Paramount Abandons Blu-ray for HD DVD

Will the latest decision in the high-definition DVD format war finally tip the scales? It’s a doozie: Paramount Pictures has opted to go the way of HD DVD, leaving Blu-ray high and dry, and giving HD DVD another notch in its belt.

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. Additionally, HD DVD has support from Universal, HBO, and New Line Home Entertainment, plus software support from HP, Intel, and Microsoft, and hardware support from companies like Toshiba and Onkyo. The rumour mill has also recently been pointing toward the North American adult film industry leaning toward HD DVD as its format of choice. However, this isn't to say that Blu-ray support is suffering: the format has plenty of big names behind it, including Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate, and MGM, plus a slew of hardware manufacturers, like Samsung, Sony, and Hitachi, the latter of which just introduced the world’s first high-definition Blu-ray camcorder.

On the retail side, decisions have been just as evenly skewed: in the U.S., Blockbuster announced that it would sell movies in both formats, but only rent in Blu-ray (this was later confirmed to not be the case in Canada); while Wal-Mart said it would add low-cost HD DVD players to its mix. Most recently, Target (often pronounced by humorous Canucks as “tar-jhay”) said it would offer Sony Blu-ray players exclusively this holiday season, although it would continue to offer software titles in both formats.

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.

HD Player Race: Dual-Format Discs, or Dual-Format Players?

During the 2007 International CES, Warner Bros. announced what many anticipated could be the solution to the ongoing high-definition DVD format war: a Total High-Definition Disc (THD) that would consist of a Blu-ray version of a title on one side, and the HD DVD version on the other. These discs were set to hit the market in the second half of 2007, but now Warner is delaying production. Why? Because only two movie studios offer films in both formats: Warner (no surprise there) and Paramount Pictures. Given this fact, the existence of a dual-format disc can't be justified at this point.

According to the Associated Press, Warner has decided not release THD discs until each studio delivers at least 10 titles in both formats. The firm feels this is more likely to happen by early next year, then by the end of 2007.

In an ideal world, the best solution, would be one, unified, high-definition format. But failing that, THD could represent the best of both worlds, and, most importantly, a win-win situation for the customer.

From the player manufacturing end, a few companies have also taken steps to end the format war. LG Electronics announced a dual-format, Blu-ray/HD DVD player at the 2007 International CES in Las Vegas. Although the first-generation player is limited in its ability to accomodate interactive menu features of HD DVD discs (it offers complete playback of Blu-ray), its very existence solidifies a strong point: why should consumers have to choose?

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics has also announced that it will debut a dual-format player in time for this year's holiday season, although there has been no confirmation if the player will be available in Canada or not.

Assuming that a unified format is far from existence, the HD format war will likely become a chicken-and-egg race going forward: will more dual-format players come out of the woodwork, eliminating the need for a THD disc altogether? Or will single-format players continue to dominate, encouraging studios to back both formats?