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

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Hey Bill.

I see the HTF mods shut down the Universal FUD thread.

I liked this brown nugget from Obi:


Was DVD considered a "monopoly" when DIVX was slain (or even LaserDisc)? Did the DOJ go after JVC/Matsushita when Betamax gave up the ghost?

Seems to me a "monopoly" is when one company (say, Toshiba) controls the destiny of an entire format. When Toshiba gave up, HD DVD was dead & buried.

The same would not have happened quite the same way if Sony dropped out of Blu-ray. People would wonder what companies like Panasonic, Sharp, Philips, etc. would do.

I also have trouble with his statement that BD isn't or ever what it is. We got the 50GB discs, we got PiP and Profile 1.1 and now BD Live is just around the corner. We get lossless audio and high bit rate video encodes on nearly all releases. We have plenty of BD burners and media to choose from, along with the authoring tools. We have more and more companies announcing players and support from all major studios. We even have porn! Player prices are decreasing, software is getting cheaper and more plentiful...

So what am I missing here? What are we missing?

Maybe the Bits could do a State of the Format...much like the State of The Union...

Yeah, Obi's not making much sense. VHS was a monopoly. CD was a monopoly. So was DVD. We all benefitted nicely from those. Obi and a lot of others drank the Kool Aid that HD-DVD was a more "consumer friendly" format. He even says that in his last rant. That's a complete load of bunk. HD-DVD wasn't cheaper that Blu-ray out of the goodness of Toshiba's heart - it was cheaper because Toshiba couldn't sell the damn things at a higher price. And even at a slashed price, they couldn't move many compared to Blu-ray. The Region coding and DRM things are overblown in my opinion. You think we're dealing with DRM issues now, wait until we get into an all downloading world! And as far as the different profiles, yes, it's unfortunate that Blu-ray didn't launch fully implemented, but HD-DVD's rush to launch pushed their hand. But we're now at profile 1.1, and frankly I'm not at all convinced that profile 2.0 is going to deliver anything worth exprienceing if you're a film fan. Most of the interactive online features I saw on HD-DVD were pure garbage and marketing fluff. It's going to take a very talented producer and an actual fan of the film in question to deliver ANYTHING from online that's actually interesting. Bandai's Freedom 1 was the only online HD-DVD content that I found worth looking more closely at. Ringtones, screen savers, online stores and in-movie chat do not add to my appreciation or enjoyment of a film.

[NoQuestion]

Originally Posted by kjacobs03

Hey Bill
Last year Paramount promised about 35 titles for HDDVD for the '08 year. Once they get around to releasing on Blu-ray, do you think we will see a similar amount of titles for the rest of the year from them or will output be increased with the war over?
Also, are you aware of HBO's plan? I need some HBO goodness, especially Band of Brothers. Do you think we will see something from them in '08?
Thanks

+1 on this Bill, HBO has been very hush hush. I hope they have some series coming other than the Sopranos(not saying that Sopranos are bad, kinda want a bit of variety from them)

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Razzy

First I want to say thanks Bill for your participation here. It is truly appreciated.

Great news about Walk the Line. Thanks. In my opinion, a must buy.

Also, just wondering if you've heard any whispers from Fox on Live Free or Die Hard, the unrated version, on Blu.

No word yet, but probably eventually. They wanted to do it the first time out, but the director didn't get the new cut done in time to meet the BD production deadline.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by gandley

Hows Alan Bell doing at paramount??

Ha! I'm not even going to TOUCH that question.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by frank_t

basically i've just stopped purchasing dvd; i'll only rent them now.

You and many other people as well.

[neo_reloaded]

Is it true that Rescue Me's 4th season won't come to Blu-ray day-and-date with the DVD release on June 3rd? If so, that's extremely disappointing - TV on BD isn't going to start selling better if people can't count on later seasons being released on BD as well.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by kjacobs03

Hey Bill
Last year Paramount promised about 35 titles for HDDVD for the '08 year. Once they get around to releasing on Blu-ray, do you think we will see a similar amount of titles for the rest of the year from them or will output be increased with the war over?
Also, are you aware of HBO's plan? I need some HBO goodness, especially Band of Brothers. Do you think we will see something from them in '08?
Thanks

Once Paramount gets rolling, you'll be impressed with their output I think. I do believe you'll see more from HBO later this year.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by GJN

Bill,
Any word from MGM about Battle of Britain and Bridge Too Far. Both had release dates set TWICE and both were postponed TWICE. The latest promised date was around Father's Day. And what about Dances with Wolves and Princess Bride also promised and postponed. Are all these films being delayed because expected sale projections are too low? What would be the sales breakeven point on such films. My impression has been that classic films sell consistently over their shelf lifetime while drek (e.g. Daddy Day Care or Norbit) sell a few at the beginning and then disappear forever.

Don't know about the others, but I do believe Battle and Bridge are coming this year sometime. I'm sure the others will follow. A lot of it has to do with assessing the work that needs to be done on the master, or whether or not it need to be redone (which is often the case).

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Bill, without trying to get specific, is it a safe bet to say that going forward, all new theatrical movies will see release on bluray day and date? Specifically the summer blockbusters?

There are art and indie films that would be exceptions but, in general, yes... I think you can count on all the big blockbusters being released on Blu-ray. That includes Dark Knight, Speed Racer, Indy 4 and all the rest.

[NoQuestion]

Bill, one last question from me today, do you think that once Universal gets the ball rolling and starts putting out blus, will we see the majority of thier better selling titles released this year? and how long do you think it will take for them to get out all the hd-dvd titles on blu? faster than WB is getting thier over due titles?

I hope that isnt getting to specific

[MerrickG]

Hey Bill,

I would like for you to use your voice and let the studios know that one practice that I find VERY unacceptable is putting films on bluray that do NOT have a previously released extended cut.

I was a HUGE fan of the extended cut of Independence Day, Crimson Tide, and Chronicles of Narnia, only to be disappointed when I found out we are ONLY getting the theatrical versions. Im also disappointed that Disney didnt port the Pearl Harbor Vista Series features over and it makes me wonder if we will ever see that on bluray.

Seriously, BIll can you let the studios know that this will make people VERY unhappy? It isnt fair that the studios want to make us pay extra for a movie when it doesnt have everything thats previously published.

When the Alien films come to bluray, they had better have AT LEAST the extended cuts of the films.

Many of us gave bluray a free pass because of the format war, but now we need to speak as consumers to make bluray better.



Different question:

Many people know that Steve Nickerson was the main force driving HD-DVD at Warner, but what many people dont know who is the main architect at Paramount who got them to sign for HD-DVD exclusive. A lot of people say that it was Alan Bell, but I gather that the order actually came down from Viacom.

[blurayisking]

Hello Bill:

Did I hear right that we can expect V FOR VENDETTA from WARNER BROS. on Blu-ray disc this year ??????????

Regards

Blurayisking

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

No word yet, but probably eventually. They wanted to do it the first time out, but the director didn't get the new cut done in time to meet the BD production deadline.

Thanks for the reply.

IMO, John McClane & PG-13 just don't mix. I'll wait patiently for the unrated version.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Razzy

Thanks for the reply.

IMO, John McClane & PG-13 just don't mix. I'll wait patiently for the unrated version.

Did you see the film?

Here's my review (on this site)!
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movie...60&show=review

[TauHeel05]

Bill,

Any news on 'Sin City' coming to blu-ray? I remember seeing the Buena Vista Blu-ray promo that showcased 'Sin City' back in Feb. 07, but no news since.

Thanks.

[ACD]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

You can bet Serenity will be at or near the top of Universal's BD release list. I'll work on Fox for Firefly, but it's an obvious choice and would be quick to produce.

While you talking to Fox, ask them about the new Futurama movies on BD.


Thanks,

(from another who doesn't buy DVDs anymore)

[sj001]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Different question:

Many people know that Steve Nickerson was the main force driving HD-DVD at Warner, but what many people dont know who is the main architect at Paramount who got them to sign for HD-DVD exclusive. A lot of people say that it was Alan Bell, but I gather that the order actually came down from Viacom.

Bill obviously is the best person to answer, but let me add a comment... I believe Phillipe Daufmann, the CEO of Viacom was involved heavily with the deal. So if you want a specific person, there you go.

He has made many pro HD-DVD statements in the past, and I believe I have seen involved in many M$ related deals and such. I could be wrong, but there was an article I read a few months back that was almost the equivalent of a smoking gun.

[bajor27]

Originally Posted by TauHeel05

Bill,

Any news on 'Sin City' coming to blu-ray? I remember seeing the Buena Vista Blu-ray promo that showcased 'Sin City' back in Feb. 07, but no news since.

Thanks.

I'm not Bill, but footage of this was also included on the Lost S3 Blu, but I'd expect to see the Sin City Blu-ray held over to help promote Sin City 2 which is slated for 2009 I believe.

[Blu Haze]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I'm not Bill, but footage of this was also included on the Lost S3 Blu, but I'd expect to see the Sin City Blu-ray held over to help promote Sin City 2 which is slated for 2009 I believe.

2009 seems so far away right now

[Bobby Henderson]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Once Paramount gets rolling, you'll be impressed with their output I think. I do believe you'll see more from HBO later this year.

So far I've been impressed with John Adams, the 7 part mini-series currently airing on HBO. Part 3 debuts on Sunday. Hopefully HBO will release this on Blu-ray fairly soon.

I can't get the opening title music for this show out of my head. Well orchestrated march theme. It will be interesting to see how much better it sounds in LPCM multi-channel or lossless Dolby TrueHD.