Universal, Paramount considering viral marketing

Toshiba may drop HDDVD unless both Universal and Paramount opt in to the "viral marketing" strategy of dropping HDDVD as a separate sku set and distribute combo DVDs as standard DVDs. They'd back off on most other marketing, focusing on seeding the market with movies, in much the same wasy as Sony seeded the market with players through the Playstation.

The strategy is that, over time, buyers would find that 25% to 30% of their "regular" DVDs were HDDVD capable, and opt for the (upcoming) $100 HDDVD players to take advantage of their "existing" HDDVD library.

This strategy hinges heavily on Universal not cancelling the now deferred library release of 2,000 titles in combo format to replace existing skus. That was the "death blow" for blu-ray they were talking about a few months ago (sound's funny, now).

Universal seems to really not want to pay Sony (with it's film division) a share of the revenue from its movie sales. The other studios (inlcuding Paramount) don't seem to care about the issue.

Quote:
...strategy of dropping HDDVD as a separate sku set and distribute combo DVDs as standard DVDs. They'd back off on most other marketing, focusing on seeding the market with movies, in much the same wasy as Sony seeded the market with players through the Playstation.

The strategy is that, over time, buyers would find that 25% to 30% of their "regular" DVDs were HDDVD capable, and opt for the (upcoming) $100 HDDVD players to take advantage of their "existing" HDDVD library.

Intresting. What is your source for this? A similar concept was discussed in a thread on this forum over a year ago. If I remember correctly, it was dismissed as being unworkable. Personally, I think it is a good idea.

doubtful this would even remotely work, as it hasn't yet. And personally, I hate combo flippers.

It wouldn't have to be a flipper. Both the SD and HD DVD versions could be put on the same side of a 51gb disk with a ton of room to spare. When inserted into a SD player, the HD DVD option would be grayed out when inserted into an HD DVD player, you would have both options. Package it is a standard sized case with a label such as "Bonus HD DVD files included" or something like that, and bingo, you are seeding the market. It's mind boggling in it's simplicity. Of course the price would have to be right and the HD DVD players would have to be available at BB, etc. It really is not viral marketing it's good common sense. In a way it's not much different from buying a car with On Star or Sirrius you choose to use it or you don't. Only in this case, you don't get a trial up front.

Again, personally, I like the idea, but I doubt if it will come about. The HD DVD camp has not been too forward thinking in their marketing schemes thusfar. Why should they start now?

Steve I agree, that would be a GREAT idea and I would love it unfortunately it may be too little too late though. Still it would be nice to see.