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Reader Mail
Fri Sep 01, 2006 at 03:02 PM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
Time again for the latest installment of High-Def Digest's Reader Mailbag,
where we answer your questions on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, industry trends, and
our site's news and reviews.
Got questions or feedback of your own? Send
them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in future installments
of our Reader Mailbag.
Bitrates, Dolby Digital-Plus and You
"Hey Peter! Just read your review of 'Stargate' and I thought
I might mention something. Most Blu-ray titles are using 640kbps Dolby Digital
soundtracks as opposed to the Dolby Digital-Plus ones you'll find on HD DVD.
Warner is using 640kbps Dolby Digital-Plus and Universal has been doing 1.5Mbps.
Roger Dressler of Dolby has already stated that there is no difference audibly
between 640kbps Dolby Digital-Plus and Dolby Digital.
The way Blu-ray works is it only requires Dolby Digital-Plus when it goes beyond 5.1 channels (i.e. 6.1 or 7.1 soundtracks). This is different from the authoring of HD DVD which uses Dolby Digital-Plus for other things such as adding voice commentaries, button noises and other uses that Blu-ray doesn't do. But from a performance standpoint they are the same.
Dressler also concedes that there is really no advantage to the 1.5Mbps that Universal is using as the gains are minimal, if any. So your comments on them not using Dolby Digital-Plus aren't really relevant from a technical point of view.
Also, just in case you don't know, DTS-HD is the same as full bit rate DTS (i.e. 1.5Mbps) they just call it a new name (love that marketing!!) DTS MasterHD is their lossless version (which I know you already knew!)
Keep up the great reviews!!" -- Kris D.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Thank you, Kris, for the kind comments and great
info. There certainly has been a great deal of insight coming our way on just
what the differences really are between Dolby Digital-Plus and Dolby Digital,
which is terrific -- often the technical details behind surround formats are
so shrouded in mystery or inaccuracies that it is hard to understand what each
is truly capable of delivering, and how they legitimately compare in quality.
Admittedly, I also fell into the trap early on of assuming Dolby Digital-Plus was automatically superior to Dolby Digital, without stopping to pause and consider actual bitrates and the other variables that determine the ultimate quality of a soundtrack. Indeed, many feel that because the Blu-ray releases so far have been "only" Dolby Digital, that consumers are somehow getting ripped-off, or that the quality is inherently substandard, which at least in raw technical terms is not correct.
Part of the problem has also been that the only Blu-ray player currently on the market is the Samsung BD-P1000, which does not offer any sort of bitrate meter or onscreen display, at least that I've been able to find. Hopefully, manufacturers will support such a feature on future Blu-ray and HD DVD players, and the studios will also begin to label bitrates on the disc packaging itself. Unfortunately, with no indication on the packaging nor any way to tell via the player what the actual bitrate of a soundtrack is, a lot of assumptions have been made. Wrongly, in many instances.
In any case, we've gone back and updated all of our Blu-ray versus HD DVD comparisons regarding the bitrate issue, and we will also note it on all future Blu-ray reviews that "only" contain 640kbps Dolby Digital tracks.
Lastly, regarding Universal encoding their Dolby Digital-Plus tracks at 1.5mbps,
it is a shame the studio will likely never release an HD DVD with both 640kbps
and 1.5mbps Dolby Digital-Plus track, if only so we could do a true apples-to-apples
comparison. Of course, in our estimation, what early adopters most likely really
want is Dolby TrueHD and/or DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks on all HD DVD and
Blu-ray releases. Not that I'm holding my breath...
No 'Corpse Bride' for HD DVD?
"I'm disappointed that Warner has chosen to release 'Tim Burton's The
Corpse Bride' on Blu-ray only.
Also, I don't understand why Warner releases some titles as combo and charges quite a bit more when the high def version is included. Who wants to pay more? I don't buy those.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy reading your site!" -- Gabe L.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Well, Gabe, I can certainly understand your frustration
when a title you've been dying for is finally announced for high-def release
and... it's on the wrong format! Sadly, though, I think this is going to be
a fact of life for early adopters for the time being, at least until the format
war settles itself out.
But I wouldn't worry too much about 'The Corpse Bride.' Warner has so far been quite good about supporting both formats. Though they did jump into HD DVD earlier as the format launched ahead of Blu-ray, they have been consistently announcing more and more Blu-ray titles, and I fully expect the day will soon come when they will release discs on both formats simultaneously. As for 'Bride,' I suspect that as with 'Good Night, and Good Luck' -- which hit Blu-ray about three weeks ahead of the HD DVD -- we are only a few weeks away from an announcement for the Tim Burton flick on HD DVD. I can't imagine Warner will not release the title sooner rather than later on both formats. So hold tight.
As for combo releases, I'm with you - and if email from our readers is any indication, ours is a sentiment shared by most early adopters, who clearly don't like the idea of paying more for a high-def disc because it also includes a standard-definition version of the same movie. Clearly the combo approach is geared toward the mainstream consumer, who may be more inclined to purchase a combo title to "future proof" their collections, if and when they decide to jump into the high-def arena.
It's a pity that at the same time those high combo prices serve as a deterrent to purchase for those of us who've already made the step up. Hopefully, production costs will soon go down quickly enough that the studios won't have to charge a premium for combo titles much longer. Until then, let the frustration continue...
Pre-Recorded vs. Broadcast Comparisons?
"I appreciate your frank reviews; however, I don't have a reference
in which to interpret them. I have an HDTV that does up to 1080i, and some of
the few shows I watch are 'CSI,' and basketball and football in high def (all
from broadcast stations only). When you reference grain, etc. on Blu-ray movies,
how are they comparing to the broadcast I am used to enjoying? Is the quality
comparable, or is a grainy Blu-ray movie still good to the point where it is
untouchable by broadcast HDTV? I haven't adopted yet, so I have no way of knowing.
Thanks for your time." -- Dave B.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Thanks for the great question, Dave. You certainly
bring up some very, very valid points in this day and age of over-the-air HD.
And you are not alone in your confusion. Many potential consumers interested
in Blu-ray and HD DVD have only recently been introduced to the glories of high-def
via broadcast and satellite, and so have no other reference point.
However, it is very hard if not impossible to accurately compare prerecorded high-def programming, such as on a Blu-ray or HD DVD disc, with broadcast HD. There really is no reference point! How the major and cable networks encode and transmit their HD content is quite different in intent and presentation than what the studios are trying to deliver on disc, even if the underlying technology is the same.
For example, satellite services such as DirecTV and Dish Network have to squeeze many, many channels into a very narrow bandwidth, and thus pick a compression codec optimized for low bitrate applications -- just the opposite of the approach of the Blu-ray and HD DVD camps, which don't have the same level bandwidth crunch to worry about. As you've probably seen, problems such as rampant macroblocking are just a fact of life with broadcast HD, as are a host of other artifacts that just aren't nearly as much of an issue with pre-recorded high-def content.
Also, the type of equipment one is using (such as your HD set-top converter box) has a huge impact on the quality of the HD you're seeing. As can the path a broadcast signal has taken to reach your home. I've heard horror stories of local affiliates totally botching the transmission of HD from the major networks, with intermediary image processing that can render a high-def broadcast if not unwatchable than scarcely superior to a crappy DVD. So trying to compare the quality of an HD program on, say, DirecTV versus that same program on a Blu-ray or HD DVD disc is if not impossible, than so far from apples-to-apples as to be futile.
However, I will give you my completely subjective opinion. I have watched quite a few movies now in HD via satellite and recorded them on my Dish Network DVR, then compared them directly to their Blu-ray or HD DVD counterparts. And in all honesty, I'll take even the worst Blu-ray or HD DVD disc I've seen over broadcast any day. Grain or the occasional artifact on a disc aside, just the amount of macroblocking I've seen with broadcast (which is always at its worst with fast-action) really gives the pre-recorded formats a huge advantage. I also prefer the consistency of Blu-ray and HD DVD, as well as the fact they are a more "controllable" technology. Of course, no format is perfect, but again, with so many variables in the broadcast chain between point of origin and ultimate destination, I always feel far more confident that what I'm seeing on HD DVD and Blu-ray is going to be far closer to the original master.
That said, I would urge you to go and visit the most reputable electronics store in your area and see demos of Blu-ray and HD DVD for yourself (hopefully you have more than just a local Best Buy around!). You will really want to see some pre-recorded high-def in action before you take the plunge with Blu-ray and/or HD DVD, and as always, the best judge is your own eyes. Hope this helps.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Reader Mail -- August 7, 2006 (Aug 07, 2006)
Reader Mail
Mon Aug 07, 2006 at 01:00 AM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
Time again for the latest issue of High-Def Digest's Reader Mailbag,
where we answer all your questions on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, industry trends and
our site's news and reviews. Got questions of your own? Send them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in future issues of our Reader Mailbag.
Codec Nation?
"Hi there. Really love your site, and your Blu-ray versus HD DVD comparisons. But you guys should talk more about the codec differences between the formats -- is even the same film on two different formats really 'apples to apples' if it isn't the same codec? Thanks very much!" -- Mike J.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Great question, Mike, and certainly one we've gotten quite a bit of email on recently, especially after our recent Blu-ray comparison reviews of Warner's 'Training Day,' 'Rumor Has It...' and 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.' Those three titles marked the first time a studio has released the same titles in both next-gen formats, which at last allowed for head-to-head comparisons.
Without a doubt, which compression codec a content provider chooses can make or break the video quality of a disc release. Aside from MPEG4-AVC, which the studios have so far decided not to use in any significant way (see our review of the 'U2: Rattle and Hum' HD DVD for a possible clue as to why), the next-gen format war is shaping up to be as much a battle between MPEG2 versus VC1 as it is Blu-ray versus HD DVD.
Indeed, in my comparison reviews noted above for Warner's first Blu-ray releases, I did use the term "apples and apples." However, your point is well-taken and it is a very valid and fair criticism to argue that until a studio releases the identical title using the identical compression codec on both formats, a true "apples to apples" comparison is not possible.
In the best of all worlds, studios will begin to use the best compression codec available for the job, and consistently regardless of format. It's rumored that Warner and other studios will begin using VC1 on future Blu-ray titles, though nothing is confirmed at press time. Until then, the best "apples to apples" comparisons we can do is with what the studios release. Ultimately, what the consumer currently has the option to buy is the identical titles from the same studio on two different formats, but using different codecs. So fair or unfair, any head-to-head comparison of a title on both formats must be made with the actual product released -- and our reviews must assess the quality of what is available today, not theoretically to come in the future.
So we will be addressing the issue of codec and its impact on a disc's video quality in far more depth with all our future reviews and comparisons. We've also gone back and added codec information -- for both the main program feature as well as supplemental materials -- on every single one of our past reviews. Specs on the codec(s) being used on a particular title can now be found in the top left "specs" column of all current and upcoming HD DVD and Blu-ray title pages.
Big Blu Marble
"I have just been looking at your list of Blu-ray release dates. However, I presume these are only for the American market? Do you have any information on European release dates? Thanks!" -- Chris M.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Glad you've found our Blu-ray Release Schedule helpful, Chris. Unfortunately, we currently do not list information for any non-domestic Blu-ray or HD DVD releases.
The reason being is that we are primarily a North American-centric resource, based in the United States. In our experience, the studios as a general policy do not release upcoming title announcements nor review product for international releases to press outlets outside of their respective territories (in our case, outside the U.S.). Also, many studios that may release a title domestically do not release the same title overseas. Many studios, in fact, do not even control the rights to all of their library worldwide -- other studios or third-party companies often distribute a title to differing international markets, making it beyond our capabilities to accurately report on and review titles in differing territories.
However, as happened with the DVD format as it gained mass acceptance, non-U.S. news and review sites quickly began to pop up all over the web -- and now number in the hundreds. We're sure that as the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats mature and the studios begin to release more pre-recorded high-def content in other territories outside of the U.S., many quality news and review sites will begin to appear.
Of course, we will continue to report on international news stories and trends that impact the future of the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, as well as developments more specific to the United States market. Thanks very much for your feedback, and we certainly hope both formats continue to gain in support and acceptance worldwide.
HD DVD Bias?
"I think you are unfair and you are more into HD DVD than Blu-Ray. Thumbs down for your site! Just wait [until] September-November when Blu-ray will rise, and all HD DVD fans will suffer a lot. : )" -- Dave B.
Editor Peter Bracke responds: Hey Dave, thank you for your short but sweet email! Certainly, we take any criticism that High-Def Digest may be biased towards one format or technology over another very seriously.
However, I can assure you we have no bias, ulterior motive or investment in HD DVD succeeding over Blu-ray, or vice versa. Our goal is to simply to cover all high-def disc-related news as comprehensively as we can, regardless of format, as well as review all new titles fairly and accurately.
Unfortunately, with any new consumer electronics product launch -- and especially with two competing formats battling each other for your consumer dollars -- there are going to be hitches, setbacks and obstacles right out of the gate. Both Blu-ray and HD DVD have suffered slings and arrows with their launch titles and players. The learning curve of any new format is great -- just go back and watch some of the earliest DVD titles, which now look pretty tragic! The same goes with HD DVD and Blu-ray -- we may have reviewed some HD DVD titles more positively than the initial offerings from the Blu-ray camp, but things are only just heating up. A year from now, who knows how things will shake down?
High-Def Digest is also a wholly independently-run online resource, and we receive absolutely no financial incentives from the major studios or electronics manufacturers in exchange for editorial influence. We receive titles for review equally from all studios, regardless of the formats they are supporting, and we also absolutely do not review test discs or other pre-release product -- only the same final release players and discs that are available to the consumer market.
Lastly, I can speak for both myself as Editor of High-Def Digest and all our contributors when I day that, ultimately, we only want the best pre-recorded high-def content money can buy. Whichever format(s) eventually succeed with the mass consumer is not important, only that they deliver the highest-quality the technology can deliver. Again, both HD DVD and Blu-ray are only taking their first baby steps into the marketplace, and as both mature who knows which will ultimately triumph. Our commitment here at High Def Digest is to reporting all the news that's fit to print, and providing the most fair and unbiased reviews possible so you can make your purchasing decisions with confidence. Thanks again for your email.
Reader Mail
Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 03:45 AM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
Time again for the latest installment of High Def Digest's Reader Mailbag,
where we answer all your questions on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, industry trends and
our site's news and reviews. Got questions of your own? Send them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in future installments of our Reader Mailbag.
Why all the Focus on the Extras?
"First, thanks for covering all or most of the HD DVD and Blu-ray releases! Much to my surprise there seem to be very few sites out there doing that. Your reviews are very much appreciated, but after reading them I can't help getting somewhat frustrated that you're putting so much “value” on the extras. So, I just want to give you my 2 cents on the subject.
When I buy a movie I buy it because I want to watch the actual movie. I'm a real tech-nerd and want the best possible audio and video; English subtitles are also nice to have. The so-called “extras” are just something that comes along with some discs that you never watch; actually it's just an annoying menu item. I, and my friends, have always wondered if anybody except reviewers ever watches any of that stuff. I definitely wouldn't pay one cent extra for it. The 'Superbit' standard DVDs are the way to go -- use all space available for audio & video. Of course, if the extras don't intrude on the audio or video, it doesn't really hurt, although it's of no extra value.
It would be great, however, if your reviewers brought up stuff that might matter to more people, like different audio-tracks, subtitles, if there are some annoying parts that you can't fast forward through (arghhh, hate those), if you can choose audio-track and subtitles on the fly (on some DVD's you must go through the menu) and if there are any long annoying animated menus (hate those even more).
As I said before, I don't know anyone that's interested in the extras and I think that's true for most customers. I know many reviewers, not just you, care about it, but have there been any studies done to evaluate if the customers really want it? The movie is the main content and what matters (otherwise they could sell discs with extras only)! " -- Claes E.
Dear Claes: Thank you for your email. You are not alone -- many videophiles have little interest in supplemental content. The struggle for disc space has been an ongoing challenge for the DVD market, and studios have long had to make sacrifices between quality and content in an attempt to appease all markets, from the hardcore techie who cares most about picture and sound quality to the mainstream fan who wants all the goodies and is satisfied with merely better-than-VHS quality.
Looking at it objectively, we here at High Def Digest feel that it is vital that both Blu-ray and HD DVD acknowledge the appeal of extras to the millions of consumers who crave them if either format hopes to succeed as a mainstream format. To answer your question directly, the studios themselves have conducted countless market research surveys over the years and have found that even if many DVD viewers never watch them, extras are an important factor in the level of "intent to buy" among a large number of consumers. Quite simply, neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD can hope to be anything but the next Laserdisc (i.e., a niche format and a money-loser for the industry) if discs don't come packed with as many (if not more) extras than their standard DVD counterparts.
That said, the good news is that the increased storage capacities of both Blu-ray and HD DVD mean that both formats are capable of delivering reference-quality video and audio and plenty of goodies. Though Blu-ray has faced larger challenges at launch due to production issues with dual-layer BD-50 discs (which has meant that studios currently supporting the format have been forced to largely eschew extras to maintain video and audio quality), all indication are that that problem will soon be surmounted. Indeed, in the near future, there is no reason to think high-def fans can't have it all, regardless of whether they ultimately choose Blu-ray or HD DVD or both -- stunning video and audio and extras galore.
Lastly, your point is well taken with regard to our reviews covering such often overlooked issues as menu navigation, how users access basic functions such as subtitles and alternate soundtracks and "forced previews" before the main feature. We will definitely tackle these issues in greater detail in our future reviews.
It Would Be Great If...
"Hi! First, I wanna say I enjoy reading your site and keep up the good work. About the release schedule. It would be nice if you remove the titles from the pending list that have a release date or are already released. And it would be even better if there is a list of the titles that are already available. Best regards." -- Paul K.
"Any chance that your reviews will be getting their own RSS feed? They attract me more than just the general news!" -- Bob
Dear Paul & Bob: Thanks very much for your feedback -- we always welcome new ideas on how we can make the site better.
You are both not alone in your suggestions. We are currently working on those very things you mentioned. As the number of Blu-ray and HD DVD titles continue to grow, we do plan on expanding the interactive capabilities of the release schedules and review lists for each format. We also plan to to add reviews to our existing suite of RSS feeds.
Watch the site in the coming weeks for announcements as these new features are added. Thanks again for the great suggestions.
H-A-T-E is a Four-Letter Word
"Does Mr. Bracke genuinely hate all movies or is it just the movies that are on the new formats?" -- WQB
Peter Bracke responds: Thanks for your short but sweet question, WQB (I would address you more properly but you only sent your initials!) Yes, it is true, I can be a bit negative in some of my reviews, especially when it comes to my personal opinion of some of the films themselves.
For the record, I don't hate all films. I will admit, however, that the early releases in both formats are generally not the types of films I (or most reviewers) personally love -- but of course, that's by design. Hollywood has long believed that early adopters of new video formats favor big-budget action spectacles. That was the case with Laser Disc and DVD, and it is with Blu-ray and HD DVD as well. To be fair, industry research backs up these assumptions, as early adopters are generally men aged 18-34 with disposable income. Certainly, not the primary audience for 'The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.'
And while I agree it is important to launch formats like Blu-ray and HD DVD with titles that show off their video and audio superiority, as a reviewer, it does become somewhat difficult to be enthusiastic about the artistic merits of such movies as 'xXx' and 'The Dukes of Hazzard.'
Recognizing that our opinions are not necessarily those of our readers, we have tried to format our reviews here at High Def Digest to compensate for reviewer opinion on the film itself. Since we know that if you're reading a review of, say, 'Training Day' you are probably already a fan of the film or at least interested in its subject matter if you are considering purchasing it on Blu-ray or HD DVD, we structure our reviews in sections (the film, the video, the audio, etc.) so that if you aren't interested in a reviewer's personal opinion about the film itself, you can just skip down to the technical portions of the review for an objective assessment of its technical quality.
Lastly, for the record, I have actually given high marks to many films released on Blu-ray and HD DVD. Some current favorites of mine include 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,' 'Unforgiven,' 'Friday Night Lights' and 'The Fugitive.' I'm also looking forward to reviewing upcoming high-def releases of films I admire, including 'The Manchurian Candidate,' 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' 'The Shawshank Redemption' and even 'Species' (a particular guilty pleasure of mine). So as the studios begin to release more eclectic product in the coming months, I will be excited to write many a positive review to come.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Reader Mail (May 26, 2006)
This Week's Reader Mail
Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:06 AM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
It's the latest issue of High Def Digest's Reader Mailbag, where we
answer all your questions on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, industry trends and our site's
news and reviews. Got questions of your own? Send them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in future issues of our Reader Mailbag.
What's in an acronym?
"I love your site, but I feel it is important to point out the fact that you don't express the names of the formats the same as the creators. If you go to both the official HD DVD or Blu-ray site you will notice that they call themselves HD DVD and Blu-ray not HD-DVD and BLU-RAY. I don't mean to be picky, but I thought you might care. Thanks again for the great content." -- Ben D.
Dear Ben: Thank you for the fantastic vote of support, despite our admittedly altered acronyms for the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats.
The reason? In the case of HD-DVD, though you are correct in that the official HD DVD consortium drops the hyphen from its website and promotional materials, and thus most media outlets have adopted it likewise, we here at High Def Digest have received a number of emails that HD DVD is often confused as an acronym meaning "high-def DVD" in general, and not specifically the HD DVD format. So we added our own hyphen to prevent any confusion, especially since we use the terms HD DVD (to mean high-def DVD in general) and HD-DVD (to mean the HD DVD format specifically) so much more extensively than most media websites.
In regards to Blu-Ray, or, rather, Blu-ray, we initially began using the uppercase spelling purely as it looked "more correct." Though, as again you rightly point out, the official Blu-ray consortium does not capitalize the "R."
So, readers, what do you think? Should we drop the "-" from HD-DVD, and drop the capitalized "R" from Blu-Ray? Let us know what you think -- we are happy to listen to our readers and make sure High Def Digest is the best and most accurate site we can make it.
No HDMI, No Buy?
"I need to know if my TV monitor does not have a HDMI connection am i wasting my money buying an HD-DVD player. All I have is Component/S-Video on my monitor. Will I see the HD picture connecting with Component connections? Please advise." -- Ron
Dear Ron: Rest assured, your question is one shared by just about every potential consumer out there who is thinking of buying a new high-def DVD player -- HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. I assume you are referring to issue of the Image Constraint Token (ICT), a fancy term which means that content providers (i.e., the studios) can chose to enable ICT on any given software title, whereby the image quality will be "down-converted" to standard DVD quality over any connection other than HDMI.
Unfortunately, as of today, your question is impossible to answer with any certainty, largely because the studios themselves have not made any official decision on whether they intend to implement ICT on any or all of their upcoming software releases.
However, we can tell you that so far, none of the HD-DVD titles we have reviewed from either of two current HD-DVD-supporting studios, Warner and Universal, have ICT enabled. However, some studios who plan to release HD-DVD and Blu-Ray titles in the near future, including Paramount and Sony, have made public comments they may potentially flag some or all of their high-def disc releases with ICT. Warner has also stated they may elect to implement ICT on their high-def DVD sometime in the future as the installed based of HDMI-capable HDTV monitors grows.
We wish we could advise otherwise, but right now, there is simply no way to be sure that the HD-DVD player you buy today will continue to deliver full HD resolution with the discs you buy tomorrow, at least if you have a non-HDMI equipped HDTV. So that means only you can decide if the financial outlay required to purchase a new HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player makes sense for you right now. But we'll definitely keep you posted as soon as the studios officially announce any future plans regarding ICT-enabled software.
TrueHD Hook-Up
"Why don't you guys review the TrueHD Dolby Digital track using the PCM outputs of the HD-DVD player? You don't have to wait for HDMI 1.3 receivers to decode the TrueHD Dolby Digital bitstream. The HD-DVD player will decode two channels of it and pass everything out the HDMI 1.1 as PCM. Just need to find a receiver that has multichannel PCM inputs via HDMI." -- Cody
Dear Cody: Thanks for your question, and it is indeed one we've gotten a lot of email about. The reason we have elected to not review the TrueHD soundtracks released on HD-DVD so far (of which there are currently only two available, on 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Training Day') is answered in your question. Namely, because Toshiba's current first-gen HD-DVD players will only decode two channels of a TrueHD soundtrack and pass it along as PCM.
We feel that to truly make a comprehensive evaluation of all the audio formats provided on an HD-DVD (or Blu-Ray) disc, whether it be Dolby Digital-Plus, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, the source soundtrack should be decoded fully and processed accordingly. Until commercial A/V receivers hit the market that can properly decode a TrueHD track in all its 7.1 channels of glory, any comparisons would be unfair and potentially misleading.
Certainly, we will begin reviewing TrueHD (as well as DTS-HD) soundtracks as soon as we can get our hands on high-def players and receivers that can present these wonderful new audio formats to their full potential.
This Week's Reader Mail Is In
Fri May 12, 2006 at 04:40 PM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
Join us for the latest issue of High Def Digest's Reader Mailbag,
where we answer all your questions on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, industry trends and
our site's news and reviews. Got questions of your own? Send them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in future issues of our Reader Mailbag.
How Old is That HD Transfer in the Window?
"Thanks for your early review of 'Full Metal Jacket.' But as a Stanley Kubrick fan looking forward to more high-def releases of his movies from Warner, I was a bit surprised to read that you guys said the new disc utilizes 'the same master' as the previous standard DVD release of 'Jacket.' What gives?" -- Brandon
Dear Brandon: Very good question, and you're not alone -- we've gotten more email about our 'Full Metal Jacket' review than any other so far in the (albeit short) history of High Def Digest.
The information about the masters used for the HD-DVD release came from an interview our reviewer Peter had conducted three years ago with the DVD producer of all of the Warner Kubrick titles. All were remastered back in 2002 for a new standard DVD collection the studio was marketing of all of the director's films. Though the late Kubrick's wishes were to present all of his films (except '2001: A Space Odyssey,' which was shot at 2.35:1) in 4:3 "open matte" on home video, high-def masters in widescreen were also created, including 'Eyes Wide Shut,' 'Clockwork Orange,' 'Full Metal Jacket,' 'Barry Lyndon' and 'The Shining.' All were matted to an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (except 'Orange,' which was pillarboxed at 1.66:1). Many of these HD versions have already been seen over the past three years on many HD cable networks, and will be utilized again for their upcoming HD-DVD and Blu-Ray releases.
However, Warner's approach with the Kubrick titles is not an isolated one. The studios have already been minting high-def masters of their libraries for many years. Some, such as Sony, even began archiving in HD since the mid-'90s. So many of these "new" HD-DVD and Blu-Ray releases will indeed utilize masters created many years ago. As all of us early adopters know only too well, when it comes to new home video formats, indeed everything old is new again.
Dolby Digital-Plus versus DTS?
"I was curious about your 'Assault on Precinct 13' review. The cover of the disc lists as an audio option a DTS soundtrack. I was really hoping for a comparison between the DTS and Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks. I know the DTS isn't one of the new HD DTS formats, but Dolby + is supposed to be very comparable to DTS, and I was wondering how they compared in practice." -- Chad R.
Dear Chad: Thanks for the suggestion, and we have added a DTS versus Dolby Digital-Plus comparison to our 'Assault on Precinct 13' review.
As 'Assault' is but the first HD-DVD title to feature an optional DTS track, it is too soon to make any sweeping comparisons between the audio format and Dolby Digital-Plus. However, the results we found in our review seem to align with those the general tech press have also found so far in head-to-head comparison between DD+ and DTS. Given that Dolby Digital-Plus can support bit rates up to 6 Mbps (3 Mbps on HD-DVD and 1.7 Mbps on Blu-Ray, according to the official Dolby website), it is technically superior to DTS's max 1.5 Mbps. Certainly, there are many other factors that determine the overall quality of a soundtrack than just raw numbers, but Dolby Digital-Plus certainly closes the spec gap that had previously left DTS superior to standard Dolby Digital 5.1.
However, we feel the whole Dolby Digital versus DTS argument won't really begin anew until the next-gen versions of both audio formats begin to appear with any real frequency on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Warner has already released two HD-DVD titles, 'Training Day' and 'Phantom of the Opera,' that contain Dolby TrueHD soundtracks (which promise up to 7.1 channels of multichannel audio comparable in quality to the studio masters), though no high-def DVD titles have yet been announced with an DTS-HD audio option. But it is only a matter of time, and once more disc titles and A/V receives capable of playing the next-gen audio formats hit the market, then the real race for the crown of "Best HD Audio Format" will get underway.
Reviews of EVERY title?
"I stumbled onto your website via some random link in some random forum and I am glad I did. So far, you are the only website that I have found that has EVERY HD-DVD titled reviewed. Your release list is easiest to read (and find), and you seem very open to Toshiba's HD-DVD format. I purchased the HD-A1 on the launch, and have been buying 1 HD-DVD each week to help support the format. Your reviews help me decide which discs really show off what hi-def movies are all about. Who would have thought 'Goodfellas' could look so good? Thanks again." -- Kris
Dear Kris: Thanks for allowing us to end our week with such a nice praise, however self-serving we are being in printing it!
Indeed, our goal is to review every HD-DVD and Blu-Ray title that gets released. Certainly, over the coming months, the studios' release schedules for both high-def formats will be appreciable if not quite the opening of the floodgates, which makes our job a bit more manageable. But even as more and more studios come aboard the high-def DVD bandwagon in the coming weeks and months, we will definitely be doing our darndest to cover every title out there. So thanks again for the boost of confidence, and stay tuned for all the reviews we can throw at you!
Reader Mail: We Answer Your High-Def DVD Questions
Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 06:13 PM ETTags: Reader Mail (all tags)
Today High Def Digest kicks off a new recurring feature on the site, our Reader
Mailbag! We'll be answering your questions on the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats, industry trends and our news and review coverage. Got questions of your own? Send them our way, and we'll try to answer them on the site in the coming days and weeks.
Of Inputs and Outputs
"In your review of 'The Last Samurai,' you state that, "...component connectors are not capable of delivering full 1080p, however, so if you eventually want to upgrade your home theater to the full 1080p experience, you will still have to buy a new set down the road."
I believe that the above is incorrect. Please note the following from Widescreen Review: 'Analog component video can support 1080p out put and certain analog 9-inch CRT projectors can resolve better than 1920 x 1080p. The decision to output full 1080p resolution through the component video output is up to the player manufacturers. No one has announced at this time better than 1080i output through component video.'" -- Phil S.
Dear Phil: Thanks much for the correction, and congrats on being our first-ever question at Reader Mail!
We have revised the text of the review to be more clear. It should have stated that Toshiba's first-gen HD-DVD decks, the HD-A1 and HD-XA1, only support resolutions up to 1080i via either their component or HDMI outputs, not full 1080p. However, Widescreen Review is correct -- there are some sets currently on the market that can accept a 1080p signal via component and/or HDMI inputs. Unfortunately, the Toshiba's first-gen HD-DVD models do not yet support high-def's maximum resolution.
Toshiba has indicated that they plan to include 1080p output capability on their upcoming second-generation HD-DVD players, most likely via HDMI. Toshiba expects to unveil these new decks later this fall.
HD-DVD Disc-to-PC Conversion
"Hey, I think your site is awesome, and the HD-DVD coverage is great!! I have one quick question about HD-DVD: While I know that standard DVD players can't play HD-DVD, I was wondering if people could copy the HD-DVD content to their PC hard drive with the PC's DVD player?" -- Michael M.
Dear Michael: Thank you for the very kind words on the site, and we are glad you are enjoying our coverage of HD-DVD so far -- and there's plenty more to come in the weeks and months ahead.
We also like the way your mind thinks. Though, alas, it is not possible to use a standard DVD drive in a PC to play and/or copy the contents of an HD-DVD disc. They are two completely different formats -- DVD drives utilize red laser technology, while both the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray next-gen formats utilize blue laser technology, making compatibility inherently impossible.
However, many PC makers are planning to introduce PCs with internal HD-DVD drives, as well as stand-alone HD-DVD drives as well. Microsoft has also announced it is aggressively supporting the HD-DVD format and peripherals with its upcoming Windows Vista operating system, set to launch this fall.
Screenshots?
"It has been a great pleasure to keep track of the news, the hardware and software and consumer goodies like Blu-Ray PSX3 game consoles and XBox 360 consoles, and of course, HD content rich media such as movies. Thank you! Your gear page looks impressive and of high quality and a perfect test setup which will surely grow over time. What I am hoping to find is pictures -- visuals of the hardware, the setup as you have it, in the form of a small gallery would be so very great. Hopefully this will be an option in the future, and keep those great reviews coming." -- Floris F.
Dear Floris: Your very kind comments are greatly appreciated. We're glad you like our reviews, and we'll definitely keep them coming!
We definitely are planning to introduce more visuals, of both our equipment setup as well as discs themselves. We are currently investigating the best way to present disc screenshots that can fully convey the image quality of both the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats, and hope to begin implementing images with our next batch of disc reviews. Stay tuned!
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