Site created 12/15/97.		page created: 2/28/00 Chat Transcript: Bits Editor Bill Hunt on Etown/Yahoo The following is a complete transcript of the on-line chat I did with the folks at Etown (via Yahoo) on February 23rd. Thanks to John at Etown for providing the transcript, and for inviting me to the chat. etown_host: Hello everyone, etown_host: and welcome to tonight's etown.com chat event! etown_host: we're very fortunate tonight etown_host: to have with us etown_host: Bill Hunt, editor of The Digital Bits website -- www.thedigitalbits.com etown_host: one of the premier sources of news and information about DVDs etown_host: on the Web. etown_host: thanks for being with us tonight, Bill the_digital_bits: My pleasure - glad to be here etown_host: We already have quite a few questions, etown_host: so I won't waste any time. the_digital_bits: bring 'em on! baltazar71 asks: Do you think that Sound Of Music could be release this year yet? the_digital_bits: That's a good question - I do believe... the_digital_bits: that it's current being worked on... the_digital_bits: a lot of it depends on what condition... the_digital_bits: the film elements are in - do they need restoration? sempre_ubi_sub_ubi asks: why can't I find independence day on DVD? the_digital_bits: ID4 is on its way to DVD from Fox... the_digital_bits: Look for it in June I believe... the_digital_bits: Let me check... the_digital_bits: June 13th etown_host: won't the ID4 disk have both versions of the movie on it? etown_host: director's cut and theatrical cut? the_digital_bits: It will have an option for you to... the_digital_bits: to watch the theatrical cut and the longer director's cut... the_digital_bits: via seamless branching etown_host: cool! isaac_dvd asks: When do you suspect American Beauty on DVD? the_digital_bits: that depends on how the movie does at Oscar time... the_digital_bits: you can expect it some time around then... the_digital_bits: I think April or late May shakamatt asks: How much do you think the PlayStation 2 will increase DVD software sales? the_digital_bits: I think it will make a big difference... the_digital_bits: we have to remember that some video games sell more than major movies do... : the_digital_bits: and in Japan, where DVD has been slow to catch on... the_digital_bits: it could ignite the market the_dvd_list asks: When are we going to see the roll-out of DVD-Audio? the_digital_bits: The DVD-Audio rollout is expected this summer... the_digital_bits: as soon as the new CSS-2 encryption scheme is finalized. etown_host: I have to add etown_host: that the summer schedule is pretty tentative -- : the_digital_bits: yes - it depends on a lot of things etown_host: a lot of companies are spooked by these copyright/hacking issues. the_digital_bits: yes... but the manufacturers and content providers are committed to DVD-Audio etown_host: with the major exception of Sony, which is backing SACD. cartman_26_518 asks: On my PC some DVD's play choppy, others play fine.......but for all of them the audio has a lot of static...why? the_digital_bits: It's probably a resources issue, or a software conflict the_digital_bits: do you have enough memory... the_digital_bits: is there a conflict between your video card and sound card... the_digital_bits: those are the things you need to look into isaac_dvd asks: Do you think that Martin Scorsese will begin doing more commentaries, since he did Last Temptation of Christ? the_digital_bits: I think that's up to him... I'd certainly like to see it... the_digital_bits: but some director's don't like doing commentaries... the_digital_bits: prefers to let the movie speak for itself... the_digital_bits: while others can talk for hours about their films... the_digital_bits: I think it's a personal choice etown_host: Scorsese has done some Criterion commentaries for movies he DIDN'T direct, right? baltazar71 asks: Why warner just insist in the snap case for DVDs? the_digital_bits: I believe that's the case... yes the_digital_bits: well... they're trying to keep the cost down the_digital_bits: and they own the company that makes Snappers I believe... ;-) cartman_26_518 asks: When will the Indiana Jones Trilogy come out to DVD? the_digital_bits: When Lucas wants it to... the_digital_bits: The films have been digitally mastered... the_digital_bits: so it's a matter of when they decide to do it. bellg asks: Bill, I'm considering buying an HD 16:9 set. What do you suggest so I can get the most out of my dvd collection (with money a strong consideration)? Thanks! the_digital_bits: Toshiba, pioneer, Mitsubishi and Panasonic all make good models the_digital_bits: and there are several that are getting down to the $3,000 and under price range... the_digital_bits: I'd do some comparison shopping and pricing online... etown_host: at the risk of tooting our own horn, you should check out the DTV section at www.etown.com the_digital_bits: in magazines and at places like etown. the_digital_bits: exactly ;-) etown_host: for reviews of many HD and widescreen sets. etown_host: for those who joined us a little late, etown_host: let me remind everyone etown_host: that we're chatting with Bill Hunt, etown_host: editor of the Digital Bits website -- www.thedigitalbits.com etown_host: back to the questions... thndrlight asks: What influence if any do you think FOX Home Video has on Lucasfilm for releasing the Star Wars movies. the_digital_bits: I think exactly none... the_digital_bits: I remember when Fox was bidding to get the rights to Episode I... the_digital_bits: an exec at Fox told me that when George came in... the_digital_bits: they were going to say to him, "whatever you want, George..." the_digital_bits: I think Lucas calls all the shots on releasing them on video etown_host: Agreed -- Fox only owns the rights to the original "Star Wars" anyway etown_host: and they would never do anything to upset Lucas. the_digital_bits: Yes... and I think actually only Star Wars the_digital_bits: They only own distribution rights to the others the_digital_bits: That's why Lucas makes so much money... thndrlight asks: Why do you think studio's such as Paramount are holding back on films such as Forrest Gump that would sell very well? the_digital_bits: Well, they're afraid that if they releasing all their best stuff now... the_digital_bits: they'll have nothing for later... the_digital_bits: so they're spacing things out the_digital_bits: plus... it takes time to do a good DVD... the_digital_bits: and with their best films, they want to make the most of them isaac_dvd asks: Do you feel that Warner will release an Unrated Eyes Wide Shut? the_digital_bits: No etown_host: never? the_digital_bits: Their policy is pretty clear here in the states the_digital_bits: never say never... but not for a while the_digital_bits: "nothing unrated" is their comment Lyrian7 asks: Any Word on Close Encounters of the Third Kind coming to DVD the_digital_bits: Hopefully this year... the_digital_bits: It's been mastered in high def anamorphic... the_digital_bits: and all the elements needed to do the DVD are done... the_digital_bits: Columbia TriStar is just waiting on Spielberg's ok... the_digital_bits: and since he's doing Jaws and Jurassic Park later this year... the_digital_bits: CE3K is certainly a possibility for 2000 or early 2001 baltazar71 asks: Citizen Kane,ten in ten critics say that it's the best movie ever made,why not in DVD,who has the rights bill? the_digital_bits: Warner has the rights - by owning the old Turner RKO catalog : the_digital_bits: It's coming... the_digital_bits: if the DVD is to be as good as we all expect it to be... : the_digital_bits: Same story with Superman I & II... the_digital_bits: You might be happy to know that... the_digital_bits: Warner is also working on Looney Toons cartoons for this year etown_host: we can only hope the Citizen Kane DVD is as good as the Third Man, which Criterion did etown_host: speaking of which: the_digital_bits: Amen to that mistagreg_dvd asks: Mr. Hunt, in your opinion, why are the Criterion releases considered special, when very few are enhanced for 16x9 TVst enhanced for the_digital_bits: Well, it's because of the extra care they take in assembling the supplements... the_digital_bits: Criterion's hands are ties with 16x9... the_digital_bits: they can only do what the owner of the film will allow... the_digital_bits: they always push for 16x9 these days... the_digital_bits: but they're not always allowed to do it. : etown_host: and they've gotten, in cases like Rushmore t8no asks: when will the sixth sense be on dvd? the_digital_bits: yes the_digital_bits: The Sixth sense - hang on... etown_host: very soon, I think! the_digital_bits: March 2000 - that's official the_digital_bits: I think at least a few isaac_dvd asks: Do you think that their will be a non-flipper version of Goodfellas? the_digital_bits: it will be a collector's edition the_digital_bits: some day, Warner will probably get around to it etown_host: Sixth Sense = Collector's Edition, FYI the_digital_bits: they're about to re-release Little Shop of Horrors, so there's hope nlerx asks: Mr hunt, in your opinion why do studios still choose to shortchange us on DVD features especially on some of the bigger name titles? the_digital_bits: well, sometimes there simply aren't materials to include on the disc... the_digital_bits: they don't exist anymore... the_digital_bits: and sometimes, the studio simply can't get the actors and crew... the_digital_bits: to participate, for whatever reason... the_digital_bits: sometimes there's also a legal issue that prevents them... the_digital_bits: from including something... the_digital_bits: 9 times out of 10 though... the_digital_bits: I believe the studios do their best, and aren't... the_digital_bits: trying to shortchange people deliberately. the_digital_bits: boy - how's that for good spelling? Munikita asks: I have a new sharp DVD player and when I play DVD's the color goes from light to dark, what is wrong with it? I won it from a contest at work so it can't be returned. the_digital_bits: If you're going through a VCR to your TV... the_digital_bits: it could be that the VCR doesn't like the macrovision copy protection on the disc... the_digital_bits: that's probably it the_digital_bits: just hook the DVD player up straight to the TV... : the_digital_bits: and you should be okay. etown_host: we get that question at www.etown.com a lot, etown_host: and that's almost always the problem. the_digital_bits: me too at the Bits. etown_host: let me take this opportunity etown_host: to remind everyone etown_host: that we're chatting with Bill Hunt, etown_host: editor of The Digital Bits --- www.thedigitalbits.com etown_host: one of the Web's premier DVD information sites bellg asks: Bill, what is your background. How did the Digital Bits get started? the_digital_bits: I started as a film & video producer... the_digital_bits: did that in college and after (I graduated in 1990)... the_digital_bits: and that led me to California... the_digital_bits: being involved in the industry... the_digital_bits: I was aware of DVD long before it came to market... the_digital_bits: so when it arrived, I started sharing what I new on the Net... the_digital_bits: including the news forums at etown and alt.video.dvd... the_digital_bits: so many people were asking me questions via e-mail... the_digital_bits: that a web page seemed like the answer... the_digital_bits: now we serve 1.5 million pages a month... the_digital_bits: and still growing lefeb_99 asks: I really enjoyed the Roger Ebert commentary on Dark City. Are there any more DVD commentaries that he's done? the_digital_bits: I don't think so, but I loved that one too! the_digital_bits: We should see if we can get him to do another... the_digital_bits: that one was a favorite of mine. rscan2000 asks: Any word on The Final Countdown? the_digital_bits: That's a long story... the_digital_bits: I'd love to see it too... the_digital_bits: But the owner of the film seems to have... the_digital_bits: no interest in DVD at the moment... the_digital_bits: believe me, people are working to get it... the_digital_bits: me included... isaac_dvd asks: Do you think that New Line's 2 Disk set of Seven and Boogie Nights will be worth picking up for those who already own them? the_digital_bits: Absolutely! the_digital_bits: Being able to listen to a Fincher commentary on Seven... the_digital_bits: will be worth the price of that disc alone... the_digital_bits: And New Line is doing some awesome SE material... the_digital_bits: I definitely think so. - we'll see... t8no asks: is dvd really gonna take over vhs? the_digital_bits: plus - the current Seven is a flipper the_digital_bits: Some day the_digital_bits: I think once DVD becomes recordable... : the_digital_bits: later this year... and prices drop (in 2001)... the_digital_bits: it will have a bigger impact... the_digital_bits: the industry expects 10% of VHS households... the_digital_bits: to have DVD by the end of this year... etown_host: either way, the_digital_bits: That's amazing when you consider that VHS has been around so long... the_digital_bits: and DVD is only 3 years old etown_host: DVD is still the best format launch in history the_digital_bits: exactly the_digital_bits: Yes... the_digital_bits: Artisan is working on a T2: Special Edition... the_digital_bits: which should come out at about the same time MGM's Terminator: SE... the_digital_bits: comes out - this Summer - MGM's new edition... the_digital_bits: will also be anamorphic (as will the T2:SE) baltazar71 asks: Mr.Hunt do you know any information about Sunset Boulevard? the_digital_bits: It's coming this year from... the_digital_bits: Paramount. I think it's actually in their little DVD catalog... the_digital_bits: let me check... drw9537 asks: No question - Just want to say Thanks to Bill and Todd for all the hard work. I love the site! the_digital_bits: no not there - my mistake. but it's coming this year is my understanding the_digital_bits: Our pleasure - we love dvd as much as anyone... the_digital_bits: and consider ourselves more advocates of the format...' the_digital_bits: than reporters of it jaguila_1999 asks: Bill, what do you think of the lack on support spanish subtitles of some studios ? the_digital_bits: I think that's a deliberate decision... the_digital_bits: the studios don't want DVD's intended for the US... the_digital_bits: to be sent to spanish-speaking countries overseas... the_digital_bits: I don't like it myself, but I think that's the reason etown_host: "flipper" means a disc that has to be flipped to the other side etown_host: halfway through a film bellg asks: What ever happened to the ability for a dvd player to do on-the-fly pan&scanning? Are the studios just not interested in this feature? the_digital_bits: Yes... I think that's the reason the_digital_bits: With all of the problems some players are having with DVD-Rom... the_digital_bits: I think they're afraid some players won't be able to use it properly the_digital_bits: and also... the_digital_bits: anytime you try to teach a studio new tricks... the_digital_bits: like anamorphic widescreen for example ;-)... the_digital_bits: they take a while to pick it up etown_host: with less than 10 minutes left, etown_host: I just wanted to remind everyone that etown_host: we're chatting with Bill Hunt, etown_host: editor of The Digital Bits -- www.thedigitalbits.com etown_host: The Bits is a great place for DVD news and reviews, etown_host: as is www.etown.com for info, reviews, and shopping etown_host: for DVD players and home theater hardware baltazar71 asks: HAS MAGNOLIA A POSSIBLE DATE TO RELEASE ON DVD? the_digital_bits: i think it's tentatively set for April or May - I'm sure the date is set, but it's not been announced yet... the_digital_bits: forget that - June 6th the_digital_bits: but still not official yet. isaac_dvd asks: What's the highest quality DVD you've seen so far? the_digital_bits: A Bug's Life, Tarzan and Antz are tops in picture quality... the_digital_bits: along with almost anything done by Columbia TriStar... the_digital_bits: their Sony HiDef Center is doing some amazing transfers... the_digital_bits: also, for audio, I like Saving Private Ryan, The haunting and Titanic the_digital_bits: You should check out our Bitsy Awards at the Bits - we list our favorites scherr00 asks: Bill, have you heard anything new about Star Trek: the Next Gen on dvd? the_digital_bits: Yes - this summer, you'll see ST: TNG episodes on DVD, two per disc... the_digital_bits: just like the Original Series is being released now the_digital_bits: And the rest of the feature films... the_digital_bits: should be out by the end of the year... the_digital_bits: starting with Star Trek III in April isaac_dvd asks: I enjoyed the Live Commentary feature in Mallrats, Ghostbusters, and Muppets From Space. I heard Dogma has it. Do you think it will become a feature that is used more often? the_digital_bits: Sure, if it can be included without sacrificing anything else of importance on the DVD... : the_digital_bits: the key is to have a balance of features on the disc... the_digital_bits: that best serves the film the_digital_bits: extras just for the sake of having extras... the_digital_bits: like DVD-Rom screensavers... the_digital_bits: are a waste of disc space as far as I'm concerned shakamatt asks: How about Pulp Fiction:SE? the_digital_bits: that's in development at Miramax... the_digital_bits: Along with an eventual English Patient: SE... might take time though... the_digital_bits: hopefully soon etown_host: I'm afraid that will have to be the final question! etown_host: sorry if we didn't get to each question, etown_host: but we had more than 150 tonight! etown_host: I'd like to thank Bill for sharing his expertise with us tonight the_digital_bits: My pleasure - I had a great time etown_host: you can check out his site at www.thedigitalbits.com the_digital_bits: Thanks to everyone for tuning in! etown_host: and you can find hardware information etown_host: as well as news and reviews etown_host: at www.etown.com etown_host: join us tomorrow for a home theater chat etown_host: with Lawrence E. Ullman etown_host: thanks again to Bill, and to everyone who joined us tonight.
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