formatwar
Latest
LG to halt production of Super Blu combo players, launch Blu-ray deck this year
Last we heard, LG was hanging tight to HD DVD in hopes of accommodating early adopters who still yearned for a dedicated player that handled both formats. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. In a recent report put out by the Korea Times, a spokesman for LG was quoted as saying that the "decision for it to halt the production of the combos" was "very tough," but he maintained that the outfit would "stop manufacturing the Super Blu series from the second half of this year." For those unfamiliar, the Super Blu crew contained the two-faced BH200 and BH100. Interestingly, the same individual noted that LG would be "unveiling a new Blu-ray player to catch up with the industry trend" at IFA in just a few months, but no further details were disclosed. August 29th just got a lot more interesting, yeah?[Thanks, Harmin]
Paramount payoff confirmed by Viacom earnings report
Although it's all water under the bridge now, we still find it interesting that Viacom's recent earnings statement confirmed that Paramount received compensation for dumping Blu-ray. But contrary to the New York Times article, Variety is reporting that it was only $29 Million, instead of $150 Million. This is of course only cash, and it is still entirely possible that the other $121 Million included future revenues that didn't materialize once things fell apart, but we have a hard time believing Paramount received that much in promotional services or free replication. And while the Warner payoff rumors weren't from a source as sound as the NYT, we'll still be keeping an eye on revenue statements from Engadget and Warner's shared parent company all the same.[Via Format War Central]
Toshiba's Brazil unit peddling Blu-ray hardware?
While Toshiba still hasn't announced any new HD moves since withdrawing from the format war earlier this year, its Brazilian arm may be moving on with a hybrid HTPC. Powered by a Core Duo 6300 and Vista Home Premium, Semp Toshiba's Spectra packs a TV tuner and an optical drive ready for Blu-ray and HD DVD and should be available later this month. Society Eletromercantil Paulista merged with Toshiba in 1977 and has operated as Semp Toshiba in Brazil ever since, but it might be working a little more independently of its parent company than usual on this project, unless there are more Toshiba-branded Blu-ray products on the way. We'll keep this one on rumor status pending a more official announcement (or a significant improvement in our Portuguese skills.) Check out another image after the break.
Analyst: PS3 to lead Blu-ray installed base until 2013
Blu-ray still has a lot of convincing to do before ABI believes it's the future, mostly because of upconverting DVD players. According to the analyst's figures, while 35% of DVD players sold today (that low?) upconvert, 60% will by 2013 (again, that low?). The state of Blu-ray hardware going forward isn't to their liking either, with principal analyst Steve Wilson stating "studios better hope that people are playing movies on their Playstations. Otherwise there's very little installed base." With PS3s accounting for 85% of Blu-ray players in 2008, ABI doesn't see things evening out until 2013, with high prices for dedicated players keeping sales volume lower than studios would like. Of course, ABI also saw combo drives as the next big thing in 2012, so we wouldn't return all of our high def discs just yet.
Shocker: Blu-ray sales way up year-over-year
The Q1 results for Blu-ray are in, and look very encouraging for the format: a 351-percent increase over Q1 2007. Obviously, the end of the format war is the biggest contributor, for studios and consumers alike. The real question is whether there's enough Blu momentum and mindshare for Q1 2008 to mark the magical "inflection point" we heard about at the CES BDA press conference. Sony certainly hopes so, and we hope HD media takes off among the general public, too. But darn those pesky recent VideoScan numbers that underscore the fragility of Blu-ray sales. Our suggestion (and plea) to studios: adopt a "build it, and they will come" approach by cranking out the Blu-ray titles to fuel demand.
Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today
We won't have to wait long to find out Universal's plans for Blu-ray, Reuters just noted that later today the studio will announce plans to release about 40 movies on the format in the second half of the year, including Doomsday. The only studio to support solely HD DVD from the beginning will come out with all three of its Mummy films: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King July 22 (sounds like someone's bitter about HD DVD and taking it out on Blu-ray owners to us), with catalog releases jumping over from red like Miami Vice, Knocked Up, American Gangster and others before the year is out. Keep an eye out for specifics later on, like whether those U-Control and community features from the HD DVD versions will make the jump intact
CyberLink's PowerDVD 8 pretends HD DVD never existed
Whoa there, partner. Anxious to pull the trigger on that upgrade to PowerDVD 8? If you plan on playing back any HD DVDs with it in the future, we'd politely recommend you didn't. Apparently CyberLink saw fit to remove HD DVD compatibility altogether from its latest version of PowerDVD, leaving v7.3 as the last remaining edition that played nice with red. Thankfully, the company has emailed out a statement to those questioning the move and assured us all that both v7.3 and v8.0 can be installed on a computer at the same time without issue, so at least all hope isn't lost. A lot can change in 16 months, huh?[Thanks, Ryan]
HD VMD clears up European Union, spring break related rumors
Alleviating worries that mere format war irrelevance had gotten our friends in the VMD camp down, a statement was issued today regarding stories "emerging" on the internets alleging EU officials had confiscated money from Microsoft and/or Sony, and given to NME to subsidize its fledgling red laser HD disc (Hadn't heard about it? Neither did we.) NME, the backers of HD VMD, would like everyone to know that not only is that completely false, it also did not have sex with Brad at Cabo San Lucas, as had been reported. With that rumor smashed we can go back to eagerly anticipating our pre-ordered Lazy Town HD VMDs, just 499,999 more to go!
Wal-mart offers up HD DVD returns
More good news for those left on the short end of the format war, Wal-Mart has quietly decided to offer refunds for anyone who purchased their HD DVD player between November 1, 2007 and now. You won't need the box it came in, but the receipt will be necessary, and get moving because this offer is only open until the 30th. A $50 gift card just 'cause this isn't, but for those looking to erase a red moment in their lives, Wal-mart's doors are open.[Thanks, Tavaris]Read - Wall Street JournalRead - Slickdeals.net
Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor
If you're suddenly overcome with a feeling akin to déjà vu, go ahead and kill that speed dial to your physician. For the second time in a month, Microsoft has actually come forward to squash a Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. This go 'round, an alleged statement from Redmond states quite outrightly that "Lite-On is not manufacturing Blu-ray drives for Xbox 360," and it continues on by noting that "customers who want a premium movie experience [can check out the] library of on-demand HD content" available to console owners. Still, we've grown accustomed to these denials by now, and while you'd think that having a pair of rumors on the matter smashed would put the issue to rest, we've all ideas this one isn't quite dead and buried just yet.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolves in a high-res burst of tears
Well, it's no surprise that it was going to happen, but the HD DVD Promotion Group officially dissolved today, leaving behind nothing but this terse message on its website, directing us to "individual selling agencies." And so, with literally nothing left of HD DVD, we formally close the sad chapter of consumer electronics history known as the HD Format War, remembering those times when HD DVD rode high, with low prices, more features and less restrictive rights management as its rallying cry, and the rantings of Michael Bay still only the delusional fantasies of a fool. May the resistance live on, and our PS3s always be reminded of a time when their ascension was not guaranteed. Red's dead, baby.
Format war's end to propel Blu-ray into 29 million homes this year
There's no doubt that many movie lovers were waiting until the format war came to some sort of conclusion before choosing a side, and now that Blu-ray has emerged victorious, it seems as if some analysts are fairly bullish on adoption rates. According to new research from Strategy Analytics, the end of the war will "propel [BD] into 29.4 million homes worldwide by the end of 2008." Also of note, it reckons that Sony's PS3 will "drive the Blu-ray market until 2009, after which standalone players will become the dominant segment." Of course, a study couldn't come out without some mention of 2012, so you can reportedly look forward to seeing 132 million BD-equipped homes in just four years. Now, the only question is when will BD players overtake DVD?
Best Buy Trade-in Center HD DVD prices posted
So what's your remnant of a format war gone by worth? Best Buy has updated its Trade-In Center website with prices for HD DVD players and movies, and quite frankly you're probably better off just keeping it. Prices for players are highest for combo players, like the BH-200 ($285*) and BD-UP5000 ($255), then for players equipped with high end scalers for DVD upconverting like the HD-XA2 ($165) then everything else like the Xbox 360 add-on ($21) or HD-A3 ($36). Movies (along with a player, not by themselves) net less than $3 each. Of course, there's always value in a fresh start so go ahead and check it out for yourself. *All prices assume excellent condition with all cables & manuals
Format heaven: 10 other failures HD DVD will meet
We've already dished out our suggestions for what to do with your HD DVD player now that the format war is over, but if you decide to retire it to a better place, what other formats will it meet in that digital cemetery in the sky? A comedic (albeit nostalgic) piece over at Popular Mechanics takes a look at the top ten now-defunct video formats Toshiba's high-def medium will congregate with, and while you may not be familiar with them all (Capacitance Electronic Discs and TeD, anyone?), it's a great look back at what could have been. Rest in peace, HD DVD -- you're in great company (so to speak).
Will Paramount go Blu in time for There Will Be Blood?
Things have been quiet in the ex-Red camp recently, and James from FWC brings up a good point, what's the deal with Paramount and Universal? Although it's too early to get concerned, it is only three weeks until the Oscar Winning, There Will Be Blood is set to be released on DVD. The Hollywood Reporter did say it expected both studios to release titles by late spring/early summer, but April 8th is more like mid-spring. The other title we'd miss is Cloverfield, which is due to release on April 22nd. We can kinda understand it taking Universal a little while to get up to speed on Blu-ray, but certainly Paramount hasn't forgotten how to make Blu-ray Discs between now and last August.
Hey, Office Depot: the format war is over
Yeah, we've seen some retail mix-ups before, but this one really leaves us scratching our heads. We know -- it can take some time before word trickles down and stores start slashing prices once a major high-definition movie format kicks the bucket, but a full month after we sadly let HD DVD go, this particular Office Depot -- located in Houston, Texas -- still hasn't come to terms with reality. And yes, this was snapped within the last 24 hours.[Thanks, Thomas]
Sony ups the investment in Blu-ray
Talk about a war chest! Coming off the Blu-ray win in the format war, Sony has announced plans to invest more than $100 million in its Terre Haute, IN plant. The facility is used for Blu-ray disc production, and Sony is budgeting for at least 65 more workers, $101 million in new equipment and $7.4 million in property improvements. The plant is mostly staffed by hourly workers, but Sony plans on 15 of those 65 positions to be salaried. The old adage about "spending money to make money" is true, and at this point we're not going to bother with asking whether the money was freed up from the format war or not. All we ask is that the increased Blu-ray disc production capacity helps move titles from the Sony archive to store shelves!
Best Buy offers HD DVD owners $10 million in gift cards, trade in, shoulder to cry on
Best Buy is following Future Shop, Circuit City and others in reaching out to casualties of the format war. In this case, anyone who bought an HD DVD player from Best Buy before February 23, 2008 can request a complimentary $50 gift card for each player. For those too traumatized to even look at their discontinued hardware and software, Best Buy also announced it's adding HD DVD players and media to its Trade-In Center program, starting March 21. No word on how much a player can net you, but once it's updated, check BestBuyTradeIn.com to get an estimate and decide how much holding onto the past is worth.[Thanks, Harmin C.]Update: Best Buy just issued a press release with additional information about the more than $10 million in gift cards it plans to distribute, and details on how to make sure you get yours, check out the full PR after the break.
Toshiba projects $669 million loss on HD DVD (and $459 million more)
While entering a format war is still worthy of a cautionary tale or two -- Sony, you may have been on a winning side this time, but we remember Betamax -- Toshiba appears to have escaped the fall of HD DVD a bit more intact than expected. Its official forecast for the financial year shows a loss of 65 billion yen ($669 million U.S.), a bit less than the ¥100b/ $1b U.S. figure anticipated last week. Unfortunately, the company as a whole is expecting slightly lower profits, so former red campers may not want to light cigars just yet.Update: That's actually 65 billion yen PLUS an additional one-time charge of 45 billion yen for a grand total ¥110b ($1.12 billion) going the wrong way in 2007's books. Hey Toshiba, uh, you guys want a Best Buy gift card?
HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on March 18th, 2008
Well this it, the very last HD DVD exclusive gets released tomorrow -- at least from any studio you've actually heard of. Although HD DVD exclusives have still been selling well, we don't expect Atonement to sell anywhere near as many titles as the past few hot HD DVD exclusives. Moving forward, HD DVD only has 16 titles left on the calendar and ten are Warner titles previously released on Blu-ray. So, starting next week, this will become the Blu-ray release post, where we'll focus on Blu-ray releases vs what's available in SD on DVD. Speaking of which, Universal is releasing the first season of the now canceled show Bionic Woman on DVD, but there's no mention of an HD version. The hottest title this week is without a doubt I Am Legend. Will Smith's night crawler movie is at the top of the Amazon DVD chart (that's right, it's outselling DVDs), so we expect it'll easily take number one on the Nielsen VideoScan numbers next Friday as well. The other Blu-ray title released this week is no slouch either, as Disney's Enchanted is at nine on the Amazon charts, with the DVD version sitting at two. HD DVD 413 vs Blu-ray 473*Blu-ray Enchanted (Walt Disney) I Am Legend (Warner) HD DVD Aquarium Impressions (Navarre Corporation) Atonement (Universal) Fireplace Impressions (Navarre Corporation) Justice League: The New Frontier (Warner) Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Warner) Mystic Forests (Navarre Corporation) * Blu-ray total does not reflect 32 Paramount titles that were previously officially available.
