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

[Braktastic]

Jeff,

I haven't seen much discussion of the dialogue missing from the Give a Little Whistle song in Disney's Pinocchio outside of the Home Theater Forum.

The best summary of this issue I have seen is in the link below:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...7-post108.html

The strange thing is that the dialogue is not missing in some European releases but is in others, which would indicate that there is a correct source out there somewhere hopefully making correcting it easier.

Is thedigitalbits aware of this? I don't think Disney is, and I'm sure a lot of people would like to see the issue get corrected.

Thanks.
--
Paul

[Jeff Kleist]

I'm sure Disney is aware of it now

Is it present on the mono track? I don't have time to go look this weekend, one of my other projects is in a bit of a crisis

Bill would be the guy to handle Gulliver, I love classic animation but have never been a big Fleischer guy

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I'm sure Disney is aware of it now

Is it present on the mono track? I don't have time to go look this weekend, one of my other projects is in a bit of a crisis

Jeff,

The dialogue is omitted in both the mono and 7.1 mixes on the US release. The European releases do not have the mono mix to my knowledge. Again, it is odd that it is present in some and not present in other European 7.1 mixes, but that's the word.

[jd213]

Originally Posted by Musashi

Hey Jeff,

On the above note, Manga distributed Perfect Blue in the US, and as I understand a blu-ray edition came out in Japan. Theoretically, could Manga get ahold of the same master discs, add a translation, and release it here?

The Japanese Blu-ray for Perfect Blue isn't that great of a transfer, really. Not sure how to describe it, the whites and light colors spill over, kinda looks like an upscaled laserdisc but with HD detail. If Manga was going to release a subtitled version, it would be better if a new remaster was done first on the Japanese side.

Of course, knowing how Manga has screwed up in the past they'd probably use the old master even if a new one was available. Like how they've only released non-anamorphic DVDs of the original Evangelion movies.

[Jeff Kleist]

Hey JD, what did you think of the Cagliostro disc?

All the shops I went to had it playing on uncalibrated TVs, and there were huge edge halos. HMV in Shibuya was the only place that had a calibrated set and itl ooked much better. I didn't pick it up, hoping by some miracle there will be a foreign release with subs that doesn't stink It was 1080i for some reason as well, leading me to believe it was an old master

If I remember correctly, the non-anamorphic was the only masters Gainax had at the time, same ones that they did for the LD release

[jd213]

It was better than I was expecting, the EE was certainly less noticable than some anime DVD releases I've seen. I found the dirt and print damage slightly distracting, but still not too bad. The 1080i doesn't affect me much either since I have a video processor that will convert it to 1080p24. It probably was an old HDTV master, though, so I expect a double dip down the road. A release with subs doesn't seem likely anytime soon, though. Do you know who has the license nowadays?

The 1st Lupin TV series have extremely annoying grain freezing, though. Haven't checked out the 2nd TV series Blu-rays yet but I believe they're the same. I want to buy all of the discs but they're just too disappointing to watch without becoming disgusted.

[Jeff Kleist]

Manga still has the US license last I checked (yes, cry with me). With John Lasseter in charge I expect Disney to make a play for it when that expires just so they have the "set"

I just meant that the 1080i said old master. Oddly enough, Waterboys says it's 1080i, (I've only scanned through it, I still ned to watch it all the way through so that may just be a misprint) even though it was a "new HD master".

I wish Bandai had just put the sub tracks from the US discs on the Zeta GUndam Blus, it's not like they were ever going to release it here anyway after how badly the DVDs bombed.

Suprised you aren't over at TAF, or are you smart enough to avoid the madhouse by now I did Comiket once and that was enough. I can't wait to see that new Yamato movie, even though without Matsumoto it'll probably be awful

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Bill/Jeff,

on thebits today you mention that Monster's Inc was delayed not because of production issues but that Disney wanted to spread out the pixar releases. Does this mean that Nemo is now off the 09 release list? I know I asked only a couple days ago and at that time Nemo was still suppose to be on the list, but this comment from Disney makes it seem like it is no longer coming in 09.

Also, Bill has word been passed on to WB sources to possibly release the notebook and others separately? I know you make a comment about it on your post today, but I wasn't sure if this was the first time this has been brought up or if you have been hitting your sources over there about this.

Glad to see you back Bill

From what I understand, Nemo is now early 2010. I have been passing on these comments about WB UCE releases being made available without all the box stuff. We'll see what happens.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JonBidinger

Hey Bill, nice to see you. I was wondering if you had any information or could do a rumor mill type post about Universal's upcoming plans. I know you have covered alot of the other studios but Universal seems to be rather absent lately, specially with many announcements of (big) titles by other studios. A bunch of Universal titles did just recently gain Blu-ray options on Netflix (The Big Lebowski, Children of Men, Inside Man, Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, In Bruges, Assault on Precinct 13, Unleashed, Waist Deep, Red Dragon, Van Helsing, Alpha Dog, 12 Monkeys, Notting Hill, Fletch, and Bruce Almighty), and a number of those have been rumored in different places. It's just kind of frustrating that Universal is sitting on so many former HDDVD titles let alone all their other catalog films they have to tap into. Universal is putting out really good quality releases, but they are moving rather slow.

I can't really say anything specifically, though expect to start seeing a lot more catalog BD output through the summer and second half of the year. As you may already have seen, Spy Game, Children of Men, Cinderella Man, Field of Dreams, Inside Man and Seabiscuit all did just get announced for May.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

So I might be missing something here, but Disney is release the latest Grey's season on bluray, but Scrubs most recent season (and last?) isn't seeing a day and date? Is this because they are doing a full boxset or did they think that Scrubs wouldn't sell as well as Grey's?

I think it's more a matter of assessing what the demand is for TV titles on Blu-ray at the moment. It's still pretty early, and other than a few shows, there's not much available TV-wise yet on the format. Mostly action/adventure/drama. I suspect they're waiting to see when the right time for TV comedy is on BD.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Wow, Bill. You weren't kidding about ending up answering a bunch of questions every time you make it in here. You're already getting bombarded!

Happens every time.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Jeff has MORE than made up for his absence.

Thanks Jeff!

Thanks goodness!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

I agree as well that a rumor mill article should be done.

However, Jeff has said at least once in here that Universal is keeping everything hush hush over there. I personally think it is silly and they should be showing some of the cards in their hand. Obviously they aren't sitting idol on the sideline. Hopefully they give a nice big press release about their upcoming titles, maybe even a "this is what is coming this summer....". Don't forget that in their early releases the sheet of paper showed 3 sandler comedies that still has yet to release, I hope those are close to the top of the list.

Trust me, they ARE working to increase their output. As I said, 2nd half of 09 will see greater output. As long as they get Battlestar Galactica out this summer (it's tentatively due around the end of July), I'll be happy. And no, Jeff, this is not the time for a BSG debate.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Eastkhan

Hi, first time here, been enjoying the forum for quite some time though.

Excellent contributions by Digital Bits team, as well as some posters who have imho enough knowledge to be considered insiders themselves

I right now have questions about BDs from UK, since I buy most of them there, amazon.co.uk has the best deals for me.

There are some big titles missing, like
Casablanca, Day the Earth Stood Still, The Omen, Romancing the Stone, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Descent, American Psycho, Akira...

Jeff/Bill do you know why these titles although some are even released in EU (fox titles or Casablanca), are still not released in UK & if these titles will soon be coming out?

American Psycho's dvd was on EiV, though who's gonna release the BD?
same with Akira & Die Hard with...

Thank you & hope I didnt bore with my first post

Provided there aren't different companies involved with the release rights in the U.K., I suspect you'll see then eventually. It's usually a matter of the different studio divisions getting their ducks lined up properly, so to speak. Plus, what's selling in each region, etc.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Probably, or they already have the stock in

All I know is that mine haven't shown up yet, and neither have Bill's when I talked to him yesterday, but Fox stuff is always on the slow boat, and living on the east coast, everything takes a week to get here

I got Quantum and Never Say Never on Friday, and the studio tells me the others are coming this week. Just delays getting them out. They're coming.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Pirate King

Thanks to this forum, I have discovered Digitalbits. How in the world did I miss out on that outstanding website for so long? Anyway, it is a great site. I was up until the wee hours the other night reading. Thank you very much.

We've been around close to 12 years, and at this rate we'll be around another 12. Glad you enjoy the site. Welcome!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Manga US is owned by Starz, the parent company sold them several years ago

There's a chance, but I wouldn't hold my breath on anything from Manga US. The way their licenses are expiring on them, it seems that Ghost in the Shell is the only thing really keeping their doors open these days

They will be putting out GITS 2.0 later this year

Problem with Starz is that the company was very aggressive with a few early BD titles, and got terrible sales numbers then. So now they're a bit gun shy with the format. If they see big numbers on a couple titles, they'll come around again. Hellraiser might do well. GiTS later this year too.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Paul Arnette

Jeff,

The dialogue is omitted in both the mono and 7.1 mixes on the US release. The European releases do not have the mono mix to my knowledge. Again, it is odd that it is present in some and not present in other European 7.1 mixes, but that's the word.

Strange. I'll have to see what's up with this. If I hear anything from Disney, I'll let you know.

[Bill Hunt]

Completely off topic: Does anyone have downloadable cover art for The Notebook, A Room with a View, Casablanca and the I Am Legend UCE BDs? I want to ditch the swag packaging and just put them in BD Elite cases.

[MerrickG]

Bill and Jeff are actually the same person.

Bill just made up Jeff Kleist so he can post with more freedom.

;-)

Yes, thats how much I appreciate the job Jeff has done in Bill's absence.

Btw Bill, can you talk to your buddy Charles de Lazaurika (that how it spelled?) and try and get him to post here and back on HTF.

Thanks.