I am staying put in the HD-DVD side of things but I am a little worried.

I just don't understand why HD-DVD group did not push LOTR or Matrix(or something of that caliber). If they had those titles at release or close to it, I think J6P and myself would have been more impressed.

For example at BB they have a beautiful Blue Ray display playing Hitch. Yawn, I don't want to see that movie in SD. Imagine back when they had HD-DVD displays if they had a quality copy of LOTR or Matrix playing..

I guess my point is, remember when DVD first started to catch on? Everyone I knew bought the matrix because it was the perfect movie to show off DVD.

If HD-DVD supporters( including the minority of retailers) could have a quality release of the Matrix and LOTR as shinning examples I think HD-DVD would have a big advantage.

To me personally there is not a WOW or must own title like the Matrix was in the beginning of DVD. I know they are coming but it is a little late to war

why would they release blockbusters when the combined sales figures for HD-DVD and BD aren't even a microscopic blip on the DVD radar? believe it or not, the studios are trying to make money, not appease our appetite for eye candy.

I would expect that the release schedule would be similar to DVDs. I don't recall having any of my favorite older blockbuster hits available on DVD when I bought my first player back in 98. It took a couple of years for those to show up. (Plus the Matrix was released on DVD in 99 and was a new release) In fact, I think both formats have done a better job with getting more movies that I like to the format than DVD did.

No. The mistake was running out of steam by New Year's.

I just don't understand why HD-DVD group did not push LOTR or Matrix(or something of that caliber). If they had those titles at release or close to it, I think J6P and myself would have been more impressed.
What makes you think they didn't push for them? Ultimately however the "HD-DVD group" doesn't make those decisions, the studios do.

Counting the Xbox 360 add-on, there were only 270,000 HD-DVD players sold in North America at the end of 2006. They are waiting for the user base to expand to make it worth their while. There will probably be a big advertising blitz the week they are finally released and they don't want to throw their money away on a tiny crowd.

The Matrix was not at the beginning of DVD. It may have been the beginning of DVD for you but, came it 2 years after the beginning of DVD. The same type of releases that are coming out now for HD DVD are better then what we first got on DVD back in 1997 IMO. My first 4 disc that actually came with my DVD player were Tony Bennett Unplugged, Sesame Street, Fly Away Home and In The Line Of Fire. My first 4 purchases were JFK, The Fugitive, Twister and Mars Attack. HD DVD is doing fine for now, although the lack of solid release info for the coming months is bugging me.

Counting the Xbox 360 add-on, there were only 270,000 HD-DVD players sold in North America at the end of 2006. They are waiting for the user base to expand to make it worth their while. There will probably be a big advertising blitz the week they are finally released and they don't want to throw their money away on a tiny crowd.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't understand this logic.

Other than having a lot of front-loaded numbers for a release, what does it matter?

IMO, not only would releasing these properties early bring people in sooner (I would have definitely jumped in for them), but anyone buying into the format at a later dat will almost certainly buy these titles the same day they get their player.

When I bought my first DVD player in 2000, I immediately bought 10 high profile titles.

Likewise, when I got my HD-A1 and BDP-S1, I bought a ton of discs that were already available, like X-Men, Batman, King Kong, etc.

They have nothing to lose and everything to gain by bringing high profile releases to next-gen.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't understand this logic.

Other than having a lot of front-loaded numbers for a release, what does it matter?

IMO, not only would releasing these properties early bring people in sooner (I would have definitely jumped in for them), but anyone buying into the format at a later dat will almost certainly buy these titles the same day they get their player.

When I bought my first DVD player in 2000, I immediately bought 10 high profile titles.

Likewise, when I got my HD-A1 and BDP-S1, I bought a ton of discs that were already available, like X-Men, Batman, King Kong, etc.

They have nothing to lose and everything to gain by bringing high profile releases to next-gen.

This is my thinking as well. Just imagine if Star Wars were released on either format. Movies sell players, not players themselves.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't understand this logic.

Other than having a lot of front-loaded numbers for a release, what does it matter?

IMO, not only would releasing these properties early bring people in sooner (I would have definitely jumped in for them), but anyone buying into the format at a later dat will almost certainly buy these titles the same day they get their player.

When I bought my first DVD player in 2000, I immediately bought 10 high profile titles.

Likewise, when I got my HD-A1 and BDP-S1, I bought a ton of discs that were already available, like X-Men, Batman, King Kong, etc.

They have nothing to lose and everything to gain by bringing high profile releases to next-gen.
you're also posting on a message board devoted to HD-DVD software. 99.9% of the consumer public isn't. they buy stuff when it's advertised, and it makes more sense to advertise something when it's released, and it makes more sense to release it when there's a solid base of customers with players.

I think france is getting the matrix trilogy in a few months on HDDVD. I've not heard much about LOTR. Only that they will lbe the theatrcal cuts..

I think their goal was to get strong selling movies out that pepole would be willing to buy or rebuy on a new format. For me its worked I've already replaced 3 DVDs with the HDDVD conterpart

I think france is getting the matrix trilogy in a few months on HDDVD. I've not heard much about LOTR. Only that they will lbe the theatrcal cuts..

I think their goal was to get strong selling movies out that pepole would be willing to buy or rebuy on a new format. For me its worked I've already replaced 3 DVDs with the HDDVD conterpart
Where did you hear that they will be the theatrical cuts? That made me vomit in my mouth a little. :(

Where did you hear that they will be the theatrical cuts? That made me vomit in my mouth a little. :(


All the lotr fansboys me me vomit alot in my mouth and on the floor too. Not everyone needs 2 extra hours or boring added to the 2 hours it has now. Just put out titles. Thats whats needed. I will pass on the super duper special editions and just want hd dvd movie tiltles released.

All the lotr fansboys me me vomit alot in my mouth and on the floor too. Not everyone needs 2 extra hours or boring added to the 2 hours it has now. Just put out titles. Thats whats needed. I will pass on the super duper special editions and just want hd dvd movie tiltles released.
Yeah all that character and plot development crap is for the birds. :rolleyes:

And of course anyone who prefers the extended versions must be lifeless fanboys. I love the sword and sorcery genre, and LOTR is only one to be released in a long time worth watching, while also being the best yet.

All the lotr fansboys me me vomit alot in my mouth and on the floor too. Not everyone needs 2 extra hours or boring added to the 2 hours it has now. Just put out titles. Thats whats needed. I will pass on the super duper special editions and just want hd dvd movie tiltles released.
If you think they're boring, then don't even watch the theatrical cuts? Do you think the whole book should've been made into one single two hour movie?

This is my thinking as well. Just imagine if Star Wars were released on either format. Movies sell players, not players themselves.


That is totally the point I was trying to make. Myself and many others would be really jazzed to be able to have LOTR on HD-DVD. I think it would have been a large draw and given HD-DVD a big jump.

Really what is the biggest draw in HD-DVD movies?

Batman Returns?

Which I think is a great movie but I don't think it has the pull of Matrix of LOTR. I believe that alot more people would have been drawn towards HD-DVD if you could go and buy LOTR at BB.

You have to have the installed base to get the bigger movies. And if movies like LotR and The Matrix come out too early they don't take advantage of mature tools. Blu-ray still doesn't have the maturity it needs for BD Java. HDi for HD DVD is still improving.

These are titles I want to hit with a bang with full featured specs. I want to see unique interactivity and web/network content. These are the crown jewels of my movie library. I don't want to have to double dip this movies.

That is why we must wait for the biggies.

Yeah all that character and plot development crap is for the birds. :rolleyes:

And of course anyone who prefers the extended versions must be lifeless fanboys. I love the sword and sorcery genre, and LOTR is only one to be released in a long time worth watching, while also being the best yet.

It was needed so much that the movies were total flops. They edited it to make the best movie possiible. I am sure that if the extra stuff was needed then it would have made the theatre cut. They put out the extra stuff for the fanboys. I think they should have made all 3 movies into 1 2 hour movie then maybe I would not have fell asleep during the first one, and just missed the rest.

It was needed so much that the movies were total flops. They edited it to make the best movie possiible. I am sure that if the extra stuff was needed then it would have made the theatre cut. They put out the extra stuff for the fanboys. I think they should have made all 3 movies into 1 2 hour movie then maybe I would not have fell asleep during the first one, and just missed the rest.


Perhaps if you had any taste in movies, you wouldn't have fallen asleep. :rolleyes:

Return Of the King happens to be the #2 movie in history (behind Titanic) with a worldwide gross of $1.13 billion (Two Towers ranks #6 and Fellowship Of the Ring #12). It also broke a record, winning 11 of 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture & Best Director.

In addition, the extended cuts are superior to all the theatrical cuts. Return Of the King, in particular, is DRAMATICALLY better, with important scenes added into the film. These weren't edited for content -- they were simply cut because a 4-hour movie couldn't fly in theaters. They wouldn't get enough showings and the studio would lose money.

Meh. Give me Battlestar Galactica. :)

In the meantime:

http://www.eugbanana.com/files/Movies/LOTR.jpg

The Matrix or LOTR wouldn't make anyone choose HD DVD if they can get them on BD too! I'd understand your argument if you said "Back to the Future" or "Jurassic Park".

I guess we will just keep waiting. :rolleyes:

I am staying put in the HD-DVD side of things but I am a little worried.

I just don't understand why HD-DVD group did not push LOTR or Matrix(or something of that caliber). If they had those titles at release or close to it, I think J6P and myself would have been more impressed.

For example at BB they have a beautiful Blue Ray display playing Hitch. Yawn, I don't want to see that movie in SD. Imagine back when they had HD-DVD displays if they had a quality copy of LOTR or Matrix playing..

I guess my point is, remember when DVD first started to catch on? Everyone I knew bought the matrix because it was the perfect movie to show off DVD.

If HD-DVD supporters( including the minority of retailers) could have a quality release of the Matrix and LOTR as shinning examples I think HD-DVD would have a big advantage.

To me personally there is not a WOW or must own title like the Matrix was in the beginning of DVD. I know they are coming but it is a little late to war

DVD came out in 1997. The Matrix came out in THEATERS in 1999. It came out on DVD in either 2000 or 2001. HD-DVD camed out last June. It took 3 years after DVD came out for The Matrix to be available on DVD.

DVD came out in 1997. The Matrix came out in THEATERS in 1999. It came out on DVD in either 2000 or 2001. HD-DVD camed out last June. It took 3 years after DVD came out for The Matrix to be available on DVD.

NO

At least look it up before you post junk like that.

Matrix was released on September 21 1999 on DVD.

It was one of the first movies that I bought on DVD, after I got my cheap $129 Apex DVD player, that sill works today. :)

NO

At least look it up before you post junk like that.

Matrix was released on September 21 1999 on DVD.

It was one of the first movies that I bought on DVD, after I got my cheap $129 Apex DVD player, that sill works today. :)

And after looking at the transfer, it shows that it is an early release. I just keep hoping for the HD tranfer.

I'm new to the HD-DVD and BR stuff so be gentle!


I understand what having those older "blockbusters" available could do to sell HD-DVD's because some of them are "must haves" I am a fan of both LOTR and Matrix. However IMO to help out Hollywood still needs to continue cranking out movies that will be future must haves.

There have not been too many movies here of late that are must haves to me. Just a thought but we can't let HD-DVD get stuck going forward, by constantly looking back. They should be looking both directions, but without good content in the future nobody will benefit.

Living up to my username,

dazed

why would they release blockbusters when the combined sales figures for HD-DVD and BD aren't even a microscopic blip on the DVD radar? believe it or not, the studios are trying to make money, not appease our appetite for eye candy.

How does that make any sense? The whole point is that sales are low, and they need to be spurred. How would releasing these films early hurt them down the road if their format is a success? This kind of thinking just makes me shrug. God I hope they don't think like this at the studios and there is some other more reasonable explanation for this total bed wetting.

I am also growing incredibly tired of waiting for good releases to show up.. or any releases.

How does that make any sense? The whole point is that sales are low, and they need to be spurred. How would releasing these films early hurt them down the road if their format is a success? This kind of thinking just makes me shrug. God I hope they don't think like this at the studios and there is some other more reasonable explanation for this total bed wetting.

I am also growing incredibly tired of waiting for good releases to show up.. or any releases.
It makes perfect sense.

At this time, "good" sales of a particular HD DVD or Blu-ray disc are a drop in the bucket compared to DVD sales of the same title. It's not a humungous revenue loss for them not to release a blockbuster title, and it's quite possible they can more than make up for that when it is finally released at a time when there is a much higher installed base of players.

That said, both LOTR and Matrix are coming this year, so I don't see what the big deal is. The main problem is that for 2007, LOTR is theatrical-only on HD. I betcha the extended versions will be out in 2008.

And after looking at the transfer, it shows that it is an early release. I just keep hoping for the HD tranfer.

I have been watching the Matrix Trilogy in HD for 2+ years..... Great Open Matte transfer from CinemaxHD circa November 2004 (archived on D-VHS).

I really HOPE Warner gives us TrueHD audio for the HD DVDs.

The studios release certain movies on each format not for the viewing consumer, but for the studio to make money.

Movies that did poorly (less than expected) in the theaters are going to arrive first on the HD formats simply because the studio can sell more of it now and quickly make their money back from the production costs.

I have been watching the Matrix Trilogy in HD for 2+ years..... Great Open Matte transfer from CinemaxHD circa November 2004 (archived on D-VHS).

I really HOPE Warner gives us TrueHD audio for the HD DVDs.

Sadly I don't have CinemaxHD. :(

But I agree with you on the TrueHD. TrueHD should be the standard not the exception. DD+ should just go away.

Where did you hear that they will be the theatrical cuts? That made me vomit in my mouth a little. :(
That was the pattern with the DVDs. :o

That was the pattern with the DVDs. :o
True enough, but that was out of necessity. They had to get them to DVD to please people, and Jackson needed more time to complete the extended versions. And this is Newline Cinema we're talking about, who were one of the best studios to release DVDs, low double dip rates, and always quality transfers. The extendeds may well come out 1st, or possibly a release like their last one, with both versions in one set.

It was posted online awhile ago about them being the Theatrical releases. I believe it was in an interview during CES.

Amazon has these listed as will email you when available. One step closer.

Amazon has these listed as will email you when available. One step closer.

Actually, that is just a place holder listing that has been there since last year. The picture of the cases is "customer art"

The Matrix or LOTR wouldn't make anyone choose HD DVD if they can get them on BD too! I'd understand your argument if you said "Back to the Future" or "Jurassic Park".I agree here.... the Matrix and LOTR are going to be released on both formats. In fact, it seems possible that the reason Warner has decided not to release them yet is the same reason they have shorted BD on releases to this point. THD is scheduled for June, and so is New Line making any HD media announcements. Sounds like they are waiting for BD-J to me.

They need to release these movies sooner than later. I don't even own the SD versions! :eek:

NO

At least look it up before you post junk like that.

Matrix was released on September 21 1999 on DVD.

It was one of the first movies that I bought on DVD, after I got my cheap $129 Apex DVD player, that sill works today. :)

My point is that the Matrix came out a little over 2 years after DVD came out. HD-DVD hasn't even been out for a year yet.

Yes but the Matrix didn't come out in theaters until March of 1999. The DVD came out 6 months after hitting theaters.

Yes but the Matrix didn't come out in theaters until March of 1999. The DVD came out 6 months after hitting theaters.

Again, you miss my point. The OP said that The Matrix was a must have title in the beginning of DVD. I'm pointing out that DVDs were out for 2 years before Matrix was available on DVD and HD-DVD hasn't been around for even a year.

Some of these LOTR's and Matrix may currently be under broadcast distribution contracts with stations around the country and it's kind of challenging to wet the appetite for general consumers if they are seeing it for free on a broadcast channel - they need both Joe Consumer and the Fanboys to generate profits.

While I'm a fan of LOTR's especially the final movie I must admit there were parts I fell asleep to both in the theater and viewing at home - the third movie was the icing on the cake. Please don't flog me for admitting to sleeping and snoring - I love the series overall but I'm not a fanatic that when things get slow and preachy as some scenes do in the first two on a 3+ hours movie the dialogue induced sleep in more than a few folks in the theater. Hey guys this is a Classic Fantasy Tale it's not a true religion or a political party to attack someone for falling asleep. Come on there were some boring parts they could've cut. There were speeches in part two that lasted longer than the battles. ;)

Could the confusion and debate over the DVD player is the fact there was the first DVD players and then progressive units came out about 1-2 years later? I didn't buy until the progressive players were out. I'm not a fan to get the collection but the final movie of both it and Matrix I find excellent. :D

I know - "Sleepers aren't Worthy!" ;)

Absolutely..

sorry for an off-topic question, but all this talk of watching the films on cinemaxHD has reminded me of this stupid question I've had for some time now. How do the movie channels air their films in HD?

Are they getting the same type of media that a movie theatre gets and then converting it do HD?