Empire Mag - "skewed" to Blu-Ray

[Canary_Jules]

Hi, I subscribe to Empire magazine, which is usually a pretty excellent read on movies, dvds and the like. However, I was really naffed off by an article in the latest edition (July). In their 'At Home' section they have a page on "The view in HD - Reports from the frontline: Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD". They begin by saying that "for a long time it seemed as the though Blu-ray vs HD DVD battle was over before it began" and then comment that the walkover that the BDA had expected and the win they have broadcast basically hasn't happened. Fair enough, good point. They then go on to say that movie lovers should ask themselves whether they really need either HD format given that it isn't a major step up from DVD - a moot point indeed. I was pleased, however, that in the next paragraph they announced that over the next few months their 'At Home' section will cover new releases from the new HD formats. But what really naffed me off is what what came next: "In the coming months, this column will be looking at the latest releases in both formats, skewed towards the currently more popular (and better supported) Blu-Ray Disc (BD)." !! They will be deliberately skewing the reviews toward BD!! Having admitted that there's a real format war on, and having commented that the BDA's sales have mainly come from an underselling PS3, they then go on to skew the column toward that format! Underneath they have 4 movie reviews - 3 Blu discs and only 1 HD!

I have written an email to them expressing my displeasure and asking them to reconsider. I have questioned whether BD is really 'more popular' and have drawn their attention in particular to the superior HD-DVD attach rate and sales of standalone units. Sure, more people have a Blu-ray capable player in their home due to PS3, but those same people are hardly ecstatic about it as a movie machine given the half a disc attach rate that applies to them. As far as I see it it's not the keen gamers who are also casual movie watchers (who IMO make up the bulk of PS3 owners) who will be purchasing Empire - a movie fan's mag, and yet by 'skewing' their mag Empire will be exercising a perverse influence over those real movie fans who have yet to make a commitment.

If you're as naffed off as me about this then may be you could write a short email as well? The column is called 'At Home' and the writer is David Hughes. You can send your email to empire@emap.com

Jules

[FunkyMonkey]

Well I'm a movie fan and a very casual gamer who bought a PS3 for the movies firstly. So from a purely biassed, short-term point of view I am glad of what Empire are doing.

From an objective point of view, however, HD-DVD carries a LOT more titles that I desire as a movie buff. Therefore, in the longer run, if I have to buy a HD-DVD or universal player, which by this time next year I can see retailing for under £200, then Emprie will have got it wrong and I won't be too unhappy.

Yours uncertainly

Funky Monkey.

[Canary_Jules]

Hi, well I just got off the phone from speaking with Empire. I spoke to Helen O'Hara the Reviews Editor, and it was very interesting indeed. While she recognised that the 'war has hardly begun' she said she thought that Blu-ray had an technical advantage in that it had 50gb discs. I pointed out that while that meant a lot in terms of PC back up or even games, it has so far not meant better quality movies and that comparable Blu discs and HD releases generally received the same marks - there's nothing between them. She said that they would be keeping the sales of both formats under review and the 'skew' of the column would reflect this on a monthly basis. So one would hope that should HD-DVD sales overtake Blu the column would begin to be skewed in HD's favour (though I doubt it). I'm not sure a 'skewed' approach to either format is a practical way to proceed. Her main point however was that they are very open to reviewing HD-DVD movies as well as Blu, and they have both formats set up in their office to this effect. However, she said that they had asked for review discs from the HD-DVD suppliers and had received none! She had blu discs 'coming out my ears'. I pushed further and it appeared that she had no discs from Warner, either Blu or HD, none from Paramount or Universal. She said that the review of Children of Men in HD in the latest edition was based on a copy of the disc that they had to buy in the shops!! This is SCANDALOUS! What the heck are these companies doing not supplying their discs to one of the UK's top magazines!! Seriously guys I think we need to get on these companies case. Universal needs a rocket up their bottom! As for Paramount and Warner they should be supplying HD-DVD and Blu for review. I'm only asking for parity here!

[Timbo21]

Yes, completely agree with you.

Many will have seen the HD pamphlet in HMV, with first 19 pages on BD, and the last 6 on HD DVD. BD is described as having 4-6 times the resolution of DVD, whereas HD DVD apparently only has 4 times!

A pamphlet also dropped out of my Home cinema Choice magazine, which was a 'What Video' guide to Blu-ray. No mention whaatsoever of HD DVD.

However, HCC & What Hifi do seem to favour the HD DVD players, because they deliver at a good price. What Hifi does have tremendous clout. Possibly the most? I don't know, but some of the gumpf that is springing up is extremely one sided.

T.

[andythescientis]

Isn't this a case of "so what" with respect to the UK. We'll have very little to no bareing on the outcome of this war, and the companies behind it know it.

Toshiba is cutting US hardware prices, and bundling discs left right and center at the moment. That's where their focus us, sadly we're pretty irrelevant to the whole thing..

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by andythescientis

Isn't this a case of "so what" with respect to the UK. We'll have very little to no bareing on the outcome of this war, and the companies behind it know it.

Toshiba is cutting US hardware prices, and bundling discs left right and center at the moment. That's where their focus us, sadly we're pretty irrelevant to the whole thing..

Yup, I think you're right there. We care because we live here, but basically unimportant.

[peterweg]

Empire Mag are perfectly entitled to be biased, everybody else is.
Its a commercial decision.

[Nebby]

Originally Posted by peterweg

Its a commercial decision.

Spot on.

The Blu-Ray camp seems to have thrown a lot more dosh at promoting their product than the HD camp, and I'm sure BD backed studio / format advertising will have had a hand in shaping Empire's decision. That's publishing for you.

Frankly I could care less. I stopped reading Empire and Total Film yonks ago, as I felt both had become far too repetitive. Oh for the days when magazines were all about the editorial rather than selling advertising.

As for BD and HD...I look forward to the days when all the 'technology' angles have been done to death, and none of us cares whether the disc we are watching is BD or HD. I just want to watch a good movie...good picture quality and audio should be a given.

[TrevorS]

Just wondering if the newly formed European HD DVD Marketing Group should be looking at this issue.

http://hiddenwires.co.uk/resourcesne...070330-05.html

Just took a look at the UK website and it wasn't clear to me how to go about contacting them. I've posted regarding this to Amir in the hope there is something useful he might be able to do, but it's obviously not within his direct purview.

Thanks for caring about this issue and Trevor for brining it to my attention. I have asked the team look into and get it fixed. No reason for a magazine to only provide such info based on availability of discs....

Having made the trip to come and visit some of you, hopefully you don't think that we don't care about your market. We certainly do!

[Canary_Jules]

Originally Posted by amirm

Thanks for caring about this issue and Trevor for brining it to my attention. I have asked the team look into and get it fixed. No reason for a magazine to only provide such info based on availability of discs....

Having made the trip to come and visit some of you, hopefully you don't think that we don't care about your market. We certainly do!

That's great to hear!

[Goooner]

Just bought the latest issue of DVD Review. Inside there's a little magazine by the makers of Total Film, Total Blu Ray. All Blu Ray, not a mention of HD-DVD.

[Nic Rhodes]

I think this is just more typical of their lack of knowledge on the formats and if they also have lack of experience with them as well then factual comparisons won't be forth coming.I have no problem with anyone / any organisation having a bias, as long as they have got there though good reasoning / logic and preferably scientifically based but some just prefer red to blue on colour or vica versa and make a choice on irrelevant points.

[CarbonToe]

Originally Posted by Goooner

Inside there's a little magazine by the makers of Total Film, Total Blu Ray. All Blu Ray, not a mention of HD-DVD.

If it had HD-DVD content they could hardly call the mag Total BluRay !!!!

[Canary_Jules]

I appreciate Amir's comments, but this kind of thing does make it seem like the HD-DVD promotion group are pretty inactive in the UK.