Interview: Universal EVP Ken Graffeo says HD DVD is here to stay

[NICEBUD]

http://www.betanews.com/article/Interview_Universal_EVP_Ken_Graffeo_says_HD_DVD_is_her...y/1200951636/2

[somebodeez]

Interesting - thanks for the link.

I'm still not buying into either one just yet but have a few comments to make on some of the statements made in the article.

But people collect movies like they did records, and share movies, which isn't possible in digital.

It's not???

And today, in order for the digital world to take off, it has to be very consumer friendly -- like plug and plug. As soon as you get complicated, you can't go after the mass market.

Too late - it's already complicated for someone like me who hangs out in this forum. How much more complicated it is for others who have even less understanding than I! (For example: I'm still trying to get it through my neighbors' heads that when the change over happens, that doesn't mean they *must* have an HDTV. They're on cable so they'll be fine. I haven't even tried moving on to the subject of Blu Ray / HD DVD with them)

DRM, high prices and introducing mass confusion certainly isn't considered consumer friendly.

People once thought rental would always be the king, and now you have sell-through.

What is " sell-through" ?

...and our retail partners are saying if you want to go to the mass market, you don't want to limit consumers into only being able to play it on one device.

Amen!

[jagabo]

Universal EVP Ken Graffeo says HD DVD is here to stay

What did you expect him to say? "Oh man, we're fucked!"?

[bendixG15]

Got to sell off the inventory first...........

[Rich86]

I am very glad to hear Universal continuing to support HD-DVD and releasing new titles of interest. I think they are being far more intelligent in this matter than Warner. I really like the notion of the combo discs, so a purchase can be used when traveling in addition to at home. They work really well.
I'm really not interested in Blu-Ray, so when a title I'd like is not available in HD-DVD - it becomes relegated to a standard definition DVD rental. They look quite good upconverted via my Toshiba HD-DVD player.
So - kudos to Universal - and thanks Toshiba for putting out top quality full featured optical media based high definition products that are very reasonably priced - and sorry Warner, but I expect my purchases of Warner titles will cease completely this summer.

[MOVIEGEEK]

We have to be careful when talking about HD DVD...Nilfennasion might get angry.

[Kayembee]

Somebodeez wrote:
> I'm still not buying into either one just yet but have a few
> comments to make on some of the statements made in the article.
>
> Quote: But people collect movies like they did records, and share
> movies, which isn't possible in digital.
>
> It's not??? ohmy.gif

He was speaking of digital DOWNLOADING, and assuming DRM.

> Quote: People once thought rental would always be the king, and
> now you have sell-through.
>
> What is " sell-through" ?

Hmph, I thought sell-through was obsolete. Unless the
meaning has changed, "sell-through" was the practise of movies
being sold at high prices when first released on video, and then
heavily reduced a couple months later - say $100.00 on release,
then $25.00 later.

This was done because the video rental places would pay a
premium for the latest releases, while later sales were mostly to
the consumer, who was unwilling to pay so much.

This is the first time I've heard that term in years - do
they still do that?