Derb's take on HD DVD + film ratings, mini reviews.

[Iguana Man]

I know by posting this I am doing what I would prefer wasn't done, but damn if this thread wouldn't be easier to use for buying considerations if it was replied to by Derb only.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I know by posting this I am doing what I would prefer wasn't done, but damn if this thread wouldn't be easier to use for buying considerations if it was replied to by Derb only.

I was gonna start a new post with with a couple of HD DVDs titles I just got. Thanks for making me not have to search around for this thread.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

For a flick over 20 years old I had low expectations for PQ. Yes the film does look its age but in a good way. Honestly there isn't much improvement with the color, but this didn't distract me from the video presentation. There are minor specs of film grain in a few places.. Very minor, ya blink, ya miss it. Unlike Field of Dreams on HD, The Breakfast Club doesn't have much video noise. This is the transfers strongpoint in my opinion because blacks are rock solid & it gives most of the films run time that three dimensional look.. No apparent compression artifacts either, none that I could spot. This disc is also a single-layered HD-15. I thought the audio could have been tweaked or re-mixed ..something.. The film is practically all front heavy, (which isn't a bad thing) the DD+ is balanced well throughout but dilaog isn't as crisp or clear as newer films. There is little the track has to offer even at 1.5 Mbps. Not a massive disappointment overall, but it isn't leaps & bounds better than the standard DD track either.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Sting (1973)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Mummy Returns (2001)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Well, didn't quite make a reference rating imo. The transfer is flawless, unfortunately the film contains frequent soft spots which is clearly a source issue. All the desert scenes & battle scenes have that three dimenionsal wow factor appeal. There is no visible grain, dust, noise throughout the entire runtime. Color is excellent as well. The color palette on the heavy CGI scenes just pop off the screen. The audio on this disc is killer. In fact it is so good that if I didn't know the disc specs I could of sworn it was TrueHD. Alas, the Dolby Plus mix is very aggressive without drowning out the dilaog, surrounds are active a lot & you are enveloped in a nice 360 soundfield. I just don't have anything negative to say about this soundtrack..

Scooby-Doo (2002)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Poseidon (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Clerks II (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Derailed (2005)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Lucky # Slevin (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

[Derb]

The Matador (2005)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Matador is the 4th Weinstein title I’ve seen now & the video transfer is flawless on this one. If Weinstein decides to continue to use AVC as their codec for future titles that’s fine by me. No compression artifacts, no noise, macro, grain, edge enhancement etc. Colors never bleed, skin tones are accurate & blacks are rock solid throughout. I have to say I didn’t expect this good a video presentation. Like the Paramount release, Sahara, The Matador PQ leaps off the screen & gives an impressive three dimensional look throughout the entire runtime. The dolby digital plus track is mainly front heavy with crisp & clear dialog throughout that never gets washed away from the subtle surround effects. This track is however not a groundbreaking lossless soundtrack & the sonic appeal leans more towards a typical well encoded standard dolby digital mix. Overall, I agree with most reviewers & others who have seen this disc that it ranks among the best Warner, Universal & Paramount transfers out now to date & I look forward to seeing more high-def transfers from the Weinstein Company in the future for HD DVD!

Pulse (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Scary Movie 4 (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Wolf Creek (2005)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Chronos (1985)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

Black Rain (1989)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio dts - 8/10

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Departed (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Hollywoodland (2006)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Half Baked (1998)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Wicker Man (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Babel (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Beerfest (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Bullitt (1968)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

Nine Inch Nails: Beside You in Time (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

The Getaway (1972)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Architect (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Cream: Royal Albert Hall - London May 2-3-5-6 (2005)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Heart: Alive in Seattle (2003)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

The case shows Dolby Plus & my receiver shows Dolby Digital. Despite this, both tracks sound very good. I found the PQ to be a bit soft & it has a little noise in some areas but overall the AVC transfer is near perfect.

Barry Manilow Live! (2000)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - Reference

[billnye97]

Originally Posted by Derb

Casablanca (1942)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

In my opinion this is a 10/10 in PQ. This film is 65 years old and the HD transfer is incredible compared to the SD version. I feel all older films should be held to this high quality.

[Derb]

James Taylor: A MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

The Eagles: Farewell Tour 1 - Live In Melbourne (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Children of Men (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Good Shepherd (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Image was a bit soft & everyone looked like they had a sun-burn. Other than that the PQ remains quite consistent throughout. Dilaog heavy, not much to complain about in the audio department.

Smokin' Aces (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Feast (2005)

HD Video - 6/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

The Game (1997)

HD Video - 6/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

School for Scoundrels (2006)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

The Jerk (1979)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

The Hitcher (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Alpha Dog (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

The noise is defintely not as bad or as consistent enough to be distracting but it is there. In fact most I spotted during close-up shots of Kate & Jim but there isn't enough of those shots during the film to cause a stir over. A few scenes do appear to look flat or soft, but I think it is mostly intentional. No perfect 10 because of this. Didn't see much grain either. Color is excellent, much better than the HD broadcast & overall a much more stable image too. I have nothing negative to say about the audio. For a dialog driven flick, vocals are clear, crisp & loud with no distortion. Background noise never interfere's or washes away dialog. Not a demo disc to show off HD imo, but if your a fan, this is defintely 1 title you have to have in your collection. Awesome flick! Focus Features is my fav independant studio & this title ranks with the best of their catalog.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Matrix (1999)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - Reference

There are minor compression artifacts & the PQ wasn't as consistent as I would have thought it to be. Image is soft in some areas. It also looks dated. Its def a step up on the Re-Mastered SD DvD. That said, everything else about the video is positive. Color is more vivid & skintones more natural even with the film's intentional green push. Detail is surreal making clothing, guns & background objects life-like with minimal noise & next to no grain. I thought the increase in resolution may hurt some of the heavy CGI/film scenes but it doesn't at all. Overall, I am satisfied with this transfer even though I think there is minor room for improvement. Never did I feel like I wasn't watching a film in HD throughout. The DD+ track is something else. WoW. A major overhaul must have been done. The DD+ track sounded just as good as most LPCM or TrueHD tracks. Re-watching the film with Dolby TrueHD, I noticed the surrounds are more active with channels seamlessly branching to one another during all action & musical tracks. Faint sound is clearly more present which adds more depth to the already impressive DD+ mix.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - Reference

The Matrix Reloaded is pure eye & sound candy. The picture is free of any artifacts, vivid & clear & color leaps off the screen. What I'm noticing while watching these films is the sound more so. I didn't expect much in the audio department from the Dolby Digital Plus tracks. After listening to the Dolby TrueHD track, I am even more pleased with the results of this disc. Clearly this disc is a show stopper, every area where I thought there could be improvement on, there was & than some.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Revolutions rates as another fine demo disc to show off HD. I didn't particularly care for the artistic style in this film hence, why I didn't give it a "R" rating. Despite how I feel about the film, the transfer is on par with Reloaded & so it should be. Both films were shot simultaneously & released in the same year. The Dolby Digital Plus mix doesn't seem to have been re-mixed like the first two films. It is limited to the source. Not a bad thing. Vocals are crisp & clear throughout, musical numbers rock the HT & surrounds are well balanced giving this track a solid 9/10 imo. The DolbyTrueHD track is yet again a step up. Most of the track's highlights though are unfortunately limited to intense musical scores & action scenes. I felt dialog could have been raised a bit during mixing but this is a personal complaint & nothing more.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Skeleton Key (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Dragonheart (1996)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Frighteners: Director's Cut (1996)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Lost in Translation (2003)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Midnight Run (1988)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

The River (1984)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

Liar Liar (1997)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

Bruce Almighty (2003)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10

Black Christmas (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Harsh Times (2005)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Breach (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Daylight (1996)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Sneakers (1992)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

American Me (1992)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Big Lebowski (1998)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Bulletproof (1996)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

[Derb]

Dead Silence (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Being John Malkovich (1999)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Meet Joe Black (1998)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Presented in 1.85:1 aspect with a runtime of 3 hours, Meet Joe Black looks very good considering the source is nearly 10 years old. Detail on fine objects as well as actors is well rendered. Color reproduction is excellent & there are frequent scenes which have a three dimensional look to them. There is however minor edge enhancement & noise present but it isn't too distracting. Blacks are solid & I didn't find any compression artifacts. The Dolby Digital Plus mix is recorded around 10-15db below reference but once I matched the audible output, dynamic range kept consistent throughout. Mostly front heavy, the 1.5mbps soundtrack is crisp & clear with no sonic distortion. The score makes most use of the surrounds & LFE. Dialog is clear & well mixed. The track is limited being lossy & all, but for the age of the track, I doubt a lossless track would have made a huge impact to the overall soundfield. Meet Joe Black isn't perfect in the PQ, AQ department, but for a near 10 year old film, I throughly enjoyed this HD transfer. If your a fan, this HD DVD is definitely worth the upgrade.

Mallrats (1995)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Mystery Men (1999)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Watcher (2000)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Billy Madison (1995)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Dante's Peak (1997)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The War (1994)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

The Wedding Date (2005)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Host (2006)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 8/10

The Contract (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

The Bourne Identity (2002)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Deep Purple: They All Came Down to Montreux (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

Santana: Hymns for Peace - Live at Montreux (2004)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

Yes: Live at Montreux (2003)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

In Good Company (2004)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Uncommon Bach - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound Reality TM (2007)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio dts - Reference

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

From the beginning of "Shaun" it looked like it was gonna be a decent transfer. Not perfect, a few areas with noise & some areas which looked flat. No biggie for a film of its budget but when they get to the pub everything good about "Shaun" falls apart in a bad way. Colors are washed out, heavy noise & grain throughout, very poor contrast. It looked like a bootleg SD DVD for gods sake. Thankfully the rest of the HD transfer is passable. The audio is mixed real well. Never had to grab the remote when lots of action presented itself. Dilaog is sharp, ambient effects are more distinguished than the standard dvd release.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

A perfect 10 for Hot Fuzz (PQ), literally night & day difference from "Shaun" in the PQ area. There are few background scenes which sometimes look flat, but there isn't much there to knock this transfer down. Its probably intentional too. Detail is insane with vibrant colors, strong blacks, no noise or grain. Lots of eye poppin' 3D moments as well. Daylight, Nightlight, Exterior, Interior shots look flawless. The DD+ track is good, dialog is strong, lots more beef to the surrounds than I expected. Problem is not even the Toshiba can keep the dynamic range consistent on this track when on. The audio sporadically changes in db level. Once I got a good level for volume output, any ambient effects (quick action) increased the overall db output around 8 to 12db! I probably would have gave this one a 9/10, but this a problem in the audio, not a shining moment of HT goodness.

Darkman (1990)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)

HD Video - 5/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Scent of a Woman (1990)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Streets of Fire (1984)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Sea of Love (1989)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (2006)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

[Derb]

Erin Brockovich (2000)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Mercury Rising (1998)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

What Dreams May Come (1998)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Meet the Fockers (2004)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 1 (2006/07)

Genesis+Unaired Pilot

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Don't Look Back

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 2 (2006/07)

One Giant Leap

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Collision

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Hiros

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Better Halves

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 3 (2006/07)

Nothing to Hide

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Seven Minutes to Midnight

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Home Coming

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Six Months Ago

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 4 (2006/07)

Fallout

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Godsend

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Fix

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Distractions

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 5 (2006/07)

Run!

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Unexpected

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Company Man

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Parasite

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 6 (2006/07)

.07%

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Five Years Gone

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Hard Part

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Landslide

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Heroes: Season One - Disc 7 (2006/07)

How to Stop an Exploding Man

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Dawn of the Dead: Unrated Director's Cut (2004)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - Reference

Blades of Glory (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

The Hurricane (2000)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

The Way To Paradise - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio dts - Reference

Jazz Standards - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - Reference

Without a doubt all 3 releases from Surround Records are truely reference audio quality. I admit I am not a fan of the music itself, but I have never heard my HT sound any better. I thought LPCM was the best of the best of the best until I popped any one of these (Uncommon Bach, Way to Paradise, Jazz Standards) in my HD DVD player. The first release is 5.1 dts-HD & the latter 2 are 7.1 dts-HD. If you want to hear the fullest potential of your audio gear, than I recommend giving any one of these discs a spin.

Top Gun (1986)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Knocked Up (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Evening (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Evan Almighty (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

[Derb]

The Getaway (1994)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Notting Hill (1999)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Elizabeth (1998)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Next (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Transformers (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Audio enhancements on - 9/10
Audio enhancements off - 10/10

For Love of the Game (1999)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Patch Adams (1998)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Last Starfighter (1984)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Seed of Chucky: Unrated (2004)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Not much of an improvement over the SD DVD video wise. Colors & blacks are better but thats about it. The DD+ track sounds great & in some scenes, it oddly sounds better than the TrueHD track. The score for example, you can clearly hear ambient sounds better throughout. The TrueHD track has a more solid mix overall. Take your pick, it doesn't matter & lately thats been Universal's problem.

Shrek the Third (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Carlito's Way (1993)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Hot Rod (2007)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

A Mighty Heart (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Inside Man (2006)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Motorhead: Stage Fright (2004)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

The Heartbreak Kid (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

[Derb]

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 1 (1966/67)

The Man Trap

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Charlie X

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Where No Man Has Gone Before

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 2 (1966/67)

The Naked Time

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Enemy Within

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Mudd's Women

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 3 (1966/67)

What Are Little Girls Made Of?

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Miri

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Dagger Of The Mind

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 4 (1966/67)

The Corbomite Maneuver

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Menagerie, Part 1

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Menagerie, Part 2

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 5 (1966/67)

The Conscience Of The King

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Balance Of Terror

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Shore Leave

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 6 (1966/67)

The Galiled Seven

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Squire Of Gothos

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Arena

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 7 (1966/67)

Tomorrow Is Yesterday

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Court-Martial

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 7/10

The Return Of The Archons

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 8 (1966/67)

Space Seed

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

A Taste Of Armageddon

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

This Side Of Paradise

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 9 (1966/67)

The Devil In The Dark

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Errand Of Mercy

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Alternative Factor

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 - Disc 10 (1966/67)

The City On The Edge Of Forever

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Operation.. Annihilate!

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Old School (2003)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Zodiac (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Eastern Promises (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

[Derb]

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Uncommon Mozart - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound Reality TM (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Balls of Fury (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Talk to Me (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Space or Dream of Life - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound Reality TM (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Spatial Dynamics - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound Reality TM (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Face/Off (1997)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio dts - Reference

Beowulf (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Mozart - Die Zauberflote (1993)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Video isn't too bad for a 3 hour Opera. There are noticeable compression issues though. All close up shots look great, its background shots which leave to be desired. The intro after you see the music people & in many other areas of the transfer has some bad MMB. Audio is ok as well. Little use of surrounds which is a disappointment from me. I feel an engulfing 360 surround is needed throughout to justify a higher rating on this one.

300 (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Keali'i Reichel - Live in Concert (2006)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 10/10

Arctic Tale (2007)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Tremors (1990)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

[Derb]

Looks like this will be my last posting.. 1 tv on HD DVD set & 10 more films to rate & thats all.

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 1 (2003/05)

Mini-Series Part 1

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 2 (2003/05)

Mini-Series Part 2

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

33

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 3 (2003/05)

Water

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Bastille Day

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Act of Contrition

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 4 (2003/05)

You Can't Go Home Again

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Litmus

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Six Degrees of Separation

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 5 (2003/05)

Flesh and Bone

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Hand of God

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 - Disc 6 (2003/05)

Colonial Day

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 8/10

The Kingdom (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

The Moody Blues: Lovely to See You - Live (2005)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Roy Orbison: A Black & White Night (1987)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 10/10

Stardust (2007)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

R. Kelly Live! The Light It Up Tour (2007)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 9/10

Cat People (1982)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby TrueHD - 7/10

Timecop (1994)

HD Video - 6/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

American Gangster (2007)

HD Video - 10/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10

Atonement (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10

Into the Wild (2007)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 9/10