[lfc1394]

I wonder if they will be releasing a back catalogue on BR now?

Transformers and Bourne would be nice.

[bootyman81]

Paramount has already got the resources in place because they already had BD's ready for release until they pulled the plug. Universal on the other hand have got about 2 years of catching up to do, but i'm sure sony will be helping them out with that.
Would be nice to get Hot Fuzz on blu ray aswel

[Shaun666]

I wonder how all those people who paid £40 or more on e-bay for Shooter on Blu-Ray are feeling now ?

[Rasczak]

I think the important thing for these two studios is to jump into Blu-ray as quickly as possible. The very worse thing for us as home cinema fans is if they just sit out the market for a few months. I would like to see them jump in and do so now - don't worry about re-releasing HD DVD titles for now - just crack on and release new titles and new back catalogue titles on Blu-ray.

In the intrim I hope they continue HD DVD releases until such time as they have Blu-ray up and running. I think it unlikely though.

[andythescientis]

I'm yet to be convinced BD does not have production issues. Anything that gets pulled takes months for a re-release. Master and Commander, Independance Day for example in the US. To me this points to delays in pressing.

Assuming UNI/Paramount go BD tomorrow how long will a new unworked release (eg cloverfield) take to be released?

PS i'm assuming Paramount will release all it's preworked/pressed BD stock immediately, which may include Transformers..

[gingerninja72]

Originally Posted by bootyman81

Paramount has already got the resources in place because they already had BD's ready for release until they pulled the plug. Universal on the other hand have got about 2 years of catching up to do, but i'm sure sony will be helping them out with that.
Would be nice to get Hot Fuzz on blu ray aswel

To be honest, the PQ of Hot Fuzz is so excellent upscaled, I wouldn't bother with a BR version. But yeah, Bourne would be good ...

[AgentCool]

Originally Posted by gingerninja72

To be honest, the PQ of Hot Fuzz is so excellent upscaled, I wouldn't bother with a BR version. But yeah, Bourne would be good ...

The PQ of Hot Fuzz on upscaled DVD may be excellent (I haven't seen it so cannot pass judgement) but that on the HD DVD is phenomenal. It's easily one of the best HD transfers I've seen and the disc is loaded with extras. I think Hot Fuzz would certainly be a welcome addition to the Blu-ray format.

[JamesL]

Still nothing from Paramount or Universal? I wonder if their plans for announced titles on HD DVD remain valid?

[lukey37]

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...ticle_id=12118

"While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

[domtheone]

Originally Posted by markwpage

The PQ of Hot Fuzz on upscaled DVD may be excellent (I haven't seen it so cannot pass judgement) but that on the HD DVD is phenomenal. It's easily one of the best HD transfers I've seen and the disc is loaded with extras. I think Hot Fuzz would certainly be a welcome addition to the Blu-ray format.

Indeed. When you see the comparison pics between the DVD and HD DVD out there, the HD DVD makes the DVD look like an old VHS copy that's been run thorough the machine a thousand times

Almost anyway

[shaithis]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

I think the important thing for these two studios is to jump into Blu-ray as quickly as possible. The very worse thing for us as home cinema fans is if they just sit out the market for a few months.

For home cinema fans the worse decision has already been made........No more movie imports thanks to sony buying off studios and forcing region protection on us.

Thinking of going back to DVD and boycotting HD if region-locked BD is the only option. I've already wasted nearly 60quid on discs I cannot play.............great for the customer though........somehow...........

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by shaithis

For home cinema fans the worse decision has already been made........No more movie imports thanks to sony buying off studios and forcing region protection on us.

Thinking of going back to DVD and boycotting HD if region-locked BD is the only option. I've already wasted nearly 60quid on discs I cannot play.............great for the customer though........somehow...........

It's not great for the consumer but these things happen. You don't want to boycott high def - think of the great picture and sound that enticed you into HD DVD in the first place. Buy a US Blu-ray player and pair it with a UK Blu-ray player if you wish. Embrace Blu-ray - it's the best option now.

[Bald Monkey]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

It's not great for the consumer but these things happen. You don't want to boycott high def - think of the great picture and sound that enticed you into HD DVD in the first place. Buy a US Blu-ray player and pair it with a UK Blu-ray player if you wish. Embrace Blu-ray - it's the best option now.

Agreed. I think I'll get a US BR standalone when the times comes to complement my UK PS3.

I also hope that Paramount and Universal do go all out on BR now, it's nice to see them getting behind the format, it give BR the best chance and therefore us the best chance of getting more decent releases. Who knows it may even give FOX a kick to get their releases.... erm ...released!

[dts197]

Originally Posted by shaithis

No more movie imports thanks to sony buying off studios and forcing region protection on us.

I might be imagining it but I'm sure I read on here that Warner have already said they would be sticking with region free blu-rays??

[KeanosMagicHat]

What with the quote from Universal's Home Entertainment President, it now seems a matter of time before Paramount also make some comment.

Could the following be a sign that they are already preparing the retail channels?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/16...lu-ray-attire/



EDIT - Universal thread

Universal go Blu-Ray!

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by andythescientis

I'm yet to be convinced BD does not have production issues. Anything that gets pulled takes months for a re-release. Master and Commander, Independance Day for example in the US. To me this points to delays in pressing.

Assuming UNI/Paramount go BD tomorrow how long will a new unworked release (eg cloverfield) take to be released?

PS i'm assuming Paramount will release all it's preworked/pressed BD stock immediately, which may include Transformers..

Was there any reason given for the delays of 'Master and Commander' and ID4 in the US? since they have both been released on Blu-Ray in other parts of the world.

[Rasczak]

Whilst Paramount's Blu-rays plans remain unconfirmed it seems they are pressing ahead with a few more HD DVD releases. The studio has confirmed specs and dates for Sweeney Todd (1 April)and There Will Be Blood (8 April). Hopefully that means The Kite Runner is also safe.

[KeanosMagicHat]

I'd expected to wake up this morning to Paramount's announcement that they will be coming back over to Blu-Ray.

I know it's inevitable now, but it's always nice to see official confirmation.

In relation to the post above, it'd be madness to cancel any HD-DVD's already in pressing so I'd imagine those titles scheduled for April will still be released.

[Greg]

Yes, I would imagine Paramount had some get out clause, that if HD-DVD was dropped by Toshiba, then they would get some of their money back and be allowed to release on Blu-ray.

[Rasczak]

So what does everyone think of the current situation with Paramount / Universal:

Paramount / Dreamworks
Currently made no announcement about Blu-ray support but is, thankfully, still committing to HD DVD releases with two new titles announced since the Toshiba withdrawl. Current release slate (USA) is:
- Beowulf - Feb 26
- Into the Wild - Mar 4
- Things We Lost in the Fire - Mar 4
- Bee Movie - Mar 11
- The Jack Ryan Collection - Mar 25
- The Kite Runner - Mar 25
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Apr 1
- There Will Be Blood - Apr 8

Universal
Alot more concerning is the Universal situation. They seem to have pulled out of HD DVD now - they have only one release scheduled (Fletch due out on Mar 11). This is mitigated by the fact they have announced Blu-ray support - however they are yet to announce any titles and even when they do there is the fear they could just be HD DVD re-issues (which many of us already have). For ex-HD DVD owners, standfast new titles which I'm sure will be day and date, we could be looking at a long time before we get new Universal content in high def

...Paramount I am fairly happy with. They are still pushing out high def content (on HD DVD) whilst they are (presumably) gearing up from Blu-ray production at some point in the future. Universal though is a concern - how long will it take them to get going with high def releases and what will be their strategy (re-release or new material)? We need answers!

[AML]

But... do you honestly intend to keep buying HD DVDs now that the format is doomed?

I myself have a few HD DVDs and Im going to keep them, but to keep buying more just seems a little silly.

At best they will become collectors items and fetch something on e-bay 10 years from now

Its just a matter of time before all current HD DVDs are re-released on Blu Ray so im going to wait and see what happens.

[dts197]

Originally Posted by AML

I myself have a few HD DVDs and Im going to keep them, but to keep buying more just seems a little silly.

I don't think it's silly that I've just bought Into The Wild on hd-dvd. Makes more sense to me than buying the dvd version just because there won't be too many more hd-dvd new releases.

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by AML

But... do you honestly intend to keep buying HD DVDs now that the format is doomed?

As I'm keeping the player where it is I don't see a problem. If it was vital that I only had one player under my TV it might be different. As it is I have both and I buy on both. If I can get HD DVD disks cheap then it wins every time. Besides the T2 German edition... What a swansong for the format.

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by AML

But... do you honestly intend to keep buying HD DVDs now that the format is doomed?

I don't see why not? I don't buy my discs as 'investments' - solely as movies to watch and enjoy. HD DVD does that as well now this week as it did last and my HD DVD player is superior to my Blu-ray players (BDP500 and PS3). I don't see why it being a 'doomed' format would make any difference?

[Indiana Jones]

Same here, I currently have more HD-DVD's in my collection than Blu-Rays and with all the people jumping ship it just means I can pick up aload of titles at a cheap price

[philbam]

I feel the same. I have an almost even split between Hd and Blu-ray (100 hd's and 120 blu-rays), and certainly intend to carry on buying Hd's whilst they are still available. It is all about choice still and having both Hd and Blu-ray means increasing the amount of choice I've got.
As soon as Warner announced they were going over to Blu-ray I purchased a second Toshiba Ep35 Hd player, to make sure that I can still watch these wonderful dvd's in high definition.
Fantastic format, both of them!

[babybearbarker]

Would like to see Hot Fuzz on BR espec ensuring all the extras from the last 3 disc US version are on there, also Bourne Trilogy definitely, not bothered about Transformers at all - duff first time, duff on repeat viewing and also The Matrix Collection on BR finally will be good.