Blu-ray News and Deals

[pixie_twinkle 48]

I have a pretty important Blu-Ray question. My wife and I recently upgraded to a lovely new 52" Sony Bravia TV. It's time to get a Blu Ray player to complement the new HD screen. My problem is that I own 50% region 2 DVDs and 50% region 1. That situation is likely to continue into my Blu-Ray collection once I start buying them. SO, does anyone know of a good multi-region Blu-Ray player that will play all region DVDs and Blu Ray discs? Does such a thing even exist? If so will it convert PAL and NTSC to play on an NTSC TV?

Any help here would be hot.

[Marian Schedenig 8,178]

There are, but they are very rare.

This is the only regular one I know about, as far as I understand it's region free for both Blu and DVD out of the box (i.e. not modded after leaving the factory) which means you can do firmware upgrades without loosing region freeness (I did that once and can confirm it):

http://www.momitsu.com/bdp_799.html

There's a few problems though. First, one of the few sites that used to sell it (HKFlix.com, which is where I got mine from) has since stopped selling hardware; there have been guesses that the industry might have put pressure on the for officially selling region free players. Second, mine's slightly problematic, for two reasons:

1) If I have my projector turned on before the player outputs any sound, sound via coax SPDIF is garbled (the solution is to disconnect HDMI briefly and then reconnect it - but it took me days to figure that out). May have something to do with the combination of player and projector, I don't know too much about the inner workings of HDMI.

2) Mine frequently has trouble reading discs. I sometimes have to re-insert a disc several times before it stops stuttering and actually reads the data. Oddly, this is also what it usually does when playing a Blu disc from the wrong region (you have to manually switch Blu regions using a code on your remote). That's probably just a problem with my model though, since I haven't read anything about it, but with all the trouble I went through to get it (first it was delayed, and then it shipped several days after they stopped selling hardware - I was worried I'd never get it at all), I really don't feel like trying to send it back for a replacement.

Also, the drive sometimes makes a rather loud high-pitched noise. I usually don't hear it because it's in a cupboard behind a glass door, but it would be annoying if the device was right next to you. Might or might not be just my model - overall the player has been getting great reviews. Aside from these bits, I'm very happy with it, and considering the lack of other region free solutions, I'm definitely happy I picked it up.

The alternative solution is getting a "regular" player modded (be careful - many players are sold as "region free", but only are free for DVDs), but that's quite expensive and often means you can't do firmware upgrades.

At least many Blu discs are actually not region locked and will play on any player. http://www.axelmusic.com/ usually has info about which regions a particular disc will play in. Mostly depends on the studio; for example, the first two seasons of Lost (US release) are free whereas from season 3 on they're locked to region A.

[pixie_twinkle 48]

Marian,

Thanks for your exhaustive reply. It looks like I'm going to have to be very careful in picking a multi-region player. I will definitely check out the one you have, although all the glitches you mentioned make me a bit cautious. Maybe I should just get a regular region A blu-ray player that can play multi region DVDs for now. Chances are I won't be buying Region B blu-ray for a while. Except I'll want to pick up the UK Dr Who Season 5 when it's released on blu ray in December! Damn! Why do they make this so difficult???

[Wojo 2,453]

Target balloons, set to kill.

[Marian Schedenig 8,178]

Thanks for your exhaustive reply. It looks like I'm going to have to be very careful in picking a multi-region player. I will definitely check out the one you have, although all the glitches you mentioned make me a bit cautious. Maybe I should just get a regular region A blu-ray player that can play multi region DVDs for now. Chances are I won't be buying Region B blu-ray for a while. Except I'll want to pick up the UK Dr Who Season 5 when it's released on blu ray in December! Damn! Why do they make this so difficult???

Getting two cheaper players would be another option, of course. Seems that's what many people really do.

If you find any other region free players, please let me know. Not that I'm going to replace mine anytime soon, but I'm still curious.

[pixie_twinkle 48]

I will. I suppose I could get a Blu-Ray player from England, but would my American TV be able to handle it?

[Marian Schedenig 8,178]

Dunno if US TVs commonly handle PAL, most better European TVs should display NTSC correctly. As long as you have a HDTV digitally hooked up to your Blu player, it should be mostly irrelevant anyway (except for extras or maybe older TV content), as films are typically stored in 24p HD anyway.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Minority Report 2-disc set being released in April. One of The Digital Bits rumored titles now confirmed. Features:

* The Future According to Steven Spielberg (HD)

* Inside The World of Precrime (HD)

* Phillip K. Dick, Steven Speilberg and Minority Report (HD)

* Minority Report: Future Realized (HD)

* Minority Report: Props of the Future (HD)

* Highlights from Minority Report: From the Set

* Minority Report: Commercials of the Future (HD)

* Previz Sequences

* From Story to Screen

* Deconstructing Minority Report

* The Stunts of Minority Report

* ILM and Minority Report

* Final Report

* Production Concepts

* Storyboard Sequences

* Trailers

[ashinyobject 0]

March 23rd is becoming a blu-ray release date haven for me.

And it's going to cost me a lot of money.

-Toy Story

-Toy Story 2

-Mad Men Season 3

-Fantastic Mr. Fox

-Days of Heaven (Criterion)

-Bigger Than Life (Criterion)

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Minority Report 2-disc set being released in April. One of The Digital Bits rumored titles now confirmed. Features:

* The Future According to Steven Spielberg (HD)

* Inside The World of Precrime (HD)

* Phillip K. Dick, Steven Speilberg and Minority Report (HD)

* Minority Report: Future Realized (HD)

* Minority Report: Props of the Future (HD)

* Highlights from Minority Report: From the Set

* Minority Report: Commercials of the Future (HD)

* Previz Sequences

* From Story to Screen

* Deconstructing Minority Report

* The Stunts of Minority Report

* ILM and Minority Report

* Final Report

* Production Concepts

* Storyboard Sequences

* Trailers

A much needed update in picture quality. If it's under $20 on Amazon, a guaranteed buy from me.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

I'll probably get it, but it's not something I've been desiring. It's a very dark, grainy and desaturated movie. Not the kind of film that would look particularly good on BD, but then perhaps I'm just biased since I'm not a fan of the ridiculous cinematography of MR or A.I. Spielberg movies that could look amazing on BD: Jaws, Indys, Private Ryan, JP. If those are also released anytime soon I'll be one happy camper. I've never been a big fan of the appearance of the Indy movies on DVD. I realize Lowry supposedly did an impeccable job restoring those, but they have a very blurry, flat and somewhat un-detailed look. I saw TLC in the cinema a couple years ago and the home video experience is pathetic in comparison. There's also something not right about the way they digitally removed all the spots/specks. They look less film-like. If that makes any sense. These things are there in the theatrical presentation. It's a part of the experience.

[Maglorfin 196]

Couple of days ago, I've received The Thing and Casino Royale and had a quick look at both yesterday and they both look GORGEOUS to say the least. They did an amazing job with hi-def transfer on The Thing, but Casino Royale really looks fantastic. I'm so happy to own a BR player and am very much looking forward to expand my collection!

[Charlie Brigden 7]

Here we go:

We'll be back with more later, but you remember how we told you in The Rumor Mill last month that Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan was headed to Blu-ray Disc in 2010 from DreamWorks (via Paramount)? Well, the title has just gone up for preorder at Amazon.com (SRP $39.99 - $27.99 on Amazon). No street date is listed yet, but we'd be VERY surprised if it wasn't in stores in time for Memorial Day in May.

Meanwhile, you may also recall how we told you in The Rumor Mill last month that Spielberg's Jurassic Park films are likely coming to Blu-ray this year as well. Well, Universal's operations in the Netherlands have leaked a street date for at least the European release - 11/4 - along with The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Awesome! Psycho has a release date as well!

[Richard Penna 3,675]

Does 11/4 mean 4th November or 11th April.

Damn American dates with ure months first!

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

November.

[Trent B 337]

November.

Elliot is right on this matter.

For the U.S. (didn't realize it was different else where), it goes month, day, then year. It's simple and not confusing.

[John Crichton 4]

It's confusing when you're used to it the other way. I often have to remind myself when reading dates in the British style (day/month).

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Confusing to me would be the damned metric system. But that's because America has to do things differently from the rest of the world.

11/4 vs. 4/11 is no big deal if someone would just put the actual name of the month? I think I'm one of those rare people that spells out numbers a lot of the time.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

our way is superior. the metric system makes no sense. It is no more accurate or precise. We proved that in college. Joe, who prefers pints, quarts, and gallons, to liters.

btw look for Saving Private Ryan on blu in Nov.

I'll pass but others do like it.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

I'll see you on the beach!

[John Crichton 4]

our way is superior. the metric system makes no sense. It is no more accurate or precise. We proved that in college. Joe, who prefers pints, quarts, and gallons, to liters.

Don't forget inches, feet, and miles!

I actually haven't watched SPR since its theatrical run. I'd consider it on Blu.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Confirmed Armageddon and Tombstone for May 4 release.

[Marian Schedenig 8,178]

For the U.S. (didn't realize it was different else where), it goes month, day, then year. It's simple and not confusing.

What confuses most of us here is the ordering of the quantities: Medium (month), small (day), large (year) - instead of either small, medium, large or large, medium, small.

[Jay 37,322]

My preferred date method is YYYY-MM-DD, ie today's date would be 2010-01-31. That should be the global standard.

[Richard Penna 3,675]

No it shouldn't!

But it's easier to read then the month first, that's just backwards....

[Charlie Brigden 7]

My preferred method is Stardate 16123.1.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

To me, month first isn't backwards. Typically here in the United States, ignorant Americans will recite a date as "August 29, 1997" as opposed to "29 August, 1997". So it makes more sense to put the month first when using the numbered abbreviation. 08-29-1997.

[Maglorfin 196]

I'm looking forward to Hannibal and Deep Impact Blu-ray releases.

And I'm pissed off that it's impossible to buy the box set/complete collection of La Femme Nikita TV series, which I'm a big fn of.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

I picked up:

16 Blocks

Air Force One

I Am Legend

The Invasion

Ocean's Thirteen

...for about $40.

[Trent B 337]

I picked up:

16 Blocks

Air Force One

I Am Legend

The Invasion

Ocean's Thirteen

...for about $40.

How's the picture quality for Air Force One?

[Charlie Brigden 7]

Got MIAMI VICE and LET THE RIGHT ONE IN for a tenner each.

[Quintus 5,399]

Oh well, just popped me cherry and bought The Dark Knight from the Zavvi outlet on Ebay, £6.79 including postage. Not bad.

Spotted on the best damn UK site on the interweb.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Master alarm is going off, Apollo 13 is being released April 13.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4118

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Minority Report has an official date of April 20th. Why do they change the cover art? It looks awful. The most unnecessary change I've ever seen is for the upcoming Blu release of Collateral. It's like the regular DVD release of Munich, making it look like an explosive packed action flick.

[Maglorfin 196]

Any idea when Jaws and Jaws 2 might come out?

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Any idea when Jaws and Jaws 2 might come out?

keep watching www.digitalbits.com thats the best place to get dvd and br release news, that or www.digitalreview.com

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Got Godfather and Part II Sapphire BD's (the only ones you need). Target has them for 14.99 each when you buy them both.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

for fans of Sherlock Holmes it comes out on 3-30-10.

btw that's the 3rd day of the 30th month of the tenth year.

[Maglorfin 196]

Any idea when Jaws and Jaws 2 might come out?

keep watching www.digitalbits.com thats the best place to get dvd and br release news, that or www.digitalreview.com

Bookmarked. Thanks!

[pixie_twinkle 48]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

[Hitch 57]

Minority Report has an official date of April 20th. Why do they change the cover art? It looks awful.

I love it.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

This one's better.

[Marian Schedenig 8,178]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

Or you can order it for €13 from Play.com.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

Or you can order it for €13 from Play.com.

Or $18 from Amazon.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

Or you can order it for €13 from Play.com.

Or $18 from Amazon.

that would be stupid to pay 3 extra bucks at amazon.

plus you have to wait for it, pay shipping and its amazon.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Best Buy had a decent selection of BD's on "sale", aka marked down to Amazon.com prices. Grabbed The Matrix book for 14.99.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

Or you can order it for €13 from Play.com.

Or $18 from Amazon.

that would be stupid to pay 3 extra bucks at amazon.

plus you have to wait for it, pay shipping and its amazon.

Play.com has free teleporting, with no wait?

[pixie_twinkle 48]

2001: A Space Odyssey on Blu Ray just blew my mind. It looks bloody amazing! The opening shots of the sunrise in the Dawn of Man segment are stunningly vivid. Damn!

[Joe Brausam 214]

If you don't mind supporting an evil big corporation, you can get the ultimate edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (containing all 3 versions of the film in HD) from WalMart for the frankly ridiculous price of $15.00. I just did!

I picked it up for $25 I think at Walmart last year. It was my first Blu-ray!