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'Sopranos: The Complete First Season' Blu-ray Gets Release Date
Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, HBO (all tags)
Woke up this morning... got myself a release date.
Bada-boom, bada-bing -- HBO has finally announced the critically-acclaimed 'The Sopranos: The Complete First Season' for high-definition on November 24.
There's no word on tech specs or extras as of yet, but the suggested list price has been set at $69.98.
You can find the latest specs for 'The Sopranos: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 24.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The Sopranos: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
Steven Soderbergh on Aspect Ratio Offenders
Wed Aug 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM ETTags: HBO (all tags)
Everyone's favorite cue-ball-headed auteur steps up to the plate (sorry to rub salt in those 'Moneyball' wounds) and call out aspect ratio offenders.
As a videophile, it can sometimes feel as if you’re alone in a sea of people who just don’t get it. From trying to explain to viewers that full screen pan and scan transfers of movies actually show less of the movie, to boggling at those in decision making positions at cable companies who have the power to broadcast a good picture but for some reason choose not to. No need to feel alone any longer, Steven Soderbergh is in your corner.
The acclaimed director’s opinion column in DGA Quarterly, the craft journal of the Director’s Guild of America, takes aim at premium television channels who fail to show movies the way they are intended to be. “Television operators, the people who buy and produce things for people to watch on TV,” writes Soderbergh, “are taking the position that the viewers of television do not like watching 2.40 films letterboxed to fit their 16:9 screens, and that a film insisting on this is worth significantly less—or even nothing—to them. The end result is we have a better chance of seeing a 2.40 film from 1959 in its proper format than a movie from 2009.”
Having a great deal of respect for the original artist’s vision of the film, and the viewer’s desire to watch the film in the original aspect ratio, Soderbergh states “It’s [expletive] lame to watch Jaws—a film that uses the 2.40 ratio as well as any ever produced—in the wrong format on HBO.” He then calls for action, stating “As directors, we can decide to fix this, quickly, or let it continue down its gangrenous path until there is no longer any distinction on TV between movies and television.”
He even calls out HBO as trying to force the Ocean’s movies into a pan and scan 16:9 aspect ratio rather than in the original theatrical ratio. “…they could make this whole problem go away single handedly, but since they won’t, they’re the poster child for stupidity.”
Visit DGA Quarterly to read the full article.
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'Rome: The Complete Series' Announced and Detailed
Thu Aug 06, 2009 at 04:30 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, HBO (all tags)
It looks as though the critically-acclaimed series will be heading to high-definition in November.
HBO will bring 'Rome: The Complete Series' to Blu-ray on November 17.
The 10-disc box set will present the series in 1080p/VC-1 (1.78:1) video, an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include an audio commentary, a featurette, and a photo gallery.
Suggested list price for this set will be $139.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Rome: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 17.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Rome: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
HBO Sets New Date, Specs for 'Generation Kill' Blu-ray
Fri Mar 06, 2009 at 02:30 PM ETTags: TV on High-Def, HBO, Warner (all tags)
After a delay of over six months, HBO Home Video has set a new June Blu-ray date for 'Generation Kill' and added multiple exclusive bonus features.
Based on the memoirs of a Rolling Stone reporter who documented the first days of the invasion of Iraq, 'Generation Kill' was originally set for a December 16, day-and-date Blu-ray release, but was then unceremoniously yanked from HBO's schedule.
Now, the studio (via Warner Home Video) has confirmed a June 16th release date.
Tech specs will see the complete mini-series presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video with DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround tracks.
Exclusive to the Blu-ray are three interactive text-and-graphics functions, "Military Glossary," "Chain of Command Chart" and "Mission Maps."
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.98.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Generation Kill' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 16.
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)
- Generation Kill (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- HBO Brings 'Generation Kill' to Blu-ray (Oct 20, 2008)
HBO to Release 'John Adams' on Blu-ray this June
Thu Mar 05, 2009 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, HBO, Warner (all tags)
HBO has is bringing the Emmy-winning mini-series 'John Adams' to Blu-ray as a three-disc set this June.
Starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney in one of the most acclaimed mini-series of all time, HBO (via Warner Home Video) will debut the complete presentation on Blu-ray June 16 (trailing a previous DVD release).
Tech specs will see three BD-50 dual-layer discs, with 1080p video (1.78:1) and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track.
There are only two extras announced thus far, "Facts are Stubborn Things" and "Who's Who in History," though no info on what they actually contain. We'll keep you posted of any further updates.
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray set has been pegged at $79.95.
You'll find the latest specs for 'John Adams' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 16.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- John Adams (Blu-ray)
'True Blood' to Take Bite Out of Blu-ray
Thu Feb 05, 2009 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, HBO, Warner (all tags)
The vampires of 'True Blood' are coming to high-def, with Warner announcing a May Blu-ray debut for the complete first season of the hit HBO series.
A critical and ratings winner for the cable network, the Alan Ball-created vampire series will make its Blu-ray debut on May 19 (day-and-date with the standard DVD) via the Warner/HBO Home Video label.
'True Blood: The Complete First Season' will present all 12 first season episodes spread across five BD-50 dual-layer discs. Specs will see 1080p/VC-1 video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.
We don't have confirmation on extras as of yet, but watch this space for further details in the days ahead.
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.98.
You'll find the latest specs for 'True Blood: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 19th.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- True Blood: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
HBO Brings 'Generation Kill' to Blu-ray
Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, HBO (all tags)
The Iraq War is coming to high-def, with HBO announcing a mid-December Blu-ray release for the acclaimed mini-series 'Generation Kill.'
Based on the memoirs of a Rolling Stone reporter who documented the first days of the invasion of Iraq, 'Generation Kill' will come to Blu-ray on December 16, day-and-date with the standard DVD.
HBO has yet to announce any tech or supplement details, though the Blu-ray is scheduled to be a three-disc set, so we will hope for extensive extras. Stay tuned.
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.98.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Generation Kill' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 13.
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- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Generation Kill (Blu-ray)
'Band of Brothers' Blu-ray Gets November Launch
Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, HBO (all tags)
Following months of rumors, HBO has set a mid-November Blu-ray arrival date for the epic mini-series 'Band of Brothers.'
Though HBO first revealed their intention to bring the Tom Hanks & Steven Spielberg-produced war drama to Blu-ray earlier this year, they stopped short of confirming an exact street date. The studio has now issued an early alert to retailers pegging a November 11 release for the Emmy-winning series, which will come to high-def as a deluxe multi-disc box set.
As we're still awaiting the full press details for 'Band of Brothers' there are no tech specs or supplemental details available as of yet, though a set of extras comparable to the previous standard DVD release is expected. As always, we'll let you know as soon as further information comes to us.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $99.98.
You'll find preliminary specs for 'Band of Brothers' 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)
- Band of Brothers (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- HBO Enlists 'Band of Brothers' for Blu-ray (Apr 01, 2008)
HBO Enlists 'Band of Brothers' for Blu-ray
Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, HBO (all tags)
There's no street date yet, but HBO Home Video is reportedly planning to bring the Emmy-winning mini-series 'Band of Brothers' to Blu-ray sometime this year.
While reporting on the upcoming standard DVD release of the recent 'John Adam's mini-series, Home Media Magazine spoke with a network rep who confirmed that plans for the Tom Hanks-produced 'Brothers' are underway.
Sofia Chang, Senior VP of Marketing for HBO, revealed that "...a Blu-ray version of 'Band of Brothers' is in the works for later this year."
Although HBO has not issued a release date window or any preliminary tech specs (and as always company plans can change), the news bodes well for a Blu-ray 'Band of Brothers,' a title which remains one of the oft-requested titles in HBO's library.
Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on 'Band of Brothers' and all future HBO Blu-ray titles as soon as details come to us.
We've also added 'Band of Brothers' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Watch this space!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- A Founding Father's Day [Home Media Magazine]
HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity
Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 04:05 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, HBO (all tags)
As expected, HBO Home Video has fallen in line with parent Warner, confirming that it too will drop HD DVD support in favor of Blu-ray.
HBO Home Video president Henry McGee told the Hollywood Reporter today that the company will be "following the same policy as Warner Home Video" and will no longer release titles on HD DVD.
Distributed under the Warner umbrella along with New Line Home Entertainment and BBC Home Video, HBO had been format-neutral, releasing titles in both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Following New Line's move to Blu-ray, HBO now becomes the third Warner company to abandon HD DVD, leaving only the BBC (which Warner distributes domestically) to declare its future format intentions.
McGee offered no further details on the HBO Video's plans to transition to sole Blu-ray support, or the fate of its current HD DVD releases, which include two box set releases of the top-selling 'The Sopranos.'
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- New Line Falls in Line with Blu-ray [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- New Line Details Transition to Blu-ray (Jan 08, 2008)
MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "HBO":
- Warner: New Line, HBO Not Covered By Blu-ray Announcement (UPDATED) Jan 04, 2008
- HBO Delays 'Sopranos' HD DVD Oct 08, 2006
- 'Sopranos' Specs Unveiled Aug 28, 2006
- 'The Sopranos' Headed to HD DVD Aug 10, 2006
- HD-DVD Comes Out Swingin' with Initial Title Lineup Jan 05, 2006
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