Former Warner President Lashes Out at Sony Over Blu-Ray

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) for the following story (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1824&Itemid=2).

In an extraordinary speech, [former] Warner Home Video president Warren Lieberfarb has hit out at Sony over its tactics in winning the next generation war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

He said, "If you ever read 'The Art of War,' you will see all of Sony's moves, including taking all its enemies in the same tent and then leaving them empty-handed. These are things that they have done historically."

He added, "They did the same thing to Matsushita and Betamax, they did the same thing to Matsushita on compact disc, they did the same thing to Matsushita on the digital video camcorder. They compete like samurai. It isn't the way we compete in the West."
Next up - Sony send a Samurai hit squad to Lieberfarb's house and replace all his Sony CDs with rootkit-infected ones.

Note - Edited title to reflect Mr. Lieberfarb's current status at Warner. Thanks to DeviatBoi and Forbes.

[Morratut]

Wow this guy sounds pissed. It sounds like some studios don't want to be dictated by Sony.

I wonder whats going to happen with this next gen format war. Are people going to go for Blu Ray,HD DVD or download to hard disk?

I don't know why but I want Blu Ray to fail for some reason. I can't put my finger on it. I think it's because for me as a gamer, personally I was dissapointed with my PS2.

I also think Sony lie out their ass constantly with the fine wine PS3 hype comments, rootkit fiasco, their hardware/software formats, overpriced hardware and finally trying to force e-tailors to sell their products at the same price as the high street. I just don't trust them at all.

On the other hand I want Sony to be competitive against MS because I don't want a single console format. Competition is good.

[Vandenh]

DVDs will still be the main selling format for at least 5 years.

I am just hoping that after that, we have a proper next gen format, not a political one.

[Taco]

All about kicking Sony during a short window of time where they may be vulnerable to a smear campaign on the public stage.

I fully support it.

[eth3rton]

Competition is good.

I'll second that .......... Sony & MS need each other.... :D

[Blade]

Sony also needs Nintendo, for a different reason.

Think about it.

[kokyunage]

I'm sorry, I couldn't get past Warren Lieberfarb's whining. Cry me a freaking river. If it's not illegal, who cares what Sony does? Plenty of companies do what they have to do to succeed. It's not like Microsoft is the angel saint itself. Last time I checked, Microsoft was the one who is in court virtually every year regarding competition laws and their business practices.

I'm not trying to bash microsoft, I'm just saying that businesses do what they need to succeed. Sony is doing the same thing. If your business can't compete, then it will die. Plain and simple.

[TrackZero]

I'm sorry, I couldn't get past Warren Lieberfarb's whining. Cry me a freaking river. If it's not illegal, who cares what Sony does? Plenty of companies do what they have to do to succeed. It's not like Microsoft is the angel saint itself. Last time I checked, Microsoft was the one who is in court virtually every year regarding competition laws and their business practices.

I'm not trying to bash microsoft, I'm just saying that businesses do what they need to succeed. Sony is doing the same thing. If your business can't compete, then it will die. Plain and simple.

If you think his comments were actually because he was personally hurt over their business tactics, you're mistaken. He's using this as an opportunity to simply let everyone else know where WB stands on this issue. He's kicking up dirt to see if anyone else steps in.

[Taco]

Yes, things like this are fully planned. Lieberfarb didn't just get pissed off one morning and decide to call a reporter to complain.

[atariv8]

Why does any conversation about Sony have to have a Microsoft attached? All corporations are back stabbing asswads that want our money no matter what. Do you really think the PS3 and Xbox360 are made and marketed because either company thought we needed more enjoyment in our lives and they're providing a service? They both have kick ass machines so that they out do each other so that the public will give them more money.

So in closing, this thread is about Sony forced domination, the microsoft forced domination thread will probably soon follow, and competition gives us gamers kick ass machines. So let's continue to bash Sony who will play "the man" in this thread.

[midrael]

Heh I actually would have thought "Art of War" was standard fare for those running large corporations, even over here in the West.

[Citizen Philip]

If you are going to get dragged through the mud it might as well be thorough. Once it's over it can't get worse.

I suppose.

[DeviantBoi]

From an article on Spong...

http://news.spong.com/x?art=9381

Warren Lieberfarb, former head of Warner Home Video since 1984, now CEO of media, entertainment and technology consultancy, Warren N Lieberfarb & Associates (contrary to incorrect reports you may have read elsewhere) has savaged Sony Computer Entertainment over its tactics surrounding the emerging Blu-Ray DVD format by making a speech that has left video industry and game industry-watchers alike agog.

...

Of course, one must ask why Lieberfarb is so impassioned, so anti-Sony. Put simply, his consultancy is a key proponent working with Microsoft on the HD-DVD format, a fact some games industry reporters completely missed. They also missed the fact that Lieberfarb left his role at Warners in 2002 and missed, well... loads of stuff. But there you go.

Indeed, there you go.

Now, how about trying to have some journalistic integrity and changing the title of the article to "Former President of Warner Bros and Consultant Working With Microsoft Lashes Out At Sony"

[fitbabits]

Now, how about trying to have some journalistic integrity and changing the title of the article to "Former President of Warner Bros and Consultant Working With Microsoft Lashes Out At Sony"

I'm assuming you've sent the same message to every other website that got their facts wrong?

[DeviantBoi]

I'm assuming you've sent the same message to every other website that got their facts wrong?

Nah. As much as I dislike Evil Avatar for being so Anti-Sony and trying to spin things against them, I still like the website and visit it multiple times a day.

[Xerxes]

Working with MS. Isn't MS a minor play in the whole format war. I mean it's kinda like they shrugged thier shoulders and pointed at HD-DVD because sony is there rival. It's like by default. I don't recall MS making papers, helping push the HD-DVD format along. Gates shook one guys hands from Toshiba or whereever and now it's MS's HD-DVD vs Sony's Blu-ray. Sony is really pushing Blu-Ray. MS hasn't made any major moves with HD-DVD at all. They are a late adopter.

[fitbabits]

Nah. As much as I dislike Evil Avatar for being so Anti-Sony and trying to spin things against them, I still like the website and visit it multiple times a day.
Jeez... Why do you visit if you dislike the content so much? Is it so that you can look for ways to discredit the news that's posted? I'm not trying to be a smartass, I'm genuinely interested. What keeps you coming back?

[saran_js]

Hahahahahahah.... they need to send in some Sony Ninjas to work him over. Then maybe some Philips assassins and some Panasonic Troubleshooters to troubleshoot him.

Doh !!! Talk about being paid by another party to disparage a technology that seems to be approved by all the other media houses. He must have been paid by Steve (The Chair Man) and Billy boy (Monopoly's my favourite game). (Hehehe...I await the flames).

Anyway, isn't Evil Avatar due for a change in format ?? It has been what, how long has this format being used ? How about incorporating the feature whereby I get to view all the replies and responses by other readers in one whole page instead of having to click on next page and next page until the end. C'mon guys, make this site more user friendly. Just don't make it like slashdot. Urgggh I hate their messageboard format.

[fitbabits]

Anyway, isn't Evil Avatar due for a change in format ?? It has been what, how long has this format being used ? How about incorporating the feature whereby I get to view all the replies and responses by other readers in one whole page instead of having to click on next page and next page until the end. C'mon guys, make this site more user friendly. Just don't make it like slashdot. Urgggh I hate their messageboard format.
You can change the format so that you are able to view 40 messages per page instead of 10 (or whatever the default is - I can't remember). Try it, I think you'll like it. You can find the option under your user control panel (User CP). Click on Edit Options when you get there and what you're looking for is under the Thread Display Options section.

[Taco]

It seems to me EA totally changed format less than a year ago. It's fine. Whiners are out in full force today.

[Borys]

Hahaha, what a fucking, racist idiot.

Is this the same Lieberfarb that got kicked out of Warner back in 2002 and since then is heavily involved with Microsoft in the HD-DVD camp?

Hint: That's right, that's the same guy!

Calling Sony "Samurai", how low can you go? It's a wonder he didn't call them "filthy gooks".

Translation:

Our original format choice is getting its ass handed to it... I must say something!

Cry me a fucking river.

[Roc Ingersol]

Of course he was paid to say what he said.

That doesn't mean there isn't a very valid point in there about studios getting sucked into PS3 v 360 when they shouldn't care. They don't need a new console to get an HD format into consumers homes.

DVD movies helped the PS2 - not the other way around.

[Heretic Machine]

This just in: The public doesn't want a new format, sorry.

[saran_js]

You can change the format so that you are able to view 40 messages per page instead of 10 (or whatever the default is - I can't remember). Try it, I think you'll like it. You can find the option under your user control panel (User CP). Click on Edit Options when you get there and what you're looking for is under the Thread Display Options section.

Hey thanks for the heads up. Now I can read 40 responses on a single page instead of the lame default 10. Keep up the great work !!! :D

[DeviantBoi]

Jeez... Why do you visit if you dislike the content so much? Is it so that you can look for ways to discredit the news that's posted? I'm not trying to be a smartass, I'm genuinely interested. What keeps you coming back?

Sadomasochism? Who the heck knows! :)

Let me rephrase it then ... I dislike EA's Anti-Sony stance, but I like that it posts all major news from a lot of different sources. Something like that.

[Taco]

And if it was an anti-MS stance you'd be okay with it? Everyone has bias and preferences, if I(or anyone) wanted it bleached out there's a couple hundred other boring news sites to visit instead;

[fitbabits]

Sadomasochism? Who the heck knows! :)

Let me rephrase it then ... I dislike EA's Anti-Sony stance, but I like that it posts all major news from a lot of different sources. Something like that.
Still no clearer! :confused:

Whatever the reason, though, it's great to have people like yourself contributing. Even if you are a Sony Deviant(fan)Boi! :rolleyes:

[saran_js]

Sadomasochism? Who the heck knows! :)

Let me rephrase it then ... I dislike EA's Anti-Sony stance, but I like that it posts all major news from a lot of different sources. Something like that.

No, No, No. You got it all wrong. You are an enlightened one. You just have the urge to spread the word of Sony, and Sonyism to all these Barbarians and Phlistines, who are currently practising the unholy, sacrilegious, blasphemous, profane, idolatry, fanaticism faith called Microsoft fanboys.

I totally agree with you. Both you and I shall overcome these tremendous odds and achieve victory over this evil.

:D ;)

[johnperkins21]

He added, "They did the same thing to Matsushita and Betamax"

That statement right there tells me this guy's opinions aren't worth squat. It was Sony who backed the superior Betamax format and eventually lost out on VHS. And since Sony and Matsushita are direct competitors, I would imagine that their working relationship was not that spectacular. Plus, isn't Toshiba the major backer for HD-DVD, not Matsushita. The Sony bashing works much better with facts, like the root-kit fiasco.

[KhitomerRouge]

This just in: The public doesn't want a new format, sorry.I'm glad you speak for the whole public, which must include the millions of HDTV owners who want to get the most out of their systems. Just because you and everyone you know doesn't care doesn't mean that thousands or millions of other people don't.

[Taco]

I'm pretty sure thousands and millions don't care about the layout on EA.

[KhitomerRouge]

I thought Perigon was referring to the next-gen formats. If not, I misspoke.

[Taco]

Heh, who knows. I'm probably the guilty one.

[Heretic Machine]

I'm glad you speak for the whole public, which must include the millions of HDTV owners who want to get the most out of their systems. Just because you and everyone you know doesn't care doesn't mean that thousands or millions of other people don't.

Unfortunetly, not only are HDTV owners in the EXTREME minority (I own one) but the amount of HDTV owners who want a new format are also in the minority. I don't want to re-buy my entire DVD library, I'm still working on getting all the old VHS movies I had on DVD. And if I were to support a new format, it'd be HD-DVD simply because the player works with normal DVD's as well without having to add extra hardware to it (the Blu-ray players need a seperate laser for DVD's).

This new format stuff is WAY too premature, people are seriously jumping the gun here.

[Dracula-X]

And if I were to support a new format, it'd be HD-DVD simply because the player works with normal DVD's as well without having to add extra hardware to it (the Blu-ray players need a seperate laser for DVD's).

The Bluray players work with normal DVD's the same exact way HD-DVD players would. They BOTH require additional hardware to read DVDs (DVD uses red laser 650nm wavelength tech). Both Bluray and HD-DVD employ 405nm wavelength blue laser technology.

...And there would be no need to upgrade your existing DVD collection since they would play just fine on either format then.

[KhitomerRouge]

Unfortunetly, not only are HDTV owners in the EXTREME minority (I own one) but the amount of HDTV owners who want a new format are also in the minority. HDTV owners are a minroty, yes, but not an extreme minority. I believe 40% of TVs sold last year were HDTVs.
I don't want to re-buy my entire DVD library, I'm still working on getting all the old VHS movies I had on DVD. Please. No one's forcing you to stop watching DVDs. DVDs will still be perfectly usable, they're not going to be obsolete. The titles that will be released on Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD if it does ever come out) aren't going to disable your DVD player by magic.
And if I were to support a new format, it'd be HD-DVD simply because the player works with normal DVD's as well without having to add extra hardware to it (the Blu-ray players need a seperate laser for DVD's).I really wish people would stop repeating this. It's false, has been for almost a year now. Both formats are backwards-compatible with DVDs, and all current prototype players, including the PS3 and PC drives (for both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray), are capable of reading DVDs. A simple check of either format's sites or even Wikipedia will tell you that.