Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Bullseye]

Give me Frasier on BD any day.

[dcowboy7]

Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette in discussions for 'Scream' reboot.

Maybe soon a Scream bluray ?

The dvd isnt even anamorphic.

[Doctorossi]

Reboot is the new black.

[JonBidinger]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette in discussions for 'Scream' reboot.

Maybe soon a Scream bluray ?

The dvd isnt even anamorphic.

I don't know why the news stories are calling it a reboot of the series, when infact it is going to be a sequel. I mean, you might be able to call it a relaunch but it isnt a reboot.

At any rate, I would love for Disney/BV to release all three Scream flicks in 1080p. They generally do top notch work. I hope to see them this fall but i'm not going to hold my breath.

[wolfyncsu7]

Hey Jeff,

Anymore news about Blu-ray's 3D implementation? The reason I'm asking again is that I just saw an E3 report about the Avatar video game that is coming out in December of this year saying that it will be playable in 3D for the PS3. There is supposedly even a demo of this at E3 right now. Furthermore, this PS3 3D capability is supposedly enabled by just a firmware update.

What's confusing is that there hasn't really been any news about a 3D standard being agreed upon. I understand that video games and movies are different, but I would have thought that the same standard would be used for both. Do you happen to know how the PS3 is pulling this off with the current hardware? I though Panasonic's 3D implementation required 2 HDMI ports, so is this implementation being ruled out now?

Anyways... just curious if you knew anything about this.

[Jeff Kleist]

Don't expect anything in terms of Blu-ray until 2011 to actually be on the shelf

over 20 years ago, the Sega Master System used LCD shutter glasses just like Blu-ray will for 3D games, and I assume that Avatar will use something similar which will almost certainly be a USB device compatible with both PS3 and 360.

The hard part is not making 3D that works, it's making something that everyone agrees to use and standardize on, one that works for big and little manufacturers

I expect the 3D system to add $20-30 to Avatar's purchase price, and be part of the collector package. Hypothetically it would be useable on future Ubisoft titles as well

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Don't expect anything in terms of Blu-ray until 2011 to actually be on the shelf

over 20 years ago, the Sega Master System used LCD shutter glasses just like Blu-ray will for 3D games, and I assume that Avatar will use something similar which will almost certainly be a USB device compatible with both PS3 and 360.

The hard part is not making 3D that works, it's making something that everyone agrees to use and standardize on, one that works for big and little manufacturers

I expect the 3D system to add $20-30 to Avatar's purchase price, and be part of the collector package. Hypothetically it would be useable on future Ubisoft titles as well

Well Avatar (the movie) will *gulp* HOPEFULLY be on Blu-ray before 2011. Are you saying it'll just be the old-style glasses on the first release, with a good 3D version later when the BD + TV 3-D spec is ironed out and implemented?

[Jeff Kleist]

I don't know what they'll do, but I'm sure Panasonic especially (who consulted on Avatar's 3D shooting) would love to put it out as an exclusive for their system.

Avatar's Blu-ray release is a Spring 2010 thing, a lot can happen in a year.

[Penton-Man]

Fairly recently, the ETC opened a new Consumer 3D Experience Lab which is a neutral academic setting for comparative 3D technology assessment.

Five different types of 3D displays are currently displayed in the lab. Other emerging technologies for 3D in the home such as Blu-ray should be forthcoming as this site also serves as a testing venue for manufacturers as well as standards setting bodies.

If you are in the L.A. area, keep an eye out for updates on this website as a series of Open Houses (free) for the Consumer 3D Experience Lab are being planned.

http://www.etcenter.org/

[p.glover]

The dvd for the Mentalist was anounced today, do you think warner will release this on blu-ray or not?

[Q!]

I recently bought Eastern Promises on region B released by Pathé!.
It says on the cover that it's in 1080i and on the back of it.
I haven't opened it and I want to return it for something else if this is true.
You guys know if it's actually 1080p or i?
thanks again.
In a couple of months after vacation I want to "support" The Digital Bits by ordering blu-ray's from your site as a big thank you for all the information you have provided for us (me), assuming that this is something "The Bits" welcome. (clicking links from your site)

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by NL197

My rationale is probably not what anyone would consider valid, but here it is:

It's a sitcom. A great sitcom with great laughs, but modifying its image a bit isn't remotely as important as it would be for a "CSI" or other show that doesn't take place (mostly) on a typical sitcom set.

The quote "I'm sure Seinfeld is just as funny in HD [as in SD]" is completely true.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think there's any sort of artistic vision or special frame composition that's being lost with modifying a show like this.

I disagree in regard to Seinfeld, because there are some shots where comedic effect is changed by the cropping, particularly where Kramer's footwork/stance is concerned.

I have no problem with 16x9 transfers being offered, as long as 4x3 is also offered in high definition. Then again, I probably won't be upgrading from my DVDs anyway. I'm more than content with DVD for TV shows that were originally broadcast in only standard definition (Seinfeld, Twin Peaks, etc).

[jd213]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The Crow needs new masters, and in my book more time=more time to tell Pressman to go to hell and get Proyas to release his 2-hour on-set documentary

The Crow is coming out in Japan on the 24th from Geneon (now Geneon Universal) who have been very good in the quality department so far for both anime and live action, except for a few pressing errors with T2 and one or two other titles. I guess it might be a good idea to wait for reviews before buying, unless you happen to have some inside information on the master they're using. I'll probably get it either way though, since I never saw it in the theaters or in HD.

[Jeff Kleist]

Totally forgot about the Japanese release, yeah that should be good quality for sure

Eastern Promises, we don't have a lot of contact with European distributors, or even the Euro divisions. Unless they're big enough to leave a big footprint like Canal, but we really appreciate the clicks! Thanks! My best suggestion is hitting up a French forum. Likely there willl be someone there who speaks enough english to answer your question, or contacting the company

[Q!]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Totally forgot about the Japanese release, yeah that should be good quality for sure

Eastern Promises, we don't have a lot of contact with European distributors, or even the Euro divisions. Unless they're big enough to leave a big footprint like Canal, but we really appreciate the clicks! Thanks! My best suggestion is hitting up a French forum. Likely there willl be someone there who speaks enough english to answer your question, or contacting the company

I will try the suggestion, or I could take the chance and open it and see what it says on my HDTV
Would you always prefer 1080p over 1080i?

[Jeff Kleist]

Well, 1080i and 1080p are the same amount of detail, the only question is getting some de-interlacing errors. I'm guessing it's just a typo, but that's just a guess

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

1. It means watching seinfeld in 4x3 after watching in 16x9 is like watching a movie in 16x9 then watching 4x3...its just doesnt look good anymore....it looks all boxed in....& no i dont like everything to fit the screen i like 2.35:1 movies.

Ah right, so you're one of those people who equate 16:9 with HD, and 4:3 with SD.
Gotcha......

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

2. wrath of khan wasnt 7.1....but it is on the bluray now isnt it.

I have no idea, but I'll take your word for it.
But so what??

[NL197]

^^ To be fair, Wrath Of Khan wasn't really 5.1 either. If it were you wouldn't hear all the dialogue in the left and right channels, Pro Logic-style.

The idea of 4:3 equaling SD is probably a big perception out there, taken further by the fact that High Definition and 16:9 are supposed to go hand-in-hand. I'm guessing that the HD "Star Trek" episodes have the side borders as a part of the image to maintain the 4:3 ratio while remaining 16:9 video but that's only a guess.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by NL197

I'm guessing that the HD "Star Trek" episodes have the side borders as a part of the image to maintain the 4:3 ratio while remaining 16:9 video but that's only a guess.

Indeed.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by NL197

^^ To be fair, Wrath Of Khan wasn't really 5.1 either. If it were you wouldn't hear all the dialogue in the left and right channels, Pro Logic-style.

WOK uses the 70MM 4.2 element. The dialogue was mixed to the fronts, that's why it's in the L+R channels.

Oddly enough, the 35MM Dolby Stereo (LtRt) version actually has the dialogue tightly in the center channel when ProLogic recorded (the LaserDisc used this track).

Search for Spock is the opposite! The 35MM has L+R mixed dialogue and the 70MM mix is discrete center!

The idea of 4:3 equaling SD is probably a big perception out there, taken further by the fact that High Definition and 16:9 are supposed to go hand-in-hand. I'm guessing that the HD "Star Trek" episodes have the side borders as a part of the image to maintain the 4:3 ratio while remaining 16:9 video but that's only a guess.

"Pillarboxed", yes, to keep the OAR of 1.33