Warner Bros. Support UMD Format

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/Warner+Bros.+presses+play+on+UMD+format/2100-1026_3-5925708.html?tag=nefd.top' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/Warner+Bros.+presses+play+on+UMD+format/2100-1026_3-5925708.html?tag=nefd.top</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The studio will release eight movies and one TV show on the 1.8 GB format disc, which plays exclusively on Sony's PSP video game system. Warner's UMD rollout begins Dec. 6 with "The Dukes of Hazzard," which comes out the same day as the DVD. Also available Dec. 6: "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Volume 4" from Cartoon Network. The second wave of UMD titles launches Dec. 20 and will include new releases like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Batman Begins," "Constantine," "House of Wax" and catalog titles like "The Matrix," "Terminator 3," and "Enter the Dragon." New releases will retail for $30, while catalog titles will cost $20. "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/umd.jpg" /><br /><br />Why anyone would pay $30 for a format that can't be played in normal DVD players is beyond me, but I guess the marketplace has spoken. Still you have to wonder why when you can buy any real DVD and convert it to play on the PSP and still be able to use it in any DVD player you wish. Practically every format Sony comes up with is just stupid and UMD is no different. <br /><br />Then again how brilliant is it to get people to buy both a DVD and a UMD of the same movie. I mean with DVD prices so low, you have to make money somewhere right?

[Filip Norrgard]

We in Finland already pay around 30€ (give or take a few €) for region 2 DVDs (mostly single DVDs) which would mean that the UMD wouldn't sell much better (assuming, of course, 30$ = 30€ conversion). :?

And continuing with the Sony proprietary memory formats, I now have a nice list of abbreviations here:
MS = Memory Stink
UMD = Utterly Mediocre Disc
CV = Confusing Variety (of Compact Flash) (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=373296&amp;sid=cf6b9894e923162f26d7db31b13629a7)
I know, I should be nicer to Sony, but I can't stand them trying to tie their consumers in with such ugly proprietary formats! :roll:

[Felix Torres]

If nothing else, it does seem to argue that there really is a market for good quality portable video on decent-sized screens.

And, it argues strongly in favor of mandatory managed copy in a blue laser system.

Maybe the studios will listen, this time.

(Hey, I can dream, can't I?)

[klinux]

Or, another convincing argument for subscription model. I was once dead set against it but come to think of it, there's no good reason for me to pay for [insert your favorite music/movie/content] over and over when it was or will be released on LP/8 track/cassette/CD/DAT/DVD-A/SACD/XM/cable/theater/BD/HDDVD.