Warner's 2008 Blu-ray release plan
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Feb 8th 2008 at 5:09PM
Now that Warner (somehow related to Engadget) has dedicated its movies to Blu-ray, they're getting serious about delivering and it all starts with a plan. Of course as we know all too well, thing don't always go according to plan -- you know like HD DVD's that are supposed to be delayed by three weeks showing up on stores shelves. Anyways, the plan for '08 is to release a Blu-ray disc day and date with every new release, and every DVD special edition. At the same time Warner is planning on catching Blu-ray up to HD DVD with some of their most sought after titles including, Batman Begins (Q3), V for Vendetta and yes of course The Matrix trilogy-- no dates on these, just another promise of "this year."
Filed under: Blu-ray
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Craig Korinko @ Feb 8th 2008 5:24PM
I'm not a fanboy of either camp. Just an early adopter that has both a PS3 and the 360 HD-DVD addon. One major difference that I've noticed is that the uncompressed 5.1 soundtracks coming out of the PS3 are vastly superior to the 360's sound for HD-DVD. I don't have a receiver with HDMI (yet), but the digital out to my current receiver can apparently tell the difference. I'm sure if I had bought a stand-alone HD-DVD player I'd have a different experience, but first impressions... And I am glad I waited because I will be picking up The Matrix Trilogy on Blu-ray. Apparently sometime in 2008.
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 5:28PM
You are correct. HD DVD add-on does have inferior sound compared to PS3, HD DVD standalones and Blu-Ray standalones. It is still not crap, but you do get DD 5.1 instead of TrueHD or DD+ thus some difference.
For majority of people though, this won't come as a huge problem as they are quite obviously very happy with DD 5.1 on DVDs to begin with and HD DVD add-on price right now is low so it's kind of smaller sacrifice.
drew @ Feb 8th 2008 5:55PM
During HD-DVD playback have you gone to the Advanced audio settings? If you do set it to DTS (1.5 Mb/s).
The difference is massive between the regular DD (~600Kb/s) stream.
Larry @ Feb 9th 2008 11:35AM
Wow, look at the Amazon stats!!! In the last week HD-DVD has come back to almost level with Blu-Ray:
http://eproductwars.com/dvd/index.cfm
ryan @ Feb 8th 2008 5:28PM
matrix trilogy v for vandett and the batman films cant wait to buy em should look great on blu hopefully warner improves the transfers on the matrix and batman films to avc mpeg 4 would look sweet if not vc1 is still acceptable
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 5:32PM
Can't wait for the new Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" ultimate collection from Warner on HD DVD.
Btw, I've gotten HD DVDs from Warner on the same day as Blu-Ray and DVD despite the 3-week delay that's mentioned. I guess retailers are not seeing this as consumer friendly so they are pushing them out as soon as they get them.
mntwister @ Feb 8th 2008 5:41PM
word is now that Warner is aware of this and is not shipping the hd-dvd versions for 2 weeks after the blu-ray and dvd versions so stores cannot put them out early. OUCH
Devils Advocate @ Feb 8th 2008 5:43PM
Hey smart guy,
Dirty Harry will be blu ONLY!!!
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#whvpart2
"All five Dirty Harry films will also be available in Blu-ray disc (but not HD-DVD - this corrects an error in our original Tuesday post)."
MI @ Feb 8th 2008 6:00PM
Yea, but that's from Bill Hunt, second cousin to the prince of darkness, remember?
DEEZNUTZ @ Feb 8th 2008 6:02PM
"All five Dirty Harry films will also be available in Blu-ray disc (but not HD-DVD - this corrects an error in our original Tuesday post)."
PWNED!!!!
DrXym @ Feb 8th 2008 6:08PM
@Nfinity, the Dirty Harry series isn't coming to HD DVD. Ever.
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 6:16PM
First of all NOTHING in those posts suggests that it won't be coming to HD DVD. One sentence form Bill Hunt doesn't really do it to me and DVDTown said that the reason MIGHT be because it goes beyond cut off date.
Warner has already made it clear that they will extend the time anyways for a couple of weeks. Pay attention to DVDTown initial statement:
"In a recent held press conference it was revealed that all five movies will be released in new special editions. A "Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition" box will also be released on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray."
WARNER SAID IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE you tool. It's coming to HD DVD as many other titles.
What's the funny is that most of the UPCOMING Blu-Ray titles coming from Warner are ALREADY ON HD DVD hahahaha... suckers.. we've been watching these movies for whole past year numbnuts and with much better features too.
Warner will continue releasing HD DVD, no doubt about that.
witsend @ Feb 8th 2008 8:00PM
@Nfinity
Unless you work for Toshiba or something, you really should relax and not let this format war consume you. You must spend hours every day trying to hype up a format that, I assume, you have no real stake in. Seriously, move on for what's left of your sanity.
MI @ Feb 9th 2008 2:04PM
Not sure why I'm going to attempt reasoning with nfinity, but here we go...
The 'extension' was indicating that a movie released on DVD and bluray on the 30th of may (for example) would still be released on HDVD three weeks later. As these titles are apparently being released after the 31st of may cutoff, there will be no HDVD release.
Devils Advocate @ Feb 8th 2008 6:00PM
@mntwister
Yes its true there have been NO credible reports of anyone picking up a copy of Jesse James early.
Warners goal here is to discourage the retailers from even ordering the HD-DVD versions since they dont have a prayers chance of selling after the blu and dvd releases.
Devils Advocate @ Feb 8th 2008 5:56PM
Nfinity,
here is another link to confirm that Dirty Harry wont be on HD-DVD.
http://www.dvdtown.com/news/all-dirty-harry-movies-on-dvd-hd-dvd-and-blu-ray/5197
DEEZNUTZ @ Feb 8th 2008 6:03PM
@ NFINITY
DOUBLE PWNAGE!!!
DIRTY HARRY on HD DVD DELUSIONS FTL!!! LMAO
drew @ Feb 8th 2008 6:02PM
They are going to reencode to an inferior codec ... why?
The Matrix and Batman are continuously rated as near reference in both PQ and AQ.
The Matrix specifically is probably one the best looking HD discs on either format. I know bluray is going to win but please try to actually look past cool aid and do some research. The output of both HD formats is identical with compparable players.
DrXym @ Feb 8th 2008 6:11PM
The Matrix was a terrible trilogy. The first was pretty good but then it disappeared up its own backside with the pseudo-philosophical twaddle. I'm sure it'll arrive on Blu Ray at some point but I don't know why anyone cares too much about it.
Spiza @ Feb 8th 2008 6:28PM
Where are you even getting this re-encode from? And then where are you getting inferior from? Blu-Ray has the same codes HD DVD does. They'll either use the same encode, or redo it with a slightly higher bit rate (which won't make much of a difference).
drew @ Feb 8th 2008 6:31PM
bad commenting by me, it's from Ryan's comment above.
Sam Winter @ Feb 9th 2008 7:55AM
Wrong. I'm getting sick of re-hashing this point so many times, but until you HD-DVD people get this in your head, then I'll keep writing it.
Picture quality will NOT be the same from both formats.
1) BD disc audio+video bandwidth 48mbps vs HD-DVD 30mbps
2) BD disc 50GB vs HD-DVD 30GB
Obviously having a 60% greater bit-rate on encodes will make for a better picture. Whether all the studios take advantage of this higher bandwidth is too be seen.
Currently, dual format studios make their transfer for the limitations of HD-DVD, and then use that for both formats. When HD-DVD is finally dead, the transfers can be at a much higher bitrate.
Bring on the high-bitrate BD encodes!
DEEZNUTZ @ Feb 8th 2008 6:08PM
They are timing it with the release of the DARK KNIGHT on BD... exclusively.
andy @ Feb 8th 2008 6:27PM
Just an observation, but isn't this a pretty big "no duh".
I mean, when everyone was moving from VHS to DVD, they released VHS and DVD at the same time. When everything was going tape to CD, they were released at the same time. When people weren't going from CD to SACD/DVDA, they were released at the same time.
Why would you not expect warner to release its new "chosen one" along side DVD. I'd be pretty shocked if they didn't.
By the way, the HDDVD thing is just dumb. Either support both, or don't. Isn't it harder to keep it all straight than it is to just put all of your "Nothing to Lose" movies out at the same time? I mean, you lied to us about continuing support for both formats so just quit jerking me around, man up, and pull the plug, or keep taking my money. Just pick one course of action (support both or cut off ~40% of your sales to increase sales) and quit with all the BS.
Spiza @ Feb 8th 2008 6:29PM
I think its a legal obligation to keep supporting HD DVD.
WebDev511 @ Feb 8th 2008 6:30PM
I wonder if the promise of "later this year" really means "As soon as we figure out how to port all the HD DVD special features to BR profile 1.1 and there are enough stand alone players in the wild that can use them."
I wouldn't be surprised if they just played it cheap and dropped the stuff that doesn't port easily. After all Blu is so much better than anything else that special features really can't add any more value to a release. :p
Killer @ Feb 8th 2008 6:34PM
I do believe we all know by now, from the many posts and the many comments on here (from both sides) that Warner Brothers is going Blu-ray only after May 2008. So why is the "Warner goes Blu-ray" link to post in another HD format related post for like 10th time (or more)? It's a little too much, actually wait, it's over kill. "The Paramount goes HD DVD Only" link wasn't even posted this much. I know you're doing your "job" Ben, but please you repeat something over and over again you start to sound like the Giants. (We all know that they won the Superbowl, but the majority of America wanted the Patriots to lose, not the giants to win. People didn't care who it was (It could've been the 49's.) As long as there was a one next to that 18, that's all that mattered and it still does.) So please dont sound like that. I beg of you as a dual format owner, give love and fairness to both sides.
qo_op @ Feb 8th 2008 6:48PM
This is just a delay of the inevetible fall of HD-DVD and ill tell you why:
1st-HDDVD fanboys wont like to admit that every ps3 owner is essentially a blu-ray movie player , but truth is, they are. AS soon as a ps3 owner decides to buy a blu ray movie, their ps3 has become a blu-ray player.
so that's 9 million+ Blu-Ray player sold in the World and counting. With Sony's software lineup this year, expect those numbers to double.
2nd- HDDVD fails horribly in Europe. Enough said.
HDDVD needs to get base users outside of their cult red camp in order to stay alive. These firesales and liquidations are only going to delay what will eventually happen when Warner goes all Blu.
A1 @ Feb 8th 2008 7:23PM
Classic Nfinity completly rips himself.
A few facts for you Nfinity/Truth Teller/Rdjam the article came from Bill Hunt, then to Blu-Ray.com then to EngadgetHD in that order so what your reading and posting about (and believing from EHD) is from Bill Hunt, funny how you say "One sentence form Bill Hunt doesn't really do it to me" but you believe it second hand?
Oh year and how does it feel that were gonna get Heat with Michael Manns supervision over the BD only release? Very nice as Borat would say. :)
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 7:36PM
A1, first of all these type of "facts" come from web sites like Hollywood in Hi-def being ran by Scott Hettrick who is paid by BDA of course with only 1 goal in mind. To spread garbage FUD. The site was built and is being operated by the Fox and Sony and Bill Hunt is doing his BDA suck-up duty of spreading as much as possible this type of FUD.
That's what Hydra project is about. Spreading misleading information and fear among consumers. I won't even go into discussion whether or not this is good or bad for consumers. We all know that spreading fear and uncertainty is anti-consumer by itself. Of course this war must not be allowed to be decided by consumer because obviously consumers want HD DVD especially at ridiculous prices that they can buy for it.
Second, we'll see about Heat and other titles. Granted I will pick up Heat if it comes on Blu-Ray only, but as we already see, Warner has been flipping back and forth. This year or next year at the latest they can come back to HD DVD and release these movies too. Something like what they are doing now with releases scheduled on Blu-Ray for this year that HD DVD crowd already had exclusive last year.
You know, I wonder how you will react when Gladiator gets announced this year or Braveheart or any other huge hits from Universal or Paramount. I'm sure you'll start that delusional talk about how it's just a matter of time where they'll go HD DVD. Kind of like it's just a matter of time when Disney/Buena Vista and Lionsgate start publishing in HD DVD.
Clint Eastwood "DIRTY HARRY Collection" IS coming to HD DVD as I heard it from the mouth of the WARNER executives. This was one of the reasons for the "cutoff" extension on Warner's part.
A1 @ Feb 8th 2008 8:03PM
How can you say FUD and then in the next sentance say the "Hydra Project" Jesus.
Bill Hunt spoke to the Warner Execs himself, look it up on the website.
Gladiator and Braveheart id say enjoy them thats what this is all about. I have nothing against HD DVD, Nothing. i hate the people whole spread lies and BS like yourself. You seem to have an addiction with defending HD DVD on any and every opportunity. Its not good.
You say about the other studios, man i just don't get how you can say these things. Outsold for going on 15 Months. 15 MONTHS?!?! and thats just the US, another Major UK store (Currys) has dropped HD-DVD. No studio will go HD DVD, even if they wanted to. Walk away from the Majority of support? Thats just bad business sense.
LOTR is coming to Blu. I know you don't believe Bill Hunt but i do, he's asking all the questions the Blu boys are, Matrix? got the answer, Batman?Got the answer. Lossless on Warner titles, got the answer.
He has been told that New Line will release it at the end of 2009. They know its their biggest title and they want to make the most possible money from it. Once Blu has won and once its battling DVD.
Glen @ Feb 8th 2008 11:00PM
@nfinity
Wow. Yet again, you spout MADE-UP-LIES as if they were facts, or even rumors (no, they're not rumors when only YOU and maybe "Truth Teller" claim them.
1) Project "Hydra". Link? Only you ever talk about it...
2) Dirty Harry on HD-DVD. Only YOU post it. First you said it was in the press conference (which was incorrectly posted on the Engadget link, then corrected). Then, when that was pointed out, YOU lamely claimed you heard it personally. You FUCKING LIAR. Prove it.
3) Warner will extend their deadline. Only YOU post it -- the closest was TomsHardware that implied it, until it was corrected that the article said "catalog releases will ALSO be delayed 3 weeks". PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR F***ING PROOF THAT WARNER WILL RELEASE ****ANY**** HD-DVD AFTER June 1st.
4) Disney/Buena Vista / Lionsgate will publish on Blu-Ray. Link? Even anyone's opinion except yours "Truth Teller" type losers? Nope, sorry, this is a desperate made-up cry of a delusional loser such as yourself.
5) "I heard it from the mouth of Warner executives". Please post *exactly* WHERE and WHEN you heard it, and from WHO. I will contact Warner and verify it was said. I will pay you $1000 if your bogus claim can be confirmed.
6) "The lawsuits against Blu-Ray are starting". HUH? Post a link, a screenshot, a PDF, etc. If they've been filed, then they are public knowledge. If you have no proof, then repeat after me: "I am 'nfinity', and I am fucking loser who makes shit up"
OTHERWISE... *S*T*F*U* -- you are simply a pimply-faced loser, living off mama's lunch money, who has no real connection to any higher tech than online porn.
I've asked you time and time again to:
PROVE IT
POST LINKS TO YOUR "claims"
ACCEPT MY WAGER (hey, you OFFERED to bet, I accepted, and you declined)
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS
--> If even half of your "claims" of "fact" come true, take me up on my offer of a wager. You've claimed that virtually every studio will go HD-DVD, Warner will extend, HD will win, BD will be over by Christmas 07, Warner will go HD-DVD only by CES, BD alliance is paying RETAILERS to diminish HD-DVD, XXX dropped HD-DVD support because BD paid them, etc. You get the point? So far, you've been FUCKING WRONG about every "prediction".
So, put your money where your mouth is, like I've offered, or *S*T*F*U*.
I've stayed out of the war until Warner's announcement, then bought a PS3 (to play BD movies, not games). The last game console I owned was an ATARI 2600, a long time ago. My first one was a PONG console in the 70's (I even had an ATARI 800 "computer"). I'm not a "Console-kiddy"; I'm married, family, advanced degree, successful in the stock market. I backed Blu-Ray because HD-DVD HAS LOST THE DAMN WAR. My older brother even bought a PS3 as a movie-only player.
So, nfinity, "How do you like them apples"?
HDpurist @ Feb 8th 2008 7:34PM
Looking forward to Blu-ray exclusives including Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Star Wars Trilogy.
As well, Warner will be improving/remastering the Matrix Trilogy and Batman Anthology for Blu-ray to utilize the full 50GB storage space. Can't wait!
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 7:37PM
Yeah, accept they have not been announced yet. You know, they will be once everyone gets dual format players or HD DVD finally gets mainstream which is happening this year.
Oh and btw, try to fix your icon thingy, the latest numbers are different for hardware (even with BDA giving away players for free) and software sales are also wrong. I'm sure you have seen those numbers.
qo_op @ Feb 8th 2008 7:54PM
Nfinity, whats your plight? You're not convincing anyone to go the the Red side, why even bother? The war is over to everyone else except you and like 3 other people. There is really no way for Red camp to come back, literally no way.
Anthony Pivac @ Feb 8th 2008 8:21PM
I'm sure Truthteller & Nfinity will enjoy the special features on I Am Legend HD DVD. Oh wait... At least you get the comics. Oh wait SD side only, nevermind. Warner is making a statement. I don't think they will comeback anytime soon.
UnnDunn @ Feb 8th 2008 8:57PM
The thing that gets me about Format War discussion in the wake of Warner's move is it has pretty much turned into an HD DVD bashfest.
Hey Blu-ray fans, instead of continuously bashing HD DVD, why not talk about what makes Blu-ray so amazing, and why you chose it?
We know HD DVD is in trouble. You don't need to remind us. This also goes for the Engadget HD staff. i just got done listening to the Jan 30 EHD podcast, which was basically 40 minutes of Ben and Steve detailing all the many ways in which HD DVD is in trouble and telling us yet again that HD DVD is dead.
If HD DVD is dead, then do us a favor, stop covering it and move the hell on. Maybe then the level of discourse about HDM can improve around here.
Personally, I feel HD DVD still has a decent chance of achieving marketplace success--and even dominance, but I also realize that by saying so, I've automatically doomed this post to be Low Ranked and invited a half-dozen replies calling me deluded or worse. Basically the Blu-ray folks piling on, as if we're all junior-high kids.
I, for one, am completely fed up of it, so I don't say anything. I just quietly continue buying and enjoying my HD DVD flicks while ignoring everything in the blue side of the aisle. I wish all you blu-ray fanboys would do the same, because it seems the only time you say anything about HD DVD, it's to bash it. That includes Ben and Steve.
andy @ Feb 9th 2008 10:05AM
You're not alone.
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 9:07PM
I need to write a novel.. it's gonna be called "Delusional Mind of A Blu-Ray fanboy".. I'm sure it would be A BESTSELLER..
Nfinity @ Feb 8th 2008 9:12PM
The Lawsuits against the ridiculous Blu-Ray format and manufacturers is starting.. just wait till they find out they can't play all features of the discs:
Samsung Sued Over Defective Blu-ray Players:
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/02/samsung-sued-ov.html
qo_op @ Feb 8th 2008 9:36PM
NOBODY CARES ABOUT EXTRA CONTENT, THE SALES SAY IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!
qo_op @ Feb 8th 2008 9:55PM
Also unlike HDDVD, more companies than just Samsung make BluRay players. If anything, you sir are the one that is delusional.
DrXym @ Feb 9th 2008 3:52AM
I see no lawsuit at all against the blu ray format. Do you have one? Lawsuits against a particular defective player are irrelevant.
Killer @ Feb 8th 2008 10:26PM
"Looking forward to Blu-ray exclusives including Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Star Wars Trilogy."
LoTR is really the only true movie trilogy of the two that have a better chance of happening. The first 3 and the 1st of the New Star Wars in HD is NOT impressive at all. After seeing it in HD (Thank you HBO, Showtime and Max), I see now why Lucas was so slow to make them on DVD. The old three movies in HD, you see so many imperfections in animation, so much that re-mastering the movie would probally be just making 3/4 of the movie all over again. The walkers for an example, you can tell that they were shot in frame by frame to show movement. When shown in HD, It looks like Gumbi, possibly worse then Gumbi (Sorry to all Gumbi fans). Second point the first new Star Wars (which is the worst of the 3 new ones) has alot of imperfections as well, yoda isn't computer generated, so it looks like the muppets and many of the space craft and buildings look like they are plastic models (which they were of course). The only movie of the Star Wars trilogy that is pefect in HD is The Revenge of the Sith and possibly Clone Wars (I'm not sure of this one, because they haven't shown it in HD, yet). All I'm saying is the Star Wars trilogy wouldn't be all that worth buying, on the other hand the LoTR is, if it ever comes out. New Line is lazy, they've always been and most of the time put out new released movies and nothing far back in their movie database. If there is any studio that is the worst studio New Line is the winner.
Killer @ Feb 8th 2008 10:26PM
"Looking forward to Blu-ray exclusives including Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Star Wars Trilogy."
LoTR is really the only true movie trilogy of the two that have a better chance of happening. The first 3 and the 1st of the New Star Wars in HD is NOT impressive at all. After seeing it in HD (Thank you HBO, Showtime and Max), I see now why Lucas was so slow to make them on DVD. The old three movies in HD, you see so many imperfections in animation, so much that re-mastering the movie would probally be just making 3/4 of the movie all over again. The walkers for an example, you can tell that they were shot in frame by frame to show movement. When shown in HD, It looks like Gumbi, possibly worse then Gumbi (Sorry to all Gumbi fans). Second point the first new Star Wars (which is the worst of the 3 new ones) has alot of imperfections as well, yoda isn't computer generated, so it looks like the muppets and many of the space craft and buildings look like they are plastic models (which they were of course). The only movie of the Star Wars trilogy that is pefect in HD is The Revenge of the Sith and possibly Clone Wars (I'm not sure of this one, because they haven't shown it in HD, yet). All I'm saying is the Star Wars trilogy wouldn't be all that worth buying, on the other hand the LoTR is, if it ever comes out. New Line is lazy, they've always been and most of the time put out new released movies and nothing far back in their movie database. If there is any studio that is the worst studio New Line is the winner.
WebDev511 @ Feb 8th 2008 10:43PM
"NOBODY CARES ABOUT EXTRA CONTENT, THE SALES SAY IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!"
I happen to LIKE special features. I think they make the $30 worth spending. If others are willing to settle for less, then that's their choice.
Btw, Band of Brothers looks AWSOME on HD DVD. Norbit...no, I think I'll pass on that one.
Killer @ Feb 8th 2008 10:45PM
Sorry didn't mean to double post, I hate this stupid internet.
ProfWho @ Feb 9th 2008 12:15AM
Nfinity must be wearing his tinfoil hat. Everything is a Blu-ray conspiracy for him. It is just a matter of time before Sony is responsible for 9/11, alien abductions, and Kennedy assassinations. You know, just to get blu-ray to win.
Truth TeIIer @ Feb 9th 2008 1:59AM
nFinity, shut the fuck up you artard.
Nfinity @ Feb 9th 2008 2:45AM
LOL.. Amazon sales are OFF THE HOOK for HD DVD.. jesus.. ha ha..
Oh BTW, you Blu asshats media is already warning about Blu-Ray garbage everywhere now:
HD DVD SET-TOP PLAYER SALES REBOUND
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6526968.html?industryid=47213
MICROSOFT CUTS $50 OFF XBOX 360 HD DVD ADD-ON PRICE
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6530135.html?industryid=47213
BLU-RAY PLAYERS BEHIND ON INTERACTIVITY
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6528146.html?industryid=47213