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Kino International to Go Blu this Fall

Fri May 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Disc Announcements (all tags)

Top foreign film distributor Kino International has become the latest indie to jump into high-def, announcing that they will begin releasing titles on Blu-ray in 2008.

Although they offered no exact street date, Kino is planning for their first Blu-ray release to be Wong Kar Wai's 'Fallen Angels,' which is due sometime this fall. (No tech specs or supplement details have been announced.)

One of the largest distributors of foreign and indie films on DVD throughout the past decade, Kino says it plans to support the format, with a number of Blu-ray releases in the works. Possessing a diverse library of classic films, documentaries, and rare silent shorts, some of the highly-desirable titles in its catalog include early Laurel & Hardy productions, Harry Houdini films, 'The Wonderful Horrible Life Of Leni Riefenstahl,' and Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis.'

Watch this space for updates on Kino's first Blu-ray announcements as soon as they come to us. Stay tuned!

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


Universal Details Plans For Blu-ray

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Universal, Industry Trends, Release Dates (all tags)

Universal Studios is expected to announce plans today to begin issuing new release titles on Blu-ray starting this summer.

As reported by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, the studio, which had been one of the staunchest supporters of the HD DVD format, is expected to announce the recent theatrical release 'Doomsday' as their inaugural Blu-ray title, with approximately 40 other films following in the latter half of the year.

Other titles singled out for Blu-ray release include the studio's upcoming films 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'Wanted,' 'Mamma Mia,' and 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.' In anticipation of the new 'Mummy' film, Universal's first jump into the Blu-ray pool will come on July 22 with three films from the franchise, including the Brendan Fraser action adventures 'The Mummy,' 'The Mummy Returns,' and the spin-off 'The Scorpion King' starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Other titles mentioned for Blu-ray treatment include 'Land of the Dead, ' 'End of Days,' 'Knocked Up,' 'American Gangster,' 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin,' 'Miami Vice,' and 'U-571.'

Additional news and titles will no doubt be forthcoming, so we'll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.

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 Mummy (1999) (Blu-ray)
The Mummy Returns (Blu-ray)
The Scorpion King (Blu-ray)

Amazon Offering $50 Gift Certificate to HD DVD Customers

Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Amazon, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

In a move reminiscent of last month's Best Buy offer, Amazon has begun contacting customers who qualify for a $50 gift certificate for purchasing HD DVD players.

In a company email that has begun going out to qualifying customers, the company states that players purchased before February 23, 2008, the same date specified in the Best Buy offer, qualify for the gift certificate, which can be used for new purchases on the site.

The email states, "New technologies don't always work out as planned. We at Amazon.com value our customer relationships more than anything and would like to support customers who purchased these players by offering a credit good for $50." The announcement does list some restrictions for the certificate's use.

Unlike the Best Buy offer, the company does not mention trade-in options for HD DVD media, but does state that the "Amazon.com Marketplace is available to sell items you might not want anymore as you upgrade to new ones." Perhaps suggesting that customer's might want to use their certificates to bring down the price of a shiny new Blu-ray player.

The program will run through April 9, 2009, so customers have plenty of time to take advantage of the offer.

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


Report: Blu-ray Disc Sales Impacting DVD

Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Sales, Industry Trends, Industry Forecasts (all tags)

Thanks to the demise of HD DVD and increased Blu-ray retail momentum, next-gen disc sales are starting to carve out a bigger slice of the home video pie, a new report suggests.

According to an analysis of Nielsen VideoScan First Alert numbers conducted by Home Media Magazine, Disney's Blu-ray chart-topper 'No Country for Old Men' drew 9.8 percent of its total unit sales from Blu-ray during its first five days in stores.

Faring even better was Fox's 'Hitman,' which saw 12.6 percent of total customers taking home the Blu-ray version during its first five days.

By comparison, high-def percentages during the height of the format war rarely topped 2 to 3 percent of a title's total disc sales. (Even 2007's biggest high-def seller, the HD DVD-only release of 'Transformers,' generated little more than 4 percent of its total unit sales from the next-gen version.)

Adams Media Research analyst Tom Adams cited a newfound sense of confidence among consumers as the main reason for Blu-ray's recent siege on DVD market share, as many of those previously waiting out the format war may now be willing to dip their toes in the Blu waters.

"Before, there was a tendency to play it safe and stick with the standard DVD," Adams said. "But now there's no longer anything to worry about."

Adams also expects to see Blu-ray disc sales continue to boom throughout the rest of calendar year, fueled by increasing penetration of Blu-ray hardware and sales of Sony's Blu-ray-driven PlayStation 3.

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

Related links:
Blu-ray Software Sales Spike [Home Media Magazine]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray)
Hitman (Blu-ray)
Transformers (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Disc Sales: 'No Country' Pushes Blu-ray Past 9M Mark (Mar 27, 2008)

Vanguard Ends HD DVD Support with 'Disco Pigs,' Makes Move to Blu

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Vanguard (all tags)

Indie Vanguard has confirmed that it will close out its HD DVD support with the June release of 'Disco Pigs,' and that it plans to begin releasing titles on Blu-ray later this year.

Although Vanguard says there will be no official statement to come, the company has released an updated high-def release schedule that confirms they will no longer issue any new titles on the format following the June 24 HD DVD debut of the Cillian Murphy-starrer 'Disco Pigs.'

Also nixed from the company's schedule were two previously-announced HD DVD releases, 'The Low Life' and 'Animal Room.'

When asked for comment on Vanguard's future high-def plans, a company rep told us that a move to Blu-ray is currently in the planning stages for later this year. Initial titles and street date information are yet to be determined, however, so we expect to have additional information in the coming months.

As always, we'll keep you posted on further details of Vanguard's transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.

In the meantime, we've removed 'Animal Room' and 'The Low Life' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.

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)
Disco Pigs (HD DVD)

Disc Sales: 'No Country' Pushes Blu-ray Past 9M Mark

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Sales, Industry Trends (all tags)

Propelled by strong sales of 'No Country for Old Men,' total U.S. Blu-ray software sales since inception have now topped 9 million through the week ending March 16.

According to HMR research, BD unit sales for the first 11 weeks of this year lodged 3 million units, adding to the 6 million the format had sold previously since its launch in mid-2006. The year's strong sales pace thus far puts Blu-ray solidly on track to top at least 15 million units sold for 2008.

Although weekly Blu-ray disc sales have been averaging 200,000 to 300,000 since the beginning of the year, they surged to 319,000 for the week ending March 16, buoyed by Disney's 'No Country for Old Men.'

The recent Best Picture Oscar-winner moved a stellar 68,000 Blu-ray copies in its first week, and handily outpaced the 10,000 to 30,000 units that top-sellers in previous weeks had averaged (it also easily trounced its nearest competitor, Fox's 'Hitman,' though the second-place finisher also posted healthy sales).

Blu-ray's momentum looks likely to continue throughout the Spring, with a strong line-up of new releases due in the weeks ahead. All eyes are now on such upcoming hits as Fox's 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' (April 1) and 'Juno' (April 15), New Line's 'The Golden Compass' (April 29) and Sony's 'Untraceable' to see if they can match or exceed 'No Country's gangbusters first-week sales tally. Stay tuned...

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

Related links:
9 mil. Blu Discs Sold To Date; 3 million Already This Year [Hollywood in Hi-Def]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray)
Hitman (Blu-ray)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) (Blu-ray)
Juno (Blu-ray)
The Golden Compass (Blu-ray)
Untraceable (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)

Sony Unveils BD-Live Extras for 'Walk Hard' Blu-ray

Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Exclusive HD Content, Industry Trends, Sony (all tags)

Sony has revealed the extras for its first-ever BD-Live release 'Walk Hard,' which will include a trio of new featurettes to be made available exclusively via download.

As we first reported yesterday, Sony announced plans to launch a firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3 in late March that will add BD-Live support (among other new interactive features), making the console the first Blu-ray player on the market to be fully Profile 2.0-enabled.

To help kick-off the upgrade, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment also announced it would be adding network connected features to two of its upcoming Blu-ray releases (both due April 6), 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and 'The 6th Day,' although they stopped short of issuing any specifics.

The studio has now revealed what those extra goodies will be on 'Walk Hard.' Sony says that concurrent with the disc's official street date, users will be able to download three "mini-featurettes" with star Bill Hader in character as Derek Stone, a historian and expert "Coxologist." These extras will be available exclusively via BD-Live. (Sony has not yet revealed the BD-Live supplements for the 'The 6th Day,' but we'll keep you posted.)

Previously-announced extras for the 'Walk Hard' Blu-ray boast audio commentary with Apatow, director Jake Kasdan, and stars John C. Reilly & Lew Morton; six making-of featurettes ("The Making of Walk Hard," "The Music of Walk Hard," "The Real Dewey Cox," "Tyler Nilson: A Cockumentary," "Bull On the Loose," "The Last Word with John Hodgman"); an additional "Last Interview with Dewey Cox,"; deleted & extended scenes; additional full song performances and song demos; a mock "A Christmas Song with Dewey Cox" music video; "Cox Sausage Commercials" with outtakes; and a "Line-O-Rama."

Tech specs include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround and subtitle tracks in English and French.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $43.95.

You'll find updated specs for 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 8.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Sony's BD-Live debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Walk Hard' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Blu-ray)
The 6th Day (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month (Mar 20, 2008)
First Look: 'Walk Hard' Blu-ray Art (Feb 15, 2008)

Best Buy Offers $50 Gift Cards To HD DVD Buyers

Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Best Buy, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

Hoping to help heal the battle scars of the High-Def format war, Best Buy has announced plans to offer $50 gift cards to all customers who purchased HD DVD players before February 23, 2008.

As announced via press release this morning, customers will receive the gift cards for every HD DVD player or HD DVD attachment purchased at Best Buy before the February 23, 2008 cut off date. All told, the company estimates it will distribute more than $10 million dollars in gift cards.

“The DVD format war has divided our customers in a way we haven’t seen since Betamax took on VHS,” said Brian J. Dunn, President and Chief Operating Officer for Best Buy. “Now that the format war is over, we hope these gift cards will reassure our customers that we will help them make a smooth transition into the right technology for their needs.”

Best Buy says it will proactively mail the cards to all customers whom they can determine purchased qualifying equipment. Best Buy Reward Zone members, Performance Service Plans (PSPs) participants, and online customers should expect to receive their gift cards in the mail by May 1. Other customers should have credit card proofs of purchase or Best Buy receipts ready and call (888) BEST BUY.

“The beauty of this offer is that it doesn’t require our customers to give up their HD DVD player,” said Best Buy’s chief marketing officer, Barry Judge. “We know that many people who purchased these players have HD DVD movies that they would like to continue to watch. We’re telling our customers they can keep their players to play these movies as well as their older DVDs and use the $50 to treat themselves to anything else in our stores.”

Customers who want to trade in all of their HD DVD equipment and movie libraries will also have that option. By visiting www.bestbuytradein.com beginning March 21, visitors can get instant estimates regarding the value of their collections, regardless of where they were purchased. If they agree to the estimates, they will then be able to send their items to the Trade-In Center for free by downloading prepaid shipping labels. These customers will also receive payment in the form of an additional gift card.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the Best Buy HD DVD Action Center.

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

Related links:
Best Buy Stands Behind Customers By Awarding More Than $10 Million in Gift Cards to HD-DVD Purchasers [Press Release]
Best Buy HD DVD Action Center [Best Buy]

Shhh! Circuit City Trading HD DVD Players for Blu-ray

Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 07:30 PM ET
Tags: Circuit City, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)

Circuit City is allowing customers to trade in their HD DVD players and apply the original sales price toward the purchase of new Blu-ray players.

As first reported by Gizmodo earlier today (and confirmed at a Washington-area Circuit City this afternoon by High-Def Digest), the unpublicized offer is giving in-the-know customers a second chance at making the jump to high-def.

The offer only applies to players sold in the last 90 days, but that should give those who received HD DVD players for the holidays enough time to trade in their gifts for the winning next generation format. You must return the player in the original box with all of its accessories in order to qualify. Considering the price differences between the two player formats, there will likely be additional costs in making the exchange.

Note that this offer only applies to players and not to HD DVD discs.

(Thanks to Solstice X for the tip!)

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

Related links:
Circuit City Trading In HD DVD for Blu-Ray Players, Says Employee [Gizmodo]


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