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Where have you been? Ads posing as video games are nearly 30 years old.

As for the political stuff, I don't think it's gonna happen. There are a lot better ways to conduct opinion polls than through a game, which has to be ENTERTAINING first and foremost or it will be raked over the coals.

And in most cases, ads aren't the game itself anyway (the linked above is an exception). Usually, they're just branding tacked onto another game. Fender Guitars sponsors Rock Band, so your character can play virtual representations of actual Fender guitars. Snowboarding companies sponsor SSX Tricky and the like. It's not that obtrusive and actually adds to realism if it's done right.

The reason it's in the player is because it's easier to upgrade your player to have a decent scaler than it is to upgrade your TV to get a decent scaler (lots of $$ just for the new TV), or to buy a standalone scaler (standalone scalers aim for the top end of the market).

Ultimately though, you want a scaler that can work with many different inputs, so that your Dreamcast, DVD player, and your video recorder all look good. So having your best scaler be in the DVD player isn't optimal either. Fortunately, scalers in newer TV's are starting to get better (eg. with names like DCDi showing up more).

Well, if we're giving John Williams credit, we might as well credit Antonin Dvorak as well. Folks say Williams borrowed a lot from "The New World".

Of course, as an amateur musician, *I* have no problem with musical "borrowing" or referencing. All culture/science/etc. is built on what preceded it.

Yeah they did:

http://forums.dvdfile.com/showthread.php?t=54438
http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t= 3465
http://www.n-philes.com/forums/archive/index.php/t -16902.html

You're right that Pearl Harbor made money, but the story is a little more complicated than adding up the grosses and comparing them to the production budget and marketing costs.

First, grosses include money that goes to studios and exhibitors. So, for the $450 million that Pearl Harbor grossed in theaters, a good chunk of that went to AMC, etc. The formula to determine how much the studios get is complicated -- studios make a higher percentage in the first weeks and a lower percentage deep into the run -- but it's about a 50-50 split. Next, there's distribution fees. Disney produced the film (through Touchstone) and released it in the U.S. via its subsidiary Buena Vista, but internationally there's probably a foreign distributor that gets a cut of what the film earned in its country. That's probably 10% of the international gross. So, Touchstone's theatrical gross is about $450 - $225 - $25, or $200 million.

Second step: Gross participants. This movie was a Jerry Bruckheimer production and starred Ben Affleck, and you bet your ass that they got gross percentage points. This means that they get a certain % of the studio's revenues before the studio takes costs into account. (These are NOT counted in the production budget or marketing costs.) I'll take a rough guess of 30% for total gross participation points. Now Disney's take is down to $140 million.

Third step: Cost of capital. A dollar three years from now isn't worth as much as a dollar today. For a studio, this cost of capital is more or less 10% annually. Marketing costs are thankfully paid nearly during the theatrical run, but production costs are paid two years in advance. So the "real" production budget, in year-of-release relative dollars, is more like $170 million.

So Disney is paying $240 million and getting $140 million. Sounds bad? Yeah, but like BTWR noted, Disney gets TV rights, DVD sales, Pay-per-view, HBO ... that adds up. Plus, it's pure cash flow -- in current Hollywood contracts, people like Affleck and Bruckheimer don't get much of a slice of that pie. (For DVD sales, the store gets about 50%, and of the remaining 50%, the studio gets about 80%). How many DVDs did Pearl Harbor sell? Try $130 million worth in its first week. Disney makes 40% of that, or about $34 million, in pure cash.

All in all, Pearl Harbor is almost certainly already a profit for Disney. If it's not yet, continuing DVD sales will push it over the hump very soon.

I'm a developer on the mjpegtools project. It's an open-source video-processing/encoding package.

The CVS version of our package contains a tool called y4mdenoise. It does an incredible job of analyzing a video frame-by-frame and restoring details buried under noise.

You can read the implementation document here if you'd like. Basically, it takes advantage of the fact that video tends to consist of repeated pictures of the same things. It figures out which parts of the picture are repeated frame by frame, compensating for motion, and resolving details down to the pixel level. It then averages together all the instances, and comes up with very smooth values for all the separate images. This is ideal for removing random noise (prevalent in 8mm recordings and VHS tapes), and tends to sharpen the picture too.

We haven't released this code yet, but CVS is pretty stable. I figured the Slashdot crowd would be more interested in hearing about this now, instead of whenever we stop coding long enough to officially release something.

Oh, and our tool for converting frame-rates, and doing 3-2 pulldown, is called yuvkineco. It doesn't support the 16 fps of 8 mm film yet, but we can always add it!

Here you go

At least, I assume that's what this story is all about, if so I can live without it.

I don't want, nor need your stinking IE plugins.

A link would be nice.

Here's 1 click [slashdot.org] Make it easier

The link is http://www.dvdfile.com/software/eggs/trilogy.html

It requries ActiveX install to work--so only those willing to risk IE need apply.

The PAL system is a 50hz system as opposed to 60hz for NTSC (PAL has higher resolution than NTSC and better colors though) so movies shown in Europe are normally sped up by 4% to 25fps. When 24fps movies are broadcost in NTSC (or encoded onto DVDs) a special method called 3:2 pulldown is used. There is no speed increase when that method is used.

The extra content, in this case anyway, might well be worth the investment in the DVD.

Nothing like submitting a story, only to find it posted when you get back to the main page.

Anyways. This is good, mostly-- nice to have the movies in widescreen, with decent quality. But there's a few problems, as I see it:

1. No commentary. I understand that Spielberg prefers to "keep the magic," as he's put it, but come on. These are for posterity. Let's get some thoughts. There's no way fifteen minutes worth of interview on a bonus disc is going to do it.

2. They're still trying to change the title of the first movie, and it pisses me off-- it's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," not "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." Cripes. It's one of the most popular films of all time. If you don't already know who's in it, I think the front freaking cover is a fine clue, thanks.

3. We're gonna have to buy it all again after the fourth movie comes out, right?

On the plus side, the content of the movies themselves haven't been changed. In other words, Indy still shoots first.

More information and a peek at the cover art, if you're curious, can be found at DVD File.

Now available on DVD from davidlynch.com for $40. Oh, well, perhaps video pricing is the true sign of a film's underappreciation?

I have reason to believe they may have snagged Ron Jeremy instead! Don't believe me, do a side by side comparison of "Mohammed" and Ron Jeremy. Only one way to know for sure, though.

According to Dvdfile

"A Universal spokesperson has told us that consumers unhappy with the current version (widescreen only - the full frame edition is not affected) can call the Universal Studios Home Video Consumer Hotline at (888) 703-0010 to request an exchange. While repressed versions of discs 2 and 3 (disc 1 remains unaffected) won't be available until February, Universal will provide corrected versions to those who have already purchased the set. Consumers will need to send the discs back to Universal at their own expense. "

From this story:

"Back to the Future redux - 12:43am

Thinking about picking up that Back to the Future trilogy box set this week for a stocking stuffer? You may want to hold off on that. Amid numerous consumer complaints over noticeably misframed shots in the widescreen edition of Parts II and III of the trilogy, Universal Studios Home Video announced yesterday that they will be repressing the discs with corrected framing, and these repressed versions will be included in all future runs of the box set.

While the shots - some of which ruin crucial jokes and visual gags - may be relatively minor to some, what to do if you've already picked up the set and want the corrected versions? A Universal spokesperson has told us that consumers unhappy with the current version (widescreen only - the full frame edition is not affected) can call the Universal Studios Home Video Consumer Hotline at (888) 703-0010 to request an exchange. While repressed versions of discs 2 and 3 (disc 1 remains unaffected) won't be available until February, Universal will provide corrected versions to those who have already purchased the set. Consumers will need to send the discs back to Universal at their own expense. Stay tuned for any further updates as the story develops..."

I do believe that DVDfile.com Had their review up a day or so before Home Theater Forum did. If you want to see consistant balanced reviews check them out.

Ok, lets look at this from LucasFilm's perspective...

Regardless of what you think about the new trilogy, you must agree that at least 50% of the NEW Star Wars is Hype and gimmick...

The only technical advancement in EP2 (all digital process for live action) is being done by lesser movies...this isn't exactly a better way, but it is certainly cheaper...but to hear it from LucasFilm you'd think it was all their idea....and everyone realized that EP1 was simply a huge commercial for all of the merchandise.

So, if you go by this theory, then LucasFilm has a lot of change invested in this hype...For example, I'm sure they would prefer to give pre-screenings to critics more likely to give favorable reviews...and at the very least don't want ppl releasing reviews based on "unfinished" material...

So, why shouldn't this guy be charged? This is just as bad as the leaked betas of UT2k3. This guy is actually getting off pretty easy for under 1/2 mil...If you were the one fronting all of the $$$ for production, marketing, SFX, etc you'd probably be pissed too...

Being a bit of an audiophile, I've tested both the SACD as well as the DVDA [DVD-Audio] and I must admit, I like the DVDA version better. On paper, the specs for DVDA are also much better. Check it out here. There is a DVDA FAQ here

I highly suggest that you check out some of the recordings.... *much* better than standard CD!

.

Well.... it would be nice to have the original content of IV-VI on a legal DVD (as opposed to the bootlegs )

I, for one, curl my lip every time I see Greedo make that first shot. What was he trying to do?

quality that is better than rental VHS!

Haha...that does not strengthen your argument at all.

My equipment isn't touched by rental media...talk about asking for trouble...

And let me see...you have DVD for what reason? Action films are specifically bad about artifacts and the only way the studios get the DeeVeeDee to look decent is by throwing their best ppl at it...even then, some films can't be fixed even with the most expensive equipment.

Even Columbia's Air Force One: SuperBit DVD has problems with artifacts.

...the fake stories weren't too far from the usual sort of stuff you see here on a daily basis.

Something tells me dvdfile.com's news story was posted five days too early...

If you'd like a review with some actual depth, check out DVDFile's, which goes into much greater detail as to the picture & sound quality as well as what the extras are all about. This thread at Home Theater Forum also has more useful feedback about the disc.

IMHO, it's a pretty nice disc. The picture quality is good, the sound is sweet and the extras really show you in great detail how it was all done.

The DVHS factsheet linked from that article mentions that the $2000 recorder has iLink, "but not FireWire" ports.

Isn't iLink just the Sony name for FireWire?

The DVHS factsheet linked from that article mentions that the $2000 recorder has iLink, "but not FireWire" ports.

Isn't iLink just the Sony name for FireWire?

First, DVD fans shouldn't be the least bit worried.

Secondly you can find the release in full here.

This new VHS has the potential to hold up to 28Mbps (Megabits per second) of High Definition signal. This surpasses the defacto standard of 18Mbps, and that's certainly a good thing. The main difference between these tapes and DVD is that yes, even though DVD is great, it can't do high definition. It just takes up too much space. So in that regard, these D-VHS tapes have the one-up.

However, D-VHS (they're going to market it as D-Theater) will still need to be rewound. You still won't be able to have commentaries. You still won't be able to have multiple angles, seamless branching, or menus.

They will still wear out over time.

While I'm positive they will be gorgeous when they are debuted tomorrow for the press, the fact remains that tapes are tapes and by definition they disintigrate over the years.

The real question is that there have been at least half a dozen High Definition DVD formats proposed and yet no one will stand behind them. Of course JVC did invent VHS to start with and that's a good point, but this Beta-like (or 8-track like if you prefer) alternative to a digital medium already has its days numbered with very (VERY) few players, all priced just below $2000 and the fact that consumers will be confused yet again by even more techno mumbo-jumbo.

Lastly, I think the fact that even though the first few movies will be your basic blockbusters (The first two Terminators, U-571, X-Men, Independence Day, et al), I'm glad to see that Warner Bros (who coincidentally were the first to back DVD) and Columbia TriStar aren't getting in this race.

According to the producer of the dvd, there was a conscious decision to use the film master for the transfer, instead of the digital master. More information can be found in an interview with him here G0del

This review is dreadful. Are the reviewers suffering from tunnel vision? Did they have their Lucas goggles on? Were they paid by Lucas? It's a bit of a brown-noser and the tone suggests to me that even if the quality of DVD had been really crap, they would still have written good things about it.

I prefer the review at dvdfile.com. When they discuss the transfer to DVD, you can't but help feel that they know what they're talking about. Perhaps I also share the same opinion as the reviewer: this wasn't a great great film, but we all liked the *idea* of a Star Wars film. The review is here: http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_4 /starwars_episode_i.html.

This is disinformation at best.

Not necessarily. The rumors I've been hearing on one or another of my usual DVD news/rumor sites say that the upcoming DVD release will be a special edition with a commentary track, the 24 seconds of extra footage (which I suspect is the same extra footage found on the old Criterion laserdisc), and other spiffy new features.

And this would be a Region 1 disc.

DVD fans have known for a while that THX certification is basically a sticker you can buy. If you pay Lucas enough money, he'll give you THX certification for your DVD. My guess is this applies to these systems too. read this little rant on dvdfile.com for info about what I'm talking about.

As far as a receiver, I've heard very good things about the Outlaw Audio 1050. It's a 6.1 channel receiver, but for $599 (available only by ordering online directly). From all that I've read, quality such as theirs would normally cost a few hundred more. And, I'm not the type to usually buy such inexpensive components (in contrast to the Panasonic DVD H1000 that I own, for instance), but this product just won me over. As such, I'll be placing an order for one within a couple weeks. And, no, I don't work for them ;).

Alex Bischoff
---

On the software side, perhaps the most controversial news is the big stand Blockbuster is taking to push the studios into adopting rental pricing. Can you say "vested interests?" Will the studios listen? You can bet we'll be covering this one in the days ahead! Stay tuned. -- From DVDFile.com

You can bet Lucas will do that when he releases Star Wars on DVD so he can get the most money.
------
James Hromadka

GREAT series, but don't take my word for it: Digital Otaku-May 31,2000
---

Don't always believe the studio numbers touted in the press release. Read this article at DVDFile for a little more information regarding actual sales numbers.

A BUSINESS CASE FOR ANAMORPHIC

Lucas has repeatedly said that that he wants DVD to be the "ultimate repository" (or something) for Star Wars. Meaning, he says, that he doesn't want to release _any_ of the movies on DVD until they are ALL DONE. Yes, that's half a decade away.

Everyone knows this is stupid. Everyone knows this is greedy. Everyone knows that there will be HDDVD by then. Everyone doesn't like it. And there's nothing we can do about it. Lucas is a greedy asshole, pure and simple.

Just look at the Special Editions. They suck complete ass. All of the additional effects stand out like badly computer-generated sore thumbs. Not only that, but he changed some key plot points, including Han Solo's now-justified killing of Greedo, and several eight-frame cuts of violence.

What can I do besides complain? Well, I have decided to boycott lucasfilm completely. This includes:
1. All Star Wars, VHS or otherwise
2. All cute star wars toys. If you have 'em, burn 'em.
3. Anything produced by Lucas, including Indiana Jones.
4. tell other people to do the same.
5. Encourage people to not buy the bootlegs.

As much as you may like Star Wars, you should not allow one individual to control the distribution of his most popular films. I would think that the mostly Libertarian /. readers would agree with me here. Interviewer after interviewer has asked Lucas (or is it £ua$?) why he won't release the films on DVD. He always says, "well, I'd like to wait." Who cares about what you want, you selfish asshole! I can just imagine the studio execs pleading with him, trying to get him to relent.

But no. Push has come to shove, and we must shove hard.

Although the earlier response of "retard" is pretty close to the mark, one may want to read the article series, The THX Factor, that was posted a while back at dvdfile.com ...

NB: This is a three-parter, so look for the embedded links to get to the remaining two-thirds of the article series!

Although the earlier response of "retard" is pretty close to the mark, one may want to read the article series, The THX Factor, that was posted a while back at dvdfile.com ...

NB: This is a three-parter, so look for the embedded links to get to the remaining two-thirds of the article series!