Has anyone heard (or know) why these 'big' titles are not available on DVD?

I have the video versions, but seeing them on a big projector screen is a bit of a disappointment...

I initially heard that Mr Spielberg favours DIVX, but seeing that some of his other films are available (or soon to be) on DVD, what's his reasons now?

Anybody lives near Steve, George, Jim or Mel? Care to give them a call? :-D

Jurassic Park: This is a Spielberg title, and he's holding out his "bigger" titles for a while. I hear it is possible it'll be out this year, as some of his other titles are making their way to DVD.

Titanic: Paramount/Cameron's waiting for DVD-18 technology (dual sided/dual layered) before they'll release it. The first DVD-18 title by another company has been announced for September, so we should see it between August and December.

Star Wars: No logical reason for delay -- except money and timing around The Phantom Menace. Will probably be a Christmas '99 release, but could be out sooner.

Braveheart: Latest rumors place this as a July '99 release by Paramount.

Wow...I'm impressed....What other goss do you have? :-D

Daniel, will the current DVD players be able to play DVD 18 titles? Thanks.

Bevan: Yup, all DVD players can read DVD-18. DVD-9, which is single side, dual layer can already be played and as a DVD-18 is basically two DVD-9's bonded back-to-back there's no technical problem. As with dual sided discs (one layer per side, DVD-10) you'll still have to flip them to access side B. But that's 18gb worth of data on one disc - over 8 hours of video!

The real problem with DVD-18 is that manufacturing capacity just isn't up to snuff. I believe the current numbers are only 5000 pressings a day - and with something like Titanic you're going to need a heck of a lot of discs! One thing to remember is that originally DVD-9 discs were in the same boat with low yelds, but as demand increased so did production. Right now they're commonplace, even for films that don't really need the capacity.

Thanks Daniel! :-)

I don't know if you found out yet.
Leonard Maltin asked George Lucas when and his answer was that he wants it to be a perfect release including all 6 movies. If he is telling the truth, don't expect them until 2005.

as for spielburg, read the article about him at www.dvdfile.com. this really sheds some light on the subject.

Personally, I think steven's ego (and greed) is getting the best of him and wants to wait for star wars to come out so his titles don't get blown away in terms of sales.

I have heard that the StarWars set (episode 4,5,6) will not be released until next year because the audio is being remastered on Dolby Digital EX (the 6.1 thx/dolby digital scheme).

Lucas and Spielberg have WAY too much control over this industry. They both have got to be crazy to not juno in the DVD bandwagon.

As for DIVX......let it die quickly.

As for latest news, Lucas may not release Star Wars on DVD until the last new movie has been in theaters! I doubt this one though.

Titanic is due out Sept 99, Braveheart soon after.

The real spanner in the works is the Star Wars episodes. If you visit www.dvdfile.com you will see that George Lucas is not yet satisfied with the format, and may even delay transfer until the 6th and final episode has been released!

Just received news from DVD Express that Titanic is due out on 31 August! And they are taking pre-orders!

Dolby Digital EX is kind of funny. Because, If I put a third speaker in the middle wall in the rear of my living room, Ill have an " EX " wife... Wife acceptance factor is low. I predict the majority of consumers passing this one up on the consumer side. A well place pari of rear speakers with adequate power can provide substantial rear imaging. If anything, the original 7.1 configration with two side speakers would be the way to go. I was at Lucas and heard a preview of an Indiana Jone DD remaster. The german plane flew aroud the room, and then passed over head with the bullets going on both sides of us. It was awsome. For the alrge theater, EX has its place, for my home, I pass. Just a thougth off the beaten thread..

I'm just wondering if those DD EX coded DVDs due out later will be downward compatible with DD 5.1?
Unless they start to have films where the dialogue is coming from the back, I can't really justify rushing out and remodelled the house to accomodate the rear centre speaker...just for a few seconds of sound effects.

Dolby Digital EX is not a new discrete channel - it works the same way as the center channel in a Pro Logic system. So, if you don't have the equipment to decode the rear center channel you'll still hear between the left and right rear speakers. It still only has 5.1 discrete channels.

Hi, any definitive word on the release of Braveheart? Also, I know about the Spielberg/Lucas DVD movies on hold. I know, but I don't understand! Also, you have a great site, Daniel. Keep it up!! Thanks! Like most everyone, I've ordered the Titanic DVD, so I look forward to that! Spielberg/Lucas: take note of Cameron!!