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

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Is I, Robot going to please us in terms of picture quality??

I've only seen a few minutes of footage, but what I've seen looked great. I have no reason to believe it won't be just fine.

[elwaylite]

Bill,

Thanks for answering my ? on the Scott Hettrick blog.

Heres one for you if you can answer(if not, thats fine, just say so):

Iron Man, Hulk and Hellboy 2 are big releases for me coming up. IYHO, will I be able to buy these on BD when the dvd is released, or should I buy a cheap A3?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Bill,

Thanks for answering my ? on the Scott Hettrick blog.

Heres one for you if you can answer(if not, thats fine, just say so):

Iron Man, Hulk and Hellboy 2 are big releases for me coming up. IYHO, will I be able to buy these on BD when the dvd is released, or should I buy a cheap A3?

If you're asking, do I think these will all be released on Blu-ray eventually, the answer is yes. As to how soon that might become possible, that's more complicated and as I said it's best not to comment too much on what might be happening behind-the-scenes. Better to just let things play out as they will.

[WickyWoo]

I seriously don't think anyone in a position to know what Uni and Paramount is doing right now believes they should be talking about it

Studios are skittish, and the least thing can set them off

[elwaylite]

Fair enough.

I guess what really pisses me off(this isnt aimed for a reply) is that with the inevitability, why drag it out.

I understand the concept of letting Tosh save face, but IMHO thats 6 mo's tops.

If anything, Universal and Paramount should have no issue with going neutral. No ones asking them to go BD exclusive(at least not me). Why, in the world, are you gonna turn your back on the sales.

Just bugs the crap outta me.

Anyway, thanks Bill and I appreciate your honesty.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I seriously don't think anyone in a position to know what Uni and Paramount is doing right now believes they should be talking about it

Studios are skittish, and the least thing can set them off

While I understand, seems like the tail is wagging the dog. Why would Uni and Paramount care, unless they agreed to something they should not have in the first place.

This whole format war has turned into the democratic candidate attacks, and as with that, many of us are tired of it. People need to start doing the right thing.

Im gonna keep my fingers crossed hoping that BBuy and CCity end this crap.

[db2]

Bill

Regarding catalog titles, it seems that a few of the studios are purposefully throttling releases (Lawrence Of Arabia, Older Bond Movies) until the HDM hardware base grows. Meanwhile, some consumers are sitting out HDM so far due to the war and lack of good catalog titles. Do you think a chicken/egg problem is developing?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by db2

Bill

Regarding catalog titles, it seems that a few of the studios are purposefully throttling releases (Lawrence Of Arabia, Older Bond Movies) until the HDM hardware base grows. Meanwhile, some consumers are sitting out HDM so far due to the war and lack of good catalog titles. Do you think a chicken/egg problem is developing?

Not really. Like I said, releasing catalog titles in high-def takes a bit more time and work that it does in standard-def. 1080p video isn't nearly as forgiving of element problems as 480p DVD. You'll see more. I'm actually surprised at how many good catalog titles are already out or are coming out. All three Terminator films (the T3 issues aside), ID4, all the Die Hard films, Predator, etc. Those are nothing to sneeze at. I suspect you'll see lots more on the year ahead.

[blindcat87]

It is pure business politics. While a lot of us would love to see Toshiba kicked to the curb, reality dictates that the studios all have long standing relationships. Every studio and CE out there knows that they have been or might someday be in Toshiba's current position at the end of another product launch or format war. Things are going to happen, but everyone involved is going to do what they can to salvage whatever can be salvaged in corporate relationships and not damage them any further than they already have been.

It may be personally satisfying to rub salt in the wounds of an adversary or kick them in the nuts while they are down, it just isn't smart business no matter how mad you are or how justified.

I don't really care if Toshiba is punished or if Paramount is made to take 100 lashes before coming back. I just want this crap over with and I don't want any long lasting grudge crap to screw with things once it is over. It may seem that this should be an easy process, but it is likely as complicated as negotiating a international treaty. While none of the red companies may deserve considerations, the fact is that it is an opportunity for the BDA members to dictate some terms and ensure that the dawn of 100% studio support comes in a way that most benefits the format. While I am incredibly impatient to have this all over with and to stop having to hear red propaganda, I will gladly wait if it means things are done right and we end up with a great start to Universal and a great return of Paramount Blu-Rays.

Chris

Originally Posted by elwaylite

While I understand, seems like the tail is wagging the dog. Why would Uni and Paramount care, unless they agreed to something they should not have in the first place.

This whole format war has turned into the democratic candidate attacks, and as with that, many of us are tired of it. People need to start doing the right thing.

Im gonna keep my fingers crossed hoping that BBuy and CCity end this crap.

[MerrickG]

Bill,

Thanks for the heads up on the Warner title announcement next week.

I have a great feeling about these announcements...

Can anyone say Batman Begins??!!! V for Vendetta???!!! Constantine?!!!
The Matrix Trilogy????!!!

Ok, that last part was me talking, but damn thats exciting news.

Hopefully the first 3 Batman films will also get announced.

Others Id like to see are:
Heat, Goonies, and The Lost Boys.

[DaViD Boulet]

If anything, Universal and Paramount should have no issue with going neutral. No ones asking them to go BD exclusive(at least not me). Why, in the world, are you gonna turn your back on the sales.

There are NDA discussions going on and our insiders cannot comment. Let's cut them some slack... and rest assured that NDA-silence is a good thing in terms of indications.

You and I are also not privy to the red-tape and legal issues invovled with the HD DVD contract that Universal and Paramount have committed. Lots of lawyers are doing a lot of work to make sure everything is clear before any news breaks. Not to mention that Universal has very close ties with Toshiba and good friends want to make the best out of a bad situation: it's understandable that Universal doesn't want to ruthelssly pull the rug out from under a format they've helped to build and damage relationships with business partners they've worked with for years.

Give it time.

[elwaylite]

I agree. I'm a contractor, I know how negotiations go back and forth.

I guess my frustration stems from being in this for almost a year now after buying my first BD player. Just has gotten frustrating.

I almost wish all studios would have supported both from the get go and just let it shake out.

[Anthony P]

Iron Man, Hulk and Hellboy 2 are big releases for me coming up. IYHO, will I be able to buy these on BD when the dvd is released, or should I buy a cheap A3?

I am no insider, but arn't these movies not even in theatres yet? The way prices on HD DVD players are going the best thing is wait, and when it gets close to the time for them to come to disk decide if it is worth the HD DVD player or not. Can't see any good in rushing out now or even worrying about it. When the time comes you will most likely have a better picture of what is needed.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I am no insider, but arn't these movies not even in theatres yet? The way prices on HD DVD players are going the best thing is wait, and when it gets close to the time for them to come to disk decide if it is worth the HD DVD player or not. Can't see any good in rushing out now or even worrying about it. When the time comes you will most likely have a better picture of what is needed.

It was meant as a broad question.

Meaning:

Is it going to be 2009 before I see BD have all studios. I certainly hope not.

[NoQuestion]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Bill,

Thanks for the heads up on the Warner title announcement next week.

I have a great feeling about these announcements...

Can anyone say Batman Begins??!!! V for Vendetta???!!! Constantine?!!!
The Matrix Trilogy????!!!

Ok, that last part was me talking, but damn thats exciting news.

Hopefully the first 3 Batman films will also get announced.

Others Id like to see are:
Heat, Goonies, and The Lost Boys.

We all know that WB is going to give us the movies that have been on hd-dvd, but i would like to see the announcement be something more along the lines of movies we didnt already know about, the older batman movies would be great. I'm hoping for surprise title announcements. But like i said earlier in this thread, any announcement is a great announcement in my book. I'm always looking forward to adding more titles to my "going to buy" list

[The Don]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

It was meant as a broad question.

Meaning:

Is it going to be 2009 before I see BD have all studios. I certainly hope not.

I would think he either doesn't have that information or isn't allowed to say it...

it's not even February yet and even 2 months from now seems hard to predict...

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Bill,

Thanks for answering my ? on the Scott Hettrick blog.

Heres one for you if you can answer(if not, thats fine, just say so):

Iron Man, Hulk and Hellboy 2 are big releases for me coming up. IYHO, will I be able to buy these on BD when the dvd is released, or should I buy a cheap A3?

These will be released in Europe on Blu Ray. Not sure if they will be region free though.

[RUR]

Bill,

Is it possible to get some confirmation that NPD's hardware sales figures include Amazon? Lot's of speculation on this, with little "hard" info.

Thanks!

[Flux88MPH]

Good morning Bill,

First I'd like to say thanks for taking your time to answer our questions here on the forum and for also keeping us informed for 10+ years with the Digital Bits.

My question involves the ez-D 48-hour DVD. I was once a district manager with Suncoast back when they ran the test on these in my Austin TX stores 5-6 years ago. I expressed to the suits at Buena Vista when they came for store visits that it was an idea that was going to fail and end up being a wasteful pollution issue in the future (divx). They finally set up a recycling program for the discs but you have to ship them off which now again brings up another type of pollution. (Sorry for the long wind) is there any indication that these are still selling and do you think they (Buena Vista) will try and introduce Blu-ray titles in the same or a similar way? I just find this to be a very wasteful option and was interested what your thoughts and knowledge were on the subject.

-Thanks

P.S. I forgot to mention the evolution to flexplay on this post and added it to my next post.

[Robert Siegel]

Bill, I didn't have time to read all pages yet and am limited for time so forgive if this has already been posted. We have all been pleased that every Disney, Fox, MGM, Sony/Columbia title has had an uncompressed track on it. Yet Warner continues (latest one being the Lake House) to put only Dolby Digital 640kbps on many of their titles. In fact, several hd-dvd titles like Superman Returns, Happy Feet, Ant Bully have Dolby True HD soundtracks where the blu-ray has none. Then there are the cases where the releases in both formats have only compressed DD like Battle of the Bulge. Here was a 70mm roadshow 6 track stereo presentation, it certainly deserved uncompressed of PCM , DTS Master or Dolby True. Do you know why they are doing this?

I have a friend who was a projectionist for the large theaters in Minneapolis from 1951 to 1996. He took a reel to reel machine in to tape a few hours of the soundtracks of such films as Hello Dolly! and Ben Hur. Recently we sat down and compared those to the dvd versions and there was such a huge difference between the reels and the compressed dvd that it really made me sad to think they are now releasing titles yet again compressed when they now have the opportunity and space to do it right.

Why is Warner doing this, and also, if you have any sources at Warner, can you please pass along that there are many of us that really want these tracks and there is a huge difference? Technically speaking, even an old mono track would sound more open uncompressed, but especially the stereo films of the 50's and 60's would show huge improvement as far as classics go. There are many posts I have read (thousands, maybe) where people think twice about buying the high def version of a Warner film, especially the stereo ones, because they didn't add an uncompressed track. What is your take on this and do you think Warner will come around?

Now that Fox has announced it's first classic titles Sand Pebbles, Longest Day and Patton, I am really hoping they stay with DTS master audio for these too, but there is nowhere to email these 2 studios and I am hoping they get this message before more classics come out (especially Warner) yet again compressed.