Displaying items by tag: 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm

All right, the big news today – which has come as quite a shock to A/V enthusiasts – is that Oppo Digital has announced that they’re no longer going to be making new hardware, including 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players and audiophile headphones and amps. The company will continue supporting existing hardware with firmware updates and technical support, as needed.

There’s no reason given on their official statement announcing the move (see this page on their website) beyond the following: “From now on, OPPO Digital will focus our main effort on organizing and ensuring long term support for the existing generation of products. As such, we will not have the resources to develop and release new generations of products.”

What does this mean? Well, for one thing, it means that if you want an Oppo 4K player, you’d better act fast while supplies last. Because in a few months they’ll be selling for big bucks on the secondary market. [Read on here...]

We’re starting today with four new disc reviews, including looks at Lionsgate and Summit’s Knowing and Sony’s Across the Universe in 4K Ultra HD by me (with our late great friend and Bits family member Barrie Maxwell), as well as Tim’s take on MVD’s Black Eagle: Special Edition and AGFA and Something Weird’s The Violent Years on Blu-ray. Enjoy!

Also today, we have an update on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Warner Bros. has now officially announced (see this link) that the film is returning to theaters for a limited run in 70mm starting on 5/18 in honor of its 50th anniversary. The 4K Ultra HD pre-order page was recently pulled down from Amazon and now we know why: The street date had been listed as 5/8, but the title is now slated to arrive this fall, after the theatrical run. Both the 70mm return to theaters and the 4K release are being presented by director Christopher Nolan. [Read on here...]