| HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "KOCH" | Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS |  |
Koch to Bring Tom Petty 'Soundstage' Performance to Blu-ray
Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Koch (all tags)
Koch Releasing has announced it has set a November Blu-ray debut for the latest entry in its Soundstage series, featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Including a complete 60-minute performance boasting many of the band's biggest hits (and captured entirely in high-definition), 'Soundstage: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' will debut the Blu-ray on November 11.
There are no tech specs yet, nor any announced supplements, but we'll keep you posted.
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.99.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Soundstage: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' 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)
- Soundstage: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Blu-ray)
Soundstage Debuts First Blu-ray with 'Sheryl Crow - Live'
Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Koch (all tags)
The popular cable concert series Soundstage is coming to high-def, with the November Blu-ray debut of 'Sheryl Crow - Live.'
Marking the debut next-gen release for both Soundstage and Sheryl Crow, 'Soundstage: Sheryl Crow - Live' will feature a complete 60-minute performance, captured entirely with HD cameras during a stop on Crow's sold-out 2003 tour.
Koch Releasing will debut the Blu-ray on November 11.
There are no tech specs yet, nor any announced supplements, but we'll keep you posted.
Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.95.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Soundstage: Sheryl Crow - Live' 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)
- Soundstage: Sheryl Crow - Live (Blu-ray)
Koch Bringing Controversial 'Story of O' to Blu-ray
Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Koch (all tags)
Bringing one of the most controversial films of the '70s to Blu-ray, Koch Releasing has announced an early-November Blu-ray release for the erotic classic 'The Story of 'O'.'
Produced at the height of the "porn chic" boom, 'The Story of 'O' is considered one of the best adult films produced during the era, and will receive its first-ever Blu-ray release on November 11 (day-and-date with a new DVD re-issue).
There are no tech specs or supplement details yet for the Blu-ray, though Koch has confirmed that the release will contain both the original 100-minute uncut and 92-minute R-rated domestic versions. Watch this space for further details as soon as they are announced.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.98.
As always, you'll find the latest specs for 'The Story of 'O' 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)
- The Story of 'O' (Blu-ray)
Koch to Scare Up Classic 'Black Christmas' on Blu-ray
Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Koch (all tags)
Just in time for the holidays, Koch Releasing has announced it is bringing the 1974 horror classic 'Black Christmas' to Blu-ray in early November.
Not to be confused with the dreadful 2006 remake, the original Bob Clark-directed 'Black Christmas' is often regarded as the "lost" horror epic, predating the slasher craze of the late '70s with its pioneering mix of atmosphere and knife-wielding chills.
Previously released in a myriad of standard DVD editions, Koch will give 'Black Christmas' its first-ever high-def release on November 11.
There are no tech specs or supplement details yet for the Blu-ray, but we expect more info soon so stay tuned.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98.
You'll find preliminary specs for 'Black Christmas' 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)
- Black Christmas (1974) (Blu-ray)
Koch Offers 'Ultimate DVD' Blu-ray, HD DVD Bundles
Tue Nov 06, 2007 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Koch, Disc Announcements, Bundles (all tags)
Starting today, Koch Releasing is offering bundled copies of its 'Ultimate DVD' home theater set-up disc with its releases of 'Chronos' and 'Nature's Journey' on Blu-ray and HD DVD.
Offering up a series of diagnostic tools designed to help consumers maximize their home theater's performance, 'Ultimate DVD' has already sold over 500,000 units, according to the distributor.
Priced at an MSRP $34.98, the two-disc bundle will retail for roughly five dollars more than the stand-alone next-gen editions of 'Chronos' and 'Nature's Journey.' That's a $15 savings off the cost of both discs if purchased separately.
In an email to High-Def Digest, Richard Casey, the producer of all three discs explained the rationale behind the new bundle:
"We are big believers in maximizing performance not just for our releases, but for the systems that play them back as well. Including the Ultimate DVD with our [high-def] releases will hopefully educate consumers on how to properly fine tune their system to achieve the best possible entertainment experience, not just with our titles but with all forms of entertainment media."
The 'Ultimate DVD' bundles are now available at DVD Empire (see links below).
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ultimate DVD/Chronos (Blu-ray) [DVD Empire]
- Ultimate DVD/Chronos (HD DVD) [DVD Empire]
- Ultimate DVD/Nature's Journey (Blu-ray) [DVD Empire]
- Ultimate DVD/Nature's Journey (HD DVD) [DVD Empire]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Chronos (Blu-ray)
- Chronos (HD DVD)
- Nature's Journey (Blu-ray)
- Nature's Journey (HD DVD)
'Nature's Journey' Blu-ray Release Delayed
Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 04:46 PM ETTags: Koch, Street Date Changes (all tags)
Originally scheduled for dual-format release this week, the Blu-ray edition of 'Nature's Journey' has been pushed back by a month.
As we first reported back in July, the Blu-ray version of the made-for-high definition title was set to get the upper hand in terms of specs, with a peak 37mbps 1080i video encode and a DTS HD Lossless Master Audio 5.0 surround track vs the HD DVD's 26mpbs 1080i encode and a standard DTS-HD 5.0 surround track.
Now, although the HD DVD edition remains on track for release tomorrow (Sept 11), it seems some unforeseen snags have delayed the souped-up Blu-ray version.
Earlier today, we spoke with the disc's producer Richard Casey, who explained the reasons for the delay.
"We pushed the envelope with our sophisticated BD-J Menus, 37Mbps Video Encodes, and DTS-HD Master Audio," said Casey. "This caused problems for both the Professional Authoring and Compilation Tools as well as Consumer BD Players. Firmware updates and fixes had to be implemented to bring the tools and the players up to spec. We pretty much tripped up every tool and player showing their flaws and weaknesses with this release."
Casey says the Blu-ray edition of is now set for release on October 9th.
We've updated our listing for 'Nature's Journey' in our Blu-ray release schedule to reflect the disc's new release date. Meanwhile, watch for our reviews of both next-gen versions of 'Nature's Journey' in the coming weeks.
We've also set up dedicated threads for the title in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Nature's Journey' Blu-ray release and the 'Nature's Journey' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Nature's Journey (Blu-ray)
- Nature's Journey (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Koch Readies 'Nature's Journey' for Blu-ray, HD DVD (Jul 13, 2007)
Koch Readies 'Nature's Journey' for Blu-ray, HD DVD
Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 09:30 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Koch (all tags)
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the HD DVD edition of 'Nature's Journey' will include a Lossless Master Audio 5.0 surround track. In fact, the lossless track appears only on the Blu-ray edition. We regret the error. (Thanks to David, Don and Merlins for the corrections!)
Koch Distributing has announced it will bring the made-for-high definition 'Nature's Journey' to Blu-ray and HD DVD on September 11.
Dubbed a "mesmerizing sensory experience" of natural wonders, 'Nature's Journey' promises to deliver reference-quality high-def video and audio.
Hitting both formats on single-layer discs, the 25GB Blu-ray edition gets the the upper hand in terms of specs, enjoying a peak 37mbps 1080i video encode and a DTS HD Lossless Master Audio 5.0 surround track (at 5.3 Mpbs avg and 6.8 Mbps max), while the 15GB HD DVD gets a 26mpbs 1080i encode and a standard DTS-HD 5.0 surround track (at 3 Mbps).
Koch has set a $29.98 list price for both versions.
'Nature's Journey' follows Koch's first high-def release, the classic IMAX experience 'Chronos,' which debuted this past year on both formats.
We've added new listings for 'Nature's Journeys' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, under September 11.
We've also set up dedicated threads for the title in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Nature's Journey' Blu-ray release and the 'Nature's Journey' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Nature's Journey (Blu-ray)
- Nature's Journey (HD DVD)
- Chronos (Blu-ray)
- Chronos (HD DVD)
Koch Readies 'Chronos' for Blu-ray
Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 03:11 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, IMAX, Koch (all tags)
The award-winning IMAX documentary 'Chronos' is at last ready to make its Blu-ray debut in late February, two months following the HD DVD release, indie distributor Koch has announced .
The acclaimed film, which became the first IMAX documentary to hit high-def when it premiered December 5 on HD DVD, is finally set for a February 13 release on Blu-ray. And in a rarity for a title to hit both next-gen formats, Koch will be upping the specs for new version, improving both video and audio quality.
The Blu-ray version will sport a new 1.78:1 widescreen 1080p video transfer (version 1080i on the HD DVD), plus a DTS HD Master Lossless Audio surround track at a full 48kHz/24-bit encode, also an improvement over its rival. Supplemental features are expected to be identical on both releases.
Koch has set a $24.95 list price for the Blu-ray.
The latest specs for 'Chronos' have been added to our Blu-ray Release Schedule. You can also read our in-depth review of the HD DVD version of 'Chronos.'
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Chronos' HD DVD Gets New Distributor; Blu-ray Version on the Way (Dec 05, 2006)
'Chronos' HD DVD Gets New Distributor; Blu-ray Version on the Way
Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 03:08 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Koch (all tags)
Due for HD DVD release today, the award-winning IMAX space documentary 'Chronos' will be hitting stores thanks to a new distributor, who have also announced a Blu-ray version for release early next year.
Originally expected from indie distributor Goldhil way back in April to coincide with the HD DVD hardware launch, we originally reported that the company had bumped the release to upgrade the disc's features. Word then came to us late last week that 'Chronos' -- the first IMAX film to see a next-gen release, by the way -- was back on the schedule and due in stores today, December 5.
However, we now have some updated info. Koch Entertainment has taken control of the rights to the title, and has sent us updated specs. In addition to a new 1080i (not 1080p) transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio (reformatted from the original IMAX exhibition of 1.37:1), the disc will come with the audio triple play of Dolby Digital-Plus (48kHz, 24-bit), DTS-HD (96kHz, 24-bit) and PCM (48kHz, 24-bit) 2.0 stereo tracks.
Koch has set a suggested $24.95 list price for the release.
The distributor also informs us that a Blu-ray version of 'Chronos' is also due for release in February 2007. But in what is likely to be a controversial decision, Koch has decided to upgrade the Blu-ray transfer to full 1080p, as well as use a higher bitrate DTS HD Lossless Master Audio soundtrack. This one will certainly make for an interesting comparison review, and stay tuned for more details on the Blu-ray version when it is officially announced.
Full specs for the HD DVD have now been added to our HD DVD Release Schedule, as well as a preliminary listing for the Blu-ray version to our Blu-ray Release Schedule.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Chronos' Back in Orbit for HD DVD Debut (Nov 27, 2006)
- Goldhil Bumps 'Chronos' Release Date, Adds HD Bonus Content (Apr 26, 2006)
» High-Def Digest home page
