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

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

All I can tell you is that X-Men Trilogy IS coming later this year.

Excellent news Mr. Hunt. Those are definite buys.

You know, with Universal and Paramount jumping into the Blu recently, the schedule is starting to really fill up as we head into summer. Heck, just on May 20 and 27...I have 9 Blu-Rays being delivered.

Cannot imagine what 4Q is going to be like. Plus, if you say 2009 is the real "ramp up" for releases from the studios...that's going to be insane!!!

[Crème Blu-ray]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I've also learned that the studio has decided to support Dolby TrueHD audio on their BD releases as standard going forward, though some titles that were originally authored (but not released) last year will still trickle out without it initially.

Hey Bill,

Are you implying that some of them will be reauthored with TrueHD?

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Bill, I have to say that I generally am not a fan of all the "one-off" requests you get bombarded with.

But.....if you have any influence at Paramount could you please ask them to get rid of the ghastly "Academy Award....." text from the cover of There will be Blood (presuming that's the genuine artwork).
Without that eyesore, the cover would be perfect.

On a semi-related note, Bill, would it be possible to confirm that There Will Be Blood will indeed use the standard Blu keepcase shown in that photo and not the ghastly 'green' packaging the SD DVD versions used? Thanks!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Crème Blu-ray

Hey Bill,

Are you implying that some of them will be reauthored with TrueHD?

No, I'm saying that a few of the first new titles will NOT have TrueHD (titles that were originally authored last year), but going forward TrueHD should become standard.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Bill, I have to say that I generally am not a fan of all the "one-off" requests you get bombarded with.

But.....if you have any influence at Paramount could you please ask them to get rid of the ghastly "Academy Award....." text from the cover of There will be Blood (presuming that's the genuine artwork).
Without that eyesore, the cover would be perfect.

The art that's appeared so far for Blood, Cloverfield and Spiderwick is, I presume, coming from retail sources, as it's not yet available directly from the studio. So I would guess it's not 100% finalized.

[rbd3000]

Wouldn't Paramount be better served marketing wise to release Transformers next summer when the sequel comes out. It's time has come and gone and aside from fanatics who seem to think it is the greatest movie of all time, I don't think the interest would be there from the average consumer. This was a title that could have moved a lot of players last year had it been released but I don't think it would be a big deal this year.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Irrob

Anywhoo, Bill, thanks for the updates. A while back, You mentioned a Batman Anthology on Blu this year. Will it coincide with the theatrical release of The Dark Knight or the eventual TDK BD release in Q4?

The studio is trying for this year, but it actually may get pushed into next year. They want to deliver the highest quality, and that takes time. Keep in mind, that's not a DELAY, because the studio hasn't officially annonced it yet - they've just said they're working on it.

[Geonosis]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

The art that's appeared so far for Blood, Cloverfield and Spiderwick is, I presume, coming from retail sources, as it's not yet available directly from the studio. So I would guess it's not 100% finalized.

The artwork is from PHE directly, however Clover and Blood is not the final artwork. It's the artwork intended for media circulation and to be displayed in a smaller place, which is why the text is often so large. To give an example, the first is the Bee Movie artwork for smaller displays such as an ad or icon. The second is the final artwork, we will see on the release.

[MrRoy]

Originally Posted by rbd3000

Wouldn't Paramount be better served marketing wise to release Transformers next summer when the sequel comes out. It's time has come and gone and aside from fanatics who seem to think it is the greatest movie of all time, I don't think the interest would be there from the average consumer. This was a title that could have moved a lot of players last year had it been released but I don't think it would be a big deal this year.

Keep in mind, they know that they have upset the blu camp majorly by going HD exclusive. I know that Paramount is in this business to make money, but they still have to be nice to the customer. With that being said, I don't think next year is an acceptable time table.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

To settle this debate, and to keep this thread on-topic, can someone create a poll on lossless vs. BonusView and BD-Live features?

~Alan

It's worth remembering that this audience doesn't represent the full market for the format. It remains to be seen what features the market as a whole will demand. I would personally prefer lossless audio to advanced interactive bonus features, but then I'm really waiting to see BD-Live really deliver an experience I care about - one that's SUPERIOR to standard DVD extras, and that isn't just bells and whistles. There's nothing I like more than a great documentary, and that's a linear experience - no pop-ups or advanced interactivity is necessary. On the other hand, I can see BD-Live features as having more "appeal" to a broader consumer audience than lossless audio, even if most of them don't actually try them much.

Right now, I'm working to encourage the studios to embrace lossless audio and less digital noise reduction. The DNR issue is a big deal I think. Lossless audio... it's important but I'm not going to freak out if a few titles here and there don't have it. As for BD-Live... I'm waiting to be convinced of its value. Sooner or later, someone will do something cool with it, but it had better enhance my appreciation of the film or what's the point?

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Geonosis

The artwork is from PHE directly, however Clover and Blood is not the final artwork. It's the artwork intended for media circulation and to be displayed in a smaller place, which is why the text is often so large. To give an example, the first is the Bee Movie artwork for smaller displays such as an ad or icon. The second is the final artwork, we will see on the release.

I understand, and I understand it's from Paramount. Perhaps I should have been more clear. Other than Bee Movie, final art for Cloverfield, There Will Be Blood and Spiderwick is not yet up on their press site at least. So this must be from the studio's retailers site.

[Geonosis]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

It's worth remembering that this audience doesn't represent the full market for the format. It remains to be seen what features the market as a whole will demand. I would personally prefer lossless audio to advanced interactive bonus features, but then I'm really waiting to see BD-Live really deliver an experience I care about - one that's SUPERIOR to standard DVD extras, and that isn't just bells and whistles. There's nothing I like more than a great documentary, and that's a linear experience - no pop-ups or advanced interactivity is necessary. On the other hand, I can see BD-Live features as having more "appeal" to a broader consumer audience than lossless audio, even if most of them don't actually try them much.

I'm really glad you posted that, because everytime I post that I love advanced interactive content (even over lossless), I am often vilified lol I totally agree that it seems more likely BD-Live features will appeal to a broader consumer segment. And despite being an early adopter, that's exactly what appeals to me. Too many users on the various boards seem to think they represent the audience, and it really goes beyond the demand for lossless audio. Thanks again!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Geonosis

I'm really glad you posted that, because everytime I post that I love advanced interactive content (even over lossless), I am often vilified lol I totally agree that it seems more likely BD-Live features will appeal to a broader consumer segment. And despite being an early adopter, that's exactly what appeals to me. Too many users on the various boards seem to think they represent the audience, and it really goes beyond the demand for lossless audio. Thanks again!

The key question is going to be, how quickly does a broader audience start embracing Blu-ray and what features do they care about most? I'm not convinced Blu-ray is really going to take off until the holidays and into next year, when prices drop more and really BIG titles that people want (both catalog and this summer's blockbusters) start arriving in stores. The most important feature is high-quality HD video that truly represents the original theatrical experience. If it's an older title shot on film, I want it to LOOK like film, not video. That means there needs to be grain. The key is the need to impress upon the studios that they can't dumb down the format for the mass audience. Video and audio quality come first, extras second. Advanced extras are a distant third in my mind. I do think advanced extras will have appeal to mainstream consumers, but I think the greatest appeal to that audience will be lower prices and title selection.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

The key question is going to be, how quickly does a broader audience start embracing Blu-ray and what features do they care about most? I'm not convinced Blu-ray is really going to take off until the holidays and into next year, when prices drop more and really BIG titles that people want (both catalog and this summer's blockbusters) start arriving in stores. The most important feature is high-quality HD video that truly represents the original theatrical experience. If it's an older title shot on film, I want it to LOOK like film, not video. That means there needs to be grain. The key is the need to impress upon the studios that they can't dumb down the format for the mass audience. Video and audio quality come first, extras second. Advanced extras are a distant third in my mind. I do think advanced extras will have appeal to mainstream consumers, but I think the greatest appeal to that audience will be lower prices and title selection.

It's hard to see how a feature like internet interactivity could be more appealing to mainstream consumers than to early adopters, when surely mainstream consumers are much less likely to even connect their player to the internet than the presumably more technically oriented early adopters.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by patrick99

It's hard to see how a feature like internet interactivity could be more appealing to mainstream consumers than to early adopters, when surely mainstream consumers are much less likely to even connect their player to the internet than the presumably more technically oriented early adopters.

I'm thinking more of features on the lines of interactive games and the like. And you forget, these things aren't always logical. Keep in mind, there's a big difference between "intent to use" and "perception of value." Consumers are likely to think they're getting more for their money on BD titles loaded with intereactive features, especially if those are heavily promoted in marketing. That doesn't necessairly mean they're going to actually try any of them. The same thing was true of DVD. It's the same reason why DVD-18s didn't really fly with consumers (technical problems with the discs aisde). When DVD sets were thicker, and had more discs, people thought they were getting "more for their money" even when the exact same set with the exact same contents was available in slimmer packaging on fewer DVD-18 discs. More discs = more value in the minds of most people. By the same token, I think lots of advanced bells and whistles will = more value in the minds of many people with Blu-ray... even if the features are lame and even if the buyer never actually looks at most of them.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I'm thinking more of features on the lines of interactive games and the like. And you forget, these things aren't always logical. Keep in mind, there's a big difference between "intent to use" and "perception of value." Consumers are likely to think they're getting more for their money on BD titles loaded with intereactive features, especially if those are heavily promoted in marketing. That doesn't necessairly mean they're going to actually try any of them. The same thing was true of DVD. It's the same reason why DVD-18s didn't really fly with consumers (technical problems with the discs aisde). When DVD sets were thicker, and had more discs, people thought they were getting "more for their money" even when the exact same set with the exact same contents was available in slimmer packaging on fewer DVD-18 discs. More discs = more value in the minds of most people. By the same token, I think lots of advanced bells and whistles will = more value in the minds of many people with Blu-ray... even if the features are lame and even if the buyer never actually looks at most of them.

All of that makes sense. I think Geonosis was misunderstanding you as endorsing his argument that the internet interactivity feature specifically would have more appeal to mainstream consumers than to early adopters. I personally think this particular feature has minuscule appeal to either group.

[mark antony]

Bill, talking of the Batman Anthology on BD, do you think we will finally see the director's cut of Batman Forever that was talked about, then canned before the last dvd release?

From interviews I've read I believe Schumacher was happy for the re-cut to happen and the footage seem's to still exist...?

It would give added incentive to buy the set as it's the 3rd time it would have appeared on a consumer disc in less than 10 years...

M

[Geonosis]

Originally Posted by patrick99

All of that makes sense. I think Geonosis was misunderstanding you as endorsing his argument that the internet interactivity feature specifically would have more appeal to mainstream consumers than to early adopters. I personally think this particular feature has minuscule appeal to either group.

I didn't misunderstand anything, I think you misunderstood me. I am very interested in all advanced content, such as BonusView, BD-Live and BD-Java games. I just agreed with Bill that BD-Live features could have more appeal to mainstream over the ea audience. Even if just for the fluff and perhaps no usage by them based on perceived value. Disney loves to develop those DVD games, I can see it being a huge hit with families. And it's just advanced features in general, more offline content like the games, PiP and interactive experiences. Although I enjoy it all.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Geonosis

I didn't misunderstand anything, I think you misunderstood me. I am very interested in all advanced content, such as BonusView, BD-Live and BD-Java games. I just agreed with Bill that BD-Live features could have more appeal to mainstream over the ea audience. Even if just for the fluff and perhaps no usage by them based on perceived value. Disney loves to develop those DVD games, I can see it being a huge hit with families. And it's just advanced features in general, more offline content like the games, PiP and interactive experiences. Although I enjoy it all.

I thought BD-Live=internet interactivity feature. Is that not correct?

[Geonosis]

Originally Posted by patrick99

I thought BD-Live=internet interactivity feature. Is that not correct?

Yes but you are missing that I am agreeing with this:

On the other hand, I can see BD-Live features as having more "appeal" to a broader consumer audience than lossless audio, even if most of them don't actually try them much.

The more appeal part. Anyway we can't really discuss this due to the rules, so feel free to PM me for further clarification, if needed. Thx.