Reports: Warner Bros. will back only Blu-ray

New York/Los Angeles, 2008-01-04 - Reuters via USA Today:

Time Warner's Warner Bros. studio plans to announce it will release next-generation DVDs on Sony Corp's Blu-ray format exclusively, two sources familiar with the plans said Friday, dealing a big blow to Toshiba's HD DVD format.

Warner Bros., Hollywood's biggest seller of DVDs representing about 18 to 20% of sales in the United States, had been one of the few studios that backed both formats.

News Corp's 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney, and Lions Gate Entertainment are among studios backing the Blu-ray format. Viacom's Paramount studios and General Electric's NBC Universal, owned by General Electric Co and France's Vivendi, release movies in HD DVD format.

An announcement is expected shortly, the sources said.

[resistance100]

Well this really could be a major factor, Warner blu-ray exclusive that just leaves Universal and Paramount (18months) left on the HD camp, i feel sorry for those who brought HD DVD players, and gald i held off getting the HD DVD add on for my 360

[whoelse]

About 12 months now.

[CeruleanSky]

Here is the official press release:

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE ITS HIGH-DEFINITION DVD TITLES
EXCLUSIVELY IN THE BLU-RAY DISC FORMAT BEGINNING LATER THIS YEAR

Decision Made in Response to Strong Consumer Preference for Format

(January 4, 2008 - Burbank, CA) - In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros.
Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the
Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry
Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group.

"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," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-
definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We
believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for
mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most
importantly, consumers."

Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format
and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray
releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end
of May 2008.

"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to
provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware
prices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner
Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision by
Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is
the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."

"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward
high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and
becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," said
Tsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that
recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home
entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner
Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high
definition media and we have enormous respect for their effort

[CeruleanSky]

"Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format
and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray
releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end
of May 2008."

So Warner will continue selling HD-DVD for the next three months and then drop the format.

[marinelife9]

LOL xbots still can't wait to get that 360 Ultimate with the built in HD-DVD drive and the Kung Fu Grip.

[marinelife9]

I'd like to hear what Michael Bay has to say. I'm sure he's laughing his @$$ off somewhere.

[marinelife9]

Here is the link right from Time Warner's mouth.

http://www.timewarner.com/c...

[darkside]

DAMN I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE Ultimate: 360 COME OUT lol!!! Useless HDDVD $hit!!lol

[tethered]

Nice find.
Reuters news is a very reputable news agency.

[Bonsai1214]

its the british AP

[hella whip]

Yeah Reuters are one of the biggest news agencies there is.

[Real gamer 4 life]

And thats all folks, the end of hd-dvd is here. Rip hd-dvd on 1/4/08. And now it couldnt have came in a better time now that microsoft is reasdy to waist money on releasing a xbox 360 with hd-dvd. now only is this a blow to toshiba but also a blow to microsoft.

[resistance100]

'And thats all folks'

lol Bubbles for you

[Cyrus365]

Just when you thought there might be some sort of stalemate, Warner Bros. Goes Blu.

Anyone know the upcoming "Big titles" released by warner in 2008 in the theatres, that will be coming out later obviously on Blu-Ray/DVD?

I don't mean in theateres now, I mean coming in the summer, like Iron Man, or Indiana Jones (I know that's lucas Arts and Fox I believe), what other big upcoming movies in the summer 08 are Warner Bros?

Edit- Wow forgot about Dark Knight, and future Harry Potters! :O Those shall be big.

[Tru_Blu]

I am legend

Only one I can think of off the top of my head

[vloeistof]

the dark knight !!!!!!!!! o and harry potter 6

[vloeistof]

dubble post

[MK_Red]

vloeistof, Agreed on first film.
I'm a Sony / Blu fan but even if I was a HD-DVD fan, this announcement alone would have made me change sides since I HAVE to go with the site that has Smile on it's faces and is So Serious :)
The Dark Knight will own 2008.

[whoelse]

Wow

BLU-RAY FTW!!!!

[MK_Red]

W.O.W.
In you face Paramount, you greedy bastard. If Paramount hadn't done that stupid thing, the war would have been over by now and everyone would have been happy (Except for Toshiba of course).

[lonestarmt]

wow if true, bye bye HD-DVD. I hope when HD-DVD dies they will release the bourne movies in blu-ray. lol

[whengeeksgobad]

if this is true, thankfully we may finally see an end to the format war.

[TheTwelve]

IT'S ALL OVER FOLKS!!!

12

[THE_JUDGE]

if true thats alot sooner than I thought it would happen. GO BLU!!!

[TheTwelve]

Well, everybody said that Warner would look at Harry Potter sales during Christmas and then make a choice. I figured that the heavily-tilted-toward-Blu sales for "300" said enough, but alas Paramount had to do their crap and delay things. But now Warner knows.

This will be a significant boost towards PS3 sales. Somebody above said and I agree: I feel sorry for the people who bought the HDDVD add-on, thereby bumping the price of their console higher than the PS3 with the winning format already inside.

12

[Marceles]

By the Round Peg? There must be some kind of "just kidding! it's really HD-DVD exclusive" joke in there...*clicks link* Wow, seriously a nice find Round Peg.

[mintaro]

looks like blu-ray is taking over

[SRuN4]

HD-DVD has had one foot in the grave for awhile now. Looks like this may finally come to an end.

[King2008]

Every studio would release there titles on blu-ray once HD-DVD folds. If this is true and it seems like a very reputable site. I really want transformers in HD instead of upscaled. Imagine the next xbox with Sony backed blu-ray inside of it.

I just re-read it and it said Warner will still release Blu-ray til May then its joining the perfect marriage of blu-ray and bravia and ps3 thats a menage-a-trois

[vloeistof]

the dark knight blu-ray exclusive

[power of Green]

Great bring on the announcment. This is still a rumor.

[Cyrus365]

A rumor that is being reported by USA Today (Which i believe was one of the first to Report on the (rumor) that paramount was going HD DVD Exclusive.

It actually reported by USA Today and Reuters, I doubt they go to press without some damn good sources, and are positive that it's true. It ain't some blog reporting MGS 4 is going 360.

[TheTwelve]

No. Read the link again. It's been updated and an official announcement has been made. Warner is Blu in May.

12

[Play B3yond]

you just cant beat it...all the "rumors" are always from the xbox coming from some unknown sites like xboxfamily.com...now this stuff is 100% fact

[TechWiz]

Not a rumor. see link from time warner newsroom:
http://www.timewarner.com/c...

and a link from reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/arti...

[cervantes99]

Game, Set, Match!!!

Thank goodness

[Meus Renaissance]

If this is confirmed, and Microsoft intended to showcase the Xbox Ultimate with a HD-DVD player inside, then they can scrap those plans because it would be embarrassing if they actually went through with that dying format.

But if anything, this pours cold water onto the authenticity of that rumour in all fairness. Either Warner going Blu is the truth, or it remaining neutral, and the Ultimate is a reality. Both can't be true.

[Primetimebt]

Mircosoft big announcement is they're adding a Blu Ray add on..

[Primetimebt]

"Warner said it would continue releasing in the HD DVD format until the end of May, although those releases would follow the standard DVD and Blu-ray releases."

Finally the War is offically over thank you..

[fenderputty]

the better. I really hope this ends out helping persuade other companies to go Blu.

[08_CiViC_Si]

im not a ps3 supporter but im happy to see an end to the format war.

couldve come months ago though...

[Tru_Blu]

They held on longer then expected. Heres to you HD-DVD

http://home.paonline.com/je...

[Crazyeyez]

lmfao +bubbles!!

[TheTwelve]

You are getting bubbles for that one...LOL!

12

[PlayStation360]

Damn Blu, that was cold man. :P

[Black_Jack]

to know that this war is now going in a particular direction now, its understandable that both companies want to win but the as the article says its just getting too confusing for consumers and its hurting HD optical media sales in general.

If High definition disc media is to prevail then the war needs to end, the sooner it ends the cheaper it will get and the more we can enjoy high definition movies.

I've got respect for warner, they're biting the bullet and making a descision for us and in our best interests as consumers . Like they said this war is just hurting both formats and our wallets. Good on them for this.

[Trick Nolte]

Props :D

[xplosneer]

*Wishes* this end the format war before anything else changes.

Edit: Wait a second this is official?!?!

It's over. Period.

This guy is smart: "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers," Warner Bros Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Meyer said in a statement.

I didn't care which way they went, but at least they are pretty much tipping to war greatly in favor of BluRay. One format FTW.

One more thing: Round Peg, it probably doesn't matter that much anymore but you are about to get a lot of degrees.

[Darkiewonder]

You gain back a company and you "lose" more. My Spidey sense that Microsoft will prolong this with another partnership with a bigger studio.

[bootsielon]

Come on guys, we want to know what you think about this.

[Meus Renaissance]

Me too. Dep

[Marceles]

Zhuk - This announcement is only a minor setback to the amazing power of the Xbox 360 and it's fully stocked Xbox Live Marketplace of Movies, Games, TV Shows, blah blah....

[kingboy]

Take that!!As expected, Blu Ray was going to be triumphant.

[mccomber]

This is groin-grabbingly good news, maybe they can finally end the format war!

[AceLuby]

This is all over and I'm so glad I didn't buy into the $170 360 add on even w/ the free 5 movies. Also, doesn't Paramount have a clause that if Blu holds onto a big enough section of the market they can get out of their contract early? I wonder how long it will be before Toshiba just bows out.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

If true...I am guessing this will kill HD-DVD. About the only hope HD-DVD has is the "China" factor. Because if I recall correctly China has an HD-DVD equivelant format which they are going to produce players for...Toshiba could conceivably focus in there...but honestly I think Blu-Ray will win out with this news..if true.

This will be a HUGE hurrdle for Sony...and they will be able to breath a little with this news and get back to focusing on the PS3 more.

[xplosneer]

It shouldn't matter. US was the ONLY chance, everywhere else Blu Ray was winning 3:1, 4:1, Japan I think was like 8:1(Don't quote me on the exact ratios, but I do KNOW that HDDVD was losing more everywhere else then in US, by large margins.

[cmrbe]

I really want this format war to end now. Prices are already low cause of the competition, now its time to end this. I really do hope this come true. Also i really do hope to see Iron Man and Wanted on blu ray this year if this war ends soon.

[demolitionX]

this is bill gates 2008's biggest announcement: " WE FAILED "

[lodossrage]

I had to bubble you for that one! Good timing for that joke

[rawd]

This just in!

HD-DVD discs make great coasters for your drinks!

[squallsoft]

Good fight, good night...

I highly doubt that Ultimate is going to become a reality. Not after this news... mabey i wont need to wait as long now to see transformers on blu...

[bootsielon]

Seriously, Paramount and Universal are completely alone now. Greedy Paramount could have thought about consumers, but no, they chose the unethical road to profit instead of the ethical one. Same goes for universal.

[chrno6]

Paramount is so wrong in accepting bribe from MS. Well, karma I say.

[heyheyhey]

children wave good bye to mr.hd-dvd *children wave* right now lets watch pirates on blu-ray (heh heh) /joke

on a totally different subject did anyone in the uk see that mid-blowing program on snow leopards right now- hope they release that series on blu-ray (what a way o get back on topic)

[Jason 360_Niglet]

I support blu-ray even though i dislike ps3... but this is great news. I just hope MS doesn't put HDDVD in the 360.

[bym051d]

Wonder what all of those Black Friday and pre-Black Friday HD-DVD sale buyers are going to think when their new HD-DVD players aren't going to be able to play anything new but DVDs?

[travelguy2k]

I would be returning my HD DVD player because most places give you a 30 day return policy.

[athlon770]

just because WB decided to support BD only. It is not like the supporters of (red) are going to throw their arms up in the air in disgust and close camp. (Red) will be around for some time to come...look at Betamax, Sony lost that war a long time ago, yet there were still movies released on the Beta cassette to the mid 90's.

I am however very glad that WB decided to back the obvious winner of this format dispute and I also hope the (red) exclusive studios will be able to either go neutral or switch over to (blue) exclusivity in a short period of time. (Red) gave it a heck of a run and honestly held out longer than I would have thought, but this has gone on long enough. Great decision WB for going (blue)...and you didn't even need to be paid off to make the decision.

[Cyrus365]

Curious,

Anyone know if Warner Bros had some monetary compensation to go Blu-Ray, like Paramount did to go HD Exclusive or was this by their own accord.

It looks to be, they did this out of their own, to end the confusion, which is good for them. To me it'll be the studios and retailers who in the end will decide who wins the format war, not the consumers.

[Sev]

Blu-Ray has won.

If Warner backs them 100% then this is pretty much the end of the format war right here. Unless other studios defect from Blu-Ray.

HD-DVD is dead.

PlayStation 3 just became much more likely to win the console war as well. That is if Blu-Ray picks up and becomes more of a standard.

I have been supporting Blu-Ray since before the PS3 and this is the best news I have heard so far!

[unlimited]

Sony is going to make lots of money and so will all the stuido supporting blu-ray..I guess putting blu ray in the ps3 is a great plan..

[games4fun]

months ago people were saying how horrible sony was for putting in a bluray player and sony would not sell, what happens ww sales of hardware ps3 beats xbox360 when it wasnt even supposed to come close without any proven heavy hitters and warner announces ecxlusive bluray. Mac computers will most likely use bluray and there are bluray drives and burners coming to pc. Hddvd loses consistantly every week for a full year. This blow almost wraps up the format war in bluray favor.

sony looks like geniuses in my book right now.

lol at doubters(mostly xbox fanatics)

[LinuxGuru]

HAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Hello, may I please get a #1 "kiss my ass" combo, with a side-order of "I told you so," please?

GO BLU! *does cheerleader dance*

[Adamalicious]

The outlook has been grim for HD-DVD from the start, and this just makes it even more clear that the market is choosing Blu Ray. I just hope HD-DVD admits defeat sooner than later.

[rbanke]

btw at the few who done believe it. You can see for yourself on timewarners website:

http://www.timewarner.com/c...

[Nameless]

Hopefully Microsoft will go with dignity & kill HD-DVD & end this stupid war that should not have begun. But we can thank Sony for starting it to begin with. But if the 360 were to get a Blu-Ray add on wouldnt the 360 be allowed to play PS3 games ?

[GIJeff]

isnt as capable a gaming machine.

[rbanke]

a serious answer to your question is, no the 360 couldnt play ps3 games, nor could the ps3 play 360 games. the arcitecture on each console is different.

[hella whip]

LOL just like the xbox could play PS2 games because they were both on DVD?

[athlon770]

the hd-dvd add on for the 360 could not even be used as a game drive for the 360's own software, plus the obvious differences in hardware between the two consoles.

[wangdiddy82]

blu ray is the shiznits.. I just picked up shoot'em up, resisdent evil trilogy, and The Rock on blu ray..

If warner goes to blu ray exclusively you can pretty much count HD dvd out of this war.. Warner and sony pictures make way better movies than universal and paramount these days.. Sony and warner are probably two of the best movie studio's right now.. And pixar which backs only blu ray..

[xplosneer]

It's not "if" anymore.......

[bootsielon]

This is a huge moral blow against Toshiba, and a huge incentive for HD-DVD backers to get out of the sinking ship while they can. Blu-ray facilities are now cheap to convert thanks to new organic dies developed by BD backers; BD discs are cheaper on a per gigabyte basis; Blu-ray players are now almost as cheap as DVD players. Blu-ray drives are raping HD-DVD drives on PCs. And PC manufacturers are backing either BD or both formats. Only Toshiba, which makes laptops, will hold onto HD-DVD, but who knows for how long.

Come on everyone, join the better format; better quality sound, longer movies, more content, and overall superior. I wish some of the interactive features of HD-DVD remained, but oh well... I would still rather have higher fidelity than interactivity, which is gonna come eventually with Profile 2.0.

[Nameless]

In the end though with all of that money Microsoft has no matter what they do they will not get hurt by this.

[cmrbe]

do they keep reporting it as Sony's format?. Anyways i hope now Universal and Paramount join too.

[xplosneer]

Why do they call it's Toshiba's format? I'm not poking here I'm happy, but they say that because Sony made it, and then others supported it.

[Darkiewonder]

They'll go through with what WB went through for a few months before going back to Blu-ray format ;3

[pompoms]

To be fair i'm not suprised... Reliable insiders at Blu-ray.com have been hinting at this for some time.

[Guwapo77]

About got dayum time! Thank you so so so much Warner Brothers for finally seeing the potential in Blu. Now, give me my dayum Matrix Trilogy!!!!

[Canidae]

This is a massive blow to HD-DVD, but its about time. With this we can all move together towards the bright HD future. Now all thats left is to wait for the rest of the companies to sail into the clear Blu waters. Well played Blu-Ray Disc Association, well played.

[Guwapo77]

Now to wait for Paramount/Dreamworks to finish out that 18 month deal. I'm sure they'll be back. As for Universal anyone know whats up with those guys?

[nice_cuppa]

.

[arika]

an early nail in the coffin indeed... but it is as expected.
i just feel sorry for those people who bought hddvd.
bluray all the way!! woohoooo!!!

[Cyrus365]

Is it me, or does it seem like Blu-Ray association, ain't messing around in 2008.

First you this big announcement that Warner Bros. is going Blu-Ray. Then you got a huge trendy Company, in Apple that will be announcing Blu-Ray drives in their computers, and other devices.

I think you'll see a big push in the next 4-5 months to end this "Confusion" and end this format war...

[BlackCountryBob]

Lets not forget, Warner Brothers owns New Line too so that means Lord of The Rings BluRay :D Dark Knight too, I hope they catch up and release on BluRay the stuff they did on HDDVD like Batman Begins and V for Vendetta

yey

PS: Come on Universal, stand up and do the right thing for everyone.

[xplosneer]

V for Vandetta was awesome. Bubble for you for reminding me about New Line.

[captainpwn]

IT'S OVER!

[OC_MurphysLaw]

First off...it really is good to see an end to the format war. It really is quite maddening to see a movie come out on one format and not another high def format. The next step is going to be Sony competing against the Upscaling DVD players. And while I dont see a real comparison...blu ray is by far better...DVD is STILL the leader on the movie side and will be for quite a few years I think.

Hopefully this whole ordeal has taught Sony a lesson..but I doubt it. They really took for granted the Playstation user base and just assumed all would follow without really properly supporting the launch of the PS3 (movie or game wise). And with them seemingly having won the format war I wonder if they will even look back at their mistakes along the way or just now shrug them off and say they dont care...they won the war they wanted to which was the format war. Sony getting kicked down a few notches was a really good thing for the industry...its forced them to have to actually produce on a level I dont think they felt they needed to.

Oh well...just my thoughts.

[MK_Red]

Great comment and points. Next target will indeed be upscaling DVD players. Hopefully Sony has learned it's lesson and won't act like that way again.
To a better future :)

[Sev]

From the looks of this Sony made the RIGHT decision by putting Blu-Ray in the Playstation 3.

This is a kill two birds one stone situation for Sony.

PlayStation 3 as BD player has increased Blu-Ray sales, enough for it to garner the most studio support. It made it so every PS3 sold is a Blu-Ray player sold.

PS3 helps Blu-Ray.

Blu-Ray will most likely be the HD format of choice from here on out.
This will result in the cost of Blu-Ray drives to decrease, also lowering the cost of the PlayStation 3 which will increase market penetration. This will also help the Playstation 3 more enticing as not only can you game on it, buy you can watch HD movies.
This will also increase market penetration.
Market penetration will increase game developer support. Helps PS3 get more exclusives.

Blu-Ray helps PlayStation 3.

I think Sony made the right decision.

[Nykamari]

Xbox 360 Ultimate comes with standard BLURAY DRIVE! For all you XTURDS which said that sony fbomded with bluray don't you feel like someone just let a load of $hyt on your faces HA HA!!!!!!!!!!

[LinuxGuru]

If THAT is true.....I will laugh my ass off for WEEKS.

[darkside]

The ironically lol!!

[Nameless]

So it looks like Sony will win The Format War. Now The Console War is up for grabs.

[arika]

3 biggest losers coming out of this deal is paramount, toshiba and microsoft.... what will happen to the rumored xbox 360 ultimate with hddvd player. well.. i guess back to the drawing board for ms...

the new rumor would be coming out "ms making a new and upgraded console the super ultimate xbox 360 with bluray player."

bluray ftw!

[BlackCountryBob]

paramount won have lost a damn thing, the payout they had along is much more than they could have expected to make in earnings from disk sales, when the contract they signed is up they just go back to BluRay, its easy for them.

Universal Studios have problems though, surely it is going to become an untenable position to release exclusive on HDDVD without the benefits of a big fat payout.

Its a shame coz HDDVD is a good format but it never stood a chance when right from the start when the biggest studios backed BD exclusively.

HDDVD = Circling the drain

[rich13er]

Its possible to put a combo Bluray/HD-DVD drive in the new 360. I picked one up for $229

[THE_JUDGE]

the look and sound of worthless!

[LinuxGuru]

Judge Judy FTW!!!!

[resistance100]

At least warner are nice enough to give HD DVD owners HD films til May.

[travelguy2k]

just to get rid of the Movies thay had alredy made for HD DVD. But seriously who is going to buy movies in a formate that wont last the year.

Check you local bargain bins everywhere for HD DVDS and players

[xplosneer]

http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed...

No more DRM on music, that's the last of the 4 major music labels to drop it! Wow, today is a good day.

[rawd]

G4TV hmm, I'm curious what Sessler and those pro MS monkeys will say about all this Blu news

[Rice]

HD DVD players are semi-dead, one more major move from Blu ray then its over.

[mintaro]

agreed

[MK_Red]

I wonder what will happen to New Line considering that it partially belongs to Warner but is still natural in the war.

[pangitkqb]

I have heard in a long time if this brings the end of the Blu-ray vs. Hd DVD format war a little closer. Nobody benefits long term from an ongoing format war, especially consumers like us.

Personally, I have always backed bluray and have purchased several films in the format. I am glad to see Warner taking a step in what I feel is the right direction.

Hopefully the format war will end swiftly so the general popultation (not just gamers) will be willing to make the move to High Def media. Once high def becomes standard prices will drop and the average joe will be able to enjoy high def movies/television without the fear of buying into the wrong format.

[Sev]

I really hope that this will give the PlayStation 3 more support as developers might see it as a more viable platform now.

PlayStation 3 will look much more enticing in the upcoming years, as its both a Blu-Ray player and obviously a console.

This will also help drive the costs of the PlayStation 3 down, allowing for better market penetration.

All in all this is EXCELLENT news.

[TheExecutive]

Well I didnt expect it to end this early but it looks as though hd-dvd is on its last leg... The format war is ending, the ps3 killed hd-dvd and now has its sights on the 360 and in late 2008 early 2009 will overtake the 360 but trail the Wii miserably. Great news for the industry as a whole.

[shysun]

*POPS the Champagne* This ones for you PS3! ;)

[TechWiz]

Warner made up their minds on which side to pick. I thought for sure Warner would hold out for another year. Let's hope this will be the final nail in the coffin for the format war.

[MaximusPrime]

Attention HDDVD supporter.

[Sev]

From the looks of this Sony made the RIGHT decision by putting Blu-Ray in the Playstation 3.

This is a kill two birds one stone situation for Sony.

PlayStation 3 as BD player has increased Blu-Ray sales, enough for it to garner the most studio support. It made it so every PS3 sold is a Blu-Ray player sold.

PS3 helps Blu-Ray.

Blu-Ray will most likely be the HD format of choice from here on out.
This will result in the cost of Blu-Ray drives to decrease, also lowering the cost of the PlayStation 3 which will increase market penetration. This will also help the Playstation 3 more enticing as not only can you game on it, buy you can watch HD movies.
This will also increase market penetration.
Market penetration will increase game developer support. Helps PS3 get more exclusives.

Blu-Ray helps PlayStation 3.

I think Sony made the right decision.

[jay5150]

Then you will probably find out how much Sony had to pay off WB!

[TechWiz]

Even if your prediction is true it's a great move by Sony. WB is huge and everyone in the industry was saying that if you win the support of WB you win the format war.

Hopefully the format war is over.

[Trick Nolte]

in the ass I was hoping for Toshiba to get. I've never been in favor of having to buy 2 dvd players in addition to having to to buy 2 different formats of disc(3! counting standard dvd) just becase "movie A" is coming out on "Player B. IT SUX!!!

Anyways. I have a PS3 so of course I'm in favor of BR but to be rational and totally honest HD DVD does what it does just as great as BR from a visual stand point. Its the lack of storage of hd dvd's that makes BR so much more appealing.

Point blank, BR is better designed and will serve a much more useful purpose to the movie industry and especially the gaming industry. There just isn't a need to have 3 dvd formats on the shelves. BR and standard is all the market can support anyways. The market typically supports hi-end and low-end product. I'm not sure if theres such a thing as a middle-end product but if there is; it would surely be HD DVD players.

[pwnsause]

ABANDON SHIP, ABANDON SHIP!!!!1111
www.riphdvd.ytmnd.com

[pwnsause]

ABANDON SHIP, ABANDON SHIP!!!!1111
www.riphdvd.ytmnd.com

[Black_Jack]

to know that this war is now going in a particular direction now, its understandable that both companies want to win but the as the article says its just getting too confusing for consumers and its hurting HD optical media sales in general.

If High definition disc media is to prevail then the war needs to end, the sooner it ends the cheaper it will get and the more we can enjoy high definition movies.

I've got respect for warner, they're biting the bullet and making a descision for us and in our best interests as consumers . Like they said this war is just hurting both formats and our wallets. Good on them for this.

[freakyzeeky]

Yay! Go Blu! :D

[fopums]

thought they were not going to support either......oh well, hopefully this war fiasco ends sooner

[pwnsause]

I told you that forum rumor was true,
http://forums.highdefdigest...

[Sev]

I own stock in Blu-Ray.

ME = FTW

[pwnsause]

DAMN, I SHOULD OF BROUGHT BD STOCK!!!1

[Salvadore]

Finally, now the format war is over.

[light]

for bringing HD war to the end. I hope sony has learned couple of lession not to take as granted. They almost lost it even when they had superior format and superior hardware compare to hd and xbox

[darkside]

I would LOVE to see Bill say were Fcuked!! that on CES lol!!!

[belal]

now where the hell is zhuk, mart ? wtf ? they will never admit that they lost this war ;) now when ps3 gets the second place the mart and zhuk will be gone ;) i mean it srsly.

( sry for bad english)

[whoelse]

Only annoying this is that They still will release in HD DVD till end of May but only an insane person will actually buy a HD DVD player now.

[Vip3r]

*rrrriiiipppp*

What was that? Oh it's HD-DVD getting ripped a new one yet again. I bet all those poor sods who bought into it are kicking themselves now.

[Raptors]

Oh man...The Effects:

1) Microsoft is going to have to start giving away those HD-DVD add ons.

2) Whoever approved the Xbox Ultimate is getting fired.

3) I FINALLY get to see Neo in high def on blu ray

4) Toshiba licks their wounds and c*ck blocks major releases from paramount just to upset everyone

RIP HD DVD...I really hope you had won but the Sony Defence Force is stronger than the United States army in Afghanistan. This site is going to be named News for Sony Gamers soon. A damn shame...