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Blu-ray 2008: The Studio Report Card

Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:25 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends (all tags)

High-Def Digest's own Kenneth S. Brown has just written an article for Sound & Vision Magazine, in which he holds the studios accountable for their performance in the Blu-ray arena.

Regular readers are more than familiar with Kenneth's insightful movie reviews and analysis. Anyone who has read his reviews also knows that Ken isn't shy when it comes to taking the studios to task for skimping on sound, over-processing their video, or charging an arm and a leg for a title that offers little to no extras or high-def exclusives. Now Ken has written a piece for Sound & Vision, in which he lines the studios up in a row and points out who is doing what well, and who is taking the shortcuts. Check out the article on Sound & Vision's website.

If you like what you read, check out Kenneth's recent reviews for 'Standard Operating Procedure,' 'Eastern Promises,' 'Daredevil: Director's Cut,' 'Run Fatboy Run,' and 'Madagascar,' among hundred of others. His rundown of the Best (and Worst) High-Def Discs of 2007 is also a fun read.

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Related links:
Blu-ray 2008: The Studio Report Card [Sound & Vision Magazine]

Warner to Offer Discounted Blu-rays Beginning this Fall

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Marketing, Industry Trends, Warner (all tags)

Starting in September Warner Home Video will begin offering retailers a new series of multi-tier discounts on select Blu-ray catalog titles.

According to Video Business, WHV will begin to sell retailers specific Blu-ray catalog releases for as low as $11 each (after rebate), allowing them to discount the titles for consumers at a few dollars off their current suggested list price.

Warner has not issued a complete list of the titles to be made available for discounting, but some of the "deep" catalog offerings will include: 'The Shining,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'The Aviator,' 'The Road Warrior,' 'Enter the Dragon,' 'The Fugitive' and 'Swordfish.'

Among more recent new releases to be offered at a slimmer discount are: '300,' 'Ocean's 13,' 'The Departed,' 'I Am Legend' and 'We Are Marshall.'

The studio has not specified an exact date when the new retail pricing strategy will go into effect aside from the September window, but as always, we'll keep you posted on this story as it develops. Stay tuned.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Warner Lowers Blu-ray Pricing [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
300 (Blu-ray)
Ocean's Thirteen (Blu-ray)
The Departed (Blu-ray)
I Am Legend (Blu-ray)
We Are Marshall (Blu-ray)
The Shining (1980) (Blu-ray)
A Clockwork Orange (Blu-ray)
The Aviator (Blu-ray)
The Road Warrior (Blu-ray)
Enter the Dragon (Blu-ray)
The Fugitive (Blu-ray)

Warner Planning Winter Launch for BD-Live

Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Warner, BD-Live Titles (all tags)

Warner is preparing to launch its first BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray titles in time for the Winter holidays, the company revealed at a press event held this past Friday.

During the keynote address at the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy conference, president of Warner Bros. Technical Operations Darcy Antonellis confirmed that the studio's first Blu-ray titles to feature web-enabled interactivity are being readied for release as soon as the end of 2008.

Among the cutting-edge BD-Live interactivite features planned for the as-yet-unnamed titles include real-time viewing, a search engine, library access, and a "recommendation tool" for other titles complete with e-mail reminders.

More standard features also planned include real-time and downloadable content such as picture-in-picture, deleted scenes and trailers, as well as ringtones and wallpapers.

Predicting quicker adoption of web-enabled content versus DVD-ROM features on standard DVD, Antonellis cited videogame adoption and the success of personal networking websites as key to mass consumer acceptance.

"I think it [BD-Live] has the ability to compete [with MySpace and YouTube] for a user's time because you are taking them online and you're able to create a community that we have never been able to do before," she said. 'That's huge for us."

Although the studio declined to confirm any specific titles slated to receive the BD-Live treatment, Antonellis pointed to the upcoming 'The Dark Knight' as a likely candidate, hinting that an online chat activity for the release is being considered.

"These are exclusive opportunities that can be offered through this small community that is created with these [Profile 2.0] players," Antonellis said. "We are no longer limited by finite capacity on the disc."

We'll certainly keep you posted on this story as it develops. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Warner Eyes Winter Holiday BD Live Launch [Home Media Retailing]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Batman Begins (Blu-ray)

Blu-ray Only Introduces Line of Low-Priced Blu-rays

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Industry Trends (all tags)

Reaching a new low in Blu-ray pricing, newcomer Blu-ray Only is introducing its first wave of discount next-gen titles this August.

Kicking off the distributor's first Blu-ray slate is the 1953 Elizabeth Taylor-Van Johnson classic 'The Last Time I Saw Paris,' and the Humphrey Bogart drama 'Beat the Devil.'

Priced at a new format-low of $11.98 each, Blu-ray Only will release both titles on August 12.

At press time there were no announced supplemental features, and the company has yet to confirm tech specs. As always, we'll keep you posted.

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Last Time I Saw Paris' and 'Beat the Devil' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 12.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Last Time I Saw Paris (Blu-ray)
Beat the Devil (Blu-ray)

Disney to Push BD-Live on All Future Blu-ray Releases

Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Disney (all tags)

At a press event Monday, Disney unveiled ambitious plans to bring BD-Live to all its future Blu-ray titles, beginning with the October debut of 'Sleeping Beauty.'

During a media kick-off held in Hollywood, California, for the studio's first Platinum Edition Blu-ray release, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment previewed the extensive BD-Live features on 'Sleeping Beauty,' and outlined an initiative to make web-based interactivity a cornerstone of its high-def strategy.

"We are making our entrance grand," said studio president Bob Chapek. "Every subsequent Disney title will have BD Live. [This may] push the studios to reach new heights that have never been before imagined."

The studio's BD-Live plans encompass all future Walt Disney and Pixar theatrical and catalog titles, including the likely fourth-quarter blu-ray release of Pixar's 'Wall•E.'

Disney-distributed titles from such content partners as ABC, Touchstone, and Miramax would not be included, though they may also feature BD-Live.

Disney also says it is planning an extensive multimedia marketing program to promote the benefits of BD-Live to the studio's core family demographic, designed to educate families about the value of the technology.

"You will see BD Live demos across the country," added Chapek. "We will talk about [BD Live] benefits. This is not just technology for technology's sake."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
BD Live Will be Priority for Disney [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)

Kino International to Go Blu this Fall

Fri May 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Disc Announcements, Kino International (all tags)

Top foreign film distributor Kino International has become the latest indie to jump into high-def, announcing that they will begin releasing titles on Blu-ray in 2008.

Although they offered no exact street date, Kino is planning for their first Blu-ray release to be Wong Kar Wai's 'Fallen Angels,' which is due sometime this fall. (No tech specs or supplement details have been announced.)

One of the largest distributors of foreign and indie films on DVD throughout the past decade, Kino says it plans to support the format, with a number of Blu-ray releases in the works. Possessing a diverse library of classic films, documentaries, and rare silent shorts, some of the highly-desirable titles in its catalog include early Laurel & Hardy productions, Harry Houdini films, 'The Wonderful Horrible Life Of Leni Riefenstahl,' and Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis.'

Watch this space for updates on Kino's first Blu-ray announcements as soon as they come to us. Stay tuned!

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Universal Details Plans For Blu-ray

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Universal, Industry Trends, Release Dates (all tags)

Universal Studios is expected to announce plans today to begin issuing new release titles on Blu-ray starting this summer.

As reported by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, the studio, which had been one of the staunchest supporters of the HD DVD format, is expected to announce the recent theatrical release 'Doomsday' as their inaugural Blu-ray title, with approximately 40 other films following in the latter half of the year.

Other titles singled out for Blu-ray release include the studio's upcoming films 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'Wanted,' 'Mamma Mia,' and 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.' In anticipation of the new 'Mummy' film, Universal's first jump into the Blu-ray pool will come on July 22 with three films from the franchise, including the Brendan Fraser action adventures 'The Mummy,' 'The Mummy Returns,' and the spin-off 'The Scorpion King' starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Other titles mentioned for Blu-ray treatment include 'Land of the Dead, ' 'End of Days,' 'Knocked Up,' 'American Gangster,' 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin,' 'Miami Vice,' and 'U-571.'

Additional news and titles will no doubt be forthcoming, so we'll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Mummy (1999) (Blu-ray)
The Mummy Returns (Blu-ray)
The Scorpion King (Blu-ray)

Report: Blu-ray Disc Sales Impacting DVD

Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Sales, Industry Trends, Industry Forecasts (all tags)

Thanks to the demise of HD DVD and increased Blu-ray retail momentum, next-gen disc sales are starting to carve out a bigger slice of the home video pie, a new report suggests.

According to an analysis of Nielsen VideoScan First Alert numbers conducted by Home Media Magazine, Disney's Blu-ray chart-topper 'No Country for Old Men' drew 9.8 percent of its total unit sales from Blu-ray during its first five days in stores.

Faring even better was Fox's 'Hitman,' which saw 12.6 percent of total customers taking home the Blu-ray version during its first five days.

By comparison, high-def percentages during the height of the format war rarely topped 2 to 3 percent of a title's total disc sales. (Even 2007's biggest high-def seller, the HD DVD-only release of 'Transformers,' generated little more than 4 percent of its total unit sales from the next-gen version.)

Adams Media Research analyst Tom Adams cited a newfound sense of confidence among consumers as the main reason for Blu-ray's recent siege on DVD market share, as many of those previously waiting out the format war may now be willing to dip their toes in the Blu waters.

"Before, there was a tendency to play it safe and stick with the standard DVD," Adams said. "But now there's no longer anything to worry about."

Adams also expects to see Blu-ray disc sales continue to boom throughout the rest of calendar year, fueled by increasing penetration of Blu-ray hardware and sales of Sony's Blu-ray-driven PlayStation 3.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Blu-ray Software Sales Spike [Home Media Magazine]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray)
Hitman (Blu-ray)
Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Disc Sales: 'No Country' Pushes Blu-ray Past 9M Mark (Mar 27, 2008)

Vanguard Ends HD DVD Support with 'Disco Pigs,' Makes Move to Blu

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Vanguard (all tags)

Indie Vanguard has confirmed that it will close out its HD DVD support with the June release of 'Disco Pigs,' and that it plans to begin releasing titles on Blu-ray later this year.

Although Vanguard says there will be no official statement to come, the company has released an updated high-def release schedule that confirms they will no longer issue any new titles on the format following the June 24 HD DVD debut of the Cillian Murphy-starrer 'Disco Pigs.'

Also nixed from the company's schedule were two previously-announced HD DVD releases, 'The Low Life' and 'Animal Room.'

When asked for comment on Vanguard's future high-def plans, a company rep told us that a move to Blu-ray is currently in the planning stages for later this year. Initial titles and street date information are yet to be determined, however, so we expect to have additional information in the coming months.

As always, we'll keep you posted on further details of Vanguard's transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.

In the meantime, we've removed 'Animal Room' and 'The Low Life' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Disco Pigs (HD DVD)

Disc Sales: 'No Country' Pushes Blu-ray Past 9M Mark

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Sales, Industry Trends (all tags)

Propelled by strong sales of 'No Country for Old Men,' total U.S. Blu-ray software sales since inception have now topped 9 million through the week ending March 16.

According to HMR research, BD unit sales for the first 11 weeks of this year lodged 3 million units, adding to the 6 million the format had sold previously since its launch in mid-2006. The year's strong sales pace thus far puts Blu-ray solidly on track to top at least 15 million units sold for 2008.

Although weekly Blu-ray disc sales have been averaging 200,000 to 300,000 since the beginning of the year, they surged to 319,000 for the week ending March 16, buoyed by Disney's 'No Country for Old Men.'

The recent Best Picture Oscar-winner moved a stellar 68,000 Blu-ray copies in its first week, and handily outpaced the 10,000 to 30,000 units that top-sellers in previous weeks had averaged (it also easily trounced its nearest competitor, Fox's 'Hitman,' though the second-place finisher also posted healthy sales).

Blu-ray's momentum looks likely to continue throughout the Spring, with a strong line-up of new releases due in the weeks ahead. All eyes are now on such upcoming hits as Fox's 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' (April 1) and 'Juno' (April 15), New Line's 'The Golden Compass' (April 29) and Sony's 'Untraceable' to see if they can match or exceed 'No Country's gangbusters first-week sales tally. Stay tuned...

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
9 mil. Blu Discs Sold To Date; 3 million Already This Year [Hollywood in Hi-Def]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray)
Hitman (Blu-ray)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) (Blu-ray)
Juno (Blu-ray)
The Golden Compass (Blu-ray)
Untraceable (Blu-ray)


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