Archived: Insiders Thread

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Chad Varnadore

That's my understanding as well, that region coding is optional, but that any pressing or repressing of a film more than a year old, has to be region free. Can't remember where I heard that though. Regardless, you can't blame the format for giving studios the option or supporting something that content providers asked for. It's the studios that decide whether or not they want to implement it. Not having the option, is just another example of the lack of flexibility and design limitations of HD DVD that are part of the reason why studios like Fox and Disney don't support it.

I don't know anybody that likes the notion of region coding. But, it's not hard to understand why studios don't want to give consumers in foreign countries home video privileges during or before a films theatrical exhibition.

Your information is correct. After 1 year, region coded titles that are newly manufactured to fill reorders must have region coding removed.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

paidgeek: Is The Fifth Element done using a true 4K/2K master downconverted to 1080p, or was it using a 720p master? (puts three bucks in the coffer)


fuad

TFE was transferred at 1920 x 1080 resolution. I am not aware of ANY SPE title that has ever been transferred at 720p. The only way to make TFE sharper than the new release already is would be to use enhancement techniques that would start to introduce new problems. I think no apologies are required for the new master. It is better than average and is a reflection of the film elements.

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by krinkle

Paidgeek,

Just want to ask if there was a reason that Satoshi Kon's Paprika was released in Japan and the EU but not the States?

Just thought you should know that Paprika BD is now the number 1 selling BD title at Amazon France. Its not because the French are buying it either! This is almost solely due to enthusiasts buying the title and importing it. Many are members of this forum.

I placed my order over a week ago at Amazon.fr, and won't get my copy until August 1st because it is back-ordered for that long.

I just hope that SPHE realizes that there is a market for these titles here in the states.

This is the second title I have imported, the first was GITS: Innocence BD from Japan.

Please take note and encourage the release of a USA version of these types of animated titles in the future. If you are going to produce a BD for other parts of the world how hard can it be to add an English title to the packaging and release it here? I would think the marginal cost of doing so would be quite small. Until then I'll keep importing.

Keep up the good work and thanks for posting here.

It is scheduled for later this year. I'm not sure why it was delayed for the US.

[JBlacklow]

To any insider that speaks with Paramount:

Is there a reason they keep on omitting Blu-ray from their discussions about "Star Trek" in HD? They're completely equal as to which titles are released, and Warner is backfilling BD with their previous HD DVD exclusives, so it makes no sense that they would have any sort of exclusive, even timed. Do they just refer to HD discs, and we get twisted reports like a game of Telephone?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Sorry for my delayed response. I've been vacationing a bit.

The first title was delayed in order to test it on some new players just now in beta. Because the title is not ours, I prefer not to announce it, but I believe it is ready to go pending these final tests.

That makes me VERY excited! =D

I wonder whose it is?

[bferr1]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

To any insider that speaks with Paramount:

Is there a reason they keep on omitting Blu-ray from their discussions about "Star Trek" in HD? They're completely equal as to which titles are released, and Warner is backfilling BD with their previous HD DVD exclusives, so it makes no sense that they would have any sort of exclusive, even timed. Do they just refer to HD discs, and we get twisted reports like a game of Telephone?

I'm not an insider, but I do remember when the news about Star Trek in HD broke last year, it was suggested that the HD DVDs would come first, with the BDs following later, perhaps in 2008. I definitely got the impression they wouldn't be released at the same time. Does anyone else remember reading the same thing?

[Steeb]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

TFE was transferred at 1920 x 1080 resolution. I am not aware of ANY SPE title that has ever been transferred at 720p. The only way to make TFE sharper than the new release already is would be to use enhancement techniques that would start to introduce new problems. I think no apologies are required for the new master. It is better than average and is a reflection of the film elements.

From what I've seen of the screen caps on AVS, this new version is going to be stellar. I look forward to seeing it first-hand, but I'm confident this will be reference and will quickly become one of my show-off discs.

Kudos Sony!

[WickyWoo]

It is scheduled for later this year. I'm not sure why it was delayed for the US.

Because it just opened on a roadshow run at US arthouses, after doing the festivals for months.

I'm not an insider, but I do remember when the news about Star Trek in HD broke last year, it was suggested that the HD DVDs would come first, with the BDs following later, perhaps in 2008. I definitely got the impression they wouldn't be released at the same time. Does anyone else remember reading the same thing?

No, simply that it wouldn't be too long till the BR. They obviously signed some kind of deal, look at the Live Marketplace prominence on the downloads. My money would be on a "through the end of 2008" type deal

Personally I hope they have a chance to implement seamless branching. While I don't find the new FX nearly as offensive as the early shots, I still like it the way it was

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by bferr1

I'm not an insider, but I do remember when the news about Star Trek in HD broke last year, it was suggested that the HD DVDs would come first, with the BDs following later, perhaps in 2008. I definitely got the impression they wouldn't be released at the same time. Does anyone else remember reading the same thing?

Yes.

IIRC it was about the time that they had that South Park (also Viacom) episode on HD DVD for the XBox 360 drive.

I think the goal was to sell more 360's using the Star Trek eps. The other thing was that they were going to be combos - and I believe no 'DVDs' so that the HD DVD / DVD combo would be the only version available. This I am a little more hazy on...

It will be interesting to see what happens now, since HD DVD is losing steam and that would be a huge cost to go to with relatively little merit...?

[Penton-Man]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11003702

Apparently, he didn’t hear about what transpired (anxiety and "more consideration") nearly immediately after the Blockbuster news was announced.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Apparently, he didn’t hear about what transpired (anxiety and "more consideration") nearly immediately after the Blockbuster news was announced.

Why would he be in the loop? The charade of "being in the know" with studios that he plays has become clear with passing time...

[JBlacklow]

Hey, paidgeek, Kaz Hirai (SCE) just said "Spider-Man 2" is out(?) on Blu-ray at E3/E for All. Is he misinformed, or is it coming sooner than we thought?

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

Hey, paidgeek, Kaz Hirai (SCE) just said "Spider-Man 2" is out(?) on Blu-ray at E3/E for All. Is he misinformed, or is it coming sooner than we thought?

It's not out yet. Sounds like he was misinformed...

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Esox50

Why would he be in the loop? The charade of "being in the know" with studios that he plays has become clear with passing time...

LOL,

Well now in the course of less than 24 hr. we have back stepped from “there is not a single thought in Universal's mind about publishing in BD format” to .....

“Keep in mind that what I provide to you is not an official statement on behalf of any other company. But only a barameter from our point of view. That barameter does not indicate Uni publishing in BD”


See...................
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11005160

Perhaps he just found out this afternoon how much the BlockBuster news ROCKED Uni.

It will be interesting to see where that barometer goes as time marches on.

[GasCat]

Are there some films easier to master to Blu-Ray than others?
Is black and white easier than color?
Are animated films easier?
Are digitally animated films the easiest to do?

[gandley]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

LOL,

Well now in the course of less than 24 hr. we have back stepped from “there is not a single thought in Universal's mind about publishing in BD format” to .....

“Keep in mind that what I provide to you is not an official statement on behalf of any other company. But only a barameter from our point of view. That barameter does not indicate Uni publishing in BD”


See...................
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11005160

Perhaps he just found out this afternoon how much the BlockBuster news ROCKED Uni.

It will be interesting to see where that barometer goes as time marches on.

So you think the BlockBuster news really rocked uni under the surface because i thought they were like , yeah whatever about the news.

[bigmf]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

LOL,

Well now in the course of less than 24 hr. we have back stepped from “there is not a single thought in Universal's mind about publishing in BD format” to .....

“Keep in mind that what I provide to you is not an official statement on behalf of any other company. But only a barameter from our point of view. That barameter does not indicate Uni publishing in BD”


See...................
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post11005160

Perhaps he just found out this afternoon how much the BlockBuster news ROCKED Uni.

It will be interesting to see where that barometer goes as time marches on.

If I've learned anything from that site its that it is spelled barameter.

Any ideas when we might hear any real statements about Uni?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Are there some films easier to master to Blu-Ray than others?
Is black and white easier than color?
Are animated films easier?
Are digitally animated films the easiest to do?

That’s a perfect question for paidgeek, so I shall defer to him.

Perhaps you should re-edit your post with ….
"Question to paidgeek" to bring it to his personal attention as he scans this thread quickly (due to limited time). He doesn’t delegate his work for other people to do.

I will say though that as Blu-ray becomes more and more embraced by the general public, it would behoove any studio to make the process as streamlined and as automated as possible (while maintaining the current high quality of the Sony titles) to get titles in our hands the sooner the better.

Encodes that necessitate time-consuming extensive hand tweaking because of limitations of bandwith or space as on some other high def optical disc format, just aint going cut it in the long run.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by gandley

So you think the BlockBuster news really rocked uni under the surface

I know it did, despite the marketing spin by one person afterwards.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by bigmf

If I've learned anything from that site its that it is spelled barameter.

Any ideas when we might hear any real statements about Uni?

When they feel they can no longer discount the revenue lost by publishing in both formats, as each becomes more profitable with time.

Most folks feel that after the fourth quarter will be a defining time for *reconsideration* of their position. But the BlockBuster news rocked them so much, I only wish that the BDA had another dynamite announcement to follow-thru with to see if that would expedite the whole process.