Could Warner Bros. Abandon HD DVD in 2008?

[Lotus]

I had it pointed out to me that EproductWars (formerly DVDWARS) currently isn't tracking multiple HD DVD titles.

There are 36 in the top 100 currently which is I believe a big new record. 57 in the top 250.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Sanyo currently still has no plans on releasing disc players of any sort.

Who's talking about releasing disc players. We're talking about annoucement.
Sanyo have only ever shown an HD DVD prototype player at events like CEDIA and IFA and CES, never a BD player.
We know about the dual format players from Sammy and LG...so who is more likely to announce the next one? An HD DVD exclusive CE like Onkyo or Sanyo, or a BD exclusive CE like JVC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Denon, Marantz, Loewe, Daewoo, Pioneer, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp or Funai?
If HD DVD has all the momentum as you say, should it not be one of the BD CE's and certainly not one of the HD DVD CE's?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Who's talking about releasing disc players. We're talking about annoucement.
Sanyo have only ever shown an HD DVD prototype player at events like CEDIA and IFA and CES, never a BD player.
We know about the dual format players from Sammy and LG...so who is more likely to announce the next one? An HD DVD exclusive CE like Onkyo or Sanyo, or a BD exclusive CE like JVC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Denon, Marantz, Loewe, Daewoo, Pioneer, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp or Funai?
If HD DVD has all the momentum as you say, should it not be one of the BD CE's and certainly not one of the HD DVD CE's?

The reason the Sanyo never saw the light of day was that Wal-Mart stopped production on all disc players. Sanyo doesn't make a DVD player or any kind of player.

So I think them all of a sudden resuming production would be huge news of any kind.

Onkyo however does have a Dual Format player in R&D as does Denon, Marantz, and JVC.

I think the real question is: Will Samsung announce their HD DVD player or wait until CEDIA?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I think the real question is: Will Samsung announce their HD DVD player or wait until CEDIA?

They won't release a standalone HD DVD player.
They already stated last month in Korea that their neutral stance was short lived and the BD-P5000 would be a one off player. They are back to the business of being all about Blu-ray.
You can look to CES 2008 in 11 days for them to confirm this and announce another BD standalone player.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Onkyo however does have a Dual Format player in R&D as does Denon, Marantz, and JVC.

R&D? Ha, I'm sure even Sony has a dual format player in R&D just like they did with VHS.
However, announcements are what is key as that shows the public what direction the company is in. JVC will not be announcing anything to do with HD DVD in 2008.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by PRO-630HD

By the way Jeff works for Warner not Sony.

That's right and he is the new CEO as of 01.01.08
He's one of the main reasons why Warner went neutral and will be a driving force in Warner's decision to drop HD DVD altogether in 2008.