Displaying items by tag: The Digital Bits

Afternoon, folks. Hope your weekend was a good one. We’ve got some good stuff for you today. 

First up, we’re kicking off a new regular column here at The Bits today. Actually, it’s a weekly feature of Doogan’s Gripe Soda column, called Doogan’s Queue. In it, Todd will run down the highlights of the week’s best releases on Blu-ray and DVD. So watch for it every Monday morning going forward, and enjoy! [Read on here…]

We’ve got a BIG post for you guys today. Let’s start with some new release announcements…

First up, Warner Home Video has finally announced a pair of catalog Blu-ray titles to get excited about: The Big Red One and Memphis Belle are on the way on 5/16 (SRP $19.98 each). [Editor’s Note: We’ve checked with Warner Home Video sources and have confirmed that The Big Red One contains a remastered version of the film’s 113-minute Theatrical Cut in HD and – as a ‘special feature’ – the 169-minute Reconstruction version in SD only as well. That’s official, so FYI and make your plans accordingly.] Check out the cover artwork below. One assumes that any extras that were on the DVDs will carry over. [Read on here…]

We have a little more for you today on the revelation yesterday that 4K may be coming to Blu-ray in the year ahead.  Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Blu-Ray Disc Association’s global promotions committee chair, Victor Matsuda, revealed that ‘the BDA board recently approved work to extend Blu-Ray to include 4K and will be exploring the best possible technical blueprint.’  The work is being done by a task force of representatives from 17 companies including Sony, Technicolor, Dolby, Fox and Disney.  And based on last night’s story, Samsung as well.  [Read on here…]

Here’s something interesting: A report from CES via The Australian says that Samsung Australia’s vice-president for consumer electronics, Philip Newton, has told the paper that Samsung has developed the technology to produce 4-layer Blu-ray Discs compatible with 4K content.  The discs apparently deliver 25GB per layer, for a total of 100GB.  Newton tells The Australian that the discs could be available as early as the end of 2014.  The BD spec for 4K is apparently still in a “state of flux,” but once the details get worked out, the disc tech will be ready.  [Read on here…]

This is a quick post, but a good one.

Does anyone want to get your first look at Warner’s hot-off-the-presses cover artwork for William Friedkin’s Sorcerer Blu-ray (due 4/22)?

Well here it is...  [Read on here...]

Okay, we’ve got a couple more good things for you today…

First up, in case you missed it yesterday, I posted my review of CBS’ Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Three on Blu-ray Disc last night.  If you’re a fan of the series, it’s another excellent release, loaded with new bonus content.  Don’t miss it.  [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got a couple more things for you today…

First, a few more of our retail sources have dropped us e-mails to essentially confirm the Australian Twin Peaks information from yesterday.  The gist is that retailers have been hearing about potential April street dates for the Blu-ray set from Paramount down under (which distributes for CBS), but that the final release date is still very much subject to change.  So the upshot is, the title is definitely coming, but continue to be patient.  [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a very quick Rumor Mill post for you this morning, featuring an update on CBS’ anticipated Blu-ray release of Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery.  Don’t miss it.

Speaking of CBS, note that we’ll be back later this afternoon with a review of their new Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Three on Blu-ray Disc.  The set streets today and, if you’re a Trek fan, it’s worth the money.  They’ve packed it with tons of great content, as always.

In announcement news today, Universal has set Dallas Buyers Club for Blu-ray Combo and DVD release on 2/4.  The only extra is a featurette (A Look Inside Dallas Buyers Club).  [Read on here…]

Twin Peaks update:  Paramount in Australia has apparently announced the Blu-ray release of the Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery box set for 4/30, including both seasons and the Fire Walk with Me feature film, limited to 1700 units.

However, our industry sources here in the States tell us that while April was the originally targeted time frame, series creator David Lynch is continuing to work on new bonus content (including apparently shooting new footage – see this report on Bleeding Cool).  [Read on here...]

All right, CES is off and running in Las Vegas this week, so we’ll be posting interesting news over the course of the week.  Although it seems as if Blu-ray is passé at the show this year.  4K TV, streaming and wireless everything seems to be all the rage this year.

First though today, our own Adam Jahnke has posted a new Bottom Shelf column that’s well worth your time.  This time around he celebrates the like (and acknowledges the passing) of a fellow to whom movie enthusiasts owe a debt – Mike Vraney, founder of Something Weird Video.  We all off our caps here at The Bits today in his honor.  Don’t miss Jahnke’s piece.  [Read on here...]