HTSA news, and Disney Platinum Edition Blu-rays...

[joeorc]

In a nutshell
--The Blu-ray Disc Association, directed by 18 people representing the board of directors companies and some 200 other contributing and general member firms, is in the middle of a nationwide Mall Tour to educate consumers about Blu-ray. To a person, they're convinced that this format "war" will end when the public is better informed about Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD.
--Blu-ray has more backers, we were reminded. We didn't need to be. Just look at the BDA board members: Apple, Dell, HP, Hitachi, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Sun Microsystems, TDK, Thomson, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. That's some group. The most recent to announce exclusive support of Blu-ray is Home Theater Specialists of America, the largest home theater installation consortium in the nation. That's also big-time, since these folks depend on word-of-mouth customer satisfaction for their livelihoods, and their decision to back one format exclusively was based on a poll of all their members working in the home entertainment field. Blu-ray was what they recommended to the 11 million "luxury lifestyle" clients they serviced a whopping 92 percent of the time.

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-latest-on-blu-ray/4880

think any studio could ignore that let alone the install base of playstation 3 owners....

[joeorc]

Blu soon?
It wasn't all technology talk, though. At a mill-and-mingle breakfast, Dan Bradley of TheManRoom.com and I sat down with Disney exec Ho and talked new releases. "Sleeping Beauty" had been previously announced as the first classic animated title to be released in Blu-ray, and Ho said that after that October '08 release, Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall. With noticeable passion he talked about how breathless all the studio brass were when they got their first glimpse of "Sleeping Beauty" on Blu-ray. Ho didn't say so, and there's obviously no timetable, but a big screen demonstration we watched at the "Ratatouille" release party the following evening listed these Disney titles as forthcoming in Blu-ray:

this is what i am talking about.....
seems some reporters were neglecting to tell Blu-Ray supporters this news..i wonder why

[Joe Cain]

Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall.

That may be the best release news I've seen since buying my PS3. My jaw literally dropped. Brilliant. Time to start guessing which comes first!

"Aladdin"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
"Cinderella"
"Dumbo"
"Freaky Friday"
"Lilo & Stitch"
"The Lion King"
"The Little Mermaid"
"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh"
"Monster's Inc."
"National Treasure"
"101 Dalmatians"
"The Parent Trap"
"Peter Pan"
"Pinocchio"
"Pocahontas"
"The Princess Diaries"
"The Rookie"
"The Santa Clause"
"The Santa Clause 2"
"The Shaggy Dog"
"Tarzan"
"Toy Story 2"

Best Pixar seagull voice: Mine? Mine! Mine MINE! Mine!

And I figure Toy Story ought to figure on somewhere if they're going to release the sequel...

[joeorc]

check this out from a reporter directly at the event...the one who wrote this article:

I know perfectly well that we have our share of Blu-ray haters at this site, some of whom are connected to the site, but please don't misquote me. I said "mostly from Fox." Sony was NOT evasive and they did not blow smoke up anyone's pitute. If you have an axe to grind against Sony, you won't find any fodder in this story. All of the execs from Sony answered ALL of my questions directly. The only other evasiveness came when studio execs were asked about forthcoming release titles and dates, and they played it understandably cagey.

It was my impression that about half the journalists there covered both HD-DVD and Blu-ray and tried to be unbiased, while the other half were Blu-ray supporters or fans. But by the end of this thing, given what we all saw, most of the journalists were impressed by everything except those testy exchanges at Fox studios.

But I understand that this format war is like religion or abortion. Those of you who've already made up your minds to hate one format or the other will see the mere mention of the "evil" word and take up the same refrain you always do, as if you never bothered to read the article. Lies? What lies? Be specific, people. What I saw and the numbers we were given didn't seem like lies to me. The 200+ supporters for Blu-ray versus the relative handful of supporters for HD-DVD is certainly a fact. Just to play devil's advocate here, what's wrong with channeling energies into replicating the master video and audio on titles? Shouldn't Hi-Def have High Definition as it's first objective? What sense does it make to release a title that was transferred to disc at a lower bit-rate than the theatrical release, just so you can add a making-of feature? Again, just playing devil's advocate here.

I wrote this article based on my impressions and tried to be open-minded and honest with you, as I attempt in my reviews. Certainly it's possible to read my article and see things that I haven't. I admit that, and understand that we have message boards and comments features exactly so others can articulate their own positions. In this case, though, I just wanted to make sure that you knew that Sony was completely honest and open with me. If you want to think otherwise, that's certainly your right. I'm just asking that you don't misquote me and use what I've said as "evidence" of what you perceive as Sony's sins against the gaming and video community. That simply wasn't the case.

[Post edited by jamesplath on Nov 2, 2007]

http://www.dvdtown.com/messageboard/topic/4987/10/1

[GregBlu5]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall.

That may be the best release news I've seen since buying my PS3. My jaw literally dropped. Brilliant. Time to start guessing which comes first!

"Aladdin"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
"Cinderella"
"Dumbo"
"Freaky Friday"
"Lilo & Stitch"
"The Lion King"
"The Little Mermaid"
"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh"
"Monster's Inc."
"National Treasure"
"101 Dalmatians"
"The Parent Trap"
"Peter Pan"
"Pinocchio"
"Pocahontas"
"The Princess Diaries"
"The Rookie"
"The Santa Clause"
"The Santa Clause 2"
"The Shaggy Dog"
"Tarzan"
"Toy Story 2"

Best Pixar seagull voice: Mine? Mine! Mine MINE! Mine!

And I figure Toy Story ought to figure on somewhere if they're going to do release the sequel...

Someone on this list mentioned that Disney ought to release more of them, and I fully agree. Some of us are getting too old to be waiting every seven years, or so, for the Blu versions of these classics. I'm still missing on SD Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, Pinnochio, and Snow White.

-Greg

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by joeorc

check this out from a reporter directly at the event...the one who wrote this article:

I know perfectly well that we have our share of Blu-ray haters at this site, some of whom are connected to the site, but please don't misquote me. I said "mostly from Fox." Sony was NOT evasive and they did not blow smoke up anyone's pitute. If you have an axe to grind against Sony, you won't find any fodder in this story. All of the execs from Sony answered ALL of my questions directly. The only other evasiveness came when studio execs were asked about forthcoming release titles and dates, and they played it understandably cagey.

It was my impression that about half the journalists there covered both HD-DVD and Blu-ray and tried to be unbiased, while the other half were Blu-ray supporters or fans. But by the end of this thing, given what we all saw, most of the journalists were impressed by everything except those testy exchanges at Fox studios.

But I understand that this format war is like religion or abortion. Those of you who've already made up your minds to hate one format or the other will see the mere mention of the "evil" word and take up the same refrain you always do, as if you never bothered to read the article. Lies? What lies? Be specific, people. What I saw and the numbers we were given didn't seem like lies to me. The 200+ supporters for Blu-ray versus the relative handful of supporters for HD-DVD is certainly a fact. Just to play devil's advocate here, what's wrong with channeling energies into replicating the master video and audio on titles? Shouldn't Hi-Def have High Definition as it's first objective? What sense does it make to release a title that was transferred to disc at a lower bit-rate than the theatrical release, just so you can add a making-of feature? Again, just playing devil's advocate here.

I wrote this article based on my impressions and tried to be open-minded and honest with you, as I attempt in my reviews. Certainly it's possible to read my article and see things that I haven't. I admit that, and understand that we have message boards and comments features exactly so others can articulate their own positions. In this case, though, I just wanted to make sure that you knew that Sony was completely honest and open with me. If you want to think otherwise, that's certainly your right. I'm just asking that you don't misquote me and use what I've said as "evidence" of what you perceive as Sony's sins against the gaming and video community. That simply wasn't the case.

[Post edited by jamesplath on Nov 2, 2007]

http://www.dvdtown.com/messageboard/topic/4987/10/1

Nice.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Someone on this list mentioned that Disney ought to release more of them, and I fully agree. Some of us are getting to old to be waiting every seven years, or so, for the Blu versions of these classics. I'm still missing on SD Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, Pinnochio, and Snow White.

-Greg

No doubt. Waiting every seven years for them to come around in the theatres as a kid was bad enough. Pinocchio had better be one of the spring '09 releases---I have all the rest on your missing list, but probably only because I bought my first DVD player after I found the DVD Fantasia Anthology on the shelves and have picked up every Platinum Edition since (as well as all the animated Walt Disney Treasures series---I'm not really a collector of anything except mostly-vintage Disney animation). Pinoke hasn't seen a single upgraded release since the barebones Gold Edition or whatever it was called, but now it will be getting the most meaningful home media upgrade available.

Mary Poppins would be good to see too.

[joeorc]

look at this HD DVD zealot

[Post edited by hoodaguy on Nov 3, 2007]

My bad, it's 18. The rest are just "contributors" but that's completely different than full-blown supporters:

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/general_i...009/Index.html

That's the list if anybody wants to check it out.

_____________________

this person who ever he is loves to spread FUD that i can tell.

how dumb do you have to be ... ,"contributors" are Full-Blown supporters you Dumb @SS

[quexos]

Originally Posted by joeorc

look at this HD DVD zealot

[Post edited by hoodaguy on Nov 3, 2007]

My bad, it's 18. The rest are just "contributors" but that's completely different than full-blown supporters:

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/general_i...009/Index.html

That's the list if anybody wants to check it out.

_____________________

this person who ever he is loves to spread FUD that i can tell.

how dumb do you have to be ... ,"contributors" are Full-Blown supporters you Dumb @SS

Is that list up to date ? I mean is Warner still part of the Board ?

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by quexos

Is that list up to date ? I mean is Warner still part of the Board ?

It was quietly confirmed on the Insiders Thread...oh, sometime in the past week, I think, not long after the FUD had begun that WB had not re-upped their dues or some such unsubstantiated rumor.

[atomik kinder]

Well, when Disney finally started to release their animated classics on DVD, they did them in groups of four, all on the same date. Could get expensive!

[sj001]

Originally Posted by atomik kinder

Well, when Disney finally started to release their animated classics on DVD, they did them in groups of four, all on the same date. Could get expensive!

...and those are going to be HUGE when they come out. Not being able to get those on HD-DVD is an absolute FORMAT KILLER IMHO.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by sj001

...and those are going to be HUGE when they come out. Not being able to get those on HD-DVD is an absolute FORMAT KILLER IMHO.

yup..but i think this will be the format killer for HD DVD

Blu-ray was what they recommended to the 11 million "luxury lifestyle" clients they serviced a whopping 92 percent of the time.

THAT COULD VERY WELL BE THE FORMAT KILLER OUT RIGHT....

[DocNovak]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall.

That may be the best release news I've seen since buying my PS3. My jaw literally dropped. Brilliant. Time to start guessing which comes first!

"Aladdin"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
"Cinderella"
"Dumbo"
"Freaky Friday"
"Lilo & Stitch"
"The Lion King"
"The Little Mermaid"
"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh"
"Monster's Inc."
"National Treasure"
"101 Dalmatians"
"The Parent Trap"
"Peter Pan"
"Pinocchio"
"Pocahontas"
"The Princess Diaries"
"The Rookie"
"The Santa Clause"
"The Santa Clause 2"
"The Shaggy Dog"
"Tarzan"
"Toy Story 2"

Best Pixar seagull voice: Mine? Mine! Mine MINE! Mine!

And I figure Toy Story ought to figure on somewhere if they're going to do release the sequel...

On one of the pixar flicks I saw somewhere that it showed a preview of Chronicles of Narnia on blu but I don't remember which one. I will have to check when I get to the house. I am looking forward to that release. I also think they will release National Treasure to coincide with the release of National Treasure 2 in summer 08.
I am personally not a big fan of classic Disney animation, but the wife has all ready said we are getting every one that comes out. She all ready has every disney classic animation ever released on VHS and DVD, but gets mad at me for ordering Spidey High-Def Trilogy when we had 1&2 on DVD all ready.

[spam.curitiba]

All i gotta say is when I saw that split screen of that teaser of SB in cars I was amazed.

[GregBlu5]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

No doubt. Waiting every seven years for them to come around in the theatres as a kid was bad enough. Pinocchio had better be one of the spring '09 releases---I have all the rest on your missing list, but probably only because I bought my first DVD player after I found the DVD Fantasia Anthology on the shelves and have picked up every Platinum Edition since (as well as all the animated Walt Disney Treasures series---I'm not really a collector of anything except mostly-vintage Disney animation). Pinoke hasn't seen a single upgraded release since the barebones Gold Edition or whatever it was called, but now it will be getting the most meaningful home media upgrade available.

Mary Poppins would be good to see too.

Yes. I have all of those missing SD titles on LaserDisc. I had the other Disney classics on LD, as well, until I, too, went DVD--though a bit later than most--and patiently picked them up as Disney released them over the past several years. But, as you point out, that took time. And now I'm glad that I *may* get to replace the rest, in order, on Blu instead of SD.

-Greg

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by joeorc

Disney would be releasing three to four "Platinum" titles every spring and fall.

that is what they do with DVD as well, isn't it? My experience of buying disney titles for 7 years has already taught me disney DVD release pattern

[Pestilence]

I don't know about you guys but I am salivating over Toy Story, The Lion King & Aladdin on Blu-ray. WHO COULD RESIST THOSE TITLES IN HD?!!

[Spankey]

Love these quotes from the article..

--Winning the HD war seemed a foregone conclusion to this bunch, who in private conversations seemed surprisingly concerned that the longer the war persists, the more consumer casualties there will be . . . on the other side.

At a presentation at the Little Theater on the Fox Studios lot, we watched demonstrations of new Fox Blu-ray technologies (mostly Picture-in-Picture) and were given a summary of why they're convinced this is a war that, the sooner ended, the less consumers who buy that other product will be scorched.

[xtop]

very interesting reading all around. I'd love for disney to get on the ball and start releasing some big titles. they will be a huge reason why blu wins