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Universal details its Blu-ray plans for the summer

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

April 17, 2008, 12:25 PM

Universal said Thursday that it will begin releasing all of its newest titles in Blu-ray on the same day and date as its standard DVD counterpart.

While the studio was a staunch supporter of HD DVD, after Toshiba exited the business it was one of the first to announce its switch to Blu-ray.

At the time, Universal president Craig Kornblau said that "the emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

The first title to receive the treatment will be Doomsday, set to release this summer. Around 40 titles will be released during the summer, according to Universal press materials.

Even before Doomsday however, the studio will release other titles in the format. On July 22, Universal will release all three movies from the Mummy franchise, including The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King.

Other catalog titles to come are American Gangster, Miami Vice, and U-571. Of the day-and-date titles, The Incredible Hulk, Wanted, and Helboy II: The Golden Army.

Add a Comment (23 Comments)

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By Kompressor

posted Apr 19, 2008 - 11:15 PM

Blu-Ray sucks ass. I'll stick with DVD thank you very much.

Score: 0

By greensabath

posted Apr 19, 2008 - 1:41 AM

Lol...all you blu-ray users enjoy paying for your overpriced movies...I will enjoy picking up my HD DVD movies for under $10, not to mention my player only cost $50...lol. I chose my format after it was over, and it was HD-DVD.

Score: 0

By Bladeforce

posted Apr 18, 2008 - 3:51 AM

Dont buy into the Sony hype Blue is not going to replace DVD it's a niche market. Remember PS3 is selling like crap on it's "home turf" Japan. Last week it only sold 8,000 units. The Japanese know a dodgy cookie when they see one

Score: 0

By gregmlr

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 8:40 PM

Whatever. Like I'm ever going to buy Blu-ray anyway.

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Apr 18, 2008 - 1:26 PM

Whats the matter, did the little baby rush out like an idiot and buy an HD-DVD player before the war was over?

Score: 0

By adento

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 7:43 PM

I'm willing to bet the BD titles will be at least $5-10 higher priced than the standard DVD version. Ever since Toshiba threw in the towel, the price of stand alone BD players has been climbing steadily, week after week. Now they can charge whatever they want (or rather, whatever Sony tells them) since there is no competition.

Nobody I know is going to run out and buy the "cheap alternative" PS3 (since when is $299 cheap?) and pay extra for movies just because it's high def. Sorry, but until there's a sub $150 BD player on the market and movies cost the same as DVD, the BD format is still a lame duck.

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited Apr 18, 2008 - 1:27 AM

Yawn...

OK, now that the titles will be available on regular and BR DVD formats simultaneously I will run out and buy a PS3 just to watch movies and buy ~$25 movies - many of which don't warrant $5-10 for the regular DVD. {Edit- read with a GREAT sense of irony!!!}

If Only the early availability of titles was what was holding BR back.

And the advent of a single HD format provides no market drivers nor competition to drive prices lower...and that is the real 100 ton elephant in the room as everyone talks about titles.

Ah, this just doesn't warrant a full examination of all of the myriad reasons that BR has not become more dominant.

Early availability of titles has little to do with adoption! PRICE of the player and titles is the Achilles heel!

Produce a less than $150 player with titles routinely retailing for $10-15 and then they can talk. Until then BR/HD is doomed to remain a niche product.

The fact is for most, upconverted DVDs are fine - most don't even have a 1080p compliant TV! Plus, its the audio that really makes the movie - not simply higher res graphics.

Oh, and the Mummy series definitely represents the tipping point! NOW there is a compelling reason to buy! ROFLMAO!

(Besides, if you are going to buy BR, you may as well get the PS3 with functionality beyond an expensive BR DVD player.)

Score: 0

By Hellcat_M

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 4:21 PM

Universal president Craig Kornblau said that "the emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

I'll stick with my up-convert DVD player. I get really nice looking DVD's, and it didn't cost as much as a blo-ray player.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 3:31 PM

I give the POS3 some credit but not nearly as much as you do. Its a great BD player, sure, but the gaming aspect kinda sucks still.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

edited Apr 17, 2008 - 2:00 PM

I have to give the POS3 credit. With the latest (and only) firmware update I have done, it is the best upscaling player I have ever seen.

The blacks are now jet black as opposed to gark grey thanks to Sony finally allowing blacker than black to pass over the HDMI, and at 720p output, it looks better than my A2 or XA2 at 1080.

I'm actually impressed, this might be the best BD player for the money after all. The first gen stand alone dedicated BD customers are the ones getting the shaft.

I agree this is a comment generator by BetaNews however. I'm done bashing the PS3 as it looks like the investment has finally paid off. Out of the box, this thing was pretty mediocre but Sony got thier act together on the updates.

I guess having a fully updateable player is better. I would love to see how they are going to pull off DTS-HD and MA with the next update as the player isn't supposed to have the hardware to do this.

BTW, they will never get the die hard HD-DVD fans who spent thousands to go BD anytime soon. They will wait it our for years just for spite.

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 3:53 PM

I'll give you credit for admitting your recently discovered like of some of the PS3 features. It's pretty big of you mate!

FYI, DTS-HD and MA was added the last firmware update released Monday. Here is a review of it.
http://www.tweaktown.com...master_audio/index.html

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 6:23 PM

You are right, the update came on tax day in the US. I'll install it later tonight.

Yeah, I hate to admit it but the PS3 will now be the only player for my projector / screen and rear projection DLP. Rats.

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 7:27 PM

lol... Maybe I can talk you into buying a game.

If I had to suggest 1 GREAT exclusive... I would pick Uncharted Drakes Fortune. Rent it. It surprised me.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 20, 2008 - 12:57 AM

While it is a great game it is still just a rental. There is no online so just rent it, beat it, and send it on its' way.

Score: 0

By deminicus

posted Apr 18, 2008 - 7:10 AM

im sorta debating getting it now, i am eyeing the metal gear pack comming out in june.
80gb ps3
metal gear solid
new dual shock 3

They got a deal where you save 100$ buy getting the sony card at the same time....It may be worth it....still thinking about it.

http://www.sonystyle.com...tId=8198552921665371946

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 18, 2008 - 1:58 PM

I would get the 80Gb MGS box if I didn't already have the 60Gb.

Great game, extra HDD space, new controller. Take advantage of the $100 off promo.

Score: 0

By Danno

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 1:45 PM

I hear crickets as no one gaf. Seems the rest of us moved on to upscaled DVDs and enjoy these or will enjoy these titles on that format. Too bad as my P0S3 is not there to play BLORAY its there to play those mediocre games I cannot get on my 360.

Score: 0

By testman

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 3:41 PM

Talk to someone who cares.

*rolleyes*

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 18, 2008 - 7:47 AM

I care!

*rolleyes*

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 12:44 PM

Ohh, sorry Beta"news". I forgot that Bluray was in the title.....

Bluray, blah, blah, blah, HDDVD lost, PS3, XBOX360. Nintendo kids. M$, $ony. No games. Failure rate 30%, blah, blah, blah.

That should get your comment count back up a little bit.

Score: 0

By kappen

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 12:43 PM

Cool so when are these blu-ray devices coming out to play these things?

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 12:40 PM

Those titles are all good and all... But bring on some Shaun of the Dead!!!

Does Universal even make that?

Score: 0

By pridewalker

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 10:29 PM

Yep, SotD is Universal...via Studio Canal and Focus Films.

Score: 0

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