WHV Press Release: The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary UCE (DVD/Blu-ray)

The question is whether the extras are all in high def. If some of the extras on the blu-ray are in SD, then Pal will be a factor and those extras will not play on a US blu-ray player. This happened with the Black Narcissus blu-ray I bought from Amazon UK. The film played fine but I could not watch the extras, which were SD Pal. If they port over the jukebox feature from the standard DVD for example, I don't think anything is gained from this feature being in high def.
The PAL-problem is usually an issue only if the the company releasing the title just have the rights in PAL territories. All European Blu-ray players can play NTSC-material fine, so for a company with global rights there is no point in doing both a PAL and an NTSC version.
There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!
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The PAL-problem is usually an issue only if the the company releasing the title just have the rights in PAL territories. All European Blu-ray players can play NTSC-material fine, so for a company with global rights there is no point in doing both a PAL and an NTSC version.
Correct on DVD, but not correct regarding Blu-ray. 480i material is in many cases encoded in 60hz. If you check several of Warner's European and US releases (like 2001 and Harry Potter 2, 3 & 4) you'll see that the discs are identical. Exceptions are usually independent titles and New Line material.
Not all older European sets can handle NTSC. Every new one can, so most people (except if you have an older television, of course) would be all right if the extra material is in NTSC.
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My Blu-Ray/DVD Collection

Correct on DVD, but not correct regarding Blu-ray. 480i material is in many cases encoded in 60hz. If you check several of Warner's European and US releases (like 2001 and Harry Potter 2, 3 & 4) you'll see that the discs are identical. Exceptions are usually independent titles and New Line material.
I did say "almost all". Naturally there are exceptions.
Would you want to release an NTSC disc in a PAL territory, knowing that a proportion of your customers wouldn't be able to play it? Or, worse, that there'd be complaints from angry customers? Most large displays made in the last ten years can probably handle NTSC, but a lot of smaller sets can't, and a lot of people have sets that are much older than that! It's certainly not something you could count on!
There are a few NTSC titles on sale in the UK, and they're usually prominently marked as such, to avoid problems.
Of course, technically it's best if Blu-ray SD bonus features are encoded in their native format, wherever possible. That probably means NTSC in most cases (certainly most material on discs released by the Hollywood studios will have been mastered in NTSC).

Must be one of those conversion things.
Seriously, though, thanks fellas for the info.
So, even though the bonus features might be on a BD, if they are not in HD but in a lower resolution, they still fall victim to the PAL/NTSC situation, eh? Seems odd. I would have thought the encoding required to ge the features onto the BD would have dealt with all that.
There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!
Top Ten Ways to Find Good Deals on DVDs and Blu-ray...
Don't know what that has to do with The Wizard of Oz, but there was a whole thread about South Pacific on BD when it came out. The roadshow version was SD in the US, but I didn't buy the European disc and I imagine it is also SD there as well. No one brought it up.
My guess is that many of the extras on Oz will be SD, as there are so many, and many of them (like the 1990 special hosted by Angela Lansbury) were finished on tape, and I imagine "The Dreamer of Oz" was as well. The silent Oz films will probably be in SD, too.
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Would you want to release an NTSC disc in a PAL territory, knowing that a proportion of your customers wouldn't be able to play it? Or, worse, that there'd be complaints from angry customers? Most large displays made in the last ten years can probably handle NTSC, but a lot of smaller sets can't, and a lot of people have sets that are much older than that! It's certainly not something you could count on!
There are a few NTSC titles on sale in the UK, and they're usually prominently marked as such, to avoid problems.
Of course, technically it's best if Blu-ray SD bonus features are encoded in their native format, wherever possible. That probably means NTSC in most cases (certainly most material on discs released by the Hollywood studios will have been mastered in NTSC).
Well, it just concerns the bonus material, which a lot of people (of the general public) don't want to watch, according to some people. But maybe you're right, best not to take the risk.
Never go out with anyone who thinks Fellini is a type of cheese
My Blu-Ray/DVD Collection
Ah, apologies for that - I kept getting an error message from the board software saying that there was an error, and my post wouldn't go through.
Non-Supporter of Tai Seng, DNR/EE, DRM, Digital Copy and The Digital Bits.
Errol Flynn films wanted as boxsets and not released in the "Archives"!
Zero Interest in all things Harry Potter.
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CHARITY EXTRAVAGANZA SEPTEMBER 24 AT TAVERN ON THE GREEN INTRODUCES WARNER HOME VIDEO'S NEW BENCHMARK BLU-RAY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION AND AUCTION OF WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS' RENOWNED RUBY SLIPPER COLLECTION Grammy Award Winner Ashanti and Judy Garland's Daughter Lorna Luft to Perform at the Emerald Gala; Original Munchkins to Make a Rare Appearance |
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BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- From Beverly Hills to Berlin; from Miami to Melbourne; from big screens to home screens, Warner Bros. Entertainment has for the past year been celebrating the 70th anniversary of an iconic American classic, The Wizard of Oz, with a slate of spectacular festivities spanning the globe. This September, the celebration culminates in New York City with a series of sparkling events. |
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved and iconic motion pictures of all time filled with timeless sentiments and values cherished by multiple generations. Originally released in 1939, more than one billion consumers have experienced the classic story of Dorothy and friends in the Land of Oz.
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a worldwide leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS. Its innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts, and rapidly expanding international prevention and treatment programs are bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide. To learn more about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and its programs, visit www.pedaids.org.
Tavern on the Green
Opened in 1934, Tavern on the Green has been operated by the LeRoy family since 1974 when Warner LeRoy (current owner Jennifer LeRoy's father) took on the lease for the landmark property, then in serious disrepair and essentially abandoned. After a two-year, $10 million renovation, Tavern on the Green re-emerged as a dazzling dining destination that was immediately embraced by New York City. Under the LeRoy leadership it has become an international icon as one the world's most famous and successful restaurants hosting nearly 700,000 people annually.
The Wizard of Oz National Tour
The greatest family musical of all time, The Wizard of Oz, is touching down in theaters across the country as NETworks Presentations brings this live touring production to over 70 cities, opening October 2009 in Worcester, MA and twisting its way across North America to cities such as Knoxville, TN., Austin, TX., Pittsburgh, PA, and Anchorage, AK! To see if the show The New York Times calls a "lavish stage production" with "colorful costumes, witty choreography, and cool lighting," is coming to a city near you visit www.WizardofOzonTour.com.
THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) Turner Entertainment Co.
From the Judy room the Wizard of Oz will be shown on 440 theaters in Hi Def one night only September 23 at 7:PM local time
http://www.thejudyroom.com/news-oz.html#companionbook
Edited by Garysb - 8/16/2009 at 01:34 am GMT
The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Event
09/23/2009
NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies present The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Event featuring the first ever High Definition presentation in movie theatres nationwide of The Wizard of Oz. This One Night Event will take place in over 440 movie theatres nationwide on Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. (local time). In addition to the feature presentation of The Wizard of Oz, this exclusive event will include a special introduction by Robert Osborne, a classic film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, followed by “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” a look into how L. Frank Baum’s classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and rare musical outtakes. Also featured will be an exclusive clip of the Scarecrow, Ray Bolger, dancing in High-definition for the very first time.
Tickets on-sale NOW! Limited seats available. Enter your zip code above for a list of theatres in your area.
The colorful characters and unforgettable songs of The Wizard of Oz come alive as never before as the cinematic treasure is brought into the digital age with this entirely remastered Hi-Def presentation. Celebrating its 70th Anniversary, The Wizard of Oz originally opened at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in 1939. It received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and captured two Oscars® -- Best Song (“Over the Rainbow”) and Best Original Score -- plus a special award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance by Judy Garland. Its magical story and heartfelt performances have enabled it to grow from a perennial classic to its current status as a treasured icon of popular culture. Whether seeing it for the first time or the 100th time, it is only fitting that audiences nationwide will have the chance to enjoy the 70th Anniversary of this multi-generational favorite in movie theatres for an exclusive One Night celebratory event.
Edited by Garysb - 8/16/2009 at 03:46 pm GMT
I've heard some negative comments about previous screenings presented by this company, and, having seen an older film print of OZ projected on the big screen just last month, I want to make sure it's going to look at least as good as that before I pay $10.00 to see it again.
- Mark

I'm not questioning anything on Warners end; I have no doubt they made an at least 4k transfer of the film. What I meant to say is that this theatrical presentation might merely be a projection of the Blu-ray master (1080p). I hope that makes more sense.
1080p is certainly "Hi-Def" when it comes to home video, but it isn't anywhere near as impressive in a large movie theater. That's why I'm hoping to get more information before plunking down my money.
- Mark
The showing of The Wizard of Oz in high-def is being shown one week before the DVD release – it is the same high-def as will be on Blu-Ray.
Can I assume this means it will be 1080p? And that this would be inferior to a 35mm film print or the normal theatrical digital projection?
- Mark

Well, I think I have an answer. On another forum, someone emailed Fathom and asked them about the source material. Their reply?
The showing of The Wizard of Oz in high-def is being shown one week before the DVD release – it is the same high-def as will be on Blu-Ray.
Can I assume this means it will be 1080p? And that this would be inferior to a 35mm film print or the normal theatrical digital projection?
- Mark
It's my understanding that the Hidef master for WOZ was scanned at 4k. That's then downrezzed for Blu Ray. If they literally mean that the BR transfer is being used for the theatrical showing, you'd have about 2k resolution (1080p). It wouldn't be very different from the 2k resolution shown by many theaters. If some theaters used the full 4k HD master, that would be noticeably better.
"The film has been entirely remastered for the high-definition format. Each of the original Technicolor camera negatives was scanned using 8K resolution. From this scan, a final 'capture' master was created in 4K, giving the Blu-ray twice the resolution of the master for the film's previous DVD release. The Blu-ray also features Dolby TrueHD audio."
Tell The Weinstein Company to release Richard Williams' animated masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler on DVD in Panavision widescreen and uncut! See and hear what you're missing from their Bitsy Award winner of Worst Standard Edition DVD of 2006 on YouTube!
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As most have said they just want the movie on blu-ray I don't think this will help sales muchStill if there are people who want everything. I wonder if other retailers will have their own exclusives.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HMDOAW/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p74_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0N7W66T1D63K2FJBQJ1V&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846


