//www.michaelbay.com/blog/index.html[/quote2531279330]

Also read now that he flip flopped with Pearl Harbor like 5 times during pre-production. Seems like he just cares for the money.

By the way, he may be a director, but he is a crappy writer! His post sounds INCREDIBLY fake and I can just see that behind the scenes he was influenced back to Paramount for the cash.

I agree... and this is the kicker He deleted the Anti-Paramount post he made on his blog and replaced it with the following

[quote5e1119bf53]Nelson here...

It appears that Transformers will be released on on regular DVD & HD-DVD only and not Blu-Ray.

Paramount/Dreamworks has decided to drop it's support for Blu-Ray. That means you must either own a Toshiba HD-DVD player or have the HD-DVD add-on for the xBox 360 to view Transformers in HD.[/quote5e1119bf53]

[quote67f7e3dc8e="h3x"]I agree... and this is the kicker He deleted the Anti-Paramount post he made on his blog and replaced it with the following

[quote67f7e3dc8e]Nelson here...

It appears that Transformers will be released on on regular DVD & HD-DVD only and not Blu-Ray.

Paramount/Dreamworks has decided to drop it's support for Blu-Ray. That means you must either own a Toshiba HD-DVD player or have the HD-DVD add-on for the xBox 360 to view Transformers in HD.[/quote67f7e3dc8e][/quote67f7e3dc8e]

LOL Sad thing is my HDMI port on my TV is taken up by...duh duh duh... my PS3. I have the HD-DVD Player add on but its been pretty much useless until now, actually the Blu-Ray too.

Until they decide on whats on keeping both, getting rid of Blu-Ray, getting rid of HD-DVD, going back to laser disk or hiring actors to come to my house to reenact the movies, I ain't buying any movies in high def. Anyway half the movies out there in high def are crappy anyway.

Aside from the $150 million "payout", Paramount CTO Alan Bell explains why they switched to HD DVD

[quote1127bcac18]In a new interview, Paramount's chief technology officer offers up the most detailed explanation yet of the studio's technical rationale for switching to HD DVD.

With reports swirling that Paramount and sister studio DreamWorks received up to $150 million dollars in incentives to drop Blu-ray, Alan Bell, executive vice president and CTO for Paramount Pictures says there's more to his company's decision to dump Blu-ray than simply business dealings.

In an interview in PC World Magazine, Bell said that after publishing titles on both formats, Paramount had found HD DVD to have more stable tech specs and leaner programming code than its high-def rival, advantages that the executive attributes directly to the format's outgrowth out of the DVD Forum.

"[HD DVD] was launched in a very stable way, with stable specifications, and they had specified a reference player model, so all players had to be compatible with the HDi interactivity layer, and all players had to be capable of the interactivity," explained Bell. "That speaks to the DVD Forum, that it published specs that were complete and market-ready, and that it didn't need to publish up [and change the specs], as Blu-ray has. To some degree, [such changes are] going to create some legacy issues."

Of Blu-ray's greater storage capacity than HD DVD, the executive called it "a little bit overrated," saying that most titles don't require a capcity more than 30GB, and in cases where they do, Paramount would issue a second disc for bonus features.

"Making a choice like the one Paramount has made is a multifaceted choice," said Bell. "It depends upon manufacturability, the reliability of players, the cost, the infrastructure that's developed to support our creation of titles. Many different factors came into play--including capacity. When Paramount made this decision, we considered the broad spectrum."[/quote1127bcac18]

http//www.pcworld.com/article/id,136253-c,dvdtechnology/article.html