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

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NovaKane

If I remember correctly, Maxpower stated in a post a few months back (not sure exactly which site, might have been AVS) that Toshiba had basically turned its back to the tacit business code Japanese corporations had with each other.

He (and I do hope I'm not mistaking Max as the source, and not some other insider) stated that Toshiba was acting, more or less, like a rogue entity, turning its back on the traditional way of doing business in Japan, which would be to favor other Japanese companies when looking for partners, and instead getting into bed with more American corporations this time around.

And I'm not too sure if he was talking solely in regards to their HD DVD venture. It might have been about Toshiba as a whole.

It was really interesting stuff to read.

This is just second-hand talk, I've heard from someone I trust that most of this HD-DVD effort was driven by one particular Tosh executive in Japan, who forged the alliance with Microsoft and really held a foot on the accelerator, so to speak. There was apparently some serious ego involved by key individuals at both companies. But much of the rest of the corporate leadership at Toshiba wasn't as into it. I strongly suspect that without Microsoft's backing in 2005, this individual wouldn't have been able to justify continuing to push for HD-DVD as hard. Cooler heads at Toshiba were ready to negotiate a truce with Sony, but it didn't happen. What folly...

[ezcobar411]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

This is just second-hand talk, I've heard from someone I trust that most of this HD-DVD effort was driven by one particular Tosh executive in Japan, who forged the alliance with Microsoft and really held a foot on the accelerator, so to speak. There was apparently some serious ego involved by key individuals at both companies. But much of the rest of the corporate leadership at Toshiba wasn't as into it.

Pride always goes before the fall.

Thanks for the update on the Paramount and Universal situations. Which titles are you looking forward to the most on blu from these studios?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Aygie

hi Bill

i was hoping you maybe able to have a look at a question i asked Penton and give your thoughts too

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1430

Thanks

I think Apple, like Microsoft, is looking ahead to the downloading future. Apple is trying to expand its iTunes empire and Microsoft wants to challange that with Xbox Live. Both of these companies are fighting to stay relevant in the decades ahead. The downloading future is much father off than either Bill Gates or Steve Jobs will probably admit though. There are just too many obstacles right now - technical, economic and behavioral (in terms of consumers). Plus, Hollywood just isn't going to make as much money from downloading as they do from physical discs for a LONG time, and believe me they know it. There will probably come a day when downloading is the way 80% or more of consumers get all their media, but I suspect I'll be in a nursing home when it happens.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by ezcobar411

Pride always goes before the fall.

Thanks for the update on the Paramount and Universal situations. Which titles are you looking forward to the most on blu from these studios?

Indy, Braveheart, Star Trek, the Spielberg films, Apollo 13, Battlestar Galactica. It'll take time, but they'll all be out eventually.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think Apple, like Microsoft, is looking ahead to the downloading future. It's much father off than either Bill Gates or Steve Jobs will probably admit though. There are just too many obstacles right now - technical, economic and behavioral (in terms of consumers). Plua, Hollywood just isn't going to make as much money from downloading as they do from physical discs, and believe me they know it.

Thanks Bill much appreciated

I do hope they do something for us Mac users soon though.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Aygie

Thanks Bill much appreciated

I do hope they do something for us Mac users soon though.

If Blu-ray really starts to take off, I think they'll probably have to. I wouldn't worry too much.

[saprano]

hey bill,why is everyone jumping on the digital downloads are the future bandwagon? every where i look its DD this, and DD that. as soon as blu-ray was the clear winner all of a sudden now everyone is "certain" that this is the future and blu-ray not going to last. im sure if HD-DVD had won nobody would be talking about downloads as much............great artical by the way in this weeks HMM, it was classic

[SBrooks1]

Thanks for the replies Bill. What announcements do you expect this week? Now that Blu has won all of us Blu fans are tired of all the format war bickering and are sitting on the edges of our seats for title announcements. Also, have you heard anything about Weinstein? They have to know Kill Bill 1 and 2 would sell tons of copies.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by saprano

hey bill,why is everyone jumping on the digital downloads are the future bandwagon? every where i look its DD this, and DD that. as soon as blu-ray was the clear winner all of a sudden now everyone is "certain" that this is the future and blu-ray not going to last. im sure if HD-DVD had won nobody would be talking about downloads as much............great artical by the way in this weeks HMM, it was classic

For those who don't like Blu-ray or want Blu-ray, talking about downloads is an easy way to dismiss it. People like, oh I don't know, Bill Gates and Rob Enderle. But anyone with a practical mind (and no particular agenda) knows what the real obstacles are. Downloading has a LONG way to go. You have to remember that highly technically savvy and connected folk like iTunes and Xbox Live users do not make up a majority of media consumers. They're still a niche market, and will be for some time.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Thanks for the replies Bill. What announcements do you expect this week? Now that Blu has won all of us Blu fans are tired of all the format war bickering and are sitting on the edges of our seats for title announcements. Also, have you heard anything about Weinstein? They have to know Kill Bill 1 and 2 would sell tons of copies.

I don't expect anything immediately, but that doesn't mean they couldn't happen. In any case, lots of BD announcements will come in time. Most studios are really firming up their plans for the year at this point. As for Weinstein, they've already hinted that they'll likely go Blu sooner or later. Genius had an investor conference this past week in which it was addressed:


http://www.videobusiness.com/index.a...t_id=570022257

[horseflesh]

I know Penton is going to the Academy Awards ceremony tomorrow, are you?
Do you fancy any of the Irish nominees to win?
(I'm hoping for 3; Daniel Day-Lewis, the song from "Once", and the sound guy for Transformers)

Another question....do you have a beard?
For some reason I always think that you "should" have one......

[MerrickG]

Hye Bill,

I remembered several months back that you mentioned that the Alien films were getting prepped for bluray release this year. ANy word if that is still happening?

Im hoping they give Aliens a brand new transfer. It needs it

[Raphdude]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Hye Bill,

I remembered several months back that you mentioned that the Alien films were getting prepped for bluray release this year. ANy word if that is still happening?

Im hoping they give Aliens a brand new transfer. It needs it

I couldn't agree more. It does need it!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

I know Penton is going to the Academy Awards ceremony tomorrow, are you?
Do you fancy any of the Irish nominees to win?
(I'm hoping for 3; Daniel Day-Lewis, the song from "Once", and the sound guy for Transformers)

Another question....do you have a beard?
For some reason I always think that you "should" have one......

No, I'm not going. I don't care enough about such things. Hollywood awards shows pretty seriously bore me. Hollywood is full of itself enough as it is for me to enjoy watching them all pat themselves on the back. But as a film critic, I'd pick/vote for:

BP - No Country
BD - The Coens
BA - Daniel Day Lewis
BA - Julie Christie
BSA - Javier Bardem
BSA - Tilda Swenton or Ruby Dee

And I'm ABSOLUTELY rooting for the song from Once to win best song. Really loved that film. I've actually got the soundtrack on now.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Hye Bill,

I remembered several months back that you mentioned that the Alien films were getting prepped for bluray release this year. ANy word if that is still happening?

Im hoping they give Aliens a brand new transfer. It needs it

The Alien films are definitely in the planning stages. Maybe not until late 2008 or 2009 now, but they're being discussed.

[Jeff®]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Cooler heads at Toshiba were ready to negotiate a truce with Sony, but it didn't happen. What folly...

I recall reading news articles about it (see below). Then I was surprised to see, shortly after, a defiant Toshiba announcing triple-layer plans, etc.

http://www.forbes.com/infoimaging/fe...ries.corp.html

Sony, Toshiba to develop common next-generation DVD format
, 04.21.05, 3:22 PM ET

Kyodo News

TOKYO, Apr 21, 2005 (Kyodo via COMTEX) -- The camps of Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. are expected to agree as early as next week to unify their next-generation DVD formats into a common standard to cut costs and benefit consumers, company sources said Thursday.

Their top leaders have decided on the unification, and their engineers are negotiating to jointly develop a new format incorporating the strengths of their existing technologies, they said....

Hollywood movie companies have apparently requested the Japanese firms to unify the new DVD formats since the existence of two different formats could force their DVD production costs to double, another analyst said.

[Azumi]

hi Bill,

I was wondering if you could comment whether some of the HD DVD announced titles could be cancelled, and about the retailers plans to phase out their current HD selections.

Seen from Europe, it appears that HD DVD is being phased out at a pace that almost seems unnatural. Video companies haven't really had time to adapt to the news -- 3 or 4 HD DVD titles being cancelled so far, others that might still come out, but with smaller circulations...

However, what's happening from the hardware side is almost eerie. Most of the larger retailers have already pulled HD DVD players and PCs from the shelves of their major stores like there's no tomorrow. I read that some stores are under pressure to round every hardware and ship it back to Toshiba ASAP...

There's also word from Spain that some consumer associations are banding up to demand compensations from Toshiba.

Does Toshiba fear any kind of legal backlash from consumers? How does it look like from your side of the pond?

[downunder]

Hi Bill,

As a long time follower of 'The Bits' may I say a big thank you for the time and effort you put in to that site, and now as an 'insider' on this one.

Any input is most welcome, but could you please give me an indication if the BBC have any future plans to release some of their classic comedy shows (UK) on HD? Any whispers that you may have been privy to?

I wonder if this has even been considered yet...

Anyway, all the best to you and get well soon!

[PeterTHX]

Bill,

Since Toshiba screwed themselves, I guess they have *no* IP in BD.

Any BD players sold, and any discs produced, Toshiba doesn't see as much as a shiny penny, correct?

I'm wondering if that's an obstacle to them ever producing any kind of BD player for themselves. I could even see them just branding someone else's as their own, rather than invest their money and build a production line themselves.

PS: Alien makes more sense either around Christmas 2008 or sometime next year, 2009 marks the 30th Anniversary (gawd I'm old).

[TheRealBob]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

There will probably come a day when downloading is the way 80% or more of consumers get all their media, but I suspect I'll be in a nursing home when it happens.

Followup questions:

How old are you?

How is your health?

I just want to get the timeline nailed down a bit more.