Crimson Tide and Enemy of the State SEs due 5/4 (but POSTPONED) (1 Viewer)

[Paul.S]

But John I think it could be argued that this is further indication that a standard def anamorphic re-release will not happen.

 

[Qui-Gon John]

Well that's the kind of thing that is going to infuriate the masses against the studios and HD/BR, if they stop making SD releases.

 

[Paul.S]

One could also argue that "the masses" have spoken: the standard def DVD market is flattening. It's no longer a growth business. According to data in a recent Video Business story (and many other places), households that bought a DVD player for the first time last year bought a lot fewer DVDs than households that bought a player earlier.

It's not that SD releases will cease--it's closer to the mark to say that new theatrical releases will of course continue on SD to serve that installed player base. But they will increasingly be released day-and-date with BD and HD DVD and catalog titles will increasingly be (re-)released on the new formats only.

It's looking like Enemy Of the State has been announced for BD release in Japan in late fall. On BD, the U.S. and Japan will share the same Region Code.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Guys,

you will all be buying and HD player in the next couple of years... whether HD DVD, BD, universal whatever. By that point the format war may be moot making the decision an easy one (and prices affordable).

As long as you can wait a year or so for your 16x9 version of Armageddon, might as well make it a 1080p version too.

Relax, even a 480I 4x3 TV will show a better picture playing a downconverted HD image than an SD DVD due to a variety of factors (I'd rather not explain here). Keep a forward-thinking mind. Plan on investing in HD as soon as the right choice becomes clear and you can afford to join in. Don't get bent out of shape about it like the laserphiles did when they resisted DVD and kept investing $$$ in obsolete software even long after DVD was here and was cheaper to buy. Keep in mind that all your SD library will play on your future HD player so it's a win-win... and it makes sense to purchase HD content as soon as the format of choice is clear and you can afford... the rewards of which will be very clear once you finally upgrade to that future 1080p display/projection system (which you eventually will... just like you now have a 16x9 display that at one time you didn't think you'd buy).

 

[Qui-Gon John]

Well for what it's worth, I hope the day that one can no longer get new titles on SD-DVD is many years out in the future, if ever.

It just seems the SD market is so much huge it seems hard to imagine the studios ignoring it in favor of HD. I would venture a guess that of all households that have SD or on of the versions of HD, it is probably in the neighborhood of 95-99% SD, the rest HD.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

SD DVD won't ever die. There will be many mass market consumers happy with SD for years and years.

But any videophile who would appreciate double-dipping just to improve PQ with a new 16x9 transfer is a person who should also be investing in 1080p HD software as soon as they are able.

 

[Paul.S]

Knew this would happen: http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...u-ray_Wave/242

Wonder which cut it will be.