Courtesy of DVD News Flash: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=695103507222783&id=183880418345097
I think he'd really have better luck going with "double feature" Blu-ray discs for some of the films. I'd definitely buy them even as single releases, but he'd almost definitely sell more via the double route at standard prices.
I don't remember the details but as I recall he has a bad track record when doing the transfers himself for DVD. In general there was unnecessarily low compression on titles like Scalps and lots of macro-blocking resulted. In the end I don't imagine these will be much better than a DVD.
A lot of the relatively recent Retromedia DVD titles (Evil Toons, Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, etc.) had horribly low Audio bitrates. Something like 96kbps or 112kbps from what I can remember. Almost every studio (big or budget) encodes at a standard 192kbps. I doubt we'd get anywhere close to lossless audio on any Retromedia Blu-rays! :nervous:
Wait for the reviews. I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with another Full Moon vs. 88 films scenario: Lower quality U.S releases followed by superior UK releases. Just look at the covers. They used the old cheap looking DVD covers instead of going back to original cover art like 88films do. Any great new extras? It all seems half hearted from the beginning. Most Retromedia DVDs were of poor quality so I am expecting the worst. That's why I think one should wait for the first reviews. But who knows, maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised :glasses:
Considering how bad Retromedia often were with the audio tracks on their DVD's, I'm sticking with the 88 Films releases for now. I'll bet anything these won't have lossless audio tracks.
Fred commented on my FB page at one point saying that 88 Films is getting their transfer directly from him.
Sure, 88Films use the same transfers as the US versions, but it´s the encoding and bitrates that always wins over the US discs. Plus, lossless sound compared to lossy.
88 films also got the transfers directly from Full Moon and the 88films Blus still look and sound better than the Full Moon Blus.
Exactly. I'd be interested if Fred will respond on if he's using lossy or lossless sound on his domestic releases... Charles Band just ignored that fact altogether.
The more I think about it, I'm thinking I'll be sticking with my 88Films pre-orders as well, assuming they're region free. I have this weird OCD thing where I feel compelled to stick with the US release when there's an option (unless it's something like Vamp where the US release completely drops the ball), but since I have Slaughterhouse, Splatter University, and Don't Go In The Woods pre-ordered from their slasher line as well, they'll be in good company. Plus, they're already locked in for a decent price.
I have yet to see one single listing for this Blu Ray anywhere online. Let alone pre-orders as I have also not seen any anywhere.
It sounds like Fred Olen Ray has opted to sell these through Amazon as a marketplace seller with Amazon fulfillment. https://www.facebook.com/1135449486...3544948689048/853937497983119/?type=1&theater http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R8FI5OI...L=http://horrordigital.com/vb3forum/index.php