Official HTF HD Review: The Meaning of Life (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

 

[Cees Alons]

Thanks, Sam. A must-have, apparently!


Cees

 

[ppltd]

Sam, thanks for the review. After reading all of the posts slamming this release and getting a chance to view this title this weekend, I can only surmise that the people slamming 'The Meaning of Life' had not actually watched it. I found this release to be a very fine upgrade from my SD edition, and while certainly not eye-popping (I am not sure why some think that eye candy visuals is what make a good HD release), still does alot with the source material.

I agree with you on the AQ also, not much to get overy excited about, but very good for this film. I am not certain how the sound could be made much better.

 

[Paul Arnette]

I didn't really have any qualms about the AQ. However, I had an odd situation occur while watching this disc. My Toshiba HD-XA2 was recently upgrade to firmware 2.0, and during the second to last chapter "Christmas in Heaven" there was a high pitch squeal coming from my speakers. I stopped the movie, but the squeal continued. I switched inputs on my receiver, and it stopped until I went back to the input with the HD-XA2. Eventually, I turned off the unit, which ended the noise. Fortunately, once I rebooted the machine I was able to finish the film without the incident occurring again.

I haven't watched any HD DVDs since to see if the problem reoccurs, but it definitely appeared like the player was sending undecoded bitstream all of a sudden. I wondered, but doubt seriously, if it was a problem with the disc, so I thought I'd ask here if anyone's run into that?

 

[Jim_K]

I actually cancelled my pre-order based on all the hanky reviews. This was a borderline title for me, had this been Holy Grail or Life of Brian I'd have picked it up anyway.

 

[ppltd]

Paul, I had not read any of the reviews. My comment was directed to some posts I have read on this release.

 

[Rachael B]

I was mildly disappointed in this title. I wasn't expecting miracles but I feel the print needs some restoration work. Sure it looks better than the DVD's but it's no quantum leap. 4 is an awfully high score for the video IMO. I'd score it more like 3.

 

[Tim Glover]

Thomas, this seems to happen quite a bit. People slamming Universal & HD DVD without checking these statements firsthand. It's the, "a friend of my sisters' friend's Dad read something about this being a bad transfer online from someone who also heard it wasn't a good disc." .

Gotta love (& hate) the internet.

 

[ppltd]

Isn't that the truth. I have not been able to spot most of the problems so many are so quick to point out. While I do not have prefect sight, I am beginning to believe most of the problems bitched about are just rehashes of something they read, not what they actually viewed first hand.

While not perfect equipment, I think my Panny PTAE-1000U projector and a 106" screen certainly produce a pretty good image, and at that size, I should be seeing many of these problems, but I don't. Maybe it is because am I too envolved watching the movie rather than finding ways to pick it apart.

 

[Sam Posten]

A lot of this stuff is VERY subjective and VERY gear variable. I totally get where Rachael is coming from, but I made a judgement call and I stand by it. Again I dont seek out others reviews on films I intend to score but I did see a lot of negativity about this transfer and it really didnt bear out to that extreme for me. I do agree that people need to relax a little bit and enjoy the films, but on the other hand if stuff is distracting its very hard to talk yourself out of it and let it go.

 

[ppltd]

Couldn't agree more with you, Sam. Just keep up the good work with your reviews. You guys (all of the HT reviewers) help me out when I am undecided about a release. Your reviews can push m one way or the other.