From the time Warner Bros backed both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it kept saying that to avoid consumer confusion over choosing a format, it would not pick a side. However, this is now set to end with Warner Bros to become the latest studio to exclusively back Blu-ray, which it has just confirmed. So just when the HD DVD camp thought it was getting a significant boost from the HD DVD player's major price falls recently, the dropping out of Warner Bros will be a major loss for HD DVD, considering Warner Bros is also Hollywood's biggest seller of DVDs, accounting for 18% to 20% of US sales. Warner Bros said that it will continue releasing HD DVDs until the end of May.
With this latest move, it means that the major studios now back either one or the other, so no matter which side the consumer chooses, it seems like they are the ones to lose out, since they'll not be able to play movies from the studios that use the competing format. As a result, the consumer will need to buy a player for the competing format to take advantage of the complete range of HD movies available between the formats. For the manufacturers, it looks like the best way to go is with a hybrid format, like what Samsung and LG offer. However, for the consumer, it is like starting all over again with the prices, with hybrid players costing close to the first Blu-ray players to hit the market.
In the meantime, IPTV services that offer downloadable HD movies will likely become a significant competitor to HD discs, as one can get a pretty decent spec home theatre PC for the price of a dual format HD player and be able to purchase or rent movies without worrying about what format the studio backs. Another advantage with home theatre PCs is that many of the latest models are actually smaller than most set top boxes and offer most of the features of a full desktop PC, unlike what HD DVD, Blu-ray or even hybrid players offer.
Thanks to DeadMan for letting us know about this news. Feel free to discuss and share your thoughts on this in this forum thread.
DeadMan added: The battle between HDDVD and Blu-Ray took another twist today as Warner studios have decided to back the Blu-Ray format by releasing it's movies exclusively on this format. This follows hot on the heels of Apple's anouncement to use Blu-Ray drives in it's computers. Does this spell the death note of HDDVD?
