Starz Home Entertainment Backs Blu-ray

[Pirate]

Blu-ray has an unexpected new backer in the high-def format war, with Starz Home Entertainment announcing exclusive support of the format with its first release 'Masters of Horror.'

The news came today from the Sixth Annual Home Entertainment Summit, held in Century City, California, where Starz Home Entertainment President Bill Clark revealed at a press conference that the network would begin releasing its first Blu-ray-exclusive titles this fall.

For its maiden release, Starz will unleash the popular made-for-cable horror anthology 'Masters of Horror' in the fourth quarter of 2007. Exact pricing, supplemental details and street date have not yet been announced.

Other Starz catalog releases are set to follow 'Horror' in the coming months, although no other titles were announced at the Summit.

The news is even more noteworthy for Blu-ray as Starz controls the home video catalog of Anchor Bay Entertainment, one of the most popular suppliers of independent genre titles on standard-def DVD. Among the classics in the Anchor Bay library include 'Halloween,' 'The Evil Dead,' 'Re-Animator and the original 'Night of the Living Dead.' Should 'Masters of Horror' on Blu-ray score with consumers, it seems likely that at least some of these genre staples would follow.
Clark went on to say that the company has no current plans to release on rival next-gen format HD DVD.

'Masters of Horror' -- along with all future Starz Blu-ray releases -- are set to be distributed under the MGM Home Entertainment banner.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._of_Horror/709

[Sehnzeleid]

Even though they do have some titles have good A/V treatment, they do have some bad transfers, most notably their most recent editions of The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn. Fucking hack jobs.

[Ruined]

So piratehunter, are you going to bitch if Evil Dead does not look as good as King Kong?

P.S. - AFAIK they only announced that Masters of Horror series for 2007. The rest is up in the air based on how the format war looks in 2008 from what I've read.

[DavidCantu]

Kick ass!

HD-DVD is dead

[pizza]

I find it hard to believe that "Masters of Horror" has that much weight as an HD title. (But, I could be wrong. ) Still, if some of those other classic Anchor Bay horror titles make it exclusively to BD, that would be tempting.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Ruined

So piratehunter, are you going to bitch if Evil Dead does not look as good as King Kong?

I'm going to assume that the winky face means you were kidding. I would hope that at this point, you would know better than that.

I'm not one of the it doesn't look 3D so I'm going to give it a low grade folks. I've never been.

[ganthc]

I would love to see Halloween in HD on Blu-ray!

[DavidCantu]

I find it hard to believe that everytime that something happens on the Blu-Ray side, that somebody always says "I find it hard to believe that [fill in the blank] carries that much weight"

You can fill in the blank with Blockbuster, Starz, WalMart, etc.

Fact of the matter is that all of this support for Blu-Ray is giving HD-DVD a black eye!

I own both formats, but honestly, the only two HD-DVDs that I've bought in the past 6+ months have been the "Matrix" collection and "Road Warrior". From what I've read online, people are disoriented with HD-DVD...where are all the GOOD movies (good as in "Indiana Jones" or "JAWS" type of good)???? Why aren't there any big names backing HD-DVD??

Originally Posted by pizza

I find it hard to believe that "Masters of Horror" has that much weight as an HD title. (But, I could be wrong. ) Still, if some of those other classic Anchor Bay horror titles make it exclusively to BD, that would be tempting.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by DavidCantu

Fact of the matter is that all of this support for Blu-Ray is giving HD-DVD a black eye!

I own both formats, but honestly, the only two HD-DVDs that I've bought in the past 6+ months have been the "Matrix" collection and "Road Warrior". From what I've read online, people are disoriented with HD-DVD...where are all the GOOD movies (good as in "Indiana Jones" or "JAWS" type of good)???? Why aren't there any big names backing HD-DVD??

If you think about it, though, Blu-Ray and HD DVD can coexist and address two similar but slightly different markets. So while Blu-Ray is doing well now due to the PS3, that does not mean that HD DVD cannot do well 6 months from now when standalones drop in price.

Toshiba cannot quit on HD DVD because if they do they not only lose the highdef war but they will also risk losing the stddef <> hidef war. Therefore DVD, one of their primary sources of revenue through licensing, will be defeated. By pushing forward and making HD DVD reach critical mass, Toshiba will be able to continue receiving revenue not only through HD DVD but also it can preserve the DVD format through the HD DVD/DVD combo disc format. Microsoft also want HD DVD to succeed for their HDi interactivity and VC-1 codec licensing fees not to mention simply to battle Sony and lower the perceived value of Blu-Ray in the PS3.

So while Sony may have bet the farm on Blu-Ray, if Toshiba doesn't want the farm to get repo'd they need to make HD DVD a success as well. Not to mention Microsoft is greatly benefitted by having HD DVD succeed to continue battle with Sony. Therefore, no matter the announcements or trends, there is no way either camp will give up this battle due to the stakes.

The two camps simply have different methods. BDA is using shock-and-awe campaigns even if the announcements never pan out in reality (see CES 2007 title announcements) while the HD DVD camp is using less aggressive PR and simply delivers instead of boasting about delivering beforehand. Given their current target markets, these are probably the best marketing methods either side can use ATM, too.

Amir of Microsoft has stated that the technology is ready, the capability is there, and the replication capacity is available to have HD DVD/DVD combo discs begin to completely replace SD DVD releases; this is also Toshiba's eventual goal to preserve the licensing fees of DVD in addition to HD DVD. Therefore it is just a matter of timing and waiting until the market is ready to do so (not to mention maximizing on profits now with high prices) - and when that happens, Blockbuster and every other outlet will be forced to carry HD DVD/DVD combos simply because there will be no other DVD option! And, when the HD DVD format does reach critical mass (i.e. 5mil players) all studios will be forced to put out releases by their investors to avoid losing massive amounts of potential revenue. Of course, at this point the pricing will be signficantly lower for combos when that happens - we are simply paying the "early adopter" tax now, but that is to be expected.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by DavidCantu

I find it hard to believe that everytime that something happens on the Blu-Ray side, that somebody always says "I find it hard to believe that [fill in the blank] carries that much weight"

You can fill in the blank with Blockbuster, Starz, WalMart, etc.

Fact of the matter is that all of this support for Blu-Ray is giving HD-DVD a black eye!

I own both formats, but honestly, the only two HD-DVDs that I've bought in the past 6+ months have been the "Matrix" collection and "Road Warrior". From what I've read online, people are disoriented with HD-DVD...where are all the GOOD movies (good as in "Indiana Jones" or "JAWS" type of good)???? Why aren't there any big names backing HD-DVD??

Actually that might be 3 movies...based on your "Bye bye Bluray" thread.

http://forums.dvdfile.com/showpost.p...90&postcount=1

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Ruined

The two camps simply have different methods. BDA is using shock-and-awe campaigns even if the announcements never pan out in reality (see CES 2007 title announcements) while the HD DVD camp is using less aggressive PR and simply delivers instead of boasting about delivering beforehand. Given their current target markets, these are probably the best marketing methods either side can use ATM, too.

http://news.com.com/Toshiba+drops+sa...3-6190361.html

hmmmmm...

[videoworx]

Microsoft also want HD DVD to succeed for their HDi interactivity and VC-1 codec licensing fees

Not quite. Richard Doherty, the Media Entertainment Convergence product manager for Microsoft predicts that both HD formats will be obsolete within 5 years (Google link ). It took 5 years for DVD to replace VHS, so that isn't saying much about Microsoft's willingness to back HD-DVD.

Additionally, it's very possible Microsoft may not push VC-1 as hard as it has done in the past.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04...odec_analysis/

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Not quite. Richard Doherty, the Media Entertainment Convergence product manager for Microsoft predicts that both HD formats will be obsolete within 5 years (Google link ). It took 5 years for DVD to replace VHS, so that isn't saying much about Microsoft's willingness to back HD-DVD.

Additionally, it's very possible Microsoft may not push VC-1 as hard as it has done in the past.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04...odec_analysis/

Microsoft has different divisions working on different products. Sony also has a similar vision of downloadable content being the future as evidenced by the large hard drive put into every PS3. Sony actually began research and planning for downloadable content & media in the mid-90s. Microsoft has simply been less tactful in coordinating the PR between different divisions.

Disc formats likely will be somewhat "obsolete" in 5-10 years much like CDs are somewhat "obsolete" compared to MP3 players today. However, that doesn't mean there won't remain a large market for both. Therefore MS will have one division focus on downloads while another focuses on disc-based content.

[pizza]

Originally Posted by DavidCantu

I find it hard to believe that everytime that something happens on the Blu-Ray side, that somebody always says "I find it hard to believe that [fill in the blank] carries that much weight"

You can fill in the blank with Blockbuster, Starz, WalMart, etc.

Fact of the matter is that all of this support for Blu-Ray is giving HD-DVD a black eye!

I own both formats, but honestly, the only two HD-DVDs that I've bought in the past 6+ months have been the "Matrix" collection and "Road Warrior". From what I've read online, people are disoriented with HD-DVD...where are all the GOOD movies (good as in "Indiana Jones" or "JAWS" type of good)???? Why aren't there any big names backing HD-DVD??

My comment is on the show in general as well as on HD in general. Sorry I bothered to participate in the discussion.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by DavidCantu

Why aren't there any big names backing HD-DVD??

Universal isn't a "big name"?

Peace...

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by pizza

My comment is on the show in general as well as on HD in general. Sorry I bothered to participate in the discussion.

Pizza, I think you have a good point. A lot of people (including myself) take every announcement and blow it out of proportion. The fact is, whether it is Walmart supporting HD DVD or Blockbuster supporting Blu-Ray, the companies in this war have too much invested to call it quits just because of said announcements. Its much more of a long term battle.

In this case, you are right. Starz announced that Masters of Horror will come in 2007 and that is it. They said if BD "wins" then they will release catalog in BD in 2008, but that is a big "if." This was similar to my jumping the gun and stating Criterion would favor HD DVD since Image has released more on HD DVD than BD. Things are simply not so black and white in this war, and I don't see any resolution anytime soon.

Also, I wouldn't take such comments personally as many are simply irritated by the war because of aforementioned reasons.

[Taxi]

Ruined, your candor is much appreciated.

[DavidCantu]

Of course it's a "big name" but people can't see that "more" "big names" are joining the Blu-Ray camp.

I simply can't see HD-DVD surviving for very much longer if they don't start "shooting back" at Blu-Ray.

I watched "Hellboy" Blu-Ray today and noticed the preview for "Spiderman II" on it. It's coming...and that's a huge title.

I don't see many huge titles coming down the pike for HD-DVD (OK, maybe "300").

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Universal isn't a "big name"?

Peace...

[DavidCantu]

Like I've said....never underestimate the power of the Blu side

The new Sony machine plus the lack of good HD-DVD titles available/announced made me realize that I might have made a mistake in dismissing Blu-Ray. I guess I'll keep my Toshiba machine for those titles that won't get released on Blu-Ray.

Originally Posted by ganthc

Actually that might be 3 movies...based on your "Bye bye Bluray" thread.

http://forums.dvdfile.com/showpost.p...90&postcount=1

[Wirehed]

It doesn't matter if Blu-ray sells more copies of a movie compared to HD-DVD. The fact is, right now, and for at least the next year most of the blockbuster movies are Sony. That doesn't mean that Universal is going out of business.

Both formats are going to have to sell more hardware if they intend to survive, this war isn't so much against each other, as if the world is only allowed ONE format, but against SD DVD and other delivery models.

Right now when you buy into either (or both) formats you are really supporting HD content, and that's good for everyone.





Some great comments in here folks, good discussion!

[Pirate]

Starz/Anchor Bay has revealed new specs for its debut Blu-ray release 'Masters of Horror,' and has also provided a sneak peek at its planned launch wave of horror classics due this fall.

As first announced two weeks ago, Anchor Bay (aka Starz Home Entertainment) plans to debut its first-ever next-gen title with the Blu-ray exclusive release of 'Masters of Horror.'

Among the further details announced today, the company says 'Masters of Horror' will be packaged as a 'Complete First Season' box set this September (exact street date TBA).

Though final specs are still pending, word from the distributor is to expect a four-disc set of BD-50 dual-layer discs, featuring 1080p transfers, uncompressed PCM 5.1 audio and, if not identical supplements to the standard-def DVD, then "comparable extras."

Just as exciting, Starz has also sent us confirmation that they plan to debut three to four additional titles by the end of October, culled from their impressive library of horror classics. Among this first wave of Blu-ray titles will be John Carpenter's seminal 'Halloween,' plus installments of Sam Raimi's 'Evil Dead' series and George A. Romero's zombie pantheon (which includes 'Dawn of the Dead' and 'Day of the Dead').
Starz/Anchor Bay has not yet announced pricing details for its debut titles but stay tuned.

Each of the titles will be distributed under the MGM Home Entertainment banner, and in keeping with MGM's current Blu-ray exclusivity, none will be released to HD DVD at this time.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...-ray_Slate/745

[videoworx]

Ah, the first of what will undoubtedly be 56 releases of Evil Dead on Blu-Ray!

[Sehnzeleid]

This format war can kiss my ass.

I'm sorry, but I just got into an argument with some guy (a dyed-in-the-wool BD supporter) on another forum who tried to say the A/V quality of these Anchor Bay BDs is unimportant because it has no real impact on the format war.

Talk about missing the fucking point gloriously.

This goddamn war must be like OJ Simpson trial TV coverage to some people.

[Shawn Watson]

Yet more shit news for HD-DVD owners. Puh-lease start release some GOOD titles that people actually fucking WANT would you!

Shawn

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Shawn Watson

Yet more shit news for HD-DVD owners. Puh-lease start release some GOOD titles that people actually fucking WANT would you!

Shawn

I'll repeat myself for the umpteenth time.

Who ever gets Time Warner exclusively wins the war. Until that day, both will co-exist or fail all together.

Shaun,

Yes I want Battlefield Earth & Gilgi too, but we just have to have a little patience.

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by Derb

Shaun,

Yes I want Battlefield Earth & Gilgi too, but we just have to have a little patience.

What continues to amaze me, is how often others imply that nothing good is out/coming out. There are many titles that I still want on HD DVD, and a plethora of titles coming that I want as well. I'm sorry you are not happy with the release schedule, but HD DVD is not going to die out because you are not happy. Seems that HD DVD will do just fine without your dollars.

Shawn, why not just go buy yourself a Blu Ray player, since they obviously have the titles that appeal to you?

j