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

[Jeff Kleist]

Jeff - I read somewhere that Warners will be releasing the Judy Garland / James Mason A STAR IS BORN sometime in 2010. One of my favorites and a first-day buy for me. But, every time I've seen it lately it appeared to be in need of massive restoration. Basically, scenes were replaced with stills while the dialogue continued. I assume those parts had deteriorated beyond repair. Any idea if Warners has found replacements (elements?) for those scenes?

That's a Robert Harris question

One last question today: I've read a lot of complaints about the Blu release of THE FRENCH CONNECTION, and can well understand how disappointed fans were with this. Have you any idea if Fox is going to revisit this title (hopefully without any involvement from William Friedkin)? I generally have no problem with film grain, but this was terrible, and he admits (in the extras) to having subdued much of the color intensity.

No plans I'm aware of, but Friedkin is unlikely to change his mind as to how he looks, and it's his right under his contract and the DGA to have it look the way he wants. They can't just take him off it

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Given their lack of ability to dance,sing, rap, and zero respect for Queen, it's a good thing they get stabbed good by the end. Horror show begins at 2:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNx3Um3Sahk

No punishment too severe IMO.

[MerrickG]

Hey Jeff,

I know this has kind of been discussed before, but its probably safe to say that the price of bluray media has dropped far quicker than the studios would have liked.

I founf it VERY ironic that Walmart was selling the bluray for HP6 for cheaper than the 2 disc dvd. $15 vs $22.99

My question is:
What does this mean for the format?

[neo_reloaded]

Was there ever any kind of follow-up (even a cursory "Message received, we'll check into it") regarding the South Park: BL&U BD audio sync issue? I don't know who you actually submitted the issue to so I have no real idea what to expect, if anything, so any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Jeff Kleist]

I know this has kind of been discussed before, but its probably safe to say that the price of bluray media has dropped far quicker than the studios would have liked.

I founf it VERY ironic that Walmart was selling the bluray for HP6 for cheaper than the 2 disc dvd. $15 vs $22.99

My question is:
What does this mean for the format?

It means retailers know that Blu-ray is a better bet than DVD right now, and so they're fighting to get the Blu-ray consumer, who spends more and buys higher margin items in their door with loss leaders. Rejoice people, loss leadering= acceptance

Was there ever any kind of follow-up (even a cursory "Message received, we'll check into it") regarding the South Park: BL&U BD audio sync issue? I don't know who you actually submitted the issue to so I have no real idea what to expect, if anything, so any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

I sent it in, but nothing will happen at least till they're ready to repress it sometime next year

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by almy

One last question today: I've read a lot of complaints about the Blu release of THE FRENCH CONNECTION, and can well understand how disappointed fans were with this. Have you any idea if Fox is going to revisit this title (hopefully without any involvement from William Friedkin)? I generally have no problem with film grain, but this was terrible, and he admits (in the extras) to having subdued much of the color intensity.

This is one of the worst transfers the heavy grain makes it unwatchable, never saw grain like this in a movie theater?? As far as I am concerned the disc is flawed and should be recalled.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I sent it in, but nothing will happen at least till they're ready to repress it sometime next year

Will you hear about it if/when it happens, or would it be handled silently?

[Jeff Kleist]

If they decide to do anything, they'll surely publicize a replacement program

[Jeff Kleist]

So JD, how is Yamato: Rebirth? I'm digging the ALFEE song, the lyrics are very appropriate to the old themes

I'm praying hard it doesn't suck, and that it's still in some theaters when I get there in March

[jd213]

Not sure if I'll go to see it in theaters, might wait for Blu-ray or at least wait for some reviews. Not too big a fan of 3DCG in anime. I'm hoping they'll release some of the original movies along with it when it comes out, I have the feeling I'd rather watch them again anyways...

Was going to see the new One Piece movie with the girlfriend (she's the bigger fan, although I've grown to like it) this weekend but decided to wait until it's less crowded. Most likely would have had to wait in line for hours since they're giving away a free exclusive manga for the first weekend: http://sankei.jp.msn.com/entertainme...1208008-n1.htm

[Doctorossi]

Laputa, Totoro and Kiki NOT ON BLU-RAY?!

AAAAAIIIIIGGHHHHHHH!! $%#$^&#%^!(*!! WTFBBQOHNOYOUDIDN'T!

Very, very

[Jeff Kleist]

Not sure if I'll go to see it in theaters, might wait for Blu-ray or at least wait for some reviews. Not too big a fan of 3DCG in anime. I'm hoping they'll release some of the original movies along with it when it comes out, I have the feeling I'd rather watch them again anyways...

Probably. The only thing that gives me hope is that it's the same director as Be Forever. It's still the first new Yamato movie in 25 years Let us know what the critics and people say anyway

No Ghibli movie will come out on Blu-ray (in non-upconverted form like they're doing in Mexico and Spain) until well after the Japanese release. They're working on them though.

[Q?]

Hi Jeff..
I've read about the different Terminator Salvation versions, the US and UK.
I have the UK and I must say that the PQ is reference quality, but I also read that the US has higher bitrates.
People naturally assume that the US is better than the UK because of the higher bit rates, but to be honest I cannot see how the UK can be much better.
Can you clarify?

[Jeff Kleist]

From all appearances the Sony international disc and the WB are the same discs. It's possible an additional compression pass was done on the EU versions to fit more dub languages onto the disc, it wouldn't be the first time it happened

[Q?]

Thanks but I meant to emphazise on the "higher bitrate" equals better picture and sound.
Is that is true?

[Jeff Kleist]

With the sound, lossless is lossless, so you might see things way low, especially on a 48/16 track. If it says PCM, DTS Master or TrueHD, you're good to go

On video, it depends. There is the law of diminishing returns after you reach a certain level. It certainly CAN mean better picture and sound, but whether that actually happens in practice is typically subjective when they're close. So unless the numbers are radically different, and without seeing the discs myself, I would say that any differences are probably minor at best

[Q?]

Thanks again, next time I'll just take the higer bitrates discussions with a grain of salt and ultimately ignore it.

[tvine2000]

JEFF: i was on amazon uk and many are saying the dances with wolves blu-ray is a big let down.the pq is not so good and its the shorter movie.
one guy said to get the german blu-ray which he says the pq looks great.

how can this be? A DIFFERENT MASTER,i doubt what this guy is saying.

on wait!, update amazon uk now says this title has been canceled for at least 6 months.

[garyrc]

To Jeff, and the others involved in the 2001 discussion:


.According to Arthur C, Clarke, "The book and film were written simultaneously, with feedback in both directions" (from The Lost Worlds of 2001, by Clarke).


.There is no reason to believe that Clarke and Kubrick were in complete agreement on what all of the details and nuances of the story and the ideas were.


.Kubrick referred Clarke to Joseph Campbell books as prep for the movie (according to Clarke at the Futurology convention in San Francisco c1970/71).


.IMO the book provides one possible thread through the movie, but the movie evokes some numinous and ineffable experiences that the written word may not be able to capture or evoke. The three times the images combine with the Zarathustra music are examples of this. If the book has a flaw, it may be that it is too clear, and too thoroughly eschews ambiguity.


.And, yes, the movie can impress as a masterpiece without drugs. I considered going to see it stoned (as many of my friends and acquaintances did) but I never got around to it. Chemical aid was unnecessary. 2001 in the front row, with a deeply curved 85 foot wide screen (as at Century 21, San Jose) in 70mm, with powerful 6 channel sound, was quite a high.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by garyrc

If the book has a flaw, it may be that it is too clear, and too thoroughly eschews ambiguity.

Word up.