nV News Forums - Blood Diamond HD DVD to dwarf Blu-Ray version in features for the same price!

nV News Forums (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/index.php)

- Home Theater A/V (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=54)

- - Blood Diamond HD DVD to dwarf Blu-Ray version in features for the same price! (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=90051)

Blood Diamond HD DVD to dwarf Blu-Ray version in features for the same price!

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...ay,_HD_DVD/583

Quote:

Unlike the studio's usual policy of releasing identical Blu-ray and HD DVD releases of a title on the same date, Warner will instead debut 'Blood Diamond' about a month apart, with the Blu-ray hitting stores first on June 5, followed by the HD DVD on July 2.

What's more, while both versions will share identical tech specs, including matching 1080p transfers, supplemental content will be far from identical. The basic suite of extras are the same, including a filmmaker's commentary, four featurettes and a music video; however, the HD DVD will include a raft of exclusive cutting-edge features not included on the Blu-ray release.

The HD DVD of 'Blood Diamond' is the first announced next-gen title to include web-enabled extras, including allowing viewers to use their players to offer opinions in Warner's online polls, as well as view other special features such as maps of conflict pertaining to war-torn areas in Africa.

Furthermore, the HD DVD boasts an In-Movie Experience (IME) video commentary with additional behind-the-scenes and interview footage. And for the first time on 'Blood Diamond,' Warner will include the new Focus Points feature that takes the viewer to exciting in-depth featurettes and production diaries.

Despite the considerable differences between the Blu-ray and HD DVD, Warner has set an identical list price of $28.99 for each.

While the impetus for this decision almost certainly stems from the delayed release of Blu-ray's BD-Java authoring environment, which makes advanced features such as IME impossible on current Blu-ray releases, in the past (with such IME-enhanced titles as 'The Matrix Trilogy' and "Batman Begins') Warner has chosen to simply withhold their release releasing a Blu-ray version until a future date. Their decision to downgrade the Blu-ray for 'Blood Diamond' instead is sure to generate controversy.

HD DVD exclusive features - same price as BD version - $28.95
- Internet/web features - online polls, related maps & resources, clip sharing, more
- In Movie Experience PIP video commentary, behind the scenes, additional footage
- Focus Points - in-depth featurettes & production diaries