I'm sure you all know about this, but Microsoft has paid DreamWorks and Paramount to go HD-DVD exclusive!

From The Digital Bits:

"Well... the high-definition format war just got more confusing for consumers, and you can thank the hubris of the folks at Microsoft for it. Their HD-DVD format (because I'm sorry, can anyone really say it still belongs to Toshiba at this point?) badly needed a shot in the arm going into the holiday season, and just got it thanks to suitcases full of cash from the Microsoft camp. You ready for this? Here it is:

Microsoft has paid DreamWorks and Paramount so much money that they've decided to join Universal in the HD-DVD exclusive camp. No kidding."

Read more at:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa141.html#dp

Just when I'd decided to go for Blu-Ray this fall, everything gets more confusing again... The studios are REALLY fucking things up with the HD formats!

I had just read the same news on cnet and was going to post on it when i saw this posting. My first and most honest reaction was simply- motherfuckers.
I mean i had been planning on getting a blu-ray player so I could finally start enjoying hd movies on my tv but this is honestly going to set me back. I'm just not sure what to do at this point. The statement that this will result in more confusion for the consumer is certainly true in my case. If i was swimming in cash it would be easier but this is a decision that has to be considered. I'm just not sure I can take the plunge if the titles I can purchase get significantly reduced.

The HD format war is hell.

What I think is interesting is that, at least here in the states, it seems like the battle isn;t going to be fought in the deciding which player to buy arena, but instead in the rental market place.

I think Blockbusters here in the US are siding with Blu-Ray, so if Microsoft can convince Warner Brothers to jump on the HD-DVD exclusive bandwagon, then almost half of the available titles on the new formats won't be available to rent in the US's largest rental chain. That's what I think is really going to start to get people to notice this format war in the states, when they pop in a Blockbuster to rent Transformers or (possibly) the Harry Potter flicks and they can't.