Warner Brothers deals blow to HD-DVD goes Blu-Ray only
By Jonathan Schlaffer
In a move that is likely to hurt HD-DVD, Warner Brothers announced today that the studio will begin releasing titles exclusively in the Blu-Ray format only.
It had been producing titles in both formats but Warner Brothers says the move to go exclusively Blu-Ray is due to consumer preference as from where the company sits, it’s the more popular format, possibly according to its sales.
Of course, earlier this year Toshiba and retailers alike offered steep discounts on HD-DVD players with prices dipping as low as $100 and likewise, Blu-Ray players were also discounted but not nearly as much.
There is no doubt that HD-DVD is the cheaper option right now but both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs cost more than DVDs.
However, Warner says it will continue to produce both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs until the end of May 2008 before it switches to Blu-Ray only.
Prices for standalone Blu-Ray players sit just under $500, Blu-Ray Rom drives for computers cost $250 and HD-DVD players/drives are well, cheaper.
Still, this whole "Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD war" may not last much longer with some manufacturers set to release multiformat players that can read both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs. If consumer "confusion" continues much longer, both formats will lose where they could have gained much more.
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Stumble It!
January 4th, 2008
This isn’t ‘likely to hurt’ HD-DVD its going to kill it off. This gives BluRay exclusivity on about 75% of all movies and when the exclusivity deal runs out with Paramount, HD-DVD will only have exclusives on Universal films and its doubtful they will stick exclusively with a format that is obviously going to lose.
Anyone who chooses to buy an HD-DVD player now needs psychiatric help.
January 4th, 2008
just like to say thankyou to warner for saying before xmas that they were staying with both formats.
not being made of money i opted for the cheaper hd dvd.
consumer chose my arse!
all the fence sitters gave warner splinters.
January 4th, 2008
could this be because warner has dropped to rank 4 in the movies with paramount number 1(hd dvd)
a bit of backs stabbings me thinks and a lot can change between now and may!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 4th, 2008
game, set, match Blu-ray
January 8th, 2008
Ding Ding!
In the red corner HD-DVD and in the blue conrner Blu Ray
Round 3 - Knock Out !
Winner is BLU RAY !