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HD DVD Discussion Thread: Part 3 (2G Players & Batman Begins arrives)

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wasting

Banned
http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com

Warner Home Video (France) has announced Le Prestige (The Prestige) on HD DVD, June 6. The HD DVD will contain Dolby Digital-Plus audio tracks. The bonus materials are expected to be presented in high-definition. English [SDH], French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Finnish, German [SDH] & Dutch subtitles are provided.

Region free hd dvd rocks :)
 

wasting

Banned
http://davisdvd.com/index.html

The 40-Year-Old Virgin on May 22nd. The unrated extended cut of the Steve Carell comedy arrives with a 1080p anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 tracks. Bonus materials ported over from the DVD special edition will include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews all available via the U-Control picture-in-picture feature during playback of the film. Retail will be $39.98.

awesome! Day and date with the SE DVD extras
 
Warner Home Video (France) has announced Le Prestige (The Prestige) on HD DVD, June 6. The HD DVD will contain Dolby Digital-Plus audio tracks. The bonus materials are expected to be presented in high-definition. English [SDH], French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Finnish, German [SDH] & Dutch subtitles are provided.

Are the bonus materials in HD on Blu-ray?

It'll be really interesting to see how Warner's transfer will look like with the VC-1 codec comparing to Blu-ray's MPEG-4.
 
The Main Event said:
Are the bonus materials in HD on Blu-ray?

It'll be really interesting to see how Warner's transfer will look like with the VC-1 codec comparing to Blu-ray's MPEG-4.

The Euro HD DVD version doesn't have lossless audio like Disney's version does though.
 

wasting

Banned
Universal Studios Home Entertainment have announced the following titles on HD DVD. All will due at retail on May 29. Each will be priced at $29.98 (SRP). None will be released on HD DVD/DVD Combo discs. Bonus materials from the respective title's DVD release are expected to be present on these HD DVD versions, though full list of bonus materials TBC.

The Big Lebowski
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Dragonheart
1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

The Frighteners Director's Cut
1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Lost In Translation
1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Midnight Run
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

The River
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

No combos either, what is uni doing? Maybe they are taking back there 90% combos this year
 

wasting

Banned
ManaByte said:
Combos are meant for day and date new releases.

I just saw Amir reply about that. I always thought combos should only be new releases and not the catalogs. But when uni first said 90% of 2007 releases will be combos, it didnt make sense
 

wasting

Banned
http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com

Paramount Home Entertainment presents Dreamgirls on HD DVD, this May 1, day-and-date with the DVD release. The 2-disc HD DVD has a listed price of $39.99 (SRP).

The two-disc HD DVD main feature presentation will be in 1080p High Definition with English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus and English [SDH], French and Spanish subtitles. The special features on each disc are as follows:

Disc One:

Extended and Alternate Scenes (in HD):
- Effie, Sing My Song (HD) - Never-before-seen performance by Jennifer Hudson
- I'm Looking For Something (HD)
- Goin' Down (HD)
- Takin' The Long Way Home (HD)
- Fake Your Way To The Top (HD)
- Steppin' To The Bad Side (HD)
- Heavy (HD)
- I'm Somebody (HD)
- I Am Changing (HD)
- Perfect World (HD)
- One Night Only (HD)
- One Night Only -- Disco Version (HD)
Music Video "Listen" by Beyonce Knowles
Disc Two:

Building The Dream - Feature-length documentary in nine chapters (in HD):
- On Broadway (HD)
- The Dream Is Alive (HD)
- I'm Lookin' For Something (HD)
- Feel So Real (HD)
- You Better Move, Move... (HD)
- The Sound Of Tomorrow (HD)
- Gonna Take A Mean Ride: A Side (HD)
- Gonna Take A Mean Ride: B Side (HD)
- One Night Only (HD)
Dream Logic: Film Editing (HD)
Dressing The Dreams: Costume Design (HD)
Center Stage: Theatrical Lighting (HD)
Auditions and Screen Tests:
- Dreamgirls - Beyonce Knowles screen test (HD)
- Ain't No Party - Anika Noni Rose audition
- Steppin' To The Bad Side - Fatima Robinson choreography audition
Previsualization Sequences:
- The Talent Show
- Fake Your Way To The Top
- Cadillac Car
- Steppin' To The Bad Side
- I Want You Baby
- Heavy
- Hard To Say Goodbye

thats alot of hd extras!
 

Meier

Member
wasting said:

Is the 360 HD DVD player region free as well? Or does it only play discs from the US? If not, could I import this and watch it on my 360?

My girlfriend pre-ordered the BBC/Discovery HD special Planet Earth for me.. it's for my birthday present, but she wanted to tell me it (way) early. :lol
 

Alcibiades

Member
There is no region-coding standard for HD DVD (yet at least), so no HD DVD machine is region coded for hi-def discs.

HD DVD players do restrict regular DVDs to their region though.
 

wasting

Banned
wasting said:
sawa6.jpg

hddvdformat.blogspot.com said:
Universal Studios Home Entertainment presents Smokin' Aces on HD DVD, this April 17. It will be released on a HD DVD/DVD Combo disc and will therefore have a listed price of $39.98 SRP.



The main feature on HD DVD side will be presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1 video with Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) audio option. English [SDH] & French subtitles are provided on both the HD DVD and DVD sides. Spanish subtitles are only provided on the DVD side. Only English language audio option is provided on both the HD DVD and DVD sides.


U-Control ('Picture-in-Picture Instant Access', 'Assassin Tracker', etc.) interactive entertainment experience is also included with this HD DVD title.



Similar to what we've reported earlier, the list of bonus materials (present on both the HD DVD & DVD sides) are as follows:
Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joe Carnahan and Editor Robert Frazen
Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joe Carnahan, Common, Christopher Holley and Zach Cumer
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Outtakes
Cowboy Ending
The Line-Up Stringout
The Big Gun
Shoot 'Em Up: Stunts & Effects

another ucontrol
 
wasting said:

That's seriously impressive in terms of HD extras, I think the Pirates Blu-Ray discs are the only other ones to have such a plethora of bonus features. More studios need to start doing this for both HD-DVD and BluRay.

This isn't meant to be a jab or anything negative, but Dreamgirls is also hitting BluRay on the same day, so everyone can be happy.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Blu-ray backer Samsung releases HD-DVD product
Longtime Blu-ray backer Samsung recently showed off a laptop computer with HD-DVD drive.

If this is a sign of change from the first company to release a Blu-ray player in the US is uncertain. Will they release a stand alone player? If so this will be a major boost for the HD-DVD camp.

The laptop will first be released in Samsung's homeland Korea and feature a full 17" HD (1920×1200) LCD screen.

For those of you who read Korean you can read more on Samsung's website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fountain on DVD, HD-DVD, & Blu-ray
Warner Home Video will release Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain," starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz on DVD, HD-DVD, & Blu-ray this May 15th.

The only extra will be a "Six part Inside The Fountain: Death and Rebirth feature exploring the movie's various periods and settings."

Be sure to check under Related DVD's below for more details.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Road Warrior,' 'Battle of the Bulge' to Make Blu-ray, HD DVD Debut

Warner Home Entertainment will bring two more action classics to Blu-ray and HD DVD May 8 -- the cult faves 'Road Warrior' and 'Battle of the Bulge.'

Making their long-awaited next-gen debuts, both 'Road Warrior' (aka 'Mad Max 2') and 'Battle of the Bulge' will boast 1080p transfers, though audio specs have not yet been revealed.

Extras will include first-ever director audio commentaries on each title, with further materials to be announced.

Warner has set a suggested $28.95 list price for both 'Road Warrior' and 'Battle of the Bulge.'
 
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070315/sfth037.html?.v=88

HD DVD Gains Momentum Across Europe

Hollywood and European Studios Show Broad Support with Nearly 600 Titles Expected in 2007; European Promotional Group Formed


HANNOVER, Germany, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press event today at the CeBIT tradeshow in Hannover, Germany the companies of the HD DVD Promotion Group recapped a strong year for the high definition format and provided an overview of what customers across the region can expect in 2007. Adding to the global promotion structure for HD DVD, a new entity was also announced, the European HD DVD Promotional Group, Ltd., to bolster marketing efforts for the format as HD DVD gains momentum across Europe.

By the end of Q1 2007, more than 100 titles will be available throughout Europe. More than one-third of these titles come from European studios and none of them are currently available on any other high-definition format. The overwhelming majority of the discs are replicated locally. With more than 21 studios and distributors, 14 authoring studios and eight replicators producing HD DVD content and discs throughout the region, the number of titles is expected to increase rapidly throughout the year with an estimated 600 titles expected worldwide by December 2007.

"Our goal is to achieve global penetration of the HD DVD format, so a lot of work has gone into making sure that authoring houses and replicators across Europe were given the training and expertise they need to get up and running quickly allowing a wealth of European content to hit the market right from the beginning," said Yoshihide Fujii, Chairman of the HD DVD Promotion Group and President and CEO of Toshiba's Digital Media Network Company. "This will be a key differentiator for HD DVD in Europe for the foreseeable future. Combine that with a solid line-up of US titles and affordable hardware and consumers have a lot of options to create a home theater experience that is unparalleled."

Examples of the wide range of content originating in Europe include "Stalingrad (Enemy at the Gate)," "2 brothers," "Les Choristes," "La Grande Vadrouille," "L'Armee des Ombres," "Le Cercle Rouge," "Das Parfum," "Graf Montenegro," and "La Tigre e la Neve."


Hollywood studios also made a strong commitment to the market and announcing the release of several great US titles including "Babel," "Casino," "Charley and The Chocolate Factory," "Dreamgirls," "Happy Feet," "The Holiday," "The Matrix Trilogy," "Ray," and "World Trade Center." All of these titles will feature multiple language tracks allowing seamless viewing in a variety of countries. Studios also announced expansion into a greater number of European countries and are committed to announcing HD DVD titles on the same day and date as DVDs wherever possible.

Toshiba announced a new HD DVD player for the European market, the HD- EP10. This mid-range model, which features 1080p output, was designed to meet the increasing consumer demand for 1080p HDTVs. The new player, priced at 699 Euros, rounds out Toshiba's product line-up, and will be available in May 2007.

Attendees of the press event saw a live demo of HD DVD's new advanced interactive features, working on both multiple PC platforms and consumer electronics based players -- effectively showing the wide breadth of support for these features. HD DVD titles with advanced interactivity will take advantage of HD DVD's mandatory specifications for network connectivity, secondary video decoders and persistent storage. Titles using player memory as well as the secondary video encoder for picture-in-picture were shipping throughout 2006, and titles using network connectivity are expected to be available in 2007. Using Microsoft's HDi interactive technology, the live demo showed how to download HD trailers and other content from the Internet, synchronized storyboard playback seamlessly switching between full screen mode and story board and subtitle download. To date, HD DVD is the only format delivering titles using true picture-in-picture.

Increasing momentum in the global market

HD DVD's superior capabilities and long-term potential continue to win significant acceptance in the global market. In 2006, HD DVD won a clear edge in the PC market. According to Techno Systems Research (TSR), a major Japanese market research company, 60 percent of the high definition optical disk drives for PC applications produced worldwide were HD DVD. In slim HD DVD drives for portable PCs, the advantage increased to 70 percent.

Among the more innovative of the world's first class manufacturers that have recently added to the breadth of the HD DVD family are Samsung, Lite-On, Alco, Jiangkui/ED Digital, Meridian, Onkyo, and Shinco.

About HD DVD

HD DVD is the next generation, post-DVD standard for high capacity, high definition optical discs, approved by the DVD Forum. The DVD Forum develops and defines DVD formats. Its membership of 220 companies brings together leaders in movies and entertainment, computing, consumer electronics and software. HD DVD is fast becoming the primary visual medium for the age of high-definition TV.

The clear advantage for the format in Europe is having Studio Canal as an exclusive studio (for now).

HD DVD group seems a lot more agressive in Europe, especially snagging some of the biggest franchises from Warner exclusively.
 

wasting

Banned
Universal Studios Home Entertainment have announced the following titles on HD DVD in June. Each will be priced at $29.98 (SRP). None will be released on HD DVD/DVD Combo discs. Bonus materials from the respective title's DVD release are expected to be present on these HD DVD versions, though full list of bonus materials TBC.

June 12, 2007

Born on the Fourth of July
0uv0rri1mv28-1BornOnTheForthOfJuly.jpg

1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Bruce Almighty
mwhvf91t5340-1BruceAlmighty.jpg

1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Daylight
2gftjvlduh7o-1Daylight.jpg

1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Liar Liar
hp1prl81c1kw-1LiarLiar.jpg

1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 Mono French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Sneakers
h07ayl0xxnso-1Sneakers.jpg

1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles


June 26, 2007

American Me
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Being John Malkovich
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Bulletproof
1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Mallrats
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Meet Joe Black
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Mystery Men
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

The Watcher
1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
English [SDH] & French subtitles

Looking forward to Liar Liar and Bruce
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
The Main Event said:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070315/sfth037.html?.v=88

HD DVD Gains Momentum Across Europe

Hollywood and European Studios Show Broad Support with Nearly 600 Titles Expected in 2007; European Promotional Group Formed




The clear advantage for the format in Europe is having Studio Canal as an exclusive studio (for now).

HD DVD group seems a lot more agressive in Europe, especially snagging some of the biggest franchises from Warner exclusively.

tell me anywhere in that press release that states that HDDVD is gaining momentum in Europe. Their intent maybe, but thats just PR spin
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
First Total HD Combo Discs Could Be Ready by Early Summer

Warner continued to promote its Total HD Blu-ray/HD DVD combo format at this week's IRMA Forum, indicating that initial limited-capacity discs could be ready for market as early as this June.

Unveiled back in January at CES, Warner's Total HD format is the studio's proposed solution to the ongoing next-gen format war, offering a Blu-ray version on one side of the disc, and an HD DVD versionnon the other. The studio has said that the combo discs would be compatible with all Blu-ray and HD DVD players, and would retail for little more than current single-format releases.

At IRMA, representatives from Cinram, one of the manufacturers co-developing Total HD with Warner, outlined capacities and proposed ready-to-market dates for the highly-anticipated combo format.

The reps said that discs with a 15GB HD DVD on one side and a 25GB Blu-ray on the other will be ready to ship by June. They said that that initial release would be followed by a higher-capacity HD DVD 30GB/Blu-ray 25GB in August.

The group offered no timetable for a full-capacity HD DVD 30GB/Blu-ray 50GB version. This could prove to be a short-term liability for Blu-ray and/or Warner, limiting all Total HD-supporting distributors to 25GB Blu-ray releases only.

At press time, Warner has not yet announced titles or street dates for its first Total HD releases, which were previously expected to hit stores in early fall.

No other studios (besides Warner and its subsidiaries) have yet announced plans to support Total HD.

The 37th Annual International Recording Media Association (IRMA) Forum was held yesterday in Los Angeles, California.

Whatever it takes to speed up consumer adoption.
 

djkimothy

Member
I think these HD combo discs will really blur the lines in terms of the distribution of the Blu-Ray vs HDDVD demand. Would this not prolong the format war?
 
djkimothy said:
I think these HD combo discs will really blur the lines in terms of the distribution of the Blu-Ray vs HDDVD demand. Would this not prolong the format war?

Unless Warner is doing this to cut down on production costs, it doesn't even make sense. Universal doing this would make sense, but Warner already makes films for both BluRay and HD-DVD...
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
djkimothy said:
I think these HD combo discs will really blur the lines in terms of the distribution of the Blu-Ray vs HDDVD demand. Would this not prolong the format war?

I think if it blurs the line between Hd DvD and BD, that's a good thing. This, along with combo players, should help to reduce the "don't buy anything, there's a war going on" stigma.
 
mrklaw said:
tell me anywhere in that press release that states that HDDVD is gaining momentum in Europe. Their intent maybe, but thats just PR spin

That's the title of the article, don't shoot the messenger. And 600 titles coming worldwide is a lot (but of course I'll take that as a typical PR hype talk, let's see if they can actually meet their goal).

The sales are about 4:1 currently in favor of HD DVD in Europe. The ratio will of course be narrower with the PS3 coming though.
 
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6425092.html

MARCH 16 | Universal Studios Home Entertainment is making advances in HD DVD extras with new features on Children of Men and Smokin’ Aces, out March 27 and April 17, respectively.

These HD DVD/standard-definition DVD combos are more advanced than the studio’s September 2006 release Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, said Kevin Collins, Microsoft director of HD DVD evangelism.

Smokin’ Aces integrates Google Earth to identify specific locations of assassins during the film.

On Children of Men, viewers get a chance to see the film’s featured video billboard advertisements in their entirety. Viewers only see clips during the film, but on the HD DVD, they can click on each of the approximately 10 billboards and watch the complete ads. Although neither title uses Web connectivity, Collins said three HD DVD titles with such connectivity will street this year.

Nevertheless, Collins said he hopes that the Children of Men and Smokin’ Aces HD DVDs will help promote the format, which has been selling fewer units than rival Blu-ray Disc over the last couple of months. To date, Blu-ray titles have featured relatively little interactivity, as its BD-Java technology is still being fine-tuned.

“We are still scratching the surface of what we are capable of doing, but Universal is leading the format in terms of exploring all the different aspects that are out there now,” said Collins. “By the holidays, there will be a lot more features.”

Earlier in the week, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment executive VP Danny Kaye said that a Web-enabled X-Men trivia game would soon be available.

Pretty cool features for both of these titles.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
I'm assuming the 360 HD DvD add-on drive will be able to use these features, right?

Also, I can't get save scenes in King Kong, I'm not sure if that's just an issue with the 360 add-on.
 
VanMardigan said:
I'm assuming the 360 HD DvD add-on drive will be able to use these features, right?

Also, I can't get save scenes in King Kong, I'm not sure if that's just an issue with the 360 add-on.

You should be able to use all these features on your 360.

As for King Kong's bookmarks, I don't have any problems on my HD-A2. You're sure you have the latest firmware update?

Apparently, there's also another one coming soon that will fix additional issues (they said spring).
 
I just pre-ordered Children of Men and Happy Feet last night (HD-DVD).

However, I'm really disappointed that there's no word of a Blood Diamond Hi Def release, seeing as how the DVD comes out tomorrow. I'm sure they'll release it in HD soon, but damn, I really loved this movie and was hoping there'd be a day and date HD release. Does anyone know anything about Blood Diamond being released on HD-DVD?
 

wasting

Banned
ChrisJames said:
However, I'm really disappointed that there's no word of a Blood Diamond Hi Def release, seeing as how the DVD comes out tomorrow. I'm sure they'll release it in HD soon, but damn, I really loved this movie and was hoping there'd be a day and date HD release. Does anyone know anything about Blood Diamond being released on HD-DVD?

Rumors are that its been delayed till May because of BD-J.. Noone really knows though, sucks..
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
The Main Event said:
You should be able to use all these features on your 360.

As for King Kong's bookmarks, I don't have any problems on my HD-A2. You're sure you have the latest firmware update?

Apparently, there's also another one coming soon that will fix additional issues (they said spring).

Yeah, I have the latest firmware. It's funny cause it allows me to save the scene by pressing a button, but when I go to "extras", the disc gets hung up finding my saved scenes and nothing ever pops up. It doesn't freeze the movie, so I can just back out and keep watching the movie, but it sucks. I'm going to try it on Cinderella Man tonight to see if it works.
 

Alcibiades

Member
Universal didn't start doing bookmarking (MyScenes they call it) until Tokyo Drift I think. Every Warner title has them, but for Universal titles, it's only those released October and later.

Cinderella Man was a May title, so it wouldn't have it, and in fact most titles don't. This is one of the slight advantages HD DVD holds over Blu-ray right now. Warner hasn't implemented them into their titles on Blu-ray yet, probably probably will start to by the end of the year if the BD-J stuff gets worked out.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Yeah, Cinderella Man didn't have it. :(

On the other hand, it was an awesome movie and it looked great. It also had the nice overlay menu that king kong had, which looks and works great.

edit:

Toshiba rejects Blu-ray victory claim
Moves to dispel anti-HD DVD 'propaganda'
Rob Mead
19 Mar 2007 08:35

Toshiba has rejected claims made yesterday at a Blu-ray press conference at CeBIT that its own HD DVD format is failing. Olivier Van Wynendaele, Deputy General manager of HD DVD at Toshiba Ltd said the claims were "propaganda" and then proceeded to dispute them point by point in a call to Tech.co.uk

Last Thursday Blu-ray Disc Association chairman Frank Simonis said that Blu-ray discs were now out-selling HD DVDs by 3:1 in the US - a claim Van Wynendaele disputes.

Van Wynendaele argues that the reason for the disparity is that new owners of PlayStation 3 games console are simply redeeming free Blu-ray movie vouchers given to them by Sony that they have to exchange at retail stores - this is distorting genuine sales figures, according to Van Wynendaele.

He counter-claimed by declaring that Toshiba had sold 200,00 HD DVD players in the US, compared to just 30,000 true Blu-ray players. Van Wynendaele said that the two million PS3 sales could not be counted because there was no guarantee that people who were buying the consoles were: a) choosing to buy movies with their own money; or b) actually watching Blu-ray movies at all - the vast majority could be using the PS3 to play games on, for example. The truth is, he said, that neither format could claim victory when high def player sales accounted for less than 1% of regular DVD player sales - in the US at least.

Van Wynendaele also said that Toshiba's player pricing strategy would still put its HD DVD format at an advantage when compared to Blu-ray. He said Sony's decision to offer a lower-priced player later in the year would be undercut by Toshiba.

He also said the company's own research had confirmed that even at £450, many people still believe HD format players to be too expensive when compared to the bargain basement prices offered by supermarkets on DVD players. Toshiba launched a £449 1080p HD DVD player - the HD-EP10 - last week. Blu-ray players currently sell for around £1,000.
 
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/toshiba-drops-hd-dvd-msrp-effective-4-1-07/

At just about the one year anniversary of the format war, it looks like Toshiba is throwing the next punch. HD DVD will be one step closer to that magic price point of $299, with that latest update of the MSRP of their HD DVD players. According to a few retailers at the AVSFroum on April 1st Toshiba will change the MSRP and the least expensive model; the A2 will now have an MSRP of $399. The A2 isn't the only model with a new price, as the other two models see a drop as well, the A20 will be $499 and finally the high end model, the XA2 for $799. So if price was the only thing stopping you from getting in the HD DVD game and the Xbox360 add-on just isn't your style, then now might just be the time. Of course some of you will still be waiting for the $600 Blu-ray player instead.

The HD-A2 is already at $352 on Amazon with free shipping, I'm expecting the player to be below $300 in the next couple of weeks.

And with the 5 free movie deal until June, it's an extremely attractive price for a great HD DVD player :)
 
Seriously, why don't they do deals like that over here? :/ Five free movies with a HD-DVD player for 350$... the Toshiba HD-E1 (not sure, but that's probably more or less the same as the A2) is ~400€ (no free movies).
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Paramount Catalog Classics 'Untouchables,' 'Warriors' to Hit Blu-ray, HD DVD

Paramount Home Entertainment will add two cult favorites to their growing HD DVD and Blu-ray libraries this summer, with the release of 'The Untouchables' and 'The Warriors.'

Both titles have long been favorites on DVD, and will finally be making their next-gen debuts on July 3.

Each will be a fully-stocked special edition, boasting the same extras as their standard-def counterparts.

Technical specs have not yet been released in full, aside from Paramount's standard 1080p/VC-1 transfers on the HD DVD versions, and 1080p/MPEG-2 encodes on Blu-ray. We'll keep you posted on audio specs as soon as they are announced.

'The Warriors' will also be released in the 2006 'Ultimate Director's Cut' version only, with current info from Paramount indicating that the original 1979 theatrical cut will not be included.

Paramount has set a $29.95 list price for each.


I don't think I've seen either movie, amazingly enough.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Lots of news to discuss!!

Bandai Visual Announces First Anime HD DVD Release with 'Freedom: Vol. 1'

andai Visual today becomes the first anime studio to throw its hat into the next-gen ring, announcing its debut HD DVD title 'Freedom: Vol. 1' for release this summer.

The first in the popular sci-fi anime series, 'Freedom: Vol. 1' will see a simultaneous debut in the U.S. and Japan on June 26. The title will be packaged as an HD DVD/DVD combo release, and distributed in North America by Bandai Visual USA through their distributor Geneon Entertainment

Bandai Visual intends to "utilize the expanded technological capabilities of the HD DVD format" to present viewers with high added-value on its titles

Full specs are not yet available for 'Freedom,' but the release will include a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer, and make use of the HD DVD format's HDi authoring environment, which suggests cutting-edge features including picture-in-picture video and more.

After 'Freedom Vol.1,' Bandai Visual will start releasing other HD DVD and Blu-ray titles in Japan. They have not yet announced any Blu-ray titles for North American distribution, including 'Freedom: Vol. 1.'

'The Matrix' Trilogy Comes to HD DVD
n one of the biggest catalog announcements yet for HD DVD, Warner Home Video has set a May 22 arrival for two extensive box set collections of the blockbuster 'Matrix' series.

The revolutionary sci-fi trilogy, which grossed over $600 million in the U.S. alone, has long been rumored to be in the planning stages for next-gen release. Thought to be a "killer app" -- the kind of trojan horse title that would entice non-early adopters into the high-def fold -- Warner is already gearing up for one of its biggest-ever HD DVD releases.

The studio will unleash two different configurations, both streeting simultaneously on May 22.

'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' will span three discs and include each film in the trilogy -- 'The Matrix,' 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' -- plus a four bonus disc with extras, 'The Matrix: Revisited.' Each film will also include an Interactive Movie Experience (IME) feature exclusive to the HD DVD, which will deliver an video commentary featuring interviews with the cast and filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage and more.

'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' will replicate the extensive standard-def box set of the same name which debuted two years ago. In addition to the three IME-enhanced 'Matrix' titles and 'The Matrix Revisited,' an additional 35 hours of bonus materials will be included.

Warner has not yet issued full specs for either box set, including whether what, if any, supplemental features will be presented in 1080p. But we'll certainly keep you posted.

Suggested list price will be $99.99 for 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' and, for only $20 more, you can grab 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' for $119.99.

No Blu-ray version of either 'Matrix' set has been announced. However, Warner says it plans to release a comparable version later this year, once Blu-ray's much-touted BD-Java environment is finally ready for prime time.
 

wasting

Banned
This had to be a given for Warner.. :D :D True HD confirmed?


hddvdformat.blogspot.com said:
All three movies in the Matrix film franchise, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded & The Matrix Revolutions will be released on the HD DVD format on May 22, presented in glorious 1080p High Definition video with Dolby TrueHD lossless audio.
 

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Too bad I don't have the audio to take advantage of anything beyond 5.1 :(

Happy Feet got rave reviews at HDDigest. I never saw the theatrical release, so I'll pick this one up next week while I'm in DC for a conference. What stores carry a good selection of hd dvd movies? I live in the Caribbean and have to order my stuff online cause no stores here carry any hi def formats.
 
VanMardigan said:
Paramount Catalog Classics 'Untouchables,' 'Warriors' to Hit Blu-ray, HD DVD
Technical specs have not yet been released in full, aside from Paramount's standard 1080p/VC-1 transfers on the HD DVD versions, and 1080p/MPEG-2 encodes on Blu-ray. We'll keep you posted on audio specs as soon as they are announced.
.

Why no VC1 for Blu-Ray?

Warners has given all their releases VC1 on both formats. Whats the deal Paramount?
 

Alcibiades

Member
http://www.pr-inside.com/hd-dvd-studios-confirm-spring-and-r79278.htm

From the six studios, the following schedules were released:

March -- Children of Men -- Happy Feet -- March of the Penguins -- National Geographic: Relentless Enemies

April -- Good Shepherd (C) (day & date) -- Smokin' Aces (C) (day & date) -- Payback: Straight, The Director's Cut -- A Scanner Darkly -- Dog Day Afternoon -- School for Scoundrels -- The Game -- The Jerk -- Feast -- Freedom Writers (day & date) -- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind -- Nutty Professor -- Failure to Launch

May -- The Ultimate Matrix Collection -- The Complete Matrix Trilogy -- Dreamgirls (day & date) -- 40-Year Old Virgin Unrated -- Flags of Our Fathers: Special Collector's Edition -- The Hitcher (C) (day & date) -- Mission: Impossible -- Mission: Impossible 2 -- Black Christmas (2006) -- Harsh Times -- The Battle of the Bulge -- The Road Warrior -- The Fountain -- Smokey & the Bandit -- Alpha Dog (C) (day & date) -- The Skeleton Key -- The River -- Midnight Run -- The Frighteners -- Dragonheart -- The Big Lebowski -- Lost in Translation

June -- Bruce Almighty -- Liar Liar -- Coming To America -- Born on the 4th of July -- Daylight -- The Meaning of Life -- Freedom: Vol.1 -- Yes Live in Montreux -- Santana: Hymns for Peace -- Deep Purple: They all Came Down to Montreux -- Sneakers -- Trading Places -- Meet Joe Black -- Being John Malkovich -- Mystery Men -- American Me -- The Watcher -- Bulletproof -- Mallrats

July -- Shaun of the Dead -- Billy Madison -- Cat in the Hat -- The Untouchables -- The Warriors -- Dante's Peak -- The War -- The Wedding Date -- The Bourne Identity -- In Good Company -- Streets of Fire -- Nutty Professor 2 -- Scent of a Woman -- Darkman -- Sea of Love -- Deliver Us From Eva

Although they technically don't include them, Dreamworks Home Entertainment is actually the one releasing Dreamgirls and Flags of our Fathers (their first 2 HD DVD movies), with Paramount (their parent company) doing the distribution.
 

borghe

Loves the Greater Toronto Area
you know, this is as good a place to put it as any....

so right now for someone who wants the best of both worlds (HD audio, all releases, all interactive features). Blu-ray is easy. go with a PS3. However you will still need a HD-DVD player. It is sounding like the best current bet would be to do a 360 Elite w HD-DVD drive.. do we know if the 360 Elite will send DD+ and True HD out HDMI?

I have given up on a reasonably priced universal player that supports both iHD and BDJ anytime soon :(
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
borghe said:
you know, this is as good a place to put it as any....

so right now for someone who wants the best of both worlds (HD audio, all releases, all interactive features). Blu-ray is easy. go with a PS3. However you will still need a HD-DVD player. It is sounding like the best current bet would be to do a 360 Elite w HD-DVD drive.. do we know if the 360 Elite will send DD+ and True HD out HDMI?

I have given up on a reasonably priced universal player that supports both iHD and BDJ anytime soon :(

huh? There are no interactive features on BRD yet.
 

jjasper

Member
ManaByte said:
huh? There are no interactive features on BRD yet.

He is saying if you want everything you need both and he is then saying that picking a Blu ray player is easy just get a ps3, while the add on w/ elite is his best HD DVD option and asking about it
 
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