The Blu-Ray version of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy was scheduled to be released this month.
But Warner Pictures delayed it to 'early next year'.
Now, the version that they wanted to sell was the theatrical one, with the extended versions coming out only around 2011 or 2012.
This created an uproar with the public, as the extended versions could easily be added in the Blu-Ray version without extra disks. The general feel was that Warner thought it could make their customers pay once for the theatrical versions and then again for the extended versions, rather like many folks did with the DVD versions.
But it seemed that the customers were not having it - there were over 1,000 1-star ratings at Amazon for the theatrical disks, with everyone telling people to stay away from that release and wait for the extended versions.
Besides, since all the true fans already have the extended edition DVDs, nobody is in a hurry to buy the theatrical versions in blu-ray and then take a 'double dip' with the extended ones (and frankly, after watching the longer versions, who wants to see the others? The cuts are noticeable and seriously detract from the enjoyment of the movies).
So, it would seem that we might actually get the extended LoTR Blu-Ray in 2010 after all... and then again, maybe not.
If they go ahead and only release in 2010 the theatrical versions of the movies in Blu-Ray, would you buy them, or would you prefer to wait for as long as it takes to get the extended ones? I for one will only buy the Extended versions - did so for the DVDs and will certainly do it again for Blu-Ray.
That said, I really DO want to watch LoTR in true HD... :(
I only bought the EE's on dvd. I'd do the same for blu-ray.
I already have the DVDs, don't see myself wanting HD versions of the same thing. The difference really isn't big enough as it was with vhs/dvd.
If I get them I certainly won't get the theatre version. I don't have the DVDs so I might get the Blu-Gay.
With business practices like these, why the big fuss about piracy when the biggest thieves are clearly members of the industry?
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
Quote from: Slargos on November 27, 2009, 08:26:23 PM
With business practices like these, why the big fuss about piracy when the biggest thieves are clearly members of the industry?
They're allowed to sell their products in whatever why they like. Until the EU steps in, they'll do whatever they can.
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
Your loss. Standard def content looks like crap by comparison.
Quote from: derspiess on November 27, 2009, 08:46:31 PM
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
Your loss. Standard def content looks like crap by comparison.
Not really. It only makes a difference for sports.
Quote from: Slargos on November 27, 2009, 08:26:23 PM
With business practices like these, why the big fuss about piracy when the biggest thieves are clearly members of the industry?
If I was one of the people with a gun to my head being forced to buy the product I would be mad as hell too.
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:56:49 PM
Not really. It only makes a difference for sports.
Well, at least you admit that now :D
Quote from: derspiess on November 27, 2009, 09:09:15 PM
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:56:49 PM
Not really. It only makes a difference for sports.
Well, at least you admit that now :D
Well, you can't watch sports on Blu-Ray.
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 09:15:07 PM
Well, you can't watch sports on Blu-Ray.
I thought you were making a general statement about High Def.
I will most definitely wait for the extended version of the blurays. I wish they would hurry!
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
Maybe you need glasses.
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 27, 2009, 04:21:12 PM
If they go ahead and only release in 2010 the theatrical versions of the movies in Blu-Ray, would you buy them, or would you prefer to wait for as long as it takes to get the extended ones? I for one will only buy the Extended versions - did so for the DVDs and will certainly do it again for Blu-Ray.
That said, I really DO want to watch LoTR in true HD... :(
I will buy the extended version if there is something new compared to the DVD. Otherwise, I'll skip for now.
I own the theatrical versions on DVD. never seen the extended cuts because I already paid a fortune watching the super long movies in the theatre.
Any "director's Cut" that is put on dvd or blu ray these days without including the theatrical release as well is just a money grabbing ripoff. It's like buying a Van Gogh but only being allowed to look at 3/4 or the painting at any one time.
Well, in this case I'd venture to say that the extended cuts are clearly superior to the teatrical release. They don't remove anything but rather add some scenes that were missing (on Hobbits, final confrontation with Saruman etc.).
Is it okay for communists to engage in such blatant bourgeois consumerism?
Peter Jackson is gay anyway. I don't care if Legolas shield-surfs in HiDef or otherwise.
Quote from: Sahib on November 28, 2009, 06:51:14 PM
Is it okay for communists to engage in such blatant bourgeois consumerism?
No, they should wait for the extended versions.
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:56:49 PM
Not really. It only makes a difference for sports.
Besides sports, it depends.
Blu-Ray versions of older movies (made before the Hi-Def era) seem like upgraded DVDs - though still a bit better than those.
Blu-Rays of modern movies are vastly superior to their DVD counterparts. The image becomes quite real, and you pay more attention to details that you'd never even realize were there in the SD versions. The best comparison I can give you is that in SD you basically see things like a myopic 40 year-old would *without wearing glasses*, while in full HD you see things like if you were still 18 and had 20/20 eyesight.
Another thing that improves hugely with Hi-Def is gaming. The newer console games (both for the PS3 and the 360) are quite amazing, one can check the fabric of the characters' clothes, the brand of their shoes or even the details of their skin and hair.
That said, it also does depend a bit on what you have. Hi-Def truly shines on larger TVs (I wouldn't recommend any tv under 50 inches), as well as their ability to render full HD (1080p) images, as that is the native resolution of Blu-Rays. Running that resolution on both Movies and Games provides for a far greater image quality than the cheapo sets that just run HD (720p).
(Especially on TVs that can show everything life-sized; One really gets the feeling of 'being there', so to speak).
Oh, and the quality of the set is important to avoid pixellation. Get a Pio and you can stand right in front of the tv with no problems. Quite immersive :)
Anyway, considering that:
1. All TVs sold today are at least HD and most full HD;
2. Blu-Ray players are easily accessible (anyone with a PS3 already has one, for example); and that
3. Blu-Ray movies eventuall fall in price to be almost as cheap as the cheapo DVDs;
Then going for the format that gives better picture quality is a no-brainer.
Quote from: Sahib
Is it okay for communists to engage in such blatant bourgeois consumerism?
One thing is what socialism really is, another is what the propagandist liberal media says you should think socialism is, all to convince you that working a shitload of unpaid overtime while your government hands all the money over to the banks for basically nothing (so that their executives can keep giving each other gigantic bonuses) is teh graet.
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 29, 2009, 02:34:59 PM
One thing is what socialism really is, another is what the propagandist liberal media says you should think socialism is, all to convince you that working a shitload of unpaid overtime while your government hands all the money over to the banks for basically nothing (so that their executives can keep giving each other gigantic bonuses) is teh graet.
Political scientists will be pondering this manifesto for centuries.
Quote from: derspiess on November 29, 2009, 08:17:14 PM
Political scientists will be pondering this manifesto for centuries.
I think it means this:
Martim is in a high income tax bracket.
For ideological reasons he feels he can't bitch about it.
Spending money on bank bailouts (if Portugal in fact did) allows him to do so.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 29, 2009, 08:25:56 PM
Quote from: derspiess on November 29, 2009, 08:17:14 PM
Political scientists will be pondering this manifesto for centuries.
I think it means this:
Martim is in a high income tax bracket.
For ideological reasons he feels he can't bitch about it.
Spending money on bank bailouts (if Portugal in fact did) allows him to do so.
I think he just misses the old days of the New State.
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 29, 2009, 02:34:59 PM
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:56:49 PM
Not really. It only makes a difference for sports.
Besides sports, it depends.
Blu-Ray versions of older movies (made before the Hi-Def era) seem like upgraded DVDs - though still a bit better than those.
I beg to differ but I'd like to know what do you mean by before the Hi-Def era. 2001 on blu-ray does not look or sound like an upgraded DVD.
Quote
Blu-Rays of modern movies are vastly superior to their DVD counterparts. The image becomes quite real, and you pay more attention to details that you'd never even realize were there in the SD versions. The best comparison I can give you is that in SD you basically see things like a myopic 40 year-old would *without wearing glasses*, while in full HD you see things like if you were still 18 and had 20/20 eyesight.
Some modern movies can look not that good on blu-ray, depending on how they were shot (budget, film stock, photography, transfer.)
Donnie Darko for instance.
I have yet to own a single blueray/HD movie disc. I'll probably switch to blueray when standard dvd stuff is no longer available.
Bluray, schmuray.
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2009, 05:01:01 AM
Some modern movies can look not that good on blu-ray, depending on how they were shot (budget, film stock, photography, transfer.)
Donnie Darko for instance.
The early transfers were so rushed they looked worse on Blu-ray/HD-DVD than on a standard DVD. Full Metal Jacket was a huge disappointment to me (hopefully they've re-done that one) but other films like Goodfellas & The Godfather are flat-out amazing.
The transfers are getting better.
Speaking of Blu-ray, I need to replace my Samsung that has not been playing standard DVDs. Looked around the sales all weekend but couldn't find a cheaply priced player that I'd be happy with. Those buggers are getting cheaper, though. Newegg had the lowest model LG player (BD270) for $75 shipped on Saturday. That's definitely approaching the point where the price of the player is not a factor, so you might as well go Blu-ray.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 30, 2009, 07:44:34 AM
Bluray, schmuray.
I can't believe I agree with gay fox.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I'm going to the hospital. :(
You agree with me all the time. Usually just too ashemed of it to admit it.
It's okay, I'm a wonderfull guy.
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
It might be your tv; not all hd is the same. If you're using 740p and 60 mhz hd, perhaps the difference isnt noticeable. I just got a 1040p 120 mhz set and in blue ray, it is as if the actors are sitting in the room and I am watching live theatre. It is amazing.
Doubt I will upgrade to blu ray until they stop producing dvds. The main benefit of dvd over VHS for me is not having to rewind, size, and being able to instantly go anywhere in the movie. The quality difference is not very important, so blu ray offers no advantages over dvd, where the advantages of dvd over VHS were very large.
Quote from: derspiess on November 30, 2009, 10:11:18 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2009, 05:01:01 AM
Some modern movies can look not that good on blu-ray, depending on how they were shot (budget, film stock, photography, transfer.)
Donnie Darko for instance.
The early transfers were so rushed they looked worse on Blu-ray/HD-DVD than on a standard DVD. Full Metal Jacket was a huge disappointment to me (hopefully they've re-done that one) but other films like Goodfellas & The Godfather are flat-out amazing.
The transfers are getting better.
That I can agree with but the same thing happened when early DVDs sucked compared to Laserdisc (VHS vs DVD apples and oranges sorry). DVDs still suck sound-wise compared to Laserdiscs (uncompressed ftw) .
Not to mention that some preferable cuts are only available on Laserdisc (Georges Lucas anyone?)
Full Metal Jacket has been redone and can be bought for cheap (new version).
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on November 30, 2009, 05:01:01 AM
[I beg to differ but I'd like to know what do you mean by before the Hi-Def era. 2001 on blu-ray does not look or sound like an upgraded DVD.
Like DerSpiess said, early Blu-Rays were quite rushed on the transfers (the 'Gladiator' debacle comes to mind, where they even deleted some arrows and parts of spears in the battles).
And at any rate, older movies (pre-1950), while looking quite good, really do not do justice to the format [especially if they were rendered in Black and White].
Quote from: Duque de Bragança
Some modern movies can look not that good on blu-ray, depending on how they were shot (budget, film stock, photography, transfer.)
Donnie Darko for instance.
Well, crappy movies will always be crappy. You really can't change that. To avoid those, the best bet is to check the user reviews (Amazon is especially good for that).
Quote from: Der Spiess
Speaking of Blu-ray, I need to replace my Samsung that has not been playing standard DVDs. Looked around the sales all weekend but couldn't find a cheaply priced player that I'd be happy with. Those buggers are getting cheaper, though. Newegg had the lowest model LG player (BD270) for $75 shipped on Saturday. That's definitely approaching the point where the price of the player is not a factor, so you might as well go Blu-ray.
I have a good one for you: the OPPO BDP-83. It is an amazing player, easily on par with the best of the best.
Check what comes in the box:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgoYpVs4rn4
This was the Blu-Ray player I truly wanted, but in late October OPPO decided to indefinitely postpone the sale of this unit in Europe, leaving just the Americans with access to this marvellous player.
I was really frustrated :frusty: Why, oh why, are Americans so lucky?
Lucks got nothing to do with it.
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 30, 2009, 03:46:10 PM
Like DerSpiess said, early Blu-Rays were quite rushed on the transfers (the 'Gladiator' debacle comes to mind, where they even deleted some arrows and parts of spears in the battles).
Gladiator has just been made in Blu-Ray this fall. What debacle are you referring to?
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 30, 2009, 03:46:10 PM
I have a good one for you: the OPPO BDP-83. It is an amazing player, easily on par with the best of the best.
I'm going a lot cheaper than that :Embarrass:
If I were going to spend as much as $300 or more on a player, I'd just get a PS3. I'll probably spend $150 or less-- there are some bargains to be had under that price point.
Quote from: viper37 on November 30, 2009, 04:22:56 PM
Gladiator has just been made in Blu-Ray this fall. What debacle are you referring to?
Check this out:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1173155&page=18
(scroll down for image comparison)
One expected better.
How long before everyone has home 3-D systems?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on November 30, 2009, 07:02:44 PM
How long before everyone has home 3-D systems?
If everyone includes me, that'll be very, very long.
Quote from: Rasputin on November 30, 2009, 10:28:35 AM
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
It might be your tv; not all hd is the same. If you're using 740p and 60 mhz hd, perhaps the difference isnt noticeable. I just got a 1040p 120 mhz set and in blue ray, it is as if the actors are sitting in the room and I am watching live theatre. It is amazing.
1080p, 120 hz Sony Bravia. It just doesn't knock me out.
Quote from: Martim Silva on November 30, 2009, 03:46:10 PM
And at any rate, older movies (pre-1950), while looking quite good, really do not do justice to the format [especially if they were rendered in Black and White].
That's false. See Casablanca or the Adventures of Robin Hood, Gone with the Wind or the Wizard of Oz.
Contrast, paramount in black and white movies, benefits from 1080 p resolution.
The Seventh Seal or Wages of Fear
Le Salaire de la peur look and sound great blu-ray as well (1950s). You might even try Last Year in Marienbad to see if you understand a bit more than the previous time ;)
Quote from: Duque de Bragança
Some modern movies can look not that good on blu-ray, depending on how they were shot (budget, film stock, photography, transfer.)
Donnie Darko for instance.
Quote from: Martim Silva
Well, crappy movies will always be crappy. You really can't change that. To avoid those, the best bet is to check the user reviews (Amazon is especially good for that).
Not even that is true. Crappy recent movies look real good most of the time, unfortunately.
CGI-crap gets even more exposed which is always good :D
Amazon is good sometimes but I prefer sites such as DVDBeaver.
PS: Oppo BDP 83 can be made zone free via an official firmware...
Quote from: Neil on November 30, 2009, 07:54:00 PM
Quote from: Rasputin on November 30, 2009, 10:28:35 AM
Quote from: Neil on November 27, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
I can't imagine why I would ever buy a Blu-Ray disc. The HD is lost on me.
It might be your tv; not all hd is the same. If you're using 740p and 60 mhz hd, perhaps the difference isnt noticeable. I just got a 1040p 120 mhz set and in blue ray, it is as if the actors are sitting in the room and I am watching live theatre. It is amazing.
1080p, 120 hz Sony Bravia. It just doesn't knock me out.
...and you've tried a blue ray disc on it?
If so I'm stumped.