'Children of Men' Officially on HD DVD, March 27

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced Children of Men on HD DVD/DVD Combo (day-and-date with the DVD release), this March 27. It will be priced at $39.98 SRP

HD DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] and French subtitles

DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 (English, French & Spanish)
• English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

HD DVD Exclusive Extras:

• Picture in Picture: Immerse yourself with exclusive Picture in Picture interviews with Director Alfonso Cuaron and the cast and crew.
• Info & Commercials: Go deeper into the advertising world of 2027 and see the full commercials, billboards and ads of the future while you watch the movie.

Other Bonus Materials (On both the HD DVD & DVD sides):

• Deleted Scenes!
• Possibility of Hope - A chilling documentary features the world's leading futurists and philosophers examining social and economic shifts that find expression in "Children of Men."
• Theo and Julian - In exclusive on-set interviews, actors Clive Owen and Julianne Moore offer up insights and secrets about the complex and compelling characters they have created in "Children of Men."
• Futuristic Designs - Director Alfonso Cuaron created an original and dynamic vision of the future for this film. Follow his vision as it goes from concept to seething cinematic life in this featurette.
• Visual Effects: Creating the Baby - Uncover the incredible visual effects used to create a life-like baby in the film.
• Men Under Attack - This mini-documentary breaks down two of the most terrifying scenes in the film - the cafe explosion and a car under violent attack from all sides - to show how the filmmakers created sequences in which "You don't just watch the scene, you live inside it, ducking each fresh, ferocious assault."

Universal Studios' Newly Announced HD DVDs, Due May 22

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the following titles on HD DVD. They will all be due at retail on May 22. Each will be priced at $29.98 SRP and none are HD DVD/DVD Combo releases. Full list of bonus materials to be confirmed.

The Hurricane (HD DVD) / $29.98 SRP [Delayed, new release date TBC]

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus (5.1 English & 2.0 French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles

The Skeleton Key (HD DVD) / $29.98 SRP

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles
• Bonus materials:
  - Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Director Iain Softley
  - Behind the Locked Door - Making The Skeleton Key
  - Exploring Voodoo/Hoodoo
  - Recipe & Ritual: Making the Perfect Gumbo
  - Blues in the Bayou
  - Kate Hudson's Ghost Story
  - Plantation Life
  - Casting The Skeleton Key
  - John Hurt's Story
  - A House Called Felicity
  - Gena's Love Spell
  - Audio Commentary with Director Iain Softley

Smokey and the Bandit (HD DVD) / $29.98 SRP

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles
• Bonus materials:
  - Loaded Up and Truckin' - Mkaing Smokey and the Bandit
  - Snowman, What's Your 20? - The Smokey and the Bandit CB Tutorial

Toshiba (America) Releases v1.3 Firmware Updates

Toshiba America has released the first firmware update for HD-XA2, HD-A2, HD-A2W and HD-D2 sold in U.S. to version 1.3.

This firmware update addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.

Please first refer to the webpage Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players: Models HD-XA2, HD-A2, HD-A2W, and HD-D2 for full details and upgrading instructions direct from Toshiba (America) before attempting to upgrade the firmware.

Toshiba (Europe) Releases First Firmware Update for HD-E1

Toshiba Europe has made available the first firmware update for HD-E1, to version 1.205

This firmware update addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.

If you have a broadband internet connection you can obtain the update on-line using the Ethernet port in the back of your HD DVD Player. There are instructions for configuring the Ethernet port on page 44-45 of your user manual. Page 58 of the user manual describes how to download the firmware update.

If you do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection or prefer not to use one, you may contact Toshiba Customer Support and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail. If you sent Toshiba the Firmware Update Request card included with your player, you will receive an update disc by mail from Toshiba as soon as it becomes available.

Please first refer to the document Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players: Models HD-E1 for full details of the update and upgrading instructions direct from Toshiba (Europe) before attempting to upgrade the firmware.

Oscar Winners...

Congratulations to The Departed and Martin Scorcese for winning the Best Picture and Achievement in Directing respectively.

I'm also glad that Happy Feet won the Best Animated Feature of the year. This animated feature, to me, is refreshing after a few years of Pixar "dominance" in that category.

Anyway, congratulations to all winners...

With Happy Feet garnering the Best Animated Feature award, I hope Warner Home Video would be reconsidering to release a more "meaty" Happy Feet DVD and/or HD DVD. The special features currently announced for the DVD/HD DVD release is a bit disappointing (mostly music videos and animated shorts and featurettes...)

Toshiba (Japan) Releases v1.3 Firmware Update for HD-XA2 & HD-XF2

Toshiba's second-generation HD DVD player that debut in Japan back in late 2006/early 2007 , the HD-XA2 & HD-XF2, has both been given a first firmware update to version 1.3.

It is available for download via the use of the Ethernet port with Broadband/Internet connection or by the request of the update on a CD-ROM via the Internet website (in Japanese) or sending/faxing back the completed request form.

The firmware update v1.3 reportedly improves the player's reading of supported discs.

>> Official details from Toshiba (Japan) on how to get the firmware update for your HD-XF2 & HD-XA2(Japan): here (in Japanese)

I believe the v1.3 firmware updates for HD-XA2/A2/D2 (North America) and HD-E1/HD-XE1 (European) should be ready within the next few weeks.

P.S.: Please note that this blog is not responsible for the integrity of the external links provided here.

'Alpha Dog' & 'The Hitcher' on HD DVD, May 1

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has indicated that Alpha Dog and The Hitcher will arrive at retail on the HD DVD/DVD Combo disc, this May 1. They will be priced at $39.98 SRP each. The main highlight of this announcement will be the inclusion of Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (Lossless) audio track on Alpha Dog HD DVD.

Let's hope that this marks the beginning of more HD DVD titles from Universal Studios that will contain a lossless audio track such as Dolby TrueHD. Previous attempts of including Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks on End of Days HD DVD and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas HD DVD has resulted in some video/audio playback issues with some players when the Dolby TrueHD track is selected.

The specs currently stands as follows. Should there be any further changes, you'd see them posted up on this blog.

Alpha Dog (HD DVD/DVD Combo)

HD DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
• Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles

DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

Bonus Materials

• HD DVD Exclusive Extras
  - U-Control Witness Timeline: Access detailed information about each witness as the story's shocking events unfold, without interruption to the movie experience.
• Extras Present on Both HD DVD & DVD sides:
  - A Cautionary Tale: The Making of Alpha Dog - This exclusive documentary look takes viewers behind the scenes for an inside look at the making of the film.
  - Witness Timeline - Get detailed information on each witness as the shocking events unfold.

*****

The Hitcher (HD DVD/DVD Combo)

HD DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles

HD DVD Exclusive Extras

• U-Control - Picture in Picture: Access interactive bonus features, including cast interviews and behind-the-scenes movie footage, all while you watch the movie.

DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

Bonus Materials (On both the HD DVD & DVD sides)

• Deleted Scenes
• Dead End
• Road Kill: The Ultimate Car Crash
• Fuel Your Fear: The Making of The Hitcher
• Chronicles of a Killer

Expect the announcement of Paramount's next wave of HD DVDs soon

Expect Paramount's announcement regarding Dreamgirls and Flags of our Fathers to debut on HD DVD, soon. Same for the previously-postponed Failure to Launch Special Collector's Edition HD DVD.

Thanks to some readers for the heads-up...

New HD DVD Announcements

In the U.S., Warner Home Video has announced A Scanner Darkly & Dog Day Afternoon to debut on HD DVD, this Apr 10. All bonus materials on the Standard Definition version will be included on the high definition versions and will be available for $28.99 SRP.

In Australia, Universal Pictures (Australia) has announced The Holiday to debut on HD DVD, this May 2.

Early Details of Upcoming (Not-Yet-Announced) HD DVDs...

We've received information (from various sources) with regards to the supplemental materials on Smokin' Aces & (possibly) Children of Men HD DVDs.

Please note that the below-mentioned list may not be exhaustive, that is, the final product may include other supplemental materials not mentioned here.

Smokin' Aces

• HD DVD Exclusive Extra: U-Control
  - Picture-In-Picture Instant Access
  - Assasin Tracker
• Deleted/Extended Scenes
• The Line Up Stringout
  - Lethal Ladies
  - The Tremor Bros
  - The Feds
  - Buddy Israel
  - The Bounty Hunters
• Shoot'em Up: Stunts & Effects
• Outtakes
• The Big Gun

Children of Men

• Deleted Scenes
• Production/Video Featurettes:
  - Futuristic Design - From concept to creation, see how director Alfonso Cuarón’s dynamic vision of the future was brought to life
  - Visual Effects: Creating the Baby
  - Men Under Attack - Making of Featurette
  - The Possibility of Hope - A documentary by Alfonso Cuarón that explores the themes in Children of Men
  - Comments By Slavoj Zizek
  - Theo & Julian - Get the inside story from Clive Owen and Julianne Moore

I believe we can also expect U-Control interactivity on The Good Shepherd HD DVD but no specific details is available to us yet.

Be sure to check back soon, as we'll post the final details once they are made available by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Previews to other possibilities of interactivity on HD DVD...

AV Watch (Japanese website) has provided a glimpse into the HD DVD authoring of an anime, titled Freedom.

It talked about the work required to encode anime titles, in particular, Freedom.

Furthermore, the article discussed some work-in-progress stuff with regards to interactivity... It seems that text-based (keyword) search for a particular scene is being tried out. Possibly the scenes will be pre-tagged? And also more picture-in-picture with storyboards... Preview images are available on the weblink provided above.

Although Bandai Visual has announced that they intend to release this title along with three others in 2007, no specific date or disc details were given at this demonstration.

It is nice to note that various possibility to enhance viewing experience through interactivity is being explored, since every HD DVD player (with the DVD Forum approved HD DVD logo) is equipped with the capability to handle such interactivity (for instance, picture-in-picture video commentary/branching footage, etc. and bonus content via the Internet connection).

I do hope to see more titles challenging today's limits on what is possible.

'Flags of Our Fathers' Coming to HD DVD, May 30...

Warner Home Video (France) has indicated that Flags of Our Fathers (Mémoires de nos pères) should be available on HD DVD in France, by May 30. French & English [SDH] subtitles are provided. Expect 1080p High Definition OAR transfer with Dolby Digital-Plus audio tracks.

Supplemental materials include “Memories of our fathers” featurette, a making-of documentary and other featurettes/trailers. No HD DVD exclusive extra (or IME) is expected for this release.

I believe we can expect this title to be released soon in other countries where HD DVD Format has launched.

Some Upcoming International HD DVD Releases...

In Spain:

• Underworld: Evolution - April 18, 2007 (Source & Details: ZONADVD.com)
• El Perfume - March 27, 2007 (Source & Details: ZONADVD.com)

In France, Studio Canal has also announced that Prête-moi ta main will be available on HD DVD this May 21 instead of May 10. Cover artwork...

Studio Canal has earlier announced a list of titles arriving in March 2007. The entire list complete with details is available via this link.

In UK, Universal Pictures Video has announced that The Holiday (2006) will be available on HD DVD, this March 26.

Two April HD DVD/DVD Combo Titles No Longer Combos

[Update - Feb 10, 2007] A latest check with some distributors/retailers have further confirmed that these titles will NOT be combos and the new price of $29.98 SRP (instead of $34.98 SRP) has been updated on their side. DVDEmpire.com has updated to reflect the new price in their listing of these 2 titles... the discounts takes into account the new price... But Amazon.com has yet to do so.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment now indicates that The Jerk and The Nutty Professor will not be HD DVD/DVD Combo releases but HD DVD releases, that is, no SD DVD side. The previously mentioned disc specs still stands.

They will hence be priced at $29.98 SRP.

40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated SE) HD DVD Arriving on May 22

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has finally scheduled The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated) HD DVD for release on May 22. (A new 2-disc SE DVD is also being scheduled for release on the same day). It will be priced at $29.98 SRP

The main feature will be presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 video with Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French) audio options. Bonus materials for this HD DVD is as follows:

• 17 minutes of Deleted Scenes
• "Knocked Up" Trailer
• Unrated Feature Commentary
• You Know How I Know You're Gay? - With Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Judd Apatow & Actor/Co-Writer Steve Carell & Cast
• Directing the Virgin
• Date-A-Palooza
• Line-O-Rama
• Judd's Video Diaries
• Auditions
• Raw Footage
• Rehearsals
• Reel Comedy Roundtable
• Cinemax Final Cut: "The 40 Year Old Virgin"
• 1970's Sex Ed Film
• My Dinner With Stormy
• Gag Reel
• Waxing Doc
• Picture in Picture Instant Access

'The Good Shepherd' HD DVD/DVD Combo, Arrives April 3

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has indicated that The Good Shepherd will arrive on HD DVD/DVD Combo Disc, this April 3. The specs for the HD DVD side currently stands, as follows:

HD DVD Side:

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround (English & French)
• English [SDH], French subtitles
• HD DVD Exclusive Extras: Picture in Picture: Access bonus features, including cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, throughout the film, all without interruption to the movie experience.
• Deleted Scenes

DVD Side:

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (English & French)
• English [SDH], French, Spanish subtitles
• Deleted Scenes

It will be priced at $39.98 SRP.

Gong Wu/Jiang Hu/Left Hand Arriving on HD DVD...

Gong Wu (Jiang Hu/Left Hand) - 85 minutes version - will arrive on HD DVD in Japan, this April 6.

The main feature will be presented in 1080i High Definition OAR with DTS-HD 5.1 (Cantonese & Japanese) audio options. Trailers, Cast & Crew profiles are included.

No details as to whether English subtitles will be provided...

Thanks to a few readers who sent this in...

Source: AV Watch (Japanese website)

A Recap on Upcoming International HD DVD Releases...

In France, Studio Canal has earlier announced the March 5 HD DVD titles. Full details in our previous post. Most of the titles have yet to due on HD DVD in North America. (Regional Coding system has not been implemented on HD DVD yet).

In Australia, besides the usual HD DVD titles from Warner and Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures (Australia) have scheduled Rambo I - III and Total Recall for release on HD DVD, this Feb 7. The specs are expected to be similar to the ones released by Studio Canal in France.