Archived: Insiders Thread

[Tok]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Paid/P-Man/Max/Anyone....

What's the relationship (generally speaking) between Warner and pro-Blu studios compared to their relationship with pro-HD studios.

I know at the end of the day Warner will make their own decision, but which side would be likely to have more "influence" on them?

I think WHV stands to make more on HD DVD due to owning patents in the format that are related to DVD. But I also believe that WHV knows that HD DVD chances and HDM in general won't reach mainstream with two competing formats. WHV probably knows that unless they go HD DVD in addition with another BD studio changing allegiances that HD DVD is the underdog.

BD has 4 exclusive majors plus neutral WHV.
HD DVD only has 2 plus WHV.

The war is going to be won with content, not on price alone. Toshiba has already lowered the price to a point that no other manufacturer can be profitable selling hardware. The $99 sale was a double edge sword. Consumers are now unwilling to spend much over $100 for HD DVD and if they can't get it at that price they will wait for the next deal. This is probably going to hurt standalone BD units too since most consumers can't differentiate between the two formats.

We have already heard people being PO'd this week that Cars and Ratatouille were not available on HD DVD. People are going to start finding out why their new $99 player was that price. New release content is lacking for the forseeable future.

[DaViD Boulet]

Hey,

here's usual plug for 3-D on BD by using the secondary video stream in 1080p24 for the "other eye". Fully backwards compatible with all current gear for standard 2-D viewing (ie, no double inventory or multiple disc versions) and new hardware with "3-D" enabled features could decode the second stream in full 1080p 24 and deliver it in whatever way the user would like (matrixed into a 1080p48 or 1080p60 with LCD glasses or via two HDMI output for feeding two projectors with polorized filters).

Insiders... especially Disney and those doing IMAX... think about this. PLEASE.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Hey,

here's usual plug for 3-D on BD by using the secondary video stream in 1080p24 for the "other eye". Fully backwards compatible with all current gear for standard 2-D viewing (ie, no double inventory or multiple disc versions) and new hardware with "3-D" enabled features could decode the second stream in full 1080p 24 and deliver it in whatever way the user would like (matrixed into a 1080p48 or 1080p60 with LCD glasses or via two HDMI output for feeding two projectors with polorized filters).

Insiders... especially Disney and those doing IMAX... think about this. PLEASE.

Insiders, the Blu-ray industry can feel free to focus on 3-D development right after they first successfully bring a 100GB Blu-ray disc to market containing a fantastic encoding/transfer of one of the greats -- such as Lawrence of Arabia or one of the Lord of the Rings movies. Or better yet, bring all three of the LOTR movies out at the same time each on its own 100GB Blu-ray disc. That would make a very fine closing argument with the HD-DVD zealots incapable of legitimately claiming they could compete with it. Of course, Amir might pop up, claim it was "science fiction" and drop hints that HD-DVD engineers were perfecting a 102GB HD-DVD disc in some secret lab.

So what do you say Insiders? Any possibility of a good 100GB Blu-ray movie in the not distant future? Feel free not to answer if you're try to push for that behind the scenes.

[maximus2323]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The YTD ratio has dropped one point each of the last two weeks.

That concerns me, it really does.

I was expecting a 75:25 YTD ratio by the end of the year, not one heading down towards 60:40.

I hope Spider-man 3 and Ratatouille will cause that YTD to go back up AT LEAST one point each of the next two weeks in the Nielsen numbers.

Between Spider-man 3 and the copy in the trilogy Sony MUST have moved well over 100,000 units, but I'm hoping for 200,000.

PANIC! PANIC! You have to take a deep breathe. Just relax dobyblue. The biggest time of the year has not even started yet. Chill! There will always be some sort of movement with numbers. That is expected. The fire sale will be doing the same thing.

[TauRus]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Paidgeek:

I know we have already seen the occasional BD player give-away with certain HDTVs, but I strongly believe this should be expanded greatly.

...

Toshiba is also doing similar promos, and I think the chances are pretty high we will see more of that during Thanksgiving and Christmas sales days.
However, Toshiba is very limited in what it can offer: buy a Regza and get an A2 ... and that's about it.
BDA members have a vastly wider selection of TV sets, players and other CE components. So, why not take advantage of that? One thing is to see a Sony LCD with the Sony S300 packaged at a discount, but what if the TV would come with a certain allowance (let's say $300) for any Blu-ray player available retail. So, you could get a Sony LCD with a discounted Pio Blu-ray player, or Pio plasma with a Pana player, etc. The major challenge for BDA in this scenario is to overcome their competitive mindset and think as a "team" here, at least for this holiday season. I realize that each manufacturer is interested in selling their own hardware, however I think allowing the customer more flexibility in basically building their own package deals would be greatly appreciated and will be an effective measure against the limited promotional capability of Toshiba. This will clearly demonstrate the power of the Blu-ray alliance, will clearly send a message about the industry support and unity behind the technology.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by hanser

Paidgeek,

I have asked before, probably it got lost, therefore I try again:

Why has the German version of CE3K Dolby True HD AND DTS HD in German but English is only in Dolby Digital? I thought, this underrepresentation of the original language has stopped? Are there more discs in the future without lossless English sound coming in Germany?

I will have to import this movie.

I had my office confirm that the original English is 24bit THD. The Germand DTS HD MA and Dolby THD are 20 bit. What information do you have that is indicating otherwise?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Seretur

Paidgeek,

I'm almost set on buying the Sony KDL-40X3500, the European version of the XBR4. It is getting rave reviews as the best LCD screen in existence, and is also praised for its true 24p output when used in conjunction with a Blu-ray player.

However, this forum's sticky on displays that support 1080p/24 signal at multiplies of the original frame rate lists the XBR4 and XBR5 models because they are 120Hz North American models. The X3500, being a European model, is a 100HZ display.

I haven't been able to learn more about this model's "24p True Cinema" function apart from the fact that it presents 24 frames per second. At 100Hz, this can't be done by multiplying each frame five times, as with the 120Hz American model; so I wonder if the display changes the number of times each frame is multiplied according to a preset formula, or if it indeed somehow manages to present each of the 24 frames at a fixed rate.

I'm certain that if any display can get close to true 24p in Europe, it is the X3500 -- but I would be very grateful if you could clear this situation up a bit more.

And I apologise if I got some of the terminology awfully wrong. I'm not a tech expert.

I will try to get you an answer.

[hoser]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

AVS will bring back their HDM sections I have been told, but a whole new mod team is required. Mods will be separate for Blu-ray and HD DVD sections, so each will get their own mods who are sympathetic to their respective formats. That general HDTV section probably won't come back though.

Sounds like a good game plan to me.
It appears the Powers-That-Be at AVS were hearing of their red slant reputation and decided to do something about it.
New mods is the way to go.

[Seretur]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I will try to get you an answer.

Thank you!

[hoser]

Originally Posted by Esox50

Emphasis mine in italic bolds; that's the part nobody is talking about. How many of these players went to people who already had HD DVD and/or people who have no intention of buying discs at the rate of an early adopter?!?!

Toshiba can yell from the mountain tops that they've sold 1,000,000 players at $99, but if it doesnt translate into significant INCREMENTAL disc sales by the end of January, it really doesn't matter, does it?

Let Toshiba play this out. They're at the point where subsidizing software down to DVD prices is about all the moves they have left. They're at the World Series of Poker, and Toshiba has the "short stack"...

For people supporting Blu, you must continue to support Blu through the holidays and into early next year. Consumers will have clarity (either BD win, or long term stalemate) in the first half of next year. I have no doubt.

LOL!
My take exactly.
Most of the HD-DUD fanboys picked up 2nd players for bedrooms, etc.
Although some will be X-mas gifts (which will generate new software purchases), most will not have an effect on disc sales.

[jon s]

I know that the disc sales for the fourth quarter will be heavily in Blu-Ray's side, with a the hits coming out (Die Hard series, POTC, Ratatouille, Cars, Potter, mr & mrs Smith, ID4, etc). The big worry is 2008. Looking into the release schedule so far for the new year shows a dearth of hits for either format as 2007's big hits will all be released by years end. Without a big schedule, sales with probably be more balanced without titles like Transformers, etc.

[GarettP]

Originally Posted by jon s

I know that the disc sales for the fourth quarter will be heavily in Blu-Ray's side, with a the hits coming out (Die Hard series, POTC, Ratatouille, Cars, Potter, mr & mrs Smith, ID4, etc). The big worry is 2008. Looking into the release schedule so far for the new year shows a dearth of hits for either format as 2007's big hits will all be released by years end. Without a big schedule, sales with probably be more balanced without titles like Transformers, etc.

No, I think the gloves come of in '08 and we some great Blu Catalog titles coming out, am I wrong Paid or Penton?

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by hoser

Sounds like a good game plan to me.
It appears the Powers-That-Be at AVS were hearing of their red slant reputation and decided to do something about it.
New mods is the way to go.

Indeed, it certainly can't hurt. Wonder if this will bring back our Insiders?

Insiders?

[bdrex28]

Originally Posted by GarettP

No, I think the gloves come of in '08 and we some great Blu Catalog titles coming out, am I wrong Paid or Penton?

American Gangster will be HD DVD and I have a feeling that will be a pretty big one. Hell, I wish we could have it.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by bdrex28

American Gangster will be HD DVD and I have a feeling that will be a pretty big one. Hell, I wish we could have it.

That movie wasnt very good at all. Lots of potential, but the last hour or so was lame.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by jon s

I know that the disc sales for the fourth quarter will be heavily in Blu-Ray's side, with a the hits coming out (Die Hard series, POTC, Ratatouille, Cars, Potter, mr & mrs Smith, ID4, etc). The big worry is 2008. Looking into the release schedule so far for the new year shows a dearth of hits for either format as 2007's big hits will all be released by years end. Without a big schedule, sales with probably be more balanced without titles like Transformers, etc.

Actually 2008 doesn't strike me like a OMG huge year for movies.

While HD DVD has Iron Man and "Cloverfield" (intriguing but not a certified Blockbuster), BDA will have Bond 22, the new Narnia, Wall-E (by Nemo's creator) and end of 07 AVP2 (this one looks actually quite good). 08' will also see another Will Smith with "Hancock", but I can't see yet if this would be a big one

The three big ones (imho) of '08 are either Neutral or not figured on any of the two formats for the time being: I am Legend (Will Smith/ end of '07), The Dark Knight, and Indiana Jones 4- Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

2009 though... it has "Death of HD DVD" written all over it.
Spiderman 4, Metal Gear Solid, 24 The Movie, X-Men:Origins (Wolverine), and specially those:
Battle Angel Allita and Avatar (the 2 new James Cameron).

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Of course, Amir might pop up, claim it was "science fiction" and drop hints that HD-DVD engineers were perfecting a 102GB HD-DVD disc in some secret lab.

I don’t think you have to be concerned about that. The last I heard, he and his buddy went to Wal*Mart to look for a fire sale A2 but, decided to forego that purchase, and pull out the big bucks instead for a couple of Cliff bars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Apb6N0vD0
Wise purchasing decision.
I hate the camera work though.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Indeed, it certainly can't hurt. Wonder if this will bring back our Insiders?

Insiders?

I am back..........here.
We send Talk into enemy territory every once in awhile as he has masochistic tendencies.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by GarettP

No, I think the gloves come of in '08 and we some great Blu Catalog titles coming out, am I wrong Paid or Penton?

Great Blu Catalog titles may well be kept in reserve for use as counter measures, if HD DVD is still alive and kicking in ’08.

[spam.curitiba]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Great Blu Catalog titles may well be kept in reserve for use as counter measures, if HD DVD is still alive and kicking in ’08.

LOL BDA have a secret bomb they are going to drop soon?