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

[Jeff Kleist]

Pretty sure the ran it in HD for the last DVD issue, so they'd already have it. That's why for instance, Star Trek:TAS was in full real 1080p on the TOS DVDs and DS9 was a horrifically bad upconvert (DTS-HD sound was great though!). See the true evils of bad DNR as Captain Sisko's eyes separate from the rest of his head in his office! (the software latches onto bright spots, and a black man in a dark room....)

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Esox50

Here's what I'm hoping for in the next Rumor Mill update () re 2011 releases:
- Abyss
- The Terminator (the James Cameron restoration hinted about over a year ago)
- True Lies
- Indiana Jones will be coming late Spring (like May)
- Jurassic Park Trilogy coming in 4Q (this time for sure, Universal )
- Star Wars details (just something about what they are possibly including in this set)
- Incredibles (spring?)
- The Naked Gun series from Paramount (RIP Leslie Nielsen!)
- The Ghost and the Darkness
- Filling out a few series only partially available on Blu, such as released Rush Hour 2 and Bad Boys 2

Star Wars - check
Incredibles - check
Jurassic Park - check

You guys better get that rumor mill update up on the site, or there won't be anything left.

[Jeff Kleist]

Oh there's still stuff left

[Shand754]

Originally Posted by Shand754

Any chance of the Indiana Jones movies this year or will they be held back with a potential fith movie or as we are getting Star Wars this year?

Hi Jeff, I think this got missed earlier. Thanks

[Jeff Kleist]

Any chance of the Indiana Jones movies this year or will they be held back with a potential fith movie or as we are getting Star Wars this year?

Reply hazy, ask again later

[Travis]

Need rumors on:
12 Angry Men
Arthur
Chinatown
E.T.
Jaws
The Little Mermaid
Miller’s Crossing
Once Upon a Time in the West
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Parenthood
The Sting
Watership Down

US releases of:
Blade
Deer Hunter

[gettodamoofies]

Seeing as though everyone's hitting you up with lists at the moment I thought I'd throw a few ones in that I'd really like to see. They aren't top tier titles so I haven't heard much (if anything said about them). Any rumours/heresay on the following:

Sneakers (a favourite of mine, the DVD is starting to get a little worn out and it seems like a candidate for Universal's cheapie catalogue range)
The Gift (Sam Raimi)

I know others have mentioned this one around the board but do you know whether there is any chance we'll see The West Wing released some time soon? My DVDs get a regular workout but season 3 is annoyingly non-anamorphic so it's really, really poor to watch. An upgrade is definitely needed!

I know I'd asked you about All the President's Men a little bit back and you said to wait out a bit, sure enough the announcement came. Got my pre-order in for that one! Now all I need is an announcement for The Right Stuff and I'll be very happy!

Cheers.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by atexp80

Now all I need is an announcement for The Right Stuff and I'll be very happy!

And all I need is an announcement for "American Ninja 1, 2, & 4" and "Avenging Force" . What better way for MGM to celebrate the completion of their restructuring, than by making 2011 the year of "Dudikoff" on Blu-ray?

[Jeff Kleist]

Yeah this lists, I'm really not going to do those, sorry. What we can publish we will when we do the big "what to expect this year" update

I will talk a little bit about TV though.

West Wing is on WB's short list for TV Blu releases along with Friends. Smallville has the issue of the most of the show looking pretty crappy to begin with, and the first seasons needing a lot of work.

I think a lot of studios are still pretty uncertain on how to make catalog TV work. This is the first time they've really had to deal with the concept of asking people to rebuy such an expensive thing they already have, and it's a bit of a hot potato due to a bunch of shows not doing well at all. Fox and WB have definitely been the aggressive parties, and it's become pretty clear that genre and quirky programming (Pushing Daisies, Chuck, 24, Lost) is where its at, while shows like Burn Notice, How I Met Your Mother, Nip/Tuck or Damages just haven't clicked.

That's not to say that there aren't a lot of people out there that want to buy those shows, but there aren't ENOUGH of them to make financial sense right now. I believe sensibly priced complete series (or at least large blocks, a 24 1-4 and 5-8 boxes in separate years for example) seem to be where a lot more buyers are gravitating, the one-shot upgrade. Prison Break for example can be scored for about $80 from Amazon.fr in a complete series box, and features less French on the packaging than most Canadian releases (Studios North take note!). There's a heck of a lot of copies of this moving on Ebay and Amazon Marketplace for big markups.

Obviously putting out a 20 disc box set that bombs is not an albatross anyone wants around their neck. But when they do decide to try, with the surer bets, I think it serves as a model to make the attempt with when the market justifies it.

[gettodamoofies]

^ I agree with your sentiments regarding complete series or larger sets. I got burnt on Damages when they didn't bring out the second season. Truthfully that makes things a little harder because I won't throw down the dollars now for single seasons unless it seems like it's definitely going to continue to be released (such as Fringe). I can only imagine other consumers might feel the same way.

As you say, Fox and WB have been great with series representation, particularly with single season releases. I think Universal has been quite good putting out the larger sets like BSG and Heroes (in the UK). BSG cost me $150 and Heroes set me back $100 and that was at release! They have been a great way to buy and represent fantastic value considering the prices the regular DVD seasons were going for not 3 years ago.

Regarding West Wing I really hope WB gives it a lossless track. I know that might go against the norm but WW is such a cinematic show that it deserves lossless audio. The production values were HBO-like so I hope it would get a similar treatment. A fan can wish!

[nathan_393]

On the subject of TV, any news regarding BD releases for the rest of The Sopranos? I always wish HBO would get on that one for me :P

[Jeff Kleist]

Sorry no, but I'm sure that's not one they're going to miss

Personally I want FTETTM and Big Love more

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Sorry no, but I'm sure that's not one they're going to miss

Personally I want FTETTM and Big Love more

Sadly, I want some closure for Deadwood.....

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Sorry no, but I'm sure that's not one they're going to miss

Personally I want FTETTM and Big Love more

Appreciate the fast reply, thanks!

[Azyiu]

A complete series set of 24, or like what Jeff has mentioned 2 sets of 4 seasons each; is very high on my wishlist! I just wish at least the first set is out by this summer... ok, wishful thinking...

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Yeah this lists, I'm really not going to do those, sorry. What we can publish we will when we do the big "what to expect this year" update.

I still don't see the countdown on the site.

[Jeff Kleist]

Don't make me start making calls to delay certain titles again

Speaking of which, certain extendible news today that we posted that no one seems to have noticed

[MerrickG]

I noticed it on Bills facebook page of all places.

Lord of the Rings Extended Editions at long f*cking last.

I managed to completely avoid buying the theatricals eventhough I could have had them for $5 a piece.

[hanser]

Any hints, if the picture quality might be improved versus the theatrical editions?

[kdo]

Originally Posted by hanser

any hints, if the picture quality might be improved versus the theatrical editions?

+1