What about the stunning 3D version of the Opening Ceremony?

As this set has just been announced and the facts and data given by both Amazon and the BBC are still meager, I wonder whether there will also be a 3D version of this set? The 3D Opening Ceremony on BBC HD was breathtaking, just as most of what was shown during the daily highlights and I expect nothing else but perfection when it comes to tomorrow's 3D Closing Ceremony. So, does anybody have any information about a 3D BD set of the London Olympics?

I must admit I would have hoped that the olympic games blu ray would also have been a 3d blu ray release as well I loved watching the opening ceremony in 3d it was great . Here's hoping

[Deleted by the author on 17 Aug 2012 15:14:15 BDT]

Any idea how many discs it is? Seems quite pricey at £23....

Any word on whether this will be region locked? Are other BBC blu rays locked? Had to put up with NBC in the US, so looking to see what really happened.

Kc, This UK version is I think region B, there is going to be a region A version for the US, here: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/2012-Olympics-London-Blu-ray/48752/

I think I'll just go with this even if it means buying a region free player, NBC coverage (edits and commentary) was awful. Thanks though!

unlikely, I'd say - but I'd certainly go for a 3D release

I hope this has 3D sections on the Blu Ray as I could not see the point of wasting all the footage they recorded in 3D for them not to release it? I really hope they do give us a 3D Blu Ray :)

I'd also love a 3D release. The Opening Ceremony was the most effective 3D I've seen on a TV broadcast. It would be a pity if it never got to be seen again.

I want a Full HD, high bitrate sound, no commentary at all from Hazel Irvine etc spoiling the flow and a supplementary 3D disk of the opening ceremony. Don't care how much they charge for it :)

I don't quite get the buzz about the commentary as it will most likely be optional anyway. Even that cheaply made Chinese DVD set of the Beijing Games Opening Ceremony had a "pure" audio track and the CCTV commentary in Chinese. At the moment I am more bothered about the version included in this set in terms of cuts. The re-run on BBC1 on August 18 was cut (announced as a "highlights" version though it still ran about 165 mins), so I have the strong feeling that this will be the version we will get in this set. It was a nicely edited version without any obvious omissions (I never had that "oh... what happened there... there's something missing" feeling). Yet still, it was cut by about an hour. So let's keep our fingers crossed the BBC at least gives us the full length show. Concerning the 3D edition: I lost all hopes we'll ever get to see that again. Too bad. :(

They updated the product description and - alas! - it looks quite good in terms of the uncut version of the ceremonies. Even more so: we get a "director's cut" version including an audio commentary by Danny Bolye plus additional footage of "his" Opening Ceremony:

"It was the Olympic Games we'll never forget and this Official London 2012 release will ensure we relive every golden memory. This five disc release contains the full opening ceremony with an exclusive director's cut from Danny Boyle, eight hours of highlights and the full closing ceremony.

Box Set Includes:

Full Opening Ceremony with Exclusive Director's Cut from Danny Boyle

Watched by record TV audiences, Danny Boyle's Opening Ceremony was just one of the many highlights of the historic, heart-warming and truly fantastic London 2012 Olympic Games, which united and enthralled the nation. Danny Boyle's exclusive Director's cut includes all the footage of The London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony broadcast by the BBC, in addition to previously unseen footage from the event as selected by Danny Boyle. A Director's audio commentary also offers a revealing and inspiring insight into the artistic direction and creative execution of this critically acclaimed ceremony.

8 Hours of Incredible Sporting Highlights

Re-live Team GB's medal victories and watch again some amazing golden performances from many sporting superstars including Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.

Full Closing Ceremony

The dazzling finale, created by Kim Gavin and featuring an array of British music artists

Additional Footage:
In addition, the DVD and Blu-ray will also contain over half an hour of extra features including a rendition of Edward Elgar's Nimrod by the London Symphony Orchestra's On Track programme and highlights from the pre-ceremony performance by singer Frank Turner."

The downside: no 3D :(

5 discs? o.o

Well, that explains the price then.... XD

See comment: "I am in the US and I bought this disc. Although region free, it won't play on US PS3 players as it's encoded in 1080i/50hz. However, it played perfectly on my Oppo player. What a magnificent set compared to the POS that was the NBC Olympics highlights disc!"

Usually Amazon indicates when BDs are 1080i50. The problem is with US TVs that often require a 60HZ signal rather than a player problem. The BD may play, but you would have sound but no picture. I have a Momitsu 799 player set for B/2 and forced 1080i60 output, so I can play such as disc.

Region-switchable BD players are much more dear than region-free BD players. The region may be only half the problem. U.S. TVs often demand a 60Hz signal and many BBC, Aardman and other BDs sourced in the U.K. are 1080i50 or interpolated at 50 Hz. A region-free disk may play with sound but no picture because of the 60 Hz TV. U.K. TVs, however, seem to be able to handle 50 or 60 Hz interpolation.

My Samsung BD-D6500 US player plays anything I throw at it - does the whole 50hz to 60hz conversion. Player was $130ish. Tried it out on multiple HD TVs (720p and 1080p various makes) and they all play fine, including this.

"My Samsung BD-D6500 US player plays anything I throw at it..."

What about Region B locked discs? The 50/60 Hz conversion is nice. My Samsung monitor-TV could not handle a 50 Hz signal. An older BenQ TV (no longer made) auto-switched between 50 and 60 Hz.

Sorry Bob, should have been a bit more specific - it will play anything marked region free on here - the ABC disks. B only wouldn't work. The trick is to get a player that'll output to something our 60hz TVs like. All my Amazon UK region free discs are all 50hz and show up as 1080p 60hz on my LG TV. I think my player is discontinued now, but assume current Samsung players have the same specs. They'll be in the PDF manuals online if you want to know before buying. Also, 50 to 60 conversion looks just as good as a standard US 60 disc when the TV throws the refresh rate up to 120/240. Even 3D region free 50hz work.

London 2012 Olympic Games [Blu-ray][Region Free]

This not being in 3D is a wasted opportunity, had it been, I would have bought it! I call upon fellow 3D fans to write to the BBC and point out that they are missing an opportunity to show to the world what they can do with this technology!

I'll add my voice to the calls for a 3D version. I watched the broadcast in 3D with the sound up load and it was amazing, a real landmark in broadcasting and it added so much to the spectacle. (The repeat in 2D a few weeks later wasn't a patch on it.)

BBC, please release a 3D bluray of this.

If the bbc don't release this in 3d it will be a crime, has anyone got bbcs details to write or email?

I emailed DVDenquiry@bbc.co.uk before and got this reply;

Dear XXXXXX

Only UK rights were available to BBC Worldwide for DVD and Blu Ray. We do not own the rights for international or 3D distribution.

Maybe everyone should email them too!

Kind regards
DVD enquiry Line

I was advised to take this up with 2Entertain, BBC Worldwide's DVD business that released the product.

http://www.2entertain.co.uk/contact.html

This web site isn't very helpful. They try to get you to write (snail-mail!) to:
BBC Worldwide
33 Foley Street
LONDON
W1W 7TL
020 7612 3000

although I suppose you could ring them. If, however, you follow the link on the home page, http://www.bbcworldwide.com/contact-us.aspx you get a tedious general purpose form to complete. This I did. You are then asked whether you "would like a response". Having said "yes" I am still awaiting a response a good month later. Some marketing organisation this is !!

See my post below - Ken Broughton !