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

[Arkadin]

sorry if this has been asked and answered recently but I was wondering if the Bits team could ask Paramount which blu-rays they have officially discontinued.
There seems to be so much confusion regarding this issue, and it seems like it would be simple enough to just ask them directly for a list since ya'll obviously are have contacts within all the studios.
That way people will finally know which Paramount bds are officially OOP.
thanks in advance!

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

sorry if this has been asked and answered recently but I was wondering if the Bits team could ask Paramount which blu-rays they have officially discontinued.
There seems to be so much confusion regarding this issue, and it seems like it would be simple enough to just ask them directly for a list since ya'll obviously are have contacts within all the studios.
That way people will finally know which Paramount bds are officially OOP.
thanks in advance!

Is there something you've seen that suggests titles are OOP? Paramount is usually the type of studio that only makes something OOP if they are bringing out a repromote.

[Jeff Kleist]

No, he's right. I dont think that theyre officially OOP , delayed repressing maybe

I've sent it in, just don't expect something until after the new year

[Arkadin]

thanks so much.
well that's what people are trying to figure out.
but people are saying that "Norbit", Hot Rod and "Indecent Proposal" seem really OOP now.
It would just be nice to get an official statement one way or the other because every day another person claims some old Paramount title is OOP.
looking forward to hearing one way or the other.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Ah, Bil's been a bit swamped, but I'll see what I can do

Hey Jeff - update on the Twilight Zone Season 1 fiasco. Image still hasn't confirmed that there is a problem, but get this: I emailed them again, and this time got a canned response talking about firmware, how they replicate discs, etc... and it ends saying there is no issue with the discs whatsoever.

Then, three days later, I get an email from Michele Johnson at Image that says "Please supply your ship to address and we will send you a replacement
Disc 4." Disc 1 is also bad, so I replied asking about that.... but are they secretly hinting that now they know there is an issue? Obviously I'll check the replacement discs when they arrive, but it seems pretty shade on Image's part if, in fact, they are hiding a defective pressing.

[Jeff Kleist]

I seriously don't think Image is "hiding" anything. You have to understand that if people (unlike you) complain on forums and go there for tech support rather than contacting the company customer service numbers, it often takes longer to get it prioritized because it's not a widespread problem from their angle

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by retablo

Hey Jeff - update on the Twilight Zone Season 1 fiasco. Image still hasn't confirmed that there is a problem, but get this: I emailed them again, and this time got a canned response talking about firmware, how they replicate discs, etc... and it ends saying there is no issue with the discs whatsoever.

Then, three days later, I get an email from Michele Johnson at Image that says "Please supply your ship to address and we will send you a replacement
Disc 4." Disc 1 is also bad, so I replied asking about that.... but are they secretly hinting that now they know there is an issue? Obviously I'll check the replacement discs when they arrive, but it seems pretty shade on Image's part if, in fact, they are hiding a defective pressing.

Them offering you a replacement does not indicate they've identified a widespread problem. Plenty of people with the first pressing have said their copies work perfectly fine, so it is some percentage of the discs that are bad, and not all of them.

Even with the most problem-free releases, a few errant bad discs here and there will be found - it's standard company policy to offer a replacement to a customer complaining about a bad disc even in those situations. No company will say "No, every single disc pressed is perfect so any problem must be on your end" - they'll just offer you a replacement, and chalk it up to that small percentage of bad discs inherent in any pressing.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Them offering you a replacement does not indicate they've identified a widespread problem. Plenty of people with the first pressing have said their copies work perfectly fine, so it is some percentage of the discs that are bad, and not all of them.

Even with the most problem-free releases, a few errant bad discs here and there will be found - it's standard company policy to offer a replacement to a customer complaining about a bad disc even in those situations. No company will say "No, every single disc pressed is perfect so any problem must be on your end" - they'll just offer you a replacement, and chalk it up to that small percentage of bad discs inherent in any pressing.

But also, plenty of people with the first pressing DID have problems, including a few reviewers... WAY more issues than any standard release. I've never had a disc come across as unreadable... let alone 2 from the same box set. It's just funny how they won't admit to any actual problem, although there clearly is one, and after sending me an email stating so, they try to offer replacements on the sly.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by retablo

But also, plenty of people with the first pressing DID have problems, including a few reviewers... WAY more issues than any standard release. I've never had a disc come across as unreadable... let alone 2 from the same box set. It's just funny how they won't admit to any actual problem, although there clearly is one, and after sending me an email stating so, they try to offer replacements on the sly.

It sounds to me that they didn't receive the response numbers necessary to put in place a mass recall though they didn't go into detail enough to alleviate your suspicions. IMO, it's nice that they offered you a replacement because you state your discs were defective. Saying they are offering the replacements on the sly sounds possibly like an insult to their good will. The problem seems to be there and they're making the effort of dealing with it as necessary.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by retablo

But also, plenty of people with the first pressing DID have problems, including a few reviewers... WAY more issues than any standard release. I've never had a disc come across as unreadable... let alone 2 from the same box set. It's just funny how they won't admit to any actual problem, although there clearly is one, and after sending me an email stating so, they try to offer replacements on the sly.

"Offer replacements on the sly." Good grief. You get a replacement, what more do you want - a public apology for your inconvenience? Bad batches happen. People are coming up with all kinds of crazy conspiracy theories that the release is fundamentally broken, and evidence has shown that to not be true.

Maybe there's a larger-than-average number of bad discs out there, but it's not clear. So far, everyone either has had nothing but a good experience, or nothing but a bad experience - something that is highly unusual. Normally for simple cases where it's just a bad disc and not firmware related (see: a dozen or so Universal BD releases...), there are people who had a bad disc and are easily able to exchange it for another copy that works fine. I haven't seen a single instance of that with Twilight Zone. On the other hand, I HAVE seen people say it works in one player but not another - and this information is not consistent across players, i.e. some people have trouble with the PS3 and others have no trouble with their PS3. The issue is not clear.

So your insinuations that Image is being "sly" are very paranoid. More likely, they don't know what exactly is going on any better than we collectively do. Get your replacement, report if it works or not, and let's go from there. Conspiracy theories derail the issue, and don't get anyone any closer to figuring out what is really going on.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

"Offer replacements on the sly." Good grief. You get a replacement, what more do you want - a public apology for your inconvenience? Bad batches happen. People are coming up with all kinds of crazy conspiracy theories that the release is fundamentally broken, and evidence has shown that to not be true.

Maybe there's a larger-than-average number of bad discs out there, but it's not clear. So far, everyone either has had nothing but a good experience, or nothing but a bad experience - something that is highly unusual. Normally for simple cases where it's just a bad disc and not firmware related (see: a dozen or so Universal BD releases...), there are people who had a bad disc and are easily able to exchange it for another copy that works fine. I haven't seen a single instance of that with Twilight Zone. On the other hand, I HAVE seen people say it works in one player but not another - and this information is not consistent across players, i.e. some people have trouble with the PS3 and others have no trouble with their PS3. The issue is not clear.

So your insinuations that Image is being "sly" are very paranoid. More likely, they don't know what exactly is going on any better than we collectively do. Get your replacement, report if it works or not, and let's go from there. Conspiracy theories derail the issue, and don't get anyone any closer to figuring out what is really going on.

LOL Ok, man, whatever. But the problem is ALL over the internet, and they have been alerted by many people via e-mails, which they have been good to ignore. They ALSO supposedly changed replicators after Season 1 - why? Maybe because they knew there were issues? Why would they send me an email saying there was no issue with the discs then send me a second email 3 days later saying they would replace my defective discs? You can cry all you want about conspiracy theories, etc, but I've watched Universal replace Gladiator discs, and Disney replace POTC discs, but the difference is thay actually admitted there was a problem.

[SpaceDog]

Way off topic - but ....
With SG2fer1 now officially cancelled, what're the odds SyFy could fund quarterly SG1/SGA movies like the networks used to do back in the day with shows like Columbo and such?

I know the sets are gone... but I'm a geek with a dream.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by retablo

LOL Ok, man, whatever. But the problem is ALL over the internet, and they have been alerted by many people via e-mails, which they have been good to ignore. They ALSO supposedly changed replicators after Season 1 - why? Maybe because they knew there were issues? Why would they send me an email saying there was no issue with the discs then send me a second email 3 days later saying they would replace my defective discs? You can cry all you want about conspiracy theories, etc, but I've watched Universal replace Gladiator discs, and Disney replace POTC discs, but the difference is thay actually admitted there was a problem.

Image just entered a new agreement with Sony for replication of their titles (and distribution of select Sony titles through Image) so that could have something to do with the changed replicators.... Or, you know, it's all a part of the vast, shadowy conspiracy.

ANY company should offer a replacement disc to a user having trouble. They addressed your question about Twilight Zone season 1 by saying they have not found any fundamental flaw with the discs, but they will also offer you a replacement if you happen to have a bad one. Bad discs are a statistical probability for any release, and quantities will vary - a higher than average instance happens from time to time, and does not mean every single disc is bad. In fact I am positive that not every single disc is bad just from the reports of people with perfectly working discs and my own experiences with the set (including BD-ROM drive scans indicating every single sector is 100% readable). If you have a bad disc, Image is perfectly happy to replace it - I don't understand what more you deem necessary.

Announcing a full recall doesn't even make sense because a) it doesn't seem like they've done a second, different pressing of the discs (they say they haven't, and no evidence to the contrary has been found), and b) not every disc from the first (only?) pressing is bad as explained above. Universal and Disney's replacement programs were a) for infinitely more popular titles, and b) were not for "bad batches" - the titles in question had CONTENT errors, and were not only re-pressed but re-authored as well with the fixed content. Image is operating on a much smaller margin and is releasing much less popular titles. Unless some inherent flaw to the entire process is found, announcing a full recall for just a larger-than-average percentage of bad discs is idiotic. Universal titles ROUTINELY have bad batches make it into the wild (Death Race, Wanted, Hellboy II, Serenity, Inglourious Basterds, most recently Despicable Me, and others I'm forgetting - their pressing facility is apparently terrible) and never once has an official replacement program been initiated - you just return it to the store, or ask for a replacement from Universal.

This is the last I'll say on it, as you're totally convinced Image is purposefully screwing you. This is more for others who might be influenced by your raving.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Image just entered a new agreement with Sony for replication of their titles (and distribution of select Sony titles through Image) so that could have something to do with the changed replicators.... Or, you know, it's all a part of the vast, shadowy conspiracy.

ANY company should offer a replacement disc to a user having trouble. They addressed your question about Twilight Zone season 1 by saying they have not found any fundamental flaw with the discs, but they will also offer you a replacement if you happen to have a bad one. Bad discs are a statistical probability for any release, and quantities will vary - a higher than average instance happens from time to time, and does not mean every single disc is bad. In fact I am positive that not every single disc is bad just from the reports of people with perfectly working discs and my own experiences with the set (including BD-ROM drive scans indicating every single sector is 100% readable). If you have a bad disc, Image is perfectly happy to replace it - I don't understand what more you deem necessary.

Announcing a full recall doesn't even make sense because a) it doesn't seem like they've done a second, different pressing of the discs (they say they haven't, and no evidence to the contrary has been found), and b) not every disc from the first (only?) pressing is bad as explained above. Universal and Disney's replacement programs were a) for infinitely more popular titles, and b) were not for "bad batches" - the titles in question had CONTENT errors, and were not only re-pressed but re-authored as well with the fixed content. Image is operating on a much smaller margin and is releasing much less popular titles. Unless some inherent flaw to the entire process is found, announcing a full recall for just a larger-than-average percentage of bad discs is idiotic. Universal titles ROUTINELY have bad batches make it into the wild (Death Race, Wanted, Hellboy II, Serenity, Inglourious Basterds, most recently Despicable Me, and others I'm forgetting - their pressing facility is apparently terrible) and never once has an official replacement program been initiated - you just return it to the store, or ask for a replacement from Universal.

This is the last I'll say on it, as you're totally convinced Image is purposefully screwing you. This is more for others who might be influenced by your raving.

Well, I know you're trying to be a savior and all, but I'm hardly raving... just stating facts.

And yes, I agree, that Image SHOULD replace every single disc that is bad. But I have a problem with 1) Image saying there is definitely NO problem, as I know many people in person and on message boards (besides this one) who have contacted them and were told as such; 2) they addressed my question AFTER around 10 emails that they IGNORED, and even then told me there was NO issue. It was only days later that someone else emailed me asking for my address so they could send me a replacement Disc 4 - even though I told them both Discs 1 AND 4 were bad, like many people also have done.

A consumer shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get a business who issued faulty product to even acknowledge that there MAY be an issue instead of denying it. For the record, I have returned my Season 1 two different times to retailers and every copy has been defective. There ls also no contact information other than a general email for Image, which is apparently ignored. The only way I got a response was by tracking down someone who worked there and sending an email to their personal work address. Again, shouldn't have to do all that legwork for something that is not my fault, nor was my problem. Not to mention, the set came out I think around September 15, and people were reporting issues that week... it is now Dec 16 and i JUST got a response 2 days ago... 3 months??

I understand they are "smaller," but if they are going to put out a product, then that product is their responsibility. If they can't do that, then they shouldn't be in business.

Hopefully these new discs work. i feel bad for all the people who have been ignored by the company, and hopefully they will also get replacements.

[Jeff Kleist]

Yes I loved Tron Legacy, it's fantastic, go see it, preferably in IMAX. The WB Animal Rescue IMAX 3D trailer is a thing of amazement. Baby animals in your lap!

OK Last Unicorn People, this is direct from Peter S Beagle's peoples

- 2007 release licensed the german master (source of PAL speedup)
- Not sure, but thinks they're working off original negatives
- 2 audio tracks: one family friendly and one unexpurgated
- having a clearer video picture does show problems with the original cel work, though.
- Connor and Peter did audio commentary track to digital video master; it looked great but they haven't seen the full and final master/disc yet. But they're going to press next week.

They're happy to answer any other questions you may have on the disc, so please post here and I'll pass them on

[jaaguir]

Jeff, MGM owns the Hitchcock-Selznick movies. Criterion released some of them back in the day (I remember "Rebecca" was a 2-disc edition with lots of interesting extras). Since Criterion has been licencing some MGM titles lately, is there any chance of blu-ray upgrades of the Hitchcock titles in the near future?

Thanks

[Jeff Kleist]

MGM titles deal was in the same vein as Fox. While that's certainly something they would target, there's the new masters to think about, and criterion wouldn't talk about something like that until they're ready

[Esox50]

Sooooo, will we be getting a "2011 Rumor Mill" update soon? I always look forward to those big year end updates.

-Esox

[Jeff Kleist]

Typically we do that mid-late January

After all that about Last Unicorn, I can't beleive no one seems to care. I did after all go right to the source for you guys

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

After all that about Last Unicorn, I can't beleive no one seems to care. I did after all go right to the source for you guys

Thank you for your effort, Jeff, and congratulations on your success in the same venture... but it's not exactly Lawrence of Arabia, is it?