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Spielberg makes HD debut with Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Blu-ray

One of Steven Spielberg's classic films will finally make its HD debut, on Blu-ray, not HD DVD, when Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition is released simultaneously with the DVD November 13th. Sony Pictures announced this release puts the original 1977 theatrical version, re-edited 1980 special edition, and a special 1998 Director's Cut on one 50GB Blu-ray disc, using "seamless branching" technology and the power of BD-J -- using "the robust processing power available on second generation players" (it's been done on DVD before) -- to identify different versions of the film and select scenes accordingly. The 2-disc (special features on the second disc) Blu-ray release will get a couple of exclusive special features, including Storyboard-to-Scene Comparisons", the original 1977 featurette and theatrical preview. All that special carries an MSRP of $49.95 and should leave Blu-ray fans salivating, with HD DVD owners wondering when Universal will provide their HDTVs with E.T., Jaws and Jurassic Park.