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

[The Don]

[darkpoet25]

Originally Posted by cartier

You can read what Bill has to say about this development on the digital bits by clicking here.

Nice, very nice.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bester

Here's what he said a while back...

Without getting in to specifics as to the NPD Group numbers, I can tell you that Blu-ray hardware continues to pretty handily outsell HD-DVD.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Without getting in to specifics as to the NPD Group numbers, I can tell you that Blu-ray hardware continues to pretty handily outsell HD-DVD.

Thanks Bill! Have the hardware numbers increased? Or have they stayed the same? Wasn't it something like 10 to 1 Blu-ray?

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by sj001

Thanks Bill! Have the hardware numbers increased? Or have they stayed the same? Wasn't it something like 10 to 1 Blu-ray?

Hardware? What about Toshiba?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Flux88MPH

Too bad.

Would you be interested in not only attending but also having a "next generation" panel at the event for 2009 while at the same time promoting Insider's Guide to DVD?

That's an interesting idea. I think the book is a bit out of date at this point, but a panel is an interesting idea. We'll consider it.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Bill

BBuy, Amazon and now Barnes and Nobles(50%off) are all offering HD-DVD deals.

Is this to show the format still has life, or is it good news for BD?

I am trying to ask this in away that you can answer(if thats possible). I feel its good for BD because I see no BD BOGO's to compete.

These are classic clearance sales. HD-DVD is done, and the retail community knows it. They're all trying to sell out their stocks.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

let's be sensitive to Bill and Penton on this matter. It's pretty clear that our insiders and contacts have gone hush-hush in their Paramount/Universal conversation, and it's reasonable to assume it's at least partly because deals are in the works, NDAs are in place, and at this point the only real "problem" would be if some insider started to blab/brag about what's going on and piss off Universal and Paramount who are hoping to use the current silence to move more HD DVD product off store shelves and maintain a front of HD DVD support (for the moment) for reasons that are legitimate to their business relationships.

Bill and Penton will be the first to give us any news as soon as it's been cleared for public consumption.

We've had sources telling us that Paramount could make an announcement as early as March/April. And now that Toshiba seems moving toward throwing in the towel, events behind the scenes seem to be snowballing. Stay tuned.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by mntwister

Bill, if you have any Fox inside info, do you know if there has been any talk of the Rodgers and Hammerstein films, such as Sound of Music, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel and The King and I? Judging by the way the latest special editions looked, I have a feeling these blu-rays will be incredible. After 3 different VHS versions, 2 dvd versions, 3 laserdisc versions, my mouth is watering for The Sound of Music in 1080p and DTS MA!!!! Thanks.

You're going to see a bit of catalog - though none of these titles - in May. If those sell well, they'll almost certainly do more. All the studios want to see classic catalog titles selling before they'll do a lot more. But Warner is priming the pump, and Fox/MGM are doing a bit of it too soon.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Bill, Bill, where ya been?

Sorry! It's been a little busy. I try to check in once every couple days at least.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

I'm very excited about all these Warner releases(THANK YOU, WARNER FOR ENDING THIS FORMAT WAR)

Bill:

One of my favorite films of all time was mentioned "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS"
I sure hope this fine film is on the Blu-Ray agenda? Yes, we need to support catalogue movies so we can see more released!

I'd be stunned if it wasn't. I think you can expect to see it when the DVD arrives.

[MerrickG]

Bill, it appears that the Hollywood Reporter column has spread across the Net like wildfire.

Dont you say its at a point that Toshiba absolutely MUST confirm or deny this and SOON?

Also, would you say anything other than a firm denial is like saying Yes its true?

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

...events behind the scenes seem to be snowballing. Stay tuned.

Burn, baby, burn!!!

EDIT: God Bless Warner Bros.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

These are classic clearance sales. HD-DVD is done, and the retail community knows it. They're all trying to sell out their stocks.

I like your style here a bit better than Penton's, you are not as cryptic as him. Just had to comment on the bluntness there. It sounds like something my Grandma would say after a few martinis (note that I said a few, not "a few too many," which is impossible.)

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Bill,
over on highdefdigest they just posted an article saying that the reporter has sources on the inside stating that toshiba is a matter of weeks from dropping the format. How much credibility does this article hold? We all know that it was to happen sooner or later but I always thought that toshiba would be the last to throw in the towel.

It's credible. I know and trust T.K., and our own sources are saying something similar. The retail defections were a very big deal. Once Toshiba loses retail, it's basically over, and that's now started to happen. Best Buy is the 800lb gorilla, along with Wal-Mart, and both are now clearancing out hardware and not restocking much. Best Buy has even made a public statement. For all practical purposes, this format war is over. Watch for things to start moving fairly quickly in the weeks ahead.

By the way, what have u been up to bill? You've been away for a bit. Hope u have been getting a bunch of juicy news for us

Working! As you can imagine, there's a lot of calls, e-mails and the like coming in right now. Lots of information to track down.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Bill, it appears that the Hollywood Reporter column has spread across the Net like wildfire.

Dont you say its at a point that Toshiba absolutely MUST confirm or deny this and SOON?

Also, would you say anything other than a firm denial is like saying Yes its true?

The fact that much of the HD-DVD camp has gone radio silent is rather telling. You may have noticed that Universal hasn't announced any new HD-DVD releases after American Gangster...

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by nhaase

I like your style here a bit better than Penton's, you are not as cryptic as him. Just had to comment on the bluntness there. It sounds like something my Grandma would say after a few martinis (note that I said a few, not "a few too many," which is impossible.)

Penton must take care to protect his identity. Don't hold it against him.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by TruBlu2

Bill Hunt for President!

Of what? Kiwanis?

[BluStar88]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Universal hasn't announced any new HD-DVD releases after American Gangster...

Don't know if anyone else noticed but parmount/dreamworks have been only advertising for DVD as of late as well. one firm case was the bee movie add in HMM the other week.

P.S. Bill I have always enjoyed your website. you are a great reliable source for realtime info don't know how you do it. but it makes since seeing as you are badger too.

[MerrickG]

So Bill, I tried and asked Penton this question, but he got swamped as usual!

This is COMPLETELY hypothetical and I am NOT asking you to comment on things you can comment on, BUT lets say that Paramount right now at this moment made a deal with the BDA to begin re-releasing on the bluray format.

Is it a realistic possibility that Bee Movie could be out on blu by the March 11th release date. Id say Beowolf is next to impossible.

I hope that doesnt get you in trouble.

Or we can make the question more vague:
If I was a studio and I had all my mastering work done and I wanted to release a film on blu, whats the quickest I could expect to get my title in consumer hands?

For an off the wall question:

Aside from Alan Bell, who was it in Paramount or Viacom that was the HD-DVD camps spy that got them to go HD-DVD exclusive?