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

[jd213]

Rentals definitely rule for Hollywood flicks in Japan, but with anime, the profit margins are so high and there's so many willing otaku, you would think they'd follow in Bandai and Geneon's footsteps and at least put out a few more titles than they currently are.

I've seen a couple used copies of ACC, but not that many. More will probably show up later, especially since they apparently didn't bother re-rendering the old scenes. And after taking all this time to release it, too. We first heard about ACC like what, before the PS3 was even released?

[Jeff Kleist]

They didn't re-render the old scenes at all? I thought they were doing dirt and detail passes on the old footage

Anime is absolutely far and away doing better than anything else on Blu-ray in Japan

Aniplex doesn't talk a lot about their Blu-ray work, I'm guessing that they're operating fairly independantly, and they're running conservatively. I do know that many Japanese studios would love to move to digital rental delivery and cut out the middleman.

All of my contacts over there are in production and have nothing to do with marketing, so it's very hard to ask those kinds of questions

[jd213]

Yeah, DUP tests didn't show any lost detail when going down to 480p and back up to 1080p again.

(I know these tests are frowned upon by some, but this is a fully digital production so if it's good for video games it should be fine for ACC)

Otaku in Japan have been half-joking that Toshiba holds some Aniplex stock or that some of their execs used to have HD DVD ties, etc.

[Batman1980]

Bill, I know this question has been asked a million times but just what IS George Lucas waiting for? Indiana Jones 1-3, Willow, Labyrinth, Star Wars 1-6, so many great films that do not yet have a blu-ray transfer.

[JonBidinger]

I think it might have gotten lost in the shuffle, but can anyone comment on Army of Darkness? There has been no information since the announcement two months ago, not even cover art and amazon's preorder doesn't have a date listed on it. Is it still coming?

[woodlandwolf]

Bill/Jeff this question is for a like future realse like maybe a few years down the road. Could we ever see like the Lucy tv shows on bluray?

Thanks.

[Jeff Kleist]

Yeah, DUP tests didn't show any lost detail when going down to 480p and back up to 1080p again.

Not suprising. The models were fairly simple and soft to begin with

Sounds more to me like they didn't want to spend the millions on a re-render, especiallly when they can double dip it for FF14

Bill/Jeff this question is for a like future realse like maybe a few years down the road. Could we ever see like the Lucy tv shows on bluray?

Lucy has done very well for Paramount, but until the demographic that buys Lucy has a much better HD/Blu install base, it's not going to happen. 5 years would probably be a good estimate

I have it on excellent authority BTW that The Lucy Show DVD is a fan's wet dream, so start saving your pennies

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Bill, I know this question has been asked a million times but just what IS George Lucas waiting for? Indiana Jones 1-3, Willow, Labyrinth, Star Wars 1-6, so many great films that do not yet have a blu-ray transfer.

Indy IV came out last year. Indiana Jones 1-3 is coming this year. So is Clone Wars.

He's waiting until the Blu-Ray market is larger before releasing Star Wars. Only makes sense.

I'm sure there's work being done to prepare for the eventual release though.

[HeavyHitter]

Regarding the Indiana Jones trilogy - are these still likely on target for this year?

[Jeff Kleist]

I just got a look at the "upconversion is good enough" thing for FF7:AAC, with pictures from the press conference.

I've got a real hunch that internal comparisons were done with particular cost saving goals in mind

[jd213]

Kinda sad that they couldn't have put more funds into the old scenes considering how many copies of the DVD have sold worldwide. Ah well, it's not a title I care that much about in the first place.

[Jeff Kleist]

I'd have to agree. I only watched it once, and found it to basically have just enough plot to connect fight scenes together, and be mostly eye candy

[micks_address]

HI Jeff or Bill - any word on whether FOX are going to release The Robe or South Pacific in any region B territories? I really cant figure why on earth they region lock older titles like this unless maybe they dont have the full international rights or something? i dont mind new films being region locked in the interested of protecting cinema numbers where the film is released later in some territories.. but its harsh to do it with older titles.. and the trend had been with a lot of catalogue titles recently that they are region free...

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I'd have to agree. I only watched it once, and found it to basically have just enough plot to connect fight scenes together, and be mostly eye candy

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

just what IS George Lucas waiting for?

Customers.

[cjamescook]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Inside Star Trek discusses the post process extensively. You can get it off amazon marketplace for peanuts and I can't recommend it more.

I'd forgotten about that book. Read it 10 years ago. It's packed away somewhere (moved last year). I'll dig it out.

Thanks!

[cjamescook]

Originally Posted by Objectivity

People who are going to buy a movie week one are going to buy a movie week one, as long as it's in the typical price window. (ie not $50+ like Casablanca). Dropping the price week two gets those who were on the fence and then see a sale. It probably boosts the bottom line.

For example, I'll buy Benjamin Button the week it comes out, as long as it's under $30. If it's dropped to $24 in week two, I'm not going to get mad.

However, there are plenty of movies out there that I won't buy until they drop over $20. That's why I always walk through the Blu aisle at Best Buy. Those special sales can push me over the edge.

So, I should wait for a few weeks after initial release for the Battlestar Galactica BD set to drop in price...

On the other hand, Amazon does (did?) not appear to follow the above model:
Often times the pre-order price is low, then it rises at release, then weeks or months later, it drops again to spur sales of the remaining stock, until it rises to list price as it now a collector's item or it just goes out-of-print.

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by Beast

He's waiting until the Blu-Ray market is larger before releasing Star Wars. Only makes sense.

if thats the case then:

a) why did he release Clone Wars ?
b) why did he release Indy 4 ?
c) not his, but why is LOTR not waiting & being released ?

[Mr. Cinema]

With the Indy trilogy coming this year, I have to think Star Wars is on a sooner than later timeline. Same for all the Spielberg hits.

[Jeff Kleist]

HI Jeff or Bill - any word on whether FOX are going to release The Robe or South Pacific in any region B territories? I really cant figure why on earth they region lock older titles like this unless maybe they dont have the full international rights or something? i dont mind new films being region locked in the interested of protecting cinema numbers where the film is released later in some territories.. but its harsh to do it with older titles.. and the trend had been with a lot of catalogue titles recently that they are region free...

Couldn't say, I don't think anyone knows people in the European divisions, and I only know people in asian labels, not divisions

a) why did he release Clone Wars ?
b) why did he release Indy 4 ?
c) not his, but why is LOTR not waiting & being released ?

1- Clone Wars was a few episodes of the TV show slapped into a theatrical release
2- Because it was a new release, Spielberg insisted, and you wouldn't believe how shakey that one was and almost didn't happen
3- LOTR IS waiting for the version everyone actually wants. LOTR is not a blockbuster franchise owned by the filmmaker either. Lucas controls the fate of Indy, and owns star wars lock stock and barrel. WB also knows that in the 2-3 years between that it'll be ripe time for a double dip, and the extended cuts are an excellent selling point

[Doctorossi]

I think Clone Wars was following the 'shove it out the door before everyone has time to realize how crappy it is' business model.