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Sony to Launch Blu-ray Movies in May

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

February 28, 2006, 11:28 AM

Sony Pictures said Monday it would target May 23 as the launch date for the first Blu-ray movie titles from the studio. The date was selected to coincide with the debut of the first commercially available Blu-ray player from Samsung.

The company said it expects players from Pioneer and Sony, as well as a Sony Vaio PC with a Blu-ray drive to follow shortly afterward.

Eight titles are set be launched that day, including 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, Hitch, House of Flying Daggers, A Knight's Tale, The Last Waltz, Resident Evil Apocalypse and XXX.

Another eight would be released on June 13, including Kung Fu Hustle, Legends of the Fall, Robocop, Stealth, Species, SWAT and Terminator.

The studio had announced earlier this month that standard titles will sell at wholesale for $17.95 USD, not far from what was charged when DVD was released in 1997. However, new release titles would come at a 15 to 20 percent premium, selling at $23.45 USD.

Significant title launches will occur with the launch of Blu-ray products from other manufacturers, said Sony Pictures president Ben Feingold. "We're thrilled that the Blu-ray Disc era is about to begin," he said in a statement.

A May release date would put Blu-ray players about two months behind the expected HD DVD debut in March. Blu-ray may also face a slower initial adoption, as its players are expected to cost over three times that of HD DVD.

Pioneer has announced its Blu-ray player would retail for $1,800 USD, while Toshiba's entry level unit is expected to run around $500 USD.

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By zee7

posted Mar 1, 2006 - 11:52 AM

Somebody at Sony has got the hots for Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez. What a ho-hum list of releases.

And who put "Hitch" in there? There's just no excuse for that one.

Score: 0

By athome

posted Mar 1, 2006 - 10:46 AM

Even though P3 will have Blue Ray compatibility, it might be best to wait until there is a revision to the machine(when the Blue Ray technology is complete) and buy it for 350 - 450 to use as a media center w/games. No way will I spend 1800 on a DVD player that is limited in its abilities. 1800 for a TV or computer is different(though not limited).

Score: 0

By zxocuteboy

posted Mar 1, 2006 - 1:14 AM

Who has $1,800 extra to pay on a movie player???

That is simply crasy!!!!

My PS3 damm better come with a build in Blue-Ray player!

Score: 0

By Tri_Edge

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 5:45 PM

DO YOU ALL SEE THIS!!!!!!!!
www.betanews.com is FAVORING HD-DVD!!!!!!
HD-DVD IS CRAP

Here are my reasons for saying that about BetaNews:
"Blu-ray may also face a slower initial adoption, as its players are expected to cost over three times of that of HD DVD."
Pioneer will have a BD player for $1,800
Sony will have a BD player for $1,200
and, I think it's Samsung that will have a BD player for $1,000
They neglected to say that the base for BD players will be about $1,000, not including the PS3, and that HD-DVD will go up to $800, and maybe more!!!

BetaNews is a completely BIASED website!!!!!
Just read some of the other BULL that they put up about Blu-Ray and HD-DVD!!!!!!!

Score: 0

By zxocuteboy

posted Mar 1, 2006 - 1:16 AM

I am sticking with my $19.00 DVD player i got for Christmas last year. Let them fight it out.

Score: 0

By Skyfrog

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 10:16 PM

Nevermind that those are all true facts. No, it's a conspiracy! Betanews is biased! As if Betanews could have any impact on the outcome either way. Try getting back on your medication and calm down.

Score: 0

By Kompressor

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 7:11 PM

Looks like we have a crazy person here.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 8:09 PM

We certainly do.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Mar 1, 2006 - 3:31 PM

Indeed.

Score: 0

By tipsyboy

edited Feb 28, 2006 - 5:05 PM

Wow! Blue-ray movies! And sixteen of 'em, too! Incredible! Booah . . .

Score: 0

By Tri_Edge

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 5:49 PM

I agree, they should have a lot better ones, and a lot more.

But at least six, I know, six, are high money makers in the box office, so they are trying to get people to buy movies they already have for DVD.

Wow, that's stupid, but I know BD's will win.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Feb 28, 2006 - 3:42 PM

What an absolutely horrifying list of movies.

They are trying to *sell* this tech, right?

They couldn't *give* it to me when the only things to watch on it are those movies.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 8:10 PM

Yah, I agree.

Score: 0

By muzicman73

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 2:45 PM

I'm going to wait for a PS3, to compete with X-Box 360 they won't be able to go too high on the price.

Score: 0

By dvdblurayman

edited Mar 12, 2007 - 1:50 AM

BetaNews is bias. I have an answer to all this confusion. Blu-ray is above the technology and HD is not. How many PS3 are in an average given area? I can can name about 150 of my friends that prefer PS3 to XBox 360. How many people you know have PS3 compare to XBox. Not only that - some switch to PS3 because when XBox first came out - NO HD player. Blu Ray holds more and getting better. Better luck to HD.

Score: 0

By THZGryphon

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 2:07 PM

Average consumers will pick up a "HD DVD" before a "Blu-ray" disc when shopping for something that is going to play high definition regardless of the technology.

Score: 0

By Second Shadow

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 11:51 AM

"Pioneer has announced its Blu-ray player would retail for $1,800 USD, while Toshiba's entry level unit is expected to run around $500 USD"

Is it just me or this will be a no brainer?

Score: 0

By Tri_Edge

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 6:04 PM

Sony has announced its Blu-Ray player would retail for $1,200, while Samsung's entry level Blu-Ray player will be $1,000.

The high end for HD-DVD will be around $800.
It's kind of like buying a cheap computer, you don't get as much quality, strength, and it can do a lot less, or you could upgrade for, let's say, $500, and get a machine that can do two or three times as much.

Thanks to BetaNews.com
A completely BIASED website.

Score: 0

By plague201

edited Mar 8, 2006 - 6:49 AM

I love Tri_edge, one can plainly tell that hes 13 and on the $ony pay-roll... or jsut 13. Either way, I still rather pay $500 dollars than $1000 for two technologies that do the SAME EXACT thing. (Play HD movies)

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 8:12 PM

If you really dont like this website then just leave instead of posting garbage about how betanews is biased.

Most people who havent had time to look around have most likely only heard of the expensive 1800 dollar bluray player. (like me)

Score: 0

By Das mod

posted Feb 28, 2006 - 12:28 PM

actually, is more of a no-brainer to wait a few months until prices reach the 200-300'ish :P
or even a few "years" to where this new tech reaches current DVD players ... ( 20-30'ish )

Score: 0

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