General HD DVD news and discussion
01-04-07 | 07:31 PM
#351
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Supposedly a ton of announcements will come with CES (rumored to include a Spielberg title or two).
01-04-07 | 08:27 PM
#353
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Jaws for me too, as well as the Indiana Jones trilogy and Jurassic Park. However, let's not hold our breath...it did take a while for Spielberg to warm up to DVD. 
01-04-07 | 09:12 PM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Enh...i'd LOVE that...but I'm thinking Munich.
Most of the other higher profile titles they've shown (U-571, Casino, 12 Monkeys, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Happy Gilmore, Army of Darkness; okay, that's really pushing "higher profile") have been released on HD DVD.
01-04-07 | 09:23 PM
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Jurassic Park would have to be one of the titles. I doubt Indiana Jones would come out til at least 2008 if in fact they really are gearing up to make the 4th film. It seems like a perfect tie-in. Plus Lucasfilm will already likely have their big release for 2007 with the 30th anniversary Star Wars set.
I just hope we get something at CES. The lack of title announcements(and no, Beerfest and The Wicker Man do not qualify) is driving me nutz.
I just hope we get something at CES. The lack of title announcements(and no, Beerfest and The Wicker Man do not qualify) is driving me nutz.
01-04-07 | 09:53 PM
#358
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Originally Posted by Doughboy
Jurassic Park would have to be one of the titles. I doubt Indiana Jones would come out til at least 2008 if in fact they really are gearing up to make the 4th film. It seems like a perfect tie-in. Plus Lucasfilm will already likely have their big release for 2007 with the 30th anniversary Star Wars set.
I just hope we get something at CES. The lack of title announcements(and no, Beerfest and The Wicker Man do not qualify) is driving me nutz.
I just hope we get something at CES. The lack of title announcements(and no, Beerfest and The Wicker Man do not qualify) is driving me nutz.
01-04-07 | 09:59 PM
#359
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
I think the only logical films have to be the ones that have been shown on UHD. Has JP?
01-04-07 | 10:56 PM
#360
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Originally Posted by mdc3000
If ANY Spielberg movie gets announced at CES, I'm going to be smiling for days...
01-06-07 | 12:22 AM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by Skoobooz
Forgive my ignorance, but what's DCM?
Otherwise, if this all works out to be true, then it sounds like good news for HD DVD. But in any case, it'll be good news for HD fans in general if we can finally get some Dreamworks and New Line titles out there. Now we just have to see how they'll fare with regards to quality and special features. Will they be Fox/MGM-esque and have little to nothing or will they follow the Warner example? Hopefully the latter....
Otherwise, if this all works out to be true, then it sounds like good news for HD DVD. But in any case, it'll be good news for HD fans in general if we can finally get some Dreamworks and New Line titles out there. Now we just have to see how they'll fare with regards to quality and special features. Will they be Fox/MGM-esque and have little to nothing or will they follow the Warner example? Hopefully the latter....
2nd, Dreamworks' Library is not owned by Paramount. Paramount sold them. The rights are handled by DCM. DCM is currently considering exclusivity or neutrality in both camps. Whomever throws them the largest payoff likely wins.
Last edited by digitalfreaknyc; 01-06-07 at 12:26 AM.
01-06-07 | 09:41 AM
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From: NYC
Something to look forward to. I'll take BR and 7.
NEWLINE TITLES FOR HD-DVD:
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Blade
Blade Runner
Dark City
Friday
Rush Hour
Se7en
Spawn
The Mask
The Player
We should be getting dates for those tomorrow. They originally mentioned The Lord of the Rings as well, but then we heard 2008 from PJ, due to likely his law suit and him not wanting to play along. Heck, Sam Raimi's The Hobbit could come out on NextGen before LotR with the fit PJ is having.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Blade
Blade Runner
Dark City
Friday
Rush Hour
Se7en
Spawn
The Mask
The Player
We should be getting dates for those tomorrow. They originally mentioned The Lord of the Rings as well, but then we heard 2008 from PJ, due to likely his law suit and him not wanting to play along. Heck, Sam Raimi's The Hobbit could come out on NextGen before LotR with the fit PJ is having.
01-06-07 | 11:35 AM
#364
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I thought some of you might find this interesting...
Weinstein HD DVDs have playback problems
Users report problems even after firmware upgrades
By Susanne Ault 1/5/2007
JAN. 5 | Reasons are unclear, but a number of consumers are reporting playback difficulties with The Weinstein Co. HD DVD releases.
In late December, a survey by technology site AVSForum.com reported that about 50% of respondents were experiencing glitches with Weinstein HD DVDs, which are distributed by Genius Products. Affected titles include The Matador, Derailed and Wolf Creek.
Weinstein releases HD DVD versions of Clerks II, Pulse and Lucky Number Slevin on Jan. 16, but early discs of Clerks II received by VB had the same problems.
Users have reported faulty playback using both Toshiba HD DVD players and the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive. Problems include overly slow load times, picture freezes and unreadable discs.
Player firmware upgrades have helped, but some users experienced problems even after the upgrade.
Genius executives are researching the matter and hope to have customer complaints resolved soon.
“We take every precaution in testing our HD DVD titles and strive to provide our customers with the highest standard of products in the business,” said Michael Radiloff, executive VP of marketing at Genius. “We are aware that unforeseen issues involving the variability of players and the occasional need to upgrade firmware can be frustrating to a handful of users. With that in mind, we are closely monitoring these issues to make sure we provide the best viewing experience possible.”
VB has not experienced problems with discs from other studios.
Weinstein HD DVDs have playback problems
Users report problems even after firmware upgrades
By Susanne Ault 1/5/2007
JAN. 5 | Reasons are unclear, but a number of consumers are reporting playback difficulties with The Weinstein Co. HD DVD releases.
In late December, a survey by technology site AVSForum.com reported that about 50% of respondents were experiencing glitches with Weinstein HD DVDs, which are distributed by Genius Products. Affected titles include The Matador, Derailed and Wolf Creek.
Weinstein releases HD DVD versions of Clerks II, Pulse and Lucky Number Slevin on Jan. 16, but early discs of Clerks II received by VB had the same problems.
Users have reported faulty playback using both Toshiba HD DVD players and the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive. Problems include overly slow load times, picture freezes and unreadable discs.
Player firmware upgrades have helped, but some users experienced problems even after the upgrade.
Genius executives are researching the matter and hope to have customer complaints resolved soon.
“We take every precaution in testing our HD DVD titles and strive to provide our customers with the highest standard of products in the business,” said Michael Radiloff, executive VP of marketing at Genius. “We are aware that unforeseen issues involving the variability of players and the occasional need to upgrade firmware can be frustrating to a handful of users. With that in mind, we are closely monitoring these issues to make sure we provide the best viewing experience possible.”
VB has not experienced problems with discs from other studios.
01-06-07 | 12:46 PM
#366
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by jigga6286
I was looking but couldn't find the answer, I'm sure I'll get bashed cause its here somewhere, but can you tell me what CES is, and it's implications? thanks
It's kinda like prom for the consumer tech industry.
01-06-07 | 02:09 PM
#367
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Something to look forward to.
01-07-07 | 04:59 PM
#370
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Originally Posted by egy971
Can anyone give me a list of pros and cons for the A1 and A2? I'm thinking of buying a player this month and I don't know which to get.
Pros:
• Has 5.1 analog audio output. This means that one can send advanced sound formats to an older receiver that has six channel analog 5.1 inputs.
• Might be a bit cheaper, if you can still find one.
Cons:
• Long boot up time, long disc loading time.
• Some have reported some glitches in playback (but I have had few problems with mine)
• The remote has issues: it isn't backlit nor does it have button labels that can be read in low light. Also, the cursor direction pad takes getting used to (especially on right arrow inputs), but works fine once one gets the hang of it.
A2
Pros:
• Faster boot and disc loading times.
• Reportedly has fewer playback glitches and issues.
Cons:
• Does not have 5.1 analog audio outputs. If you have (or plan to buy) a receiver that has HDMI or you plan to just use optical audio inputs, this won't matter. But be aware that optical can't handle DD+ or Dolby True HD; those audio formats are converted to DTS over optical out.
• Might be a bit more expensive than the A1 (but reportedly comes with some free discs).
The XA2 is thought to be the best HD DVD player available, but it is quite a bit more expensive than either the A1 or A2.
If you plan to upgrade your receiver in the next year or so, I would go with the A2 rather than the A1. But I am quite happy with my A1 and the six channel analog outputs.
01-07-07 | 06:27 PM
#372
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From: Christchurch NZ
Situation in NZ
Greeting's from New Zealand everyone.
First of all,thank's for such a geat forum have really learnt a lot.
So far sales of HD capable TV's are going through the roof here,although no-one here broadcasts in HD yet.Our local satellite operator is talking late 07,early 08.
As for HD-DVD,I have (only in the last couple of weeks),seen the first player on sale here,that being a Panasonic Blu-Ray player,for $3000 NZ,(about $1600-$1800 US).Have not seen an HD-DVD player for sale yet.Also have yet to see any software,which leads me to a question,are they region coding HD-DVD,Blu-Ray disc's?
From all the information I have absorbed from various sites,I have to say I lean towards HD-DVD,(I also have a personal prejudice against anything Sony,which clouds my judgement slightly).
Fortunately in the US,you are so far ahead of us, we have the luxury of sitting back & watching what unfolds.As we know from previous format wars not necessariously the superior format wins.
Either way look forward to getting my feet wet sooner rather than later.
"Did I'Q's just drop sharply while I was away?"
First of all,thank's for such a geat forum have really learnt a lot.
So far sales of HD capable TV's are going through the roof here,although no-one here broadcasts in HD yet.Our local satellite operator is talking late 07,early 08.
As for HD-DVD,I have (only in the last couple of weeks),seen the first player on sale here,that being a Panasonic Blu-Ray player,for $3000 NZ,(about $1600-$1800 US).Have not seen an HD-DVD player for sale yet.Also have yet to see any software,which leads me to a question,are they region coding HD-DVD,Blu-Ray disc's?
From all the information I have absorbed from various sites,I have to say I lean towards HD-DVD,(I also have a personal prejudice against anything Sony,which clouds my judgement slightly).
Fortunately in the US,you are so far ahead of us, we have the luxury of sitting back & watching what unfolds.As we know from previous format wars not necessariously the superior format wins.
Either way look forward to getting my feet wet sooner rather than later.
"Did I'Q's just drop sharply while I was away?"
01-12-07 | 09:53 PM
#374
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From: NYC
some news...
Xbox 360 HD-DVD: 92K Sold
Research firm NPD Group tells Next-Gen that the Xbox 360 HD-DVD movie player add-on has sold about 92,000 units since its launch in mid-November last year.
According to NPD’s figures, the hardware sold 42,000 units in November and 50,000 in December.
NPD analyst Anita Frazier said that the life-to-date figure indicates a 2 percent attach rate to the Xbox 360 install base. The firm reported last night that life-to-date Xbox 360 sales in the US stand at 4.5 million units.
The HD-DVD add-on retails for $200.
Of course, Sony’s PlayStation 3 features high definition built-in movie playback features with its Blu-ray drive. As far as videogame-related high definition players are concerned, Blu-ray far outweighs Xbox 360’s 92,000 unit HD-DVD base with 687,000 PS3s sold in the US life-to-date.
The impact that game consoles will have on the video format wars is yet to be seen, however. Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons recently said, “Do I think that the game console platform is really going to drive the conversion? I don't think so. People get those things to play games, not watch movies."
Time Warner’s movie studios currently support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats.
Some consumer electronics companies are taking it into their own hands to have Blu-ray and HD-DVD live together in harmony. During the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, LG Electronics unveiled the Super Multi Blue player, which can play both formats. In addition, Warner Bros. also has plans to release the Total HD Disc, which can carry both formats.
Research firm NPD Group tells Next-Gen that the Xbox 360 HD-DVD movie player add-on has sold about 92,000 units since its launch in mid-November last year.
According to NPD’s figures, the hardware sold 42,000 units in November and 50,000 in December.
NPD analyst Anita Frazier said that the life-to-date figure indicates a 2 percent attach rate to the Xbox 360 install base. The firm reported last night that life-to-date Xbox 360 sales in the US stand at 4.5 million units.
The HD-DVD add-on retails for $200.
Of course, Sony’s PlayStation 3 features high definition built-in movie playback features with its Blu-ray drive. As far as videogame-related high definition players are concerned, Blu-ray far outweighs Xbox 360’s 92,000 unit HD-DVD base with 687,000 PS3s sold in the US life-to-date.
The impact that game consoles will have on the video format wars is yet to be seen, however. Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons recently said, “Do I think that the game console platform is really going to drive the conversion? I don't think so. People get those things to play games, not watch movies."
Time Warner’s movie studios currently support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats.
Some consumer electronics companies are taking it into their own hands to have Blu-ray and HD-DVD live together in harmony. During the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, LG Electronics unveiled the Super Multi Blue player, which can play both formats. In addition, Warner Bros. also has plans to release the Total HD Disc, which can carry both formats.
01-12-07 | 11:24 PM
#375
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Just bought my 360 add-on and Clerks 2 and it played fine - no problems what so ever. Have to say, not quite as impressed with Batman Begins was I thought I would be, but still, there is a marked improvement over the regular release.