Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Whirlygig]

The Hudsucker Proxy

WAC reports that the Blu-ray discs will be replicated in limited quantities and fulfilled on demand.

For now I am going to focus on the fact that they explicitly split the term "replicated" from the qualifier "on demand". I will interpret this as they will replicate proper Blus and distribute them direct to buyers from a tiny warehouse, with their website as the only retail storefront, or something. =p

Also, Gypsy...but why so limited? =p

[PowellPressburger]

I bet by limited they will press about 3,000-5,000 at a time. Something tells me some titles would take long enough to sell. Esp since a lot of classic titles even when Barnes and Noble gets copies etc... they don't sell a huge amount.

[erlinmeyer]

someone should let WBshop dot com know about it...in the Warner Archive section when you select Blu-ray Discs you get this:
Home » Warner Archive » Blu-ray Discs Blu-ray DiscsView as: GridGrid ListList
Sorry, currently there are no products setup under Blu-ray Discs. Please try some other menu selection


and nothing about them in preorders with only 5 days until they are available?

[HyperRealist]

yuck

Burbank, Calif., November 15, 2012 -- The Warner Archive Collection (WAC) – the
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) division dedicated to releasing on DVD
previously unavailable films and television shows – today announced the launch
of its first Blu-ray™ titles. The two titles, Deathtrap and Gypsy, will debut
on November 20. Beginning in February 2013, WAC expects to release a minimum of
one to two Blu-ray titles per month. Future titles include The Hudsucker Proxy
and Fearless.

WAC reports that the Blu-ray discs will be replicated in limited quantities and
fulfilled on demand. All releases will leverage high quality 1080p masters. In
many instances, as with Deathtrap, the films will be available for the first
time for home viewing in their original widescreen format.

Starting as a modest initiative, WAC has quickly grown to become a new business
model for the studio and a recognized industry leader. Since launching in March
2009, WAC has released more than 1,500 films, short subjects, TV movies and
mini-series that otherwise would not have been available, providing a valuable
service to film lovers everywhere.

Now, WACÂ’s entry into the Blu-ray market is the latest example of its fast
growth and increasing popularity with consumers who have embraced the technology
as the standard for the highest quality home movie viewing on disc. This year,
domestic sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray grew 22% in the third quarter from a
year earlier. In fact, Blu-ray sales have shown impressive gains every quarter
in 2012, continuing the trend set in 2011 over 2010 when sales were up 20%.[1]

In making the Blu-ray announcement, WBDD President Thomas Gewecke said, “This
is an important innovation that fulfills consumer demand for high definition
releases that otherwise would not be available in physical formats. WeÂ’re
excited to have the opportunity to further expand the Warner Archive Collection
into the Blu-ray marketplace with an impressive slate of releases.”

[Oscar Rothman]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this news.

[benbess]

Originally Posted by Oscar Rothman

I'm cautiously optimistic about this news.

+1

These are great titles. And if this is the way to get them released in HD, then I'm for it.

These are real blu-rays, if I understand correctly.

Plus WB HV gives free shipping, and so these undercut the prices of Twilight Time by about $10 a title.

WB is known for producing quality products with good PQ, which means I feel like I can buy with some confidence.

[thrillmygorilla]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Here's hoping for GET CARTER Blu!

Hell, yes.

[Ernest Rister]

Fearless is one of the best films of the 90's. Shocked it is coming to market in this fashion, versus a normal release. Also shocked it was never released on DVD in widescreen.

It goes without saying, I'm pouncing on it the moment it becomes available.

[klauswhereareyou]

If they are pressed discs, this is good news. I'll pick up Hudsucker for sure.

[spanky87]

SubUrbia

[SethRex]

While I may not say this is great news, this is definitely good news for those who want movies that would otherwise not get a Blu-Ray release due to popularity or some other reason.

[thelittleprince]

Originally Posted by octagon

Deathtrap is pretty huge.

It's a great film and the dvd...well, let's just say there's plenty of room for improvement.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Deathtrap is a great flick. Christoper Reeve was fantastic in that, one of his best. It will be nice to finally have it available in its OAR.

+1

Would love to own this on Blu as well. This and Sleuth (1972), both with Michael Caine, incidentally, are such fantastic cat-and-mouse films.

[Student Driver]

The majority of my Warner Archive purchases have been of old shorts collections that probably wouldn't benefit from HD video, but if they release The Fox on Blu-Ray, I'll be happy.

[Dex Robinson]

I hate to log on and see such depressing news.

Warner joins the list of companies losing faith in Blu-ray. We'll be seeing catalogue titles moved to high priced MOD available only online.

It's a bad day.

[abudgell]

Maybe we'll finally see Raintree County?

It's my number one most wanted Blu-ray...and it didn't even get an R1 DVD release!

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Student Driver

The majority of my Warner Archive purchases have been of old shorts collections that probably wouldn't benefit from HD video, but if they release The Fox on Blu-Ray, I'll be happy.

is The Fox the film with Sandy Dennis? If So I have the film score CD of that film awesome music in it. Have never seen it always wanted to!

[Arkadin]

Dex--they are not losing faith in blu-ray--they are losing faith in b&m retail for these type of titles.
pretty obvious I'd say.
most stores probably wouldn't carry these anyway, so where would you buy them?
(they don't want amazon lowballing these)
this move has been waiting to happen forever, so nobody can be surprised imo.

[AgentOrange]

The wording makes it sound like an initial batch will be proper blu-rays (replicated), and then after that "limited" batch sells out as more orders come-in new ones will be created on demand (BD-R).

[Talyn]

I'll wait till someone actually gets one in their hands to confirm exactly if it's pressed or not....

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

Dex--they are not losing faith in blu-ray--they are losing faith in b&m retail for these type of titles.
pretty obvious I'd say.
most stores probably wouldn't carry these anyway, so where would you buy them?
(they don't want amazon lowballing these)
this move has been waiting to happen forever, so nobody can be surprised imo.

Agreed. There are so many catalog titles that stores haven't bothered to stock. This has become more prevalent in the past year or so.

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

The wording makes it sound like an initial batch will be proper blu-rays (replicated), and then after that "limited" batch sells out as more orders come-in new ones will be created on demand (BD-R).

Which would give a sense of urgency for collectors to get their orders in ASAP.