Sony announces pricing details for Blu-ray movies - plus a trio of titles

[John Archer]

Sony Pictures has become the first film studio to officially announce a pricing structure for its high definition DVD releases. Apparently its Blu-ray titles will go for around $35 for the latest movies, and around $30 for 'back catalogue' stuff.

Sony Pictures has also announced that it intends to release 18 back catalogue titles in 2006, including The Fifth Element (which could look absolutely awesome), Species, and Hitch.

[Alun]

If that translates into £35/30 its a bit steep IMO. If it does a straight dollars-pounds, itll be cracking value.

[sbowler]

I reckon around the £24.99 mark, and funnily enough thats what I paid for my first DVD at HMV, and it was Jerry Mcguire. That was when you had to order it. How times change.

[Bond 007]

HD Fifth Element! I agree this has potential to look amazing
Can't wait. Anything more than £24.99 is taking the p***

[Jonny1973]

$35 and $30 are the recommended selling prices but nobody sells dvds for the recommended price.

[ahin4114]

Originally Posted by Jonny1973

$35 and $30 are the recommended selling prices but nobody sells dvds for the recommended price.

No, but they used to!

[Siamese Cat]

I'd be suprised if the on line retailers like CD -WOW don't sell them from the outset at competitive prices. Unless my memory fails me they weren't around in the early days of DVD.

[graviton]

Can't help thinking it will be the price of the players and the format war which will determine the content street prices!

Players will be expensive to start with and consumers will be faced with a modern day VHS/Betamax dilemna to boot - even if they have an HD TV.

While player penetration is limited to wealthy early adopters the price elasticity of demand on content will be low. There will be no incentive for retailers to push content prices down because it wont boost sales and they will stick to the RRP.

[Drew2]

@graviton - "spot on"

[DJBurgess]

I am not sure I understand how "back catalogue" titles can be re-released in HD format?!! Surely if they were not shot with HD camera equipment it cannot be retro scaled can it? Or will the definition just be enhanced somehow?

Sorry if I am being technically ignorant but I have seen examples and comparisions of HD and I as far as I am aware it is the source or input technology that enable the high definition.

Can anyone clear this up?

[Jonny1973]

Film can actually record far more detail than a HD camera so basically film is already HD. For comparison, 35mm Film can capture 4,000 pixels across (called 4K) whilst HD cameras can only manage 2,000 (called 2K).

To convert a back catalogue film to HD-DVD or Blu-Ray they need to scan the negative at least 1080p but usually they use 4K to preserve everything on the negative. Most DVDs over the last few years have been scanned in Hi-Def and downconverted to SD for regular DVD

[SibTiger33]

the pricing doesnt sound bad at all if u ask me (£24.99) but ill be more interested in the overall package - i.e features etc

will it be the same as standard dvd or will they be able to add more or try and use maximum bandwidth for the film (as with superbit)

[HeweyBoy101]

Originally Posted by SibTiger33

the pricing doesnt sound bad at all if u ask me (£24.99) but ill be more interested in the overall package - i.e features etc

will it be the same as standard dvd or will they be able to add more or try and use maximum bandwidth for the film (as with superbit)

In 1993, I was buying LaserDiscs at £25-£30 a piece when almost everyone else was watching VHS. Then in 1997 I was buying imported DVD's at £25 each when they were first released (imported US player). So, if I have to spend that sort of money again I will, but I'll be careful as to what titles I buy. In the early days of DVD I would buy anything, such was the scarcity of available releases. Won't make that mistake again, but certainly don't mind paying a premium to get the movies I want in high def.

[edward]

During the VHS - Beta war, VHS won by gaining critical market mass very early and price was a factor. If HD-DVD start pumping out content at better prices, Sony could well come second this time too. If its hard to tell the difference between them in terms of AV quality, which would you spen your money on?

Am I missing something here?