Fox update

[bruce]

High-def delivery delays due to replication

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has had to postpone the release of many BD titles, including Mr. & Mrs. Smith, originally expected March 13, as well as three set for April 3: Me, Myself and Irene; Dude, Where’s My Car; and The Fly.

Fox senior VP of marketing communications Steve Feldstein said there were no production problems with these titles.

“Our release schedule is a fluid thing,” he said. “We came out with Eragon on street date, and we will come out with Night at the Museum” on its April 24 street.

However, other studio sources agree that replication is a key reason behind high-def retail troubles. High-def check discs are returned much more often than standard-def counterparts because studios are still fine-tuning the color processing for BD and HD DVD.

“If you’re still having to go through check discs, and they aren’t up to par and are rejected, then ultimately that causes your timeline to be longer than standard-definition,” said one source. “Production people are working miracles putting out the [high-def] releases as fast as they are.”

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6430991.html

[theknub]

digital bits also says something in regards to this in todays update... or was it yesterdays... anyway, i'd be willing to bet that isn't the full story though

[MasterXeus]

Steve Feldstein said there were no production problems with these titles; it would be nice if they said what the problem is. “Our release schedule is a fluid thing,” he said. I don't think this is a very good comment. I guess after there movies are release; my buying schedule can be a very fluid thing too.

Why is it always so hard to answer a simple question?
I like straight forward answer, if they wanted to add extra security just say so.

[hyperdine]

Actually, I honestly don't believe the Fox delays are due to replication issues. While I'm sure security/copy-protection is a concern, I don't think that's the whole story either. Otherwise, why would they release brand new titles and delay catalog titles? If there's any concern about piracy, it would be greater for new titles...not movies that have been out for years already in both U.S. and other markets.

So what's the real reason for the delays? I think Fox is actually making a very wise strategic move. This is solely my opinion (and not based on any insider info) but I think Fox has closely studied the current Hi-Def sales trends and have realized that what's selling right now and helping to grow the format are new titles. The catalog titles are not doing so well.

Think about it...what have been some of the best selling BD's? Casino Royale, The Departed, X-Men 3, etc. This is not just because their big flagship titles either. Look at the sales of Crank. Didn't do very well in the theaters, but it's been big on BD. Had this been a catalog title, I think it would have been a very different story.

So...my take on this, is that they're absolutely telling the truth. They've adjusted the release schedule to focus on what makes sense. Don't get me wrong...I want the catalog titles and I'm sure most people here do too. However, I don't think the market is ready for titles like Princes Bride, etc. Once BD starts to hit critical mass (maybe during the holidays) when the penetration rate is higher, I think we'll see the floodgates open.

Just my two cents...

[HDTV1080P]

High-def titles late on delivery

Retailers report Blu-ray, HD DVD arrive after street date


http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6430991.html?nid=2705

[Chad Varnadore]

Considering the drought of HD DVDs, I'm surprised they're having any trouble. I also don't buy the cancellations at Fox as being significantly related to production problems. If they were doing all BD50s maybe. But there haven't been a lot of BD25s released these past couple months. Assuming they use different facilities or line and not the same line re-tooled for dual-layer or single, there shouldn't be any problem getting a BD25 out on time. In fact they sent out review copies for Night at the Museum 3 weeks early. But, I'm hoping the delays from Fox are about more than copy protection too. I've got my fingers crossed, hoping that when they resume, their stuff will look more like Sony and Disney's - more BD50s, high bitrate video, PCM at least until DTS HD is supported by at least one piece of hardware, and more extras.

Sony must be prioritizing their stuff in replication, because they usually arrive within plenty of time. Disney stuff on the other hand hasn't been early by more than a day all year. Paramount I'm not sure about. They did postpone Failure..., but usually thier stuff arrives in advance. Warner's had a lot of trouble on both formats though.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

So what's the real reason for the delays? I think Fox is actually making a very wise strategic move. This is solely my opinion (and not based on any insider info) but I think Fox has closely studied the current Hi-Def sales trends and have realized that what's selling right now and helping to grow the format are new titles. The catalog titles are not doing so well.

Agree. Just looking at my own buying habits as well.

[Iceman_II]

hyperdine, thats the best and most rational explanation I have heard to date.... while it may be simply conjecture, I don't think you are far off the mark.