"Trainspotting" on HD DVD from the 30th of March

[The Limey]

I rang Borders yesterday and asked about my order generally for both of these HD DVDs....
I also specifically asked whether these were on HD DVD as opposed to Blu-ray? The Borders Customer Service Rep made it quite clear (after checking) that they were HD DVDs and not Blu-rays or SD DVDs.
Conclusive? Maybe not but definitely more cause for optimism.

[The Limey]

And this email that I received from Channel 4 today pretty much reduces the room for doubt down even more (and probably removes it altogether, especially as I ask in the original email whether they could in fact be Blu-rays or DVDs). Just check out this response:

"Sent Fri 13/02/2009 14:00

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries.

As both Borders and I have told you the Trainspotting and Shallow
Grave special Editions are HD DVD's, therefore, you will be receiving
HD DVD's.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us here at Channel 4
and for your interest in our programming.

Regards,

Sally Smith
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

For information about Channel 4 have a look at our FAQ section at
www.channel4.com/help

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Sally,

I have placed a pre-order for both Shallow Grave and Trainspotting on
HD DVD from Borders.co.uk with a despatch date of the 30th of March.
Can you confirm please that these discs are HD DVDs and not Blu-ray or
DVD? Borders have already said that they are HD DVD but I would also
like some confirmation from yourselves if possible."

[bettzysdaddy]

I'm in for this if it releases on HD DVD. I'm buying up all the HD DVDs I can before committing solely to blu.

[cheez avenger]

And this email that I received from Channel 4 today pretty much reduces the room for doubt down even more (and probably removes it altogether, especially as I ask in the original email whether they could in fact be Blu-rays or DVDs). Just check out this response:

"Sent Fri 13/02/2009 14:00

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries.

As both Borders and I have told you the Trainspotting and Shallow
Grave special Editions are HD DVD's, therefore, you will be receiving
HD DVD's.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us here at Channel 4
and for your interest in our programming.

Regards,

Sally Smith
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

For information about Channel 4 have a look at our FAQ section at
www.channel4.com/help

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Sally,

I have placed a pre-order for both Shallow Grave and Trainspotting on
HD DVD from Borders.co.uk with a despatch date of the 30th of March.
Can you confirm please that these discs are HD DVDs and not Blu-ray or
DVD? Borders have already said that they are HD DVD but I would also
like some confirmation from yourselves if possible."

Seems to be ABUNDANTLY clear.

[The Limey]

Seems to be ABUNDANTLY clear.

Abundantly clear, indeed, with both retailer and manufacturer saying so, these HD DVDs are finally on their way.....
Been quite a stop/ start journey since their cancellation back in June 2008.

[theHDphantom]

I'm definitely down with getting the Shallow Grave HD DVD then!! Thanks for the great news!!

[Cochise]

Abundantly clear, indeed, with both retailer and manufacturer saying so, these HD DVDs are finally on their way.....
Been quite a stop/ start journey since their cancellation back in June 2008.

Well, I hope Borders UK has a much better clue what they're doing than they do in the US - they offered some great prices on HD DVD boxsets on "clearance", left customers waiting for weeks for shipment, only to cancel all the orders as being "out of stock".

And if these are coming out, they certainly need to get a little more realistic on pricing - £21.24 at Borders (only ships within the EU) and £23.99 at DVDsource; at $30 -$35 before shipping, I don't think folks will be crashing their websites with a flood of orders.

[mistermono]

Well, I hope Borders UK has a much better clue what they're doing than they do in the US - they offered some great prices on HD DVD boxsets on "clearance", left customers waiting for weeks for shipment, only to cancel all the orders as being "out of stock".

And if these are coming out, they certainly need to get a little more realistic on pricing - £21.24 at Borders (only ships within the EU) and £23.99 at DVDsource; at $30 -$35 before shipping, I don't think folks will be crashing their websites with a flood of orders.

I agree. These will have to hit the 10 to 15 quid range for me to pull the trigger. Otherwise I'd just wait for domestic blus on these.

[The Limey]

I hope the prices do come down too. Borders and dvdsource have both dropped their prices from the original start point. Who knows where they will be in a month and a half's time?
In that time other retailers may well be advertising these too. Remember how late in the day Amazon.co.uk finally put Torchwood HD DVD up for sale....
Maybe you will see these titles at around the £17 mark. Zavvi had them for £19.99 before folding.

That said, I do wonder though if 4dvd are hoping to sell these at higher prices? In The Shadow Of The Moon sold out at relatively high prices and was never really on fire sale (despite everything else being just that). Touching the Void is almost out now but has been at lower prices, the other three titles are still available for very cheap prices. Both Shallow Grave and Trainspotting are bigger titles than the five previously released 4dvd HD DVDs. Maybe they think that a similar strategy to In The Shadow Of The Moon will work for both these forthcoming titles?

[drcrawn]

I desperately want Trainspotting to replace my Criterion LD. If someone is doing a group buy, please PM me. I also post at AVS under the same name (reg. 2004). Thanks.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Sooo mmmm, Limey whats the latest? I heard they got bumped from March to May now... Ya I'll believe these HD DVDs exist when I see them.

[850]

Sooo mmmm, Limey whats the latest? I heard they got bumped from March to May now... Ya I'll believe these HD DVDs exist when I see them.

Do you have a link?

[MasterOfPuppets]

Do you have a link?

This is what the OP said at another forum. Its a yahoo group you have to join so a link won't work. I don't see any listings for either HD DVD at amazon.co.uk either. I bet these never show up.

I spoke to Borders again today. Their release date has moved back from
the 30th of March to the 4th of May which is exactly the same date as
Amazon.co.uk. They again confirmed that these are DEFINITELY HD
DVDs... This is what was causing the unavailable message when people
tried to pre-order with them.

[The Limey]

When I spoke to Borders re the putting back of the date to the 4th of May, they rang the suppliers while I was on the 'phone, and confirmed both that date and the fact that these are HD DVDs (again).
Therefore, for the first time since these discs were first announced for a June 2008 release, both manufacturer and retailers are saying simultaneously that they are actually on their way.

I don't see any listings for either HD DVD at amazon.co.uk either. I bet these never show up.

As for using Amazon as a yardstick for probable releases, that is made virtually impossible by Amazon's policy of listing the Blu-ray first for ages, and then adding the HD DVD either just before or even after the date of the release - e.g. Torchwood and Death Proof on .

Therefore, on the balance of probability, I think that we are finally going to see these HD DVDs albeit (true to form so far) delayed........

[cheez avenger]

As long as I don't have to pay more than my Deathproof HD disc, I'm in.


That was a good ass price.