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Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray  

post #1 of 117
2/19/08 at 9:42am
Thread Starter 
Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray
Quote:
Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray


Posted February 19, 2008 12:07 PM by Josh

 The statement that Blu-ray fans have been waiting for nearly two years to hear, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment Craig Kornblau has announced that Universal Studios will begin distributing their films on the Blu-ray format. He commented, "While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray."

He continued, "The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def's unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

While no solid details about which titles or specific dates were revealed at this time, a more detailed announcement is expected soon.
post #2 of 117
2/19/08 at 10:33am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

As I posted in the megathread:
Quote:
The best part of this going forward is that while it might take a while for Universal and Paramount to get on board with Blu Ray, they can totally re-evaluate how they have been making these HD releases. Specifically with Universal I hope they:

-Go from spotty Lossless support to Lossless audio on every release.
-Jettison U-Control like features completely and ensure that every 'extra' is somehow menu selectable or otherwise navigable in a way that does not force repeated complete watchthroughs of the movie to enjoy
-Support the downloadable formats on disk for iPods and PSPs
-Eschew region coding
-Eschew ridiculous web-only extras, and eschew required logins for said web-only content when it IS present
-Not pursue any kind of BD/SD DVD hybrid flipper technology

-In short, work to make their HD releases a mass market priced product while still satisfying the hard core enthusiast's demands. That's not too much to ask is it? =)
post #3 of 117
2/19/08 at 10:53am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

I hope they release the theatrical cut of Miami Vice on Blu Ray...the HD DVD version had the theatrical version on the SD side of the combo.
post #4 of 117
2/19/08 at 11:02am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by MattFini
I hope they release the theatrical cut of Miami Vice on Blu Ray...the HD DVD version had the theatrical version on the SD side of the combo.

I actually found the director's cut to be superior myself. That said, I hope both cuts find their way to Blu-ray Disc eventually preferably via seemless branching.
post #5 of 117
2/19/08 at 11:07am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Personally I liked the U-Control features and what Universal was doing with Online content. Hope they continue and expand on it when they start publishing on Blu Ray.
post #6 of 117
2/19/08 at 12:31pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

memo to Universal:

NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!

post #7 of 117
2/19/08 at 12:36pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

If blu-ray could do a combo disc I would for FOR it. That way I don't have to buy both an HD and an SD version of every movie, which is what I'm doing now.

Doug
post #8 of 117
2/19/08 at 12:38pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose Martinez
memo to Universal:

NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!
I don't think BD can do combo discs without significant further investments.
post #9 of 117
2/19/08 at 12:42pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

HD Combo Dvds cost about ten dollars more than standard HD DVDs so
those who don't want a standard version are srewed paying more.
so I don't want Blue ray Combo discs ,imagine how much a Fox Combo
dvd would cost ......50$
post #10 of 117
2/19/08 at 12:43pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose Martinez
memo to Universal:

NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!

Oh no. The combo talk was almost as bad as the "war talk."

This just makes good sense for Universal and I hope the single format means that we get to titles like Jurassic Park sooner. I also sincerely hope that they don't do anything to make me consider double-dipping on HDM media. I really don't want to feel the urge to replace a red title with one that is blue.
post #11 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:01pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

On the subject of the Combo Disc Format, I think every knows my position on that so I won't belabor the point. However, given that Blu-ray Disc and DVD are in competition with one another, I wouldn't expect there to be much likelihood for such a beast regardless.
post #12 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:16pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose Martinez
memo to Universal:

NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!

Here here! I hope that combo´s are also gone now. (sorry Doug! )

Btw. If you read the press release from Universal, it´s quite clear that this is "business" for ALL of these companies, even for Universal (which was like the nr.1 HD DVD studio). There was love for HD DVD, but now plenty of love of Blu-ray also (thanks Universal!):
Breaking: Universal Studios Goes Blu | High-Def Digest

"The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray."
post #13 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:17pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Neski
HD Combo Dvds cost about ten dollars more than standard HD DVDs so
those who don't want a standard version are srewed paying more.
so I don't want Blue ray Combo discs ,imagine how much a Fox Combo
dvd would cost ......50$

Hmmmmmm where I was shopping HD DVDs were about $19.95 and the Combos were about $25.

Doug
post #14 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:30pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

And they're even cheaper right now with all the HD DVD sales online.
post #15 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:38pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Thank you Universal. Bring on the Spielbergs!
post #16 of 117
2/19/08 at 1:45pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
Hmmmmmm where I was shopping HD DVDs were about $19.95 and the Combos were about $25.

Doug

Ahhh, but he was talking about a hypothetical FOX combo. Since they release bare-bones discs with a $40 MSRP, Peter might not be that far off.

Edited to add: Ditto what Jaxon's Dad said.
post #17 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:06pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Well it looks like I'll be buying Serenity... again... for the fourth time.

post #18 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:21pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose Martinez
memo to Universal:

NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!

In complete agreement with you here......I don't want to see these over-priced, glitch-ridden discs on the BD format....EVER!
post #19 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:24pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
Ahhh, but he was talking about a hypothetical FOX combo. Since they release bare-bones discs with a $40 MSRP, Peter might not be that far off.

Edited to add: Ditto what Jaxon's Dad said.

Very true Fox's MSRP is killing me!

Doug
post #20 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:26pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

On older movies, KEEP the ORIGINAL 2-channel matrix track if that's how they were originally released! I won't feel bad about missing "Darkman" and a few other titles on HD since those had newfangled 5.1 mixes. Don't even get me started about "The Breakfast Club" in 5.1 when that was originally released in mono!
post #21 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:28pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaxon's Dad
Thank you Universal. Bring on the Spielbergs!

"Update: Universal Turns Blu; Spielberg on board?"

Quote:
"I just got off the phone with Steven Spielberg's right hand man Marvin Levy who saw Spielberg "for about a mionute" this morning. He says Spielberg will likely not have anything to say yet but that they are all happy at the retail developments of last week and the Toshiba announcement this morning meaning that one format will prevail and this will hopefully become a format that will reach the mass market....

Asked to suggest what Spielberg-directed titles might be first on his list to release in Blu-ray, Levy mentioned two Universal titles as strong candidates, "Jurassic Park" and "Jaws," though he cautioned that he was just speculating and noted that it takes a long time to prepare and Master movies for presentation on high-def disc..."
Link
post #22 of 117
2/19/08 at 7:51pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Booya!
post #23 of 117
2/19/08 at 11:53pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Skeen
Don't even get me started about "The Breakfast Club" in 5.1 when that was originally released in mono!

Not only that, but the music in the 5.1 mix is just "fat mono" anyway! And then they didn't even include the original mono track on the disc!
post #24 of 117
2/20/08 at 4:24am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
NO COMBO DISCs for Blu-Ray!

Damn! no more freeze ups? paying extra for a redundant and inferior version that I don't want and which I'll never use? I'm bummed!
post #25 of 117
3/8/08 at 5:59pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

[quote=Douglas Monce]If blu-ray could do a combo disc I would for FOR it. That way I don't have to buy both an HD and an SD version of every movie, which is what I'm doing now.


Since the Blu-ray production lines are totally different than SD DVD lines they could not process on single disc without going to two different lines, probably impossible to do.
post #26 of 117
3/8/08 at 6:42pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
That way I don't have to buy both an HD and an SD version of every movie, which is what I'm doing now.

Mind if I ask why?
post #27 of 117
3/8/08 at 6:59pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Travis Brashear
Mind if I ask why?


I have one place in my home where I can watch films in HD. If I want to put a movie in anywhere else it has to be an SD DVD. If I goto a friend's house and they want me to bring a movie (happens a lot) I'm taking an SD disc because I don't know anyone else who has blu-ray or HD DVD.

Not to mention that I don't have a blu-ray or HD DVD player in my computers and my portable player which I use when traveling only plays SD. As far as I know there is no portable blu-ray player and I'm not sure that I would need a portable player with a 9 inch HD screen anyway.

Doug

[quote=Paul Beck]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
If blu-ray could do a combo disc I would for FOR it. That way I don't have to buy both an HD and an SD version of every movie, which is what I'm doing now.


Since the Blu-ray production lines are totally different than SD DVD lines they could not process on single disc without going to two different lines, probably impossible to do.


I never thought that they could, but it would be nice.

Doug
post #28 of 117
3/9/08 at 3:39am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

from what I gather BD is not part of the DVD Forum so they can't spec it, no combos and this is a good thing

-Gary
post #29 of 117
3/9/08 at 8:02am

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Monce
I have one place in my home where I can watch films in HD. If I want to put a movie in anywhere else it has to be an SD DVD...[et al]

Ah, makes sense...wish I had your job.
post #30 of 117
3/9/08 at 11:05pm

Re: Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray

I've never really understood the dislike of combos. I own quite a few and I've never had a single problem with them. For just a few dollars more you get a second version of the movie that is compatible with every DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray player made (pal and NTSC not with standing.) Not unlike blu-ray discs that are now starting to including a version that you can put on your Ipod.

With out a combo I'm paying $19 to $28 for an HD version of the movie, and another $19 to $25 for the SD version. Where I shop the combos were about $5 extra.

The only minor gripe that I can see is lack of disc art, and that is incredibly minor.

Doug
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