Blu-ray, in General

[cdnchris]

From reading the rules, it seems that only the packaging sleeve for the HD-DVD gets sent in. Not the disc itself.

You're right. Actually that's not bad then. I could at least keep the actual combo discs.

I noticed Forbidden Planet isn't on there. Is that one coming out on Blu?

[aox]

As someone who never purchased an HD-DVD, I wonder if it would be worth picking some up second hand just to get the Blu-ray for cheaper than getting it directly. For example, I could get a used HD-DVD of Casablanca for about $13 on amazon. I could then pay the $5 + the $7 shipping to get it exchanged for Blu. It seems like this would get me the Casablanca Blu-ray set (MSRP $65) for just about $25. That is, assuming they would send the Ultimate Collector's Edition, and not some custom-made thing with just the movie.

I am down to do this. Even if they don't send me the box, I wouldn't mind just having the disc in some sort of single packaging.

[swo17]

Re: the Red2Blu program, I asked specifically about the version of Casablanca that you will get as part of the exchange, and got this response:

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Red2Blu!

The version being offered is the same Blu-Ray copy that is available for retail, however, the artwork is different. All of our Blu-Ray titles for the Red2Blu program are the same releases as available for retail.

Warm Regards,
Chanda
http://www.red2blu.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LightBulbFilm]

Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love coming to Blu-Ray, he's restored the master himself, it seems.

[Antoine Doinel]

Warner Brothers will begin charging $1.99 for digital copies for films purchased on DVD, but will keep them free for BluRay titles.

[dx23]

I'm doing the Red for Blu exchange thing, but before sending the covers, I want to make copies of them. Does anyone know what is the type of glossy paper that studios use for these covers?

[Antoine Doinel]

HMV Canada has a Save Green! Go Blu! promotion, where you get a $7 credit off select MGM/Fox BluRays with any used DVD you bring in. The DVDs will either be recycled or donated to libraries or children's hospitals. Additional one day promos will be announced on MGM/Fox Canada's BluRay Twitter feed.

Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love coming to Blu-Ray, he's restored the master himself, it seems.

It looks like it arrives on store shelves on September 15th.

[Cinetwist]

Is it worth going Blu even if it's just 720 rather than 1080?

The reason I ask is because I'm in the market for a new projector and it seems like you don't have a choice but to buy hd now anyway, but 1080 projectors are just out of my price range at the £1000 mark (please inform me if there are any under this!).

Part of me wants to future proof myself and be fully hd and the other part knows that I'm still going to be watching 90%+ standard def stuff for a hell of a long time to come, simply because of the nature of the stuff I watch.

Anyone think their jump to 720 Blu was worth it? Or should I save up a bit more and wait for 1080 prices to come down a bit?

[dad1153]

Since you're asking about projectors that means you're the type of person that wants their movies on a big screen, like in a theater room. For someone picky like you that will be seeing things projected I'd suggest you wait around for 1080 projector prices to drop in price and just hustle along. 720 is good enough (my portable HD-DVD laptop is only 720p but the difference on the same movie between standard def and high def is clearly visible), but why not dive in with the ability to sample ALL 1080 lines of resolution encoded in the Blu-ray disc? If you were shopping for LCD's or plasmas I'd say size of the screen, distance from the screen and contrast ratio are as (if not more) important than just the 1080 rez. But, since you're a projector guy, 720 will satisfy your basic dietary requirements while 1080 will leave your stomach fool and your pants buttons wide open from sampling the whole enchilada. I say wait, or try it at a mate's home or with his/her help (have them bring their Blu-ray to the projector you're looking at) shop around to see what it's like. People with 720 projectors swear they're fine with it and don't need 1080 to enjoy the movie, but they're also the first to moan the fact they couldn't afford the 1080 projectors they wanted in the first place.

[Doctor Sunshine]

Prices drop fairly quickly too. Projectors seem to follow Moore's law by way of resolution versus price.

[nsps]

I'm doing the Red for Blu exchange thing, but before sending the covers, I want to make copies of them. Does anyone know what is the type of glossy paper that studios use for these covers?

FYI, you'll probably need to find a self-serve color copier, as Kinko's refuses to do it. I understand that OfficeMax has one, and also sells glossy paper, but I haven't tried it myself. Let me know if you figured out the paper issue, as I'm looking to do the same thing (even if I don't go blu yet I might as well grab the Casablanca box).

PS Everytime I see this thread title I think that The General is coming out on Blu-ray.

[dx23]

It appears that the powers that be at Disney think that raising the MSRP will entice more people to buy the new format. These idiots have just raised the price on everything Blu-ray by $5.

[eerik]

It appears that the powers that be at Disney think that raising the MSRP will entice more people to buy the new format. These idiots have just raised the price on everything Blu-ray by $5.

Source, examples?

[dx23]

It appears that the powers that be at Disney think that raising the MSRP will entice more people to buy the new format. These idiots have just raised the price on everything Blu-ray by $5.

Source, examples?

There is talk here about that. Apparently they have decided to charge a premium for adding the DVD and the digital copies to several films but they have also increased by $5 the MSRP of catalog titles that only have the Blu-ray.

[eerik]

Good news, at least in my opinion, "Misery" is coming to Blu-ray this September! And the other good news is that contrary Disney, MGM and Fox have lowered their prices on catalogue titles. They will also release Child's Play and Manhunter on September 15th. (source)

[Antoine Doinel]

It appears that the powers that be at Disney think that raising the MSRP will entice more people to buy the new format. These idiots have just raised the price on everything Blu-ray by $5 ...

There is talk here about that. Apparently they have decided to charge a premium for adding the DVD and the digital copies to several films but they have also increased by $5 the MSRP of catalog titles that only have the Blu-ray.

Is it just me or is the "extra disc" for the digital copy a complete waste? Why not just include a download code for iTunes and forgo the disc altogether?

[knives]

More discs mean more money!
Or at least that's how I imagine the staff meeting went.

[dx23]

It appears that the powers that be at Disney think that raising the MSRP will entice more people to buy the new format. These idiots have just raised the price on everything Blu-ray by $5 ...

There is talk here about that. Apparently they have decided to charge a premium for adding the DVD and the digital copies to several films but they have also increased by $5 the MSRP of catalog titles that only have the Blu-ray.

Is it just me or is the "extra disc" for the digital copy a complete waste? Why not just include a download code for iTunes and forgo the disc altogether?

Three things:

1- For companies trying to promote how they are going green, this digital copy disc is just plain idiocy. This piece of shit turns into a coaster after the first use in most cases.

2- For some stupid reason, some companies think that digital copies are a premium, when in reality, almost no one cares about it.

3- Also, some companies have the use of digital copies a nightmare. There are many digital copies that are only for use with Windows Media Player, so those who have a Mac, are fucked.

Digital copies is one of the most stupid things since the EZDVD and the DIVX.

[Jun-Dai]

Is it worth going Blu even if it's just 720 rather than 1080?

The reason I ask is because I'm in the market for a new projector and it seems like you don't have a choice but to buy hd now anyway, but 1080 projectors are just out of my price range at the £1000 mark (please inform me if there are any under this!).

Part of me wants to future proof myself and be fully hd and the other part knows that I'm still going to be watching 90%+ standard def stuff for a hell of a long time to come, simply because of the nature of the stuff I watch.

Anyone think their jump to 720 Blu was worth it? Or should I save up a bit more and wait for 1080 prices to come down a bit?

Watching Blu on my aunt and uncle's 720p Panasonic plasma, I'd say: not especially. You've got to be at least within 3-4 feet of that thing to really be able to notice any difference, and even closer to start caring. On a projector, you'll definitely notice, but I don't think it'll amount to a huge improvement. Plus, there's so little quality material available on Blu-Ray right now, and DVD is going to be around for so long, that I'd say you're probably better of just checking back in a couple of years and seeing where things are at. If you wait 2-4 years, the blu-ray players will be better for the same price, the format will be more mature, there'll be more than a couple dozen good films on the format, and you'll have lost/wasted very little in the meantime. And if Red has their way with the industry, people will all start talking about 4K by then.

If you take the money you would put into a Blu-Ray player, and go up a notch or two in projector quality (brighter, more contrast, 1080p, etc.), it will probably improve your movie watching more overall, and you can always look into Blu-Ray later when there's more worth watching on the format.

[Caged Horse]

And if Red has their way with the industry, people will all start talking about 4K by then.

Given that 4K monitors and projectors are already available in Hollywood production and Japan is gearing up to sell them to the public, it beats me as to why I should invest in 1080p hardware in the meantime.

[Cinetwist]

And if Red has their way with the industry, people will all start talking about 4K by then.

Given that 4K monitors and projectors are already available in Hollywood production and Japan is gearing up to sell them to the public, it beats me as to why I should invest in 1080p hardware in the meantime.

Presumably for budget and title reasons. Even if 4k is made available to the public, which I doubt, the cost would presumably be astronomical, in the tens of thousands. The thought of having a 4k projector is unbelievable, and I hope to God it happens in my lifetime, but considering that you can get a 1080 projector for $50k if you want, I can't see how these could be offered to the public in the next decade or two. And even if you did get one, what are you going to watch on it? Where would you get the films?

Anyway, my previous post was slightly moot. I will most likely have no option but to go hd at 720. The bulb on my current projector is at around 2000 hours and is giving the odd flicker and no manufacturer (to my knowledge) still makes non-HD projectors.

[Matt]

Hands up, those of you who were clamoring for St. Elmo's Fire on Blu-ray, because I would like to punch you in the face.

[MichaelB]

Given that 4K monitors and projectors are already available in Hollywood production and Japan is gearing up to sell them to the public, it beats me as to why I should invest in 1080p hardware in the meantime.

Because it's likely to be the high-end domestic standard for a long, long time to come. What exactly do you think the chances are of Hollywood majors licensing 4K titles for home release any time soon, especially given how cautious they were about HD content in the first place? And how likely do you think it is that it will ever be a mass-market proposition, given that plenty of people still remain unconvinced by HD?

For starters, you'd need a colossal screen by normal domestic standards to justify the upgrade in the first place - 40" is pretty much the minimum to make a really noticeable difference with Blu-ray, so how much bigger would a 4K setup have to be?

[fiddlesticks]

Hands up, those of you who were clamoring for St. Elmo's Fire on Blu-ray, because I would like to punch you in the face.

My brother-in-law is a film critic. Once, many years ago, I told him I thought he must have the coolest job ever. His disdainful reply was "not only did I have to watch St. Elmo's Fire and then write about it, I also had to interview the cast."

[Napier]

I've never seen the film, but hearing the soundtrack (briefly) on XM, made me want to punch people in the face.