New Line to delay HD DVD release, due to lack of region coding
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Sep 14th 2007 at 10:38AM
We've heard of Blu-ray titles being delayed due to Blu-ray's immature interactive layer, but this is the first we've heard of a studio delaying an HD DVD release because of region coding. Like DVDs, Blu-ray discs are coding to only play in specific regions of the world, and while Blu-ray titles are less restrictive than DVD, there are still restrictions. HD DVD fans have touted the lack of region coding on their format as an advantage, because they can order many Blu-ray exclusive titles for HD DVD from Amazon.co.uk. High shipping prices aside, this is a great way for devout HD DVD fans to enjoy titles they'd otherwise be required to go blu to get. It appears now, that the lack of region coding on HD DVD isn't all good, 'cause while Blu-ray fans will get to enjoy Hairspray day and date with DVD on Nov. 20th, HD DVD fans will have to wait till the first half of 2008.[Via FormatWarCentral]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Don @ Sep 14th 2007 10:49AM
So the delay of Hairspray on HD DVD in the US affects what, literally tens of fans?
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 11:00AM
We'll have to settle for Heroes, Transformers, Knocked Up, Battlestar Galactica, etc. I believe I can live out my entire life without ever seeing Travolta in drag.
Sam @ Sep 14th 2007 11:05AM
It's not only Hairspray, it is all New Line releases. From the original article in Home Media:
Even after Hairspray, most New Line titles will be released the same day on both standard DVD and Blu-ray Disc, with a lag for the HD DVD version. But for second-party acquisitions to which we don't have international rights, Lasorsa said, we will be day-and-date on all three formats."
domerdel @ Sep 14th 2007 11:42AM
Very true, but this may foreshadow what may happen with Lord of the Rings.
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 11:54AM
Hairspray is not canceled for HD DVD--it's delayed. Why? Because it's still showing in theaters in international markets and they want people to go to the theater and watch it and THEN buy the disc. Without region encoding, they could import it from the US. That's why it's being delayed. Why would they delay Lord of the Rings? Where is the benefit?
Dan in DC/VA @ Sep 14th 2007 11:07AM
Obviously Hairspray sux.
The real problem is whether or not New Line will continue to hold up Lord of the Rings???
Now that hurts.
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 11:12AM
The reason they're holding Hairspray is because it's still playing in theaters in international markets. Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is not.
ishtar @ Sep 14th 2007 11:19AM
I am not a fan of region coding, so I hope HD DVD wins this war then! :)
Alex @ Sep 14th 2007 11:22AM
I despise Region Coding as well, F* New Line.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Sep 14th 2007 11:33AM
Sooo HD-DVD still gets the movies? Just not ASAP?
domerdel @ Sep 14th 2007 11:43AM
Edit: wow, blogsmith is running very slow, i'm experiencing 20 min delays.
irshliquor @ Sep 14th 2007 12:11PM
Is that John Travolta on the cover ready for one of his patented gangbang blowjob sessions?
venk @ Sep 14th 2007 12:12PM
Lord of the Rings will NOT be effected since it has already been released in all regions.
Jack @ Sep 14th 2007 12:32PM
Yah but how the hell are they going to fit everything on a 30gb disc? Not going to happen...
Eddie @ Sep 14th 2007 12:29PM
That's movie studios for you.
Act like anybody even WANTS to watch Hairspray in the theatres.
Just let the internationals import it on HD DVD and watch the crapfest in ultra high definition in all its, er... glory?
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 12:51PM
Go back two stories. They just put Robocop on a 25GB Blu-Ray disc. Actually, due to pooling, it's probably 22GB. They managed to put King Kong on a 30GB disc--and the picture quality is legendary. Who knows? Maybe they'll put it on a 51GB disc. ;)
Sean @ Sep 14th 2007 12:55PM
As for Lord Of The Rings, IF New Line decides to release the near 4 hour version, they will just use the now OFFICIAL 51GB disc with VC-1 and TrueHD. (New Line is owned by same company as Warner Bros. and HBO). And since Lord of The Rings is nowhere to be seen at all, I mean come on, there first title is Hairspray! We don't have to worry about speculation that the 51GB disc wont be around or some other gossip in time for its release. Plus, something tells me, initially, New Line will release the Lord of the Rings trilogy as seperate discs and they will be HD-30 discs. But hey, lets just wait and see what happens :)
-dad
domerdel @ Sep 14th 2007 1:05PM
@sean: 51 is not approved yet. they've made an official preliminary announcement of TL51 (oxy moron). check betanews.com for more. the same could be said for blu-rays preliminary 100 gb and 200 bg 4-8 layer discs.
joe @ Sep 14th 2007 1:17PM
Sean-
So when will you buy your new HD-DVD player that will play the 51 gb disk? Current ones can not. If HD-DVD wants to keep its talking points over bluray they will NEVER release a 51 gb HD-DVD because it will not work with any of the existing or currently announced players.
They can fit it easy peazy on to a 30 gb disk. They will just compress the hell out of it. It'll still be leagues above iTunes videos and XBL content.
Xyzzy @ Sep 14th 2007 1:12PM
Yeah, and while Blu fans are waiting for their Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the likes, HD DVD fans have been watching it for months.
What's interesting (at least to me) is that New Line is owned by Warner. I didn't know that. So does that mean if Warner went HD DVD exclusive, New Line would have to as well? Meaning no LotR for BD? If that actually happened, I think we could officially say BD is dead - losing Warner *AND* New Line to HD DVD would be a crushing blow.
domerdel @ Sep 14th 2007 1:15PM
Xyzzy: the same could be said about HD-DVD, if warner went exclusive with BD... gotta love the "what if" factor
Xyzzy @ Sep 14th 2007 1:15PM
@domerdel - No, it really is official now.
http://www.screendigest.com/online_services/intelligence/video_and_dvd/updates/vi-060907-ec3/show
domerdel @ Sep 14th 2007 1:19PM
Xyzzy:
No REALLY, it's NOT
http://www.betanews.com/article/Toshiba_DVD_Forum_Hasnt_Yet_Approved_Final_51_GB_HD_DVD_After_All/1189716943
Moff @ Sep 14th 2007 1:48PM
Ok,
Here is a really simple test to see who will win the format war. Ask some of your non-geek friends what a blu-ray disc is. Then ask them what they think an HD-DVD disk is.
The results are not really that surprising...
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 2:28PM
Speaking of delays... When are Batman Begins and the Matrix Trilogy coming out for Blu-Ray again?
h0mi @ Sep 14th 2007 2:28PM
of course, New Line could opt not to release any of the discs until the theatrical run is complete, this way all 3 formats are released the same day.
Segarsj @ Sep 14th 2007 4:22PM
Here's the problem I have with this article. By establishing a parallel between Blu-ray's unfinished specifications and HD DVD's region free discs, we're led to assume that region free media is a bad thing. This is simply not the case. Region free media is incredibly pro-consumer, as opposed to region locked content that limits the consumer to purchase within his/her region. With HD DVD you can buy an HD DVD disc anywhere in the world and know without a doubt that it will work in your player. This is not the case with Blu-ray, and is yet another reason why Blu-ray is not as consumer friendly as HD DVD.
I, and many others, have been trying our best to spread the word about HD DVD's region free abilities, and it is entirely disconcerting to see that HD DVD's region free encoding has really only received attention where it works against HD DVD as opposed to all of the benefits of HD DVD being region free.
Why don't we see a dedicated article to HD DVD imports with a list of the resources available to HD DVD owners who wish to know more about importing HD DVD's? I'll gladly supply any information I can to help assemble the article.
We might not be getting "Hairspray" day-and-date with Blu-ray and DVD, but we will be getting it eventually, and in the meantime we can enjoy any number of titles that are already available here in the states, along with dozens and dozens of imports that have either not been released/announced yet, or are Blu-ray exclusives, stateside.
For those of you that are interested, here are a few of my favorite sites for import information/ordering:
http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/
http://www.hdmoviesource.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=60_81
http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_ss_d/171-5138526-4691438?__mk_fr_FR=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dhd-dvd&field-keywords=&Go.x=17&Go.y=9&Go=Go
Also, as long as you shop around you won't spend much more than you would at Best Buy or any other retail store, and when you consider that a lot of these titles haven't been announced on either format, or they are Blu-ray exclusives here in the states, it really is worth the little bit of extra money in order to ensure that you get your favorite titles on HD DVD.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Sep 14th 2007 4:28PM
Not sure I agree, if anything I finally found a way to fit in the import factor into a post. But this doesn't change the fact that the title is being delayed because of region coding.
As for pro-consumer, I'd bet more people know what Blu-ray is than know what region coding is. Most people simply don't care to import movies.
Nfinity @ Sep 14th 2007 4:38PM
Is that why Blu-bois are now drooling at the slightest possibilities for importing some HD DVD titles being released on Blu-Ray in the rest of the world like upcoming "The Incredible Hulk" and "Iron Man"
I honestly can't believe that you are serious that you are actually supporting region free coding?
It's not just about importing movies, it's about taking your collection with you if you move to another country and other things. Why should I have to rebuy all my movies if I move from US to Spain? Is there a reason for that? No, it's quite obviously forcing everyone to rebuy their movies. Either that or to simply rip them to digital storage which is again, illegal. So any way you look at it Region coding is bad.
Anyone saying that region coding is good for consumers really needs to grow up and start opening their eyes. I'm SHOCKED to see that a news person working for a huge site would reason like you do Ben? Seriously. I mean I understand these guys might be paying you paycheck and all that, but for you to come out with statement where you actually support corporate interests over consumers ones is very very dissapointing to say the least and tells a lot about your credibility.
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 4:42PM
Interesting point, Ben. Enjoy Hairspray. You deserve it.
Ben Hobbs @ Sep 15th 2007 3:41PM
Thats where the problems come in, I have two clients (I run an AV business) who have spend hundreds of pounds on Blu-Ray discs whilst in the UK that won't work on their HK machines. They understand Blu-Ray but not regionality, their direct response to my explanation of Regional encoding was "Thats shit!". Both want to swap to HD-DVD at the earliest opportunity.
Lets not try to kid anyone and suggest that regional encoding is a good thing in ANY shape or form. Its not just about release dates but PRICE DISCREPANCY between regions,in the UK for example they can keep hammering out $40 Blu-Ray discs without worryng about people importing from the US at half the price.
Also its worth mentioning that many Blu-Ray exclusives are available elsewhere in the world on HD-DVD due to licensing issues, the same will NEVER be said about all the Blu-Ray films as they lock down discs.
Ben @ Sep 14th 2007 4:45PM
I am not supporting region coding, not even a little.
What I am saying is, that like AACS and BD+, I don't care about it one way or another and I'd bet that most people don't even care enough to know what any of the above mentioned is.
Obviously, if it's important to you then it's as good of a reason as any to buy that format, but for me it has no impact. If I did move to Spain, I doubt my biggest concern would be having to buy another player in that region to support the movies available in that country.
I have not received any checks from the BDA -- or anyone else -- but if they did send it I would tear it up. Like most Engadget writers, while we get paid, we don't do it for the money.
Nfinity @ Sep 14th 2007 4:39PM
Mistypes... I meant: I honestly can't believe that you are serious that you are actually NOT supporting region free coding?
Ben @ Sep 14th 2007 4:46PM
Dave,
Haha, that's pretty funny. Seriously, I can't stop laughing.
joe @ Sep 14th 2007 5:19PM
Ben,
You really shouldn't answer form questions or respond to trolling. You are right in the grand scheme of things only a few geeks know what region encoding is. I doubt most people know that there US market dvd's won't play in a Chinese market dvd player.
Of those people even fewer know the historical and current reasons why this is a desirable thing to have. Yes it has it drawbacks also.
You will never be able to appease the trolls because they ARE trolls looking for any excuse to forward their side and have a nice time wasting series of back and forth for an afternoon.
If you want to add thought to the conversation instead of answering nfinity call up the blokes at New Line and get the background on region coding from them. You will want to ask them about the costs related to doing a date and date international release and how they relate to blockbusters and smaller releases such as Hairspray. You will also want to get information on international copyright and distribution issues. Also ask them about what they feel the effect is on consumers and bring up the sentiment of people such as Dave and Segarsj.
You get enough web hits a day to get 30 minutes from a new line rep so long as you don't waste their time.
Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 5:33PM
Excellent points. Also, while you're at it, you should call Warner and ask why they haven't released Batman Begins, The Matrix trilogy, or other titles that have not yet been released for Blu-Ray but have been out on HD DVD for some time now. When you find out, please post an article about it. Obviously, the reason isn't region encoding--so what is it? Why are they taking so long to release these titles for Blu-Ray? Problems with BD-J? Waiting for Profile 1.1? Waiting for Profile 2.0? Manufacturing problems? When you find out, be sure and post an article about it. I'd love to know--and I'm sure others would, too.
;)
Alex Atkin UK @ Sep 14th 2007 6:28PM
About region coding. True, most people do not know what it is. However people adopting HD formats right now are MORE likely to know, because its mostly techno geeks that MUST have their movies in HD NOW.
The kind of people who haven't a clue about region coding are also not going to know the difference between a HD-DVD and a Blu-ray so have more serious matters to think about. In fact, a lot of those people will avoid HD entirely because they wont even perceive an improvement in the picture quality.
Theres a certain kind of person adopting HD right now, its the kind that likely DO know about region coding unless they got ended up with a Blu-ray player purely from buying a PS3. Its one reason why Sony promote ignorance too, by giving people a product they do not really understand.
joe @ Sep 14th 2007 7:30PM
Alex Atkin,
I don't think you are right. While most people who are adopting High Def content are savvy of technology not everyone cares or knows about region encoding, the difference between SD content and HD content is visually apparent. You can show people an image quality improvement,
It can be explained that DVD's had region encoding and it hasn't been a problem for 99% of dvd users. Simply it is what people have had all along. Ask most people if they have had a problem with dvd and region encoding and they are likely to say no.
You can explain the benefit of region encoding vs no region encoding all you want but I think you will have a hard time getting most normal people to care if they know they have had it all along.
I personally don't like it but it isn't make or break for me. I bought a region free dvd player and found out not one of my imported DVDs didn't play on my standard players as well.
Jan-Ove (Nor) @ Sep 15th 2007 10:12AM
New Line is one of them companies that still dont understand the Internet. Delay a release for a region... and watch all those people downloading the movie instead.
Not the brightest way to go.
Franssu @ Sep 17th 2007 12:05PM
I agree. I thought everyone has understood since Satr Wars Episode I that delayed releases (be it in theaters or on shiny plastic discs) is a completely retarded option in a world equipped with faster than light modems which enable you to get high definition copies of any movie (even Hairspray) in seconds.
JeffDM @ Sep 16th 2007 10:33AM
Region coding is a bad thing, but you have to understand that distributors will play anything to their advantage if they see the need, even if it's artificial and stupid.
Still, why HT geeks give a damn about Hairspray, I don't know.
I also think it's stupid to be cheerleading for either side anyway. There are so few titles on either format, and I just get the feeling that the cheerleaders are just being played by the corporations. The people rooting for Hairspray? I think they are getting doubly screwed, regardless of the format.
nigel @ Sep 17th 2007 8:11AM
No Hairspray on HD DVD......thank God for that!
Innocuous1 @ Sep 21st 2007 6:56PM
Whether or not regional coding (RC) is a good thing, I think, depends on whether or not you appreciate what I see as the changing purpose to RC; and this depends on whether you are a consumer or a producer.
In my experience, at one time, RC benefited consumers because it helped them determine which video format to buy, NTSC or PAL and thereby avoid wasting money. CDs and other music media did not suffer this issue, thus regional coding was not an issue. It was only a matter of time before producers realized there was money to be made, at least in some cases, in RC because it was a convenient way to police licensing.
Given the universal format of 1080i, RC now seems to be only a question of money, i.e. is it more profitable to release universally or piecemeal? As a consumer, who holds no stock in the entertainment industry, theres no question RC is bad, especially for those of us in the military. In fact, this applies not only to movies but to video games and otherwise legally downloadable content. For awhile, I was not even able to buy an itune gift card online because the itune store realized that the purchase was being made from an overseas computer. But I digress.
As an American living in Germany, it is great knowing that an hd-dvd disc I purchased, whether in the states or here on the economy, is going to work with my system. My fear is that, if RC remains profitable for video, then it is only a matter of time before it becomes an issue for music. So discourage RC use at all costs! At least until I purchase stock in some entertainment companies.