HD DVD Is Still Standing, The Format War Not Over Yet – Says HD DVD Promo Group.

neal77 · 02-13-2008, 08:44 PM

HD DVD European Promotional Group Claims HD DVD Has Bright Future

Quote:

While many observers claim that after the majority of Hollywood studios decided to release their movies on Blu-ray disc (BD) the future of rival format HD DVD is doomed. However, this may not be exactly correct, according to those, who back HD DVD. The format appears to be pretty successful in certain European counties and that success cannot be ignored.

“Despite the early stage of HD DVD adoption, we have also seen significant success for the format across Europe. By the end of 2007, HD DVD’s accumulated share of the high definition standalone player market exceeded 60% of the overall market. In the fourth quarter of 2007 alone, HD DVD doubled its European installed base of players,” said Olivier VanWynendaele, a spokesperson for HD DVD promotional group in Europe in his column published by DVD Intelligence.

Since HD DVD promo group has never considered Sony PlayStation 3 as a Blu-ray disc player, hence, there is no surprise that HD DVD has a lead when it comes to install base of standalone players. This may make a lot of sense, as people who buy game consoles, get them to play video games and not to watch movies. According to HD DVD promo group in Europe, if Sony’s PS3 is counted as a BD player along with standalone devices, the movie attach rate to all BD-capable devices will be less than one. By contrast, tie rate of HD DVD movies to HD DVD players is 3.5 titles to one device in Europe.

But while 3.5 movies per player attach rate can hardly impress anyone, what may be more important in Europe is that locally made content is truly popular. Due to the fact that HD DVD media is more affordable compared to BD and the replication costs are lower, the format developed by Toshiba, Hitachi and Microsoft seems to have advantage over Sony- and Philips-developed Blu-ray.

“In countries like France, over half of all the content produced is for the local markets. Local studios and content providers are looking for the format that best suits the local environment. HD DVD has over 20 authoring labs in Europe, which have produced over 150 local titles so far,” Mr. VanWynendaele said, adding that there are 10 Blu-ray authoring labs in Europe which produced less than 80 local titles.

But local content alone will hardly make a format dominant across the globe. In many counties in Europe there are no HD DVD players sold at all, but there are Sony PlayStation 3 video game consoles for sale along with several Blu-ray movies priced at about €28 - €30 ($). Obviously, a handful of BD movies will not attract masses, but early adopters may bite Blu-ray and continue to support and promote it going forward. At the end of the day, not all people in Europe watch only locally made movies, hence, they will require Hollywood titles, which will be on the Blu-ray in their vast majority starting from mid-2008 in the USA. What should be noted is that in Europe many Blu-ray-exclusive movies from the U.S. are released on HD DVD. That said, the war still goes on.
“HD DVD is still standing, and the format war is not over yet. HD DVD continues to see strong support in the European market, increasing sales of HD DVD players and continued interest in the format from the industry and consumers,” Mr. VanWynendaele concluded.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multime...omo_Group.html

Qbfinest83 · 02-13-2008, 08:49 PM

This was already posted. But quite frankly the war is pretty much done to bad we didnt have that guy over here in the states for HDDVD Promo Group sounds like he is heart and balls somthing that the promo group here is missing

drock912001 · 02-13-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbfinest83

This was already posted. But quite frankly the war is pretty much done to bad we didnt have that guy over here in the states for HDDVD Promo Group sounds like he is heart and balls somthing that the promo group here is missing

It's an entirely different market over there.As blu-ray titles are avaible in HD-DVD over there in Europe,HD-DVD can more than likely be the HD medium over there.Where as here in the states it's gonna be a niche' market.

macphisto · 02-13-2008, 09:46 PM

Last I knew, Blu-Ray had been outselling HD-DVD by a 3:1 margin or greater in Europe. That could have changed, but I seem to recall the US market being the one that was closest between BD and HD-DVD. I know HD-DVD is getting hammered in Oz and Japan.

I'd be interested in seeing the sales numbers from Europe. HD-DVD filed a complaint in Europe because of BD's strength there last year.

I notice that they don't cite an attach rate for Blu-Ray standalones, instead saying that the attach rate is less than one when PS3 is included. Seeing how many PS3s are out there in comparison to SALs I'd guess that the attach rate without the PS3 would be pretty high in comparison to HD-DVDs.

I'd be interested in seeing total sales but have a feeling the Promo Group in Europe is staying away from percentages and numbers intentionally because it doesn't help their cause.

ilovehddvd · 02-13-2008, 10:01 PM

CH DVD is when it will get fun.

Super XP · 02-13-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovehddvd

CH DVD is when it will get fun.

You can say Bye Bye to Blu-Ray once that hits the streets

loganhunter200 · 02-13-2008, 10:53 PM

There seems to be no more response from the HD DVD Promo Group anymore huh? I think the crickets are chirping. It's all over. Bye Bye HD DVD.

oleviarules · 02-13-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macphisto

Last I knew, Blu-Ray had been outselling HD-DVD by a 3:1 margin or greater in Europe. That could have changed, but I seem to recall the US market being the one that was closest between BD and HD-DVD. I know HD-DVD is getting hammered in Oz and Japan.

I'd be interested in seeing the sales numbers from Europe. HD-DVD filed a complaint in Europe because of BD's strength there last year.

I notice that they don't cite an attach rate for Blu-Ray standalones, instead saying that the attach rate is less than one when PS3 is included. Seeing how many PS3s are out there in comparison to SALs I'd guess that the attach rate without the PS3 would be pretty high in comparison to HD-DVDs.

I'd be interested in seeing total sales but have a feeling the Promo Group in Europe is staying away from percentages and numbers intentionally because it doesn't help their cause.

it would be very difficult to get the attach rate for blu-ray standalones. would they include all blu-rays sold (even though many were bought by PS3 owners) and divide that by the number of standalone blu-ray players? this would lead to a very inflated number.

tomes · 02-13-2008, 11:23 PM

The desperation of some HDDVD fans is getting amusing. It's beyond me how anyone can think CHDVD is going to have any positive impact on HDDVD's future (which let's face it, is basically non-existant).

Does anyone really think that the general public will either be interested in importing especially censored hollywood titles from China (besides the selection will not be much to brag about), or pirated CHDVD discs? If anything this will cause the studios to shut down that format as well.

Not to mention that it is so far just a rumor that a firmware upgrade will enable hddvd players to play chdvd...

But by all means, dream on

ssjLancer · 02-13-2008, 11:34 PM

Its ridiculous how anyone can hype up CHDVD.
The piracy scene in asia is so perfect. By that I mean its 10x easier to get a pirated movie than a real one. These releases arent made with amateur 'dvd movie maker magic' either. The menus are just as good as some hollywood releases Ive seen and its better than most anime. The english subtitles are perfectly timed, and though theres alot of misheard words, the words themselves are spelled perfectly. Piracy is king there.

Studio Support · 02-14-2008, 12:10 AM

Rumor:

Quote:

Industry sources have spoken, HD DVD is to gain a massive leapfrog momentum in a few days time. MAJOR North American retailer has signed an exclusive contract with the HD DVD Promotional Group to ONLY stock HD DVD based players & movies. But they will continue to stock PlayStation 3 gaming consoles.

If these sources are correct and that personal e-mail I received stating the said retailer is true, HD DVD is going to go through the roof in sales. I am sworn to secrecy so I am not in liberty to say which retailer it is except that it’s massive and was one of the reasons for SD DVD to succeed.

This should drive competition up & prices down.

loganhunter200 · 02-14-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studio Support

Rumor:

This should drive competition up & prices down.

Sounds like ebay is going to become HD DVD exclusive.

Dr. Jones · 02-14-2008, 01:35 AM

CH-DVD will not have an impact over here. The only way that happens is via cheap players and Toshiba has already beaten them to the punch.

Whether CH-DVD becomes the prominent format in China or not is irrelevant. They are mostly a closed society when it comes to American cinema. They only allow something like a dozen foreign films (foreign to them) into their country every year.

The whole purpose of CH-DVD is for China to use that technology to protect their own Chinese cinema from piracy. That is why CH-DVD is being developed.

The_Omega_Man · 02-14-2008, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganhunter200

Sounds like ebay is going to become HD DVD exclusive.

And this kind of crap, is productive how?

Deja Vu · 02-14-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganhunter200

Sounds like ebay is going to become HD DVD exclusive.

Now that is funny!!! I have to admit I had a good laugh over that one. I guess people here need to lighten up a little and not be so sensitive. HD DVD needs a studio not a retailer. How sad! I sure hope it isn't Wal-Mart. They'll be selling HD DVD players to people who don't even own HDTVs!

Cheers,

Grant

02-13-2008, 10:01 PM	#5
ilovehddvd High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 240	CH DVD is when it will get fun. __________________ Ilovehddvd.com HD DVD reviews, news, rumors, gossip from a lay person.

02-13-2008, 10:53 PM	#7
loganhunter200 99 is the magic number Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 472	There seems to be no more response from the HD DVD Promo Group anymore huh? I think the crickets are chirping. It's all over. Bye Bye HD DVD. __________________ F Uuuuuuuuu Toshiba!!!

02-13-2008, 11:23 PM	#9
tomes High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,416	The desperation of some HDDVD fans is getting amusing. It's beyond me how anyone can think CHDVD is going to have any positive impact on HDDVD's future (which let's face it, is basically non-existant). Does anyone really think that the general public will either be interested in importing especially censored hollywood titles from China (besides the selection will not be much to brag about), or pirated CHDVD discs? If anything this will cause the studios to shut down that format as well. Not to mention that it is so far just a rumor that a firmware upgrade will enable hddvd players to play chdvd... But by all means, dream on __________________ The War is OVER!!!!!

02-14-2008, 01:35 AM	#13
Dr. Jones High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 668	CH-DVD will not have an impact over here. The only way that happens is via cheap players and Toshiba has already beaten them to the punch. Whether CH-DVD becomes the prominent format in China or not is irrelevant. They are mostly a closed society when it comes to American cinema. They only allow something like a dozen foreign films (foreign to them) into their country every year. The whole purpose of CH-DVD is for China to use that technology to protect their own Chinese cinema from piracy. That is why CH-DVD is being developed. __________________ Movie Quote: "If you have poo, fling it now!" Donate to the March of Dimes, The babies need you! -- I would like to thank everyone who has inquired about the March of Dimes here at High-Def Forums, we appreciate all your support, be it emotional or monetary. Thank you.

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02-13-2008, 08:49 PM	#2
Qbfinest83 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 511	This was already posted. But quite frankly the war is pretty much done to bad we didnt have that guy over here in the states for HDDVD Promo Group sounds like he is heart and balls somthing that the promo group here is missing

02-13-2008, 09:46 PM	#4
macphisto High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 215	Last I knew, Blu-Ray had been outselling HD-DVD by a 3:1 margin or greater in Europe. That could have changed, but I seem to recall the US market being the one that was closest between BD and HD-DVD. I know HD-DVD is getting hammered in Oz and Japan. I'd be interested in seeing the sales numbers from Europe. HD-DVD filed a complaint in Europe because of BD's strength there last year. I notice that they don't cite an attach rate for Blu-Ray standalones, instead saying that the attach rate is less than one when PS3 is included. Seeing how many PS3s are out there in comparison to SALs I'd guess that the attach rate without the PS3 would be pretty high in comparison to HD-DVDs. I'd be interested in seeing total sales but have a feeling the Promo Group in Europe is staying away from percentages and numbers intentionally because it doesn't help their cause.

02-13-2008, 11:34 PM	#10
ssjLancer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,968	Its ridiculous how anyone can hype up CHDVD. The piracy scene in asia is so perfect. By that I mean its 10x easier to get a pirated movie than a real one. These releases arent made with amateur 'dvd movie maker magic' either. The menus are just as good as some hollywood releases Ive seen and its better than most anime. The english subtitles are perfectly timed, and though theres alot of misheard words, the words themselves are spelled perfectly. Piracy is king there.