Studio Canal HD DVD titles for European region

Studio Canal (Part of the Canal+ Group) has officially announced the list of titles from its film (including distribution) library due for HD DVD release in 2006 in European regions. All will boast DTS-HD lossless audio and HD quality video encoded using VC-1 (from Microsoft).

The titles are as follows:
- Ali
- Arizona Dream
- Basic Instinct
- Elephant Man
- L'armée des Ombres
- La Cité des Enfants Perdus
- La Grande Vadrouille
- La Haine
- Le Cercle Rouge
- Le Lauréat
- Le Pacte des Loups
- Le Pianiste
- Les Trois Jours du Condor
- Million Dollar Baby
- Mulholland Drive
- Serpico
- Terminator 2
- The Fog
- Traffic
- Voyage au Bout de l'Enfer

Stay tuned for more updates when HD DVD format hits the European continent...

Full Specs for Warner HD DVD titles on 2 May

Full details of the HD DVD titles from Warner to arrive on 2 May 2006:

Goodfellas (HD DVD)
Release Date: 2 May 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 1.78:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English); Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish & French)
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish

HD-DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i Standard Definition with Stereo Sound
No Subtitles.
No HD DVD exclusive extras for this release.

>> 2 Commentaries:
- Commentary with Martin Scorsese plus select cast and crew (Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Vincent, co-screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, producers Irwin Winkler and Barbara De Fina, cinematographer Michael Ballhaus and editor Thelma Schoonmaker
- Cop and Crook Commentary with ex-gangster Henry Hill and former FBI agent Edward McDonald
>> 3 Documentaries with the Cast and Crew:
- Getting Made: A penetrating look at the making-of this modern classic
- Made Men: The GoodFellas Legacy - Filmmakers Jon Favreau (Elf), Jim Carnahan (Narc), Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), McG (Charlie's Angels), John Turturro and others discuss the influence of GoodFellas on their work
- The Workaday Gangster: Writer Nick Pileggi, actors Frank Vincent, Paul Sorvino and others tell stories of growing up in a world where smalltime hoods were as common as the local butcher or mailman
>> Paper is Cheaper than Film: Storyboard-to-Screen Comparisons
>> Theatrical trailer

Swordfish (HD DVD)
Release Date: 2 May 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French); Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish

HD-DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i Standard Definition with Stereo Sound
No Subtitles.
No HD DVD exclusive extras for this release.

>> 2 Alternate Endings
>> Commentary by Director Dominic Sena
>> HBO First Look
>> Effects in Focus: The Flying Bus
>> Planet Rock Club Reel Music Video
>> In Conversation: Cast/Crew Interviews
>> Theatrical Trailer

Stay tuned for more updates on other titles from Warner to arrive in May on HD DVD.

Next Wave of Warner HD DVD Titles (1)

Warner has announced the next wave of titles to be released on the HD DVD format. They are as follows:

2 May 2006
>> Goodfellas
>> Swordfish

9 May 2006
>> Rumor Has It (HD DVD & DVD Twin Format Disc)
>> Training Day

You should expect that the titles be presented in OAR with Dolby Digital-Plus audio track, as per previous Warner HD DVD releases. The bonus materials previously present in the DVD editions of these four titles will also be included on their HD DVD release.

Rumor Has It will be the first HD DVD title to be given the Twin Format Disc treatment on top of the standard DVD release; both scheduled for release on the same day - 9 May. The Twin Format disc, or in simpler terms, HD DVD and DVD hybrid disc, is capable of providing both the high-definition and standard definition version of the main feature film. The purpose of Twin Format discs is more for the rationale that one side of the disc can play on SD DVD players now and if one should get the HD DVD player in the future, the other side of the same disc can provide HD version of the film so he/she do not have to repurchase the same title on HD DVD in the future. Both money and space saving, in my opinion.

Cover artwork of the above announced titles

Universal HD DVD Releases Update

After Serenity's debut on HD DVD on 18 Apr 2006, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has also announced the availability of next batch of HD DVD titles for April - July 2006. All HD DVD titles mentioned below will be released on HD-30 discs (or single-sided dual-layered discs with 30GB total capacity) with the exception of Happy Gilmore which will be released on the HD-15 discs (single-sided single-layered discs) instead.

Each of the main feature will be presented in their respective original aspect ratio, with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 tracks in English, French and Spanish. The subtitles offered will be in English [SDH], French and Spanish.

25 April 06 (Release Specs / Cover Artworks)
>> Apollo 13
>> Doom - Unrated Extended Edition

9 May 06 (Release Specs / Cover Artworks)
>> Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
>> Cinderella Man
>> Jarhead

23 May 06 (Release Specs / Cover Artworks)
>> The Bourne Supremacy
>> The Chronicles of Riddick (Unrated Director's Cut)
>> U-571
>> Van Helsing

13 Jun 06
>> Happy Gilmore
>> The Rundown

11 Jul 06
>> Friday Night Lights
>> Pitch Black

Getting the HD-XA1

I'm considering/trying to get the Toshiba HD-XA1, so if I really do get it with the titles. I'll try to post a review within the next week or May. So stay tuned...

By the way, about the other contributor to this blog, he's not going to be able to update the blog as frequently as we would like over the next week or so (He's still pretty much involved with his HD-A1, the novelty hasn't really worn off yet). But do check back once over the next week, I may update this blog with some surprises...

Toshiba's HD DVD is Now Available to Retail

It's Real, It's Here! The Defining Moment is Now.

Toshiba's HD DVD players, especially the HD-A1, is now available to some of major U.S. retail stores in limited quantities per store. But I believe by the time I have posted this information, most of the retail stores would have announced it as "Out of Stock". The posts over at the AVS Form "Picked up my Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD today" seems to confirm the real availability (with image captures of the owners and their new HD DVD players).

The HD-A1's brother HD-XA1, I believe, should be available soon within the next week or so, despite unconfirmed rumours of eleventh-hour delay (which I'm pretty sceptical).

Players available, how about content/titles? Titles are available too, but I believe only major retail stores/rental outlets seemed to carry it. Especially those from Warner - Phantom of the Opera HD DVD with Dolby TrueHD seems to be available too. The posts made to the AVS Forum thread mentioned above seems to confirm this.

Got the players but still unaware of the HD DVD titles available to retail this and next month?
Check out my previous posts via the links below for more info on the titles and their disc specifications.

Link 1

Link 2

I'll be doing a small coverage on almost all the HD DVD jargons/technologies that one will frequently encounter for the subsequent post.

Full Specs on Universal's Apr/May HD DVD Releases

The following specs are taken from a pretty reliable source but yet to be officially announced/confirmed. More coming up... keep checking back.

Doom - Unrated Extended Edition (HD DVD)
Release Date: 25 Apr 06
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: 1080p High Definition OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials (Similar to the Extended Edition DVD):
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish
No HD DVD exclusive bonus materials.

>> Basic Training
>> Rock Formation
>> Master Monster Makers
>> First Person Shooter Sequence
>> Doom Nation
>> Game On!
>> Doom 3 XBox Demo



Cinderella Man (HD DVD)
Release Date: 1080p High Definition OAR
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials:
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish
No HD DVD exclusive bonus materials.

>> Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard
>> Feature Commentary iwth Writer Akiva Goldsman
>> Feature Commentary with Writer Cliff Hollingsworth
>> Deleted Scenes with (On/Off) Commentary by Director Ron Howard
>> The Fight Card: Casting Cinderella Man
>> The Man, The Movie, The Legend: A Filmmaking Journey
>> For the Record: A History in Boxing
>> Ringside Seats
>> Jim Braddock: The Friends & Family
>> Behind the LegendPre-Fight Preparations
>> Lights, Camera, Action: The Fight From Every Angle
>> The Sound of the Bell
>> Braddock vs. Baer Fight Footage
>> Photo Montage; Cinderella Man Music Featurette
>> Russell Crowe's Personal Journey: Becoming Jim Braddock
>> The Human Face of Depression



Jarhead (HD DVD)
Release Date: 9 May 06
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: 1080p High Definition OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials:
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish
No HD DVD exclusive bonus materials.

>> Feature Commentary with Director Sam Mendes
>> Feature Commentary with Screenwriter William Broyler, Jr. and Author Anthony Swofford
>> Jarhead Diaries with Introduction by Director Sam Mendes
>> Background with Introduction by Director Sam Mendes
>> Semper Fi: Life After the Corps with Introduction by Director Sam Mendes & Audio >> >> >> Introduction by Author Anthony Swofford
HD Bonus Content:
>> News Interviews in Full with Commmentary by Directory Sam Mendes
>> Swoff's Fantasies with Commentary by Director Sam Mendes
>> Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Directory Sam Mendes



The Bourne Supremacy (HD DVD)
Release Date: 23 May 06
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: 1080p High Definition OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials:
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

>> Feature Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass
>> Explosive Deleted Scenes
>> Matching Identities: Casting
>> Keeping it Real; Blowing Things Up
>> On the Move with Jason Bourne
>> Bourne to be Wild: Fight Training
>> Crash Cam: Racing Through the Streets of Moscow
>> The Go-Mobile Revs Up the Action: Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene
>> Scoring with John Powell
>> The Bourne Mastermind (Part 2)
>> The Bourne Diagnosis (Part 2)
HD DVD Exclusive Bonus Content:
>> Presented by Toshiba: Bourne Instant Access



The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut (HD DVD)
Release Date: 23 May 06
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: 1080p High Definition OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish); DTS 5.1 (English)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials:
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish
No HD DVD exclusive bonus materials.

>> Intro by David Twohy
>> Feature Commentary with David Twohy, Karl Urban and Alexa Davalos
>> Vitual Guide to The Chronicles of Riddick
>> Toombs' Chase Log; Riddick Insider (Trivia Facts)
>> Visual Effects Revealsed
>> Riddick's Worlds: An Interactive 360 view of the sets
>> Vin Diesel Guided Tour
>> Deleted Scenes with optional Director's Commentary
>> Interactive Production Calendar
>> Creation of New Mecca
>> Riddick Rises
>> Keep What You Kill



U-571 (HD DVD)
Release Date: 23 May 06
Editions Released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30

Feature Film Presentation Specs:
>> Video: 1080p High Definition OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish); DTS 5.1 (English)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Bonus Materials:
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital audio.
Subtitles: Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish
No HD DVD exclusive bonus materials.

>> Feature Commentary with Director Jonathan Mostow
>> Spotlight on Location
>> Inside the Enigma
>> U.S. Naval Archives: Capturing the U-505
>> Creating and Constructing U-571
>> Britain Captures the U-110
>> A Submariner's WWII Experience

Miss out on the posts on HD DVD titles?

If you've missed out my posts regarding HD DVD titles that will be released to retail in April and May, below are the links to those posts if you want more information of the HD DVD titles:

Universal's HD DVD Releases for April
Universal's HD DVD Releases for May

Warner's HD DVD Releases for 18 April 06
>> The Last Samurai
>> Million Dollar Baby
>> Phantom of the Opera

Universal's HD DVD titles for May 2006 with Artwork

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the release schedule of HD DVD titles for May 2006. All titles should will be presented in their respective original aspect ratio, with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 tracks for English, French and Spanish. The subtitles offered will be in English [SDH], French and Spanish.

9 May 06:
Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
Cinderella Man
Jarhead

23 May 06:
The Bourne Supremacy
The Chronicles of Riddick (Unrated)
U-571
Van Helsing

Cover Artwork for the announced May HD DVD titles are provided below:

Universal HD DVD titles on 9 May 2006

Universal HD DVD titles on 23 May 2006

Universal's 1st Wave of HD DVD titles in April

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the availability of the first wave of HD DVD titles in April 2006. The titles will be available on the HD-30 disc of the HD DVD format. All Universal HD DVD titles will feature the banner "HD DVD - The Best in Picture, Sound and Interactivity."

18 Apr 06:
1) Serenity
>> Video: Original Aspect Ratio (OAR)
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

25 Apr 06:
1) Apollo 13
>> Video: OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

2) Doom - Unrated Extended Edition
>> Video: OAR
>> Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (English, French and Spanish)
>> Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Further details yet to be confirmed. But the preliminary HD DVD cover artworks for these titles are as follows:

Toshiba HD DVD HD-XA1 Innards (Images)

I've managed to get hold of the image captures of the innards of HD-XA1. They are below...

Warning: Please be informed that any attempts to open up the casing and/or removing the components of the HD DVD equipment will result in the official warranty being void. Please refer to the warranty terms and conditions that come with your HD DVD equipment. The images displayed here are for informational purposes only.

Toshiba's HD DVD Debut Demo in Japan (Images) - Part 4

The rest of the images from the debut show...

Toshiba's HD DVD Debut Demo in Japan (Images) - Part 3

At the debut demo in Japan, a few of software interfaces that the consumer will interact with during the operation of a HD DVD player has also been demonstrated. Below are the relevant images...

3 designs to choose for interface of the main settings menu...

Speakers setup menu...

Stay tuned for Part 4 - the rest of the other interesting stuffs at the demo...

Toshiba's HD DVD Debut Demo in Japan (Images) - Part 2

Shochiku Co, Ltd. and Pony Canyon, Inc. have already announced their list of Japanese content (films and documentaries) to debut on the HD DVD format and their HD DVD titles were used at the HD DVD debut presentation in Japan. By the end of April 2006, most of these announced titles would have been available to the early-adopters in Japan.

Stay tuned for Part 3 - More images on the operating side of Toshiba's HD-AX1 HD DVD player.

Toshiba's HD DVD Debut Demo in Japan (Images) - Part 1

Toshiba Corp. has debuted the world's first HD DVD player (HD-AX1) in Japan on 31 Mar 06. The following are images of the final HD DVD player, now on the shelves of Japanese consumer electronics retailers. The HD DVD player (HD-AX1) that will debut in U.S./Canada together with its less expensive brother HD-A1 on 18th of this month will be similar to the Japanese release.

According to Toshiba Corp., the initial shipments of HD-AX1 for the Japanese market, until April 27, will bundle two complimentary HD DVD movie discs, "Resident Evil" and a Japanese film, "Moonlight Jellyfish".

We have the image of the HD DVD movie discs that will be bundled with HD-AX1 below.

Overall images . . .

Stay tuned for Part 2 with more images . . .