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"I Heard" Something Interesting - Page 4  

post #91 of 164
2/15/08 at 11:06am

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hunt
Exactly. You're going to see studios (particularly Warner) start priming the pump a little bit this year with a few deep catalog titles, and a few catalog gems, but the floodgates aren't going to really open for a year or two.
That's how I see it. I think Warner will take the lead followed by Sony and maybe Fox with BR releases.




Crawdaddy
post #92 of 164
2/15/08 at 11:13am

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by JonZ
I stopped checking that thread. I didnt realize it was official.

Jon: You misunderstood me. I apologize I wasn't more clear. I was expressing surprise that they didn't make that official until today. The story at the link you quoted makes it clear thats today's announcement.

I guess they've been phasing-in that policy for a few weeks now.
post #93 of 164
2/15/08 at 1:02pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Now that Wal*Mart and Best Buy have announced they will shortly be selling Blu-ray exclusively (not to mention that the bulk of the rental market is going the same way) the rumour posted by the OP is pretty much defunct.

With no marketplace to sell products there is little point in making them. Amazon alone cannot support a format. IMO I think we can dismiss out of hand any rumours of 'big' HD DVD titles simply on the grounds that there will be nowhere to sell them.

On the more realistic issue of a Blu-ray release of Indiana Jones I would say that there has to be a huge temptation to get all four films out on Blu-ray for Christmas 2008.

I take the point about the 'millions' of players but it has to be pointed out that Blu-ray does already have many millions of players out there (thanks to the PS3). OK they are not all for movie playback (maybe only 30%) but there are (or will be by Q4 2008) enough to enable major titles to be selling 1 million+ units.

The other thing is that the IJ titles are what I would call 'evergreens'. That is they will sell and sell and sell forever and a day. Furthermore they are prime candidates for double dipping. 2008: release the Indi quadrilogy (in single or set editions) and sell lots. 2010: remaster the movies (yet again) and sell lots all over again.

Long before Q4 arrives Blu-ray will be the only HD disc format so Lucasfilm et al, who have been demanding a single HD format, will not have the format war as an excuse for not releasing in high def.

I have no idea if Paramount will release the Indi movies this year. But I would say that to release 'Crystal Skull' in Blu-ray yet not have the rest of the Indi movies in high def would be an unusual move.
post #94 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:10pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fozziwig
...so Lucasfilm et al, who have been demanding a single HD format, will not have the format war as an excuse for not releasing in high def.
Yeah but they'll still have the 'excuse' of there being an extremely small number of players in homes.
post #95 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:20pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zack Gibbs
But Sony did wait for Spielberg's participation and approval before preparing and releasing CE3K on DVD. Yes, a couple of years later they released a version without the second disc, but there's a big difference between that and saying they just do what they want without regard to Spielberg's wishes. Universal did the exact same thing with E.T., so how are they any better?

Spielberg did not want the single disc versions of CE3K released and he made is displeasure known to Sony. Universal has never released a version of E.T. with out Spielberg's approval, mainly because Spielberg control's that particular film and his approval is required to do so.

Doug
post #96 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:26pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

Hmmm. This is an interesting rationale. But do you really think that at this stage given the direction things are going, folks will want to continue to build up a larger collection of HD software that won't be industry-supported in just a few weeks/months? I stopped buying laserdisc the moment it became clear that DVD would be supplanting it in the market place, in large-part because I wanted to be investing in software with the best interoperability on future hardware. Since the HD DVD crowd we have now are early adoptors who are by now very familiar with all of these industry events, it would seem that of all consumers they would be the most educated about the way things are going. Of course, half-priced HD movies would be tempting for any film lover!


If the 3 Indy films are out on High Def, I'll buy them no matter what format they are on.

Doug
post #97 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:30pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant H
"Indiana ... Indiana ... let it go."

HD DVD is dead, likely to be officially so in a few weeks.

My prediction: Indy Collection on Blu-ray Christmas 2008. Star Wars Saga Christmas 2009. Indy was on DVD a year before Star Wars IIRC. Blu-ray will be the lone format come summertime, so by Christmas there should be adequate market penetration (at least with the holiday surge) to warrant a franchise like Indy hitting the format, especially since it will be time for Crystal Skulls to hit home video anyway.


I don't know that HD DVD going away will necessarily mean that blu-ray will suddenly start selling more players. In fact I think thats fairly unlikely. I think it will be a slow gradual increase in sales.

And honestly I'm not sure that once HD DVD is gone that Paramount and Universal will suddenly jump into blu-ray.

Doug
post #98 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:33pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Conway
I guess it depends on what one considers major, Ron. For some, Patton and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is major, for instance. Warner seems to have a lot on tap as well, from the Dirty Harry and Batman series, to Cool Hand Luke and The Goonies (as mentioned in last year's HTF chat, I believe).

But I think you're right as far as Paramount is concerned.

I'm not going to hold my breath on the Fox titles.

Doug
post #99 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:40pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fozziwig
Now that Wal*Mart and Best Buy have announced they will shortly be selling Blu-ray exclusively (not to mention that the bulk of the rental market is going the same way) the rumour posted by the OP is pretty much defunct.

Best Buy did NOT announce that they would be exclusively blu-ray, only that they would be recommending blu-ray to their customers.

Doug
post #100 of 164
2/15/08 at 2:52pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
Best Buy did NOT announce that they would be exclusively blu-ray, only that they would be recommending blu-ray to their customers.

Doug

Technically you are correct. IMO Best Buy were being a tad diplomatic.

Wal*Mart and Netflix decided not to pull any punches with their statements.
post #101 of 164
2/15/08 at 3:05pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but they'll still have the 'excuse' of there being an extremely small number of players in homes.

Standalones? Yes, small numbers at present. Including the PS3 negates that argument somewhat.

However, by Q4 this year I'm sure that the standalone Blu-ray player population will be significantly larger (along with a very much larger PS3 population) .

In any event I'm only talking about the possible Blu-ray release of the Indiana Jones movies as there is an obvious event this year that greatly raises the profile of any home video re-release of the original Indi trilogy.
post #102 of 164
2/15/08 at 3:19pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
Spielberg did not want the single disc versions of CE3K released and he made is displeasure known to Sony. Universal has never released a version of E.T. with out Spielberg's approval, mainly because Spielberg control's that particular film and his approval is required to do so.

Doug

I don't believe for a second Spielberg approved of Universal dropping the original version of E.T in its single disc release, which only included the '02 re-release cut-- especially when you take into account he delayed the original DVD release to make sure ALL versions would include the original cut of the film and is on record saying he regrets the changes he made in '02.
post #103 of 164
2/15/08 at 3:31pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

I remember back when Obi was doing those great laserdisc reviews.
post #104 of 164
2/15/08 at 3:56pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by AL KUENSTER
I remember back when Obi was doing those great laserdisc reviews.

Hey, me too! Seems like a LONG time ago now...
post #105 of 164
2/15/08 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
I remember back when Obi was doing those great laserdisc reviews.

Quote:
Seems like a LONG time ago now...

Check your calendars boys. It WAS a long time ago.
post #106 of 164
2/15/08 at 5:12pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert George
Bill,

All good points, and I would agree make the most sense. Still, I know Paramount will want to promote Indy 4 heavily and a rerelease of the first three is, in fact, a logical action, even if it does not fit exactly with how these films were released on DVD. One must also consider that now is not ten years ago and even though the Raiders films would be considered tentpole titles, they are that much older now and the market is that much more different. As for format issues, there is the simple fact that either Universal or Paramount are in a no-lose situation releasing on HD DVD. The absolute worst thing that could happen if movie "X" is released on HD DVD is that they (Uni and Par) wil sell discs to all the current HD DVD owners, people who would want to make their players more useful since they already own a soon to be unsupported format, then they would "have" to reissue the same titles on Blu-ray later and sell to all those owners. While the studio misses an opportunity to claim huge first week sales, they still sell as many, or more, discs over a longer period of time.

Finally, there is the "Redstone Factor". Never put anything past a 84-year old billionaire with control issues.

The Indy trilogy will not be coming to HD DVD, not in May, not ever. Indy 4 won't be coming to HD DVD either.

I think it is time to drop HD DVD as any sort of viable format for the future, I know some people have invested thousands in discs and multiple players, but now is the time to give it up. That is the curse of being an early adopter and no 'my source says this' or 'a studio has told me this' is going to change that fact.

Anyway, I have had a bunch of requests from people to post on HTF to dispel a lot of the FUD and misinformation that is posted about Blu-ray so, err, yeah I'll be probably be around from now on...
post #107 of 164
2/15/08 at 5:55pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Obi's DVD info page was where I first learned details about DVD back in 1996. I was checking the site daily for news. Back in the days before The Bits and Steve Tannehill's DVDResource.com
post #108 of 164
2/15/08 at 5:59pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hunt
Hey, me too! Seems like a LONG time ago now...
in a galaxy far, far, away?
Hey, someone had to finish it.
post #109 of 164
2/15/08 at 6:35pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxpower1987
The Indy trilogy will not be coming to HD DVD, not in May, not ever. Indy 4 won't be coming to HD DVD either.

I think it is time to drop HD DVD as any sort of viable format for the future, I know some people have invested thousands in discs and multiple players, but now is the time to give it up. That is the curse of being an early adopter and no 'my source says this' or 'a studio has told me this' is going to change that fact.

Anyway, I have had a bunch of requests from people to post on HTF to dispel a lot of the FUD and misinformation that is posted about Blu-ray so, err, yeah I'll be probably be around from now on...
Max,
Welcome to the forum. However, if you want to engage in discussions about the virtues or lack of them regarding either format, please do so in the following appropriate threads regarding "format war" talk. Thank you.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...ml#post3326411

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...ml#post3326169
post #110 of 164
2/15/08 at 6:37pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

I was thinking more along the lines of...

"Obi? Obi? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.... a long time."
post #111 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:26pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

remember the DVD list-serve? That's where it all started for me.

alt.video.dvd

ring a bell for anyone?

post #112 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:36pm
Thread Starter 

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Not to interrupt this stroll down Memory Lane, but to perhaps bring some closure to this thread, I will say that the information I posted came from a conversation that took place a couple of weeks ago. I feel it was true then, just as I feel the rumored events of the past 24 hours (which I believe) have taken both Universal and Paramount somewhat by surprise. IF it's true that Toshiba is about to throw in the towel, that will leave both of those studios with a bit of a problem, that is, getting titles pressed on Blu-ray in a reasonable amount of time.

Another bit of info that I heard actually a few weeks ago but did not think was valid enough to even bring up was that Universal was already making plans for Blu-ray production but were discovering that it would be months before they would be able to get anything through production and on the street. This may or may not be true, but I do think it is accurate that if either or both Universal and/or Paramount were to suddenly be in a position to have to switch to Blu-ray sooner than they may have planned, they would indeed face a considerable lag in getting titles pressed.

Whatever the case may be, it now appears the last chapter in the format war saga will indeed be interesting to watch.
post #113 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:37pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zack Gibbs
I don't believe for a second Spielberg approved of Universal dropping the original version of E.T in its single disc release, which only included the '02 re-release cut-- especially when you take into account he delayed the original DVD release to make sure ALL versions would include the original cut of the film and is on record saying he regrets the changes he made in '02.

Spielberg had originally approved the special edition E.T. only for the first DVD release. It was only after there was an uproar about it that he asked Universal to include the original theatrical release, which was done very much at the last minute. So Spielberg had in effect already approved a single disc version. And again Spielberg has the controlling rights to E.T., so Universal can't do anything with that film with out his okay.

Doug
post #114 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:38pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
remember the DVD list-serve? That's where it all started for me.

alt.video.dvd

ring a bell for anyone?

It does indeed. Anyone else recall E-Town's "It's All DVD" board...?
post #115 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:42pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert George
Another bit of info that I heard actually a few weeks ago but did not think was valid enough to even bring up was that Universal was already making plans for Blu-ray production but were discovering that it would be months before they would be able to get anything through production and on the street. This may or may not be true, but I do think it is accurate that if either or both Universal and/or Paramount were to suddenly be in a position to have to switch to Blu-ray sooner than they may have planned, they would indeed face a considerable lag in getting titles pressed.

Paramount will be able to switch gears VERY fast. They already have a few finished but unreleased titles wherehoused (Blades of Glory anyone?) and I suspect they have a few additional BD masters done and shelved, ready for replication - stuff that was in production when they abandoned Blu-ray last year. Universal on the other hand will have a tougher time making the transition. They haven't done ANY real Blu-ray work, other than some testing, and they're almost two years behind all of the other Blu-ray supporting studios. It's going to take them some time. I'd be surprised, however, if the BDA and other studios didn't give them some extra help getting up to speed.
post #116 of 164
2/15/08 at 9:56pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hunt
Paramount will be able to switch gears VERY fast. They already have a few finished but unreleased titles wherehoused (Blades of Glory anyone?) and I suspect they have a few additional BD masters done and shelved, ready for replication - stuff that was in production when they abandoned Blu-ray last year. Universal on the other hand will have a tougher time making the transition. They haven't done ANY real Blu-ray work, other than some testing, and they're almost two years behind all of the other Blu-ray supporting studios. It's going to take them some time. I'd be surprised, however, if the BDA and other studios didn't give them some extra help getting up to speed.

I'm not so sure the problem will be with authoring of the discs as much as production. With two additional studios suddenly putting their releases into the blu-ray pipe line, there might be quite a back up.

I've suspected that some of the canceled Fox titles were more a production problem than anything else. And the inability to find both The Fly and Blade Runner on blu-ray for 2 or 3 weeks after release makes me think they are still having production problems.

Doug
post #117 of 164
2/15/08 at 10:14pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

If all studios are on board incentives to have enough facilities to increase production would certainly be given apt attention.
post #118 of 164
2/15/08 at 10:35pm

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Conway
If all studios are on board incentives to have enough facilities to increase production would certainly be given apt attention.

Maybe. But how long will that take? You might very well see Paramount and Universal out of the HD market for 6 or 8 months.

And just because Toshiba throws in the towel doesn't mean that the two studios will necessarily stop publishing on HD DVD instantly.

Doug
post #119 of 164
2/16/08 at 12:25am

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Universal yes.

Paramount no.

I mean, Paramount/DreamWorks has released how many titles exclusively? I count 15:

Arctic Tale
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Blades of Glory
Face/Off
The Heartbreak Kid
Hot Rod
A Mighty Heart
Next
Old School
Shrek the Third
Stardust
Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1
Top Gun
Transformers
Zodiac - Director's Cut

Upcoming releases 8 in number:

Bee Movie
Beowulf
Into the Wild
The Kite Runner
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The Jack Ryan Collection
Things We Lost in the Fire

So, 23 releases. Some had BD versions in final or close to final stages last August (Blades of Glory). All previous releases that were on BD would just need new production runs.

Even then, 6-8 months isn't the end of the world.
post #120 of 164
2/16/08 at 2:11am

Re: "I Heard" Something Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hunt
Anyone else recall E-Town's "It's All DVD" board...?
Certainly! I posted there for some time too. It was nice, although at the end the whole atmosphere got spoiled by a few agressive posters on just too regular a basis. Important words were "asbestos suit" and "flame thrower".
It was the old multi-level thread structure this forum had too then.

It disappeared rather suddenly.


Cees
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