Orginally posted by Faddy;













Ali



Edited By ali on Dec. 10 2001 at 12:09

..original threads;

http://www.zulm.net/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2238

http://www.zulm.net/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2121

.. for a recap Region 2 PAL DVD is being released by Metrodome with confirmed specs of;

Original aspect ratio, anamorphic enhanced
Film running time 176 minutes
Dolby Digital 5.1 Hindi and 2.0 Tamil
English subtitles
Region 0 PAL!
Animated & scored graphics
Trailer
Song selection
2 making of documentaries
Image gallery with radio advert sound bed
Main cast biographies
Director filmography

... Region 1 DVD is supposedly coming from First Look Pictures but no details issued yet and released according to retailers is sometime in March 2002.

Ali



Edited By ali on Dec. 10 2001 at 12:09

heres some additional news from the cd guru newletter i recieve every few weeks :

With DDLJ now available to buy in the run-up to Christmas, two more BIG titles will be available as a pre-order on our site within the coming weeks. The first is this year's blockbuster film 'LAGAAN', which will be manufactured by Columbia Tri-Star. Also, 'ASOKA' will also be available as a pre-order! As mentioned previously, Metrodome are set to release the UK version with DEI still in negotiations for the North American rights!

make of that what u will .......

DEI got the rights for US market!!! :p

Seems many retailers are displaying the running time as 150mins instead of 176mins of the Asoka DVD from Metrodome releasing in Jan 28 2002.

Original info I got and the one on
R2 Project says 176 minutes. But as Asoka appears on pre-orders on Blackstar.co.uk, Play247.com and others - it being stated as 150mins running time.

Metrodome are not replying to emails and it's not been classified for video as yet by the BBFC (current made-up covers state 15, but that's not official as yet), so there's no confirmation for the running time.

Just be wary when ordering :wot:

Ali



Edited By ali on Dec. 12 2001 at 23:19

Are you sure?... is this good news or bad? ???

If they have got Asoka, it’s more bad news than good me reckons. DEI standard have drop considerably in the last few releases and they can't fix that squashed video problem - come on - even a monkey would have guessed by now how to fix it! :sly:

Unless this is collectors dual disc with considerable extras the it might be worth a look. Then are they really going to release it ...hmmmm :sleep:

Ali

Hi Ali! this news is from a reliable source! but you know MK fiasco!!!so!!!
But I think it is a good time to send them a plea/pledge to fix the problems and overcome their short comings!
I don't thing there should be any problem in doing that! You start the thread and we will follow you, for the name of Quality and then it should be forwarded to them with a cover note on behalf of Zulmi! What do u say Man!!

Couple of things DEI needs to fix:
1)Squished video problem
2)Need to use Gold media like before and not silver media (eg. Abhay)
3)Forced menus and advertizing.
4)Stop disabling the buttons, specially the stop button.

And ofcourse continue with the DD 5.1 sound and Original Aspect Ratio Anamorphic video.

Agree with Sanjay points. It's becoming obvious the direction DEI is taking - look at the four points Sanjay made, three of them are money related. Silver media is to decrease costs while forced adverts and disabling the buttons is increase revenue from advertisers. Plus on top of that their website had become another revenue source by selling other trashy brand DVD. Once a company that was associated with quality above all else is today another DVD seller out to make money – while the quality of their own products continues to drop. Point 5 to list would be

5 – frame the video correctly, not just talking about he squashed video problem but the covering the rough top and bottom edge that often show the splice flicker across the screen. This makes the video look very amateurish. Even Eros get this bit right :rolleyes:

Ali

I'm actually surprised that splice flickers still happens on Hindi films as they are edited on AVID which shouldn't present such problems. :sneaky: Is the Hindi film industry cutting corners.....hmmmm

Metrodome is releasing a 169m 3s widescreen/subtitle version of the film (from BBFC site). But it is in PAL format so the running time being a little shorter might have been due to the x4 speed up.

Just to add to my post from earlier, is the difference between 'gold' & 'silver' media really that much? I can't imagine the difference in cost being all that much. Regarding the forced advertisements and disabling of buttons, personally I think that in itself is a major reason for people actually preffering the pirated stuff. Atleast with pirated DVDs they have control over their own players. The best thing one can do to fight piracy, is to make the original product available in a timely manner. And more importantly to make the original product, much better in terms of quality and content that the merits of buying an original DVD would become obvious. Rather than the other way around.

PS: the following is the email address of a gentleman by the name of 'Sandish'. He is personally involved in DEI, albeit in what capacity I am not sure. I had several communications with him up until a year and a half ago regarding DEI DVDs. Based on my experience he is a person who is open to good ideas and constructive criticism. Maybe we should all email him on these issues.
Email --> SMann0361@aol.com



Edited By Sanjay on Dec. 14 2001 at 03:05

Thanks Sunny - that’s the confirmation I was looking for - it must have appeared some time today on the BBFC site;

Asoka info on BBFC

...hopefully if Metrodome get the video and sound right this will be the version to get.

Ali

I would say it has to be substantial difference other wise companies won't use them. The way DVD discs are replicated in huge quantities the difference could be considerable. Say to replicate 10,000 gold discs could cost anything from $1.30 to $2.00 while silver disc cost between $0.90 and $1.50 – work out the price difference in quantity of 10,000 disc and it a fair sum.

But I don’t think this gold/silver disc issue is all that important. I’m sure these silver DVD disc come in different grades too – not all discs used by different DVD replication outfits are the same. Its the same scenario with CDR media. Only a few manufactures actually make CDR media – but they make different grade levels – that effect the price and ultimate the quality of the disc (in terms of scratch surface, durability and reflection of bottom surface). In fact many Region 1 DVD makers have used silver discs quite regularly now – most region 2 disc are silver now – but these are usually good quality silver discs. Problem arises when you go from one extreme to the other – i.e. using good quality gold discs to the cheaper quality silvers discs! In the end it is a cost cutting exercise but when you cuts costs to the extreme it does effect you’re product and reputation – then it becomes false economy in the long run.

Ali

Silver discs are primarily only used for movies that have a running time of less than 110 min and that do not require a second layer. For a film that requires a dual layer the recommended media is 'gold' only, due to the higher reflectivity required.

Actually there are quite a few manufacturers of blank media now. You are right about the fact that even the silver media is available in a wide range of quality. Ranging from decent to absolutely crap (aka what Video Sound uses). I agree with your statement that if silver media 'has' to be used, then atleast decent quality silver media should be used. Rather than going to the extremes of poor quality as an excercise in cost cutting, which is only being penny wise and pound foolish.

PS: The following is the email address of a gentleman by the name of 'Sandish'. He is personally involved in DEI, albeit in what capacity I am not sure. I had several communications with him up until a year and a half ago regarding DEI DVDs. Based on my experience he is a person who is open to good ideas and constructive criticism. Maybe we should all email him on these issues.
Email --> SMann0361@aol.com



Edited By Sanjay on Dec. 14 2001 at 17:02