WB. How serious are they about BD.

[Bullseye]

I know they are on the BDA but how serious are they about releasing some of their most recent hits on BD. I know alot of people did not think much of the Matrix 2 and 3 but you know they are going to look great on BD. And why is there such a delay in announcing Batman Returns. Have they intentionally given the HD-DVD camp a head start by releasing these titles on HD-DVD already. Just how serious are WB about BD and are we likely to see these before Christmas.

[j_rocca42]

I believe they help back the tittles that you mentioned do to the lack of interactivity on BD. But now that 1.1 is here, that should change soon.

[Bullseye]

I hope your right but i feel rightly or wrongly most BD supporters are more concerned about picture and audio quality over gimics like interactivity.

[j_rocca42]

Oh that is for sure. I could careless about interactivity! I just want amazing PQ and AQ.

[Proteus]

My understanding has been that WB has been waiting to ensure that interactivity features could be implemented on those AAA titles you mentioned.

Also, there seems to be a new paradigm happening at WB now where they are actually wanting to encode the Blu-ray to it's specs instead of simply porting HDDVD low bitrate garbage over.

If this is the case, then I'm pretty sure the Blu-ray version of all those titles will be vastly superior in quality to the HDDVD version and worth the small wait.

We already know Batman Begins will drop prior to the holidays.

[foots]

From all the Batman Begins rumors I've read it will be released in Nov. With the exception of The Omega Man and the Led Zeppelin disc WB has not announced their November lineup. Based on their track record they release more than two movies a month especially during holiday season. I wouldn't be too concerned on the lack of an announcement just yet.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Proteus

My understanding has been that WB has been waiting to ensure that interactivity features could be implemented on those AAA titles you mentioned.

Also, there seems to be a new paradigm happening at WB now where they are actually wanting to encode the Blu-ray to it's specs instead of simply porting HDDVD low bitrate garbage over.

If this is the case, then I'm pretty sure the Blu-ray version of all those titles will be vastly superior in quality to the HDDVD version and worth the small wait.

We already know Batman Begins will drop prior to the holidays.

Is there any proof that they "WANT TO ENCODE BLU-RAY TO IT'S SPECS". It would cost them significantly more to do so. I would surmise that they will continue to port their VC-1 encodes until they either:

#1. Realize that the war is over and Blu-ray has officially staked it's flag into the market foundation.

#2. Announce Blu-ray exclusivity.

And, based on those two options, I would put money on the idea that they are more than happy to reap the financial boatload of revenue from continuing to do what they are doing now. Encoding once and releasing it for ALL enthusiasts... even for previously released HD DVD exclusive titles such as 'Batman Begins' & 'V For Vendetta'. 'Troy: Director's Cut' is still even being released in VC-1 and, being the director's cut makes it a Blu-ray exclusive version!

[gvortex7]

I'm pretty sure the main reason for the delay of some of the key WB titles is the lack of available interactivity (profile 1.1) in today's Blu-ray players. I guess WB wants to take full advantage of these new technologies that come with today's hi-def players (both Blu-ray and HD DVD) and unfortunately they've been able to do that from day one with HD DVD. Not so with Blu-ray. But, I believe that is about to change with the release of the new generation (profile 1.1) players.

At least lets hope it'll change.

[Proteus]

As I said, it's my impression from what I've read 'around the net'.

There was some insider commentary on an upcoming release from Warner using Blu-ray only technology that should showcase the difference between the formats even more.

It's not unlikely for them to encode for both as, prior to the Viacom deal, Paramount was headed that direction as well.

There are studios that care about the final presentation of their movies and those who clearly do not. Disney would be a shining example of the former and Paramount would be the latter; however, Warner is usually somewhere in the middle (they are always in the damn middle... they really need to grow a pair some day). Will be interesting to see.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Proteus

As I said, it's my impression from what I've read 'around the net'.

There was some insider commentary on an upcoming release from Warner using Blu-ray only technology that should showcase the difference between the formats even more.

It's not unlikely for them to encode for both as, prior to the Viacom deal, Paramount was headed that direction as well.

There are studios that care about the final presentation of their movies and those who clearly do not. Disney would be a shining example of the former and Paramount would be the latter; however, Warner is usually somewhere in the middle (they are always in the damn middle... they really need to grow a pair some day). Will be interesting to see.

i would not look too much into it Warner Bros. are just wanting to be sure the Absorbtion process of HD DVD goes smooth. they do not want to let Blu-Ray get a tummy ache. after the Absorbtion...

[monkyman]

The longer this war goes on, the less serious any studio will become. If the war doesn't end and sales are poor, what's the motivation to continue? (other than a 150 mil payoff) No profit, no support. Let's hope this ends before they lose their desire to wait.

[Blu-Style]

I hope they are serious, about the supporting movies we need...

but at least... they weren´t on the HDDVD conference

[Maximus]

I just posted this somewhere else on the forum:

Originally Posted by Grubert

Harry Potter films: German release in November 16. All films released separately (a collector's box with all 5 films will be available exclusively from amazon.de).

HD DVD: Audio DD+ only. Order of the Phoenix will have 2 discs.

Blu-ray: Audio DD and PCM (English). Order of the Phoenix to be single-disc but include same contents as DVD and HD DVD.

[Proteus]

That's great Max! lol

Takes two discs to even put Harry Potter on HDDVD. That's just silly.

Right there is the first real proof that HDDVD does, in fact, _not_ cut it for modern day HD needs on a medium.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by monkyman

The longer this war goes on, the less serious any studio will become. If the war doesn't end and sales are poor, what's the motivation to continue? (other than a 150 mil payoff) No profit, no support. Let's hope this ends before they lose their desire to wait.

All HD DVD has done is bought themselves a little time until the Absorbtion...its going to HAPPEN..now that BLU-RAY has in effect has the major Defacto largest HARDWARE company and MOVIE distribution in China THAT IS BACKED BY THE Chinese GOVT. THE time for HD DVD's Absorbtion is at hand and the Time to make sure THE Blu-Ray format TAKES its TUMS to prevent HEART BURN is at hand too after the HD DVD Absorbtion. blu-ray is going to be a little sleepy..but blu-ray will feel better in the morning after the HD DVD gas settles.

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by joeorc

All HD DVD has done is bought themselves a little time until the Absorbtion...its going to HAPPEN..now that BLU-RAY has in effect has the major Defacto largest HARDWARE company and MOVIE distribution in China THAT IS BACKED BY THE Chinese GOVT. THE time for HD DVD's Absorbtion is at hand and the Time to make sure THE Blu-Ray format TAKES its TUMS to prevent HEART BURN is at hand too after the HD DVD Absorbtion. blu-ray is going to be a little sleepy..but blu-ray will feel better in the morning after the HD DVD gas settles.

Does this mean that after the digestion of HD-DVD, they will turn from RED to BROWN?

[andyparhelia]

thats funny indeed, blu-ray has the same spec + pcm and they can fit it all on one disc!

Although, I wish WB wouldn't release these films as HD-DVD ports - adding PCM doesn't cut it for me, I want AVC Mpeg4, honestly who's seen either of the Pirates of the Carribbean blu rays???? Fair Play to Disney, they pick a format and use it's full potential.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by monkyman

Does this mean that after the digestion of HD-DVD, they will turn from RED to BROWN?

i think sooo... , after the DIGESTIVE JUICES take over the BDA can then offer HD-J interactivity as a bonus to the HD DVD interactive software.... , ONE big happy format.the BLU-RAY FORMAT will be rubbing ITS stomach soon enough.
.

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Proteus

Takes two discs to even put Harry Potter on HDDVD. That's just silly.

Right there is the first real proof that HDDVD does, in fact, _not_ cut it for modern day HD needs on a medium.

Actually, the proof was out a while ago. It just never got released because Para decided to sell themselves for money.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...699#post167699

enjoy
gandalf

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by andyparhelia

thats funny indeed, blu-ray has the same spec + pcm and they can fit it all on one disc!

Yep. And the fanbois on AVS keep bringing up the total storage issue to hide the biggest reason why HD DVD is inferior -- bandwidth! You just can't fit high quality video and lossless audio into 30 Mbps.

enjoy
gandalf