Last HD Movie Watched

[Derb]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Terminator 2 (Blu-ray)

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

Very impressive disc, and it looked great in HD. Some scenes had speckles and there was some noise, but overall a solid transfer. The dts track was great. Just with it was in pcm.

Yep I agree, a LPCM track would rock. I was bit disappointed with the PQ. I had hopes Pete Bracke was wrong about transfering Super35 to Video. Unfortunately he is right & the result is noise & a grainy appearance mainly in low light scenes. Other than that, color & detail were awesome... overall a nice improvement over the latest Artisan release upconverted.

Originally Posted by ganthc

Lady in the Water (Blu-ray)

HD Video: 8.5/10
HD Audio: 8/10

It was a little soft, but I wasn't sure if that's how it was supposed to be. Still it did look very good. Audio was okay, but nothing spectacular. I think the movie was hurt because there wasn't a memorable score like his other films.

The HD DVD ain't much better neither even with its TrueHD track imo.

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

[Derb]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Tears of the Sun (Blu Ray)

Video: 10/10
Audio(PCM): 10/10

Wow what a reference disc! This doesn't come as much suprise since the DVD was reference quality as well, perfect black levels, and every frame is incredibly sharp.

I remember them AVS BD folks going nuts over this release when it came out so I was a bit sceptical. I agree this BD defintely has a solid transfer.

[Sehnzeleid]

Originally Posted by Derb

Yep I agree, a LPCM track would rock. I was bit disappointed with the PQ. I had hopes Pete Bracke was wrong about transfering Super35 to Video. Unfortunately he is right & the result is noise & a grainy appearance mainly in low light scenes. Other than that, color & detail were awesome... overall a nice improvement over the latest Artisan release upconverted.

Derb, is it introduced video noise or film grain? Noise sucks, but film grain is our friend.

Also, is the full bitrate DTS better than the DTS on the Ultimate Edition or Dolby on the Extreme Editon DVDs? Though I know LPCM would be especially awesome.

[BADBRAD]

Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire (HD DVD)

Video 9/10
Audio 10/10

Courage Under Fire (Blu Ray)

Video 10/10
Audio 10/10

Planet of the Apes (Blu Ray)

Video 7/10
Audio 9/10

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Derb, is it introduced video noise or film grain? Noise sucks, but film grain is our friend.

Also, is the full bitrate DTS better than the DTS on the Ultimate Edition or Dolby on the Extreme Editon DVDs? Though I know LPCM would be especially awesome.

Film grain is a bit excessive during some scenes & can be distracting. Noise is less of an issue with the transfer but it is apparent. The full bitrate dts is a wash compared to the UE & EE dvd editions. It is better than the Dolby EX track though. Clearer vocals, stronger LFE & better dynamic range.

The few people who immediately select dts & watch Lionsgate films all the way through. I'd recommend switching back & fourth between the 2. I have found a few LF releases were the Dolby track is cleary better than the dts one.

[plissken99]

Planet of the Apes (Blu Ray)

Video: 8/10
Audio: 9/10

A very uneven transfer, though most of it is quite sharp, while some scenes looks like there's a thin coat of vasoline on the lens, also edge halos are present on some exterior daylight shots. No complaints in the audio dept, all very good.

[Pirate]

I've not watched anything in HD for weeks now. My A1 is collecting dust.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I've not watched anything in HD for weeks now. My A1 is collecting dust.

You know what you need to do.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by ganthc

You know what you need to do.

Yup.

[Iguana Man]

Your gonna dive right in aren't ya?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Your gonna dive right in aren't ya?

As soon as that $600 Sony player hits...

[Iguana Man]

I'm sending Ruined over to kic...uhm, knock some sense into you. You want blue, you got it (and a little black to go with it)



(Sorry for leading this thread into the abyss, I'm done)

[Sehnzeleid]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Your gonna dive right in aren't ya?

It's more like this:

[Derb]

Go for it PH, ya know ya want to see HD MPEG-2 style.

The Architect (2006) (HD DVD)

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

The World's Fastest Indian (2005) (HD DVD)

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

[plissken99]

Chain Reaction (Blu Ray)

Video: 6.5/10
Audio: 9/10

Mosquito noise and halo riddled transfer with moments of actual HD scenes. Excellent audio though.

[Derb]

Discovery Atlas: Australia Revealed (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

The Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up (2005) (Blu-Ray)

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

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

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio dts - 10/10

[ganthc]

Ultraviolet (Blu-ray)

HD Video: 9/10
HD Audio: 9/10

This film was kind of soft and the characters looked a bit plasticky, but I think that was the goal of the transfer. Sound was very good in lpcm, but none of these factor overcame what a total bore this movie was. I thought it was a horribly scripted film, and I wouldn't recommend it.

[Derb]

Heart: Alive in Seattle (2003) (HD DVD)

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.

[ganthc]

Casino Royale (Blu Ray)

Video: 10/10
Audio (LPCM): 10/10

This is almost a reference disc, if you discount the purposeful graininess in the opening scene. There was also some slight noise in the hospital room, but overall a solid and near perfect transfer. I didn't notice weird skin tones, so I continue to wonder about Bracke's settings on his screen. The LPCM track was incredible!!

EDIT: I also noticed a rough chapter skip (or layer transfer?) right after Bond and the exotic lady do the nasty. It was a bit jarring, but nothing terrible. It's just the first one I've noticed on bd.

[plissken99]

Rocky Balboa (Blu Ray)

Video: 9.5/10
Audio(PCM): 9.5/10

Very nearly a reference disc. It has a lot of intentional grain, but it very very sharp. The final fight, which was shot in HD, just looks incredible, the level of detail is off the charts. Since this isn't a very surround active type movie, I watched it in PCM 2.0, very loud and clear. Excellent movie btw!

[Derb]

Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Derb

The Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up (2005) (Blu-Ray)

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

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

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Is Pat on HD-DVD? If not.. If so, why BR for you?

Cream...cool...me get.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Is Pat on HD-DVD? If not.. If so, why BR for you?

Cream...cool...me get.

Yep Pat is on HD DVD. In fact I had the copy in my hand & decided to get the BD because the store I was at had all 5 Eagle Rock titles.

Cream is HD DVD exclusive. (Imagine)

I was gonna knock the rating down on that one when I saw what looked like a digi line which ran through certain areas. Nope, just the HD rez reflecting anything silver or shiney. The lighting is excellent which makes for some very highly detailed images. I've never seen the 3 stooges look so old.

[Derb]

Alice Cooper: Live At Montreux (2005) (Blu-Ray)

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

The Holiday (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

Picture & detail is a bit soft throughout the film. I didn't notice any artifacts & color is great. I did find the picture to look a little dark, could be intentional though. Presented 1.85:1 & transfered in AVC with a VBR in the 30's, the picture quality throughout is very consistent. The Dolby Digital (640kbps) & LPCM (4.6mbps) tracks are surprisingly a wash. I sampled many scenes, the dialog, surround effects used, etc. etc. That said, this obviously isn't the type of film which should rattle your home theater.. Dialog is always clear & what little surrounds are used throughout the course of the film do not interfere with the center channel making this track very front heavy. Overall, a solid transfer & a not so bad flick to boot.

[plissken99]

The Transporter (Blu Ray)

Video: 6.5/10
Audio: 9/10

[SilentBob]

CASINO ROYALE Blu-ray

VIDEO: 9.5/10
AUDIO (Dolby 5.1): 9/10


Well i only waited an extra week and a half to watch my opy but man t was worth it i guess in the end. Picture was just amazing but something is holding me back from giving this a 10, The Audio was also great for the Dolby Digital track but the opening theme didn't seem right as Cornell's vocals were a bit drawn out. Still it was a great audio track and makes me think even harder about saving some cash for a HDMI receiver for my LPCM tracks to enjoy. Oh annd he movie wa sgreat too a bit drawn out near the end but still the best Bond film since GoldenEye

[Derb]

Black Crowes: Freak ‘n’ Roll... Into The Fog (2005) (Blu-Ray)

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

[SilentBob]

MONSTER HOUSE Blu-ray

VIDEO: 9/10
Audio(DD 5.1): Reference



OK this was yet another blind buy or me. The movie was pretty damn scary for a "kids film" and was surprised to see it only get a PG rating and not PG-13. (way too scary for kids) Still the video was great and it should be for a CGI Digital to Digital transfer but i thought some parts looked a bit soft here and there but still a great transfer. Then you have the audio and MY GAWD does it kick some serious ass in the low end department. Again like Casino Royale i just wonder what i would of heard on the LPCM track. Overall the movie was overall pretty good but started a bit slow but the last half is pretty fast and filled with some great action moments and wonderful CGI.

[Derb]

Discovery Atlas: China Revealed (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

[ganthc]

The Marine (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 7.5/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

There was a fair amount of grain around the film, but there was still detail and the colors seemed fine. The DTS track was dynamic. The film was only so-so, but John Cena did a decent job as an action hero.

[plissken99]

Mission Impossible 2 (HD-DVD)

Video: 8.5/10
Audio: 9/10

Ok, so this is the 1st HD-DVD I've watched since the NIN concert(finally felt like watching it), and both skipped like crazy. At one point it wouldn't stop skipping, so I had to remove the immaculate disc and yell at it, which stopped the worst of it so I could finish the movie. I guess the player will just keep getting worse. Did I hear someone say that the A1 should still be covered under a 1 year warranty? Any idea what the turn around time and cost to me would be? This skippage is getting out of hand.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Mission Impossible 2 (HD-DVD)

Video: 8.5/10
Audio: 9/10

Ok, so this is the 1st HD-DVD I've watched since the NIN concert(finally felt like watching it), and both skipped like crazy. At one point it wouldn't stop skipping, so I had to remove the immaculate disc and yell at it, which stopped the worst of it so I could finish the movie. I guess the player will just keep getting worse. Did I hear someone say that the A1 should still be covered under a 1 year warranty? Any idea what the turn around time and cost to me would be? This skippage is getting out of hand.

You can sell your hd-dvd version and buy a bd version when it comes out. Now there's a format that doesn't skip.

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by ganthc

You can sell your hd-dvd version and buy a bd version when it comes out. Now there's a format that doesn't skip.

Fact is i have many exclusive HD-DVD movies, and the A1 blows everything away for SD-DVD playback.

[ganthc]

Sure, but that doesn't help you when you are trying to watch MI:2. That's why you might consider switching out versions just on that movie. And whatever other movies that might skip that are bi-format. I know that if I get an hd-dvd player, I might get some Warner movies, because Warner seems to only put quality hd sound on their hd-dvd discs (The Departed being the exception).

[Derb]

Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

[Derb]

Elvis Costello - Club Date: Live In Memphis (2004) (Blu-Ray)

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

First Blood (1982) (Blu-Ray)

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

[sambow87]

Children of Men

Video: Reference
Audio: 9/10


Happy Feet

Video: Reference
Audio: Reference

[Derb]

Big Fish (2003) (Blu-Ray)

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

[Derb]

Finally got around to watching this. I have had it for about a week & decided to wait & let the hype of the transfer & film to die down before watching.

Casino Royale (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

There is minor noise throughout the picture. I didn't find that it was tweaked, nor had a bad digital processed type look. Color reproduction is excellent & accurate, not to mention skintones. This was something that I looked for most, mainly because of Pete's take over at High-def-digest. Contrast did look a bit tweaked which made some areas of the transfer soft. This is barely a complaint as most of the film is either shot in very light or dark locations. I really wanted to give the video transfer a lower rating but it seriously looks too good & it is overall, very, very consistent throughout which is the highlight to what I expect from all HD transfers. The Dolby Digital track is agressive, much more so than I thought it would be. All speakers get a nice workout but sometimes surrounds can drown out the center whenever action scenes approach. This is easily the best sounding DD track I've heard from Sony yet. The LPCM on the hand suffers just the 1 issue I had with the DD track, vocals & action do not intermix well but the trade off is a mix that not only increases the db output, but also fine tunes each channel to perfection. The soundstage is very dynamic giving it a pleasing 360 feel instead of the DD pingpong effect. Each channel is crisp & clear + the LFE rocks. I don't know what more this track could offer.. unless there was a hidden 7.1 easter egg track. Overall, a very impressive transfer on both fronts, excellent film, & worth all the hype.

[The Limey]

Originally Posted by Derb

Finally got around to watching this. I have had it for about a week & decided to wait & let the hype of the transfer & film to die down before watching.

Casino Royale (2006) (Blu-Ray)

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

There is minor noise throughout the picture. I didn't find that it was tweaked, nor had a bad digital processed type look. Color reproduction is excellent & accurate, not to mention skintones. This was something that I looked for most, mainly because of Pete's take over at High-def-digest. Contrast did look a bit tweaked which made some areas of the transfer soft. This is barely a complaint as most of the film is either shot in very light or dark locations. I really wanted to give the video transfer a lower rating but it seriously looks too good & it is overall, very, very consistent throughout which is the highlight to what I expect from all HD transfers. The Dolby Digital track is agressive, much more so than I thought it would be. All speakers get a nice workout but sometimes surrounds can drown out the center whenever action scenes approach. This is easily the best sounding DD track I've heard from Sony yet. The LPCM on the hand suffers just the 1 issue I had with the DD track, vocals & action do not intermix well but the trade off is a mix that not only increases the db output, but also fine tunes each channel to perfection. The soundstage is very dynamic giving it a pleasing 360 feel instead of the DD pingpong effect. Each channel is crisp & clear + the LFE rocks. I don't know what more this track could offer.. unless there was a hidden 7.1 easter egg track. Overall, a very impressive transfer on both fronts, excellent film, & worth all the hype.

Couldn't agree more!