Paramount Pictures has reversed their decision to release movies in both Blu-Ray and HD, starting with the non-release of ‘Shrek the Third’.
‘Shrek the Third will be available only in HD DVD format.
It is unclear why the decision was made - perhaps the lowered cost of manufacturing makes sense, but the choice of HD over Blu-Ray is still fuzzy. The reports of Chinese entry into the player market with low cost players might be it, as along with that report are the reports of WalMart charging ahead with sales of these predicted low cost Chinese players.
Apparently the toothpaste incidents have not left enough of a bad taste in the WalMart buyers’ mouths.
Unofficially, there are the reports of a payout (payoff?) to Viacom, parent of Paramount, from the HD DVD Promotions Group.
In a similar article, the HD DVD factions are quoted as not ‘being at war with Blu-Ray’.
File that in the ‘Egregious Lies We Couldn’t Fool Everyone With’ folder. The resolution of the adopted standard, whether Blu-Ray or HD, means huge changes in the fortunes of the companies involved - not only for upcoming content, but back catalogues, as they become available in a high definition format.
I haven’t dipped my toes in the hi-def waters yet, and probably won’t for some time, as the sharks are still circling, with teeth in sight.
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