Warner Bros. has announced their decision to exclusively release all future High Definition editions of their films in the Blu-ray format DVDs, and no longer produce the HD DVD versions, starting later this year. The decision was reached, they say, “in response to consumer demand” as a “strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want.” WB also states that they ‘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.’ While not explicitly mentioned in the press release, it would seem, based on this decision, the future releases of ‘Harry Potter’ DVDs will not be in HD DVD.
Hey Ahslee… blu-ray is a new Panasonic form of DVD which is clearer than HD and more crips… it is the best high definition source there is out there. In order to play Blu-Ray you need a Blu-Ray player because only a Blu-Ray player can properly read the Blu-Ray lasered digital information on the disc.
Blu-Ray format is basically a brand of high definition movie, which means that the picture that is outputted from the movie is a much higher quality and higher quality of sound as well. However, in order to take advantage of this, you would need a High Definition Television and a Blu-Ray Player, both of which are very expensive. Movie studios have either sided with HD-DVD (which is lead by Toshiba) and Blu-Ray (which is lead by Sony). Despite their efforts to boast that their picture and sound is better than the other, they are both pretty much the same. It’s too bad they decided to do this. I think supporting both is actually better for the consumer personally, but hey what do I know. I bought the whole set of Harry Potter movies in HD DVD when it came out. Now I’ll have to buy it on Blu-Ray…luckily I just got a PS3 but I’ll probably have to buy the whole set when the 6th movie comes out. I guess I kinda figured it would happen eventually though seeing as Disney sided with Blu-Ray early on. For those who remember back in the day, Disny sided with VCR over Beta tapes and look what happened then.
Another deciding factor in the VHS vs Beta war was that Beta tried to take the high ground while VHS took the “adult” film contracts. Early on in the Blu Ray vs HD format war it seemed that HD would win as Blu Ray was deciding not to release pr0n. They changed their mind… not that anyone really needs “adult” films in HD… eww.
Bottom line, a Blu Ray disc can hold 5x the capacity of a regular DVD, whereas HD DVD can only hold 3x as much data. So if Blu Ray truly wins this format war I think it would be beneficial to the consumer, as HD DVD seemed to only be an intermediary step of format transition.
I would also like to add that as soon as this format war is finally decided with finality (some think this announcement clinches it) I am dying to dial in my own HD home setup and buy all those newly released HD Potter films that taunt me every time I go to the electronics store.
Hell…if I’m only gonna be able to get HiDef Harry Potter 6 and 7 on Blu Ray…Methinks I shall be buying myself a PS3 in the near future (been on the fence for a while). I’d always hoped BluRay would win anyway just because it had the most capacity. This might be the clincher…xD
Posted by DracoDaDeathEater on January 05, 2008, 06:54 PM
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This is all just lame, this whole HD war is stupid. What I hope to do is wait till the war is over and collect the spoils, every consumer should do this. It’s better than spending 600-700 dollars on both of the HD formats just so you can get HiDef movies from all the studios.
Blu Ray is the better format. It’s hard to see the difference, but the quality is better. Blu Ray discs hold up to 50GB right now, where as an HD-DVD can only hold around 30GB. Blu Ray is also set up so that they can expand on it. They currently have multi-layered Blu Rays coming out that can hold up to 100GB, and they are working on a 200GB Blu-Ray. The players have come down in price as well. Toshiba has a player for only $250. Another good feature about Blu Ray is it has a protective coating that resists scratches and dust. Blu Ray players will play regular DVD’s as well. My only suggestion is that if you want to play burned Blu-Ray discs get a PS3. For some reason the 80GB PS3 has an easier time playing a burned Blu-ray disc.
Also only Universal and Paramount make HD-DVD now, EVERYONE else makes Blu Ray. Even Blockbuster Video rents out Blu-Ray’s now, but not HD-DVD.
I agree with Blime…. if we all wait till they decide, then they’ll have to bring the price down… and I’m always up for a bargin. Here in Australia,The PS3 haas already come down in price by $200-$300A since its release. I’m still not giving in to my pleading children yet! Besides by the time Deathly Hallows comes out on DVD you’ll be able to by all 7 in a boxed set in the “super” format and hapefully by then it will be heaps cheaper!
i think this is probably the best news for all Playstation 3 owners. In fact, assuming Blu Ray is the winning format, P3 owners will have saved $200+ at some point from buying a HD DVD player if HD DVD was the eventual winner.
Posted by Professor Potter on January 05, 2008, 07:47 PM
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And THAT’S why I refuse to even think of sticking my toe in the water yet. Just remember, all of these “exclusives” will end up being re-released on the other format just as soon as one format ends up the victor.
HMMM….Well, the reason I got my first DVD player was for the release of Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone.
First of all I am going to see who wins in the latest format fight. (Remember Beta, Laser Disc, VHS, 8-tracks, cassettes…?)
Secondly, if they come out with a boxed set of the Director’s Cuts of all 7 Harry Potter movies on Blu-Ray … I may have to update to Blu-Ray. BUT until then …. DVD is fine with me! :-) Besides by then the price will have gone down, they will have worked out all the bugs in the system, and the format dust-up will have calmed.
I reading WB told us. WB decide to choice Blue-ray, because he very confuse the HD DVD and blue-ray. So, WB plan to first Blue-ray then will do next HD DVD later release date. That what I heard and i understand.
"You think you're such a big man, Potter," said Malfoy, advancing now, Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. "You wait. I'll have you. You can't land my father in prison --"[br]"I thought I just had," said Harry.
ummm.. At the risk of sounding technologically incompetent, what is Blu-ray format?