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

[NoQuestion]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

So far I've been impressed with John Adams, the 7 part mini-series currently airing on HBO. Part 3 debuts on Sunday. Hopefully HBO will release this on Blu-ray fairly soon.

I can't get the opening title music for this show out of my head. Well orchestrated march theme. It will be interesting to see how much better it sounds in LPCM multi-channel or lossless Dolby TrueHD.

I'd probably pick up John Adams if they put it out on blu. I would love to see at least band of brothers this year. Rome and entourage would also be nice to see soon

[bferr1]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

So far I've been impressed with John Adams, the 7 part mini-series currently airing on HBO. Part 3 debuts on Sunday. Hopefully HBO will release this on Blu-ray fairly soon.

+1

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Did you see the film?

Yes, I saw it in the theatre and rented the unrated version on DVD when released.
I enjoyed the DVD version much more than the theatrical version although I was wishing it was in HD.

I did read you're review and didn't agree that "there isn’t too much of a difference between the two versions." IMO, and in the opinion of many other reviews I've read, the difference is the lack of profanity & blood and that is what makes Die Hard Die Hard. I know Fox was trying to reach a broader audience but they really shouldn't have messed with the formula.

Here are the differences.

Bottom line is that I'll wait for the unrated Blu version, Thanks.

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Yeah, Obi's not making much sense. VHS was a monopoly. CD was a monopoly. So was DVD. We all benefitted nicely from those.

Actually, VHS/CD/DVD aren't monopolies. They're "standards" .

You could perhaps characterize the BDA and DVD Forum as "cartels", but the whole usage of "monopoly" in this context is a gross abuse of the English language.

Sorry, it's been one of my pet peeves with the whole red side for the past couple of years, characterizing Blu-ray as a "monopoly", when it was the HD DVD side that grew increasingly monopolistic (one manufacturer only).

Obi and a lot of others drank the Kool Aid that HD-DVD was a more "consumer friendly" format. He even says that in his last rant. That's a complete load of bunk. HD-DVD wasn't cheaper that Blu-ray out of the goodness of Toshiba's heart - it was cheaper because Toshiba couldn't sell the damn things at a higher price. And even at a slashed price, they couldn't move many compared to Blu-ray.

Indeed. I think the real trouble is that people on the red side of the fence didn't want to believe that the product they were investing in was basically fighting as an underdog since day 1. So they came up with all sorts of rationalizations about the pricing differential (even after it became obvious that the two technologies were so close in hardware requirements as to be fraternal twins).

The bad part of this is that this misconception continues its legacy today, with a great number of people out there who now believe that $200 is a viable price point for the technology at this point in time (or that $10 a disc is a viable price point either for the discs). It's just too soon. Toshiba's fast-forwarding along the commoditization curve has caused some nearly irreparable harm to HDM in terms of realistic expectations from a group who normally accept the technology curve (early adopters).

The Region coding and DRM things are overblown in my opinion. You think we're dealing with DRM issues now, wait until we get into an all downloading world! And as far as the different profiles, yes, it's unfortunate that Blu-ray didn't launch fully implemented, but HD-DVD's rush to launch pushed their hand. But we're now at profile 1.1, and frankly I'm not at all convinced that profile 2.0 is going to deliver anything worth exprienceing if you're a film fan. Most of the interactive online features I saw on HD-DVD were pure garbage and marketing fluff. It's going to take a very talented producer and an actual fan of the film in question to deliver ANYTHING from online that's actually interesting. Bandai's Freedom 1 was the only online HD-DVD content that I found worth looking more closely at. Ringtones, screen savers, online stores and in-movie chat do not add to my appreciation or enjoyment of a film.

Amen.

[WickyWoo]

Indeed. I think the real trouble is that people on the red side of the fence didn't want to believe that the product they were investing in was basically fighting as an underdog since day 1. So they came up with all sorts of rationalizations about the pricing differential (even after it became obvious that the two technologies were so close in hardware requirements as to be fraternal twins).

I believe that was a main weapon in the red arsenal. Pushing the "little guy getting abused" angle hardcore to invoke emotional responses, matrydom etc. Time and again it's been proven that people react to that

[Sidewinder]

Hi Bill

I'd like to ask you just one question:

Do you know when Disney will start releasing Studio Ghibli movies like "Totoro" on Blu-ray? Studio Ghibli is already releasing some titles in Japan on Blu-ray, but no feature film till now.

I'm dying to see all their movies in High-def. I was so tempted by the Studio Ghibli DVD Collection with most of their movies, but I did resist the urge to buy them, because I'd like to experience them in 1080p.

Greetings from Switzerland

[WickyWoo]

Ghibli have not released any Miyazaki titles in Japan. They released one of the films they distribute, and a documentary

There is no "Studio Ghibli Collection", all you'd see of that are bootlegs. A single authorized box set was released in Hong Kong (Region 3) limited to 2000 copies

http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID....qx/details.htm

If it doesn't look like that, it's a boot

Disney has absolutely no control over when any of the movies will be released in Japan/Asia, they merely distribute for Tokuma, and no US/EU releases will happen until well after they're out in Japan.

I expect the first discs to come out about a year from now when Miyazaki's new film hits video in Japan

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I believe that was a main weapon in the red arsenal. Pushing the "little guy getting abused" angle hardcore to invoke emotional responses, matrydom etc. Time and again it's been proven that people react to that

It's absolutely amazing how a massive company, with a history of risking world stability selling quiet prop tech to the Soviets, came across as the champion of the little guy. While the rootkit issue out of a music devision was seen as pure evil and the basis for rejecting a standard with broad CE, computing, studio, and audio support.

Ignore the illogic, slander, libel and character assassinations being spread by the red camp. You can save $100 on this other thing.

Apparently saving a few bucks is now the price for selling one's soul.

Gary

[JAGUAR1977]

Seeing as Bill is the one updating us on Paramount/Universal, here's my take:-

Paramount (and to a lesser extent new to Blu-ray Universal) are misjudging consumers once again if they believe waiting to announce titles with a big splash is what we desire.

A simple press release stating XYZ movies are scheduled for this year is required, make a splash when release details, spec's etc are ready.

Their silence is damaging Blu-ray.

[darkblueme]

Bill,

Any ideas what this---> http://www.rareoopdvds.com/articles/...mountpictures/

is all about?

Is it a sign of future Blu-Ray releases? Or.... something else entirely?

Just curious.
Thanks in advance!

[rubystone356]

it seems that some receiver are having problems playing certain DTS MA titles. I would hope that you could help in this matter and mention it on your site. specially for the companys that made the receiver to fix the problem.

thank you.
Jacob

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008620

[iwanttobeabmoviestar]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Once Paramount gets rolling, you'll be impressed with their output I think. I do believe you'll see more from HBO later this year.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HBOS JOHN ADAMS ESP THOSE NICE OPENING CREDITS ON BLU RAY HAVEYOU SEE THIS SERIES YET?

[WickyWoo]

Is it a sign of future Blu-Ray releases? Or.... something else entirely?

Looks to me like a combination of rights lapsing and the usual shuffling of catalog titles and and out of print. Standard practice, has been for decades

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by iwanttobeabmoviestar

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HBOS JOHN ADAMS ESP THOSE NICE OPENING CREDITS ON BLU RAY HAVEYOU SEE THIS SERIES YET?

Great miniseries. I'm sure HBO will do the right thing here.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by TauHeel05

Bill,

Any news on 'Sin City' coming to blu-ray? I remember seeing the Buena Vista Blu-ray promo that showcased 'Sin City' back in Feb. 07, but no news since.

Thanks.

Nothing on Sin City at the moment, but we've just posted on The Bits that Kill Bill 1 & 2 are finally in production for release in 2009. There are no other details and dates available yet, but those are on the way at least.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I'm not Bill, but footage of this was also included on the Lost S3 Blu, but I'd expect to see the Sin City Blu-ray held over to help promote Sin City 2 which is slated for 2009 I believe.

Yes, this makes sense. I'll look into it further. A lot of it has to do with the director being available to get involved in creating new features.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

So far I've been impressed with John Adams, the 7 part mini-series currently airing on HBO. Part 3 debuts on Sunday. Hopefully HBO will release this on Blu-ray fairly soon.

I can't get the opening title music for this show out of my head. Well orchestrated march theme. It will be interesting to see how much better it sounds in LPCM multi-channel or lossless Dolby TrueHD.

I agree, it's pretty good so far. I'd like to see it on Blu-ray too.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Actually, VHS/CD/DVD aren't monopolies. They're "standards" .

You could perhaps characterize the BDA and DVD Forum as "cartels", but the whole usage of "monopoly" in this context is a gross abuse of the English language.

Sorry, it's been one of my pet peeves with the whole red side for the past couple of years, characterizing Blu-ray as a "monopoly", when it was the HD DVD side that grew increasingly monopolistic (one manufacturer only).


Indeed. I think the real trouble is that people on the red side of the fence didn't want to believe that the product they were investing in was basically fighting as an underdog since day 1. So they came up with all sorts of rationalizations about the pricing differential (even after it became obvious that the two technologies were so close in hardware requirements as to be fraternal twins).

The bad part of this is that this misconception continues its legacy today, with a great number of people out there who now believe that $200 is a viable price point for the technology at this point in time (or that $10 a disc is a viable price point either for the discs). It's just too soon. Toshiba's fast-forwarding along the commoditization curve has caused some nearly irreparable harm to HDM in terms of realistic expectations from a group who normally accept the technology curve (early adopters).


Amen.

Well said. And excellent point on the standard vs monopoly thing. That's definitely the word I should have used.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Ghibli have not released any Miyazaki titles in Japan. They released one of the films they distribute, and a documentary

There is no "Studio Ghibli Collection", all you'd see of that are bootlegs. A single authorized box set was released in Hong Kong (Region 3) limited to 2000 copies

http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID....qx/details.htm

If it doesn't look like that, it's a boot

Disney has absolutely no control over when any of the movies will be released in Japan/Asia, they merely distribute for Tokuma, and no US/EU releases will happen until well after they're out in Japan.

I expect the first discs to come out about a year from now when Miyazaki's new film hits video in Japan

It will probably take a couple of years. The format needs a little time to grow. After the holidays, I think you're going to start seeing the floodgates really open in terms of titles.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JAGUAR1977

A simple press release stating XYZ movies are scheduled for this year is required, make a splash when release details, spec's etc are ready.

Their silence is damaging Blu-ray.

I actually disagree. I know people are eager for announcements, but it does take time to really have their schedule ready enough to announce titles and dates. Paramount has pissed off a lot of people - they don't want to disappoint again. I think you're going to hear from them soon.