I have over 300 DVDs (non high def) and am considering selling them while they still have some value. I would then start buying high def DVDs. However, I started thinking that maybe some of the DVDs will never come out in high def. If a movie isn't filmed in high def, does that mean it probably won't come out as a high def DVD? Or will a movie not filmed in high def still have better picture quality if released in high def?

It's going to be a VERY long time before your collection is replaced. I wouldn't be selling anything yet. There are a very large number of movies that have never come out on DVD!

I have over 300 DVDs (non high def) and am considering selling them while they still have some value. I would then start buying high def DVDs. However, I started thinking that maybe some of the DVDs will never come out in high def. If a movie isn't filmed in high def, does that mean it probably won't come out as a high def DVD? Or will a movie not filmed in high def still have better picture quality if released in high def?

Hi and welcome to AVS :)

ALL movies? - probably not.

Movies are shot using 35mm film which has a much higher resolution then HD. So no concern for "will we see it in HD" if it wasn't filmed in HD (some movies are - getting more popular)

Howdy,

No, never.

Some DVD labels that brought out specialized niche content have folded, many are sucking wind. They found that along with the huge glut of DVD titles crowding them out of B&M stores, new HD content is also fighting for space. This problem will only get worse as B&M stores give space only to high-margin titles.

Also, DVD has proven that not everything has an audience, and titles that bombed on SD may take a long time to reach HD, if they are given any consideration at all.

So yes, unless you only collect 1-25 year-old blockbusters you can dump yours SDs once it's clear HDM is sticking around, if you like odd-ball stuff, hang tight.

No

Where all VHS releases issued on DVD?

Also a lot of TV shows where never shot in a resolution high enough to benefit from HD.

Where all VHS releases issued on DVD?

Also a lot of TV shows where never shot in a resolution high enough to benefit from HD.
I believe there are a number of VHS titles out there that have never made the jump to DVD.

For the "most" part, I think any movie with appreciable amounts of eye candy will be a shoe-in for HD (science fiction, horror, action, adventure, documentary, animation, historical genres). Major movies will also make it into HD regardless of genre. I think it'll be a tough sell convincing a studio to lay out the expenditure on iffy titles, especially if they won't get much boost from HD because of the filming style/genre (drama, comedy genres).

You can already see a heavy preference for this in the existing title lists for both formats (particularly Blu-ray), especially if you factor in disc sales per title.

And now the big question . . . .

What about movies prior to 1953 . . the 1.33 AR movies (many in B & W all in mono)?

The masses don't like letterbox . . .are they going to like pillarbox instead? I don't thnk so.

And now the big question . . . .

What about movies prior to 1953 . . the 1.33 AR movies (many in B & W all in mono)?

The masses don't like letterbox . . .are they going to like pillarbox instead? I don't thnk so.
I don't think we'll ever see those (or the even older silent films) in HD disc. Someone might put out a token title or two to test the waters, but they won't sell.

I could see those perhaps finding an audience in a dozen+ years with digital downloads, however.

I have over 300 DVDs (non high def) and am considering selling them while they still have some value. I would then start buying high def DVDs. However, I started thinking that maybe some of the DVDs will never come out in high def. If a movie isn't filmed in high def, does that mean it probably won't come out as a high def DVD? Or will a movie not filmed in high def still have better picture quality if released in high def?
Don't do it! There is a chance some of your movies will not be on HD. Sell them as their HD versions are announced!

I don't think we'll ever see those (or the even older silent films) in HD disc. Someone might put out a token title or two to test the waters, but they won't sell.

I could see those perhaps finding an audience in a dozen+ years with digital downloads, however.
I see the question more as whether all movies will be made available in HD, not whether they will be released on a disk format. I think the answer in the long run - 15 or 25 years - is pretty much yes. Any movie that was shot on 16 or 35 mm film going back to the 1920s, provided: 1) a decent quality film master still exists, 2) there is even a tiny market for the title, 3) there is not a legal tangle over the film rights or the film is locked deep in a vault for various reasons, will eventually be telecined to HD and made available. As costs drop, the studios will get around to digitizing their entire catalog in HD to preserve it. The independent movies, the low budgets, the drive-in movies, that were done out side of the studio system, many of these may have no decent quality preserved film master to use. Some of these have been or will be lost and never made available in HD.

The studios have been busy converting old TV shows that were shot on film to HD. We have examples airing on HDNet and UniversalHD. Star Trek TOS season 1 will be released on HD-DVD this fall. The more obscure shows are likely to stay in storage, but better known shows that have come out on DVD will likely eventually show up as HD box sets. Or available as for pay HD downloads. The studios will get some revenue from their catalog, whatever it takes to squeeze money from a turnip.

And now the big question . . . .

What about movies prior to 1953 . . the 1.33 AR movies (many in B & W all in mono)?

The masses don't like letterbox . . .are they going to like pillarbox instead? I don't thnk so.

casablanca is available on hd-dvd

casablanca is available on hd-dvd

So is Robin Hood. So there are how many others? I expect the top 50 or 100 favorites to be there - Gone With The Wind . . Wizard of Oz.

What about the other 25,000+ movies?

Day and date HD and eventual replacement of SD DVD is what we all hope for. Eventually it'll happen. I still think by mid next year when most people have HDTV's and at least 50% are watching consistent HDTV programming, they won't want to go back to SD DVD. It *will* look blurry to them. By mid 2009, that'll be even more an issue.

DVD is not going away so good upscaling will remain a valuable feature for a long time...

I don't think we'll ever see those (or the even older silent films) in HD disc. Someone might put out a token title or two to test the waters, but they won't sell.

I could see those perhaps finding an audience in a dozen+ years with digital downloads, however.

but then you could be wrong on this (I hope), if were talking niche like laserdisc, there was a ton of this stuff on laser because collector's will pony up $30 for a classic, a good third of the Criterion collection is this sort of thing, and it already sells for $39.98 list.

There are a few movies I'm still waiting for on DVD. So don't hold your breath.

So is Robin Hood. So there are how many others? I expect the top 50 or 100 favorites to be there - Gone With The Wind . . Wizard of Oz.

What about the other 25,000+ movies?

Well obvious ones would be

Frankenstein
Citizen Kane
Gone With The Wind
Wizard of Oz
Rebbecca
The Thing
King Kong
Meet Me In St. Louis
Maltese Falcon
The Third Man
Beauty & The Beast
Singing In The Rain
Gaslight
Notorious
M
Children of Paradise
Metropolis
It's a Wonderful Life
Gunga Din
Mildred Pierce
Miracle on 34th Street
Duck Soup
The Thin Man
42nd Street
Tarzan
Moder Times
Public Enemy
Yankee Doodle Dandy....

Well obvious ones would be

Frankenstein
Citizen Kane
Gone With The Wind
Wizard of Oz
Rebbecca
The Thing
King Kong
Meet Me In St. Louis
Maltese Falcon
The Third Man
Beauty & The Beast
Singing In The Rain
Gaslight
Notorious
M
Children of Paradise
Metropolis
It's a Wonderful Life
Gunga Din
Mildred Pierce
Miracle on 34th Street
Duck Soup
The Thin Man
42nd Street
Tarzan
Moder Times
Public Enemy
Yankee Doodle Dandy....

Who want's to watch that crap, give me Spiderman 3! :rolleyes:

Eventually? That is a very long timeframe. As for the format, what about whatever replaces BD/HD DVD?

Eventually? That is a very long timeframe. As for the format, what about whatever replaces BD/HD DVD?
I think there's gonna be a point where your just not going to have any luck pushing the consumer to another format. Some say were dealing with the fallout of that already. HDM makes sense because it rides the coattails of HD broadcasting, another format even ten years down the road will probably be as welcome as a three-day-old fish.

Eventually? That is a very long timeframe. As for the format, what about whatever replaces BD/HD DVD?

If you are alluding to a higher resolution than HD - it may not happen for some time. In about 5 to 10 years, HDTV will have a great penetration. FPD's will last longer than CRT RPTV's did just by their technology. people are not going to replace their HDTV for something like 2500x2000 because you will need a 60+ screen to really benefit from a higher res. On a 40" screen you will see a difference but there is a law of diminishing returns.

Higher resolutions requires larger screen.

What will replace HDM is HD Downloads. But it is going to take 10 years to get there. In the mean time HDM will be "it." You may see a STB that will DNL an HD program then write it to an HD DVD or a BD. I believe there is one coming in Japan that just subs out DNL and puts in HD CBL.

NTSC lasted from 1953 to Present. HDTV will last as least that long. First Broadcast was 1998 I believe (or 1999 - can't remember). I think it was The Jay Leno Show - not sure.

I want THEM in HD

Nothing can go wrong with Lots of big ants,James Arness and a Thommy gun. :)

We wouldnt have had Aliens if it werent for that movie.

Basaed on how badly Casablanca and Forbidden planet sold in HDDVD I'm very very scared that it will be a very long time if ever that we see so many of these great great films in HD optical media.

I think some of us who love older films simply have to look at the demographics of those buying HD.

Art

I want THEM in HD

Nothing can go wrong with Lots of big ants,James Arness and a Thommy gun. :)

We wouldnt have had Aliens if it werent for that movie.


Yeah, the ending of the movie when the soldiers are blasting the antz away with flamethrowers etc in the tunnels MUST have been an inspiration for Cameron when he made Aliens :)

Warner, are you listening? GIVE US A HD VERSION NOW!!!!! :)

I'm still waiting for some movies from my childhood (b-action movies..) that are still only available on VHS..."Thunder Run", all the Bud Spencer and Terrence Hill movies etc.

Don't do it! There is a chance some of your movies will not be on HD. Sell them as their HD versions are announced!
+1

Basaed on how badly Casablanca and Forbidden planet sold in HDDVD I'm very very scared that it will be a very long time if ever that we see so many of these great great films in HD optical media.

I think some of us who love older films simply have to look at the demographics of those buying HD.

Art


Well, I will say that a Warner rep told the horror forum that they were working on getting restorations of Hammer's versions of Dracula, Curse of Frankenstein and The Mummy for eventual DVD and HD re-do's. They admitted the current DVDs hail from their slacker years and no longer live up to their or their customers standards.

I also get wind that Singing In The Rain, Wizard of Oz, and King Kong are very seriously being groomed for HD.

I also get wind that Singing In The Rain, Wizard of Oz, and King Kong are very seriously being groomed for HD.
The Wizard of Oz (the 1939 version of course) has aired in HD for several years now. Last holiday season it was on TNT-HD in 4:3 OAR and looked very good. Of course, TNT-HD aired their pop-up promos during the movie so they had Kyra Sedgwick walking through the corner holding her flash light. :rolleyes:

Basaed on how badly Casablanca and Forbidden planet sold in HDDVD I'm very very scared that it will be a very long time if ever that we see so many of these great great films in HD optical media.

I think some of us who love older films simply have to look at the demographics of those buying HD.
But sales of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray combined are tiny compared to current DVD sales for all titles. There are demographics playing a role here that favors sales of new action oriented titles, especially with game consoles as a major chunk of the player market, but we are still early in the development of the HD disk market.

Don't do it! There is a chance some of your movies will not be on HD. Sell them as their HD versions are announced!

I sold off 90% of my DVD collection and now regret it. :(

I have over 300 DVDs (non high def) and am considering selling them while they still have some value. I would then start buying high def DVDs. However, I started thinking that maybe some of the DVDs will never come out in high def. If a movie isn't filmed in high def, does that mean it probably won't come out as a high def DVD? Or will a movie not filmed in high def still have better picture quality if released in high def?

THere are still some laserdiscs that I had that have not been replaced on DVD, especially classical music concerts, so no, not every title will ever be on DVD. Keep what you think is rare, and the popular stuff will likely make it.

If you add up all the movies on BD and HD-DVD it'll come to what? around 700?

I'll bet out of your collection of SD DVD's, roughly 30% have already been re released on a High Def Format.

Just sell the ones that have already been released or have been announced.

I'm sure that'll keep you busy for a while.

I am curious too. Will everything be on Blu-ray? Movies, anime, TV series, apps, ect? Will DVD's really go away, or will the norm be DVD's are cheaper thus, never going away? Most TV shows aren't even shot in HD are they?

I believe I have around 300 Laserdiscs that were never and probably will never be released on DVD let alone HD media. But I consider myself a little bit of a collector.

Things like Star Trek TOS are worth still buying on HD-DVD even to me, not just because it has SD-DVD in addition to the HD but because Paramount has expressed doubts it would ever come out on Blu-ray.

You also have to worry about the botched release too. My double dippers from SD-DVD to HD Media will be rare. I'd have to really love the movie. Heck many movies I really like are fine on LD for me still.

Will everything be released in HD?
I'm still waiting for a DVD release of NIGHT OF THE CREEPS.
:-)

Netflix carries over 90,000 DVD titles. At the present rate of BD production, how long would it take to reproduce that library on BD, even if it were economical for even the less "popular" titles? Even if reproduction were ramped up to release 5,000 catalog titles each year, it would still take twenty years to replace all DVD's now available. It isn't going to happen. Older classics will always remain "niche" and therefore mostly only on DVD. And yes, there are LD's and VHS tapes that will probably never appear even on DVD. Genuine movie lovers have to remain "format neutral" in every sense of the word.

If I were wealthy, I would probably buy up many 16mm prints of movies, since even that film format blows away any sort of disk media. Anyone who has seen a 16mm film knows what I am talking about. And we won't even discuss the beauty of 35mm and 70mm. People talk about "2001" on HDM, but the 70mm film was truly "beyond high definition."

IMO the OP should realize the cost of replacing those 300 DVDs on BR (~$6,000) and consider that he will be far better off using that money to buy a first rate video processor (for less than half that amount) that will let him view those SD DVDs at pretty close to HD quality, as well as improve all his other video sources. It can even improve the PQ of the new BR titles he buys!

To the OP, the simple answer is no.
I have about 1200 DVDs, and there is no doubt that most will never make it to BD. Hell, I'm still waiting for some movies to come out on DVD.
Do you really want to sell your collection? Unless they are all very recent blockbusters, odds are they probably won't end up on BD.
J

it would be fairly easy to make all the sd dvd content available for download services.

also, it would be easier to make content available for hd download then direct to bd. in that case, you eliminate the package design, manufacturing and inventory costs.

if studios would support technology that allows downloading to own, then you could download a movie and burn to bd.

To the OP, the simple answer is no.
I have about 1200 DVDs, and there is no doubt that most will never make it to BD. Hell, I'm still waiting for some movies to come out on DVD.
Do you really want to sell your collection? Unless they are all very recent blockbusters, odds are they probably won't end up on BD.
J

+1.

If you are a true movie lover, a great upscaling DVD player should be on your AV rack because there are thousands of movies on DVD that will never make it to BD. Just like all the movies that have yet to make it to DVD. :(

I say that for all intents and purposes there is no chance we will see anything close to what DVD has as far as content. DVDs are nearly worthess so selling them I'd only do if you feel that you will never watch them again. I've started giving any that I have in HDM to my family or library when I realized I could only get a dollar or so for them.

I keep mine then donate if replaced by an HDM version that I would like .

Art

Netflix carries over 90,000 DVD titles. At the present rate of BD production, how long would it take to reproduce that library on BD, even if it were economical for even the less "popular" titles? Even if reproduction were ramped up to release 5,000 catalog titles each year, it would still take twenty years to replace all DVD's now available. It isn't going to happen. Older classics will always remain "niche" and therefore mostly only on DVD. And yes, there are LD's and VHS tapes that will probably never appear even on DVD. Genuine movie lovers have to remain "format neutral" in every sense of the word.
If I were wealthy, I would probably buy up many 16mm prints of movies, since even that film format blows away any sort of disk media. Anyone who has seen a 16mm film knows what I am talking about. And we won't even discuss the beauty of 35mm and 70mm. People talk about "2001" on HDM, but the 70mm film was truly "beyond high definition."

True, but DVD has grown to those levels in less than 20 years (much closer to 10 years). IMO HDM is doing great in comparison to DVD since DVD could be taken full advantage of by 100% of the SD TV viewing public. HDTV displays are no where near that level of penetration in the market. There will have to be many more HDTV displays sold since the HD market has still to grow before we see HDM see the level of growth that many think we should be seeing now.

To the original poster, keep your DVD’s as they are backward compatible. While I’ll not buy anything but Blu-ray when available, I still pick up some stuff like TVon DVD that may never come to BD.

I have over 300 DVDs (non high def) and am considering selling them while they still have some value. I would then start buying high def DVDs. However, I started thinking that maybe some of the DVDs will never come out in high def. If a movie isn't filmed in high def, does that mean it probably won't come out as a high def DVD? Or will a movie not filmed in high def still have better picture quality if released in high def?

No. And imo, replacing titles is a waste of money. I didn't replace any laserdiscs, and I haven't replaced any DVDs...and I'm personally better off because of it. Why spend money for something you already have? Sure, the HD version is almost certainly better, but I didn't get the memo that says "better" is a requirement for satisfaction. Worse can be quite satisfying...and it's free (since you already bought and paid for it).

This is where never starting a movie collection in VHS, DVD or any other lo def format is a great advantage. Every release on HDM is good for me.

This is where never starting a movie collection in VHS, DVD or any other lo def format is a great advantage. Every release on HDM is good for me.

I started a decent LD collection but have been replacing those with HD DVDs and BDs. Skipped the DVD step for the most part - only saw a minimal improvement on an analog tube TV. It wasn't until I bought a big screen HDTV that I realized the noticeable jump in quality between LD and DVD.

All movies, no, but look at the back of many of the DVD's that have come out over the last couple of years. Many are mastered in HD.

This is where never starting a movie collection in VHS, DVD or any other lo def format is a great advantage. Every release on HDM is good for me.

As sure as the world turns BD or HDM won't be the last format. We will likely have 4K and then remastered 3-D heading are way.:eek:

All movies, no, but look at the back of many of the DVD's that have come out over the last couple of years. Many are mastered in HD.

Many films have had HD Masters made for the DVD release (also for OTA) over the years. However they are likely to be remastered again at 4K before being released on BD.

As sure as the world turns BD or HDM won't be the last format. We will likely have 4K and then remastered 3-D heading are way.:eek:



We already virtually have 3-D. I was thinking of starting a topic on that very subject.

So my kids got a box of cereal with 3-D glasses in it. I tried them on while watching Planet Earth BD, andWorld of Warcraft on my HTPC. I have a 120hz 1080p tv. Believe me or not I got the 3-D affect. It wasn't on every shot or scene, but it was more than apparent. If you have the BD of Planet Earth and some "3-D' glasses, look at the scene where there are a huge flock of birds on the plains disc. The 3-D affect is amazing.

Will everything be released in HD?
I'm still waiting for a DVD release of NIGHT OF THE CREEPS.
:-)

LOL. They play that movie in HD sometimes on MonstersHD. Seriously. Save on your DVR and call it a day. :D

No. And imo, replacing titles is a waste of money. I didn't replace any laserdiscs, and I haven't replaced any DVDs...and I'm personally better off because of it. Why spend money for something you already have? Sure, the HD version is almost certainly better, but I didn't get the memo that says "better" is a requirement for satisfaction. Worse can be quite satisfying...and it's free (since you already bought and paid for it).

At least around here I can say that so many times the picture and audio quality HDM raises the quality of the overall experience. It can turn a mediocre film into real entertainment. I watch plenty of DVDs but most new releases I watch are in HDM. I really see your assessment as not taking that into account.

Art

No. And imo, replacing titles is a waste of money. I didn't replace any laserdiscs, and I haven't replaced any DVDs...and I'm personally better off because of it. Why spend money for something you already have? Sure, the HD version is almost certainly better, but I didn't get the memo that says "better" is a requirement for satisfaction. Worse can be quite satisfying...and it's free (since you already bought and paid for it).

Houston, we have a problem.

On my 106" display maturing to 144" in time I'm having a bit of trouble with "worse".
In the end, I suppose, it's all in the eye and pocketbook of the beholder. To each his own, I suppose. Not much for skanky lite beer either.

At least around here I can say that so many times the picture and audio quality HDM raises the quality of the overall experience. It can turn a mediocre film into real entertainment. I watch plenty of DVDs but most new releases I watch are in HDM. I really see your assessment as not taking that into account.

Art

I finally got a new receiver and speakers to take advantage of the new HD audio. I find myself throwing in a movie just to listen to the uncompressed soundtracks while I cruise these forums on my laptop.

Who the hell would want every movie on HD anyways. The question ought to be will every movie I want come out on HD. I can almost guarantee that 99% of the movies I want will come out on HD eventually.

Have to disagree on all movies eventually on BR disc. Its took 12 yrs for a 100,00 dvd's to come out and thats barely scratching the surface of how many movies have been made by all studios presently with us and many dead and gone ages ago. Im still waiting on Electric Dreams,The Keep,Ragtime(?) and just plain to many for me to list here. Im still waiting on The Relic but no chance ever of being on HD but BR maybe one of these days? I hope. Most important on my list now though is Toho and related studio monster movies being released at all on HD format wether its HD or BR.

March 24, 2008: DVD Releases for March 25, 2008

According to Amazon there are more than 700 DVDs coming out this week; however, this is certainly a case of quantity over quality and I'm having trouble finding 30 releases worth mentioning

http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/news.php

Yikes!

Who the hell would want every movie on HD anyways. The question ought to be will every movie I want come out on HD. I can almost guarantee that 99% of the movies I want will come out on HD eventually.
Not everyone is that limited. Those of us with more diverse tastes are less fortunate.

According to Amazon there are more than 700 DVDs coming out this week;
That's high for a week. Most weeks, according to Amazon, are about 250-400.
J

Not everyone is that limited. Those of us with more diverse tastes are less fortunate.




Agreed.

Art

I would say no, just because their are still a few movies not on DVD yet.
Although if blu-ray sticks around for a long time they might. Don't know if any of the $1.00 DVDs would not be worth the effort. As most are in very poor PQ. But prehpps collections of those movies on 1 disc I guess.

Not everyone is that limited. Those of us with more diverse tastes are less fortunate.


That's high for a week. Most weeks, according to Amazon, are about 250-400.
J

Hmm... so depending on whether you use the 250 or 700 number it will take DVD 2-4 weeks to release more movies than are Blu-ray disks available today on Amazon.