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[Bulla564]

Lacking features, and that crappy pink-ish color for an overly manly movie. Is Warner still trying to helplessly sabotage Blu-ray?

 

[Darko]

Lacking features, and that crappy pink-ish color for an overly manly movie. Is Warner still trying to helplessly sabotage Blu-ray?

are you serious? :lol

 

[The Main Event]

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/137356

VIDEO:

Coming to America is being released by Paramount on both HD DVD and Blu-ray on June 5, keeping their neutral status in the Hi-Def wars. On the video side, the discs are presented in two different encodes, HD DVD is released with a 1080p VC-1 encode, while the Blu-ray has an AVC/MPEG-4 1080p encode. While generally Paramount releases have looked very similar, regardless of the encode, the case is not the same with this release.

Of the two releases, I preferred the look of the VC-1 encoded HD DVD to the BD for a number of reasons. First, the VC-1 transfer was much sharper than the AVC encode on the Blu-ray Disc with the fine detail in the foreground and background having more detail. Second, the color saturation was much richer and more satisfying to the eyes. The only negative on the VC-1 transfer was that there was some noise in some solid objects in the background, specifically on some painted walls. This has the classic look of compression issues, and that may be the culprit here.

To compare the titles, I watched ½ of the movie on HD DVD and ½ of the movie on BD, but I would switch between the discs about every 4 chapters or so. My wife was doing laundry the night we watched the movie, so when she would leave the room, I would change between the players. We started the movie on HD DVD and when I made the transition to the BD version, she noticed something was amiss as soon as she sat back down and questioned “what did I do to the picture?” I played dumb and we continued to watch the movie. About 25 minutes later, she left the room again and I switched back to HD DVD. When she came back in again, she commented that “whatever I did when she was gone, it looks much better now”. I had noticed the same thing, but kept my mouth shut. The last change back to the BD disc she was in the room and she finally figured out what I was doing and commented “Wow, normally they look exactly the same!”

Granted, it isn’t as if the Blu-ray looks bad, but it just doesn’t look as good as the HD DVD does, which is why I am scoring them differently. If you didn’t have to two to compare against side by side, you would think that each of them looks just fine, but I have the benefit of being able to go back and forth between the two formats. The Blu-ray release lacks the “pop” that the HD DVD has but lacks some of the compression issues on the HD DVD. But when you take everything together, the HD DVD has a more refined look to it in comparison.

AUDIO:

The audio encodes on the discs are different as well. The HD DVD sports a more robust 1.5 Mbps Dolby Digital Plus mix, while the Blu-ray release is relegated to a lower bitrate Dolby Digital encode (640 Kbps). How do they sound? Well, for the most part, both are front heavy mixes with only the occasional use of the surround speakers for some ambiance with the exception of one scene. When the fireworks go off near the beginning of the film, the surround speakers come alive. Unfortunately, the mix between the front and rear speakers doesn’t really blend very well and the audio effect isn’t very smooth. Dialogue is intelligible on both mixes, with a very slight edge going to the higher bitrate HD DVD mix, but there isn’t enough of a difference between the encodes to grade them differently.

Glad I paid $9.52 before shipping for the superior version

 

[rubso]

500 - Internal Server Error

>.> please guys, fix it!

Of the two releases, I preferred the look of the VC-1 encoded HD DVD to the BD for a number of reasons. First, the VC-1 transfer was much sharper than the AVC encode on the Blu-ray Disc with the fine detail in the foreground and background having more detail. Second, the color saturation was much richer and more satisfying to the eyes. The only negative on the VC-1 transfer was that there was some noise in some solid objects in the background, specifically on some painted walls. This has the classic look of compression issues, and that may be the culprit here.

I was banned for this, and David Vaughn, should be banned for this too!

 

[Captain N]

would you guys like to see some video reviews of these HD DvDs and Blu Ray movies? I mean with the video reviews being 1080P.

 

[djkimothy]

dp

 

[djkimothy]

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hom060307/index.php

Week ending May 27, 2007

Week: Blu-ray 69 HD DVD 31
YTD: Blu-ray 67 HD DVD 33
SI: Blu-ray 58 HD DVD 42

1. Pirates of the Caribbean DMC BD 100.00
2. Pirates of the Caribbean CBP BD 89.35
3. Apocalypto BD 73.73
4. Ultimate Matrix Collection HD 33.28
5. Letters from Iwo Jima BD 26.68
6. Complete Matrix Trilogy HD 25.88
7. Letters from Iwo Jima 22.06
8. Planet Earth HD 17.55
9. Casino Royale BD 13.64
10. Flags of Our Fathers BD 11.86

Edit: **** this internal error shit!

 

[captive]

Dug up from AVS, latest Neilson/VideoScan

Week ending May 27, 2007

Week: Blu-ray 69 HD DVD 31
YTD: Blu-ray 67 HD DVD 33
SI: Blu-ray 58 HD DVD 42

1. Pirates of the Caribbean DMC BD 100.00
2. Pirates of the Caribbean CBP BD 89.35
3. Apocalypto BD 73.73
4. Ultimate Matrix Collection BD 33.28
5. Letters from Iwo Jima BD 26.68
6. Complete Matrix Trilogy HD 25.88
7. Letters from Iwo Jima 22.06
8. Planet Earth HD 17.55
9. Casino Royale BD 13.64
10. Flags of Our Fathers BD 11.86

But i thought Pirates werent going to sell because they had already been released on DVD.
While Matrix on the other hand was going to be the savior of hd dvd?
and shouldnt the bolded be HD not BD?

And goddamn these internal server errors are killing me.

 

[djkimothy]

But i thought Pirates werent going to sell because they had already been released on DVD.
While Matrix on the other hand was going to be the savior of hd dvd?

Well, I held out buying DMC on DVD.

I would like to add, despite the numbers, which is units sold, Waner still made a killing with their Matrix box sets.

 

[distantmantra]

Well, I held out buying DMC on DVD.

Same here. I also never bought Spider-Man 2 on DVD.

I would like to add, despite the numbers, which is units sold, Waner still made a killing with their Matrix box sets.

I sure hope they release the individual movies at some point in the future. I'd buy the original film, but have zero interest in the sequels and bonus discs.

 

[jjasper]

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hom060307/index.php

Week ending May 27, 2007

Week: Blu-ray 69 HD DVD 31
YTD: Blu-ray 67 HD DVD 33
SI: Blu-ray 58 HD DVD 42

1. Pirates of the Caribbean DMC BD 100.00
2. Pirates of the Caribbean CBP BD 89.35
3. Apocalypto BD 73.73
4. Ultimate Matrix Collection HD 33.28
5. Letters from Iwo Jima BD 26.68
6. Complete Matrix Trilogy HD 25.88
7. Letters from Iwo Jima 22.06
8. Planet Earth HD 17.55
9. Casino Royale BD 13.64
10. Flags of Our Fathers BD 11.86

Edit: **** this internal error shit!

I really hope DMC sold better because people were holding out for the BD otherwise it should not have sold better than the superior Curse of the Black Pearl. It also appears that Warners movies are selling better on BD, although Planet Earth seems to be an exception to that.

 

[Oni Jazar]

Well, I held out buying DMC on DVD.

I would like to add, despite the numbers, which is units sold, Waner still made a killing with their Matrix box sets.

How is a combined total of 13,900 units "a killing"? I'd say what these sales show is a lack of growth on both formats which is very unfortunate.

 

[djkimothy]

How is a combined total of 13,900 units "a killing"? I'd say what these sales show is a lack of growth on both formats which is very unfortunate.

Replying on GAF right now is a pain in the ass.... but.

What I meant to say, at the price point of the box sets, they made some money despite low sales number. I recall on the forums of Highdefdigest that it was estimated that the money from the box set was behind the pirates movies but not as dramatically as the units sold suggests...

But yes, growth is slow.

 

[StoOgE]

I love the HD digest article about Pirates movies killing the Matrix.

I would hope that two movies combined retailing for 25 bucks each would outsell a boxset retailing at 75 (for the cheaper set). :lol

POTC still outsold the Matrix, but if you look at dollars or count the matrix as 3 movies, its much closer. This is also going to throw the ratio this week way off.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

HD DVD trolls on AVS are trying to look at the Matrix movies sold as 3 movies. :lol Maybe we should start counting the MI movies like that as well.

I bought both Pirates and Matrix trilogy. I think like the vast majority of people who bought 1 pirates - bought BOTH Pirates movies at the same time, so the price descripancy isn't as big between Matrix and Pirates.

 

[djkimothy]

I think the fatal error was not releasing the Animatrix in HD. As far as I'm concerned.

 

[VanMardigan]

Yeah, that was a pretty bad turnout for HD DVD on a pretty important week. So the Pirates movies averaged about 23, 500 each while Matrix box set was around 14,000. Matrix definitely did absolutely nothing for HD DVD, which is very disappointing. I wasn't expecting a touchdown, but these numbers aren't even a blip in the radar. I guess that's what happens when you do a box set instead of sell individually. Personally, it was tough paying for the Planet Earth box set and then have to turn around and splurge on Matrix as well.

Are these Brick & Mortar numbers? I thought I read that at highdefdigest. I expect Matrix did better online, where it was 1/3 of the retail price. I just ordered mine for $52 at deepdiscount with their 20% off sale. It was sold out, but I should still get it rather soon. I'm also pretty pissed my Lost in Translation isn't here yet.

 

[rkenshin]

Kinda off-topic but I suck at Liar's Dice on the Pirates DMC Bluray

 

[DarkJediKnight]

I think the fatal error was not releasing the Animatrix in HD. As far as I'm concerned.

That's the best thing released about the Matrix since the Matrix.

I would have been cool if they spent the 2 movies focused on hotspots and glitches in the Matrix like the 'playground' episode.

Animatrix >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Matrix Reloaded >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Matrix Crapulations.

 

[ManaByte]

I think the fatal error was not releasing the Animatrix in HD. As far as I'm concerned.

Wasn't the XBLM version in HD?

 

[djkimothy]

That's the best thing released about the Matrix since the Matrix.

I would have been cool if they spent the 2 movies focused on hotspots and glitches in the Matrix like the 'playground' episode.

Animatrix >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Matrix Reloaded >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Matrix Crapulations.

I agree, it's what got me hyped for the sequals.

"Beyond" was my clear favourite for it's surreal atmosphere and the amazing score. It was too bad it wasn't included in the soundtrack. But all the others were good and it would have been nice to get the Osiris episode in HD.

Wasn't the XBLM version in HD?

I have no idea. But if it was, people with stand alone players got shafted.

 

[StoOgE]

HD DVD trolls on AVS are trying to look at the Matrix movies sold as 3 movies. :lol

How does that make them trolls?

A story was published that compared the sale of two normally priced movies combined to a box set of movies that cost 3x as much as one of the individual movies.. how is that a fair or good comparison?

Is it fair to count the Matrix as 3 movies? Probably not either, but the original report isnt very fair either.

Wasn't the XBLM version in HD?

nope.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

How does that make them trolls?

A story was published that compared the sale of two normally priced movies combined to a box set of movies that cost 3x as much as one of the individual movies.. how is that a fair or good comparison?

Is it fair to count the Matrix as 3 movies? Probably not either, but the original report isnt very fair either.



nope.

I'm not talking about reports at all. I'm talking about individual posters. There's several people claiming.

Matrix 1 sold 13900
Matrix 2 sold 13900
Matrix 3 sold 13900

Warner knew that by releasing the titles individually, Matrix 1 would have done well, but many wouldn't pick up 2 and 3. They save money on packaging and distribution this way.

A box set is a box set. That's the way it always is. Otherwise Star Wars would be the highest selling dvd of all time, breaking all records.

 

[kaching]

Kinda off-topic but I suck at Liar's Dice on the Pirates DMC Bluray

That's not off-topic, that's clearly a manifestation of Blu-ray's lacking interactive features. On HD DVD, you'd be rockin' that game.

 

[djkimothy]

I've had that Blu-ray disc for a while now and have yet to play that game. Oblivion is taking too much of my (whatever is free) time. :/

 

[MattXG]

I think HD-DVD is going to take back over control later this year....

 

[djkimothy]

I think HD-DVD is going to take back over control later this year....

"Keep telling that to yourself darling."

 

[StoOgE]

I'm not talking about reports at all. I'm talking about individual posters. There's several people claiming.

Matrix 1 sold 13900
Matrix 2 sold 13900
Matrix 3 sold 13900
.

Ok, thats clearly terrible thinking.

Its more like the Matrix sold 14000 copies for 75 bucks, and everyone got stuck with two crappy movies... but that "article" on highdefdigest is just as stupid.

Also, looking forward to the "useless" interactive features on 300. The PIP with the blue screen version should be pretty cool. Being able to edit your own version of the movie could be sorta interesting.. they could have used that for the Matrix sequals so I could reedit the movie to skip over anything that tried to form a plot and watch things explode.

 

[jjasper]

Also, looking forward to the "useless" interactive features on 300. The PIP with the blue screen version should be pretty cool. Being able to edit your own version of the movie could be sorta interesting.. they could have used that for the Matrix sequals so I could reedit the movie to skip over anything that tried to form a plot and watch things explode.

:lol

Hey is Weeds a good show I noticed that season one just came out on BD for pretty cheap, was wondering if it was worth the price of admission?

 

[DarkJediKnight]

I think HD-DVD is going to take back over control later this year....

This was HD DVD's best chance at making a huge dent in Blu-ray. Player price drops, huge marketing campaign and all they got was 13900 sales of the most anticipated release in its history. The only thing HD DVD has left is Bourne 3, Heroes and Battlestar, and judging by the Matrix, neither of those will probably hit 20k except Bourne 3, Heroes might because it has so much HD exclusive stuff.

It would've been interesting to see the pirates numbers if there was a $299-$399 Blu-ray player.

 

[MattXG]

HD-DVD will have $199 players by the end of the year...

That will start to change things.

Don't forget, you are talking to the guy who predicted PS3's price and PS3's struggles to reach 100,000 units this summer in the US.

Blu-Ray is dead -- and just doesn't know it yet.

 

[jjasper]

well that was fast

 

[DarkJediKnight]

HD-DVD will have $199 players by the end of the year...

That will start to change things.

Don't forget, you are talking to the guy who predicted PS3's price and PS3's struggles to reach 100,000 units this summer in the US.

Blu-Ray is dead -- and just doesn't know it yet.

I'm still waiting for things to change. HD DVD keeps dropping their prices, but I see ZERO effects in movie sales. It seems like it's always the same early adopters who are buying the titles.

Anything can happen. I'm ruling nothing out. The Matrix timed exclusive came out of the blue and no one saw it coming. However, lower priced Blu-ray players are about to hit the market in 2 months.

I also believe that a $100 price drop on the PS3 will negate whatever the HD DVD prices are.

 

[VanMardigan]

Wait, was Matt banned for that post?

And I agree with DKJ. I won't rule anything out, but this was supposed to be a big week for both formats, and it looks like only one format answered the bell. It's disappointing, because HD DVD is supposed to be all about attach rate, but these new players couldn't produce a significant jump. I'm sure the format is still growing, but the pace is certainly not what it needs to be, IMO. Especially if HD DVD was hoping to attract the BR-exclusive studios with impressive sales figures.

Again, I wasn't expecting a miracle, but less than 15,000 copies of Matrix is pathetic any way you look at it considering the buzz and promotions.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

There have been lots of "just wait" comments since the strart of this war, but the only ones that have come true are:

Just wait until PS3 comes out, BluRay will pass HD DVD

and

Just wait until Casio Royale comes out, it will sell a ton

I don't put much faith in any "just wait" comments anymore.

 

[VanMardigan]

There have been lots of "just wait" comments since the strart of this war, but the only ones that have come true are:

Just wait until PS3 comes out, BluRay will pass HD DVD

and

Just wait until Casio Royale comes out, it will sell a ton

I don't put much faith in any "just wait" comments anymore.

Actually, the second one is questionable. Didn't Sony ridiculously overship CR? When the actual numbers came out, it was nowhere near the 100k mark. As a matter fact, it still hasn't gotten there iirc. Departed and Planet Earth (dual format titles) proved to be the real sales heavyweights.

 

[StoOgE]

Wait, was Matt banned for that post?

Edit: Nope.. he went on a OA is > GAF rant today.

 

[Oni Jazar]

To be honest, it's an unfair match up to pit two more recent blockbuster movies that have received some acclaim (Pirates 1 & 2) over an overpriced box set with two clunkers in there.

What's interesting to note is that Universal hit titles like 40 Year Old Virgin and others had zero inpact on the top sales chart.

 

[djkimothy]

Wouldnt surprise me.. someone predicts BRD is dead and they are banned. People proclaim HDDVD 5 times a page and nothing happens.

Well, current data suggests that BD is far from dead. So a statement like that is just plain silly.

What's interesting to note is that Universal hit titles like 40 Year Old Virgin and others had zero inpact on the top sales chart.

No...I'm not surprised there. I've seen it on DVD and that's all the attention I'm giving it. :/

But then again, you can't really compare 40 year old virgin to blockbusters like Matrix.

 

[StoOgE]

Well, current data suggests that BD is far from dead. So a statement like that is just plain silly.

actually, current data suggest both arent doing well. BRD is just doing slightly less horrible.

 

[VanMardigan]

Well, current data suggests that BD is far from dead. So a statement like that is just plain silly.

Maybe silly, but by no means ban-worthy, imo.

And as far as sales, I think both formats are doing ok considering the fact that the standalones are still pricy for the mainstream and that they require HD televisions in the first place. Let's not forget how big of an advantage dvd has in its ability to play on any set and look good to the average consumer.

 

[djkimothy]

Maybe silly, but by no means ban-worthy, imo.

And as far as sales, I think both formats are doing ok considering the fact that the standalones are still pricy for the mainstream and that they require HD televisions in the first place. Let's not forget how big of an advantage dvd has in its ability to play on any set and look good to the average consumer.

Yah, I agree with both of that.

 

[jjasper]

What's interesting to note is that Universal hit titles like 40 Year Old Virgin and others had zero inpact on the top sales chart.

I don't think that is really suprising it is a catalog release of a movie that doesn't really gain a whole lot in HD, like Pirates of The Matrix does.

 

[kaching]

actually, current data suggest both arent doing well. BRD is just doing slightly less horrible.

WTF? They aren't doing well as compared to what? DVD, at a much more mature stage in its lifespan? That's hardly an accurately evaluation of how well these new formats are doing. How well did DVD or VHS do at the same period in their lifespan?

 

[ManaByte]

WTF? They aren't doing well as compared to what? DVD, at a much more mature stage in its lifespan? That's hardly an accurately evaluation of how well these new formats are doing. How well did DVD or VHS do at the same period in their lifespan?

At this stage in DVD's lifetime, FOX and Disney were exclusively supporting a doomed format (DIVX) and refused to support DVD at all. It wasn't until DIVX died that they switched over to DVD.

 

[jjasper]

At this stage in DVD's lifetime, FOX and Disney were exclusively supporting a doomed format (DIVX) and refused to support DVD at all. It wasn't until DIVX died that they switched over to DVD.

I thought it was Fox and Paramount that did that

 

[ManaByte]

I thought it was Fox and Paramount that did that

Fox, Disney, and Paramount.

This time around Paramount got smart and went format-neutral.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

At this stage in DVD's lifetime, FOX and Disney were exclusively supporting a doomed format (DIVX) and refused to support DVD at all. It wasn't until DIVX died that they switched over to DVD.

damn double post.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

At this stage in DVD's lifetime, FOX and Disney were exclusively supporting a doomed format (DIVX) and refused to support DVD at all. It wasn't until DIVX died that they switched over to DVD.

DIVX never had a chance in hell. Pretty much every hardware manufacturer was against it because they make no money out of it. Dumb rental service.

This is nothing like DVD vs DIVX. Neither is it anything like Betamax and VHS. Remember the stupid porn argument? The smart ones were saying how it's going to have 0 effect because porn is just a click away now.

 

[Pachinko]

http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.9

The guy doesn't really cite any sources for these numbers but if true they are interesting.

# 1997

* 349,000 DVD-Video players shipped in the U.S. (About 200,000 sold into homes.)
* 900 DVD-Video titles available in the U.S. Over 5 million copies shipped; about 2 million sold.
* Over 500,000 DVD-Video players shipped worldwide.
* Around 330,000 DVD-ROM drives shipped worldwide with about 1 million bundled DVD-ROM titles.
* 60 DVD-ROM titles (mostly bundled).

So according to this in 1997 only 2 million movies were sold in 1997 across 900 titles. That means an average of 2200 copies per movie/and... 50 movies per player ? that 900 figure seems waaay off.