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Digital Leisure Grounds 'Space Ace' HD DVD

Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, High-Def Gaming, Digital Leisure (all tags)

Citing Toshiba's "cessation of support for the format," Digital Leisure has pulled the plug on its planned HD DVD port of the arcade classic 'Space Ace.'

As previously reported, Digital Leisure had announced a dual-format release for 'Space Ace,' with both the HD DVD and Blu-ray due to touch-down on April 8. The company's decision now leaves only the Blu-ray still on track for release.

Also blasted like an asteroid is the "head-to-head" online gaming feature that was to be an exclusive to the HD DVD version. (At press time, Digital Leisure says the Blu-ray version of 'Space Ace' will not be BD-Live enabled. Whether the company plans to reissue the title in the future in a Profile 2.0-compliant version that includes the online gaming component remains to be seen.)

Although the company says it does not plan to issue an official statement regarding its HD DVD support, a company rep tells us that with the cancellation of 'Space Ace,' Digital Leisure is no longer planning any future titles for the format. That leaves 'Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp' (which the company had previously indicated in press materials would see a dual-format release sometime in 2008) also DOA on HD DVD.

As always, we'll keep you posted on all future Digital Leisure announcements as they come to us.

In light of the nixing of 'Space Ace,' we've removed the title's listing from our HD DVD Release Schedule. You'll find complete specs for the Blu-ray version in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 8.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Space Ace (Blu-ray)
Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Space Ace' Rockets to Blu-ray, HD DVD (Feb 06, 2008)

Image Cancels Upcoming HD DVD Slate

Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Image Entertainment (all tags)

Image Entertainment has canceled its entire remaining HD DVD release slate, and says an official announcement ending support for the format is forthcoming.

One of the leading suppliers of independent titles on high-def, Image had previously supported both the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, releasing a variety of music, special interest, and theatrical releases over the past two years.

A company spokesperson tells us that a written press release, due in the next several days, will confirm an end to their HD DVD support. Furthermore, effective immediately, Image has canceled all of the remaining HD DVD titles on its release schedule.

Among the HD DVD titles affected by the change are 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' (originally due April 15), and a spate of IMAX films (which had been set for an April 8 release).

Image's upcoming Blu-ray release schedule will be unaffected by the news.

We'll keep you posted on Image's official exit from the HD DVD format as soon as an announcement is released.

In the meantime, we've removed all of the distributor's upcoming titles from our HD DVD Release Schedule.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Tai Seng Nixes 'Dragon Tiger Gate' HD DVD, Re-Announces for Blu-ray

Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Street Date Changes, Tai Seng (all tags)

Tai Seng has canceled the HD DVD release of 'Dragon Tiger Gate,' and announced that it will instead issue the title on Blu-ray this May.

As we've previously reported, 'Dragon Tiger Gate' was originally scheduled for a February 26 release exclusively on HD DVD. The title will now debut on Blu-ray May 27.

Offering a unique twist on the format-agnostic approach, Tai Seng had said that it planned on "testing the waters" with the HD DVD release of 'Gate,' which had been scheduled to hit shelves the same day as its Blu-ray-only release of 'Initial D' (that title arrived in stores as planned on February 26).

Although Tai Seng has not issued official word of a change in their format-neutral stance, at press time they had no future HD DVD titles planned. We'll keep you posted on any changes to the company's plans as they come to us.

Announced specs for the Blu-ray version of 'Dragon Tiger Gate' appear to best the now-canceled HD DVD version. The BD-50 dual-layer release will boast a Cantonese 7.1 Surround track (bumped up from the 5.1 on the HD DVD), additional English and Mandarin 5.1 mixes, and 1080p video.

Supplements include an audio commentary with the filmmakers, a "making of" documentary, eight additional featurettes, deleted scenes, a still gallery, and domestic and international theatrical trailers (all of which were announced for the HD DVD).

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray is $29.95.

In light of Tai Seng's news, we've added a listing for 'Dragon Tiger Gate' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 27.

We've also set up dedicated threads for both Tai Seng's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Dragon Tiger Gate' Blu-ray release and the (now canceled) 'Dragon Tiger Gate' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dragon Tiger Gate (Blu-ray)
Firefly (Blu-ray)
Initial D (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Dragon Tiger Gate' Coming to HD DVD (Dec 07, 2007)

Paramount Nixes 'There Will Be Blood' HD DVD? (UPDATED)

Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Paramount, DreamWorks (all tags)

UPDATE: 2/25/08, 3:00pm ET Although Paramount has removed 'There Will Be Blood' from its press site as reported below, the title may not in fact be cancelled. According to retail reports, the studio is still planning an April 8th release date, but has put an embargo on release details until March 4. (Details for the standard DVD have also been removed.) Stay tuned...

Though Paramount has yet to detail its Blu-ray transition plans, one of its previously-announced HD DVD titles may not be hitting store shelves as originally planned.

Announced just last week, the April 8th release of 'There Will Be Blood' would likely have been among the biggest titles to hit HD DVD this Spring, but following Paramount's announcement late Thursday that it will re-embrace Blu-ray, the title has quietly been removed from from the studio's official media website.

At press time it wasn't clear whether the apparent cancellation was a direct result of Paramount's move to Blu-ray. As we've previously reported, the studio has yet to provide a timetable for its first Blu-ray releases, nor has it commented on the fate of its upcoming HD DVD slate.

Notably, although 'There Will Be Blood' has been removed, Paramount still lists over a half a dozen HD DVD titles for release through early Spring. Here is a complete list of previously-announced Paramount/DreamWorks titles that remain officially scheduled as of this writing:

February 26: 'Beowulf'
March 4: 'Into the Wild,' 'Things We Lost in the Fire'
March 11: 'Bee Movie'
March 25: 'The Jack Ryan Collection,' 'The Kite Runner'
April 1: 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'

Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on any official announcements from Paramount as they come in.

Thanks to Nick for the tip!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Beowulf: The Director's Cut (2007) (HD DVD)
Into the Wild (HD DVD)
Things We Lost in the Fire (HD DVD)
Bee Movie (Blu-ray)
The Jack Ryan Collection (HD DVD)
American Gangster (Blu-ray)
Beetlejuice (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Paramount Goes Blu (Feb 21, 2008)
Paramount Says 'There Will Be Blood' on HD DVD (Feb 20, 2008)

Paramount Confirms 'Star Trek: Season 2' HD DVD Bump

Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, TV on High-Def, Paramount (all tags)

Paramount has set phasers to "delay" for 'Star Trek: The Original Series - Season Two,' confirming speculation that it has pushed back its planned March HD DVD debut to this Summer.

As we reported last November, Paramount had issued an early alert to retailers of a March 25 landing for the original 'Star Trek's second voyage, which (like the first season set) was expected to receive a lavish HD DVD/DVD combo box set with deluxe packaging and tons of extras.

Now we've heard from the studio that the March date has officially been delayed, with the second season now due "sometime this summer," though no new date has been confirmed. (Unofficial word of a delay for this title first surfaced as early as December, when TVShowsonDVD.com first quoted unnamed sources as saying that the studio "needed more time" to prep the release.)

As a full announce isn't expected for several months, there's no further news on specs or supplements. Needless to say, we'll keep you posted.

In light of the delay, we've moved 'Star Trek: The Original Series - Season Two' to the "Release Dates Postponed" section of our HD DVD Release Schedule.

To discuss this upcoming release with other Trekkies in our Forums area, click the following link to discuss the 'Star Trek: The Original Series - Season Two' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Star Trek: The Original Series - Season Two (HD DVD)
Star Trek: The Original Series - Season One (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Star Trek' Season Two HD DVD Gets a Date (Nov 19, 2007)

Warner Re-Announces 'Song Remains the Same' Blu-ray, HD DVD (UPDATED)

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Warner (all tags)

UPDATE 02/13/08: We've received word from Warner Home Video that the HD DVD version of 'The Song Remains the Same' will fall under its three-week transtion window, and its new street date is now March 18. We've updated our database accordingly.

After a series of street date delays, Warner has announced a late February Blu-ray and HD DVD arrival for the Led Zeppelin's concert classic 'The Song Remains the Same.'

Originally planned for release in November of last year (day-and-date on Blu-ray, HD DVD and standard-def), Warner subsequently delayed 'The Song Remains the Same' on all formats by three weeks. That new December street date didn't last long, however, with the studio again yanking the title from its release schedule only days before it was due to hit stores.

High-def copies of 'The Song Remains the Same' weren't impossible to find, however, as numerous reports surfaced online that Blu-ray and HD DVD stock had still appeared at several online and traditional retailers.

Now Led Zeppelin fans who have been unable to snag an early copy can mark February 26 on their calendars, as Warner will finally bow the long-delayed disc across all formats (according the studio's press announcement, the HD DVD version of 'The Song Remains the Same' will not be affected by the studio's three-week transition window).

Previously announced specs remain unchanged, with both the Blu-ray and HD DVD versions set to include 1080p/VC-1 video and audio options in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.

Supplemental features include over 40 minutes worth of additional material, including never-released performance footage of "Over The Hills And Far Away" and "Celebration Day," plus the bonus cuts "Misty Mountain Hop" and "The Ocean." Other extras include a rare 1976 BBC interview with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, vintage TV footage and the theatrical trailer.

Retail also remains the same, with the Blu-ray and HD DVD listing for a suggested $28.95 each.

You'll find disc details for 'Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under its new date of February 26.

We've also set up dedicated threads for Warner's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same' Blu-ray release and the 'Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Blu-ray)
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Warner Debuts Led Zepplin's 'Song Remains the Same' on Blu-ray, HD DVD (Jul 27, 2007)
Warner Bumps Zeppelin Blu-ray, HD DVD (Sep 20, 2007)
Warner Delays Zeppelin Blu-ray, HD DVD (Dec 11, 2007)

Universal Cancels 'Dazed & Confused,' 'Land of the Dead' HD DVD Re-Issues

Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Universal (all tags)

Sorry, combo haters: Universal has pulled the previously-announced HD DVD non-combo re-issues of 'Dazed & Confused' and 'Land of the Dead' from its high-def schedule.

As we've previously reported, back in December the studio announced plans to re-issue 'Land of the Dead' and 'Dazed & Confused' as HD DVD-only versions on March 11. Both titles had originally been released in 2006 as HD DVD/DVD combos back in 2006, and those versions were expected to go out of print once current retailer inventories were depleted.

Universal gave no reason for the cancellation of the re-issues, but a studio rep tells us they may resurface at some point in the future, and the current combo versions of the titles will remain on the market until further notice.

Given this news, we've moved our listings for the 'Land of the Dead' and 'Dazed & Confused' re-issue versions to the "Street Dates Postponed" section of our HD DVD Release Schedule.

For full details on the HD DVD/DVD combo versions of both titles, you can read our full-length reviews of 'Land of the Dead' and 'Dazed & Confused.'

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dazed and Confused (Combo Edition) (HD DVD)
Land of the Dead (Combo Edition) (HD DVD)
Human Body: Pushing the Limits (Blu-ray)
Land of the Dead (Re-Issue) (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Non-Combo HD DVD Re-Issues Planned For 'Dazed & Confused,' 'Land of the Dead' (Dec 19, 2007)

'Jack Ryan' HD DVD Set Gets a New Date

Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Paramount (all tags)

After a delay of several months, Paramount has set a March re-launch for 'The Jack Ryan Collection' on HD DVD.

As previously reported, the 'Jack Ryan' set was due to hit HD DVD late last October, only to be derailed at the last minute when early copies shipped to retailers and reviewers listed extras on the box that were not found on the actual discs. Paramount subsequently pulled the set, with no new date in sight.

The studio has now rescheduled 'The Jack Ryan Collection' for March 25, but fans hoping for a bumped up package of supplements will be disappointed. The box again contains all four films in the series ('The Hunt for Red October,' 'Patriot Games,' 'Clear & Present Danger,' 'The Sum of All Fears') but it will come without any announced bonus content.

Tech specs remain consistent with the previous release, including 1080p video and audio flavors in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround and Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround.

Suggested retail for the box set also remains a suggested $99.95.

You'll find complete disc details for 'The Jack Ryan Collection' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under its new date of March 25.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Paramount's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the ''Jack Ryan Collection' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Jack Ryan Collection (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Jack Ryan' Special Edition HD DVD Not So Special? (Oct 16, 2007)
Paramount Shuffles Fall Blu-ray, HD DVD Line-Up; 'Face/Off,' 'Jack Ryan Collection' See D (Aug 17, 2007)

Warner Extends HD DVD Release Delay to Catalog Titles

Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, Warner (all tags)

Taking the next step in its transition to Blu-ray exclusivity, Warner has extended its three-week delay on HD DVD releases to include catalog titles.

This move comes only days after the studio announced similar plans for the HD DVD editions of its new release titles, starting with 'The Invasion' and 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.'

At the time, it seemed that catalog titles would continue to be released concurrently on both next gen formats through May, but the studio now tells us that it's expanding its strategy to include catalog titles too, with the HD DVD versions of all of its remaining titles through the June 1 cut-off also receiving a three-week release delay.

The first two titles to officially receive new dates are 'Twister' (with the HD DVD edition pushed back from May 6 to May 27), and 'Bonnie & Clyde' (which sees a bump from March 25 to April 15). The Blu-ray and standard DVD editions will remain unaffected.

Tech specs and supplement details for 'Twister' remain as originally announced, as does the HD DVD's $28.98 list price.

You'll find disc details for 'Twister' and 'Bonnie & Clyde' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where they are now indexed under their new, respective street dates.

We'll keep you posted on any future tweaks to Warner's HD DVD release schedule as they come in.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Twister (Blu-ray)
Twister (HD DVD)
Bonnie & Clyde (Blu-ray)
Bonnie & Clyde (HD DVD)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (HD DVD)
The Invasion (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Warner Outlines HD DVD Separation Plan; Delays 'Invasion,' 'Jesse James' HD DVDs (Jan 11, 2008)
Warner Unleashes 'Twister' Blu-ray, HD DVD Specs (Jan 10, 2008)

Final Specs in for 'Justice League' Blu-ray, HD DVD

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, High-Def Disc Packaging, Warner (all tags)

Warner has unveiled final specs (and an HD DVD delay) for its high-def release of the direct-to-video 'Justice League: The New Frontier.'

As we've previously reported, 'Justice League' will mark the first high definition release from Warner and DC Comics, bringing together Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and a host of other DC Comics heroes in a direct-to-video tale that explores the origins of legendary superteam.

Originally announced for both formats day and date with the standard DVD release on February 26, Warner now says the HD DVD edition will be delayed until March 18. (This move is consistent with the studio's plans to delay all of its previously announced HD DVD titles by three weeks as the first step in its HD DVD separation plan.)

The Blu-ray and standard DVD editions of 'Justice League: The New Frontier' remain on target for Feb 26.

Among the extras shared across all versions are two audio commentaries (the first with the filmmaking team, the second a solo track with comic book writer Darwyn Cooke), the documentaries "The Legion of Doom: The Pathology of the Super Villain," "Comic Book Commentary: Homage to the New Frontier" and "Super Heroes United!: The Complete Justice League History," three bonus episodes of the 'Justice League Unlimited' series ("Dark Heart," "To Another Shore" and "Task Force X"), and a special sneak peek at the upcoming "Batman: Gotham Knight" direct-to-video premiere.

Tech specs include identical 1080p/VC-1 encodes (at 1.78:1) on both the Blu-ray and HD DVD, plus standard Dolby 5.1 Surround tracks (at 640kbps).

Finally, here's a first look at the cover art for the two high-def versions:



As previously announced, Warner has set a suggested list price of $35.98 for each of the Blu-ray and HD DVD versions.

You'll find final specs for 'Justice League: The New Frontier' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where they're indexed under their respective street dates.

We've also set up dedicated threads for DC Comics' first high-def release in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Justice League' Blu-ray release and the 'Justice League' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Justice League: The New Frontier (Blu-ray)
Justice League: The New Frontier (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Direct-to-Video 'Justice League' to Hit Blu-ray, HD DVD (Nov 28, 2007)
Warner Outlines HD DVD Separation Plan; Delays 'Invasion,' 'Jesse James' HD DVDs (Jan 11, 2008)


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