Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by camper

This question is for all insiders, with emphasis directed to studio execs:

Now that Blu Ray is the dominant format for High Definition Media, are there any plans to persuade the consumer to move towards Blu Ray by limiting Standard Definition offerings?

For example, rather than produce a single disc edition, a two-disc collectors edition, and the Blu-Ray edition (generally comprised of the same two-disc collectors edition material) of a film, only offer a single disc version of the film and the Blu-Ray edition on new films and release older catalog titles, such as "The Last Emporer" on Blu Ray only.

I'm not an insider but just like the idea of stopping DVD cold turkey, reducing the number of editions on DVDs is probably not on the table at least in 2008. The studios expect to make more money selling single- and two-disc DVDs than from the BD edition.

On that thought, to paidgeek and other studio officials: If the special features (interviews and making-ofs) are shot and edited in HD, please include them on BD in HD too. Even if you have to press a BD25 for the extras. Don't try to squeeze video bitrates because of capacity issues. At least, not at this stage!

Originally Posted by Mystery Clock

Request to mods -- Please provide a link to the new Insider's thread regime(s) as the last message of this thread before you close it. Thanks!

+1. The last threads (even the Rant thread) just disappeared without an electronic tracing device.

Originally Posted by JasonS

My question for Insiders: Are we going to see lower MSRP's soon for new Blu-ray discs?

+1 too. Especially from Fox! We also don't want to be gouged on certain movies either - Steven Spielberg's 2-disc DVD edition of Munich is one example - just because you can. (of course I'm jumping the gun here since Munich is not from a BD-studio )

One more thing for studio insiders: double-dipping is OKAY, so long as you let everyone know that a better, feature-packed edition is coming at a later date. What New Line and Peter Jackson did with the LOTRs is a prime example of double-dipping done right.


fuad

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

This is what Brian Williams is taking home (after the ad, of course)………………
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#22576057

^
The above is a plug for Sony Electronics; therefore I expect to see some Sony water bottles for my mountain bike in the mail a.s.a.p.

P.S.
The gadget to close out the NBC National News was not thought of as “impractical” by my wife…………. but rather cute.

Was you able to pick up some of those hd dvd back packs? Damn those look so good and will make a great collectors item

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics of a major spokesperson for a software company at least before he was *reassigned*....to a secret mission.

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

I guess with him coming on board to Blu-ray at some point, it would be wise to stop bashing him. I know I'm guilty of that, I'll stop bashing him, and switch to Amir bashing!

[whippersnapper]

[QUOTE=Penton-Man;498768]Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics of a major spokesperson for a software company at least before he was *reassigned*....to a secret mission.

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.[/QUOTE

]....*reassigned*....to a secret mission

...which leaves him plenty of free time to troll on internet message boards. So the secret mission is not keeping him very busy.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

In other news I just posted this correspondence I received from Cinram over at AVS:

Yes the BD50 lines have been up and running for a while now. The yields can range anywhere from 65% to 80% along the lines of what Sony has indicated. I'm not sure where David Vaughn is getting his information as we've not been in contact with him.

I posted it in the thread I started about SonyDADC's 10,000,000th pressing.

This is from the Director of Investor Relations at Cinram International. Their BD50 line was not running in January 2007, which means they've hit up to 80% yields WITHIN their first year.

Imagine that!

Oh, that thread I started has completely evaporated.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...65454&posted=1

Imagine that too.

[phansson]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

Was you able to pick up some of those hd dvd back packs? Damn those look so good and will make a great collectors item

If you would like one, there is one on ebay at the moment. $5.00 bid.


http://cgi.ebay.com/CES-2008-Toshiba...QQcmdZViewItem

[gandley]

But what has ken G ever done for me?? other than teach me the great art of debate, and comercial suicide

he goes blu, he can have all the love he wants in a none naked way.

ken G go Blu, see green.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Mystery Clock

Sounds like a plan. Hopefully if Ken G. gets a whiff of this forum he might actually get excited at the number of Universal BDs people want to buy once they make the switch. I've got at least a dozen I'd like to own that have already been released on that other format...

-John

Same here, provided they're done right. Judging by their reviews at HDD, Universal really need to up the ante on their PQ and AQ issues. I for one will not buy BD ports of their lame HD DVD releases. But, if they do them right (the usual: high bit rate video encodes (preferably AVC so that M$ don't see any royalties) plus lossless audio), there's plenty of cash I'd like to send their way.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by phansson

If you would like one, there is one on ebay at the moment. $5.00 bid.


http://cgi.ebay.com/CES-2008-Toshiba...QQcmdZViewItem

I see that auction is for a backpack *with a free bonus*. Anyone want to bet the free bonus is an HD DVD player + 10 discs? :-)

[JohnAlden]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics of a major spokesperson for a software company at least before he was *reassigned*....to a secret mission.

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXGAi...eature=related,
ken Geaffo god speed.

[David Forbes]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

I remember when that happened and complained to the mods at AVS about it and posted a couple of sharp comments as well.

I'll be honest -- my disdain for HD DVD is because of Amir's awful behavior over there. He's mellowed somewhat over the past year -- at least his attacks are a little less direct -- but the crap he spewed in the early days of this fight, in Rogo's original thread (which is probably four or five years old at this point!) just completely turned me off to that side forever.

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics of a major spokesperson for a software company at least before he was *reassigned*....to a secret mission.

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

You mean the retired guy who loves to tell half truths, spends his whole life justifying his existence in these newsgroups, and goes into fits when you question the validity of his statements? Never heard of him!

Also on a more serious note please check out the thread I started about VC-1 and AVC "How Will High Bit Rate VC-1 Compare to AVC"

Richard Casey has some really good comments.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969782

[desmond]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics of a major spokesperson for a software company at least before he was *reassigned*....to a secret mission.

For instance, Ken G. never attempted to expose the identity of insiders that wished to remain anonymous (specifically paidgeek and talkstr8t) as did a junior grade V.P. on more than one occasion on a protected “science” forum.

so, this is the best confirmation to date that uni is going bu!

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, be kind to Ken G. in some of the other threads here. Fact is, he is/was just a messenger for the HD DVD word. I don’t recall him ever stooping to the unethical behavior and tactics...

I completely agree. And to anyone who is/was an HD DVD supporter who has been reading this site, please realize that the hostility many here have shown was a direct result of everyone here being locked into a "war" mentality -- much as fans of the other format were. I hope now that its time to put that mentality behind us, everyone can focus on making peace as we go forward.

Note that I cut off the rest of your message Penton, as I have made my peace (and offered my condolensces) to the insider you referrenced as well as a certain movie reviewer over there. The war is over... it's time to let bygones be bygones.

Mr. Graffeo... I, for one, welcome your company to the Blu-ray camp with open arms, and look forward to the opportunity to buy many great Universal films on Blu-ray in the coming year.

[u_nick]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

I completely agree. And to anyone who is/was an HD DVD supporter who has been reading this site, please realize that the hostility many here have shown was a direct result of everyone here being locked into a "war" mentality -- much as fans of the other format were. I hope now that its time to put that mentality behind us, everyone can focus on making peace as we go forward.

Mr. Graffeo... I, for one, welcome your company to the Blu-ray camp with open arms, and look forward to the opportunity to buy many great Universal films on Blu-ray in the coming year.

Great post. Couldnt have said it better myself. Thank you.

[Living Near Shamu]

Originally Posted by u_nick

Great post. Couldnt have said it better myself. Thank you.

+1

Mr. KG... You can make us super happy by saying "The Bourne Ultimatum will come to blu-ray disc in the near future."

[aygie]

guys i don't agree, the amount of bull that seeps from KG's mouth is ridiculous.

[JAGUAR1977]

Originally Posted by gandley

But what has ken G ever done for me?? other than teach me the great art of debate, and comercial suicide

he goes blu, he can have all the love he wants in a none naked way.

ken G go Blu, see green.

I think we can all respect HD-DVD companies/supporters who see the writing on the wall and embrace Blu-ray.

It's those who still cling to the belief HD-DVD can win the format war I've lost all respect for.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

In other news I just posted this correspondence I received from Cinram over at AVS:



I posted it in the thread I started about SonyDADC's 10,000,000th pressing.

This is from the Director of Investor Relations at Cinram International. Their BD50 line was not running in January 2007, which means they've hit up to 80% yields WITHIN their first year.

Imagine that!

Oh, that thread I started has completely evaporated.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...65454&posted=1

Imagine that too.

I had typed a quite lengthy insert for that thread and when i pushed publish...*poof* it was gone...

Those mods are still a bit butt-sore...hopefully they will undo a few buttons soon...

[JohnGalt]

Originally Posted by Aygie

guys i don't agree, the amount of bull that seeps from KG's mouth is ridiculous.

As co-president of the HD DVD Promotions Group his job description includes slathering large amounts of lipstick on the pig.