Platinum Disc and Echo Bridge label Blu-ray releases

Chris Gerhard · 04-04-2008, 07:22 AM

A discount DVD label is supposedly entering the Blu-ray arena, Platinum Disc. I have a few of their DVD's and don't know what to expect from this company as far as any next generation releases.

Here is a link to the Amazon pre-order for the 2005 TV version "Poseidon Adventure":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nandscathed-20

Echo Bridge Blu-ray releases may already be available, I think "Artie Lange's Beer League" is in consumer's hands. Yes, I know these movies aren't likely going to sell much, but bargain brand Blu-ray should help bring consumers to the format.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_d/...-ray&x=12&y=20

I am sure we need to be concerned about the BDA insisting these prices be raised since both are offering sub $10 releases on Amazon.com. It may be that Echo Bridge and Platinum Disc are new to the BDA and haven't read the memo requiring all members raise prices now that HD DVD will soon be history. It might also be that the prices were going to be less than $5 before the HD DVD status was announced and this reflects the mandatory post HD DVD increase.

Has anybody seen any of these or read any reviews?

Chris

Nikopol · 04-04-2008, 09:08 AM

imo it is a good thing these kind of C-movies are being released by non major studios/labels. It diversifies the software portfolio, something Blu-ray is very much in need of imo.

**bruceames** · 04-04-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

imo it is a good thing these kind of C-movies are being released by non major studios/labels. It diversifies the software portfolio, something Blu-ray is very much in need of imo.

Pretty clever euphemism.

I've never bought a 'no name' DVD that I've been happy with. I bought about 10 or so (most by accident) and they've all been crap transfers, looking like it was recorded off the TV or VHS.

Nikopol · 04-04-2008, 09:26 AM

Sometimes obscure but good films only get released on these kind of labels. But i agree IMO most aren't even worth the plastic they are being pressed on.

MikeRox · 04-04-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

Pretty clever euphemism.

I've never bought a 'no name' DVD that I've been happy with. I bought about 10 or so (most by accident) and they've all been crap transfers, looking like it was recorded off the TV or VHS.

Those Film 4 releases while not top tier HD PQ are certainly better than plenty of big name studios stuff.

MikeRox · 04-04-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

Sometimes obscure but good films only get released on these kind of labels. But i agree IMO most aren't even worth the plastic they are being pressed on.

It's a bit different for us in Europe I suppose, particularly smaller European countries have a heck of a lot of smaller distribution labels rather than big name studios operating.

I certainly have it on good authority that this is the BDAs next priority for Blu-ray as while in the US the indie companies mean nothing, in Europe they have the potential to make or break the format.

**bruceames** · 04-04-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

Those Film 4 releases while not top tier HD PQ are certainly better than plenty of big name studios stuff.

I meant the distributors/replicators, not the movies. One that comes to mind is Madacy entertainment. The movies I bought are generally old classics that belong to Universal, WB or Fox, and they have very low grade PQ, even for an oldie. I remember doing an A-B comparison between it and the VHS tape and couldn't even notice a difference (believe, I wanted to see the difference, as I just paid $10 for it). Perhaps if I tried it again today, I could see a difference, given the upscaling DVD improvements and a much better display.

I'm very happy to own the Film4 movies. The worst of those is probably better than 90% of the entire Blu-ray catolog. I've only watched Touching the Void and I would rate the PQ around 4/5, about average for a movie of it's age (6 years, I think). I haven't checked out the others, but hopefully their transfers are on par with the big boys.

MikeRox · 04-04-2008, 01:26 PM

do the replicators have anything to do with the PQ? I thought they just slapped the "product" onto physical discs?

As for the Film 4 releases. IMO they pretty much constitute the best single day of releases either format has ever hand (and would appear to be having in the forseeable future) 5 absolute must have and timeless titles in 1 day is just incredible tbh, especially from 1 single company, and they're the only 5 HD titles they've ever done.

Out of interest, did you like the HDi logo?

**bruceames** · 04-04-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

do the replicators have anything to do with the PQ? I thought they just slapped the "product" onto physical discs?

As for the Film 4 releases. IMO they pretty much constitute the best single day of releases either format has ever hand (and would appear to be having in the forseeable future) 5 absolute must have and timeless titles in 1 day is just incredible tbh, especially from 1 single company, and they're the only 5 HD titles they've ever done.

Out of interest, did you like the HDi logo?

I'm not sure why Madacy and other off-name replicators turn out crappy looking transfers, but they do.

Yeah sure, I like the HDi logo.

04-04-2008, 07:22 AM	#1
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,163	Platinum Disc and Echo Bridge label Blu-ray releases A discount DVD label is supposedly entering the Blu-ray arena, Platinum Disc. I have a few of their DVD's and don't know what to expect from this company as far as any next generation releases. Here is a link to the Amazon pre-order for the 2005 TV version "Poseidon Adventure": http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nandscathed-20 Echo Bridge Blu-ray releases may already be available, I think "Artie Lange's Beer League" is in consumer's hands. Yes, I know these movies aren't likely going to sell much, but bargain brand Blu-ray should help bring consumers to the format. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_d/...-ray&x=12&y=20 I am sure we need to be concerned about the BDA insisting these prices be raised since both are offering sub $10 releases on Amazon.com. It may be that Echo Bridge and Platinum Disc are new to the BDA and haven't read the memo requiring all members raise prices now that HD DVD will soon be history. It might also be that the prices were going to be less than $5 before the HD DVD status was announced and this reflects the mandatory post HD DVD increase. Has anybody seen any of these or read any reviews? Chris

04-04-2008, 01:26 PM	#8
MikeRox Blu Blu Skies! :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huddersfield, United Kingdom Posts: 12,260	do the replicators have anything to do with the PQ? I thought they just slapped the "product" onto physical discs? As for the Film 4 releases. IMO they pretty much constitute the best single day of releases either format has ever hand (and would appear to be having in the forseeable future) 5 absolute must have and timeless titles in 1 day is just incredible tbh, especially from 1 single company, and they're the only 5 HD titles they've ever done. Out of interest, did you like the HDi logo? __________________ REGION B 4TW! Latest HD additions - I Love You Man - 17 Again - Born on the 4th of July - Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Monsters, Inc. HD Movies - Um... Lost count >_< bout 250 Latest Gaming Additions - Mirrors Edge - Scene It BOS - Wartech: Senko No Ronde - Lego Indiana Jones/Kung Fu Panda 2 pack - Silent Hill

04-04-2008, 09:08 AM	#2
Nikopol Uwe Boll's my hero Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maelstrom Blu-rays: 14 Age: 4 Posts: 6,374	imo it is a good thing these kind of C-movies are being released by non major studios/labels. It diversifies the software portfolio, something Blu-ray is very much in need of imo.

04-04-2008, 09:26 AM	#4
Nikopol Uwe Boll's my hero Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maelstrom Blu-rays: 14 Age: 4 Posts: 6,374	Sometimes obscure but good films only get released on these kind of labels. But i agree IMO most aren't even worth the plastic they are being pressed on.