I'm going to give a simple review based on Avatar 3D that I watched few months back in Gurney GSC cinema vs Blu-ray using 114" screen with BENQ W6000 projector.

Not going to discuss on storyline and focus purely on PQ and SQ.

One word, get this movie. I know extended version is coming out in November but this movie is stunning to show off your 1080p projector. Now I understand why James Cameron said that Avatar need to be watch on big screen. Those owning 720p projector, this movie alone justify the move to 1080p projector.

Picture Quality:

Cinema 3D version - The 3D is quite well done but the problem with local cinema is the focus too soft. Also color is quite plain and the 3D polarize glass do have some crosstalk and color bleeding issue. Maybe IMAX theater is better but I always feel that local cinema PQ is no match to a good HT.

Blu-ray 2D version - Clean and sharp movie. One of the sharpest movie I ever seen. It's like returning to Pandora again with the glasses on. The opening scene in space showing the spaceship is so details and sharp that it had a 3D pop to it. Not the kind of real 3D but you can sense some depth. This is a 2 edges sword as it also exposed that some of the scene is created by CGI, but a very beautiful scene. Remind me of Final Fantasy type of beautiful CGI world. Color is brilliant compare to cinema and you will enjoy every single scene in the movie. You can't detect any noise in the picture even in very dark scene.

Sound Quality:
Audio quality is top notch. Not the bass show off type of movie. The scene in the jungle is so well done that you feel like in the middle of jungle surrounded by animals and insects. Sound is clean and clear.

If I have to choose either 3D cinema or 2D blu-ray, I would prefer 2D blu-ray version anytime. The artwork and CGI is truly marvelous.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Apr 25 2010, 03:04 PM

"One of the sharpest movie I ever seen."

thats what i feel too.

"The opening scene in space showing the spaceship is so details and sharp that it had a 3D pop to it. Not the kind of real 3D but you can sense some depth."

I was surprised when i saw this scene, awesome !!!

For those waiting for November extended release, I advise get this Blu-ray version first, watch it for 10 times then sell off again and hopefully will stop your itch until November.

And don't bother about the DVD disc.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Apr 25 2010, 03:29 PM

Just downloaded 1080p this morning

I didn't notice color bleeding when I watch it at the Imax Cinema in Siam Paragon, Bangkok. I've watch other science stuff in Imax theater but this movie PQ and SQ is super awesome!

Too bad the storyline is like Futurist Pocahontas.

I watched this afternoon on my peasant 40" FullHD LCD TV
Guess what? The opening scene left me jaw dropping!!
The scene where the spaceship is flying in the space above Pandora is so detail and in depth
And the night scene in the Jungle where Jake and Neytiri first met is simply awesome
Not to mention the scene that shows the Hallelujah Mountain
I would say this is the most finest PQ I've ever watched on a blu-ray

To compare with the 3D version that I watched in cinema
yes, I totally agree with pierreye bro
it's way too soft eventhough with 3D effects
the background is not as sharp and colorful as the blu-ray version

AQ wise, blu-ray version's 5.1DTS-HDMA wins hands down
even with my peasant HT set-up

This post has been edited by robinlim: Apr 25 2010, 05:37 PM

even with the 720p version on my 720p PJ at 100", the PQ was very good, clear and crisp.

the DTS core surround sound was good as well and seems more pronounced than other movies; playing at -5dB

will get the bdmv version by tomorrow and will see how much difference.

This post has been edited by ycs: Apr 25 2010, 07:11 PM

As i say nowaday many good HT can bet Cinema many time..

I hv to agree the BD version of Avatar PQ is very clear and sharp, Cameron have insisted to putting only the movie at the highest bitrate for this BD.... notice there are anything else on the disc except the movie, menu, audios and subs?? Oh.. and the new DTS MA THX demo at the back....

Still, i do find the 3D version to be more captivating, with its depth of field and effects.... the main idea of a 3D movie is to show depth perception, and its relation to each other in the scene. Backgrounds and foreground scenes in 3D are NOT supposed to be sharp and clear..... just as our eyes cant focus on everything we see, only what we are focusing on will be clear and the rest are blur.... if u get a chance to watch 3D again.... the main subjects in focus are sharp, clear and full of details and the background and foreground will be blur.... (with exception of Clash of the Titan, 3D clarity and depth sucked)...

So far, the best 3D movie is How To Train A Dragon, with Avatar coming in 2nd.... the worst? Clash of the Titan.... which also stars Sam Worthington....

My 2 cents.... just watch 3D for the depth and distance, not on clarity of the whole scene....

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Added on April 25, 2010, 7:27 pmTrue, as many cinemas are still using 35mm film (with grain noise, dirt specks) on lighted projectors.... where as HT setups are running on pure digital images to digital FullHD panels....

Even as digital screen halls are matching up the the PQ of FullHD panels, there are too few of them in MY currently...

This post has been edited by Poadster: Apr 25 2010, 07:27 PM

The problem with our local cinema is everything is soft. I had to disagree that 3D for background had be blur. I play games with 3D 10 years back I don't have a problem with blur background. Every object do pop out from the background and a very nice experience. The best is 3D with vibrant and sharp images.

I am not saying that all backgrounds in 3D has to be soft/blur, but as some movies goes.....

I agree that most cinemas projectors are soft, thats due to the size of the screen and the distance of the projector as opposed to a HT setup....

Once u go digital (via HDTV), everything is soft in cinema halls.... even for the digital 2D/3D halls seems softer.... I saw Terminator Salvation in a digital hall, and the PQ still losses to the BD version.....

Bro, where are u catching the 3D movies?? Which cinema and which halls?? I have seen ALL the 3D movies that are out in cinemas, mostly in Pavilion Hall 4, Hall 13, and more recently Toy Story 1+2 in 3D in The Gardens GSC Signature Hall 2....

I actually find Toy Story 1+2 is a clear, crisp as the BD version.... with the added bonus of them being in 3D.... and no, most of the backgrounds are not blur.....

Peace.... just my 2 cents...

This post has been edited by Poadster: Apr 25 2010, 08:03 PM

I watch in Penang Gurney Plaza GSC. I believe true 3D shouldn't blur the background. It depends on the viewer where to focus. If I focus on people, then our eyes will blur out the background. Just my opinion, no right or wrong answer.

If you have a chance to visit Bangkok, try watching a show in their Imax Cinema in Siam Paragon.
Compare to the local Imax theater, is like comparing heaven and earth!

Well..in JB no digital Projection Cinema....so wasted watching Avatar cause the image was a bit blur..

This afternoon watched 1080p but on my Planny Plasma....it was awesome!! So very detailed....

This post has been edited by azbro: Apr 25 2010, 10:15 PM

I am on 720p pj (which is the same model as yours). Can't wait to watch it. It must have been a salivating experience on FHD pj like pierreye and mys_terious Have to save enough to get one

-5dB WOW! That's extremely LOUD. At most -12dB only

Any cineplex must have a good team of projectionist to minimize complaints. While the cineplex owners do have teams of projectionists per outlet, they also have to maintain the training of the projectionist as well as doing proper maintenance on the projectors and screens. So whenever your experience with 2D/3D get soft-focused, tell the manager about it.

My experience with Avatar was not the same as yours.

The problem with 3D installations in Malaysia is that the theater chains WERE NOT CONFIDENT that 3D would take off. So instead of buying digital projection systems, they are renting it out. This is why we watch the 3D movies in Dolby 3D Digital instead of RealD.

The problem is the screen. For a RealD installation to be complete, you need to REPLACE the screen with a high gain silver screen; Dolby 3D can utilize existing screens but results in a lower contrast. That is why you thought the color is "plain". (By the way, even in Imax there is 3D ghosting.) By using the already installed screen with Dolby 3D, theater chains can still use a 35mm film with no contrast adjustments to the 35mm projector. In my opinion, RealD is the better system to install for the long run (the 3D glasses is cheap and you can run 2D digital movies in the same hall) and as proven with the number of 3D movies coming this year and the next (and the next!), it should have been the system theater chains in Malaysia installed in the first place.

When there is something wrong with your HT, who do you complain to? Yourself! Since you're the manager, your complaints get resolved faster.

One thing that HT hasn't done for me is the shock of a wave of air hitting me as a result of a loud low-bass boom.

And when I steal your car, your TV, your couch and your downloaded collection, I'll post my conquest online too. Seriously, a pointless gloating post.

There's a crucial difference between an out-of-focus projector and an out-of-focus object. When a projector is out of focus, EVERYTHING on screen is blurry (PJ owners such as you would know this). When you're watching 2D/3D movie and the object is out of focused, it appears blurry as well but what IS in focus is tack-sharp.

Again, my Avatar 3D experience is not the same as yours.

Size and distance are not factors to this blurriness. Projectionist CAN get the focus right. In a properly set-up 35mm hall, the result can be incredible.

Just so you know - and as far as I know - the 3D digital projectors used in Malaysia are Christie Digital 3-chip DLP projectors with a resolution of 2K. That means it has a SLIGHTLY higher resolution than Full HD. 2K is 2048x1080 while Full HD is 1920x1080.

Also, the digital cinema standard employed in digital cinema system means that the picture and sound quality of the digital movies are completely lossless. On BD, only the audio is lossless while the PQ is 4:2:2; digital cinema uses the full 4:4:4.

So as you can see, technically the digital projection system shouldn't be "soft". You have to remind the manager that the projectionist team should sharpen the focus a bit.

On a side note: if yourself or someone you know is color-blind, do you know if it distorts or destroys the Dolby 3D experience? Just curious.


fuad

Which cinema in Malaysia that you feel had a very sharp projection PQ? Why not you try to complain and see if any response from our local cinema manager. Avatar 3D is the only reason that I went to our local cinema.

As for SQ, it sucks for local cinema. Too loud and it can't keep it's composure. You want very deep bass that blows off your balls, then get twin sub with ultra low freq and high SPL.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Apr 26 2010, 08:20 AM

i got avatar full hd 1920x1080 11gb, download from internet, and what i can talk about picture quality + with my samsung 40' , ohhhh my godddd,

Now got many versions oledi other than the 11gb one...I mean the 1080p mkv one.

i dont think so resolution of 1920x1080 is less than 10 gig, i think 720p (1280x720) got many version

i even tried at 0dB!! i think i got too much shock absorber in the room thus can go loud...

I watch most of my movie at -5db. Yeah, rockwool sound absorber rocks. A well treated room can play very loud without distortion.

FYI, over here... the movies you see in the cinemas in 3D come in a HDD format with X amount of digital code that you need to key in. The non-3D movies you see come in film format.

anyway, I was contemplating about getting Avatar BD but decided against it.. I'll wait for the 'special edition'.

This post has been edited by azxel: Apr 26 2010, 11:31 AM

There is no urge for me as I still haven't watched most of titles (no doubt most of them are double dip from dvd to BD) that I own so I'm gonna wait for special edition too.

While that it is the standard practice for most films, there are few exceptions. Angels & Demons was shown in 35mm and 2D Digital. The 2D digital was much better especially because it comes to the lossless sound.

The reason 35mm prints are the standard is most cineplexes have only one digital hall. So that means a 2D/3D digital print is locked into that hall until a new digital movie can replace it; right now though there are FOUR 3D movies (Dragon, Titans, Toy Story 1 & 2) that are choking up that schedule. In a fully digital cineplex, the interchangeability of the digital prints is possible, just like 35mm is now.

Distributors like digital prints because it's cheaper to produce and cheaper/easier to transport. But a full digital cineplex will take a long while to be implemented in Malaysia because of the "mesti tayang" rule, which means that Finas must get their own DCDI equipment to embed a security code to a local movie for its digital print.


fuad

I have about 10 of them in the room but not those 100kg type. Only 80kg rockwool measuring 2' x 4' and 2 pairs of Auralex LERND with few others acoustic foam for high freq.

My ears will start ringing if I crank it up above -10dB I had tried watching 'Top Gun' at reference level. Man, the whole room is being pressurized with immense power. Gave up in less than 5minutes.

Will be getting Avatar in few days time as my friend will watch it 1st.

Does anyone know where can I download this Avatar full BD version? I wanna try it on my HD media player and compare the PQ and AQ. Thanks.

A&D Digital was good, but still a bit soft....

I tried to complain once when the sound system was way off (Pav Hall 4 - used to be only one in Pav, Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D - yes, i even watch this crap just because it was in 3D), all i got was a nod and "ya, kita dah check". The sound remained crappy throughout the movie.

They had replaced the screen in Pav Hall 4, this is currently the only hall that shows all digital movies. And they had replaced the lens as the lens had some defect that can be seen on the screen. Now if they only change the screen in Gardens GSC Hall 2 (there are 3 patches easily seen).

All in, the cinemas are doing the change, but the changes are slow. And complaining to the Hall Managers will get you nowhere.

Still, i am thankful that GSC in Pav has done wonders to Hall 4, and this is THE place to be for a real good 3D experience.

And i was shock recently to see that Clash of the Titan 3D had chinese SUBs 1/3 from the bottom that covers much of the screen.... i'll be damned if this will be the future.... digital used to be my fav as there are no subs....

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Added on April 26, 2010, 11:47 pmDude, try tehparadox. They hv the full BD version there.... but.... go buy the ori BD la.... its only RM90


This post has been edited by Poadster: Apr 26 2010, 11:47 PM

Avatar for RM90? If true, where to get this bro?

Try KL Pavilion Hall 4... the best for digital so far that i hv tried...

Again, not right or wrong.... but there are definite focus points in 3D movies.... the background will be blur (to a certain limit) as it "forces" you to look at the focal point and not the scenery..... lolz

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Added on April 26, 2010, 11:53 pmtry robinlim in garage sales under PS3...

robimlim's BD sales thread

This post has been edited by Poadster: Apr 26 2010, 11:53 PM

3D-TV health warning: Tuning in can cause confusion, nausea and even fits, says electronics giant

Read more: here

Finished watching Avatar last night....

Story line...ok...but does bring message of environmental issue, how we not appreciates our forest and natural resources and how we do not understand the needs of our environment.....not only of the defending the nation

PQ & AQ....I can only say.....WOW!!!

I played at -12 with my setup...and for the 1st time, playing this loud, my wife did not complaint!!

Was planing to view half (as it's late) but we end up finished it at around 12 midnight.....and the kids loves it!!! (now that's priceless....and don't care what other reviewer said on the content, we love it)

wow!

How not to buy when you give such a review?

watched it on my HTPC with my 42" Full HD LCD last nite..... hahaha.....my kids sit there for almost 3 hours without moving, it's abnormal...... the PQ is near to perfect!! and the sq i can't say, coz i only using gigaworks s750... but oledi enuf to shake my living hall oledi....
why so stupid to wait for special edition to release on nov 2010 (6 months from now)? while others are enjoying and discussing the movie in BD?? buy now, watch it....... and when the special edition/ ultimate edition/ 3D Director's Cut/ whatever edition release in Nov or 2011, buy again lar!!!

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Added on April 28, 2010, 11:24 amRM90 nia mar...... dun be so kedekut lar.....

This post has been edited by valtai30: Apr 28 2010, 11:24 AM

finally got my hand on the BD... superb clarity and detail!!!

Came a hard way playing it on my pch c200 w/ bdrom. Dint know BD+5 can cause me so much hassle.

Just got 3x Avatar BDs along with LOTR Trilogy, and other movies from taukeh mpyw. Strangely, I did not manage to convert to bdmv from iso. Some sort of protection? Aiya....can't play with my media player liao for the other setup.

I can convert into BDISO without any problem wor
maybe the ripping is not complete?

how u do the ripping ah?

to bd iso is not a problem. The prob is from bd iso to m2ts

I don't know what your first sentence means. But Avatar BD comes with a BD+ update. If you don't upgrade your BD player's firmware, you can't play it.

See above.


See above.

Some BDs do not come with BD+ because the studios (Warner, Sony) doesn't believe it poses a significant piracy threat - which is true because to DL 1080p would take a while. (And yeah, the file may say the resolution is 1080p but bit-rate is more revealing) Some studios like Fox and Lionsgate do employ BD+.




fuad

Using AnyDVD HD 6.6.3.7

The FW is not yet updated by PCH for BD+ and are not going to be available so soon.
That's why I am having problem playing it until I found out that, I can somehow bypass it and play with a few presses on NEXT during the 1st scene telling me to updat my FW

Oh my bad
saw it wrongly
ur bdiso is a direct rip?

ehm can I directly make an full ISO using Daemon tools instead of anydvd hd?
or it will not play ehm :/

Yes.

tonite u can

In less than an hour time