New Line confirms it'll follow in Warner's Blu footsteps
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Jan 5th 2008 at 4:45PM
As if anyone expected anything different, New Line confirmed with Variety Magazine that it'll follow Warner to the Blu-ray promise land. While this is a no brainer considering the relationship between Warner and New Line, (also owned by Time Warner, just like Engadget) other studios remain up in the air. When, and if, Universal makes the switch as well is any ones guess, but at this point we doubt many would expect otherwise. But, as we've learned in the last few days, anything's possible, but the idea of having one HD format to adopt is something even most members of the red camp can get behind.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jody @ Jan 5th 2008 4:59PM
On cue, sony has raised the BDP-S300 back up to 399.99 from 299.99....
Thanks a lot warner
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=27898
Jason @ Jan 5th 2008 5:04PM
but jody!!! this change in the war is good for the consumer!!!!
it means prices will go down!! duh!!! don't you know anything about economy?!?!?
/sarcasm off
recon @ Jan 5th 2008 10:01PM
that was a sale price idiot! the sony bluray player has had the new regular price of 399 for a while now. It was just those weeks during the holiday season that they offered a sale price of 299. Just like Samsungs bdp-1400, 499 player was on sale for 299 during that holiday time too. learn to read the tags.
Doc @ Jan 5th 2008 5:06PM
Although the idea of having one format is great and I don't care about which side won, I don't understand why other companies didn't do what warners did in terms of double dipping selling both HD-DVD and Blu-ray? Seems that you stand to double your sales, right? Now will I ever be able to find a blu-ray player for under $200 or $100 for that matter?
shakes2 @ Jan 5th 2008 5:17PM
It was premature to move this way. As much as people claim they have an understanding of the system and how it was overdue to end competition, they are sorely mistaken since competition is the soul of capitalism. We could have had $200 Blu ray players by June and maybe $75 HD players to follow but consumers were impatient in adopting a format and now we will see a slower reduction in price and probably will not get BluRay 1.2 fully adopted until next Holiday season. That means I will have to wait 18 months to get a high end bluray player with full spec. If Apple comes out with some Apple blu ray equipment, I might just cut my loses and think of it as the failure of the industry. We can't have it all. Choose any 2 (Fast, Cheap, and Durable/Quality)
TNP @ Jan 5th 2008 7:56PM
@Doc:
Going 'both ways' ensures higher inventory (and tax) costs, plus the real chance their third world sweatshop laborers will get the wrong format disc in the wrong box - especially if more than one disc is involved (which has already been seen).
Tye @ Jan 5th 2008 5:13PM
This pretending to be upset over 'giving the customer a choice' or the ridiculous notion of doubling sales by supporting two formats (that only works in the short term, goofs) didn't seem to be that big of an issue when Universal went Red as I recall.
Oh well, they won't be red for long. Escape Clause!!!
Mike @ Jan 5th 2008 6:55PM
Universal has always been hd dvd...did you mean paramont?
massive_98 @ Jan 5th 2008 5:11PM
Lord of the Rings on Blu-Ray is going to be sweet. I have the first LOTR on VHS so I think I'll get it on Blu.
Thats not a nice move by Sony. But Sony is known for being an expensive brand. The only reason they went against their motto with a cheap player is because the situation called for it. I know its the way Sony does business but its still not very nice to the consumer.
locke6854 @ Jan 5th 2008 5:47PM
Peter Jackson said he felt the theatrical versions of LOTR were the definitive versions, since they preserve the pacing. I, for one, was never sensitive to "movie pacing", and I thought the extended cuts had some of the best scenes. I really hope they decide to release extended cuts.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 5th 2008 5:15PM
Wow, some of you guys sound so sore.
Why don't you go down to the basement and stack your HD DVD's right next to your Laserdiscs.
It's all over for HD DVD. It's about time.
Microsoft has no intentions of supporting HD DVD, they have other plans, HD downloads. Their already deep into that stuff. Just look at XBL. They could seriously care less about HD DVD.
Eddie @ Jan 8th 2008 11:03AM
You mean next to our betamax and ATRAC walkman, right?
If you think Sony's gonna lead you to the HDM promised land, you'e sorely mistaken. HD DVD was good for us owners, but it was better for you Blu kids. We'll see you guys down here in the basement real soon.
PS3_Austin @ Jan 5th 2008 6:25PM
Many thanks to New Line for supporting the best format, and helping mass adoption which will bring us all lower prices. It's wonderful to think our future won't be having to buy a dual format player and pay Toshiba liscence fees for poor technology none of us need.
andy @ Jan 5th 2008 6:43PM
I'm still wondering how prices increases are consumer friendly :confused:
Sony BRP now 399 again.
No more BOGO's.
What's so consumer friendly about that again?
Prey521 @ Jan 7th 2008 12:52PM
BD may be the more advanced format, but don't be fooled, it's not better than HD-DVD.
rewsa @ Jan 5th 2008 5:21PM
@ Tye
You are thinking of Paramount. Universal have been red all along and have nothing at all forcing them to stay so AFAIK.
I cant see how anybody involved in HD-DVD can possibly see any future in the format so Toshiba should just get making BluRay players.
Ron @ Jan 5th 2008 5:26PM
I don't have any bad feelings towards the HD-DVD camp and I welcome them over with open arms! Thank God this thing is winding down when we all just want to watch movies. If it's too expensive.. pick a cheaper hobby.
BLU @ Jan 5th 2008 5:40PM
THANK YOU WARNER!!!
misterhearn @ Jan 5th 2008 5:38PM
The consumer gets screwed out of this type of deal, if this is the last straw, Blu Ray players will stay expensive as golden toilets and they'll be able to drag their feet with interactivity and do as they please without competition. If you're lucky you'll see a bare bones BR player @ 200.00 by spring with limited support.
However if Universal stays aboard HD DVD has a slim chance at survival. If you look at each studio's respected website from both formats, in my opinion Universal, Paramount & Dreamworks have the best film line for this year so far, but if Universal bails or Paramount/Dreamworks somehow pulls out, its officially endgame
SimbaDogg @ Jan 5th 2008 9:21PM
pretty much every stupid vs Universal and paramount? c'mon...dont be an idiot, nobody has a catalog that big
SimbaDogg @ Jan 5th 2008 9:25PM
looks like i've been on the bottle....meant to say
pretty much everybody vs universal & paramount...
Charlie @ Jan 5th 2008 5:48PM
Why does everyone on the HD DVD side keep talking about the economics being bad to have a format winner....dont you understand the consumer buying a $200 hd dvd player (at a loss)isnt doing the industry a favors or paying unverisal 150 million to go exclusive doesnt help Toshiba or make them happy.or profitable....this is a war of attrition.. responible companies will go only so far with incentives to get marketshare..Toshiba is a good company...they will gracefully bow and exit...as far as hardware goes there are several manufactures that make blu ray...that will keep the hardware competitively priced...no not at an unrealistic loss...as far as software (titles) goes...I havent seen any edge to either format on price...other than giving the for free by the hardware manufacturer (who pays the studio for them) The bottom line: if you want HD Disc to be a viable format your going to have to pay for it now...prices will come done just like DVD...over time when the economic support it....for me $25. for a $100,000,000 movie played on a $500 machine that is a better quality that the movie theater is quite a bargin...
JustMe @ Jan 5th 2008 8:12PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Sony heavily subsidizing the cost of the PS3?
massive_98 @ Jan 5th 2008 5:52PM
The one thing that is slightly funny about this is none of Warners Q1/Q2 titles interest me in the slightest. People seem to be looking too much at the big name and forgetting whats behind the name. Which is fine by me as I'm in the Blu side.
To me this is quite similar to peoples conceptions of the impact of Microsoft. People see the big name for HD DVD but don't realize they don't make movies, sell hd dvd computer drives and only sell an optional add-on for a video game console.
on for a video game console.
Jody @ Jan 5th 2008 6:01PM
On Cue, Pioneer announces more expensive Blu-Ray players....
That makes sony and pioneer, who's next?
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/05/pioneer-promises-pricey-new-blu-ray-players-in-2008/
Thank you for helping the consumer warner.
JimC @ Jan 5th 2008 7:39PM
Pioneer has always been pricey, come on, stop being so reactionary....
haldol @ Jan 5th 2008 6:14PM
Hey Jody, I am really really DISTURBED by these recent turn of events too! I hate Sony although maybe that's too strong after all I've been raised as a Christian and I don't think Jesus would hate Sony although maybe he would if he were a HD DVD fan like me and Jody. I think that we need to keep the support strong for Toshiba and Microsoft, because they are pro-consumer, they support the "little guys" like me and Jody, not trying to crush us under their stinky Betamax/Minidisc/Super Audio CD feet like Sony is trying to do. I also want us to support HD DVD because I want us to buy American, you know guys even though I am only a Cannuck, I want to buy American products whenever I can b/c I really respect those guys for giving us the high resolution and definition (tho I'm not sure if they are the same?) pictures and videos. But boo-ray doesn't have the reference quality Dolby Digital Plus that HD DVD has, like on Transformers. Guys, please don't be richy rich snobs and give HD DVD a chance. I'm going to Walmart right now to buy another HD DVD to watch tonight, but I don't know which Harry Potter to get cuz they are all so good!
Jody @ Jan 5th 2008 6:47PM
@haldol
DoucheBag,
I have a PS3 and am not a HD-DVD fanboy. I want a SA blu-ray player, but unfortunately the final spec doesn't exist. Sony has rolled out the BR spec in phases to ass rape early adopters into buying 3 machines instead of one, plain and simple. Blu-ray is the superior format, no arguing that, but it isn't available in it's final form yet. I have a PS3 which looks stupid sitting in my AV rack, but at least it's profile 2.0 ready-ish.
I have over $18,000 invested in my av setups, it's not the money its the principle of the matter. And yes I have been ass raped by M$ as well, but they are the lesser of evils compared to Sony.
XeroState @ Jan 5th 2008 6:56PM
Grudge against Sony much? Too bad Sony is ONE company behind Blu-Ray, there are numerous others [Matsushita, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, Samsung, Thomson]. And Toshiba, HD DVD's creator is NOT American, it's Japanese just like the other backers named Sanyo and NEC. And M$ has next to nothing in the HD DVD camp, just like Intel. They merely "support" it to try and cash in. Buying HD DVD is still buying Japanese, just like Blu-Ray so that argument is gone.
M$ pro-consumer? Laugh. The 360 is really pro-consumer.. released well before it was finished causing a little problem known as "Red Ring of Death" all so they could cash in on the market first, making them money. Windows has always been pro-consumer too right? Vista and it's "security" systems sure has helped the average Joe out... not.
And BD supports Dolby Digital Plus too along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD, so that argument is a moot point.
And for those who think this is bad for the consumer and think prices will always stay high, were DVD players not like 700 bucks when they first came out and they had NO competition and their prices came down.... Will BD be more expensive in the short run? Likely. In the long run? No. They, like VHS tapes/players, CD players/discs, DVD players/discs will come down in price once everyone starts making them. They can't all just sit back, they have to compete with each other for the sale. One company isn't making everything.
Jody @ Jan 5th 2008 7:21PM
I dont grudge against sony, I just dont want my profile 1.0 or 1.1 BD player collecting dust on the shelf in the garage next to all of my MiniDisc gear.... sigh...
Alas, My hd-dvd collection will sit there with my DVD, Blu-Ray, and LaserDisc collection. I'll make sure I have a spare HD-DVD player sitting near my spare pioneer DVL-919
jeesusfreek @ Jan 6th 2008 2:29PM
@xerostate
shut the hell up about vista. I'm incredibly sick about people down-talking Vista and Microsoft (and calling it M$ - no way?? the point of any corporation is to make money so stop calling it like you think they are out for profiteering) so until you have worked as IT Support for a major corporation supporting over 3,000 machines, don't talk out of your ass. Which is exactly what you are doing.
@all
Many neglect that the HD-DVD camp has the money behind it. Microsoft has been known to back certain technologies and then pour millions into those technologies until they win, regardless of QoS. (quality of service for all you non-IT people out there). Enterprise Mobile, Sharepoint, Windows Live, etc anyone? Some of those technologies aren't even being widely adopted i.e. Windows Live but Microsoft has yet to stop pouring money into them.
I wouldn't count out HD-DVD just yet.
Leroy Vargas @ Jan 7th 2008 3:03PM
There is a joke regarding the Playstation 3. Formats it supports (just look at the icons printed on the right side of the console [if lying horizontally; if vertical that would become the top of the console]):
* Blu-ray Disc (BD)
* Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD)
* DVD-Video/ROM (DVD)
* Compact Disc-Digital Audio (CD)
* HDMI
* etc.
SACD, being already a nearly-dead format due to lack of adoption, is still supported on the PS3!
Anthony Butler @ Jan 5th 2008 6:21PM
NEW LINE is the same company as WARNER.
no shit they are blu. stop rubbing it in my face
tony @ Jan 5th 2008 6:33PM
This deffintly sucks for HD people. I support both formats, i have just as many HD's as i do BluRays. I dont perfer one over the other. Hd released some good movies and bluray as well.
For consumers tho this will suck because those of us who just bought a HDdvd player and a stock pile full of Hddvds just may have wasted thier money. Now if Bluray were to relase the same movies as HD on bluray and off HD consumers a trade in or discount to mail in thier HDdvds for Bluray titles, that might make HD consumers feel a bit better.
But i do think its good to have both formats. Cause just like sony did, others may see what they do and raise thier prices on their systems knowing there isnt a alternitive to the bluray disc because HD would be dead. Kinda like gas prices, theres no real alternitive so they can charge pretty much what they want cause theres no compitition. Sure, theres some places like irving that sell it for a few cents shorter, but its altimately the same price and thats whats going to happen to bluray systems when/IF HD dies. SOme will be prob $1000, some might be 800, but they will prob maintain a higher price knowning people want the HIghdeff quality.
Am i wrong?
joe @ Jan 5th 2008 6:55PM
Yes Tony, you are wrong.
Hd-DVD has been dealt a near fatal blow.
Warner may well have voided contracts with HD-DVD to end the format war. The only reason studios want to end the format war is that their profits have been in the toilet since the war began,DVD included.
If the BDA starts jacking up prices and reduces the consumers adoption of the format the studios will loose interest and stick to dvd. They know this.
Since HD-DVD isn't actualy dead the BDA has breathing room but can't screw people like you fear they will.
As far as you wasting money on HD-DVD that is your problem. If having high def versios of the movies in your collection is a "waste" then you wasted your money as soon as you purchased them.
I actually plan on getting a HD-DVD player now. I expect the movies to drop into the sub $10 range and the players in the $50 mark.
I just bought 3 shrinkwrapped copies of new VHS movies today. I'm sure HD-DVD movies will staty around for a while also.
Mike @ Jan 5th 2008 6:59PM
Ron,
So movie watching is only for the elite? %$%## you...its that attitude from blueball fanboys why i didn't like blue ray. I like my money and have other (more important) things to spend it on.
YES $400 is too much to spend when you could watch HD for $179...and it was on it's way to $150.
Ron @ Jan 5th 2008 8:45PM
I never said this was for the elite. I am stating that traditionally early adopters pay a premium. All home theater gear tends to be that way. If you freak out between $200 versus $400 you may want to hold tight and wait for prices to come down. Thats what I am doing, I haven't upgraded until things smooth down more.
People are testy with this internet stuff heh heh..
Michael @ Jan 8th 2008 2:46AM
Instead of taking part in this argument... I'm going to get off the computer and go watch and HD DVD.
:-)
Tye @ Jan 5th 2008 7:09PM
Sorry I did mean Paramount back there.. my bad :S
Same point though.
Mike @ Jan 5th 2008 7:13PM
I wonder how much new line got to sign blue ray. I also wonder, now that the momentum is behind blue ray, how much Universal would get to go blue? How much does Disney get to stay blue? HD DVD needs to go after them if Sony spent the bank on Warner and Fox and get them on HD DVD exsclusive contracts. How long is Warners contract?
I am going to watch for HD DVD's response..cause if they keep making HD DVD players and market them as affordable up converting players that play hd dvd and keep paramount and universal and possibly get disney then they can cause the war to continue tell Warner and Fox's contracts are up and they can relook at the number of less exspensive HD DVD on the market compared to when they signed the deal.
Dman @ Jan 5th 2008 7:22PM
Shouldn't the title be "Time Warner goes Blue"?
No kidding New Line went with them....this would be like announcing "Paramount goes red"...and then a few days later "Dreamworks goes red"....ya think? Idiots
I have HD and ps3, but I seriously don't see the average Joe spending $399 for a player alone....if this is the deathblow for HDDVD...it could very well be the deathblow for BR also. When people stop having choices of lower priced players, they will stop buying HD, upconversion players will take over.
It's great for those who want to spend the money, but for the masses it's not...HD is a minority, and high priced players as the only option will not help it take over.
steveo @ Jan 5th 2008 7:36PM
It boggles my mind how some people like you can understand so clearly that the future of HDM is now in serious jeopardy, and yet so many more gloated at the death of HD DVD.
A permenant split would have been better than Blu winning, because it would have at least kept the cheap players out there allowing HDM access to many millions more families than a $300-$500 entry fee for a Profile 1.1 or 2.0 player will.
Jody @ Jan 5th 2008 7:26PM
HD-DVD fans,
It was a good fight. If you would have spent time buying and watching HD-DVD instead of fighting with the blu-ray fans, maybe the war would have swung the other way.
The war is over, deal with it. The HD-DVD promo group canceled their CES stuff, check-mate blu-ray.
Now lets hope a final spec blu-ray player comes out soon so we can all move on and enjoy our HD movie bliss.
steveo @ Jan 5th 2008 9:20PM
Since Blu won without having a final spec, what would encourage them to ever have a final version? That would eliminate the opportunity to have a new and improved version ever so often to keep player prices high.
And, apparently, the studios DON'T care about attach rates, as HD DVD had higher than Blu.
But, yes, the war is over.
MasterCKO @ Jan 7th 2008 2:46PM
Um, how about competition among the different companies making BD players? Also, the fact that HD DVD isn't *quite* dead yet, so they can't rest on their laurels just yet.
Nope, the studios care about worldwide sales of the media. Which BD was absolutely killing in. To be honest, I never understood why people would think that the studios, creators of content, cared about an almost arbitrary ratio of media-to-player sales more than absolute media sales numbers. The only people who might care about attach rates would be hardware mfr's or the overarching organizations in charge of the respective formats (BDA, HD DVD Promotional Group), I guess. *shrug*
You are right that the war is over, though. Thankfully.
misterhearn @ Jan 5th 2008 7:46PM
If anyone is still reading this I'd like to take a true survey, please keep fanboy bickering down to a minimum if you reply.I ask you to visit the major studios supporting each format's respected websites, please look at the upcoming movies listed for each and reply whom has the better line up thus far? If possible state your opinion why, not just "Sony because its Blu Ray" or "Universal because its anything but Blu Ray". Please remain honest! I would list them all but they only allow three URLs max per post.
I honestly think Universal looks the best so far, you have to look under their coming soon section, Hulk, Wanted, Hellboy 2, The Mummy 3, Doomsday and even Forgetting Sarah Marshall looks pretty damn funny, but this is just my opinion, I'm asking for yours
steveo @ Jan 5th 2008 8:11PM
Your survey makes no sense. Irrespective of specific titles, 70-80% of product is coming out from Blu exclusive studios. There is no reason to choose HD DVD if you are new to HDM. The only reasonable choice is Blu or none of the above. If you already have HD DVD, you (and I) can keep on keepin on, but our choices just got a lot more limited. I don't plan on buying many more HD DVDs, but if BSG seasons 2 and 3 come out, Uni can count on a few more $$$ from me.
Andy Sullivan @ Jan 5th 2008 8:09PM
Simple question. What makes blu-ray superior? More space seems over kill, or it seems that way with current releases. Is the PQ better? Is the SQ better? Are the DVD's less expensive to produce?
tony @ Jan 6th 2008 8:05PM
Nah, i have both a ps3 and a HDdvd, truthfully, i dont see the differnce quality wise. Many independent groups that dont support one over the other same the quality is the same. Its mostly the camps that say thiers is superior to the other.
The biggest difference is the size. HD mostly makes their movies in HD and the extra's in SD. That uses up most of the space. Whereas bluray has alot more space so usually thier movie and extras are all in HD format. But to someone like me that is only mostly interested in the movie and not the extra's, The HDdisc are just fine.
But there are some movie fanatics that like watching the extra's in HD which is fine for them. Price wise tho, tthey both mostly the same. Tho shopping on amazon.com, BR's are about 5-10 more then HD. But store wise, they both about equal. SO the biggest difference is the space for the extra's and on tv sets, more episodes and less disc used.
HP @ Jan 5th 2008 8:47PM
HD DVD and Blu-Ray offer the same resolution (720p, 1080i, 1080p)
HD DVD's disc capacity is 15GB single layer, 30GB dual layer, or 45GB prototype triple layer
Blu-Ray's disc capacity is 25GB single layer, 50GB dual layer, and 100GB prototype triple layer
HD DVD can store anywhere from 3.3 to 5.1 hours on disc in HD
Blu-Ray can store anywhere from 5.6 to 8.5 hours on disc in HD
Both formats support Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES.
Companies offering HD DVD players are Toshiba, LG, Thomson/RCA, Onkyo, and Samsung
Companies offering Blu-Ray players are Sony, Hitachi, LG, Mitsubihi, Sharp, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, and Thomson/RCA
Studios supporting HD DVD are Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner (includes New Line & HBO until May 2008), the Weinstein company, Dreamworks animation
Studios supporting Blu-Ray area Sony (includes MGM/Columia/TriStar), Disney (includes Touchstone, Miramasx), Fox, Warner, Lions Gate
Retail pricing for movies is the same for both, from $20-28 per movie
HD DVD players generally have been cheaper than Blu-Ray players. HD DVD players were sold during holiday promotions at the sub $100 level.
The best selling Blu-Ray player by a huge margin is the Sony PS3, which is currently $399. Most stand alone Blu-Ray players are more expensive. During the holiday there were specials on some stand alone Blu-Ray players which brought them closer to HD DVD pricing.
Both formats have stronger encryption than DVD to prevent piracy. HD DVD uses AACS and ICT. Blu-Ray uses AACS, ICT, BD+, BD-ROM Mark. Both formats have been reported cracked.
HD DVD discs are not region encoded. Any disc you buy anywhere in the world will work on any player anywhere in the world. Blu-Ray discs on the otherhand are locked by region.
All HD DVD players have a network port for firmware updates or additional content. In the case of Transformers on HD DVD, if you plug into the internet you get a wealth of information about each transformer. On Blu-Ray this is not a requirement, and not all players have network ports.
HD DVD has supported advanced features such as picture in picture from day one. This same feature is only now appearing in Blu-Ray, after a firmware update, and only on certain players. Blu-Ray spec is still evolving. We've yet to see certain features announced as part of Blu-Ray.
Both sides have been giving away free movies.
Both sides have seen buy one get one free offers on movies.