Transformers director now supports Paramount's HD-DVD move

[Zeus]

Michael Bay has now had a change of heart and has posted that he thinks that Paramount's move to exclusively support the HD-DVD format is a good one. He puts yesterday's rant down to having dinner with three blu-ray owners who were annoyed about Transformers not being available on Blu-ray. After careful thought, Bay likes the idea of HD-DVD players coming down to the $200 and remarks he is back on from Transformers 2.


"Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three blu-ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 1:30 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.

As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.

So today I saw 300 on HD, it rocks!

So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!"


News Source: <A href="http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Michael_Bay_Retracts_Earlier_Statement_Says_He_Sup ports_Paramounts_Decision_to_Back_HD_DVD/884" target="_blank">Highdefdigest.com</a>

[jerzmob]

Paramount gave him the run down of what's going to happen once HD-DVD is done for. I guess perhaps they are going to chip in some of the $$$ to the director after all

[burn4life]

Some pretty serious underhand sh*t going here! I still vote for 640x480 divx though :p

[Xenogears V]

A person cannot have changed mind for one day to another. There will surely have been pressure.

[jerzmob]

Some pretty serious underhand sh*t going here! I still vote for 640x480 divx though :p


or upscaled 1080p on the PS3:D

Haha Bay is nuts if he thinks people will purchase an HD DVD player just for Transformers. This isn't gaylo you know (which will make its way to Blu-Ray). Just like people won't purchase a 360 just to watch Disney but much rather get an Blu-Ray player with all Disney, Fox, etc. and with more to come. It's only 18 months so blu-ray most likely will get the extended cut edition b/c by that time HD-DVD will have perished.

[DaFireStarter]

Paramount gave him the run down of what's going to happen once HD-DVD is done for. I guess perhaps they are going to chip in some of the $$$ to the director after all
And I thought you died or something when you didn't post in the last couple of threads! I was soo happy!

[felixm477]

And I thought you died or something when you didn't post in the last couple of threads! I was soo happy!

well thats because theres only certain posts he will cry in and once its pretty obvious hes wrong he moves to the next. i could care less what bay says hes always been like this and i could care less what format wins just as long as we get to stick to 1. and on a side note im glad to see Tranformers 2 being mentioned :)

[Gambit]

I just wonder how much they paid him.

[MadMax31]

And I thought you died or something when you didn't post in the last couple of threads! I was soo happy!

Don't worry, After sometime you learn to ignore the idiot.

[segaman1977]

I am getting really irritated with the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD battle. Both formats are really good. The battle has just began, and Sony people are just certain Blu-Ray has won. HD video is such an insignificant percentage of video sales, Michael Bay and others alike need to focus on making the standard DVD version the best experience it can be.(i.e. quality bonus features, commentary). I actually want a prolonged battle between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. This competition will force more titles out into the market, a win for the movie goer. Also, any deals that go on to get exclusives is just business, just like Sony forcing Blu-Ray in the PS3 was a business decision. Also, I can't stand it when people talk about the PS3 upscaling to 1080p. Sorry people, you can't make a movie look any better than its source, which is 480p. All upscaling does is sharpen edges and improve contrast, which just gives the illusion of a vivid picture. Does it help, a little, especially on animated films, is it High-Def, no. Use common sense.

[hankchill]

So he supports the HD-DVD 'move'?

Don't they mean the HD-DVD 'Bribe'. Obviously the format is falling, and what better way to try and claim sales by bribery. Very cheap.

[{{909}}]

this is absolute garbage, the director of a film has no say in what format his films are pressed onto, nor does he have the right to just leave a contract because he doesnt like execs decisions.

This just in, steven spielburg has said "zomg blueray is teh suck! all my movies is HD DVD exclusives"...coming soon to a HD DVD fanboy news site.

[Frak-Frakistan]

Changed his mind in less than one day!!!!!

Heres what happened

He was in discussion with some sound and intelligent ppl who told him that paramount's decision was wrong,he heard them and agreed seeing all their points were valid.

The next day while browsing or whatever he stumbles across this NY times piece

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/technology/21disney.html?ei=5088&en=d4e1f285e2f41437&ex=1345348800&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1187698143-B5wO3L/F+4r1NyAsum87vQ

Then he said f**k common sense,f**k consumers,I'm in as long as i get a piece of the pie


There you have ladies and gentlemen the true story of Micheal bay's Pus**y ass actions



EDIT: I just got Wild Things Unrated Edition and pirates of the Caribbean on bluray .Just wanted to say Denise Richards T*TS look way high def,like coming out of the screen or something

[Reset]

maybe he was shown how 300 flickers in dark scenes on blu-ray.

[So-Unreal]

Some pretty serious underhand sh*t going here! I still vote for 640x480 divx though :pNo thanks I will take x264 mkv 4.37GB files.... they look nice

edit: thats at 720p

[whackawookie]

EDIT: I just got Wild Things Unrated Edition and pirates of the Caribbean on bluray .Just wanted to say Denise Richards T*TS look way high def,like coming out of the screen or something
how scary is it that there is a movie that stars both denise richards and neve campbell

[So-Unreal]

or upscaled 1080p on the PS3:Dsomeone like you would do something like that AND make yourself thinks it looks better.

[MaTiAz]

or upscaled 1080p on the PS3:D
Since when PS3 was able to upscale or play divx?

And xvid for SD and x264 for HD content all the way. Oh man, the x264 HDTV rip of Appleseed looks so good and it's only 720p :D

[blade47167]

Since when PS3 was able to upscale

Since firmware 1.8 I believe. Can upscale dvds all the way to 1080p. Also upscales PS1 & PS2 games to 1080p.

Anyway, they obviously gave him money to shut up. It looks really bad when one of your biggest films at the moments director says your an idiot. Probably got $20mil+ and increased budget for Transformers 2 should they choose to make it.

[So-Unreal]

Since firmware 1.8 I believe. Can upscale dvds all the way to 1080p. Also upscales PS1 & PS2 games to 1080p.

Dumb @$$ he/she clearly only said "Since when PS3 was able to upscale or play divx?" so how did you miss that part?

[cardboardbox]

Dumb @$$ he/she clearly only said "Since when PS3 was able to upscale or play divx?" so how did you miss that part?
do you know what the word "or" means? Its not the same as "and."

[sigma8]

I saw some posts on highdefdigest.com forums from hd-dvd supporters saying that they are glad Michael Bay came to his senses and obviously sees and realizes the HD-DVD advantages now.

Such utter bull crap.. Let's see:

- Man writes blog post
- Man has meeting with big whigs who probably have him on contract
- Man recants

This REEKS of strongarm tactics if you ask me. And even if he was having dinner with 3 blu-ray owners.. Doesn't that say something too? All his friends are on blu-ray, nobody on HD-DVD yet he still thinks his movies should be only on HD-DVD? And 300 on HD-DVD rocks, but on blu-ray (which sold twice as many) it doesn't? They look the same. The only thing missing from the blu-ray is that picture-in-picture special feature of the blue/greenscreen shots.... But then again, the HD-DVD does NOT have uncompressed sound. I'm not even going to say "wtf" because what happened seems pretty obvious to me.

[modojojo]

What will they say If HD-DVD sales still faulter after this. There really reaching.

[So-Unreal]

do you know what the word "or" means? Its not the same as "and."Do you have to ask? And who does not know that the ps3 can upscale. So I'm sure he was said what he meant "Since when PS3 was able to upscale or play divx?" If im wrong then sorry.

[danight]

I was having dinner with three blu-ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker.


LOL at blu-gay fanboys trying to get him drunk off their kool-aid. Ill be buying hd-dvd player just because of this. Transformers 2 4tw!

[cardboardbox]

Do you have to ask? And who does not know that the ps3 can upscale. So I'm sure he was said what he meant "Since when PS3 was able to upscale or play divx?" If im wrong then sorry.Then it was a compound question that should be broken into two distinct questions:

1. "Since when PS3 was able to upscale?"
2. "Since when PS3 was able to play divx?"

just semantics but #1 was answered. He should have asked "...upscale and play divx."

[cardboardbox]

Such utter bull crap.. Let's see:

- Man writes blog post
- Man has meeting with big whigs who probably have him on contract
- Man recants

This REEKS of strongarm tactics if you ask me. And even if he was having dinner with 3 blu-ray owners.. Doesn't that say something too? All his friends are on blu-ray, nobody on HD-DVD yet he still thinks his movies should be only on HD-DVD? And 300 on HD-DVD rocks, but on blu-ray (which sold twice as many) it doesn't? They look the same. The only thing missing from the blu-ray is that picture-in-picture special feature of the blue/greenscreen shots.... But then again, the HD-DVD does NOT have uncompressed sound. I'm not even going to say "wtf" because what happened seems pretty obvious to me.no doubt at all. A lot of money flying around lately to make people do and say something other than what the market would normally dictate.

[extreme22]

here is comes i was waiting for it bunch of ps3 fanboys fags to star crying like little btchs oh this wont happen and that wont happen,
man oh man why dont u just shut up and wait and see, and go and ask ur mom to change ur diapers, and i can talk sht because i own all 12 gaming consoles,

[Reset]

I saw some posts on highdefdigest.com forums from hd-dvd supporters saying that they are glad Michael Bay came to his senses and obviously sees and realizes the HD-DVD advantages now.

Such utter bull crap.. Let's see:

- Man writes blog post
- Man has meeting with big whigs who probably have him on contract
- Man recants

This REEKS of strongarm tactics if you ask me. And even if he was having dinner with 3 blu-ray owners.. Doesn't that say something too? All his friends are on blu-ray, nobody on HD-DVD yet he still thinks his movies should be only on HD-DVD? And 300 on HD-DVD rocks, but on blu-ray (which sold twice as many) it doesn't? They look the same. The only thing missing from the blu-ray is that picture-in-picture special feature of the blue/greenscreen shots.... But then again, the HD-DVD does NOT have uncompressed sound. I'm not even going to say "wtf" because what happened seems pretty obvious to me.
I actually heard and read that the blu-ray version of 300 suffers from light flickering, the same prob has been reported for numerous other blu-ray titles, but me and most others thought that 300 would be a big enough film to make sure it didnt happen, but yet it still flickers in dark scenes (i heard ps3 handles it better than some stand alones but its still their) another big HD film that has this problem is the discovery channels planet earth series.

to me, if these two very important HD films flicker on blu-ray, that says something. I'm fairly sure it just has to do with thoughs films using the older mpeg-2 compression but it doesent change the fact. Im not gonna argue that blu-ray wont be as good once they get their encoding act together, but right now they actually don't look the same, and the HD-DVD version is actually superior video quality.

you would have to go to video forums to read about this stuff as most of the gaming community seems completley unaware.

[blade47167]

Then it was a compound question that should be broken into two distinct questions:

1. "Since when PS3 was able to upscale?"
2. "Since when PS3 was able to play divx?"

just semantics but #1 was answered. He should have asked "...upscale and play divx."

Indeed. 360 fanboys and there lack of intelligence never ceases to amaze me. We have the 13 year old righting PS3 sucks on game boxs at toys-r-us, the 14 year old electrocuting himself, and now we have the deranged fanboy who lacks the ability to break down sentences.

[blade47167]

to me, if these two very important HD films flicker on blu-ray, that says something. I'm fairly sure it just has to do with thoughs films using the older mpeg-2 compression but it doesent change the fact. Im not gonna argue that blu-ray wont be as good once they get their encoding act together, but right now they actually don't look the same, and the HD-DVD version is actually superior video quality.

Lawl... They use the exact same VC-1 encode. The only thing that could cause a flicker is the player or the TV. And one could even argue that if the Blu-ray version had been encoded with a high bit rate MPEG-4 codec it would have looked even better. But sadly with multi-format releases they don't always take the time to do such a thing.

[grapeape]

Indeed. 360 fanboys and there lack of intelligence never ceases to amaze me. We have the 13 year old righting PS3 sucks on game boxs at toys-r-us, the 14 year old electrocuting himself, and now we have the deranged fanboy who lacks the ability to break down sentences.

Since we all know PS3 fansboys are so sane right?:rolleyes:

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14565

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/04/ps3-crime-spree-part-v-suspected-ps3-thief-killed-by-deputy/

http://www.kmph.com/home/4674536.html

http://play.tm/story/7636

Nevermind your companions on here that cant write a complete sentence, or make a single comment without a string of explicatives.

[Reset]

Lawl... They use the exact same VC-1 encode. The only thing that could cause a flicker is the player or the TV. And one could even argue that if the Blu-ray version had been encoded with a high bit rate MPEG-4 codec it would have looked even better. But sadly with multi-format releases they don't always take the time to do such a thing.
If their using the same codec, than thats even worse. I just assumed it was do to the older codec, but i don't know how their gonna fix the problem if its already using the new codec.

Im not making this up, these films flicker on blu-ray, and its not the TV, u can read about it on video enthusiast forums. I haven't experianced it myself as I have neither blu-ray or HD-DVD. some better players can compensate for the problem, but it doesent even exist on the HD-DVD versions or players.

[jbondsr]

If its just based in physical specs, then Blu-ray wins.
I'll let you do the research for yourself.

But, its not about that, is it?
It's about who can make the best deal. Look at what happened with Betamax vs. VHS (Many things happened, including Sony not wanting to use LP, etc.)

Also, who knows, there might not be a clear cut winner this time. We might see a market trend going into DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray and downloadable content all together.

If there is going to be a clear cut winner, I hope that the battle ends like this:

Many 3rd party companies flood the market with hybrid players so that people won't have to choose. (This'll be hard, as there's all kinds of licensing problems to overcome.) Then, the battle will be decided by whoever can make the physical discs fastest and cheapest.:p

On another note, do people actually think the average consumer, who represents the majorit of sales (not us, the minority, who scrutinize the fine details) cares about flickers in dark portions of a movie?

People will buy what the market tells them to buy, and if one format is more present and cheaper in the marketplace, it doesn't matter which one is better, does it?

[WalkingTiger]

Considering I don't yet have an HD or Blu-Ray player, either choice doesn't much matter to me... There was likely some pressure put into his response, though, which would be rather low, if that were the case...

As it is, I'm still perfectly satisfied with DVD quality, and intend to pick up the film on DVD when it's released; I still see it being at least another year or two before HD or Blu-Ray really take off, either way...

~WalkingTiger

[sigma8]

to me, if these two very important HD films flicker on blu-ray, that says something. I'm fairly sure it just has to do with thoughs films using the older mpeg-2 compression but it doesent change the fact. Im not gonna argue that blu-ray wont be as good once they get their encoding act together, but right now they actually don't look the same, and the HD-DVD version is actually superior video quality.

you would have to go to video forums to read about this stuff as most of the gaming community seems completley unaware.

I know you're usually up on your stuff, but if you haven't seen this yourself first hand, I'm going to have to chalk it up to FUD by the HD-DVD camp. I have 300 on blu-ray, and I don't notice any flickering. You'd think it'd be easy to see in Dark scenes. I've returned my projector to the manufacturer because of faint dust blobs, because of a slight focus imbalance...so I notice a decent amount of stuff. There's some motion blur in high-action pan shots, especially in darker scenes.. which seems to be my DLP projector's fault (Gamecube games going over s-video have the same problem, Eternal Darkness in particular).

Since the same exact data--as far as the video stream goes--is being stored on each disc, to say there is something inherently wrong with the disc is pretty ridiculous. This may have to do with the 24fps/30fps/60fps conversion that happens, and how the 24fps movies don't get evenly converted to 30 or 60 fps on a blu-ray player. AFAIK, this is also a problem on many HD-DVD players.

I regularly read highdefdigest.com, which reviews dual releases all the time, and the video is always dissected, and the reviewer will sometimes notice some differences when mpeg2 goes up against AVC or mp4, but even then, it's often indistinguishable. I am nearly positive that 300 was out on the same codec for each format. They each support the same codecs.

[chkdg8]

Yeah, I spent quite some time last night on his website and I noticed that his original title post has changed at least twice and then the mother of all apologies, he surrendered and finally realized what side of his bread is buttered on. I know how the business works and although I commend him on his genuine frustration with Paramount's decision or "financial influence" to go with the hd-dvd format, the way he quickly backed down shows how much power Hollywood can have on anyone's career.

[sigma8]

If their using the same codec, than thats even worse. I just assumed it was do to the older codec, but i don't know how their gonna fix the problem if its already using the new codec.

Im not making this up, these films flicker on blu-ray, and its not the TV, u can read about it on video enthusiast forums. I haven't experianced it myself as I have neither blu-ray or HD-DVD. some better players can compensate for the problem, but it doesent even exist on the HD-DVD versions or players.

I just did a quick google, it sounds to me like the jury is definitely out on 300 having flickering problems on blu-ray. You have a mix of people saying "it's there" and plenty more saying "that's just the intended graininess of the movie".

Unless you find somebody comparing the two side by side (which highdefdigest.com DID in its reviews) you are not going to have a fair assessment.

review links:
blu-ray: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/886/300.html
hd-dvd: http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/300.html

Notice the "video" portions of the review are identical. The extra half-star is for the bonus PIP features on hd-dvd.

[sigma8]

Yeah, I spent quite some time last night on his website and I noticed that his original title post has changed at least twice and then the mother of all apologies, he surrendered and finally realized what side of his bread is buttered on. I know how the business works and although I commend him on his genuine frustration with Paramount's decision or "financial influence" to go with the hd-dvd format, the way he quickly backed down shows how much power Hollywood can have on anyone's career.

I wish I could give Paramount and Bay credit for innocuously creating a PR fiasco for HD-DVD after pocketing the $150 million dollars.. (i.e. HD-DVD bribes Paramount; Paramount makes it obvious)

...but I don't think they're that crafty, nor that motivated.

[Reset]

I just did a quick google, it sounds to me like the jury is definitely out on 300 having flickering problems on blu-ray. You have a mix of people saying "it's there" and plenty more saying "that's just the intended graininess of the movie".

Unless you find somebody comparing the two side by side (which highdefdigest.com DID in its reviews) you are not going to have a fair assessment.

review links:
blu-ray: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/886/300.html
hd-dvd: http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/300.html

Notice the "video" portions of the review are identical. The extra half-star is for the bonus PIP features on hd-dvd.
Cool, Ill have to give the benefit of the doubt since I havent actually seen it myself, and to be honest if video forums are anything like gaming formus, ull rarley find truth unless u know how to filter the crap, not being an AV buff I don't really have a crap filter for thoughs places, so I apologize if I was completley off base. I've said in other posts I wan't blu-ray to win just for its size, but I just wanted to bring a topic to this forum that had never been brought up before. personally I doubt i'd see the flickering (if it's there) and im sure the directors comments and position had nothing to do with it.

[LeGioN1202]

maybe he was shown how 300 flickers in dark scenes on blu-ray.

Well, I purchased "300" on release day for Blu-Ray and have seen none of this "flickering" you are referring to.

Any source proving your statement?


__________________________________________________ ___________

Off Topic a bit but just curious...

BD costs alot more to produce than HD-DVD correct?

If so, then why do HD-DVD's on average costs $5-10 more than the BD release?

[kcvfr400]

I have enjoyed 300 on blu-ray twice now and find it works without any noticeable flicker that I can see and just gives this film the justice it needs in HD.

[Blades]

Who ever wins, who cares.

Just pick a damn format already. There is NO reason to have two formats. Besides, everything is just going to digital downloads anyway. So maybe we won't have to worry about picking a format.

;

[danight]

format wars are cool... i hope they go at it for a few years. Look at the way prices are coming down all ready.
I refuse to buy a dvd player that cost more than 100 bux. But Ill admit transformers had me strongly considering purchasing what ever 1 was cheaper when it comes out. I hope they make a transformers trilogy.

But it has to be a really good movie for me to buy it. if not ill rent a reg dvd.

[OblivionX]

I think the hd-dvd vs blu ray war is a pain in the arse. But I do think that HD-DVD is better for movies and blu ray for storage. The reason is simple:

Quality of Movies:
Now Ive heard lots of people say this, standalone HD-DVD players are great value for money and the quality is amazing. The only "cheap" blu ray player is the ps3. The ps3 is at the bottom of the player pile when it comes to blu ray. The standalone blu ray players wipe the floor with it. So quality of movies vs price. HD-DVD wins for cheapness vs quality.

Storage Space and availability:
With HD-DVD yet to release a standalone pc drive for burning HD-DVDs there is only one option for storage and its blu ray. The other major advantage of course is the 25GB of space vs HD-DVDs 15GB. Reviews of the burners so far have been good and the price isnt as horrific as expected.

But in sales of course there is a weird trend developing. Blu ray discs are outselling hd-dvd thanks to sonys ps3 (mainly due to lack of games it must be said) but standalone hd-dvd units are flying off the shelves.

People think blu ray has won the war, but I recon hd-dvd is gonna win it tbh. The prices are falling rapidly for the players and when games come out for ps3 less people will be buying movies to waste the hours away and to actually use it for something.

I have friend who used to have a ps3 he bought it, bought resistance, played it, completed it, then started buyin blu ray movies just because he could play them on it. He later sold his ps3 and movies and bought a 360 and wii. He was just like well I bought the thing may aswell use it for something.

So my verdict, hd-dvd Winner of home cinemas, Blu ray next storage format.

[cardboardbox]

I think the hd-dvd vs blu ray war is a pain in the arse. But I do think that HD-DVD is better for movies and blu ray for storage. The reason is simple:

Quality of Movies:
Now Ive heard lots of people say this, standalone HD-DVD players are great value for money and the quality is amazing. The only "cheap" blu ray player is the ps3. The ps3 is at the bottom of the player pile when it comes to blu ray. The standalone blu ray players wipe the floor with it. So quality of movies vs price. HD-DVD wins for cheapness vs quality.thats funny, almost everyone says the PS3 is the best bluray player.

But in sales of course there is a weird trend developing. Blu ray discs are outselling hd-dvd thanks to sonys ps3 (mainly due to lack of games it must be said) but standalone hd-dvd units are flying off the shelves. yes, we all know that gamers dont watch movies. What was Sony thinking?!