Archived: Insiders Thread

[Penton-Man]

Below is a clip from Scott H. at HDiH-(for the sake of complete transparency that is a website created and funded by Blu-ray studios-- which means that what the Disney spokesman said and how he responded should be considered completely accurate).

Microsoft corporate vp, consumer media technology Amir Majidimehr applied for media access to Disney home entertainment's web site the same week that Paramount/DreamWorks announced they were abandoning the Disney-backed Blu-ray format. Can't criticize the guy for trying, I guess, and at least he was completely open and candid about who he is -- listed his accurate name, title, affiliation, and contact info.

But holy cow, what kind of shenanigan or desperate act is this?
Either he thinks the people at Disney are idiots, he's up to something, or he curiously believed the studio would be happy to grant him the access.

Disney Home Entertainment's worldwide head of communications Eric Maehara told me he laughed hysterically at this request and said that once Amir can get properly accredited as a legitimate journalist then Maehara will be happy to give him access. "Who knows," Maehara said, "If he's lucky and i'm in a good mood, maybe i'll even give him a Blu-ray screener."

What could Amir possibly want with media access to Disney?
It makes me feel all good inside to hear how Eric M. responded.

^ ^ ^
I personally don’t know (and don’t much care) whether or not Amir M., did or did not apply for media access to Disney Home Entertainment's website but, I sure as heck wouldn’t put it past him because he had the gall to try to post on this forum in the past………...but, what IS important is how the Disney spokesperson responded to the request believing that it was Amir himself.

So daman, does that answer your question?

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

At this point with all the hubbub about this particular title on AVMS, I wouldn’t be surprised if WB pulls it indefinitely. Let’s hope they don’t.

Does AVS really have that much influence on what studios do?

enjoy
gandalf

[daman]

Originally Posted by gand41f

Does AVS really have that much influence on what studios do?

enjoy
gandalf

Here is what markrubin posted in the Insider thread there

Originally Posted by markrubin

It happens from time to time: it is their forum and they set the rules

I do not know the details: I try to stay away from any sponsor issues

So it's safe to assume that AVM$ changed the rule according to their sponsor (M$) wants.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

So daman, does that answer your question?

I read the stories from Scott when it broke and i didn't get the whole joke then but now you put it this way, my interpretation is that Amir is the butt of jokes around studios.

P-man,
What is the fallout for M$, Amir, AVM$ and the likes when this war is over ? Do the suits at studios/Holywood or anyone involved in this HDM business have a short memory ?

Or as you once put it, would 2-3 years from now, Amir and you would walk hand in hand into the sunset ?

[Deciazulado]

I think the insiders might be tired of being asked about Amir here

[daman]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

I think the insiders might be tired of being asked about Amir here

My appology. Point well taken. Will not ask insiders anymore useless questions like those about Amir. They couldn't care less

[phloyd]

So, does anyone have a definitive answer on the House on Haunted Hill 2 with respect to seamless branching?

So far Stacey is the only one claiming it will have seamless for HD DVD.

On the 'no' side we have paidgeek, PM's contact plus a third direct contact with Warner that I know of.

Could this have been a late development hand crafted to work? If so Stacey could be in on it. In general he doesn't get into the bullsh!t that his fellow colleagues are so fond - if it was anyone else I would have written it off.

Just curious.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by gand41f

Does AVS really have that much influence on what studios do?

enjoy
gandalf

In the context you've provided, not AVMS per se, as most studio people believe there are only 100-200 members frantically posting over there 24/7 on the HDM threads in an attempt to convert a tiny, tiny handful of new members to HD DVD. Fortunately, here we can just relax, kick back and enjoy our format of choice, blu-ray.

Hypothetically, it would be more accurate to say that some studios under some circumstances would be concerned about repercussions all over the internet and from there, to real world businesses, if someone portrayed inaccuracies to a particular situation, the past cjplay thing comes to mind.
And you all know how AVMS did on that one, as to getting what they wanted.

In this particular case, we are talking about the cold hard reality of the technological superiority of Blu-ray compared to HD DVD in regards to its much greater ease of implementation for seamless branching as compared to the HD DVD edition, or so I’ve been told by a WB friend. I haven’t seen the title myself, not even the packaging.

As long as the discussion stays in that sphere and doesn’t go into rampant speculation that WB is favoring this format or favoring that format by how it is offering this title up to the consumer, I would expect it to launch right on time.

P.S.
And hell, if it doesn’t debut on time for some other completely independent reason like a schedule shuffle or what not, other titles coming on Blu-ray that have already been announced will have seamless branching.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

In the context you've provided,

In other contexts, yes I would say that some studios, most vividly, SPE definitely cares what the desires are of early adopters in regards to Blu-ray.

This is best exemplified by what paidgeek has implemented by input from the internet….

-A sparkling-new, reference-level transfer of The Fifth Element PLUS a free exchange program for owners of the previous version.
-Vastly improved PQ across the board on SPE discs. Almost every release is now reference-level. Take a look at smaller titles like Identity, Revenge, Donnie Brasco, Hellboy, Seven Years in Tibet or Arlington Road for evidence. You won't believe how great they are.
-A move to seemless branching for multiple cuts of the same movie (Spider-man 2, Close Encounters, more to follow).
-A move to higher bit-depth audio on SPE Blu-rays.
-No Dialog Normalization on Sony's DTHD tracks.
-Fewer & less sticky stickers on the cases.
-DVD upscaling & forced 24p mode for the PS3.

^
copyright to hollywoodguy for the above.

[phloyd]

Further on the Speares comment - you can see it here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=142

It is an off the cuff comment in an unrelated thread.

And it is dated almost a month ago.

So all the other reports (I believe) are since his comment.

So ... he could have mis-spoken?

I can't wait to see what the real answer is..!

It will be priceless if Stacey is incorrect. Amir will look like an ass!

... again!

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

In the context you've provided, not AVMS per se, as most studio people believe there are only 100-200 members frantically posting over there 24/7 on the HDM threads in an attempt to convert a tiny, tiny handful of new members to HD DVD. Fortunately, here we can just relax, kick back and enjoy our format of choice, blu-ray.

Hypothetically, it would be more accurate to say that some studios under some circumstances would be concerned about repercussions all over the internet and from there, to real world businesses, if someone portrayed inaccuracies to a particular situation, the past cjplay thing comes to mind.
And you all know how AVMS did on that one, as to getting what they wanted.

In this particular case, we are talking about the cold hard reality of the technological superiority of Blu-ray compared to HD DVD in regards to its much greater ease of implementation for seamless branching as compared to the HD DVD edition, or so I’ve been told by a WB friend. I haven’t seen the title myself, not even the packaging.

As long as the discussion stays in that sphere and doesn’t go into rampant speculation that WB is favoring this format or favoring that format by how it is offering this title up to the consumer, I would expect it to launch right on time.

P.S.
And hell, if it doesn’t debut on time for some other completely independent reason like a schedule shuffle or what not, other titles coming on Blu-ray that have already been announced will have seamless branching.

Yeah, all over the Internet as in the Para situation, right?

Thanks, that makes sense. In fact, we BD supporters shouldn't be fanning that flame too much right now. I know it's fun to grill A-man and watch him squirm but it's better to wait until undeniable facts are in our hands...like actual BD-50 discs (not science fiction!).

thanks
gandalf

[sodrock]

Originally Posted by Azumi

To the Insiders:

A French website has recently published the numbers of standalone units for BD and HD DVD (excluding the PS3 and the MS add-on) in the main european markets since inception through June.

The least one can say is that Europe has *a lot* of catch-up to do. Thank goodness for the PS3.

Many new standalone players have been announced at IFA, and most of them have European release dates. But I'd like to know if you have agreed upon specific plans and local initiatives in order to *dramatically increase* the CE unit sales.

Are the spotlights still on the PS3 in order to grow market share, or can we expect initiatives and marketing pushes with vendors and movie publishers in the coming months?

...and possibly some efforts on pricing?

Thank you

It is amazing to see how small all these numbers really are and how these formats are still in their infancy. It is going to take some time and educated consumers before this deal is done. The PS3 will help continue the charge.

[Dotpattern]

To any insider,

With upcoming titles such as Close Encounters and Spider-Man 2, we know we'll be getting multiple versions of the movies via seemless branching.

But in cases where there is only one version of a movie, has there been any discussion/plan, or any demand for that matter, to release movies with multiple soundtracks?

Troy for instance was originally scored by Gabriel Yared, but before it was released in theaters, the score was replaced with one by James Horner. This is not an uncommon practice in Hollywood and I've always thought it would be interesting to provide audiences with a chance to hear multiple versions and decide for themselves which score they prefer.

[phloyd]

The Big Blue is another classic case of movies being changed for the USA.

So there is two theatricals, with difference cuts and soundtracks.

Plus there is the 'integrale' version.

I sense a great release for SPHE (assuming I remember right and they have the rights for this excellent movie)!!!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by phloyd

So, does anyone have a definitive answer on the House on Haunted Hill 2 with respect to seamless branching?

So far Stacey is the only one claiming it will have seamless for HD DVD.

On the 'no' side we have paidgeek, PM's contact plus a third direct contact with Warner that I know of.

Could this have been a late development hand crafted to work? If so Stacey could be in on it. In general he doesn't get into the bullsh!t that his fellow colleagues are so fond - if it was anyone else I would have written it off.

Just curious.

Phloyd,
All I can tell you is that I was told the HD DVD version has “stops” whereas the Blu-ray version does not and thus the Blu-ray version fits the strict criteria for a seamless branching feature…………. or as people in the studio business understand the term.

Keep in mind, I was speaking to someone at WB who is a tad higher than a V.P. and I’m sure that he was simply rattling off what some techno people told him. However, he’s always been a credible source of information in the past.

In fact, not just credible, I would say that he has been spot-on in the past.
I just can’t offer you anymore, it’s not like I’m going to call him up to elaborate on the details of one particular blu-ray title. Our conversations are more in regards to the budgets of major theatrical presentations.

[Deciazulado]

Add me to those that would like alternate discarded soundtrack versions of movies as an extra (other movies like that: The Torn Curtain, 2001: A Space Odissey, The Greatest Story Ever Told, etc). Another possible use for BD-50.

[Dotpattern]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Add me to those that would like alternate discarded soundtrack versions of movies as an extra (other movies like that: The Torn Curtain, 2001: A Space Odissey, The Greatest Story Ever Told, etc). Another possible use for BD-50.

I started thinking more about this after I posted and, wow, there are a lot of titles with alternate soundtracks or instances where a lot of recorded music wasn't used.

Alien - most of Jerry Goldsmith's score was replaced by other sources.
2001 - as mentioned above. Alfred Newman's score was replaced.
Legend - Goldsmith's score replaced by Tangerine Dream.
The 13th Warrior - Goldsmith replaced Graeme Revell
Pirates of the Carribean - Klaus Badelt replaced Alan Silvestri.
Aliens - much of the music heard in the movie is from only a few cues repeated several times. There is much unused music on the CD.
The Empire Strikes Back - about 30 minutes of music on the CD is not used in the movie (for the better IMO but it's interesting nonetheless).

And even though they're with other studios, for future reference it might be interesting to note that Howard Shore's score for King Kong was replaced with one by James Newton Howard. Mission: Impossible - Alan Silvestri was replaced by Danny Elfman. Timeline - Goldsmith was replaced by Brian Tyler (again, for the better, but Goldsmith's music is so completely different it would be interesting to hear how it effects the overall tone of the movie).

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

I started thinking more about this after I posted and, wow, there are a lot of titles with alternate soundtracks or instances where a lot of recorded music wasn't used.

Alien - most of Jerry Goldsmith's score was replaced by other sources.
2001 - as mentioned above. Alfred Newman's score was replaced.
Legend - Goldsmith's score replaced by Tangerine Dream.
The 13th Warrior - Goldsmith replaced Graeme Revell
Pirates of the Carribean - Klaus Badelt replaced Alan Silvestri.
Aliens - much of the music heard in the movie is from only a few cues repeated several times. There is much unused music on the CD.
The Empire Strikes Back - about 30 minutes of music on the CD is not used in the movie (for the better IMO but it's interesting nonetheless).

And even though they're with other studios, for future reference it might be interesting to note that Howard Shore's score for King Kong was replaced with one by James Newton Howard. Mission: Impossible - Alan Silvestri was replaced by Danny Elfman. Timeline - Goldsmith was replaced by Brian Tyler (again, for the better, but Goldsmith's music is so completely different it would be interesting to hear how it effects the overall tone of the movie).

Alex North wrote the rejected score for 2001, not Newman.

[darkedgex]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

I started thinking more about this after I posted and, wow, there are a lot of titles with alternate soundtracks or instances where a lot of recorded music wasn't used.

On a similar vein, any insiders have info on the possibility of score-only tracks on future BD releases? Movies like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings would seem like ideal candidates for this (especially the latter, The Lord of the Rings has had 2 of its 3 soundtracks released as 4 disc sets, with the 4th disc being a DVD-Audio disc containing 48/24 MLP audio; so this easily verifies that at least the audio elements for newer (at least major) studio releases are available as 48/24 or possibly higher.

This is also where dropping PCM for Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA would seem to bring benefits (multiple lossless tracks being a fairly expensive bitrate item).

[Ascended_Saiyan]

To paidgeek, Penton-Man, kjack, Any Insiders:

I was wondering about Spielberg's ability to keep his titles from being released. How far does it go? Does Spielberg have the right to have his titles distributed by any studio he chooses? Does he have the right to make a studio release his titles on both formats? How does that work...being a director that owns the titles he/she directs?

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by phloyd

The Big Blue is another classic case of movies being changed for the USA.

So there is two theatricals, with difference cuts and soundtracks.

Plus there is the 'integrale' version.

I sense a great release for SPHE (assuming I remember right and they have the rights for this excellent movie)!!!

I am a HUGE fan of Luc Besson's The Big Blue!

The DVD release was not sourced from the best master. In fact, it was taken from a USED film reel. You can even see the reel markers.

Hopefully they can find a good master of this one. I doubt they would spend the money on a full restoration for this title.