HD-DVD Supporting Warner Bros Chief Steps Down? WB Going Blu?

Blu-ray.com got the word from a reliable source that Senior Vice President of Market Management for Warner Home Video, Stephen Nickerson has stepped down from his position. During his tenure, Mr. Nickerson was an outspoken proponent of HD DVD. No word on his successor, or if Warner will change it stance on high definition releases.

[MK_Red]

If this means that The Matrix Trilogy for Blu-ray comes sooner then I'm all for it.

[chasegamez]

bluray rules

[TeaDouble_E]

: )

[Ri0tSquad]

Hope it happens!

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

The Matrix would be AWESOME on Blu-ray.

I do think, however, that if we keep the two sequels on HD-DVD...Blu-ray will win a lot quicker.

The other two movies just sucked SO BAD!

[Razzy]

I've been waiting for what seems to be an eternity for The Matrix on Blu. Hurry up Warner....FFS!!

[barom]

what the hell, I lost my respect for blu ray. posting up rumors wth.

[MK_Red]

Warner has favored HD-DVD so far with releasing Matrix trilogy first on that format and its 300 HD-DVD having more features than Blu-ray one but could " if Warner will change it stance on high definition releases" mean that they might go Blu-ray exclusive to fight Paramount?

Warner going Blu could be the biggest news bomb of the month, even bigger than Paramount's move.

[DJ]

it would mean one less competitor in the HD Movie market. They should take advantage of the situation.

[Ri0tSquad]

to hd dvd seriously

[TeaDouble_E]

LOL just joking

[Fighter]

Warner will probably not go HD DVD exclusive because, unlike Paramount, Warner has bigger and better movies to offer and they will make more money if they stick to both formats.

I will agree with MK_Red (comment #2)that if Warner does go Blu then the format war is over for sure. Don't forget that 300 on blu-ray outsold the HD DVD version nearly 2:1 but those numbers could've changed over the last week.

[Phantom_Lee]

it seems alot of heat on the high-def lately....

oh well...*go back to play persona 3*

[ALIEN]

If The Matrix Trilogy appears on Blu-Ray, then it's going to be awsome. Im a big big fan of Matrix movies. GO! Blu-Ray, get em!

[Ri0tSquad]

The sales would be incredible

[power of Green]

I approved this because I get a kick out of people posting news with meanings that are not there; every day.

[DrPirate]

Lmfao, that one made me laugh alot man.

[ktchong]

and decide to go all out.

[timmyrulz]

Why do we have posts about dvd issues on a gaming site? if people want to read about dvd issues we would go to n4dvd'ers.com or something, oh i forgot the ps3 is a dvd machine, my bad

[power of Green]

Sony fanboys always claim sh*t they're never right. This isn't good news for Blu-ray or PS3. lol The possible new guy is more one sided towards HD-DVD than the other guy.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

PowerofGreen.

When was the last time you attacked someone worth attacking?

You usually use your "powerofgreen" to stomp all over the 12-16 year old kids who just want to be part of something bigger than them...like this format war or console war.

Pick on someone with your own mentality...like...my Alzheimer's-having Grandma.

[Fighter]

"I approved this because I get a kick out of people posting news with meanings that are not there; every day."

What a smug comment. power of green = douche bag

[ALIEN]

Dude! i ain't seen you around here b4, but i agree wit you.

This is getting old. Here in US, you have the choice to pick which way you want to go. If someone want to buy a BR, HD-DVD, 360 or a PS3, that's der decision. I know wich way i chose (PS3 and BR) and i understand if you chose to go with the 360 and HD-DVD. It's up to you, it's your money and noone can't f!king tell you what to do with your own money.

[tudors]

There is nothing in this article that suggests that warner are going single format.

[blackmagic]

Since the idea of WB going blu-ray seems to be the speculation of 'mk_red' and is not mentioned at all in the article then I am going to speculate that WB is going HD-DVD exclusive.

Yes, I know that there isn't a shred of evidence to support it but since contributors can completely make things up (WB going blu?)then I feel it's okay for me too.

Man, this site needs to clean up it's act.

[dragonZ28]

There have been too many rumors that Warner wil be going exclusive friday along with the paramount effort in an attempt to end the format war and push one format to consumers this Christmas, and really push an HD format for consumers to feel comfortable with.

If Warner goes to HD DVD exclusive, then it's over. HD DVD won, right then and there. They have incentive to go HD DVD exclusive, and not Blu-Ray. They have more money invested into HD DVD, they may detect a wounded Blu-Ray sector, and go for the kill.

If they go Blu, then this war will just be dragged out even longer.

However, most sony insiders and HD DVD insiders alike seem to think this is bad news for Blu-Ray. Whatever it is, we'll surely know sometime friday.

Warner has long supported HD DVD, and it wasn't just because of this guy - the board of directors felt confident in HD DVD, and now they want to secure their investment and push HD DVD over the top. After all, Warner will profit more from an HD DVD victory because they won't be cutting their losses.

And it doesn't matter if "300" sold more on Blu-Ray. They are looking at attachment rates, not raw sales numbers. It was outsold 2:1, but Blu-Ray outnumbers HD DVD players by about 10:1, so the attachment rate is much higher on HD DVD. The more HD DVD players sold, the more discs sold. The PS3 is pretty much the only Blu-Ray movie player selling, and it is selling pretty poorly to be frank. It sells well for a movie player, but horrible for a game console. In the end, the PS3 will have a sales cap, and it will stop selling. No question, this worries studios thinking of exclusive support for HD DVD.

All I'm saying is, "Don't get you hopes up, Blu-Ray supporters. tomorrow's news might just break your hearts."

There is a 99% chance it is good for HD DVD and a 1% chance that Sony will pull out a miracle.

EDIT: Official statement and proof that this man has resigned:

http://www.highdefdigest.co...

[dragonZ28]

Death of Blu-Ray??? You decide.

Amir Majidimehr
Corporate Vice President, Consumer Media Technology Group
Published: April 13, 2004 | Updated: June 30, 2006
High-Resolution Images:

Amir Majidimehr is corporate vice president of the Consumer Media Technology Group within the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. His team delivers Microsoft digital media technology to mobile operators and consumer electronics manufacturers, and owns Microsoft’s digital rights management and advanced media strategies, including HD DVD.

Prior to this role, Majidimehr was corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division, and was responsible for delivering multiple versions of the Windows Media Player software that powers the audio and video experience for consumers in the Microsoft Windows operating system while providing an open platform for developers, content providers and service providers who build businesses around delivering digital media to PCs and other media devices. Under Majidimehr’s lead, the Windows Digital Media Division shipped industry-leading products, including Windows Media Player 11 with MTV’s new URGE music service, Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Producer for Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition, and spearheaded the audio, photo and video features of Windows Vista.

Before joining Microsoft, Majidimehr held vice-president roles at VXtreme, a streaming startup acquired by Microsoft in 1997; Pinnacle Systems, and Abekas, makers of television effects/processing systems.

Before that, he led the development of high-performance workstations as senior director of engineering at the Sony Corporation.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

That sux...hardcore.

First, MS hires the OXM dude to screw PSM over.

Then, they have Peter Moore run EA to screw the PS3 over.

Then, they have THIS GUY make WB goes HD-DVD exclusive.

Microsoft has really outdone themselves as far as dirty-business goes. Most of their lawsuits are from faulty devices or monopolization of the company. The sad thing is...they have enough money that the US government wouldn't even touch them. That, and it's not like the government is going to CARE about gaming or a format war at that.

Basically...Sony could lose this war because MS plays dirty. How do you think they've brainwashed millions into playing Halo? ADVERTISING and pay-offs my friend.

[ALIEN]

Why people are posting some long a@@ comments? i fall asleep while im reading it. NO OFFENSE!

[dragonZ28]

Want to hear how pathetic attach rates are for PS3, errr I mean Blu-ray 3?

PS3 units sold: 4.2 million
Blu-Ray movies sold : 2.2 million

That is just barely over 1/2 of a movie per PS3 owner, so you do the math on attachment rates - Blu-Ray is already dead, you just don't know it yet.

EDIT: I love how many disagrees this post of cold, hard fatcs has. Jesus, you Playstation fanboys are disagreeing with factual attachment rates??????!?!??!?!?! Wow, you guys really are in denial aren't you? Lol...

[Fighter]

Stop your spamming, you posted the same long-a$$ comment in the transformers to HD HDVD post. you then provide a link that does not work. I think your rumor is based on your own opinion. Do you have a reliable link for that rumor?

Is it just me or are 360 trolls even worse than our own PS3 trolls?

Here's a rumor I heard on tha street, yo. Xbox 360 is filing for bankruptcy and are calling it quits and HD DVD will soon do the same. The gaming war now belongs to Sony and nintendo and Blu-ray has won the HD format war. I will provide no links to the rumor that I just heard because I tell the truth and you will all listen to me.

(BTW, I was being sarcastic.)

[solidt12]

I heard Microsoft 360 business is going bankrupt also and the the Xbox 360 will end production after Christmas and HD-DVD agreed to stop production due to big money loss. I don't have any links to back up my story either.

[the_round_peg]

He favors HD-DVD but he's not a strong supporter. Ultimately, he favors neutrality.

Blu-ray camp is now attacking Nickerson as "an outspoken proponent of HD DVD" simply because he decided to stay neutral and not take the side of Blu-ray. Now that's just low class.

[ALIEN]

OHHHHH! did you get offended? Well! You have some go point though, "Then don't read them, lol." yeah! i don't read comments that are coming out of you ignorant mouth, i just click on the ignore button. Oh did you get offended now? BOO BOO!

[heavymetal3k]

People even if WB were to go HD-DVD exclusive it would not kill blu-ray. Although if they were to go Blu-ray exclusive it may kill HD-DVD. Heres the market share for the studios.

Blu-Ray
-Disney 14%
-Fox 16%
-Sony 18%
-MGM 3%
-Lionsgate 7%

HD-DVD
-Universal 10%
-Paramount 13%

Both
-WB 19%

So if WB went HD-DVD exclusive it would just make things close to even in market share. Got info from

http://www.n4g.com/industry...

Edit: fixed lionsgate.

[Fighter]

I'm pretty sure lionsgate is blu-ray exclusive unless they changed their minds recently.

[dragonZ28]

would actually read the blu-ray.com message board post referring to this exact subject, you will see that my source for the rumor is indeed bluray.com

There is no trolling here - I said it is a reported rumor. I did not say it was fact, nor was it my opinion. Rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

Ignore me all you want. The attach rate is poor, and Warner has been in bed with Toshiba and Microsoft for far too long. The 360 marketplace even promotes "300" in a deal with Warner. Here is you precious link to the rumor. Now you have your source, so don't say I made the rumor up.

http://forum.blu-ray.com/sh...

That's from a Sony biased site, so good luck tomorrow with any news, fanboys.

Also, you Sony idiots are already bracing yourselves for bad news saying "Well, if they do go HD DVD exclusive, it will only level the playing field". Who the hell are you kidding??? If they go HD DVD exclusive, Blu-Ray is over with. The field is already in HD DVDs favor as we speak as far as support, Warner will be icing on the cake. I swear to God, you guys would say Blu-Ray is going to win if they only has Sony picture's support. Get real guys, if Warner goes HD DVD exclusive, the PS3 is an obsolete piece of junk. Blu-Ray, aka PS3, will be officially dead. You can deny it all you want - you are in the pre-stages of denial with the "leveling the playing field" crap.

Blu-Ray death has began.

Another EDIT: I could post the following and have 20 disagrees simply for saying "Xbox 360":

"The Xbox 360 is a Microsoft game console"

Blasphemy, I sais microsoft!!! If anyone posts anything positive about Microsoft, you Sony losers leave negative feedback and disagrees in an attempt to silence those who don't swing on Sony's nuts. Jeez, some of you Sony guys are really gay.

[Fighter]

I think you're the worst troll in here. Just re-read your last paragraph and you'll see why.

Don't listen to message boards for your source. You treat this as fact when we all know it's a rumor or something you made up. Just because it's a Sony biased site doesn't mean that Sony fanboys are the only ones in there. I'm sure there are trolls like yourself in there too.

If blu-ray does lose the HD format war then the PS3 will still live on and use blu-ray as its storage medium. Don't get the HD format wars mixed with the console wars. I can't believe I'm replying to a 12-year old fanboy. This is my new low.

[tudors]

"Basically...Sony could lose this war because MS plays dirty. How do you think they've brainwashed millions into playing Halo? ADVERTISING and pay-offs my friend."

Brainwshed into playing Halo lol, are you crazy.....No please don't make me play Halo Mr. Gates I don't want to.....wait a minute I do want to play it...and there was me thinking Mr.Gates had brainwashed me.

Der.

[JokesOnYou]

ha ha sony kids are going to destroy you, all they want to hear is how everything is great for bluray camp, they want to believe that Paramounts deal doesnt matter, they dont want to even think that its possible the new guy taking over might be a big HD DVD supporter and maybe WB is thinking of going in favor of HD DVD but I think its much more likely WB is loving the $$ they are making by being multiplatform= they are making more than exclusives studios and they even said after that the movie 300 sold well on both that the sales was an indication they have the best strategy=

JOY

[power of Green]

Why do you get so ass hurt once somebody says something you don't want to hear?. Take a break he's not the only one thats heard or believes what he's saying.

[the_round_peg]

UHDV (Ultra High Def Video) is coming, and it's 16 times sharper and crisper than HD.

Neither Blu-ray nor HD-DVD has enough space to fit even one movie in UHDV. A two-hour UHDV movie takes up 25 TB of storage space.

TB = Terabytes = 1000 gigabytes.

PCD, which can hold 50 TB per layer, will replace Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

PCD = Protein-coded discs.

...

Here's the kick: the screen projection in the movie theater... it still has a much better resolution than UHDV! So there will still be room for improvement after UHDV.

Imagine that!

[heavymetal3k]

Something like that is years down the road, 10-20 years from now.

[the_round_peg]

10 to 15, actually.

[synetic]

thats will be probably the next generation but we will not see that for the next 10 to 15 years ..

[SonyFANBOY]

Box 360 sucks!!!!!!!!!!! o bigo biggie timers!!!!!!!!

I like Xbux better.

Microsoft pay million of dollars just to advertise Halo everywhere. playing dirty too.

MS pay Capcom huge amount of money behind the scene so Capcom make DMC 4 and Resident 5 for Box 360.

Fans know that Box 360 sucks.

Microsoft always pay huge amount of money to game developers just to make games fast for their console.

Do you know why Microsoft have to pay huge amount of money because game developers know that Box 360 sucks and they will be charging MS huge amount of money?.

Microsoft pay extra extra huge amount of money to game developers to make games first to their Box 360 and delay PS3 games longers but that's not going to cut it.

plus Microsoft pay huge amount of money to REVIEWERS to rank Box 360 games higher than PS3. LOL so funny.

Microsoft pay huge amount of money to game developers to make the graphics for Playstation 3 poorly so Box 360 can win the console war but naw..................that ain't going to work....

We know your secrets and stop hiding.

I'm so with SONY PLAYSTATION 3 BLU-RAY DISC

[MaximusPrime]

if Batman Begins part of WB, oh yeaaaa, i will get this on bluray!

bring on Matrix trilogy too!

I'll be surprised if matrix trilogy bluray sold more than matix trilogy hddvd

[Like a shadow I am]

Amir Majidimehr is the VP of Consumer Media Technology Group. At Microsoft.

[FreedomReign]

Warner has invested a lot of money on their new combo disc, TotalHD. This disc can hold both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD content.

Why would they turn away from either format now?

http://www.engadget.com/200...

[ld_ruiz69]

Funny it came from blu-ray.com. still its only a rumor as of now and theres no official word

[ITR]

I doubt it since it's Warner who is pushing it's TotalHD Disc's, which uses both formats on a one disc concept.