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

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Now that Blu-ray appears to be our next format, do you see any causes that you may champion to the Studios which will better the Blu-ray format for us consumers?

[Just a few of my ideas:]

• Lossless sound should be a standard on ALL Blu-ray releases, where it provides a benefit.
• Original soundtracks should be offered in addition to any modern re-mixes
• Labelling standards for movies (showing video & audio codecs, running time, etc.)
• Menu standardization.
• Ability to skip Java content if you just want to quickly watch the movie

Probably. Those are good ideas certainly. I think also making sure that people continue to be able to view 1080 video via analog, as well as a wider implementation of managed copy, so people can have free portable versions of the movies they buy on Blu-ray. I'd like to see the hardware industry get up to BD profile 2.0 as quickly as possible, so the multiple profile thing is no longer an issue. I also think this whole firmware update process has to be made more easy and you shouldn't have to do it so often. I think we have to wait and see what happens over the next few months, but we're always going to want to make sure that consumers are able to enjoy Blu-ray in an easy, trouble-free way with the best possible quality. Not just at the Bits, but Blu-ray.com and enthusiasts as a whole. So we'll just have to see what issues crop up, like we all did with DVD.

[GotToyota?]

Hey Bill, it's good to see you over here answering our questions. To be honest, I don't know much about you, but I know the name.

Now, not sure if this has been answered, but since you're an "insider", I'll see if you know anything about this.

Any idea about the whereabouts of Universal and Paramount at the moment? I see news articles all over the internet that all tell the same thing, but nothing is ever certain. Do you know when they plan on coming over to Blu-Ray, if at all?

-Matt

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by edgebsl

Hi Bill!

We haven't heard much about 3d in awhile.

Heard any rumblings about it lately?

It would be nice once the studios caved to eventually see "Beowulf 3D" on blu.
Something we know is not even possible on hd dvd.

You know, I hear Panasonic is playing with this a little bit. As more of these 3D films get made, the desire to experience them in the home is going to naturally follow. So I think tests will happen and someone might try it eventually. How well it will work remains to be seen, but you never know.

[JohnAlden]

When is your 2 cents for today going to be put on your site?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by GotToyota?

Hey Bill, it's good to see you over here answering our questions. To be honest, I don't know much about you, but I know the name.

Now, not sure if this has been answered, but since you're an "insider", I'll see if you know anything about this.

Any idea about the whereabouts of Universal and Paramount at the moment? I see news articles all over the internet that all tell the same thing, but nothing is ever certain. Do you know when they plan on coming over to Blu-Ray, if at all?

-Matt

Hey Matt - see earlier in this thread. I think I've addressed this as much as I can at the moment.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JohnAlden

When is your 2 cents for today going to be put on your site?

There's only one of me. I can't be here and there at the same time.

I'll have a post up in a few hours for tomorrow.

[JesusChrist!]

Hey Bill,

I just wanted to let you know that the Almighty sends his regards and is pleased with the bits in regard to their decision to support bluray.

The Father is unfortunately not allowed to speak on this matter, so I will allow you:

When Transformers comes to bluray can we expect Michael Bay to use a bluray specific encode?

[Nighthawk]

Originally Posted by Mr. Spiffy-Pants

You mean... There are APES in that movie?! THANKS FOR SPOILING THE SURPRISE, Eat and Fox!!!

:runs to his room crying:

One would only hope your full of it.

The spoiler is the pix of the SOL.

[hyperdine]

Bill-

Perhaps you can't provide any details here, but something always bothered me about the departure of Mr. Nickerson from WB (last September, I think?). At first, I didn't think much of it, but in hindsight it seems like perhaps he was one of the "old guard" or something and was preventing Blu-Ray from getting titles like The Matrix, etc. I get the feeling that the WB switch may not have happened had he still been in place. Just coincidence or did his departure clear the way, so to speak?

[JohnAlden]

What titles would like to see Universal to release on blu-ray first?Mine would have to be Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the dead, Darkman, The Thing, The Frightners,Bourne 1&3 and Heroes season 1.

[doctorsteve]

OK, here's what's on MY mind.

Glad to have you here, but since joining how much time do you now spend answering/viewing posts, and how many times have you already found yourself thinking "Oh crap, what have I gotten myself into?"

Cheers,

Doc

[Anthony P]

this has been running through my head for maybe a month now, but I wanted to wait for the Official Warner announcement as well as I did not feel comfortable asking the rest of the insiders(could be too close)

It always bothered me the way Paramount chose a bit before CEDIA to make their announcement (the timing), also Warners' speech at the show (that the war can't go on for ever....) and the fact that they where only at the BD event.

Do you know if Warner (and maybe Paramount) was intending /thinking of announcing that they would be dropping HD DVD and Toshiba rushed and did the Paramount deal in order to stop the shift? And then Warner decided to give Toshiba one last chance to show HD DVD can have some legs

[Mega-Prime]

Quick one for you Bill,

Has Warner made any official comment on the "Blade Runner missing workprint/duplicate 5th disc" issue?

It seems that all the major sites reported it when the set first came out, but then we were left high & dry with no info on any replacement programs. (At least none that I've been able to find).

Thanks,

[Paradiso]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

How I wish I could say! It was a very cool experience, and you guys will ALL get to experience it for yourselves eventually, rest assured. It wasn't Star Wars, but I can't say anything more than that. As soon as the proper folks tell me that it can be discussed, I'll discuss it. Mum's the word til then.

It's Tron, right? I knew it!!!!

Joking aside, Bill it's great to have you aboard here. I've been a long time read of the Bits, and you're definitely one of the people that helped me make up my mind which way to go in this ugly format war. I never was an early adopter until Blu, and I have to say it looks like my first time out, I picked a winner. Heck, you even made me go back and start watching Enterprise...of course it got cancelled, but I bought all the sets. Anyway, welcome aboard sir!!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

Bill-

Perhaps you can't provide any details here, but something always bothered me about the departure of Mr. Nickerson from WB (last September, I think?). At first, I didn't think much of it, but in hindsight it seems like perhaps he was one of the "old guard" or something and was preventing Blu-Ray from getting titles like The Matrix, etc. I get the feeling that the WB switch may not have happened had he still been in place. Just coincidence or did his departure clear the way, so to speak?

Steve's a great guy, who did a lot for DVD in his day. He originally came to Warner from Toshiba, so I think you can draw your own conclusions as to which high-def format he leaned towards from that. But I'll tell you that I have a ton of respect for him and I wish him all the best.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by JohnAlden

What titles would like to see Universal to release on blu-ray first?Mine would have to be Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the dead, Darkman, The Thing, The Frightners,Bourne 1&3 and Heroes season 1.

At the top of my list would be the new Battlestar Galactica, Apollo 13, Blues Brothers, The Big Lebowski and something from the Spielberg catalog. One can only wait and see.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by doctorsteve

OK, here's what's on MY mind.

Glad to have you here, but since joining how much time do you now spend answering/viewing posts, and how many times have you already found yourself thinking "Oh crap, what have I gotten myself into?"

Cheers,

Doc

Naw, it's all good. It'll taper off eventually I'm sure. It's actually a nice brake from the usual daily grind.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

this has been running through my head for maybe a month now, but I wanted to wait for the Official Warner announcement as well as I did not feel comfortable asking the rest of the insiders(could be too close)

It always bothered me the way Paramount chose a bit before CEDIA to make their announcement (the timing), also Warners' speech at the show (that the war can't go on for ever....) and the fact that they where only at the BD event.

Do you know if Warner (and maybe Paramount) was intending /thinking of announcing that they would be dropping HD DVD and Toshiba rushed and did the Paramount deal in order to stop the shift? And then Warner decided to give Toshiba one last chance to show HD DVD can have some legs

I suspect Toshiba was trying to get Paramount, DreamWorks AND Warner to flip last year, and managed only to get two out of three. I don't think it's an accident that Paramount's contract out clauses were tied to Warner sticking with HD-DVD. Beyond that, I wouldn't want to comment or speculate further.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Mega-Prime

Quick one for you Bill,

Has Warner made any official comment on the "Blade Runner missing workprint/duplicate 5th disc" issue?

It seems that all the major sites reported it when the set first came out, but then we were left high & dry with no info on any replacement programs. (At least none that I've been able to find).

Thanks,

I don't think there's been any official comment. Have you contacted their customer service number? I'm sure it's just a pretty straightforward replacement process.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Paradiso

Heck, you even made me go back and start watching Enterprise...of course it got cancelled, but I bought all the sets. Anyway, welcome aboard sir!!

Hey, good for you! I think you and I must have been the only two people watching that show. I've been trying to score some of those cool shoulder patches for a while now. The good news is, Enterprise is high-def ready... whenever CBS decides to put it out on Blu-ray. Might be a year or two.