Why the delays?

[DouglasHP74]

As an early adopter of Blue Ray I would have thought that as the format war was over a year ago, that there would be a rush of catalogue releases to build sales.

After waiting a year to start replacing 400 classic DVD films, I purchased Vudu to rent HD and HDX 1080P 24 frame titles. So I just have to ask, Why the Delays?

Take a classic like Funny Girl. While that may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is a classic film. I have go to cable to watch it on HDNet, but cannot buy it.

I saw Lawrence of Arabia, in the Sony Blue Ray promo reel 3 years ago in Vegas at the Forum, yet no release dates. What am I missing here?

I could name 50 films that I would buy in a heartbeat, but they’re just not available. And if they are announced, such as Dances with Wolves, they are delayed with no release date.

Are classic films not profitable? As many of the films were remastered for the DVD release, I thought that the DVD masters were in 1080P and that this transition was simply a matter of going through the Codec, and The Menu lay out.


Any thoughts would be appreciated. Meanwhile my money goes to Vudu.

Douglas

[RiseDarthVader]

The reason for most delays is because they need to scan the movies digitally at 2K and then remaster it. Sometimes it can be because the director wants to make sure they are there to supervise the transfer and they are currently busy so you won't get a Blu-ray release for a while.

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by DouglasHP74

Are classic films not profitable? As many of the films were remastered for the DVD release, I thought that the DVD masters were in 1080P and that this transition was simply a matter of going through the Codec, and The Menu lay out.

Classic or Catalog titles do not sell as well as new releases. Take a look at everyone's collection here:

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/stats.php

Only four of the top 20 were catalogs released on blu. Given the fact that this is a fan website for blu-ray, sales for catalogs are bound to be a little higher than usual. I most look forward to catalogs, but for new adopters, they are probably only going to purchase new releases and not catalogs. There is an abundant amount of sales data (I cannot find the thread) that reinforces this point.


Just stay patient. It is a lengthy and expensive process to remaster/scan older prints. In time these movies will come and just remember each day is one day closer to their release.

[DouglasHP74]

Thanks for the response.

So the stories that the masters used for the creation of the DVD being the gold standard of 1080P/24 is not what they are using to create the Blue Ray version?

All Blue Ray disks require a new master from the original films at 2K? This is new knowlege. If you have any links on that, please pass them on.

Thanks again. Being patient. And I will review the sales data. The Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty should be good examples.

Douglas

[ZIPPO]

blu-ray

[P@t_Mtl]

There is also the fact that flooding a market with too many products is not a good idea. If they were to release all of their catalogue in a very short period, how much sell would it truly give them? Sure over time they would catch up but there is only so much money consumers can spend on a luxary, and let's face it DVD or BD are luxaries, not essentials. You have monthly bills that need to be taken care of like house, food, kids....

[bogo5]

I thought older movies are scanned in at 4K?

I saw a behind the scenes on a old movie which they said 4K was the norm.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by DouglasHP74

Thanks for the response.

So the stories that the masters used for the creation of the DVD being the gold standard of 1080P/24 is not what they are using to create the Blue Ray version?

All Blue Ray disks require a new master from the original films at 2K? This is new knowlege. If you have any links on that, please pass them on.

Thanks again. Being patient. And I will review the sales data. The Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty should be good examples.

Douglas

Well, if it helps Sleeping Beauty has been released already on Blu-ray.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=555

Also in 'Blu-ray there is no 'e'.

[Blu Jacket]

Originally Posted by DouglasHP74

Thanks for the response.

So the stories that the masters used for the creation of the DVD being the gold standard of 1080P/24 is not what they are using to create the Blue Ray version?

All Blue Ray disks require a new master from the original films at 2K? This is new knowlege. If you have any links on that, please pass them on.

Thanks again. Being patient. And I will review the sales data. The Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty should be good examples.

Douglas

Keep in mind also that some are held back for a particular reason. For instance, Ghostbusters is being released to coincide with the anniversary of the movie. Or to take advantage of a related theatrical release, like the Xmen movies coming when Wolverine is in theaters and Star Trek coming when the new movie releases. Some studios will do this with bigger catalog titles. Also, some directors hold up their work for personal reasons. Lucas and Spielberg tend to hold onto their big guns until there is a larger user base to ensure big sales. That's why it took so long for Indiana Jones and Star Wars to appear on DVD. (the obvious exceptions being Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Clone Wars which released because it was timed with the initial DVD release) I remember distinctly that I had switched to all DVDs when Phantom Menace came out for sale only on VHS.

[ClaytonMG]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/stats.php

Only four of the top 20 were catalogs released on blu.

I counted 8:
Transformers
Batman Begins
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Cars
Blade Runner
I, Robot
The Fifth Element

[bumpylemon]

doug as an early adopter and poster here...you should know the name of the product...

Blu-Ray not Blue Ray as other members have also pointed out the correct name.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by bumpylemon

doug as an early adopter and poster here...you should know the name of the product...

Blu-Ray not Blue Ray as other members have also pointed out the correct name.

^
What he said.