DVD Producers Hedge Bets in High-Def Format War - Blu-ray Forum

zombie · 07-24-2006, 09:56 PM

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...Format_War/148

Excerpt:

Quote:

"The truth is, studios are bored of special features... They'd rather get rid of them all together," said Burnett. "It's very expensive to send a crew to work on DVD extras for a big movie like 'Narnia,' and there's no real cost-benefit analysis for the studios."

This article is more about whether or not to include extras on DVDs, BDs, HD DVDs than it is on the format war. Thought this comment was interesting though. I've never been interested in extras but some of you who are may not like this at all.

JTK · 07-24-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...Format_War/148

Excerpt:

This article is more about whether or not to include extras on DVDs, BDs, HD DVDs than it is on the format war. Thought this comment was interesting though. I've never been interested in extras but some of you who are may not like this at all.

I want people to watch extras on things like that Deluxe Kingdom of Heaven or the expanded Gladiator. Ridley Scott knows how to spoil people and do them right.

Hell yeah, I LOVE extras, especially when it's done like that.

Put the extras on seperate discs from the movies and there shouldn't be any problems past the greedy whining and laziness spelled out in the quote.

BTBuck1 · 07-25-2006, 12:22 AM

I personally don't care much for special features, only movie I really enjoyed them in was "Fun with Dick & Jane" the security gaurd deleted scene had me and my wife laughing so hard i was in tears...we kept playing it over n over.

The ones I hate are alternate endings, like 16 blocks...I really perfer the theatrical ending, i got kinda depressed with the alternate ending.

remember:
"Everyday is somebody's birfday!"

JTK · 07-25-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian@BBY

I personally don't care much for special features, only movie I really enjoyed them in was "Fun with Dick & Jane" the security gaurd deleted scene had me and my wife laughing so hard i was in tears...we kept playing it over n over.

The ones I hate are alternate endings, like 16 blocks...I really perfer the theatrical ending, i got kinda depressed with the alternate ending.

remember:
"Everyday is somebody's birfday!"

Agreed on 16 Blocks' alternate ending: Terrible.

zombie · 07-25-2006, 12:53 AM

See I've got 16 Blocks and I haven't even watched the alternate ending. Just don't care for extras nor do I have time for them.

BTBuck1 · 07-25-2006, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg

See I've got 16 Blocks and I haven't even watched the alternate ending. Just don't care for extras nor do I have time for them.

I think it's cool Disney is going to shoot HD special features n all, but boy I just hope it's not at the cost of PQ. I'll prolly watch the special features like one time, then it'll be like...who cares.

Reminds me of when the have "the making of __________" on HBO, I almost NEVER watch it, I just keep clicking.

ProvenFlipper · 07-25-2006, 02:55 AM

Im not a fan of special features... I pretty much never watch them, especially when the special features on current BD are in SD. The Disney special features in HD will problably garner a look see from me, but only because they are in HD. I wouldn't base my buying decision on the inclusion of special features. I wish they would just ditch the special features entirely and just bump up the bitrate of the film and quality of the audio.

If special features are so important, then release two versions of the movie. Release a bare bones version of the movie with high quality picture and sound, a la Superbit DVDs. For the people who are interested in the special features then release another version with the special features included on a seperate disc and charge more for it.

Yes, it would cost more to create two versions, but if they make a small run of the special ones and label it as such, there will be people that buy them. The selling of the higher priced movies will cover the costs of shooting the special features, or at least help them make some of their money back, while keeping all consumers happy.

Psiweaver · 07-27-2006, 06:42 PM

I just want wonderful quality picture and sound I could care less about the extras.

no_wei · 07-27-2006, 10:36 PM

In many cases there already are two different versions of films on dvd.

there's a standard edition and then a special edition. although both might include special features, the special editions almost always include a lot more. often they'll be released with an extra disc or discs.

for example, i have the original release of Kingdom of Heaven, which already came with a bonus disc of special features. I happened to see the 4 disc version in HMV the other day, which was previously mentioned by JTK, and thought it might represent a bit of overkill for what I thought was a decent film, but nothing crazy stellar. still, it piqued my interest. incidentally, i'm even more interested now that i see my version does not contain a commentary, and i assume the 4 disc edition does.

personally, i'm a bit pissed off by the way in which regular vs. special edition discs are released. often, an original release might appear to be pretty much the only comprehensive release that will come out, because even though it may not have a lot of special features, it does still have some special features. to that end, i would almost prefer studios release a quick and dirty version of a film with zero special features, which would save them money and communicate to consumers that 'hey, there's a better one coming.' unless of course the goal is to confuse consumers to the point where they end up buying two copies of the same film, which i suspect is, in fact, their plan.

i also find it interesting when considering the cost/benefit angle of special features, because in many cases the special features don't represent an actual cost to the studios.

let's take my version of Kingdom of Heaven, yet again. The bonus disc has about 5 different special feature categories. One I'm not quite sure of, it claims to be some kind of interactive experience, so this may have actually cost the studio something to develop for the dvd. The rest, however, consist of a segment that aired on A&E, on that aired on the History Channel, 4 featurettes, and the Theatrical Trailer. almost all of those are a direct product of the cost of marketing the film, which is an inevitable expense. I would, in fact, go so far as to say that the vast majority of "special features" that are out there are really just rehashed promotional materials, which is fine, because a lot of that stuff is actually really good.

I guess my point is that I have a hard time believing that special features actually represent a significant cost concern for studios. One of the only potential problems I see is if they choose to interpret the sale of 2 disc dvd as being significantly less profitable than a single disc dvd, because it cost them 10 cents to produce the 2 disc dvd and they could only sell it for 30 dollars, versus the 5 cent single disc which they can sell for 20 dollars.

/no

AlexKx · 07-28-2006, 04:40 PM

Hell. I am psycho about the special features. I might not buy movies ever if they quit with those. What's the point then? They don't realize that those might be what encourage people to actually BUY their films instead of just watching the films online. They are able to re-sell these same films because of adding special features later on! What morons! This doesn't even make any sense. I have ALWAYS considered it nothing short of pioneering the idea of special features for c.d.s or d.v.d.s! I am praying to God old movies and c.d.s will be LOADED out of our minds with unreelased material. What the ScHmUck?!

marzetta7 · 07-28-2006, 05:05 PM

I like the special features. I sure hope they continue with them in HD cinema and that they are just that--in HD.

I for one loved the extra features on the Matrix Revolutions when they had the whole Will Ferrell as the architect skit, I couldn't stop laughing for hours. Shawn's Focus!! Hehehe.

I can't help but think this is a potential, premeditated excuse that will be used for those epics (lik LOTR) released on HD DVD (it'll be on Blu-ray too, but hopefully on a 50GB disc so hopefully this won't be an issue)that most likely won't have enough space. Heck, they may not have enough space for the movie alone, as a good lot of them (HD DVD movies) are already nearing that 30 GB limit, using the most advanced codecs, and they don't even approach the length of certain epics. Oh well, most likely we'll see the whole multiple disc scenario in this regard.

In any case, I like the documentaries, outtakes, unreleased material, etc. And who knows what else Hollywood can come up (better interactive material) with given the extra space of the 50 gigers to come out.

Psiweaver · 07-28-2006, 05:09 PM

Yeah it will be cool to see what the new features they'll be able to devolope once there working with java.

Knight-Errant · 07-28-2006, 05:14 PM

If you like the movie, or even if you didn't, definitely check out the Kingdom of Heaven 4 disc directors cut.

It's like seeing a different movie as it runs over two discs and has ALOT more character development than the short theatrical cut.

Psiweaver · 07-28-2006, 05:27 PM

yeah i like the extened editions like that or LoTR I dont' like having to skip around and watch the deleted scenes out of context.

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07-25-2006, 12:22 AM	#3
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	I personally don't care much for special features, only movie I really enjoyed them in was "Fun with Dick & Jane" the security gaurd deleted scene had me and my wife laughing so hard i was in tears...we kept playing it over n over. The ones I hate are alternate endings, like 16 blocks...I really perfer the theatrical ending, i got kinda depressed with the alternate ending. remember: "Everyday is somebody's birfday!"

07-25-2006, 12:53 AM	#5
zombie Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:May 2004 Trading Score:864	See I've got 16 Blocks and I haven't even watched the alternate ending. Just don't care for extras nor do I have time for them.

07-25-2006, 02:55 AM	#7
ProvenFlipper Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:332 Blu-ray collection:898 Trading Score:1	Im not a fan of special features... I pretty much never watch them, especially when the special features on current BD are in SD. The Disney special features in HD will problably garner a look see from me, but only because they are in HD. I wouldn't base my buying decision on the inclusion of special features. I wish they would just ditch the special features entirely and just bump up the bitrate of the film and quality of the audio. If special features are so important, then release two versions of the movie. Release a bare bones version of the movie with high quality picture and sound, a la Superbit DVDs. For the people who are interested in the special features then release another version with the special features included on a seperate disc and charge more for it. Yes, it would cost more to create two versions, but if they make a small run of the special ones and label it as such, there will be people that buy them. The selling of the higher priced movies will cover the costs of shooting the special features, or at least help them make some of their money back, while keeping all consumers happy.

07-27-2006, 06:42 PM	#8
Psiweaver Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Los Angeles,CA	I just want wonderful quality picture and sound I could care less about the extras.

07-27-2006, 10:36 PM	#9
no_wei Member Member since:May 2006	In many cases there already are two different versions of films on dvd. there's a standard edition and then a special edition. although both might include special features, the special editions almost always include a lot more. often they'll be released with an extra disc or discs. for example, i have the original release of Kingdom of Heaven, which already came with a bonus disc of special features. I happened to see the 4 disc version in HMV the other day, which was previously mentioned by JTK, and thought it might represent a bit of overkill for what I thought was a decent film, but nothing crazy stellar. still, it piqued my interest. incidentally, i'm even more interested now that i see my version does not contain a commentary, and i assume the 4 disc edition does. personally, i'm a bit pissed off by the way in which regular vs. special edition discs are released. often, an original release might appear to be pretty much the only comprehensive release that will come out, because even though it may not have a lot of special features, it does still have some special features. to that end, i would almost prefer studios release a quick and dirty version of a film with zero special features, which would save them money and communicate to consumers that 'hey, there's a better one coming.' unless of course the goal is to confuse consumers to the point where they end up buying two copies of the same film, which i suspect is, in fact, their plan. i also find it interesting when considering the cost/benefit angle of special features, because in many cases the special features don't represent an actual cost to the studios. let's take my version of Kingdom of Heaven, yet again. The bonus disc has about 5 different special feature categories. One I'm not quite sure of, it claims to be some kind of interactive experience, so this may have actually cost the studio something to develop for the dvd. The rest, however, consist of a segment that aired on A&E, on that aired on the History Channel, 4 featurettes, and the Theatrical Trailer. almost all of those are a direct product of the cost of marketing the film, which is an inevitable expense. I would, in fact, go so far as to say that the vast majority of "special features" that are out there are really just rehashed promotional materials, which is fine, because a lot of that stuff is actually really good. I guess my point is that I have a hard time believing that special features actually represent a significant cost concern for studios. One of the only potential problems I see is if they choose to interpret the sale of 2 disc dvd as being significantly less profitable than a single disc dvd, because it cost them 10 cents to produce the 2 disc dvd and they could only sell it for 30 dollars, versus the 5 cent single disc which they can sell for 20 dollars. /no

07-28-2006, 04:40 PM	#10
AlexKx Active Member Member since:Jan 2005	Hell. I am psycho about the special features. I might not buy movies ever if they quit with those. What's the point then? They don't realize that those might be what encourage people to actually BUY their films instead of just watching the films online. They are able to re-sell these same films because of adding special features later on! What morons! This doesn't even make any sense. I have ALWAYS considered it nothing short of pioneering the idea of special features for c.d.s or d.v.d.s! I am praying to God old movies and c.d.s will be LOADED out of our minds with unreelased material. What the ScHmUck?!

07-28-2006, 05:05 PM	#11
marzetta7 Special Member Member since:Feb 2006	I like the special features. I sure hope they continue with them in HD cinema and that they are just that--in HD. I for one loved the extra features on the Matrix Revolutions when they had the whole Will Ferrell as the architect skit, I couldn't stop laughing for hours. Shawn's Focus!! Hehehe. I can't help but think this is a potential, premeditated excuse that will be used for those epics (lik LOTR) released on HD DVD (it'll be on Blu-ray too, but hopefully on a 50GB disc so hopefully this won't be an issue)that most likely won't have enough space. Heck, they may not have enough space for the movie alone, as a good lot of them (HD DVD movies) are already nearing that 30 GB limit, using the most advanced codecs, and they don't even approach the length of certain epics. Oh well, most likely we'll see the whole multiple disc scenario in this regard. In any case, I like the documentaries, outtakes, unreleased material, etc. And who knows what else Hollywood can come up (better interactive material) with given the extra space of the 50 gigers to come out.

07-28-2006, 05:09 PM	#12
Psiweaver Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Los Angeles,CA	Yeah it will be cool to see what the new features they'll be able to devolope once there working with java.

07-28-2006, 05:14 PM	#13
Knight-Errant Power Member Member since:Aug 2005 Location:Sheffield, UK	If you like the movie, or even if you didn't, definitely check out the Kingdom of Heaven 4 disc directors cut. It's like seeing a different movie as it runs over two discs and has ALOT more character development than the short theatrical cut.

07-28-2006, 05:27 PM	#14
Psiweaver Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Los Angeles,CA	yeah i like the extened editions like that or LoTR I dont' like having to skip around and watch the deleted scenes out of context.

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