Chaztin Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Leaked NPD numbers show HD DVD hardware sales still trailing Blu-ray While the official tally isn't out, TWICE apparently has leaked data from The NPD Group -- which wouldn't confirm the accuracy of the numbers -- indicating HD DVD continued to trail Blu-ray in hardware sales and sales dollars in the week ending January 26. These numbers show Blu-ray at 65% of units sold, HD DVD at 28% (changed from 66% and 34% the week before, respectively) and combo players taking 6% of player sales. These figures still don't reflect the PS3 or the price-dropped Xbox 360 add-on, but right now it'll really be more interesting to see if Toshiba can hold any of that marketshare after today's events. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaztin Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 There are some reports that universal has droped hddvd exclusivity. Is it true? Anyone with more details Yup, thats true but its just that they are dropping it for a while and also giving space to Blu-Ray. It was stated by Universal previously that they would not support blu-ray anytime soon. However, the time has now changed, and it appears as though they have done a u-turn, and have decided to finally support Blu-Ray as well as the HD-DVD format. As seen in this month's EGM (attached below) it seems to be a move many knew would happen sooner or later. 2008 sure isn't looking to be very good for Toshiba and those in the HD-DVD camp. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Best Buy to Officially Recommend Blu-ray to Customers Beginning in early March, retailer Best Buy will begin officially recommending Blu-ray as best choice for high definition movies to their customer base. Since the beginning of the format war, Best Buy has silently stood on the sidelines providing both the Blu-ray and HD DVD format for consumers to choose. Current sales data now shows that Blu-ray is their choice, and the retailer will soon carry the official stance that Blu-ray is best high definition format. Brian Dunn, Best Buy's president and chief operating officer commented, "Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format. Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them." Best Buy will continue to stock a reduced amount of HD DVD players and movies, but the reduction in stock combined with the unified voice to support Blu-ray brings up questions as to how long those stocks will continued to be resupplied. --------------------------------------------------- BB's official recommendations may not be as big as Warner Bros move. but it still is a big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaztin Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Planet Earth bluray now for just $54. and Amazon has many good offers on BR now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I think B2G3 offer for blu-rays back on amazon.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaztin Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yes, I was point to it only, but didnt wanted to say that directly ^^. btw they ahve increased prices by 4-6$ per disc for starting this offer...!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Just ordered the followings from amazon.com. - Ocean's 11-13 - Blood Diamond - The Departed A BIG THANKS TO WB. All are region free. Hope I get them before next GI bangalore meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtheK Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Here goes the total sale list. $104.95: Harry Potter Years 1-5 $90.95: The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 2 $89.95: The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 1 $58.95: The Best of Blu-Ray - Action The Best of Blu-Ray - Family The Best of Blu-Ray, Volume One The Best of Blu-Ray, Volume Three The Best of Blu-Ray, Volume Two $55.95: That's Entertainment - The Complete Collection $54.95: Ocean's Trilogy Rescue Me - The Complete Third Season Smallville - the Complete Sixth Season $53.95: Nip/Tuck - the complete Fourth Season $27.95: Blade Runner (Five-Disc) Crash Hairspray Rush Hour 3 The Condemned $26.95: Are We Done Yet Crank Lord of War Premonition Running With Scissors Stomp the Yard The Messengers Vacancy War Weeds - The Complete Second Season $24.95: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Monster House Ocean's Thirteen Pan's Labyrinth Rocky Balboa Stranger Than Fiction The Pursuit of Happyness $23.95: 300 All The King's Men ATL Basic Instinct 2 Benchwarmers Blood & Chocolate Firewall Happy Feet Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Letters From Iwo Jima License to Wed Little Man Music and Lyrics National Geographic - Relentless Enemies Return to House on Haunted Hill Rumor Has It RV Syriana The Departed The Reaping TMNT Troy - The Director's Cut We Are Marshall $22.95: 16 Blocks Volver $20.95: Casino Royale Click First Blood Ghost Rider Gridiron Gang Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Open Season Reservoir Dogs Silent Hill Talladega Nights The Ant Bully The Covenant The Holiday Ultraviolet Underworld Evolution Weeds - The Complete First Season $19.95: A Christmas Story A Clockwork Orange A Room With a View Alexander, Revisited Arlington Road Battle of the Bulge Closer Curse of the Golden Flower Dawn of the Dead Day of the Dead Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn Flatliners Full Metal Jacket (original) Gods and Generals Good Night and Good Luck Gothika Halloween Hellboy (Director's Cut) House of Wax Jailhouse Rock Lethal Weapon Lethal Weapon 2 Masters of Horror: Season 1, Vol 1 Masters of Horror: Season 1, Vol 2 Masters of Horror: Season 1, Vol 3 Masters of Horror: Season 1, Vol 4 National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Out For Justice Purple Rain Revenge Scooby Doo Secret Window Seven Years In Tibet Space Cowboys Superman - The Movie Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines The Aviator The Cowboys The Fifth Element The Fugitive The Getaway The Omega Man The Polar Express The Shining The Wild Bunch Twilight Zone - the Movie Under Siege Unforgiven Viva Las Vegas Warriors of Heaven & Earth Wild Things Wyatt Earp $18.95: 2001 - A Space Odyssey Beowulf & Grendel Blue Planet Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe) Galapagos Swordfish The Last Samurai $17.95: Kung Fu Hustle Tears of the Sun $16.95: 50 First Dates A Knight's Tale Big Fish Black Hawk Down Catch and Release Cruel Intentions Donnie Brasco Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within Hitch House Of Flying Daggers Identity Into The Blue Layer Cake Memento Resident Evil: Apocalypse S.W.A.T. Stealth The Big Hit The Patriot (Extended Cut) The Tailor of Panama Vertical Limit XXX $15.95: Lady In The Water Superman Returns The Fountain The Lake House $14.95: A Scanner Darkly Beerfest Blazing Saddles Blood Diamond Bullitt Deliverance Dog Day Afternoon Enter The Dragon GoodFella March of the Penguins Million Dollar Baby Rio Bravo Superman II - Donner Cut The Dirty Dozen The Phantom of the Opera The Road Warrior The Searchers The Wicker Man (2006) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Training Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Nice compilation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Nice compilation. Thank me, if you really mean it. I happened to pass it onto Atheks. Proxy at work, u no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Michael Bay Praises Blu-ray's Success Outspoken director Michael Bay is once again singing the praises of Blu-ray, this time in celebration of the recent Blu-ray successes. At the Visual Effects Society's sixth annual award show, where he presented the award for animated character in a motion picture, he remarked, "Blu-ray's better, and I told everyone. I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it." Bay has personally supervised Blu-ray transfers for his films 'The Rock' and 'Pearl Harbor' and says it has resulted in a sharper image that is "closer to what it should look like." He also isn't afraid of grain: "Yeah, there's some grain, pushing film, shooting at night. There's actually some grain in Transformers. We pushed it just a little too much. I don't mind grain. Grain has a vibe." He also spoke about the prospects of bringing his film 'Armageddon' to Blu-ray, but mentioned that it would need a brand new master. "The Armageddon [master] was burned in a fire apparently, so we've got to re-master the whole movie," noted Bay. ------- Man this guy's like biggest admirer of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Harman Kardon shows support for Blu-ray Harman Kardon today announced its support for the Blu-ray video standard, and confirmed this by hinting at a standalone player, which will cost approximately £500 (~$980). While details were scarce about the Blu-ray player, a spokesman for the company adds that it will release additional players, including all-in-one AV systems, according to What Hi-Fi?. In addition, the forthcoming DVC 600 combination Blu-ray/HDD recorder will be able to record up to eight channels of standard or high-definition TV to a 1 Terabyte hard drive. The DVC 600 can also record a ninth time-shifted channel, and can play through a tenth for live viewing. DVD- and CD-playing are supported, while an optional DVD- and Blu-ray burner is available as well. 720p video upscaling is supported, and can connect to home theatre systems through a range of inputs, such as DVI, USB, and analogue A/V connections. A 500GB capacity model will also be available, dubbed the DVC 300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Just what consumers need, another expensive Blu Ray player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 HD DVD vs. Blu-ray: The real reason behind the format wars By Ken Mitchell From : http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/...he-format-wars/ _______________________________________________________________________ With Blu-ray pulling away in what seems to be the death of HD DVD, what is really happening? Why is Blu-ray gaining support from the Movie Moguls? I’ll give you a hint, not because it is better for us consumers. HD DVD and Blu-ray are very similar technologies. Sure Blu-ray has higher storage and transfer capacities, and HD DVD has better codec requirements, but neither offer a significant advantage to the consumer. The real advantage here, is to the content providers. AACS, or Advanced Access Content System, is a standard for digital rights management used in both Blu-ray and HD DVD. It involves encryption and watermarking to make the content harder to copy. One requirement of AACS, however, is that the user be able to easily and legally reproduce the protected content to a full-resolution copy or a scaled down copy. “Managed Copy” is intended to allow backing up the content on discs, or watching the content on a portable device. Both Blu-ray and HD DVD players are required to implement AACS. Blu-ray, however, also requires the implementation of BD+. BD+ is a proprietary standard used in the digital rights management of some titles on Blu-ray discs. BD+ is not an encryption, but rather supplements the other security measures already used. BD+ is described as a virtual machine, able to execute programs and applications. BD+ also allows patching and executing player specific code behind the users back. Is BD+ a good thing or a bad thing? Well, it is both. Manufacturers will be able to provide patches or software updates on Blu-ray discs, and the users will not have to do anything out of the ordinary to update their players. The downside to this is that it could be used to limit the functionality of the players. The AACS managed copies requirement is still in effect for Blu-ray, but would you be surprised if content providers found a way around allowing consumers to legitimately backup their content, especially given Sony’s history (cough* rootkit)? BD+ could be their way out. What does this have to do with consumers? Actually, I don’t think it has anything to do with consumers, as far as the format war goes. I think that content providers are going to pull the wool over our heads on this one, and go with Blu-ray. Not because it is a superior technology, but because it is easier for them to have control over where and how their media is used. ____________________________________________________________________ This article doesn't make any sense to me. The headline and the body are disconnected in their messages --MT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaztin Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Yes makes less sense, I think consumers sld hv preffered HD-DVD as they are absolutely RF unlike BR that are pain in a*s n needs special n diff pills for erection...!! I hv region C console n Database of BRs is quite narrow for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 MSNBC - The high-definition format war is over Paul Hochman explains the battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD From MSNBC _______________________________________________________ TODAY gear and technology editor If you’re a fan of epic drama, you probably don’t think about the consumer electronics industry, where the battles are usually fought on the microscopic level: the smallest hard drive, the tiniest transistor, the fastest chip. But a few weeks ago, a much bigger battle — the one being fought for your entertainment dollar — may have finally been won. And it’s going to affect you immediately. The decisive shots in this conflict were fired just two days before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, on Jan. 4. The result: Americans are about to throw the full weight of the $23 billion they spend every year on DVD rentals and purchases toward one, new, winning movie format. The winner is: the new DVD disc format called Blu-ray. The loser: a format called HD-DVD. Both discs look like regular DVDs, and both are read by a player that uses a blue-wavelength laser, and both allow incredible movie pictures. But because the two had slightly different ways of reading these new discs (and were backed by two warring consortiums), the two technologies weren’t compatible. Remember Betamax vs. VHS? Same idea. But now the battle is coming to a close, with Blu-ray coming out on top. We’ll go into why Blu-ray has almost certainly won in a moment. But first, the big picture. Literally: If you’d heard rumors about how beautiful the new players and DVD discs are, you heard right — the new, ultra-high-definition players and discs produce the most gorgeous, vivid movie and TV pictures you’ve ever seen. If you haven’t had a chance to see one, go to an electronics retailer on your next trip to the mall — they’ll have these players on display now. The picture simply looks richer. And there’s a simple technological reason: The blue wavelength of the light in the machine’s laser is shorter, so it can read more information in less space than the old-style DVD, which used a longer-wavelength red laser. And the more information stored on a disc, the richer (and prettier) the picture. For those who need numbers, here they are: A single-sided Blu-ray disc can hold about 25 gigabytes of information, vs. a conventional DVD disc, which holds the 4.7 gigabytes. Soon, a double-layer Blu-ray disc will be able to hold up to 50 gigabytes. And again, the more information stored in one spot on a disc, the richer and more “dense” the picture looks. But back to the war: Why are we saying HD-DVD has lost to Blu-ray? Especially since the basic idea — a blue laser reading lots of information in a small space — is the same for each format? Good question: To be sure, there are those who will disagree with our call. Some who follow the industry, like pundits who follow the presidential election, think it could be too soon to declare a winner. But here are the facts: Blu-ray movie titles have been outselling HD-DVD titles by a ratio of about 2 to 1. And movie studios, which release their titles after they appear in theaters (and sometimes before) were watching closely to see what you bought. You answered, and they responded. Another reason: The Blockbuster movie-rental chain chose Blu-ray as its exclusive next-generation movie format. Other than Netflix, they’re the only other major rental game in town. Then, on Jan. 4, when Warner Bros. decided to abandon the HD-DVD format completely and only produce movies on Blu-ray discs, it meant that all but two major studios — Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal) — were going with Blu-ray. Within days of the announcement, Toshiba (which helped develop the HD-DVD) canceled its glitzy CES party in Las Vegas and dropped the prices on its HD-DVD players dramatically, in some cases to under $150. So the writing was on the wall. Finally, speaking of writing, consider Juliet’s painful rationalization in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” When she asks, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet,” the answer, of course, is “Everything” is in a name. When it comes to success in the high-tech business, names often matter. Blu-ray — a format that, like HD-DVD, uses blue-colored lasers — sounds like what it is. Its competition didn’t. So a rose might smell as sweet, but it apparently doesn’t sell as sweet. See you at the movies. ________________________________________________________________________ Dont HD-DVD players use red lasers? --MT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hollywood Reporter: Toshiba to drop HD DVD, sources say The format war has turned into a format death watch. Toshiba is widely expected to pull the plug on its HD DVD format sometime in the coming weeks, reliable industry sources say, after a rash of retail defections that followed Warner Home Video's announcement in early January that it would support only the rival Blu-ray Disc format after May. Officially, no decision has been made, insists Jodi Sally, vp of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products. "Based on its technological advancements, we continue to believe HD DVD is the best format for consumers, given the value and consistent quality inherent in our player offerings," she said. But she hinted that something's in the air. "Given the market developments in the past month," she said, "Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of our recent price reductions on all HD DVD players." Immediately after the Warner announcement, the HD DVD North American Promotional Group canceled its Consumer Electronics Show presentation. The following week, data collected by the NPD Group revealed Blu-ray took in 93% of all hardware sales for that week. Toshiba subsequently fired back, drastically cutting its HD DVD player prices by as much as half, effective Jan. 15. But a hoped-for consumer sales surge never materialized; retail point-of-sale data collected by the NPD Group for the week ending Jan. 26 still showed Blu-ray Disc players ahead by a wide margin, 65% to 28%. Software sales have declined as well. The latest Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales data show the top-selling Blu-ray Disc title for the week, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's "Across the Universe," sold more than three times as many copies the week ending Feb. 10 as the top HD DVD seller, Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age." Blu-ray Disc titles also accounted for 81% of all high-def disc sales for the week, with HD DVD at just 19%. Toshiba had been pitching its discounted HD DVD players toward the standard DVD crowd as well as high-def enthusiasts, noting in its ad message that the new players would make DVDs look a lot better as well. And as a last-ditch effort, the company ran an ad during the Super Bowl -- a 30-second spot that reportedly cost $2.7 million. But in the end, sources say, the substantial loss Toshiba is incurring with each HD DVD player sold -- a figure sources say could be as high as several hundred dollars -- coupled with a series of high-profile retail defections has driven the company to at last concede defeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 FINALLY. Now to stock pile HD-DVD movies at throwaway prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaztin Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 This is cool n lucky for HD-DVD player or HD-DVD BR combo player owner.......!! Even i am thinking of getting one ^^.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot-Drake-Pixel Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Wal-Mart To Exclusively Support Blu-ray Wal-Mart has confirmed with Blu-ray.com that beginning in June the world's largest retailer will only stock Blu-ray players and movies. Over the next few months, they will phase out all HD DVD products and reorganize their stores to focus on Blu-ray. This move comes days after similar statements of support for Blu-ray by Internet movie rental site Netflix and retailer Best Buy. Gary Severson, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Wal-Mart, U.S. commented, "We've listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases. With the customers best interest in all we do, we wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection, and increase adoption long term. We anticipate enhancing our selection with continued great values in hi-definition Blu-ray products, so our customers can further enhance their entertainment experience at home." Edit: Walmart's offical Announcement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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