Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[Seabass]

Does any insider know if there will be a "Criterion treatment" of Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo?

On a serious note has our Fox insider heard any plans of doing 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' (Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce) set in BR? Not sure if I should just break down and get the DVD remasters. Probably not high on the priority list, but 'just throwing it out there'.

[dustin410]

I'm sure this question has been posed already, but damn, there are a lot of pages to search through. So, my question is this.

Since WB has gone blu exclusively, when can we expect Universal to switch too blu. I know Paramount has a contract, so they won't be in the blu camp for another year. Their so called escape clause ran out this past Christmas. Or so I've heard. So their stuck. Sucks.

With 70% of Hollywood behind one format, I can't understand why Universal still clings to HD-DVD. Especially if they don't have a contract with the red camp. It blows my mind. Now they are the ones holding back everyone. Do they want Microsoft to win with this digital download crap? If Paramount or Universal don't get out soon, this could still confuse the average Joe.

It's bullsh!t! When will it finally end? Let it go, Toshiba. You've lost.

[john_nemesh]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

I would like to see some real market research done on exactly what portion of the population does not want physical media. Any surveys or studies done by MS or, any company with a vested interest in the download business model are inherently useless, conflict of interest. They might do everything required to keep the data valid, but other companies trusting the numbers would be like all of those cigarette industry studies over the years being taken seriously.

I think a signifigant sample with a truly random selection not limited to company insiders, populations that drool over content that is easy to distribute after they hack the DRM, and other fringe populations will show very different results from those that MS has convinced themselves are the general consumer. I mean, I think the average internet household is still on dialup at the moment. WhenI first got broadband back in 2001, the average connection was just hitting 14.4k over the entire US population IIRC.

To the studio folks that read this thread, including all of those that only lurk, I say participate in all the download models you want. I think the service providers are probably going to be offering a lot of lucrative offers to content providers over the coming months. As long as they don't stipulate any limitations on your physical media production, I say take their money and let their models die or find their niche based on their own merits. But before buying into MS's uncanny ability to know exactly what the real consumer doesn't want and to never accept that it was their lack of connection with the consumer and not the consumers' fault, do some valid market research of your own. I have a very strong conviction that research based on getting valid data and not getting the result the gatherer wants to see will show completely different results.

I have no problem with downloads existing as an option, but I want my little disc that I can hold in my hand, that won't die on me unless something really catastrophic happens to it, that I can take anywhere and play in any compatible player, and that sometimes comes with really cool stuff like my kickass Blade Runner set that I now consider the bar for future ultimate sets to match or beat.

Chris

Hey Chris, I have a feeling I might know you! I totally agree with your opinion on this one. I for one LIKE XBOX Live Marketplace, and have spent money on M$ content there. Quick and convienient, and they are building quite a catalog of movies and TV shows.

However, while I will rent movies there and buy the occasional episode of TV, I will never, ever BUY a downloaded movie with DRM! I want the flexibility to back it up on whatever media I choose and play the file back on whatever device I want. Until Hollywood gives us the same quality as blu-ray (yes 50GB downloads are impractical now, but give it a year or two) and without any restrictions, I will feel far more comfortable purchasing a physical disk.

[blindcat87]

I have always seen downloads more as a possible rental model than a viable competitor in the sales arena. I tend to bore those I know who aren't into techie type stuff with my love of gadgets and technology, and from my entire circle of friends acquaintances, and family no matter if they love A/V or don't really care, not one person I have ever discussed it with is interested in giving up physical media. The reasons all vary, but in the end people want to have and hold what they own and to be able to carry it with them, loan it to a friend, or pop it in the car player for their kids. Maybe it really does come down to people like shiny things. Even though it is much harder for me to see the shiny and will get harder over time, I still never seem to slow down on collecting it.

Chris

Originally Posted by john_nemesh

Hey Chris, I have a feeling I might know you! I totally agree with your opinion on this one. I for one LIKE XBOX Live Marketplace, and have spent money on M$ content there. Quick and convienient, and they are building quite a catalog of movies and TV shows.

However, while I will rent movies there and buy the occasional episode of TV, I will never, ever BUY a downloaded movie with DRM! I want the flexibility to back it up on whatever media I choose and play the file back on whatever device I want. Until Hollywood gives us the same quality as blu-ray (yes 50GB downloads are impractical now, but give it a year or two) and without any restrictions, I will feel far more comfortable purchasing a physical disk.

[Kris Deering]

paidgeek

I saw that SPHE announced Revolver and Southland Tales today but only on DVD. Any reason we're not seeing these on Blu-ray? Given the popularity of the directors I think they would be good releases, especially if they coincided with other Blu-ray releases around the same time (Snatch and Donnie Darko anyone?).

[hollywoodguy]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

paidgeek

I saw that SPHE announced Revolver and Southland Tales today but only on DVD. Any reason we're not seeing these on Blu-ray? Given the popularity of the directors I think they would be good releases, especially if they coincided with other Blu-ray releases around the same time (Snatch and Donnie Darko anyone?).

Snatch has already been announced by Sony for Germany in March. I would guess that's not the only territory...

[Mr_Bester]

Financial Times is reporting Paramount is "Poised" to return to Blu. Do they have an appointment at Salon Penton? And, where did penton-man, the name, come from? Am I missing a totally obvious movie reference?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bester

And, where did penton-man, the name, come from? Am I missing a totally obvious movie reference?

I've often wondered that myself!

[Balian]

If you want some hint about Paramount from Penton, I think this was it:

Tosh………
”But you promised you would marry me and it turned out to be a one night stand.”

Software Company……..
“Wam, Bam………Thank You Mam…..It’s been swell but, marry into a family with packaged goods?,…… sorry you got the wrong impression”.

Four months could be considered as a one night stand.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Balian

If you want some hint about Paramount from Penton, I think this was it:



Four months could be considered as a one night stand.

That's gotta be it! Damn, and he mentioned about 2 studios putting the squeeze on Universal or some such. Wow!

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by sj001

That's gotta be it! Damn, and he mentioned about 2 studios putting the squeeze on Universal or some such. Wow!

he specifically said 2 stuidos?

anyways, this is looking very good, but i almost want the war to go on just a little longer, i love watching the hd dvd fanboys squirm. if the war ended tommorow, it would just feel really ripped out from under me. oh well, we could all laugh at them for saying vudu sill take over instead of blu-ray.

btw: when you guys visulize what penton-man looks like do you see peyton manning, cause i do. names just sound so close.

peyton manning does do advertisments for sony, wouldn't that be really cool if penton-man was peyton manning. he'd def. win my award for coolest human being.

yeah, i am the greatest qb in nfl history on sundays and the rest of the time im the greatest insider on the internet.

[JasonS]

This is becoming way to wide spread to not be true. And with the very ominous Paramount post earlier: "release plans are up in the air and we are not announcing new titles" really makes this seem like a slam dunk. The question is *when* will this happen? I expect another post-CES or Friday afternoon announcement but I was surprised at the Warner timing as well.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

btw: when you guys visulize what penton-man looks like do you see peyton manning, cause i do. names just sound so close.

LOL. Well NOW I will!

[mechagrover]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bester

And, where did penton-man, the name, come from? Am I missing a totally obvious movie reference?

IIRC He mentioned in the past it's based on Penton motorcycles

[g.k.]

Originally Posted by Balian

If you want some hint about Paramount from Penton, I think this was it:



Four months could be considered as a one night stand.

I'm positive he was referring to Microsoft here.

[Nick Graham]

Originally Posted by g.k.

I'm positive he was referring to Microsoft here.

He was. The first part of the post was about them throwing Toshiba under the bus at the CES keynote
by not mentioning HD-DVD once.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

he specifically said 2 stuidos?

I believe this is the post that is being continously referenced from Penton:

"Hey guys, I’ve told you time and again don’t call me at work.

One lady wants highlights and another new customer just walked in and wants a color change.
I’m busy!

Take advantage of kjack and talkstr8t while they’re here.
Later. "

Color Change: 1 studio
Highlights: 1 studio

Warner already happened. Which means there is another move in the wings *if* this post is to be believed as *cryptic*

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by JasonS

This is becoming way to wide spread to not be true. And with the very ominous Paramount post earlier: "release plans are up in the air and we are not announcing new titles" really makes this seem like a slam dunk. The question is *when* will this happen? I expect another post-CES or Friday afternoon announcement but I was surprised at the Warner timing as well.

Jason, you and I are definitely on the same page on this one! Too many clues for this one to not happen!

Looking forward to any possible comments from Insiders on this.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

Jason, you and I are definitely on the same page on this one! Too many clues for this one to not happen!

Looking forward to any possible comments from Insiders on this.

They are probably all out getting trashed!

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by sj001

They are probably all out getting trashed!

With Paramount