Shawshank Redemption

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Does anyone have any specific information about this release? Which codec? Region encoded? Extras?

This same company put out at 3 disc DVD set that had an entire disc of extras not included here.

[geto10]

US release which is out on the 4th of November is a digibook!

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by geto10

US release which is out on the 4th of November is a digibook!

I know.

You're not listening.

This will be a different encode plus may have extras that we don't get. Plus it's out earlier.

[lgans316]

There is a possibility that ITV may feature DTS-HD MA.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by geto10

US release which is out on the 4th of November is a digibook!

It was rescheduled for December 2nd.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Any update on this?

[2099net]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Does anyone have any specific information about this release? Which codec? Region encoded? Extras?

This same company put out at 3 disc DVD set that had an entire disc of extras not included here.

I'm a little worried that the template for that cover design seems to be Sony's, because as far as I know this should be a ITV release (the DVD was).

Previous ITV Blu-rays have been VC-1. Note, it is possible ITV will "share" the encoding with the Warner release (or more accurately Warner will "share" theirs with ITV). It's quite common for larger companies to provide smaller European distributors with transfers and encodes for a small fee, because its more cost effective for the smaller distributor to do this than pay to encode their own. Again, as far as I know, ITV only have the rights in the UK - in France for example the DVD was released by "Cidc Une Video" and in Germany by "Euro Video". There is a high chance ITV will consider it too costly to create their own encoding for the limited UK market.

I'm not sure about extras, but previous ITV blu-ray have had SD extras in PAL format. So that will affect the playbackability on most US set-ups. ITV aren't particularly known for cramming their Blu-rays with supplements, so I personally doubt all from the 3 disc DVD release will be carried over - again, because of the limited market the distributor has access to, it may not even come on a BD50!

However, all this information could mean nothing. A well regarded film like Shawshank may be ITVs first "big" Blu-ray release, which they're willing to pull out all the stops as a statement of intent for the format. Or, given the Sony like front cover, ITV's rights may have expired and Sony may be releasing the Blu-ray, in which case we can expect a new encode and (presumably) new extras.

Edited to add: Amazon.co.uk confirms this is a ITV release.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by 2099net

I'm not sure about extras, but previous ITV blu-ray have had SD extras in PAL format. So that will affect the playbackability on most US set-ups.

I'm not sure what other Blu-ray releases have come from ITV, but would I be right in thinking that The Shawshank Redemption will be their first BD release of a film from a major Hollywood studio (as opposed to smaller independent films or TV material)?

If that is true, then I would expect any SD extras to be in NTSC if they are the same ones that Warner are including on their US release. There would be no point in paying for an NTSC-PAL conversion that would only degrade the resulting picture quality. All UK Blu-ray players and TVs can deal with NTSC as well as PAL.

I hope this will be the case anyway. I'm in the UK, but I have a US player that wouldn't be able to cope with PAL material. And, although I normally buy US BDs, I'd rather have the UK release of Shawshank - it's not only coming out earlier than the US one, but it will be in a proper Blu-ray case whereas the US release is going to be in one of those book-type digiboxes, which I don't like at all.

[Sky_Captain]

I've pre-ordered this version. ITV have put out some winners recently transfer wise, so I hope that continues. I also happen to hate those coffee book things.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

I'm not sure what other Blu-ray releases have come from ITV...

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=1058

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=1099

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=1193

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=1059

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=1176

etc...

Pro-B

[2099net]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

If that is true, then I would expect any SD extras to be in NTSC if they are the same ones that Warner are including on their US release. There would be no point in paying for an NTSC-PAL conversion that would only degrade the resulting picture quality. All UK Blu-ray players and TVs can deal with NTSC as well as PAL.

But the ITV DVD release, as stated earlier, had an additional disc of extra features (our 3 Disc set was 3 DVDs, not a soundtrack too) and I'm not sure where the extra interviews were sourced from. I've not seen it, but if they were from the time of the film's theatrical release, it's perfectly possible that they were conducted and filmed in the UK and in PAL format.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by 2099net

But the ITV DVD release, as stated earlier, had an additional disc of extra features (our 3 Disc set was 3 DVDs, not a soundtrack too) and I'm not sure where the extra interviews were sourced from. I've not seen it, but if they were from the time of the film's theatrical release, it's perfectly possible that they were conducted and filmed in the UK and in PAL format.

Hmmm...you may well be right. I think I'd better rent the UK release first and test it on my US player to see if it has any problems with the extras.

Warners are really starting to irritate me with regard to these US BD releases in "coffee table" book format. I've found out that 'JFK' is going to be in that format as well, and that title hasn't been announced in the UK yet! Their choice of titles for this treatment seems completely arbitrary. For example, why 'Bonnie And Clyde' but not 'The Wild Bunch'? And why 'The Shawshank Redemption' but not 'L.A. Confidential'? If they must do this, why couldn't they at least offer a standard packaged option as well (presumably at a lower price). OK rant over.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by 2099net

But the ITV DVD release, as stated earlier, had an additional disc of extra features (our 3 Disc set was 3 DVDs, not a soundtrack too) and I'm not sure where the extra interviews were sourced from. I've not seen it, but if they were from the time of the film's theatrical release, it's perfectly possible that they were conducted and filmed in the UK and in PAL format.

They're all "newer" extras done for that special edition release. I'm assuming they were all shot on video, in which case I'm betting they're all PAL. If they were shot in HD (they are in 16x9), then we'd seriously be in luck. I'm just waiting to hear what the extras are at this point and if they're playable. I'm very curious. It's a lot of material to be left off. If anyone wants a detailed breakdown, let me know.

Interviews:
- Tim Robbins (27:21)
- Morgan Freeman (20:54)
- Bob Gunton (37:45)
- William Sadler (32:24)
- Clancy Brown (15:41)
'Behind the Scenes' Original On-Location Footage (9:23)
(Original) Theatrical Trailer (2:16)

[Josh]

I nearly imported this until I did a search and found out ITV was releasing (I thought it was Warner). I hate those digibooks and will hold out on this release until I can get it else where (or possibly from the UK if this release turns out good). I just ordered One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest from Korea for that exact reason.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by Josh

I nearly imported this until I did a search and found out ITV was releasing (I thought it was Warner). I hate those digibooks and will hold out on this release until I can get it else where (or possibly from the UK if this release turns out good). I just ordered One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest from Korea for that exact reason.

I'm in the exact same position Josh - and by coincidence, I've also ordered the Korean edition of OFOTCN! I've also bought the UK editions of 'Bonnie And Clyde' and 'Dirty Harry' for the same reason. The only slight drawback with UK releases is that they come in somewhat thicker cases, which take up more shelf space - but it's still far preferable to those horrible digibook editions that Warner are using for particular titles in America.

I hope this ITV edition of Shawshank will be a high quality release. They haven't announced details of any extra as yet, but I can't believe it will just be a "bare bones" release.

It's annoying that another of my favourite films, JFK, will also be released in a digibook edition in the US - and it hasn't yet been announced on Blu-ray in any other country as far as I'm aware. Still, I suppose it will come out in the UK and/or Korea before too long. I'll just have to be patient.

[Josh]

I have quite a few imports, so the case thickness is bugging me less and less. I'm more bugged buy the digibooks and box sets that Warner puts out. Dirty Harry may be the next to go if I can't find a 5-disc replacement case for the whole set. I think I can due with just the original.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

What do you guys do about the extras on foreign releases? Are they playable or are they in PAL ?

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

What do you guys do about the extras on foreign releases? Are they playable or are they in PAL ?

I'm in the UK but I have a US BD player which can't handle PAL, so I'm effectively in the same position as you. If we're talking about a movie from a major Hollywood studio, it's likely that any standard definition extras will be in NTSC even on European releases, as all European BD players and TVs can handle NTSC as well as PAL and there's no reason for the studios to pay extra money for NTSC-PAL conversions that would only degrade the PQ.

I have the UK BD edition of 'Bonnie And Clyde' and I can confirm that all the SD extras on that release are in NTSC. I've also just ordered the UK version of 'Dirty Harry' on the (hopefully correct) assumption that the same will be true for that one!

With smaller independent releasing companies, especially non-US ones, it could be a different story of course. In such cases, I think we'd need to check out the format of SD extras before buying. Maybe a prior rental would be the safe way to go if that's an option.

[2099net]

It appears the UK Shawshank will not have any extras. Not a big surprise given ITVs past record, and I still suspect this will be a BD25 rather than a 50. So the PAL/NTSC issue appears moot.

[eChopper]

mines on order from the UK

but im not holding my breath for a Sept 29 release