Ask questions to Sony Pictures Entertainment insider "paidgeek"

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Sorry about original post, I was looking at the hes-v1000 on sony's website and i love everything about it except the capicity, but that is a very small issue. My questions about this pertains to the profile of the player. is is a profile 1.1 player? if not, since it does have a hard drive, can it be upgraded similar to the ps3? The only other question i have about it is what is the load times like for disc boot up? Before i purchase this i just wanted to see if i could get these questions(mainly the profile question) answered.

My information is that this model shares the features of the current Sony set-top models and will not be updated to support V1.1 or V2.0.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by patrick99

I am very appreciative of your taking the time and trouble to respond to my questions on these subjects. It is this type of responsiveness that is one of the many reasons why we are all so glad that you are willing to participate here.

I didn't fully understand the bolded part of your response. I assume you are not referring to the need to allocate space to foreign language audio tracks, since you refer to "foreign versions," or am I misunderstanding and the need for space for foreign language audio tracks is in fact what you are referring to?

I think the answer to your question is yes and yes. When we release a North America only version of a title that we have rights to in other markets, we consider all of the project configurations for all markets before setting the video parameters. This is done to insure that we can use the same video encode to service every market. The actual adjustment to hold another 1 or to audio streams will not affect picture quality if we are already encoding at high bit rates, (over 20 Mbps), so accounting for all versions is just good practice.

[monkyman]

Paid,
Any word on whether there will be a firmware update for the BDP-S300 that will allow TrueHD audio like the S1 had?

[Esox50]

piadgeek,

Maybe you covered this, but I didn't see it. This past week would have seemed to be a great opportunity to release Groundhog Day seeing as it was the 15th Anniversary. In fact, an Anniversary DVD was released.

Was the decision for no Blu-Ray related strictly to "marketing" decisions, or is there work that needs to be done to get the film elements up to snuff for a Blu release. Just curious.

[JAGUAR1977]

Originally Posted by Esox50

piadgeek,

Maybe you covered this, but I didn't see it. This past week would have seemed to be a great opportunity to release Groundhog Day seeing as it was the 15th Anniversary. In fact, an Anniversary DVD was released.

Was the decision for no Blu-Ray related strictly to "marketing" decisions, or is there work that needs to be done to get the film elements up to snuff for a Blu release. Just curious.

Didn't realise that, I'll have to pick it up on DVD.

Edit, look at this promotion video, they mention Blu-ray!

http://www.amazon.com/Groundhog-Day-...2668569&sr=1-1

[blurayisking]

Hello paid:

TWO QUESTIONS:

(1) Would it be possible to obtain the cardboard sleeve from the RESIDENT EVIL trilogy set ???

I purchased RE -2 separately when it was first released and then bought RE-1 and RE-3 when the trilogy set was released.

(2) Will there be a firmware release for the BDP-S300 that will permit TRUE-HD audio decoding ???????


Regards


Blurayisking

[coolmilo]

Hello Paidgeek,

Would you please estimate when Sony will release their next generation standalone Blu-ray players (fully compliant).

Are there any plans to release Spiderman 1 & 2 as individual titles?

Thank you.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by monkyman

Paid,
Any word on whether there will be a firmware update for the BDP-S300 that will allow TrueHD audio like the S1 had?

The S300 is a mature product and to my knowledge, all major features intended for the product are already included in the current firmware.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

Hello Paidgeek,

Would you please estimate when Sony will release their next generation standalone Blu-ray players (fully compliant).

Are there any plans to release Spiderman 1 & 2 as individual titles?

Thank you.

I can't comment on when Sony will release new hardware, for the same reason I can't talk about upcoming release dates. It's not my place to do it, and others would be unhappy if I spoiled their announcements....

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by blurayisking

Hello paid:

TWO QUESTIONS:

(1) Would it be possible to obtain the cardboard sleeve from the RESIDENT EVIL trilogy set ???

I purchased RE -2 separately when it was first released and then bought RE-1 and RE-3 when the trilogy set was released.

(2) Will there be a firmware release for the BDP-S300 that will permit TRUE-HD audio decoding ???????


Regards


Blurayisking

I can't help you with an empty sleeve, but there is always Ebay, or a general posting here to someone that might be willing to part with theirs.

[stefanpaulmayer]

I realize that you won't comment on upcoming release

so just let me voice interest in such titles as "bad boys", "cliffhanger", and "bad boys 2". at the moment, sony's release shedule is a little bit disappointing. it would be apprechiated if more of sony's classic titles were to be released

regards

[CAB]

I dig the insert that tells the new disc owners of the 7669 test pattern easter egg. Can Sony add a link to a website that has instructions on how to use the test patterns to tune their display?

Oh! And on that same insert was a promotion that ends 01/31/2008. This was in the copy of Across the Universe that released last week.

Thanks much for your contributions.

[blindcat87]

Paidgeek,

I would like to put my vote in for looking into this feature. I would also like to ask if it might be possible to add a back door on seamless branching titles where pressing 11 would lead to warnings, trailers, primary version, 12 would do the same with alternate version 1, 13 would lead to alt version2 etc. up to the number of versions available.

The three biggest issues facing visually impaired users are:

1. Soundtrack selection. I am still hoping for a player setting that would allow prioritization of language and soundtrack selection so that I could set up my player to automatically go for English, and then choose whichever English track is the best available according to my settings like PCM, DTS Master HD, Dolby TruHD, etc.

2. Choosing between different versions of a movie. This functionality we are talking about would take care of that as well as help out those that want to skip menus.

3. Selecting episodes on episodic titles. Trying to recall my TV DVD collection, it seems to me that Sony titles tend to do this right. For best accessibility, the default menu option on episodic titles needs to be "play all episodes on disc". The biggest offenders here on DVD titles are Fox and Paramount. Fox seems to have gotten the idea with Prison Break S1 on BD, and hopefully by the time we get Para back on the right track they will be given a clue. I just wanted to put this in here to ensure that Sony remains on this path with TV BD releases.

If my above suggestion with the multiple startup codes turns out not to be feasible, a single one for the main title would still go a long way and would be greatly appreciated. anything that reduces hassle and reduces the number of times I need to get sighted assistance with a difficult menu or setup is immensely appreciated.

If the soundtrack prioritization feature proves not to be feasible, I wonder if a similar input code could be devised for selection of soundtracks. All that would be needed is a standard code for each major type, PCM, DTS HD MA, TruHD, etc and a specific time or cue to enter it. Then the visually impaired individual would just need to know which tracks are available on a given title, and with knowledge of the code, enter the one they want at the appropriate time and all is well. A standardized set of codes could allow for a downloadable chart of codes and would be a great tool.


Chris

Originally Posted by paidgeek

We would need to do some serious technical study to see if this is possible, but if it is, it would be at the expense of everything else given the finite memory constraints of our Java programs. A far more practical solution would be to create a consistent "back-door" method of navigating the disc. For example, pressing 11 when you hear the SPHE logo could start a sequence of playing the trailers and warnings, then automatically start main title playback. If there is enough feedback on this approach, I will float it.

[monkyman]

About the TrueHD on the S300:

Originally Posted by paidgeek

What makes you think you need a firmware update to get it?

From Sonystyle website: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-i...08&mdl=BDPS300

The Blu-ray Disc® player has Dolby Digital Plus decoding functionality.

You can also enjoy conventional Dolby Digital sound from Dolby TrueHD streams. However, the player does not have Dolby TrueHD decoding functionality and does not support Dolby TrueHD or HDMI™ bitstream output.

Are you saying there is a way to get TrueHD from the S300?? If so, is it analog out or HDMI?

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

It is the extended edition

Thanks

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by monkyman

About the TrueHD on the S300:



From Sonystyle website: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-i...08&mdl=BDPS300



Are you saying there is a way to get TrueHD from the S300?? If so, is it analog out or HDMI?

It decodes to the HDMI output.

[spicynacho]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

Hello Paidgeek,

Would you please estimate when Sony will release their next generation standalone Blu-ray players (fully compliant).

Are there any plans to release Spiderman 1 & 2 as individual titles?

Thank you.

A local sony dealer around hear said late June or early July... they have been right before, but I still take it with a grain of salt.

[Giyomu]

here's my question





do you have a date for resident evil degeneration ??


I ve just watched RE trilogy blu-ray set and even if I think it is a global average ok...
this is so much NOT resident evil at all!

[Donnie Eldridge]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

It decodes to the HDMI output.

Paid,

The wording is key.

"You can also enjoy conventional Dolby Digital sound from Dolby TrueHD streams. However, the player does not have Dolby TrueHD decoding functionality and does not support Dolby TrueHD or HDMI™ bitstream output."



S300 owners are only getting the companion DD track.

[blitz6speed]

paidgeek:

Did you know about netflix dropping hd dvd ahead of time or is it news to you?