From the Digital Bits:

Video Business has just posted a good story on how many of the high-def supporting studios are working to broaden the appeal of the titles they're releasing on Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD. Included in this piece is word that Warner plans to release some of its straight-to-DVD and Raw Feed titles on both formats in early 2008 (think The Rest Stop and Sublime), along with all three Ocean's films timed to the release of Ocean's 13, many of the Harry Potter films timed to the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to theaters in July, and more. Paramount is also said to be releasing Flashdance on both high-def formats on 9/18.

He means timed to the home video release of the new films NOT the theatrical release. See the quote from Video Business below.

many of the Harry Potter films timed to the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to theaters in July
Awesome. I need Prisoner of Azkaban in HD. Badly.

If this turns out to be true, then I will have an extremely happy birthday.

Just so that people don't confuse Bill Hunt's post thinking he meant timed to the theatrical release.... here is a quote from the Video Business article:

"On top of more variety going forward, studios also are planning to rally around summer theatrical blockbusters when releasing high-def catalog. From Warner, look for the first two installments of the Ocean’s franchise to street in high-def, when the latest sequel, Ocean’s 13, heads to disc this fourth quarter. Also, many of Warner’s Harry Potter films will be released on high-def timed to the home entertainment bow of July theatrical Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

I bet it is gonna be an expensive fourth quarter.

Doesn't the new HP come out in July? So shouldn't Warner have announced the other HP films already? I remember the very short notice for new releases last year but lately they've been giving a bit more notice. In any case, I hope the Video Business article is correct as my wife and kids love the HP films. Gotta share the BD love with the ones you love, ya know. :)

[edit]According to IMDb, the Order Of The Phoenix comes out July 11. That's less than a month away!!

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0373889/releaseinfo

I doubt they will announce anything until Potter's run at the theaters in July begins to wane.... Enjoy the summer doldrums 'cause there is gonna be plenty for your hard earned money in a few short months.

I doubt they will announce anything until Potter's run at the theaters in July begins to wane.... Enjoy the summer doldrums 'cause there is gonna be plenty for your hard earned money in a few short months.

Yeah I think I misread that. Warner is planning some of the older HP films when the new one streets on DVD and BD/HD DVD. Well a bit longer of a wait but that's still good news.

In a little extra tidbit of news, someone reported to DavisDVD that the Oceans films will be released in a box set like The Matrix Trilogy with extras missing from the previous editions. I bet they aren't gonna see individual release on high definintion.

In a little extra tidbit of news, someone reported to DavisDVD that the Oceans films will be released in a box set like The Matrix Trilogy with extras missing from the previous editions. I bet they aren't gonna see individual release on high definintion.

Good news about that is no TotalHD.

Good news about that is no TotalHD.

I will be surprised if we ever see a Total HD disc. At least I am hopeful because I dislike dual-sided discs enough to avoid them altogether. The introduction of a new format could create more confusion for consumers while possibly creating new playback issues after most of the bugs may well be ironed out. The momentum developed by both formats could be adversely affected. Plus there will be two or three dual format players available to the neutral enthusiasts among us. I personally hope one format dominates the high definition market enough by 2008 that Warner will drop the idea entirely if they haven't already.

Well, I'm not so sure we'll even see these Warner titles on Blu-Ray until the new 1.1 spec is finalized. So, the chances are that these "box sets" will be released on HD-DVD first. I know this post sounds like an HD-DVD supporter post, but I can assure you, I'm a Blu-Ray supporter. I have a PS3 and I don't own an HD-DVD player. I'm just getting tired of not having titles like The Matrix and Batman Begins on BD.

This spec needs to hurry up and get here so the PS3 can support it and software developers can create with it.

Well, I'm not so sure we'll even see these Warner titles on Blu-Ray until the new 1.1 spec is finalized. So, the chances are that these "box sets" will be released on HD-DVD first. I know this post sounds like an HD-DVD supporter post, but I can assure you, I'm a Blu-Ray supporter. I have a PS3 and I don't own an HD-DVD player. I'm just getting tired of not having titles like The Matrix and Batman Begins on BD.

This spec needs to hurry up and get here so the PS3 can support it and software developers can create with it.

Patience is a virtue. It's not like you can't watch it right away on DVD. They are coming. There is absolutely no indcation that the Oceans films or Potter films will be delayed for Blu-ray. It would be a very dumb move to miss perhaps as much as 70% of high definition consumers during the holiday season. The Digital Bits has been pretty accurate in its reporting and Bill Hunt has confirmed that Warner intends on getting that handful of titles on Blu-ray soon. Don't forget that the HD DVD folks have had to wait for Blood Diamond plus will likely never see titles released by Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, Fox and MGM unless they go neutral.

Maybe this will calm some people down? Blu-Ray Picture in Picture is working TODAY, right now, at this very moment, according to Sigma Designs. Here is what was said:


BTW, I did see a Blu-ray PiP demo (using our chip) with the PiP window movable, scalable, and zoom in/out ability. So it is coming... :)

Everything seems to be on schedule it seems. BD+ is ready to go, BD-J 1.1 is working already, and all studios are gearing up for some epic content this holiday season.

Man, that is terrific news.... maybe that will speed up some of those missing Warner titles.

This is good news indeed. I can't wait to watch the Harry Potter and Ocean's movies in Blu-ray. I hope Warner finally understands we want quality video and audio and releases all titles with some form of lossless audio.

Anyone know if the Oceans set will also include the original Oceans Eleven (1960s release) as well as the current ones?

Anyone know if the Oceans set will also include the original Oceans Eleven (1960s release) as well as the current ones?

That would be awesome. Ive never seen it and would surely be interested in seeing it in HD.

That would be awesome. Ive never seen it and would surely be interested in seeing it in HD.

I saw the original a long time ago. Totally different story (but somewhat similar) than the current Oceans Eleven films. Kind of interesting to see Las Vegas in the late '50s and early 60s and see the changes since then. If you get the chance rent the movie. It was also on I believe HDNet a year or so ago and it looked really decent (as well as can be expected off of Directv).

I saw the original a long time ago. Totally different story (but somewhat similar) than the current Oceans Eleven films. Kind of interesting to see Las Vegas in the late '50s and early 60s and see the changes since then. If you get the chance rent the movie. It was also on I believe HDNet a year or so ago and it looked really decent (as well as can be expected off of Directv).

If it doesnt get a announcement with the rest of the oceans flicks, ill netflix it. Thanks for the recomendation!

Just put a fork in HD-DVD already, it's done.

At this point that's exactly how I feel. Lets get on with it ...pass the salt!

Anyone know if the Oceans set will also include the original Oceans Eleven (1960s release) as well as the current ones?

Hadn't even thought of that possibility, and it's a great one. Would love to see it included in a box set... who owns the rights though?

MEC2

I haven't seen any of the Harry Potter movies, nor did I read the books although I am a fan of fantasy fiction. BD might make it worth giving them a go.