HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "BCI"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

'Live from Abbey Road' to Get 'Best Of' Blu-ray (UPDATED)

Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, BCI (all tags)

The popular cable concert series 'Live at Abbey Road' is coming to high-def, with the November Blu-ray compilation release 'Best of Season One.'

Compiling performances from a star-studded roster of over two dozen top music artists, 'Live From Abbey Road: Best of Season One' features tracks from such disparate acts as John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Iron Maiden, Goo Goo Dolls, LeAnn Rimes, and Gnarls Barkley.

BCI Home Entertainment will debut the Blu-ray on November 11.

According to Cliff MacMillan, Director of Acquisitions at BCI, the disc will be anamorphic widescreen 1080i (1.78:1). Audio specs will include Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and DTS Masterless Audio 5.1 tracks. We'll keep you posted as further details emerge.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $26.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Live at Abbey Road: Best of Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 11.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Live From Abbey Road: Best Of Season One (Blu-ray)

'Kitaro' Coming to Blu-ray

Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, BCI (all tags)

BCI has announced it is bringing the acclaimed 2007 anime 'Kitaro' to Blu-ray in mid-November..

Widely-praised as the most visually-spectacular big-screen adaptation of Mizuki Shigeru's much-loved manga series, BCI will debut the feature-length 'Kitaro' on Blu-ray November 18, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

BCI has yet to reveal tech specs for the release, but expect remastered 1080 video and some form of high-res audio.

At press time, there were no announced supplements.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Kitaro' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 18.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Kitaro (Blu-ray)

BCI to Launch 'Marine Aquarium' Franchise on Blu-ray this September

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

Promising to turn your HDTV into a vibrant underwater world, BCI has announced a September Blu-ray launch for the popular 'Marine Aquarium' series.

Having sold over one million copies on video, BCI will debut 'Marine Aquarium' on high-def September 2.

Featuring three unique segments -- "Sunrise," "Mediterranean" and "Caribbean" -- 'Marine Aquarium' allows you to watch each sequence individually, or the entire 114-minute program in an unending loop.

Presented in full 1080 resolution, BCI has announced tech specs as of yet. However, the Blu-ray is billed as a "Special Collector's Edition," so at least some extras (perhaps a dead goldfish in the keepcase?) are expected.

Suggested retail for Blu-ray has been set at $24.95.

As we await further details, you'll find the latest specs for 'Marine Aquarium' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 2.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Marine Aquarium (Blu-ray)

BCI Sets July Debut for Blu-ray Drive-In Double Header

Fri May 23, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

Grindhouse specialist BCI has announced a pair of Thai genre hits for Blu-ray release this July, 'Vengeance' and 'The Tiger Blade.'

Due in stores July 29, BCI will debut the martial arts actioner 'The Tiger Blade' and the 2006 horror-thriller 'Vengeance,' with each receiving their own stand-alone release.

BCI has yet to issue any tech specs or supplement details, but given the company's previous Blu-ray releases, expect 1080 video and Dolby Digital audio.

Suggested retail price is $24.98 a pop.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'The Tiger Blade' and 'Vengeance' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under July 29.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Tiger Blade (Blu-ray)
Vengeance (2006) (Blu-ray)

BCI Moves to Blu, Cancels Upcoming HD DVD Slate (UPDATED)

Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, BCI (all tags)

UPDATE 03/26/08: We've received word from BCI that the 'Son of Paleface/My Favorite Brunette' HD DVD will be available via select retailers as originally scheduled. The company has no plans to support the format with any further releases. We've updated our database accordingly.

BCI/Eclipse has announced it has become the latest indie to go Blu, and has cancelled all previously-scheduled HD DVD titles.

The indie distributor was the first major indie to announce HD DVD support in late 2006, with a line-up of diverse cult gems that included 'Galaxina,' 'Golgo 13' and 'The Way of the World.' After a delay of over a year, however, only 'Galaxina' finally showed up in stores earlier this year, joining such recent BCI HD DVD releases as 'Ultimate Force' and the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby double-feature 'Road to Rio/Road to Bali.'

BCI had originally announced its latest HD DVD title (another Bob Hope double-header, 'My Favorite Brunette'/'Son of Paleface') was due to hit stores this week, but it failed to materialize on retail shelves. When asked for comment, a BCI rep confirmed to us that the company has nixed the release, as well any future support for the format.

Fans can still look forward to future next-gen BCI titles, however, as they will continue to throw their weight behind Blu-ray (the company has so far released 'Ultimate Force' on the format, as well as the "double feature" titles, 'Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies' and 'Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2'). According to the rep, it is planning a more aggressive Blu-ray line-up for later this year, although exact titles and street dates have yet to be determined.

As always, we'll keep you posted of all of BCI's future announcements as soon as they are officially confirmed.

In the meantime, we've removed the listing for 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Galaxina (HD DVD)
The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
Ultimate Force (HD DVD)
Ultimate Force (Blu-ray)
The Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies (Blu-ray)
Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2: Hanging By a Thread (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way (Jul 03, 2006)

More Bob Hope Flicks Bound For HD DVD

Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

BCI has revealed that it's bringing another double dose of Bob Hope to high-def this March, with the HD DVD bow of the classics 'Son of Paleface' and 'My Favorite Brunette.'

The second high-def release in BCI's Bob Hope Collection (following next month's 'Road to Rio/Road to Bali' HD DVD release), the 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' double feature will make its next-gen debut on March 25, 2008.

Tech specs see both features presented on a single HD-30 dual-layer disc, each remastered from new source elements in 1080p video (no codec yet announced) and English Dolby 1.0 mono audio.

There are no announced supplements, but we'll keep you posted as any further specs are revealed.

BCI has set a suggested retail price for the HD DVD of $19.98.

You'll find disc details for 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface (HD DVD)
The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Bob Hope/Bing Crosby 'Road' Flicks Bound For HD DVD (Oct 25, 2007)

BCI Serves Up Sonny Chiba Blu-ray Double Feature

Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

Get ready for a double-whammy of Sonny Chiba on high-def this January, when two of the martial arts legend's most famous cult classics hit Blu-ray.

One of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, Chiba has appeared in over 100 films, starting in the early sixties all the way through to last year's 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.' Finally getting his due in high-def, BCI has announced a January 8 double-feature Blu-ray release of his exploitation favorites 'Killing Machine' and 'Shogun's Ninja.'

Both features will be spread across a single BD-25 disc, with tech specs set to include 1080p video, plus the film's original Japanese soundtrack and an English dub track in Dolby Digital 1.0 mono.

There are no supplements announced as of yet, but we'll keep you posted as soon as final specs are in.

BCI has set a suggested retail price of $22.98.

As always, you'll find updated disc details for 'Killing Machine/Shogun's Ninja' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where the disc is indexed under January 8, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Sonny Chiba's Blu-ray debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Killing Machine/Shogun's Ninja' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Killing Machine/Shogun's Ninja (Blu-ray)

Classic Kung Fu Hits Blu-ray with 'Sister Street Fighter' Double Feature

Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

Move over, Bruce Lee: the distaff martial arts heroine Sister Street Fighter is coming to high-def this January in a Blu-ray double feature containing two of her biggest drive-in hits.

One of the most popular entries in the "chop socky" phenomenon that ruled '70s grindhouse cinema, 'Sister Street Fighter' tells the story of martial arts expert Koryu Lee (Etsuko Shihomi), the sister of a slain undercover cop who is pressed into service to take on the entire Hong Kong criminal underworld.

Long championed as a classic by fans including Quentin Tarantino, all four of the 'Sister Street Fighter' films were finally remastered for a DVD box set last year, and now BCI will give the first two entries in the series -- 'Sister Street Fighter' and 'Sister Street Fighter 2' -- a double feature high-def debut on January 8, 2008..

This high-def two-punch is scheduled to include both features on BD-25 single-layer disc, with tech specs set to include 1080p video, plus the film's original Japanese soundtrack and an English dub track in Dolby Digital 1.0 mono.

No extras have been announced, but seeing as the previous DVD releases didn't contain much in the way of bonus features, we expect the Blu-ray to follow suit.

BCI has set a suggested retail price of $22.98.

As always, you'll find updated disc details for 'Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, indexed under January 8, 2008.

We've also set up dedicated threads for BCI's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Sister Street Fighter' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2: Hanging By a Thread (Blu-ray)

Bob Hope/Bing Crosby 'Road' Flicks Bound For HD DVD

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 01:15 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)

BCI has announced it will bring the classic comedies 'Road to Bali' and 'Road to Rio' to HD DVD as a double-feature disc this January.

Two of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's most famous "road pictures," both 'Bali' (1953) and 'Rio' (1947) have fallen into the public domain in recent years, and have seen over a dozen different DVD releases by nearly many distributors, most of substandard quality.

BCI hopes to change all that with its upcoming HD DVD double-feature disc on January 8, which will see both films presented in full 1080p video for the first time, and minted from newly-remastered source elements. (Audio specs are still TBA.)

At press time there were nosupplemental features planned, but we'll keep you posted if any new specs are announced.

Retail for the HD DVD will be $19.98.

As always, you'll find disc details for 'The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio' double feature linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 8, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Road to Bali/Road to Rio' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)

'Galaxina' Returns to HD DVD Slate This January

Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Annoucements, BCI (all tags)

After a delay of over a year, BCI will finally bow the cult classic 'Galaxina' on HD DVD in early January.

First announced way back in May of 2006, 'Galaxina' had originally been scheduled as part of an ambitious HD DVD line-up of B-movie gems that also included 'Gorgo 13' and 'That's the Way of the World.' But only days before their intended release date in late September 2006, indie distributor BCI indefinitely postponed all three titles, citing a lack of retailer interest.

Now, with next-gen sales on the rise, BCI has finally rescheduled 'Galaxina,' which will hit HD DVD on January 8 in a slyly-named "26th Anniversary Edition."

The delay has turned out out to be a blessing in disguise, with BCI bumping up the disc's video to full 1080p/VC-1 (it had previously been announced as 1080i only), and also adding a remixed Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround track in addition to the original Dolby 1.0 Mono.

Extras will include an audio commentary with the filmmakers, an additional audio interview, multiple still galleries, storyboards, the original theatrical trailer and a 6-page collectible booklet.

BCI has dropped the originally-announced list price for 'Galaxina,' too, reducing the previous MSRP by five dollars to $19.98.

Though the distributor has not yet announced new dates for its other delayed HD DVD titles, the return of 'Galaxina' has us optimistic that they'll be on the way soon. We'll certainly keep you posted

In the meantime, you'll find disc details for 'Galaxina' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under its new date of January 8, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's return in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Galaxina' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Galaxina (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Indie BCI Throws Hat in HD-DVD Ring with Twenty New Titles (May 01, 2006)
BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way (Jul 03, 2006)
BCI Postpones First HD DVD Titles (Sep 21, 2006)


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