HD DVD thread - Toshiba: HD DVD DISCONTINUED, REPAIR/SUPPORT CONTINUES, NO BLU PLANS

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Thanks to everyone who chimed in about buying HD-DVD's online. I've never done the Google checkout before, so I might have to pick up some older releases. Though I already have it on standard DVD, I've always wanted to get Serenity on HD.

Jedi1979, your post made plenty of sense. It doesn't make sense to keep the player if there isn't anything coming out that interest you.
 
[quote name='Jedi1979']
I decided i will change to blu-ray even though i truly did want to support HD-DVD but it seems that Blu-Ray is getting their act together with the transfers and sound quality...i watched Casino Royale, Ice Age, and Open Season and after that i was very much impressed, now i look forward to Rocky Balboa this week and if that looks as good as i expect it then it will seal the deal for me along with the fact the HD-DVD has NO releases it seems:roll:

Basically i have the PS3 just for Blu-ray (since after i sell my HD-dvd drive and with the already discounted price i will have ended up spending around $150 for it) and since my time that i have for gaming is used up by my 360 it made the desicion to switch from HD to BR that much harder*

[/QUOTE]

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/releasedates.html

If nothing on that list looks appealing, then I guess you should.

Make sure you pay special attention to the releases at the bottom under "release dates pending" without dates yet, (mostly waiting for the new version of AACS but many of which are due out May-July.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/releasedates.html

If nothing on that list looks appealing, then I guess you should.

Make sure you pay special attention to the releases at the bottom under "release dates pending" without dates yet, (mostly waiting for the new version of AACS but many of which are due out May-July.[/quote]

there definately are some movies i would want but i figure i can pick them up later on when the prices drop (if the war is still going on) for the players but in the mean time Blu-ray fills my needs rather well with this list
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/releasedates.html
 
Just out of random curiousity and to stem the BD vs. HD debate for just a bit, I've got a question for everyone...

What, if any, films from your regular DVD collections did you all rebuy in HD?

For me it's been thus far: Serenity, Batman Begins, Apollo 13 and Mission Impossible. The former two I rebought because they are some personal all-time faves, Apollo 13 because I had the original DVd release and M:I becuase I bought the set (only owned the 1st on regular DVD). There were some others I considered buying but didn't for various reasons (like The Fugitive's poor HD transfer) and there may be a small handful I rebuy in the future but I try to hold off on them as much as possible.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']Just out of random curiousity and to stem the BD vs. HD debate for just a bit, I've got a question for everyone...

What, if any, films from your regular DVD collections did you all rebuy in HD?

For me it's been thus far: Serenity, Batman Begins, Apollo 13 and Mission Impossible. The former two I rebought because they are some personal all-time faves, Apollo 13 because I had the original DVd release and M:I becuase I bought the set (only owned the 1st on regular DVD). There were some others I considered buying but didn't for various reasons (like The Fugitive's poor HD transfer) and there may be a small handful I rebuy in the future but I try to hold off on them as much as possible.[/quote]

The first two movies in The Fast and The Furious series as well as Pitch Black and Chronicles of Riddick. I think I only did it because they were rated so high on the tier list and I was able to get them for a good price.

Mission Impossible I and II are being released again later this year, right? I might rebuy those if they have better transfers. I know they're already supposed to be good, but apparently they don't stack up to III.
 
To answer the "what did you rebuy" question - just Clerks II and Batman Begins....mostly due to lack of willpower. I said early on that I wouldn't be rebuying anything. I guess I'm just a big liar.

Hilariously stupid article on Kotaku today, based off the thread in the deals section where someone found a Wal-Mart clearancing the add-on. They actually suggested Wal-Mart is clearancing HD-DVD - as in, every Wal-Mart is dumping HD-DVD. Then then asked "it's already over?" and implied the format was dead.

Yeah. This is why people shouldn't confuse blogs with news sites.

Funny, I've actually felt better about the format than I have for a while recently. There's a lot of stuff on the way.
 
I would never buy a PS3 just for Blu-Ray. Worst case scenario, HD-DVD tanks completely in, say, mid 2008. Microsoft would just release a Blu-Ray add-on...probably for even less than the initial price of the HD-DVD player. It wouldn't at all surprise me to see it happen within the next two years, even if HD-DVD manages to thrive. Heck, they said they may do it even before the format war started, it's not going to take much to get them to do it if HD-DVD is out of the picture.

Plus, then ALL of my movies can be played on the same device. It's not like those HD-DVDs you already own suddenly explode if the format fades out. Short of buying a dual-format player, the 360 is the safest choice for HD movies, for my money. I can wait.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']I would never buy a PS3 just for Blu-Ray. Worst case scenario, HD-DVD tanks completely in, say, mid 2008. Microsoft would just release a Blu-Ray add-on...probably for even less than the initial price of the HD-DVD player. It wouldn't at all surprise me to see it happen within the next two years, even if HD-DVD manages to thrive. Heck, they said they may do it even before the format war started, it's not going to take much to get them to do it if HD-DVD is out of the picture.

Plus, then ALL of my movies can be played on the same device. It's not like those HD-DVDs you already own suddenly explode if the format fades out. Short of buying a dual-format player, the 360 is the safest choice for HD movies, for my money. I can wait.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that kotaku article took a great deal and spun it to be bad news somehow for HD DVD. But, of course, the 50% off sale for BD on Amazon was good news....
 
yea when are getting a good sale like that one on amazon for hd dvd...

i havent picked up any hd dvd titles at all recently.. the only one i was looking forward to was harsh times and they delayed that
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']
What, if any, films from your regular DVD collections did you all rebuy in HD?
[/QUOTE]

Nothing. I just got my HD Drive yesterday, but I don't plan on re-buying anything I already own. I also have tried to only buy movies that I know will benefit from having a higher image resolution. The only exception I think I'll be making is for Serenity, since I personally love the movie.

I hope to get Children of Men next week but since it's a HD/DVD combo, it'll be pricey.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']Just out of random curiousity and to stem the BD vs. HD debate for just a bit, I've got a question for everyone...

What, if any, films from your regular DVD collections did you all rebuy in HD?[/QUOTE]

I'm planning on rebuying Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Shaun Of The Dead, Dawn Of The Dead and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, besides them none of the movies I currently own have been released on HD-DVD.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']You'd think, but at the same time it makes me think of what I do everyday at work. Trying to talk people out of buying no name consumer electronics simply because they are cheaper. And for some reason most people have their heart set on buying absolute junk just to save a few dollars and you almost can never talk them out of it.[/quote]
Rebought:

MI:I
MI:II
MI:III
V For Vendetta
Batman Begins
Fast and the Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious
The Italian Job
Constantine
Sahara
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Will be rebuying the Matrix Trilogy and the LOTR series when they come out.


New to library:
Clerks II
The Last Samurai
The Departed
 
[quote name='asianxcore']

I hope to get Children of Men next week but since it's a HD/DVD combo, it'll be pricey.[/QUOTE]

Go to buy.com and use google checkout and you can get it for about $18 shipped.
 
Matrix Trilogy HD DVDs May 22nd

The HD DVD format gets a major boost May 22 when Warner Home Video releases The Ultimate Matrix Collection and The Complete Matrix Trilogy for $119.99 and $99.99, respectively.

The special editions, which include HD DVD releases of The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, collectively comprise 8 discs and more than 35 hours of bonus material, in addition to three “Revisited” mini-features.

Both releases include HD DVD’s In-Movie Experience (IME) interactive feature.

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/index.cfm?sec_id=2

HD DVD only in May due to Blu-Ray's BD-J still not being ready!
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']Are they only going to be available in the collection? I only want the first one so I hope not.[/QUOTE]

Looks like it.

This is fraking fantastic. About time Warner woke up and stopped postponing releases because Bluray is half baked.
 
Here is the official press release for those that care:

( I have a very sneaky suspicion that 300 will follow this pattern)

For Immediate Release

The Most Requested, Quintessential
HD DVD Title is Now Here!

THE ULTIMATE MATRIX COLLECTION &
THE COMPLETE MATRIX TRILOGY
ARRIVE MAY 22

Just in Time For Father’s Day Gift Givers
The Entire Legendary Matrix Series
in the Splendor of 1080p High Definition Brilliance with More Than 35 Hours of Bonus Features

Burbank, California (March 22, 2007) -- 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 and the three Revisited features in a 3-disc set.

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. For these titles, the IME will let viewers experience 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 Films
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
o Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
o Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
o Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
o Cast and Crew Commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta
o Composer Commentary by Don Davis with Music Only Track
• Behind The Matrix
o Making The Matrix
o The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes
o The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall
o The Code of the Red Dress
o The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake
o Agent Down
o 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
o Manson
o Reality
o Forget Everything
o Mystery
o Buckle Up
o The Answer
o Kung Fu
o Whoa
Side 2
• The Matrix Revisited
• Take the Red Pill
o What is Bullet Time?
o What is the Concept?
• Follow the White Rabbit
o Trinity Escapes
o Pod
o Kung Fu
o The Wall
o Bathroom Fight
o Government Lobby
o Government Roof
o Helicopter
o 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.

Special Features:
Side 1
In-Movie Experience
• Commentaries
o Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
o Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
o Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
• Behind The Matrix
o The Matrix Unfolds
o Pre-Load
o Get Me an Exit
o The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
• Enter the Matrix: The Game
• Enter the Matrix (contains 23 scenes from the video game)
• P.O.D. Music Video Sleeping Awake
• Reloaded/Revolutions Teaser
• The Matrix Reloaded Trailer
• The Matrix Reloaded TV Spots
o Yes
o Jack In
o Nice Trick
o Story
o No Escape
o I'm In
o Prophecy
o Neo

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

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


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


DISC 4: Animatrix & The Roots of the Matrix

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

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

Marketing and Promotions Support
WHV will be supporting the release of HD-DVD release of the Matrix collections with national television spots on national cable such as Comedy Central, Spike, Uni HD, G4, and Sci-Fi; in national print publications such as Maxim, Wired, and EW, and on-line sites such as IGN, UGO, IMdB, iFilm, Amazon, Yahoo, Google, and AskMen. Addtionally, in-store merchandisers will be available for national retailers, leveraging other HD-DVD titles during the Father’s Day season.


With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
 
Wow, I thought the reason The Matrix HD-DVD got pushed from 2006 was so it could get a simultaneous Blu-Ray release but it would seem that it was so they could really throw it all at us at once.

You know, WB claims to be supporting both formats equally but considering this, and all the other big WB movies that still haven't made it over to Blu-Ray, you've got to wonder just how committed to neutrality they really are...
 
[quote name='RedvsBlue']Wow, I thought the reason The Matrix HD-DVD got pushed from 2006 was so it could get a simultaneous Blu-Ray release but it would seem that it was so they could really throw it all at us at once.

You know, WB claims to be supporting both formats equally but considering this, and all the other big WB movies that still haven't made it over to Blu-Ray, you've got to wonder just how committed to neutrality they really are...[/QUOTE]

Look at the bolded areas of the press release. Warner is very clear how they feel about HD DVD.

WB has been sitting on this title, and other big ones, for over 6 months now and they are tired of waiting for BD to get their act together.

Rumor has it Star Trek is next, because Paramount is in the same boat.

Lots of studios want to put out their HD special editions and boxed sets full of IME type features, but they can't afford to sit on them forever while waiting for BD.

I just hope Disney is the next to get impatient.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']Look at the bolded areas of the press release. Warner is very clear how they feel about HD DVD.

WB has been sitting on this title, and other big ones, for over 6 months now and they are tired of waiting for BD to get their act together.

Rumor has it Star Trek is next, because Paramount is in the same boat.

Lots of studios want to put out their HD special editions and boxed sets full of IME type features, but they can't afford to sit on them forever while waiting for BD.

I just hope Disney is the next to get impatient.[/QUOTE]

I'm thinking this whole high def movie format war is a LOT of smoke and mirrors. Especially on Sony's (or the blu-ray disc alliance as the PS3 people insist on calling it) part.

I'm really getting the idea that blu-ray must be an absolute nightmare to develop for and, given it still can't use the picture in picture technology without just doubling the movie on the disc, a technologicly inferior format. That'd be crazy though, right, I mean blu-ray is a bigger format right and if Godzilla taught is anything, its that "size definetly matters."
 
So is it only in trilogy/collection forms or we will get individual volumes at some point? Cuz that's a little disappointing to me if it's only the sets, mainly because I thought the last 2 were a pretty big disaappointment and I didn't even purchase them on regular DVD. I'd love to rebuy the first one on HD-DVD though, but I'm not shelling out $80+ for only one film out of three I truly enjoy.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']So is it only in trilogy/collection forms or we will get individual volumes at some point? Cuz that's a little disappointing to me if it's only the sets, mainly because I thought the last 2 were a pretty big disaappointment and I didn't even purchase them on regular DVD. I'd love to rebuy the first one on HD-DVD though, but I'm not shelling out $80+ for only one film out of three I truly enjoy.[/QUOTE]

I have been all over various forums today, and what you are saying is extremely common. This leads me to conclude that Warner bros is smart, and they know a ton of people feel like you.

So they release the big box sets first, because even people that feel like you will get caught up in all the hysteria and many of you will still buy it.

I think you will probably see the single releases later on, probably on Total HD. And that might be how it comes out on BD too.
 
10426_news_image.jpg


fucking sexy :drool:


[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']So is it only in trilogy/collection forms or we will get individual volumes at some point? Cuz that's a little disappointing to me if it's only the sets, mainly because I thought the last 2 were a pretty big disaappointment and I didn't even purchase them on regular DVD. I'd love to rebuy the first one on HD-DVD though, but I'm not shelling out $80+ for only one film out of three I truly enjoy.[/quote]

Eventually they'll release the singles. The just announced MI:I and MI:II by themselves.
 
Shit, I'll buy this just on general principle even though the latter two films were weak. The Matrix and the Animatrix should be pretty great though.

I do hope that this is a sign that studios are sick of Blu-Ray dicking around and dragging their heels. We'll see.
 
Shit, I'll buy this just on general principle even though the latter two films were weak. The Matrix and the Animatrix should be pretty great though. However, if they don't put the Animatrix in HD I'll just buy the 3-movie set and keep the older Animatrix DVD. I'm assuming they'll have it in HD, it would pretty dumb not to to.

I do hope that this is a sign that studios are sick of Blu-Ray dicking around and dragging their heels. We'll see.
 
I still think I'm the only person who doesn't own the Matrix on any form....no DVD, nothing.

I'll be more excited when Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Revenge of the Nerds hits HD ;)
 
Someone just asked Amir more about the audio problem on the 360, he finally came clean as to what caused it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10096513&&#post10096513

Question: Why dont you try to give a release indicator of the xbox360 DTS update. As one previous stated - half the joy is in waiting for something, that you KNOW when to get! For myself I have stopped purchasing more HD DVD's, as I will need more specific information on update, before investing more money in movies and concerts with relatively "poor" sound stage.

I appreciate this. But it took me three months of trying to get you the last answer . But I will give it another shot and see if I can share more.

As to more info, here is an embarrassing nugget. The reason the audio dynamic range is not where it should be is that the Dolby Digital/DD+ decoder is permanently stuck in the "night" mode. This is the mode you can set on your DVD player where the dynamics are compressed as to not wake up the others sleeping in the house. Apparently, Dolby certification rules mandate that night mode be on, if there is no UI to turn it on and off. Their assumption is that without such UI, this a portable DVD player and such, driving a TV with its little speaker which may get damaged with full dynamic range!

Anyway, the above is a silly requirement in this situation but I don't want to put the fault on Dolby. We should have caught this and put in the UI and do it right. So the update will have a UI setting with default being full dynamic range. This is why I said earlier that even normal Dolby Digital output will sound better. But per pervious posts, we will also be adding DTS encoding output at its higher rate.

The major part of this release by the way, is fixing title compatibility issues. Just about everything reported here and elsewhere has been addressed.
 
Funny because my wife was asking if they will be releasing matrix on hd-dvd. Awesome info especially after all this blueray talk and hype.
 
Very nice news regarding the Matrix Trilogy.

I already own Reloaded and Revolutions on standard DVD, but I may upgrade. I held off on getting the first movie because it wasn't in a keepcase, but now I'll have an HD transfer to look forward to.

I've been trying to only buy movies on HD that I don't already have. I picked up Serenity (which I already own on standard) on HD used today, so who knows it might be the beginning of an avalanche

I also didn't realize until today that Serenity is only available on HD-DVD. :applause:
 
Someone already gave me the ultimate nerd version of the Matrix DVD Collection as a gift (the one with the ass-ugly bust of Neo), but if the reviews are good, I will sell that one off and get the HD version instead.

Thanks for the update, KR!
 
Re: thirstbucket's post at the top of this page

Sony should take a look at that and tell all their PR 'tards to copy exactly what he did whenever there is an issue with something - I bet the dislike for them would be cut in half. He admitted there was a problem, didn't try to conjure up bullshit excuses, didn't try to redirect it to something else, and said a fix will be coming. Wow, works great, huh?

That stupid-ass story about HD DVD dying because *one* Wal-Mart clearanced the player from the other day made it onto G4. Fortunately only about 14 people watch G4, so I don't think the misinformation is that damaging.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Re: thirstbucket's post at the top of this page

Sony should take a look at that and tell all their PR 'tards to copy exactly what he did whenever there is an issue with something - I bet the dislike for them would be cut in half. He admitted there was a problem, didn't try to conjure up bullshit excuses, didn't try to redirect it to something else, and said a fix will be coming. Wow, works great, huh?

[/QUOTE]

They've dodged the sound issues in some way shape or form since the freaking add-on launched. All PR people are the same essentially, just because he finally fesses (sp?) up to one thing doesn't make him any better really IMO. Also I have a problem with clearly bias employees being members of public message boards.

Edited: To reflect apoligies and detractions...see post 551.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']Amir's lied before, especially via Major Nelson's podcasts, the one involving 1080p and the HD add-on was pretty rediculous, so sorry if I don't trust him now more than before. Not to mention they've dodged the sound issues in some way shape or form since the freaking add-on launched. All PR people are the same essentially, just because he finally fesses (sp?) up to one thing doesn't make him any better really IMO. Also I have a problem with clearly bias employees being members of public message boards.[/QUOTE]

One thing to keep in mind, though, about Amir, is that he is the Corporate Vice President, Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft.

That means he isn't anywhere near 360 stuff. He meets with them, and such, but when you ask him an Xbox question, he usually has to go to someone in the Xbox division to get the answer. It's not his bag. He is an expert in Codecs and HD DVD type stuff, but not the 360.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']One thing to keep in mind, though, about Amir, is that he is the Corporate Vice President, Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft.

That means he isn't anywhere near 360 stuff. He meets with them, and such, but when you ask him an Xbox question, he usually has to go to someone in the Xbox division to get the answer. It's not his bag. He is an expert in Codecs and HD DVD type stuff, but not the 360.[/QUOTE]

Kind of passing the buck there aren't you? He chooses to say what he says from his mouth, put simply anykind of misinformation from his mouth is still misinformation, just because he's not willing to actually look into the inner workings of something himself does that make the info any less inaccurate or the dodging any less... well dodgy? If he's going to do an interview about the 360's capabilities (including the add-on which IIRC he is in part responsible for it's compatibility and functions) and how they work in the market he certainly better get the right info from the right people before he talks about it. And you're the one who brought up his PR abilities anyways. Bill Gates is not a Xbox expert either, but if he's giving an interview or a press conference about it my guess is you'd believe whatever he's laying down about capabilities, compatbility, etc. for the system.
 
I'm not defending Amir. And I am not saying that he didn't perhaps give out some false information before in a podcast or whatever. Anyone in any position that high up in any company that big is bound to make a public ass of themselves on occasion, comes with the job.

I'm simply saying I've been reading his responses for a long time in the insiders thread, and even had a few answered of my own. My experience with him is he usually doesn't say ANYTHING unless he's 100% sure about it, and if he isn't, he makes it ABUNDANTLY clear that he isn't sure about it. Probably experience from situations like you point out.

He's not a liar though.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']Amir's lied before, especially via Major Nelson's podcasts, the one involving 1080p and the HD add-on was pretty rediculous[/QUOTE]
Examples?

so sorry if I don't trust him now more than before. Not to mention they've dodged the sound issues in some way shape or form since the freaking add-on launched. All PR people are the same essentially, just because he finally fesses (sp?) up to one thing doesn't make him any better really IMO
No, they are not "all the same." Even if they out-and-out lie (and time has shown Amir to be generally forthcoming regarding stuff that he is allowed to speak about), there is a correct way to address the customers/community and an incorrect way. Sony's multiple mouthpieces are notorious for redirecting or denying problems, and indeed Major Nelson and Peter Moore constantly pass the buck and/or deny things when they do not have a good answer for something. Those are examples of how NOT to do it.

Also I have a problem with clearly bias employees being members of public message boards.

Please. If a company stays silent, people scream bloody murder about them not talking. If anything, there needs to be MORE hands-on employees. Amir is one of the few people who come off as more of an "optimist" than someone totally deluded and/or just blindly towing the company line. Even if that isn't truly the case, public perception is 90% of what matters in situations like this.

The forum is for insiders in general, not just some guy from Microsoft. There are several representatives from multiple areas of the industry there - yes, including Blu-Ray. It's hardly an HD-DVD cheerleading board.
 
Actually, I publicly detract partly what I said and publicly apoligize to Amir. Listening to it again, the podcast was actually not him and for that I'm sorry. However, I listened to his pdocast about HD-DVD and of course being a Majo Nelson interview the rough topics were simply skirted (like the why did MS not pick BD, not a single person mentioned because their main competeitor was launching it via PS3 or that the 360 wasn't ready for HD-DVd when it launched) and there was a soundbite here or there that was not totally forthcoming (most all the studios wanted less copyright protection? Is that why HD has less studios?). Still, calling him a liar was perhaps harsh. Plus MS as a whole did dodge the sound issue for months regarding the HD-DVD add-on, but I apoligize for taking all that out on one guy.

I'm obviously partly wrong here I suppose, maybe if Amir told more people at his company to act like that and I'd listen to what they have to say, but my stance on the PR type remains firm, no matter the company they work for.

As for them joining message boards, I suppose I wouldn't care if there was something in their member info/avatar to the side that indicated who they work for. And I didn't mean to say AVS was all HD-DVD backing, simply I don't agree with making these type of people members or even simply "special members". It may not be the situation with him, but I just dislike when the insiders peer into a message board and don't post except to when it's to their comapny's benefit. Again, not saying that's the case here exactly, but I'm sure some others have seen this type of thing and I'm speaking generally.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']Actually, I publicly detract partly what I said and publicly apoligize to Amir.[/quote]
That's why I wanted an example...I thought it was some other guy. Was it the same doofus that said "1080p is basically impossible" or someone else? He's certainly had his share of brainless shills on that show.


The Digital Bits is saying that The Animatrix will be standard def only - somewhat disappointing, yes, but my wallet thanks me.

I strongly advise most people to just pick up the trilogy, as all the extras are standard def and in the Ultimate set the discs are flippers. I don't mind flippers but I know it may drive some people nuts. Personally, I'll just be copying the bonus stuff on the discs I have now and selling the set to help pay for the trilogy set.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']That's why I wanted an example...I thought it was some other guy. Was it the same doofus that said "1080p is basically impossible" or someone else? He's certainly had his share of brainless shills on that show.[/quote]

Dunno, don't remember that per say, but this dude was talking about using 1080p with the add-on drive and VGA, basically saying that the majority of 1080p tvs have a VGA input and every one that does can therefore do 1080p via VGA, which is essentially the total opposite of reality and other such garbage. It's funny, I used ot really enjoy Major Nelson's podcasts, but now that I've kind of become more educated and so forth about everything I realize just how much of what comes out on those things are BS.

[quote name='KaneRobot']
The Digital Bits is saying that The Animatrix will be standard def only - somewhat disappointing, yes, but my wallet thanks me.

I strongly advise most people to just pick up the trilogy, as all the extras are standard def and in the Ultimate set the discs are flippers. I don't mind flippers but I know it may drive some people nuts. Personally, I'll just be copying the bonus stuff on the discs I have now and selling the set to help pay for the trilogy set.[/QUOTE]

While I never really expect all the extras to be hi-def (then that sucker would have a rediculous amount of discs I'm sure), not having the Animatrix in hi-def will be slightly disapointing IMO as well. Especially considering I enjoyed it more than the last two films. Still, I suppose it helps me decide if I should wait it out for individual volumes to be released (plus I'm one of the people that is driven nuts by flippers), but alos this from a guy who doesn't pay all that much attention to extras on most DVDs (besides commentaries which I usually love).
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Wow I'm disappointed. I really thought with this set all extras would be in HD hence the need for flippers.[/QUOTE]

There are no such things as HD flippers (yet)

Right now we only have HD15/DVD9 and HD30/DVD9 flippers. Technically the SD extras should be playable in any DVD player.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Wow I'm disappointed. I really thought with this set all extras would be in HD hence the need for flippers.[/QUOTE]

What if the extras weren't filmed in HD to begin with?
 
Good news for Matrix fans.

[quote name='MovieMinded']We're waiting to announce our final Pre-Order price on The Matrix sets but rest assured they will be no more than $69.99 for The Matrix Collection & $83.99 for The Ultimate Matrix Collection.[/QUOTE]

HDDVDWorld is usually on par with Amazon by about 5 dollars.

23ish per Matrix movie isn't that bad.
 
April 1st - 7th at Circuit City...

****Get 4 Free HD-DVD Movies with purchase of the TOSHIBA HD-A2 Player // Player Price is Listed As $399.99

AND 5 Free ones from the Mail-Away coupon! Thats an HD Player and 9 fucking titles for $400!
 
Just purchased A Scanner Darkly, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Planet Earth: The Complete Collection, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, The Big Lebowski and Lost In Translation from HDDVDWorld for $172.24 shipped Priority.

The next 2 months is going to kick ass.
 
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