Shortly after publishing Blu-Ray is the new VHS on this blog, reports began popping up throughout the internet that Paramount, one of the major studios left supporting Toshiba’s HD DVD format will abandon ship and join Warner Bros. in their recent move to release all HD movies exclusively in the Blu-Ray format.
As reported by Engadget.com late last night, Paramount is preparing to use a get out clause in its HD DVD exclusivity deal with Toshiba and go back to Blu-Ray. And earlier today, Reuters also reported that Paramount was poised to drop support for the HD DVD format.
Since the recent announcement by Warner Bros. to release all HD movies exclusively in the Blu-Ray format and with only 2 studios (Paramount & Universal) left supporting HD DVD, things have not been looking good for Toshiba. Now with reports like the ones above hinting that Paramount might also be joining the Blu-Ray camp, things look even more gloom. Fortunately for Toshiba, Paramount earlier today denied that they will drop Toshiba’s HD DVD format. This news release comes at a good time for Toshiba but is it too little too late? Paramount not dropping HD DVD does not mean it may not support Blu-Ray in the future once their exclusive HD DVD contract with Toshiba is up for renewal.
You can bet neither Paramount or Universal will make a public announcement about moving formats anytime soon even if they are following Warner Bros. lead and heading in that direction – at least not until the majority of their HD DVD inventory has been sold.
VHS beating out Betamax in the 80’s consumer videotape war format has become a great marketing case study. In 20 years time, will the format war between Blu-Ray and HD DVD also make it into marketing textbooks?
This format battle is being hyped as the next vhs/beta but I do not see it being quite as big. With the vhs/beta issues many consumers did not consider one format making another obsolete. I know many people who purchased whatever and did not really consider the issue in the beginning. Consumers now are wiser and do not want to spend several hundred dollars on something that may not even play there favorite movie. Most everyone I know is waiting for the format issue to be decided before they immerse themselves in a player.
Ian,
I am a total audio-videophile, but I am not an early adopter. I do go in well before the general public. I have had an LCD and HDTV for over two years, so that gives you an idea of when I join the party. I would love to have an HD DVD player, but I cannot bring myself to buy before there is a single format. I do not want to own a mulit-format player and different format DVD’s.
I think I am not alone and I hope the HD DVD War ends soon!
All the best,
Michael Rowles
SMB Security
CopiaTECH
Interesting post, thanks for sharing.
I had the same thoughts VHS vs Beta when I read the blog. I think that it is best to wait for new product to become mainstream before purchase.
At the end one of the formats will win the war. I’m happy with my old gadgets, when the war is ended I’ll go out and buy my new equipment!
Thanks for the great post!!
I think it’s safe to say that Blu-Ray is the victor and Toshiba is just hoping Sony will give the a good buyout package!
I noticed today Wal-Mart is dropping HD. It seems like we have a victor emerging in this battle.
Another news on Paramount. They are going to release movie clips on Facebook via an application called VooZoo.
I had the same thoughts VHS vs Beta when I read the blog. I think that it is best to wait for new product to become mainstream before purchase.
I think it’s safe to say that Blu-Ray is the victor and Toshiba is just hoping Sony will give the a good buyout package!