HDDVD and Blu-Ray Discussion Part XXIII - CES 2008 - Warner goes Blu! More soon...

[Buck]

Originally Posted by kelley

They just need to keep those prices dropping. They almost have me for the A-30 at $199.

Soon the $225 I paid for the HD-A35 won't be such a good deal anymore

[GreenMonkey]

I dunno. At $150 retail (thus around $125)...look at it this way.

The reason they emphasize the upscaling is because they are now competing with the normal name-brand SD-DVD upscalers. The average price a person pays for a name-brand DVD player is $100. Yes you can get $40 DVD players but they are not reliable and tend to fizzle out and people know it.

So now at $125 or so they are competing, hardware-wise, with upscaling DVD players. Seeing as the A2 deinterlaces/scales about as well as the lower-end Oppo line that puts them in as one of the best bang/buck upscaling DVD players plus you get some free movies.

Sure, not a lot of the people buying them as upscaling players are going to buy HD-DVDs, but if they can sell plenty, it's like the PS3 effect on BD. Enough users, even if only some buy discs and others only buy a couple, that's a lot of sales.

Will that help? I dunno. They'd perhaps have been in a much stronger position if they would have done this last quarter before Warner bailed. It's probably too late now.

If someone asked me what upscaling DVD player to get, I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything that wasn't the A2 considering the new pricetag and the free discs. I'd just warn them it takes about 30 seconds to power up. That's really the only major con.

[MrJames]

I've been holding out on a replacement for my HD-A1. If the A35 drops under $200 I may bite.

[fretster]

Just ordered the Band of Brothers HDDVD import... very excite!

[GreenMonkey]

Good article on the latest developments and the Toshiba price-drops.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=205604607

[Hedonism Bot]

It’s an interesting theory.

I’ve no doubt there’s room for negotiation with the remaining studios holding out (and such negotiations are likely to be why neither Universal and Paramount have yet to make any statements championing HD DVD as the best choice for the consumers, or re-affirming their exclusive support for the format as they have tended to do in the past). Universal may be in a better position to negotiate than Paramount and I could see Universal being offered assistance in replication and Java coding when the time comes in order to help them with the transition of working with new technology. Paramount, having already had experience with BD production may not be shown such support however, particularly after ditching the format.

As far as Toshiba are concerned, I’d be surprised if any kind of olive branch was extended to them. They made their choice, chose not to side with the rest of the CE industry when it came to working on Blu-ray and instead moved forward with HD DVD in order to protect and extend the many patents they already hold on DVD itself since HD DVD is, by their own admission, a mere evolution of the DVD standard.

If indeed Toshiba are playing on a threat to merely prolong the inevitable in the hope of getting something from the Blu group in return then they’ll surely need to be careful as it could backfire on them. I’d have thought that negotiations with one, or both, of the remaining studios would be the way to go as I can imagine the BDA just leaving Toshiba to dig their own grave and leave them to deal with any potential customers – old, but most likely new unsuspecting buyers getting the 3rd gen players at the new prices, unaware of recent events - who may find themselves cheated in the coming months.

[Hedonism Bot]

'I am Legend' will make it to HD DVD.

Warner Bros. will release "I am Legend" on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray.

The 2 disc DVD and Blu-ray release will arrive on March 18th. The HD DVD will follow on April 8th.

Extras include a "Alternative Theatrical Version with a Controversial Ending" as the studio puts.

More when we have it!

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/i-am-leg...d-blu-ray/5129

[Hedonism Bot]

Master & Commander is to be delayed yet again apparently - this time to be part of a father's day promotion in June (why it can't be released next month as planned, and still be part of a June promo I've no idea). There is however some good news:

The other Fox note today pertains to the anticipated release of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on Blu-ray Disc, which had been set for 2/5. TCFHE's marketing team has apparently decided to delay the title and bundle it with others as part of a large Father's Day promotion in June. Among the additional titles set to be included in this promotion are Mrs. Doubtfire, Patton, The Longest Day, The Sand Pebbles, A Bridge Too Far and Battle of Britain among others. The exact street dates and specs are TBA.

Bold emphasis mine (we already knew Bridge too Far and Battle of Britain were delayed for a Father's day promo). This news come via Bill Hunt's latest 2 Cents entry at The Bits.

[Hedonism Bot]

In other news, whilst Paramount and Universal continue to drag their heals, more European content providers are dropping HD DVD. Senator Home Entertainment is the latest to shift from neutrality to Blu-ray exclusivity. 'Death Proof' will be amongst their last neutral title in March (they handle many titles from Weinstein Co in Germany).

http://www.dvd-forum.at/86/news_hd_medien.htm

[Lutter]

Patton! Holy Crab Bits Batman!

[exile]

The ICT flag was put on the German release of RE: Apocalypse:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1324/...alypse_de.html

Important Notice: This German 'Resident Evil: Apocalypse' disc is one of the first HD DVDs to be flagged with an Image Constraint Token. If your HD DVD player is connected by HDMI to your display, there should be no issue in viewing the movie at its full 1080p resolution. Unfortunately, viewers connected by Component Video will find the image downconverted to 480p Standard Definition. This is extremely disappointing, to say the least.

WTG HD DVD! Put another nail in.

[Hedonism Bot]

Originally Posted by exile

WTG HD DVD! Put another nail in.

I wouldn't blame the format. Besides, that disc's distributor (Constantin) was one to announce they were dropping HD DVD come spring for Blu-ray exclusivity, so it stands to reason they'd use ICT on their Blu releases too.

[Jordan_E]

Originally Posted by exile

The ICT flag was put on the German release of RE: Apocalypse

No big loss there...that movie is way back in the pile of I'm-Ashamed-I-Bought-It discs.

[Hedonism Bot]

My replacement Pirates of the Caribbean arrived this morning. I must admit I am very impressed that a) Disney even rectified the issue in the first place, and b) their US division would honour my request for a replacement since I imported the disc.

I never had to send my original copy away. I did e-mail prior to Christmas before they changed the replacement process and began requesting people mail back their originals, but I never heard back from them until a few days ago. I'd assume that since I am overseas they understood the pointless cost I'd incur sending mine back, hoping it arrived safely and so on and so on... From the post date they appear to have sent it out only last Friday.

Four of my six Amazon 2 for 1 orders arrived too.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by Hedonism Bot

'I am Legend' will make it to HD DVD.



http://www.dvdtown.com/news/i-am-leg...d-blu-ray/5129

I really wanted to see this. I'm a sucker for post-apocolyptic movies. Prob pick it up, or at least rent it.

[boogieman]

Originally Posted by Hedonism Bot

My replacement Pirates of the Caribbean arrived this morning. I must admit I am very impressed that a) Disney even rectified the issue in the first place, and b) their US division would honour my request for a replacement since I imported the disc.

I never had to send my original copy away. I did e-mail prior to Christmas before they changed the replacement process and began requesting people mail back their originals, but I never heard back from them until a few days ago. I'd assume that since I am overseas they understood the pointless cost I'd incur sending mine back, hoping it arrived safely and so on and so on... From the post date they appear to have sent it out only last Friday.

Lucky. I've got to mail mine in and I also emailed them before Christmas.

[Romier S]

No idea if this was posted but Warner has moved up the release for Jesse James...

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=868

Feb. 5th now instead of the 26th.

[Hedonism Bot]

There was a fair bit of shuffling with Jesse James. Pre Warner turning Blu the HD DVD and Blu-ray were coming shortly after the DVD for some reason, then the Blu and standard DVD got moved to the 5th and the HD DVD left for the 26th which I did post the other day when I posted the new dates for Warner's HD DVDs, however with further confirmation from Warner today the HD DVD has now been moved even further back to the 18th of March which is a delay of six weeks.


I’d be pleased to see it make the top ten charts for its week of release as the film seemed to go virtually ignored on both sides of the Atlantic despite critical appreciation and good word of mouth. It came and went here in a matter of weeks which upset me as I though it would at least get more attention on this side of the pond. I’m looking forward to seeing it at long last. The music score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis is wonderful and is a worthy successor to their score for The Proposition.

[exile]

Looks like Universal is releasing the HD DVD Combo of American gangster with the unrated version only on the SD side. To make matters worse, it doesn't include all of the extras from the 3 disc set.
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66770
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66769

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by exile

Looks like Universal is releasing the HD DVD Combo of American gangster with the unrated version only on the SD side. To make matters worse, it doesn't include all of the extras from the 3 disc set.
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66770
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66769

F'em then. I'll do without the HD and obtain the unrated version via torrent.

[Hedonism Bot]

“I’m 'ere to kill your format”

Paramount Home Entertainment have announced the US HD DVD release of Beowulf (Director’s Cut) on 26th February 2008. In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast’s ruthlessly seductive mother who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle throughout the ages, immortalizing the name Beowulf. Director Robert Zemeckis tells the oldest epic tale in the English language with the most modern technology, advancing the cinematic forum through the magic of digitally enhanced live action.

Arriving day-and-date, the HD DVD release features the Director’s Cut of the film plus all of the extras from the DVD release and a few exclusives. Extras include:

• Web Enabled Features (TBC)
• A Hero's Journey: The Making of Beowulf
• “In The Volume” Featurette
• “The Volume” Featurette
• "T" Time Featurette
• “What is the E.O.G.?” Featurette
• “Lay of the Land” Featurette
• “Givin' Props” Featurette
• “Scanners” Featurette
• “Stunts and Rigs” Featurette
• “Plan of Attack” Featurette
• “Fight Me” Featurette
• “Baby It’s Cold Inside” Featurette
• “Beasts of Burden” Featurette
• “The Origins of Beowulf” Featurette
• “Creating the Ultimate Beowulf” Featurette
• “The Art of Beowulf” Featurette
• ”A Conversation with Robert Zemeckis” Featurette
• Additional Scenes:

Grendel Runs Towards Herot
Hrothgar Awakened by Unferth
Scylding's watch Escorts Beowulf
Wealthow Shows Beowulf the Sundial
Beowulf Boasts to the People of Herot
Beowulf Hammers Grendel’s Arm
Celebration and Seduction
Wulfgar Greets Beowulf at the Stockade
Beowulf's Day Unferth Finds the Horn
Cain on the Barrows (Original)
Cain on the Barrows (Alternate)

• Theatrical Trailer
• Easter Egg: Coffee Break with John Malkovich

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66777

Warner have overseas rights to this incidentally. Was it as annoying as it looked?

[Jordan_E]

No 3D = no sale.

[Hedonism Bot]

Originally Posted by exile

Looks like Universal is releasing the HD DVD Combo of American gangster with the unrated version only on the SD side. To make matters worse, it doesn't include all of the extras from the 3 disc set.
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66770
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66769

Originally Posted by Dave C

F'em then. I'll do without the HD and obtain the unrated version via torrent.

Someone in DVD Times' feedback raised a salient point that, given the commentary was done for the theatrical cut it's quite possible that, like Gladiator, Scott favours that version (since the unrated version is not branded a 'Director's Cut'). Still - that doesn't necessarily mean it shouldn't be denied the choice in HD when the choice is there in SD, but extras on the same disc and PiP that's bandwidth and space limitations for you.

[GreenMonkey]

It depends on what situation the unrated cut is. If it's like that recent Die Hard movie (stuff cut just to make PG-13)...or if the director prefers the unrated. I'd like to hear more.

[Lutter]

Gotta say, The Rock is probably the best transfer of a catalog title I have seen. It has just the right amount of grain, detail, colour, and clarity to give it the perfect high def picture along with some rockin' uncompressed sound.

[EnemaEms]

The Rock is an awesome Blu Ray. Disney continues to blow me away with their releases. I was talking to Dan on AIM, while watching The Rock, that I cannot believe that Disney is this damn good with their releases. Who would of thunk it?

-Dean-

[Hedonism Bot]

Bits of news for the lunch break:

From Home Media Magazine, it appears as if tomorrow’s publication of last weeks sales figures weigh hugely in Blu’s favour in the wake of the Warner news and superior choice of new releases. The entire dual format top ten consists of Blu-ray releases, with the market seemingly split 85/15 in Blu’s favour. 3:10 to Yuma is the top selling title (as last week, I’d expect overall volume to be relatively low).

Home Media Magazine also confirm that Twister WILL in fact be delayed for HD DVD, coming out on the 25th of May a few weeks behind the DVD and Blu release. Coming so late in May, only a few days prior to Warner’s contractual obligations ending, appears to suggest that Twister really will be their last ever HD DVD.

The article also notes that Paramount will today announce more HD DVD releases for the first quarter, titles they would have named at CES. Everyone’s favourite delusional marketing idiot from Universal is also quoted:

Ken Graffeo, EVP of HD strategic marketing, said the studio was “very encouraged” by Toshiba’s recent player price drops and believes it will spur HD DVD software sales, particularly on the new release front.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...ticle_ID=11894


Elsewhere, DVD Times have the full spec for Enchanted. If correct, it will mark Disney’s first Blu-ray release with Dolby TrueHD instead of PCM:

Buena Vista Home Entertainment have announced the US Blu-ray Disc release of Enchanted on 18th March 2008 priced at $34.99 SRP. Enchanted cleverly combines heartfelt romance with a gentle spoof of Disney films of the past as an animated heroine from a far away kingdom finds herself transformed into a real live woman in bustling New York City. Amy Adams leads the cast as the lovely Giselle, a storybook princess-to-be lost in the Big Apple. Susan Sarandon plays the evil sorceress Narissa who exiles Giselle from her fairytale kingdom and James Marsden is her handsome prince, with Patrick Dempsey as a contemporary knight in shining armour and Idina Menzel as his girlfriend Nancy who suspects Giselle might just be a little too good to be true.

Arriving day-and-date, features include::

• 1080P Widescreen
• English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround
• The D-Files - Enchanted is loaded with witty hidden references to classic Disney films. The D-Files” rewards players who spot them with a short featurette showing the original Disney reference. High scoring players are treated to three extra special videos: “So Close,” “Making Ever Ever After” and “True Love’s Kiss.” (Blu-ray Exclusive)
• Pip’s Predicament: A Pop-up Adventure - Giselle’s chipmunk friend Pip stars in this new short—magical pop-up, storybook style. While Giselle gets used to life in New York, Pip embarks on a daring mission to rescue Prince Edward.
• Fantasy Comes To Life - Discover the cinematic wizardry that went into the making of Enchanted in three behind-the-scenes featurettes: “Happy Working Song,” “That’s How You Know,” “A Blast at the Ball”
• Deleted Scenes - Including exclusive intros by director Kevin Lima
• Bloopers

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66779

[Romier S]

Originally Posted by Hedonism Bot

with the market seemingly split 85/15 in Blu’s favour.

Can't say I'm suprised. My prediction to you was conservative in the mid 70's apparently.

[Hedonism Bot]

Paramount/Dreamworks press release for first quarter HD DVD releases:

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2008--Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) today announced its upcoming slate of releases on HD DVD for the first quarter of 2008. A compelling array of action-adventure, drama and family fare, PHE's lineup of HD DVDs provides something for everyone, further expanding the format's offerings for a broad consumer audience.

Released on January 8, PHE's first HD DVD title of the year is David Fincher's director's cut of the mesmerizing drama Zodiac, which has been cited on over 200 critics' lists as one of the top 10 films of 2007. The HD DVD includes over three hours of in-depth bonus materials including a multi-part exploration of the making of the film, the facts of the real-life attacks and more. Following on February 26, PHE will debut the director's cut of Robert Zemeckis' visually stunning cinematic experience, Beowulf, which conjures a world the likes of which has never been seen before with state-of-the-art technology and exhilarating storytelling. The HD DVD will include a feature-length picture-in-picture track, web enabled Beowulf Profiler, A Hero's Journey: The Making of Beowulf with optional pop-up trivia and much more.

Director and screenwriter Sean Penn's widely praised adaptation of the inspirational true story Into The Wild arrives March 4 with behind-the-scenes material that takes viewers deeper inside the enthralling, real-life story, characters and experience, along with the compelling drama Things We Lost In The Fire, which features phenomenal performances by Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, as well as a discussion of the film and deleted scenes.

DreamWorks Animation's funniest new animated hit Bee Movie buzzes onto HD DVD on March 11 loaded with exclusive content, including web-enabled downloadable features such as The World of Bees and a Build-A Bee Avatar, a picture-in-picture storyboard reel, customizable menus, Barry's trivia track and much more.

"The Jack Ryan Collection" will arrive on HD DVD featuring four explosive thrillers including The Hunt for Red October starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford as well as The Sum of All Fears with Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman. In addition, the highly-anticipated film The Kite Runner, based on the international best-selling novel, also will debut on HD DVD in the first quarter.

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/paranoun...t-quarter/5139

[Hedonism Bot]

It appears 3:10 to Yuma is proving very popular indeed:

Lionsgate's Critically-Acclaimed Western 3:10 TO YUMA Lassos Number One Spot on DVD Charts

Title Debuts In First Place on DVD and High Definition Charts With 3 Million Units Sold in the United States and Canada
By PR Newswire

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate's DVD release strategy continued to generate successful results as the Company's second high-profile release of the month of January, 3:10 TO YUMA, stampeded over the competition, debuting at number one among this week's new DVD releases. The Blu-ray release of 3:10 TO YUMA also debuted at number one and marked one of the 10 best Blu-ray debuts to date.

The action-packed Western from LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE: LGF), the premier independent filmed entertainment studio, finished the week with 3 million units sold. The film outsold both the DVD and Blu-ray debuts of films with two to three times its box office and continued to reflect Lionsgate's proficiency in achieving the highest theatrical box office to DVD conversion rate of any studio in the industry. Lionsgate placed two films in the top three positions on this week's DVD charts -- the dominance of 3:10 TO YUMA follows on the heels of last week's DVD release of Lionsgate's Jet Li/Jason Statham action-thriller WAR, which debuted at #2 last week and remains in the top three this week. In addition, the Company's third major DVD release of the month, the Dane Cook/Jessica Alba comedy GOOD LUCK, CHUCK, hit stores on Tuesday and is off to a very strong start. Its full first week results will be reported next week.

The success of WAR and 3:10 TO YUMA marks the initial salvo in Lionsgate's campaign to again dominate the post-holiday period, duplicating the success of the Company's record-breaking January at the beginning of 2007. The studio has four more major releases slated this month, including the DVD and Blu-ray releases of GOOD LUCK CHUCK this week and the fourth installment in the highly successful SAW horror franchise, SAW IV, on January 22. On January 29, Lionsgate will release the gripping drama TRADE, starring Kevin Kline, and the Sundance winner RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR. Lionsgate will release Tyler Perry's box office hit WHY DID I GET MARRIED? two weeks later, on February 12.

http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/art....jsp?id=280840

[Zelex]

My in laws just picked up a $70 HD DVD player for Xmas. If they really are selling them for that cheap, Toshiba may yet surprise people. I don't think they are even close to being out for the count.

[Romier S]

Originally Posted by Zelex

If they really are selling them for that cheap, Toshiba may yet surprise people.

I'll simply quote an already salient point made earlier in this thread concerning that issue...

Originally Posted by Adam Tyner

Wait, wait, wait. Toshiba's strategy is to have lower priced players than the competition? Wow! If it hasn't really worked for two years, keep doing it and eventually it'll pay off! Or not!

[GreenMonkey]

There's a difference in price drops to $200-$300, and a price drop which puts HD-DVD players competing with normal DVD players around $100. We'll see if it does any good.

I still think it's too late for the pebbles to vote. But who knows.

[Romier S]

Originally Posted by Green Monkey

There's a difference in price drops to $200-$300, and a price drop which puts HD-DVD players competing with normal DVD players around $100.

Sure, but we've seen firesale pricing before with players at $99 dollars over the crucial holiday season and it had little effect.

I agree with you in saying that it's too little too late for it to make much of a difference from a mass market perspective. I do think it will spur the early adopters to upgrade thier existing players though. I know I'm waiting for a good price ($100) on that A35 and I'll be jumping all over it.

[Jordan_E]

I'm waiting out lower prices to upgrade...just because I want to see the TRUEHD light up on my Elite 92. Yeah, a bit sad, but at my age it's the little things that add up.

[Hedonism Bot]

Players ought to sell at those prices, the question is who they sell to and for what purpose they will be used. As Romier notes, we saw $199 and $99 offers late last year (and beyond that HD DVD has always held a price advantage of around -$200 compared to the cheapest BD player at any given time). Let's not forget that players sold in good numbers quickly during the winter $199 and $99 offers, but made no clear contribution to significant rise in software sales.

Sales of players at the new prices are further marred however (as they surely were last year, only more so now in light of the Warner news and media reaction to it) by the fact that many may walk into a store and simply see such low cost machines from one lone manufacturer in the face of a more successful competitor and see the HD DVD players priced as if they are reduced to clear – which they effectively are. To put it another way, the price reductions are not good for the format's public image.

I’ve seen comments on AVS from some desperately hoping sales of the cut priced players will turn things around, but it’s astounding how few of these people seem to think that Warner, Fox, Sony, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate and Co would not have been expecting such a strategy after Warner made their decision – and let’s face it, it’s the only strategy Toshiba have ever had.

Blu backers in the industry, studios and manufacturers, are just going to begin shifting focus to educating the consumer more about DVD vs Blu-ray. Brand awareness for Blu-ray is growing and now that the industry has a clearer path to extending the value of packaged media via Blu-ray nobody is likely to be foolish enough to jeapordise that progress by suddenly going “hey, we’ll give HD DVD another chance and support them because they sold a lot of their stock they reduced to clear their inventory like we expected.” HD DVD has had a great many chances, and scuppered practically every one. Again, it’s hard to imagine how Blu’s backers even see Toshiba and HD DVD as competition anymore since they would have been expecting Toshiba to cut prices and cling on to Paramount and Universal for as long as possible.

[Lutter]

I am glad to see that Disney is starting to use Dolby TruHD on their releases with Enchanted (I believe their first?). The difference between PCM and TruHD is small to none IMHO and it will give their compressionists much more space to work with for extras and picture quality in films.

Enchanted is one film I think will shine on the format.... lots of bright scenes mixed with 2D animation and musical scenes. Also it was a surprisingly good movie, imho.

[Covak]

Originally Posted by Lutter

The difference between PCM and TruHD is small to none IMHO...

Uhh, isn't TrueHD lossless?

[Jordan_E]

Originally Posted by Hedonism Bot

Blu backers in the industry, studios and manufacturers, are just going to begin shifting focus to educating the consumer more about DVD vs Blu-ray.

Hell, even I have to take pause when I see titles for $4 in weekly ads. Sure, we get fantastic PQ and AQ, but toss those letters around to a room of J6P's and they'll still take American Idol 3 nights a week over a proper HDM night. Money talks, and the prices for HDM is still too steep for most people.

[BdoUK]

Originally Posted by Covak

Uhh, isn't TrueHD lossless?

Indeed it is, but dialnorm and some other factors can come into play during the compression process.

[Hedonism Bot]

Hitman in March. Does anyone care? ..... Joey?

In an early alert to retailers, Fox has set a March arrival for the action smash 'Hitman,' which will come to Blu-ray in a never-before-seen unrated cut.

Scoring nearly $100 million at the worldwide box office, the Timothy Olyphant-Dougray Scott starrer will debut on Blu-ray in a new 94-minute unrated cut on March 11, day-and-date with the standard-def DVD.

Tech specs are set to include 1080p video and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround audio, along with French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and subtitle options.

Due to the early nature of the retail announcement, the disc's supplemental details were not yet available, but an official media release is expected shortly -- we'll keep you posted.

Fox has set a suggested $39.95 list price for the Blu-ray.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...for_March/1382

Cover art is available at the above link. You'll notice a 'Digital Copy/Special Edition' banner at the top.

[Jordan_E]

Jeez, $39.95 for a titles I wouldn't even waste my time hitting the torrents for?!

[CaptDS9E]

Hitman in March. Does anyone care? ..... Joey?

Negative

[Romier S]

Titles you'll be able to buy online and instore for about 25-27 bucks. I don't think I've ever paid more than $27 for a Fox title (new release or catalogue). Considering most titles from Sony, Disney and the other studios clock in anywhere from 22-29 bucks I don't consider $25-$27 to be too terribly priced. Where Fox need to drop thier price is in the catalogue release department. A $34.95 msrp would go a long way in helping in-store prices fall to the 22-24 marker.

[JTello]

Money talks, and the prices for HDM is still too steep for most people.

I reside with "most people." I cannot justify purchasing an Blu-ray player and then digging another $25-$40 for a movie I might watch twice in the next 3-5 years. Lower title prices would coax me into a player purchase knowing that I might build up an affordable decent library in the near future.

Assuming the grave stone isn't prematurely engraved, I hope HD-DVD dies a quick death now. Why? Well, there are more movies I like on HD-DVD currently than there are on Blu-ray, and I'd like to see them move over to the surviving format sooner than later. (I apologize to anyone who loves their HD-DVD and whom I may have offended with preceding statements. )

I guess in an ideal world, by the 3rd to 4th quarters of this year Blu-ray players will have continued to drop in price, Blu-ray titles will have come down to say $15-$30, and HD-DVD exclusives will have begun migrating to Blu-ray.

Pipe dream??? :god

[Angel P]

Originally Posted by CaptDS9E

Negative

Good call. Movie is shit.

[Romier S]

Lower title prices would coax me into a player purchase knowing that I might build up an affordable decent library in the near future.

It will happen. It's one of the reasons there is a contingent of folks here that have cheered a one format future for some time now. The quicker we get this over with, then the quicker the market becomes about the studios, retail and manufacturers pushing HDM vs. DVD and not expending energy on a format war. A year from now, if BD is indeed the only format left standing and that focus has shifted - the parties involved will need to make some tough decisions when looking to push HDM to the mass market. You simply can't do that while you have a BD case at $24.99-$29.99 sitting next to a brand new DVD release for $11-$3.

That said, I simulataneously laugh and weep when people say that the lack of competition in the HDM space will suddenly equal BD player prices going up and software prices following that trend. It's just not going to happen. CES already proved it's not going to happen as we have a good picture of player pricing for a good part of the year including some relatively cheap $350 and sub-$300 offerings in the Chinese player market. Player prices in general have a good range from $300 all the way up to the high end $799 offerings we're seeing. That will only continue to come down as the parties involved place strong focus on pushing HDM to the mass market. I look forward to seeing the effort placed behind such an intiative. I say that despite my own thoughts that it's too little to late for HDM to truly be mass market. Depite that I think it's apparently that it has the potential to be far more popular than LD and as long as the releases keep coming I'm more than ok with that...

[Hedonism Bot]

Originally Posted by JTello

I guess in an ideal world, by the 3rd to 4th quarters of this year Blu-ray players will have continued to drop in price, Blu-ray titles will have come down to say $15-$30, and HD-DVD exclusives will have begun migrating to Blu-ray.

Pipe dream??? :god

Players? Without question.

Software? I think so, but not as low as $15. At most Warner (who have always been good at leading the way in this sort of thing) might start doing $24 msrp on catalogue titles - and the other studios will probably knock $5 of what they currently price their titles at [and yes I believe Fox will join in too]. I wouldn't expect this until the 4th quarter however. Of course, official reductions on MSRP of this kind would lend themselves more to the chance of retail prices - particularly via Amazon...etc - being closer to $20 or less.

Hardware prices can fall in line with diminishing production costs. With software it's going to be give and take really. The market needs lower prices to mature, and maturity in the market is needed to sustain lower prices so it'll be a gradual progression given the balancing act required.

[Hedonism Bot]

Individual top tens (week ending 13th of December):


Blu Ray
01. 3:10 to Yuma
02. 300
03. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
04. Resident Evil: Extinction
05. Blood Diamond
06. Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire
07. War
08. GoodFellas
09. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban
10. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

HD DVD
01. The Kingdom
02. Bourne Ultimatum
03. Zodiac: Director's Cut
04. Blade Runner
05. Blood Diamond
06. Transformers
07. GoodFellas
08. Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix
09. Training Day
10. Serenity

Since it has been said that the dual format chart this week is made up only of Blu-ray releases then the dedicated Blu-ray chart can basically be taken as tomorrow's dual format one as well. Bad for Zodiac that it could not make a dent there.

The fact the Amazon 2 for 1 sale titles manage to dominate the list (save for War, 3:10 to Yuma, Pirates and Resident Evil) again shows that the overall volume for the week was probably very low as the result of Amazon sales alone never traditionally show up in the charts since Amazon makes up a tiny portion of the HD media sales market (the 2 for 1 the week Transformers came out saw titles show in the charts thanks to it being staged across various retailers).

Since 3:10 to Yuma has been billed as one of the top ten best selling debuts on Blu-ray since the format came to market (impressive, even if it's 10th, for a January release) I'll be interested to see the percentage difference between that and 300 tomorrow.

[exile]

You'll notice a 'Digital Copy/Special Edition' banner at the top.

How digital copy works:
http://appletvsource.com/content/view/500/45