Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/21/paramount_goes_hddvd/
HD DVD gained fresh ammunition for its battle with rival next-gen optical disc format Blu-ray Disc today when Paramount said it would support the format exclusively on a global basis. And since Paramount distributes Dreamworks' movies, they too will be HD DVD only going forward. Well, almost...
The spin doctors admitted: "Today’s announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format."
Paramount was formerly one of two studios - the other is Warner - supporting both formats, so it's decision to put its weight behind just one of them is a victory for that format, the Spielberg angle notwithstanding.
Now we have Paramount and Universal firmly in the HD DVD camp, and Sony and 20th Century Fox backing Blu-ray exclusively. Warner remains on the fence, hoping to support both with dual releases for now before moving to its 'two formats, one disc' technology, TotalHD (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/10/warner_launches_total_hd_disc/).
Dreamworks' co-founder - with said Steven Spielberg - Jeffrey Katzenberg said the move have been made because of the availability of cheap HD DVD players from Toshiba (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/08/thirdgen_hd_dvd/) and the format's array of popular titles, now including Paramount's Transformers and Dreamworks' Shrek the Third.
Still, Blu-ray has the hardware advantage - there are way more Blu-ray equipped PlayStation 3s out there than Toshiba HD DVD players - and while that hasn't translated into a big lead for Blu-ray in sales of pre-recorded discs, it's outselling HD DVD two discs to one (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/15/home_media_research/).
DreamWorks switches to Intel for stereoscopic 3-D high (8 July 2008)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/08/dreamworks_switches_to_intel_chips/
Shrek studio looks to Toshiba to untie HD DVD bond (27 February 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/27/dreamworks_paramount_and_tosh/
Warner to back a single HD disc format? (10 December 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/10/warner_to_go_single_format/
Transformers director blames MS for HD DVD/Blu-ray format war (6 December 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/06/bay_blames_ms/
Warner puts Blu-ray, HD DVD combo disc 'on hold' (17 September 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/17/warner_total_hd_hold/
Samsung Blu-ray Disc player line blooms (30 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/30/ifa_sams_bluray/
Blu-ray trumps HD-DVD in USA (15 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/15/home_media_research/
Toshiba touts third-generation HD DVD (8 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/08/thirdgen_hd_dvd/
Denon sits on the fence in HD war (30 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/30/denon_blu-ray/
Toshiba's burning desire for HD DVD (30 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/30/toshiba_qosmio_g45av680/
US price cut for Xbox 360 HD DVD player (26 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/26/us_pricecut_xbox_hddvd/