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Tokyo (Feb 17, 2009) – DEG JAPAN: The Digital Entertainment Group Japan held its first award ceremony in Tokyo in recognition of the best in class Blu-ray titles released in Japan during the calendar year 2008. The “DEG JAPAN Award – Blu-ray Prize” was established as the first series of awards in Japan to recognize Blu-ray titles for their excellence in the following categories: (1) Picture Quality, (2) Sound Quality and (3) Interactivity. The selection was made by prominent audio visual critics Reiji Asakura, Yusuke Fujiwara and Masakazu Honda, Film and DVD magazine editors and representatives from hardware manufacturers with membership of DEG JAPAN.
The award recipients are as follows:
GRAND PRIX 2008 & BEST IN PICTURE QUALITY (LIVE ACTION)
- The Dark Knight
- Warner Home Video (Japan)
- Comment from judges: “Outstanding image quality that justifies its acclaim as the 2008 Blu-ray
title of the year.”
BEST IN PICTURE QUALITY (ANIME/CG)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (Collector’s Edition)
- Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment (Japan)
- Comment from judges: “The texture of fabrics within the film are stunningly reproduced, providing
a sense of detail that could not be detected in movie theaters.”
BEST IN SOUND (MUSIC)
- NHK Classical – Seiji Ozawa Berliner Philharmoniker. Tchaikovsky Symphony no.6 in B minor,
op.74 “Pathetique”
- NHK Enterprises
- Comment from judges: “The extreme detail and depth of sound convey even the changes in breath of the
conductor, and every nuance of the musicians. The 96/24 linear PCM delivers a wondrous experience,
while the amazingly high resolution sound reproduces every detail of the musical performance.”
BEST IN SOUND (MOVIE)
- Ghost In The Shell
- Bandai Visual
- Comment from judges: “Exquisite, high density surround sound evokes a sense of space and
atmosphere.”
BEST IN INTERACTIVITY
- Biohazard Degeneration
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Japan)
- Comment from judges: “The viewing experience is deepened by the “Picture in Picture” feature that
allows the user to see additional, well-selected bonus content such as ‘making of’ scenes, all while
watching the movie.”
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
- NHK Special – Satoyama
- NHK Enterprises
- Comment from judges: “Best in class picture quality within the video category. The quantity of
information stored enables natural sounds and colors of quality beyond conventional broadcasts
to be reproduced.”
- Ken Hirai Live Tour 2008 “FAKIN’ POP”
- Defstar Records Inc.
- Comment from judges: “Seamless, organic coupling of picture and sound provides a sense of being
at a real live concert.”
- The Magic Hour
- Fuji Television Network Inc. Japan
- Comment from judges: “Elegant and refined sense of quality represents best in class achievement
for a Japanese movie. A THX title.”
- Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition
- Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment (Japan)
- Comment from judges: “Cutting-edge restoration technology has revived the 50 year old film,
unearthing new detail that could not be detected on VHS and Laser Discs versions. The newly
re-edited surround sound is also remarkable.”
MEMBERS OF SCREENING COMMITTEE:
- Mr. Reiji Asakura, Audio Visual Critic
- Mr. Yosuke Fujiwara, Audio Visual Critic
- Mr. Masakazu Honda, Audio Visual Critic
- Ms. Keiko Akechi, Editor in Chief, “Kinema Jumpo”
- Mr. Akihiro Yonezaki, Editor in Chief, “Screen”
- Ms. Junko Ogawa, Editor in Chief, “DVD Data”
- Mr. Hideo Saito, Editor in Chief, “DVD VISION
DEG JAPAN Members from hardware manufacturers
DEG JAPAN – The Digital Entertainment Group Japan, is a Tokyo based non-profit organization that is comprised of Japan based video hardware manufacturers and video software companies. DEG JAPAN was founded in June 2008, with the aim of further accelerating the growth of both content and hardware digital entertainment businesses in Japan. DEG JAPAN is a satellite group of The Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), a Los Angeles based, industry-funded nonprofit corporation.
Press Inquiries; DEG JAPAN Communication Office; email deg@prap.co.jp
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