Universal goes Blu, when will Paramount, too?

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Page 1 of 3 ! Universal has announced that it will now fall in line with the vast majority of movies studios that have chosen Blu-ray, but Paramount has made no comment, other than to release two new HD DVD titles – when will they bite the bullet, and go Blu too? Possibly feeling Hard Done by over the Disastrous Video Disc wars, Paramount’s reaction to Toshiba’s ditching of the HD DVD format hasn’t yet been to announce full support for the Blu-ray standard they famous deserted in August 2007, but instead to release two new HD DVD titles, 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Sweeney Todd.' These are interesting choices, for the end of HD DVD is seeing much blood being spilled, and it’s not thanks to the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Mr Todd, that is responsible, but the overwhelming momentum of the Blu-ray equipped PS3 games console that simply tipped the scales simply way too far into Blu-ray’s favour, vindicating Sony's decision to persist with a Blu-ray drive in the PS3 despite it causing them to launch their next-console after everyone else. And as we all know, there was little Toshiba could do, despite the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 and cheaper HD DVD player prices compared with similarly specced Blu-ray players. While these two new titles will no doubt bring some very small comfort to owners of HD DVD players, Universal’s decision to desist from further supporting the HD DVD format has firmly arc-welded shut the coffin that Toshiba finally nailed down when officially announcing the ‘discontinuation’ of the HD DVD format yesterday. Universal has seen the Blu-ray of light shining at the end of the tunnel, issuing a widely issued statement, quoted from High Def Digest, that: “The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price”. The statement continued that: “The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray.” Another story on High Def Digest quotes the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and then Sony on HD DVD’s demise, with BDA’s Promotions Committee chairman, Andy Parson, saying that: "We in the Blu-ray Disc Association are very happy that this long format war is officially over. Now the task ahead for our member companies is to promote the Blu-ray Disc format as the best way to bring premier quality high-definition content into consumers' lives." So, what did Sony say, and when will Paramount decide to join 'em, seeing as they certainly can't beat 'em on their own? And why is Blu-ray out of date already, too? Please read onto page 2. << First page <   1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

< Next story in category		Previous story in the category >

Visitors last 30 days Suscribers

904,266 13,751