Universal, Paramount, New Line & HBO to Drop HD DVD, Porn Biz Also Pulling Out?

Advertising

After Warner Bros. announced it was backing Blu-ray exclusively, the high-def DVD industry has seen a whirlwind of chaos. Countless sources in the tech media now say a domino effect is happening, as companies look for new love in the Blu corner.

Digital Journal -- The high-definition battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD has been ongoing for years, but this week has been a defining moment, as HD DVD looks to be dying.

The war is similar to the Betamax-VHS war of yesteryear, as both Blu-ray and HD DVD compete to replace standard DVDs.

Last week, Warner Bros. announced it was going Blu-ray exclusive, tipping the scale to the Blu corner that now controls about 70 per cent of the home video market. The HD DVD camp has said it's disappointed pundits everywhere are calling the format dead.

The tech media has been sent into an absolute frenzy this week, as HD DVD support seems to be declining rapidly: Long-time HD DVD backer Microsoft said it would consider supporting Blu-ray if that is what consumers want, and the rumour mill started, indicating HD DVD supporter Paramount would also be abandoning the sinking ship. Paramount is denying the switch, but reports indicate: "Paramount has a clause in its HD DVD exclusivity contract allowing the company to bail from HD DVD if Warner defected to Blu-ray, and that Paramount is 'poised' to do so." Home Media says it has also confirmed New Line and HBO are also going Blu.

And according to Digital Bits who say they have a source that is "second to none," both Paramount and Universal have spilled the high-def beans, saying they are dumping HD DVD for Blu-ray. A post in the My Two Cents section of the website reads: "...Sources continue to tell us that Paramount and Universal are going Blu, but sorting out all the legal details and organizing the logistics takes time. The Warner move was apparently well planned, but Paramount and Universal have only just started that process. They may or may not continue releasing HD-DVDs for a time - we'll have to wait and see."

The post says Universal may not announce it's Blu-ray support until February at the earliest, as their contract with HD DVD expires at the end of January. Also, retailers are being pressured to go Blu, and Digital Bits doubts whether most big retailers will even carry HD DVD players by Christmas this year.

Some retailers at CES disagree, however, saying Warner Bros.' decision is not a death blow to HD DVD and they say the war will go on. "I don't think we're in a position to go out and declare a winner," said Steve Eastman, Target Corp's (TGT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) vice president of consumer electronics, in an interview with Reuters.

Brad Anderson, CEO of Best Buy told Reuters "[It's] a lot easier to see the likelihood that we get to one format, and it makes it easier for us as retailers to help push it to that one format."

The titillating battle has also mounted in the porn industry, as many companies are looking to pull out from the HD DVD camp and get fresh with Blu-ray. The porn industry (like it or not) is a major battleground in the high-def war, as the industry has proven it has the ability to help thrust formats into the mainstream. It was instrumental in the VHS-Betamax war; after Sony refused to work with the porn industry its format (Betamax) ultimately lost out.

The adult film industry is releasing new movie titles in the Blu-ray format, and the reason may surprise you: PS3 owners came out in droves to request more porn on Blu-ray. Adult film company Digital Playground listened and has announced new titles, despite being an HD DVD supporter.

Also, porn executives spoke at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo 2008 this week, saying Warner Bros.' decision will likely influence them to also go Blu. Jeff Thill, director of video operations for the Hustler Video Group, told PCMag he sees no advantage of one format over the other, but says "[Blu-ray is] a little bit of a headache [because of royalty fees]."

Many porn companies reported having trouble finding a place that would make adult movies on Blu-ray early on, but Warner Bros.' decision to go Blu has opened the gates so that more people perceive the format as the winner in the high-def battle.