Blu-ray, in General

[swo17]

The only thing that's really complicated at this point though is finding a reliable region-free solution.

[hammock]

To me, upgrading them now while the values of the DVD versions are still relatively high is just smart business - if you decide to watch M in five years, you might feel a little salty when you realize that you only have the DVD, and that it's now only worth $5 for a nice used copy.

In five years there will be a new format superior to Blu-ray and your BD will be of equal value as a DVD. Don't speculate too much, just upgrade if you can't resist.

[Saturnome]

In five years there will be a new format superior to Blu-ray

Streaming?

[Michael Kerpan]

If you already have a Region A player like Insignia, it is better you import a Region B player than spending $150 on Sherwood.

I never could find a feasible way to do this.

[Zot!]

Yeah, another physical format is unlikely. I expect it will follow the music industry in terms of valuing convenience over quality. Plus, there start to be diminishing returns in terms of what can be achieved. Blu-Ray is fairly well optimized for home use. I'm not sure if there is that much to be gained from an even higher resolution home video format unless peoples viewing rooms magically start to expand. Sure, I would love an uncompressed 1080p picture or better, but even Blu-Ray is a tough sell to a lot of people, and they move to streaming instead.

[aox]

I completely agree with this. The only the future I can see happening with the physical format, is the introduction of 250gig BD discs that are able to utilize the current lasers in our BD players; thus, not requiring another costly format change (though, DVD>BD has been relatively painless). Streaming will improve and fill the gaps.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

I completely agree with this. The only the future I can see happening with the physical format, is the introduction of 250gig BD discs that are able to utilize the current lasers in our BD players; thus, not requiring another costly format change (though, DVD>BD has been relatively painless). Streaming will improve and fill the gaps.

The fancy multi-multi-multi-layer discs (they're up to 20 layers/400 GB now) can "utilize the current lasers in our BD players" in the sense that they use the same wavelength and lens aperture. They're not compatible in the sense that you can expect them to work in current players with just a firmware upgrade --they still require new optical pickups, effectively meaning a new player. This thread covers the issues pretty well.

[aox]

The fancy multi-multi-multi-layer discs (they're up to 20 layers/400 GB now) can "utilize the current lasers in our BD players" in the sense that they use the same wavelength and lens aperture. They're not compatible in the sense that you can expect them to work in current players with just a firmware upgrade --they still require new optical pickups, effectively meaning a new player. This thread covers the issues pretty well.

Thanks!

[mfunk9786]

Best Buy is releasing an exclusive Almost Famous Bootleg Cut Blu-ray on Sunday, January 30th!

Apparently it won't include the theatrical cut, which is fine by me, because my Insignia and Sherwood have both had strange issues with Paramount releases' seamless branching.

cover art

[domino harvey]

That'd be a swell birthday gift if I could remember whether I liked it or not

[mfunk9786]

Doesn't everybody like it? :-k

[swo17]

It doesn't make me want to kill myself, which is saying a lot for a Cameron Crowe film.

[mfunk9786]

I think you just need a little coaxing, swo.

[swo17]

Too indifferent to search for suicide emoticon...

[Murdoch]

That guy who does the star ratings under the cable tv descriptions gave it four stars, so, um, there's something

[Highway 61]

Doesn't everybody like it? :-k

I really wanted to like it. But aside from Philip Seymour Hoffman, there's nothing going for it.

[tojoed]

I like it a whole bunch, but I'm not a good judge.

[Finch]

Finished Eternal Sunshine just now and am glad to say that it can be filed under Universal's better Blu-Rays: I didn't notice any DNR or edge enhancement; there is fine grain and even a little depth in one or two shots; colours and detail expectedly and appreciably advance beyond the DVD. I saw the film in theaters and I was very pleased with the 1080p presentation (sound was also more robust and enveloping).

Might have turned out differently if it'd been an older film and master (since Universal don't seem to stike a new HD master for older titles) but still, I'm relieved that all the Universal titles I want seem to have turned out fine so far.

[domino harvey]

Best Buy has Out of Sight available early on Tuesday for $14.99

[mfunk9786]

They have Almost Famous today for the same price!

[domino harvey]

More exclusives available on Tuesday: Hotel Rwanda, Dead Man Walking, the Manchurian Candidate (Frankenheimer), Heavy Metal, Rules of Attraction, and the Cove-- many for $9.99

[Jeff]

Most of the new Best Buy exclusives actually hit the shelves today. I guess since they are only going to one retailer, Best Buy was able to release them on the day they release their ads, instead of Tuesday, like most titles. They had a large display of them labeled "Best Buy Exclusive" at the store I went to.

They are all on sale until February 19. Most titles are on sale for $9.99. Almost Famous, Out of Sight, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Heavy Metal are on sale for $14.99. The only title I was unable to find was Out of Sight, so perhaps it will be available Tuesday. It has been announced for general release on March 1. Some of the MGM titles were originally listed as May releases on the Best Buy website, but they are all available right now. I was able to pick up The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and The Thomas Crown Affair (1968 -- not the already-available remake as shown on BB website) for $9.99 and Almost Famous for $14.99 today.

The complete list of Best Buy titles that are currently displayed as part of this "Blu-ray Exclusive" promotion.

Almost Famous
The Cove
Dead Man Walking
Fire on the Amazon
Hannibal
Heavy Metal
Hotel Rwanda
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
Killing Machine
Last House on the Left (1972)
Leaving Las Vegas
The Long Kiss Goodnight
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Out of Sight
Poltergeist II
RoboCop II
RoboCop III
The Rules of Attraction
Still Waiting
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

[eerik]

When you have finished watching Santa Sangre, you can start waiting for El Topo and The Holy Mountain. Both are coming to Blu-ray on April 26!

[goner]

Hell yeah. I was hoping for Fando y Lis too. But with how the Anchor Bay dvd looked I don't think it was HD ready. Now bring on some Herzog Blu.

[Finch]

Anyone know if this Spanish MGM Blu-Ray of Alfredo Garcia is any good?