Warner about to drop HD neutrality?

How is blu affordable? The cheapest player is still $399. However, you can now get the HD-A3 for $169.99 with 7 free movies... now that's what I call affordable - and the smart way to go.

How much of a difference between the A2 and the A3???

I believe the A3 is just the third-generation version of the A2. There might be minor technological differences, and there is also more freebies with the A3 (2 in the box plus the 5 rebates).

Thanx Hood, read the other thread about what I was told about the differences.

I hope Warner Bros and the other movie companies see that with HD DVD becoming MORE affordable to the public and having the name that everyone already knows, they will make the right desicion and stay with HD DVD. Blue Ray is the new Divx.

I also like how the BD camp always brings up that their version of 300 sold more, but also fail to mention that the 300 for HD DVD really is the preferred version of choice - having more special features and all...

Warner Bros, prepare to be wined and dined. I wonder which suitor will win their affections. The winner will definitely decide the format war. (Last time I checked, Batman Begins or The Matrix trilogy still haven't been announced for blu-ray)

Yea come on Billy shell out some Microsoft money and let SONY eat their words.

Isn't there already a topic on this?

http://www.dvdtown.com/messageboard/topic/4947/6/0

Again, "Fanboys".

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[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Oct 30, 2007]

You know, with the new pricing on the Toshiba HD-A2, being $198.00 at Wal-mart starting on 11/03/2007, and Circuitcity pricing currently at $197.97, Amazon.com also currently pricing at $197.99, and even better still, Sears selling the Toshiba HD-A3 at $169.99, on Black Friday, if the Sears price is confimed . This is just to cool All the HD-DVD player sales that this pricing will create, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Warner Bros., going HD-DVD exclusive. I don't believe that Blu-ray player sales will be anywhere near the HD-DVD player sales because of the price differences. We can only hope, lol.

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[Post edited by EManT2200 on Oct 30, 2007]

Tim, are you 12 or something? Knock it off with the fanboy crap already. It's really mature, and since you keep using the phrase over and over is that some sort of security blanket for you?

hoodaguy,

You start a thread called "WARNER ABOUT TO DROP HD NEUTRALITY?" and then post this comment...

Quote:
"How is blu affordable? The cheapest player is still $399. However, you can now get the HD-A3 for $169.99 with 7 free movies... now that's what I call affordable - and the smart way to go."

...Which is completely unrelated to your thread subject. Which justifies Tim's comment. Again, too much fanboyism(!), and I don't believe someone posts a comment related to this thread until around the 4th or 5th post.

-Love Hendrix! (The Loverboy)

I didn't start the thread, I was replying to the news article that was on the main page. In that article, it said the machines for both formats are now really affordable, which they are not. I fail to see how paying $400 is affordable when you can get the same thing for $170.

Quote:
hoodaguy - "I fail to see how paying $400 is affordable when you can get the same thing for $170."

Well, a year ago the cheapest Blu-ray player was double the current $400 price. Also, a $170 HD-DVD player will NOT "get the same thing" as a Blu-ray player, IF the exclusive Blu-ray movies and concerts don't ever get released on HD-DVD (and vice versa), foreign imports not withstanding.

-Love Hendrix! (The Loverboy)

Has warner not already shown favourtism towards HD DVD, with more special features and things???

Quote:
Has warner not already shown favourtism towards HD DVD, with more special features and things???

Business wise, it would appear so. However, fanboys do like to panic! Try to think of it as free entertainment and you'll get more joy out of it.

Ok TIMMAY if it really gets u off calling us fanboys, then do so LOL. Bottom line is that I joined this site for it's context on the subject of HD DVD. It is not PANIC, it is merely a discussion about the news an WB. Or would you rather talk about color palets and soft textures on your HI DEF TV? LOL

It's ok Biker, I won't consider you a Fanboy, you're actually a gas to chat with. LOL

There are plenty of people I like to chat with around here but as far as topics go, I would like to chat about Movies . . . THAT MATTER! (see tag line under DVDTOWN.com logo). LOL

The only reason I stir the pot is because there's nothing else to do here. I've actually been a loyal member here since 2000 and I even used to write reviews, even though I'm listed as a member since 2002. If all I can do is troll the constent HD/Blu threads, then so be it. I just love how it's the same topic day after day, and soon to be year after year, but yet I'm the one with a problem. Go figure! LOL

It's cool Tim, I understand where you are coming from. I am just new to HD DVD and trying to soak up all I can. But seriously, your opinion who do you think will win? LOL

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[Post edited by InvisibleBiker on Oct 30, 2007]

Quote:
But seriously, your opinion who do you think will win?

Seriously, it is too early to tell. However, I will say nothing is fair in love & war. If you really look at the way any big business gets ahead is by fighting dirty. Winners in big business are always the ones that don't play fair in the sandbox with others. It's a sad fact about the world, but there you have it.

Tim (trolling your HD/Blu threads one post at a time)

The only disadvantage HD has over Blu is that they don't have 50 gig disc space yet. Everything else is better then Blu. They have had PiP from the start. Their Tru-HD tracks are really great and the internet acces part can do pretty cool things.

Then there is the whole fact that they are way cheaper then Blu-Ray. As a consumer I would personally get the cheaper format knowing that I have the same HD quality. The comment about the 300 HD discs are so true. Sony states that they sold more Blu discs of 300 and indeed forget to mention that the HD-DVD has the better extra's! I hope Warner makes the right call ands stays faithfull to HD.

It is all about money. Warner is waiting to see who will offer them more....HD DVD camp or Blu ray camp.

Actually HD DVD is on its way to having more space than Blu-ray as they have shown a triple layer HD DVD that is 51 gigs vs. Blu-ray's 50 gigs. (Have to 1-up em ya know...with the 1 extra gig and all) But, good news however for HD DVD. I personally love the HD DVD format as it has proven to have better features, easier to code for, manufacture, and sell at a lower price point. Fingers are crossed that Warner will pick HD DVD for the same reasons Paramount went exclusive to HD DVD (see article in 2nd URL).
References:
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11061.cfm
and
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136253-c,dvdtechnology/article.html

Quote:
Tim (trolling your HD/Blu threads one post at a time)

lol

i love you Tim

As much as I hate to say it the quote does read “We can definitely talk Blu-ray,” he said. “We are committed to the format.”.
I don't like it either but this may not be the boon HD DVD was hoping for.

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[Post edited by vagabond on Oct 31, 2007]

Calm down you crazy HD DVD fanboys... As usual DVDTOWN, in all its biased slant towards HD DVD, left out a very important quote that goes along with the statements mentioned in the post...

If there is any doubt as to which format Warner would support, he pointed out the huge sales of '300' on Blu-ray, and further commented, "We are committed to the format."

"the format" being bluray.

Once Warner goes Bluray exclusive in the begining of 2008 (Maybe at CES?) all the dominos will begin to fall and the format war will be over within a year of the announcement.

Start selling your HD DVD movies and player now while you can still get a little money for them. I'm sure you guys are going to be all up at arms about this and you'll be pointing to the lower price HD DVD players have (Wallie World is selling them for $98 tomorrow) but it hasn't made a difference in software sales for the last year and and its not going to change any time soon. Consumers know that they get what they pay for in consumer electronics. The writings on the wall. Goodnight and good luck.

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[Post edited by aragog on Nov 1, 2007]

Well there genious, did you see the news about Warner Brothers pushing back it's release of Twister. Well, they pushed it back 4 months for BOTH HD DVD and Blu Ray. So it looks like they are not going to make a decission anytime soon. And if ya don't like the ONE SIDEDNESS of this site, I am sure you can find a Blu Ray site that fits your needs.

He's not a genius. BD does NOT have it wraped up. They just think they do.

An excerpt from today's Hollywood Reporter.

"A Warner source said the studio is watching what happens now that Wal-Mart and other big retailers are selling entry-level Toshiba HD DVD players for less than $200, about half what the cheapest Blu-ray player costs. If there is a significant spike in HD DVD software sales, the studio may cast its lot with that format, whereas if there is no real impact, Warner may go Blu-ray only."

And from HD Now Online:

Reports: Warner Making Their Decision Now! HD DVD tipped to win the selection based on New Low Player pricing!

Reports circulating on Online Forums indicate that Warner has made statements that they will decide on which format they support exclusively before the end of the year, not in January as some had previously expected. They have said that they are watching hardware sales of HD DVD players at their all-new pricing levels.

Said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video: "It will be really pivotal what Toshiba does this fourth quarter in hardware. If they sell through everything they ship, and it's a big number at the price points that are coming out, then I think [HD DVD] will be around for a long time.".

Analysts predict that if significant units are moved at these prices, Warner will move to HD DVD with very little hesitation. In the last 8 weeks, HD DVD sales have been 40% of total HD optical media sales. Analysts predict that although increased HD DVD player sales will trigger an immediate switch by Warner, on the basis of an expected HD DVD lead in movie sales.

it doesnt make sense to me for them to go blu....the install base for bd is way too small, not to mention expensive, bd+ is about to be cracked completely (wtg slysoft)
i have the addon for the 360, basically i cant afford a standlone player, yet, but with the way prices are going it wont be long before i wont have that problem.
not to mention the so called bd only titles which you cant get, um you can get on hd dvd (a few sony titles and fox titles are avaiable on hddvd thru international sites)
the prices for hd standalones are far more attractive to the home user, with paramounts move, you would have thought they would have looked into the so call sucess of bd, i wouldnt be at all surprised if sony are counting bd games towards overall figures, did anyone see their latest gaff about sales figures?.......not the best thing to let slip http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=3084&p=10i just hope warner see sense and the problems that bd has, hd dvd has the installed user base, and the price point for critical mass the studios are waiting for, i wont be buying bd because i honeslty dont believe its the format for me or others, thats my opinion

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[Post edited by tummybanana on Nov 1, 2007]

Quote:
Calm down you crazy HD DVD fanboys... As usual DVDTOWN, in all its biased slant towards HD DVD, . . .

True, there are a lot of HD DVD Fanboys in the Message Boards, but DVDTOWN itself is neutral in the format war. The fun part is watching all the fanboys go into a panic state! Oh, the drama!

The fun (OK, frustrating) part is noting that as HD DVD starts its holiday sales push and as the big Blu-ray Expo in L.A. winds down, along come a flock of brand-new members (members since today) spreading anti-HD DVD rumors and propaganda. Are they all shills, plants, and stooges for Sony? Who knows. Do we have just as many Toshiba HD DVD shills, plants, and stooges posting here? Don't know that, either. I only know that people should be very careful about what they read on Message Boards, even ours, especially as the format war heats up.

John

Well put, John. That BD Expo really wound a lot of people up (myself included) and I think that some things were said that are somewhat out of the norm for this forum. Things are going to get real interesting in the next couple of weeks and, over that time, it is essential that posters retain their sense objectivity. Belittleing other people's choices and opinions may be typical of other forums, but not of DVD Town.

Steve

Is DVDTOWN.com neutrality? DVDTOWN.com doesn't make data concerning the doubt of the press release of Transformers an article. The category of High-Def Movie is "HDDVD.org".

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Sales/
Controversy_Swirls_Around_Transformers_HD_DVD_Sales_Numbers
/1117

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/which-studio-in-hollywood-is-telling-a-big-ass-fat-stupid-lie/

Transformers HD-DVD
Week Ending 10/21/07 = 89,871 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)
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300 HD-DVD/DVD Combo Pack
Week Ending 8/5/07 = 56,191 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)
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300 Blu-ray
Week Ending 8/5/07 = 107,351 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)

Hi Def Movie, how many copies of Transformers were sold on bluray? None. Why? Because it's not available on bluray. Let it go already. Crying over sales figures for HD DVD movies is pointless. I'm an HD DVD supporter (I used to be a bluray supporter believe it or not until I realized bluray was nothing but propoganda) and I don't waste my time with bluray sales figures. Unless of course it's one of Sonys world famous press releases saying how they sold millions of this and that meanwhile those were units SHIPPED, NOT SOLD.

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[Post edited by Falcon01 on Nov 1, 2007]

Of course BDA studios are going to claim that Parmount is fibbing with the number of discs sold. Why wouldn't they, they've lied so many times they expect everyone else to do the same.

If I remember correctly, there are a number of store chains that video scan and others do not track. I believe that wal-mart is one of them.

Paramount CLEARLY stated that they double checked and triple checked the numbers.

ARAGOG, man, what planet do you live on ? ? ? Have you been paying attention to the internet post ? ? ? Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD players for about $99.00 . Now consider this, how many THOUSANDS of hd-dvd players will sell at that price point, Wal-Mart, Circuitcity, BestBuy and how many other companies, I'm willing to bet that Amazon.com will even follow this ! What about hd-dvd player sales on Black Friday, and Christmas sales also ! OK, now THINK, do you for one moment believe that Warner Bros., isn't watching this. Sales will certainly be up there into the THOUSANDS, and you are trying to tell people that Warner Bros., will turn their backs on the potential number of disc sales that this will help generate! HARDLY ! ! ! This next avatar is just for you Blu-ray fanboys,

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[Post edited by EManT2200 on Nov 1, 2007]

LOL

Nice, EManT2200 )

How had you compared it before if it did not compare it by Nielsen's data? It is nonsense for Transformer alone not to use Nielsen's data. There is no data that can be compared besides Nielsen's data. The HD DVD freak might want to conceal Nielsen's data. Data of Wal-mart? Read the link article.

Here is not gameer's blog. Because only the thing of SONY refers, Falcon01 might be a gamer of typical anti SONY. Microsoft is announcing the number of sales. However, it is actually a number of market shipments.

Thus, not comparing it by using third party's data is nonsense. Do you have information that lodges an objection the data of the research company?

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Sales/
Controversy_Swirls_Around_Transformers_HD_DVD_Sales_Numbers
/1117

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/which-studio-in-hollywood-is-telling-a-big-ass-fat-stupid-lie/

Transformers HD-DVD
Week Ending 10/21/07 = 89,871 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)
---
300 HD-DVD/DVD Combo Pack
Week Ending 8/5/07 = 56,191 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)
---
300 Blu-ray
Week Ending 8/5/07 = 107,351 Units (First Week sales as reported in VideoScan First Alert)

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[Post edited by High-Def_Movie on Nov 1, 2007]

First, because one journalist believes that Paramount is a liar doesn't justify the whole world to correct it's views accordingly.

I can only believe what the closest source to the truth reveals. Paramount say they have sold 190.000 units in the first week so that is what we stand by. As soon as a valid source tells us that the numbers are untrue we will bring the story.

Lastly, I'm amazed to what effort the Blu-ray camp will go to in order to trash talk the other format. Something that you seldom see from the official HD DVD camp. Something I think this war should have been without. Do you have the best product for the consumer if you need to talk your competition down? Let your own product speak for itself.

Funny thing about Sony is that it likes to compare numbers as long as it not is about its gaming console Playstation 3. If they used their own theories on themselves the Playstation 3 should withdraw from the gaming world tomorrow because of bad sales. Here its competition sells up to 5 times as much.

Also, let me make a few things clear.

HDDVD.org was started in 2002. Five years ago! Four years before the first HD format hit the market. At that time we did not know which formats would be launched and their name. We just believed that the most logic thing to call a DVD like disc with HD content was HDDVD.

Second, we want to be as fair as possible in this war. We do our best to review actual hardware and software on both sides. I did a count a few weeks ago and it turned out we had reviewed more Blu-ray titles than HD DVD.

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[Post edited by Henning on Nov 1, 2007]

And let's not forget the best thing about this thread, it made it to five-pages!

it really doesn't matter how many transformers hddvds sold. weekly sales are trivia. especially when the numbers are insignificant. its the big trends that will swing the market. the backing of walmart and massively cheap players is probably the death blow for bluray. you have to remember those bluray sales even if sometimes higher than hddvd are very low considering the installed base of ps3s. the main stream doesn't play films on consoles. and at 200 and below hddvd is just far more compelling than bluray. cheaper disc costs also mean more studio profits, so its only wise for them to back it as well. betamax had a run at being ahead for a while as well, but once the market swings, such small leads don't matter. even sony switched and started to build vhs players in the end.

OK this FANBOY has cooled his jets now that I read about WB intentions. LOL I told the one guy on here, you know the one I called a genious, that when I read about WB pushing back the release of Twister, and it would still be released on both HD DVD and Blu Ray. Thats when I knew that this WB thing was all bull skat! So all of us FANBOYS can sit back and chill, have a few beers and continue our WAR!!! LOL

Beers! I remember them!! I had several last night while I watched 1408. Great flick. Unfortunately I have to watch it again because I had too many of them.

Question (I don't want to start another thread for this): 1408 is a Weinstein film, actually one of their better releases. Why is it not in HD DVD? Weinstein has issued several releases in HD DVD. It could have been a big seller for them.

Yea what is up with Mr. Weinstein? He is slow in releasing HD DVD's ?