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

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by micks_address

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the Warners news.. its great to see so many titles in the works -

few questions if you dont mind..

Heat - is this coming to Blue Ray this quarter?

Any mention of the Matrix trilogy ? Perhaps as part of the 3rd quarter superhero collection? V for Vendetta?

The Batman Anthology sounds great.. Apart from the George Clooney one.. i thought the rest were decent enough.. especially the first 2..

Cheers,
Mick

As you've probably already seen, we addressed all these today.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Spiffy-Pants

Bill, I'm sure they're going to release more of their back-catalog than what was listed last night, right?

Yes. Much more. They just can't give you dates yet. There's a lot more work required to get catalog high-def done. It's a much more finicky and involved process. So they basically can't be slaves of a schedule. They release titles when they're ready to be released. But LOTS more are coming.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by tosvus

I had a hard time figuring out some of the titles, whether they come to Blu-Ray or only standard DVD. Can you please clarify each title?

Also, what happened to the Matrix movies???????????

Batman movies and Dirty Harry will be great of course.

See today's post on The Bits:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

[MerrickG]

Bill,

Can we expect Batman Begins to come before the Dark Knight hits theaters or when Dark Knight comes to blu?

Can we expect some more title announcements to come soon from other studios?

btw, dont you find it amusing how defiant Universal and Paramount continue to be. Eventhough pretty much every studio in Europe but Studio Canal is dumping HD-DVD.

btw, I read that some Italian studio went HD-DVD exclusive. Who can be that dumb?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

Bill:

Scott Hettrick had this to say this morning:

Did you hear the same thing?

Yes. Actually, we've been hearing this for weeks, but this was the first more direct confirmation we've heard from Amazon and Best Buy corporate. Obviously, it isn't going to be announced from the rafters or anything, but it confirms everything we've heard from individual store managers and employees.

[JasonR]

Any word on this?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=35831

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Hey Bill!

I second the notion that on the bits it would be great in "release news" to have a clear-cut list of Blu-ray releases separated out from the combined BD/DVD release news.

HD quality has spoiled me and honestly now I don't give two-cents (hehe) about what's coming out on DVD. I won't buy it, period.

The ONLY release news I care anything about is Blu-ray Disc. It would be awesome if at the bottom or somewhere of a release-news column you could summarize the BD release news so it won't be so confusing with some DVD titles being dual-release and others being DVD only.

Naturally we understand that many pro-DVD consumers visit your site so I'm not suggesting you cater to the BD crowd exclusively, but a quick "Blu-ray Releases" list summarizing/distilling the high-def releases for HD snobs like me would be great!

We're working on it. Once we upgrade The Bits into the 21st Century, we'll have more interactive features like this. In the meantime, Barrie's new High-Def Matters column will feature just such a list of upcoming BD titles in every installment going forward (and the end of the column, after reviews). See this link:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...hdm020508.html

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Yes. Actually, we've been hearing this for weeks, but this was the first more direct confirmation we've heard from Amazon and Best Buy corporate. Obviously, it isn't going to be announced from the rafters or anything, but it confirms everything we've heard from individual store managers and employees.

Now if Paramount and Universal would just do the same

AND SOON!!!!

Thanks again for talking to us here, Bill!! I get more than 90% of my questions answered from here instead of having to send emails.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Nick Graham

I'm very curious of this as well (in terms of both online retailers and chains like Wal-Mart) and would like to hear it from an independent source like Bill as opposed to a paid spokesman like Hettrick.

I recognize that Scott is now paid to write for a BD-sponsored and funded publication, but Scott is an industry veteran reporter. I've known him for years, and I trust him. And I CAN confirm this too.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

I want to point out a few things to some who have complaints about the WB announcements and Bill's post on it.

1. On the vagueness thing. Cut Bill some slack folks. He attended a big industry gala, came home late at night and got a post to us as quickly as possible. He could have waited a day or two to polish it to a mirror finish or he could get it done and get us the info right off the bat. Be thankful he worked so hard to get it out so quickly. No problem asking for clarification, but keep the reality of what Bill did for us in mind.

2. On the wishing for more newer, hotter titles. We all know that the majority of the WB hot new movies are coming. One of the biggest complaints from a lot of us film buffs is that there are not enough classic, drama, and other less eye/ear candy titles coming out. I like both types of movies so no complaints from me. For the fans of the newer, hotter titles, please don't complain when studios throw the rest of us a bone. Your faves will be coming too, this event just focused more on other folks faves.

3. The Matrix issue. WB was quite clear in noting that this was by no means a total release slate announcement. The event was for the 85th Anniversary celebration and the titles mentioned were those specifically involved in that celebration. While some may note that the Matrix films could have been put in the Superheroes collection, I get the impression that this particular collection is supposed to focus on classic heroes. We already have information indicating that the Matrix films will be a holiday BD release, they'll be announced. To me the delay is a good thing. If it was announced as coming sooner than we had thought, I would fear that it would be a port and no matter how badly I want the set, I don't want that. Here's hoping for Animatrix in HD!

4. I really wanted Oz this year, but I understand the desire to do a special anniversary edition. I think people glossed over the important sentence in that part of the announcement. The part where they are getting the deluxe cleanup and restoration treatment. North by Northwest is my favorite Hitch film. While I want it ASAP, I am more than happy to wait for WB to do it and the others right. The fact is, on that list, the only title not a release day buy for me is Woodstock.

I think a lot of us get caught up in wanting our favorite titles and forget we can't have it both ways. We know from our own insiders that properly preparing films for BD release is a lot tougher than even the prep for HD broadcast. We go ballistic if a title's PQ and AQ is not up to expectations. It is fine to want the movies and to discuss wanting them, but I think we often forget that we want them done right. The titles that are still HD DVD exclusive should not be ports. Even the least of them deserve to have all of the audio and video advantages the space and bandwidth of BD can give them. I want them ASAP, but I want them to look and sound the best they can. I don't want any more releases that I feel will hold me over until they decide to do it over and do it right on the double dip. Please don't think that I am saying anyone is out of line or anything. I am not. I am just trying too present a couple of things to consider and think about. Just look at the Batman Begins announcement. This indicates to me that Warner Bros. is really taking this seriously and that they are going to be giving us some premium Blu-Rays this year and on into next.

Chris

Exactly. Well said. Thank you.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by mel2

All we are asking for is Warner to catch up with the releases that are already on hd dvd. constantine, charlie and the chocolate factory and V for vendetta should've been out already. Warner better have more because that promotional slate, other than batman and dirty harry, sucked.

They are planning on catching up as soon as possible. Titles are coming. Check's this morning's post on The Bits (linked above).

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by desmond

Bill,

Thanks for helping out with lossless.

My pleasure. I specifically mentioned this to George, and he was already aware of it. I've raised the issue with their tech people as well. They've gotten the message. It might take a few months to start seeing results, but I think it's safe to say that they definitely get how important lossless audio is to all of you and they're working to address this in the months ahead.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by tosvus

Bill, thank you so much for today's post. It clarified things a lot, and it looks GREAT!

I found one section interesting, where they talk about Matrix, and how Robin Hood is more likely to be ready early because the 'disc image' is ready. I'm not sure if that means it has been authored (menus), or if you are talking about just the compression. I guess I'm kinda hoping that they are recompressing "Matrix" for Blu-Ray to take advantage of the higher bitrate. There has also been some complaints about the quality of the HDDVD version on forums on the Net. (Though reviews have generally been very positive.)

As far as new compression/encodes, I'm working to find out. Obviously this won't be an issue for much longer. But on titles like Matrix and the other previously HD-DVD exclusive titles, I'll try to find out.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Fantastic news in that updated Warner BD info. Just great.

Glad to hear that they're "getting" what we're saying about lossless audio. NO HIGH DEFINITION DISC should be available without LOSSLESS audio. There's no reason. No mater how old the film, and no matter how bad the recording, it will sound better in lossless. Laserdisc collectors already know that all too well.

BTW, About Ben-Hur: I'm both excited and concerned. That last film transfer for the DVD was done in HD but was performed on equipment not properly suited to large-format film which is why the new DVD is so blurry and lacking in fine detail compared to the older DVD which was scanned from 35mm.

Warner needs to re-scan this film on the right gear to get the large-format detail we deserve in 1080p.

Will they? Have they? Bill, can you confirm for us?

thanks!

dave

I don't have specific knowledge about Ben-Hur's transfer, but I think it's safe to say that the studio isn't going to release a subpar transfer on a title as big as this one. Trust me, George is a huge fan of this stuff and he GETS it. I wouldn't worry. But everything I've heard so far leads me to believe that these big 2009 titles will all be new transfers.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by blu2

Bill, in your latest digitalbits post, you said:



Can you qualify, "They're ALL coming to Blu-ray in the months ahead". I would read that as a < 6 month horizon. Otherwise, I would expect to see "year ahead". What was intended?

I believe the goal is to get as many out in 2008 as possible, as soon as possible, without compromising quality. That's the best I can tell you.

[Bullseye]

If they threat some of those classics like they have "Blade Runner" we are in for a treat.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Bill,

Can we expect Batman Begins to come before the Dark Knight hits theaters or when Dark Knight comes to blu?

Can we expect some more title announcements to come soon from other studios?

btw, dont you find it amusing how defiant Universal and Paramount continue to be. Eventhough pretty much every studio in Europe but Studio Canal is dumping HD-DVD.

btw, I read that some Italian studio went HD-DVD exclusive. Who can be that dumb?

1) I don't know, but I'm guessing it will be tied to the Blu-ray release of Dark Knight

2) Yes, I have no doubt there will be more in the weeks and months ahead

3) As I've said many times with regard to Uni and Paramount, all that's required is patience

4) I can't speak the intelligence of those running an unnamed Italian studio

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Any word on this?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=35831

I haven't heard a specific date, but yes we've heard from MANY retail employees, managers, etc, that they're phasing out HD-DVD support over the course of the year. By late summer, most major retailers are going to be eager to start promoting Blu-ray clearly to their customers, without the confusion of HD-DVD.

[radagast]

If this has been asked before, I apologize. I did look for it.

In regards to your comments today about Warner wanting to do a good job before releasing BD titles, how about movies they have already released? Since conventional wisdom states that Warner ported the hd-dvd version over to Blu-ray, and therefore Warner didn't take advantage of the potentially better bit rates, codecs, etc to get the best possible PQ and AQ, is it likely that Warner will sometime in the future, revisit those titles and remaster them for BD? Thanks.

[phloyd]

Hi Bill,

Just wanted to reiterate my excitement to hear that Warner is aiming to compete in the BD space (as opposed to HD Media space) more actively and recognise that lossless audio is key in BD space.

It is kinda intriguing to read that Beowulf will have lossless audio on the Euro BD release, where the US release will have DD+.

If they take advantage of the new transfers with less filtering and nice sharp encodes with high bitrate I think we will have another key player in the BD market. Until now, their catering for HD DVD limitations in my opinion has meant that their releases have not competed well in BD space...