Archived: Insiders Thread

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Your idea is interesting and it is one that we have given quite a bit of thought to. The biggest issue is how many portable device types to support with their associated security system.

You can expect to see this feature tested by SPE in the near future.

Very good news. Certainly, the PSP and the ipod format would be the main 2 devices that need to be supported--I think supporting M$'s 'plays for sure' nonsense should be contingent on them throwing in the towel on HD DVD.

One thing I think would be great is using the 'combo format' or whatever it's called (2 BD layers, 1 DVD layer) to store portable device and encrypted PC file versions of the BD on the DVD layer, so that most any PC would be able to play the file or transfer the movie to supported devices.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Your idea is interesting and it is one that we have given quite a bit of thought to. The biggest issue is how many portable device types to support with their associated security system.

We could help guide you through the DRM maze since we sell chips and software into the portable player market. Alternately, if you picked a specific DRM scheme to protect the content, it would likely become a defacto standard pretty quickly...

As a side note, other markets are actively working on bundling a portable player to allow users to take recorded content with them for viewing. These will plug into the recorder via USB and automatically upload selected content. No PC required.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by amillians

Thanks...that's pretty big news...if I understand correctly, might this limit how a studio deploys subs down the road (I'm assuming you can only define subs "one way" and not have *both* text-based and graphics-bases subs, playing your "best" hand for all profiles)? I guess I'm asking if graphics-based subs will remain the de facto standard for legacy purposes, since text-based sans outlining can/will look like poop compared to grahics-based subs?

Dumb question...is BND used for all Blu-ray subs, or is it an option (enhanced) way of doing subs? There's very little documentation out there on this kind of stuff...I've tried www.highdefsubtitlefileformatsfortotalgeeks.com, but they don't seem to have any articles.

I'm not too pleased with how you are representing my earlier response on AVS, so excuse me if I decline to answer further questions...

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

A question for Mr.Paidgeek:

I was wondering if you and your team at SONY know the Fox crew of engineers. It is probably a forgone conclusions that some of you know each other but, truly, on a professional level, do you interact with them on a regular basis?

I am asking because last night I went through Fox's The Day After Tomorrow for a second time and truly Fox's crew have outdone themselves. I am curious as to how close you interact with them and what are your overall impressions.

To sum it all up I have been very impressed with Fox as of late and am enormously happy that they have set the bar so high.

This being said, since I am a bit older than the assumed average crowd on this board, I impatiently await the announcement for Lawrence of Arabia, or at least a hint of it.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr.A

I will gladly pass on your comments to Fox. They have been a solid Blu-ray supporter and we are looking forward to many more great releases from them this year.

Naturally LOA is a very important title for the studio and while it is being considered for release next year, this is subject to change based on making sure this title meet everyone's expectations...

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by ErikR

Question for Paid...

I was looking at the inner covers of my Disney blu-ray titles, and most if not all have the chapter listings on the back side of the cover art. It looks really nice since you can see through the cases. Has Sony ever thought of doing this as well? From what I can tell, the only company that is doign this currently is Disney.

I'll forward your comment to our marketing department...

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Frode

Thanks for the replies so far. I do have another question though, does Blu-ray support 30p? The reason I wonder is that for some reason HD DVD is listed as supporting it in wikipedia, and I don't understand why they would support it, and Blu-ray not. It could be someone trying to skew the views of the formats, but I would like official confirmation, if possible.

Another related question, is how would would you handle source material that has mixed frame rates? This is relevant for some TV anime for instance, where the opening sequence is animated at 30p, while the show itself is 24p. Would you be forced to use MPEG2 to encode it since that supports using RFF flags to facilitate playback of different frame rates? What about AVC? Back when, Amir claimed that for VC1 24p would be forced on/off, so if you had materials with mixed frame rates you'd have to use 60i instead and rely on the display's deinterlacer. Would this hold for the others as well?

Blu-ray does not have a native 30p compression mode. That said, it is straightforward to convert 30p to 60i, and the encoder can take advantage of the progressive source. When frames rates are mixed, we encode at 60i. We can't mix encoded rates seamlessly within the program, so this needs to be managed before encoding.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Blu-ray does not have a native 30p compression mode. That said, it is straightforward to convert 30p to 60i, and the encoder can take advantage of the progressive source. When frames rates are mixed, we encode at 60i. We can't mix encoded rates seamlessly within the program, so this needs to be managed before encoding.

I just wanted to clarify... since the OP asked about situations where the opening sequence was mastered at 30p, but the main program at 24p. In that case, wouldn't you just convert the opening sequence to match the main feature? Or, record them as two separate 'titles' within a given program to keep them the same. Altering the main feature to match the opening credits doesn't make much sense. Thanks, paid.

[Scrapanatchi]

any plans to stop the hd dvd releases of resident evil, silent hill etc? mainly from germany.. buy the rights back or end the contracts

[dioh10]

Just a little question... Any news on Grindhouse on Blu? I'm Dying to watch this in HD!

[PaulGo]

To the insiders, I may have gotten Amir upset
Do you think my question to Richard was justified (and also my response to Amir)?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post11982282

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Paidgeek,

I know this isn't in your field, but I was hoping you would be able to pass this onto someone in the PS3 dept. I would like to see a feature added to PS3. It should be possible to program the PS3 to display closed captioning. You see, many HDTV displays are unable to receive analog closed captioning signals. This is why I'm asking for a firmware update to add such a feature where it can be turned on within the PS3. Especially when no projectors that I know of has Closed Captioning decoders.

I hope that's possible... thanks.

For clarification, are you asking that the PS3 decode the closed caption data and overlay it on the video? Are there any other DVD/HD products that have this function?

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

For clarification, are you asking that the PS3 decode the closed caption data and overlay it on the video? Are there any other DVD/HD products that have this function?

Yes, that's what I'm asking.

From what I know, some HDTV receivers from cable/satellite providers use this particular feature since many HDTV displays are unable to display them properly.

After all, that's what we used to do with analog CC decoders when I was a child before they passed the law requiring all 13" inches and above to have a CC decoder built in. However, everything changed when the DVD players came out onto the market in 1997. When a DVD player is enabled in progressive scan, the CC signals from the DVD player would get lost or blocked. This is still the case with many DVD players these days.

So that's why I'm quite fondly of the SDH concept for Blu-ray movies.

[bdrex28]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Naturally LOA is a very important title for the studio and while it is being considered for release next year, this is subject to change based on making sure this title meet everyone's expectations...

I seriously would consider waiting in line for the store to open to pick up Lawrence of Arabia. My favorite all time film by far.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

I just wanted to clarify... since the OP asked about situations where the opening sequence was mastered at 30p, but the main program at 24p. In that case, wouldn't you just convert the opening sequence to match the main feature? Or, record them as two separate 'titles' within a given program to keep them the same. Altering the main feature to match the opening credits doesn't make much sense. Thanks, paid.

To keep the opening sequence at 30p/60i and the main feature at 24p we would have to make jump to a different title and with an associated delay. If we encode everything at 60i then the better displays can deinterlace for you on the fly.

[Dogdvr]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I'm not too pleased with how you are representing my earlier response on AVS, so excuse me if I decline to answer further questions...

Paid,

Thank You

I watched him ask a question and then spin it on AVS.
I am glad you saw the same thing

[Frode]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

To keep the opening sequence at 30p/60i and the main feature at 24p we would have to make jump to a different title and with an associated delay. If we encode everything at 60i then the better displays can deinterlace for you on the fly.

Thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, with less than 18% of HD sets out there capable of doing that, that actually represents a very real problem. It's the users' problem, but nevertheless one. If you watch such titles with subtitles in particular, it can screw up the cadence detection, leading either to combed subtitles, or the deinterlacer dropping into video mode when it shouldn't. The titles which are of this nature are almost exclusively foreign language titles which makes subtitles essential. Unfortunately that means that the display is not the solution.

Setting up jumps isn't exactly ideal either, as the player may then actually switch resolutions (60i/60p for the 30p OP, 24p for the show), which will add a HDCP resynch to the delay as well, with a possible dropout as a result if the player starts playing the next section without breaks. I must say I'm rather surprised that the new hi-def formats don't support multiple coded frame rates, compared to DVD which does.

That leaves only two solutions: 1. separate transmission of subtitle data over HDMI and letting the TV set handle the overlay (basically the old CC system, but with all the improvements modern subtitles can do), or 2. having the player do cadence detection for 1080i prior to subtitle overlay and output.

Since 1. isn't a part of the spec and is thus impossible, I'd really appreciate it if you could forward a request to the PS3 team for proper deinterlacing of 1080i content? They've done a great job on the DVD engine, and if they could port that work and use it on 1080i it would make a great BD player even better. The first title I know of which will have this issue is Utawarerumono, coming out in Japan on 01/23/08. It's also the first of many, as most non-theatrical anime will have this problem. Regular live action TV shows shot on film with added CG and/or edited in 1080i is also affected.

[blitz6speed]

paidgeek:

Sony still hasnt re-stocked its sony titles at Frys in anaheim or fountain valley. You go to the BD section and its a baren wasteland, theres so many movies completely sold out its absurd. Please let someone who is in charge know so they can get on the ball.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by bdrex28

I seriously would consider waiting in line for the store to open to pick up Lawrence of Arabia. My favorite all time film by far.

I don't know if I could wait for the store to open. I'd be more likely to stake out the delivery trucks leaving the warehouse and bribe the driver!

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

paidgeek:

Sony still hasnt re-stocked its sony titles at Frys in anaheim or fountain valley. You go to the BD section and its a baren wasteland, theres so many movies completely sold out its absurd. Please let someone who is in charge know so they can get on the ball.

I noticed the same thing (at Anaheim Frys). I'm sure it was due to the sale, but yes, they need a restock of BD's.

[Objectivity]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

paidgeek:

Sony still hasnt re-stocked its sony titles at Frys in anaheim or fountain valley. You go to the BD section and its a baren wasteland, theres so many movies completely sold out its absurd. Please let someone who is in charge know so they can get on the ball.

And while you're at it, let someone know that a kid spilled a soda in aisle five and people's shoes are sticking to the floor and then making a "squeak-squeak" noise throughout the store.

Based on messages, it seems like LoA is the most requested film out there? Is that accurate? What other films are also highly requested and will any of those be seeing release anytime soon?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Frode

Thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, with less than 18% of HD sets out there capable of doing that, that actually represents a very real problem. It's the users' problem, but nevertheless one. If you watch such titles with subtitles in particular, it can screw up the cadence detection, leading either to combed subtitles, or the deinterlacer dropping into video mode when it shouldn't. The titles which are of this nature are almost exclusively foreign language titles which makes subtitles essential. Unfortunately that means that the display is not the solution.

Setting up jumps isn't exactly ideal either, as the player may then actually switch resolutions (60i/60p for the 30p OP, 24p for the show), which will add a HDCP resynch to the delay as well, with a possible dropout as a result if the player starts playing the next section without breaks. I must say I'm rather surprised that the new hi-def formats don't support multiple coded frame rates, compared to DVD which does.

That leaves only two solutions: 1. separate transmission of subtitle data over HDMI and letting the TV set handle the overlay (basically the old CC system, but with all the improvements modern subtitles can do), or 2. having the player do cadence detection for 1080i prior to subtitle overlay and output.

Since 1. isn't a part of the spec and is thus impossible, I'd really appreciate it if you could forward a request to the PS3 team for proper deinterlacing of 1080i content? They've done a great job on the DVD engine, and if they could port that work and use it on 1080i it would make a great BD player even better. The first title I know of which will have this issue is Utawarerumono, coming out in Japan on 01/23/08. It's also the first of many, as most non-theatrical anime will have this problem. Regular live action TV shows shot on film with added CG and/or edited in 1080i is also affected.

I think your points are all valid, with the possible exception of DVD taking multiple frame rates? I will ask Playstation if they can work more miracles, but I am very doubtful on this one as I think you need dedicated silicon to do interlace/progressive detection quickly and properly.

FYI, we always encourage our film makers to be consistent in the frame rates of the content. Having a 30p opening to a 24p program is not a good thing...