Warner Bros has abandoned HD-DVD in favour of Blu-ray
Warner Bros sides with Blu-ray
/v3-uk/news/1985719/warner-bros-blu-ray
07 Jan 2008, Shaun Nichols , V3
Warner Bros has committed to producing its newest line of high-definition DVDs in the Blu-ray format.
The company said on Friday that it would abandon the competing HD-DVD format in May and distribute all film and television discs in standard DVD or Blu-ray.
Warner Bros chairman and chief executive Barry Meyer said that the decision was driven by what the company sees as a greater consumer demand.
"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," he said.
"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."
A fierce war has raged between the two formats and the companies that back them, most notably Sony and Toshiba. Third parties, such as Microsoft, Dell and HP have also squared off in the battle.
The Warner Bros move strikes a blow to Toshiba, as the company was preparing to showcase its latest HD-DVD products at CES in Las Vegas.
The HD-DVD Promotional Group, an advocacy organisation whose members include Intel, Lenovo and Microsoft, went so far as to cancel a special media event planned for the show.
Those in the Blu-ray camp were thrilled by the news. Sun Microsystems said that it stands to benefit as its Java programming language is used to produce much of the bonus material on Blu-ray discs.
"This is great news for the Java community," said Sun spokeswoman Jacki Decoster.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Warner Bros sides with Blu-ray
"true blue all the way through."
Posted by Mike H., 07 Jan 2008
Sad news
It's sad news because HD DVDs are cheaper to make than Blu-Ray discs are...and the players are nearly $200 cheaper than Blu-Ray players. I for one am not buying a Blu-Ray player until they drop below $200 - and will stay with my HD DVD player until that happens. I am very happy with the HD DVDs I purchased and will continue to purchase.
Any Studio that has decided to be exclusive to Blu-Ray will only get my $ because I will be buying the regular DVDs.
Posted by Jean, 07 Jan 2008
It's about time.
Finally.... HD-DVD can be laid to rest... beside BetaMax in the technology graveyard.
Posted by Johnny Thrash, 07 Jan 2008
Getting burned
I think the whole exclusive to one or the other is rediculous.I have an HD player but stillthink the same movies should go to both formates.If warner Bros was really concerned about the customer they would realize not everyone can shell out 400+ dollars for a Blu-Ray player.They would do just as good if not better buy sticking with both.To me they are saying you cant enjoy our films on Hi-DEF Unless you spend more money,cause not only do the Blu-ray players cost more so do the movies.I feel burned buy W.B. as well as others,I am really upset now that I wont get The Dark Knight in Hi-Def when its released on DVD.This whole war is stupid and the movie companies are screwing their loyal buyers.This just goes to show how "smart" these people really are.
Posted by M.A.B, 08 Jan 2008
What a con
Why cant we keep both formats going its not causing any problems and at least this way everyone gets there own choice in format and we are not forced to by what the companys want which is the most expensive of course. So it will soon be the case that if you cant afford blu-ray you wont be able to get High Def for your tv. So thanks again Warner Bros for nothing.
Posted by andy, 08 Jan 2008