Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by zMadMonk

I didn't see any mention of this elsewhere, so I figured I'd ask here.

Any reason why we are seeing a ton of "best of Hi-Def" Blu-Ray commercials on the Universal HD channel? First time I saw one, I was like "meh" but I DVR'd some movies this week, and they keep repeating the commercials, over and over.

Just a paid advertisement thing, or something else? Since Universal is as red as Sony is Blu, I can't imagine Sony running multiple HD-DVD commercials if they had a channel.

I just kind of found it a bit odd. (And perhaps it was addressed elsewhere... I do try to search before I post, honest!)

~F

I'm not an insider but.....Why in the world would you find it odd that a high definition media organization trying to sell high definition media would target its paid advertising budget to a high definition television channel? Please don't answer this and further clog up the "insiders" thread!

[monkyman]

Penton,

IF a cetain company were to offer a studio a large sum to go HD DVD exclusive, would the BDA be willing to at least match that offer? Are they prepairing for this senario?

[Neo65]

Originally Posted by monkyman

Penton,

IF a cetain company were to offer a studio a large sum to go HD DVD exclusive, would the BDA be willing to at least match that offer? Are they prepairing for this senario?

Here's what I think. Negotiations like this are complex. Complex enough that noone would tip their hand to let the other side know what's going on unless the decision or the framework for making the decision is already reached.

Meaning for example, that at this point, if there was an offer say, for $X from one side to change that decision, there has to be a known point by which the other side will not continue the bidding process. However, the number on either side is kept a close secret for obvious reasons.

WB will likely want the best deal possible. But even if one side knows the 'at all cost', running up the cost of such a deal is also a possible tactic. There's no advantage to discussing this. It's the new year, there's much better things to attend to.

Btw, when P-M noted that WB will make a decision in 2008, my first thought is that WB already decided on the framework for such a decision, meaning that unless the other side can buy TWX (which has a market cap of $77B), the decision is already in motion.

When it comes down to it, why should we care about the details at this point? I'll wait for the book to come out after there's a resolution.

[monkyman]

Thanks Neo, but the reason I asked Is because Penton is the one who mentioned a possible offer.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

The only thing on my mind at this time is whether a certain would be totally blu studio gets “exce$$ively mounted” like another one did several months ago to corrupt a reasonable assessment of the situation.

[jdc115]

To any of the insiders on new releases. How long would you think it will be until any new release DVD is always done with the Blu-ray version (for Blu supported studios)?

I know selected titles they are released at the same time as the DVD, but there are still far more DVDs released without the HD counterpart every week.
So would you think by the end of 2008 that Sony Pictures would have a Blu-ray and DVD version for all new releases and not just selected titles?

[frank_t]

sony insider(s):

any follow-up to the idea that on the PS3 we can configure the order of preference for the audio?

I'd like to be able to go PCM first, then True-HD, then DTS-MA, etc...

[DaViD Boulet]

I checked out the PIP (profile 1.1) on the new Resident Evil Extinction BD using the PS3's latest firmware profile 1.1 update. I noticed that every time the PIP window appeared, the audio dropped out temporarily while the new audio stream was accessed.

Is this a fundamental issue with how profile PIP will work? Or is it the way that the PIP on this disc was authored? Or just the way that the PS3's firmware causes it to render? I was *** NOT *** impressed, and the dropped-out audio every time the PIP came or went was jarring and felt like a half-baked product idea.

If any authoring insider has any insight, I'd like to know. Not that PIP is the end-all feature I've been waiting for (still haven't forgiven the BDA for not requiring full 1080p PIP decoding for "swap" capability), but it would be nice if it at least felt like a polished feature worth presenting. So far the "fake" PIP using branching feels much more fluid and naturally presented as it (ironically) elimnates the audio drop-out.

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I’ve received a bunch of PM’s about HD DVD bogo sales and what not --currently going on somewhere, or already finished?

After discussions yesterday, I am not concerned about this or any other future HD DVD sales for that matter. Personally now, I think there should be sufficient sales data even without waiting for 5th quarter numbers or beyond.

The only thing on my mind at this time is whether a certain would be totally blu studio gets “exce$$ively mounted” like another one did several months ago to corrupt a reasonable assessment of the situation.

If you guys that are PMing me about HD DVD bogo sales want to worry about something, that is the only possible thing I can see that could potentially derail a good expedited outcome…… and so far, everything is still on track.

Later

Thanks Penton for the very positive information, I just pray that WB does not sucummb to any nasty payoffs from Microshiba. I'm still devastated about the Paramount/Dreamworks outcome. I hope 2008 will fulfill a BLU VICTORY.

[WriteSimply]

To the SCE insider should you ever find this post:

Can a new firmware enable a basic re-map of four keys on the standard PC keyboard? The re-map is as follows:

Winkey for Triangle.
Application Key (the one usually between the Winkey and the ALT Key) for Square.
ESC Key for Circle and Enter for Cross (these two keys can be swappable depending on the PS3's region).
TAB Key for Start.
CTRL Key for Select.

The reason for this is so that people don't have to swap between using a keyboard and the controller for doing basic stuff on the XMB - like changing the details on the songs in the PS3's HDD.

This swapping feature can be an option for users to use and does not replace the use of the controller for gaming.


fuad

[Gamma_Winstead]

sorry if this has been asked but any news on AVP: R?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Not just legs, I/we want to see butt too!
That’s why the chaps attire is currently on the negotiating table.

And I see one of our blu-ray forum members is currently the highest bidder for the Blu-ray jacket on e-bay, which mystik would be getting for free.

I won it. :-D

I'd try to get a free one, but I doubt (and hope not!) that you'd want to see my nekkid butt, leather chaps or not! :-)

[Merlins]

Originally Posted by richteer

I won it. :-D

I'd try to get a free one, but I doubt (and hope not!) that you'd want to see my nekkid butt, leather chaps or not! :-)

Congratulations! I will spend an extra €100 on Warner titles instead if they go Blu-ray exclusive soon (was betting on it too

[Sonar5]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

To the SCE insider should you ever find this post:

Can a new firmware enable a basic re-map of four keys on the standard PC keyboard? The re-map is as follows:

Winkey for Triangle.
Application Key (the one usually between the Winkey and the ALT Key) for Square.
ESC Key for Circle and Enter for Cross (these two keys can be swappable depending on the PS3's region).
TAB Key for Start.
CTRL Key for Select.

The reason for this is so that people don't have to swap between using a keyboard and the controller for doing basic stuff on the XMB - like changing the details on the songs in the PS3's HDD.

This swapping feature can be an option for users to use and does not replace the use of the controller for gaming.


fuad

Hi,

Not an insider, but my thoughts. This has already been done by Logitech with their Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro. I have used it since Christmas for web surfing, setup, account activation, you name it. It already has dedicated spots for the key functions you are requesting.

In other words, it's not up to a firmware change, IMHO, it is up to keyboard manufacturers to enable the functionality you are requesting.

I got mine from newegg. $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16879212011

I highly recommend it. I should go leave a review of it. The cordless bluetooth is great.

Anyway, Hope this helps,
Joe

[Pellaeon]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

It’s not important whatever the case.
People are not looking at a couple of trees, they’re looking at the whole forest from the vantage point of a soaring eagle.

You know Gandalf had a pretty good vantage point of the forest on a soaring eagle

[Jim Morrison]

Originally Posted by Pellaeon

You know Gandalf had a pretty good vantage point of the forest on a soaring eagle

Very good!

[elwaylite]

Im beginning to wonder if we'll ever get numbers.

[Balian]

Something went down yesterday? Its awfully quiet on this site ...no insider comments to speak of ...

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Balian

Something went down yesterday? Its awfully quiet on this site ...no insider comments to speak of ...

They're probably at the Boxing Day sales. Even insiders need to spend cash! :-)

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Merlins

Congratulations! I will spend an extra €100 on Warner titles instead if they go Blu-ray exclusive soon (was betting on it too

Sounds like a grand plan. What with HP1 - 5 (individually), Blade Runner (which I had to exchange to get one with the correct Work Print disc), 2001, etc., etc., I'm kinda WB'ed out at the moment! (Incidentally, Blade Runner looks pretty good; I can only wonder how good it would have looked at Blu-ray (rather than HD DVD) bitrates...)

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Balian

Something went down yesterday? Its awfully quiet on this site ...no insider comments to speak of ...

its called CES. The all have said they will not be here, or only post every once in a while until CES. It is takes huge preperations. Just because Penton doesn't post everyday doesn't mean anything is wrong. He tells us when things are wrong.