Archived: Insiders Thread

[paidgeek]

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'll let them know....

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by Objectivity

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.

I don't like to clutter this thread more than necessary, but that one really did make me laugh out loud!

[blitz6speed]

<-- i just want to buy more blu rays damnit!

[gand41f]

Hi Paidgeek,

Nice to see you're back. I take your house is safe?

Maybe it got lost amid all the posts while you were away, so I'm quoting myself here:

Originally Posted by gand41f

Question to Paidgeek:

For BD-J based titles, some of the PS3 controller buttons don't seem to work (most notably, the left/right arrows as well as the left stick, and the "X" button). There are other buttons that have the equivalent functionality (the L2 and R2 buttons for left/right, and the "start" button for the "X") but as I'm one of the few people who like to use the PS3 remote (not the Blu-ray remote) and control the movie like a game, the left stick and "X" are where my fingers first go.

Is it possible to have these buttons activated as well? Or is there some restriction in BD-J or its authoring tools that only work with the "standard" buttons?

thanks
gandalf

FYI, I received Pirates I & II today thanks to Amazon's BOGO sale, and both of them have the same issue. So far all BD-J titles I've tested recently (FF2, Memoirs of the Geisha, Surf's Up) exhibit the same behavior.

It's not a big deal, as long as there are equivalent buttons on the PS3 game controller, I can navigate the movie just fine. It's just that the gamers' instinct always makes my thumb hit the "X" button....

thanks
gandalf

[jd213]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I think your points are all valid, with the possible exception of DVD taking multiple frame rates?

I assume he's referring to the soft telecining on DVDs. I don't know much about the subject, but going from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3:2_pulldown#DVDs
and watching DVDs on my computer it seems that a DVD MPEG-2 stream can have both a soft-telecined 24p source as well as a 30p or 60i source since it can all be interpreted as 60i if need be. From your comments, it would seem that BD would have to have everything hard-telecined at 60i if it contains mixed framerates. Apologies in advance if Wikipedia is incorrect and I'm spreading disinformation.

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...

It would seem that Japanese TV broadcasters don't worry about this as much. I've noticed it the most on anime done by Kyoto Animation. Disregarding the technical difficulties it will apparently create when the shows are put onto BD, I personally like how it gives the opening animation the ability to be more fluid and have a lot of movement, but doesn't continue into the show itself (which doesn't have as much movement) so you don't have the 30p making it look like it was shot on video like a cheap documentary or soap opera.

[Teazle]

Paidgeek,

Would you please pass on this request to your Playstation contacts:

It would be _very_ handy to be able to use the PSP as a remote for the PS3 -- not the "Remote Play" feature, but for full PS3 XMB navigation and control on the PSP screen. This way you could play music on the PS3 through a connected amp & speakers, show track listings, arrange dowloads or perform any other non-video functions without switching on the TV. The PS3 does not have a frontal LED display and this would amply compensate for it.

Thanks very much, and extra thanks for your invaluable contributions to this forum.

[space2001]

Hi Paidgeek,

I am in Toronto, Canada. and I was just wondering since the PS3 price is on par with America, how come we havn't seen it with Blu-ray prices. For Example look at Spider-man 3. 36.99 at futureshop, and 29.99 on the best buy American site. I was wondering if anything can be done about this since our dollar is on par.

I want Spider-man 3 to be a Success but man that is a high price compared to other new blu-ray titles.

Thanks.

[Chris Beveridge]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

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...

Films I can certainly understand, but where the anime TV side is (even with Sony's own material I believe!), it's fairly regular to have this kind of problem. I'm hoping that as things progress forward and more true high definition anime TV series are created that it will lessen, but the issue is there for likely hundreds of TV series from Japan. So it is admittedly surprising that Sony being who it is in Japan, hasn't tackled that in the overall design. But at the same time I understand how difficult it can be to please all divisions while trying to build something that can be marketable and affordable.

[Bullseye]

Question for paidgeek.

Paid i was recenly at the local Virgin Megastore and was shocked at the prices of the BDs. Some movies were €22 but the most expensive was €64 ($89) for one movie, i confirmed the price and it was "Enemy of the State". Some titles were €55. Why are we in Europe paying so much more that the US and why aren't we getting these BOGA deals being offered to the American collectors. BTW i earlier though it was the Departed, that was only €50.

I know the PS3 has been priced at €399 ($558 thats $159.60) dearer than the USA.

So i guess my question is are we in Europe subsidising the low prices in the USA?

Its still more attractive for me to import my BDs from the US even though on occassion my parcels are stopped and i get hit for import taxes.

[Frode]

jd213 is indeed correct, with the minor addition that as well as 60i, it can easily be converted to 60p with minor cpu power needed, provided the frames have been flagged correctly. That didn't always happen, which is why cadence detecting DVD players did a better job than flag based ones in some cases.

Unfortunately I don't think this situation will change any time soon on the content side. It's not just openings that are a problem, but also pans of stills (they were often shot in 30p or 60i to avoid 3:2 judder) and 3D CGI (mecha/robots/SFX). There's even the nightmare scenario where footage is shot on video camera and then partially rotoscoped for effect, a mix of 60i camera and 24p animation. As long as they're using 1080i gear and workflow it'll continue to be an issue.

Some kind of basic 3:2 detection and deinterlacing to 60p for 60i would be a very welcome addition. I realize the PS3 may not have the CPU budget to do it as well for 1080i as it does for 480i, but anything would be better than what we have now.

[WickyWoo]

Bullseye, I can give you a partial answer

Europe is the size of the US, but split into what, 2 dozen different countries? The costs of doing business there are far greater because instead of dealing with say, the EU, you have to set up shop for a dozen different languages, 2 dozen governments, etc. In addition the rights to a film are often split among 3 or more companies over that small area, and total unit sales across all of europe are less. Home video prices are more attached to how the average joe feels out of pocket about an item than what it costs elsewhere. For example, in Japan, a videogame costs about $29.99 equivalent relative price, but because of revaluing of currency, exchange rates and such, the same game is $49.99 in the United States, and even more elsewhere.

[eat_me_cool]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Bullseye, I can give you a partial answer

Europe is the size of the US, but split into what, 2 dozen different countries? The costs of doing business there are far greater because instead of dealing with say, the EU, you have to set up shop for a dozen different languages, 2 dozen governments, etc. In addition the rights to a film are often split among 3 or more companies over that small area, and total unit sales across all of europe are less. Home video prices are more attached to how the average joe feels out of pocket about an item than what it costs elsewhere. For example, in Japan, a videogame costs about $29.99 equivalent relative price, but because of revaluing of currency, exchange rates and such, the same game is $49.99 in the United States, and even more elsewhere.

On line prices are similar to the US (once duty and VAT added). B&M retailers charge what they do because they can. My local Asda (Walmart) charges from £14.90 to £29.90 for BD's, there is no logic to it at all. I believe some high street shops charge £40.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Bullseye, I can give you a partial answer

Europe is the size of the US, but split into what, 2 dozen different countries? The costs of doing business there are far greater because instead of dealing with say, the EU, you have to set up shop for a dozen different languages, 2 dozen governments, etc. In addition the rights to a film are often split among 3 or more companies over that small area, and total unit sales across all of europe are less. Home video prices are more attached to how the average joe feels out of pocket about an item than what it costs elsewhere. For example, in Japan, a videogame costs about $29.99 equivalent relative price, but because of revaluing of currency, exchange rates and such, the same game is $49.99 in the United States, and even more elsewhere.

Fair enough but to charge $89 for one film is way over the top. Plus i think the EU is much larger than the USA in population.

[WickyWoo]

On line prices are similar to the US (once duty and VAT added). B&M retailers charge what they do because they can. My local Asda (Walmart) charges from £14.90 to £29.90 for BD's, there is no logic to it at all. I believe some high street shops charge £40.

What the raw cost of the media is never has anything to do with the end pricing. It's the cost of what's ON the media, getting it on the store shelves(which includes overhead), and advertising it that makes the price.

Maybe Max can give you a better breakdown since this more his area.

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Question for paidgeek.

Paid i was recenly at the local Virgin Megastore and was shocked at the prices of the BDs. Some movies were €22 but the most expensive was €64 ($89) for one movie, i confirmed the price and it was "Enemy of the State". Some titles were €55. Why are we in Europe paying so much more that the US and why aren't we getting these BOGA deals being offered to the American collectors. BTW i earlier though it was the Departed, that was only €50.

I know the PS3 has been priced at €399 ($558 thats $159.60) dearer than the USA.

So i guess my question is are we in Europe subsidising the low prices in the USA?

Its still more attractive for me to import my BDs from the US even though on occassion my parcels are stopped and i get hit for import taxes.

I will give you an example and share my opinion with you:

HERE in Middle East Virgin Megastore sell new BD for $45 like Casino Royale whereas,the catalog titles are selling for $37 .

Sometimes its better for me to import from US or Canada even i will save about $10 or $20.

Paidgeek if Anyting can be done for Middle East region or Europe as my friend here says i encourage you to send our comments to the responsible persons.

Thank you very much

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I sympathise with you, but unfortunately the pricing in Europe works differently to the US.

Traditionally retailers in the US have got very thin margins on these items, but in Europe they are used to much larger margins and it is up to them to set their own retail price as long as it isn't above the RRP set by the manufacturer. This should account for the varying prices on the discs themselves.

As for the PS3, the €399 price includes 20% import duty by the EU for foreign technological goods, local VAT, and retailer margin (which as discussed above is generally higher in Europe than the States). Without either of these taxes the price would be closer to €330. Same goes for the UK, without generous margins and extra taxes the price would be closer to £240.

Electronics are always more expensive in Europe, and for this you can blame the EU.

So the US does not have import charges on a Japanese made product? I agree with you on the EU point for sure. But it still does not excuse Virgin Megastores for trying to rip people off. Plus this is not doing any favours for BD in Europe.

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by Scorxpion

I will give you an example and share my opinion with you:

HERE in Middle East Virgin Megastore sell new BD for $45 like Casino Royale whereas,the catalog titles are selling for $37 .

Sometimes its better for me to import from US or Canada even i will save about $10 or $20.

Paidgeek if Anyting can be done for Middle East region or Europe as my friend here says i encourage you to send our comments to the responsible persons.

Thank you very much

Not that it helps you feel better, but the prices are not cheaper in Singapore and the rest of SE Asia either. The Samsung BD-P1000 sells for over US$900 and Blu-ray disks start at US$36. The local Sing dollar is much stronger now to the US dollar but I have not seen prices drop at all.

The PS3 is more reasonable, US$500 for 80 Gig model with 2 controllers. But I have never seen a Blu-ray (or HD-dvd) give-away with any purchase or any Blu-ray promotions.

I have no idea how well either format is doing locally, Blu-ray in general has about 2-1 retail space in stores that sell them but I buy from Amazon and have them shipped here as it is still cheaper.

Sorry for responding in the insider thread but it would be nice if promotions can also be run here if Paid or others have influence. Blu-ray seems to be ahead, it would be nice to close out the war in other regions which will help the battle in the US.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by gand41f

Hi Paidgeek,

Nice to see you're back. I take your house is safe?

Maybe it got lost amid all the posts while you were away, so I'm quoting myself here:


FYI, I received Pirates I & II today thanks to Amazon's BOGO sale, and both of them have the same issue. So far all BD-J titles I've tested recently (FF2, Memoirs of the Geisha, Surf's Up) exhibit the same behavior.

It's not a big deal, as long as there are equivalent buttons on the PS3 game controller, I can navigate the movie just fine. It's just that the gamers' instinct always makes my thumb hit the "X" button....

thanks
gandalf

It is diffilcult for us to keep the same function for the 'X' button for both HDMV and BDJ titles because of functions that the buttons map to. I highly recommend getting the BD remote for the PS3. It's a bargain and works very well.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Teazle

Paidgeek,

Would you please pass on this request to your Playstation contacts:

It would be _very_ handy to be able to use the PSP as a remote for the PS3 -- not the "Remote Play" feature, but for full PS3 XMB navigation and control on the PSP screen. This way you could play music on the PS3 through a connected amp & speakers, show track listings, arrange dowloads or perform any other non-video functions without switching on the TV. The PS3 does not have a frontal LED display and this would amply compensate for it.

Thanks very much, and extra thanks for your invaluable contributions to this forum.

This an interesting idea. I'll bring it up when I see them.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by space2001

Hi Paidgeek,

I am in Toronto, Canada. and I was just wondering since the PS3 price is on par with America, how come we havn't seen it with Blu-ray prices. For Example look at Spider-man 3. 36.99 at futureshop, and 29.99 on the best buy American site. I was wondering if anything can be done about this since our dollar is on par.

I want Spider-man 3 to be a Success but man that is a high price compared to other new blu-ray titles.

Thanks.

Sorry but I really have nothing to do with pricing issues. A person has to have boundries...