HTSA news, and Disney Platinum Edition Blu-rays...

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

that is what they do with DVD as well, isn't it? My experience of buying disney titles for 7 years has already taught me disney DVD release pattern

Are you referring to the Platinum Editions? I think they're "Special Editions" in the UK, which probably complicates matters. The PE line is quite specific in North America and consists of less than a dozen titles so far, released no more often than twice a year---one in spring and one in fall; the first was Snow White in 2001, Peter Pan and Jungle Book were this year's. There have been North American 2-disc deluxe "Special Editions" that are probably Platinum in all but name (Sleeping Beauty springs to mine), but they aren't officially Platinum titles.

Favorite quote:

With noticeable passion he talked about how breathless all the studio brass were when they got their first glimpse of "Sleeping Beauty" on Blu-ray.

[mgonzo2u]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I don't know about you guys but I am salivating over Toy Story, The Lion King & Aladdin on Blu-ray. WHO COULD RESIST THOSE TITLES IN HD?!!

My SIL has recently started buying my young daughter many of the Platinum Edition Disney Classics (up to like 6 or 7 now) while I have been telling my wife she's wasting her money because some day they will be released on BD and that's when I'll buy them for her.

At least it wasn't my dollars being burned up on those DVD's.

IMO, the upconverted DVD's look great to my eye but I have not bought many movies the past 3+ years knowing that PS3 was coming and the BD were what I wanted to update our catalogue with.

[Manco]

Great read! BDA guns drawn...kick'n ass...and tak'n names.

If HiDef were Nascar...HD-DVD would be the Restrictor Plate.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by joeorc

"contributors" are Full-Blown supporters you Dumb @SS

No kidding! We've had dozens of engineers working on BD for over two years. Contributors are the ones involved in the nitty-gritty of making the whole thing work. The BoD just guides the whole process. Sorta like the CEO of a $1B company doesn't help sort the mail or write C++ code to implement products.

[jkwest]

This thread is GOLD!!!

Thank you to everyone who has posted here.

What a great feeling to be blu!


Keep it coming BDA!!

[gandley]

this quote made me smirk

"are being confused by an online HD-DVD campaign that's prolonging this format war"

oh yes, we have seen this in action, just read the v ery first comment after the articule, toshiba should be so proud of there minions.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

that is what they do with DVD as well, isn't it? My experience of buying disney titles for 7 years has already taught me disney DVD release pattern

that is so far my experience also..and this goes to show the same kind of commitment...that is why i love Disney movies..aside from HS MUSICAL...i just can't.... ,Mickey Mouse tempts me he does, he task's..... me.... even though i have refused that Movie my wife has not and i must buy it when it comes out....Mickey Mouse has such power...

[xtop]

after reading the article over again. why is toy story 2 coming, and not toy story?. lame lol

edit: its also funny to see the comments to that story. most are complaining because sony is spreading lies. very interesting

[joeorc]

something to chew on....again...

Premium Products Reign This Holiday Season

Pioneer KURO. (PRNewsFoto/Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.)

LONG BEACH, CA UNITED STATES
Pioneer Electronics logo. (PRNewsFoto)

LONG BEACH, CA USA


Pioneer(R) Seeks Input from Luxury Industry Expert Brent Butterworth on
Premium Consumer Electronics Trends for the Holidays

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays are when
luxury consumers splurge on premium products. In a time when fear of
inflation is prominent, experts still agree that premium products, defined
by the quality they deliver, will continue to maintain a share of the
market. Between 2001 and 2006, growth indices within the luxury goods
market have posted an average increase of at least 13 percent compared to
the less than five percent increase for the Dow Jones Industrial average
during the same period. An important segment of luxury goods is technology.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071115/LATH173)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020628/PIONLOGO)
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is appealing to these consumers and
undergoing a rebranding effort seeking to reposition the company alongside
other premium brands. Pioneer's KURO television line epitomizes the quality
and fulfillment consumers seek for an emotional experience with
entertainment. In this repositioning effort, the company interviewed Brent
Butterworth, editor-in-chief of luxury publication Robb Report Home
Entertainment, on premium technology trends for the 2007 holiday season.
Butterworth identified five things to look for relating to the quality home
entertainment experience:
-- WITH FLAT PANEL TELEVISIONS ... SIZE MATTERS: In 2007, a holiday
splurge will be large-screen flat panel televisions. According to
Butterworth, "more people are going to be buying flat-panel TVs, and in
larger sizes. It used to be that 42-inch was a huge part of the market
but 50-, 55-, and 60-inch models will grow dramatically in sales this
holiday season, while 42-inch will play a much smaller role." The
technology of choice for large screen displays will be plasma. When
forecasting 2007 Black Friday sales, Sang Tang, HDTV research analyst
with Current Analysis West, an NPD Group company, stated that "plasma
will be very aggressive at 50-inches and will maintain a foothold on
the high-end market." Leading the premium market in picture
performance, Pioneer's KURO televisions, which are available both in
720 and 1080p models, and in sizes ranging from 42- to 60-inches, are
premium plasma displays that offer industry-leading black levels,
resulting in richer colors and sharper details.

-- HIGH-END HOME THEATER FURNITURE: A variety of furniture has been
developed specifically for use with flat panel televisions, said
Butterworth. He adds that "this furniture has actually started to
drive home theater sales. For the first time, it's now easy to put in
a great-looking, high-performance home theater." Companies that
produce premium home theater furniture include Lovan USA, which offers
the Lovan Harmony plasma / LCD lift cabinet and BDI, offering a
collection of home theater furniture with integrated features such as
hidden wheels, adjustable shelves, flow-through ventilation and wire
management.

-- PREMIUM SPEAKERS ARE NOT WHITE AND PLASTIC: iPod(R) speaker systems are
beginning to rise above the original plastic versions that previously
dominated the category, Butterworth notes. There are now a variety of
iPod speakers that cost more than $500 and "for many people, these will
become their idea of what a high-end audio system is." These speakers
include Bowers & Wilkin' Zeppelin, an integrated iPod speaker system
with a stainless steel iPod dock. Stereo systems that are iPod-ready
are another option for consumers seeking high-end sound. For example,
Pioneer's Elite(R) X-Z9 delivers professional quality sound in a
premium desktop system. In addition to having a source for iPods, the
X-Z9 offers USB connection, satellite radio and networked audio. It
also plays SACDs and conventional CDs.

-- VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS WILL BE CENTRAL TO THE HOME THEATER: Video game
systems are no longer just for the kids. Instead, Butterworth
discusses how they are becoming the primary source device and high-end
home theater system for the whole family. "The explosive sales of
Halo 3 show how important this category is to consumers of all ages and
incomes. Even the most extravagant custom home theater systems now
often, if not usually, feature video games," Butterworth adds. In
addition to video games, these systems play both traditional DVDs and
the high-definition optical disc formats. For example, Playstation 3
includes a Blu-ray Disc drive in the actual system. There are also a
variety of stand-alone Blu-ray Disc players available this holiday
season including Pioneer's Elite BDP-95FD, which delivers high
definition picture quality utilizing True24FPS so films are viewed
exactly as the director intended. The BDP-95FD Blu-ray Disc player
also incorporates HDMI 1.3 for high-resolution audio output.

-- OUTDOOR HOME THEATER: Consumers are beginning to bring their home
theater outdoors. Butterworth remarks that "outdoor audio/video will
be the next growth area in high-end consumer electronics, thanks in
part to the introduction of some interesting new products in the last
two years." This will likely first take place in the warmer climates
such as Southern California where "enclosures are now being built to
protect [flat panel televisions] from the elements when there's no
porch cover around to shelter them." Audio and video developments are
adding to this new outdoor lifestyle as, for example, "new form factors
in speakers are making it possible to get much better outdoor sound."
"In our rebranding effort, we are looking to position Pioneer with
other great premium brands," said Russ Johnston, executive vice president
of marketing and product planning for the Home Entertainment and Business
Solutions Group at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "Our products -- from the
KURO televisions to our premium X-Z9 system and unrivaled Blu-ray Disc
player -- deliver an emotional connection to entertainment for those
individuals who seek a premium experience. These consumers contribute
significantly to luxury purchases during the holidays."
About Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Pioneer's Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group develops high
definition home theater equipment for sports and entertainment junkies. Its
flat panel televisions, Blu-ray Disc players, A/V receivers and speakers
heighten the emotions created by great HD content. The company brands
include Pioneer(R) and Elite(R). When purchased from an authorized
retailer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer
products and two years with Elite products. More details can be located at
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com.
Pioneer and Elite are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
iPod is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and
other countries.
Contacts:
Christina Ramirez, 310-952-2388 or christina.ramirez@pioneer-usa.com
Danit Ross, 310-526-5529 or dross@gcigroup.com


SOURCE Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4706845&EDATE=

[Luis_A51]

Platinum titles will begin to be released after October 08 is what I gathered. That kinda blows, thats a long ways away.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Platinum titles will begin to be released after October 08 is what I gathered. That kinda blows, thats a long ways away.

but the big trump card that HD DVD was holding out for...this was just posted on eproduct war's .com

Steve K responds on 2007-11-15 15:05:55.0: China plans switch to EVD by 2008 Mike, CH-DVD is not a complete format yet. You are lying. You cannot prove it is an active format. Better yet, that press release is very familiar:

On July 8, the Ministry of Information Industry declared that the national standard of EVD (Enhanced Versatile Disc) for the electronic industry was officially publicized online. It is China's first standard for high definition video disc system with the independent intellectual property, indicating that a "title" is finally given to EVD as the world's first industrialized high-definition digital disc player developed by China.

On the same day, the China's Audio-Visual Industry Summit Forum was held synchronously in Guangzhou. In the forum, a keynote speech ýC Development Tendency of High Definition Disc Player ýC was delivered by Tian Yujing, a senior engineer with Television and Acoustics Research Institute of Information Industry Ministry and an authoritative expert in the audio-visual industry. During her speech, Tian analyzed one by one the three high definition disc formats that are based on red-laser technology, namely EVD, HVD and HDV, all of which are now speculated heatedly in the domestic industry circle.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...6.gtchinadvd07

Or this one (linked):

By 2008, when EVD replaces DVD, there will be no major impact on Chinese manufacturers, he said at a news conference.

Chinese sales of high-definition TV sets next year are expected to grow by 60 per cent to eight million units, driving sales of video players, Zhang said. He said producers plan to start trying to export EVD machines next year.

On Wednesday, 54 video players from 20 Chinese manufacturers were displayed at a Beijing art gallery. They included models from Haier Group, one of the world's top three appliance makers, and TCL Group, which owns French television maker Thomson and the RCA brand.

The 20 manufacturers in the EVD alliance account for 90 per cent of DVD sales in China, according to Zhang.

Or what about this whopper:

China Hualu Group Co., Ltd. (CHLG), the only consumer electronics company belonging to Chinese state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of State Council, has joined the Blu-ray Disc Association as a contributor member. CHLG is one of China?s leading manufactures of audio and video devices and is one of the largest providers of audio and video content and services in China. "After careful and intensive evaluation of next generation DVD formats, China Hualu Group decided to join Blu-ray Disc Association since this presents the best opportunity in the market for us," said Chen Run Sheng, Chairman of CHLG. "Hualu Group is committed to actively help improve the Blu-ray Disc format and becoming involved in its promotional activities in the Chinese market."

And one more just for kicks:

"There's this perception that China has somehow 'selected' HD DVD, but that's just wrong," he said. "First of all there's no one entity to 'select' anything, and it didn't come from the government. There was a consortium of groups, which included the government, that pressed for a Chinese version of HD DVD, but at this point that's still a proposal. We haven't seen any product."


that is funny..But..but..CH-DVD.....

WHY DO THEY WANT TO SWITCH:

Out DVD, in EVD
By Gareth Powell December 1st, 2006

evdOne of the problems for all Chinese manufacturers in the electronics industry is that royalties have to be paid on so much. And royalties push up prices, cut down profits. So members of China’s EVD (enhanced versatile disc) Industry Alliance will stop making DVD players from 2008. Instead they will make EVD players. Zhang Baoquan, secretary-general of the EVD Industry Alliance, said it is all being fast-tracked. As it should be.

The figures are amazing. China’s DVD player output once accounted for 90 percent of the world total, but high patent fees hampered its development. So a number of DVD player producers dropped out of the business. Switch to EVD and the patent problem practically disappears.

So how much is involved?

Chinese makers must pay the patent licensing alliance of Hitachi, Matsushita, Toshiba, JVC, Mitsubishi and Time Warner about $5 for each DVD player produced which shrinks profit margins to invisibility. The EVD standard is one to which most of the intellectual property rights, includes sound, navigation systems and copyright protection technologies are held within China.

China’s Ministry of Information Industry last year adopted the EVD technology as the national standard for its electronics industry. Beijing E-World Technology, a company jointly funded by nine mainland electronics makers, started to develop the EVD standard.

The standard is set as a guideline for the development and production of chips, software, discs and players for high-definition digital video products.

Leading Chinese disc player producers, including Bubukao, Changhong and Skyworth, will display more than 50 EVD models next week. Chinese makers will set the average sale price of EVD players at RMB700 ($87.5) which is roughly the same as a DVD player.
It is claimed — and this is seriously important — that the image quality of an EVD player is five times clearer than that of a DVD player and the discs can store more data.

What makes it compelling is that owners can play their existing DVD collections on EVD players, and owners of EVD players and high-definition TV sets with USB interface would be able to copy movies at special EVD stations. It would cost RMB5-8 ($1) to copy a movie.

What will be amazing is if this takes off — no reason why it should not except for the entrenched opposition of the rest of the industry — overseas.

http://www.chinaeconomicreview.com/i...ut-dvd-in-evd/

[dakota81]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall.

That may be the best release news I've seen since buying my PS3. My jaw literally dropped. Brilliant. Time to start guessing which comes first!

As the article suggests, this will begin spring 2009, so we've got a lot of time to guess.

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

Are you referring to the Platinum Editions? I think they're "Special Editions" in the UK, which probably complicates matters. The PE line is quite specific in North America and consists of less than a dozen titles so far, released no more often than twice a year---one in spring and one in fall; the first was Snow White in 2001, Peter Pan and Jungle Book were this year's. There have been North American 2-disc deluxe "Special Editions" that are probably Platinum in all but name (Sleeping Beauty springs to mine), but they aren't officially Platinum titles.

Favorite quote:

never missed any single of them (except pixar titles). Classic??? never missed.
It's released in US first, then few month later, the UK version comes out under "special edition / 2 disc special edition". It's always like that. Snow white - I got the last copy available in Tower UK. Beauty and the beast - 2002, I got the UK and french version.

[Brain Sturgeon]

--Asked why even 50-gig discs don't have more bonus features on Blu-ray, reps from two different studio told us that at this stage they are devoted to quality first, and bonus features second. Right now their big priority is "maxing out" the 50-gig discs with high-as-possible bit rates on the audio and video to get the absolute best picture and sound--to, in fact, replicate the theatrical master. Fox, meanwhile, seems to be taking the lead in the development of new Blu-ray disc bonus-feature technology..

This answer, FTW!

BDA, please keep the pedal to the metal for max PQ/AQ. I would much rather pay extra for another disc for extras rather than have a movie gimped (HD DVD style) on PQ and/or AQ just for some bells and whistles that I may never even look at.