First Hong Kong Blu-Ray Disc Is Infernal Affairs.

That is, this is the first 1080p HD stuff out of HK, it seems. No HD-DVD, but a Blu-Ray Disc.

Couple of questions are made relatively clear by the initial reaction to this, primarily it’s about how HK (or Megastar, the company releasing this disc) will handle or cope with mastering, because there’s been issues with HK in general terms all along and some are worried Megastar will cock this up. Mostly it’s been about subs in the past, but early discs image qualities aren’t too hot either, although largely often at least seeming to be resolved. A new format means you go through initial instability and uncertainty once again, and are left waiting to see how it all works out with regards a slightly more global perspective in connection with importing from other territories, which places turn out what you’re looking for with respect all the various criteria you might have in mind.

More interestingly, for me at least, is the issues as far as double-dipping (I’ve no intention of doing so) because I will hope for a flood of releases or support for a format that sits alongside or replaces DVD, and the issues as far as the general price point we’re likely to see in HK in comparison to the USA. Yes, HK is cheaper, Blu-Ray is generally slightly more expensive at this time, and no I don’t want a cheap source of USA films as much as I’ll just be interested to see how the format fairs in HK’s seemingly more price-driven market, how far down the prices go, what we’re likely to find ourselves paying for them.

The Blu-Ray of Infernal Affairs is released in HK July 9th 2007; 16:9 Widescreen 1920x1080p Full HD. Audio : Cantonese (PCM 5.1), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1). Subtitles : Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English. Extras : Audio Commentary, Teaser, Theatrical Trailer, Making Of, Confidential File. Coded for Region A. [Source : AsianDVDGuide].