Paramount to Drop HD DVD?

zeromemory writes "The Financial Times reports that " Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD after Warner Brothers' recent backing of Sony's Blu-ray technology, in a move that will sound the death knell of HD DVD and bring the home entertainment format war to a definitive end." According to the Times, Warner Brother's recent defection to Blu-Ray allowed Paramount to terminate their exclusive relationship with HD DVD. Universal Studios remains the only major studio to exclusively support the HD DVD format, though rumors have surfaced that their contract may also contain a termination provision similar to that exercised by Paramount."

Comments

If Sony Wins a Format War . . .

[LMacG]

If Sony wins a format war, does that mean the end times are near? Should I be stocking up on canned goods and water and working on my underground bunker?

Re:If Sony Wins a Format War . . .

[dintech]

The can is there to prevent theft of the food. You can't open the can to eat the food without violating the DMCA. Sorry.

Re:Seems like HD-DVD is dead

[LarsWestergren]

Looks like Sony wins this one.

A more positive way to view it is that Microsoft lost! :)

Besides, as others have pointed out, lots of companies were behind Bluray, not just Sony.

It figures because "Serenity" was HD DVD.

[Stopher2475]

Should have known HD DVD would be the loser as soon as they released "Serenity" on it. That show can't buy a break.

Re:Seems like HD-DVD is dead

[ZiggyStardust1984]

and Java also won as every Bluray player will contain a JVM. Thus, bluray will damage the brains of the CS students.

Re:Seems like this is a war not worth winning

[RobBebop]

The old CE companies have tried to create a new ecology (HD TV + Surround sound) but the real ecology is much more complex and diverse (PCs, laptops, cellphones, iPods, and stuff we haven't even dreamed of yet)

You know better than to say "stuff we haven't dreamed of yet". The real winner will be the format that can run a lifelike virtual reality pornography simulation. Last I checked, Blu-Ray doesn't even come with a mechanical dildo (but imagine how quickly your wife would want it if it did).

In all seriousness... there are 5 human senses. Sight and hearing are taken care of. Really good movies can give you the chills or make you cry - so that *partially* handles the sense of touch. More work with that, and then an entertainment platform that can simulate smell are around the corner.

When you can smell Jenna Jameson's perfume as her virtual body climbs over you... that is when the Format War will be over.

:)

Re:Seems like this is a war not worth winning

[king-manic]

When you can smell Jenna Jameson's perfume as her virtual body climbs over you... that is when the Format War will be over. I'm uncertain if the smell of skank is really a good thing.