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Warner finally has the decision after long period of being dual format supporter since day one. The rumor came true; they are going to switch to Blu-ray exclusively. Recent leaks from Warner’s top exclusives have indication of Blu-ray endorsement if the blue camp continue to outsell its rival during the Holidays season. They made their choice; Blu-ray is the future. HD-DVD supporters will have their chances to get the last of Warner’s copies of red disks until then, Hi Def titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May of 2008.
The Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros, Barry Meyer stated that “Warner Bros.’ move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,”
With Warner joining the Blu camp, the hi-def material judged by studio releases and availability is somewhere in the neighborhood of 70% blue and 30% red. Warner alone has a share of 20% in DVD in USA. It’s a dramatic switch! The format war, it’s over? Your thought.
[update : videobusiness has updated their report that the switch will includ sub-division of Time Warner, The New Line Home Entertainment and HBO Video, i guess Lord of the Rings will be packed in blue bag only if it ever get released ]
Warner Bros to back Blu-ray DVD format exclusively [via reuters]
Grrrr…. This sucks. I have no intention of dropping $400 on a PS3 (since there are no good 1st party exclusives that outshine 360), and I’ve already invested less than half the amount in an HD-DVD player, which is awesome. Warner, why do you have to piss me off? I love how it’s about “giving the customer what they want.” As a customer, I’ve just been screwed. Thanks. F*** Batman and Bugs Bunny!
I agree Bruno. I for one will not be buying a PS3 anytime soon so it just means WB lost my support.
While they are selling HD-DVDs I will buy them, once they stop they lose my sales. My TV looks best over VGA and no Blu-ray player can output 768p or 1080p over VGA like the 360 can, HDMI looks vastly inferior to VGA at least on my TV due to overscanning reducing the resolution.
So WB have basically said I need to buy a Blu-ray player AND a new TV with the ability to turn off HDMI overscanning in order to get the same quality I already can from the 360. Thanks a bunch guys, I hope you rot in hell.
Blu-ray will now win during 2008. Universal, the consumer’s enemy, will lose big. I for one support and will now buy Blu-ray. It is a more open format based on Java. I develop software using Java since I want it to run across all platforms.
RIP HDDVD
BluRay is King
FYI : HD DVD Promotion Group has canceled the CES Press Conference scheduled to meet this Sunday, apparently they are as shock as the rest of us.
I have the hd-dvd player as well but only purchase good BR title and rent both if possible. Toshiba will find a way to carry on the war, as least they still have Paramount & Dreamworks for 3 years contract. Guess who is really pissing off now, the high cost onkyo DV-HD805 HD-DVD Player will be staying at the shelf for a while.
update added.
videobusiness is saying Blu-ray exclusive included New Line Home Entertainment and HBO Video.
@Bruno
Your last comment Rocked….lol
I have been pro blu-ray from the start, but I agree many customers are getting screwed (namely, and only, the early adopters who chose HD-DVD).
I guess I won’t be wasting $100 on ‘that’ add-on for my 360.
I thought it was 18-months only. And I wold not be counting on Paramount’s loyalty after this. At best they will go neutral. They could make money off Blu-Ray and HD-DVD alike while being praised by both sides; HD for still supporting them and BR for finally supporting them.
Great!!
So with blu-ray those of us outside the US get screwed on region’s again. How can anyone outside of the US/Japan support anything but HD-DVD when it’s region free.