Could Warner Bros. Abandon HD DVD in 2008?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by deacongreg

That is right kennyt. We don`t need this on the forum.

My issue is, is there really going to be a winner in the long run. If, the object overall now, is to finally draw more mainstream, Joe 6, whatever you want to say, into the high end world where we live and breathe, then how does this war help.

It doesn`t. I`ve been saying this all along. The consumers who bought those inexpensive players, who do you think they were? Your friend at work, your neighbor, relative, who bought a HDTV and knew that needed a new HD source. But, one, we confused them and mudded the waters with a choice. Blu or HD DVD? Then, before the price decrease, pricing was too high for them. And again, which one? Its not about Blu-Ray has more storage capacity, or this or that. They don`t care like we do!! I`m not even sure if I do anymore.

Ask kennyt and Andrew about their own headaches with Blu-Ray units not playing movies w/o a firmware update!! Are you kidding me??!! Now liking the Toshiba units just because, they just work. IS THIS SINKING IN YET!! And though as a combo player/game console, the PS3 is a bargain, these people are NOT interested in that. They just want to watch a HD movie on a unit that is compatible with their HDTV. That is all. Toshiba, just made it a heck of a lot easier with the price dropping. Then, they`ll use BB or NetFlix to rent their titles.

Lets get real here gentlemen, people want entertainment, but having to choose, high prices and confusion never help. This is what I see. Why, you two are having this discussion over it and now really arguing, blows my mind. This war just says to me, we (high end community) still have a long way to go yet. No one wins here. If the goal is to win more consumers to what we here on this forum all love and enjoy, this kind of confusion by manufacturers needs to stop.

Maybe I just shouldnt try and talk reason with someone who claims 170,000 new players in one month is going to do nothing for software sales. Because the guys who bought it for $200 were just getting a 2nd player and the other 90,000 just aren't interested in movies that cost $15 to $30 at Wal-Mart.

Well at least this war is about to either get interesting or flat out end. Warners going exclusive is going to end this. I don't care which side they end up with, but they need to go ahead and do it.

[kennyt]

While I see both sides of this coin, I must say, in every BB in my town, the BLu-ray section is at least 2x the size of the HD DVD section (software), and the hardware for Blu-ray is far more prominently displayed. In fact, I found it difficult to find and HD DVD player, while Blu-ray was everywhere.

For what ever reason, Blu-ray seems to be getting more push from the big retailers in my area, maybe it's a better sales margin, or just that people like Blue, (Blue is one of my favorite colors...) I don't know,just an observation.

[PRO-630HD]

So Lotus do you really think there is any possibility at all that Warner could go Bluray exclusive? Personally I don't see it. All the comments so far you have made I believe are dead on. Logically I don't see it any other way than hddvd. I agree though either way they need to decide.

[DaViD Boulet]

So Lotus do you really think there is any possibility at all that Warner could go Bluray exclusive? Personally I don't see it. All the comments so far you have made I believe are dead on. Logically I don't see it any other way than hddvd. I agree though either way they need to decide.

Another Toshiba rep joins the forum?

WB cares about profit. Right now both are about even in profit. You see BD costs them 40% more to replicate, distribute, etc. Do the math. A 1.85:1 edge for the year but 40% more cost.

Lotus, can you share some links to this "40%" figure? I haven't seen that figure quoted with any authority before and I'm wondering what the source is (in fact, I had heard that the BD replication cost was only 10 cents higher than HD DVD per disc).

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by kennyt

While I see both sides of this coin, I must say, in every BB in my town, the BLu-ray section is at least 2x the size of the HD DVD section (software), and the hardware for Blu-ray is far more prominently displayed. In fact, I found it difficult to find and HD DVD player, while Blu-ray was everywhere.

For what ever reason, Blu-ray seems to be getting more push from the big retailers in my area, maybe it's a better sales margin, or just that people like Blue, (Blue is one of my favorite colors...) I don't know,just an observation.

Kenny it's the same around here. However the software is side by side and I'd say equal in proportion. For players you see BD abound. I asked the manager who sells me titles and things that I just have to pick up from him (and during the holidays this saves me excutiating time in lines). He said the floor space is paid for. However it didn't matter because for every BD player they're selling they sell 4 or 5 HD DVD players. They just don't need to show off the HD DVD player because everyone seems to know it's $199.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Another Toshiba rep joins the forum?





Lotus, can you share some links to this "40%" figure? I haven't seen that figure quoted with any authority before and I'm wondering what the source is (in fact, I had heard that the BD replication cost was only 10 cents higher than HD DVD per disc).

Google it. Warners made the statement about 300. Saying that despite the big BD lead they were about even in profits.

As for replication it's around 1.30 more a disc if DL. Let's not get Mr. Burke back here blowing his stack about replication costs. I believe it's about 30% more. I believe Warners has to spend more money on advertising for BD.