Displaying items by tag: Bluray Players

We’re starting as always today with a ton of new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD movie reviews by The Digital Bits team. I’ll list them all here tomorrow, but in the meantime you can find them easily on our Reviews page at this link.

More new disc reviews are definitely forthcoming, including some big titles, so be sure to keep checking back for them.

Now then, there’s an important bit of soon-to-break news that I wanted to share with you all today…

It looks like the Sony Corporation is going to make some kind of official statement this week regarding their position on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD optical disc players going forward. And frankly, my expectation is that they are indeed going to announce that they plan to no longer make them.

There are a number of possible reasons for this. As we all know, optical disc physical media is now a niche format and not the mainstream way most people are consuming their entertainment. The desktop and laptop computer business has long since opted to stop including optical disc drives in their hardware offerings. And we know that Sony has revealed they’re no longer going to distribute their PlayStation game titles on optical discs. That strongly suggests the forthcoming PlayStation 6 may not include an optical disc drive.

Why would Sony make such a decision? Keep in mind, the parts supply chain for manufacturing optical disc drives is getting more fragile and less profitable, which only encourages suppliers to pivot to more profitable manufacturing. [Read on here...]

More good stuff for you today…

First, Dr. Jahnke has posted a BD review of Sony’s The Big Gundown, a great spaghetti western from 1966 directed by Sergio Sollima. Sounds like the disc and its extras are pretty swell too. Don’t miss it.

Also today, our own Michael Coate has posted an update of his History, Legacy & Showmanship column from back on November – It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Retrospective – with a great roundtable interview from some of the folks involved in the film’s restoration and Criterion’s fine new Blu-ray release, including Karen Stetler, the Criterion Blu-ray Disc producer; Robert A. Harris, the restoration/reconstruction producer; Karen Sharpe-Kramer, the widow of producer-director Stanley Kramer; and the team that recorded the audio commentary track: Mark Evanier, Michael Schlesinger, and Paul Scrabo. It’s a great read, so I highly recommend that you give it a look. [Read on here…]

Today being a work holiday here in the States, things are a bit slow news-wise, but we do have some good stuff for you nevertheless…

First, our own Tim Salmons has posted a review of Disney’s new Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray Disc. Sounds like it’s loaded with content and the quality is excellent. Do check it out.

Also today, Doogan has updated his Gripe Soda column with another weekly installment of Doogan’s Queue, running down all of the great Blu-ray and DVD titles that street tomorrow.  [Read on here…]

Let’s get right down to business…

Today’s big story is the revelation (due to Dr. Jahnke’s inquisitive Internet wanderings) that Orson Welles’ 1947 film noir, The Lady from Shanghai, is officially coming to Blu-ray in the States as an exclusive Blu-ray/DVD Combo available only from TCM Shop!  [Read on here…]

Holy Disc-a-rama, Batman!

We’ll have more on this in the days and weeks ahead, as official press announcements get made, but Conan O’Brien just tweeted a picture of himself with the original TV Batmobile and word that Warner Home Video is releasing the classic Adam West/Burt Ward Batman TV series on disc (presumably both Blu-ray and DVD) in 2014!

Our sources are telling us this is the real deal, and our friends over at TV Shows on DVD have apparently heard the same thing.  [Read on here...]

We’ve got a quick announcement news rundown for you today…

Warner Home Video will release Tom and Jerry: Mouse Trouble on DVD on 2/18. The 2-disc set will feature 30 shorts, including Down and Outing, Tee For Two, Rock ‘n’ Rodent, Jerry, Jerry, Quite Contrary, Bad Day at Cat Rock, Love Me, Love My Mouse, Is There a Doctor in the Mouse?, Hockey Schtick, Little School Mouse, Designs on Jerry, Mouse Trouble, Down Beat Bear, Jerry and the Lion, Mouse For Sale, Prehisterics, Jackhammered Cat, Tomcat Superstar, Little Big Mouse, Cat Show Catastrophe, Don’t Bring Your Pet to School Day, Cry Uncle, Cat Got Your Luggage?, Feeding Time, Summer Squashing, Salt Water Tabby, The Invisible Mouse, DJ Jerry, Game of Mouse and Cat, Zent Out of Shape, and Kitty Foiled.  [Read on here…]

Our very own Dr. Adam Jahnke has posted a new review of Ziad Doueiri’s The Attack on Blu-ray Disc. The title is now available from Cohen Media Group. Sounds like an interesting film, so do check it out.

In announcement news today, Universal has set Continuum: Season Two for BD and DVD release on 3/25. Extras will include commentary with the cast and crew on most episodes and the Continuum: Behind the Scenes featurette. They also have Psych: The Complete Eighth Season coming on DVD only on 4/1, with podcasts, extended scenes and more.   [Read on here…]

We’ve got a BIG post for you guys today. Let’s start with some new release announcements…

First up, Warner Home Video has finally announced a pair of catalog Blu-ray titles to get excited about: The Big Red One and Memphis Belle are on the way on 5/16 (SRP $19.98 each). [Editor’s Note: We’ve checked with Warner Home Video sources and have confirmed that The Big Red One contains a remastered version of the film’s 113-minute Theatrical Cut in HD and – as a ‘special feature’ – the 169-minute Reconstruction version in SD only as well. That’s official, so FYI and make your plans accordingly.] Check out the cover artwork below. One assumes that any extras that were on the DVDs will carry over. [Read on here…]

Okay, we’ve got a couple more good things for you today…

First up, in case you missed it yesterday, I posted my review of CBS’ Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Three on Blu-ray Disc last night.  If you’re a fan of the series, it’s another excellent release, loaded with new bonus content.  Don’t miss it.  [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got a very quick Rumor Mill post for you this morning, featuring an update on CBS’ anticipated Blu-ray release of Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery.  Don’t miss it.

Speaking of CBS, note that we’ll be back later this afternoon with a review of their new Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Three on Blu-ray Disc.  The set streets today and, if you’re a Trek fan, it’s worth the money.  They’ve packed it with tons of great content, as always.

In announcement news today, Universal has set Dallas Buyers Club for Blu-ray Combo and DVD release on 2/4.  The only extra is a featurette (A Look Inside Dallas Buyers Club).  [Read on here…]