Awesome!

James:

Thanks for the info. Anything other "insider" information you could provide to us regarding Avatar on Blu-ray would be great.

Parker

Like the artwork.  Thanks, James.  Our members appreciate
the fact that Fox is making a presence in this forum and we
look forward to future updates on the Blu-ray release of 
AVATAR.

thanks Finn.
By back of the blu-ray box does that mean a slip cover of some sort?
I'd expect the "specs" to be on the back of the actual blu-ray.

Well, it's pretty obvious from the aspect ratio of the image Finn posted that a portion of it is missing.  It could be from either a slipcase or the actual Blu-ray case insert.

Hi James, welcome to Home Theater Forum. I look forward to more Fox info straight from the horse's mouth, as it were.

Doug

From Bill Hunt today at The Digital Bits...apparently, the Blu-Ray aspect-ratio is gonna be an interesting subject for discussion here:

Unbelievable. Cameron said the 2D version is best in 2.4:1:
You can read the quote here:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/31/3d-avatar-vs-2d-avatar-and-the-importance-of-aspect-ratios/

And hear him say it here:
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/05/james-cameron-q-podcast-from-aliens.html

Yeah considering that is the native aspect ratio of the cameras used to photograph the film, I don't see that as a problem.

Doug

Considering that the native aspect ratio of the cameras used to photograph a film are quite frequently not the aspect ratio for which the film is composed, and that James Cameron has said (as quoted in the post directly above yours!) that he prefers the 2.35:1 composition, I do see it as a problem.  

It's interesting that the Digital Bits' "information" on Cameron's preference contradicts what Cameron has said on the subject in the past.

I'm not sure where I read it but I believe that this disk is going to be entirely devoid of extras at all, is that true?  Are we into another 'beware this is setup as a double dip before you even start' situation ala LOTR?

Exactly. Cameron himself mentioned that there will be a special edition around xmas, but for those that cannot wait...

You know they could easily have included an extra disc with a hi-def version of that pretty decent 22min making of that aired on tv, plus a couple of trailers, that would have been good enough until the double, triple and quadriple dip.

It really comes as no surprise that the aspect ratio would be a bone of contention considering the menagerie of aspect ratio and 2D/3D that were shown in theaters.

I for one, trust that Cameron will choose the format that he feels is best (despite what he may have said 6 months ago versus what he said yesterday) for release to home video and I will happily watch it and enjoy it and not get all bent out of shape because I may have seen a version that was framed differently in the theater.  Honestly, I don't know that I'd be able to watch the home version and say, "Hey, wait a minute - in the theaters I could see the top of Jake's loincloth, but now I don't see any of it at all!  What a gyp!"

Actually the whole point is it will be the opposite - on your TV you can see the top of Jake's loincloth, but you couldn't in 2D theatres! Even better!

I wonder if there are any plans for a midnight sale at the local stores like best buy, blockbuster etc?

Jacob

It's only better if you consider the amount of information displayed more important than framing and composition.

Admittedly, Avatar is kind of a special case, since the director has endorsed both ratios.  But he's also stated that for 2D exhibition (which is what will be included on the Blu-ray), he prefers the 2.39:1 composition.  Traditional theatres could certainly have displayed the movie in 1.85:1 if that's what Cameron wanted, so the fact that he made a point of using the 2.39:1 tells me that 2.39:1 is the preferred ratio for 2D.

Actually, the whole point is it shouldn't matter since it's unclear exactly what the OAR is...  In this case, we should just trust that the director is doing what he feels is best for his movie - and knowing that it's Cameron, we can be confident that he's the one making the decision.

Hey, I'm happy it's 1.78. If the November release presents it 2.35, that's just one more incentive to pick that version up as well.

Does anyone here really think that a decision of this nature has NOT been approved by Cameron? So he changed his mind on his AR preference for the home video release. What's the big deal?

I agree.

---

Thanks for a sample of the box art James.  I am only a little jealous that you have already experienced this on Blu-ray .  I will pick up this version now and decide what to do when the next release comes out.  For those who want to wait I appreciate that you have let them know now that an additional version is coming.

Unfortunately there's always a problem regardless of what a director states is the AR for the home release of his film. There was more than enough of a back-and-forth with the Blu-ray presentation of "The Dark Knight".

Exactly my point.

Also, the whole Buffy AR issue that predated TDK and Avatar as well. It's always something. This particular debate over Avatar might not "rage on" like those other two, but it's still early...

It is early. Still plenty of opportunity to ramp up the insanity.

I thought "the director said he preferred the 2.39:1 ratio and released the movie that way in theaters, so I wish that version was on the Blu-ray" was a pretty reasonable position, especially for a place like the HTF.  Thank you for letting me know how insane I was to think that.

That's what the Private Message is for .  I'm so tempted to try to fly down for the press event next week, but I'm not sure I can swing it because I was in NY for 3D last week.   I guess I will have to wait for the release on 4/22 like everyone else....