HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on December 12th, 2006
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Dec 11th 2006 8:49PM
posted Dec 11th 2006 8:49PM
Another week closer to CES and not much changes in the selection of content for your favorite HD movie format. Sony pictures continues to disappoint with their transfers this week with Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, which is especially disappointing considering it is a dual-layer disc and packed full of extras. Fox brings out a new release that we are sure someone is waiting to see with The Devil Wears Prada. Paramount brings WTC to both formats and some will refuse to watch it no matter what medium it comes on. Blu-ray would be catching up, but Image is releasing 3 music titles on HD DVD this week and despite the almost definite Blu-ray fanboy's protest they do count. HD DVD 136 vs Blu-ray 121.
Blu-ray
- The Devil Wears Prada (Fox)
- Kung Fu Hustle (Sony)
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Sony)
- Tony Bennett: An American Classic (Sony Music)
- World Trade Center (Paramount)
- Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre (Image)
- Field of Dreams (Universal)
- Heart: Alive in Seattle (Image)
- Hulk (Universal)
- Manilow Live! (Image)
- World Trade Center (Paramount)
I am a supporter of the HD-DVD format, but I don't understand how people can say that HD-DVD movies are cheaper that Blue-ray movies. In all the cases that I have checked, Blue Ray is equally priced or less expensive than HD-DVD. Where is everyone shopping for their HD-DVD movies?
P.S.I hope they start putting some action titles on HD-DVD; for the love of g0d!
Do you not shop at Amazon? For example, World Trade Center on HD-DVD is $27.88, and it's 27.99 on BD (close enough, but still cheaper and far less than $40). Plus, if you've purchased three HD/BD titles from them in the past, you get 10% off for a year.
Another example is that the Mission Impossible collection is $5 cheaper on HD-DVD:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000HEZF0E/ref=nosim/tonyswebsit02-20
http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Ultimate-Missions-Collection/dp/B000HEZF0O/sr=1-3/qid=1165898021/ref=sr_1_3/102-8973049-4971330?ie=UTF8&s=dvd
Lots of (HD-DVD) movies are only $19.95 (before discount), such as V for Vendetta and Batman Begins. The ones that are more expensive (like Superman Begins) are usually that way because they contain both the HD-DVD version as well as a standard DVD version. This lets you play it on any regular player if you want, without having to buy the movie a second time. People are torn on whether it's a good idea to charge $5 more for the DVD version on the disk or not. I'm torn on the issue. I personally don't need it, but I've talked to a lot of people where I work who really like the idea, so hey, to each their own.
“In all the cases that I have checked, Blue Ray is equally priced or less expensive than HD-DVD. Where is everyone shopping for their HD-DVD movies?”
The actual physical discs for either formats is probably a few dollars to make. Before the formats released, it was said that the cost of the machine line to produce those discs might differ since HDDVD is suppose to use DVD production lines (just modified) while Blu ray is suppose to require it’s own new line (higher costs). One of two things could be happening to make the two prices relatively close. Either Blu ray has massively improved the production to where they’re identical to those of HD DVD, or the studios are eating the cost (profit margin) to remain competitive with HD DVD in the software field.
40$ for World Trade Center, for a few hours of entertainment. Wow. People really buy this stuff?
to tell you the truth you can get cheep movies from Wal-Mart I got Superman Returns for 29.94 and the Mission Impossible collection for 65.00 which is cheeper than Best Buy
Or, just get with Netflix or Blockbuster Online and rent those HD-DVD or BluRay discs for free. I've done this during the past month and it's terrific; I'm not spending $30+ on a disc. The only movie I bought was Superman Returns on HD-DVD, and that was ONLY because I had some coupons from Best Buy to get it for $10. I normally don't buy discs anymore but this is a great movie to show off the HD-DVD player for my 360, and plus, the disc is a dual disc, HD-DVD on one side, DVD on the other, so I can lend it out to a few friends/family who want to see it. I'm glad they did that; smart idea!
"Okay... now for a bit of high-def news. I said on Friday that you can expect some major title announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. Well, I wasn't kidding and we've got a bit of follow-up for you.
I've just spoken today with Eric Maehara, VP of Communications for Buena Vista Home Entertainment. He informed me that the studio is planning to announce a MAJOR Blu-ray Disc release line-up for the first half of 2007 at CES. In addition, he reiterated to me in no uncertain terms that BVHE has no plans to support HD-DVD, despite persistent online rumors to the contrary.
I've also spoken this afternoon with Steve Feldstein, Senior VP of Corporate and Marketing Communications for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. He likewise confirmed that Fox has no plans to support HD-DVD, and that the studio will also be announcing additional Blu-ray Disc titles at CES."
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
“I've just spoken today with Eric Maehara, VP of Communications for Buena Vista Home Entertainment. He informed me that the studio is planning to announce a MAJOR Blu-ray Disc release line-up for the first half of 2007 at CES. In addition, he reiterated to me in no uncertain terms that BVHE has no plans to support HD-DVD, despite persistent online rumors to the contrary.
I've also spoken this afternoon with Steve Feldstein, Senior VP of Corporate and Marketing Communications for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. He likewise confirmed that Fox has no plans to support HD-DVD, and that the studio will also be announcing additional Blu-ray Disc titles at CES."
That’s right up there with me saying HD DVD has already won the format war based on what someone says in a column…
Unless that was a press release, it’s just rumors and is lumped into the same category as the hearsay about studio switching.
Except that this time those are not fanboys but Walt Disney and 20th Century Fox...
http://video.movies.go.com/bluray/ - Buena Vista Home Entertainment
http://foxbd.com/ - Twentieth Century Fox
http://www.disneybluray.com/ - Disney Blu-ray
“Except that this time those are not fanboys but Walt Disney and 20th Century Fox...”
Unless the companies themselves come out and officially say it, it’s STILL hearsay regardless of who the columnist is saying they “heard” it from. Don’t forget that only a few companies have come out (on either side) as saying they are exclusive. The rest are free to support whichever format they want at whatever time they choose. Shifting of studio support is not out of the question but it’s also hearsay until it happens, the same as the article you linked to earlier. Trying to represent it as set in stone or an official company statement is deceptive when it’s merely hearsay (whether true or false) by an employee of said company to a columist.
They will release movies on whatever format turns out to sell most software, film companies are in business to make money, not go on technology crusades.
I don't buy Blu-Ray movies for more than $25. I just won't do it. I've had plenty of luck finding the movies for cheap. Buy.com is pretty good. Sometimes Wally world is good and Target. You got to look around.
Hi Pliepl -- As the above comments suggest, the official spokespeople both from Fox and Disney have both said that more titles are coming out for Blu-ray soon. Also, it's worth noting that Blu-ray Disc has a lot more studio support than HD DVD, meaning that seven of eight major Hollywood studios are putting their releases on Blu-ray Disc and most of them are putting them only on Blu-ray and not the other format. Disney, Fox, Sony Pictures, MGM and Lions Gate are only releasing on Blu-ray Disc ... meaning that the inevitable trend is that you'll increasingly find many more blockbuster films on Blu-ray than on the other format.
Marty,
I’m well aware that there will be future releases for Blu ray. What I had issue with from Dave was his statement (via that quote from the article he linked to) that there was no possibility of studios support for the other format (which he tried to show with an article of hearsay from a website). An employee telling a columist (who later writes it down on a site) does not mean it is that company’s position until said company has officially released such a statement that they did not intend to ever release on a particular format. Until that actually happens, it’s hearsay and in the same category as the “studios switching” rumors (pretty much dismissible).
"does not mean it is that company’s position until said company has officially released such a statement that they did not intend to ever release on a particular format."
And frankly, even then it doesn't really mean much. All it means is that the person isn't allowed to mention that they might release on another format. This happens in business all the time.
“And frankly, even then it doesn't really mean much. All it means is that the person isn't allowed to mention that they might release on another format. This happens in business all the time.”
That’s why people shouldn’t take what companies say as written in stone. Rumors are fine, but when you believe it as fact... that’s just going a little far.
quote - "... meaning that the inevitable trend is that you'll increasingly find many more blockbuster films on Blu-ray than on the other format."
But you miss the point. It doesn't matter how many films are released on Blu-ray, it matters HOW MANY ACTUALLY SELL!
Despite Blu-ray having more studios and more players available in the market, to this day HD DVD continues to OUTSELL Blu-ray.
Don't brag about "PS3 Blu-ray players" - it's mainly a game system, and Blu-ray was forced upon it's owners. Doesn't mean they will $pend for the Blu-ray movie discs.
Every week, every month, HD DVD continues to outsell Blu-ray. I'm sure IF that ever changes engadgethd.com will definitely broadcast this major change in consumer preference.
Can someone please test the difference between the WTC HD-DVD v/s WTC Blu-ray? Finally (is it?) a movie available on both formats. Might determine the winner (quality wise)
“Can someone please test the difference between the WTC HD-DVD v/s WTC Blu-ray?
Here is one source of a review; there are probably others on the net…
Blu ray version review:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/worldtradecenter.html
HD DVD version review:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/worldtradecenter.html
“Finally (is it?) a movie available on both formats.”
Yes, it’s available on both formats.
Blu ray version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000JMK6LM/ref=nosim/tonyswebsit02-20
HD DVD version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000JMK6LC/ref=nosim/tonyswebsit02-20