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

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I wouldn't go looking for any double dips any time soon, though I think/hope that Speed's Japanese release stands the best chance of a lossless upgrade

What would you say are the chances (roughly) of the Japanese Speed Racer release having lossless audio??
And if they can release it like that there, why not everywhere else?!?!?

[Jeff Kleist]

What would you say are the chances (roughly) of the Japanese Speed Racer release having lossless audio??
And if they can release it like that there, why not everywhere else?!?!?

Speed Racer will likely not come out in Japan until after Christmas, as it didn't even open there until 2 months later, and since it's "home field", it may get more attention than it did here.

50/50 chance. Don't hold your breath, but don't discount the possibiliity either

[WriteSimply]

What's up with TDB's site? Server down or sumthink? EDIT: guess so since it's back up.

The latest post suggests that either the Imax scenes of TDK can only be viewed seperately OR that it can be viewed as seamless branching.

Originally Posted by TDB

The 2-disc DVD will include the film, plus the Gotham Uncovered: Creation of a Scene documentary, The Dark Knight IMAX Scenes (the ability to view the 6 IMAX sequences in their original framing), 6 episodes of the fictional Gotham Tonight news program, galleries of poster art and production stills, and a Digital Copy version of the film. The Blu-ray will include all that, plus the exclusive Batman Tech: The Incredible Gadgets and Tools and Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of The Dark Knight featurettes, additional galleries (Joker Cards, concept art), trailers, TV spots and BD-Live enhancement.

Care to clarify, TDB staff?


fuad

[Jeff Kleist]

As I understand it, the DVD will be constant AR of 2.35:1, but have pillarboxed IMAX scenes as a seperate extra.

The Blu-ray, given its ability to actually display the increased resolution and finer grain structure IMAX has to offer will be based on the IMAX EDL and the AR will expand and contract at the appropriate times.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The Blu-ray, given its ability to actually display the increased resolution and finer grain structure IMAX has to offer will be based on the IMAX EDL and the AR will expand and contract at the appropriate times.

Is this optional?

If not, it will be bad for constant height setups and screens with masking of the AR.

Paul

[JadedRaverLA]

Not to impede your thread, but...

Originally Posted by Paul H

Is this optional?

If not, it will be bad for constant height setups and screens with masking of the AR.

Paul

How so? Either the masking or the video processor will do basically the same thing as you're asking the studio to do.

[Jeff Kleist]

Originally Posted by Paul H

Is this optional?

If not, it will be bad for constant height setups and screens with masking of the AR.

Paul

No it's not

This is Christopher Nolan's desired presentation of the film, and replicates its IMAX presentation, and you'll appreciate the increased vertical resolution once you see it.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

No it's not

This is Christopher Nolan's desired presentation of the film, and replicates its IMAX presentation, and you'll appreciate the increased vertical resolution once you see it.

OK It's hard for me to visualize. I'll have to experience it.

Paul

[GabrielB]

Hi Jeff,

Glad you're here.

A few of the questions have been about WB (I appreciate your input and the work you guys have done behind the scenes about lossless and DNR) but I'd like to have some info about Universal.
I had sent an email to Bill about this but like you say he's so busy...


I was essentially asking about their recent BD-25 releases and announcements, the extras cut, DNR added into a new encode (U-571 and possibly others?). Right of the bat I also think about Jarhead, 8 mile, The thing, day of the dead, Leatherheads, etc. Space limitation for optimal video presentation & extras...

It's been discussed again and again about releases on BD-25 but I just think that those films nearing 2 hours with lossless audio should have more space to breathe. Plus when those are extras are just sitting there... AND were available on previous releases including HD-DVD.

So what’s the status with Universal? Any behind the scenes information? Are they just getting into Blu-Ray and getting used to it? Have you guys been trying to talk to them about those releases? Are we to expect more commitment in the future like Sony and Disney do to provide the best possible video experience? (Thank them for their lossless efforts though!)

Is it all a matter of money? Or something as basic as shortage issue concerning BD-50 (replication for DL all booked for 2008??)


I’d really like to hear more and be comforted about their commitment towards optimized quality releases.
Thanks
Gabriel

[Jeff Kleist]

Growing pains is the best way to put it.

I have no concerns about Universal's production philosophy, even with HD DVD they had a solid commitment to quality and consistantly turned out the best looking HD DVDs (when they weren't doing shovelware to get to that magic 100 number of course). While the only Universal Blu-ray I have right now is Heroes season 2, I was very pleased with it. I haver zero concern that once everything shakes out that the waters will be anything but smooth as far as Univesal's output is concerned. Personally I can't wait to see if they go back and do something special with Last Starfighter next year for the 25th Anniversary. The HD DVD master is 10 years old and plauged with DNR issues, but it did have a pretty killer Dolby THD track.

[tvted]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

No it's not

This is Christopher Nolan's desired presentation of the film, and replicates its IMAX presentation, and you'll appreciate the increased vertical resolution once you see it.

Pls note that the original question was in reference to Constant Height setups which utilizes a vertically stretched image which is then restored optically to the correct geometry by an aditional lens. Since the image has been electronically stretched vertically to fill the entire height of the screen, how will the additional vertical pixels pixels be accomodated in such a situation as the complete height of the screen has already been filled?

ted

[Jeff Kleist]

Pls note that the original question was in reference to Constant Height setups which utilizes a vertically stretched image which is then restored optically to the correct geometry by an aditional lens. Since the image has been electronically stretched vertically to fill the entire height of the screen, how will the additional vertical pixels pixels be accomodated in such a situation as the complete height of the screen has already been filled?

I realize that it's a CH issue

By setting your system to 1.78:1 and leaving it there. the IMAX presentation had "black bars" on it as well.

[tvted]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I realize that it's a CH issue

By setting your system to 1.78:1 and leaving it there. the IMAX presentation had "black bars" on it as well.

I've not seen the theatrical release but wasn't the IMAX 1.66 and the remainder 2.35? If it is presented this way for CH lens users then it will all appear 2.35 with the IMAX distorted, will it not?

ted

[Jeff Kleist]

Originally Posted by tvted

I've not seen the theatrical release but wasn't the IMAX 1.66 and the remainder 2.35? If it is presented this way for CH lens users then it will all appear 2.35 with the IMAX distorted, will it not?

ted

1.44:1 actually

The IMAX scenes were shot with 1.44/1.78/and 2.35:1 eventual framings in mind. From whathat you see on Batman Begins's sampler scene is how they will look on the Blu-ray, so you should be able to use that to plan accordingly. I'd have to look at it again to see if that was pillarboxed a bit, I haven't watched it since I left for the theater to see it in IMAX (it's rare you get a chance to A/B something like that!)

All CH users should set their systems for 1.78:1

Everything I've been told is that this is Nolan's desired, optimal presentation for the film. That's why the Academy is offering Blu screeners at his insistence.

[PeterTHX]

I'd have to look at it again to see if that was pillarboxed a bit

It was. The aspect ratio appeared to be 1.66 (my set has 1:1 pixel mapping)

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Growing pains is the best way to put it.

I have no concerns about Universal's production philosophy, even with HD DVD they had a solid commitment to quality and consistantly turned out the best looking HD DVDs (when they weren't doing shovelware to get to that magic 100 number of course). While the only Universal Blu-ray I have right now is Heroes season 2, I was very pleased with it. I haver zero concern that once everything shakes out that the waters will be anything but smooth as far as Univesal's output is concerned. Personally I can't wait to see if they go back and do something special with Last Starfighter next year for the 25th Anniversary. The HD DVD master is 10 years old and plauged with DNR issues, but it did have a pretty killer Dolby THD track.

Jeff,

Any news on the BD of Jackson's King Kong? The HD DVD was regarded as reference in video quality. I would love to see the big guy with the theatrical and extended version via seamless branching on BD, not to mention the DD+ being replaced with lossless audio. I thought there were some rumors on this, but it seems to have grown cold.

[Jeff Kleist]

Originally Posted by CraigW

Jeff,

Any news on the BD of Jackson's King Kong? The HD DVD was regarded as reference in video quality. I would love to see the big guy with the theatrical and extended version via seamless branching on BD, not to mention the DD+ being replaced with lossless audio. I thought there were some rumors on this, but it seems to have grown cold.

It's in the pipeline, and given the treatment American Gangster got, it'd be a safe assumption that KK would get a similar upgrade. Lovely Bones is due out next fall I believe, so that would make an obvious tie-in

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

It's in the pipeline, and given the treatment American Gangster got, it'd be a safe assumption that KK would get a similar upgrade. Lovely Bones is due out next fall I believe, so that would make an obvious tie-in

Thanks Jeff.

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Growing pains is the best way to put it.

I have no concerns about Universal's production philosophy, even with HD DVD they had a solid commitment to quality and consistantly turned out the best looking HD DVDs (when they weren't doing shovelware to get to that magic 100 number of course).

But who made the decision to dump a lot of extras on a those titles and fit these films on BD-25 with lossless?

Who made the decision to DNR U-571 to be able to compress further for it to fit on a BD-25?

And solid commitment to quality?
Who made those decisions to use those numerous dated HD masters and release those films on HD-DVD (part of the shovelware work you mentioned I assume... 100 releases in their contract?)

I'm happy to see that you have no concern about them. I though they seemed really committed to quality with Blu-Ray when I heard they were remastering or reworking the Mummy films before putting them out on BD. I was happy to see they were re-encoding some films to take advantage of BD specs. But those few other releases were disappointing.

So can you tell us a bit about those lower bit BD-25 releases with less extras. I assume you guys or someone have talked to them about that... What's their response. What can we expect on future releases?


Gabriel

[Jeff Kleist]

Originally Posted by GabrielB

But who made the decision to dump a lot of extras on a those titles and fit these films on BD-25 with lossless?

Who made the decision to DNR U-571 to be able to compress further for it to fit on a BD-25?

And solid commitment to quality?
Who made those decisions to use those numerous dated HD masters and release those films on HD-DVD (part of the shovelware work you mentioned I assume... 100 releases in their contract?)

Universal was locked into HD DVD for something like 18 months or 100 titles, whichever came first, and when the shovelware discs came out it was certainly partially because certain parties within Universal saw which way the winds were blowing and wanted to open up their options as quickly as possible.

What I said above is pretty much all that can be said on the issue of their current production. Growing pains that will sort themselves out soon enough is really the best way to put it. Think of them as anomalies rather than a overall plan of attack