Friday, October 30, 1998
11:45pm PST - ANOTHER BIG PICTURE WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Here's the first in-depth peek at Artisan's EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY: SE
12:43pm PST - We're not sure if Steve Tannehill's info was off the mark -- or the folks responding to e-mail at Wal-Mart just aren't aware of the goings on upstairs -- but so far, we're receiving many reports from our readers that Wal-Mart is responding quickly to their e-mail, stating in effect that they only carry what their customers want -- and so far -- nobody's asking for Divx. Here's the automated response from Wal-Mart:
Wal-Mart Stores and SAM'S Clubs will carry the products that our customers are asking for. At this time, our customers are asking for the DVD format. This commitment to DVD is evidenced by the excellent selection of DVD titles and hardware available at Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and Wal-Mart Online. Currently, Wal-Mart has no plans to support the DIVX format."
It's obvious that Wal-Mart is feeling the heat, whether justified or not. And Richard L. Sharp must be in a dark corner somewhere, down on his knees, head in his hands, wondering how many more negative stories in the press he'll have endure before pulling the plug on the biggest and most expensive failure in the history of consumer electronics.
12:16pm PST - Can you guess which beleagured challenger to open DVD is featured in the ZDNET article "Haunted products we'd like to bury"? Be sure and submit your vote!!Thanks to Marc Paulin for the heads up!
12:02am PST - TBP's ace cub reporter DANA has found a wonderful little article in the wonderful little Hartford Courant (isn't that a type of jelly? JUST KIDDING) that tells us what we've known for a long time, possible new deals with Wal-Mart notwithstanding. Read the story: New Video Format Divx Nose-Diving To Oblivion. We wrote the author a quick note, praising his stance on Divx. His reply? "Thanks. Nothing about divx makes any sense. It's hard to figure."
Thursday, October 29, 1998
11:53pm - PST SOUND THE ALARMS! SADDLE UP THE CHARIOTS! Steve Tannehill over at the DVD Resource page reports that Wal-Mart isthisclose to inking a deal with Divx to carry hardware and software just in time for the Holiday season. Mr. T. provides the e-mail addresses for Wal-Mart and his own letter to them in case you find yourself at a loss for words and would rather cut and paste with a big "ME TOO" at the end.
11:49pm PST - Good news for fans of EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY. The full review is pending, but here's a quick heads-up. Artisan has done a beautiful job with the transfer. The sound is DD 2.0 surround and the anamorphic video scores a FIVE GLOBER on The BIG Picture scale. This is the first time I've ever seen this movie. What fun!! More details in our review. Stay close.
4:14pm PST - Oooh, guess what showed up today? An advance copy of EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY: SPECIAL EDITION from our friends at Artisan! Be looking for another BIG PICTURE WORLD EXCLUSIVE DVD review within the next 24 hours! The street date, incidentally, is December 15th.
2:37pm PST - CORECTION....RETRACTION...DAMAGE CONTROL: The gent that sent us the info about the pending Universal titles last night wrote back to alert us that we misunderstood his reference to JAWS and DUNE:SE as being included in the upcoming title leak. Chalk it up as a misunderstanding. Even though the other three titles are still rumors at this point, special editions of JAWS and DUNE were not intended to be among them. The BIG Picture regrets this "rumor within a rumor" that as it turns out, was never even a rumor to begin with. Anybody got an asprin?
9:51am PST - Late breaking word is that 20 stations will be covering the John Glenn launch in HDTV, including KHOU (channel 31) in Houston. Now if you'll pardon me, I've got a launch to go watch! Thanks to our friend Bill Cushman for the info!
9:36am PST - We took the high road and contacted our rep at Universal to ask him about the titles we heard about last night (below), but he could offer no confirmation. All he could say was "that's news to me", but if it were true these titles were "way down the line" and do not yet appear on his DVD production list.
8:45am PST - Matsushita feels the burn, prepares to double DVD production to satisfy growing demand.
8:28am PST - Brief editorial, here. What's with Buena Vista and Fox? Their announced or rumored upcoming titles for the most part look like real garage sale rejects! Personally, I'm very disappointed that Buena Vista reneged on their promise of parity between Divx and open DVD releases. Shame on you. When you're standing at the DVD display with a Disney title in one hand and a Warner, Columbia, New Line, Image, Paramount, Universal, Polygram, Dreamworks, Trimark or Artisan title in another -- we hope you'll do the right thing. It would appear to us that Fox and Disney are offering only token support of DVD until Divx is dead and buried. Speaking of which, we've seen very little ink on Divx lately, except for a couple of negative references. And I've yet to see a Divx commercial on television here in San Diego. Is the fat lady taking a deep breath in preparation of song? We think so.
8:18am PST -- Ah... Make that three markets carrying the John Glenn launch in HDTV. WFAA in Dallas will be broadcasting that way as well, we're told. Godspeed, Senator Glenn! Have a good flight!
Wednesday, October 28, 1998
11:04pm PST - Some of our most interesting information arrives in the dead of night... Ever notice how The BIG Picture DVD News Daily is the only major DVD news site with updates not only on a daily basis, but throughout the day itself? We sure hope so, because it represents a lot of time and effort. Tonight, we received an e-mail and we're told that the following Universal Studios titles are currently in the works: JAWS and DUNE as widescreen special editions, THE LAST STARFIGHTER, LEGEND and HOWARD THE DUCK (all widescreens). No word on whether LEGEND will contain the European Jerry Goldsmith score or the American Tangerine Dream score. It would be cool if Universal offered both versions of the film on one disc, though!
7:52pm PST - This doesn't involve DVD, but it's interesting nonetheless. John Glenn's historic return to space tomorrow will be broadcast on HDTV in two markets: Los Angeles (KTLA) and Boston (WCVB).
7:38pm PST - The DVD Dish reports that Paramount has announced that THE TRUMAN SHOW is being released on January 12th. They also report the new dates on Paramount titles pushed back slightly. We had a nice chat with a Paramount spokeswoman on the phone today regarding Paramount's on-again, off-again support of 16x9 enhancement. I won't betray her confidence with details of the conversation that she asked I keep off the record... But I think I can safely say that the anamorphic issue has not been decided one way or the other... However Paramount is keenly aware of our feelings on the issue -- and our reviews of Paramount titles here at The BIG Picture have been printed out and circulated at the studio. You can continue to count on TBP to be your advocate with our studio contacts on issues that are important to you.
2:02pm PST -- Just in time for Halloween! Bob Banka and Jeff McNeal are in a contest to see which one can alienate Trimark Pictures first (just kidding -- it's not really a contest, it only looks that way). Bob's first turn at the bat included a review of TRUCKS. Now, it's Jeff's turn. Aliens select Earth as their next target for invasion. Assuming human form, they randomly abduct four people. But the aliens weren't anticipating the resourcefulness or determination of their captives to free themselves and save the world!! NYyyaaaaaaaa!! Read The BIG Picture's review of THE COLONY, not to be confused with THE COLON, from which there can be only one escape!
11:46am PST - USA TODAY features a lovely article about our beloved DVD format. But wait! There's more! Here's a fascinating accounting of how DVD's are authored and an excellent inside peek at Sony's DVD Center!
10:36am PST - The November 2, 1998 issue of TIME MAGAZINE gently castigates Divx on page 112... If you don't mind glowing phosphor to ink and paper -- we've found the link to the story on the Internet edition of Time for you.
10:32am PST - DVD moves into the classroom with new, low cost equipment. Click here for more information about DVD-Explorer.
10:28am PST - DVD players and Home Theater gear named as strong consumer buys in upcoming holiday season by forecasting organization.
10:23am PST - The release of BULL DURHAM represents the 200th title distributed exlusively by Image Entertainment. Image now provides about 10% of all current titles available on DVD and are expected to increase their market share to 15% with an additional 400 titles slated for release in 1999.
10:14am PST - JamVideo gives their impressions of GONE WITH THE WIND (click on the titles to see ours), TRUCKS and PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK.
10:07am - PST The editor in chief of PC Magazine tells us the Smart Way To Shop For DVD -- DVD-ROM, that is.
Tuesday, October 27, 1998
10:13pm PST - Working both sides of the street... The BIG Picture is proud to present two more reviews from Bob Banka: Our highly anticipated GONE WITH THE WIND review and one of the lessor-known silent Russian film: BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN.
6:09pm PST - Laserviews has updated their news page with confirmed street dates and announcements for the December releases of THE AVENGERS, INCOGNITO, WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE and LETHAL WEAPON 4:SE from Warner Brothers, SLIDING DOORS from Paramount, plus announcements from Universal, Rhino, Pioneer, Victory and Slingshot -- a new company that has taken over the defunct Lumivision's titles. Plus, lots of street date changes
10:24am PST - Music video DVD's have drawn a lot of attention recently, but we think that producers have only scratched the surface so far. Here's something we'd love to see and hear. A DD 5.1 concert DVD in which the audio mix changes instantly and in sync with the multiple, user-selected camera angles. Imagine being with the performer, on stage, hearing the music from the lead singer's perspective -- then moving out to the audience to hear it from the front row seat -- or the middle of the auditorium or stadium -- or even the parking lot. Or how about zooming in to a particular performer -- and having their instrument featured in the center channel -- or in the case of drums, across the entire front soundstage. Wow! It would be the definitive "concert" video!
9:29am PST - Be on the lookout for TBP's review of GONE WITH THE WIND, coming later tonight. However, if you're wondering "should I buy this disc?", the answer is a resounding yes. Though not without some subtle flaws, the transfer is nearly as beautiful as Vivien Leigh herself.
9:24am PST - This recent San Francisco Chronicle article focuses on two DVD "firsts". Interactive movies in which you control the plot -- but lambasts the films for being "lousy".
9:01am PDT - Ken Hoyme wrote to tell us that the November issue of WIRED Magazine features a two page article on DVD vs. Divx and guess who comes out on top? At this writing, the WIRED website does not appear to have have the article posted, but Ken tells us that it appears "around page 82". Close enough Ken. Thanks for the good word!
8:56am PST - In what is claimed to be the "the most accurate and up to date list of R2 dvd svailable anywhere", the R2 Project site features the first online listing of Region 2 Pal DVD products availble. So be a pal and check the site out if you're a PAL equipped HT owner.
1:15am PST - No. We never sleep around here... Jeff McNeal offers an in-depth look at the 20th anniversary edition of the riveting MIDNIGHT EXPRESS. Another review brought to you by the good folks at Digital Eyes.
Monday, October 26, 1998
7:01pm PST - There's yet another new DVD site making its' debut shortly -- The DVD Monthly. One thing that they offer which is unique -- movie scripts from many DVD titles. Fun stuff.
6:55pm PST - David C. Taylor wrote to show us an article that appears in the quarterly "Pontiac Driving Excitement" magazine. As David points out, it isn't very well-written and not very accurate, but it's interesting that DVD should be making its way into a publication like this at all.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Can Divx ruin the DVD market?
Remember the VHS vs. Beta wars? Today, history echoes itself with the dispute between DVD and Divx. DVD, depending on whom you ask, can mean Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc, and Divx stands for Digital Video Express. Proponents for Divx want you to consider it an enhancement for DVD. But DVD purveyors consider it a competitor. What is the difference here'?
In order to prepare for this technological transformation you need to change one thing - your TV. You'll need a wide-screen TV or projector with input for component video and audio that is capable of Dolby Digital (AC-3) or 6 -channel input.
Many say Divx is a feature of DVD, yet they are releasing titles in Divx format only. That is competition.
The Divx player is considered an enhanced DVD player, and it is actually a DVD player with a modem built in so they can monitor your Divx viewing. This is like pay-per-view. The purpose of the modem is to eliminate a trip to the video store, and it will cost an extra $100 for a DVD player with the Divx add-on. This is not mentioning an extra phone line you may need, too.
If DVD fails and you own movies, they can play on the next Divx player - but the opposite is not true. If Divx fails, all your discs are useless.
- Melissa Park
6:47pm PST -- Kudo's to Guido... Our ace cub reporter Dana tipped us off that DVD Review appears to be first out of the chute with an in-depth look at Warner's upcoming EXORCIST:SE. The film was supposed to street this week (perfect for Halloween, but last we heard, this title was delayed until November 24th.
8:02am PST - Interesting story this morning as Media Galleries, Inc. pulls the plug on NetFlix (which it never actually names) and cuts a new deal with DVD Store to allow those that sullied their home video libraries with the Clinton Grand Jury Testimony on DVD, to exchange them for two free on-line DVD rentals and a copy of either ``Bach: His Life. His Times.'' or ``DVD Discovery, Volume 1''. This just looks like another grandstand promotional ploy from a company whose president sounds like he's running for office. Apparently, the NetFlix deal was only exclusive for 30 days and now the Clinton DVD can be sold by "anyone, anywhere." Whoopee.
7:55am PST - DVD hardware exceeds 100k in monthly sales for the first time: The DVD sPy reports that a whopping 113,600 dvd players were sold in September and that the one million mark will be reached in October! Meanwhile, Divx still hasn't released any sales figures. Anyone care to speculate as to why not?
WEEKEND UPDATED
The memories you save may be your own... With only a cursory mention of DVD, this Dallas Morning News article called How to save the memories you have stored on obsolete media is still worth a look.
TOP GUN has received a lot of comment on the Internet. If you've been reading the buzz, you might find it all a bit confusing. Does this title deserve to blast into your "must have" collection at the speed of sound? Or does it crash and burn on take-off? See what The BIG Picture thinks of TOP GUN in Bob Banka's excellent review.
Columbia has officially announced the upcoming day and date release of Jean-Claude Van Damme's KNOCK OFF in full frame and enhanced widescreen on December 29, 1998. The disc will contain trailers for KNOCK OFF, MAXIMUM RISK, NOWHERE TO RUN and DOUBLE TEAM. English language and subs only -- and (we've saved the best for last) a suggested retail of $19.95. Wouldn't it be cool if the studios started including trailers on their DVD's for pending titles that hadn't been announced yet? Imagine the thrill... But then again, after getting burned with teasers for CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, MEN IN BLACK, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and others on the early Columbia Tristar discs, I can see how this might not be such a great idea after all. The best laid plans, etc...
