Paramount to Offer Movies in HD DVD only

[norm]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/20/ap4036000.html

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG announced Monday that they will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format rather than Blu-ray, a move that further complicates the race between the competing technologies.

The move by the two studios will include the upcoming blockbuster "Shrek the Third" and all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation (nyse: DWA - news - people ), which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

"Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience," said Brad Grey, chairman and chief executive of Paramount Pictures. "I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."

The competition between Blu-ray and HD DVD has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Studios and retailers have been choosing sides.

"Spider-Man 3" will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format when it is released by Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) Pictures.

Likewise, people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD.

wow I didn't think people would pick sides this quickly. I really thought that Sony' Blu-Ray would win out in the end. This puts a damper on that prediction

[Rdaug27]

Yeah several months back I saw a list of what studios are backing what HD format so this isn't a surprise to me. Blockbuster is going with Blu ray so its still just a big mess. Get a player that can read both formats to be safe kids ;) or get a regular DVD player that goes through HDMI, $40.00 at Wal-mart, now I just need the TV to go with my forty dollar player lol.

[norm]

This was a surprise to me. I really though blu-ray was going to win out with more and more companies supporting the format and M$'s lack of an internal HD drive in the 360's. Yeah I thought that Sony shot themselves in the foot with the expense of the PS3 and how weak the sales for it has been. However reading through some of the journals you see that more and more studios offering their movies in both formats and with Blockbuster choosing blu ray for the stores it seemed that it was going that way. I was hoping that Sony could beat the Beta curse, but I dunno. It seems like history could repeat itself.

This is huge news though for Paramount and its companies to go only HD. That's what two studios for HD and one for Blu-ray? With the others offering both(?)

[Rdaug27]

Here is what I saw
Its from 2005 so it is quite old, but this is the list I saw. It only shows a few studios, but its what made me aware that the choosing of sides was going to take place.

[norm]

Paramount's CTO on Why His Studio Is Dumping Blu-ray
Alan Bell discusses why HD DVD is his studio's exclusive high-definition format.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136253-c,dvdtechnology/article.html

Some of the interesting points talked about the additional storage being overrated and the BD Java language being complicated and difficult to work with.

pretty cool little article

[AndyPants]

Here is a little story about Michael Bay seemingly threatening Paramount or at least saying he's pissed in response to the HD-DVD switch.

[Zabka]

Then he changed his mind.

http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/Michael-Bay-HD-DVD.html

lol. DVD format wars. Stupid.

[AndyPants]

Must be hell to work on a movie of his. "You know what? I didn't like that scene after all. Lets shoot it again." lol

[Rdaug27]

I hate to bring up an old thread, but I guess it's better than making a new one on the same subject. Looks Like Paramount is gonna change from HD to Blu-Ray. Wow this would be a big hit to HD would it not?

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/64393

[MajinTony]

It leaves HD DVD with one major studio (I forget which one, but it's whoever has dreamworks studios). It could possibly mark the end of the HD format war. It's a major blow because they were not making both types like WB's, they were only making HD DVD. They used a clause in their contract, and are switching over completely. Ditching HD DVD altogether.

It's 720 vs 1080, with a ton more storage space. I feel that this was a matter of time.

[CHRIST]

yeah the HD DVD movie platform seems about dead, fortunately the DVD lives strong!!!

[Ditch]

nice, even though I have a regular tv I just got resident evil 3 on blu-ray, dont care for the games but i love the movies

[jmhc74]

I get a kick out of reading the earlier posts when Paramount went HD DVD exclusive - the sky is falling - Bluy Ray and PS3 are going to fail.

[Rdaug27]

Toshiba Quits HD DVD

Toshiba announces to quit HD DVD