Paramount, DreamWorks rip up HD DVD release list
Blu-ray discs coming in the summer
Paramount has confirmed its last ever HD DVD releases will go on sale in the States on Tuesday, 4 March. From then on, it's DVD and Blu-ray Disc only.
And DreamWorks Animation has clearly had word from Toshiba: it's knocking its HD DVD release schedule on the head too, including the Bee Movie disc, originally due to go on sale in the US on 11 March.
Movies schedules for HD DVD release from both companies will appear on DVD, but don't expect Blu-ray versions until the summer, Paramount said. Neither have said what their first Blu-ray releases will be.
DreamWorks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg earlier this week said he was committed to the agreement reached with Toshiba in August 2007 to release hi-def content only on HD DVD.
"We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be."
Presumably, Tosh told him that it's OK to go Blu. The Japanese consumer electronics giant's thoughts on the matter were so important to Katzenberg and co. because, as he admitted, DreamWorks was "well-compensated" for backing HD DVD.
The only other studio that had committed itself exclusively to HD DVD was Universal, and it hopped on the Blu-ray bandwagon very quickly after Toshiba announced it would no longer manufacturer HD DVD hardware.
Special Report: Obituary: HD DVD 2002-2008
COMMENTS
Mis-information *again*?
Perhaps, Mr. Gutless Anonymous Coward, you might care to point out where (or where else) I've provided mis-information? Sounds like you have a bit a crusade going against me from the tone of your comment. Not that I care about your anonymous opinion, but you might want to shore up what little credibility you have with some facts.
My experience, and that of my friends, with BD has been less than impressive. One, a musician, put his clips on a BD only to find it would only play in the drive he burnt it on. A movie I was sent from England won't play here because the regioning hasn't been cracked yet. Until this bullshit is sorted, I stand by what I said.
@Steve - I'll Upgrade to BD...
Erm... DRM?? Where?? I've not seen any on my discs... and as for being able to play them trhough a BD Drive in a computer.... welll.. again, seems like a load of Mis-information from Steve Roper..
Thin you've already followed the sheep already Steve! go back to sleep and read another useless article about it..
I'll upgrade to BD...
...WHEN I see that the DRM has been reliably cracked, you can burn region-free and DRM-free BDs, and the BDs play on any BD-capable computer or player with no problems. Until I see that, I won't be following the sheep.
So, why the rush.
I bought my first DVD player for The Fellowship of the Ring.
I think I can at least wait until The Hobbit before I invest in any sort of HD video.Most of the big movies of the moment just aren't worth it.
Wow, wouldn't you know...
... people have stayed on point and not turned it into an anti Sony rampage! Miracles do happen.
Martin Usher thanks for giving me a welcome break from all the HD-DVD vs BR posturing we normally see. Good old fashioned paranoia rants, you just can't beat em for entertainment!
