Blu-rayExclusive
Latest
Kino International going Blu-ray exclusive
A little late, sure, but Kino International has finally decided to join everyone else and go Blu-ray exclusive. Reportedly, the foreign film distributor has become the latest indie to bid HD DVD a fond farewell and focus its future support on BD. We haven't seen a definitive launch date for its first Blu-ray title (which is likely to be Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels), but word on the street has it launching sometime this fall. We're also told that Kino has "a number of [other] Blu-ray releases in the works," but it seems that we'll have to wait things out before discovering which titles it's referencing.
Amazon officially makes Blu-ray format of choice
No surprises here, but apparently Amazon is staying on top of the format war happenings in an attempt to clarify the issue for potential HDM customers. According to a recent blog posting on the site, Blu-ray is dubbed "the remaining high-definition disc format," and it also noted that consumers that have "been waiting to jump into high-def have a clear path to follow." According to Peter Faricy, vice president of movies and music at Amazon, the firm is now "recommending Blu-ray as the preferred digital format," and it fully expects to update its High-Def 101 page accordingly over the next few days.[Via Blu-ray, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Paramount and Universal to publish films on Blu-ray
Not a whole lot to go on right now, but German site HDTV Praxis has it that both Paramount and Universal will now make the obvious choice and publish their films on Blu-ray. Notably, this follows hints seen in certain Circuit City databases as well as word that we've received noting that both studios would indeed make things easy on everyone and simply support the one format still standing. Interestingly, DreamWorks isn't mentioned in the linked article per se, but we've all ideas it'll be following suit shortly.[Thanks, Khattab]Update: Universal's president Craig Kornblau had this to say: "While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray." Thanks, Kiwi616!
Samsung expected to focus efforts on Blu-ray
Not like it's any surprise or anything, but the company known for its fairly continuous stream of Blu-ray / HD DVD combo players is reportedly expected to hone in on Blu in the very near future. If you'll recall, we heard Onkyo make a similar statement earlier this month, and according to an unspecified Samsung official, it's looking to "show more interest in Blu-ray products than rival HD DVD." Unfortunately, that's all the firm would utter on the record, but really, it pretty much says it all. 'Course, it remains to be seen what will happen to the forthcoming BD-UP5500, but don't be shocked to hear that Sammy's next high-definition movie player only understands one of the two formats.
Niveus pledges allegiance to Blu-ray, bids adieu to HD DVD
Not like it's any huge surprise or anything -- after all, the HD DVD deathwatch is already in full effect -- but Niveus has just informed us that due to "customer demand and format war influences," it will be adding support for Blu-ray and "ceasing production of HD DVD-based servers." According to CEO Tim Cutting, "incorporating Blu-ray into its offerings has always been part of the plan, but the demand from its customers, market trends, and recent announcements expedited its decision to come to market with Blu-ray support sooner rather than later." Adding more salt to the wound, he continued by saying that "while it has stood behind HD DVD as a viable high-definition platform, company engineers have been running Blu-ray in its testing facilities and are very impressed with the performance and integration with its servers." Another one bites the proverbial dust, eh?
Poll: Did you cancel your Netflix account after the Blu-ray exclusive decision?
In the aftermath of yesterday's blockbuster (ahem) move by Netflix to only stock Blu-ray titles in the future, we heard quite a bit of ranting that contained words like "finished" and "canceled." Still, we're interested in utilizing our super-duper scientific polling mechanisms to truly get a gauge on how many cancellation e-mails Netflix can expect thanks to its decision. Don't be left out! %Poll-9365%
ADV Films going Blu-ray exclusive?
We've been glossing this one over for some time now, as to this day we still can't find a confirmation from ADV Films one way or the other, but we felt it prudent to at least point out that the anime publisher could be going Blu-ray exclusive -- according to a "highly placed source at the company," anyway. ICv2 News has it that the company will be siding with Blu alone and releasing titles on the format "as early as this Spring," and while specifics weren't mentioned, said source was quoted as saying that newer flicks were "more important than catalog" films right now, so we'd expect some of the newest material to show up on BD first. Once again, we're taking this with a healthy dose of salt for the moment -- but it's not like we haven't seen major anime studios hem and haw over this very decision before.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sweden's SF and Scanbox go Blu-ray exclusive
Granted, HD DVD didn't exactly have a foothold on the Swedish market to begin with, but the red camp is still losing two firms that it certainly wouldn't mind having around. Reportedly, both SF and Scanbox have decided to follow in Warner's footsteps and distribute their high-definition films on Blu-ray alone. As for the near future, there doesn't seem to be a concrete date for when SF will roll out its films in Blu, but purportedly, Scanbox will get things going as early as April.[Via Blu-ray, thanks Kiwi616]
Onkyo giving pause to continued HD DVD support?
Sure, we're filing this squarely in the rumor folder for now, but we still felt it prudent to bring to light a number of interesting comments made recently by an Onkyo representative. Reportedly, said rep was quoted by Home Cinema Choice as saying that "given the current, multiple uncertainties surrounding the Blu-ray versus HD DVD issue, Onkyo has decided against bringing any further DV-HD805s to the UK." Additionally, he / she continued on by saying that "if a category becomes commoditized -- as this sector shows signs of becoming -- there's less reason to commit huge resources to it when they may be better employed elsewhere." Granted, we've no idea if a decision made on the other side of the pond will have anything to do with the US, but regardless, another HD DVD supporter falling by the wayside isn't good for the red camp no matter how you slice it.[Via TiVo Lovers]
No, Circuit City's not shoving HD DVD out the door
While news was running rampant last week about Circuit City's inexplicable price cuts on some of the more popular HD DVD players, we had a hunch it wasn't exactly a sign of disownment. Sure enough, it's now being reported that a Circuit City representative has informed Punch Jump that the clearance prices were "inadvertent." To be fair, we're a bit hesitant to believe that's entirely factual, either, but nevertheless, the same rep also mentioned that HD DVD sales have been "strong" and that the big box retailer would remain "platform agnostic" for the time being.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Woolworths demoting HD DVD players to online sales only
According to new reports, Woolworths is following the wave and will be banishing HD DVD players from its stores starting in March. Reportedly, the move was substantiated by the fact that Blu-ray Discs outsold HD DVD titles "ten-to-one" in Woolies stores over the Christmas holidays, and in just a few weeks, consumers scouting a new HD DVD player from this particular retailer will have to place their order online. Interestingly, we're not told whether or not the firm plans on phasing out actual HD DVD movies as well, but we suppose we don't have long before finding out.[Via GamesIndustry, image courtesy of Stives-Town]
Grant's Appliances reportedly ditching HD DVD
We wouldn't call this one definite just yet, but according to "sources" cited by TGDaily, a Chicagoland retailer is shedding its purple skin in favor of Blu. Reportedly, it has "stopped ordering new HD DVD supply" entirely, and while it's said that existing inventory has been depleted, we reckon you may be able to score a real deal should you find a locale with one last HD-A3 just begging for an owner. 'Course, whether or not you should plunk down any coin whatsoever on HD DVD -- considering the state of things and all -- is another matter entirely.[Thanks, Dave]
Blu-ray players grab 93 percent of market after Warner went Blu
According to the latest NPD group report, during the month of December Blu-ray players held 60 percent of the HD media player market -- despite the fact that HD DVD players were considerably cheaper. While that might've helped Warner in its decision to go Blu, the move has definitely had a dramatic effect on player sales since. According to the same study the week after the announcement, Blu-ray players were able to grab 93 percent of the market, which puts the year to date (short, we know) share for Blu-ray players at 70 percent. Granted, it's hard to put too much stock in just a week or two of data, but if this and the recent media sales numbers (85 percent) becomes a trend, maybe this won't be such a slow death for HD DVD after all.[Via Blu-ray.com]
Wal-Mart to reserve shelf space for Blu-ray players alone?
We're not exactly sure what to make of this just yet -- after all, it seems that this news would've circled the world ten times over by now if there were any substance to it -- but according to Stephen Pope, chief global market strategist at Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, Wal-Mart could be kicking HD DVD players to the e-curb. More specifically, he outrightly claims that Wally World has said that "physically, in its stores, it will only sell Blu-ray players," though HD DVD players would be made available through its website. Obviously, we've seen no official word one way or another from Wal-Mart about this proclamation, but it is a curious assertion to make without any underlying knowledge. We'll keep you posted -- if there's anything to keep you posted about, that is. Hit the read link for the video proof, it's right around the 1:09 mark.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: Reader Dave reckons the fellow misspoke and meant to say "Target." Sounds quite likely, actually.
Germany's Senator Entertainment follows Constantin, goes Blu-ray only
If you were wondering just how long you'd have to wait until the next domino fell, wonder no more. Germany's own Senator Home Entertainment is reportedly following in the footsteps of Constantin Film AG and will stop supporting HD DVD. Notably, any films that were already scheduled to arrive on HD DVD will supposedly still ship, but after March 1, 2008, the studio will be supporting Blu-ray exclusively. Another one bites the dust, we suppose.[Thanks, Khattab]
BBC still mulling Blu-ray exclusive decision
We already knew that New Line Cinema (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies) and HBO Home Video would be following Warner into the land of the Blu, but it seems as if BBC Video (which also distributes through Warner) has yet to make a decision of its own. According to TVShowsOnDVD, The Beeb has reiterated that it will continue to support both HD DVD / Blu-ray for now and "will evaluate the marketplace before committing to one format." Apparently, Planet Earth has been moving quite well on the red front, and considering just how different its content is compared with New Line / HBO, we wouldn't be shocked to see it stick with both for awhile longer. Still, the cards are certainly stacked in BD's favor, but only time will tell if the BBC will continue to bleed purple.
HBO hops on bandwagon, also going Blu-ray exclusive
Merely days after hearing New Line affirm that it would indeed be following Warner Bros. to the Blu side, we're now seeing confirmation that HBO (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies) will be making the same leap. According to reports, HBO Video president Henry McGee has stated that HBO will too be "following the same policy as Warner Home Video" -- though we can't really imagine anyone being shocked about the decision. The blows just keep on comin', eh?[Thanks, Utah]
Is New Line going Blu-ray exclusive, too?
While everyone's eyes have been (understandably) fixated on Warner's sudden -- but not completely unexpected -- leap to the Blu-ray wagon, we've been wondering what would happen to New Line (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies). As you know, the aforementioned studio is currently format neutral, simultaneously releasing such titles as Pan's Labyrinth on both HD DVD and Blu-ray, but new reports are suggesting that tables could be turning. According to a writeup over at Variety, it outright proclaims that "Warner sister company New Line confirmed it will shift allegiance to Blu-ray only as well." However, a conference call with Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara -- sat in on by High-Def Digest -- reportedly had the fearless leader stating that "[New Line and HBO would] make whatever decision they're going to make," and he concluded by noting that while those decisions should be handed down "very quickly," they "are not covered by the initial announcement." Quite honestly, we wouldn't be shocked in the slightest to see New Line declare its unending love for Blu and turn a cold shoulder to HD DVD, but it seems it hasn't got up the courage to actually do so quite yet.[Thanks, Ben]Read - New Line going Blu-ray exclusiveRead - New Line, HBO not covered in Warner announcement
Warner goes Blu-ray exclusive
We've all been wondering what to make of those whispers that Warner (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies) was indeed going Blu-ray exclusive, and apparently, those rumblings are true. Based on a breaking release, Warner Bros. Entertainment will be releasing its high-definition titles "exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year." According to Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, the move is a "strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," and he also noted that "the window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger." Notably, Warner will continue to release on both HD DVD and Blu-ray until May 2008, but after that, it's BD for life for this studio. Oh, and while there's nothing official mentioning any sort of payoff, we're hearing that quite a sum was dished out to make this happen. Full release posted after the jump.[Via Deadline Hollywood Daily, thanks Todd]
