Universal nixes plans for non-combo Land of the Dead / Dazed & Confused HD DVDs

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 9th 2008 at 6:37AM

Quite frankly, we reckon this move has more to do with lackluster demand than anything else, but nevertheless, Universal is reportedly canning its plans to bring back Dazed & Confused and Land of the Dead in non-combo HD DVD form. If you'll recall, both of these flicks were dished out in 2006 as HD DVD / DVD combo discs, but the studio had previously expected to re-issue them both as standalone HD DVDs next month. According to HighDefDigest, a company representative did mention that they could "resurface at some point in the future," but gave no rhyme nor reason as to why the duo is being canceled (if only momentarily).

[Thanks, Brian]

Filed under: Industry, HD DVD

Tags: cancel, cancelation, canceled, cancels, dazed and confused, DazedAndConfused, hd dvd, HdDvd, land of the dead, LandOfTheDead, universal

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Low Ranked

Truth Teller @ Feb 9th 2008 8:46AM

Wow, low demand for 2 (pretty poor) movies has led to Universal deciding not to invest more money in a replacement non-combo SKU.

Hot news, not.

This is a far more news worthy story.

Samsung/Blu-ray getting sued for defective Blu-ray players.

Where's this story Engadget?

******************************************************************************
Quote -

A class action lawsuit filed earlier this week (.pdf) against Samsung
claims the company has knowingly sold defective Blu-ray players to the
public since June 2006.

The lead plaintiff in the case, Bob McGovern, says he purchased his
BD-01200 Samsung Blu-ray player last summer and was subsequently
unable to view "numerous Blu-ray disc titles," a fact he attributes
to the player's "defective design and/or manufacture."

Lead attorneys in the case also note that there have since been a
number of similar complaints levied against the company concerning
the inoperability of certain Buy-ray disc titles.

In some cases, Samsung has also verified that it does not intend to provide future firmware updates to correct these issues�and hence the lawsuit.

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/02/samsung-sued-ov.html

Neutral

wireless.nemo @ Feb 9th 2008 9:10AM

Um... how is SAMSUNG getting sued a problem for BLU-RAY? Sounds more like a problem for Samsung.

I guess your so blinded by your fanboism of HD-DVD that you can't even realize the difference.

Neutral

JimC @ Feb 9th 2008 10:50AM

Well, in your world of Single manufacturer = Format I can see where you would confuse this as an indictment on blu-ray but alas since Blu-ray has a plethora of manufacturers producing players, Samsung being only one, this is an indictment on Samsungs quality only....but nice try.

Highly Ranked

jdeuel @ Feb 9th 2008 4:51PM

"Where's this story Engadget?"

ever check the sidebar?

http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/232228883/

Neutral

Truth Commenter @ Feb 10th 2008 2:28AM

TruthTeller-Dave: "Where's this story Engadget?"

1) You're off topic bigtime posting this
Samsung comment here.
2) Engadget did writeup this story elsewhere
without needing any prompts from you.
3) If you don't like objectivity and Engadget's
proven fair treatment of subject matter, then
go post on sites that favor your biases.

Don't blame the press for the news!

Neutral

Truth Teller @ Feb 11th 2008 7:52AM

@ jdeuel

Maybe you ought to learn to read properly.

Check the date-stamps.

Sonme of us were complaining about the lack of reporting on that story long before it popped up here.

Fail.

Neutral

DrXym @ Feb 9th 2008 9:41AM

Nfinity, your repeated cut and paste posts of these links (which have debunked) qualify as spam now. Stop it unless you want people to start reporting you.

Neutral

DrXym @ Feb 9th 2008 9:52AM

I wonder what's behind not re-issuing the discs. Maybe it's simply not economically viable to reissue them, what with the sales of HD DVD being what they are.

Neutral

JimC @ Feb 9th 2008 10:53AM

The Top 3 reasons to stick with HDDVD, LOL, it is an article telling you poor saps that won't get a grip to just keep your player and enjoy what you have. It is not an endorsement or praise of HDDVD but a coddling for the whimpering HDDVD fanboys....Dude, you need help, along with your life partner, Truth Teller...

Highly Ranked

sn1per @ Feb 9th 2008 10:58AM

Hey, I hear most retailers are also sold out of VHS players. So maybe VHS is really the winner of this war?

Neutral

LiqwidZero @ Feb 9th 2008 11:02AM

You know, EngadgetHD, you guys can continue to be flaming Blu-ray fanboys, or you can show both sides equally and regain my respect.

There has been a sale for 147 HD DVDs for nearly half a week on Paramount and Universal HD DVDs with Star Trek TOS for sale at $97! That's a $40 drop from Amazon's already lowest price!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&plgroup=1&docId=1000195491&plpage=1

Not only that, but there are loads of Warner HD DVDs that have dropped to $15, WITHOUT promotion.

Neutral

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 9th 2008 11:50AM

Who are you kidding? HDDVD prices are dropping like TRUTH in the Dubya White House for 1 reason and 1 reason only....TO GET RID OF THEM!!!!!!

Anyone been to Best Buy recently? I have seen at 2 separate locations in the Chicago West Burbs 1 HDDVD setup and 4-5 Blu-ray set ups INCLUDING PS3's. So, Best Buy is showing PS3's playing Blu-ray movies in the Magnolia Home Theatre and in the HDTV section. Also, in the Blu-ray movie section there are PS3's lined up on top of the display shelves....and the best part is that Blu-ray movies have taken up to half of the HDDVD side.

To Infinity and Truthteller...

HA HA

Neutral

Larry @ Feb 9th 2008 11:36AM

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

Neutral

JimC @ Feb 9th 2008 1:00PM

Larry, look at the trend, Blu-ray has a level trend whereas HDDVD has clear spikes. It is the level steady sales stream retailers want not the spikes in reaction to a sale....blu-ray clearly has the steady stream of sales and HDDVD requires special discounts and BOGO's to break into the rankings of blu-ray on average...the trend is clear....

Neutral

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 9th 2008 11:55AM

That is what firesales do my friend. Plus I am sure that HDDVD zealots like Nfinity and Truthteller are buying them up in droves desperately trying to cauterize the gaping hole in Toshibas backside.

My prediction is that once these places are SOLD OUT of HDDVD hardware they will NOT RESTOCK them. And the same goes for most of the movies EXCEPT for upcoming new releases.

You fail. By the way, that chart shows the last 24hrs....who are you kidding with your FUD.

Neutral

Devils Advocate @ Feb 9th 2008 1:26PM

Ive never seen you on engadget, but you've done nice work so far.

You're gonna have a blast smacking Nfinity and Truth Teller down.

It gets easier and easier as more bad news for HD-DVD rolls in.

Highly Ranked

Blake H @ Feb 9th 2008 1:13PM

Dang. As an HD DVD owner, I was definitely looking to round out my collection with these two classics.

I'm gonna go throw my player in a river.

Neutral

HD4ME @ Feb 9th 2008 7:44PM

Ummm, Land of the dead, currently in stock at Amazon for $17.45, so how is this even a story??
This site, no matter how trivial the story is, will never miss the chance to stick the boot in.
Good on you guys, you must fell very proud of yourselves with this one, big time journalism at it's peak ..........z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z

Neutral

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