About those Aussie DVD's...

[happyheathen]

Do we odering/pricing/shipping info from them yet?

It seems to me that, if we buy these, then, maybe, WB will see that a real market exists, and may decide to try the waters themselves. (or the Aussies will expand their product line).

At the very least, it beats a do-it-yourself transfer to DVD.

dave

[Brian Cruz]

Doesn't Australia use the PAL format? I don't think they would play on an American NTSC DVD player or TV.

[Jack]

Nope, no reply yet.


Jack

[ChrisWinston]

Originally posted by happyheathen
It seems to me that, if we buy these, then, maybe, WB will see that a real market exists, and may decide to try the waters themselves. (or the Aussies will expand their product line).

At the very least, it beats a do-it-yourself transfer to DVD.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question. The answer is no! Well, that's my opinion...

I think WB could absolutely, positively 99.99% care less if these DVD's sell 1,000 or 100,000. Either way i don't think it'll alter their course of action one tiny bit, whatever that course of action may be. These DVD's are small potatos (or potatoes if you're Dan Quayle) compared to an official WB release.

Why buy them? Ask yourself, "Self, do i need these?" No. You need food and shelter... no one needs DVD's.

So that means you want them, right? Maybe you do and if you do why do you want them? Because it would be cool to have Bugs Bunny on DVD? Yes, it would, but from the right source: WB and with all the fixin's.

If, for some .01% reason, WB does notice how these Australian DVD's sell, then buying them could be a bad thing. Mayhaps WB'll think it'll be okay to release compilations only, leaving some tunes to be forgotten forever. (Some? Sheesh, i could see 'em dumping half of 'em.) They'll be thinking: "Why release the entire collection? If more people are buying those DVD's than writing us about getting the entire collection then they must be happy with just compilations."

I say take a stand, don't buy these, wait, live off your crummy VHS for awhile longer and, most importantly, write a letter to WB. Write them and tell 'em you're thinkin' about getting these DVD's but you really don't wanna support some "bootleg" type of inferior product and you'd rather spend your money on a much better official Complete & Uncut Collection from them (with all the fixin's, of course.) Someone said in that Simpsons DVD thread of mine that the best things come to those who wait. Yes, well, i say that is true but the wait could be a little shorter and a little easier if we all take part in the process of getting the Complete & Uncut LT & MM Collection released. A small part it would be but quite possibly an important one. Let your voice be heard. Bugs would be proud!

(Oh, and a do-it-yourself transfer to DVD? Surely, you jest.)

[Patrick McCart]

I truly think WB is working on new transfers. They really put a lot of love into their DVD's recently. I don't have one dissapointing DVD from WB (I have Casablanca, North By Northwest, Ben-Hur, Blazing Saddles, Superman, Amadeus, and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.)

WB recently put out a great STANLEY KUBRICK collection with 6 new transfers of films and a 2 hour documentary. No other studio pays this much attention to classic films than WB. (Disney doesn't count because their forced trailers and censorship take away 1,000 points...)

WB spent 3 years restoring Citizen Kane JUST for DVD and is releasing a special edition of Willy Wonka soon.

Here's the reasons why WB is taking their time:

1. Cleaning up the master film prints
2. Finding original versions
3. Remastering the sound (Book Review....in 5.1 Dolby Digital!)
4. Producing supplmental material (There's lots of it...)
5. Waiting for other videos to go out of print.

There's about a 1000 cartoons, so that's a LOT of film to prepare for DVD...

[ChrisWinston]

Originally posted by Patrick McCart
I truly think WB is working on new transfers. They really put a lot of love into their DVD's recently....
Here's the reasons why WB is taking their time:

1. Cleaning up the master film prints
2. Finding original versions
3. Remastering the sound (Book Review....in 5.1 Dolby Digital!)
4. Producing supplmental material (There's lots of it...)
5. Waiting for other videos to go out of print.

There's about a 1000 cartoons, so that's a LOT of film to prepare for DVD...

Oh, man, i totally don't doubt WB's competency. And i'm not sitting at the edge of my seat 24/7 waiting impatiently for an on-sale date. I'd much rather they take their sweet time to put together a sweet product. What IS on my mind is whether or not they're gunna skimp on quantity. 1,000 cartoons is a lotta discs. Concerned is what i am that they're not gunna care if all they release is well put together compilations. Bleh! I'm not the only one who wants to see ALL the cartoons preserved in one big ol' set (or many volumes or one big set and many volumes, take your pick) ... "From Warner Bros., with love, thanks for being patient, thanks for enjoying our cartoons, as un-PC and possibly racially sensitive as some may be, here they ALL are for you to enjoy - The Complete & Uncut Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies Collection."

I just feel we've gotta tell 'em, they've got to know -
"Please, WB, ALL of 'em!"

[hippety hopper]

HELP!
I'm a bit slow when it comes to finding info so.....

Whats on these DVD's,I ask because I have a PAL DVD player(Being in europe as I'am) so I could play them on my player.
If its just a collection of cartoons in any old order I'll pass I still believe Warner will have the sence to release their libary sooner or later.

HELP!

[Brian Cruz]

You can find information about these DVDs here:

http://www.users.bigpond.com/bruiser...nes/index.html

[hippety hopper]

Thanx for the link Brian!

After reading their info I don't think I'll bother getting them,Firstly its to much trouble to order them all the way from australia(Thats half way around the world from me).Secondly I have faith in WB releasing some sort of Looney tunes DVD's sooner or later and untill then I'm all right just watching Cartoon network for my toons(I think).

[happyheathen]

Originally posted by hippety hopper
I have a PAL DVD player(Being in europe as I'am) so I could play them on my player.

HELP!

DVD's are not PAL, SECAM, or NTSC - it is a unique system of storing A/V signals.

They CAN be encoded to play only on certain machines - designated by geographical area ('Regions') - this assumes that nobody would make a machine that ignores region codes (I have one that says it can - can't wait to try)

So, when it come to DVD's is NOT 'what format?' it is 'What Region (if any)?'

Ah gets weary, and sick of tryin'
Ah'm tired of livin', and scared of dyin'...

dave

[Brian Cruz]

Sorry, but you're wrong. Knowledge is power. Read this, and join the enlightened ones:

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.19

[The Dork Knight]

Since Blazing Saddles is on DVD, I was wondering if Brooks other classics Young Frankenstein and Robin Hood Men In Tights are also on DVD.

[happyheathen]

Originally posted by Brian Cruz
Sorry, but you're wrong. Knowledge is power. Read this, and join the enlightened ones:

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.19

I checked, this is what I found:

[1.10] What are "regional codes," "country codes," or "zone locks"?
Motion picture studios want to control the home release of movies in different countries because theater releases aren't simultaneous (a movie may come out on video in the U.S. when it's just hitting screens in Europe). Also, studios sell distribution rights to different foreign distributors and would like to guarantee an exclusive market. Therefore they required that the DVD standard include codes that can be used to prevent playback of certain discs in certain geographical regions. Each player is given a code for the region in which it's sold. The player will refuse to play discs that are not coded for its region. This means that discs bought in one country may not play on players bought in another country. Some people believe that region codes are an illegal restraint of trade, but there have been no legal cases to establish this.

Regional codes are entirely optional for the maker of a disc. Discs without region locks will play on any player in any country. It's not an encryption system, it's just one byte of information on the disc that the player checks. Some studios originally announced that only their new releases would have regional codes, but so far almost all Hollywood releases play in only one region. Region codes are a permanent part of the disc, they won't "unlock" after a period of time. Region codes do not apply to DVD-Audio.

There are 8 regions (also called "locales"). Players and discs are often identified by the region number superimposed on a world globe. If a disc plays in more than one region it will have more than one number on the globe.
1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
3: Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean
5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
6: China
7: Reserved
8: Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
(See the map at <www.unik.no/~robert/hifi/dvd/world.html>.)

Technically there is no such thing as a region 0 disc or a region 0 player. There is such thing as an all-region disc. There are also all-region players. Some players can be "hacked" with special command sequences from the remote control to switch regions or play all regions. Some players can be physically modified ("chipped") to play discs regardless of the regional codes on the disc. This usually voids the warranty, but is not illegal in most countries. (The only thing that requires player manufacturers to region-code their players is the CSS license. See 1.11) On Feb. 7, 2001, NASA sent two multiregion DVD players to the International Space Station.

Some discs from Fox, Buena Vista/Touchstone/Miramax, MGM/Universal, Polygram, and Columbia TriStar contain program code that checks for the proper region setting in the player. (There's Something About Mary and Psycho are examples.) In late 2000, Warner Bros. began using the same active region code checking that other studios had been using for over a year. They called it "region code enhancement" (RCE, also known as REA), and it received much publicity. RCE was first added to discs such as The Patriot and Charlie's Angels. "Smart discs" with active region checking won't play on code-free players that are set for all regions (FFh), but they can be played on manual code-switchable players that allow you to change the region using the remote control. They may not work on auto-switching players that recognize and match the disc region. (It depends on the default region setting of the player. An RCE disc has all its region flags set so that the player doesn't know which one to switch to, then it queries the player for the region setting and aborts if it's the wrong one. A default player setting of region 1 will fool RCE discs from region 1. Playing a region 1 disc for a few seconds will set most auto-switching players to region 1 and allow them to play an RCE disc.) When an RCE disc detects the wrong region or an all-region player, it will usually put up a message saying that the player may have been altered and that the disc is not compatible with the player. A serious side effect is that some legitimate players fail the test, such as the Fisher DVDS-1000.

There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when RCE first appeared, but DVD fans quickly learned that it only affected some players. Makers of player modification kits that didn't work with RCE soon modified their chips to get around it. For every higher wall there is a taller ladder. See DVDTalk's RCE FAQ for more info and workarounds.

Information about modifying players and buying region-free players can be found on the Internet (at sites such as Code Free DVD, Region Free DVD, dvdkits.com, DVD Upgrades, DVD In the World, DVDoverseas, Link Electronics, PlanetDVD, 7thZone, Techtronics, Upgrade Heaven, and <www.brouhaha.com/~eric/video/dvd/>; for Mac: DVD Utilities for Macintosh) and in the rec.video.dvd newsgroups (searchable at Deja.com). There's more codefree player info at DVDCity.

[Brian Cruz]

Both region coding and video format need to be taken into account when figuring out if a DVD will play on any given machine. The Australian LT DVDs may be region-free, but if they use the PAL video format, they won't play on a regular American NTSC DVD player. There was in fact a DVD player by a no-name company called Apex that had a NTSC/PAL conversion feature, but I don't know if it's still available.

[PlopKat]

Gotlucky64 asked:

Since Blazing Saddles is on DVD, I was wondering if Brooks other classics Young Frankenstein and Robin Hood Men In Tights are also on DVD.

I've seen Young Frankenstein, History Of The World Part 1, and Spaceballs in the stores on DVD. According to Amazon.com, The Twelve Chairs is also available.


-PlopKat

[Fred Hatfield]

Originally posted by ChrisWinston



(Oh, and a do-it-yourself transfer to DVD? Surely, you jest.)

Not 'far-fetched' at all!

I've been doing this for over a year now.
My entire cartoon collection is on CDR in
MPEG2 format right now.

The major expense is a digital video card
like the DAZZLE II. The card costs about
the same as a high-quality VCR, but once you
have one you can save 3 or 4 seven minute
cartoons on one cheap CDR in DVD quality.
CDRs can be purchased for anywhere from 50
to 9 cents at most large computer stores.

I think this method of storage will eventually
replace video tape and we can swap individual
cartoons easily.

Fred.

[ChrisWinston]

Originally posted by Fred Hatfield

My entire cartoon collection is on CDR in
MPEG2 format right now.

The major expense is a digital video card
like the DAZZLE II. The card costs about
the same as a high-quality VCR, but once you
have one you can save 3 or 4 seven minute
cartoons on one cheap CDR in DVD quality.
CDRs can be purchased for anywhere from 50
to 9 cents at most large computer stores.

The "method" you mention, i think, is for maybe, oh, like only a mere 5 to 10% of everyone who has ever posted and who ever will post to these message boards. That's too advanced for most people, not that they couldn't figure it out, more like most people could care less.

Why do that anyway when all the LT/MM's will be on DVD... hopefully. And if they won't be, God forbid, affordable DVD-R isn't too far away. More people would rather have simplicity i.e. hooking up their VCR to DVD-R than to their computer and have to deal with MPEG's and video card and such.

Two more points - you say 3 or 4 cartoons per CDR? DVD-R is able to hold 30 to 40. How much will blank DVD-R's cost? Don't know but i'd rather spend the extra $ for more cartoons on less discs.

And finally, i know when you record an analog cassette tape to either CDR or Digital Audio Tape, the quality will NOT improve. The same is true for recording VHS to DVD-R... you will NOT have DVD quality. As far as VHS into your computer and making the cartoon into an MPEG, well, i dunno if you can make the quality better using software but even if you can, like i already said, that's too much for a lot of people. I use my computer for email, the internet, and occasionally to listen to a CD... i'm sure i'm not the only who has no interest in any more than that.

"I think this method of storage will eventually
replace video tape and we can swap individual
cartoons easily."

Maybe i'm wrong but wouldn't swapping cartoons be illegal? That's really not my point, though.

Your CDR MPEG method of storing cartoons as an alternative to VHS might work for you but you're in a very, VERY small & exclusive club that isn't going to grow much at all.

DVD-R will replace VHS.

[happyheathen]

Originally posted by ChrisWinston

Two more points - you say 3 or 4 cartoons per CDR? DVD-R is able to hold 30 to 40. How much will blank DVD-R's cost? Don't know but i'd rather spend the extra $ for more cartoons on less discs.

Pioneer makes a video DVD burner for PC's - for about $4500 on ebay
Blanks run $20-22

and, yes swapping of copyrighted material is Illegal.
(Gasp! Horrors!)

[Fred Hatfield]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ChrisWinston
[B][/i]

The "method" you mention, i think, is for maybe, oh, like only a mere 5 to 10% of everyone who has ever posted and who ever will post to these message boards. That's too advanced for most people, not that they couldn't figure it out, more like most people could care less.

Why do that anyway when all the LT/MM's will be on DVD... hopefully. And if they won't be, God forbid, affordable DVD-R isn't too far away. More people would rather have simplicity i.e. hooking up their VCR to DVD-R than to their computer and have to deal with MPEG's and video card and such.

You make some good points. This is a new approach for storing and retrieving graphic material just as the advent of the VCR changed cartoon collecting from film to video -- the same arguments applied in those days to that 'emerging technology' when so few collectors could afford a vcr.

My response was to the comment about:

(Oh, and a do-it-yourself transfer to DVD? Surely, you jest.)

It IS possible.

Two more points - you say 3 or 4 cartoons per CDR? DVD-R is able to hold 30 to 40. How much will blank DVD-R's cost? Don't know but i'd rather spend the extra $ for more cartoons on less discs.

I certainly don't disagree with that! I'm comparing the CDR media with videotape. Videotape images will eventually fade and degenerate so saving these classic cartoons on CDR will preserve your collection for at least a human generation longer with no loss of quality.

And finally, i know when you record an analog cassette tape to either CDR or Digital Audio Tape, the quality will NOT improve. The same is true for recording VHS to DVD-R... you will NOT have DVD quality. As far as VHS into your computer and making the cartoon into an MPEG, well, i dunno if you can make the quality better using software but even if you can, like i already said, that's too much for a lot of people. I use my computer for email, the internet, and occasionally to listen to a CD... i'm sure i'm not the only who has no interest in any more than that.


If you think about the difference between an analog photo camera that puts images on film and a digital camera that allows images to be stored in your computer, you will note that 'massaging' of a digital image DOES allow you to somewhat change the quality. The same is true for moving images.

It is as easy to record digitally direct from the TV signal/image and surpass the quality of a VCR recording the same thing. The reproduction quality of the final CDR is DVD quality and will surpass the image of any VCR. The added advantage of easy filing and storage, lossless infinite reproduction, frame-by-frame stepping forward and backward, editing, etc. gives the cartoon collector a definite resource he didn't have before.

"I think this method of storage will eventually
replace video tape and we can swap individual
cartoons easily."

Maybe i'm wrong but wouldn't swapping cartoons be illegal? That's really not my point, though.

I may be wrong, but I think scholarly studies and research on this art form would possibly fall under the 'fair use' doctrine. If not, I may have to turn myself in... :-)

Your CDR MPEG method of storing cartoons as an alternative to VHS might work for you but you're in a very, VERY small & exclusive club that isn't going to grow much at all.

You may be right. But the only action required here is the purchase of a digital video card. Most people already have a CD burner. The rest is not much different that trying to save and edit on a VCR.

In the meantime, I can store my present collection of almost 2000 cartoons limited by dates up to 1950's in two boxes that I can carry and store easily. Not only do I have great DVD quality copies, I have multiples of many titles that can eventually be edited and patched and possibly 'un-censored' someday.

Compare a videotape that can store 20 or so cartoons in the best quality with the same number of cheap CDRs to save the same amount.


DVD-R will replace VHS.

Possibly -- there have been some great strides in MPEG4 technology that currently allow greater than 2 hours storage in close-to DVD quality on CDRs. You can do that now. If it comes down to a choice between a medium that cost 10 cents and one that costs 30 dollars, which would offer the greates potential?

Thanks for the detailed post on this subject.

[Larry T]

I completely agree with Fred. I have tons of cartoons recorded on videotapes that are roughly 15-20 years old which are not getting any clearer as time goes on. Also, a lot of them are television recordings and film shoots of cartoons that I severely doubt will get released on any DVD box set in their original conditions again. I also really worry that one day I will go to watch them and my VCR will get hungry enough to take a bite out of my tapes.

In addition, what the digital computer age has allowed me to do is take multiple copies of cartoons I have and re-edit them together digitally and make the perfect archive version. (I'm currently working on the Tom and Jerrys because we already know by MGM's recent submission that they won't be ever released with their original tracks, or even uncensored, on DVD... just take a look at the new releases).

I work with an S-VHS deck and can capture digitally at the same quality into my computer. I have not yet done a cartoon that hasn't looked better once I've finished with it- there are several digital stabilizing filters and effects that one can apply to enhance the colour and image to the final products (what kind of production standards do you think you're seeing on CN these days?).

I think what Fred is describing is a way to archive a cartoon he has before it degrades too much to ever be restored by the time a common household method of preserving multimedia is available. It can always be retrieved later and re-exported to whatever medium will be able to accomplish this kind of thing.

Plus for someone born in the late 20s who is so ready to embrace the modern methods of technology, all I can say to him is "WAY TO GO, FRED!!!