By the way here's something else that Steve Sansweet said regarding HD-DVD releases of the movies...

Steve Sansweet @ ComicCon 2006:

No, we've not even begun to discuss the HD-DVD's, I mean, they have just started to release some of the machines that will play the HD-DVDs, and the market penetration is so small right now that I think it's going to be years before we get there. But it will happen...

You know something may come along might come along, you know I can't say it will happen for sure. You know something might come along in the next two years that we're not even thinking of, and HD will become one of those short term phenomenon like laserdiscs, and all of a sudden everyone will be making "video cubes" for the next format machine, so it's really hard to say.

We have no current plans, but we're always looking at the market. We're always taking soundings about what the fans want, is the market big enough? what are we gonna do? So obviously we're looking at it, but absolutely no decision about it has been made.

It's funny he says that, because laserdiscs were around for the better part of 20 years.

Sansweet @ Comic Con Fan Club "Breakfast" on July 18, 2006:

"There are about a thousand high-definition DVD players that have been sold in the US today. I sure wouldn't buy one, because it's the same Beta vs. VHS thing. Two different formats is ridiculous, and until the manufacturers can get their act together and come up with one standard, it's going to be a very confused market.

My fear is that it is going to be the same thing as the laserdisc market, and some new technology is going to come along that everyone agrees on, and all of a sudden HD-DVDs the way they are now are going to be a dead thing.

As you saw, we did not release Star Wars on DVD right away because the market wasn't there. So you really have to have a market there. It doesn't have to be a mature market, but there has to be a market where there are enough players out there where it makes sense to release your discs and at least cover the costs. So, we're looking at the market, but there's absolutely nothing on the calendar now for an HD-DVD in any kind of specific way."

[web]http://www.starwars.com/community/event/con/f20060718/indexp9.html[/web]

I guess that means we'll be able to pick up the trilogy on Blu-Ray in about 5 years.

Visits to Rancho Obi-Wan series

"There are six segments in the can, three of which we've seen. We have one editor who does a wonderful job of shooting and editing them. And the plan is to shoot the next six, as long as people like them, in the next two months or so."


Sorry to distract from the topic at hand, but what is this?

These retarded Hyperspace videos where Sansweet shows people toys.

Oh. And here I was thinking/hoping it'd be something worthwhile.

Thanks.

There's a possibility that we'll see STAR WARS on one of the Hi-Def formats within the next 5 years, but a lot has to happen.

There is an ugly format war brewing (I say brewing because there are so few machines and even fewer titles available that it's not really on the mainstream consumer radar ) and technically everything is a mess.

While LaserDisc was indeed around for about 20 years, it really was a niche format. It was for movie nerds and hi-tech gadget gurus - you know, the audience that totally embraced STAR WARS! LFL embraced the LD format right away, and the Definitive Edition LD boxset was a benchmark in the format.
I've always felt that their late entry into DVD was more due to piracy concerns and less the concern about a strong consumer base.

Interesting theory. You're probably right, considering how many times we were told there wouldn't be any DVDs until the prequel trilogy was completed.

Lucas and Co have stated that the main reason why the DVDs were released prematurely was because of DVD piracy. In fact, as one may recall hat originally Lucas has stated that the intiallly the DVDs was were going to be released after Episode III was out as some sort of set.

The rumors of the 2004 DVDs didn't start happening until late fall 2003, with them being confirmed in February 2004... mere months before they were officially released. Which means LFL can whip something up really fast in relative terms if they wanted.

The "never ever" statements made by Lucas and LFL mean nothing. The 2004 DVDs are examples of LucasFilm saying one thing only to do another later on.

That's such a strange stance to take, because SW was released on laserdisc and did sell.
If he'd have used a betamax/VHS comparison, then fair enough.

Availability and the marketing of titles is usually what contributes to a new platform being successful or not - not people sat around twiddling their thumbs waiting to see which technology "takes off".

Seems to me it is more likely that LFL have a DVD release to milk first - they don't want people holding out for a future release on another format at this juncture.

The only way your going to get the starwars movies in HD is when they become available to record from HDTV, or find one to bittorent when it becomes available.

Lets not kid ourselves starwars will be availble in HD. most likely on bluray. The good news is there are now reports that a dual HD dvd / bluray player is currently under construction. The exact manufacturer escapes me but I will try and find the article to confirm. What this means is we may see the two HD formats suceed and you will be able to purchase either format and watch it on the one player.

I know Samsung and LG were reported to be planning on releasing a dual-format player...
They've both been backpeddling a bit, but the Samsung one was back on and expected before the end of the year "if HD-DVD proves as successful as blu-ray" last I heard.
Dunno - all sounds a bit iffy to me...

Heres a small article about it... http://amd.blog.vnunet.com/2006/03/15/l ... ual_b.html

Although its from March 15, 2006