'Freedom 1' - High-Def Digest review

[jed]

Kenneth's review of 'Freedom 1' on HD DVD is up. Notable for being
both the first HD DVD anime disc *and* the first twin-format HD
DVD/DVD disc to be released in the US, this one's certainly unique. As
an anime fan, Kenneth enjoyed the main feature, and says that both the
video and audio on this HD DVD release are quite strong. The included
HDi-enhanced supplements, meanwhile, are promising but not entirely
fulfilling in their implementation on this disc.

Full review here:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/freedomvol1.html

Related news story:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/702

[dobyblue]

The article states that "twin format" disc (or hybrid as most people call it) can use three layers, yet to date Toshiba have only been able to get a two layer disc working, the HD15/DVD5.

Worth noting is that Blu-ray had a hybrid BD25/DVD9 working in 2005 from JVC, but none of the studios have asked for it and therefore it continues to not be produced.

I don't see major studios using these hybrid discs (or asking for them) until both sides can do 4 layered hybrid discs. That would be an HD30/DVD9 or BD50/DVD9 disc.

[Lupin The Third]

I'm really excited about Freedom...however I honestly have an extremely hard time with the price. Being only six episodes, this is essentially a movie broken into six parts. Even at discount prices we're talking $150 for a 2 1/2 hr movie. At full; retail that's $240!!! The problem with this ridiculous pricing scheme is that Freedom is going to flop. No matter how amazing it turns out, it's going to flop with BOTH DVD and HD-DVD customers. It's one thing to follow a 26 episode anime series and spend $200+ by the time it's over, it's an entirely different matter to be expected to shell out the same kind of cash for a movie.

However Bandai isn't going to accept responsibility for their insane pricing; in fact that were recently challenged about their pricing at a convention, in regards to several new SDVD releases, and based upon the response you could tell that they thought that the fans were the ones in the wrong. The Bandai exec literally acted insulted that the fans dared to challenge the $35 pricing for a single episode on DVD (not talking about Freedom here, they were concerned about a regular DVD release!).

Anyways, not only will Bandai not accept the blame, but they also won't blame SDVD consumers. HD-DVD consumers are going to get the blame for Bandai's arrogance. Don't be surprised if, by the time Vol. 6 releases, the series is no longer HD-DVD exclusive and Bandai claims that it's because the HD-DVD sales weren't there. Nevermind it was a lack of respect for the consumer that will cause this title to flop.

While I'm perfectly fine with netflixing this title until it gets a reissue at a cheaper price, the problem is that a flop at this point could end the chances of other anime titles coming at all. Bandai's arrogance could cost an entire genre for the HD-DVD market.

[tranzparentl]

Agreed, I was planning on buying this title until I saw that it was split into 6 parts each only like 30 minutes or less.

[Blurry]

Yeah, this title seemed cool, but it seems to me that they are being way greedy for what you are getting, so I lost interest. It is a shame because they were pushing the envelope in some cool ways.

[sinime]

I'm a little pissed about not including an English audio track..... Why are we taking a step back here? I know many Anime fans cry for Japanese audio and English subs, but I much prefer English dubs. They English dubs have become very good these days, and it allows you to see more of the finer details on screen - that is the point of HD, right? Also, what's the point of having the English voice talent at Anime conventions if people only listen to the Japanese tracks???

BTW, if I’m not mistaken, the price in the US is still cheaper then most Anime DVDs in Japan which are many times one 20-30min episode. I’m not saying it’s a good price, but it could be worse. Besides, I remember paying $30 for (I think) 2 episodes on 1 VHS tape back in the early days of anime. Damn you Ranma 1/2!

[juventuz]

I'm a huge fan of Otomo's work and since this seems like it will be his only work on HD DVD I've got to get it.

[Space_Butler]

Wanted this, but between the terrible case (apparently it's a clear jewel case with a slipcover? In any case, it's not a dvd case and its not an HD-DVD case), the price, and the lack of a dub, almost none of this screams "buy me". A shame, as I agree with the poster who says this will only make Bandai think there isn't an anime market on hd-dvd. Then again, since this isn't getting a standard def release (since both versions are on this one disc) maybe enough ultra anime-nerds will buy it up to make up the difference. I'd gladly pay for a more substantial release, but a one episode OVA without a dub doesn't cut it for me, even if it is Otomo's work.

[Sarang]

Originally Posted by Space_Butler

Wanted this, but between the terrible case (apparently it's a clear jewel case with a slipcover? In any case, it's not a dvd case and its not an HD-DVD case), the price, and the lack of a dub, almost none of this screams "buy me". A shame, as I agree with the poster who says this will only make Bandai think there isn't an anime market on hd-dvd. Then again, since this isn't getting a standard def release (since both versions are on this one disc) maybe enough ultra anime-nerds will buy it up to make up the difference. I'd gladly pay for a more substantial release, but a one episode OVA without a dub doesn't cut it for me, even if it is Otomo's work.

I'm disappointed in you. As far as I'm concerned ALL Optical discs should be in jewel cases as it saves people space. To deal with this just label the cases DVD, HD DVD, etc. I will agree with everyone the price is too high. I'd like to see Bandai try and explain this compared to the price of "Brave Story" and low long it is. Also "Wings Of Honimaise" should be $20 and mass produced and would sell as long as that botch job was the only copy available.
As to the dub man I'm not opposed to these Anime's in HD including a dub though I don't think ANY space should be wasted on you getting it Lossless, only Dolby Digital 5.1.

[Lupin The Third]

Originally Posted by juventuz

I'm a huge fan of Otomo's work and since this seems like it will be his only work on HD DVD I've got to get it.

Which is a real shame, I'd love to see Memories and Akira on HD-DVD. Hopefully Wings of Honneamise and the Patlabor films will do well enough on HD to convince Bandai to bring Akira, Jin-Roh, Steamboy, GITS and the other Blu-Ray announced titles out on HD as well....but considering HD's absolute lack of marketshare in Japan I doubt it will happen.

[VC-1]

Otomo is a god amoung men, and I really want this, but I couldnt live with myself paying 27 dollars a disc for 24 minutes.

This brings me back to the early days of anime, where they would put 2 episodes per disc for 30 bucks.

I mean times have changed, I just picked up galaxy railroad boxset for 47.99, and that's 26 episodes. Likewise with DBZ season 2, 6 discs and 30.99 from walmart (hell one volume of DBZ would was 30 back in the day).

I'm sure this type of release structure will fly in Japan, but USA is the cheapass capital of the universe, I don't see this selling at all. It's a shame too, cause it would be a great feather in HDDVDs cap.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Space_Butler

Wanted this, but between the terrible case (apparently it's a clear jewel case with a slipcover? In any case, it's not a dvd case and its not an HD-DVD case), the price, and the lack of a dub, almost none of this screams "buy me". A shame, as I agree with the poster who says this will only make Bandai think there isn't an anime market on hd-dvd. Then again, since this isn't getting a standard def release (since both versions are on this one disc) maybe enough ultra anime-nerds will buy it up to make up the difference. I'd gladly pay for a more substantial release, but a one episode OVA without a dub doesn't cut it for me, even if it is Otomo's work.

The jewel case in question is actually the exact same size as an HD DVD case. It has a latch like an HD DVD case and is very well made with rounded corners and edging. Sorry if I was unclear -- when these cases release in Japan, they're the same size as the cases of their format's typical cases.

The case is actually really snazzy and I dig it very much. It certainly won't look out of place on my shelf.

[VanMardigan]

I have it ordered through amazon, but only because I got some extra taken off and paid $22 for it. That's still a lot, but this seems like a good demo disc with the hdi stuff.

[messin18]

Odd 4star movie, 4.5 pq, 4 star audio and only a give it a rent?

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by messin18

Odd 4star movie, 4.5 pq, 4 star audio and only a give it a rent?

The "Give It A Rent" tagline is solely due to the fact that the price is quite steep for the content you receive (25 minute episode, limited length features). If the price was right, this would easily be a "Recommended" title.

As you can tell with the comments on this thread, a lot of fans will be renting the title because of the expense.

Hope that clarifies things! As always, thanks for posting.