Tuesday, August 21, 2007

More commentary on Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD


As proof that great minds think alike, Marketnews' talented editor and essayist Christine Persaud tackled the the big news that Paramount was deep-sixing Blu-ray in her magazine's blog yesterday, coinciding with my own commentary on the issue.

Marketnews - Gadget Talk: Paramount Abandons Blu-ray for HD DVD


This could represent a big blow to the Blu-ray format:
Paramount distributes movies from a number of big names: DreamWorks Pictures,
Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies, and MTV Films, as well as movies from
DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment,
and, of course, Paramount Pictures. The first titles under this exclusive
partnership are highly-anticipated releases: Blades of Glory (with funnyman Will
Ferrell); Transformers; and Shrek the Third.
Paramount has, up until now,
been one of a few studios to back both formats: the only studio remaining in
such a position is Warner.


Like me, she remains confused by the overall strategic picture:


It looks to me that, although companies are one by one
taking sides (whether via open admittance, or a subtle indication of which way
they might, or might not, be leaning), the scales remain pretty much evenly
weighted. Sure, each week, something happens to tip it ever so slightly one way,
but I think we’re still far from a clear winner in this race.


While I'm sure that for the Blu-ray Alliance, losing Paramount has to sting, the fracas is still far from over.

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