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Criterion Releases in HD Thread - Page 2

post #31 of 44
1/26/08 at 6:35am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

I really think that this is a good time for Criterion to test the Blu-ray waters. I expect that a large percentage of the movie buff crowd who've bought Criterion in the past are already high-def owners and Criterion's active presence could push most of the rest.

I've bought most Criterion releases on DVD in the past but have stopped buying about a year ago in anticipation of their eventual release on Blu-ray and I suspect there are more people like me.
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post #32 of 44
1/26/08 at 8:49am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

A lot depends on the studio supplying the film to Criterion. If they haven't come over to the Blu-ray side yet then would they stop Criterion from releasing the film on Blu-ray?

I'm sure just as soon as Universal and Paramount get their collective heads out of their arses and dump HD-DVD then Criterion will find it easier to support HD.
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post #33 of 44
1/26/08 at 10:15am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Everyone keeps saying that Blu-Ray has won.
From people on this forum, Sony, BDA partners, news media, stores, etc etc... yet companies like Criterion are waiting for Paramount/Universal to jump aboard before they do? If Blu-Ray winning is a forgone conclusion, why does it matter what Paramount/Universal does?

Criterion's titles are very niche in a large DVD market. Can you imagine how small a niche Criterion titles will be in Blu-Ray? Think niche of a niche. I can see most of Criterion's titles selling only a few hundered copies on Blu-Ray.

As much as I would love to see Criterion release on HDM (as I can see myself purchasing at least 50 titles from their catalog) I can't see now Criterion will generate much revenue from it. The only possibility is if the titles are priced at least 2x the price of their DVDs.
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post #34 of 44
1/26/08 at 10:37am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Colella
Everyone keeps saying that Blu-Ray has won.
From people on this forum, Sony, BDA partners, news media, stores, etc etc... yet companies like Criterion are waiting for Paramount/Universal to jump aboard before they do? If Blu-Ray winning is a forgone conclusion, why does it matter what Paramount/Universal does?

Criterion's titles are very niche in a large DVD market. Can you imagine how small a niche Criterion titles will be in Blu-Ray? Think niche of a niche. I can see most of Criterion's titles selling only a few hundered copies on Blu-Ray.

As much as I would love to see Criterion release on HDM (as I can see myself purchasing at least 50 titles from their catalog) I can't see now Criterion will generate much revenue from it. The only possibility is if the titles are priced at least 2x the price of their DVDs.

It would be about the same as the LD days, and that didnt stop them. LD was for the serious movie buff, just like HDM today. They are missing the boat, but i dont blame them for waiting.
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post #35 of 44
1/26/08 at 11:07am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
If Blu-Ray winning is a forgone conclusion, why does it matter what Paramount/Universal does?

It seems to matter to Criterion, that's pretty much why.

From the Criterion site FAQ:
The Criterion Collection: FAQ

Quote:

Will Criterion be releasing its catalog in Blu-Ray or HD DVD?

We know this is a concern for many of our customers, but we honestly don’t think consumers should have to take a stand in a format war. That said, we know how good our films can look in high definition because we’ve been doing all our mastering and restoration in HD for years. But the format war has as much to do with patent licenses and pressing plants as it does with putting gorgeous images on your screen. At this point, any solution that would let consumers upgrade with confidence would be a step in the right direction, and as soon as that solution emerges, we’ll be there.

Seems pretty clear to me that they are waiting for one HDM format. I don't know why that's so hard for some people to digest. Even if HD DVD is on life support it's still twitching and has some resemblance of life as long as Uni and Paramount are exclusive. Who knows, maybe Warner's recent move will be enough to get Criterion up off their ass and take a step into the 21st century.
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post #36 of 44
1/26/08 at 12:30pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Comment from a Warner rep at CES overheard by my co-worker in regards to the "That's Entertainment" box set:

"I think we sold three copies."

Now obviously he was being sarcastic, but what is clear is that catalog titles do not sell well on HDM right now. Until that changes I can't see Criterion jumping on board. And even when they do, I only see them releasing HDM versions of their "A-list" titles from Kurosawa, Bergman, etc.
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post #37 of 44
1/26/08 at 2:08pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Conway
Comment from a Warner rep at CES overheard by my co-worker in regards to the "That's Entertainment" box set:

"I think we sold three copies."

Now obviously he was being sarcastic, but what is clear is that catalog titles do not sell well on HDM right now. Until that changes I can't see Criterion jumping on board. And even when they do, I only see them releasing HDM versions of their "A-list" titles from Kurosawa, Bergman, etc.

I'm a serious movie buff and even I haven't purchased That's Entertainment. I know they are accliamed but frankly I don't get it...movies made from clips of other movies. I have no use for that. It seemed a very strange choice for Hi-Def.

There are lots of great Criterion titles released in the last few years that I haven't purchased because I am waiting for them in HD. Let me tell you, it's been tough. The remastered Brazil, Seven Samurai, Amarcord, and Fanny & Alexander, The Virgin Spring, some of the other Kurosawa and Bergman titles. I want to buy them but I want them in HD so I am holding out.
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post #38 of 44
1/26/08 at 2:17pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K
From the Criterion site FAQ:
The Criterion Collection: FAQ

They said this in their blog also at some point. They clearly want that the war would be over, before making any moves. Can´t blame them. Since they usually add plenty of extras etc, I´m sure that the 50gb would benefit them if the blu-side wins.
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post #39 of 44
1/26/08 at 2:55pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
It would be about the same as the LD days, and that didnt stop them. LD was for the serious movie buff, just like HDM today. They are missing the boat, but i dont blame them for waiting.

But that would be at least 2x as much as the DVD version though, no?

I don't know that I'd be willing to spend $100+ on The Last Emperor w/ Criterion for instance -- and that would be after waiting for them to finally release it while I must debate on buying the DVD version for $40-50. Maybe they should consider offering an upgrade discount for owners of the DVD version...

_Man_
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post #40 of 44
1/26/08 at 3:00pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
But that would be at least 2x as much as the DVD version though, no?

I don't know that I'd be willing to spend $100+ on The Last Emperor w/ Criterion for instance -- and that would be after waiting for them to finally release it while I must debate on buying the DVD version for $40-50. Maybe they should consider offering an upgrade discount for owners of the DVD version...

_Man_

I bet when they DO jump in they will have a $60 price in their HDM. It will make FOX discs look cheap. But hey with Criterion you usually get a boat load of extras. And they dont own the movies they release. They have bills to pay too!
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post #41 of 44
1/26/08 at 7:10pm

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Ah, nothing like the rantings of a determined fanboy to bring the discourse down.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman
A lot depends on the studio supplying the film to Criterion. If they haven't come over to the Blu-ray side yet then would they stop Criterion from releasing the film on Blu-ray?

I'm sure just as soon as Universal and Paramount get their collective heads out of their arses and dump HD-DVD then Criterion will find it easier to support HD.
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post #42 of 44
1/27/08 at 5:00am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

While the "war" is still on, Criterion cannot put out HD at their usual margins. They need a much more expensive pricing than we're used to now.
Also, it's unlikely Sony will give them the same discounts they had to grant Disney, Fox and Warner on both, BD royalties and pressing.


Cees
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post #43 of 44
1/27/08 at 7:52am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Conway
(W)hat is clear is that catalog titles do not sell well on HDM right now. Until that changes I can't see Criterion jumping on board. And even when they do, I only see them releasing HDM versions of their "A-list" titles from Kurosawa, Bergman, etc.

...which is a worst-case scenario, but even then it's better than nothing. Bergman and Kurosawa are my two favorite foreign directors, so I'll be first in line to grab 'em when Criterion starts releasing them. And from what they've said, I have no doubt it'll happen. Maybe not on the scale that they're releasing standard DVDs (5+ titles per month, plus the Eclipse sets), but it'll happen.

On a side note, I have Tartan's Blu-ray release of The Seventh Seal (Euro release), and it looks stunning.
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post #44 of 44
1/27/08 at 9:05am

Re: Criterion Releases in HD Thread

Whenever it happens I'd also expect Criterion to roll out their more popular and better selling titles (Brazil, Seven Samurai, The Third Man, M, Seventh Seal) first, similar to what Starz/Anchor Bay did with releasing Halloween, The Romero Dead films and Evil Dead.

I wouldn't consider that a bad thing.
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