Universal no longer HD DVD exclusive - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 11th Jan 2008, 11:40

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/01...vd_exclusive/1

Wait, what is that sound? Oh, nothing - just the death knell of HD DVD as the Format Wars come to a close. That and Sony, snickering.

Speedo · 11th Jan 2008, 11:59

No source quoted in that article, and nothing from Universal saying they're going to start supporting Blu-ray.. if, but, maybe.. something solid please.

D3s3rt_F0x · 11th Jan 2008, 12:11

If true i'd say the more expensive, more DRM filled, more locked down and not yet fully realised format wins which is bad news for everyone

CardJoe · 11th Jan 2008, 12:11

Well, our source is Variety, who has themselves sourced and confirmed the story with Universal according to their own text. If Variety is claiming they've confirmed the story then that seems solid enough to me, especially since Universal hasn't released a denial and the story has been massively reported.

Needless to say though, if Universal does issue a correction then we'll let you know. For now, it looks pretty solid though.

Tomm · 11th Jan 2008, 12:20

Sounds like rumours. And not the 'Mac album.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/s...oth-going-blu/

Quote:

Universal hasn't released a denial

Or maybe, they just did

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/10...the-hd-dvd-fo/

spazmochad · 11th Jan 2008, 12:20

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...D_Support/1362

?:/

Tomm · 11th Jan 2008, 12:23

I'm bored of it now anyway. I don't care if Blu-ray wins any more - I just want closure.

CardJoe · 11th Jan 2008, 12:25

Hm. Oddly worded denial - all it says is that they'll continue to put out HD DVD titles, not that they will remain exclusive. To me, that suggests that they are reneging on the exclusivity and, just as the article says, preparing to support both. Either way, I'll update the article. Cheers guys!

Arkanrais · 11th Jan 2008, 12:35

At least this war is going somewhere, unlike the war on terror. I wonder if the thought police can get me all the way in NZ...
either way, I've been hoping that blu-ray would win cause of its higher data capacity but in spite of sony's a$$holery and tendency for laying a big steaming one on its consumers.

mclean007 · 11th Jan 2008, 13:03

Huzzah! Heroes on Blu-Ray at last? If so, I'm going straight down the shops to buy a PS3.

Bionic-Blob · 11th Jan 2008, 15:34

so, whens the blu-ray drive for 360 gonna be released <_<

>_>

Lazarus Dark · 11th Jan 2008, 16:11

I really never chose a side and actually was about two paychecks from getting the LG Bluray/HDDVD combo drive. But after everything I'm hearing, I'm gunna save myself a hundred US bucks and get the Liteon Bluray rom drive instead. Even if the format war somehow continues, I'll just pick up the xbox hddvd rom drive later.

I'm just glad its (probably) over. The war was chasing many away, but if it's over, more people will dive into bluray, leading to lower prices on media very soon. 1080p/7.1surround I think will last me many years and I am one who would still prefer a hard copy, at least for my favorites, rather than all digital distrubution.

maha_x · 11th Jan 2008, 20:17

It just sickens me that people with HD-DVD equipment get let down. These corporations should have worked harder and come up with one format. That would have been fair to everyone. Not to mention all the wasted resources.

And then there's the "mayby" HDCP requirment. My first gen LCD TV doesn't support HDCP, so even if I could get the HD movie out as HD, there's no quarantee that the next movie doesn't get downscaled. What confidence it creates for the tech...

I don't own either tech, I prolly won't for a while. All of this has totally put me off from adopting.

E.E.L. Ambiense · 11th Jan 2008, 20:37

The operative word here is "current" in the statement released. That gives them an out in the future if the market turns to that point.

JrRRr · 11th Jan 2008, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by maha_x

It just sickens me that people with HD-DVD equipment get let down. These corporations should have worked harder and come up with one format. That would have been fair to everyone. Not to mention all the wasted resources.

And then there's the "mayby" HDCP requirment. My first gen LCD TV doesn't support HDCP, so even if I could get the HD movie out as HD, there's no quarantee that the next movie doesn't get downscaled. What confidence it creates for the tech...

I don't own either tech, I prolly won't for a while. All of this has totally put me off from adopting.

It's all about the money.. If you're always want the new stuff, it will be expencive and sometimes, like in this example, you will end up with a dscontinued lne earlier than normal.

BTW: I still buy DVD's and my first LCD-TV was bought last summer.. ..I'm getting there, just not right away..

To be honest, what's easier to say? Bluray or "eitch-dee-dee-vee-dee"

Anakha · 12th Jan 2008, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRRr

To be honest, what's easier to say? Bluray or "eitch-dee-dee-vee-dee"

Ah, but remember, people are used to their DVDs. And now they've got a HD TV. So they're going to want their DVDs in HD. Like some kind of HD DVD...

And remember the typical Yank mentality: '"Blue Ray?", that's one of them fish that killed that English guy, the Crocodile Hunter, isn't it?'

C0nKer · 12th Jan 2008, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anakha

Ah, but remember, people are used to their DVDs. And now they've got a HD TV. So they're going to want their DVDs in HD. Like some kind of HD DVD...

And remember the typical Yank mentality: '"Blue Ray?", that's one of them fish that killed that English guy, the Crocodile Hunter, isn't it?'

Erm. Isn't Steve Irwin Australian?

Anyhoo. Truth be told, I do not like the name Bluray. Sounds as if someone is trying to make the format sound "cool". But I am utterly impressed with the quality though.

lamboman · 12th Jan 2008, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anakha

Ah, but remember, people are used to their DVDs. And now they've got a HD TV. So they're going to want their DVDs in HD. Like some kind of HD DVD...

And remember the typical Yank mentality: '"Blue Ray?", that's one of them fish that killed that English guy, the Crocodile Hunter, isn't it?'

I laughed hard, post of the year lol

That was a stingray, and it killed the Australian Steve Irwin.

Hazardous · 12th Jan 2008, 17:43

Universal are definitely not dropping their support of HD DVD.

Quote:

Universal Studios has officially dispelled the rumors from Variety that it will drop HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray.

"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,"
said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.

Source: Beta News (dated 10th January 2008).

supermonkey · 13th Jan 2008, 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anakha

And remember the typical Yank mentality: '"Blue Ray?", that's one of them fish that killed that English guy, the Crocodile Hunter, isn't it?'

Please tell me you aren't serious. Let me guess, you typed that after you got home from the hockey game. Or was it curling?

-monkey

11th Jan 2008, 11:40	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,945	Universal no longer HD DVD exclusive http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/01...vd_exclusive/1 Wait, what is that sound? Oh, nothing - just the death knell of HD DVD as the Format Wars come to a close. That and Sony, snickering. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

11th Jan 2008, 12:11	#4
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,945	Well, our source is Variety, who has themselves sourced and confirmed the story with Universal according to their own text. If Variety is claiming they've confirmed the story then that seems solid enough to me, especially since Universal hasn't released a denial and the story has been massively reported. Needless to say though, if Universal does issue a correction then we'll let you know. For now, it looks pretty solid though. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

11th Jan 2008, 12:20	#6
spazmochad Multimodder Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 71	http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...D_Support/1362 ?:/ __________________ "But i like to try out all the holes at least once"

11th Jan 2008, 12:23	#7
Tomm I also ride trials :¬) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester Posts: 2,233	I'm bored of it now anyway. I don't care if Blu-ray wins any more - I just want closure. __________________ Carrot cake cheesecake Shuttle SN85G4V2 \| A64 3200+ / Apple PowerBook 12

11th Jan 2008, 12:25	#8
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,945	Hm. Oddly worded denial - all it says is that they'll continue to put out HD DVD titles, not that they will remain exclusive. To me, that suggests that they are reneging on the exclusivity and, just as the article says, preparing to support both. Either way, I'll update the article. Cheers guys! __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

11th Jan 2008, 11:59	#2
Speedo Minimodder Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Warwickshire, UK Posts: 46	No source quoted in that article, and nothing from Universal saying they're going to start supporting Blu-ray.. if, but, maybe.. something solid please.

11th Jan 2008, 12:11	#3
D3s3rt_F0x Hypermodder Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Near Middlesbrough Posts: 681	If true i'd say the more expensive, more DRM filled, more locked down and not yet fully realised format wins which is bad news for everyone

11th Jan 2008, 12:35	#9
Arkanrais Supermodder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wangamadness, New Zealand Posts: 330	At least this war is going somewhere, unlike the war on terror. I wonder if the thought police can get me all the way in NZ... either way, I've been hoping that blu-ray would win cause of its higher data capacity but in spite of sony's a$$holery and tendency for laying a big steaming one on its consumers. __________________ Visit my DeviantArt page or I'll make you squeal like a piggy and throw a spatula at you. FEAR THE SPATULA! What the hell part of a chicken is the nugget?! goddamn McDonalds and their LIES!

11th Jan 2008, 13:03	#10
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,595	Huzzah! Heroes on Blu-Ray at last? If so, I'm going straight down the shops to buy a PS3. __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

11th Jan 2008, 15:34	#11
Bionic-Blob Multimodder Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 72	so, whens the blu-ray drive for 360 gonna be released <_< >_>

11th Jan 2008, 16:11	#12
Lazarus Dark Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: US Memphis, TN Posts: 291	I really never chose a side and actually was about two paychecks from getting the LG Bluray/HDDVD combo drive. But after everything I'm hearing, I'm gunna save myself a hundred US bucks and get the Liteon Bluray rom drive instead. Even if the format war somehow continues, I'll just pick up the xbox hddvd rom drive later. I'm just glad its (probably) over. The war was chasing many away, but if it's over, more people will dive into bluray, leading to lower prices on media very soon. 1080p/7.1surround I think will last me many years and I am one who would still prefer a hard copy, at least for my favorites, rather than all digital distrubution. __________________ My gun kata is greater than your kung fu.

11th Jan 2008, 20:17	#13
maha_x What's a Dremel? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14	It just sickens me that people with HD-DVD equipment get let down. These corporations should have worked harder and come up with one format. That would have been fair to everyone. Not to mention all the wasted resources. And then there's the "mayby" HDCP requirment. My first gen LCD TV doesn't support HDCP, so even if I could get the HD movie out as HD, there's no quarantee that the next movie doesn't get downscaled. What confidence it creates for the tech... I don't own either tech, I prolly won't for a while. All of this has totally put me off from adopting.

11th Jan 2008, 20:37	#14
E.E.L. Ambiense Acrylic Heretic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Malabar, FL Posts: 2,722	The operative word here is "current" in the statement released. That gives them an out in the future if the market turns to that point. __________________ Latest Builds: "Movie Sign!" • CheckMate - MotM May '09 ~~Nominee~~ Loser! • BluBawx I • Lumière Noire - MotM Apr. '08 ~~Nominee~~ Loser! • Razzle Dazzle • CMC Field Server • "Building Better Worlds" - MotM Feb. '08 ~~Nominee~~ Loser! • Biohazard • MicroSuperFly