Ive asked this couple times with no answers, im not sure if no one simply knows..but..

Will there be director/actor commentary's on these new disc's?

No, judging by sources of actual discs, they're the same old versions/features as the DVDs.

No, judging by sources of actual discs, they're the same old versions/features as the DVDs.


Weak..

thx for the response.

Does it really matter? They'll be in HD! (The movies that is...)

Does it really matter? They'll be in HD! (The movies that is...)
...audio too!;)

Over the weekend, the family and I have been watching "extended versions" of the various HP movies on ABC's Family Channel. Will these extra scenes be on the Blu-ray releases as a "Director's Cut" if you will or just be made available as "Deleted Scenes"?

Thanks!

They'll probably be in the deleted scenes. As far as I know, WB has never added footage back into the Harry Potter films.

fitprod

The HD-DVD versions of "HP and the Goblet of Fire" and "HP and the Order of the Phoenix" have the "IME which both feature commentary and behind the scenes video from/of the cast and directors.Unfortunately this feature isn't found on the Blueray versions of the movies.

I think all of the IME stuff can be viewed 'out of band' on the BD in HD.

Here's a recap of the differences between the BD and HD DVD of OOTP that I found on DVD talk (posted by RichC2)...After reading this, I think I'm still getting the BD version.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDR..._phoenix_hd.htm

HD DVD Version vs. Blu-ray Version

Warner’s HD DVD and Blu-ray editions of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are NOT identical even though the studio usually employs the same video and audio encodes for most of its dual-format releases. Harry Potter 5 showcases the strengths AND weaknesses of both formats.

1) The HD DVD has an “In-Movie Experience” video stream that also allows branching to additional “Focus Points” featurettes, but the Blu-ray only has the “Focus Points” featurettes without the other video clips. Clearly, Warner did not want to risk disappointing Blu-ray consumers who have hardware incapable of generating a second video stream.

2) The “Trailing Tonks” featurette is in standard definition on the HD DVD, but it is in high definition on the Blu-ray.

3) The HD DVD does not have the “The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter” documentary, but the Blu-ray does. This documentary is NOT on the SD DVD side of the HD DVD because the SD DVD side is identical to Disc 1 of the two-disc SD DVD set. (The documentary is on Disc 2 of the two-disc SD DVD set.)

4) The HD DVD has Internet connectivity features, but the Blu-ray does not.

5) The Blu-ray has numerous audio and subtitle options, but the HD DVD only has English, French, and Spanish.

The differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray boil down to two issues. From a software standpoint, HD DVD is superior to Blu-ray, but from a capacity standpoint, Blu-ray is superior. I know that the HD DVD camp has talked about a triple-layer 51-gig disc, but until that becomes a reality that can be purchased by consumers, that configuration is as much of a pipe dream as the Blu-ray camp’s claims about improved security via BD Java.

We’ve seen these problems elsewhere. The 300 HD DVD relegates the joint audio commentary to the SD DVD side, which means that those of you with the non-combo disc lose the audio commentary. Meanwhile, the 300 Blu-ray has the audio commentary but does not have the IME video commentary offered by the HD DVD. The Blood Diamond HD DVD has an IME track; the Blu-ray forces you to watch featurettes independent of the movie. The Terminator 3 HD DVD has an IME track; the forthcoming Blu-ray uses the brute force of its extra storage space to create a fake IME track (the picture-in-picture frame is simply hard coded in addition to the movie without the PIP). Blu-ray doesn’t even have the theatrical cut of Troy because of the IME problem. The A Clockwork Orange HD DVD release is a two-disc affair while the Blu-ray is a one-disc affair. As Warner pushes both formats to their limits, one can see how wasteful and idiotic it was for the two camps to refuse to create a single product that combines the best of both worlds.

4) The HD DVD has Internet connectivity features, but the Blu-ray does not.


The OOTP HD DVD version's "Internet connectivity features" include something available on (any) disc for the first time:

Live Community Screening (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Exclusive_HD_Content/Harry_Potter_HD_DVD_to_Feature_First-Ever_Community_Screening_Function/1188)

Interesting!

Mark

So what is the verdict on getting the movies in the box set or buying them individually? I am leaning towards the special edition box set.

The OOTP HD DVD version's "Internet connectivity features" include something available on (any) disc for the first time:

Live Community Screening (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Exclusive_HD_Content/Harry_Potter_HD_DVD_to_Feature_First-Ever_Community_Screening_Function/1188)

Interesting!

Mark

I will never be able to comprehend that. The whole "web-enabled" stuff is a mystery to me. I just can't get what benefit there is to leaving material off of a disc and then "letting you" download it. Or, you can buy stuff! Awesome!

The live community feature is something I never thought anybody would want and still can't believe someone would use. Is it anybody's dream to be able to pause someone else's movie? What is the thought process here? At certain points in the movie the host will pause it and then call everyone on the phone to share some thoughts on the scene? Or is it to let everyone else experience what it's like to wait for someone at another location come back from the bathroom?

I'm getting the Blu-Ray versions, although I might buy the Goblet of Fire HD-DVD for the IME since the they didn't even bother with adding "focus points" to the Blu-Ray disc for that one. There are enough benefits with the OotP Blu-Ray disc to go with that one. I'd prefer IME, but supplements in HD plus a documentary are enough to let it go. Especially when I factor in the combo disc on the HD-DVD side... I have enough playback issues as it is.

There is an HD-DVD version that has all the goodies including all the extras in 1080p and the documenarty absent on the US HD-DVD version(but included on the US BlueRay version).It's the 2 disc UK HD-DVD version of "HP and the Order of the Phoenix".I attribute the differences in the US version as Warner's attempt's to give each US version something special but, in my case i decided not to choose when one can have it all, lol.I'm still buying the boxed set, but couldn't fathom not having the complete version of HPatOotP when it was so easily attainable(and weeks early at that).

Hi Folks,

Rather than posting this in a new thread, I thought I'd just tack it on here.
I just picked up the 5-disc HP set which went on sale here in Spain today, for €100 at FNAC. I haven't had a chance to play any of the discs yet, though in about 15 minutes when my little boy is in bed I'm going to fire up the projector and check them out.

http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i11699_DSC00274.JPG

Here's the back of one of the discs:
http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i11704_DSC00275.JPG
PCM 5.1 English on all five discs, and a wide variety of languages and subtitles!

That is good amount of audio options. Many European releases have 4+ 5.1 audio tracks and some feature multiple lossless audio tracks. Adding all those audio options eats up disk space (especially lossless audio).

Wow, looked like the HP series is loaded with great quality sound.

I have both HD-DVD and blu-ray and this comes out on both formats.

Do all the HP movies have uncompressed PCM on them?? If so it is blu ray all the way baby!!

Yes, PCM on all five films, and from what I listened to last night - I'd say that they did a very good job with the sound, it sounded excellent.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1121/harrypotter_orderofthephoenix.html

HDD says audio is 24-bit ? Can someone please check and confirm ?