The Thing: HD-DVD Combo Format

Scott Calvert · 08-23-2006, 10:19 AM

From Hi-Def Digest: Universal has changed The Thing to a DVD/HD-DVD combo disc. This is bad right? The Thing has a ton of extras that would most likely need the extra disc space.

Wish the studios would drop this format. Not really sure who they are targetting. People buying HD want the absolute highest quality possible. The compromise really makes no sense.

Robert Crawford · 08-23-2006, 10:52 AM

I don't have a problem with the HD-DVD combo format, but I know others don't like them.

Crawdaddy

Lew Crippen · 08-23-2006, 11:12 AM

This subject has come up before, but the format is targeted towards two groups: those who want to purchase DVDs with portability (they can play them on their own HD-DVD player and their friends DVD players) and those who do not yet own an HD-DVD player but expect to in the future and are not buying DVDs now (but would if they could get both).

Of course you may not fit in either catagory, but there are those who do. If there are not enough of this group, the dual-format disk will die an early death.

I would suggest that 'extras' and 'quality' are not the same. Many people care nothing about extras.

RobertR · 08-23-2006, 11:14 AM

I thought I read that combo discs were coming out with 30 gb on the HD side. Might this be one of them?

Jerome Grate · 08-23-2006, 11:53 AM

My opinion is that it's not a bad idea as long as the used space does not compromise video and sound quality. But a good idea for those who would look towards to having a HD-DVD player in the near future. I would start collection dual format releases now if that's how all new releases came out.

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Gekkou · 08-23-2006, 12:49 PM

I have absolutely zero experience with HD-DVD but I'm wondering: since The Thing is quite an old movie then the extras are likely in SD. If that's the case then the extras could be on the DVD side without compromising quality since it was never HD to begin with. Or am I missing something such as there being HD extras planned for this release?

rutger_s · 08-23-2006, 01:21 PM

The way Universal does its combo discs is:

Side A is an HD-30 with the high-definition 1080p presentation and the in-movie experience and any HD bonus materials.

Side B is a DVD-9 with the standard-definition 480p presentation and the SD bonus materials.

Rather than press an HD-DVD with a HD-DVD layer and a DVD layer, its easier to press it with two sided discs. This also helps with player compatibility issues.

Scott Calvert · 08-23-2006, 01:32 PM

Is DVD-9 single layer? The Terror Takes Shape documentary is about an hour and a half...if it is single payer how would they fit the movie and the documentary on the DVD side?

Reagan · 08-23-2006, 01:41 PM

If the HD side is indeed dual layer with 30gigs, then I don't see a problem at all. Unless there's some kind of a laser rot issue. (And I know the Universal dvd18 story).

-Reagan

Gekkou · 08-23-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Is DVD-9 single layer?

DVD9 is dual-layer. A single-layer disc is 4.7 GB. DVD9 = 9 GB

Larry Sutliff · 08-23-2006, 06:28 PM

Except for the higher price, I have no problem at all with combo discs.

Sam Posten · 08-23-2006, 09:11 PM

Agree w/ Larry