Warner Home Video has announced it will release movies on UMD format

[Everlost_MI]

According to an article on Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com/), Warner Home Video will start releasing movies on UMD format. (http://us.imdb.com/news/sb/2005-11-01/) Thanks to bgivnin for finding the original Reuters article (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=industryNews&storyID=2005-11-01T063312Z_01_HAR123572_RTRIDST_0_INDUSTRY-MEDIA-UMD-DC.XML&archived=False).

Warner Home Video has ended its resistance to the Universal Media Disc (UMD), the video format employed by Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP). All other major studios had previously announced plans to release product for the popular multimedia player. Sony said Monday that it will release the movie version of The Dukes of Hazzard on UMD on Dec. 6, the same day that it is released on DVD. Two weeks later -- and just in time for the Christmas holiday period -- it plans to release Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Constantine, and House of Wax. It said it also plans to release the older titles The Matrix, Terminator 3 and Enter the Dragon on the same day. Meanwhile, Sony on Monday opened an online store where Japanese owners of the PSP can buy movies that can be downloaded to PSPs for about $9.00.
So how long until there will be an online store for U.S. and European PSP owners to snag movies at the same price point?

[mister_slim]

Sony really needs to pull their act together if they want to compete with Apple. I've noticed they're really starting to push their own music store, and now they're beginning to sell movies, but unless they manage an elegant and flexible interface it's not going to catch on.

[bgivnin]

I finally found a link to the Reuters article, as there's nothing on IMDB and the link in the parent post goes to the Dukes of Hazzard movie info page.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=industryNews&storyID=2005-11-01T063312Z_01_HAR123572_RTRIDST_0_INDUSTRY-MEDIA-UMD-DC.XML&archived=False

[mkelehan]

Finally, I can bring House of Wax with me wherever I go.

[The Iron Weasel]

Finally a overpriced Matrix!

[Kefkataran]

Finally, another post starting with 'finally'!

[DeadPixel]

Where is the interactive UMD porn? That analog thumb pad can teach the young kids a few things.

Here here Billy, gentle circular movements, no button mashing.

[emperordahc]

I still don't get UMD. Grab you a 1GB or 2GB memory stick and load it up from your DVDs. Heck, grab the PMP video player and watch your *.avi DiVX movies.

[Murtaug]

I have been tempted to pick up a PSP more and more lately, this news does nothing for that, but I am surprised by how much support UMD is actually getting; I did not think it would catch on like it has.

I still do not get the pricing, why would I spend $19.99 on Kill Bill Vol. 1 on UMD, when I can spend $7.99 and get it on DVD?

It is not the movies that are drawing me to the PSP though, more and more games are coming out for it that I would really like to give a shot. I just do not want to spend the $150 on another system, nor can I afford to at this point.

[Eric_T_Cheng]

Eh. I have a 1GB memory stick and have over 300 DVDs in my collection. Why would I want to spend $20 to $35Cdn on a UMD when I can get a SE DVD (with a lot of extras) for the same price or cheaper?

[spacerat100]

the real problem with UMD movies is the price. They should be cheaper than a DVD not more expensive. I admit to buying some at SAMS for $11 when I had a 12 hour flight but thats a lot more reasonable than the $18-$22 you see at most stores.

[Heretic Machine]

Considering getting a PSP, there are a couple of games I'd want... But I dunno, I'm not sure it'd be worth it. Between my laptop and my DS, I think I'll just skip it for a while. If it gets a serious price drop, then I'll consider it.

[Groo]

What I'd like to know is, who the fuck is buying these UMD movies? They're useless unless you have a PSP.

Sony really needs to release a ~$50 UMD movie player that you can hook up to a TV...

[rjcc]

Who is really buying UMD movies tho? Even the few people I know who own PSP's don't buy them.

Why anyone would buy a UMD movie over a DVD is beyond me.

[Player 1]

If there's one thing that Sony can compete with Apple on, it's creating a product that is regarded as a 'lifestyle' product. They did it with Walkman, they did it with PlayStation. It was clear they planned to do with with PSP when they announced their attitude towards it was to make it "the Walkman of the new milliennium".

As such, us gamers are NOT the target market for UMD movies.

Going to be a casual gamer on the move? Choose a DS or a PSP? PSP *appears* to offer more functions out of the box - casual choice made.

Want a portable media (audio and video) player but can't be bothered to read the reviews? Seems like PSP makes the biggest noise and covers the popular features.

UMD movies are a chicken and egg scenario. Nobody's going to buy any if none exist. It's a no brainer for the movie companies who get to sell their catalogue again and again - OF COURSE they're going to sign up to UMD, how the hell could they lose??

If you're an informed gamer then UMD movies aren't going to make a difference to you.
If you're someone who follows cutting edge consumer electronics then you'll probably have something that covers all the PSP media options already.

If you're average Joe Consumer and see a PSP next to a DS you'll probably buy a PSP.
If you're average Joe Consumer and see a PSP next to a media player you'll probably buy a PSP because, hey, it plays games too.

It's amazing how simple this all is when you look beyond the end of your nose and prejudices. I'm surprised it has to be explained to you.

[Thin_J]

lots of stuff

You sir, are correct.

[rjcc]

If you're average joe consumer, why would you choose to buy all of your existing movies, over again, just to watch them on the go, as opposed to being able to just watch them via the discs you already own.

you haven't thought this through player. stop pretending you know my "prejudices" and deal with it logically. Why would I spend $20 a movie on movies I already own, just to watch them on a little handheld screen.

[Player 1]

If you're average joe consumer, why would you choose to buy all of your existing movies, over again, just to watch them on the go, as opposed to being able to just watch them via the discs you already own.

I think you're giving Joe Consumer too much credit for the sake of your own argument. Joe Consumer is the real life equivalent of Homer Simpson. Joe Consumer is responsible for the wretched Crazy Frog craze.

To put it into terms your typical Evil Avatar reader can understand: Joe Consumer buys enough EA games to make them the most succesful 3rd party on the planet.

you haven't thought this through player.

Au contrair, I put plenty of thought into my posts. I'm not the type to dish out knee-jerk reactions to stuff.

stop pretending you know my "prejudices" and deal with it logically.

Stop displaying your prejudices so prominently then. Deal with things objectively.

Why would I spend $20 a movie on movies I already own, just to watch them on a little handheld screen.

I don't know why, I'm not you. I just hope to hell you've never EVER seen any movie, tv show or play twice. That you've never eaten the same meal twice. That you've never bought anything second hand, read the same book or asked the same question twice.

Think about it.

[KhitomerRouge]

I wonder if this is another subtle hint that Warner knows exactly who's going to win out in the whole Blu-Ray/HD-DVD fight. Since they've announced Blu-Ray support and UMD support, it seems like they've got one real choice as to which company's niche formats are profitable.