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

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think this is an exciting opportunity....

Congratulations on the appointment Bill.
If you are in need of yet another cause to champion, try this one on for size, or at least discover who (the CEC or the CEA) is really telling the truth, esp. since it could potentially affect your future viewing and critiquing ……………..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=1#post1764708

[Jeff Kleist]

I'd imagine the music labels don't want to include a full version of the song that sounds as good as (or better than) the soundtrack CD, since they want you to buy it as well.

Half right That is absolutely how the label feels. I don't think the studios have seen enough demand to pay the $$ for it to be encoded either (which isn't cheap, even at 5min runtime, 5x+ what DD costs). There might be additional fees involved with the higher quality as well because of aforementioned CD issues

I'm sure that this video was included in the contract to do the OP song, but you wouldn't believe what music video licensing can cost without one, I'm grateful that AB paid the money on their Highlander DVD for the Queen vids, they're so much a part of the movie that any SE is incomplete without them

[REPLAY]

Bill or Jeff:
Off the subject, was wondering if you think we will ever see the MGM-Orion 1984 , Coppola film "The Cotton Club" on Blu-Ray. Love the music and the look of the film.

[jd213]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Half right That is absolutely how the label feels. I don't think the studios have seen enough demand to pay the $$ for it to be encoded either (which isn't cheap, even at 5min runtime, 5x+ what DD costs).

Unless they just put it on as LPCM 2.0, which requires no encoding and makes little difference regarding bitrate/disc space as far as Blu-ray is concerned, but for some reason most Hollywood studios are completely against using it for some reason no matter what the content of the extra is

Meanwhile I'd be hard-pressed to think of any extra on all the Bandai Visual and Geneon Blu-rays I have that DOESN'T have LPCM 2.0 for its stereo track...

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by spartanstew

I disagree. There's many third party options available if someone needs wifi and adding it will just increase the cost of the player.

I actually appreciate the point - it's about making it easier to connect for mainstream consumers, particularly for firmware updates. Tech-savvy gamers will always have no problem with wireless connection, but for many it's a lot more difficult.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by toneloctr

I was wondering if there will be exclusive steelbooks on the next group of James Bond movies in May.

Probably, but it remains to be seen which retailer will get them - likely Amazon or Best Buy.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Congratulations on the appointment Bill.
If you are in need of yet another cause to champion, try this one on for size, or at least discover who (the CEC or the CEA) is really telling the truth, esp. since it could potentially affect your future viewing and critiquing ……………..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=1#post1764708

Interesting. I'm actually VERY in favor of finding ways to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. I spend a little time each week researching ways to do this around my house, and I've already cut our energy usage by nearly 40%. This ban thing seems a little nitpicky, though, which makes me wonder if this just isn't a way the state can strongly "encourage" manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their displays. By hinting that it's considering a ban, the state sends a strong signal, which you can bet the manufacturers are already working to respond to. I bet there will be no actual ban, but the result will be more efficient TVs anyway by the 2010 or 2011 model year.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by REPLAY

Bill or Jeff:
Off the subject, was wondering if you think we will ever see the MGM-Orion 1984 , Coppola film "The Cotton Club" on Blu-Ray. Love the music and the look of the film.

Maybe. I don't imagine it's high on the studio's list to bring to Blu-ray... or a better way to say it is that there's probably a LOT more titles higher on the list. But never say never. If we hear anything, we'll let you know on The Bits.

[NoQuestion]

Bill,

A while back I asked if Nemo was still on the list for the fall and you said you were reaching out to Disney/Pixar.....any updates?

[woodlandwolf]

Was wondering since The Seven Year Itch is to come out in 2weeks, and there is no pre order for it or any other word on this title, is it still coming out or has it been delayed for a later date. Thanks

[FourToedStatue]

Do you think there will ever be a blu-ray on demand service si miliar to this new DVD service that's coming?

[Jeff Kleist]

The TV power standard thing is probably going to go into play in Europee as well, plasmas are the big place where this will be a problem, since they chew huge amounts of power. I think all the TV manufacturers are getting the message about this, and as Bill said will make this a priority for upcoming models (I know that Panasonic has done something about this)

Blu on demand is a very long time off, getting the powers that be to approve this kind of thing on a copy protection that's been busted wide open for 7-8 years was hard enough

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Interesting. I'm actually VERY in favor of finding ways to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. I spend a little time each week researching ways to do this around my house, and I've already cut our energy usage by nearly 40%. This ban thing seems a little nitpicky, though, which makes me wonder if this just isn't a way the state can strongly "encourage" manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their displays. By hinting that it's considering a ban, the state sends a strong signal, which you can bet the manufacturers are already working to respond to. I bet there will be no actual ban, but the result will be more efficient TVs anyway by the 2010 or 2011 model year.

Bill, see...............
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=1#post1769938

[MerrickG]

Jeff, Penton or anyone.

Why would Nickerson be trying to sabotage bluray now?

Whats it gain for him? Is his ego THAT damaged by getting fired from WB for trying to get them to HD-DVD exclusive after Paramount did way back when.

See todays "My Two Cents" for those who dont know what Im talking about.

[Jeff Kleist]

I think we only need to look at the usual suspects, still sabotaging Blu-ray on forums, except the saddest part is the the vast majority of those left are no longer being thrown tidbits or a paycheck to do so.

In all honesty, I don't see it as direct malice toward Blu-ray as much as him not going out of his way to do it any favors. Remember he answers to different masters now, and if he fails to deliver they'll can him too.

The money paid by BB and Target probably more than made up for what would have been their cut of the sales from the other stores. There also may be included in the deal future cross-promotion opportunities that will prove valuable for all aspects of their business. Don't forget- those 2 retailers are very hot to trot on pushing Blu this year, and Twilight has major Wife/GF Acceptance Factor roll bonuses. He's not thinking about the future, he's thinking about this week, and this quarter. If he can achieve his profit goal while sticking it to the man, so much the better.

The damage he's probably done, especially with Wal-Mart (who unfortunately rules retail like Texas rules school textbooks) for Summit is that while Twilight 2: Bloodsucking Boogaloo won't have retailers turning up their nose, they just might not be able to find the budget to buy that many of their smaller releases, total shame and all. If the movie is really posting those kinds of numbers, then it's guaranteed they're hyper pissed and plotting some kind of payback

I want to emphasize that all of the above is strictly an interpretation of events based on what's known about the players involved, and should not be taken as fact, merely an educated guess

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I think we only need to look at the usual suspects, still sabotaging Blu-ray on forums, except the saddest part is the the vast majority of those left are no longer being thrown tidbits or a paycheck to do so.

Are there really shareholder-accountable corporate executives with HD DVD-sour-grapes-based revenge against Blu-ray on their agendas in March, 2009?

[Jeff Kleist]

Well, Alan Bell only got ejected a few months back, I can't say 100% how Nickerson feels now, but I can say that there are still people in power in various places with sour grapes. Shareholder accountable people? Not as much. People in a position to throw monkey wrenches? Yes

[aramis109]

Bill and Jeff-

I've noticed now on a couple releases (Princess Bride, Quantum of Solace) that they're starting to use a "Viva Eco-Friendly" case. They have large cutouts on both sides. At first I didn't think this was a big deal, but the cutouts don't do a very good job of protecting the liner notes or the movie. With Blu-ray being a premium product (with premium pricing) is there any way to pass on displeasure at these cases? They're not very sturdy and thus far folks commenting on them here have not been very interested in them.

I'm all for recycled materials, but cutting large parts of the case out seems more like cheaping out and less like being green to me.

[phansson]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Bill and Jeff-

I've noticed now on a couple releases (Princess Bride, Quantum of Solace) that they're starting to use a "Viva Eco-Friendly" case. They have large cutouts on both sides. At first I didn't think this was a big deal, but the cutouts don't do a very good job of protecting the liner notes or the movie. With Blu-ray being a premium product (with premium pricing) is there any way to pass on displeasure at these cases? They're not very sturdy and thus far folks commenting on them here have not been very interested in them.

I'm all for recycled materials, but cutting large parts of the case out seems more like cheaping out and less like being green to me.

To each their own. I am glad that they are going green. I try to do my part to the best I can. If they are going to save some plastic by doing the cut outs. More power to them.

Every little bit helps.....

[Slec]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Bill and Jeff-

I've noticed now on a couple releases (Princess Bride, Quantum of Solace) that they're starting to use a "Viva Eco-Friendly" case. They have large cutouts on both sides. At first I didn't think this was a big deal, but the cutouts don't do a very good job of protecting the liner notes or the movie. With Blu-ray being a premium product (with premium pricing) is there any way to pass on displeasure at these cases? They're not very sturdy and thus far folks commenting on them here have not been very interested in them.

I'm all for recycled materials, but cutting large parts of the case out seems more like cheaping out and less like being green to me.

Aramis, is there a thread/poll where everyone can chime in to put all of this in one place? If not, care to make one?