The Hi-Def Format War
The new high-definition video format war is still in its early stages, but the stakes have increased lately as Sony and Microsoft jockey for position with Blu-ray and HD-DVD, respectively. The hi-def battle spilled over into Comic-Con last week, and this time it was Sony and Blu-ray that made a bigger splash at a major convention.
While many of the major films coming to hi-def will be available on both HD-DVD and Blu-ray, such "300" which arrived this week, some recent blockbuster movies and popular films have taken sides in the war. Walking around the San Diego Convention Center exhibit hall, it was obvious that Sony and its Blu-ray partners like Walt Disney Company were intent on having a large presence at the show. For example, a very large booth devoted to the forthcoming DVD release of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," which arrives on Blu-ray exclusively in December. At the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment booth, the company was showing off recent Blue-ray titles such as "Casino Royale" and "The Fifth Element" remastered edition and also promoting upcoming titles like "Hostel: Part 2," with director Eli Roth signing autographs.
View Blu-ray Vs. HD-DVD Slideshow (20 images)
Rich Marty, vice president of new business development at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, says Blu-ray is making progress, thanks to some big additions to the library. "In terms of big titles, "Casion Royale" is still the top-selling Blu-ray disc," Marty said. "It's really become a must-have disc. "The Fifth Element" remastered is also quite popular." Sony also announced at the convention that "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" will be coming to Blu-ray exclusively in November. Marty said "Close Encounters" was a big deal because it will be the first Steven Spielberg movie on a hi-def format. Marty also added that the fourth quarter will be a huge period for Blu-ray as films like "Spider-Man 3" and "Pirates" will arrive on Blu-ray exclusively.
The James Bond movie "Casino Royale" has become the best-selling Blu-ray disc so far.
When it comes to Blu-ray exclusives, Sony is playing up some of the more interesting features and capabilities of its new discs. For example, the "Pirates" Blu-ray package will have two discs with 75 GB that has bloopers and the customary behind-the-scenes features, including one titled "Enter the Maelstrom," is a BD-Java (Blue-ray disc Java) interactive tour of the climactic action sequence involving the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman. In addition, the 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition of "Close Encounters" will feature three different versions of the epic sci-fi film - the original theatrical edition, the re-edited 1980 special edition, and Spielberg's director's cut from 1998 - on one 50 GB disc. The package also includes never-before-seen interview with Spielberg and other goodies like a retrospective documentary and a new storyboard-to-scene comparison feature.
More exclusive titles will help Blu-ray adoption, of course, but Sony is also making inroads elsewhere. The PlayStation 3 price cut for the 60 GB version has increased sales of the console, and Marty said it's expected to have a positive effect on Blu-ray disc sales, though he said it's too early to tell how big the effect might be. Also, Sony announced that Target and BJ's Wholesale stores will carry Blu-ray players only (though HD-DVD players will still be available at Target's online store). And Sony previously struck a deal with Blockbuster last month that will expand Blu-ray rentals to more than 1,400 stores (currently, HD-DVD rentals are available in only about 250 Blockbuster outlets).
But the biggest boon for Sony may be the new development regarding the adult film industry. According to a report from PC World, Sony has begun offering support for DVD manufacturers who supply discs for pornography studios. PC World reported that a Taiwanese company obtained a Blu-ray disc press from Sony and will now begin replicating pornographic movies on Blu-ray. Previously, HD-DVD had emerged as the popular HD format for porn, at least in the U.S., because the format was cheaper to produce and easier to use. In addition, Sony had stated that it would not court pornographic film studios for the Blu-ray format, with such Blu-ray partners as Disney objecting to such business dealings with porn studios. However, it looks as if Sony is offering at least some tacit support for Asian manufacturers.
Join our discussion on this topic
