HD-DVD LIVES! New title, "Smokers" Available for Pre-Order

Smokers Movie

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Original poster
May 31, 2010
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Pennsylvania
This is not a "deal" per say but to those who have an HD-DVD player and are looking to add to that collection, here is your chance!

MCB Entertainment is releasing one of their upcoming features, Smokers, on the HD-DVD format.

Price is $30 shipped, but hey it's a new HD-DVD. The first 100 pre-orders also get a special thanks credit as well as a free mp3 from the director's band.

MCB Entertainment LLC

Here is the IMDB page as well to the flick;

imdb.com/title/tt1547663

More info on Smokers, direct from the director;

I am the director of Smokers. A friend of mine this discussion to my attention so I thought I would clear a few things up:
- Our site is under construction, but we had to make parts of it accessible despite being unfinished because an article about the HD-DVD release with a link was being printed. A link to an under construction message with a pay pal button would have been allot more "shady". You can stop back later in the week when we are more presentable, or go to IMDB for more details about our films.

- The price is directly related to the cost of making fully packaged, professionally manufactured HD-DVD's. As a couple people mentioned another indie film Deadlands 2 was recently released on the format. Those were burned discs with computer printed labels and covers that had a higher price tag than Smokers does. I know this because I bought a copy. I am not knocking their movie in any way, I just want to clarify the difference between the releases.

- This is a very limited set that comes with alot of exclusive stuff some of which isn't even listed yet on the site. It is intended for fans of the HD-DVD format and collectors. For everyone else there will be a standard DVD you will be able to pick up at most stores.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read this.

- These are not HD-DVD R's but professionally replicated discs. It is being manufactured in the US. I can't speak for the makers of Deadlands 2 or explain their situation. In my own experience it was difficult to find a plant, but we did. It is also expensive to go this route, but I want to deliver the best product possible. Again I can't answer for another filmmaker or company.

- Manufacturing and shipping begins as soon as the 100th order is received. The first 100 people receive a "Special Thanks" credit in the film so it couldn't have already been manufactured.

- Those trailers are old promo trailers that were put together as a demo for investors. They are NOT official trailers.

- Also the "Family Friendly" version is NOT the TiVo version of the film. It is a special feature that is exclusive to the HD-DVD release. Smokers has allot of nudity, but is not pornographic. The TiVo version edits the nudity for a TV-14 rating. Think the VH1 cut of Showgirls. That was made specifically for TiVo and I have no intention of releasing anywhere else at this point. With two versions of the film the unedited is the "Director's Cut".
Thanks again!

- Also Smokers is not just a collection of random clips. That said don't expect hard hitting reporting either. This is a comedic documentary meant to entertain that is assembled like a drive-in or grindhouse presentation complete with cartoons at the beginning and an intermission. It is hosted by Debbie D of JT Petty's S&Man.

- These are fully packaged, professionally manufactured HD-DVD's with the appropriate cases and inserts.

- The first 100 pre-orders will receive a "Special Thanks" credit, so the disc will be pressed and shipped as soon as the first 100 orders are processed.

- I did not make Deadlands 2. I don't know why it took them so long, or why they were made with HD-DVD R's. I bought a copy as soon as the they began taking orders, so I am in the same boat as everyone else there.
 
what's an HD DVD? is that like 8 track tapes or something?
 
- These are not HD-DVD R's but professionally replicated discs. It is being manufactured in the US.
Hmmm...
I thought you need an AACS LA license (at least the replicator needs one) to do HD DVDs (just like BDs).
And I don't think you can get one anymore...

Do you know who was (will be) doing the encoding?

And why have you decided to go the HD DVD way as opposed to BD?

Diogen.
 
If they are not copy protected you probably do not need AACS. Copy protection as demonstrated by slysoft is useless on HD DVD. HD-DVD is probably much less expensive than BD since the equipment is essentially useless with no demand.

BD that would do adult entertainment would also be limited since companies like Disney do not allow any adult content to be produced at any facility they use (to avoid a mixup and the adult disc gets a Disney lable).
 
hey dont bash the 8 track. I got a bunch of them here at the house (and a player that still works :)

oh shucks I forgot you prob still have the 8-track player from ratshack too.. nice :up

8-Track.jpg
 
Hmmm...
I thought you need an AACS LA license (at least the replicator needs one) to do HD DVDs (just like BDs).
And I don't think you can get one anymore...

Do you know who was (will be) doing the encoding?

And why have you decided to go the HD DVD way as opposed to BD?

Diogen.

The replicator used to be a distributor in HD DVD and DVD exclusively and was looking to sell stock of everything he had, we decided to go with HD DVD as there is still quite a niche market who craves new product.

We have not chosen HD over Blu, we are actually also going to be releasing on Blu later on, just not before HD. Blu is VERY VERY expensive at this point for an indie filmmaker. Prices though have gone down a bit but still not the greatest.
 
If they are not copy protected you probably do not need AACS.
And here is the trick: a replicator CAN NOT do AACS-free disks (license prohibits).
This was and is true for BD and I think it was true when HD was alive...

Skip AACS all together - that would work.
But only if you are getting out of this business, because you won't get an AACS license ever again.

Also, I don't think there are any post-houses left that have the license to encode HD DVD.

Bottom line: I think this is a HD DVD compliant encode done using x264.

Diogen.
 
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We have not chosen HD over Blu, we are actually also going to be releasing on Blu later on, just not before HD. Blu is VERY VERY expensive at this point for an indie filmmaker. Prices though have gone down a bit but still not the greatest.
I don't want to undermine your attempt to release a hidef disk - it certainly beats anything that can be done with a DVD compliant stream.

But since you are (obviously) targeting a niche market, encode it into AVCHD and burn onto a DL DVD.
Production will be cheap, the final product will be high quality and every BD player household will be able to play it.
And as long as it is DRM-free, evrey PCH, WD TV and other similar player can play the file when copied to USB-attached storage...

Diogen.
 
....BD that would do adult entertainment would also be limited since companies like Disney do not allow any adult content to be produced at any facility they use (to avoid a mixup and the adult disc gets a Disney lable).

There are a LOT of adult titles on BD now. No where near the number of DVD titles, but plentiful and getting ever more common.
 
What about other formats?

Hey, all *I* want to know is whether anyone is coming out with a new disc in the format I just put into my home entertainment center last week.

I don't have a BUNCH of movies on LaserDisc, and I'm dying to get them!

KingFrog
 
And here is the trick: a replicator CAN NOT do AACS-free disks (license prohibits).
This was and is true for BD and I think it was true when HD was alive...

Skip AACS all together - that would work.
But only if you are getting out of this business, because you won't get an AACS license ever again.

Also, I don't think there are any post-houses left that have the license to encode HD DVD.

Bottom line: I think this is a HD DVD compliant encode done using x264.

Diogen.

No. HD DVD didn't require the AACS license. That's why a lot of DRM haters supported HD DVD during the war.
 
Hey guys, just a quick update for you all. We now only have about 17 Pre-Orders to go before hitting that 100 and going to pressing. Keep sending in those orders and let your buddies know as well! If you go to the facebook page that was posted a few posts back you can also see the new promo posters that were released.
 
Did you ever have enough orders to press the HD-DVD disc? I'm in for a copy if this project is still on.


HD-DVD forever! Blu-ray never! :p
 

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