Matrix blu-ray?

[TheOmegaSoldier]

Do we know of a date for the matrix on blu-ray yet?

May 22nd is going to be like world war 3. We will get pirates 1 and 2, and hd dvd will get the matrix. I expect both camps to get tons of sales that week.

Matrix is one of those films that a lot of people have to have in their HD collection. I hope there are people like me who will hold off getting the hd dvd version in favor of ending this format war sooner rather than later.

[Matt X]

Yeh, will be interesting to see what's up on 5/22. If I were Universal, I would pay attention that day - I would think that some biggie titles like POTC and Iwo Jima and Flags will bring out the PS3 owners that are only casual (if at all) BR buyers. those #s would SWAMP hd dvd, even if they show strong #'s on one premiere title (matrix). I'll sure as hell be there for POTC and Iwo. maybe apocalypto. and some other stuff I missed like Payback.

[SomethingForKate]

The things is, will non-HD Enthusiasts really buy The Matrix trilogy as their way into HD?

I have them all on DVD and am not at all interested in buying them again on Blu-ray. I actually bought the original Matrix on VHS back in the day when it first came out!

I have hundreds of DVDs and feel begrudged to buy them again on Blu-ray even though I'd love to enjoy them that way. I'm sure there are many people out there who would also feel begrudged paying out $120 US for movies they already have?

We need new content in HD! And box sets of current franchises. I think the Mission Impossible box set was a great example - one new movie, two old. I actually own the other two on DVD but bought the box set as it was only 10 GBP more than buying just the MI:III BD.

I think Sony will do well to release a Spider-Man trilogy box-set this fall after missing the boat on getting 1 & 2 out in time for 3's theatrical release.

Disney are doing well to get the Pirates movies out on BD for the week of the theatrical release of part 3.

New movies also demonstrate the capabilities of HD much more and will provide the wow factor. Transfers from the older films available just don't live up to those of newer titles.

SFK

[Spankey]

The things is, will non-HD Enthusiasts really buy The Matrix trilogy as their way into HD?

I have them all on DVD and am not at all interested in buying them again on Blu-ray. I actually bought the original Matrix on VHS back in the day when it first came out!

Is The Matrix really that popular of a series that it would sell an entire box set? The first movie was great, but I don't think I have ever watched the sequels more than once. I don't see it as a timeless trilogy like Star Wars, Alien, or even Spider-Man. The Matrix will certainly sell very well. The June Blu-ray releases will be an entirely different animal. Quality titles that can push the format. The Matrix will be available on Blu-ray.

[stevei]

Originally Posted by SomethingForKate

[COLOR="Navy"]
The things is, will non-HD Enthusiasts really buy The Matrix trilogy as their way into HD?

I have them all on DVD and am not at all interested in buying them again on Blu-ray.
...

We need new content in HD!

I'm the complete opposite of you. It's rare that a new movie grabs my interest these days, I'm more interested in re-watching my favourite older movies in high def. Give me The Matrix, Blade Runner, Gattaca, Alien, Aliens, Terminator, Terminator 2, Fight Club to name a few, I'd rather watch any of those than POTC.

However, I think you're more representative of the mass market, judging by the sales figures.

[Matt X]

I'm kinda in-between on this subject. I own a TON of DVDs (somewhere in the low 100's), but I will likely work to replace the ones I like, old or new (case in point, just re-watched LA Confidential last night, would replace w/BR in a heartbeat - I also own POTC 1&2, I'll be front of the line 5/22 for the BR).
Now - as far as CLASSICS go, I'll be much more reluctant. Case in point: Warner Gangsters Box set & the Criterion Edition of Seven Samurai - they're all black and white (7 S particularly gorgeous), and Color Depth is one of the great advantages to BR, so why bother for now. One other title that I think wouldn't benefit much from BR treatment (even if they offered it) is Mystery Science Theater 3000 - I absolutely love the show, and have a stack of their box sets and individual shows. I might buy new releases from them on BR, but hell no I'm not replacing the DVDs those box sets are pricey.

[TheOmegaSoldier]

I'm with Matt X here, I replace the ones I love on DVD as they come out.

Someone mentioned that the matrix wasn't all that incredible. Definitely not a timeless piece, no. But it has that scientific-geek appeal that makes people think "bet that would look cool in high def". Usually the sci-fi/fantasy titles do that.

I've only seen Reloaded once and revolutions twice, but some of the sequences in those are BEGGING to be put out in high def.

So bring on the blu-ray version so we can pull another casino royale! Sooner you do it, the sooner you'll see headlines.

[NARMAK]

i definitly want to watch these 3 on blu-ray and having a look on an AVS link thru a thread about those supposed HD-DVD players from wal-mart at $300 or whatever, i was scrolling down and saw some guy refer to the LOTR trilogy and Matrix trilogy among others as HD-DVD exclusive, WTF is that guy on, they're not exclusive, just being released first there until Blu-ray gets it's IME features.

I personally think although it can be seen as exclusive by some idiots, it's only out there first by a little while till blu-ray gets the IME features and then will be released.

Some people say that IME features aren't important but i think it adds better value for money, i personally would like to get the best value for money i can and that means i'd like to have them put in more than just the movie and SOME special features. I am paying a premium after all to get the HD version and i should get these features that Blu-ray is capable of not just in delivering a superior picture but in delivering better interactivity over DVD and proving it as a truly next gen format full stop.

[Eve6insideandout]

I totally agree with you about the IME and getting the best out of your price, but like you also said people are going to buy this trilogy on HDDVD just for the fact that it comes out first. I'd rather blu-ray take the extra sales and come out atleast at the same time rather than HDDVD staying around just b/c they get things out faster!

[NARMAK]

[QUOTE I'd rather blu-ray take the extra sales and come out atleast at the same time rather than HDDVD staying around just b/c they get things out faster![/QUOTE]

Have to agree that blu-ray does need to get things out faster and an example is blu-rays equivalent of those IME features.

My personal feeling is maybe they should release the discs with the features in place as the PS3 would certainly be able to make use of them and this is after all where most of the blu-ray players are.

I think the companies need to realise that the PS3 DOES have people that are buying these movies and definitely out number stand alone players and therfore should release it and later on the stand alone players will be able to take advantage of those features as most blu-ray players out there perhaps with the exception of the PS3 and maybe some others CAN play these features.

It would also go a long way in putting the nail in HD-DVDs coffin which is long over due IMO as it shud hav had the nail put in as soon as blu-ray was made.

[yankeedawg21]

I kno im gonna buy the lord of the rings if/when that comes on blu ray those movies will be amazing!

[jorg]

Originally Posted by TheOmegaSoldier

Do we know of a date for the matrix on blu-ray yet?

May 22nd is going to be like world war 3. We will get pirates 1 and 2, and hd dvd will get the matrix. I expect both camps to get tons of sales that week.

Matrix is one of those films that a lot of people have to have in their HD collection. I hope there are people like me who will hold off getting the hd dvd version in favor of ending this format war sooner rather than later.

romour is that it will be by the holiday season because after oct.31 all players made must be profile 1.1 meaning that the matrix can be mastered with bd-j and u wont have to worrie if new player will support the features

[nhaase]

Oct. 31st is the deadline for players, so before that they must finalize the specs for these features. At least that's what I've read on these forums. So technically they could go ahead and put these movies on BD once they have the finalized specs in hand, right? Please, correct me if I'm wrong there, but I think they could release these movies before Halloween if the specs are finalized in time. They would release them knowing for sure that future players (future meaning a few months or so) would be able to utilize the features.

[jorg]

Originally Posted by nhaase

Oct. 31st is the deadline for players, so before that they must finalize the specs for these features. At least that's what I've read on these forums. So technically they could go ahead and put these movies on BD once they have the finalized specs in hand, right? Please, correct me if I'm wrong there, but I think they could release these movies before Halloween if the specs are finalized in time. They would release them knowing for sure that future players (future meaning a few months or so) would be able to utilize the features.

they could put the movies on bd right know but after oct.31 all new players (like totlay new ones like 3rd gen) will have to have stuff like a second decoder and such .

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by jorg

they could put the movies on bd right know but after oct.31 all new players (like totlay new ones like 3rd gen) will have to have stuff like a second decoder and such .

How so? I thought they could put together the movies w/ the software that the post-halloween players can decode, once they know the spec of those players. Like I said, I've not been able to read much on the workings of the IME specs and all.

Edit: I thought that once they know what the post-halloween players will have in them (deconding ability, etc.), they can make the BDs, and they won't have to wait until they come out. (I've got the feeling I'm not being totally clear w/ my thoughts on this, hopefully that helps.) So if BDA announces next week what post-halloween players must have, specifically, production of movies utilizing those features can begin once the BD-J and other PiP features are ready to be coded for the discs.

[donricouga]

May 22nd will be a huge battle in this format war. We have POTC, which we know will sell big, along with Apocalypto and Closer which are exclusives and should sell well, up against Matrix Trilogy.
The question in my mind is, what will be released on HD-DVD when Matrix is released on Blu-ray or when Spiderman trilogy is released on bluray ??
What huge blockbusters is available to them in this time period ?

[MatrixS2000]

The Matrix is a title I would definitely pick up IF it came out on a BD50 with high bit rate VC-1 or AVC encoding with a lossless PCM.

If it is a HD DVD port to BD - I will not buy it.

[john_1958]

Originally Posted by MatrixS2000

The Matrix is a title I would definitely pick up IF it came out on a BD50 with high bit rate VC-1 or AVC encoding with a lossless PCM.

If it is a HD DVD port to BD - I will not buy it.

My pick would be lord of the rings

[MatrixS2000]

^ same here! fingers crossed for a BD50 encode of that trilogy!

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by donricouga

May 22nd will be a huge battle in this format war. We have POTC, which we know will sell big, along with Apocalypto and Closer which are exclusives and should sell well, up against Matrix Trilogy.
The question in my mind is, what will be released on HD-DVD when Matrix is released on Blu-ray or when Spiderman trilogy is released on bluray ??
What huge blockbusters is available to them in this time period ?

I posted this tidbit over on the HD Rant Thread.
These are orders in the system at BEST BUY for my store, this is generated by corporate:

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

Funny though HDDVD is still comming in only 5-7 copies at a time.

example RSS totals:
BD-Pirates of the Carribean, Dead: On Order: 80
BD-Pirates of the Carribean, Curse: On Order: 80

HD-Matrix Ultimat Collection: On Order: 4
HD-Matrix Trilogy: On Order: 3

The other interesting Tidbit, The NEW RELEASES are now put on the new release sled along with the DVD's the BD version is at the very top, per merch instructions.

Helping to drive awareness much?

I saw this trend start with Happy feet and Casino Royale. Getting 3-4 times the amount of HDDVD releases that same week. Including dual format titles such as Happy Feet.

I checked accross the district and it was the same ratio, some stores got a few more BD copies up to 135 in our busiest store...but the percentage difference between Pirates, and Matrix was night & Day. I am sure both Pirates and Matrix will do well online, But at B&M it looks like BestBuy atleast is putting all their ducks into BD.

Also, it's mentioned what will HDDVD will have to counter Spiderman...or when Matrix hits BD...why not look sooner,

June 5th for example, Bu-ray:
Blood Diamond (Warner)
Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live in Dublin (Sony BMG)
Cars (Buena Vista)
Coming to America (Paramount)
Con Air (Buena Vista)
Crimson Tide (Buena Vista)
Hellboy (Sony)
The Messengers (Sony)
Norbit (Paramount)
Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season (Sony)
The Rock (Buena Vista)
Trading Places (Paramount)

June 5th for HDDVD:
Breach (Universal)
Coming to America (Paramount)
Norbit (DreamWorks)
Trading Places (Paramount)

overall June is a huge month for both formats, but all the hits are on BD. May is the same way.