"Avatar" Blu-ray/DVD thread

[Deckerd]

Re: Avatar DVD/BR double-dip on the way

It does shock me that double-dipping is actually a viable form of DVD marketing. Are there enough people who actually don't object to buying multiple versions of the same movie that somehow justifies continuing the practice?

You've got to be kidding. This has been standard practice for 10 years now, ever since New Line with their LOTR films announced up front that they would do it. (and even before that it happened frequently - New Line were very open about it, though)

Hey, at least they are up front about it. No surprise releases coming down the line.

I know the DVD double-dip has been around for quite a while, I'm just surprised it's lasted. I remember in 2003 when double-dipping really began kicking in thinking "this is going to come back and bite them in the ass." But it still hasn't. Weird.

I'm sure that only a very few people buy more than one version. It's just a way of getting more punters to buy the product. Publishers do it all the time - new edition, pretty new cover, big publicity push, etc.

 

[Aragorn]

And the Blu double-dipping is already under way. Not only do the studios throw older movies from their library onto Blu without upgrading the transfer, they will often leave out most or all of the special features so that they can double dip down the line.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Re: Avatar DVD/BR double-dip on the way

I'm hoping there will be an commentary track or two

Based on James Cameron's track record with DVDs and commentaries:

Titanic - 10th Anniversary Edition = three commentaries
1. James Cameron dissecting the making of the movie in exacting detail.
2. The cast and crew
3. Historians Don Lynch and Ken Marschall discussing the history behind the movie.

True Lies Special Edition [Region 2 only]
1. cast/crew commentary?
I found a lot of confusing misinformation on the Internet for this film

The Abyss Special Edition DVD
no audio commentary

Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The Writer/Director commentary (Cameraon & Wisher)
also a 2nd commentary

Terminator: Special Edition
no audio commentary



I think there will be 2 or 3 commentaries non Avatar Special Edition with one being the visual effects/cinematographer/production designer type track.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Re: Avatar DVD/BR double-dip on the way

I was thinking of The Titanic 10th Anniversary DVD when I posted about the commentary tracks. Its good to know that out of the big directors Cameron's has a track record.

The Wormhole...you must have really gone out your mind yesterday then when "Twilight New Moon" was released at midnight!

 

[The Wormhole]

Re: Avatar DVD/BR double-dip on the way

The Wormhole...you must have really gone out your mind yesterday then when "Twilight New Moon" was released at midnight!

As a matter of fact, I did. But the less time I spend on the subject of Twilight, the better.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Re: Avatar DVD/BR double-dip on the way

Haha I agree with you on the Twilight thing.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

press release yesdterday
multiple editions as we thought.
BD-Live content on the bare bones until special edition is released.
http://m.engadget.com/2010/03/24/avatar-disc-opens-up-online-only-extras-until-ultimate-edition-a/

See the info at the link including timeline for 3-D Blu-ray release.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Well it looks like I'll be holding out until November.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Re: "Avatar" Blu-ray/DVD thread special edition - Nov. 2010

Regarding the Special Edition, expected for November, Weta Digital is working on the new sequences. Also included will be extensive making-of documentaries and a record of Cameron's latest visit to the Brazilian rainforest.

Jon Landau hinted at a 3D version by saying, "Probably by the end of the year we'll have an estimated release date."

April 12, 2010
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4429
via
http://www.collider.com/2010/04/12/...ghlights-from-the-sao-paulo-press-conference/

 

[jefferiestubes8]

"Avatar" special edition

that special edition?

Landau revealed that a four-disc ultimate edition Avatar Blu-Ray is in the works and will be released this November.

It will include an intricate two-hour documentary on the making of Avatar and additional cut scenes from the film that deal with the Na’vi school run by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and more about the Avatar training program that Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) went through.

April 16, 2010
SOURCE:
via
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=65234#close=1

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Avatar Blu-ray early user reviews:
http://snipsly.com/2010/04/21/avatar-two-disc-blu-raydvd-combo-blu-ray-review-and-buy/


http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Avatar-Blu-ray-User-Reviews/7847/

 

[Admiral_Young]

Great updates!

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Re: "Avatar" Blu-ray review

DVDTalk.com has a blu-ray review up:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43371/avatar/

5.1 DTS-HD audio mix

Surrounds are a dream, filled to the brim with the sounds of Pandora, the chirps and echo of military movement, and the woosh of the action beats, creating a swirling feel of community that keeps the listener engaged.

Directional effects are everywhere (weapons sound dynamite) and effective, but silence is also sustained,

DVDVerdict.com has a review up:
http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/avatarbluray.php

Without the 3D spectacle to "ooh" and "aahh" over, the film's stellar effects work is emphasized that much more. I found the on screen action that much easier to follow, and the film's lush beauty easier to get lost in.

The Blu-Ray's 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer is reference material, no doubt.

This is one of the best technical packages I've seen on the format yet. Expect to see this disc demoing systems for a while.

 

[Brolan]

Between the very detailed video transfer and the DTS sound, the Blu-ray version is superb. If you want to impress someone with your home theatre system this is what you should use.

 

[PKerr]

Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

"20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced that the Blu-ray edition of James Cameron's Avatar had sold 2.7 million units by Sunday afternoon, thus surpassing in four days the lifetime sales of the previous top-selling Blu-ray, The Dark Knight, which took over a year to sell 2.5 million units. Overall, Avatar has sold 6.7 million copies on packaged media.

The title has similarly smashed sales records in France, Germany and Japan, where around 60% of sales were for the Blu-ray.

Keith Feldman, general manager and exec VP of international for Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, said: "The overwhelming day one sales in key international markets — such as France and Germany — confirm the strength and vibrancy of the market, as well as the overseas appetite for high-definition product in the home."

According to the studio, Avatar has sold more copies in a single day in grocery and drug stores than The Dark Knight did in those outlets over its entire lifetime. The title is driving the sale of Blu-ray players at Best Buy."



http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4502

 

[Rii]

Re: Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

Pfft, who'd want to watch Avatar without 3D glasses or on the small screen? The very notion is ridiculous! And it doesn't even come with any special features!

/sarcasm

I won't be buying it just yet, though. Waiting on the price to come down.

 

[MvRojo]

Re: Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

Pfft, who'd want to watch Avatar without 3D glasses or on the small screen? The very notion is ridiculous! And it doesn't even come with any special features!

/sarcasm

I won't be buying it just yet, though. Waiting on the price to come down.

I know you're being sarcastic, but I will note that after seeing "Avatar" in IMAX 3-D twice, I like it A LOT more in 2-D on my TV on home. The biggest reason has been how much more vibrant and alive the movie is without the polarized 3-D glasses, which have the unfortunate effect of darkening the film. The movie also just looks sharper and it is easier to see how much detail and work there is in the background shots when your eyes arent forced to focus on what is popping off the screen.

Quick tip though: I bought it from Amazon for about $18 and sold the DVD copy on ebay for $14.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

I know you're being sarcastic, but I will note that after seeing "Avatar" in IMAX 3-D twice, I like it A LOT more in 2-D on my TV on home.

Agreed. I only watched about half of it when I got the Blu-Ray yesterday (I had just seen it in IMAX last week), but it was absolutely gorgeous on my HDTV. Looked so much better than in the theater.

 

[Hyperspace05]

Re: Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

How many Avatar DVD/Blu-Ray threads do we need????

MODS, please merge!

 

[Rii]

Re: Avatar Already Top-selling Blu-ray Ever

I know you're being sarcastic, but I will note that after seeing "Avatar" in IMAX 3-D twice, I like it A LOT more in 2-D on my TV on home. The biggest reason has been how much more vibrant and alive the movie is without the polarized 3-D glasses, which have the unfortunate effect of darkening the film. The movie also just looks sharper and it is easier to see how much detail and work there is in the background shots when your eyes arent forced to focus on what is popping off the screen.

Intriguing stuff; I noticed that the glasses darkened the film in the cinema, at one point I even took them off for five minutes or so. Still, I hadn't given it much thought after the fact. In that case I'll definitely be picking it up on Blu-Ray.

Quick tip though: I bought it from Amazon for about $18 and sold the DVD copy on ebay for $14.

I can't buy from DVDs/Blu-Rays from Amazon on account of the whole region coding thing. It's a pity too, as USD ~$18 is AUD ~$20, which is much cheaper than the $30-40 it's being offered for here. How region coding doesn't fall afoul of WTO regulations I don't know.

You'd be surprised how often it works out cheaper to buy books from Amazon in the United States and ship them over here than to buy locally. Here's to a weak American dollar!