Blu-ray Have Announced More Releases For February Than Hd Dvd Has For All Of 2007

[MELso]

Based on discussions at AVForums, I think Casino Royale will be region free. POTC I'm not sure about.

Momaw, I'm like you - the only titles that really interest me on Blu-ray are (EDIT - Crank,) Casino Royale and Kingdom of Heaven (which is markedly inferior to the SD release).

I find Sony's persistence with region coding for Blu-ray particularly galling because a) consumers outside region 1 voted with their feet for SD-DVD and refused to accept it, it cuts Australia out of a lot of niche releases (on a niche format), greatly reducing the variety of stuff available and c) it encourages people to look for errr 'unofficial' sources of material at a time when the sale of a legit copy, by whatever means, should be a studio's top priority.

The Blu-ray fanboys like it region coding because it got the studios on board for Blu-ray, not realising of course that they themselves will not actually be able to play back a large chunk of the extra titles released (at least when they buy themselves a player)...

[momaw]

Based on discussions at AVForums, I think Casino Royale will be region free. POTC I'm not sure about.

Momaw, I'm like you - the only titles that really interest me on Blu-ray are Casino Royale and Kingdom of Heaven (which is markedly inferior to the SD release).

I find Sony's persistence with region coding for Blu-ray particularly galling because a) consumers outside region 1 voted with their feet for SD-DVD and refused to accept it, it cuts Australia out of a lot of niche releases (on a niche format), greatly reducing the variety of stuff available and c) it encourages people to look for errr 'unofficial' sources of material at a time when the sale of a legit copy, by whatever means, should be a studio's top priority.

The Blu-ray fanboys like it region coding because it got the studios on board for Blu-ray, not realising of course that they themselves will not actually be able to play back a large chunk of the extra titles released (at least when they buy themselves a player)...

I must admit, I will find it quite satisfying when these nut job militants (assuming they are not here purely for trash talk and do in fact plan on one day buying a Blu-ray player) find that all their precious exclusives (particularly fox titles who seem to have gone region coding trigger happy) don't actually work and they end up with less choice than if they had of gone HD DVD. I could understand their stance a bit more if we were in the US and actually had access to all films from both sides and the issue was purely down to do I want two players or one?, but it is so much more complex here. Maybe that is why they are so diehard - complex is to, um, complex for them.

As one very smart person pointed out from the cover of the blu-ray Aliens Vs Predator:

"Whoever wins, we lose"

Sums up the situation of Home Theatre fans here in Australia. Except, if HD DVD wins, we might just have a chance.

[loser]

I have read a few things that suggest Crank is the Best Blu-ray transfer yet.

I haven't seen it.

[Skid_MacMarx]

Blu-ray region coding has been designed so that we here will probably never get half of the releases the states get. Yet some of these BD fanatics who post here are still convinced it is a better option for them and us. If Blu-ray wins we here in Australia, will truly see the future of HD does not include us.

The reason I'm happy with the Blu-ray region coding is that its far better the the current zoning we have for SD-DVD. Yes, ideally, I also prefer no region codings on HD movies, especially if they remain "niche" formats.

I suppose the anxiety I have with HD-DVD is that it may impose the same conventional zoning. And, we must now wait until May for a decision and formal announcement. I acknowledge your comments momaw that Warner and Microsoft don't want region coding.. and I hope that this is the ultimate decision .. not just for the early adopters but all HD-DVD consumers.

If in fact, the DVD Forum make it quite clear that there will be no region zoning, I feel the Blu-ray association will follow as well.

Its interesting that the site states that a number of Blu-ray releases don't have "region coding." So by this, I gather, its up to the studio to enforce it anyway.. If thats the case, you may find smaller "art house" production houses relkeasing material with no region coding

I have a numb er of AV channel DVDs and I noticed they have "ALL" ie no region coding .. even though some of the films are released on DVD in other countries..

There appears to be a lot od double standards here where it comes to region coding..

Lets hope after May prospective HD-DVD consumers will have a clearer ideain regards to this issue.

[betty boop]

The reason I'm happy with the Blu-ray region coding is that its far better the the current zoning we have for SD-DVD. Yes, ideally, I also prefer no region codings on HD movies, especially if they remain "niche" formats.

I suppose the anxiety I have with HD-DVD is that it may impose the same conventional zoning. And, we must now wait until May for a decision and formal announcement. I acknowledge your comments momaw that Warner and Microsoft don't want region coding.. and I hope that this is the ultimate decision .. not just for the early adopters but HD-DVD consumers.

If in fact, the DVD Forum make it quite clear that there will be no region zoning, I feel the Blu-ray association will follow as well.

Its interesting that the site states that a number of Blu-ray releases don't have "region coding." So by this, I gather, its up to the studio to enforce it anyway.. If thats the case, you may find smaller "art house" production houses relkeasing material with no region coding

I have a numb er of AV channel DVDs and I noticed they have "ALL" ie no region coding .. even though some of the films are released on DVD in other countries..

There appears to be a lot od double standards here where it comes to region coding..

Lets hope after May prospective HD-DVD consumers will have a clearer ideain regards to this issue.

that is what might end up happening skid. which will jsut be a bonsu really meaning we can freely buy discs from any place we want.

[Skid_MacMarx]

that is what might end up happening skid. which will jsut be a bonsu really meaning we can freely buy discs from any place we want.

yes I really hope this is the case.

Although I really believe there are helluva lot more early adopters of these HD movie formats than SACD and DVD-A so I would be refrain from making a "definite" analogy

[momaw]

The reason I'm happy with the Blu-ray region coding is that its far better the the current zoning we have for SD-DVD. Yes, ideally, I also prefer no region codings on HD movies, especially if they remain "niche" formats.

I suppose the anxiety I have with HD-DVD is that it may impose the same conventional zoning. And, we must now wait until May for a decision and formal announcement. I acknowledge your comments momaw that Warner and Microsoft don't want region coding.. and I hope that this is the ultimate decision .. not just for the early adopters but HD-DVD consumers.

If in fact, the DVD Forum make it quite clear that there will be no region zoning, I feel the Blu-ray association will follow as well.

Its interesting that the site states that a number of Blu-ray releases don't have "region coding." So by this, I gather, its up to the studio to enforce it anyway.. If thats the case, you may find smaller "art house" production houses relkeasing material with no region coding

I have a numb er of AV channel DVDs and I noticed they have "ALL" ie no region coding .. even though some of the films are released on DVD in other countries..

There appears to be a lot od double standards here where it comes to region coding..

Lets hope after May prospective HD-DVD consumers will have a clearer ideain regards to this issue.

One of the problems is, that people are getting less game to gamble on a title in the hopes it will work. That list, as you may have noticed is not very long and in recent months has had very few additions. And while yes, it is up to studios as to whether they want it or not, it seems that the blu-ray releases getting it are roughly half of the Disney releases (particularly newer stuff) and all of the fox releases. In other words the stuff that you can only get on blu-ray and only if you live in the states. I know I don't feel comfortable buying a non-returnable disc that may not even work.

This leaves Australian's up the duff and while we are a backwater to them does that mean we should silence ourselves and accept our fate as being a HD content no-go land?

I truly hope the DVD forum sees common sense when it comes to region coding and leaves it off. If it means full studio co-operation however, then I will have to console myself with the fact my player is not region coded. At least coming from the DVD pedigree there is reason to believe that in countries like Australia it will not be strictly enforced and there will be workarounds as with "Classic DVD", but with Sony pulling the strings on Blu-ray, I think we will have a much lesser chance of seeing region free on that format.

Disclaimer: Most of this "rant" was meant generally and not directly related to your comment Skid.

[Tweet]

Well I think Australia (and New Zealand) has a very good chance of becoming a predominately HD DVD format country, that is if HD DVD remains region free.

Blu-ray on the other hand being region locked and with limited titles will always have a small user base.

Region locking essentially locks out possible markets to a format and by so doing puts that format at a disadvantage, not a bright idea but then, SONY is full of bright ideas.

C.M

[momaw]

It's not the small studios I'm worried about either, they need to maximise their customer base and profits - although even some criterion releases include region coding (like their latest releases of Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and Sanjuro). It's the big studios. Likewise when it comes to Blu-ray, standard practice seems to stick a "region A only" tag on the packaging regardless of actual coding leaving the consumer with no idea whether it will work or not when purchased.

Well I think Australia (and New Zealand) has a very good chance of becoming a predominately HD DVD format country, that is if HD DVD remains region free.

Blu-ray on the other hand being region locked and with limited titles will always have a small user base.

Region locking essentially locks out possible markets to a format and by so doing puts that format at a disadvantage, not a bright idea but then, SONY are full of bright ideas.

C.M

It also effectively neutralises the apparent "content" advantage.

[-Bishop-]

'If' HD-DVD stays region free, it would be a fantastic thing for Australia, and probably give it a huge advantage in sales, when we start seeing more players in the stores.

But ultimately even if HD-DVD becomes a dominate force here, it means almost nothing in the war, as people have rightly said, it's places like the US who will decide the ultimate winner.

I did just have a interesting BJHiFi related thought, a company like JB will probably continue to support BD for one very good reason, they sell a lot of movies...

[momaw]

i see good quality posts contributing some (very much lacking around here) facts about bluray, and all i get is random insults from the hddvd fanbois, and other petty arguments.

so come on fanboi, can you explain the lack of release dates? can you do it without further random insults?

or are you going to derail another thread with your petty arguments and trolling

get over yourself mate

I've put more useful blu-ray information up than you have and I'm considered a die Hard HD DVD supporter. What does that say? As to your original post, seems you must have failed basic arithmetic - that's maths to someone as obviously uneducated as yourself.

Derail? What is there to derail? You give one solitary example of a list which does not even add up in the way you suggest and a sensationalist title that people know is wrong before even opening the post!

You call us trolls and say we insult you, well I say what do you expect when you only contribute sensationalist bull dust. Come back with rational thought out posts, not designed to be nothing more than tabloid inflammatory statements you yourself know will provoke a backlash and with sources to back you up and you will find a different attitude to your contributions.

Seriously Sedder, you came in here on day one announcing you would not get a fair go simply because you are a BD supporter, subject us to nothing but tripe and then say "see I was right". It's a self-fulfilling prophecy that you made true. Now go dust yourself off and start again.

Personally I think this sub-topic is starved of decent blu-ray information. I know I have posted a few things myself that were quite interesting but no discussion ensues because their are only a handful of BD fans here who want to discuss it, the rest like yourself are here to cause a grief. There are those of us who want serious conversation, not this.....what-ever you want to call it.

Of course you will probably never even see this post as it seems your modus operandi is to come in drop a bomb, and clear out for a few weeks.

'If' HD-DVD stays region free, it would be a fantastic thing for Australia, and probably give it a huge advantage in sales, when we start seeing more players in the stores.

But ultimately even if HD-DVD becomes a dominate force here, it means almost nothing in the war, as people have rightly said, it's places like the US who will decide the ultimate winner.

I did just have a interesting BJHiFi related thought, a company like JB will probably continue to support BD for one very good reason, they sell a lot of movies...

I still say the "rest of the world" market will have a fair amount of clout in this whole debacle.

Don't forget the "rest of the world" makes up fully (in fact just over these days) half the gross profits from theatrical releases and is probably an even bigger market for dvd than the US alone (would love to see stats on US DVD sales vs "rest of the world" in raw numbers).

[Highjinx]

Don't forget gentlemen, the the primary reason for "Region Coding" is to protect movie theatre ticket sales. Once "The Movie" has had it's run in movie theatres, the major reason for the R-Coding has been in acted.

When/if, day/date releases of movies are Global, we may see the end of region coding.......long way off!.

Will HD-DVD remain region free for new movie releases, in the long term? I doubt it, unless studios are willing to make a sacrifice in actual movie theatre ticket sales.

Buy ones hardware from Region A, along with ones new release movies......if it is an issue!

[momaw]

Buy ones hardware from Region A, along with ones new release movies......if it is an issue!

That's the issue, we shouldn't have to.

[betty boop]

Don't forget gentlemen, the the primary reason for "Region Coding" is to protect movie theatre ticket sales. Once "The Movie" has had it's run in movie theatres, the major reason for the R-Coding has been in acted.

When/if, day/date releases of movies are Global, we may see the end of region coding.......long way off!.

Will HD-DVD remain region free for new movie releases, in the long term? I doubt it, unless studios are willing to make a sacrifice in actual movie theatre ticket sales.

Buy ones hardware from Region A, along with ones new release movies......if it is an issue!

ah he's back..welcome back HJ, hope you can get these damn blu-ray trolls under control been running wild since you been away !

in regards region coding and movie releases...they seem to have mastered that already...the HP films have world wide releases, not jsut for the movies but for the books as well, can remember a few other world wide releases as well. not so insurmountable if the movie studios wanted to do things taht way.

That's the issue, we shouldn't have to.

I agree and even if you did buy region A then you couldnt stroll down to the shops and pick up a disc from there can you..how frustrating if you walking through your local retailer and you see a disc you want and then have to remind your self oh bugger cant buy that I'll have to order it from the US, and watch it in a weeks time !

[momaw]

I agree and even if you did buy region A then you couldnt stroll down to the shops and pick up a disc from there can you..how frustrating if you walking through your local retailer and you see a disc you want and then have to remind your self oh bugger cant buy that I'll have to order it from the US, and watch it in a weeks time !

Nor could we visit the local videoezy, blockbuster or where-ever to watch the latest crap there is no way we would buy.

[Highjinx]

ah he's back..welcome back HJ, hope you can get these damn blu-ray trolls under control been running wild since you been away !

in regards region coding and movie releases...they seem to have mastered that already...the HP films have world wide releases, not jsut for the movies but for the books as well, can remember a few other world wide releases as well. not so insurmountable if the movie studios wanted to do things taht way.

I agree and even if you did buy region A then you couldnt stroll down to the shops and pick up a disc from there can you..how frustrating if you walking through your local retailer and you see a disc you want and then have to remind your self oh bugger cant buy that I'll have to order it from the US, and watch it in a weeks time !

Unfortunately many aspects of the business model to protect. When all major studios have global releases on the same date.......as you say..........!

Perhaps the could make disks in "Movie Late Release Markets" such as ours region free.

[momaw]

Unfortunately many aspects of the business model to protect. When all major studios have global releases on the same date.......as you say..........!

Perhaps the could make disks in "Movie Late Release Markets" such as ours region free.

Of course that doesn't solve the problem of us never getting them in the first place

[Skid_MacMarx]

Will HD-DVD remain region free for new movie releases, in the long term? I doubt it, unless studios are willing to make a sacrifice in actual movie theatre ticket sales.

Re SD DVD, I agree all the studios jumped up and down about losing revenue from theatre sales and at the time Warner also was calling for it..

If it does get as popular as some pundits predict... I'm sure there will be more pressure on them to introduce it.

Just as long as its not the same as SD-DVD zoning.. I'm sure even the most dedicated HD-DVD fans would consider that an act of bastardy .. un-consumer friendly....

BTW welcome Back HJ

[The_Preacher1973]

ah he's back..welcome back HJ, hope you can get these damn blu-ray trolls under control been running wild since you been away !

Reminds me of the old saying "He may be a bastard, but at least he's our bastard!"

in regards region coding and movie releases...they seem to have mastered that already...the HP films have world wide releases, not jsut for the movies but for the books as well, can remember a few other world wide releases as well. not so insurmountable if the movie studios wanted to do things taht way.

The reason for staggered release dates of movies in cinemas was due to the limited number of copies of film stock. They were quite expensive to produce so only so many copies were made. Not enough for every cinema in the world!

As we move towards digital cinema, this reason should go the way of the dodo. It shouldn't cost that much to burn another copy of the disc. Don;t be surprised if it doesn't change though. The morons in charge of all this stuff still kept interlaced video when they moved to digital.

[momaw]

Reminds me of the old saying "He may be a bastard, but at least he's our bastard!"

Damn straight.

[Skid_MacMarx]

Reminds me of the old saying "He may be a bastard, but at least he's our bastard!"

The reason for staggered release dates of movies in cinemas was due to the limited number of copies of film stock. They were quite expensive to produce so only so many copies were made. Not enough for every cinema in the world!

As we move towards digital cinema, this reason should go the way of the dodo. It shouldn't cost that much to burn another copy of the disc. Don;t be surprised if it doesn't change though. The morons in charge of all this stuff still kept interlaced video when they moved to digital.

I remember reading something about this .... there was even talk about the ability to download the film into cinema via satellite on to either a hard disk or some type of optical media drive.

I feel its more a means to fleece the consumer more than once.. this staggerring.. Release first at the cinema, then video hire and pay tv, Buy in SD and HD and then on FTA to attrac t advettsing.

Its only been recently that you can buy a DVD at the same time its been released at a video hire shop.

and not to forget downloading it via the internet...

[AndrewW]

Sedders.

How dare you question anything to do with HD's awkward and slow process....come on man, just buy a stupid $5000 TV with inferior PQ to your 10yr old CRT and STFU.

LOOK....HD is the future, so you just buy product after overpriced and underperforming product until things "sort themselves out".....OKAY!!!!

And the prize for completely off topic post of the day goes to Panasung.

Seriously, the horse is well and truly dead now, you can stop beating it ..

As has been stated ad nauseum, you are entitled to your opinions, but stop running around bleating them out and trying to force them on everyone else.

btw, I'll give you a hint. As much as sedders is a troll, at least his arguments (while deluded) are coherent. You appear to be using sedders post to support your anti-HD vitriol, whereas if you actually read the posts in this thread you would see that he owns an HD-DVD players (and I assume an HD display).

Andrew.

[PanaSung]

And the prize for completely off topic post of the day goes to Panasung.

Seriously, the horse is well and truly dead now, you can stop beating it ..

As has been stated ad nauseum, you are entitled to your opinions, but stop running around bleating them out and trying to force them on everyone else.

btw, I'll give you a hint. As much as sedders is a troll, at least his arguments (while deluded) are coherent. You appear to be using sedders post to support your anti-HD vitriol, whereas if you actually read the posts in this thread you would see that he owns an HD-DVD players (and I assume an HD display).

Andrew.

I'm not anti-HD....I have HDTV and will have 2 new HD PC monitors soon, and also another PlasmaLCD dedicated to Foxtel/FTA.

My position is that HD is overated for the average person, and that to take full advantage of HD, it's gets rather expensive.

Being an enthusiast, you're pumped up over everything HD, and forget that not everyone has, or wants to spend the type of money to support your type of HD habit.

[betty boop]

boy what is it with the hi-def subforum it really seems to attract all the trolls. Troll city !

[AndrewW]

Andy.

I'm not anti-HD....I have HDTV and will have 2 new HD PC monitors soon, and also another PlasmaLCD dedicated to Foxtel/FTA.

My position is that HD is overated for the average person, and that to take full advantage of HD, it's gets rather expensive.

Being an enthusiast, you're pumped up over everything HD, and forget that not everyone has, or wants to spend the type of money to support your type of HD habit.

OK, fine. you've sprouted the same crap many times.

please stop trying to take yet another thread even further of topic.

Andrew.