Warner Bros goes Blu-ray exclusive

by Ross Miller { Jan 4th 2008 at 9:59PM }

The formerly neutral Warner Bros. has thrown its exclusive support behind Blu-ray as its next-gen disc of choice. HD DVD films will still be produced through May 2008, said Warner Home Video. That means now Disney/Pixar, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, MGM, and Lionsgate are all Blu-ray exclusive, while Paramount/Dreamworks and Universal are HD DVD-exclusive (porn is still taking both sides).

What does this mean for the fate of the so-called format wars? The New York Times is suggesting Warner Bros has ended the war, quickly putting an end to HD DVD. Toshiba has released a statement expressing its surprise and disappointment with the decision.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Tags: blu-ray, breakingnews, hd-dvd, warner-bros

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

d3rr1ck64 @ Jan 4th 2008 10:03PM

Good, let this (pointless) war finally end!

Anticrawl @ Jan 4th 2008 11:18PM

Yep I can't wait for both of them to be ground into a fine blue powder used to ease foot itching and burning by the holographic format which has been ready to launch for years now. Soon as that happens well if noone adopts it I'll use the player with my tv and pirate everything I can get my hands on becaues I'm not about to drop my hard earned cash on poorly developed blue laser tech.

One can tell how much effort was taken in developing this so called advanced HD medium by taking a look at the humble VMDs, which were based off the same red laser tech that standard DVDs are and offer a great deal more space on the initial line of discs than Blu-ray or HD-DVD are capable of at maximum capacity.

My friends, ignore both please, just hold out until a viable format comes out. End this pointless war, rise up as consumers who won't by a pointless over-priced peice of archaic technology. Down with both formats I say, bring on the true "next-generation" of compact personal storage.

morganfell @ Jan 4th 2008 11:51PM

And HD DVD just canceeled their CES show because of this:

http://wesleytech.com/ces-hd-dvd-event-canceled-due-to-warner-announcement/483/

Add to that the fact Microsoft themselves just killed the internal HD DVD drive rumor:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=26140722

"We have reiterated multiple times since launching the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player that we have no plans to integrate an HD-DVD player in to the Xbox 360," a spokesman told GameSpot. "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high-definition experiences."

Autopsy15 @ Jan 5th 2008 12:37AM

Read: "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to take all of the consumers money."

E.J. @ Jan 5th 2008 7:32AM

Half a billion dollars can't be wrong (for Warner Bros.)!

I just hope that kind of money won't affect the integrity of other TWX properties. ;)

morganfell @ Jan 5th 2008 11:50AM

They didn't get any money for this. It is sheer ignorance people like you are running around quoting some backwater blog with no named source that was writing a hit piece.

And it is sheer stupidity to think Warner is going to make a bold statement that no funds were received when 500 mil suddenly shows up in their coffers. Nice bitter comment but you are dead wrong.

Vol @ Jan 5th 2008 1:30PM

Having both consoles, I am not impressed with this format war. Personally, I think that widescreen DVDs look great when upscaled on my PS3. I have no reason to spend the extra money on a Blu-Ray disc, it's a waste.

XanthouS @ Jan 4th 2008 10:04PM

There it is.

A single format, regardless of which it ends up being, is a big positive for consumers.

The sooner this format war is over, the sooner HD movies drop in price, and the larger the market becomes.

This is a major step in the right direction.

BIGGEN @ Jan 4th 2008 11:47PM

yeah, a step in the right direction for those consumers who already have a ps3 or blu ray player. unfortunately, it's a slap in the face for hd dvd owners who potentially now have to purchase ANOTHER overpriced electronics device. in addition to the hd tv they bought, most likely hd satellite or cable service, and now this. great logic in the "step in the right direction" quote. lemme guess you have a ps3 and/or blu ray player?

oh well, downloads are what's really going to end the "war" anyways. i just would like to know the reasoning for committing to one format when that seems like it would limit your sales.

Bootes @ Jan 5th 2008 12:19AM

Maybe those consumers should have stayed out until a format won. Or if they really needed a high def player they should have gone with the one that had more support, and was therefor more likely to win.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Jan 5th 2008 8:22AM

Anyone who actually cares about HD is a home theater nut and already has players for each format. My dad spends more money on his entertainment center than he did on his car.

All I like about Blu-ray is that it makes my PS3 load games silently. As far as movies are concerned, I'll snap up the $8 version and have it nicely upscaled, thank you.

DrXym @ Jan 5th 2008 9:28AM

Anyone who is an early adopter has to be accept potentially losing. That's simply too bad for HD DVD owners. But take heart. I'm sure Toshiba will produce a hybrid player at some point and prices are dropping all the time so players are probably going to be inexpensive. It also means that stores are bound to have HD DVD firesales so you might pick up some titles at bargain prices.

baby sea tuna @ Jan 5th 2008 5:36PM

Whew, luckily we all have seanc to speak for us!

FrankTheCrank @ Jan 5th 2008 5:54PM

HD DVD fire sale? You mean like the one they had before Christmas where they were selling players for $199?

Everybody saw this coming. Even Microsoft passed on the internal player and their continuing to denounce an HD DVD XBOX.

It's just a matter of time for Universal.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Jan 4th 2008 10:06PM

Nooo, I'll never get the rest of the Harry Potter series on HD-DVD!

Arturo @ Jan 4th 2008 10:16PM

Haha I know how you feel. I just got the gift set for years 1-5 because hp5 ultimately got better reviews so I was like ok whatever, but I don't have a big problem with watching hp 1-5 on my hd-dvd 360 add-on which isn't evaporating because of all this and I'll just watch hp 6&7 on blu I suppose, not that big a deal to me. But I guess this is good towards unifying things.

Arturo @ Jan 4th 2008 10:19PM

*hp5 got better reviews on hd-dvd I mean; features, etc.

Obie @ Jan 4th 2008 10:42PM

True, technically HD-DVD was the superior format, but like the VHS/Beta debacle the best doesn't always win.

Patrick @ Jan 4th 2008 11:18PM

Hd-DVd was the in the consumers best interest, mandatory ethernet being the biggest. it is a shame, i really hate that name blu-ray, wat does that even mean? PS i know the blue laser

Bootes @ Jan 5th 2008 12:20AM

Blu-Ray holds more data, it is the better format.

Obie @ Jan 5th 2008 12:39AM

"Blu-Ray holds more data, it is the better format."
More data yes, but its features have been slow to come to market. Last week bluray players got PIP functionality, something that HD DVD has had since launch.
But anways, none of that matters now.

Farseer (GDI) @ Jan 5th 2008 2:34AM

"Blu-Ray holds more data, it is the better format." Yeah... "The fat guy eats more food, therefore he is a better human."

Regardless - I could care less at this point. Let one force out the other already. I'm just waiting for the price to drop on whichever format wins out. Fat guy, skinny guy, I could give a shit... as long as we get HD movies for a decent price (with all Studios in the same format) I can finally feel comfortable buying a player.

seanc @ Jan 5th 2008 3:46AM

nobody cares about PiP, nobody cares about internet connected players, people buy movies to watch the movie. During dvds lifespan studios have tried all the special functionality like different camera angles and people overwhelmingly don't care.

Huey2k2 @ Jan 4th 2008 10:11PM

You know what, I would *rather* HD-DVD win... but honestly, I just want the format war to end already, so if this can help push Blu Ray over the edge, then sure.

...Jan... @ Jan 4th 2008 10:24PM

- Yeah, me too. As much as I rather have Toshiba win over Sony, I'd rather there not be a format war.
- I wonder how this'll affect the 360. I think if the HD-DVD drive was built in, then this format war would end up differently.

Huey2k2 @ Jan 4th 2008 10:27PM

I agree with that totally, if MS had included a HD-DVD player in the 360 and still released it for the same price, this format war would have been over ages ago.

But hey, hindsight is 20/20, I just want this all to be over with, I'd like to be able to buy some form of HD player and know its not going to be a dead format in 5 years.

Christian @ Jan 5th 2008 2:45AM

If Microsoft had included a HD-DVD drive in the Xbox360 then the launch of the 360 would have been much delayed and probably been aligned with that of the PS3, which was mostly delayed due to the Blu-Ray support. The initial price would most likely also been higher. End result would be that the Xbox360 would have lost it first mover advantage and faced a much bigger struggle in competing with Sony's Playstation brand.

My guess would be that the Xbox360 might have ended up a distant third in that scenario.

HighFiveJesus @ Jan 4th 2008 10:11PM

I feel a storm brewing, my foot is getting all tingly.

200 comments.

Vince UK @ Jan 4th 2008 10:15PM

http://wesleytech.com/

Very stormy.

Pedobear @ Jan 4th 2008 10:15PM

I was hoping I would only have to spend under 200 for the HD DVD player add on, but now I'll have to one day buy a whole new Blu Ray player.

Qraze @ Jan 4th 2008 10:17PM

hahahaha hahahaha!! now you have all the reason to buy a ps3. because they don't break unlike "all" 360's. free internet and psn, MGS4, joox.net, ps3-themes.com, blue ray, blue tooth, wi-fi, 6-way video chat, ff13, linux, MGS4,killzone2,home and many more things that we the community ask for, and yes they respond to the community. hahahaha......hahahaha. in other words, you just got owned!! burn baby burn!

Arturo @ Jan 4th 2008 10:23PM

Not really, I can still watch my movies, they aren't going anywhere. And you also listed mgs4 twice.

fuliano626@psn @ Jan 4th 2008 10:28PM

you only said mgs4 twice ?

Me @ Jan 4th 2008 10:33PM

No sorry, no one got "Owned".

And just because Blu-Ray is getting Warner isn't any more of a reason to buy a PS3 right now.

Slaziman (B-B-BRUSHED WITH FAAAAME) @ Jan 4th 2008 10:34PM

The PS3 makes my Internet free? WHAT???

~buys PS3~

Obie @ Jan 4th 2008 10:38PM

Weren't you supposed to be banned for trolling?

PostScript @ Jan 4th 2008 10:41PM

Really they respond to the community?
Tell that to the 239 page thread on the playstation boards requesting 1080i output for all games.
So much for HD gaming starts when we say so eh?
Half the time I want to chuck my oversized bluray player (PS3) because the games barely hold up in 480p.
Please do not respond by telling tell me to get a new TV, I hate that when Sony fanboys assuming its your problem because Sony products don't work properly.

Qraze @ Jan 4th 2008 10:42PM

what? that's all ya got? come on bring out your big guns, like the 360 ultimate. come on fire back, load your fncking cannons boys.

d3rr1ck64 @ Jan 5th 2008 12:32AM

@ PostScript
Yes, the games that were made to be played in HD look awful in 480p. How did you come up with that one? Also, the PS3 works fine, it would be your TV that is the problem. Sucks to be you I suppose.

SharpBlade @ Jan 5th 2008 12:58AM

Looks at his post in the Just Cause 2 thread.. Then looks in here and see's Sony Fanboys beating their chest like this makes the 360 less than the PS3.. so predictable..

Keep in mind this is coming from a PS3 owner.. Never had a RRoD in 2 years, get waaaay more enjoyment out of the games I have for the 360, far superior online, much easier and much better looking media streaming functions.. I can't believe how much I would be missing if I only had a PS3..

jack in the xbox @ Jan 5th 2008 1:32AM

Qraze, you sir are doing the hard work that needs to be done. these fools can't handle the truth. keep at em with that truth serum. make em hear you until they try to ban us both for the same freedom speech/Sony console hate that I see everyday on Joystiq's forums. "the PS3 doesn't have any good games is all u ever hear. Well , the 360 doesn't stay at your house long enough to finish a game!

Farseer (GDI) @ Jan 5th 2008 2:53AM

I can't begin to think that the conclusion of this war will result in the sale of boatloads of PS3's.

I, for one, will wait until a stand-alone blue-ray player reaches $300 or so (as soon as the war is over, it won't take long).
The PS3 requires a proprietary remote to control the blue-ray player, and I have worked very hard to find a great remote control for my whole entertainment center. Without IR capability, the PS3 requires an additional remote, and that is unacceptable as far as I am concerned. I would gladly pay the same for a dedicated device that behaves the way I want it to.

That doesn't mean that I wont's buy a PS3 for the games. I just don't foresee that until I read positive reviews on GoW3 and Fumito Ueda's new title - or if some sleeper exclusive really grabs my attention.

/end drunken two cents

Mal F4cti0n @ Jan 5th 2008 1:04PM

Farseer,
I saw a standalone Sony Blu-Ray player for $299 at Best Buy right after x-mas.

Qraze, were you this consumer? 'Now, "in response to consumer demand" the studio will begin releasing its HD library later this year in Blu-ray only.' I mean, that is the same thing that the Sony fanbois did when Devil May Cry 4 was announced as coming for the PS3 and the 360.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! I won't buy your game if you release it on the 360! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Grow up you stupid fanboi. Who cares? Does Sony come over and rub your small dick in the middle of the night or something? It is a machine. I guess this is the way the world ends, with stupid people like you pining over their electronics.

Qraze @ Jan 5th 2008 3:21PM

see their ya go on the attack, note one person called you out,but you're all on the defense about yourself. hey defend your system not yourself. and talking about another guys dick? wow i'm so glad i don't have a 360 cuz with all the 13 year olds screaming at women to quit playing halo you all should be ashamed of yourself. what are you gonna do when ms cancels development on the 360 games,thats why i switched to sony. ya look like ya got cock on the mind-my cock nonetheless teggaF! i go with winners not quiters. and ya wanna know why? you know, but your indenial, your fat head is blocking all those instincts you been feeling. 08 is the year of sony.09 is the year of mass 360 exodus to sony. mark those words and don't forget them

brad77 @ Jan 5th 2008 5:48PM

@jack: Seriously? Freedom speech?

Don't confuse freedom of speech for "I can say whatever I want on a private website and not get called out/banned for it."

Noone's questioning your right to say anything. They're just calling you out as a douchebag for saying it.

There's a difference, and it's a big one.