Archived: Insiders Thread

[WriteSimply]

*puts another US$1 in the paidgeek coffer*

To paidgeek: Any reason why SPHE's titles do not use photos from the movie for the disc art? Instead, it is the generic BD graphic and the movie font?


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[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by d0uble0se7en

he has confirmed this many times actually so we're all just waiting now to hear the final details on the release date and on a possible trade-in deal for those with the old copy.

I realize that it was confirmed. But I read that those final details are complete as well as a release date (or close to it).

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

Hello paidgeek,

I read over at avsforum that Sony might release the upgraded Fifth Element sometime this summer. Would you please confirm if this is true or not and would you please share any specs or features that will be inclueded in the re-released Blu-ray movie.

The details that have been settled are:

BD50
AVC video encoding
LPCM 16/48
DD THD 24/48 (provided the master has 24bit resolution in the first place)
Otherwise, basically the same as the original release..

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

*puts another US$1 in the paidgeek coffer*

To paidgeek: Any reason why SPHE's titles do not use photos from the movie for the disc art? Instead, it is the generic BD graphic and the movie font?


fuad

I don't know, but I'll ask..

[Chris Beveridge]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

The details that have been settled are:

BD50
AVC video encoding
LPCM 16/48
DD THD 24/48 (provided the master has 24bit resolution in the first place)
Otherwise, basically the same as the original release..

I've only seen the first BD release on the 70" XBR2 at my local Tweeter but on that set, in the lighting that they had, it looked pretty good all things considered.

However, since my own 70" XBR2 is now due tomorrow, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this new version will look!

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

DD THD 24/48 (provided the master has 24bit resolution in the first place)

*Puts another $1 in paidgeek's 'tip-jar'*

Let's hope for the above on the Spiderman releases due later this year (with no dialnorm either)...

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

The details that have been settled are:

BD50
AVC video encoding
LPCM 16/48
DD THD 24/48 (provided the master has 24bit resolution in the first place)
Otherwise, basically the same as the original release..

Hopefully all the extras from the SUPERBIT version as well.
I love being able to "retire" a DVD title for a BD one.

[Chris Beveridge]

Paidgeek,

I know nothing can be said yet, but if the potential solicitation news of Metropolis hitting Blu-ray this summer is true, please make sure that it's actually a bilingual release. The original UK solicitation which never materialized in final form was supposed to be English language only.

Just like aspect ratios are important, I know that Sony values the original integrity of the films presentation in terms of languages. This film could be a real animation showstopper. I hope it lives up to the potential of what Blu-ray can offer.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Hopefully all the extras from the SUPERBIT version as well.
I love being able to "retire" a DVD title for a BD one.

*puts another US$1 in the coffer* paidgeek:

I know that SPHE, and maybe you, has said that SPHE would rather not include extras if the extras are in 480p. Seeing how the Superbit was the most recent extras produced for T5E and probably the last one to be produced, couldn't SPHE consider including the extras here?


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[crunchy]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

Paidgeek,

I know nothing can be said yet, but if the potential solicitation news of Metropolis hitting Blu-ray this summer is true, please make sure that it's actually a bilingual release. The original UK solicitation which never materialized in final form was supposed to be English language only.

Just like aspect ratios are important, I know that Sony values the original integrity of the films presentation in terms of languages. This film could be a real animation showstopper. I hope it lives up to the potential of what Blu-ray can offer.

Paidgeek,

I really second this sentiment. It would be a travesty if Metropolis were released here without an original Japanese lossless track included.

Two other related questions:

1) Can you confirm when we will start to see more anime released on Blu-ray in the USA?

2) One of the things I found most exciting about the Blu-ray format is that Japan and the USA finally get the same region encoding. I think you might be surprised by the number of people that imported Ghost in the Shell: Innocence, mainly due to the inclusion of English subtitles. Why don't more Japanese market releases contain subtitles? If Identity USA release can be subbed in like 20 different languages, why can't we get English subs on Japanese releases?

I took three semesters of Japanese language at University and I still need the subs to understand everything that is going on. It is a tough language to pick up when you have grown up in Western countries.

Thanks for your continued participation here.

[Razter]

paidgeek: The "rumor" is that Sony is encoding the movies for Paramount, you don't have to confirm that if you don't want to, but do you know when we will see AVC encodes from Paramount?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I don't think we will provide both LPCM and DD THD as a standard feature.

We don't mix our films in 7.1 (with 4 surrounds) so it is not likely. We may experiment with 24/96 especially with music driven product.

I know that Dave Matthews Band's Central Park show (09.24.03) was recorded in at least 24/48 PCM as that's what's on the stereo track on the DVD. The show was shot in HD as well.

When can we expect to see a 5.1 PCM 24/48 release of this show - I know this would attract a lot of rabid DMB fans to the format.

[Razter]

paidgeek: If I'm not mistaken, Sony have the rights to The Bone Collector and Gladiator in Europe? When do you think we will se them?

[JBlacklow]

Originally Posted by Razter

paidgeek: If I'm not mistaken, Sony have the rights to The Bone Collector and Gladiator in Europe? When do you think we will se them?

And if I may add on to this question, does Sony still retain the rights to the "Jurassic Park" films in Japan? The JP and LW Superbits kick the US Universal releases' ass.

[paidgeek]

There is no disrespect intended, but I can't answer questions about when a given title will be released and exactly what will be included when it is. I have dropped some hints about a few masters that I have personally reviewed or projects that I am involved with like TFE, but our marketing department gets irked when someone starts leaking release information. Remember that we do compete with other studios and releases are often made strategically.

Besides, asking me marketing related questions is like asking your plumber for decorating ideas...

Thanks for your understanding.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Remember that we do compete with other studios and releases are often made strategically.

paidgeek, if you can do so in a general sense & without ruffling feathers:
I would be curious, given your above statement, what the thoughts within the BDA/Sony are regarding WB "strategically" placing The Matrix on HD DVD only on May 22 (Disney's big Pirates date). To me, that seems like a slap in the face from one BD studio to the other. I'd be pretty pissed if I were Disney. WB should have had some tact and released it May 15 or May 29.

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Besides, asking me marketing related questions is like asking your plumber for decorating ideas...

Thanks for a good laugh.

[dialog_gvf]

^^^ I think many of us think it must have been a deliberate strategic move against Blu-ray, out of fear of what the May 22 week numbers might look like otherwise.

Ah well. What happens after May 22? Is Warner going to commit to a bunch more HD DVD key exclusives to counter Spidey 3, Pirates 3, Fantastic 4 - II, etc?

Also, will "300" be an excuse title?

[punchline]..., who needs enemas?[/punchline]

[RUR]

They are, indeed, caught on the horns of an enema.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

^^^ I think many of us think it must have been a deliberate strategic move against Blu-ray, out of fear of what the May 22 week numbers might look like otherwise.

Oh, I wasn't questioning WHY WB did it. I think we all know the answer to that question. I am just curious what those in the industry thought of the move (especially since the majority of the industry is behind BD). In fact, if any other insiders wish to comment, I would welcome their thoughts as well.

Again, to me, it seems like a "bush league" move by WB. If they had any respect or tact (and really, truly wanted a May HD DVD only release for The Matrix), they could have released it forward or backward a week. It's a "token" or "nice gesture" that I suspect would have gone a long way within the industry.

For the record, I have no interest in The Matrix. I'm just curious about the thoughts/politics of this kind of stuff.

[WriteSimply]

Well I just hope that WB, when it is time to release the BD version, will go with BD50, TrueHD/DTS HDMA and a 1080p version of The Animatrix. Otherwise, no KA-CHING!


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