@dalejrfanfreak:

I know they are wit blu ray right now. I never even said that I think apple would be next. I just gave quick examples so people know what I meant by MS and Toshiba possibly paying off companies to support HDDVD. As you can see, by companies I meant computer manufacturers for the most part.

"Xbox360 (terminally ill and to pass away by November)"

Lol. I love how people like you really think the 360 will die. The 360 shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. You're delusional if you think the 360 will be gone.

nutmaniv

@Manjikengo:

because it's the M$ fanboys..that think that Blu Ray IS Sony..it's not..i'm talking about the bias towards HD-DVD and the XBox 360 on this site..

qBIRD

As a dual supporter of the formats I have to say I am relieved of a exclusive announcement that will end this war. I would have supported both for only so much more longer...

Now this is a huge hit to Warner. They have been the biggest neutral supporter of the formats. They have a huge extensive list of major movies coming out and already out. The upcoming Dark Knight and 10000BC will be huge exclusive titles.

Keegs79

@foxuser17: Yes, the PS3 does also play standard DVDs.

To whoever asked, this link should tell you what you want to know about the Blu-Ray profiles
[www.highdefdigest.com]

logankeli

@nutmaniv:

Actually Apple is signed on with Blu Ray. Steve Jobs is a part of Disney's board of directors (I think) and it was recently rumored that Apple will announce new Mac Pro's with blu ray drives in them. I would not see them wasting time with hd-dvd, especially since that format is supported by Microsoft.

dalejrfanfreak

Someone call the cops!!
The PlayStation brand kills again...
PS list of victims:

Nintendo64 R.I.P.
Sega Saturn R.I.P.
Dreamcast R.I.P.
Game Cube R.I.P.
Xbox R.I.P.
HDDVD R.I.P.
Xbox360 (terminally ill and to pass away by November)

Sony should have never disgraced Kutaragy like they did, they should adore his genius and put him in a altar.
I bet the next PS will be nothing special without "Crazy Ken" at the helm...
Peace.
PS: No one can touch the Wii ;-)

Karosso

@foxuser17:

PS3 does still play dvds and it upscales them very nicely. I've got my PS3 hooked up to a new 46" Samsung HDTV and the dvd's almost have the quality the blu ray discs do. However, the Blu Ray movies are incredibly clear and sharp and offer a resolution that makes a grown man feel like a kid seeing a movie for the first time again.

dalejrfanfreak

Now all they need to do is cut off the manufacturing of regular DVD's for all movies, and Blu-Ray is sure to become the dominant format! Or Else!

K-OSS

Good. I want this war to end before MS can release its rumored digital download system. I would rather own my movies and watch them whenever I want, thank you very much.

I support Sony and Blu ray, as it looks like they are the only ones against all this downloadable rental shenanigans.

Fenderfuel08

@questworld:

Bluray discs still scratch pretty easily. It(the scratch resistance) really isnt what it was touted as being.

nutmaniv

Do you guys realize moves here that are bluray exclusives are on HD-DVD in europe? But movies that are exclusives on HD-DVD are only on HD-DVD everywhere?

telekinesis

I'm only interested in the scratch resistant coating that Blu-Ray supposedly sports, otherwise I'm fine with either format (though Blu-Ray supposedly is more capable of more data per layer so if we had to move to the next generation why not the most capacity per disc) short of something terribly poor about either format (i.e. durability, archival quality and length, etc.)

questworld

HDDVD will keep chugging along. Its the little engine that could. This is a HUGE blow. For sure, but Microsoft and Toshiba will throw money at another movie studio or company(like apple or HP) and itll be back to where we were before this.

nutmaniv

got a question,does the ps3 still plays standard DVDs???.

Cause i think ps3 is my next system to buy.

foxuser17

@frygar: I think you've forgotten what we were even discussing.

I never said HD-DVD was winning. I never said I was surprised. Just disappointed that the format that should have won is losing.

The Wreckard

wow...essentially I don't give a poop. I'll be holding back and enjoying my top-of-the-line upscaling DVD player I got for less than either HD player...and when the dust totally settles I'll go with the winner. Sitting back and claiming this group wins or that group wins is just dumb. Let them fight and then reap the benefits of lower prices when they're done. Brand loyalty is one thing but neither company actually gives a rat's patootie about any of their consumers. That's just a fact. Don't vote with your money now when you can still wait a bit and get all the same content for a quarter of the price a year from now.

Cerif27

HAHA, about time! I know that Kotaku never published the stories I sent them regarding Blu Ray outselling HD-dvd on black friday week 74% to 26%. Anyone that didn't see this coming is stupid. When you only have two movie developers exlusive to making hd-dvd movies with everyone else backing Blu Ray, including Disney who in 2006 had the two biggest movies of the year, it's pretty obvious which format is going to win. I'm sorry but the price of something doesn't matter when the quality isn't as good AND when you don't have a good selection of movies to choose from.

Once again, it is by the hand of PS3 owners that the Hd-dvd format will die. Hd-dvd has sold many more stand alone players, yet Blu Ray outsells hd-dvd by a large amount. I wonder why.

dalejrfanfreak

Yes Yes Yes!!! Citizen Kane and Casablanca, now on Blu-Ray....I'm euphoric.

Now if only the Criterion Collection would sign on to Blu-Ray....I would be the happiest SOB in the world.

FarmboyinJapan

I should have known hd-dvd wasn't doing well when I went to Best Buy to take advantage of their Buy 3 Get 2 hd-dvd sale and the cashier had no idea what I was talking about (i.e. no one was buying them).

Despite the now obvious upper hand Blu-ray has there still is not a very large library of catalog titles. Of my 5 favorite movies none of them are available in either format.

So I'll just enjoy my few hd-dvd titles and when the format is formally discontinued (or stores start giving up on the format - which would happen first) I'll gladly pick up the good discounts.

kingartie

@KaneTaker:

Huh? You can only tell the difference between HD & SD on a set smaller than 37'' if they're side by side? You smoke crack. I have a 50'' plasma, 32'' LCD and a 27'' CRT and the difference is huge (including between the 32'' LCD & 27'' CRT - and Its FAR away.) Maybe if the content is SD..and thats only because the image is stretched.

d1gw33d

@yashichi8bit: yeah initially they did...I stopped following after that.

Cerif27

Think about it this way. When and if HD-dvd's stop being produced, the entire backlog is going to be super discounted so it'll be easier to build a nice library of movies. Heck I have an HDtv and a PS3 but I still have like 157 standard dvd's in my library of movies. Granted the PS3 upscales them to 1080p but still you get my point.

Rampage

no need to be upset... nobody needs this to drag on longer than it has to... besides... catwoman will sure look good next to the dark knight

zer0ne

Catwoman? Heh, if it comes in a 2-pack with THE DARK KNIGHT, maybe I will buy it after all?

u_nick

@Erwin211: I'm still playing my ps3 on a tube TV, but it looks stellar even on just the yellow cable of the RCA jacks. Which makes me drool in anticipation of when I DO get a 1080p LCD someday.

Most likely, in time for the networks to jump to HD in 2009. Like hell I'm buying a box to downscale...

not_tom_brokaw

@goaliegeek: No Mac Games.

Must be a trend.

Manjikengo

So Paramount is the only movie company not backing Blu-Ray at all? Ugh...

ShirtGuyDom

To all those who paid the big bucks for the Harry Potter HD-DVD box set..........HAW-HAW!! Sucks to be you!

Shigamado

I have both, so I don't care.

MBCpeanut

Jeez guys . . . why so upset over this?

EvoAnubis

@nousemercenary: i mean let me clarify myself. Kotaku have always been known to make some of the sharpest and wittiest comment of any blog site. but when reading this entry by Mike, and let me be clear, no disrespect intended.... his comments come off like he's pissed off, which could be true if he's anti-bluray/sony ps3. we dont know. we can only go by what was written. but this is not the first time i see backdoor comments on this site.

this news is huge for the format wars. this may be the tipping scale for paramount to untie their 18 month marriage to hd-dvd camp so this stupid format war can end.

then the ultimate x360 can include blu-ray player.... everyone wins!

zanzibarlegend

It's just me or this new is burning in the Kotaku writer??

Qbanboi

Oh well, guess i'll use my PS3 more for watching movies. I just found the menu systems were better in HD-DVD's

QuickPick

I really don't care about this (maybe for V for Vendetta... explodes in the pants) but as long as this war is over and makes it easier on consumers, ill be happy. Who wants to buy something to find out a couple months later that it can be used for a coffee thingy (where you put a cup on top of)

shindokie

I am in a dilemma. I don't want a PS3, but I love movies. I have 42 hd dvds. I'm still going to get the exclusives for it, like Iron Man and what not. However, I'll just buy bluray movies to play on my brother's PS3. I won't be buying a player of my own until the prices go down.

Fetus_God_of_Love

Hrm, my friend who started his Harry Potter HD-DVD collection isn't going to be very happy on this one...

Psudonym

Finally I can get the Matrix in Blu-Ray and Batman and Batman Returns. If MS release the "ultimate" SKU, I think it's too late for that. Now we need Paramount and Universal to open their eyes and release everything in Blu.

MechAlastor

Best news ever. HD DVD was lingering like a bad rash and dragging out this format "war", and it's good to see it will be finally be over.

What's really sad, though, is reading all the grotesque distortions of the truth peddled by Xbot fanboys regarding video quality, "superior" formats/features, "sad day for consumers" etc etc But I guess when a punch drunk fighter takes the final shot to the head before going down for the count, it's never pretty.

Waveracr

@DELETED: Well of course they did, as did everyone else. At the time those formats were released there was nothing else comparable.

Oyn

I doubt this will affect much considering that HDTV's hasn't really penetrated the mass market just yet in a couple of years I believe High Definition content will become main stream

Fstrike

@Tepoz: most of the people in my neighborhood upgraded to HD displays over the holiday. My neighboor couldnt believe how "awesome" his old dvd's looked. I brought over my PS3, was instantly hooked up via HDMI...and showed him Close Encounters. he was completely shocked by the clarity.

You comment has no basis in reality. When people see what hidef playback off of blu ray looks like....suddenly they arent so happy with those old DVD's. Even in my household we dont want to watch DVDs.. and with the sudden decrease in sales for DVD. I wouldn imagine most are arriving at the conclusion.

smitherssocal

@quen:
Very well said.

The other reason some say that Blu-Ray costs more to produce is the failure rate. Many Blu-Ray films don't pass certification so they have to basically be trashed. Over time that increases the cost of production. If you press out 10 Blu-Ray discs but only 5 are good you've just paid double for each passable disc. But, failure rates are rapidly decreasing and while production still costs a bit more it's not night and day (as you already said, cents not dollars).

It's pretty clear that DAFTPUNKADIE is in complete and utter denial about the entire issue. He's not even talking straight. One of his comments was that many companies have chose not to back either format. Might who that be? Nearly every major electronics/entertainment company on the planet has signed on to do something with the format.

We have to keep in mind that movies aren't the only resource for high-def DVD's. It's also a matter of storage. No storage format is 100% but discs often prove more reliable when stored in the proper place.

incredibilistic

Nm....

PwningForFun

Am i banned?

PwningForFun

@ShaggyB: As soon as people start adopting blu-ray it will end up being cheaper.

PwningForFun

Does this mean I can get Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz on Blu-ray......? Cuz if it doesn't, I don't care.

Grinman

My question is why would warner go with the more expensive format considering the average consumer is waitng for 2 things before they adopt. lower prices being the most important and then a format winner.

ShaggyB

Well, thx god i chose the right side. I can't live without my HD movies (porn).

I'm confuse, did MS do a good thing with no putting HD-DVD within their consule, because now it will be complete useless, or a bad thing, because no one bought movies HD-DVD, because they had to buy the player apart?

Qbanboi

"I guess I'm just too caught up in the masterful work Nicholsson did."

Nicholson's "work" as the Joker made Caesar Romero look like a master of subtlety.

ExplodingKayNine

@The Wreckard: Regardless, HD-DVD still got their asses kicked all of last year, with an extra special helping of butt-whoopin' a la today's news. Are you honestly surprised by today's news?

frygar

Cry some more, Kotaku.

ExplodingKayNine

@Joewithay: hope so too!
@laroque: welcome to the hd era@sainraja: werd i thought i was the only who picked that up. i guess not.

ill take batman, and matrix... thank you!

zanzibarlegend

Wow, Kotaku, you REALLY hate Sony.
I'm glad that this stupid format war is finally going to end.

osirisomeomi

Wow... do people still take HD DVD seriously? It's obviously the Betamax in this fight... why doesn't it just crawl back and wither away?

huxle

spectacular, somebody chose a side. Lets hurry this thing up. I'm sick of waiting to adopt a high def DVD format.

TinyLightning

DVD still owns consumer pockets. This "HD war" stuff won't matter for at least three more years. The biggest hurdle PRICE.

SAKY

Man, you guys are all 360 fanboys. Now if Warner went HD-DVD exclusive you guys would be all YEA! Our 360 HD-DVD drives will get some use! Sorry Sony made a great decision by adding Blu-ray to PS3. Everybody said it would be a bad move, but look whats going on. Devs have more room for games, Hollywood can choose one format, and consumers such as myself dont have to go through isles of red and blue boxes. We can just choose one. (Hopefully soon). What are you guys going to say if Apple decides to add Blu-ray drives to their products? HD-DVD has/had potential. Cheap players, semi-good titles out. Hell, I'd love to have 40 yr Virgin on Blu-ray. Great movie. But o well.

goaliegeek

@frygar:

To deliver HD video, the DVD Forum determined that a new disc format would be required to deliver greater bandwidth and capacity over the existing DVD. The two candidates advanced both planned to use a new generation of blue-violet lasers to pack much more data into the same sized disc:

* Sony outlined plans for a consumer version of its high end Professional Disc for Data, adapted to use the ISO's MPEG-4.
* Toshiba presented the idea of a DVD mechanism retooled with a blue-violet laser called Advanced Optical Disc.

In 2003, it was expected Sony wouldn't be able to complete its new Blu-ray before 2005, but Toshiba said it could deliver AOD by 2004. The DVD Forum selected AOD as the official successor to DVD, and subsequently renamed it to HD-DVD.

...

Unconvinced that Toshiba's HD-DVD plan would be deliverer on time, Sony continued work on Blu-ray.
From here.

The Wreckard

FINALLY! THIS STUPID HD-DVD CAN BURN. THE REST OF THE WORLD USE BLU-RAY THAT INCLUDES THE HI-TECH COUNTRY JAPAN. WHY WOULD AMERICA NOT USE THIS FORMAT TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE REST OF THE WORLD. BLU-RAY IS LESS LIKELY TO STAY HACKED BECAUSE IT HAS THREE LAYERS OF CODING PLUS EACH DEVELOPER CAN CHANGE THE CODE ANYTIME THEY WAN TO AND THE MATERIAL USED FOR BLU-RAY DISK PROTECTION IS SUPERIOR. HD-DVD IS REALLY A LEVEL UP OF DVD NOT A REVOLUTION OF THE FORMAT. THAT WHY IT IS SO CHEAP BUT BLU-RAY IS NOW MORE AFFORDABLE AS WELL BUT WORTH THE MONEY.

stennex

I'm glad they choose the 50GB disc it is ridiculous for Those HD DVD fans to back that format up when they have Blu ray 20GB larger that is significantly important for PC backup & Picture Quality can surpass what HD-DVD had.

To me I don't care who makes that shit as long as it is better If HD DVD was 50GB I would back that up instead:P

But now I think there is another war coming Blu VS (MS)VOD but I guess they can co-exist

Q80

This topic is such flame bait.
For me though this is really sad as I lost another option.
I am a HD-DVD guy and I was really happy with all the Warner Bros. stuff.
Grrr... I hope I did not buy a betamax.

JoDi

XD movie forums are going crazy with the news!

[i18.tinypic.com]

Capt-Fury-

@DARTH_TIGRIS: i read it.

Manjikengo

The way this article is written, it seems as though either Mike or Kotaku are upset by this move.

"Catwoman is all yours..." well Catwoman is not the only movie released by Warner Bros.

Here is a great list of titles that will now be BD:
- Dark Knight
- I am Legend
- 10,000 BC
- Harry Potter (future films)

nousemercenary

Truly a sad day for CONSUMERS. Seriously, the best way to end this 'war' is to let the consumers truly decide: all studios go neutral. With this, you upset all consumers that just purchased a player this holiday season that won't be able to play some of their favorite movies.

What's really sad is that so many of US got caught up in this and picked a side. If we would've acted more responsibly, we could've truly 'won' instead of either side.

I'd love to see huge consumer backlash for this as much as there was for Paramount going exclusive (which, even as an HD DVD owner I disagreed with). But, unfortunately, most will simply celebrate their side 'winning' instead of recognizing the fallacy in that.

This is on page 3. Nobody will ever read this ...

DARTH_TIGRIS

With regards to the standard DVD argument:

One thing you have to take into account is how much of a boost in functionality DVD was over VHS. Sure, picture/audio quality was improved significantly, but there was way more. No more rewinding. No image degradation. Scene selection at will, which special features were a byproduct of. Not to mention durability (yeah, while they're easy to scratch, unless it was severe, it's a mere matter of polish, and it played the same as before. VHS tape got eaten? Even if you manage to spool it back together, it'll still have messed up video for that segment).

Meanwhile, what have these new formats really offered to the consumer other than higher resolution image? Neat little perks here and there, but nothing that truly makes the formats stand out enough to warrant purchasing a movie they just purchased a year ago. IMO, both these formats came a little soon. I think they should've sat back with DVD and upscaling hardware for a few years. Let it go its run for a good portion. I mean, VHS thrived for nearly 20 years. Jerking the consumer around to repurchase in less than half that time AGAIN is a bit zealous.

Cyntalan

@daftpunkadie: OK, here's an example of a recent film on HD-DVD and Blu-ray in the UK. Harry Potter - Order of the Phoenix. On HD-DVD, RRP is £27.99. On Blu-ray, the price increase is absolutely astonishing at... £27.99. But of course, the price you actually pay at an online retailer could show up those real differences! For example, Amazon are charging £17.98 for the Blu-ray and only... er... £17.98 for the HD-DVD.

What a massive saving for buying HD-DVD! That's a whole £0.00 saved! With that you could buy three Polos. Well, you couldn't, but it kind of looks like three Polos.

And with regard to historical or occasional price differences... you think it costs $10 more to make a Blu-ray disc? It doesn't. The cost of disc production is basically the same - any difference is not significant compared to other costs (distribution etc) and overall margins. We're talking cents, not dollars.

Now if some companies want to charge more for one or other format anyway, well, obviously they can...

quen

The fanboy butthurt (x-butthurt?) here is so thick, you couldn't cut it with a Ginsu knife. If you're truly that pissed off about Warner Bros.' decision, there's always standard def DVDs and wonder of wonders, they're dirt cheap nowadays. See? Everyone's a winner, so cheer up, glum-chums.

frygar

Thats a BS reason if you ask me. I own both hd-dvd and blu-ray players. While I enjoy both I prefer HD-DVD.

Why you ask? Simple really! HD-DVD has superior video, while Blu-Ray has superior audio. I however would rather have amazing video.

Video quality on HD-DVD is just sharper, colors have more pop and there is less grain. This is because it uses a better codec for 75% of its movies. Warner was a studio that always used the better codec. Blu-Ray doesnt support said codec as its owned by MS and MS backed HD-DVD.

Maybe MS could license the codec to Sony so blu-ray has the best of both worlds, but since MS really wants both formats to fail I dont see that happening but since Warner is leaving in May I guess I can pray that it will license it...please movies gods please!

parad0x360

@KaneTaker: I will have to take your word for it, but as an owner of a 40 inch Bravia, I can tell you that the difference between SD and HD is huge on my setup.

sascha23

@Manjikengo: Er, so weasl, with 1080i component only TV, I'm still good to go for the highdef movie formats?

Manjikengo

uh, biggest question of all though...

Why the hell hasn't SDF jumped ALL over this?

Manjikengo

@Erwin211: Widescreen is a pretty good reason to upgrade. Even the Wii has that. But, seriously...good luck with that.

sascha23

Now do I get a 42" DLP or a 37" LCD...not sure the wife would appreciate the HUGENESS of a 42" screen.

KaneTaker

@RuneX: What do you expect from HD movies? Want the actress to jump out of the TV and make out with you? Since I start watching HD movies I never went back to regular DVD. Well if you're using a regular CRT TV then it won't make a difference. But if you have an HDTV, your doing yourself wrong by not watching in HD.
Download movies? Are you fucking insane. People like to own physical shit so if you pay for it you expect to see it hold on to it and share it. You watch too much futuristic movies if you think we're heading to download only era.

thegunshow

@weasl: meant with 1080i goober.

@Justcrim: /shrug beats me.

Manjikengo

Narg. God knows how an unfinished lower-specced format pushed it's way over, i'm not happy about this but if it ends the 'war' then i suppose that's a bonus.

I just hate the idea of walking into a shop and asking for a blurry disk :|

edhe

Interesting report from WB. To say that consumers have chosen Blu Ray? Watching more HD DVD players sell then all of the Blu Ray Skus offered tells me a different story.

It will be interesting watching how HD DVD beats this.

Justcrim

@skullivan: thanks for the info.
Could you link me a website explaining those 1.1 features? I know it's been added to the PS3 not long ago.

QC8472

@Joewithay: can't wait. not sure if i even want the trilogy. just the first one.

equin0x

@McWhertor:

My apologies Mcwhertor. Guess i have alot to learn about sarcasm in journalism :P

Jnas

@Manjikengo:

My TV is only 1080i. The difference between a good blu-ray and good dvd is night and day.

weasl

@RuneX:
Then head back to standard definition land where the grass is greener and the interlaced signal eye jarring. It's great to be different.

DigitalHero

@QC8472:

That's actually because Warner was being cool and not putting out inferior versions on Blu-ray since all those discs used HD-DVD's interactive features which Blu-ray only just received with Profile 1.1.

Batman Begins at the very least will probably end up on Blu-ray when TDK hits the theatres.

I'm hoping they fix the Animatrix so it's in HD (and not just a DVD disc)when they do get around to the Blu-ray box set. The Final Flight of the Osiris and The Second Renaissance both deserve to be in HD.

skullivan

And I just sold my PS3 a few months ago since it was collecting dust...oh well. I'll wait to see just how this ends for sure until I get another one. God knows there's not enough exclusive games yet.

mdgalaxy

YES!!!

SSJPabs

After watching 300 and 16blocks on bluray, ive decided to sit the rest of this war out. Sure I have a PS3, but ive been so disappointed in the quality of bluray movies that its simply not worth it. Same goes with HDDVD, really wanted to justify the new formats for movies, but they just are not good enough to get me to spend money over an upscaled dvd. (I do like the extra space they provide for games and such though, although its not really that important yet.Also, I have new bravia and a new aquos HDTV, both were just not that great. Seen HD movies on several other various models too.)

Which brings me to this news, its just not that important. I say keep going, eventually were just gonna download all our movies anways. This whole disk war is useless.

RuneX

@QC8472:

Noo...That would be silly to asume Kotaku as a whole was sony biased just from the writings of a single kotakee.

Jnas

@cheswick: sorry, but the matrix, v for vendetta and batman begins are not available on blu-ray. tried to get them for the holidays.

QC8472

@Jnas: I love it so much I don't own a single HD-DVD or an HD-DVD player. You wouldn't believe the clarity of nothingness!

McWhertor

HD-DVD Takes Paramount
Blu-Ray Takes WB

Seems like a fair trade!!!

But hey...by mid 2009 I see Paramount going back to Blu-ray too :D

kingme

@Cutedge:

That would be the consumers that buy 3 times as many BRD's than HDVD's.

Regardless of your format preference, two competing formats is not good for the industry in any way. Retailers have to devote shelf space to both and consumers don't want to buy into either.

DVD sales are down as a result because people who haven't bought into either format yet don't want to have to rebuy them in HD.

I'm just glad to see an end to the format war in sight. It's been absurd to see movie fans become fanboys over this whole thing. And it's even sillier that Blu-ray supporters are automatically lumped in as PS3 fanboys.

This sucks for HD-DVD supporters but the only alternative is for both formats to wither and die.

It baffles me that so many people would rather have both formats coexist (requiring you to effectively be a supporter of both) than have one format for which all movies will be available.

Besides, Blu-ray cases just look nicer than HD-DVD. Red is so angry.

skullivan

@cheswick: Not really, V for Vendetta, Matrix and Batman Begins were never released for Blu-Ray. Those three movies alone give me a reason to want this change and to be happy for it. (I only mentioned three movies because the last two Matrix sucked blistered donkey balls.)

Balance_In_Life

My money is that the Xbox Ultimate ( aka PS3 alike ) will either be dual High-Def format or Blu-Ray only.

Back HD-DVD at this point it not wise.

sauvage

@Jnas: oh come on!

stop this, it's simply rediculous. he simply made a joke on a bad film!

and others on gametrailers are posting how kotaku is pro-microsoft and anti-sony. That's simply not true.

QC8472

It's been said countless times now:

No one wants to say:

"HDDVD" 7x in a row. I much rather say:

"Blu" XD And they crammed it down my throat when I bought a PS3.

remanance

Not sure why some ppl are saying yes, now i can have this or that on blu-ray. WB has been backing both formats. You could always get their movies on blu-ray. If you own a blu-ray player this decision is really meaningless to you.

cheswick

@janai: how do the movies look on 1080i?

I am the assumption that you could only take advantage of the formats properly if you had 1080p.

Manjikengo

So I have Batman Begins on HD-DVD... looks like I'm gonna have to get Dark Knight on Blu-Ray whenever that comes out, eh? (Holiday 08, I'm guessing). S'OK. I have a PS3 and a standalone HD-DVD player and a good selection of flicks for both... I kinda hope both formats stay alive forever and ever. I do, however, highly doubt that HD-DVD will win this thing, and there will have to be a winner someday. It's not like... I dunno.... Laserdisc vs. VHS. Or even DVD vs. VHS. They're two practically identical formats and therefore I don't see how people will tolerate them both. I dunno... maybe there is room for two, since there's always been room for multiple videogame consoles that aren't technically different, but only different in the selection of available titles. Anyway... if there's a winner, I say Blu-Ray, because Sony is giving it it's all, plus it utilizes newer, better laser technology which IS the wave of the future. Blue laser is a smaller wavelength than red, so data storage can get even more dense. Good times. Plus, Microsoft seems to be giving up on HD-DVD, unless they make some crazy announcement of a ridiculous new 360 machine with a built-in player...but seriously, 180 bucks for a player that requires you to plug it into a 360 machine? Seems pricier than it should be. Plus, everyone can see that Microsoft is pushing downloadable HD movies more than they seem to give a damn about HD optical discs. Even if they only allow you to rent movies in HD as opposed to buy them (aka: non-expiring files, re-download for free whenever you want), which would be sweet.

callahan09

@frygar:

Give me a real reason why I should give a damn.

Neither toshiba or sony are giving me enough reason to make me care about their formats.

Manjikengo

love HD-DVD much Mcwhertor?

Jnas

Said somewhere way up the thread: "most consumers are still using tube televisions."

I'm still using a tube TV myself, but it's also widescreen HD (goes up to 1080i). The picture's lovely and it's still hard to beat the color accuracy. Of course, it weighs over 200 pounds, so, er.... ;)

It was cheap for what it was when I bought it, what can I say.

At least the component inputs are getting plenty of use from the 360 on one side and PS3 on the other, and I might note that I never bought the HD-DVD player for the Xbox, but the Blu-ray collection has been slowly stacking up on the PS3 side of the fence. I give a thumbs-up to Warner and am keeping my fingers crossed. ...on the other hand, or that would be a really awkward mixed metaphor.

janai

@incredibilistic:

If I remember correctly, he was acting like some whiney fucking frat boy when he realized transformers was going to be hd-dvd only because his pstriple friends bitched and moaned about not being able to get transformers on blu-ray.

Manjikengo

@Manjikengo: Microsoft created the HDi software that's on each and every HD-DVD. You can bet your bottom dollar this involves MS heavily, as they handled the software side of HD-DVD exclusively while Toshiba handled the hardware.

frygar

I honestly don't care who wins this format war, just as long as it ENDS. I want to buy either a PS3 or Xbox 360 HD-DVD player already.

argh

@Manjikengo: blu-ray player being proprietary in the ps3 was the SOLE reason blu-ray format has won.

still, let me remind you people before you jump down my throat for sounding bitter. My tv doesn't support 1080p, I don't give two shits about high def dvd formats.

Gives me a good reason to sell more pstriples though.

Manjikengo

@StrangeLove:

Actually Netflix has a settop box to stream movies to people now. Imagine if MSFT or SONY would ink a deal to allow them to stream to 360s/PS3s as well. They must see a huge market to start making hardware with cable providers already.

Mongoosekun

By calling it a "war" its really nothing more than adding more importance to something that doesn't matter.
Its not a format war, its two companies competing for the ultimate prize. The consumer dollar.

Chuco27

@Sorwah:
Maybe because Warner made the decision based on data and not dollars. Even if Sony paid them what's the big deal? So Toshiba can do it but when Sony does it it's some kind of crime against man?

No matter, all the Blu-Ray haters have no leg to stand on. Your comments make me laugh.

Lest you forget that even though Toshiba (or whoever) paid Paramount/Dreamworks to get exclusivity it didn't include Mr. Spielberg's films so whatever he does will end up on Blu-Ray anyway. For whatever reason Spielberg movies weren't part of the deal and from what I understand that was his choice.

While Michael Bay has his lovers and haters the fact that one (if not THE) best directors in the business wants to make sure his films get out on Blu-Ray that should say something to the masses that HD-DVD had a limited shelf life.

Forget about digital distribution. It's like another blogger here said, the internet as it exists today doesn't have the bandwidth to handle 50GB files being transfered at a constant rate. It would be rewiring the world in order for it work like a Swiss watch.

Just admit it, Blu-Ray is the winner. It's okay.

incredibilistic

A lot of people want to talk about the failures of Sony but in reality they backed the Compact Disc, and the DVD.

DELETED

It has started! now as the console wars , you´ll have to buy a warner bros movie player, a sony movie player, and then in the near future you´ll see people in the MOVIE PLAYER WARS like console wars, where people brag about their remote controllers being better and the amount of features you have such as... hm.. prettier letter rendering on subtitles on movies.

Whoa...

Wyld

well.It's clear who will win the war.

foxuser17

@DrunkRaba: sales are slipping for obvious overpriced reasons.

Manjikengo

I hate to say this, but I am so happy right now!

dynendal

MCDUFUS:

Kotaku said that both Sony AND M$ had the biggest PR BS. They can't be bias. Better chance trying to say that about Gamespot.

remanance

@daftpunkadie: HD DVD is dead in most countries except US. In Japan and Australia, for example, the majority of the HD discs being sold are Blu-ray.

Evo

sadly my tv only supports 1080i. I don't believe i should give a shit but it's nice to finally have this bullshit format war start to come to a close.
@qBIRD:

What the fuck does this format winning have to fucking do with Microsoft? They just supported the hd-dvd player as a fucking ADDON. NOT A FUCKING PROPRIETARY FORMAT.

Manjikengo

To HOWARDC

not sure if you have heard of CD, the Compact Disc, Sony made and backs that one still. As I recall, it does alright.

DrunkRaba

@mcdufus:
McWhertor already stated he is not bias. You are just reading him wrong like I did.

DigitalHero

You're being very cynic Michael McWhertor, have you been wronged by WB or Sony in any way?

If you knew anything about this silly HD format war, then you'd know that this effectively ends it. WB moving to the BD camp effectively means the format war is over. I would not be surprised if Universal or Paramount switched to multi-format come June.

tannhauser

@KaneTaker: Alright. Many thanks. Time to invest in that fabled Sony Bravia! (I guess I'll use that car accident money coming *Evil grin.*)

Again, thanks.

remanance

@kotaku staff who posted the news: bitter much, are we? goes to show how bias kotaku is towards the 360 with that snide catwoman remark. well i guess you can kiss sony's blu-ray ass then.

mcdufus

@remanance: At that size, the difference in 480p to 720p to 1080i is not huge, if at all noticeable unless you sit really close. If your less than 4 feet away, you should definitely be seeing better video from the BRD than from a standard DVD.

KaneTaker

@KaneTaker: thanks Kanetaker :)

QC8472

@Patient:

Ehh.. HDDVD just climbed into the ring a bit earlier and talked a lot of smack. Blu-ray has been winning in sales for ages.

I guess it just goes to show how much better HDDVD marketing was that it could stay afloat so long on misconceptions.

weasl

DRUNKRABA: The Xbox 720/:P

@Kanetaker: I have a 23 inch Sceptre HDTV that can take 480i/p,720p,and 1080i. I have my Playstation 3 for the Blu-ray and it's hooked up to the TV via $40 HDMI cable.

remanance

"That's right, PlayStation 3 backers, the upcoming hi-definition release of Catwoman is all yours."

And so will Blade Runner and Dark Knight.

Evo

this was inevitable..all you M$ fanboys can suck it..this is a win for all consumers..you can call it a conspiracy..wiki all the companies on the Blu Ray Disc Association(BDA)..it will only be a matter of time before Universal comes on board..and then Paramount..maybe sooner if they have some sort of escape clause in their stupid exclusivity deal.

qBIRD

Coming, Xbox 360 Ulitmate w/ Blu-Ray Drive. XD

DigitalHero

@QC8472: Mmmmm...sounds like a nice setup.

KaneTaker

...I wouldn't mind watching Batman TAS (The animated series) on some Blu-ray! That was THE best Batman series. Period. I was watching some the other day when I caught some of the jokes they were saying that I didn't catch when I was younger. lol

Batman TAS < Cartoon Network without Adult Swim.

remanance

I wonder what this will mean for that rumored new SKU for the 360 with its HDDVD drive?

I think this is as good a knockout punch as one can deliver to HDDVD.

DrunkRaba

@remanance: Depends on your TV. On an SD-CRT set, 720p will look the same as 480i/p. On an HD set, you should see a fairly large difference. What connection/player you using?

@QC8472: LCDs tend to make the interlaced signals look MUCH better than any other type of TV. Movies are shot at 24 FPS, so I can see why 1080i would be preferable to 720p for movies. Higher res and the movement will look the same either way.

KaneTaker

In the United Kingdom and many other places OUTSIDE of America. (because there are place out there if you look) Blu ray disk cost 5 pounds more (translated thats 10 of your american dollars more) than HD DVDs. Some blu ray movies, such as Rush Hour 3 cost 27 pounds (54 dollars). Would YOU pay that for a blu ray disk? global production costs are BAD for blu ray.

daftpunkadie

@remanance: No problem! :D

oh, and lastly, I use the 360's HDMI cable that came with the Elite™ for both consoles.

QC8472

@SXGlory:

Well all I really know as fact is that the campy Batman tv show of the 60's was crap. Good for its time but not for the long run. I was just under the impression that the Batman movies were done correctly. Even though he does very few movies I'll watch, it's kind of a rule in Hollywood that you dont upstage Nicholson. No matter what, he's god and you're crap for trying. I guess I just felt that Ledger was dancing with the devil int he pale moonlight :)

Sparx88

QC8472:

Many thanks to you as well my friend. :D

remanance

This "War" is not ending any time soon. Just wait till Microsoft puts their wallet behind HD-DVD with that rumored HD-DVD built in 360.

y2julio

@KaneTaker: Flat LCD, 32'', Aquos from Sharp.

QC8472

@RabidSquirrel:
Yeah,but.Nicholson is just perfect,he has the look and that psychotic humor of his.

foxuser17

@Seiven:

I said 2.0. HDDVD is region free 'kind of' you mean. It is region locked for some nations, and they had several meetings to add standard international region codes. I know it's fun to bash on China, but they don't count as a 'region'? The only reason it didn't pass was the beating they took from Blu-Ray. Believe me if they got the new HDDVD disc format out you would've hated it. You'd need a new player and it would've had region locks. It's better HDDVD died before that happened.

Mongoosekun

@Cutedge: the normal consumer, normal people that arent sony haters buy more bd movies than hd-dvd movies

matizzy

@Kanetaker: Lol. I'll keep that in mind. 720 still eats 480i/p when it comes to the movies right? Because I couldn't see a difference with Blu-ray Silent Hill. :(

remanance

@QC8472: What kind of TV you using? Projection, flat panel, or CRT?

KaneTaker

As it's been said a dozen or so times before, who is winning the format war is irrelevant, because the consumer is losing regardless.

I'll move away from DVDs when these companies are finished waving their cocks at one another.

Asper

"HD-DVD... Truly a sight to behold... a format beaten.. the once great champ.. now a study in mopishness.. no longer the victory hungry stallion we have not cared about so many times before, but a pathetic, washed up, aged, ex-champion."

Patient

@remanance: For games, some people prefer 1080p over 1080i, so they play on 720P resolution.

Myself, I use 1080i for all my ps3 games and 720p on all my 360 games. I seriously don't see the difference of I over P.

now for movies, *absolutely* do not need a 1080P television, 1080i will give the exact same result.

The currently accepted knowledge is this:
720P for games
1080i for movies

hope that helps! :D

QC8472

hey,Toshiba announced time ago that they will make an HD DVD disc with a total capacity of 51 GB.Who knows.maybe the size will still matter and not only studios support.

foxuser17

@Balance_In_Life: It was so boring I started playing Mercenaries on my (formerly) 2nd TV and forgot I was watching it. CRAPPY crap.

@QC8472: Looks like you win!

@remanance: Ugh...720p over 1080i ANY DAY. 1089p is best, but if faced with 720p or 1080i, take the 720p.

KaneTaker

YES!!!! though i knew it would happen anyway sooner or later, blu-ray will win, its just to good of a format since it supports games and movies and other content, while hd-dvd only supports movies and some other content

matizzy

I wonder how many millions of people are waiting for this HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray nonsense to end. Downloadable HD movies are the future. Netflix, Blockbuster, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, etc. are all going extinct when it finally happens.

StrangeLove

@Beano: Hasn't been confirmed yet if Sony paid them guy.

krunkjuice

@McWhertor:
I misread you (which happens too often on the internet). I've been on the defensive for Blu-Ray for a few months. I feel like an old confederate soldier who doesn't know the war is over.

DigitalHero

This belongs on Gizmodo.

Kai_

QC8472:

I can't wait either! Does 720p or 1080i make a difference in watching the movies or do I HAVE to get a 1080p?

remanance

So, a very slightly superior format wins. Awesome news.

Luckily for the studios, they've finally triumphed in their tireless quest to give the consumer the royal screw-job; Europeans won't be able to import early and/or cheaper foreign releases and Americans can no longer tout their geek credentials by importing little-known British comedy series. No high-def Spaced for you guys...

(Well, no high-def Spaced for anyone since as far as I know, it was shot on standard-definition video rather than film. You get my drift though.)

tossrStu

well...I think blue-ray just pushed the nuke button with a company like WB jumping on board. Good for them!

Ignis

@foxuser17:Have to disagree... Mark Hammel's evil laugh from the 95 batman, it's just so perfect.

RabidSquirrel

waaaaiiiit...

So this means that...
while I was waiting for an HD DVD player under 100$ so I could enjoy The Matrix & V for Vendetta (among other titles) in high def...

I'll soon™ be able to buy them in blu-ray for my PS3?
Am I right here?

QC8472

@Shaoko: Hmmm i know alot of people with HD-TV's. They arent that expensive anymore, so yeah..get off the subject that the wii owners only say.

Mukatsuku

game, set, match Blu-ray

PwnySlaystation

@McWhertor: Yeah, about that Catwoman. Halle Berry may be hot and all... but wasn't that just one horrible movie? I never had the will to sit down and watch it.

Balance_In_Life

Hellz yeah. Now if Universal can just see the light...

boxmyth

@SXGlory:

Nope,the best joker is Jack nicholson.

foxuser17

@ssjmichael: I also remember a lot of Blu-ray fanboys crying foul over that deal. It seems only fair to remind people of that now that Sony is doing the very same thing.

Beano

I'm waiting for one of the formats to disappear before I plan on buying my next player... then again I'd have to buy an HD-TV, I know 2 people with one, that just shows you how popular they are.

Shaoko

@maximus9: I rofled.

On topic now. All I ever wanted was Lord of the Rings in HD. I didn't care how it got there. If it was on HD-DVD I would have bought me a player. If it was on BD then great I already had one. Seeing is how New Line is owned by Warner, well we all know what that means. Just give me some Batman to hold me over would ya Warner? Thats all I'm asking. Ohh and I'm giving HD-DVD till the end of that Universal/Dreamworks contract to survive. At least I glad I waited on buying that A-30. Welcome to Blu Warner!

Balance_In_Life

@SnakeCL: Interesting to hear. I remember when this started (and everything was single layer) HDDVD was the top choice because 1) cheaper to produce so small studious could afford to make them and 2) BRD had some SERIOUS video compression issues. There were some seriously ugly movies.

KaneTaker

BY SXGLORY AT 04:29 PM

I see where you're coming from. A lot of people have only experienced Batman from the old TV series. For comic-fans, Batman Begins was the first really good portrayal of the Batman on film.

Well, strictly speaking I'd say that Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the first really good Batman movie.

Cruithne

I have both.....I could care less.......
if a good movie comes out on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.....buy it.

what they gotta work on is affordable burnable media....and drives.

GoonieGooGoo

@Tepoz: blah! <1080P.

Tepoz

@DigitalHero: Oh, and no apologies necessary. I was simply looking at the future releases from WB and noticed that Catwoman was sadly on indefinite hold.

McWhertor

REMANANCE

My opinion means nothing when it comes to marketing. The choices made by each industry are focused on one thing. MONEY. No company has won this war because the war has not begun.
Many industries are yet to back a format and have chosen to hold back for now because they dont know if HD formats will be successful at all and investing too early can result in loss.

once THEYVE all chosen then WE get to choose, but that is along way off.

daftpunkadie

@SnakeCL: It's already being done with Live's movie rental service. Apple is rumored to announce their iTunes movie rental service which will no doubt use their copy protection scheme. NetFlix, Amazone and other use DRM. It's already done. The only company missing is Sony.

Forecasted, yes, but what types of HDTV's? Not 1080P's. More like your on-sale 720P's. Using those download services mentioned above, will consumers be satisfied with >1080P downloaded movies that are being seen compressed? As for your local stations, how many channels do you have in HD that you don't have to pay extra for? 3 channels, maybe 5? Why was the switch to HD mandated by the government? Why has it been put off every year?

Tepoz

Why HD-DVD fans say it had to be Sony throwing money at WB....

perhaps they looked at HD-DVD VS Blu-ray sales (in which Blu has been owning HD-DVD since 06)

does everything has to be a Sony conspiracy to you?

Capt-Fury-

@DigitalHero: I don't know how I could possibly be more neutral about this announcement. There has been no investment on my part into the HD disc format, fortunately, so I haven't taken "sides" on the matter. I just hope these folks get it sorted out for those who are spending money on a HD library.

McWhertor

COMMUNIST_GAMER:

...Oddest. Commment. Here.

remanance

I voted for the war, now I'm against it.

This shit sucks.

Darthvinder

Fantastic! Now, when the great Image Constraint Token catastrophe of 2012 starts screwing over consumers, Sony can be held solely responsible. Blu-ray just won exclusivity to HDCP... ummm, hurray?

ectogamut

Love my 360, but boy am I glad I also have a PS3.

This whole console race has been the toroise and the hare all over again, slow and steady is going to win it for Sony, wait and see.

Cruithne

@djricekcn: Pics plz kthx!.

I wonder what the people buying them cheap HD DVD players in Walmart will watch. According to Arstechnica pretty much everything other than Paramount is Blu Ray exclusive now.

That would leave one tiny tiny slice of a corner for HD DVD in the back of the electronics section. And if paramount decides to join the club when their 150 million dollars in incentives to back HD DVD run out, well, that would make peace reign in our time once more.

This kinda wrecks the 360 Ultimate too, tho, since they can't use the drive for games without pissing everyone off, and soon there will be no movies.

seiryuu

@The Wreckard: HD DVD wasn't chosen at that time. Dual layer DVD-9 was chosen because the DVD Forum didn't want to deal with blue lasers. A month later they announced that they were going to work on their own blue laser disk...that being HD DVD....that's when they announced they were starting to develope HD DVD in April 2002....the first Blu_Ray disk was UNVEILED in Oct. 2000. You might actually want to check your history sir.

krunkjuice

What you people fail to realise is theres other countries than America and that these countries right now dont give two flying shits bout HD. Sky does a HD service, bout 3 or 4 channels out of 100s of normal channels, the main broadcaster in the UK, the BBC, do the very odd programme, so less than once a week.

HD is too slow to take off and digital distrubution is gonna take over. And who got on that boat first? M$ and their 360. Thank you and goodnight, and thank you those who bought their shitty toaster that can play blu-ray and other related crap.

Communist_Gamer

@daftpunkadie: Have you been living under a rock? bluray movies are cheaper than ever and players are cheap also, 300 for a br player.

nxp3

Wow, what a