Rumor: Weinstein going netural

[Blackblood]

There's a post on the DVDtalk forum about the Weinsteins booth at comic con 2007 and it looks like Weinstein are going netural

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=507329

This coupled with Optimum going netural gives me a sinking feeling about HD DVD. The HD DVD group appear to be doing absolutely nothing at the moment

[pRot3us]

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by Blackblood

This coupled with Optimum going netural gives me a sinking feeling about HD DVD. The HD DVD group appear to be doing absolutely nothing at the moment

Aside from those with substantive invested interests (such as Sony and Universal) I doubt many will stay format specific in the long term. Depending on how Warner's Total-HD solution works out next year we may well start seeing that as the 'norm'.

Dual format is the future and in the short to mid term this means dual releases. Give it three or four years when dual players are dirt cheap and this will be less important though.

[Adam_uk]

Notice how some (I'm not counting the OP here) think all this is great stuff. When they were HD DVD only, they derided the films they offered.

I will be interested to see how and when Fox re-enter the HD market

That being said I like having both! I do find certian films sit on the shelf better in red boxes!

[FOXCLOSE]

Originally Posted by Adam_uk

Notice how some (I'm not counting the OP here) think all this is great stuff. When they were HD DVD only, they derided the films they offered.

It's not that Universal or Weinstein are not important for me. It was just that Sony, Disney and Fox were MORE so.

I choose BD and pretty pleased I did!

[vlada]

yes, it is quite surprising how in the last few weeks many shifted towards neutrality or even bluray exclusivity and the hd dvd prg has done absolutely nothing at all. what in the world are they thinking??? still the onkyo player appearing soon will help them as another brand will hopefully do some advertising for their format. and first look pictures is still hd dvd exclusive for now lol.

[Leynos]

It'd be nice if Weinstein Co hurried up and released anything. I don't really care if it's BRD or HDDVD, as I have players for both. I just buy the version that gets the best reviews for pq etc. (And, of course, the cheapest one, all things being equal).

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by Leynos

It'd be nice if Weinstein Co hurried up and released anything.

They already are releasing titles!

[FOXCLOSE]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

They already are releasing titles!

I think Fox has released more!

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by FOXCLOSE

I think Fox has released more!

Fox has indeed released more - they were doing some quite nice discs from their DVHS library before they abandoned all us BluRay owners

[7hil]

Originally Posted by FOXCLOSE

I choose BD and pretty pleased I did!

With all your posting over the last few days I don't think any of us are in any doubt about this mate.

[Sonic67]

This seems to have started after a rumour on AVS of someone talking to someone at a convention. Does anyone have any real evidence of this or is it all a lot of project hydra or whatever?

Don't studios do press releases or something?

[shaithis]

More rumours - Why do people bother posting them? Other then to try to re-assure themselves that they made the right choice.

If you have such a dilemma making a choice, don't make it, wait for others to make it for you.

[SAH]

What are forums for?

The Weinstein rumour seems to have some substance behind it, just like the Blockbuster and Target 'rumours'.

The reason any news about HD-DVD losing support is so newsworthy is because we all know it is lacking in the first place, so losing more is a step towards the format failing.

I'd be quite happy for all studios and manufactuers to be dual format, but as that's not going to happen so our (my) best option is a single format.

[Sonic67]

I think the rumours are part of a drip drip by BD fans that there format is winning or HD DVD is dying. Some BD fans are scouring the net for blogs. some seem to be starting their own stuff. The Weinstein one seems to come from this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=881984

I've been speaking with several of the Weinstein reps at Comic Con this week and all have commented on releasing content on Blu Ray. Specifically, they're expecting Grindhouse (not sure if that means the Double Feature, Planet Terror or Death proof) to be the initial title to kick it off. Surprisingly, they didn't mention an HDDVD version when asked. From what I've been told between them, they expect a late 2007 release. They were surprisingly very open and honest about the titles - knowing about the technical specs, not promising false hope (even if it means a disappointing answer) and very knowledgeable on the subject.

They didn't seem to be impressed with the sales from their HDDVDs but said they'll stick with it for certain titles since they already have the technology.

Like I said, I hate these types of topics as much as the next guy but wanted to share. Others who have spoken with them at Comic Con have had similar answers given.

It might be me but there doesn't seem to be much there. I could say something like I was in the Sony shop in Birmingham last Saturday and while talking to an employee he hinted that Sony might bring out a HD DVD player if Blu-ray failed or something. Once the rumour has gone around a few forums it becomes fact.

Of course time will tell if it's genuine or FUD but by then another rumour is off.

Winston Churchill:
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."

If we are going to quote 'news' any chance of a link so others can check it and form an opinion?