Archived: Insiders Thread

[cjamescook]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

While I am not absolutely positive on this I've been told early on that New Line is taking the same approach as Warner in regards to their transfers. I will follow up and see if that has changed or not, but last I heard they were doing one encode for both.

Doesn't this just reduce PQ to the lowest common denominator? Are they doing this for bonus features, too, meaning if they can't do it on HD DVD, they won't do it for BD?

I don't want to be another self-proclaimed expert, but if this is so, wouldn't this make it difficult for one format to win over another on anything but price? Yuck.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by khainne

insiders,

who handles the encoding for movies on cable? (i.e. HBO) Saw the original star wars a few months back and it looked good, but was wondering who handles this and how.

Satellite and cable services are usually delivered tape or mezzanine level encodes that they re-encode according to their requirments. This used to be done in real-time while the programming is airing, but that was a number of years ago. It would not surprise me if they are using a server to playback pre-compressed programs now.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

my idea it should be a multi part (if you want the full type of my idea)

a) languages
-- 1) English
-- 2) French
-- 3) Greek

b) Order of Audio Codec:
-- 1) PCM
-- 2) DTHD
-- 3) DTS-HD
-- 4) DTS
-- 5) DD

c) audio codec type
-- 1) lossless
-- 2) lossy

d) priority (only for ones in a)
-- 1) Original language
-- 2) audio codec type
-- 3) audio master quality (word length and frequency)
-- 4) audio codec
-- 5) language


so let's take some hypothetical examples


US movie, English DTHD 24/48, English PCM 16/48,English DD , French DTS-HD, Spanish DD
1) original language? English so---English DTHD 24/48, English PCM 16/48,English DD
2) is there lossless? yes so ---English DTHD 24/96, English PCM 16/48
3) is one better master quality? 24/96 is better then 16/48 so English DTHD 24/96

or German movie with German PCM, German DD, English DD and French DD

1) original language? German so-- English DD and French DD
2) audio codec type? only lossy so-- English DD and French DD
3) master quality? both the same 16/48 so -- English DD and French DD
4) Codec? both DD so -- English DD and French DD
5) Language? English above French so -- English DD

there can obviously be other stuff (do yo want 7.1 more then stereo?)....

I understand the concept and I will encourage something like this be considered.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by darkedgex

@paidgeek:

I know the PS3 isn't your forte, so forgive me for bugging you about it yet again. I just saw this press release and have a questions and a request:

Question
Can you ask around and get a general idea when this might be released? I don't think there's anything competitive about this, so sharing it's eventual release shouldn't be a big deal. Assuming there's even any idea when it'll be ready. =)

Request
Make certain that decoding of Divx content is available at HD resolutions and not just SD resolutions. SD playback is, of course, very nice to have, but it'd be even better if it could decode HD (720/1080 and any odd resolutions inbetween, scaling them as appropriate) content as well.

Thanks. =)

I'll see what I can find out.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Beta-guy

Quick question for PaidGeek will the PS3 have added support for BOINC? Folding@home is a nice start, but the PS3 is capable of so much more, if the PS3 was given BOINC in the same way it as Folding@home (in the XMB) new projects could make binaries for the PS3, I myself participate in Primegrid, and I'd like to go wicked fast on that.

Question for you, do you think Sony needs to provide this? If it's a good idea, shouldn't it be developed independently?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by jsb_hburg

Paidgeek,

I have a TivoHD. I know Tivo tracks what subscribers watch to compile what was watched the most on a given night. Couldn't Sony do the roughly the same with the PS3 to get a sense of usage and target those on the PSN who have never played a BD to get the message out?

This would trigger privacy issues don't you think?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by woodspoon

Paidgeek, is Sony giving thought to include customs themes for the PS3 on their movies? I mean, any company can do it, but Sony makes the more sense. I´m already seeing nice custom themes done by people, so I can´t imagine how good can a theme from a movie be.

I don't know what themes you are referring to. Please explain..

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Paidgeek:

You know that awesome new PS3 commercial where the system morphs into aspects of various games and clips from games are shown?

Could I suggest putting the Name of each game in the bottom corner? A potential buyer might think a clip is really cool but not know what game it belongs too. If they knew maybe it would help them research the game and potentially get even more interested.

PS: Maybe they can add a clip of Folklore in there too, thats a pretty damn good exclusive as well.

Sorry, but I have to draw the line at advising Sony Computer on how to market their product. You know how it is... the plumbers get upset when the framers give them advice...

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by hollywoodguy

Penton and/or Paid,

yesterday for the second time in a week there's been a full-page ad by Microsoft for HDi/HD DVD in Variety. Simple question: Why? Is it just awareness? What's the agenda at this point? The majors are certainly not going to base their HD policy on a Variety ad (at least not if it doesn't also come with other incentives worth around $150,000,000.00, but maybe that is what they mean by "Lunch is on us" in the ad, although it seems a little excessive even for L.A.).

Even in the Starz/Anchor Bay weight class, I would think it takes more than an ad campaign to get them on board for for HD DVD. And if you do decide to publish in HD DVD, it's not like you have a choice to use something other than HDi... So, what's the point? Is there actually anyone left in the industry who doesn't know that Microsoft is behind HD DVD?

(And Paid, I hope they are not quoting you in the ad when the anonymous "SVP, Home Video Division" of an unnamed studio shills HD DVD. )

Sounds like they might be referring to Paramount?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by moweeis

paidgeek:

why are promotions like these:
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/bluraymailoffer/
only being offered in the US?
In Europe we have higher prices and would like to see some promotions aswell

I have asked...The priority is presently for the US, but programs are being run in Europe.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Grisle

Paidgeek:
Can we expect to see any sales for XBR4s on Black Friday? I've seen some scans of ads for BB and CC and there is only a 32" Sony on sale.

I don't know. It's a different division and they have not said anything to us.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by bootman

Does any of the insiders know about upcoming hardware releases?
Example: is Sony considering a bluray version of the DVPCX995V 400 disk changer?

I know about the 200 disk server out now, I was wondering about a more equipment rack friendly model.

I can't talk about future products or included features. This is highly competitive information.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I don't know what themes you are referring to. Please explain..

The PS3's Xross Media Bar can now be 'themed' with custom icons and I believe a wallpaper.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by OokieSpookie

And Paid geek, can we get an estimate for the 1.1 update for the PS3?

This year looks like a strong possibility.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Y3k Bug

Paidgeek,

So the Sony polls have been up for a couple of days now.

The 80s

The 90s


Have any titles surprised you? Anything look like it may get shifted? Too early to tell still?

There are quite a few surprises. I have forwarded the links to our programming and marketing people and they definitely appreciate the input.

[TauRus]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I don't know what themes you are referring to. Please explain..

I think he meant the PS3 Themes. They were enabled with the latest FW 2.0 on PS3. Now you can customize the PS3 interface to a greater degree with custom icons, backgrounds and possibly sounds. I though his idea was that studios could include a theme or two based on the main feature.

[OokieSpookie]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I don't know what themes you are referring to. Please explain..

The PS3 now allows custom themes much like a PC desktop.
Changes the icons, colors and background.
He is suggesting that something like a downloadable Labyrinth theme on the Labyrinth Blu Ray disk or a Leon theme on the Leon: The Professional blu ray disk.
I would honestly personally have the themes on the PSN as downloadable advertisements for coming movies myself but either way is interesting.

[OokieSpookie]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

This year looks like a strong possibility.

Touche' my friend.

[monkyman]

Paid,
Any word on a firmware that would give the S300 TrueHD audio?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by degas

Paidgeek:
To follow up Pro Bassons post (on older but great movies), are there any chances of seeing this on Blu:
City of Lost Children (La Cité des enfants perdus)

As you would expect, everything will come out eventually, but when to release it is tied to our expectations for customer demand. You don't want a title that will sell hundreds of copies taking up retail space from a title that can sell tens of thousands.