I'll probably get the Ultimate set, just to have less discs if the extras do come in just standard definition. But it would sure be nice to get The Animatrix at full 1080p.

In case anyone missed it, it looks like this set will also be porting over the two missing commentaries from the original Matrix disc (cast/crew and music only w/commentary). I'm very impressed....

I'm in for a set. Not sure which one, depends on what info gets out in the next few weeks. Bout damn time Warner did something. They finally went from being a fly in the room to an elephant.

I've got the SD Ultimate Matrix Set, but if any of the extras are in HD on this set, I'll pick up the expensive set. If not, I'll stick with the movies only. I loved all three, and I'll pay just about whatever they ask. The only question is if I'd rather wait for BD, I doubt I will at this point, but I've got a lot more BD stuff in the rotation right now. I love these so much I honestly might pick up both HD and BD at some point.

let me get this straight - the SD DVD set is 10 discs, and the high def version is 8 discs? So much for 'SOOO much more storage in high def that you won't need multiple discs!'

This is one problem with HD discs in general. The initial hype was that each disc could hold an entire TV season or a trilogy. DVD marketing has worked very hard to make people think that more discs are better and they provide more value.

If multiple discs allows excellent pq, lossless audio, commentaries, lots of special features and some (if not all) in hd, then I dont give a rat's ass.

Id rather have EVERYTHING in one set. There were complaints when they didnt release the Superman set, so now they seem to be getting it right. Who cares how many discs it is.

This set does sound like an ULTIMATE set. I for one and going to throw my money at the most expensive one so they know we want more sets like this.

From the specs, WB should be applauded.

My take on Mr. Cinema' s post is that the ultimate HD DVD set is five double sided discs. I don't know who told you that. High def programming takes space. You could put an entire season of a TV show in standard definition on just one or two HD DVD or Blu-ray discs, but why would you want to watch it that way? Once you upgrade it to HD you need approximately the same number of discs. This isn't news around here.

With some releases, the equivalent of a two disc "Special Edition" SD DVD set has been released on a single HD DVD or BD. But when the extras are upgraded to HD, there isn't enough space on a single HD DVD and even a BD50 can be marginal, depending on how well the compression was done.

I bought into HD for the highest PQ and AQ, not to have fewer discs. However, I do like the space saving advantages of the smaller, thinner cases of HD DVD and BD.

Where are you getting 8 discs? The way I read it, the ultimate collection is 5 discs (and that includes the movies) while the trilogy is 3 discs.

Any making of, behind the scenes footage (on set type stuff) shot back then is almost definitely gonna be SD video.

I thought it was 4 discs (double-sided) for the Ultimate edition. So, basically, 8 discs.

But I'll still be hanging onto my 1999 Matrix DVD so I have the original transfer before it was altered to match the sequels.

Ok, after reading the press release, im confused. So, the regular edition is the 3 movies (single-sided) with 1 disc of special features?

And the Ultimate edition is 5 discs (double-sided)?

Fascinating. Haha.

Here's the quote from the press release: It looks to me that the ultimate is 5 discs, double-sided, while the trilogy is 3 discs (with no word on whether they're double-sided or not).

This is the most confusing press release ever.

IIRC, some of the extras from the Ultimate Set were in Anamorphic Widescreen which could mean that these extras could have been shot in HD.

Now the question, should I wait to get it in BD or get it now on HD-DVD? Tough decision. I will really really be pissed if Warner does not have TrueHD for the movies or PCM for BD.

Im sure he doesnt care about me giving this info now since they have been announced. But, cj (who worked on the compression for these) told me some time back that these would be released in May and that they will have IME and TrueHD.

The first 2 came true, so im sure these will have TrueHD.

The question is will the BD discs also be double sided?

For some reason I read it as $129.99. Even better!

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that it's going to be between $60 and $80 (after discount) at Amazon.

Here's the potential list of features broken down. Stole this from AVS.


"It is sort of ironic that in The Matrix Neo had to choose between the red or the blue pill. Who would know that years later those colors would represent dueling next generation DVD formats?

If ever a film series was meant to be seen in HD DVD, that series is now here. The Matrix, the legendary, groundbreaking sci-fi film, and its visually dazzling second and third installments, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions were produced with future technology execution in mind. The Matrix, the first DVD to sell one million copies and to date a $1 billion worldwide franchise, will be part of two new definitive high definition collections to be released by Warner Home Video and Village Roadshow Pictures on May 22.

The Ultimate Matrix Collection, for the hardcore Matrix fan, presents the complete adventures of machine battling truth-seekers Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in all three of the Wachowski brothers' post-modern epic films. This collection will contain, for the first time, all three HD DVD versions of The Matrix series with more than 35 hours of bonus material in 5 double sided discs. The second offering, The Complete Matrix Trilogy, contains HD DVD versions of the three Matrix films in a 3-disc set, perfect for new and current Matrix fans who just want to see all three Matrix films in hi-definition.

Both The Ultimate Matrix Collection and The Complete Matrix Trilogy come with the In-Movie Experience (IME), an exclusive interactive feature that allows viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material while the movie is running. For these titles, the IME will let viewers experience via picture in picture the evolution of all The Matrix's ground breaking elements through the recollections of the cast and creative team.

The Matrix Series on HD-DVD is the definitive and ultimate film compilation for the ultimate hi-def format, plus will no doubt make the ultimate Father's Day gift for sci-fi film lovers. The Ultimate Matrix Collection will be available for $119.99 SRP and The Complete Matrix Trilogy available for $99.99 SRP. Order due date for all is April 17. Blu-ray Disc versions of both collections will be released later this year.

The Franchise and The Films:

The Matrix film franchise is one of Warner Home Video's largest and most prestigious, having grossed more than one billion dollars worldwide. All three films are in the top ten best-selling sci-fi films of all time and have been nominated and won numerous awards, including four Oscars. The Matrix was the first film on DVD to sell more than one million units during the launch of the DVD format.

The Matrix (1999):

The box-office sensation follows the trials of a young computer programmer (Keanu Reeves) searching to determine the deepest reality of a post-Apocalyptic world. His journey uncovers a web of deceit and massive computer-generated illusions obscuring the truth. As the character Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) said to Neo (Reeves), "No one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." The same is true for this mind-blowing movie.

The film also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and was produced by Joel Silver. The Matrix was written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, who spent years nurturing and refining the movie's breakthrough concepts.

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Cast and Crew Commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta
- Composer Commentary by Don Davis with Music Only Track
- Behind The Matrix
- Making The Matrix
- The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes
- The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall
- The Code of the Red Dress
- The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake
- Agent Down
- But Wait- There's More
- The Music Revisited
- Marilyn Manson Music Video Rock is Dead
- The Matrix Teaser
- The Matrix Trailer
- The Matrix TV Spots:
- A) Manson
- B) Reality
- C) Forget Everything
- D) Mystery
- E) Buckle Up
- F) The Answer
- G) Kung Fu
- H) Whoa

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- The Matrix Revisited
- Take the Red Pill
- What is Bullet Time?
- What is the Concept?
- Follow the White Rabbit
- Trinity Escapes
- Pod
- Kung Fu
- The Wall
- Bathroom Fight
- Government Lobby
- Government Roof
- Helicopter
- Subway

The Matrix Reloaded (2003):

In the powerful second chapter of the Matrix trilogy, Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Moss) and Morpheus (Fishburne) lead the revolt against the Machine Army as it attacks Zion, the last human city on earth, unleashing their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation. In their quest to save the human race from extinction, they gain greater insight into the construct of The Matrix and Neo's pivotal role in the fate of mankind.

What is The Matrix? The question is not yet fully answered. And it leads to another: Who created The Matrix? The answers lead to more worlds of bold possibility - and to a destiny that passes from revelations to Revolutions.

DVD Features:

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- The Matrix Unfolds:
- A) Pre-Load
- B) Get Me an Exit
- The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
- Enter The Matrix: The Game
- P.O.D. Music Video "Sleeping Awake"
- Reloaded/Revolutions Teaser
- The Matrix Reloaded Trailer
- The Matrix Reloaded TV Spots:
- A) Yes
- B) Jack In
- C) Nice Trick
- D) Story
- E) No Escape
- F) I'm In
- G) Prophecy
- H) Neo

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Car Chase
- The Freeway Chase
- Oakland Streets and Freeway: Unseen Material
- Tour of the Merovingian's Garage
- Queen of the Road
- Arteries of the Mega-City: The Visual Effects of the Freeway Chase
- Foresight: Pre-planning the Mayhem
- Freeway Truck Crash: Anatomy of a Shot
- Fate of the Freeway
- Freeway Action Match
- Teahouse Fight
- Two Equals Clash
- Guardian of the Oracle: Collin Chou
- Unplugged
- Creating the Burly Brawl
- A Conversation with Master Wo Ping
- Chad Stahelski: The Other Neo
- Burly Brawl Action Match
- Spiraling Virtual Shot: Anatomy of a Shot
- I'll Handle Them
- The Great Hall
- Building the Merovingian's Lair
- Tiger Style: A Day in the Life of Chen Hu
- Heavy Metal: Weapons of the Great Hall
- The Exiles
- Big Brother is Watching: The Architect's Office

The Matrix Revolutions (2003):

In the powerful final chapter of the Matrix trilogy, Neo (Keanu Reeves) takes another step forward in the quest for truth that began with his journey into the real world at the outset of The Matrix - but that transformation has left him drained of his power, adrift in a no-man's land between the Matrix and the Machine World. While Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) holds vigil over Neo's comatose body, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) grapples with the revelation that the One in which he has invested a life's worth of faith is merely another system of control invented by the architects of the Matrix. During the stunning conclusion, the rebel's long quest for freedom culminates in an explosive battle. As the Machine Army wages devastation on Zion, its citizens mount an aggressive defense - but can they stave off the relentless swarm of Sentinels long enough for Neo to harness the full extent of his powers and end the war?

DVD Features:

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- Revolutions Recalibrated
- Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time
- CG Revolution
- Super Big Mini Models
- Super Burly Brawl
- Double Agent Smith
- Mind Over Matter: The Physicality of The Matrix
- Future Gamer: The Matrix Online
- The Matrix Revolutions Trailer
- The Matrix Revolutions TV Spots:
- A) Give Anything
- B) Help
- C) Power
- D) Future
- E) Believe
- F) Control

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Behind The Matrix
- Before the Revolution
- 3-D Evolution
- Crew
- Owen's Army: The Australian Art Dept.
- 2nd Unit: A World of Their Own
- Bill Pope: Cinematographer of The Matrix
- Masters of Light and Shadow
- Hel
- Coat Check
- Upsidedown Under
- Fast Break
- Exploding Man
- Gun Club
- The Extras of Club Hel
- Super Burly Brawl
- The Skybarn
- The Crater
- The Egg
- Anatomy of the Superpunch
- Super Burly Brawl
- New Blue World
- Geography of Zion
- The Ships
- Tour of the Neb
- Matrix TV
- Logos Fight Expansion
- Siege
- Dig This
- The Siege Action Match
- Anatomy of a Shot: Mifune's Last Stand
- Building an APU
- Product of Zion
- Aftermath
- Revolutionary Composition
- The Glue
- Dane Tracks
- Cause and Effects

Disc 4: The Animatrix DVD & The Roots of The Matrix (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)

Side 1:
- Voices
- The Second Renaissance Part I Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- The Second Renaissance Part II Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- Program Commentary by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
- World Record Commentary by Takeshi Koike
- Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime
- Execution
- Making Final Flight of the Osiris
- Making The Second Renaissance Parts I & II
- Making Kid's Story & A Detective Story
- Making Program
- Making World Record
- Making Beyond
- Making Matriculated

Side 2:
- Return to Source: Philosophy & The Matrix (AKA. Brainiac's Revenge)
- The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction

Disc 5: Burly Man Chronicles & The Zion Archive (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)

Side 1:
- The Burly Man Chronicles
- Pre-Production
- Alameda Shoot
- Australia Shoot

Side 2:
- The Zion Archive - Photo galleries
- The Rave Reel
- The Matrix Online
- 2 Music Videos, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots"

The extras will not be HD. They aren't now, and it ain't magic.

Animatrix will not be HD, and doesn't need to be. Animation is typically so broadly drawn that detail is not an issue. Why do you think SD animated movies look so good on HDTVs?

Actually one animatrix movie will be in HD since it was fully CGI and not drawn Final Flight of the Osiris

rumor is that except for the 3 films, all extras INCLUDING The Animatrix will be SD only.

Animation can still benefit greatly from HD. The Howl's Moving Castle material I've seen in HD looks AMAZING. The color clarity just looks so much better.

I think the reason people want to see it in HD now is because, well, this is an HD release. Why settle for what looks good enough? If we are going to concede this at any point, wouldn't we just be better off going back to SD DVD?