Topic: Blu-ray News

[Marl☆1]

Wow!    Thanks for the heads-up Mouldingo 

[pchin]

First Look: 'Zodiac' HD DVD Box Art

Can't wait for David Fincher's 'Zodiac' to hit high-def? We've got a first look at the HD DVD's way-cool box cover art. As previously reported, DreamWorks will bring the acclaimed serial killer procedural to HD DVD on January 8, 2008 in a highly-anticipated new Director's Cut, featuring never-before-seen additional footage.

The two disc HD DVD release is set to include multiple audio commentaries with Fincher and cast & crew, the "Zodiac Deciphered" documentary, six additional making-of featurettes, multiple "Background Files" profiling real-life serial killers, and a gallery of trailers and TV spots.

Now Paramount has revealed the HD DVD's box cover, which -- in a break from tradition -- features no photos of the film's stars, but instead a stark image inspired by one of the real-life Zodiac Killer's infamous letters to the media in mid-1969:


January 8, 2008

Source

[NeilNo]

3:10 To Yuma (2007) Specs

Lionsgate Home Entertainment have announced the US Region A Blu-ray Disc release of 3:10 To Yuma on 8th January 2008 priced at $39.99 SRP. Based on a short story from Elmore Leonard and directed by James Mangold, 3:10 To Yuma is the story of a small time rancher who agrees to escort a captured outlaw to a neighboring town in order put him on the train to prison. Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster and Peter Fonda star.

Arriving day-and-date the Blu-ray Disc features all of the extras from the DVD release alongside several exclusives. Features include:

-1080P Widescreen
-English PCM 7.1 Surround (Uncompressed)   
-English and Spanish subtitles
-“Destination Yuma” – a “making of” documentary
-“Inside Yuma” – a feature length “picture in picture” interactive exploration of the creation of the film (BD Exclusive)
-“3:10 to Score” featurette – Composer Marco Beltrami shows how he achieved some of the unique sounds in the film (BD Exclusive)
-“An Epic Explored” featurette - Director James Mangold explains the mythological qualities of the film
-“The Guns of Yuma” featurette – a look at the authentic weapons used in the film (BD Exclusive)
-“Outlaws, Gangs & Posses” featurette – a look at some of the most famous cowboys of the West
-“Sea to Shining Sea” featurette – How the railroad changed America (BD Exclusive)
-Historical Timeline of the West – a feature length navigation through some of the most significant historical events in the evolving history of the West (BD Exclusive)
-“A Conversation with Elmore Leonard” (BD Exclusive)
-Deleted scenes

[pchin]

English PCM 7.1 Surround (Uncompressed)?

It's in my "MUST BUY" list!!

[chuck427]

Disney voted and approved the 51GB Triple Layer DVD:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20071119150942_Disney_Votes_for_51GB_HD_DVD_Media_Approval.html


Am i smelling disney movies as early as 2nd quarter of next year? Since they were one of the co-author of the HDI in HD DVD, i won't be suprise to finally see them in HD territory. Since their main reason for leaving HD DVD was the lack of space. But with disney casting their vote, its a matter of time now to finally see there movies in HD DVD camp.

if they do, that could very well be the death blow HD needs... or it will just extend the format war another few years...

[Munskie]

English PCM 7.1 Surround (Uncompressed)?

It's in my "MUST BUY" list!!

I can smell PCM hehehehe 

[NeilNo]

Harry Potter HD DVD to Feature First-Ever "Community Screening" Function

Promising to bring high-def interconnectivity to a new level, Warner will introduce a first-ever group screening function with its upcoming HD DVD release of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'

Dubbed "Live Community Screening," the new feature will allow multiple owners of the 'Order of the Phoenix' HD DVD to simultaneously watch the film via their own individual web-connected players. Playback is controlled by a single "host" user, who initiates the invitation-only viewing, and can control the film by pausing and playing the feature on everyone else's machines. Even more cutting edge, Warner says participants will also be able to text between their remote devices, creating a virtual "live chat" environment while they watch.

Introducing this new feature with little fanfare (it wasn't even mentioned in the disc's press announcement), Warner revealed the complete details of 'Harry Potter's exclusive HD DVD content via this just-launched 'Harry Potter' product page at the newly redesigned thelookandsoundofperfect.com, the official consumer website of the HD DVD Promotions Group.

Set for release on December 11, other content exclusive to the HD DVD of 'Order of the Phoenix' includes a "Behind the Screen: Focus Points" picture-in-picture video commentary, additional downloadable material including screensavers and ringtones, plus a custom bookmarking function.

Although Warner is also debuting a Blu-ray version of 'Order of the Phoenix' day-and-date with the HD DVD, that disc will not include any web-enabled content.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Exclusive_HD_Content/Harry_Potter_HD_DVD_to_Feature_First-Ever_Community_Screening_Function/1188

Cool feature!!

Any PinoyDVD members who want's to try this once they get their copies? PM me pls. Thanks.

[Marl☆1]

Wow, innovative news INDEED on the HD-DVD camp via the latest HP release. 
HERE'S a similar release on this new Live Community screening option. 

[Marl☆1]

Hehe... just to counter-balance things on the Bluray side... here are some fresh statements from Sony CEO Howard Stringer >  NEWS

[pchin]

Perfect Blue on BD, Appleseed Sequel on BD & HD DVD

Warner Home Video has announced that it will release Appleseed: Ex Machina, the sequel to the movie based on Masamune Shirow's cybertech manga, on Blu-ray Disc and hybrid DVD/HD DVD formats on March 11 in North America. Both versions will retail for US$34.98.

Source

[Mouldingo]

Blu-ray outsells HD-DVD format in Europe

LONDON (Reuters) - High definition movie DVDs in the Blu-ray format have outsold the rival HD DVD standard in Europe this year, breaking the 1 million barrier and constituting 73 percent of all HD movie discs sold.

Citing industry sales data, the Blu-ray disc association said in a statement on Tuesday Blu-ray movie disc sales had topped 1 million units and when counting Blu-ray gaming discs the total number produced for sale in Europe exceeded 21 million units.

Sony's PlayStation 3 game console includes a Blu-ray Disc drive.

Hollywood and electronics manufacturers are hoping that new high-definition DVDs, with better picture quality and more capacity, will revive the slowing home DVD market.

But the launch of the next-generation DVD players has been complicated by the fact that there are two competing technologies available, Blu-ray and HD DVD.

HD DVD was developed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) while Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) backs the Blu-ray standard.

Of the high definition movie discs bought by consumers so far this year in Europe, 73 percent were in the Blu-ray Disc format and 27 percent were HD DVD, according to sales data provided by Media Control Gfk International.

Blu-ray said the best selling titles were 300, Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Home Media Research said in October Blu-ray Disc DVD titles had outsold rival HD-DVD titles by almost two-to-one in the first nine months of the year in the United States.

Reuters

Blu-ray Owns 73% of HD Market in Europe

...A few days ago, the BDA also announced that Blu-ray owned 97% of the HD recorder market in Japan. High definition recorders are more popular in Japan where broadcast TV is of a much higher quality. With only 3% of the market, HD DVD recorders have failed to make any penetration into Japanese homes.

Full Article

[ThePatriot]

DRAGON WARS [January 8th]


March 11th




January 7th - Germany


Feb 1st True Hd 5.1 audio - Japan

[pchin]

Onkyo, priced out of HD DVD, discontinues its HD805 HD DVD player

Mouldingo, probbaly you can post these intersting hardware news in the "HD DVD & Blu-ray Players" section under the The War Begins thread.

[pchin]

Direct-to-Video 'Justice League' to Hit Blu-ray, HD DVD



Warner Premiere and DC Comics will debut their first next-gen title this February, with the release of 'Justice League: The New Frontier' on Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Featuring the voices of Neil Patrick Harris, David Boreanaz and Brooke Shields, the direct-to-video 'Justice League: The New Frontier' brings together Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and a host of other DC Comics heroes in a tale that the explores the origins of legendary superteam. Marking the first high-definition release from DC Comics, Warner Premiere will debut 'The New Frontier' on Blu-ray and HD DVD day-and-date with the standard DVD on February 26, 2008.

Source

[pchin]

'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' to Reign on HD DVD

Queen Elizabeth I will return to high def this February, when Universal releases the sequel 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' on HD DVD/DVD combo disc.

The second in a planned trilogy of historical epics, 'The Golden Age' sees Cate Blanchett returning to the role that first earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination (1998's 'Elizabeth,' which Universal released on HD DVD last September). Following a $50 million worldwide box office run this fall, Universal will debut the film on HD DVD/DVD combo disc February 5, 2008, day-and-date with the standard-def DVD.

Source

[darkwing]

BD Increases Lead Over HD-DVD During Black Friday Week...Leads Approx 73-27

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/home_entertainment/video/e3i8d5ddf2904a0aae38936c0078ef4de4a

"The high-definition format war tilted even more heavily in favor of Blu-ray Disc despite a rash of inexpensive HD DVD players sold through Wal-Mart and other discount retailers in recent weeks. Nielsen VideoScan data for the week shows 72.6% of high-definition discs purchased by consumers were Blu-ray and just 27.4% were HD DVD. HD DVD players have been selling for as little as $98, one-fourth the lowest street price for a Blu-ray player."

[Mouldingo]

VideoScan: Blu-ray Commands Thanksgiving Week Disc Sales

Black Friday? More like Blu Friday. According to Nielsen VideoScan, US sales of Blu-ray discs swelled to a nearly 3:1 lead over HD DVD in the first official week of the holiday shopping season.

According to the just-issued VideoScan numbers, 72.6% of all high-definition discs purchased last week were Blu-ray, versus just 27.4% for HD DVD.

Although one week's data does not necessarily indicate a trend, Blu-ray's stronger-than-ever disc sales lead for the week would seem to suggest that even record-low HD DVD player prices (and record-high HD DVD player sales) may not be enough to balance out the "PS3 Effect" on Blu-ray sales -- especially amidst a recent resurgence in sales for the game console.

Of course, there are other factors at work here as well. As HD DVD supporters have been quick to point out, last week saw a total of ten major studio Blu-ray releases (including 'Live Free or Die Hard' and 'Hairspray', versus only two on HD DVD (including 'Star Trek: The Original Series - Season One').

Others have questioned the reliability of VideoScan's numbers, pointing out that the research firm's point of purchase data does not include Wal-Mart, which generally accounts for 40% of all DVD sales.

Only time will tell whether Blu-ray's stronger-than-ever weekly lead is a trend in the making or simply an anomaly, but here's betting weekly disc sales numbers will be watched more closely than ever in the coming weeks. Stay tuned...

Source

[pchin]

'30 Days of Night' to Bite Into Blu-ray

In an early alert to retailers, Sony has revealed it plans to bring the hit vampire thriller '30 Days of Night' to Blu-ray this February.

Based on the popular graphic novel of the same name, '30 Days of Night' scared up nearly $50 million at the domestic box office this past October. Although Sony has yet to issue an official press release, the studio has informed retailers that the Josh Hartnett-starrer will sink its teeth into both Blu-ray and standard-def DVD on February 19, 2008.

Source

[Weng!]

is it true that there are already pirated blue ray films in the market? my friend who works in china saw some copies on sale from their friendly video shop in his place. dunno how much is it selling though. ang bilis talaga ng chinese mag pirata

[pchin]

HD DVD Camp: Web-Enabled Features a Hit With Consumers

The HD DVD Promotions Group is reporting significant online usage of its exclusive web-connected features on such top titles as 'Transformers' and 'Heroes: Season One.'

In a new press release issued Tuesday, the group said more than 80,000 unique users had accessed the web-enabled features on DreamWorks' HD DVD release of 'Transformers,' with 31% returning as additional content became available.

The HD DVD Promotions Group is reporting significant online usage of its exclusive web-connected features on such top titles as 'Transformers' and 'Heroes: Season One.'

In a new press release issued Tuesday, the group said more than 80,000 unique users had accessed the web-enabled features on DreamWorks' HD DVD release of 'Transformers,' with 31% returning as additional content became available.

Source

[ThePatriot]

Jan 1st


Feb 2nd

[Mouldingo]

Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"

When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.

As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.

Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.

"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."

Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."

At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."

As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.

source

[Mouldingo]

Michael Bay: "Blu-ray Suits My Films Better"

Responding to an attempted mutiny by some of his loyal fans, director Michael Bay commented that ultimately, Blu-ray is the logical choice for his films. "I know what the final product should look like - Blu-ray suits my films better." Bay is just one of a number of directors and producers who have become outspoken with regards to supporting Blu-ray in the format war.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=728

[Mouldingo]

Title Announcements at High-Def 2.0

Yesterday at High-Def 2.0, studios announced some upcoming Blu-ray titles. Sony Pictures will bring 'Dogma' to Blu-ray on Februrary 12th and 'Run Lola Run' a week later on February 19th. 'The Guns of the Navarone' and 'A Passage to India' will come soon after, with 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Bridge on the River Kwai' later in the year.

Fox announced that they will bring upcoming theatrical titles like 'Juno', 'Hitman', 'Horton Hears a Who' and 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium' to Blu-ray, along with many new catalog titles.

Disney confirmed that both 'Finding Nemo' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', both due for Spring release, will feature PiP video.



http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=729

[Mouldingo]

Blu-ray Owns 95% of Australian HD Market

On the heels of Video Ezy announcing they would only support Blu-ray, GfK (in association with Sony) has released a report stating that Blu-ray owned 95.2% of the high definition market in Australia for October. Blu-ray hardware (including the PS3) sold 26-to-1 compared to its rival HD DVD. Additionally, software sales were 18,000 units sold for Blu-ray compared to only 2,000 for HD DVD.

Carl Rose, Managing Director of Sony Australia commented, "This report quite clearly depicts the current state of play in the High Definition format market in Australian homes. Across the key areas of high definition entertainment, from hardware to content, these figures show that Blu-ray is distinctly the format of choice for consumers. Coming into Christmas we can only predict that adoption will continue to increase thanks to the backing of the format by the greatest number of electronics hardware manufacturers and movie and game development studios"


http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=724

[pchin]

Michael Bay: "Blu-ray Suits My Films Better"

Responding to an attempted mutiny by some of his loyal fans, director Michael Bay commented that ultimately, Blu-ray is the logical choice for his films. "I know what the final product should look like - Blu-ray suits my films better."

Here we go again. Many are sick of hearing that idiot Bay lamenting the BD stuff. All his movies are nothing but Special Effects and explosions. He needs to give a valid reason why Blu-Ray is better then HD DVD. If he said space then I can't wait until he finds out about the 51 gig HD DVD discs.

Blu-ray Owns 95% of Australian HD Market

On the heels of Video Ezy announcing they would only support Blu-ray, GfK (in association with Sony) has released a report stating that Blu-ray owned 95.2% of the high definition market in Australia for October. Blu-ray hardware (including the PS3) sold 26-to-1 compared to its rival HD DVD. Additionally, software sales were 18,000 units sold for Blu-ray compared to only 2,000 for HD DVD.

Australia is a very very tiny market...nothing to brag about esp 95% of teh sellers carry Blu-ray only...so we can't blame them.

[Munskie]

Here we go again. Many are sick of hearing that idiot Bay lamenting the BD stuff. All his movies are nothing but Special Effects and explosions. He needs to give a valid reason why Blu-Ray is better then HD DVD. If he said space then I can't wait until he finds out about the 51 gig HD DVD discs.

Australia is a very very tiny market...nothing to brag about esp 95% of teh sellers carry Blu-ray only...so we can't blame them.

Formar war is good.  It keeps the prices down, whether hardware or software.   But I dont give a damn about this kind of news anymore.   Just watch and enjoy HD movies.   

[Moks007]

If Michael Bay talks more I will use his transformers hddvd as a coaster or frisbee nalang    hehe..But good thing nga there is a war, its getting more affordable (but I really think its hard to unseat dvds)..I wish they have buy one take two movies

[pchin]

Formar war is good.  It keeps the prices down, whether hardware or software.   But I dont give a d**n about this kind of news anymore.   Just watch and enjoy HD movies.   

Yup, we are format neutral..so should not worrying too much....just enjoy our HD movies.   

If Michael Bay talks more I will use his transformers hddvd as a coaster or frisbee nalang 

Yeah, Bay talks to much...I have give away na my Transformers DVD "transforming packaging" to my relative. Also, I've cancelled my Transformers HD DVD order...  

Eh...Moks007, if you don't like it, you can donate it to me na lang... LOL

[oReOsHaKe]

Yup, we are format neutral..so should not worrying too much....just enjoy our HD movies.   

Yeah, Bay talks to much...I have give away na my Transformers DVD "transforming packaging" to my relative. Also, I've cancelled my Transformers HD DVD order...  

Eh...Moks007, if you don't like it, you can donate it to me na lang... LOL

I'm still waiting for Transformers on Blu-ray..