The Format War

[imdaly]

[blackout]I would have slept with the kings wife in a heartbeat [/blackout]

And I would've been right behind you!

Or behind her?

Both maybe?

 

[Zenien]

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND BLU-RAY ON NOVEMBER 13TH

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Nov. 13

Details: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition (DVD, $40; Blu-ray Disc, $50). Includes three versions of the film: the 1977 original theatrical cut, the re-edited 1980 theatrical special edition, and Steven Spielberg's director's cut, released in 1998.

Why it's important: It's the first time a Spielberg movie has been issued on high-definition disc, and it's the first home video release of all three versions

What's new: An interview with Spielberg created especially for this release and a retrospective documentary.

Plus: Only on the 50 GB Blu-ray edition are new "storyboard-to-scene" comparisons and the original 1977 "Watch the Skies" featurette. Blu-ray, says David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, "will add yet another new and thrilling dimension to this timeless film."

http://usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-07-25-sci-fi-dvd_N.htm

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

And I would've been right behind you!

Or behind her?

Both maybe?

Can you answer my question? I am not trying to be a dick I just want to know how you came to that conclusion that 300 is geared toward PS3 owners?

 

[GFreeman]

And I would've been right behind you!

Or behind her?

Both maybe?

I approve of your thinking.


And I think the "geared towards PS3 owners" comment was about target demographics more than features or anything. I think.

 

[Downhere]

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs
Xbox LIVE to promote HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1.”

SAN DIEGO — July 26, 2007 — Today at Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft Corp. announced it will lower the price of the popular Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 ERP (United States only) starting Aug. 1, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. In addition, Microsoft further solidified the Xbox 360 as the ultimate high-definition (HD) entertainment platform, with key announcements around the HD DVD launches of “300” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and “Heroes: Season 1” from Universal Studios.

To promote the HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1,” Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE® Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer “300” on demand in HD starting Aug. 14, and is working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring “300” and other Warner Bros. properties. In advance of the street date for the “Heroes: Season 1” HD DVD boxed set, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download for free the show’s pilot episode in high definition for a limited time. Members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the “Heroes: Season 1” boxed set on HD DVD.

Already the most affordable high-definition player available, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the best solution for movie lovers seeking HD content in the highest possible resolution. The player’s price reduction to $179 (U.S. ERP) continues to set the bar for value, making the Xbox 360 platform the most affordable solution for consumers seeking the broadest, most compelling selection of next-generation gaming and HD video experiences.

“With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace — both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer. Today’s announcements around ‘300’ and ‘Heroes: Season 1’ are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers.”

In addition to the price drop, Microsoft is extending Toshiba’s highly successful “Perfect Offer” of five free HD DVD discs to Xbox 360 consumers. Previously exclusive to Toshiba HD DVD Players, with the purchase of an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player at the new low price of $179 ERP, consumers can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer. With a retail value of over $140 (U.S.), this promotion makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player one of the most compelling offerings for consumers looking to make the leap into HD this holiday season.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-26ComicConXboxHDDVDPR.mspx

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

What are the 15 titles to choose from? The Blu-Ray free movie deal had a ****ty selection.

 

[Downhere]

What are the 15 titles to choose from? The Blu-Ray free movie deal had a ****ty selection.

Category A - Apollo 13; Seabiscuit; The Chronicles of Riddick
Category B - Casablanca; Constantine; Dukes of Hazzard
Category C - Four Brothers; Lara Croft: Tomb Raider; Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Category D - The Rundown; Blazing Saddles; U2: Rattle and Hum
Category E - U-571; The Perfect Storm; We Were Soldiers


Plus, if anyone grabs an Add-On that is packed in with King Kong that would actually make 6 movies free. Not bad for anyone who wants to get in the High Def game and has an X-Box 360.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Ehhh. A tad better than the Blu-Ray selection. The only one I want really bad is Constantine.

 

[Downhere]

Ehhh. A tad better than the Blu-Ray selection. The only one I want really bad is Constantine.

Constantine is a great disc, Excellent picture and the TrueHD track is amazing.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Yeah I know it will eventually come to Blu-Ray but sometimes I question if I should go neutral during the format war just because my willpower and patience grows weak waiting for certain movies.

 

[Downhere]

Neutrality is a great place to be when it concerns this format war. I hope to be neutral soon, but then again I haven't had to pay as much as others to go neutral. I think both technologies are great, but I do favor HD-DVD more than I do Blu-Ray. But both are High Def and that is what is important. With the current prices of the Toshiba HD-A2 being at 200-250 bucks with 5 free movies, I mean, if you have the extra cash it just seems like being neutral would be the way to go.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Yeah that is the thing. You have to have the money to pull it off. Like I said a while back if the HD DVD player wasn't an add-on for the 360 I might be an HD DVD supporter right now.

 

[Downhere]

Well, if your not a fan of the add-on just wait a bit longer as I know the HD-A2 will start popping up at the 200 dollar mark soon. It's already at $238 shipped over at amazon so as we get closer to the holidays I'm sure you'll see it get to 200 or below it. And I must say, the HD-A2 is a great player...haven't had a single problem with mine even with so called problem disc such as Smokin' Aces or Children of Men. But like you said, you have to have the cash to pull it off. For me, I've been lucky that I have a family member who sells electronics and gets free stuff with the points he earns whenever he sells merchandise. So I really haven't had to pay much to get into the HD format...and hopefully both formats.

 

[imdaly]

Can you answer my question? I am not trying to be a dick I just want to know how you came to that conclusion that 300 is geared toward PS3 owners?

Sure. I mean basically what GFreeman says here:

And I think the "geared towards PS3 owners" comment was about target demographics more than features or anything. I think.

The average PS3 owner is the 20-something Male. A movie like "300" fits perfectly into that demographic. Contrast this idea with something like "Fried Green Tomatoes" if that were to come out on Blu-ray...it wouldn't sell well at all because the movie is geared more towards little old ladies, which I'm gonna guess is not a big part of the PS3 crowd.

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs
Xbox LIVE to promote HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1.”




http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-26ComicConXboxHDDVDPR.mspx

Just came into this thread to post this news. This is awesome for anyone who hasn't bought a player yet and has an XBOX360! Wow!

Basically, starting next Wednesday you can get the XBOX360 HD DVD player, "King Kong" HD DVD, the universal remote, and 5 more Free HD DVDs for a total of $179.99+tax!

Plus, if anyone grabs an Add-On that is packed in with King Kong that would actually make 6 movies free. Not bad for anyone who wants to get in the High Def game and has an X-Box 360.

Don't forget the universal remote!

 

[Downhere]

Ah, your right imdaly, I did forget about the universal remote which is an added bonus with the add-on.

 

[KALEL114]

Woolworths go Blu-ray exclusive. Drop HD-DVD.


I was in Woolworths on Saturday looking for a copy of Harry Potter (for my girlfriend) when I bumped into one of the store managers. I know him through a mutual friend and we got chatting about games and stuff.

Anyway when I mentioned the new Blu-ray display and he told me that the company had been trialling both the high-def dvd formats in their flagships stores. They found that sales for both HD-DVD and Blu-ray had been virtually non-existent, however since the PlayStation 3 release, Blu-ray movie sales have seen a modest but steady increase, and they are now rolling out Blu-ray movies across all their medium to large stores. The company believe this market will increase as the proliferation of HDTV across the UK becomes more widespread over Christmas. However they will be dropping HD-DVD lines completely.



Woolworths is an all purpose high steet retailer in the UK. They sell everything from childrens clothes, toys, books, dvds, and (my favourite) pick n mix sweets.


http://www.n4g.com/ClickOut.aspx?ObjID=54723

 

[KALEL114]

Euro HD-DVD price cut iffy(News)by Rob Purchese
26/07/07 12:37

Microsoft has remained traditionally tight-lipped about the possibility of a European Xbox 360 HD-DVD player price cut.

It follows earlier news that the platform holder had used some small business scissors to snip 20 bucks off the asking price in the US, taking it to USD 179.

"We currently have no announcements to make at this stage regarding a price cut of the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Drive for the UK," a spokesperson for Microsoft told Eurogamer.

Those of you taking advantage of the new deal in America will also be treated to five free HD-DVDs picked from a selection of 15. The price-cut starts on 1st August and runs indefinitely, but the HD-DVD offer runs out at the end of September.

Microsoft was also rather pleased with its format for securing the HD-DVD versions of action film 300 and popular telly series Heroes.

"With the price reduction to USD 179, the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition," said Jeff Bell, holder of the longest job title at Microsoft.

The other way is Blu-ray, of course - that secret feature inherent to every PlayStation 3 made.

The HD-DVD player for Xbox 360 will cost you about GBP 110-130 in the UK.

http://www.n4g.com/ClickOut.aspx?ObjID=54653

 

[imdaly]

Woolworths go Blu-ray exclusive. Drop HD-DVD.


I was in Woolworths on Saturday looking for a copy of Harry Potter (for my girlfriend) when I bumped into one of the store managers. I know him through a mutual friend and we got chatting about games and stuff.

Anyway when I mentioned the new Blu-ray display and he told me that the company had been trialling both the high-def dvd formats in their flagships stores. They found that sales for both HD-DVD and Blu-ray had been virtually non-existent, however since the PlayStation 3 release, Blu-ray movie sales have seen a modest but steady increase, and they are now rolling out Blu-ray movies across all their medium to large stores. The company believe this market will increase as the proliferation of HDTV across the UK becomes more widespread over Christmas. However they will be dropping HD-DVD lines completely.



Woolworths is an all purpose high steet retailer in the UK. They sell everything from childrens clothes, toys, books, dvds, and (my favourite) pick n mix sweets.


http://www.n4g.com/ClickOut.aspx?ObjID=54723

So Woolworths is dropping HD DVD...says some guy who talked to some manager at one of the stores?

Yeah, okay....

 

[Avalanche]

So Woolworths is dropping HD DVD...says some guy who talked to some manager at one of the stores?

Yeah, okay....

I don't see why he'd make it up.

Bear in mind Woolworths is quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things anyway. People generally don't go to Woolworths for DVDs when they could go to HMV or Virgin Megastores, or any number of dedicated Game/DVD/CD shops.

Now if HMV or Virgin Megastores were to go Blu-Ray exclusive, or some of the big UK online retailers such as Play.com and Amazon.co.uk, then HD-DVD would have something to worry about.

 

[imdaly]

Star Trek: The Original Series HD DVD boxed set hits November 20
Jul 26th 2007

CBS and Paramount have lived up to their promise of more details on the Star Trek:The Original Series HD DVD/DVD combo boxed set at Comic-Con, announcing the 10 disc set will debut November 20th. As seen in the HD broadcasts, the visuals have been updated, along with remastered audio with a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. HD DVD exclusive special features include picture-in-picture video commentaries, an interactive tour of Enterprise, a documentary on the remastering process, rare home videos and additional information on seven of the episodes. All that Star Trek goodness that comes packaged in a "futuristic, clear case" with an SRP of $217.99, and still no word of a Blu-ray release

Source

Waaaaayyyyy too expensive, but then again, for some reason the "Star Trek" DVDs have always been outrageously expensive like this...

 

[GFreeman]

I'm sad that I'm willing to spend $217 on that

 

[Havok83]

the only HDDVD exclusive I really want is Heroes. I have to buy the DVD version but I wish it were on BR

 

[Zenien]

Heroes so dropped the ball on about everything after Company Man.

 

[Downhere]

Heroes didn't drop the ball, sure the ending was a bit lackluster but it was still pretty good. Definitely can't wait for season 2.

 

[GFreeman]

The ending was pretty weak. That was the big epic super hero fight?