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

[Esox50]

Gees people...Paramount and Universal will be releasing on Blu soon, with announcements forthcoming. What is so hard to understand about this?

As Wicky and some of our insiders have already posted numerous times, it can take 6-9 months to get the pipeline full of titles. The format war ended in January/February...do the math people. Paramount may be a slightly different animal as they already had some titles basically done before they were bribed by Toshiba.

If you're Paramount and/or Universal, you want to make sure you have all of your "ducks in a row", before publicly announcing your intentions. You want a stready stream of titles to support the format, and not some lumpy release schedule.

I would be absolutely shocked if Paramount didn't have new titles out early in the 3rd Quarter, and for Universal...late in the 3rd Quarter. I consider this the worst case scenario in terms of timing...
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Now, for a legitimate question for Bill Hunt: Bill, with the PS3 DTS Master Audio firmware upgrade, do you have any idea if we'll be seeing Universal using DTS-MA. The thought of something like Jurassic Park with the original and first DTS track presented losslessly on Blu-Ray is quite exciting.

[Mr. Cinema]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

The linespace problems come from the same people that all the other lies about Blu-ray have been coming from for the last 3 years

Titles are coming, announcements are coming, HD disc production takes a long time, it does not happen overnight. They also don't want to trickle out discs, but they want to make a splash

This is the part that makes me the happiest. Both studios don't want to debut only a handful of titles for the first few months. They want to unload a bunch on us. I'll be buying lots and lots of Paramount and Universal titles when I get the opportunity to do so. Lots.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

This is the part that makes me the happiest. Both studios don't want to debut only a handful of titles for the first few months. They want to unload a bunch on us. I'll be buying lots and lots of Paramount and Universal titles when I get the opportunity to do so. Lots.

I think we all will. I also think a lot of people on the fringes will make the dip into the Blu pond once all the studios have releases out.

[krinkle]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Bill,

Not sure if this has been addressed on here yet, but if it has I am sorry. So here goes.

Can you please tell WB to release the "coffee book" movies in regular cases? I know there are many in the forums who have voiced concerns about this. WB is losing out on many sales by only offering the coffee book editions. I for one would have purchased bonnie and clyde and would have bought the dirty harry collection when released, but since they are not in normal cases they will not be on my dvd rack. Many on this site have given one reason or another about this. Surely WB must know that sales would/could be higher if they gave us a normal case as well. They are doing it for Batman Begins(sorta--normal case as well as gift box). If you could just voice our concern to the contacts you have over there I would appreciate it.

I would love to add these to my collection but i dont want a book sitting on my dvd rack.

Thanks!

I agree with this some. The Harry Potter and Blade Runner Collector's Box sets look way out of place on my media racks.

Also there are other movies I don't like as much where I may not want to pay extra for a special edition, but would buy a cheap regular BD version.

[savage1984]

Hey, can everyone get off Bill's back? Seriously, if everytime I went to a place people wanted something from me, a favor here or there, I'd stop coming back. Bill is a really busy dude. Can we stop cluttering his thread with annoying favors and requests. One I can understand, but he's barraged with them everyday. I think it would behoove us to treat our insiders with a little more courtesy. Thanks for listening.

[Bill Hunt]

Okay... I'll go back over the next few hours and answer some of your questions from the last few days, but first, here's the deal with Perfect Storm, V for Vendetta, Batman Begins and The Matrix Trilogy BDs...

First, a number of you had concerns about The Perfect Storm BD (due 7/22). The HD-DVD transfer had some troubling technical issues, but those appear to have been corrected for the BD version. Here's Warner's response on the subject:

"The BD release we have produced for Perfect Storm includes the new 1080p master. This is a brand new encode of a brand new 1080p master."

Also, a number of you have asked about the BD transfers/encodes for V for Vendetta (5/20), Batman Begins (7/8) and The Matrix Trilogy (TBA 4th Qtr), so here's the reply from the studio:

"Each of these releases will repurpose the encode used on the HD release. They looked beautiful on HD and will look beautiful on BD. Each of these titles will be released on BD50s. We are very excited that the Matrix titles will be coming out on BD... they are going to look awesome. And with Animatrix added (not part of the HD release) it should be terrific."

There you go. Back to answer more of the above questions shortly...

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by krinkle

I really second the sentiment expressed in this post by Grubert.

Sony has been the only studio to put some effort into getting tier2, art house, and classic films onto Blu-ray.

Now that we have one format with every studio supporting it, I have been underwhelmed by the number of titles announced. I really hope they (the studios) shift into high gear for Q3 & Q4.

Again, give it a little bit of time. The studios are focusing on their biggest releases now, but as the audience grows this will change. I think you'll see more of these later in the year, and definitely in 2009.

Boy, this thread has basically turned into, "Hey Bill... can you ask FILL IN THE STUDIO about FILL IN THE TITLE?"

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by frank_t

haha! i can't tell if you like the new BSG or not from the above comments

The Woo does not like to even acknowledge the existance of the new BSG. He is one of the two people who prefer the original, untainted, 1970s Boy and his Dagget version.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Hey Bill, not to be contradictory, but all of the info I am getting says it is not going to be redone until a DC or EE is put onto Blu-ray. I was told about a month ago, so I could very well be late to the party if circumstances have changed...

Yeah, I've just confirmed this. Batman Begins will be the same transfer and encode as the HD-DVD (see earlier post above).

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by AlexanderG

Sounds logical for Batman (although disappointing), but what about the fate of V for Vendetta, Matrix Trilogy, Constantine, Dukes of Hazard, and the rest of the held off Warner releases? Is the decision to re encode going to be done on a title by title basis, or are we just going to have to wait until a new edition (one that doesn't exist on HD-DVD) is released for all of these movies?

It looks like it's being handled on a title by title basis at the moment, but I would guess that unless there was a specific problem with the HD-DVD encode, the Blu-ray will likely feature it.

[AlexanderG]

Thanks for your replies, Bill.

Great news about the Perfect Storm, but not so much about Batman, V, and Matrix. Of course, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but it is still somewhat unsettling nonetheless. I suppose now we should just rejoice that we have these titles at all, and with IME no less.

I suppose the question that remains is when will Warner make a move to maximizing Blu Ray's space/bandwidth a standard, will it start with Dirty Harry? Also, what does Batman and V coming out relatively close to each other with IME intact combined with Warner switching to Blu Ray exclusively around the time frame have to say about the future of IME? Does Warner plan on using IME more often since apparently they now have the hang of it on the sole HD format?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Caligula

Bill, need your opinon on my previous post thread but want to copy my 2 cents and paste here to see what your thoughts were! Id appreciate an response thanks Mr.Hunt


I can understand you hearing people rely on sound. BUT need of DTS-HD Master Audio and PS3 update for it IS NOT IMPORTANT!

There are children who are having problem with hearing, or with any kind of learning disability NEEDS Closed captioned. Sony Playstation 3 does not have that feature and I feel that DTS-HD Master Audio can wait because you already have sound PCM or whatever. How can children understand movies or cartoons without closed captioned watching Disney on DVD or Blu ray with C.C. (not subtitles) Closed captioned provides subtitles for Deaf and hearing impaired (SDH) feature, not all Blu-ray discs are SDH and few non SDH Blu discs have CC meaning movie wont recongize any kind of background noise or whoever speaking in different language.

Not only for children, there are various age people watching movies with their ps3. Also, not many people have receivers, speakers or any kind of equipment that support / use DTS-HD Master Audio. Why? Maybe they can’t hear or have hearing problem and need understanding with Closed Captioned.
I mean, PS3 cost a lot money and they don’t have C.C and why didn’t they add that feature for ps3? Playstation 2 does play CC with any dvd. Why?

People would not buy HDTV(s) if it doesn’t have speakers and they would demand for the company to make a TV with speakers. What about us, who can’t hear or understand movies without Closed Captioned? THIS IS DISCRIMINATION! I have nothing against DTS-HD MA, but this is not fair they receive update for it. I am happy for you guys to have it but not all people are happy with next update.

Ahhh... okay. Where to begin. MANY people have asked for DTS-HD MA, so Sony is trying to accomidate their wishes. It's certainly a fair request and it's to Sony's credit that they're responding to it. I agree that Closed Captioning is important, and I suggest that you and others contact Sony via their PS3 website and ask for the feature to be added. I will certainly pass along your concerns. This is not a situation where someone at Sony is sitting in a dark room twirling their mustache laughing at those who want Closed Captioning saying "Ha ha, we've screwed them again!" If you and enough people contact them about the feature, I'm sure they'll add it if they can.

[huntifosi]

Hey Bill, what titles are YOU looking forward to/want on Blu? Anything sound/look good to you?

Also, the BSG on this coming Friday is the ONLY BSG worth watching.... (just don't let Mr Woo find out...)

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

Stop being and arse.

Go read The Digital Bits for awhile to determine for yourself that Bill and team are awesome.

BTW, who are you?

Okay, chill out. No need for this tone. Some people are just late to the party.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Mr. Bill Hunt, would it be possible to pass this message along? If so, thanks for your help. The message need to be loud and clear.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=46349

Absolutely. Will do.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Aygie

What's up with everyone on Bill's back to get things done differently?

I know everyone is not going like the way studios do things but its not Bill's job or responsibility to go running to a studio cause a few of us don't like something!

Ha! This made me smile, Aygie. Thanks.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

I disagree, Bill is an enthusiast just like us. He relies on us to find out how the consumers are reacting to studio decisions and his readers count on him to express their views. I cant think of anyone who has done a better job of this over the years than Bill.

Many of his readers read his site because he often shares the same complaints as we do.

Bill's voice is one of the, if not the, most powerful voices in Home Theater Entertainment. So its important for us to share our complaints with him. If enough people complain about it, he will listen and make an effort to see to it that the right people get the message.

This made me smile too. Thanks Merrick.

Look, all I can promise is that I try, whenever possible, to convey your concerns about various titles, and to find out whatever I can. You just have to be patient, because it takes time. And I'm only one guy, so you know... there seems to be a LOOOOOOONG list of questions and concerns...

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by micks_address

i've read varying reports on when Paramount and Universal might be releasing on Blue Ray, some say Paramount are looking for a settlement from Toshiba before they release anything, others are saying that there isnt any capacity on blue ray lines to produce discs until the 3rd quarter for both studios..

can you confirm anything Bill in relation to titles being prepped, in the works, estimated annoucements etc?

cheers,
mick

This is the $100,000 question, isn't it? All I can tell you is soon, which I know is not what you want to hear. I'm privy to a good deal more than that, but to say more than that could potentially cause problems and delay the very announcements you want. So all I can tell you is soon. And I will also add that all that I am privy to gives me 100% confidence that titles and announcements ARE coming from both studios.

[Mr_Bester]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

This is the $100,000 question, isn't it? All I can tell you is soon, which I know is not what you want to hear. I'm privy to a good deal more than that, but to say more than that could potentially cause problems and delay the very announcements you want. So all I can tell you is soon. And I will also add that all that I am privy to gives me 100% confidence that titles and announcements ARE coming from both studios.

Will you please also confirm that this has nothing to do with production lines so the former reds can shut the f### up?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by AlexanderG

Thanks for your replies, Bill.

Great news about the Perfect Storm, but not so much about Batman, V, and Matrix. Of course, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but it is still somewhat unsettling nonetheless. I suppose now we should just rejoice that we have these titles at all, and with IME no less.

I suppose the question that remains is when will Warner make a move to maximizing Blu Ray's space/bandwidth a standard, will it start with Dirty Harry? Also, what does Batman and V coming out relatively close to each other with IME intact combined with Warner switching to Blu Ray exclusively around the time frame have to say about the future of IME? Does Warner plan on using IME more often since apparently they now have the hang of it on the sole HD format?

Well, it's to be expected. The reality is, new titles WILL be maximized to Blu-ray's added disc space and bandwidth, because there's no reason not to. The studio isn't trying to kill two birds with one stone anymore. I know recycled HD-DVD encodes makes no Blu-ray fan happy, but soon enough it shouldn't be an issue any longer.