Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[lgans316]

Jeff / Bill,

Any idea on whether MGM will release the greatest ever cartoon series made, Tom and Jerry ?

Do you think Blu-ray has really satisfied the Studios in terms of mass penetration and sales ? What are the titles on Blu-ray, you think have reaped solid revenue to the Studios ?

Btw, the bonds have been available on sale for under $14 a piece in the UK and it's Region A, B, C.

[Jeff Kleist]

It's Warner Bros now, and not any time soon, though theyve talked about the possibility of some Looney Toons happening

Of course they'd like sales to be bigger, but everyone in general is happy

The only people who seem to be unhappy with Blus performance are those shoving them on the shelves at SRP with poor sale discounts and wondering why they're not doing so well

[lgans316]

Jeff / Bill,

Don't flame me for the below but any idea why Sony is encoding TrueHD tracks with the companion audio at 448 Kbps ? Also, titles like Anaconda are given 24-bit treatment but recent titles like International and Casino Royale Collector's Edition feature only 16-bit TrueHD with 448 Kbps companion audio ?

I don't have a HD AVR but the difference between 448 Kbps and 640 Kbps sounds quite huge to my ears though anything beyond does seem to fall under the realm of diminishing returns.

Could you please talk to the right Sony reps and alert them on this situation ?

Anaconda - Dolby TrueHD Audio English 2917 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2917 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)

The International - Dolby TrueHD Audio English 1412 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1412 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps)

Casino Royale: Collector's Edition: Yes Collector's Edition. I repeat Collector's Edition. - Dolby TrueHD Audio English 1698 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1698 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps)

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by merrick97

I want them to get it right, so Ill wait.

Yes, but if this delay happens, it'll be a move the product delay, not an improve the product delay.

Originally Posted by merrick97

The holidays are looking too crazy as it is.

I agree, and that's why I'd be happy with just about anything else being pushed back, but not this. I need my Alien!

[Jeff Kleist]

Don't flame me for the below but any idea why Sony is encoding TrueHD tracks with the companion audio at 448 Kbps ? Also, titles like Anaconda are given 24-bit treatment but recent titles like International and Casino Royale Collector's Edition feature only 16-bit TrueHD with 448 Kbps companion audio ?

They're just re-using the DVD assets to save money.

[MerrickG]

Is it safe to say that Terminator Salvation will end up being viewed as a bust?

[J.Cornelius]

I thought it was really cool of you guys to take the time and effort to use your contacts to put forth something like this to shed some light on the whole grain issue to people like myself who are not versed on such matters but have a desire to learn. I found it very informative and look forward to similar releases. Hats off to a job well done!

Time to check out the sunset with a cigar and a glass of vino...

[Jeff Kleist]

Thanks for the compliments, our hats go off to Stacey without whose hard work this would not have been possible

Is it safe to say that Terminator Salvation will end up being viewed as a bust?

Hard to say, it's doing pretty solid in the foreign markets, and the themes definately appeal more there. Dissapointing sure, but part of that can definatley be chalked up to bad placement. They probably would have done $200 million if they'd just put it out in Feb-March. JJTrek had legs, Night at the Museum opened much stronger than expected, and it kinda got buried in the mix.

If it clears $250 worldwide and does well on video (which I think it will), I'm pretty sure we'll see another one. Myself I await final judgement until I see the 30 minutes that are missing, which I suspect is where all the character development went to get the running time down.

[Azyiu]

Hi Bill and Jeff, how are you? I asked the following question over the weekend in another thread, and perhaps you guys could share some insights in regarding this matter? Thanks in advance.

So I have a question for you. I live in Hong "Commies Infested" Kong, and we do get some localized version of Hollywood films and such on Blu. While their specs all seem to be identital with their US counterparts, as a buyer do we still need to worry about a possible video discrepancy; like we do back in the dvd days? For one reason or another I am still under the impression that, these localized version BDs might not look as good as their US counterparts. Your thoughts?

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Thanks for the compliments, our hats go off to Stacey without whose hard work this would not have been possible



Hard to say, it's doing pretty solid in the foreign markets, and the themes definately appeal more there. Dissapointing sure, but part of that can definatley be chalked up to bad placement. They probably would have done $200 million if they'd just put it out in Feb-March. JJTrek had legs, Night at the Museum opened much stronger than expected, and it kinda got buried in the mix.

If it clears $250 worldwide and does well on video (which I think it will), I'm pretty sure we'll see another one. Myself I await final judgement until I see the 30 minutes that are missing, which I suspect is where all the character development went to get the running time down.

Yeah, I am very curious to see what all got cut out and I really hope the bluray is released as an extended cut.

[Jeff Kleist]

So I have a question for you. I live in Hong "Commies Infested" Kong, and we do get some localized version of Hollywood films and such on Blu. While their specs all seem to be identital with their US counterparts, as a buyer do we still need to worry about a possible video discrepancy; like we do back in the dvd days? For one reason or another I am still under the impression that, these localized version BDs might not look as good as their US counterparts. Your thoughts?

So far, as far as I know, assuming the disc comes from the same studio or their subsidary they're all identical to the US versions. If they come from diff companies than YMMV

[cjamescook]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I agree, and that's why I'd be happy with just about anything else being pushed back, but not this. I need my Alien!

Still? I already have mine.

-Jim
My GF is Russian resident alien.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

So far, as far as I know, assuming the disc comes from the same studio or their subsidary they're all identical to the US versions. If they come from diff companies than YMMV

I ended up buying the US version of Dr.Strangelove as well. Yeah, the shop has it for sales already here in HK.


Anyway, the PQ on both versions look identical, like you said. But the Asian version is missing at least the "Split-screen Interviews with Sellers and Scott", and perhaps (need to double check this one) the "Arts of Stanley Kubrick" features.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Yes, but if this delay happens, it'll be a move the product delay, not an improve the product delay.



I agree, and that's why I'd be happy with just about anything else being pushed back, but not this. I need my Alien!

I want those films more than anyone. They would be at the top of my list.

I get the feeling that they might get pushed back to allow Cameron more time to be involved with Aliens.

[Jeff Kleist]

"Look at that grain! I thought this was delayed a year to fix it!
GGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH !!"



Not looking forward to the complaints about Aliens

[thebluemax]

I would like to see some of the big epic films released on BD.

El Cid
Khartoum
Wind and the Lion
Ben-Hur
Ten Commandments

Any of these or other epics in the pipeline?

[Jeff Kleist]

Yes

Don't count on El Cid for a very long time though. I'd just buy the DVD, because if you like it that much, chances are you'll get enough plays out of it by the time there's a domestic Blu-ray to make it worth it

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

"Look at that grain! I thought this was delayed a year to fix it!
GGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH !!"



Not looking forward to the complaints about Aliens

Actually, I would be delighted with some DNR on "Aliens", way to grainey.

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Yes

Don't count on El Cid for a very long time though. I'd just buy the DVD, because if you like it that much, chances are you'll get enough plays out of it by the time there's a domestic Blu-ray to make it worth it

Thanks, Jeff- I have "El Cid" on DVD, but would love it on BD, any reason why it will not be for a long time?

[cembros]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

Actually, I would be delighted with some DNR on "Aliens", way to grainey.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh please dont say that someone might actually listen