Actually, the Blu-ray spec doesn't support 720p30 either. Here are what it supports (at HD resolutions):

1080p24, 1080i50, 1080i60
720p24, 720p50, 720p60

Doh right... i60 is actually 29.97 (60 fields per second; 30 frames per second); p60 is 59.94 (60 frames per second)

See what happens when you get stupid and have 16 options for digital broadcast.

I remember using 1080i 59.94 masters from a certain studio. It was such a pain in the ass to remove the 3/2 interlacing to create digital files for the internet.

fitprod

Any word on extras? I'm hoping there will be extras, and they'll do like they did for the LOTR releases and have different extras for the theatrical and extended releases

I didn't mind this film but I'm not the biggest fan of The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings movies so I'll only get one release. Since I have the Extended Trilogy of The Lord of the Rings I think I'll do the same for The Hobbit films.

I'll wait for the EE to come out.

Me too.

Which looks to be around the holiday season. Per digitalbits:

Warner Home Video has just officially announced the Blu-ray 3D Combo, Blu-ray Combo and DVD release of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on 3/19 (SRP $44.95, $35.99 and $22.97). Extras on all three versions will include the New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth documentary, 10 behind-the-scenes video blogs (Start of Production, Location Scouting, Shooting Block One, Filming in 3D, Locations: Part 1, Locations: Part 2, Stone St. Studios Tour, Wrap of Principal Photography, Post-production Overview and Wellington World Premiere), 5 theatrical trailers (Dwarves, Letter Opener, Bilbo Contract, Gandalf Wagers and Gollum Paths) and 3 videogame trailers (for The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth, Guardians of Middle-Earth and Lego The Lord of the Rings). All three versions will also include UltraViolet.

In addition, the film be available via digital streaming as early as 3/12. Other important details: Warner Home Video has now officially confirmed that an Extended Edition will be available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD “in time for the holidays.” Also, director Peter Jackson will offer fans the first sneak peek at the second film in the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, in a live streaming event on Sunday, March 24th (at 3:00 PM Eastern/Noon Pacific) on the official website. The film is due in theatres around the world on 12/13/2013.

So I assume Jackson will probably do the commentary track for the extended edition.

I know commentary tracks aren't really popular with people who only care about the movie, but his tracks are really good and very informative.

The BDs will feature 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio.

damn and I was hoping for a DTS NEO-X encode ...

I'll be holding out for a decent deal on this.

The movie felt stretched in theaters, but heck if I'm going to miss out on additional footage in the comfort of my own home. Extended edition for me.

I liked the theatrical cut a heck of a lot. So I'll gladly get it. If the EE's of LOTR are any indication, an EE to this flick won't necessarily be an improvement. Though I'll probably get the EE as well.

That'll be on the Extended Editions ...

I can't wait for this just because I ended up not being able to see it when it was in the theater.

That EE is going to get fired up the minute I get it here at home.

I saw this at the theatre yesterday and loved in, even though I saw the 2D film version.
I can't wait to pick up the 3D Blu on release day. The 3D cover needs a Hobbit and a bunch of Dwarves on it.

They'll probably use such a cover for the 3D EE release.

Amazon has a note to check back on 2/26 to pre-order. Walmart Canada is getting an exclusive digibook. Hopefully the US gets one as well.

I'd take a digibook when the EE comes around.

I'm hoping that the EE comes in a gift set

Walmart.com is getting Digibook with 3 different covers.

With LOTR, I bought the theatrical versions on VHS (hadn't upgraded to DVD yet), then the EE's on VHS (still hadn't upgraded to DVD), then waited until the EE trilogy set was available on DVD for a reasonable price to buy it. This time around, however painful, I think I'll wait until the whole movie has been released and buy the EE's in a package deal all at once like I ended up doing with LOTR. I just can't see spending money needlessly when I know I'm ultimately going to want the EE's. I'm sure the sheeple masses (and the ones who don't care about the EE's) will jump on these theatrical versions while the rest (like me) will wait for the EE's (unless they have money to spend on both, which I don't this time around).

I may rent this at some point in the year, but I'm holding out for the extended cut regarding a purchase.

lol, I didn't realize they had even done that

Best Buy - Gollum Exclusive Cover + CinemaNow code for access to a 30 minute exclusive documentary feature "A Hobbit Tale Part 1: The Journey Begins"

+

Target - Bilbo Baggins Lego Minifigure + Art Box



Wal-Mart - 3D Lenticular Card with Pre-Order + DigiBook



WB Shop - 8" x 40" Panoramic Poster