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

[Jeff Kleist]

It's just an oscar re-promote that comes with e-cash for popcorn and snacks

[abintra]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The bargain bins are part of what killed DVD pricing, no one is eager to visit that again anytime soon.

But also helped drive its growth and dramatically altered the average person into becoming a collector. Lower rental prices, easier access and convenience are again altering that previous landscape (in addition to a few other factors due to entertainment choices/competition, economy, greater need for fiscal responsibility for many families, etc.). Studios might look at how much higher they would prefer each title to be but that is exactly the same mindset that causes the average buyer to be so selective when it comes to which titles are worth the price to own.

I'm talking about new releases here. They have no problem buying Ninja Assassin on Blu, but will give Men who stare at goats DVD because they don't see it as worth the extra money

Which largely parallels the theatrical market also. Most random action/horror movie takes a decent trailer or hook to open where as a drama has a different curve and market. Add in the type of person that might be attracted to each, that probably corresponds to age brackets and their disposable income level/responsibilities.

The goal should be to capture as much as the DVD buyers for any given film and pricing is the entirety of that for new releases. One isn't passing up Men Who Stare At Goats on BD for the DVD (given competitive pricing between the two formats). Certain films just appeal more to people that are now inclined to purchase them the same way that certain films tend to draw people to see them theatrically versus waiting to watch at home.

[Michael.Schinke]

Hey Jeff, you're a DC Universe video guy aren't ya? I would have to think that these DTV flicks are doing pretty well, considering they keep pumping them out. Is there any word on whether this success will push WB into taking another look at their DCU catalog titles and putting out some B:TAS or Superman? Maybe even the next seasons of JL and JLU?

[wallendo]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The bargain bins are part of what killed DVD pricing, no one is eager to visit that again anytime soon. I'm talking about new releases here. They have no problem buying Ninja Assassin on Blu, but will give Men who stare at goats DVD because they don't see it as worth the extra money

That's interesting in that it is exactly the opposite of my personal opinion. To me the frenetic action type films don't really benefit visually from higher definition as much as more epic films. I guess I am significantly older than the blu-ray demographic however.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by abintra

But also helped drive its growth and dramatically altered the average person into becoming a collector. Lower rental prices, easier access and convenience are again altering that previous landscape (in addition to a few other factors due to entertainment choices/competition, economy, greater need for fiscal responsibility for many families, etc.). Studios might look at how much higher they would prefer each title to be but that is exactly the same mindset that causes the average buyer to be so selective when it comes to which titles are worth the price to own.



Which largely parallels the theatrical market also. Most random action/horror movie takes a decent trailer or hook to open where as a drama has a different curve and market. Add in the type of person that might be attracted to each, that probably corresponds to age brackets and their disposable income level/responsibilities.

The goal should be to capture as much as the DVD buyers for any given film and pricing is the entirety of that for new releases. One isn't passing up Men Who Stare At Goats on BD for the DVD (given competitive pricing between the two formats). Certain films just appeal more to people that are now inclined to purchase them the same way that certain films tend to draw people to see them theatrically versus waiting to watch at home.

The thing you fail to realize that studios are FAR more interested in profits than sheer volume and sales. Because of the ridiculously low cost of bargain bin dvds they get next to NO profits off of these prices and if that happens to bluray the studios arent going to be inclined to put the effort into bluray releases if they end up making little profit on them.

The problem with your argument is that once people get used to paying low prices they dont go back to paying high prices. I dont think Ill ever pay $30 for another movie again now that movies can now be priced to dvd levels. Hell the Harry Potter bluray is now cheaper than the two disc dvd on amazon.
Dont get me wrong I LOVE low prices, but I already see signs of whats happened to dvd already start to happen to bluray.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by wallendo

That's interesting in that it is exactly the opposite of my personal opinion. To me the frenetic action type films don't really benefit visually from higher definition as much as more epic films. I guess I am significantly older than the blu-ray demographic however.

I'm just a snob. I will not watch a DVD of a title that has blu-ray available. For some titles, I'll wait on blu-ray and choose something else to watch. I'm just not one to settle for less than.

Even now when I watch TV shows I consider if the show is likely to come to blu and whether I might do better to wait for that instead of watching broadcast.

[Jeff Kleist]

Hey Jeff, you're a DC Universe video guy aren't ya? I would have to think that these DTV flicks are doing pretty well, considering they keep pumping them out. Is there any word on whether this success will push WB into taking another look at their DCU catalog titles and putting out some B:TAS or Superman? Maybe even the next seasons of JL and JLU?

Those flicks are new, not catalog. Justice league season 1 did not do well, and that's not because it wasn't widescreen either.

If anything stands a chance of getting a rescan for HD, it's Batman TAS, though I figure they'll do Mask of the Phantasm along with Batman Begins Yet Again as a test for that.

[Jeff Kleist]

That's interesting in that it is exactly the opposite of my personal opinion. To me the frenetic action type films don't really benefit visually from higher definition as much as more epic films. I guess I am significantly older than the blu-ray demographic however.

Probably. I often feel I was born about 10 years too late for my taste. I haven't seen a single movie yet that doesn't look remarkably better on Blu-ray. The big problem is that you actually need to look for it on many older movies. It's the boxing glove in the box rather than the one attached to the guy next to you's fist

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DMC86X

Hey Jeff hows it going man?? Well i was wondering if you have heard anything about the re release of Gangs of New York. Amazon has a pre order up for it for Feb. 2010. Will this be a remastered version with better PQ and AQ or just an anniversary edition??? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

It's just an oscar re-promote that comes with e-cash for popcorn and snacks

Hi Jeff,

Is your response here meant to address DMC86X's question? Have I connected the 2 properly, and you are saying that Gangs of New York is NOT getting a new transfer? I only ask because RAH has stated that he has heard it was being redone top to bottom. I'm not looking to stir the pot, I'd just like to learn the full/accurate scoop.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Those flicks are new, not catalog. Justice league season 1 did not do well, and that's not because it wasn't widescreen either.

If anything stands a chance of getting a rescan for HD, it's Batman TAS, though I figure they'll do Mask of the Phantasm along with Batman Begins Yet Again as a test for that.

It would be awesome if TAS was re animated into widescreen.

Not going to happen, but it would be nice.

[Jeff Kleist]

Is your response here meant to address DMC86X's question? Have I connected the 2 properly, and you are saying that Gangs of New York is NOT getting a new transfer? I only ask because RAH has stated that he has heard it was being redone top to bottom. I'm not looking to stir the pot, I'd just like to learn the full/accurate scoop.

It's a re-promote of the current disc as part of their Oscar Winner promotion for the Academy Awards.

t would be awesome if TAS was re animated into widescreen.

I said re-scan, not re-animated, and the cost of doing so would be tremendous, way more than they could ever hope to make back for 100 episodes

Hell, I wish they'd spend the money and put out the last volume of Animaniacs to complete the set, and throw on the DTV movie. Probably not happening though

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Justice league season 1 did not do well

Knowing this, would I be wiser to just get the rest of Justice League on DVD as opposed to waiting on a blu-ray release of Season 2 and JLU?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

It's a re-promote of the current disc as part of their Oscar Winner promotion for the Academy Awards.

Please forgive my lameness. Re-promote of current disc =? It's not a new transfer? Just a re-packaging and promoting of the current "quality" ?

[Jeff Kleist]

I would yes

And I'd like to share this that my friends at the Muppets just put up

http://www.youtube.com/muppetsstudio.../0/tgbNymZ7vqY

It's for the upcoming pseudo-Queen tour

[Jeff Kleist]

Please forgive my lameness. Re-promote of current disc =? It's not a new transfer? Just a re-packaging and promoting of the current "quality" ?

yes

[Michael.Schinke]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Those flicks are new, not catalog. Justice league season 1 did not do well, and that's not because it wasn't widescreen either.

If anything stands a chance of getting a rescan for HD, it's Batman TAS, though I figure they'll do Mask of the Phantasm along with Batman Begins Yet Again as a test for that.

The sad part is that season 1 was the weakest by far. I think even the ratings bore this out during it's initial run, and one would think there would be a level of understanding in that. I'd be all right with an HD version of Mask of the Phantasm if they would be so inclined, no complaints there.

As an aside, because I do value your opinion and insight as a person, "in the know"; why do you think JL:S1 did not sell all that well? I have my suspicions, but I'd be very interested in hearing yours.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Justice league season 1 did not do well, and that's not because it wasn't widescreen either.

How do you know what entered into people's final purchasing decisions? The widescreen issue was definitely a part of my decision.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I said re-scan, not re-animated, and the cost of doing so would be tremendous, way more than they could ever hope to make back for 100 episodes

I know what you said. Im just saying that it would be awesome if they were to fill in the sides to make it a 16x9 presentation. It has no chance in hell of ever happening, but I would love it mainly for the fact that I absolutely hate watching 4x3 content on my widescreen TV, which is the main reason I have no desire to purchase Star Trek TOS on blu.

Its also the reason I would like, but Im not absolutely gung-ho about getting TNG to be remastered in HD.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

How do you know what entered into people's final purchasing decisions? The widescreen issue was definitely a part of my decision.

I do agree. The 4x3 decision switched this from a must buy to a haven't bought for me. I'm glad to see the new DTV productions though.

[abintra]

Originally Posted by merrick97

The thing you fail to realize that studios are FAR more interested in profits than sheer volume and sales. Because of the ridiculously low cost of bargain bin dvds they get next to NO profits off of these prices and if that happens to bluray the studios arent going to be inclined to put the effort into bluray releases if they end up making little profit on them.

The problem with your argument is that once people get used to paying low prices they dont go back to paying high prices. I dont think Ill ever pay $30 for another movie again now that movies can now be priced to dvd levels. Hell the Harry Potter bluray is now cheaper than the two disc dvd on amazon.
Dont get me wrong I LOVE low prices, but I already see signs of whats happened to dvd already start to happen to bluray.

Acknowledged.

I do believe that the reason studios have always desired for BD to replicate DVD usage and buying patterns is for the reason that it was so profitable for them. They may have wished they had the same amount of sales at higher overall prices but all companies aim for that. I think the amount of DVD titles available around $7 was crucial to the format altering the mindset of the average consumer into becoming a collector.

I also think the last few months for BD and the huge growth it has experienced in awareness, interest and buying is due to more titles starting to reach and break the $10 barrier (in addition to player pricing). Studios may wish the bottom to be $10 for most titles but, personally, believe that lower price point is crucial to keep people in the mindset of purchasing versus all the other options that now exist. The amount of people that may want to own a good number of films and be inclined to watch them enough times to own, let alone upgrade if they already own them, requires a mindset to be created and sustained.

I just don't think studios would be able to keep new releases at $20+ and the vast majority of titles at $10+ over its lifespan and capture/hold that buying mentality en masse and believe amount of sales in relation to their price points has demonstrated that.