Tag Archives: Blu-Ray

Star Wars coming to Blu-ray in 2011

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At this year’s Star Wars Celebration V, George Lucas himself was on hand to announce that the entire Star Wars saga is coming to Blu-ray in Fall 2011.  Here’s what you can expect from the box set:

The Star Wars Blu-ray Box Set will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation, along with extensive special features – including documentaries, vintage behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, retrospectives and never-before-seen footage from the Lucasfilm archives.

In an interview with The New York Times, Lucas said that the first three original Star Wars films (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi) included in the Blu-ray box set will be the re-released special edition versions of the films that were digitally restored a number of years back.  To release the original versions of these films on Blu-ray would be too costly, Lucas explained.  Feeling down about this last bit of news?  Well I have just the thing to cheer you up again.  Sitting after the break is a “missing lightsaber scene” from Return of the Jedi!

The press release (also after the break) does not specify price, a hard release date, and if movies will be available to purchase individually on Blu-ray.

[Via Engadget; NYT] Continue reading Star Wars coming to Blu-ray in 2011 →

Back to the Future celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Blu-ray release

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On October 26 the unforgettable Back to the Future trilogy will release on Blu-ray (for the very first time) and DVD.  Though pricing details have not been disclosed, Hollywood News has picked up on the loads of bonus material.  They include 16 deleted scenes, a six-part retrospective documentary with interviews by Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, director Robert Zemeckis, and making-of and archival featurettes.  So if you happen to be a long-time BTTF fan, you’re gonna want to get this. Continue reading Back to the Future celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Blu-ray release →

Avatar breaks Blu-ray sales records

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Can’t say you’re surprised, can you?  Avatar quickly became the best selling Blu-ray of all time after just four days on store shelves.   2.7 million Blu-ray copies were sold in North America alone, smashing the previous record of 2.5 million units sold by The Dark Knight.  For a Blu-ray set that includes no extra features, I’d say this is quite the feat.  Click here for more information about the future releases (w/ extra features, 3D support, etc.).

[Via Engadget]

Avatar in 3D coming home to a 3DTV near you in 2011 [UPDATED]

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I’m going on a hunch here and assuming you’ve seen Avatar in theatres.  I mean, $737 million in domestic ticket sales doesn’t just spring out of no where.  And I bet you can’t wait to get your mits on your own copy.  Avatar is set to release on DVD and Blu-Ray on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day (how cute).  The April DVD/Blu-Ray release will not include any bonus features.  That means no deleted scenes, no behind-the-scenes featurettes, no nothing.  Why, you ask?  “Sources at Fox said the April disc will come without extra features so that all available storage space can be used for the best picture and sound possible.”  So where’s all the extra features then?  Apparently they will be packed into a second release (dubbed “The Ultimate Edition”) of the DVD/Blu-Ray packages in November.  And what about the 3D version of the movie; when can we watch it at home the way it’s meant to be seen?  That won’t come until sometime in 2011.  Consumers likely won’t have 3D TVs to play it on until then anyway.  So your safest bet is to wait until November to snag all the extras and play the rest by hear; who knows how fast 3D tech in the home will catch on.

Update: Sorry 3D fans, this update does not push forward the Avatar in 3D release.  But it does fix the no bonus features ’til November fiasco.  A fresh press release reveals The Avatar Program: “Connecting the two releases in April and November is “The Avatar Program,” an interactive consumer experience that offers an online hub for exclusive content, discounts and more.”  The Avatar DVD/Blu-Ray release on April 22 will come with a unique code that can be used to access bonus features online and adopt a “virtual hometree.”  Full PR after the break.

[Via Reuters; Gizmodo; BoxOfficeMojo; Engadget] Continue reading Avatar in 3D coming home to a 3DTV near you in 2011 [UPDATED] →

Blu-ray Association announces final 3D specification

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The Blu-ray Disc Association has announced the finalization of the “Blu-ray 3DTM” specification.  So what does this mean?  Now the home entertainment industry has the go-ahead to produce and ship full-blown high definition (1080p) 3D experiences to capable television sets for consumers.  The specification allows Blu-ray players to display full HD in 3D to each eye.  Also, it’s agnostic, meaning that capable Blu-ray players and TVs will be able to display HD 3D images regardless of display type (LCD, plasma, etc.).  The spec features enhanced graphics for displaying menus and subtitles in 3D.  All Blu-ray 3D-enhanced discs will contain a 2D version of the content, thus making them backwards compatible with standard Blu-ray players.  Notice I’ve been careful to label Blu-ray players and TV sets as “capable.”  In order to receive the high definition 3D experience, you must own a 3D-capable TV and Blu-ray player.  This means that your current entertainment setup likely will not be compatible with the specification.  It is worthy to mention that there’s a lone exception; the Sony Playstation 3 will be forwards-compatible with the spec.  Sony has stated that it will become 3D ready via a future firmware update.  Remember, though, that a new HDTV with IR emitters and those pesky 3D glasses are necessary.  Expect all this new tech to release starting in 2010.  Full press release is after the break.

What’s to come of all this?  No one is certain of the future of 3D tech in the home.  For starters, many have been skeptical of this idea, labeling 3D movies a gimmick with silly glasses.  However, a number of people have admitted like movies like Pixar’s UP and the freshly released Avatar are better in 3D than 2D because instead of acting as in-your-face gimmicks they are great films that truly immerse you into the environment of the on-screen characters, making the movie experience better.  The real question is whether or not manufacturers will have success helping consumers transition from standard HDTV sets to 3D-capable ones.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Blu-ray Association announces final 3D specification →

iTunes 9 rumors, Blu-Ray support on the way?

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Boy Genius Report has received information from “a pretty reliable source” spilling the beans on some of the upcoming iTunes 9 capabilities.  First up is Blu-Ray support.  Rumors spreading from Apple Insider are pointing to the next lineup of iMacs packing Blu-Ray disc drives, making this lastest tidbit of news all the more convincing.  However, we cannot forget Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ “bag of hurt” comment from the notebook event in 2008: “Blu-ray is just a bag of hurt. It’s great to watch the movies, but the licensing of the tech is so complex, we’re waiting till things settle down and Blu-ray takes off in the marketplace.”

According to the same source, there were mentions of some sort of Facebook/Twitter/Last.fm integration with iTunes.  No details about this were shared.  Perhaps “…broadcasting what song you’re playing to your friends” is in the pipes.  The last grain of news states that iTunes users will gain the ability to “visually orgainize and arrange” their purchased apps.  It is likely we won’t have to wait long to find out if all of this is fact or fiction; Apple’s September iPod+iTunes event is right around the corner.

[Via BGR; Engadget, here & here]