Why do the studios continue to churn out all the old films,back catalogue titles on the blu ray format? we have most or all of these already on standard def dvd. These films are just upscaled anyway. Blu ray is the future,not the past. What do others think,am I wrong?

I suppose you could say the same when they churned out back catalogue titles on DVD, most if not all would have had them on VCR.

As you say, Bluray is the future and what better to have your favourite movies/new releases on a format that gives you the best possible video and audio.

BTW, I think you are wrong when you say they are upscaled.

I can understand someone asking the question about catalogue titles if they don't realise that virtually every movie released theatrically using 35mm and above can easily have a HD master created for broadcast or Blu-ray. The HD resolution of 1920*1080 at 24fps is far exceeded by standard 35mm production so as long as the original print/s used to create the HD master are good enough then no worries.

Also worth remembering that there are thousands of movies out there that tell better stories, have better acting and provide a far better viewing experience than a lot of the garbage turned out by the media industry these days. Of course if you rate a movie based on it's modern CGI and whizz bang in yer face effects rather than plot and writing then the latest releases will suffice

Put it this way, for every 21st century release I may buy on Blu-ray there are a dozen last century releases I would rather see first and it's that potential market where the double dipping is going to take place which makes the studios a ton of cash since as you say we already have them on DVD (and LD or VHS before that ).

What is bluray? Do they play on normal DVD players?...

Bluray is a High Definition DVD and you will need a Bluray player to play them, but the player is backwards compatible to standard DVD.

There are plenty of Bluray titles are not region locked so you can still import, some Bluray players will play multiregion DVD's, but there are still quite a lot that can't/won't.

Bluray discs require a Bluray player.

A Blueray player can also play "old" normal DVD's.


this introduction of new technology is why normal dvd's are on sale in woolworths costing from just £2 (the credit crunch is also a factor).


Dave

Yes you are wrong.

But I doubt very much this will be the last time this mistake from the uninformed will be posted

I have the Sony BD500 which cost me a few quid. Being a movie buff past 55 years ever since I saw Peter Pan in 1953 at the grand young age of 6 years!

Its great to see old movies being churned out these days on normal DVD and hopefully Blu-ray too.

However, there is a question mark about the quality of many films being released these days, theres an awful lot of rubbish being dished up, bad acting, bad plots, bad this and bad that! Well, you get the picture. I still think they knew how to make movies in the good old days.

Wonder what other movie fans think?

Old film being re-released is one of the best things about Blu ray. It's a great chance to see some classics looking better than they have for years.

It seems that people like the idea of older films on the blu ray format. I have nothing against these classics,but I will continue to buy the latest releases in glorious 1080p resolution.

I don't think you understand. Given a clean print, there is no difference between a film shot on 35mm film 30 years ago and a film shot on 35mm film this year. Newer films don't have higher resolution.

I wouldn't buy any Laurel and Hardy on Blu-Ray, but I will pick up Lawrence of Arabia.
Last edited by grumsta : 02-09-2008 at 14:00

How about Abbot and Costello then?

Exactly.

There are some superb Bluray releases (and HD DVD) of films 40,50,60 years old and they look stunning.

It is a shame that some people will deny themselves this opportunity to see classics looking as good or better than modern movies purely out of ignorance.

I cant wait to see Dr No in October