The Matrix will NOT be TotalHD combo thingy

[The Big Blue]

Originally Posted by Damon Payne

.......but people seeing that they have to have HD-DVD to watch The Matrix is the first of the mistakes that will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It's unfortunate.

Why so pessimistic? On the very same day there are a couple of Pirate movies available only on BD that are newer, more popular and haven't been released a billion times on DVD.

[GaS]

In my opinion holding warner releases for ime is a flimsy excuse. But I suppose if that is their deciding factor for releasing movies, there is not much we can do. That said, BD still has major exclusives still in the wings. Its a shot in the war, but not much else.

[GaS]

Originally Posted by Damon Payne

The "MS bank account" stuff makes me cringe as its incredibly ridiculous.

Don't agree. Matrix is a major title that benefits the format greatly even if it is available exclusively only for a few months.

[JAG1977]

Originally Posted by Damon Payne

........but people seeing that they have to have HD-DVD to watch The Matrix is the first of the mistakes that will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It's unfortunate.

I really doubt a 6-7 year old movie like Matrix is that big a deal to the average consumer, especially in a $100 boxset!

[blitz6speed]

Originally Posted by JAG1977

I really doubt a 6-7 year old movie like Matrix is that big a deal to the average consumer, especially in a $100 boxset!

It does suck, but its more of a gift to the hd-dvd owners then anything, as a timed exclusive. It will be on BD for sure, its just that HD gets it sooner. And you're right, the fact that they're releasing it as a huge expensive box set only says one thing, milk hd-dvd guys for all their worth, then re-release it on BD.

[spf781]

I would be more excited about this release...if the films were available separately. Love that first one, loathed those other two (and I know I am not alone on this).

[Rustmonsteru]

Originally Posted by spf781

I would be more excited about this release...if the films were available separately. Love that first one, loathed those other two (and I know I am not alone on this).

People loathing the second two is probably the reason they put them out as a bundle. It's just like the James Bond revamps being being bundled out of sequence; most people only want to buy the Sean Connery flicks so they package them up out of sequence to ensure profits.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

It does suck, but its more of a gift to the hd-dvd owners then anything, as a timed exclusive. It will be on BD for sure, its just that HD gets it sooner. And you're right, the fact that they're releasing it as a huge expensive box set only says one thing, milk hd-dvd guys for all their worth, then re-release it on BD.

Well said!

[jorg]

8 discs on hd dcd reduce that by 40% and thats like 6 or 5 bd know would that be a wise finacial chosice?

[phloyd]

Most people only want the first movie anyway. Not a $100 box set that has two more movies a bunch of stuff they don't need.

That said, it is one of the anticipated releases and it is unfortunate that HD DVD will have an exclusive window. But as with Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and V for Vendetta, they won't really affect the overall scheme of things much... not as much as Casino Royale for example which I imagine single handedly moved the Since Inception numbers a point or two!

[Chris Beveridge]

I'm glad to see them coming but I'm not buying. I already have the first one on DVD and sadly the other two killed my general interest in it. Seeing all of them at various stages in HD on Cinemax or HBO in the last couple of years helped reinforce that.

Batman Begins and V for Vendetta is different though; neither of those are ones I own on DVD (I stopped buying DVD in January 05) and would like to add to my collection. The older the movie the greater the chance I already have it. And few of my movies will merit an upgrade. Of course, "few" out of the 5000 DVDs I own is still a significant amount.

[BTBuck1]

IMO the 2nd and 3rd film take advantage of what next gen optical disc is all about. Great picture and sound. Count me in for the box set, I just don't know if I'll be patient enough to wait for the BD version (the one I really want).

Should this elusive 2.1 firmware update fix my buggy A1 I may just sell out on this one release.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

IMO the 2nd and 3rd film take advantage of what next gen optical disc is all about. Great picture and sound. Count me in for the box set, I just don't know if I'll be patient enough to wait for the BD version (the one I really want).

Should this elusive 2.1 firmware update fix my buggy A1 I may just sell out on this one release.

You do have a point regarding the pq of the 2nd and 3rd in the series, I just don't know if that is enough to justify the purchase for me. However, it appears that they are also throwing in ANIMATRIX. Now that may very well be enough to put me over the edge and buy the whole damn thing!

Then again, I may have enough HD content to hold me over until these appear on BD. I will have a better idea as we get closer to May 22.

[dialog_gvf]

IME as the excuse again.

All Warner needs to do is put IME on a title, and then claim they can't release it until it can be made available on BD.

When, exactly, will that be the case? Why can't they always use it as an excuse?

If you think The Matrix is coming anytime soon for BD, ask: Where is Batman Begins and V for Vendetta?

This is a major boost for HD DVD.

Gary

[Damon Payne]

Originally Posted by JAG1977

I really doubt a 6-7 year old movie like Matrix is that big a deal to the average consumer, especially in a $100 boxset!

News: the "average consumers" are not buying players right now. Don't downplay the importance of blockbuster films. My prediction: The Matrix cracks the top 20 for sure, possibly the top 10.

[dialog_gvf]

It's a heck of a coincidence that The Matrix comes out exclusive to HD DVD on Pirates of the Carribean 1+2 day, eh?

[DaveFi]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

IME as the excuse again.

This is a major boost for HD DVD.

Gary

Well, I don't know what you guys consider as "major". A set that costs well >$100 isn't going to make that much of a dent in a niche format either way (I'd say the same for BD as well).

I do wish all 4 movies were available seperately too. I would kill just to be able to purchase Matrix,Reloaded,Revolutions and Animatrix for ~$60. I'm sure the majority of us could care less for the extras, so I won't be purchasing the set either.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

IME as the excuse again.

All Warner needs to do is put IME on a title, and then claim they can't release it until it can be made available on BD.

When, exactly, will that be the case? Why can't they always use it as an excuse?

If you think The Matrix is coming anytime soon for BD, ask: Where is Batman Begins and V for Vendetta?

This is a major boost for HD DVD.

Gary

Yes, Warner Bros. lied about having all future releases at the same time on both formats, but...

Personally, I don't care much. I know I WILL be getting this title. Like I told some HD DVD fans, anything you guys get from Warner Bros. and Paramount I get too. Blu-ray will get Spiderman 1, 2, and 3; Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2, and 3; Bad Boys 2; Cars; The DaVinci Code; etc. this year! Those are TRULY exclusives. They will not be on HD DVD...period.

[nhaase]

With this, and the rumor of the HDMI xbox 360, I'm thinking of selling my regular 360, getting the new one and the HD-DVD add-on, and getting these movies (although the second two will only be for watching a few scenes) and getting Batman and V, if the HDMI 360 is for real. This really makes me think. Hopefully by the release date they will have dates for those three movies on BR, or else I might do it, if I have the spare money.

The Matrix was the first DVD to sell 1 million copies, so it could really help HD-DVD.

[Nismobeach]

This is lame. Why is Warner pulling all of these BS games?