MeWhoElse Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 A Conversation with Universal Studios Home Entertainment The following is a summary of a conversation I had with Ken Graffeo EVP of Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 23rd, 2007. I would like to thank Ken for taking the time out of his busy schedule to sit down and answer questions for our members, and Dane Estes from Weber Shandwick for arranging the call. I communicated that while our membership was very pleased with the innovation Universal had shown with some of their titles so far, they were disappointed that we hadn’t heard anything about Universal’s upcoming releases in some time, especially in given the recent exclusive Blu-ray titles announced. Ken reiterated Universal's exclusive support for HD DVD and was apologetic for the lack of news coming specifically from Universal at CES. He said that a primary focus for the HD DVD Promotional Group at CES was highlighting progress for the format overall in addition to title announcements, and that Universal's priority has been on the quality of releases, ways to further expand the interactivity on their discs, and prepping titles for release instead of rushing title announcements. To make up for it, they have prepared an extensive list of list of many of the titles that will be released this year. (Note: I have attached them to the end of this report). And now let’s get to what HD DVD fans want to hear: Universal will be releasing over 100 titles on HD-DVD in 2007. They will be very aggressive when it comes to catalog titles. Almost all new releases will be day and date. They are looking to focus even more on interactivity (will we see some internet content this year?). They have been educating filmmakers as to the benefits of HD: Better picture, sound and interactivity. Filmmakers are getting excited about the possibilities. I think it will be an expensive year for HD DVD fans when they see the new releases, catalog and TV titles available from Universal by the end of the year. Here are the questions our members wanted asked and summary of the answers Ken provided: General Questions and Answers: Q: Will you release titles on Blu-ray and if so when? A: Universal currently has no plans to support Blu-ray. Q: Will you release titles on the new Total HD discs and if so when? A: At this time Universal has no plans to release titles in the Total HD format. They like the idea of the combo discs (DVD on side and HD DVD on the other) and Total HD won’t support that. Q: Do you plan on including True HD or DTS MA lossless audio tracks on future titles (a lot of requests for this, 20-24bit preferred)? A: Universal is dedicated to providing the best picture and audio wherever possible for each title (Note: Ken mentioned that he would check with the technical group within Universal Studios Home Entertainment responsible for determining what sound/picture elements are used and get back to me with additional information.) Q: Do you have a release list for the next few months you can share with us (with specs)? A: Universal got the message and the information is at the end of this report Q: Will you continue to port over and further improve upon existing special features from your DVD releases onto you HD DVD releases? A: Yes - Universal is going through and looking at the best existing special features, especially those that are suited to providing the best interactive experiences possible. Providing the best features in a timely manner is a priority. They want to be selective with what they put into their discs. Ken mentioned that the key is providing interactive features that enhance the feature. Expect future titles will continue to build on the interactive features seen in Miami Vice and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Q: Would you consider a two pack (one HD DVD, one DVD) instead of a combo disc? A: There is added cost using two discs. Ken said that they needed to do a better job of educating the consumer on the benefits of the combo disc. Look for then to continue using it in the future. They are still investigating the feasibility of using it in some TV releases. Q: How committed are you to releasing catalog titles on HD DVD in addition to new releases? A: Universal will be very aggressive with the catalog this year. There will be over 100 releases this year. Ken stresses wanting to create the interactive experience when they have the special features to do so and not just throw titles out there. HD DVD Title Questions: Q: Why did the European HD DVD release of King Kong lack the U-Control feature of the US release when titles like Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift had it? A: This was likely due to a lead time issue with King Kong in particular. When they have a disc with multiple languages, they need to put all the special features in every language on the disc. Since this disc was going to be released as a promo with the Xbox 360 add on HD DVD drive, they didn’t have the time to include the U-Control features with every language on the disc. Tokyo Drift was not under the same time constraints. Universal's goal is to keep the U.S. and European releases as close as possible. Q: What was the source material for Spartacus? Was it not possible/economical to go back to it the way Warner has done with titles like the Searchers? A: Ken couldn’t tell me the exact source material for Spartacus, but it was the best they had available. They were concerned about the quality in some scenes and did have discussions about it, but ultimately felt the release met their high standards for HD DVD releases. There are some titles that have been pulled from the release schedule because the picture quality didn't meet necessary standards. HD-DVD Titles Wanted: Q: Any word on the following titles making it out on HD DVD and if so what timeframe(s) and specs: Back to the Future (trilogy) Jurassic Park (trilogy) The Jackal American Graffiti Battlestar Galactica (new series) Scarface (w/ remastered soundmix) Children of Men Inside Man Carlito’s Way The Blues Brothers Scent of a Woman Munich Cape Fear Conan the Barbarian Conan the Destroyer Special Edition (w/deleted scenes) Sorcerer (William Freidkin) Jaws To Kill a Mockingbird Double Indemnity Classic Monster Movies Brick Shaun of the Dead Far From Heaven Catch a Fire Lost in Translation Constant Gardener The Man Who Wasn’t There A: Some of these titles will be released this year; others will be a little further down the schedule. Universal feels the key to getting a great HD DVD disc is filmmaker participation. They have been educating filmmakers about the possibilities for interactivity, picture and sound available with HD DVD. There are other challenges like scheduling that come into play when working on DVD/HD DVD releases with filmmakers. Universal is committed to working with filmmakers whenever possible to put out the best quality presentation they can. Miami Vice is a great example of a title where the filmmaker (Michael Mann) was very involved in the design of the HD DVD disc. Look for Evan Almighty and the Bourne Ultimatum both to have a lot of great interactive content. The rest of the Bourne films will be out this year as well. There is no release date listed for Children of Men but they have special plans for this disc and it will be a day and date release. See the end of this report for additional title release information. Q: Any other Spielberg titles in the works? If so can you give us the titles and release dates? A: Nothing to report yet. See the answer to the question above. Q: Any Hitchcock titles in the works? If so can you give us the titles and release dates? A: Yes! Look for specific titles the end of this report. Q: Any other Television titles in the works? If so can you give us the titles and release dates? A: Battlestar Galactica is coming. There are other titles that can’t be announced yet, but lets just say there will be some day and date TV HD release surprises. No word on what packaging they are going to use for TV products yet. They haven’t ruled out using combo discs for their TV releases. DVD Titles: Q: Any word on the following catalog titles making it out on DVD and if so what timeframe(s) and specs: Conan the Destroyer Special Edition (w/deleted scenes) Lonely Are the Brave Mary Queen of Scotts Anne of the Thousand Days Boom! Mirage Arabesque Gambit Diary of a Mad Housewife A: No word on these specific titles. Universal feels that they are pretty deep into their catalog. There will be some re-releases and more classics will be released. Look for more themed sets (like the Gary Cooper and Cary Grant Screen Legends collections). There will be more SNL complete seasons coming; they just take a while with all the needed clearances. Upcoming Releases: Here is the information currently available for upcoming Universal HD DVD releases. I am expecting that I will have more info in the next day or two, but didn't want to delay posting. I am waiting for a call which will (hopefully) provide more information. All are planned for this year unless otherwise noted. As mentioned earlier Universal will be releasing over 100 titles to HD DVD in 2007. More than 90% will be combo discs. The first 40-50 titles will be released in the first half of the year. Some new releases coming are Hollywoodland, Children of Men, The Good Shepard, and Smokin' Aces. Planned catalog releases are Scarface, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Battlestar Galactica S1, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, Liar, Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shawn of the Dead, Slap Shot, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We will be leaning on Universal over the next few weeks to see if we can get any details on the other 80+ titles that are coming this year. Additionally, Bill Hunt over at The Digital Bits had a conversation with Universal this week that he will be discussing over the next few days so be sure to look for that. A Conversation with Universal Studios Home Entertainment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 This was posted already a few days ago http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=45982 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeWhoElse Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 This was posted already a few days agohttp://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=45982 I posted it as soon as it was published on the website. I linked it in that original post, and made a new topic for it, so people didn't have to look for it themselves. Also, that post, did not link to the article, there was another link of that link... so bit of a trek for people! Just a simple shortcut, ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I posted it as soon as it was published on the website.I linked it in that original post, and made a new topic for it, so people didn't have to look for it themselves. Also, that post, did not link to the article, there was another link of that link... so bit of a trek for people! Just a simple shortcut, ok? If you say so mate... but if you check 4 posts before your post in the other thread... you will see that there was a direct link to it already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeWhoElse Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Yeah one I put there LOL... I put one in there FIRST so people checking that thread knew where the updated link was on the other forum (was not in the initial thread first linked in that thread of this forum) Then I put it as a new topic, so it was easier if anyone wanted to talk about what was in it, using a fresh topic. Also for those lazy people so they could just read it located on this forum, not having to go to an off site link... Silly that this discussion is the resultant of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I too find it funny that we are still talking in here. But you still confuse me. Which thread to you put the link into FIRST? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeWhoElse Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 The one you refered to... For obvious reasons, if anyone was following that thread. Then started another thread, so people didn't have to trapse all over the internet following link after link... I too find it funny that we are still talking in here. Not much else happening around, and its good to not get caught up with some of the nonsense floating around! Given myself a break from checking out AVSforum for the same reason LOL especially the Insiders threads!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 The one I referred to already had the link directly posted in it... it was post #5 I wonder how long we can talk in here before anyone else decides to interupt our conversation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momaw Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 The one I referred to already had the link directly posted in it... it was post #5I wonder how long we can talk in here before anyone else decides to interupt our conversation interruption Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeWhoElse Posted January 30, 2007 Author Share Posted January 30, 2007 Honestly, we can't take you anywhere can we momaw.... Don't make me turn this topic around and head straight back home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momaw Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Honestly, we can't take you anywhere can we momaw....Don't make me turn this topic around and head straight back home! and I didn't even say "are we there yet?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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