My Harry Potter set ordered from them on 9/30 shipped today via next day air, so it'll arrive on the release date. Maybe you'll get BR before the next decade begins :).

I just got emails saying that my HD-DVDs of both Blade Runner and the Harry Potter Boxed Set have shipped. I cannot believe they shipped sooner than 3 months after the release date!

P.S. Only DD 5.1 on Blade Runnner? Not even DD+? Ewwww.....

That scan says "1080p HD 16x9 2:4:1", then underneath "Workprint 16x9 2:2:1". That makes it sound like the workprint might be SD 16x9, which probably wouldn't matter that much.
Am I the only one who prefers the narration/Theatrical version? It's been a while since I've read the book , but I'm pretty sure there was no question about him being an android. And the narration suited the movie as a neo-noir detective film. without it, there's long, strange moments with no dialogue or anything happening. maybe people prefer that, but if the original wasn't liked by some people, the other versions would never have been made. Because of the new cut, I haven't seen the original for a LONG time & am really psyched now that I know it is HD!

In much larger print below that, the scan also reveals this:

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8...25708amus8.jpg

That's one of the points of Scott's final cut. It trims the extraneous footage that was unnecessary when the voiceover was removed.

The back cover scan was of the BD release, for which DD+ support isn't standard. The HD DVD release, a format that does have standard support for DD+ , may contain DD+ tracks.

The HD DVD release will contain DD+ tracks. That's what Warner does.

I just ordered the Ultimate set from Warner Home Video. Any chance I'll get it before Christmas '08?

:lol:

Bill Hunt is a very nice guy in person. Granted, we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but that shouldn't stop reasonable people from getting along.

So, when is your next date with him? :) Things coming along OK in this relationship?

I have the Blu-ray release and I can confirm all 5 cuts are in 1080p. As for the audio, the Final Cut has Dolby TrueHD. The other 4 versions have DD 5.1(640kbps which is identical to DD+ 5.1 on HD-DVD).

I've never seen Blade Runner and I'm not huge into sci-fi - how is this as a blind buy?

I'll be glad to retire my homemade DVD of the Criterion Blade Runner Laser Disc (theatrical cut) I made a few years ago.

Are all 5 discs Blu-ray discs as well?

Shouldn't the thread title be changed?

No.
3 Are Blu-ray/HD DVD, the other 2 are SD DVD.

This is about as hard core as it gets for hard core theatrical sci fi. Maybe try the Final Cut separate release. It's nothing like what passes for sci fi now (effects driven) like I, Robot. You could end up really liking its noir-ish atmosphere and upgrade to the briefcase. I do think BR has a lot of fans who are not just sci fi junkies. It's a well-appreciated film.

My sister works for a fashion company up in New York... they're apparently deriving design/style aspects from both Blade Runner and Brazil. I thought that was kind of interesting.

Oooh cool RichC2 - keep us updated on that. Sounds interesting. Not something I would buy, but interesting. Show us any links when you can.

I totally agree with MBoyd. Blade Runner is a very significant film and is widely recognized as such. If you're into building a collection of movies of great cultural importance, on that basis alone this is definitely one to pick up.

Still, even if you blind-buy and wind up not wanting to keep it I'm sure you could trade or sell it here.

I've only see the "Director's Cut" (the one that's been on DVD for years).

I ordered the 5-disc digipack in HD DVD from WHV.com.

In which order should I watch the different versions when it arrives?

I will be popping in the theatrical and then workprint. I have seen the Final Cut recently in the theater so I will be concentrating on extras.

I think you should watch the Final Cut and then theatrical and workprint. I have seen the directors cut a bunch, so I might never even get around to watching that one for a while.

Definitely watch the theatrical cut. Even if you end up not liking it, it's worth seeing at least once to experience what audiences saw back in 1982.

Then of course watch the Final Cut. It's a slightly modified version of the Director's Cut. And it's also the best looking and sounding cut on the HD-DVD/Blu-ray set.

The "Director's Cut" has pretty much been completely supplanted by the Final Cut, which is just a further refinement of that cut. I'm not sure if I'll ever watch the "Director's Cut" again.

As for viewing order, if you haven't seen the Final Cut, see that first, then watch the International Theatrical Cut (unless you can't stomach the violence and would prefer the US Theatrical Cut), then the Workprint.

The Digital Bits has updated its review with information on the Blu-Ray version of this set; HD DVD information is still on its way:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...lallver01.html