Finally. A proper place to discuss. Let's keep this thread clean and focused.

For 2001: A Space Odissey, it's not just efforts that gave the excellent PQ. The film was shot on a 70mm film, essentially double the resolution of the 35mm normally used today. Nowadays only IMAX format uses 70mm film, you can see the difference between IMAX and anamorphic 35mm Panavision scenes in one same movie, The Dark Knight. The documentary, Baraka also uses 70mm (using some customized camera, not IMAX) and the PQ is simply stunning, one the best PQ on BD out there (scanned at 8k resolution instead of 4k normally, and downconverted to 2k (1080p) for the BD). Predator was given the best transfer but was not cosidered as good PQ with so much grains, but that's just how the film supposed to look.

About grains, they are natural properties of the analogue film stock. Scenes shot in dark will further enhance them, even with digital cameras because of the lighting and camera ISO etc. Actually no one likes grain, but the problem is, when you remove (DNR) the grains you will also lost the details, making the PQ soft. In worst cases with to much DNR, the people will look waxy. Some digitally shot film, like Miami Vice, grains were intentionallly added digitally to give film-like and gritty image. On the other hand, Zodiac, which was also digitally shot using the same Viper camera, has very minimal grain and the PQ is just excellent.

For AQ, mostly is lossless, so it's bit-by-bit identical to the studio master. Normal Dolby Digital on DVD usually stripped to 448kbps, but the Dolby TrueHD of my Celine Dion: A New Day BD maintains 10mbps average with 24-bit/96kHz sampling. When you hear some bad lossless audio, it's the source not the format, so blame the bad sound design mixing/editing by the sound engineers.

The studio masters are usually in big PCM format. In the early days of BD, they just put the whole thing on the disc. That's why you see a lot of old titles using this format. With this, all you need is a DAC to convert to analogue and an amplifier to power the speakers. But, by putting the PCM master on the disc, a lot of space will be taken. That space can be used to maximise the bitrate of the movie itself and/or put some bonus features. This is where DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD come in.

DTS-HD MA/Dolby TrueHD works like a ZIP tool, they losslessly compress (encode) the PCM and save a lot of space on the disc. Then it's up to the player or AV receiver to "unzip" (decode) the format to get the uncompressed PCM. If the player does the "unzipping", it will send the uncompressed PCM via HDMI to the receiver which will convert to analogue (i.e. BD60). Some players (except PS3) has it's own DAC, converting to analogue itself before sending it to receivers via the multi-channel analogue outs, very handy for older receivers without HDMI (i.e. BD80). Almost all players (except PS3) can send the DTS-HD MA/Dolby TrueHD untouched (still "zipped", HDMI only) to the receiver, this method is called bitstream. This way the receiver will do the "unzipping", DAC, and amplify. If the receiver uses better decoding chip (PS3 uses software decoding, not hardware), you should hear some difference in the AQ.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jun 29 2009, 09:12 AM

You don't need a new amp even with DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD. Just get a player with multi-channel analogue outs, like BD80 or your own BD55. These players MUST have their own decoding capability in order to get the PCM, convert it to analogue (DAC) and sends out using the multi-channel analogue outs to older amps.

Actually PCM itself on the disc can be worse for owners of PS3 or players without multi-channel outs (like BD60) conneting to older amp, because they will have to use the optical/coaxial connection that can't carry the high bitrate multi-channel PCM track (bandwidth limitation). Using optical/coaxial will downmix the multi-channel PCM track to stereo! But with DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD, inside the codec there is a backup track of normal DTS (1.5mbps) and Dolby Digital (640kbps) that will be bitstreamed to your amp via the optical/coaxial, so you'll still get multi-channel audio, only not lossless.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jun 29 2009, 08:46 AM

Of course it's subjective. Some even argued that the lossy DTS/Dolby Digital audio is better than lossless. There's someone here even started a thread about it.

If two different machines uses different chip to decode, it's possible that you'll hear some difference, like I did when I compare between my PS3 (software internal decoding) and my receiver (hardware decoding bitstreamed from BD35). But if you use PS3, you have no choice but to let the PS3 do the decoding because it can;t bitstream.

1) Not really. All films shot on analogue film stock will have grains. But on 70mm film the grains will be much finer, so the grains aren't that obvious and no need to DNR (DNR will remove grains but it also removes details and sharpness).

2) Same as above. Only digitally shot film should have lesser grains (dark scenes). Majority of theatrical movies now still uses analogue film.

3) Yes you can. But like I said, it will make the PQ seems flat, soft and fleshtones looks like they're made of wax. Lowry Digital (now owned by DTS Labs) is very good job in cleaning noise (dirt, specks, etc) but they won't simply remove the grain if it compromises the PQ.

Of course, at higher resolution you'll see more details, even the grains. That's why you don't see them on DVDs. This why HD is so wonderful.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jun 29 2009, 12:51 PM

Alex Proyas is one of my favorite director. Watched Dark City BD again yesterday. Still amazed. The director's cut is much better with the removal of the opening narration (as he originally intended), keeping the mystery even more interesting.

So I have this Knowing pre-ordered. A blind buy for me. I'll keep an open mind watching it, hopefully it will not suck.

Dark City was trashed by critics when it was theatrically released (except for Roger Ebert, he's pretty much alone at that time). Now it's a classic.

No problem, but's that's just my input, maybe others have more to add or to correct me if I'm wrong.

First, The Phantom Menace has not been released on blu-ray. Secondly, the movie was not 100% digitally shot, actually there is only one scene that was shot using digital camera (I think in the Jedi Council room). But Episode II and III both was shot fully digitally shot using Sony digital cameras. What's even better with digital movies, there's no analogue-to-digital transfer process, they just encode and put it on the disc with the proper resolution. For analogue movies they have to scan the film negatives to computer.

DNR is Digital Noise Reduction. Yes, DNR was done during the transfer from film medium, but they can still be applied later in the process too. Your TV also has it, but it usually focused to clean the noise in the broadcast signal.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jun 29 2009, 01:52 PM

I didn't argue about how much "efforts" will affect the transfer. Read my post carefully, I said "not just efforts" which means I agree but there are other factors too.

Let's say the studio put the same transfer "efforts" for 2 movies, one 70mm and the other 35mm. Same condition etc, the 70mm should still be better than 35mm right? That's my whole point. It's just one of many factors.

Michael Jackson's Final Rehearsal Rumored for Blu-ray

When Michael Jackson died last week, he was rehearsing for a final series of live concerts in London. Those gigs will obviously never happen, but Jackson's last rehearsal, recorded in multi-camera, high-definition video, could be released on Blu-ray, according to concert promoters cited by the British newspaper The Independent.

The recordings were part of the deal between Jackson and concert promotion company AEG Live, which included a plan to produce a CD, DVD and Blu-ray of what Jackson had billed his "final performance" tour, titled This Is It.

One AEG official is reported to have boasted to a colleague: "We have a live album in the can." The rehearsal, which went on for several hours, included dancers, musicians and aerial performers.

Patrick Woodroffe, lighting designer, watched the final rehearsal. He said: "We had rehearsed for the last couple weeks. We put together a complicated show, quite a spectacular show. Of course a huge part of it was him, and I would say for the last week he hadn't really been with us. He would appear, and he would rehearse sometimes, and he would not rehearse."

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, has refused to comment for the story.

Posted June 29, 2009 10:54 AM by Juan Calonge at Blu-ray.com

Speaking of Gladiator, if you like the DVD then prepare for the sonic awesomeness of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio. Also to e released are Braveheart and Forrest Gump. I'm posting this again for everyone here.

Paramount will be releasing 3 titles in their new Sapphire Series.

Sept 1, 2009:

GLADIATOR



The Blu-ray presentation will include both the original theatrical version of the film as well as the extended version in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Korean subtitles.

The two-disc set also will feature over four hours of bonus material including, but not limited to, the following:

* Audio Commentary: Two separate commentaries accompany the original theatrical version and extended version of the film.
* The Scrolls of Knowledge: The original trivia track has been newly enhanced with focus points allowing viewers to access a series of new behind-the-scenes featurettes exploring key scenes and how they relate to the historical accuracy depicted in the film. The extended version of the film also includes a deleted scene marker.
* Visions From Elysium: Topic Marker: Viewers can tag moments of interest throughout either version of the film, allowing them to create "shopping lists" of topics to learn more about. Thanks to the Blu-ray player's memory, the topics will automatically be loaded when Disc 2 is inserted, giving viewers immediate access to featurettes and galleries of interest.
* Strength and Honor: Creating The World of Gladiator: The definitive documentary on the origin, production and impact of the Oscar®-winning classic. The documentary includes an all-new Enhanced Viewing Mode allowing viewers access to additional interviews and behind-the-scenes material.
* The Making of Gladiator: HBO First Look special.
* Gladiator Games: The Roman Bloodsport: Learning Channel special.
* Hans Zimmer: Scoring Gladiator: An exploration of the rousing soundtrack.
* My Gladiator Journal: Personal diary of the young actor who played Lucius.
* Image & Design: Featurettes and galleries covering the production design, storyboards, costumes and more.
* Abandoned Sequences & Deleted Scenes
* VFX Explorations: Germania & Rome: Shot deconstruction with the visual effects artists.

Pre-order: Amazon.com

BRAVEHEART



The film will be presented in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.

Among the more than two hours of new special features to be included on Braveheart are:

* Interactive Timelines: Three distinct timelines featuring a combination of video, images, text and audio that can be accessed linearly or randomly.
* Production: A comprehensive chronology of the motion picture from conception through theatrical release, from a behind-the-scenes point of view.
* Historical: Chronological modules feature Scotland's greatest patriot, along with historical places, figures and events surrounding his life and struggle.
* Fiction: A comprehensive timeline identifying the chronological events of the film.
* Braveheart: A Look Back: Features new interviews with members of the cast and crew reminiscing about their experiences making the film and its enduring impact on cinema.
* Smithfield: Medieval Killing Fields: Relates the remarkable history of Smithfield, which for centuries was regularly filled with the roars of crowds, regal fanfares and rowdy games. Smithfield is also known as the site of William Wallace's execution, along with other terrifying spectacles when heretics, rebels and criminals were put to death.
* Battlefields of the Scottish Rebellion: Two major Scottish battlefields, Falkirk and Bannockburn, will be presented as 3D models that can be explored for further investigation into the military strategies and timetables employed in each. Topography, weapons, troop movements, and leadership data can also be accessed. An alternate playing mode will allow the story of each battle to unfold in an "automated" fashion, much like the interactive dioramas displayed at historical site museums around the world.

Pre-order: Amazon.com

November 3, 2009:

FORREST GUMP



Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2009, 'Forrest Gump' will feature new material including a brand new roundtable discussion. More details will follow later in the year.

Pre-order: Amazon.com



This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 2 2009, 07:11 AM

Blu-ray.com Review



This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 2 2009, 12:03 PM

BD udang:

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-13w-77...9qp-43-13a.html

Set your receiver to output whatever resolution your TV supports, don't put auto. The receiver should downconvert the 1080p source to your TV's resolution.

Never tried expedited shipping, but I thought it still needs signature (with local pos), the difference is that it takes just almost as long as standard shipping to arrive.

Even without Amazon Prime account, still can get free standard US delivery which takes about 5 days. But I think the minimum purchase is US$30.

And yes, Amazon's CS is the best on this planet.

I have the T2 Skynet Edition. Yes, first it keeps looking for internet access, but after a few seconds it says " can't connect to Skynet" or something like that and then it goes to the main menu. Just make sure you disable your internet access, or else it will just keep trying to connect.

Received just now:

Life's good (I don't work for LG though).

I still reads the forum, only not posting much.

Knowing won't be opened yet, not in this coming weeks at least unless I got time. Baraka is amazing, 5 stars for both the content and PA/AQ. But some scenes are too graphic, like the cremation by the river in India, might scare your kids.

About the DTS-HD MA 6.1/71 showing 5.1, it's a common issue with the codec. Technically there are different ways of players/receivers to decode, this "confusion" by the decoder is what makes the back surround channel(s) to be downmixed into the left & right surround channels and you'll only get 5.1. I've posted the channel positioning diagrams before, that shows how it works.

There are a few discs that was fine though because of the way it was encoded, but can't remember which. This issue was first discovered when PS3 was given DTS-HD MA decoding capability via a firmware update last year. Same problem, but after one of the next few firmware updates this problem was solved.

In the case of PS3, it was relatively easy to fix because it uses only software to decode. But most players or AV receivers use hardware, a dedicated chip to do the decoding. I'm not sure is this issue in the hardware decoding players/receivers can fixed by firmware or not. Maybe it can, if there is a firmware update.

Watchmen: Director's Cut reviewed by Blu-ray.com.

Anyone seen the 3D version of Ice Age 3 in cinemas? Does it use the same technology as the Journey to the Center of the Earth BD?

Wanna bring my kid to see it this afternoon, if it's the same 3D technology, then I'll just choose the normal one.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Jul 10 2009, 12:14 PM