Received my Highlander steelbook earlier today.

Yup, thank God. The Amazon box is kinda weird this time, only one BD but really big that can almost put 4 BDs inside, but very slim like a thin hardcover book. Works very well to protect the steelbook case I guess.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 10 2009, 10:56 PM

Nope, no floaty-floaty jumping, really nice. I left the box in my office, maybe I can take a pic on Monday.

I hated those logos too, but now I don't mind it anymore. However, this one has none of those logos on the steelbook case itself, only on the paper slipcover.





I really like the steelbook design & artwork.

The Highlander Steelbook bought from Amazon UK, region free. Tested last night, PA/AQ is not as what you would see in newer movies, but still much better than the DVD, and grain-haters will not be so happy. Well, after watching a few scenes, now I remember how bad the director did his job. But I really like the story, unique and original (but I hate the sequels). If an A-list director decides to remake this, I think it would be one of the very few remakes that I will support. Imagine if Ridley Scott at the helm.

Also tested a few minutes KNOW1NG (just noticed the letter I is actually the number 1). Can't judge the movie yet, but the PQ/AQ is phenomenal, really reference quality.

Watched 3 episodes of THE UNIVERSE: The Complete Season 2, wow, each episode I learn something new, and I thought I already read a lot about astronomy. In the first season, one of the things that made me shook my head, was when I learned that Pluto is no longer considered as a planet in our solar system. Whoa, I'm really getting left behind on one of my favorite subjects in school. PQ only OK, AQ is great, uncompressed PCM but only 2.0 (with English subtitles).

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Added on July 11, 2009, 11:27 amWow, just found out that Imageshack has been hacked. I'll try to re-up the pics on other hosts.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 11 2009, 11:27 AM

This morning Uncle DHL gave me these:

Well, not always every week. I don't know, got no rules. But only when I have the budget for it.

Tested HOME, colorful, excellent jawdropping picture and the DTS-HD MA not bad at all. PQ/AQ is better than Planet Earth and actually quite close to Baraka. The image really looks film-like even though was shot digitally using the HD Cineflex cameras (gyro-stabilized). It's just woderful.

By the way, Fast & Furious is only 2 weeks from releas, it's normal to see BD ISO/rips up on the internet one or two weeks early, copies arrive early to retailers and probably some of the reviewers "accidentally" ripped and upload his copy. And Monster's Inc BD already released in Japan almost 2 months ago

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 14 2009, 07:29 AM

That's normal for Amazon UK. I always get mine in 7 days or less.

Anyway, review for Monster's Inc (Japan):

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2451/monstersinc_jp.html

Yup, but now GBP is climbing up each day.

Just read the Monster's Inc review, 5-stars PQ/AQ. This says a lot because HighDefDigest usually not very generous in giving out their stars.

From my observation, that's only true for new titles that has not been released theatrically in EU. Which is understandble.

Unlike Fox, new or old titles they just region lock nevertheless. Except lately, like the X-Men trilogy is region free.


Your wife still there? Or are you secretly buying BDs again?

I've never got any unsealed/opened BDs from Amazon UK, strange. Maybe I've been lucky.

And those logos, now I can already live with it. Nothing that bad, the most important is the content and PQ/AQ. But I'm still glad that the logos are not on the Highlander steelbook.

I have the original release of Casino Royale, the uncompressed linear PCM excellent. I have no desire to get the goodie-packed Deluxe edition because this movie is not one of my top favorite. It's better than previous Bond films, but still it's just an OK action movie. The only part I enjoy the most is the chase scene in Madagascar early in the movie, after that it's I wouldn't mind if anyone blocks my view from the screen for a while, won't miss anything.

Huh? It sounds great, but there are many other BDs with much better AQ.

I mentioned about the GHOSTBLU code a few times in the old thread. There's another one SONYPIC5 for all Sony titles, but not sure if it still valid.

Star Trek Blu-ray Gets November Date, Augmented Reality



Paramount Home Entertainment has set November 17 as the release date of the movie 'Star Trek' on Blu-ray, day-and-date with the DVD. This will be a three-disc set, and apart from other usual features, it will include a very novel one called “augmented reality,” allowing buyers to tour the Enterprise and even shoot enemies from the ship's deck, after holding the disc packaging in front of a webcam.

An early version of the feature can be accessed at the Experience the Enterprise Web site.

For the disc release, Paramount will include a visual icon inside the packaging that, when held in front of the webcam, will unlock a more immersive experience. Users will have to log in to a Web site to access the feature, but they control the hologram by holding the disc packaging.

Other extras include deleted scenes, a BD Live feature that connects viewers to live updates from space through NASA, and the Star Fleet Vessel Simulator, which offers a 360-degree view of the Enterprise and other ships.

Posted July 17, 2009 03:42 AM by Juan Calonge at Blu-ray.com

Me too. Purposely. So I can watch it the first time on BD.


That's what I heard.

Star Trek Blu-ray Full Details Revealed

Paramount After the appetizer given early this morning, Paramount Home Entertainment has revealed the full release details for 'Star Trek', which will hit store shelves on Blu-ray on November 17, day-and-date with DVD. It will be presented in 2.35:1 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Over three hours of bonus materials will be included.

The Blu-ray offers exclusive branching pods that allow for enhanced exploration, more fascinating features on the starships, planets, props, costumes and sound of STAR TREK, as well as a Starfleet Vessel Simulator and access to the latest NASA news about real-life space exploration via BD-Live.

It also offers a home entertainment first: groundbreaking augmented reality technology. Using a webcam, a Star Trek visual cue will morph into a 3D holographic tour of the U.S.S. Enterprise on the screen, providing a unique immersive and interactive experience.

Special features are as follows:

Disc 1

* Commentary:By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
* NASA News (BD-exclusive): This BD-Live feature gives viewers access to the latest NASA news about real space exploration. Learn about new mission developments and check out featured imagery from around the universe.

Disc 2

* To Boldly Go: Taking on the world's most beloved science fiction franchise was no small mission. Director J.J. Abrams, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof, and executive producer Bryan Burk talk about the many challenges they faced and their strategy for success.
o Branching Pods:
+ The Shatner Conundrum
+ Red Shirt Guy
+ The Green Girl
+ Trekker Alert!
* Casting: The producers knew their greatest task was finding the right cast to reprise these epic roles. The cast, for their part, talk about the experience of trying to capture the essence of these mythic characters. The piece concludes with a moving tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
* A New Vision: J.J. Abrams' vision was not only to create a Star Trek that was a bigger, more action-packed spectacle, but also to make the spectacle feel real. Every aspect of production--from unique locations to the use of classic Hollywood camera tricks--was guided by this overall objective.
o Branching Pods:
+ Savage Pressure
* Starships (BD-exclusive): Abrams and production designer Scott Chambliss were careful to pay tribute to the design of the original Enterprise, but they also wanted to make it futuristic and cool for a modern audience. This chapter focuses on the unique stories behind the creation of the film's starships.
o Branching Pods:
+ Warp Explained
+ Paint Job
+ Bridge Construction Accelerated
+ The Captain's Chair
+ Button Acting 101
+ Shuttle Shuffle
+ Narada Construction Accelerated
* Aliens: Designers Neville Page and Joel Harlow talk about the hurdles they faced creating new alien species, recreating the Romulans and Vulcans, and designing the terrifying creatures on Delta Vega for the new Star Trek.
o Branching Pods:
+ The Alien Paradox
+ Big-Eyed Girl
+ Big Bro Quinto
+ Klingons
+ Drakoulias Anatomy 101
* Planets (BD-exclusive): From the frozen landscape of Delta Vega to the desert plains of Vulcan, Scott Chambliss and the art department had a number of radically different planets to create. Abrams' desire to shoot on real locations whenever possible led the production team to a number of strange and surprising locations.
o Branching Pods:
+ Extra Business
+ Confidentiality
* Props and Costumes (BD-exclusive): Property master Russell Bobbitt had the unique challenge of designing props that were both true to the original series and pertinent to today's technology. Likewise, costume designer Michael Kaplan talks about how he designed costumes that paid homage to what came before yet were relevant and timeless.
o Branching Pods:
+ Klingon Wardrobe
* Ben Burtt and the Sounds of Star Trek (BD-exclusive) : When famed sound designer Ben Burtt was hired to create sounds for the first Star Wars film, he took his inspiration from the original "Star Trek" series. Burtt jumped at the opportunity to pay tribute to the sounds that sparked his career with the sounds he created for the new Star Trek.
* Score: As a fan of the original series, composer Michael Giacchino embraced the challenge of creating new music for Star Trek while preserving the spirit of Alexander Courage's celebrated theme.
* Gene Roddenberry's Vision (BD-exclusive): J.J. Abrams, Leonard Nimoy, previous Star Trek writers and producers, and scientific consultant Carolyn Porco describe and commend the optimistic and enduring vision of Gene Roddenberry.
* Nine deleted scenes with optional commentary
* Starfleet Vessel Simulator (BD-exclusive):Explore extensive data on the U.S.S. Enterprise and the Romulan ship, the Narada. Submerse yourself in breathtaking 360 views and close-ups and review detailed tech information.
* Gag Reel: Bloopers featuring the entire principal cast.

Disc 3

* Digital Copy
* Star Trek D-A-C Free Trial Game for XBOX 360
* Weblink to the Star Trek D-A-C free trial game for PC
* Weblink to the Star Trek D-A-C free trial game for PlayStation Network

"I cannot wait for fans of Star Trek to check out the home entertainment release of the film. The behind-the-scenes features on the DVD -- and especially the Blu-ray -- give a wonderful look at the crazy hard work and incredible fun that went into making this movie," said J.J. Abrams. "The cast and crew were truly extraordinary to work with -- watching these special features, you'll see why. And for people who didn't catch Star Trek in the theater, I hope they do now, as Paramount has done an exceptional job with this release; the picture and sound quality are both excellent."

Posted July 17, 2009 01:36 PM by Juan Calonge at Blu-ray.com

Here's the BD region map for your reference.

BD:




And here's for DVD, for comparison.

DVD:

In UK this title will be released by Universal, so they'll not be getting the new Sapphire Edition series from Paramount. Regardless, both Universal or Paramount usually don't region lock their titles, especially old titles. And the steelbook looks nice, though of course the big rating logos won't be as attractive to some.

Heat, Logan's Run, and The Negotiator Announced for Blu-ray

Warner Bros. Warner Home Video has announced that they will bring 'Heat', 'Logan's Run', and 'The Negotiator' to Blu-ray on November 3rd. Technical specs have not been announced at this time, though you can expect a 1080p VC-1 video presentation accompanied by a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack.

Special features for these titles include:

* Heat Commentary by Michael Mann
* The Making of Heat
* Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation
* Return to the Scene of the Crime
* Deleted Scenes
* Theatrical Trailers

Logan's Run
* Commentary by Michael Anderson, Michael York & Bill Thomas
* A Look Into the 23rd Century
* Theatrical Trailer

The Negotiator
* The Eleventh Hour: Stories From Real-Life Negotiators
* On Location: Why Chicago
* Theatrical Trailer

Posted July 20, 2009 09:49 AM by Josh Dreuth at Blu-ray.com


Paramount and Universal Announce iPhone Blu-ray Connectivity

Universal Studios Paramount Home Entertainment and Universal Home Entertainment have each announced plans on how they will merge future Blu-ray releases into the ever-growing iPhone world. For the upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 2', Paramount will allow iPhone owners to download exclusive content as well as use their devise as a remote control. They have named this feature "Mobile Blu", a term, we predict, you will be hearing much more about in the future.

Universal is taking it a step further with the upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Fast & Furious, which is due to hit store shelves next week. On this release, iPhone (and iPod Touch) users will be able to control the "Virtual Car Garage" feature, including rotating 360 views of cars featured in the film, and instantly view detailed information about the rides.

Future Universal films will introduce even more interactivity, enabling viewers to view and download exclusive bonus content on their iPhones, use their phone as a remote control, and even gain detailed information regarding the film and its stars in real time.

The Universal release requires an App (which will be available on Apple's App Store soon). The disc will also allow connectivity with viewer's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Posted July 20, 2009 02:26 PM by Josh Dreuth Blu-ray.com

Fast & Furious reviews:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=5606&show=review

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2260/fastfurious.html


There are many ways to set your favorite song as ringtones or message tones in iPhone.