You read that headline correctly; Warner Bros. has announced today that it's going to side with Blu-ray exclusively and drop all support for HD DVD. However, we will continue seeing HD DVD releases from Warner until May of this year.
"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers," Warner Bros Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Meyer said in a statement.
Quite a shocking development in the ongoing format war if I do say so myself. The recent rumors about a new Xbox 360 with a built in HD DVD drive only make this whole situation even stickier.
For those of you who have invested in either format, how does this news affect you? As someone with an HD DVD player, it's pretty unsettling, as Warner Brothers has some highly anticipated movies coming out later this year (The Dark Knight anyone?).
The way I see it, this announcement is all the more reason to get a PlayStation 3 sooner than later. What do y'all have to say on the matter?
[Via USA Today, thanks Hatchetforce and Action Bastard]
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Contest:
3:42 PM on 01.04.2008
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My argument is based ENTIRLY on name alone. Nothing else.
whatever, its just the waiting game now. or until digital distribution takes over
I don't really care one of them needed to win it just happens that I have a ps triple and hadnt gotten the hd-dvd drive for the 360
Right?
Wrong. You heard of the DVD DivX rivalry (it's not the same as the DivX codec).
Now DVD won because DivX wasn't becoming profitable, which neither HDM format has yet to become.
Dident they also have Dvd's vs. Digital Lazer discs.
I have a PS3, but I prefer digital download. Like for porn. Although I'm not sure I would even like to see porn in hd. But I digress.
but i have a ps3 and have yet to buy a hd attachment to my 360
but ps3 upscales anyway so anything i wanted thats only in hd i'll just end up buying on dvd and upscaling with my ps3
which is close enough
so eh
but how does playing games in hd work on the 360? do i need the hd dvd player and play the game in that drive to get it to show up hd? or can i use the disk drive that came with it?
Not exactly fair, but this is WAY better than downloading. At least until we get DRM free 50 GB downloads.
@people who think everything should be digital: Yeah, not going to happen until the mass majority of people can download a 1080p movie in only a few minutes and 100+ terabyte media servers become common in households.
They already own MGM which of course deals with both the Bond and Stargate franchises and with this addition I reckon it'll be game over for the HD-DVD
Customer: Hello, good stock man. Where do you keep the __format__?
Employee: The __format__ are over there, under the sign that says __format__.
Customer: Then I shall go browse the __format__. Good day.
From my calculations, Blu-ray requires an average of 12 fewer syllables per exchange. Syllables take time to say, and time=money.
Therefore Blu-ray is good for the economy, and good for America. And maybe those other places, unless they're communists.
Second of all, when will these fucktards stop being assholes and realize that exclusivity is absolutely shitty. It just serves to alienate and annoy. Fuck them.
I can now get a Blu Ray Player without worrying that The Matrix would stay HD-DVD exclusive.
Now I just need money.
I was rooting for HD though.
I just find it odd that there are HD and Blu-Ray movies that are cheaper than some regular DVDs.
Would be interesting to know more about the background deals between Sony and Warner?