Image Entertainment announces 3 for HD DVD... Criterion next?

Pete T C · 08-16-2006, 08:01 PM

Looks like HD DVD has just won over its first "on the fence" studio!

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Digital Bits

On the high-def front, it looks like Image Entertainment is going to be releasing its first titles on the HD-DVD format on 11/7 (SRP $24.99 each). All three are music releases, including Barry Manilow: Manilow Live!, Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek and Heart: Alive in Seattle. We've updated the High-Def Release List accordingly. Tell you what... we want to see some of those Image IMAX titles in HD, like Super Speedway or Fighter Pilot. Now, that'd be pretty cool...

Image Entertainment, aside from their concerts and IMAX films, also as of 2005 has become the exclusive distributor of The Criterion Collection. Could Criterion's HD DVD releases be inevitable? We'll see.

TravisR · 08-16-2006, 10:36 PM

I thought (but could be wrong) that Criterion has said that they aren't doing any HD stuff until the format war settles out.

Ed St. Clair · 08-16-2006, 10:48 PM

How did these titles sell on SD DVD?
How did these titles look in SD DVD?
(were they film or video?)

Glad to have Image on board for HD disc.
Although, to me, the quality of there SD DVD's were all over the place.
Any Image SD DVD titles that should be a knockout on HD disc?

PeterTHX · 08-17-2006, 01:31 AM

AFAIK I thought I read Image was supporting both formats.

Mark Zimmer · 08-17-2006, 10:51 AM

I think Image is holding back on BD for the moment due to the costs of tooling up; once it gets more widespread and mastering costs drop I expect they'll jump in.

Odd that they'd pick concert films, which usually have pretty poor source materials (see U2: Rattle and Hum) due to the lighting conditions and need to use handheld cameras and smaller/faster stock. Maybe they're counting on the advanced audio formats. But I've not seen any of these so they might be better quality sources.

EDIT: I am informed these were all shot in HD Video, so in theory they should look terrific.

And Image only distributes Criterion; they don't have a say in what they release or what formats they use.

**HTF Ads**

Jesse Blacklow · 08-17-2006, 12:03 PM

Well, I'm pretty sure we won't see films that have distro rights with Sony, Fox, or BV, like some of the Kurosawas.

Ed St. Clair · 08-17-2006, 03:53 PM

I checked out reviews of the SD Heart. Shot in HD. So, this maybe a great title.

Dan Hitchman · 08-18-2006, 02:53 PM

Dolby TrueHD, 24 bit sound?? If they use lossy, low res. tracks it completely defeats the purpose.

Dan

PeterTHX · 08-18-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Dolby TrueHD, 24 bit sound

TrueHD is lossless.

Dan Hitchman · 08-19-2006, 01:54 AM

Yes, I know it's lossless. However, my concern is that they'll just use a lossy encoded track. If Image does use Dolby TrueHD I hope they'll have sense enough to use the master soundtrack. New masters are usually 24/48 in the industry. If it's music based it could be 24/96 or even 24/192. That would be uber cool and one of the first distributors to use FULL master quality lossless sound, again if they play it smart. Almost 99% of the tracks out right now on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are from 16 bit downconverts.

Dan