General Blu-ray news and discussion
02-15-07 | 04:20 PM
#501
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by dkny75
The HD DVD doesn't have the promo trailer either. It goes straight into the movie also.
02-15-07 | 05:42 PM
#502
DVD Talk Hero
I never really followed how things went tech-wise, but what about the Blu-Ray recorders that were released in Japan several years ago? Are the people who bought those now screwed, or are they compatable? (I don't remember what kind of inputs/outputs they had, probably not HDMI, right?). Just curious, as I now remembered about those after seeing the announcement for the new Aquos recorder.
02-15-07 | 06:00 PM
#503
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by cultshock
Are the people who bought those now screwed, or are they compatable?
Originally Posted by cultshock
(I don't remember what kind of inputs/outputs they had, probably not HDMI, right?).
3 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 2 x S-Video output (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 3 x Composite video input (RCA phono) - Rear, 2 x Composite video output (RCA phono) - Rear, 1 x Antenna (RJ-45), 1 x Phone line (TOS Link), 1 x Network (RCA phono x 2), 3 x Digital audio output (optical) (RCA phono x 2), 3 x Audio line-in, 1 x Audio line-out, Component video output
The Sony BDZ-S77 apparently has more bells and whistles:
The BDZ-S77 even includes a built-in BS (broadcasting satellite) tuner for digital satellite TV.
The BDZ-S77's digital connectors include a DV connector and an I-Link connector. For its antenna in/out connection, the BDZ-S77 has a VHF/UHF 75-ohm antenna connector and a BS-IF 75-ohm antenna connector.
The BDZ-S77's digital connectors include a DV connector and an I-Link connector. For its antenna in/out connection, the BDZ-S77 has a VHF/UHF 75-ohm antenna connector and a BS-IF 75-ohm antenna connector.
02-15-07 | 06:12 PM
#504
DVD Talk Hero
Thanks for the info, Adam. It does make sense that they aren't compatable with pre-records, considering no such discs were even available at the time. It's too bad for the early adopters (who paid around $3000 or more) that Sony couldn't have made Blu-Ray discs backwards compatable with these original recorders, but it probably has to do with copy protection issues, as those weren't even worked out at that time. I wonder if discs recorded with those old recorders would work in modern Blu-Ray players.
02-17-07 | 09:43 PM
#506
New 2/16 firmware available for the Samsung BDP1000
Old:
LDR:929F / Front:21
PSD:61011.1
DMN:060929.01 Region:0A/01
New:
LDR:111F/Front:21
PSD:70110.1
DMN:060929.01 Region:0A/01
Not sure what it does but people say it improved PQ, though it's too hard for me to tell. Load time was cut by a second according to my stopwatch (from 19 to 18 seconds).
Old:
LDR:929F / Front:21
PSD:61011.1
DMN:060929.01 Region:0A/01
New:
LDR:111F/Front:21
PSD:70110.1
DMN:060929.01 Region:0A/01
Not sure what it does but people say it improved PQ, though it's too hard for me to tell. Load time was cut by a second according to my stopwatch (from 19 to 18 seconds).
02-17-07 | 09:51 PM
#507
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by matome
Not sure what it does but people say it improved PQ,
02-18-07 | 12:25 AM
#508
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From: Oregon
One thing I have noticed with the newest FW:
On the previous FW's, everytime I used the sammy, I would have to go into set up and switch it to 1080p. It wouldn't keep the 1080p setting between uses.
So far with the new FW, it has stayed on the 1080p setting between uses.
On the previous FW's, everytime I used the sammy, I would have to go into set up and switch it to 1080p. It wouldn't keep the 1080p setting between uses.
So far with the new FW, it has stayed on the 1080p setting between uses.
02-19-07 | 12:38 PM
#509
Some info on Disney Blu-Ray UK launch titles on 3/19:
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/Displ...d_E_2197Launch
I see they're releasing a couple of HD-DVD-only (Hollywoodland, Scary Movie 4) titles on Blu over there as well.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/Displ...d_E_2197Launch
Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment has announced that the first European launch of Blu-ray Disc titles will be on March 19, 2007, starting in the UK and cascading out into other European countries very shortly thereafter, depending on the country.
The 12 launch titles include: Eight Below, Chicken Little, Enemy of the State, Flightplan, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Guardian, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Hollywoodland, Pearl Harbor, Scary Movie 4, Sky High, and The Wild.
In addition, Chicken Little will feature two new Java features exclusive to Blu-ray Disc: a filmmaker Q&A and an Alien Invasion game; The Guardian will feature one new Java feature: a filmmaker Q&A; and Eight Below and Flightplan will each include a Blu-Scape High Definition short film feature. (These new features may not be available in all countries due to localisation issues and individual market preference.)
Buena Vista has also announced that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest will both be released on Blu-ray in May 2007 and coincide with the much-anticipated theatrical release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Each movie will be a 2-disc 75GB release and include brand new Java bonus plus all of the bonus features previously released on DVD.
The Curse of the Black Pearl will include an all new Java feature called "Scoundrels of the Sea", an interactive in-movie feature that presents facts onscreen about the legends and lore of pirates. Dead Man's Chest will include a Java feature called "Liar's Dice", a single-player game, shot in live action.
Similarly, Disney/Pixar Cars will be released on Blu-ray in Summer 2007 and will say Disney, "be the ultimate showcase movie for demonstrating just how perfect a picture can look since it's animated and completely based on digital files".
In addition, Cars will include two new Java bonus features.
The 12 launch titles include: Eight Below, Chicken Little, Enemy of the State, Flightplan, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Guardian, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Hollywoodland, Pearl Harbor, Scary Movie 4, Sky High, and The Wild.
In addition, Chicken Little will feature two new Java features exclusive to Blu-ray Disc: a filmmaker Q&A and an Alien Invasion game; The Guardian will feature one new Java feature: a filmmaker Q&A; and Eight Below and Flightplan will each include a Blu-Scape High Definition short film feature. (These new features may not be available in all countries due to localisation issues and individual market preference.)
Buena Vista has also announced that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest will both be released on Blu-ray in May 2007 and coincide with the much-anticipated theatrical release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Each movie will be a 2-disc 75GB release and include brand new Java bonus plus all of the bonus features previously released on DVD.
The Curse of the Black Pearl will include an all new Java feature called "Scoundrels of the Sea", an interactive in-movie feature that presents facts onscreen about the legends and lore of pirates. Dead Man's Chest will include a Java feature called "Liar's Dice", a single-player game, shot in live action.
Similarly, Disney/Pixar Cars will be released on Blu-ray in Summer 2007 and will say Disney, "be the ultimate showcase movie for demonstrating just how perfect a picture can look since it's animated and completely based on digital files".
In addition, Cars will include two new Java bonus features.
02-22-07 | 09:09 AM
#511
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by Giles
sorry for the rant but what is up with Blu-ray's prices $38.95.
02-22-07 | 10:22 AM
#512
I don't mind the pricing, except Fox charges $40 retail for their old catalog titles. Other than that, I think they're decent considering the formats haven't been out for a year.
Regarding those interactive features on the POTC discs, is the PS3 the only current BD machine that could play them?
Regarding those interactive features on the POTC discs, is the PS3 the only current BD machine that could play them?
02-22-07 | 10:28 AM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
I don't mind the pricing, except Fox charges $40 retail for their old catalog titles. Other than that, I think they're decent considering the formats haven't been out for a year.
$40 barebones.
02-22-07 | 12:53 PM
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From: H-Town, TX
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
yeah...
$40 barebones.
$40 barebones.
02-22-07 | 01:07 PM
#515
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Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
Regarding those interactive features on the POTC discs, is the PS3 the only current BD machine that could play them?
From all that I've read on the subject of interactive functionality in BD players, I think it's a pretty safe bet that those features will only be available to PS3 users. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that current BD players cannot even be upgraded to support these interactive features.
02-22-07 | 01:36 PM
#516
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by applesandrice
From all that I've read on the subject of interactive functionality in BD players, I think it's a pretty safe bet that those features will only be available to PS3 users. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that current BD players cannot even be upgraded to support these interactive features.
02-22-07 | 06:57 PM
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From: Sydney / Australia !!!
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
yeah...
$40 barebones.
$40 barebones.
It's like FOX and any other studio that are releasing these barebone discs are 1) rushing as many titles out the door to 'justify' that they have MORE titles than their competition - or - 2) just knowing that certain people will pay this and will also 'double dip' when they come around again with the extras disc.
(there will be of course people who will say that they don't care about the extra features !!!)
Are there many 2 disc Blu-ray (or even HD-DVD) sets around ??? Whats stopping them releasing 2 sets - does the BLUE or RED covers allow them 'space' to include 2 discs - like the good ol' DVD Amaray types.
or are you simply glutton for punishment ??!!
02-22-07 | 07:02 PM
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by tonyjg
Are there many 2 disc Blu-ray (or even HD-DVD) sets around ??? Whats stopping them releasing 2 sets - does the BLUE or RED covers allow them 'space' to include 2 discs - like the good ol' DVD Amaray types.
I just seriously don't get why BD is doing this.
It's NOT a space issue. AVS is posting the sizes of all the discs and there's still room for the extras being left off in most cases.
I'm just completely baffled. It's a conscious decision on their part.
02-22-07 | 07:12 PM
#519
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Originally Posted by tonyjg
Are there many 2 disc Blu-ray (or even HD-DVD) sets around ??? Whats stopping them releasing 2 sets - does the BLUE or RED covers allow them 'space' to include 2 discs - like the good ol' DVD Amaray types.
02-23-07 | 08:07 AM
#520
Originally Posted by tonyjg
(there will be of course people who will say that they don't care about the extra features !!!)
02-23-07 | 09:22 AM
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From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by XavierMike
I agree with Matome. I'm not real big on extras. I care alot more about audio and video quality.
So, Im glad to see BV putting out POTC in a BD50 for the movie and extras on a BD25. Other studios should follow this example.
There is noooooo excuse for a studio not to do this for major titles AT THE VERY LEAST.
The Silence of the Lambs release will be a travesty if it doesnt include extras.
02-23-07 | 09:42 AM
#525
DVD Talk Hero
The issue is no whether or not you care about extras over PQ/AQ (and of course everyone should prefer the later), but whether a $40 price tag is warranted for a bare bones disc. This argument would be easily resolved if the MSRP on a barebones BD was $30, but it's $40 when a comparable HD-DVD disc is fully loaded at the same MSRP.