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[Maggot9]

Bought 28 Weeks yesterday, excellent movie just as I remember seeing it in theaters.

 

[distantmantra]

Has anyone seen Robocop on Blu-ray in stores? Amazon still hasn't shipped my copy, and none of the Best Buys around here got it in.

 

[VanMardigan]

I don't care of anyone's FUD. Yet you do as you regularly visit Hunt's site and inadvertently spread his message around.

Just let it go. You're like some desperate guy trying to get back with his girl. Just let it go. You propagate the FUD so much that you're helping Bill's cause.

The Paramount announcement (August 20th or so?)...........and this. Yeah, I sure have been pounding on old Blu Ray Bill a whole lot haven't I?

It's so amusing how you don't care enough about FUD, but yet you care enough to point out months old FUD from HD DVD in response to my post about Bill, but yet you then don't care again when its time to discuss the actual post that started this. My head is spinning.

 

[djkimothy]

The Paramount announcement (August 20th or so?)...........and this. Yeah, I sure have been pounding on old Blu Ray Bill a whole lot haven't I?

It's so amusing how you don't care enough about FUD, but yet you care enough to point out months old FUD from HD DVD in response to my post about Bill, but yet you then don't care again when its time to discuss the actual post that started this. My head is spinning.

It's because between you and Manabyte harping on Bill Hunt ever opportunity you get is really quite childish.

I can see why I stopped coming to this thread and lurked the past couple of weeks. You haven't changed.

 

[VanMardigan]

It hurt that much??

Ok, here's my pledge: I will no longer discuss Bill Hunt unless someone else brings him up. How's that?

And just to be clear, what (besides the Bill Hunt stuff) are you whining about now that I did?

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Bill Hunt is brought up becuase there are no examples as extreme as Harry (huge misinformation) or Enderle (actaully paid to skew) to counter with. Hunt's enough of a zealot that there's hope he "equalizes" things somehow. Never mind that post-Paramount-deal for a day or two he could only be spounting what would be called anti-BluRay FUD about WB defecting any minute.

 

[distantmantra]

It hurt that much??

Ok, here's my pledge: I will no longer discuss Bill Hunt unless someone else brings him up. How's that?

Someone that isn't Manabyte.

The way Mana talks about him, you'd think Bill Hunt killed his parents or something.

 

[VanMardigan]

Ok, someone that isn't mana. I'll agree to that. But, the moment someone else comments, I'm letting loose.

And I like how ignatz comments on Bill Hunt, but not the article in question. Was that not some high quality FUD there, mousey? You gotta admit, not even sending an email out to Futureshop is beyond lazy. It's irresponsible.

 

[XMonkey]

Best Buy is going to have a big sale next week for BDs. It's buy one title for $30 and get one free. So for $15 a title you can buy:


Pirates of C... 1
Pirates of C....2


Sale starts next week

Dammit, I really wanted to pick these up when a sale happened but that misframing stuff on Pirates 1 is gonna stop me from getting them

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

That's why I used the word "zealot" where previously I defended him. I agree, it was over the line.

And no response from *you* on his anti-Blu FUD?

 

[VanMardigan]

Anti-blu FUD?

Wasn't that the big rumor at the time everywhere? And didn't he go on some anti-Warner rant when he thought they were going red? Plus, he still posts HD DVD news, so its not like he's never said anything about the format.

I don't think that neutralizes all the venom and misinformation he spreads on Blu's behalf, though.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Nah, it doesn't neutralize it, but it sorta puts the lie to the idea that he's soley a BD Group mouthpiece. He was chanting "the sky is falling" and reinforcing the WB defection rumors.

 

[thaivo]

Someone that isn't Manabyte.

The way Mana talks about him, you'd think Bill Hunt killed his parents or something.

I'm likely to bring Bill Hunt up... he's some piece of work. Ultimately, he's become a joke even to BD supporters...

Then again, some of you might lump me in with Mana and Van.. :lol

 

[StoOgE]

bill hunt!

i can unleash the power of van!

 

[Chemo]

Hey, I have an idea, how about Van doesn't mention Bill Hunt unless a Blu-ray supporter brings him up.

That way we never have to fucking discuss him again.

 

[StoOgE]

Hey, I have an idea, how about Van doesn't mention Bill Hunt unless a Blu-ray supporter brings him up.

That way we never have to fucking discuss him again.

i sold my hddvd and bought brd and 1000 shares of sony stock.










bill hunt

 

[The Main Event]

http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=3D3F9AA6B936472DB85F8B8367819859

The 51GB HD DVD is a reality, but whether it will work on existing HD DVD players is still up in the air, according to a Toshiba representative of the HD DVD Promotional Group. The announcement came Oct. 9 at the DVD Forum’s North America DVD Conference in Universal City, Calif.

Toshiba’s Mark Knox said the technology is still in the testing phase, but would likely receive final approval from the DVD Forum by the end of the year. The three-layer disc would narrowly trump the storage capacity of rival Blu-ray Disc’s 50GB.

“We’re still looking at the backwards compatibility,” Knox said, adding a firmware update for existing HD DVD players might be needed, should studios eventually use the technology.

Knox also added that more “twin format” HD DVDs could be in the works. Unlike the HD DVD combo discs, which have a high-def film on one side and a standard definition version on the other, the twin format can hold two 30 GB of HD DVD and 4.7 GB of standard definition on one side of a disc.

Only Bandai Visual’s Freedom 1 anime HD DVD, released quietly in June, has taken advantage of that technology.

Other news out of the DVD Forum event:

# Paramount, which went HD DVD exclusive in August, has only four HD DVDs planned for the rest of the year. But the studio will make a bigger HD DVD splash in 2008, according to a Paramount representative. Roughly 30 titles from Paramount and DreamWorks are already planned for 2008.
# Dan Silverberg, VP of high-def marketing for Warner Home Video, said it’s possible high-def set-top boxes could reach 1.2 million households by the end of the year.
“That’s a lot,” he admitted. “But it’s possible.”

That number was disputed by Paul Erickson, senior HD analyst for NPD DisplaySearch. He estimated fewer than 1 million high-def standalone players would be in homes by the end of the year, but that consumer adoption would pick up in 2008.

“We know the consumers are buying next-generation [optical disc], just not at the level we may have expected,” he said. “We feel that the format war is going to be somewhat extensive.”

Ken Graffeo, EVP of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group, said consumer comfort with DVD is getting in the way of high-def.

“Our real challenge isn’t really against Blu-ray,” he said. “It’s against consumer satisfaction with DVD.”

# Silverberg also touted the fact that Warner Bros., as the last major studio releasing titles on both Blu-ray and HD DVD, owns the largest high-def software market share (36%) and claims the most high-def units sold for a single title (400,000 copies of 300).
# Carl Pinto, VP of product development and product management for Toshiba, shared company estimates that show 5 million notebook PCs will be equipped with HD DVD technology in 2008. He emphasized the fact most of those notebooks will be easy to connect to a TV.

 

[VanMardigan]

did someone say Bill Hunt?

*activates attack mode*

Then again, some of you might lump me in with Mana and Van.. :lol

Hey now, that's not bad company to be lumped with. I'd say go for it.

 

[lupin23rd]

Has anyone seen Robocop on Blu-ray in stores? Amazon still hasn't shipped my copy, and none of the Best Buys around here got it in.

No one answered this yet have they?

I saw one copy at Future Shop here in Vancouver.

 

[captive]

According to Best Buys highly unreliable store availablity page, only one store in Austin has it.
Im probably going to order my copy from amazon next week.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Best Buy is going to have a big sale next week for BDs. It's buy one title for $30 and get one free. So for $15 a title you can buy:

Invincible
Chicken Little
Wild Hogs
Eight Below
Pirates of C... 1
Pirates of C....2
Gone in 60 Seconds
The Lookout
Pearl Harbor
Apocolypto
Deja Vu
Guardian
The Prestige
Enemy of the State

Sale starts next week

Nice, looks like I'm getting me some Pirates lovin' HD when I pick up the Transfromers DVD next week.

 

[thaivo]

Hey now, that's not bad company to be lumped with. I'd say go for it.

Hey, you'll hear no complaints from me if people lump me in with you and Mana.

So are you looking into getting the $399 PS3 when it's released in the VI? I remember you were almost ready to pull the trigger a few weeks ago. I think it's quite a good deal, but personally, I don't plan to purchase another piece of Sony hardware, ever.

 

[StoOgE]

Hey, you'll hear no complaints from me if people lump me in with you and Mana.

So are you looking into getting the $399 PS3 when it's released in the VI? I remember you were almost ready to pull the trigger a few weeks ago. I think it's quite a good deal, but personally, I don't plan to purchase another piece of Sony hardware, ever.

For me its gonna be really really hard..

but

1) Its too close to Xmas right now, I cant spend too much money on myself.

2) Im allready about to buy one of those sexy new pio elites.

Had the entire series of lost come out at once.. it would have been real hard.

 

[Wulfer]

Hey, you'll hear no complaints from me if people lump me in with you and Mana.

So are you looking into getting the $399 PS3 when it's released in the VI? I remember you were almost ready to pull the trigger a few weeks ago. I think it's quite a good deal, but personally, I don't plan to purchase another piece of Sony hardware, ever.

Thaivo, I've already been lump there too so, I guess we're a four pack! :lol


I guess we're not so little afterall. j/k

 

[VanMardigan]

Hey, you'll hear no complaints from me if people lump me in with you and Mana.

So are you looking into getting the $399 PS3 when it's released in the VI? I remember you were almost ready to pull the trigger a few weeks ago. I think it's quite a good deal, but personally, I don't plan to purchase another piece of Sony hardware, ever.

Nope. I want backwards compatibility. I'd rather spend that $400 on a 20GB Ps3 (which is about what they're going for on Ebay). Ideally, I'd like a 60GB in the $400 range for the wifi, which is pretty essential in my setup, since I ended up having to get the 360 wifi adapter.

I probably won't go online that much with my Ps3, but you never know, plus I want to connect wirelessly with my PsP and see what I can get out of that. I'm already running Sony's LocationFree service in my house and love it.

So, the 40GB lacks backwards compatibility (a big deal to me), and the 20GB lacks wifi. And unfortunately, the 60GB hasn't hit my price point max yet.

Nice, looks like I'm getting me some Pirates lovin' HD when I pick up the Transfromers DVD next week.

EEEEWWWWWW!!!! SD Transformers?!?!?!? BOOOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[Oni Jazar]

Not surprising,

"Silver Surfer" also topped the Blu-ray Disc charts its first week out, while "Knocked Up" remained at No. 1 on the HD DVD charts for the second straight week. Both titles are exclusive to their respective high-def formats.

Full numbers will be up tomorrow as always.

 

[VanMardigan]

65/35 is my guess since FF4-2 is appealing to the Ps3 crowd.

 

[StoOgE]

65/35 is my guess since FF4-2 is appealing to the Ps3 crowd.

I think thats probably about right, maybe a little closer to 68/32. FF is a big release and its the kind of release that will get the PS3 owner who doesnt otherwise buy movies to do so.

 

[Oni Jazar]

More tempest in a teacup.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488844.html

HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/10/2007

OCT. 10 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--Supporters of the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc high-definition formats locked horns at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference here Wednesday, but all participants ultimately agreed they were heartened by the fact that consumers are adopting high-def discs, even slowly.

“The chances are pretty slim” that high-def won’t succeed, said Don Eklund, executive VP of advanced technologies for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “There are obstacles in getting consumers to appreciate it, but it’s inevitable it will roll. Satellite and cable do a good job of indoctrinating people to high-def and by extension high-def packaged media.”

Currently, high-def stand-alone players comprise a 5% unit share within the total DVD player market, according to DisplaySearch. Although that is small, that share has significantly improved in recent weeks. Between April 2006 and August 2007, next-gen set-tops totaled just 1.3% of the overall DVD player market.

By year end, there should be about 1 million Blu-ray and HD DVD set-top units sold, the research concern predicts.

On a revenue basis, next-gen players carved out a 27% share of the overall market during the month of August. That marks a rise from next-gen’s 11% share between April 2006 and August 2007.

Software is in a similar boat, selling a relatively small amount within the greater home entertainment landscape, with $150 million in cumulative Blu-ray and HD DVD revenue to date. Unit sales are at 4.5 million at this point.

Research comes from a combination of findings from sister companies DisplaySearch and NPD Group.

“Without a format war, adoption might be higher,” said Ross Young, founder and president of DisplaySearch. “But [high-def] is coming.”

Russ Crupnick, VP and senior industry analyst for NPD, said just 11% of people surveyed by NPD said they planned to purchase a next-gen set-top in the next six months.

Also, PlayStation 3’s dominance within the high-def player field has not yet translated to strong viewing of compatible Blu-ray titles. Less than half of PS3 users are watching Blu-ray films.

Plus, standard-definition upconverting DVD players, still attractively pried below high-def players, are growing faster in overall DVD market share than next-gen players. Upconverting players command 27% of the market on a unit basis, dwarfing high-def’s 5% share.

But Crupnick believes that once people try high-def packaged media playback they will become cheerleaders for the new formats.

“How do we go from confusion to forecasts that say that in a few years half the market will be high-def?” he asked. “It’s the experiences of people with next-gen. About 90% [of those recently polled] said they were extremely satisfied with their next-gen player purchase. You don’t usually see those kinds of numbers.”

High-def hardware owners said that every two of three packaged media purchases were next-gen, according to NPD research.

Despite proof of some progress, studio executives remain concerned over the format war stifling sales. According NPD polling, 54% of people said they didn’t want to go high-def because of the format war.

In the name of eventually ending it, Blu-ray and HD DVD executives tried to convince conference-goers of the superiority of their respective camps.

HD DVD participants were quick to needle the Blu-ray folks over PS3 gamers’ measured use of the system’s Blu-ray player. They also claimed victories in software, as the only Web-enabled titles released to date are on HD DVD. Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s Evan Almighty, which was released on Tuesday, is the first home entertainment title to extensively offer e-commerce.

Striking back, Blu-ray supporters insisted that consumers adopt high-def because of great content resolution, not bonus features. Regardless of gamers’ film activities, Blu-ray titles are out-selling HD DVD titles by a two-to-one ratio.

Warner Home Video’s 300 HD DVD title, one of the first releases to offer Web-based interactivity, sold half as many copies as the 300 Blu-ray version, which lacked those advanced features. Also, Warner VP of high-def marketing Dan Silverburg primarily credits PS3 users for what the studio believes is an impressive quarter of a million units sold of 300 on Blu-ray.

“For people who buy HDTVs, the intent is not to interact with it—it’s so they can have high-definition viewing,” said Andy Parsons, senior VP at Pioneer Electronics and chair of the Blu-ray Disc Assn.’s U.S. Promotion Committee. “Interactivity is nice, but it’s not causing people to say I won’t watch the movie [if it’s absent].”

However, HD DVD’s interactivity best mirrors the lifestyle of today’s growing YouTube, MySpace and Facebook fan base, countered Alan Bell, executive VP and chief technology officer at Paramount Pictures.

“Each of the formats creates great picture and sound, but we need something more to sell next-generation,” he said. “For younger folks, their choice of entertainment is to interact with others. Also, [Web interactivity] is an exciting transition between playing DVD and five to 10 years from now when things are digital.”

PS3 is expected to soon offer a firmware upgrade to boost its Blu-ray interactivity functionality, noted Sony’s Eklund.

 

[captive]

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1086/robocop_fox.html
Robocop

By comparison, this new version is a clear improvement, but I'm sorry to report that this newly minted master still isn't the massive upgrade fans have been hoping for.

Fox/MGM presents 'RoboCop' in 1080p/MPEG-2 video (at 1.85:1 widescreen). Though there are still some instances of speckles and dirt, the print is much cleaner than the previous version. Likewise, grain is still present (particularly in low-light scenes), but again it's improved. The wacky tint problems that marred the Sony disc are mostly corrected, while fleshtones are now largely accurate (alas, there is still a slight red cast at times), and hues are generally more vibrant.

That's not to say this new Blu-ray edition of 'RoboCop' looks like a million bucks. Far from it. Detail, while again superior to what's come before, still wobbles. Sharpness wavers throughout, making some shots look flat and lacking in depth (particularly any effects shots involving mattes, and just about all of the darker/nighttime scenes). There is also still some obvious noise in the shadows, and fine textures can turn into mush. Although compression artifacts are generally not a problem, edge enhancement is obvious, with ringing visible on the most highly-contrasted areas of the picture.

Overall, while this fresh master is clearly superior to the old canceled disc, unfortunately this is just not a remaster on par with something like Sony's 'Fifth Element.' Simply put, I'd hoped for alot better.

"For Fans Only"


http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/842/28weekslater.html
28 weeks later review...

Although '28 Days Later' worked just fine as a self-contained, one-shot deal, given its tidy gross, a sequel was probably inevitable. But how do you continue a story that saw just about the entire world overrun by infected zombies?

Can someone clarify? I thought in 28 days later the virus was only infecting England, but hadnt gotten to the rest of the world yet?

 

[DarienA]

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1086/robocop_fox.html
Robocop
"For Fans Only"


http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/842/28weekslater.html
28 weeks later review...
Can someone clarify? I thought in 28 days later the virus was only infecting England, but hadnt gotten to the rest of the world yet?

AFAIK you are correct.

 

[jjasper]

Can someone clarify? I thought in 28 days later the virus was only infecting England, but hadnt gotten to the rest of the world yet?

That is exactly how the movie is. By the way if you haven't figured out yet HDD is great for reading reviews about the audio and picture quality of movies, but not very good at actually reviewing the movie itself.

 

[Xater]

That is exactly how the movie is. By the way if you haven't figured out yet HDD is great for reading reviews about the audio and picture quality of movies, but not very good at actually reviewing the movie itself.

Yeah their actual movie reviews are horrible. Just take look at the technical stuff there.

Edit: Seems like we will finally get some free movies with the HD DVD add-on over here in good old Europe. A trusted retailer has the following info:

Warner titles (2 of 5)
• Troy
• Full Metal Jacket
• Corpse Bride
• The Prestige
• Swordfish


Paramount (1 of 3)
• Black rain
• Dream Girls
• World Trade Center


Universal (2 von 5)
• Serenity
• Chronicles of Riddick
• The Hulk
• Children of men
• Fast and the Furious : Tokyo Drift

Not bad. I guess I would be able to get some movies that I actually want to keep. Only the Warner selection is kinda dumb because I already have the Prestige on BD. I guess I will buy when Transformers is out (December 10th).

 

[Cosmic Bus]

Still no reviews for A Room with a View. What's the holdup? It isn't like there are mountains of other releases to work on.

 

[VanMardigan]

Warner titles (2 of 5)
• Troy
• Full Metal Jacket
• Corpse Bride
• The Prestige
• Swordfish


Paramount (1 of 3)
• Black rain
• Dream Girls
• World Trade Center


Universal (2 von 5)
• Serenity
• Chronicles of Riddick
• The Hulk
• Children of men
• Fast and the Furious : Tokyo Drift

Those would be my picks. Good stuff.

 

[ManaByte]

Wal-Mart has lowered their prices across the board for all BRD and HD-DVD titles, and they are now LOWER than Fry's prices. Their selection isn't as good, but I did see Bram Stoker's Dracula BRD there for $18 last night.

 

[Xater]

Those would be my picks. Good stuff.

BTW this is so far only for the add-on. I really want to know the stand alone offers but I guess I will have to wait till the new players are released.

 

[Warm Machine]

The High Def Digest review of Top Gun is awful. Pretention to the absolute maximum.

 

[captive]

That is exactly how the movie is. By the way if you haven't figured out yet HDD is great for reading reviews about the audio and picture quality of movies, but not very good at actually reviewing the movie itself.

Yea i know, thats what i usually do is just read the video and audio, i just happened to be skimming about Weeks because i have only seen Days. Good to know i hadnt completly missed the whole movie in Days. :lol

The High Def Digest review of Top Gun is awful. Pretention to the absolute maximum.

Yea really, i read that when they put it up a few weeks ago and i was surprised he tries to take the movie so seriously, who cares its awesome because its Top Gun!
"Actually that information is incorrect"
"how would you know"
"Ive been in an inverted dive with a Mig 28"
"You were doing an inverted negative G dive with a mig 28?"
"Yes ma'am"
"What were you doing?"
"Communicating"
"Communivating?"
"Well, giving him the bird" "Yea i got a nice poloroid of it"
"*cough* bullshit *cough*"
:lol

/rough paraphrase

 

[Days like these...]

Wal-Mart has lowered their prices across the board for all BRD and HD-DVD titles, and they are now LOWER than Fry's prices. Their selection isn't as good, but I did see Bram Stoker's Dracula BRD there for $18 last night.

My local walmart just started carrying blu ray and hd dvd they have a really small selection. I was in there a few days ago and most titles were $30 with a few at $25. Where are you getting this info from Mana?

 

[ThirstyFly]

Yea i know, thats what i usually do is just read the video and audio, i just happened to be skimming about Weeks because i have only seen Days. Good to know i hadnt completly missed the whole movie in Days. :lol

Going by memory here: In 28 Days Later;

Spoiler

there's a news broadcast saying the virus has spread to other parts of the world, I believe specifically Paris is mentioned. This was actually a lie by the government in the movie to try to keep people from fleeing England and containing the virus there.

That could be where the confusion in their review comes from. Of course, if they did actually watch 28 Weeks Later, there probably shouldn't be much confusion as it's clear it wasn't a worldwide infection. *shrug*

 

[StoOgE]

HDD is good for video and audio quality stuff.

I ignore their actual review.

 

[ManaByte]

My local walmart just started carrying blu ray and hd dvd they have a really small selection. I was in there a few days ago and most titles were $30 with a few at $25. Where are you getting this info from Mana?

I went to Wal-Mart last night (I buy almost everything there). Their prices went down over the last day or so; at least at the one I go to.

 

[VanMardigan]

I checked their online prices and they're $20 for catalog titles. I'm not sure if they've always had low HD DVD prices online, but they're about as good as Amazon right now (sans free shipping)

 

[Crowza]

I checked their online prices and they're $20 for catalog titles. I'm not sure if they've always had low HD DVD prices online, but they're about as good as Amazon right now (sans free shipping)

Don't forget that Wal-Mart.com will charge you state sales tax, while Amazon gives you free shipping + no tax (in my state at least).

I've been recently picking up some catalog titles this past week:

HD-DVD
Elizabeth
The Searchers
Rio Bravo
Blazing Saddles
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
Goodfellas
Twilight Zone the Movie

I'm on my first "Trial" month for Amazon Prime, and I love it.

 

[akihara]

Still no reviews for A Room with a View. What's the holdup? It isn't like there are mountains of other releases to work on.

I did a blind buy on this, since no reviews have surfaced online yet. I haven't watched the whole thing yet but did pop it in my ps3 to check out the IQ. I was pleasantly surprised. It is very good, clean with almost no artifacts. My only complaint would be the overall picture is soft, but I believe that is from the source and just the way it was filmed. Colors were vibrant in the Italy scenes too. So I would recommend picking it up.

Needless to say, but this is the Blu Ray version.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Don't forget that Wal-Mart.com will charge you state sales tax, while Amazon gives you free shipping + no tax (in my state at least).

I've been recently picking up some catalog titles this past week:

HD-DVD
Elizabeth
The Searchers
Rio Bravo
Blazing Saddles
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
Goodfellas
Twilight Zone the Movie

I'm on my first "Trial" month for Amazon Prime, and I love it.

or you can live across the river from Oregon (no sales tax) and shop there.

 

[Zoe]

For any J-pop fans, Avex is finally joining the fun. They're releasing Otsuka Ai's latest tour in both formats on 1/1/2008.

 

[distantmantra]

What the fuck is Amazon's problem? I preordered Robocop back in August, it's in stock according to their site, yet they still haven't shipped my copy out.

 

[Warm Machine]

Strange how his review calls Top Gun pretentious. Its the least pretentious movie possible. It is completely straight forward in its story, unveiled, and pretty overt in its intentions.