When V for Vendetta, Batman Begins, Constatine, Troy, just to name a few...finally appear on Blu Ray, what do you think the outcome will be? Me personally I think these titles being released on Blu Ray, with a much larger base than HD DVD had when they were released will do wonders for the format.

Since I sold my HD DVD versions...these are re buys for me.

When V for Vendetta, Batman Begins, Constatine, Troy, just to name a few...finally appear on Blu Ray, what do you think the outcome will be? Me personally I think these titles being released on Blu Ray, with a much larger base than HD DVD had when they were released will do wonders for the format.

Since I sold my HD DVD versions...these are re buys for me.

Matt,

I completely agree. Once movies like V for Vendetta and Batman Begins are released, they will be huge hits for BD. Then when other WB films like The Matrix films and HP are released on both formats, I think you will see BD consistently outsell HD-DVD, much in the same way we saw with The Departed.

No doubt these WB releases will just add more arsenal to BD's already overwhelming attack and kill strategy.

It even looks like Disney is now going for HD-DVD's jugular.

~Josh

If Warner was smart, they would release all of these titles on BD-50 with PCM. This increase in audio quality would probably be more than enough to get plenty of people who already bought the HD-DVD versions of the movie to rebuy their favorites.

If Warner was smart, they would release all of these titles on BD-50 with PCM. This increase in audio quality would probably be more than enough to get plenty of people who already bought the HD-DVD versions of the movie to rebuy their favorites.

That is a great idea. I wonder if they will do this with some of the "catch-up" titles.

~Josh

Many of these are catalog titles that probably didn't sell very well anyway so my guess is that this will not be an opportunity for many improvements.

Titles like Batman Begins and V for Vendetta--which did very well on HD DVD--may be exceptions.

I finally gave up and caved and bought the HDDVD of Batman Begins a couple months back. $19.99 at Target was just too good to pass up. I've had V for Vendetta for some time. Both great pics that do HD DVD credit.

I would buy both again with LPCM soundtracks on BD, though.

Matt,

I completely agree. Once movies like V for Vendetta and Batman Begins are released, they will be huge hits for BD. Then when other WB films like The Matrix films and HP are released on both formats, I think you will see BD consistently outsell HD-DVD, much in the same way we saw with The Departed.

No doubt these WB releases will just add more arsenal to BD's already overwhelming attack and kill strategy.

It even looks like Disney is now going for HD-DVD's jugular.

~Josh

I think the titles will help, but not that much as you would think. Considering most buyers of HD movies are early adopters like us, I am guessing they will have already picked up those titles on the HD DVD format. We will just have to wait and see. :)

If Warner was smart, they would release all of these titles on BD-50 with PCM. This increase in audio quality would probably be more than enough to get plenty of people who already bought the HD-DVD versions of the movie to rebuy their favorites.

I hardly feel that there is really an increase in audio quality. At least not one worth re-purchasing anything for. I have heard both the PCM and TrueHD tracks on The Departed (the only material for comparison right now) and I personally prefer the TrueHD. It sounded a bit more warm on my system whereas PCM sounded a bit bright. The difference is so minor though that it would hardly sway me towards or away from either format and it could just be the audio hardware involved (A1 vs PS3). I would never suggest people drop their HD-DVD versions unless they are giving up on the format and still want the movies. Now maybe if they went 24bit.....

I hardly feel that there is really an increase in audio quality. At least not one worth re-purchasing anything for. I have heard both the PCM and TrueHD tracks on The Departed (the only material for comparison right now) and I personally prefer the TrueHD. It sounded a bit more warm on my system whereas PCM sounded a bit bright. The difference is so minor though that it would hardly sway me towards or away from either format and it could just be the audio hardware involved (A1 vs PS3).
Actually, TrueHD is PCM, just in a smaller file. It's impossible for one to sound better than the other, all other things being equal. Any differences in quality are due to differences in hardware.

Many of these are catalog titles that probably didn't sell very well anyway so my guess is that this will not be an opportunity for many improvements.

Titles like Batman Begins and V for Vendetta--which did very well on HD DVD--may be exceptions.
I suspect you are exactly right. BTW, I've really liked a lot of your posts lately. They're not fanboyish at all, and are some of the best middle of the road "honest" views around here. I tend to agree with most of what you say, though I'll be the first to admit I have a BD bias at times (mainly because I just don't see how HD DVD can compete with where the entire industry except Uni, Tosh, and MS have decided to go).

With the exception of the big hits like Batman Begins and V for Vendetta, the BD versions probably won't sell all that well. The really hardcore catalog HD buyers probably already own the HD DVD versions, and the PS3 crowd may be more oriented towards new releases. Just the same, I can say that there are two or three catch-up titles I am waiting for, but they are same ones everybody else is.

If nothing else changed and Warner released "Batman Begins" on Blu-ray, it would effectively weaken one of the best anchors HD DVD has had as far as titles. That looks like their most consistent performer ("The Departed" might be consistent like that going forward, but is on both). If Warner were to release some exclusive things to HD DVD like "The Matrix" first, then that would really strengthen HD DVD. I think the Blu-ray camp needs to get the PiP to the point where Warner can release BB and V4V with PiP. I'm watching to see whether Warner first releases one of those on Blu-ray, or first releases "The Matrix" on HD DVD (or on both), as that might give us some idea about how they lean at that time.

--Darin

If they put PCM in for all titlte that have THD on HD DVD , then got for it. V for Vendetta track is superb...

I would buy both again with LPCM soundtracks on BD, though.

Well that's just moronic, as there's NO difference between TrueHD and LPCM. Zero.

Don't think they'll do much. They'll sell well enough but i'd be surprised if they sell more than their HDDVD counterparts. I don't see many dual format supporters rebuying the title on BD. Now if they somehow upgrade them in some way or even add LPCM tracks maybe it's a different story.

Now if they somehow upgrade them in some way or even add LPCM tracks maybe it's a different story.It would be nice if they would put 24/48 tracks on them (PCM or TrueHD) instead of the 16/48 tracks that I believe the HD DVD's have, if they are going to use BD50s anyway. I don't think it is necessarily the sales that would be important with these titles as far as the war, but just that they would take away titles that people need to get HD DVD players in order to play, at this time.

--Darin