+1. Although their overall output has been wildly inconsistent, WB's Blu-ray output of classic titles has been, on the whole, fantastic. Sure, I have a few minor quibbles, but their classic BD releases have pretty much been the best of any studio.

This is my feeling about Blu-ray becoming a success over DVD anytime soon.
DVD only began to outsell VHS back in late 2003. It's still a new format for many people. I think masses are tired of buying the same old, classic movies again and again.

I think you can only squeeze so many sales from pumping out the same titles over and over. The studios realize this and are testing the waters before jumping in with both feet. It makes good financial sense.

For many people Blu-ray is to DVD what S-VHS was to VHS. Yes, better picture and sound but for the hefty extra cost of really taking advantage of the format, there's really nothing more other than some interactive features and interenet connection that allows you to retrieve more extras that are probably of little interest to most buyers anyways.

Does anyone really want to hear someone else's fan commentary? The commentaries from people directly involved in the movie can sometimes be completely devoid of interest!

Which, of course, can only be heard if you register for Universal's Online Portal using your remote control and logging in each and every time while adding your buddy to your friends list so he can share it to you. Phew. It's a pain in the ass process.

High-Def Digest has posted a clarification to this story regarding high-def audio on Warner classic releases.

Here's the updated paragraph:

"Sound issues have also drawn ire from many consumers hungry for high-def audio on Golden Age films. Some have complained about the lack of a Dolby TrueHD track on 'Casablanca' and the upcoming 'An American in Paris.' Both 'Casablanca' and 'An American in Paris' were recorded in mono, so monaural tracks were used on their respective Blu-ray discs to preserve each film's authenticity. However, Mr. Feltenstein has noted that from this point forward, Warner Home Video intends to release all catalog titles with TrueHD tracks. When original multiple channel recordings are available, the studio may produce newer, multitrack audio mixes, but whether or not the films have multitrack audio elements, the studio believes each release deserves the absolute best audio possible and will provide it in TrueHD."

I'll be happier to hear when Warner pledges to bring ALL releases out with TrueHD....seriously, why don't some new release films deserve the "absolute best quality audio possible" when every other studio is making ALL of their releases now with lossless? Can he answer that one?
I am betting from a business standpoint, WB just doesn't want to admit that they'd rather cheap out with a single layer disc and use the lossy DD....

I have to wonder how many FP fans didn't buy it because it was only available on HD-DVD? I'm about as big a Forbidden Planet fan as there is, but I avoided the HD-DVD tin because of the format war and picked up the DVD tin instead.

"That trio, however, is just a warm-up for what Feltenstein calls a "murderer's row" of classic releases later this year that will include such AFI 100 masterpieces as 'Gone With the Wind,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' and 'North By Northwest.' Hitchcock's thriller underwent a $1 million restoration, while 'GWTW' and 'Oz' – both of which were remastered in 2K Ultra Resolution three or four years ago for splashy DVD releases – have been completely overhauled once again to make sure they meet all of Blu-ray's exacting standards. "What was perfection two to three years ago is not now," Feltenstein says. "We thought 'Gone With the Wind' would be good to go on Blu-ray with what was done previously, plus $200,000 for dirt cleaning. But to look perfect, we had to start all over from scratch at enormous cost. I took it to management and there was no hesitation. Having a film like 'Gone With the Wind' on Blu-ray will set a new standard and pave the way for more classic releases."

Those who recently argued that releasing a title on Blu-ray for the first time took minimal effort as long as a decent HD master was made previously to service a DVD release can go suck it.

yet as of now, Warner's has begun transferring everything at 4K

I bought it and most of the other classics on HD DVD and Blu-ray. Trying to support the classics as much as I can.

I have no problem with waiting, honestly. Part of that is my current financial situation, with Blu-ray discs as expensive as they still are, I can only pick up releases that I feel will get the most repeat viewings. But, if what they are saying is to be believed, WB is taking its time to make sure they get each film a pristine transfer. While I have my strong doubts, it would be nice if with these catalog WB titles, a definitive release is all we get this generation with no double dips (not counting collectors packaging which is a different animal).

Regarding Forbidden Planet, I have a feeling that the Blu-ray release was about ready to go but then was put on the backburner due to the development of a FB reboot. I also do not mind sales timed releases for older movies. If they hold on to FB on Blu-ray to make a splashy release with a remake, I don't care so long as it means more publicity for the original. It seems sales tactics like this tend to work, and I can't imagine it does anything but help the legacy of the original film. How much better do you think The Day the Earth Stood Still sold due to the new movie (mostly with people saying how much better the original is, so they went out to buy it). Anyway, enough rant. I'll wait patiently for well thought out, carefully handled high def releases.

There are still a few Warner titles left that may take 1+ years to come one. I'm looking at you Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix and... Dukes of Hazzard.

..and my wait continues.

and Hamlet come on Warners, release them 70mm features! pronto!

He was referring to titles that Warner released on HD DVD but haven't yet released on Blu-ray, such as Grand Prix, Forbidden Planet, and Dukes of Hazzard. Hamlet has not been released on either format.

yet as I recall it was promised for a HD-DVD / Bluray release - but never materalized.

Didn't we recently have a thread like this? Someone asked about some of the old classic films. You know like from the 80's?

but what are Warner Bros. 1980's "classic" films??

A few:

Empire Of The Sun
The Mission
The Color Purple

and oh, der... 'The Right Stuff'

Once Upon A Time In America too.

I'm just thinking of any WB 2-disc SE's at this point.

need to be released faster

How about The Big Red One, Diner, After Hours, Mosquito Coast, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Prince of the City, Road Warrior or Wolfen?