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

[jd213]

From the screenshots I've seen (yeah, yeah, sue me for not wanting to import a movie I already have unless it's a major upgrade ) the UK Total Recall is only a minor upgrade in detail and has major DNR on the effects shots, so I didn't think it would be worth it. I got the UK Basic Instinct and it looks pretty bad, and isn't the full Director's Cut (although still less cut than the US theatrical version).

Most likely won't be going to the Anime Fair, the GF gets lonely when I'm not with her on weekends. Was tempted to go out and see Gundam UC in the theaters but decided to wait for the BD.

[Jeff Kleist]

Total Recall looks like crap anyway, and it was made right at the end of the optical printing era. I was satisfied with the gains over the LG, but yeah I'm sure it can still be done better.

Just bring her with you to TAF. Drop her in Villefort and go have fun for a few hours

[blindcat87]

Agreed on Animaniacs. I've been wanting to complete that one for some time now. Also would like to hear some good news on Taz-Mania. Would love if someone who can participate in the chat would ask about that one as well as the lossless audio on TV BDs issue.

Chris

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Why don't you just ask yourself? It's a Q&A session for the public

I'm not going to be able to make it, but I hope they say something about Animaniacs collection 4

[Jeff Kleist]

To be honest, I've gotten the impression that none of the WB 90s stuff has done particuarly well except Batman. So sad too, because that truely was a second golden age.

Heck, I wish they'd included the Comic-Con panel in full that they were shooting. You haven't lived till you've heard the Great Wackorotti live.

[DaViD Boulet]

Originally Posted by Jodi

Hi Jeff,
I understand that Warner is having a chat forum on Monday, April 5 regarding television and animation. I was hoping that you might be able to address the following question to the Warner chat:

Will Warner ever release "SilverHawks", Volume 2 (the remaining 32 or so episodes of the animated series)?

Thanks

I'll do my best to make the chat, but whether or not I can make it, can someone who joins in please ask WB to committ to lossless audio on television product as well as theatrical on blu-ray Disc?

It's so frustrating to see lossy audio (and at pathetically low bit-rates to rub salt in the wound) on Blu-ray disc... television or otherwise.

Oh, and I don't mean "asking them why" they don't do lossless... obviously the techs in charge have trouble hearing and don't think that television audio warrants lossless because they don't really understand how even non-optimal recordings still sound further compromised with lossy compression. We need to TELL THEM we want lossless PERIOD... whether or not they think that the content warrants it. It's not he disc producer's job to try to decide for me what differences I can and can't here with lossless audio because he can't really know: it's his job to provide lossless so we can enjoy audio transparency regardless.

Yes. Really. Even with TV shows. Even old TV shows like Peanuts cartoons. Really.

That point needs to be made to WB.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

It's so frustrating to see lossy audio (and at pathetically low bit-rates to rub salt in the wound) on Blu-ray disc... television or otherwise.

Yeah, kinda sad that we have to ask for it, isn't it? I'm half-surprised these shows on Blu-ray aren't in SD. "It's just a tv show... whaddaya need HD for?"

[MerrickG]

It appears Aliens vs Predator is getting a wide range of reviews most of them on the mediocre end, which is kind of diappointing considering that I had high hopes for the game. I am now hoping that Gearbox will still get the chance to do Colonial Marines since I feel they have a chance to show people the RIGHT way to do an Aliens game.

[SpaceDog]

I would love to see the TV shows that don't warrant completion (like Animaniacs) even if they show up in a MOD format like at Amazon.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

If someone does go, certainly a valid question to ask would be lossless on their TV releases, if someone already asked about Animaniacs of course

Yeah, though it might not make as much difference as some shows, I'd LOVE to hear this theme song in lossless.

Best Buy

~Alan

[KubrickFan]

What are the chances of shows like Animaniacs being released on Blu-ray? Was film involved on those productions? I know Justice League didn't do too well, but that was because the aspect ratio wasn't correct. I really hope we'll see more animated shows on Blu.

[jaaguir]

Jeff, I'm guessing Warner's Double-Feature releases due out next week won't be the only ones planned for this year. Any idea about when we might expect the announcement for the next wave? I'm eagerly awaiting.

Thanks,

[Blu Titan]

Hello Jeff, not sure if this has been asked recently. Any word of finally getting a Blu-ray release for Forbidden Planet and Mutiny on the Bounty? I can't believe that HD DVD disappeared two years ago, and we still do not a Blu-ray release for those titles . Thanks!

[DaViD Boulet]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Hello Jeff, not sure if this has been asked recently. Any word of finally getting a Blu-ray release for Forbidden Planet and Mutiny on the Bounty? I can't believe that HD DVD disappeared two years ago, and we still do not a Blu-ray release for those titles . Thanks!

Both those titles are instant buys for me... sold the DVDs in expectation... WB... bring them on!

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Hello Jeff, not sure if this has been asked recently. Any word of finally getting a Blu-ray release for Forbidden Planet and Mutiny on the Bounty? I can't believe that HD DVD disappeared two years ago, and we still do not a Blu-ray release for those titles . Thanks!

There was news of a possible September 7 release of Forbidden Planet here.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

What are the chances of shows like Animaniacs being released on Blu-ray? Was film involved on those productions? I know Justice League didn't do too well, but that was because the aspect ratio wasn't correct. I really hope we'll see more animated shows on Blu.

At the moment, slow sales have prohibited the last batch of Animaniacs episodes from coming to DVD. Certainly not a good sign for a blu-ray release, regardless of the elements involved.

[Jeff Kleist]

Both Bounty and Forbidden Planet later this year

What are the chances of shows like Animaniacs being released on Blu-ray? Was film involved on those productions? I know Justice League didn't do too well, but that was because the aspect ratio wasn't correct. I really hope we'll see more animated shows on Blu.
__________________

Zero. The DVDs have been slow, and who knows where in Japan/Korea the film on them is. The only 90s WB show that's got a shot is Batman, which has sold exceptionally well, and will greatly benefit from the upgrade. Basically it would take a stern commandment from Lord Spielberg to even get the film run for HD, let alone a Blu-ray release, neither of which are even in the cards.

WB will certainly be watching the double features as a more economical way to get out the B-range catalog. I don't think most of the movies they're doing will suffer too much from being put on one disc. They're all 90ish minutes and not fully of action, so putting the 2 on a BD50 shouldn't hurt PQ.

[captveg]

Hey Jeff, I was thinking about the various studios and where they are with releasing catalog on Blu, and was wondering if you had any info that would change these evaluations:

Warner - Pretty much the same as the last 2 years. Willing to take chances on classics (A Star Is Born), experimenting with ways to be the B-range stuff out as you state above.

Fox - Has seemingly slowed down. Alien films on hold. Nothing significant announced for the next few months (I believe Cocoon may be the only one announced).

MGM - On hiatus until catalog is sold.

Disney - A trickle of true classics. Looking to sell Miramax catalog.

Universal - Doing a good job catching up. Not blazingly fast, but steady. Public statements about increasing their output in 2010.

Sony - Slowed down some, but still putting out quality releases. Perhaps the sales of Strangelove and Easy Rider were below expectations?

Lionsgate - Greatly increased their catalog with StudioCanal distribution deal. Fairly steady in putting out titles for their size.

Paramount - About the same as they've always been. Not digging deep into their catalog, but some good titles, and putting the DreamWorks catalog to good use.

Criterion - Licensing titles that the major studios have let go left and right (MGM, Focus/Universal, Fox, Caidin Trust (Stagecoach), MK2 Chaplins, etc.) and seriously rocking.

Kino - An impressive debut with The General. Promising 2010 with Potemkin, Metropolis, and more Keaton.

Starz - Still silent after getting burned with 2007 releases.

Summit - No catalog titles in library.

Blue Underground, Vivendi, Severin, MPI, etc. - The occasional release to test the waters with cult films. Not bad, considering.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Both Bounty and Forbidden Planet later this year



Zero. The DVDs have been slow, and who knows where in Japan/Korea the film on them is. The only 90s WB show that's got a shot is Batman, which has sold exceptionally well, and will greatly benefit from the upgrade. Basically it would take a stern commandment from Lord Spielberg to even get the film run for HD, let alone a Blu-ray release, neither of which are even in the cards.

But if (and apparently that's a big 'if) Batman gets released on Blu, and it sells extremely well (just like the DVD) that would be an incentive to release more stuff, right? And that will only happen when the economy gets a little better?
I also can't understand why Animaniacs would sell badly, since it's still very popular.

[Jeff Kleist]

But if (and apparently that's a big 'if) Batman gets released on Blu, and it sells extremely well (just like the DVD) that would be an incentive to release more stuff, right? And that will only happen when the economy gets a little better?

No, because Batman and the Looney Tunes family stuff are drastically different audiences

The most common thing I hear is "They should release XXXXXXX I know it'll sell huge, all my friends will buy it!!" There was a TV on DVD release by a major studio that was the result of someone's daughter making a similar statement. Well, it turns out that she had about 5000 friends and that's it

[Ernest Rister]

I assume you mean the Disney Grand Canyon that uses Grofe's music? Perhaps the studio would do a film like this. Excerpts from Disney's musical films would be impressive, especially the instrumental ones, with superb animation (or camera work, in the case of Grand Canyon) and couldn't hurt sales. Several of us would be happy to make one for them, given permission, restored elements, and the technology.

Well, I grew up with a 6-disc CD player that I could program to play songs from multiple sources, we're all living in an MP3-ITunes worls where we can make our own playlists - why can't we do this on the fly with DVD's and blu-rays? Load a playlist of chapters and let it roll? Everything from the Silly Symphonies to Destino would lend themselves to a mix approach, yet it can't (legally) be done, and I'm no pirate.

Annoying. In order to play around and make my own mix video of Fantasia (or an epic all-included mix with Fantasia 2000, Make Mine Music, Melody Time, Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, and the Silly Symphonies) I'd have to break the law. I am not particularly inclined to break the law, yet I think it would be extraordinary if we could do this. Walt himself envisioned changing the "program", why can't we? Imagine going from the Stokowski version of "Night on Bald Mountain" to the Kostal F82 version. Best of both worlds.