June 29, 2007

First Hong Kong Blu-Ray Disc Is Infernal Affairs.

(Posted In Action Asia Cult DVD News Drama Random Geek Talk )

infernalblurray.jpegThat is, this is the first 1080p HD stuff out of HK, it seems. No HD-DVD, but a Blu-Ray Disc.

Couple of questions are made relatively clear by the initial reaction to this, primarily it's about how HK (or Megastar, the company releasing this disc) will handle or cope with mastering, because there's been issues with HK in general terms all along and some are worried Megastar will cock this up. Mostly it's been about subs in the past, but early discs image qualities aren't too hot either, although largely often at least seeming to be resolved. A new format means you go through initial instability and uncertainty once again, and are left waiting to see how it all works out with regards a slightly more global perspective in connection with importing from other territories, which places turn out what you're looking for with respect all the various criteria you might have in mind.

More interestingly, for me at least, is the issues as far as double-dipping (I've no intention of doing so) because I will hope for a flood of releases or support for a format that sits alongside or replaces DVD, and the issues as far as the general price point we're likely to see in HK in comparison to the USA. Yes, HK is cheaper, Blu-Ray is generally slightly more expensive at this time, and no I don't want a cheap source of USA films as much as I'll just be interested to see how the format fairs in HK's seemingly more price-driven market, how far down the prices go, what we're likely to find ourselves paying for them.

The Blu-Ray of Infernal Affairs is released in HK July 9th 2007; 16:9 Widescreen 1920x1080p Full HD. Audio : Cantonese (PCM 5.1), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1). Subtitles : Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English. Extras : Audio Commentary, Teaser, Theatrical Trailer, Making Of, Confidential File. Coded for Region A. [Source : AsianDVDGuide].

» Posted by logboy at June 29, 2007 11:15 AM
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Reader Comments

It's a shame that Megastar decided to use a regional code for the disc. :(

» Posted by Affenheimtheaterbesitzer at June 29, 2007 11:54 AM

They kind of have to. Bluray is split into three region. Hong Kong is in Region A, same as the US.

A/1: North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

B/2: Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

C/3: India, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central and South Asia.

I'm definitely buying this. There should be no reason to believe it won't be a quality product.

» Posted by crazybee at June 29, 2007 07:48 PM

@crazybee
They don't have to use regional coding, many BR discs have been released without and are playable worldwide.

» Posted by Affenheimtheaterbesitzer at June 30, 2007 03:54 AM

You may be thinking of HD-DVD...

» Posted by crazybee at June 30, 2007 02:07 PM

No, he's not thinking of HD-DVD. As a Blu-Ray owner, there are some titles that are playable worldwide.

For instance, Paprika, is such a title. AFAIK, it's up to the companies to decide if they want to region-code their BD titles.

» Posted by fausti at June 30, 2007 03:51 PM

Go here to see a list of region free Blu Rays.
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=50447

» Posted by Swarez at July 1, 2007 12:26 AM

You'll find my review of the blu-ray edition posted at DVDBeaver:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews32/infernal_affairs_blu-ray.htm

» Posted by Leonard Norwitz at July 19, 2007 01:55 PM

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