Fox to release HD digital copies of films weeks before discs

Fox has announced it will begin selling HD digital copies of films weeks before their retail release on DVD and Blu-ray.

The first film to get such treatment will be 'Prometheus' which will be available as an UltraViolet title on September 18th, weeks before the title's October 11th retail date. Despite it being a UV title, you will not need a UV account.

Additionally, due to much smaller overhead, the company is offering the movie for $15 as a digital copy compared to $40 MSRP on Blu-ray and $30 MSRP on DVD. Of course, retailers have cheaper prices, with Wal-Mart and Amazon selling the DVD for $20 on pre-order and $28 on Blu-ray.

Prometheus is part of Fox's Digital HD initiative which will bring 600 films to new devices and new retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Sony's PS3, the Xbox 360, iTunes and Vudu.

A few other new titles set for early digital release are Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, The Watch, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and Ice Age: Continental Drift.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Sep 2012 20:08

Mrguss

No for me. I like the old fashion way at 16 cents or less per movie.
I'm around 500 movies behind that own and haven't watched yet.

+5000

11.9.2012 20:17 #1

mike.m

Prometheus is going to be one of those few movies that I blind buy on Blu-ray. Haven't seen AL:Vampire Hunter, I'm sure someone will post this hd pre-release on torrent soon. If I download a movie and I really like, 90% of the time, I will buy it on blu-ray.

11.9.2012 20:33 #2

Mysttic

I wish Sony and MS themselves would realize this price scheme is more acceptable than their own. $15 for hopefully a bluray quality release movie, is far better than $5 off full price. Same should be done with games since you don't need to reserve shelve space, no stocking in warehouses, etc.

12.9.2012 08:50 #3

Semperfipal

I'll just wait til Netflix has it on DVD or Blu-ray and watch it. I was never in a hurry to see any movie right away and pay an outrages price to see or own it. Patience is virtue which has it rewards.

"Do not underestimate the power of an enemy, no matter how great or small, to rise against you another day." - Atilla

12.9.2012 09:50 #4

Interestx

When I can download the film any time I want after paying to see it once I might be interested.
But I say $15/�10 is still far too much.

I'm only buying Blu-ray when they hit �3 - �7 ($4.83 - $11.27) as it is.

12.9.2012 13:16 #5

A5J4DX

this is good but the price needs to be a lot cheaper only way people will buy

12.9.2012 13:52 #6

dEwMe

Originally posted by mike.m: Prometheus is going to be one of those few movies that I blind buy on Blu-ray. Totally off topic but watched Prometheus in HD yesterday and...well can't say I would watch it again except to try to make more connections to Alien series...didn't think the effects were really that great...especialy with the "engineer" or whatever they call the guy they find. Assuming "blind buy" means ya haven't seen it I wouldn't do it.

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

12.9.2012 15:47 #7

Interestx

I saw Prometheus in 3D at a new cinema near me. Some 3D bits really stood out bu at home all I want is a really good HD transfer.

.....and I'm not paying more than �8 for it either.

I can wait.

12.9.2012 15:52 #8

8686

"Prometheus is part of Fox's Digital HD initiative which..."

is trying to force stream-only content? Sounds like it. It will be a sad day for me when I can no longer tangibly holds a movie in my hands.

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14.9.2012 15:13 #9

KillerBug

Originally posted by 8686: "Prometheus is part of Fox's Digital HD initiative which..."

is trying to force stream-only content? Sounds like it. It will be a sad day for me when I can no longer tangibly holds a movie in my hands. Disks are overrated IMHO...the only issue I have with streaming are the actual issues of streaming such as mobile access, quality, overbearing DRM, etc. Personally I put all my DVDs onto hard drives and put away the disks; I would do it with the blurays as well if not for the price fixing in the HDD arena.

14.9.2012 15:22 #10

LordRuss

Originally posted by KillerBug: Disks are overrated IMHO...the only issue I have with streaming are the actual issues of streaming such as mobile access, quality, overbearing DRM, etc. Personally I put all my DVDs onto hard drives and put away the disks; I would do it with the blurays as well if not for the price fixing in the HDD arena.
I tend to agree. It isn't the medium exactly that I'm married to, but the delivery system & all its flaws. Streaming just doesn't cut it.; i.e., too many flaws. The DVD/Blurays are nice in that I enjoy the 'making of' & some directorial comments included in the bonus features, but collecting the disks has its limitations once storage space starts to hit its limits as well.

Mass HDD storage & playback from those devices has become my favorite as of recent & I don't see that changing. The whole 'cloud' option is loathsome & obviously no secret to those who have read my blatherings from before.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

16.9.2012 11:27 #11

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