HD DVD's last hurrah: Terminator 2: Ultimate HD-Edition due March 20
HD DVD fans have at least one more high profile release to look forward to, as German distributor Kinowelt is prepared to release Terminator 2: Ultimate HD-Edition (region free of course) March 20th. Produced by HDi (and Blu-ray) pioneers Imagion AG this release includes the directors cut of the film, with DTS-HD 7.1 audio and more than four hours of bonus material in a high quality SteelBook case. Expect this to be the triumphant example of HD DVD's advanced features and capabilities that American Gangster so sadly wasn't. Check out a list of features after the break or our hands-on from CES to learn more about the disc's interactive and online capabilities, and maybe a peek at the future of BD Live.
Special Features
- Director's cut
- Interactive features: picture- in-picture (storyboards and script can be viewed together with the movie)
- Personal bookmarks and photo galleries
- Quiz mode (more than 70 questions about the movie!)
- Spy mode (all film mistakes in detail)
- Inside T2 mode
- Integrated dynamicHD online functionality (more features accessible online)
- Making ofs
- Two audio commentaries
- Omitted scenes
- Detailed background information
- Trailers
- Hidden features
Specifications
- Format: Dual Layer HD DVD
- Region code: free
- Duration:
- Video: 2,35:1 1080/24p full HD
- Audio: English, German (7.1 DTS HD, headphone-surround)
- Subtitles: German, Turkish
Filed under: HD DVD
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Xyzzy @ Feb 27th 2008 10:41PM
Kudos to EHD for posting this - I never thought I'd see the day.
This is the supposed to be *THE* definitive transfer of the film. Looks better than any other T2 encode out there, including the BD version. Plus it's doubtful that BD will re-release T2 anytime in the near future so if you love the movie, and have an HD DVD player, this is the guy to get.
This one's been anticipated for a long time:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=918914
I can't wait!
MacGuru @ Feb 28th 2008 10:36PM
Better than BD? That is such total BS. Have you seen HD DVD and BD side by side? There is NO DIFFERENCE, besides the fact that HD DVD is DEAD!
The war is over sweetie, you can take your confederate flag down now, you lost the war.
Xyzzy @ Feb 28th 2008 11:32PM
@MacGuru:
"Better than BD? That is such total BS. Have you seen HD DVD and BD side by side? There is NO DIFFERENCE, besides the fact that HD DVD is DEAD!"
Yes, if the encode is the same, both HD DVD and BD will look the same. But Kinowelt MADE A NEW ENCODING of T2 -- and it's better than the BD version and better than the UK HD DVD version. It's the best looking T2 available. Don't believe me, read the article and the AVS thread I posted.
Mitchell @ Feb 27th 2008 10:50PM
The only problem is your only choice will be to buy this. Netflix wont be carrying it and not many people will buy a movie on a dead format. To bad I have always wanted to see this movie in HD! Ill wait till next year when I buy my Blu Ray player. (hopefully at a reasonable price
Xyzzy @ Feb 27th 2008 10:53PM
Actually, the pre-orders are very high for this movie (why do you think they're still releasing it?)
You can wait until next year for your BD player, but chances are this version won't be released on BD, ever.
treats! @ Feb 27th 2008 11:25PM
If this has huge sales of course it will be on BD. They want to make money, not run their company off idiot fanboyism.
Jeff @ Feb 28th 2008 8:29PM
I will buy it, just because the format war is over doesn't mean my player stopped working
TheDave @ Feb 27th 2008 11:29PM
All of the sudden the $50 xbox 360 HD DVD player purchase for my HTPC seems even better!
JimC @ Feb 27th 2008 11:29PM
What is is the video codec used? With all those features, space on the disc must be a premium, something had to give....
The Fuzz 53 @ Feb 28th 2008 11:14AM
You are such a tool.
JimC @ Feb 28th 2008 3:15PM
@The Fuzz 53, saying I'm a tool is witty and all but it still doesn't answer the frakin' question now does it?!! We all know that HD-DVD has a 30Gb capacity and that limit can easily be reached with HQ video and audio let alone throwing in a whole myriad of extra bonuses. But of course PQ was never as important to HD-DVD fans as was PiP commentary or internet connectivity so I guess it wouldn't matter to ya if the PQ sucked.
So unless you are just plain hateful, how about answering the question! Or even providing a link to a review of the video quality.
Fredster @ Feb 28th 2008 5:25PM
No, honestly, you are a tool! If they can fit King Kong on HD, why not then T2?? But what else could we expect from you??!!
JimC @ Feb 28th 2008 7:05PM
Oh really Fredster, let's take a look at the Kong review shall we...
From HidefDigest.com
"'King Kong's audio on HD DVD is an oxymoron: it sounds fantastic, while also landing with a bit of a thud. I remain rather shocked that Universal did not include a Dolby TrueHD or some other lossless format on what is undoubtedly its flagship release for the holiday season. If there was only one title out there that needed such a presentation, it is 'King Kong.' Sure, the Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround track (encoded at 1.5mbps) that we do get sounds magnificent, but it is hard not to be crestfallen that 'Kong' doesn't get the best sound HD DVD can offer."
Obviously, could fit lossless audio on the disc....let us continue...
"Whatever your feelings about the movie iteslf, here is where 'King Kong' on HD DVD really disappoints. Perhaps I've gotten spoiled, but for such a high-profile title, was I wrong to expect most if not all of the same extras that were on the two-disc special edition Universal released last year?...what we get here is -- brace yourself -- absolutely nothing. Nada. Zip, Zero. Universal doesn't throw us a single banana, er, bone -- not even a theatrical trailer. Sure, there is some HD bonus content (see below), but I don't know why the studio didn't ante up for a two-disc set (I can't imagine 'Kong' fans would have minded, even if they had to pay a few extra bucks for the extra disc). As is, supplements-wise, 'King Kong' now pales in comparison to just about every single other HD DVD release out there, when it should of obliterated them."
And finally...
"To be fair, 'King Kong' does include Universal's new HD-exclusive "U-Control" feature....the U-Control feature isn't really that optimal. Had there been content that was genuinely unique to the movie, the use of the feature might have made more sense (such as the vehicle customization and GPS mapping on 'Tokyo Drift'). Instead, the implementation of U-Control on 'King Kong' just feels like a more user-unfriendly way to access content that would have worked better as a straightforward supplement."
So care to try refute my original claim? TOOL! Amazing what a little leg work can do for ya....
Xyzzy @ Mar 1st 2008 2:04PM
I don't know the codec, but if you read the AVS thread I posted (first comment) you'll see many people saying that the PQ is better than any other version of the film (including the BD version). What more do you want?
Also, to say that "HD DVD people never cared about PQ" is an assinine statement when both formats look amazing.
JimC @ Mar 1st 2008 7:12PM
@Xyzzy
PQ might "look good" but I'd like a more objective comparison of the codec and compression used. But anyway, the remark about HDDVD fans not caring about PQ is not what I said, I said was they didn't car about as much as the PiP and internet connectivity features. Plenty of times I was told by HDDVD fans that 1080p didn't matter (HDDVD players at the time only had 1080i) because most people had 720p tv's, so PQ wasn't as high on the list as PiP or internet connectivity (which I don't believe, my comment PQ was sarcasm).
The facts remain, in high quality transfers of longer running films, so far has meant on HDDVD that some other things was sacrificed, Transformers & Kong using lossy audio:
"'Transformers' media event with Paramount late last week, and the question was asked almost immediately -- why no Dolby TrueHD or uncompressed PCM? The studio's answer was that due to space limitations on the disc, the decision was made to limit the audio to Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround only (here at 1.5mbps). Unfortunately, this confirms the long-held theory that the 30Gb capacity of an HD-30 dual-layer HD DVD disc has forced studios to choose between offering a robust supplements package (as they've done here) and the very best in audio quality."
So the point stands, if this much "stuff" is on the disc, what is compressed or lacking? If the video codec used produced "good enough" then fine, happy days....but odds are under a technical review, it would reveal compression issues....
Prey521 @ Feb 27th 2008 11:45PM
Good Lordy is that packed with some awesome extras! Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jove @ Feb 28th 2008 12:51AM
if people would have bought more hd dvd's then the superior format would have won and you would have seen plenty of these films and not just one super duper movie. but oh well...
Gus @ Feb 28th 2008 1:27AM
If all studios had been neutral from day 1, you and I both know things would be different today, so stop it with the sony brainwashed rhetoric.
Tyler @ Feb 28th 2008 1:52AM
uhh gus, i believe Jove is in favor of HD-DVD but worded his comment rather badly.
Jonsson @ Feb 28th 2008 8:02AM
The superior format DID win !
Jove @ Feb 28th 2008 12:00PM
yes i was in favor of hd dvd. excuse my spelling if it didnt sound straight, you see im not american and english is not my first language...
Gus @ Feb 28th 2008 1:24AM
Lets hope some of these foreign studios keep up the support for HD DVD and we can all keep buying a few movies on the more advanced and better format.
shawnmos @ Feb 28th 2008 2:29AM
How much of this is in English? Are the special features in English or German? I might get this.
LiqwidZero @ Feb 28th 2008 10:38AM
The extras are, in fact, in English.
Andrew @ Feb 28th 2008 2:53AM
It won't be back.
Paul Fernandez @ Feb 28th 2008 7:41AM
Do my eyes deceive me? Is this positive HD DVD news I'm reading on Engadget, about the stellar treatment of what many consider to be THE best action movie ever made? (apologies to Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, and Aliens) Someone pinch me...
I own the Extreme Edition one in the cool silver case that was released a while back (with the raised imprint of a T-1000 skull). It features a 1080p/24 digital telecine transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital EX, a Dolby Headphone option, and a WMV 720p version for PCs, all highly unusual for standard DVDs. Looks like they'd have to pull out all the stops to top this, so I hope Xyzzy is right.
LordZargon @ Feb 28th 2008 8:25AM
Good stuff, I'll be adding this to my small collection =].
rg23 @ Feb 28th 2008 8:58AM
This is one of the main reasons why older HD DVDs are not being sold at closeout prices. Big movies will be released until May/June. I am waiting to take advantage of HD DVD deals. Having that said, I am also glad that HD DVD is still supported by studios since I own HD DVD players.
CassilineKnight @ Feb 28th 2008 9:01AM
Wait a min...
Format Wars Episode 2: The HD DVD Consortium Strikes BACK!?
Just wait you guys...by the time this comes out China's new ultralow HD DVD players will be swarming the market and Toshiba will renew HD DVD again!
OR 6 months to a year from now the Bluray Version of this title will be hitting shelves...with even MORE unnecessary yet greatly appreicated extras...
bravo116 @ Feb 28th 2008 10:41AM
Assuming it is DTS HD MA 7.1?
Devils Advocate @ Feb 28th 2008 9:15PM
I actually agree with you Nfinity. This does look very impressive, but Im perfectly happy waiting for the inevitable bluray version, which will get released at least 20 times over the life of the format.
Nfinity @ Feb 28th 2008 3:36PM
This might very well be the last HD DVD I buy.. this thing is really worth having.. even the player alone for it.
Fredster @ Feb 28th 2008 5:23PM
This is what i would expect all Hollywood movie studios to do, give us top PQ and AQ with tons of extras, not a half-a$$ed try, and our wallets will open!! I have ordered this one and this is going to be soooo worth the bucks!!
Asterra @ Feb 28th 2008 6:21PM
For me, HD-DVD's "last hurrah" will be Twister, which is just about on par with T2 for being a showpiece movie. It comes out in late May. Assuming it still happens. No Blu-ray release of Twister is in sight, and Twister is one of my all time favorites.
JimC @ Feb 28th 2008 7:13PM
No blu-ray release of Twister in sight???
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/334/twister.html
Twister (Blu-ray)
Warner Home Video / 1996 / 113 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: May 06, 2008
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000W4D94I/panandscathed-20
"Availability: This title will be released on May 6, 2008. Pre-order now! "
No wonder you guys bought into a loser, you can't read apparently....
Asterra @ Feb 29th 2008 1:48AM
I thank you for the correction. It's good to see that they did finally move the HD-DVD's data over to a Blu-ray disc and let Amazon know about it.
Also, don't let this Terminator 2 HD-DVD information ruffle your feathers, chief. It makes you look a bit like a child.
JimC @ Feb 29th 2008 10:49AM
I'm not real sure what you mean by "they did finally move the HD-DVD's data over to a Blu-ray disc". Warner has for a very long time now announced Twister for both Blu-ray and HD-DVD but since Warner's move to blu-ray, Twister will be the last HDDVD from Warner and then come 3 weeks after blu-ray version has been out. If you want Twister first in HD, you will need to buy it in blu-ray, else wait 3 weeks longer for the HDDVD version.
And BTW, the Terminator thing, I had a valid question and then was attacked with name calling. Then I backed up my point with real facts and look above, the name callers haven't got anything to refute my claims now. So have low tolerance of ignorance and flat out dishonesty. IF people want to act as if they have a clue but refuse to provide proof that they know what they are talking about, then yeah, I will challenge them on it....
You are welcome for the information on the blu-ray release. Have any questions, I'll be happy to find anything out for you....
tony @ Feb 28th 2008 11:30PM
Last hurrah indeed. Really, last big release. Thats funny, I am legend is a big release and thats coming out on HDdvd soon. As well as ONE MISSED CALL, BEOWOLF, CLOVERFIELD, and others. Hum, for a dead format, there seems to be quite some good relases coming out in the next few months.
JimC @ Feb 29th 2008 10:52AM
LOL, please can you show me a link to where Cloverfield will be released on HDDVD? This should be interesting....
Amateur Video Editing @ Feb 29th 2008 12:52PM
What a bunch of freaking nerds. HD is better, no Blu-ray is better, HD is foe suckers, throw the flag in. You are all a bunch of idiots. No one one. We all lost because the market DID NOT dictate the better product. The manufacturers (or in this case the Studios) just simply backed Sony for whatever reason. Personally I am assuming its because of price control. They are loosing money on every player. Check the facts and you'll see. Why all of a sudden did the Studio's just back Sony and not Toshiba? There is some back-door under handed stuff going on and WE are all going to pay the price. Despite what you all think in terms of who had the better quality, they were both good. However, HD-DVD was a little more ahead in terms of working the technology and getting the bugs out. I know my HD DVD player worked just fine for every movie (except the Sopranos and I still don't know why), and even the sound was incredible. Blu-Ray still has some issues to be worked out as there still are many players out there that don't work as advertised.
So regardless of which camp you back it sucks to spend over $500 (up to $1000) for a player that doesn't work as advertised. This is what the manufacturers are doing more and more. Releasing crap and working out the bugs along the way.
Imagine the Auto manufacturers did the same. Yea, I know there are certain bugs in cars as well, but I'm talking about having your breaks freeze up while you are doing 70mph or the engine quits for no reason. Which one of us would buy this? No one.
Bottom line, we all loose here simply because WE DIDN'T DECIDE WHO THE WINNER WAS.
david @ Feb 29th 2008 10:06PM
WOW, if all HD DVDs were released like this T2, we might be seeing red instead of blue!
ArchCaptain @ Mar 1st 2008 6:54PM
So where can you buy this in the states? Amazon is not showing it.
Peter @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:44PM
The German Amazon site. They will import it for you. amazon.de