Blu-ray, in General

[miless]

well, it might not be as extreme as your examples, but Elvis Costello is releasing his new album exclusively on Vinyl. The vinyl does come with a code to download the album, but it's only available to those who buy the actual record.

[davebert]

No better way to assure a quality product than to "eschew high-priced screenwriters and actors"! I can't wait for exclusive reality TV content for Xbox Live, 'cause that's about the best we can hope for from this arrangement.

[Ornette]

Microsoft says no Blu-ray for Xbox 360

Here we go again: Lite-On developing BD-ROM drives for Xbox 360, sources say

[cdnchris]

For those that bought an HD DVD player off of Amazon they're giving you $50 (like Best Buy) Apparently they've been sending out e-mails, but I didn't get one. Yet they applied a $50 promotional certificate to my account.

[redbill]

For those that bought an HD DVD player off of Amazon they're giving you $50 (like Best Buy) Apparently they've been sending out e-mails, but I didn't get one. Yet they applied a $50 promotional certificate to my account.

where do you see the $50 cert on your account? I can't find it, nor have I gotten the email. (bought A2 in august)

thanks

[Morbii]

I received an email with a promotional code, myself. redbill, did you buy the player directly from Amazon or through the marketplace (3rd party seller)? If you purchased it from the marketplace you won't be getting $50 (which makes sense, since it wasn't actually Amazon that sold it to you).

[redbill]

I received an email with a promotional code, myself. redbill, did you buy the player directly from Amazon or through the marketplace (3rd party seller)? If you purchased it from the marketplace you won't be getting $50 (which makes sense, since it wasn't actually Amazon that sold it to you).

Just confirmed: 1 of: Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Player
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

I'll give it another day and then try to contact them.... thx

[fdm]

The other sticky point is that it only applies to players bought before Feb 23rd...

[cdnchris]

For those that bought an HD DVD player off of Amazon they're giving you $50 (like Best Buy) Apparently they've been sending out e-mails, but I didn't get one. Yet they applied a $50 promotional certificate to my account.

where do you see the $50 cert on your account? I can't find it, nor have I gotten the email. (bought A2 in august)

Actually I didn't see it (or know about it) until I went to my check out (with an item in it) and noticed a promotional credit (said something like "HD DVD Promotion -$50.00") in the totals. If you don't see one or get an e-mail I'd e-mail them.

[Luke M]

I emailed Amazon and they got back to me within a few hours stating they added it to my account so it will show up on my next order.

[redbill]

I emailed (a 2nd time), and now it shows up on when I check out...

[dx23]

From thedigitalbits.com:

We'll start with Fox and MGM. We posted on 3/21 that many catalog titles are in the works for possible release by the end of 2008 from both studios, including such films as Walk the Line, the classic Batman: The Movie (this has since been officially announced for 7/1), The French Connection, Super Troopers, Fargo, the X-Men trilogy, the original Planet of the Apes, possibly Young Frankenstein and maybe even MGM musical titles, not to mention the expected new release films. We've since informed you (on 4/8) that all five classic Planet of the Apes films are in the works for Blu-ray Disc release to honor the original film's 40th anniversary. We're now hearing they're tentatively set for October. Also coming later this year is a Blu-ray Disc version of Firefly: The Complete Series. And the Point Break: Pure Adrenaline Edition was just officially announced today for BD release on 7/1.

Meanwhile, Buena Vista has already announced the theatrical version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is tentatively due on 5/13 (the street date may change slightly). The National Treasure: Collector's Edition and National Treasure: Book of Secrets both follow on 5/20. As we first revealed on 3/24, June will see the Blu-ray release of The Recruit and M. Night Shyamalan's Signs, both on 6/3. Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York is now confirmed for Blu-ray release on 7/1. The studio has officially announced the Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert - The 3-D Movie for Blu-ray Disc release on 8/19, and it will feature the first actual 3-D presentation on Blu-ray, complete with 3-D glasses (a regular 2-D version will also be included). And Sleeping Beauty is currently set for 10/7, featuring BD-Live content and "living menus," including a real-time castle environment that changes based on your location. The straight-to-video sequel Tinkerbell is due in October as well. Obviously, a number of new theatrical films will also be released on Blu-ray Disc in 2008 (think Wall-E and others). But here's a few new titles for you: Studio sources have confirmed that a Nixon: Election Year Edition and Good Will Hunting are both on the way for later in 2008. We've also learned that Kill Bill 1 & 2 and Finding Nemo are now being planned for release in 2009 on the format.

Now let's talk Warner: As many of you should know by now, Twister has been set for release on 5/6. The Wachowski Brothers' V for Vendetta is now due on Blu on 5/20 (timed to coincide with the theatrical release of their new Speed Racer film). Both the Dirty Harry: Special Edition and a Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition box set (containing all of the films) are due on 6/3. Warner has announced Batman Begins and a Batman Begins: Limited Edition Gift Set for release on Blu-ray on 7/8. The Dark Knight will obviously be released on Blu-ray Disc later this year, and it's possible that the Batman Anthology box set might be released then as well, if work can be completed in time (work is already well underway). Other new release films you can expect on BD in 2008 are Speed Racer, Get Smart and 10,000 B.C., with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price and Where the Wild Things Are following in 2009.

In terms of classic catalog, it's Warner's goal (by mid to late summer) that going forward, EVERY TIME they issue a new catalog special edition or Ultimate Collector's Edition on standard DVD, the title will also available day-and-date on Blu-ray Disc as well. Currently in the works for release this year on Blu-ray are How the West Was Won, Gigi, An American in Paris and possibly a new A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition. Heat needs a new transfer, but its already in the works, and Clash of the Titans will likely be released later in 2008. All of the titles previously released on HD-DVD only will arrive on Blu-ray Disc in the next year or so, including Mutiny on the Bounty, Forbidden Planet, Casablanca, Excalibur, Grand Prix and The Adventures of Robin Hood (Robin Hood will likely be the first to arrive in stores, as all the BD elements have been completed). And currently in the works for Blu-ray release in 2009 are such landmark classics as The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Woodstock and North by Northwest. What's more, Ben-Hur will arrive on Blu-ray on '09 as well, just in time to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary.

And finally, here's a bit of new information that should excite fans of both Blu-ray Disc and The Matrix. Sources at Warner Home Video have confirmed to us that when The Matrix Trilogy makes its way to Blu-ray (likely in the 4th quarter, timed to the DVD and Blu-ray release of Speed Racer), The Animatrix will also be released on Blu-ray Disc in true 1080p high-definition. Whether it will be included in the box set or released separately (or both) is still TBD, but the simple fact that The Animatrix wasn't included in high-def in the HD-DVD box set was a key complaint for fans, so it's nice to know the studio is rectifying that on Blu-ray

Very interesting news from WB. I wonder if the Kill Bill release is going to be the anticipated complete version and not a rehash of the existing DVDs.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Very interesting news from WB. I wonder if the Kill Bill release is going to be the anticipated complete version and not a rehash of the existing DVDs.

You mean "The Whole Bloody Affair"? I think the Weinsteins themselves have the rights to that, not Buena Vista. BV only has the individual films.

[dx23]

Universal announces Blu Ray releases for the summer of 2008:

Universal Unveils Inaugural Slate of Film and TV Offerings Coming to Blu-ray(TM) Disc Day and Date With DVD

Heroes: Season Two Will Mark the Studio's First Global Event Release

Lineup to Include Summer 2008's Most Anticipated Films From Universal Pictures: THE INCREDIBLE HULK, Wanted, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Mamma Mia! and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, As Well as Some of the Studio's Other Biggest Titles

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Studios Home Entertainment revealed its initial lineup of film and television properties arriving later this year on Blu-ray(TM) Disc, day and date with DVD, it was announced today by Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms. Marking the rollout of the studio's first global release on Blu-ray(TM) will be the "Heroes: Season Two," which will debut beginning August 26, 2008.

The highly anticipated premier of the sophomore season of NBC's "Heroes" will be buoyed by the simultaneous debut of "Heroes Season One" on Blu-ray(TM). Later in the year and in time for the holidays, five of the year's most promising feature films will arrive in high definition: THE INCREDIBLE HULK, the action-packed new chapter of one of the most popular Super Hero sagas of all time that stars Edward Norton, William Hurt and Liv Tyler; Wanted, the action-thriller from stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov that stars Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie; Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the epic vision of imagination from acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro; Mamma Mia!, the musical romantic comedy in which Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the adaptation of the beloved musical; and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the next installment in The Mummy franchise in which Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh and newcomer Luke Ford join the returning Brendan Fraser and John Hannah for a supernatural adventure that shifts the series to the Far East.

"We are thrilled that our preliminary slate of Blu-ray(TM) offerings comprises such a brilliant collection of high-def centric fare," said Mr. Kornblau. "As awareness for Blu-ray(TM) continues to grow, consumers will learn to rely on the superior quality picture, sound, interactivity and connectivity that only high-definition home entertainment delivers."

The first wave of Universal Blu-ray(TM) releases, which hits U.S. stores July 22nd, gives fans of The Mummy franchise a chance to relive the iconic blockbuster films' thrilling beginnings in crystal-clear high-definition. The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, starring Brendan Fraser, and the hugely successful action-packed spin-off The Scorpion King, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, all will be released on Blu-ray(TM) for the first time that day.

The first of Universal's new theatrical Blu-ray(TM) releases hitting store shelves this summer day and date with its DVD counterpart is the apocalyptic thrill-ride DOOMSDAY, starring Rhona Mitra, Malcolm McDowell and Bob Hoskins. Other titles on deck for 2008 include American Gangster, Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Miami Vice, End of Days, U-571 and Land of the Dead, among others.

Furthering Universal's aggressive rollout of Blu-ray(TM) product globally, Universal Pictures International Entertainment, the company's international home entertainment arm, is concurrently announcing its initial slate of Blu-ray(TM) releases for the international marketplace today.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (http://www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

[davebert]

Where the hell is my There Will Be Blood and Sweeney Todd? (Apart from the June foreign releases.) I figured there'd be a little radio silence following the HD-DVD's collapse and subsequent canceling of those editions, but I figured since codecs are now uniform we'd be seeing a 1-2 month delay, tops. Now companies are announcing titles from June to October, and I'm beginning to ponder picking up the TWBB SE and just enjoying my regular DVD upscaling...

[redbill]

Where the hell is my There Will Be Blood and Sweeney Todd? (Apart from the June foreign releases.) I figured there'd be a little radio silence following the HD-DVD's collapse and subsequent canceling of those editions, but I figured since codecs are now uniform we'd be seeing a 1-2 month delay, tops. Now companies are announcing titles from June to October, and I'm beginning to ponder picking up the TWBB SE and just enjoying my regular DVD upscaling...

I read somewhere Paramount should be announcing their plans today or monday...

[dx23]

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount unveils initial Blu-ray slate
'Bee Movie,' 'Face/Off' among titles
By Thomas K. Arnold

April 29, 2008, 07:57 PM

Paramount Home Entertainment is getting ready to re-enter the Blu-ray Disc business it abandoned last year just before "Transformers," with an initial slate of catalog titles it will begin rolling out May 20.

Arriving in stores that day are Blu-ray Disc versions of "Face/Off," "Next" and "Bee Movie," a DreamWorks Animation title that was initially supposed to be released in March on HD DVD, the same day as the standard DVD. But when Toshiba threw in the towel on HD DVD in February, those plans were scrapped and "Bee Movie" came out only on DVD.

Two more recent theatrical hits will be released on Blu-ray Disc on June 3, "Cloverfield" and "There Will Be Blood."

Then, on June 24, Paramount will issue its first day-and-date Blu-ray Disc release, "The Spiderwick Chronicles." The film, which grossed $70.6 million in U.S. theaters, will be rolled out on Blu-ray Disc in key international markets, as well, beginning in July.

Also slated for international-market release are "Cloverfield" and "No Country for Old Men," beginning in August.

More titles will follow as the year progresses, said Paramount Pictures worldwide home entertainment president Kelley Avery.

"We will have a strong slate of titles for Blu-ray release throughout the year, worldwide, and are enthusiastic about expanding the format's offerings for a broad consumer audience while delivering an experience that goes beyond what viewers love about DVD," she said.

Paramount initially was one of two studios, along with Warner Home Video, supportive of both next-generation, high-definition optical disc formats. But in August, Paramount became HD DVD-exclusive, reportedly after a $50 million payment from the HD DVD camp.

Paramount's Press Release:

PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT'S FANTASTICAL HIT THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES LAUNCHES DAY-AND-DATE WORLDWIDE ON BLU-RAY

There Will Be Blood, Cloverfield, Bee Movie, Face/Off and Next Also Released in Time for Memorial Day and Father's Day; Focus Remains On Immersive High-Def Home Entertainment Experiences

LOS ANGELES (April 29, 2008) -- Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE), a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA), today announced its first day-and-date Blu-ray release, The Spiderwick Chronicles on June 24 and rolling out in key international markets beginning in July. Continuing its commitment to offer the best possible movie experiences for consumers, the studio will deliver the highest quality picture, sound and special features available with these upcoming Blu-ray releases. In the U.S., There Will Be Blood, Cloverfield, Bee Movie, Face/Off and Next will begin arriving May 20 to capitalize on Memorial Day and Father's Day. Internationally, The Spiderwick Chronicles will be followed by Cloverfield and the Academy award-winner for Best Picture, No Country for Old Men beginning in August.

"Paramount Home Entertainment continues to focus on the consumer and to explore avenues that allow fans to get more out of their home entertainment experience," said Kelley Avery, President of Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures. "We will have a strong slate of titles for Blu-ray release throughout the year worldwide and are enthusiastic about expanding the format's offerings for a broad consumer audience while delivering an experience that goes beyond what viewers love about DVD."

The Spiderwick Chronicles launches PHE's day-and-date new release strategy. Based on the best-selling series of books, The Spiderwick Chronicles takes viewers on a fantastical journey into the unseen world all around us and the Blu-ray disc will include behind-the-scenes featurettes, an exploration of the Spiderwick world, an exclusive peek inside Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide and much more.

PHE's 2008 Blu-ray titles debut on May 20 in the U.S. with two sensational action-adventures: a Special Collector's Edition of Face/Off , the mind-blowing crime-drama starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, with special features such as multiple commentaries, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, the Making Of Face/Off and more; and the sci-fi thriller Next , which stars Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel in an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story. The Next Blu-ray includes a Making Of featurette, "Visualizing the Next Move," "The Next Grand Idea" and "Two Minutes in the Future with Jessica Biel."

DreamWorks Animation's smash hit Bee Movie also will buzz onto Blu-ray on May 20. The hilarious animated adventure from renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld took audiences by swarm and earned approximately $287 million in worldwide box office. The Bee Movie Blu-ray features a wealth of bonus materials including "Barry's Trivia Track" with fun pop-up trivia, changeable menus, a Build-A-Bee feature to allow viewers to create their own avatar, lost scenes, alternate endings and much, much more.

Following the initial wave of titles, Producer J.J. Abrams' monster hit, Cloverfield, arrives on Blu-ray on June 3. Earning over $166 million in worldwide box office to date, Cloverfield thrilled critics and audiences alike with its shocking, first-person video account of a horrifying attack on Manhattan by an unknown -- and seemingly unstoppable -- force. The Cloverfield Blu-ray will include an exclusive feature-length "Special Investigation Mode" with added details about the film. Additional features include a director commentary, Making Of featurettes, deleted scenes, alternate endings with commentary and more.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson's critically-acclaimed epic There Will Be Blood also arrives on Blu-ray June 3. The film was named by more than 200 critics as one of the top 10 movies of 2007 and stars Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and SAG Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis. The Blu-ray features a slideshow of vintage photos selected by the director and set to the unforgettable score by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, deleted scenes, a featurette on dailies and more.

[davebert]

Finally. Question for those with the standard DVD - this sounds like TWBB's extras are just the single disc version's correct? I don't see anything that would have warranted the second disc in the SE.

[dx23]

Finally. Question for those with the standard DVD - this sounds like TWBB's extras are just the single disc version's correct? I don't see anything that would have warranted the second disc in the SE.

Actually, the Blu-Ray is including everything from the 2 disc special edition, according to DVDTimes.

[stwrt]

I had the 2 disc set for a while, the edge-enhancement on the disc irritated me too much so I sold it on. But the features on the second disc are pretty short, about a half hour in total, so there could hardly be a reason for keeping them off the Blu-Ray disc unless it was intentional. It will be interesting to see if they manage to keep the Blu-Ray free of the SD-DVD disc's edge-enhancement but this is a feature which has been creeping into hi-definition discs lately so I'm not optimistic.

[Morbii]

david, do any of those models correspond to the A35? I didn't even do the last firmware upgrade because I heard people were having problems with something (and at the moment I don't even recall what). I'd be really happy to upgrade my A35 to non-regional instead of spending $200 and change on getting an oppo (My Phillips player just doesn't meet the cut anymore).

[redbill]

just beware that these hacks make your players region-free and PAL-playable, but they don't do PAL-NTSC conversion. So if your TV can't accept PAL, it won't help with PAL discs. And actually, it turns the setup menu into PAL, so you won't be able to easily use the menu.

[fdm]

just beware that these hacks make your players region-free and PAL-playable, but they don't do PAL-NTSC conversion. So if your TV can't accept PAL, it won't help with PAL discs. And actually, it turns the setup menu into PAL, so you won't be able to easily use the menu.

Yeah, I recall seeing some issues when investigating these a while back. I see that there are still issues. Really don't want to muck up my XA2... Knock on wood my old Malata hangs in there for years to come.

[Donald Brown]

Neil Young to release archive on Blu-ray discs:

Rocker Neil Young plans to release his entire music archive on Blu-ray discs, a sign that the discs' capabilities are building appeal among musicians as well as movie studios.

Young revealed his plans Tuesday at a Sun Microsystems Inc. conference in San Francisco. Santa Clara-based Sun makes the Java technology that gives Blu-ray discs their interactive menus and ability to accept updates over an Internet connection.

The first installment of Young's archive will cover the years 1963 to 1972 and will be released as a 10-disc set this fall on Reprise/Warner Bros. Records.

[exte]

Huh? So the blu-ray menus are rewritable through Sun's java technology?