Archived: Insiders Thread

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Jamh

Any Insiders want to comment on Amir leaving his position managing HD-DVD to work on "Connected Entertainment"? Has M$ given up on HD-DVD or do they feel they've caused enough damage that now is the time to press forward with HD downloads?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=918902

On Amir per se, no, except for the fact that I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up on or initiates some interoperability or digital download forum someday on AVM$ since he already has a well established bit-starved base there.

As to its immediate effect on AVM$ and its veiled promotion of the HD DVD format, I would expect some surrogate insider with a pro HD DVD bias to fill the vacuum, if one hasn’t already.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by zed0118

Oops, it seems there's some editing in these forums too.

It's just to keep things tidy---your comments have been moved to this Off-Topic thread:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=18686&page=5

[zed0118]

My apologies.

Living in the Chicago metropolitan area ... and seeing the Cubs lose (yet again) has left me in a bit of a funk ... and a bit angry.

Sorry all.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

It's just to keep things tidy---your comments have been moved to this Off-Topic thread:

In terms of “tidy” at AVS, me thinks that deletion into the *don’t show it to anyone and throw it away category* is applicable at times.

What I’m getting at is, I posted the below on their “Cancel Dracula” thread to a guy (I think named 120 inch lcd) since he had a slew of rudimentary questions remaining about this title that still seem to be lingering in that censored environment. I assume some moderator there dislikes the hometheaterforum and/or DVDempire (to which some links are provided) as much as he dislikes our piece of Blu heaven.

So, just in case the guy gets out around the internet. This be to you 120 inch lcd or anyone else that still has questions . I’m posting this reply here on our Insider’s Thread because it is a sticky and probably gets more visibility than any specific movie thread but, in the true sense of tidiness for the Insider’s Thread please post any of your comments about this subject in the appropriate places.

120 inch lcd –as I previously posted -(on AVS, which seems to be a waste of my time) -

Maybe the problem is that there are so many threads on so many forums about this “issue” that you personally haven’t reviewed them all-- given some of your questions above.

Perhaps for you, therein lies the discontinuity…….as you have only been reading one thread from one source. I’ll try to provide a synopsis of pertinent links in succession from the original sources. Starting from the time this was first brought to my attention by somebody on Blu-ray.com. as to there being a *problem*.

From 9/25/07 –
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3576

From 9/27/07-
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3678

From 10/01/07 – (the first post)
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d.php?t=262992

From 10/03/07 -
http://forum.bluray.com/showthread.p...ity#post252999

From 10/04/07 –(scroll down to “Editor’s Note” for a response from Kim)
http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_ite...anchor=1#59890

Pertinent links from a master in regards to what alot of people apparently don’t understand regarding comparisons to previous renditions –
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...2&postcount=49

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...6&postcount=85


And finally for some comic relief to an issue that has not just been beaten to death, but has been buried and gone straight to hell by now-

Just read my quoted post at the top of the page where Paradiso quoted me …………..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=17144&page=9


Addendum –
B.T.W. – If I recall, one of the specific questions was a sort of a foray into the semantics of “director’s intent” via a Clintonesque analogy.
Mr. 120 inch LCD – if one has a director approved print readily available to use as a template for the process and a qualified supervisor (designated by the original creator) to oversee the process, it is not difficult to maintain the integrity of the “director’s intent” from the answer print to the Blu-ray edition for professionals, which I believe was successfully accomplished in this case.

[mfinochio]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

In terms of “tidy” at AVS, me thinks that deletion into the *don’t show it to anyone and throw it away category* is applicable at times.

What I’m getting at is, I posted the below on their “Cancel Dracula” thread to a guy (I think named 120 inch lcd) since he had a slew of rudimentary questions remaining about this title that still seem to be lingering in that censored environment. I assume some moderator there dislikes the hometheaterforum and/or DVDempire (to which some links are provided) as much as he dislikes our piece of Blu heaven.

So, just in case the guy gets out around the internet. This be to you 120 inch lcd or anyone else that still has questions . I’m posting this reply here on our Insider’s Thread because it is a sticky and probably gets more visibility than any specific movie thread but, in the true sense of tidiness for the Insider’s Thread please post any of your comments about this subject in the appropriate places.

120 inch lcd –as I previously posted -(on AVS, which seems to be a waste of my time) -

Maybe the problem is that there are so many threads on so many forums about this “issue” that you personally haven’t reviewed them all-- given some of your questions above.

Perhaps for you, therein lies the discontinuity…….as you have only been reading one thread from one source. I’ll try to provide a synopsis of pertinent links in succession from the original sources. Starting from the time this was first brought to my attention by somebody on Blu-ray.com. as to there being a *problem*.

From 9/25/07 –
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3576

From 9/27/07-
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=3678

From 10/01/07 – (the first post)
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d.php?t=262992

From 10/03/07 -
http://forum.bluray.com/showthread.p...ity#post252999

From 10/04/07 –(scroll down to “Editor’s Note” for a response from Kim)
http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_ite...anchor=1#59890

Pertinent links from a master in regards to what alot of people apparently don’t understand regarding comparisons to previous renditions –
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...2&postcount=49

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...6&postcount=85


And finally for some comic relief to an issue that has not just been beaten to death, but has been buried and gone straight to hell by now-

Just read my quoted post at the top of the page where Paradiso quoted me …………..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=17144&page=9


Addendum –
B.T.W. – If I recall, one of the specific questions was a sort of a foray into the semantics of “director’s intent” via a Clintonesque analogy.
Mr. 120 inch LCD – if one has a director approved print readily available to use as a template for the process and a qualified supervisor (designated by the original creator) to oversee the process, it is not difficult to maintain the integrity of the “director’s intent” from the answer print to the Blu-ray edition for professionals, which I believe was successfully accomplished in this case.

My god man, can people not realize this is how the director wanted it? Penton, you are having to explain this way too much. I have a feeling you could get Mr. Coppola to post himself and people would still not be pleased. This , to me, just proves someone will not like somethings what-ever you do.
End Rant, trying to know burying this horse.
Michael

[frank_t]

Originally Posted by mfinochio

My god man, can people not realize this is how the director wanted it? Penton, you are having to explain this way too much. I have a feeling you could get Mr. Coppola to post himself and people would still not be pleased. This , to me, just proves someone will not like somethings what-ever you do.
End Rant, trying to know burying this horse.
Michael

i wonder how many of us who appreciate this director's vision also bashed lucas for tweaking his own films. after all, according to lucas, that was how *he* wanted them

not trying to start an argument here, and i'm cool with the dracula release (good film, and believe it or not, my CRAPPY BB had 2 copies in stock!!, well, they have one copy now this is amazing for them as they carry 20 BD titles spread out over 2 shelves h rows high each; they suck).

but i digress...

oh yeah -- Han fires first dammit!

[BTBuck1]

I noticed on IMDB's site:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/companycredits

That a japanese DVD was released in 2000 (superbit title) of Jurassic Park By
Sony Pictures Entertainment. Can an Insider, tell me wether or not the same could be done for a Blu-ray disc in japan. Does sony have rights to this film in Japan?


Thanks!
Brian




Note,
Being that Japan and US share the same region coding, this would be an easy import if we were to get it.

[zed0118]

Regarding Dracula, I thought this thing was dead and buried. Well, I guess not ... so let me just get my shovel to make sure the grave is deep enough this time.

<dig> <dig> <dig> <dig>

There, that ought to do it.

This is one fine movie. The PQ is just awesome and really must be seen to be believed. Any reference to previous releases must really be ignored at this point. Just watch this release and then judge for yourself. Period.


And Jurassic Park would look stunning in Blu!!

[AlaskaDon]

Originally Posted by zed0118

This is one fine movie. The PQ is just awesome and really must be seen to be believed. Any reference to previous releases must really be ignored at this point. Just watch this release and then judge for yourself. Period.

Paidgeek

I also want to chime in here. I watched Dracula Friday night, and I thought that it looked fantastic. Don't let the fanboys get you down. The real place that the 2 & 1/2 stars should have went is on the reviewer

Also, since we don't have a Fox insider here, maybe you or Penton could pass a pat on the back on to them regarding The Day After Tomorrow. The picture quality was definitly the best I've seen to date. It will now be the title that I use to show off Blu-ray. The wait was well worth it.

[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by AlaskaDon

Paidgeek

I also want to chime in here. I watched Dracula Friday night, and I thought that it looked fantastic. Don't let the fanboys get you down. The real place that the 2 & 1/2 stars should have went is on the reviewer

Also, since we don't have a Fox insider here, maybe you or Penton could pass a pat on the back on to them regarding The Day After Tomorrow. The picture quality was definitly the best I've seen to date. It will now be the title that I use to show off Blu-ray. The wait was well worth it.

I agree with AlaskaDon. I forgot how great this film is and Coppola is a brilliant director. This is like the Godfather of Dracula movies. I also agree with Paid who wrote that he thought the Blu-ray version looks a little soft. IMO, the slight softness of Blu-ray added to the atmosphere of the movie. Great cast, great director, great movie, and solid Blu-ray treatment.

Overall I would give the PQ 4 stars as seen on my properly calibrated XBR4 LCD.

[Dave J]

Looks like David Vaughn is still taking time out of his busy schedule of reviewing HD discs to spread FUD to the general masses.

http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/shanebuettner/

Fear - Sony is a dishonest company who should not be trusted. Do not believe anything they state in official PRs as it relates to their business.

Uncertainty - Can Blu-ray really meet the demands of production if it is to replace DVD as the primary format for home video? According to Sony DADC they can produce up to 21 million BDs a month but can they be trusted?

Doubt - Consumer: "Maybe it is more expensive to produce BDs. Maybe it will cost more to buy movies on that format as well. I sure would like HDM to succeed in the long run but blu-ray doesn't sound like it's up to the challenge. HD DVD doesn't appear to have any of these issues. Maybe I should buy into that format instead."

Don't fall for it.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Dave J

Looks like David Vaughn is still taking time out of his busy schedule of reviewing HD discs to spread FUD to the general masses.

http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/shanebuettner/

Fear - Sony is a dishonest company who should not be trusted. Do not believe anything they state in official PRs as it relates to their business.

Uncertainty - Can Blu-ray really meet the demands of production if it is to replace DVD as the primary format for home video? According to Sony DADC they can produce up to 21 million BDs a month but can they be trusted?

Doubt - Consumer: "Maybe it is more expensive to produce BDs. Maybe it will cost more to buy movies on that format as well. I sure would like HDM to succeed in the long run but blu-ray doesn't sound like it's up to the challenge. HD DVD doesn't appear to have any of these issues. Maybe I should buy into that format instead."

Don't fall for it.

Mr. Vaughn is a movie reviewer, journalist, and self-proclaimed insider (from Vacaville ) who *covers* Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount studios. His knowledge about the intricacies of BD50 replication and future *problems* is about as intuitive as his statements regarding Cinram that he made to me on the old Insider’s companion thread that we used to have. Some mods here may be able to resurrect some of his naïve posts in that regard. His communications with anyone at perhaps Technicolor or Panasonic are at a low level of management.

I think it no coincidence that Mr. Vaughn surfaced as a self-proclaimed “reluctant” insider on another forum right around the time (or immediately after ?) the Paramount *decision* was announced, which admittedly I think was the only blow to Blu-ray this year…….and in the long run, I believe that it will turn out to be more psychological than physical damage.

I do not for one moment believe that he is an unbiased or “neutral” investigative reporter based upon:
1. Scrutiny of his past postings on AVM$ or this forum, until he was no longer welcomed here after he repeatedly broke the roles by disrespecting both paidgeek and myself.
Hell, he pushed the Blu-ray replication doomsday scenario both on this forum and AVM$ with as much or more vigor as the recent *doomsday transfer theory* of Bram Stoker’s Dracula was pushed by another individual. That aint reporting. That’s an agenda.

2. His studio *sources* are either from HD DVD exclusive studios or one equal opportunity provider (WB).

And in regards to Alan Bell, I think that the best thing from the Blu-ray perspective was his leaving WB and going to Paramount but, nobody ever mentioned it much on the forums (if at all?) at the time, because few had even heard of Alan Bell back then.

In fact, if I read what David Vaughn says anywhere and close my eyes, I would swear that Dr. Bell or his assistant was speaking to me rather than David Vaughn.

It should be interesting to see what type of reporting and what theories will be floated after 18 months or so.

[mfinochio]

Still trying to figure how a "reviewer" is an insider or has any relevance to anything but a review of a movie? I do not see how this gentleman has any other credence. The article went from a viewpoint to a rumor is fact article in frightening speed. David, enjoy your minute of fame, as when it comes down to it, you have no facts, just opinions. Journalistic integrity takes another blow.
Michael

[Spankey]

Penton, since the Paramount defection may be psycholigical (at least for now), I am a little doubtful that Universal or Paramount will ever reverse their decision. I know the fouth quarter will be important in regards to sales, but even if HD-DVD receives a butt whooping by Blu, are there any indications that anything will change?

Transformers (just watched it on DVD, thought Armageddon was better), is going to sell a lot of copies. It will be a great HD/HT showcase. I just wish I didn't see this heading for some kind of stalemate.

HD-DVD is such a technically inferior format.

[HK-48]

Paramount will come back after the contract is up, which is supposed to be for 18 months or the next two holiday seasons. I don't know about Universal.

Anybody know where Circuit City and Best Buy are heading?

[divedeeper]

Paidgeek:

I know i've seen a lot of talk that Blu-Ray discs are more expensive then HD-DVD discs to replicate. The "Cost to the studio" is higher, and thus why HD-DVD is better according to some.

I searched here to find any hint as to just how dramatic this "cost difference" is, but failed to find anything. Could you shead some light on this?

If you can't, a ballpark would be nice. Like, it costs 5% more, or between .10 and .20 per disc more.

And, I susspect this cost difference, if it exists will continue to drop as Blu-Ray manufacturing picks up.

[divedeeper]

Thanks oldmike

[JAGUAR1977]

It should still be countered by some of the facts posted above, like it or not his writings are taken as gospel by the HD-DVD followers.

FUD and Transformers are all HD-DVD has left.

[Spankey]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I wouldn't take anything written on that website seriously.

I agree, BUT, why is it these HT sites that try to appear neutral are so eager to take any hint of negativity towards Blu-ray as gospel?

HD-DVD players have limited bandwidth, less capacity, and players that break down regularly. Not the format I would want to get behind.

[oldmike]

but how many WB use the full 30 on a HD-DVD?
if they only use 25 then blu-ray is cheeper
also was not the new HP movie to be on 2 HD-DVDs and one Blu-ray?