MicroSoft & Amazon to Sponsor Indy Film Transfers to HD

[singerap]

Though this article migh interest the Blu-ray community.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/02...lms-on-hd-dvd/

I think the most salient point is that these films are to be available as downloads, Not HD-DVD's. Something that seems to have been missed by those commenting on the article.

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by singerap

Though this article migh interest the Blu-ray community.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/02...lms-on-hd-dvd/

I think the most salient point is that these films are to be available as downloads, Not HD-DVD's. Something that seems to have been missed by those commenting on the article.

I don't see where it says that it will be downloads, it clearly says HD DVDs. Now, the quality of the films is another thing entirely. This sounds like pure quantity over quality rubbish to me. When you read the fine print, it says 'qualifying independent film makers'. What does that mean? To me, it means all the rubbish that can't get into Cannes or Sundance, and can't get picked up by a major distributer anyway. Blu-ray already has great, quality indie material coming from the likes of Magnolia Home Entertainment, R&B Films, Lionsgate and now Starz Home Entertainment (Anchor Bay) and Exoptron. Do we really need the 'let's get a thousand Beautiful Landscapes titles out so we can claim "we have 2,000 titles!" ' sort of rubbish?

Let them have it, and remember, Amazon distributes Blu-ray titles through this service as well.

[CptGreedle]

Will Blu-ray eventually get Fox Spotlight? Or Warner Independent?

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Will Blu-ray eventually get Fox Spotlight? Or Warner Independent?

Well, considering both Fox and Warner release on Blu-ray, anything is possible.

[CptGreedle]

*Keeps fingers crossed*

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

Blu-ray already has great, quality indie material coming from the likes of Magnolia Home Entertainment, R&B Films, Lionsgate, and now Starz Home Entertainment (Anchor Bay) and Exoptron. Do we really need the 'let's get a thousand Beautiful Landscapes titles out so we can claim "we have 2,000 titles!" ' sort of rubbish?

Let them have it, and remember, Amazon distributes Blu-ray titles through this service as well.

Don't forget LionsGate as well since they're still considered an indie studio/distributor

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by Krazy

Don't forget LionsGate as well since they're still considered an indie studio/distributor

Okay.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Will Blu-ray eventually get Fox Spotlight? Or Warner Independent?

Good Night and Good Luck (Warner Independent) is already out.

Sunshine is on Fox Searchlight so I sure as heck we get that!

Gary

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Good Night and Good Luck (Warner Independent) is already out.

Sunshine is on Fox Searchlight so I sure as heck we get that!

Gary

That's right.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by singerap

Though this article migh interest the Blu-ray community.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/02...lms-on-hd-dvd/

I think the most salient point is that these films are to be available as downloads, Not HD-DVD's. Something that seems to have been missed by those commenting on the article.

Good catch on that, these titles honestly look more like "We're trying to compete with Sundance" than part of the format war...

[ Edit / Clarity ]
Sundance channel .

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by reiella

Good catch on that, these titles honestly look more like "We're trying to compete with Sundance" than part of the format war...

[ Edit / Clarity ]
Sundance channel .

What catch? There is nowhere in there or on any other site reporting this where they state that these are downloads. They are HD-DVDs.

I might point out, however, that no one reporting this story has even mentioned the word 'exclusive' either.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

What catch? There is nowhere in there or on any other site reporting this where they state that these are downloads. They are HD-DVDs.

I might point out, however, that no one reporting this story has even mentioned the word 'exclusive' either.

So you're a small content producer who wants to release high definition video, but can't pick a format for fear of alienating half your customers? No problem. CustomFlix (who also just announced deals to provide DVDs of niche TV shows) will store a digital copy of your content, and burn it onto Blu-ray, HD DVD or WMV-HD disc whenever a customer wants to buy one. They also provide services for customers who choose their own set of clips from the database, and burn a DVD with whatever you want on it.

Although, the press release just refers to just the HD-DVD variants, it's a bit odd though. You are right though, just seems to be confusion over the older aspect of CustomFlix [especially, since they press on demand, and by all accounts, should be able to press to BD too].