[BenchyUK]

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO

GO HD-DVD

[flukeskywalker]

Loving this too...

Was getting a bit worried about the amount of HD DVD's I was buying, and that the format could be short-lived...

Bring on Transformers!

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by guttersnipez

I'm glad i own both formats

Likewise. I wonder how this move away from BluRay will effect the other 'exclusives' studios. Will it encourage BluRay only studios to go dual? Will it encourage dual studios (New Line, Warner, HBO) to go single format? Of more interest of course is will it encourage BadAss to go dual?

When is this 'exclusivity' meant to start anyway? Is my BluRay Jack Ryan boxset pre-order safe or do I need to re-order in HD DVD?

[High_Def DVD]

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse

[zz101]

Originally Posted by norliss

Completely unlike the way Sony bought studio/retailer support, of course.

I assume you're a BR owner...

By propping up HD-DVD with big money deals HD-DVD doesnt need to be successful to survive - this move will just unecessarily prolong the format war with absolutely no gain to the consumer. There is no need for two competing formats.

And yes I'm a BR owner but also an HD-DVD early adopter

[Sonic67]

"Ken Kutaragi, Fox studios, Columbia Pictures, Sir Howard Stringer, Blockbuster video, Spiderman, Disney, vi har slått dem alle sammen, vi har slått dem alle sammen [we have beaten them all, we have beaten them all]. Bill Hunt, can you hear me? Bill Hunt [...] your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"

Couldn't resist

[High_Def DVD]

Napalm, son. Nothing in the world smells like that.

[cobbler]

I was still trying to decide what format to buy transformers on, I guess Paramount just made that choice for me. Hooooray for being dual format.

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by zz101

By propping up HD-DVD with big money deals HD-DVD doesnt need to be successful to survive - this move will just unecessarily prolong the format war with absolutely no gain to the consumer. There is no need for two competing formats.

Didn't Sony pay money to Target for carrying blu-ray players? Both sides are doing it.

[Jeff]

I guess technically I'm Neutral since I have a Blu-Ray rom and a preowned copy of Casino Royal.

[zz101]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

Didn't Sony pay money to Target for carrying blu-ray players? Both sides are doing it.

The difference is the $150m is probably way more than they would have made from releasing stuff on either format for several years - the business is in the bribes not the actual disks released. They may as well just have paid them not to release anything in HD.

Its a pretty sorry state of affairs IMO.

[BadAss]

HD-DVD isn't out of the woods just yet.

Let's not forget the BDA can flex it's muscles too.

Let's say George Lucas was as cheap as those Paramount execs (ok 150 million dollar cheap) we could see SW allot quicker than GL had been holding out for. Lets not forget Fox will never release on HD-DVD because AACS is too week.

I seriously think this will speed up some HD titles from Disney and Fox. Sony/MGM/Fox will release the James Bond collection and we'll have a total showdown of software.

[Jeff]

Blu Ray might feel they need to do more to counter this, it's win win for the comsumer.

[jbravo2uk]

Here is the latest press release.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Announce

Paramount and DreamWorks Animation Each Declare Exclusive Support for HD DVD

Movies Distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment Including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation SKG, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films to be Released Exclusively in HD DVD

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA), each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit "Blades of Glory" on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third". These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.

"The combination of Paramount and DreamWorks Animation brings a critical mass of current box office hits to consumers with a line-up of live action and animated films that are perfect for HD DVD," stated Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, which is currently the leading studio in domestic box office. "Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience. I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."

"We decided to release "Shrek the Third" and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience -- families," stated DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. "We believe the combination of this year's low-priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home."

With the rapid increase of HD TV screens in households, and audiences wanting to enjoy the total entertainment experience, HD DVD has emerged as the most affordable way for consumers to watch their movies in high definition. In addition to pristine quality, HD DVD also offers consumers the chance to personalize the movie-watching experience, to interact with their movies and even to connect with a community of other fans.

Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today's announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company has theatrically released a total of fourteen animated feature films, including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Over the Hedge, Flushed Away, and Shrek the Third. DreamWorks Animation's newest release, Bee Movie, opens in theaters November 2, 2007.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks Animation

[7hil]

How confusing!

I was a HD-DVD supporter, then swung to Blu-ray, now this!

Why would they do this if BD is outselling HD-DVD 2:1?

[Moosh]

Originally Posted by zz101

So the only way HD-DVD can survive is to be propped up with 'bribes'? This just smells of MS.

Can we not turn this into a mud slinging thread?

You know, this news might turn another studio or two to HD DVD and then the format war would be over!

You've got both HD DVD and Blu-ray capability. It shouldn't affect you too much.

Moosh

[Moosh]

Originally Posted by 7hil

I was a HD-DVD supporter, then swung to Blu-ray, now this!

Best to swing both ways?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Moosh

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by BadAss

I seriously think this will speed up some HD titles from Disney and Fox. Sony/MGM/Fox will release the James Bond collection and we'll have a total showdown of software.

Good - a win win situation for dual format owners then

[cobbler]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

According to HighDefDigest this move to HD DVD exclusivity will start from August 28 with Blades Of Glory.

Will there not be lots of bru ray discs pressed already?? Maybe it's bury them in the desert time, ET style

[zz101]

Originally Posted by jbravo2uk

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs.

What a load of rubbish - it was the $150m that swung it.

[scartlead]

Think this puts paid to the expectation of universal going neutral. Maybe Warner's next to go hd dvd exclusive ..hmmmm

[BadAss]

Looks like I'll be reactivating my Newshosting account. Anyone who wants a copy of Tranformers PM me.

Just kidding about the PM bit.

[zz101]

Originally Posted by scartlead

Think this puts paid to the rumors of universal going neutral.

How so? Universal are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Paramount are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Maybe Paramount took next years exclusivity cheque.

It will be interesting to see how long HD-DVD can continue to be bankrolled like this...

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

According to HighDefDigest this move to HD DVD exclusivity will start from August 28 with Blades Of Glory.

Surely Blades Of Glory Blu-ray discs have been produced already, if not already sent out to suppliers

[BULL3T_OR_BLADE]

Will this effect HD-DVD being region locked in the future?? I hope not, It's nice not having to worry at that at the moment. Only been buying Blu so far if it's UK compatable.

[BadAss]

I can't wait for the Media back lash myself. If Universal were feeling the heat to go Neutral how are Paramount going to feel for turning their back on 2/3s of consumers. Lets face it if 90 of BD supporters are PS3 owners how are they suppose to feel now that Transformers is going to HD-DVD?

I see alot of people will buy this on DVD and upscale.

[QUOTE=zz101;5355420]How so? Universal are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Paramount are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Maybe Paramount took next years exclusivity cheque.

It will be interesting to see how long HD-DVD can continue to be bankrolled like this...[/QUOTE]


It'll be interesting to see how long The Blu ray association can afford to keep re-writing it's promotional literature

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by zz101

It will be interesting to see how long HD-DVD can continue to be bankrolled like this...

Probably quite a long time...at least if Microsoft has their way. US$150million probably isn't as much as it would hurt to allow their own iHD system to fall before arch rival Sun's system.

[zz101]

Originally Posted by jackal

It'll be interesting to see how long The Blu ray association can afford to keep re-writing it's promotional literature

I doubt it'll cost them $150m though

[scartlead]

Originally Posted by zz101

How so? Universal are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Paramount are only exclusive because they are paid to be.

Maybe Paramount took next years exclusivity cheque.

It will be interesting to see how long HD-DVD can continue to be bankrolled like this...

Think i should have changed rumour to expectation , stated on some threads lately. I'm sure there are alot of emails bouncing around now cancelling paramount pre-orders on BR....