More HD DVD Titles Released in Q2 Than Blu-ray

[Ian]

I wonder if the additional titles will help HD DVD close the sales gap. Then again, many of these could just be rereleases of old movies where most of the Blu-ray titles are new releases.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/ ... lu-ray/735

Following a dry spell in the first quarter of this year, the HD DVD camp rebounded in Q2 to release more high-def titles than its next-gen rival.

According to industry tipsheet The DVD Release Report, 70 HD DVD titles hit store shelves during the period from April 1 through June 30, compared to 63 Blu-ray titles in the same timeframe.

That's quite a jump for HD DVD, which got trounced in the same metric by Blu-ray over the first three months of the year, releasing only 29 titles (compared to Blu-ray's 69). HD DVD backers have pointed to the format's dearth of new releases in the early part of the year as a primary reason for what quickly became a widening sales lead for Blu-ray.

[Grain]

Not really on topic: I'm interested to see how the HD releases of certain films will transpire. In particular movies that are released by different companies around the world. ex., Kill Bill 1 & 2, are scheduled for a BR release in NA by Buena Vista, a BR exclusive studio, but the Kill Bills were released in Japan by Universal. Will this will mean a HD-DVD release in Japan, and if so will it be the extended full colour version? I haven't found any info either way so far.

[dolphinius_rex]

Not really on topic: I'm interested to see how the HD releases of certain films will transpire. In particular movies that are released by different companies around the world. ex., Kill Bill 1 & 2, are scheduled for a BR release in NA by Buena Vista, a BR exclusive studio, but the Kill Bills were released in Japan by Universal. Will this will mean a HD-DVD release in Japan, and if so will it be the extended full colour version? I haven't found any info either way so far.

It's possible, but with Japan already 95% Blu-Ray, it's hard to believe that Universal is going to spend a lot of time and money encoding something that will only be released in a market they have guarenteed sales failure in.

[Grain]

That's entirely possible, but there have been some instances of this already. ex Brothers Grimm was released on BR by Buena Vista(Disney) in NA, and on HD-DVD by Toshiba in Japan; The Prestige released also by Buena Vista on BR in NA, released on HD-DVD in the UK by Warner; Terminator 2 released on BR by Sony in NA, on HD-DVD in France by Studio Canal. So it's not impossible.
I did some more digging on the web, and apparently there is talk of a "Kill Bill The Whole Bloody Affair" 4 DVD set coming out this fall, released by the Weinsteins, which are HD-DVD exclusive. That (if it happens at all)may get a NA HD-DVD release.

[Ian]

It's possible, but with Japan already 95% Blu-Ray, it's hard to believe that Universal is going to spend a lot of time and money encoding something that will only be released in a market they have guarenteed sales failure in.

I don't think that would phase Universal. They're pretty gung ho on HD DVD and would probably release it in Japan, even if they sold only 5 copies.

[dolphinius_rex]

That's entirely possible, but there have been some instances of this already. ex Brothers Grimm was released on BR by Buena Vista(Disney) in NA, and on HD-DVD by Toshiba in Japan; The Prestige released also by Buena Vista on BR in NA, released on HD-DVD in the UK by Warner; Terminator 2 released on BR by Sony in NA, on HD-DVD in France by Studio Canal. So it's not impossible.
I did some more digging on the web, and apparently there is talk of a "Kill Bill The Whole Bloody Affair" 4 DVD set coming out this fall, released by the Weinsteins, which are HD-DVD exclusive. That (if it happens at all)may get a NA HD-DVD release.

Weinstein has already released Hard Boiled on Blu-Ray, although it came part and parcel with a PS3 game, so it's a grey area.

Really, this format war is so frustrating that we have to pay such close attention to what studio is releasing what film in what country on what format, just so we can get the movies we want to watch in HiDef. It's also way too costly for my liking.

[Grain]

Really, this format war is so frustrating that we have to pay such close attention to what studio is releasing what film in what country on what format, just so we can get the movies we want to watch in HiDef. It's also way too costly for my liking.

I couldn't agree more. Importing HD discs at $40 a pop is not a good option .

Another article at hidefdigest refers to the Smallville Season 6 release on both HD formats. What's interesting is that the BR release makes use of it's greater capacity, and is a 4 disc package versus 5 HD-DVD's. An interesting marketing scheme would be to sell the BR set cheaper, but I have my doubts.

[Wesociety]

I don't believe that the additional HD DVD titles released in Q2 will help close the gap. Most of them are older, catalog titles that weren't very popular.

If Universal is so gung-ho about HD DVD, they need to start releasing their "premium" catalog titles on HD DVD. Titles such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, ET, etc. That will help spur HD DVD sales.

[Grain]

I don't believe that the additional HD DVD titles released in Q2 will help close the gap. Most of them are older, catalog titles that weren't very popular.
If Universal is so gung-ho about HD DVD, they need to start releasing their "premium" catalog titles on HD DVD. Titles such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, ET, etc. That will help spur HD DVD sales.

Good point. There have been some really strange (IMO) releases so far, Black Rain, The Watcher, Daylight, Midnight Run, The Jerk, Reds, etc. All are decent movies, but none (again IMO) are titles that will make people want to buy into a new HD format. Bring on the blockbusters!, and enough of these rushed to the store poor transfers! Who want's to demo the new formats to his friends only to hear "That's HD? It looks just like my DVD."

[dolphinius_rex]

Really, this format war is so frustrating that we have to pay such close attention to what studio is releasing what film in what country on what format, just so we can get the movies we want to watch in HiDef. It's also way too costly for my liking.

I couldn't agree more. Importing HD discs at $40 a pop is not a good option .

Another article at hidefdigest refers to the Smallville Season 6 release on both HD formats. What's interesting is that the BR release makes use of it's greater capacity, and is a 4 disc package versus 5 HD-DVD's. An interesting marketing scheme would be to sell the BR set cheaper, but I have my doubts.

yeah I heard about that! I doubt they'd sell the Blu-Ray set cheaper, but I do like the fact that they're using the Blu-Ray space advantage. I'd be even happier if the physical package was a little smaller. My collection is so physically huge (mostly DVDs) and *ANY* space saving makes me smile!

[dolphinius_rex]

I don't believe that the additional HD DVD titles released in Q2 will help close the gap. Most of them are older, catalog titles that weren't very popular.

If Universal is so gung-ho about HD DVD, they need to start releasing their "premium" catalog titles on HD DVD. Titles such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, ET, etc. That will help spur HD DVD sales.

The current belief is that Spielburg is not letting his movies be released in HiDef yet, because the market is not big enough to justify releasing them. I don't know if that's true, or not, but I think it makes sense. That's Disney's justification for not releasing a lot of their classic titles so far at least.

However, Universal's overall quality seems to be going down lately. Their scores in reviews are not as good as they were late last year. Some people think they might be rushing releases out too quickly. Personally, I'd rather have fewer releases at a higher quality. If I'm going to buy something at a premium price in a HiDef format, I want it to be the absolute best it can be!

[Grain]

I'd be even happier if the physical package was a little smaller. My collection is so physically huge (mostly DVDs) and *ANY* space saving makes me smile!

I've been using a double cd case similar to what you see cd audio books released in. Size of a regular cd jewel case, holds 2 dvds, but is black plastic like a dvd case, with a clear slip cover. I mod covers to fit. Recently been converting all my slim jewel cases to an even smaller version of the above case, is the same size of the slim jewel, but again is black plastic, only holds 1 disc, and has a slip cover, also mod covers to fit it. Both look really good with covers in them, and are far smaller than standard dvd cases, but there is extra work involved in making the covers ie keeping correct proportions, not simply by stretching/compressing etc.

[dolphinius_rex]

I've been using a double cd case similar to what you see cd audio books released in. Size of a regular cd jewel case, holds 2 dvds, but is black plastic like a dvd case, with a clear slip cover. I mod covers to fit. Recently been converting all my slim jewel cases to an even smaller version of the above case, is the same size of the slim jewel, but again is black plastic, only holds 1 disc, and has a slip cover, also mod covers to fit it. Both look really good with covers in them, and are far smaller than standard dvd cases, but there is extra work involved in making the covers ie keeping correct proportions, not simply by stretching/compressing etc.

That's a pretty good solution! just make sure you don't get the stinky burned plastic ones, they can damage your discs over time. I'm far too much of a packaging whore to do that to my collection though

[Wesociety]

The current belief is that Spielburg is not letting his movies be released in HiDef yet, because the market is not big enough to justify releasing them. I don't know if that's true, or not, but I think it makes sense. That's Disney's justification for not releasing a lot of their classic titles so far at least.

However, Universal's overall quality seems to be going down lately. Their scores in reviews are not as good as they were late last year. Some people think they might be rushing releases out too quickly. Personally, I'd rather have fewer releases at a higher quality. If I'm going to buy something at a premium price in a HiDef format, I want it to be the absolute best it can be!

I've heard the Spielberg rumors too, I just wish Universal would state something officially on the matter. Perhaps they are saving some of their killer titles for the Holiday season to help spike demand for HD DVD during the most important period of the year.

I have also been keeping a close eye on Universal's recent video quality scores and I agree with you that I would rather have fewer titles, all with the highest possible video quality, opposed to more titles with lower quality.

[Grain]

just make sure you don't get the stinky burned plastic ones, they can damage your discs over time. I'm far too much of a packaging whore to do that to my collection though

The smelly guys are recycled, correct? No problem there yet, knock on wood, all I've bot are virgin plastic. I haven't done this to my original dvd's/cases, just the backups & other burnt disc projects.

[dolphinius_rex]

just make sure you don't get the stinky burned plastic ones, they can damage your discs over time. I'm far too much of a packaging whore to do that to my collection though

The smelly guys are recycled, correct? No problem there yet, knock on wood, all I've bot are virgin plastic. I haven't done this to my original dvd's/cases, just the backups & other burnt disc projects.

Virgin plastic should be good

My collection of original DVDs/Blu-Ray's is ~500+ titles now... not including my backups and burned media. Thinpaks are my friends

[Grain]

My collection of original DVDs/Blu-Ray's is ~500+ titles now... not including my backups and burned media. Thinpaks are my friends

That's a dandy collection . I haven't been able to find HQ thinpaks, where in Canada do you buy yours?

[dolphinius_rex]

My collection of original DVDs/Blu-Ray's is ~500+ titles now... not including my backups and burned media. Thinpaks are my friends

That's a dandy collection . I haven't been able to find HQ thinpaks, where in Canada do you buy yours?

www.precisionsound.com is a Nexpak distributor, so I use those, and also the Verbatim Trimpaks:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?s ... e=VERBATIM

Those are the 2 I've been happy with so far. I don't know any other confirmed sources of high quality thinpaks unfortunately. Most people only sell the really cheap crap

[Grain]

Thanks for the links Dolph, I'll give the Verbs a whirl.

[Grain]

Found some more NA BR exclusive titles that are apparently being released in Europe on HD-DVD. Concorde is releasing both Resident Evils, Silent Hill, and both Underworlds in Germany this September, I also saw The Island as a preorder. Frickin' goofy, this can only extend the format war, especially if both formats continue releasing region free titles. Perhaps that will be the new screw to the consumer, HD region encoding.

*edit* Apparently The Island was distributed in NA by both Dreamworks and Warner, so a HD-DVD release here is possible in the future, but so far no date set for any kind of HD NA release.

The Fifth Element is also due to be released on HD-DVD in France, that's one I'd import.

[dolphinius_rex]

Found some more NA BR exclusive titles that are apparently being released in Europe on HD-DVD. Concorde is releasing both Resident Evils, Silent Hill, and both Underworlds in Germany this September, I also saw The Island as a preorder. Frickin' goofy, this can only extend the format war, especially if both formats continue releasing region free titles. Perhaps that will be the new screw to the consumer, HD region encoding.

*edit* Apparently The Island was distributed in NA by both Dreamworks and Warner, so a HD-DVD release here is possible in the future, but so far no date set for any kind of HD NA release.

The Fifth Element is also due to be released on HD-DVD in France, that's one I'd import.

Why don't you start your own thread with information on which titles you've found in what countries? It would be easier for people looking for the information to actually find

[Grain]

I did hi-jack the thread didn't I. I doubt if anyone else here is into importing discs, we're a niche market .

[dolphinius_rex]

I did hi-jack the thread didn't I. I doubt if anyone else here is into importing discs, we're a niche market .

Hidef itself is a niche market... and most HD DVD buyers seem to be really into importing from what I've seen people post (not just you, but many many HD DVD owners). If you look around, there are webpages dedicated to finding importable titles. There are also some for Blu-Ray as well. Like I said before, it's sad we have to resort to this