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

[Ricky G]

There just are not any movies worth buying on HD-DVD, that's why no software is selling. I would love to buy some red boxes, but the stuff getting to market doesn't interest me.

[Jordan_E]

Beowulf, Fletch, Sweeney Todd, Bee Movie, Star Trek season 2 are on my radar, but that's about it.

[Romier S]

"American Gangsters" and "Elizabeth The Golden Age" are the only titles I'm even remotely interested in on HD DVD. "There Will Be Blood" is another one but if that hits BD in the UK and is region free, I'll be hopping on the import train on that.

[Jordan_E]

Watched Daddy Day Camp (I liked it better when it was known as MEATBALLS!) and Rush Hour 3. Luckily both were only 86 minutes each.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by Romier S

"American Gangsters" and "Elizabeth The Golden Age" are the only titles I'm even remotely interested in on HD DVD. "There Will Be Blood" is another one but if that hits BD in the UK and is region free, I'll be hopping on the import train on that.

Yes, there's some good Oscar bait type movies coming that I or the wife will be all over.

But pretty much jack for releases right now. IMO that applies to both camps right now but I'm pretty selective about purchases.

[Screwnut75]

Wow...I know this has been posted before and I'm just reply with joy that Sweeney Todd is coming to HD DVD on April 1st. Thank you Paramount!!

Finally my arm is complete!!

[Romier S]

"Sweeney Todd" and "Beowulf" are also being handled by Warner for the rest of the world as far as distribution is concerned, no? Just curious as I believe they are but my memory requires confirmation.

[weremichael]

So Romier are you saying that "My arm can be complete" too even though I just have a blu-ray player.

[Romier S]

Ha!

I ran across some info stating both were being distributed by Warner overseas so for anyone interested in both films and only have a BD player they would certainly be worth importing (or for someone like me who would prefer to simply have the titles on BD right now). Mind you, if you only have an HD DVD player there are a plethora of BD only films in the US that are availble for importing so that particular street goes both ways.

[Jordan_E]

HD DVD sale at Amazon

Time to grab me some of these titles. Dante's Peak for $14.99? SOLD!

[iainl]

Wow, that includes just about every HD-DVD I'd still want.

[kelley]

Jesus, HD-A30 down to $153 at Amazon.

[Romier S]

Originally Posted by iainl

Wow, that includes just about every HD-DVD I'd still want.

Indeed. The allure was a bit too strong for me. I ended up picking up Elizabeth and Lost in Translation.

[Hedonism Bot]

Originally Posted by Romier S

I ran across some info stating both were being distributed by Warner overseas so for anyone interested in both films and only have a BD player they would certainly be worth importing (or for someone like me who would prefer to simply have the titles on BD right now).

That's right, Sweeney Todd hits Blu in the UK in May, and Beowulf Director's Cut in March. Zodiac: Director's Cut is out here on the 28th of April from Warner too.

[Romier S]

Zodiac: Director's Cut is out here on the 28th of April from Warner too.

Ah excellent then. Thanks for the info Daniel.

[Hedonism Bot]

Nobody asked about Zodiac I know, but I thought it worth a mention. Don't ban me or anything.

[Hedonism Bot]

So this is the Toshiba HD DVD ad from the Super Bowl:
http://www.spike.com/video/2938290

It’s a slight variation of the one they’ve had up on their website for a while. Apparently the broadcast was not actually national, but regional and broadcast in SD for many people.

Can someone make any sense of the line:
“with up to six times the details of DVD even your current DVD collection looks great” (exact quote)… Granted this comes from the group who thought ‘the look and sound of perfect’ made sense, but still….


Go whatever team that won....etc Yay football.

[fretster]

Say what you will about HDDVD, but my import of Band of Brothers is the tits.

[Screwnut75]

Originally Posted by fretster

Say what you will about HDDVD, but my import of Band of Brothers is the tits.

oh website please!!

I need my hd dvd fix!!!

[fretster]

Originally Posted by Screwnut75

oh website please!!

I need my hd dvd fix!!!

I ordered them from yesasia.com; although it did cost around $180 all said and done. I doubled dipped with those too :-$

[exile]

Rambo 2 and 3 are coming on May 27th to BR.
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-en...lood/800032359

[GreenMonkey]

My refurbed XA2 arrived. The fan was very noisy the first time it powered up but that was probably just because it was VERY cold.

Since then it is a tiny bit louder than the A2, but still pretty quiet. About on par with my 20GB PS3. It came with FW 2.5.

I ran a few tests. My favorite DVD torture test these days is Leapfrog Letter Factory (don't laugh!). This title combs like crazy the entire time it plays on the A2 - so badly even my wife can see it. Perfect on the XA2. I also tested "The Hidden Fortress" interview with George Lucas, which flips from video mode to film mode for movie clips...combing gone. Also tested an anime title - Le Chevalier D'Eon ep 1- that tended to combed a lot during scene changes - combing gone. I'm very satisfied. A VERY worthwhile investment for all of our quirkier SD-DVDs. A big thumbs up to the Reon and the XA2.


--------------------------
I also successfully hacked it to region-free/PAL. Yay! It won't play RCE encoded discs which are a handful of titles by Fox (suck it, Fox!) and Columbia. But the PS3 / Xbox can always be used for those and there is a remote hack I can use for temporary R1 to play them (good until the player powers off). I'll have to sticky-note it by the DVD player.

Someone posted excellent instructions on AVSforum on the PAL / Region Free hack. I first updated to 2.8, then went through the procedure (down to hacked 1.3, up to hacked XE1 2.5.0.1, up to US 2.7) and BINGO! R2 discs playing fine! I left mine on 2.7 for now since there have been a few people having issues with 2.8 after the hacks...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=988167&page=2

See post #59 by xradman. Great walkthrough. You need a hex editor program to mod the isos. If anyone would like me to post my modded FW isos to make this a lot easier. I could probably find someplace to temporarily host them.

[Lutter]

It's been confirmed over on DVDtalk that the UK Blu-ray release of Almost Famous: Extended Cut is indeed region free.

Comes out to £14.56 shipped off of Amazon UK (who I've had great success with in the past) which is around $28.xx shipped.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Famou...9982335&sr=8-3

One of my top 10 favorite films and it should look AMAZING in HD and also features Dolby TruHD audio.

Does look to be pretty barebones, but I've still got my Bootleg Edition DVD set.

[Jordan_E]

My wife picked up an A3 for me today and the dweeb at Sam's Club told her: Ya know, they don't make HD DVD movies anymore!

If I was there... oh boy!

"How about Sweeney Todd? Charlie Wilson's War? I bet you couldn't get a job at Best Buy, so they took you here at Sam's Club!"

[JTello]

and the dweeb at Sam's Club told her: Ya know, they don't make HD DVD movies anymore!

That's terrible!

[Ricky G]

It's been confirmed over on DVDtalk that the UK Blu-ray release of Almost Famous: Extended Cut is indeed region free.

It's all happening!

(Thanks, I ordered it)

[Hedonism Bot]

Some forthcoming Warner plans for 2008:

2nd Quarter.... The Dirty Harry promotion will include the Dirty Harry: 2-Disc Special Edition, the Magnum Force: Deluxe Edition, The Enforcer: Deluxe Edition, the Sudden Impact: Deluxe Edition and the Dead Pool: Deluxe Edition. All five films will also be included in a Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition box set (available in DVD, Blu-ray and HD-DVD), which will also feature the Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows bonus disc.

The 3rd Quarter will offer Superhero fans something exciting: a Batman Begins: Limited Collector's Edition Gift Set on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as a Batman Anthology box set of all the feature film titles on Blu-ray Disc. These are obviously timed to coincide with the DVD and Blu-ray release of The Dark Knight. Additional superhero releases are TBA.

A special edition of 'How the West Was Won' was also mentioned by Warner for the 4th Quarter, but no notice of whether it will be DVD or DVD and Blu-ray. New editions of 'Gigi' and 'An American in Paris' also mentioned but no firm word of Blu versions of those either.

For the 4th Quarter a new collector's edition of 'A Christmas Story' is also mentioned, but no word yet on whether it will be Blu bound (I'd imagine it is likely).

Finally, studio reps revealed that 4 major catalog titles (The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Woodstock and North by Northwest) are all soon going on moratorium. The good news is, each will reappear in 2009 in day-and-date DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases, complete with stunning new high-definition restorations to celebrate their own individual anniversaries.

The bulk of Warner's catalogue plans for Blu-Ray in 2008 remain TBA.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

[kelley]

Batman Anthology box set of all the feature film titles on Blu-ray Disc.

Hopefully I can buy Batman and Batman Returns on their own.

[JTello]

a new collector's edition of 'A Christmas Story' is also mentioned

Assuming it comes to Blu, I'll buy. One of my favorite movies.

[Hedonism Bot]

Originally Posted by kelley

Hopefully I can buy Batman and Batman Returns on their own.

I’d hope so too. Warner will likely endure disastrous sales akin to the Matrix HD DVD sets if the only way to initially obtain the Burton films is to buy the Schumacher ones as well.

I don't know why Hunt assumed the Anthology set and Begins would be timed for the third quarter to meet the home video release of The Dark Knight. The third quarter schedule places them to coincide with the theatrical release, leaving Dark Knight to hit Blu-ray in the fourth quarter.

I'm sad that my little dream for a 15th Anniversary edition of 'Mask of the Phantasm' does not seem to have turned into reality. There was no better year to prep such a release. Missed opportunity there I feel.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by kelley

Hopefully I can buy Batman and Batman Returns on their own.

Oh, you'll be stuck with Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, no doubt.

Just like I have Rocky V & Robocop 3.

[iainl]

I want my North By Northwest in HD, and I want it now!

[Jordan_E]

The last DVD version of North By Northwest looked spectacular... can only imagine how it will look in HD! But, 2009? Dang!

[Adam Tyner]

Originally Posted by Jordan_E

But, 2009? Dang!

50th anniversary.

All of the 2009 titles they mentioned are ringing in a divisible-by-ten anniversary (well, aside from Woodstock, although that is the fortieth anniversary of the concert itself).

[Hedonism Bot]

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe appears to be bound for Blu-ray on the 13th of May. I never did see this film (though I rather liked its music).

Disney has unveiled early details for 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,' which will make its highly anticipated next-gen bow this May.
Long-promised for Blu-ray release, Disney today confirmed to High-Def Digest that 'Narnia,' will hit high-def May 13 in a lavish special edition with numerous bonus features.

Although the full media release is due shortly, early details indicate that much if not all of the bonus material found on the previous single-disc and two-disc DVD editions will make its way to the Blu-ray. Among the extras already revealed are two audio commentaries (with the filmmakers and cast), plus the multiple-part "Creating Narnia" documentary.

Tech specs for the Blu-ray include 1080p video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio (at 48kHz/24-bit), as well as English, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and subtitle options.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...y_for_May/1440

Last year Disney mentioned that this would be one of their first titles with Picture in Picture features, so it will be interesting to see whether that’s still part of the plan when the dull details are revealed. Having researched, disc 4 of the extended DVD release appears to have been the full film with PiP windows and artwork displays so clearly the content is there for a proper PiP track. I’d be surprised if this wasn’t a two-disc set though (and one would hope Disney will launch right in and offer the extended version).

It can be pre-ordered for a mere $23.95 currently at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000YAFJXE

[GreenMonkey]

BTW: If someone wants a good deal on an HD-A2 let me know. Loving my XA2. :wub

[Hedonism Bot]

More form 'The Bits' and Warner:

Here's something exciting that I learned yesterday: It's Warner's goal (by mid to late summer) that going forward, EVERY TIME they issue a new catalog special edition on standard DVD, the title will also available day-and-date on Blu-ray Disc as well. George wanted to stress Warner's absolute commitment to Blu-ray, not just on the new release front but with catalog material too. They don't want situations where people have to wonder, "Should I buy the DVD now or should I wait for a Blu-ray version?" of a classic title. They intend for that choice to be available day-and-date with every new restoration/special edition release they do. Warner doesn't want there to BE a wait.

One of the biggest issues they've had to deal with is something that all the Hollywood studios are discovering with their catalog titles: The previous 1080i films transfers they've done just aren't good enough to release on Blu-ray. So they're having to go back and do all-new 1080p transfers for Blu-ray release. That amounts to four or five years of work that needs to be redone in some cases, and that obviously takes time, because Warner - probably more than any other studio - is determined to do it right.

In terms of the specific titles I was able to confirm are coming to Blu-ray, here's what I can tell you: Bonnie and Clyde will be available in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD (both in the Ultimate Collector's Edition versions). All five Dirty Harry films will also be available in Blu-ray disc (but not HD-DVD - this corrects an error in our original Tuesday post). The Batman Begins: Ultimate Collector's Edition will be released in Blu-ray this year, and it will have everything that was on the HD-DVD release and possibly more. Warner is at work on bringing the rest of the Batman live-action films (from their previous Batman Anthology on DVD) to Blu-ray, but that might take longer. Rest assured, though, they are in the works.

Other titles announced at the event and confirmed for Blu-ray are How the West Was Won, Gigi (a full 4K restoration) and An American in Paris (the first new Ultra Resolution restoration on Blu-ray). In fact, going forward, any time the studio completes a new Ultra Resolution restoration, you can expect both a DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of the title in question. The A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition may also be released in Blu-ray, but they're still planning what new extras are going to be created for the release (and the film itself is already on Blu-ray). Many additional Blu-ray Disc catalog titles are still yet to be announced, but rest assured that there are more coming.

For example, those of you who have been upset about the fact that certain key classic (and newer catalog) titles were released on HD-DVD, but still haven't been released on Blu-ray, needn't worry. They're ALL coming to Blu-ray in the months ahead. Think Mutiny on the Bounty, Forbidden Planet, Casablanca, Excalibur, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Grand Prix, V for Vendetta. Yes, all of The Matrix films are coming. The first of these previously HD-DVD exclusive titles hat you're likely to see on Blu-ray very soon is The Adventures of Robin Hood, a title for which the Blu-ray "disc image" is already complete.

As for other titles, yes... Clash of the Titans is coming. Heat needs a new 1080p transfer, but director Michael Mann has agreed to supervise one, so as soon as the studio can get the work finished properly, you'll see that title released on Blu-ray. Twister is coming to Blu-ray (and HD-DVD, both in May). As for those titles we mentioned yesterday that are going on moratorium (The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Woodstock and North by Northwest), the moratorium begins at the end of February, and then they'll come back to DVD - and be all-new on Blu-ray - in 2009. Better still, I learned of an additional major classic catalog title that you can look forward to on Blu-ray in 2009, just in time to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary... Ben-Hur (though no moratorium on the standard DVD is planned). After all, as George told me (and I could tell he was smiling when he said it), "How better to celebrate a milestone like that than by watching the chariot race in 1080p?" George Feltenstein, some of you will be happy to learn, is as big a fan of these classic films as anyone... and NO ONE knows them better.

http://www.digitalbits.com/#mytwocents

[Hedonism Bot]

If the back cover is anything to go by, the US HD DVD release of Beowulf from Paramount will no longer boast a Dolby TrueHD track as announced.



Warner’s European release on Blu-ray (and presumably HD DVD) is due to have such a track.

[Hedonism Bot]

There’s a rumour going around, via way of Batman on Film, that the Batman Begins Limited Edition Gift Set will include Bruce Timm’s ‘Batman: Gotham Knight,’ the series of animated short films that bridge the gap between Begins and Dark Knight. It would certainly make sense...

[Hedonism Bot]

Week ending 3rd of February sales indications are beginning to roll in via way of Hollywood Reporter. 3:10 to Yuma is the best selling Blu-ray title for the week (beating out Saw 17 surprisingly), and Transformers regains top spot in the HD DVD chart.

Susanne Ault from Videobusiness Online let slip that HD DVD disc sales saw a 33% surge last week, which would likely put tomorrow’s Nielsen figure for the week ending 3rd of Feb somewhere around 75:25. The dual format top ten should genuinely be a dual format top ten again this week in which case.

Yet, for whatever reason, the most recent Feb. 3 week represented somewhat of a surge for HD DVD and dip for Blu-ray over the prior Jan. 27 frame. HD DVD jumped 33% to generate 51,878 in unit sales. BD fell about 17% to 147,180 units sold.

It's not clear to me why there was that shift. But I'll guess that at least on the BD side, the Jan. 29 new releases included in the Feb. 3 Nielsen week, were lower profile than Saw IV which streeted on BD within Nielsen's prior Jan. 27 frame. It's hard to tell with HD DVD, because in general it hasn't had a big theatrical release in awhile.

http://www.videobusiness.com/index.a..._id=1030021503

She doesn’t seem aware of the Buy one Get One Free sale I believe Best Buy ran for HD DVD that week on select popular Paramount and Universal titles (and is running again this Sunday for you bargain hunters). It would explain Transformers’ sudden return to HD DVDs Top Ten as it is part of the deal (along with Bourne, Shrek, Knocked Up and other biggies). Any results from the Amazon 53% deal of Universal titles will not be reflected until next Friday's numbers are published - though the single day of Feb 3rd when the sale began would have been included in tomorrow's data.

In the Videobusiness article those are the first specific units sold figures of total sales (51,878 HD, 147,180 Blu) we’ve seen made public for a week this year showing just how poor first quarter volume is.

[Hedonism Bot]

As rumoured the other week, I am Legend’s favouritism of Blu-ray will extend beyond a three week advance in street date:

Blu-ray Disc:

• 1080P 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround (Original and Alternate Versions)
• English, French and Spanish DD5.1 Surround (Original Version only)
• English, French and Spanish subtitles
• Creating I Am Legend Minidocumentary Gallery: Over 50-minutes of behind-the-scenes material (BD Exclusive)
• Cautionary Tale: The Science of I Am Legend – Exploring the history of pandemic viral infections and the reality of life-threatening microbes lying in wait to impact humankind (HD) (BD Exclusive)
• 4 Animated Comics: Death As A Gift, Isolation, Sacrificing the Few for the Many and Shelter (HD)

HD DVD Combo
Side A: HD DVD – Original & Alternate Versions

• 1080P 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround (Original and Alternate Versions)
• English, French and Spanish DD5.1 Surround (Original Version only)
• English, French and Spanish subtitles

Side B: DVD – Original Version

• 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• English, French and Spanish DD5.1 Surround
• English, French and Spanish subtitles
• 4 Animated Comics: Death As A Gift, Isolation, Sacrificing the Few for the Many and Shelter
• DVD-ROM: Databank chronicling the movie’s creation and exploring the history and current status of life-threatening viral infections

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66914

[Hedonism Bot]

Here are the individual format top tens:

Blu-ray:
01. 3:10 to Yuma
02. Planet Earth
03. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
04. Saw IV
05. 300
06. The Game Plan
07. The Invasion
08. Ratatouille
09. Cars
10. Casino Royale

This could be one of the rare weeks were some of the boffins can calculate the total number of units sold per title once comparative ratios are available as one of the press sources revealed that 9735 copies of 'The Game Plan' were sold on Blu-ray, and we also have the total volume sales for the week to go by as well from yesterday's Videobusiness entry.

HD DVD
01. Transformers
02. Bourne Supremacy
03. Shooter
04. Bourne Identity
05. Serenity
06. The Mummy
07. Bourne Ultimatum
08. Shrek the Third
09. Smokin' Aces
10. Shaun of the Dead

This confirms the Best Buy 2 for 1 was the cause of HD DVDs sudden surge. With the Exception of 'The Bourne Ultimatum' the other nine titles were all part of the deal last week (the full list of titles in the deal consisted of: The Big Lebowski, Backdraft, Shaun Of The Dead, Serenity, The Mummy, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Transformers, Hot Rod, Knocked Up, Shrek The Third, Shooter, Smokin’ Aces and Disturbia).

Best Buy's second round of HD DVD 2 for 1s kicks of this sunday (the 10th) and offers Inside Man, Fear & loathing In Las Vegas, Van Helsing, The 40 Year Old Virgin: unrated, Casino, King Kong, Breach, Disturbia, Transformers, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Hot Fuzz, Shrek The Third, Shooter and The Bourne Ultimatum.

[GreenMonkey]

Universal HD-DVD sub-$10 deal:

Barnes and Noble has Universal titles at 50% off. To get free shipping under $25 do this:

First: go here http://usa.visa.com/personal/discounts/detail/BarnesNoble.com_9_F07/vro_details.jsp?offerName=BarnesNoble.com_9_F07&of ferId=14062&pageId=197&it=il_/personal/discounts/index.jsp

Link to B&N using the REDEEM button.

Click "DVDs" on the top menu bar

Scroll down a bit and find "HD-DVD & Blu-ray" under special collections

Click on the Universal 50% off HD-DVD sale link. Pick 1 disc (the coupon codes are only good for 1 item per cart).

In the cart, add a coupon. I notice the VISA 5% supplanted my member discount the second time, so you might need to re-add your membership if you have one.

Non Members T3E9J3V 20% off
Non Members Y4R4K7D 25% off

Members M4Y8X4J 20% off
Members T4W3P7J 25% off

I picked up Elizabeth for $9.74 ($10.32 shipped after tax) and Army of Darkness for $11.12 shipped after tax using the 25% and 20% off member coupons respectively.

[Hedonism Bot]

Home Media Magazine published early today.

Week Ending 3rd of February
74:26

Year to Date
76:24

Since Inception
65:35

'Year to date' drops one point for Blu compared to last week, but rises one point in the 'since inception' figure.


Dual Format Top 10 (week ending 3rd of February)
3:10 to Yuma [Blu-ray] – 100
Planet Earth [Blu-ray] – 95.72
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End [Blu-ray] – 95.68
Saw IV [Blu-ray] – 88.39
Transformers [HD DVD] – 88.24
300 [Blu-ray] – 97.09
The Bourne Supremacy [HD DVD] – 84.00
The Game Plan [Blu-ray] – 83.90
The Invasion [Blu-ray] – 76.78
Ratatouille [Blu-ray] – 69.25


http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ques...1008/index.php

[JTello]

Edit; nevermind

[Hedonism Bot]

Paramount titles now join Universal discs in the Amazon HD DVD sale (and there appears to be even more Universal titles added, though I could be mistaken):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...95491&plpage=1

[Jordan_E]

Zodiac for $19.99? I'm all over that like stink on a junkyard dog! Thanks, Bot.

[EnemaEms]

Anyone watch The Assassination of Jesse James yet? I have yet to open my copy.

-Dean-

[Hedonism Bot]

Still waiting for my copy, but from reports it is sounding like Warner cocked up the transfer and/or mastering completely.

[Jordan_E]

Originally Posted by Hedonism Bot

Still waiting for my copy, but from reports it is sounding like Warner cocked up the transfer and/or mastering completely.

Bah! Warner... Blu can have 'em! My wife is still pissed about the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack mess-up; mostly because she nearly pissed herself when I put on another movie after watching it recently and forgot to turn down the sound! I'm still getting the Skunk Eye from her because of that, as if it was my fault.