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300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

#1
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7/22/07 at 9:07am
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http://dvd.ign.com/articles/807/807121p1.html

Perfect 10s across the board!

Quote:
Originally Posted by IGN on the HD DVD-exclusive PiP
The picture-in-picture commentary is a ridiculously entertaining and informative addition, highlighting not only Snyder's dynamic, easy-going personality but everything and anything audiences may have wanted to know about the film's production. With a second, smaller screen in the bottom-left corner matched shot-for-shot with the theatrical release, viewers can see the green-screen, blue-screen, warts-and-all reference shots compared against their fully-produced end products. The Film-School-101, special-effects master class value is both remarkable and completely accessible as Snyder walks us through the arduous, painstaking process of creating an effects-heavy film with an impressive charisma and a well-delivered lesson plan. And the dual-picture accompaniment is a welcome, educational visual aid.

Didn't see this posted, but a nice preview of the disc
For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.
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#2
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7/22/07 at 10:22am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I am planning opn getting the BR when it comes out but have not seen the film. I am a little worried about buying this sight unseen though. Nice to see a good review though.

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#3
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7/22/07 at 10:24am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

What we've learned from Warner on these recent dual releases is to expect the same results with Image/Audio....
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#4
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7/22/07 at 1:16pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Saw some snippets of this on HD DVD as presented by Mr. Nickerson from Warner at the HME. It looked fantastic and I agree that it could be THE high def disc so far... I am a big fan of IME/U Control stuff so the green screen PiP was certainly intriguing.
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#5
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7/22/07 at 1:31pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I liked this movie and will be picking up the HD DVD without question. BUT...if the Blu is available and the HD DVD is nowhere to be seen when I go looking for one I will grab that version without hesitation.

And you believe, at heart, everyone's a killer...
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#6
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7/22/07 at 1:42pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I watched pretty much my first (proper) HD DVD-title in last week (UK "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") when I tested Toshiba´s player. I sampled the "In-Movie Experience" and I have to say that I liked it. It worked better than I expected and brought some freshness to the old audio commentaries. While I´m not very keen about these internet-based extras that HD DVD camp is promoting, this IME (and probably other similar ones) is very nice. Blu-ray has to get these also working, dammit.

Btw. Is HD DVD-version of "300" combo?

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#7
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7/22/07 at 1:46pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
Btw. Is HD DVD-version of "300" combo?

Yes.
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#8
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7/22/07 at 6:21pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I'm all over this on blu ray.

Support the fight against Multiple Sclerosis as I ride in the 2007 MS 150 in New Bern this September.

Be a Widescreen Advocate

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#9
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7/22/07 at 6:33pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Already have the HD DVD version ordered and looking forward to viewing it, as I missed it at the theaters.

Thomas Eisenmann(Last updated 12/02/08) HD-DVD CollectionBlu-Ray CollectionDVD CollectionToshiba HD-XA2, HD Add-on, Panasonic DMP-BD55KPioneer VSX-94TXH, Panasonic PT-AE 3000U 1080p 252 HDs, 167 BDs, 1560 - DVDs and going down

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#10
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7/22/07 at 6:34pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
I watched pretty much my first (proper) HD DVD-title in last week (UK "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") when I tested Toshiba´s player.
Harry Potter was the first imprt I ever ordered and convinced me to order others. It is a great transfer.

Thomas Eisenmann(Last updated 12/02/08) HD-DVD CollectionBlu-Ray CollectionDVD CollectionToshiba HD-XA2, HD Add-on, Panasonic DMP-BD55KPioneer VSX-94TXH, Panasonic PT-AE 3000U 1080p 252 HDs, 167 BDs, 1560 - DVDs and going down

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#11
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7/23/07 at 4:36am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Loved this in the theaters and it appears that it will sound/look just as stricking at home. I recall the film looking overly grainy in some shots when I saw it on release day so I'll be curious to see how much that holds true for the HD release. According to the review it has "a raw, atmospheric grain" which sounds very promising.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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#12
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7/23/07 at 9:43am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I stress that this is not flaming towards the HD DVD-format, but based on the information at hand, the web based extras doesn´t sound very hot:

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6461151.html

"Warner will be selling film-related merchandise via a disc for the first time. With their HD DVD player remote, consumers will be able to type in their cell phone number to receive instructions to access 300 wallpaper and ringtones for $1.99 each."

Based on http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...ortunities/793 :

"The HD DVD will boast several exclusive interactive and web-enabled features, including the ability to re-edit and share versions of the film via a studio-hosted server."

Hmm. For these I can easily say that: No interest.

Of course, the PiP-feature sounds cool (not web related):
"300 on HD DVD also contains a picture-in-picture feature that compares the actors performing with a blue-screen background with the special-effects-laden feature film."

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#13
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7/23/07 at 10:35am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Jari-
I didn't see any flames in your post! I can see your point on some of the web features, but having seen the PIP, that is the MUST BUY feature on this title. I can't describe how cool it was!
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#14
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7/23/07 at 10:46am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Just to emphasize since I see some conflicting statements.
The PIP feature is only available on the HDDVD version.
So, if you want that, you need the HDDVD.

Personally, if it didn't have the feature, I would have gotten the Blu-Ray since I loathe combo disc price premiums but the $5 premium is worth because of that awesome extra.
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#15
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7/23/07 at 10:47am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

It also looks kind of cool to be able make your own video montage on the HD DVD version. Hopefully I'll get my copy soon.
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#16
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7/23/07 at 10:50am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

I'm sure that the PiP feature is very cool, but I just don't see where I would watch it more than once or even once, as I barely have time to watch the movies themselves these days. If this were between BD and HD DVD at equal price-points (i.e. no HD DVD Combo Format), I would opt for the HD DVD. As it stands now, I would prefer to pay less for the BD.

Quote:
It also looks kind of cool to be able make your own video montage on the HD DVD version.

This must be part of the whole MySpace demographic that they're trying to target, but, again, I would never use this feature. Also, did I miss the memo where the MySpace demographic became the predominant early adopter of HT?

Universal Blu-ray Discs I will not be buying while they're offered only as Blu-ray + DVD 'flipper' discs:

The Jackal, Out of Africa, and Traffic.

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#17
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7/23/07 at 11:01am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Turning 44 this September I hardly fall into the 'myspace' crowd. . In fact, the only myspace page I've ever visited was the director of The Fountain's page.

I just thought it might be cool to edit/make your own little video thingy. Is it the feature that stands above it all? Probably not... The only feature that will most likely get repeated viewings at my home is the main film feature. The other stuff is cool though.
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#18
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7/23/07 at 12:00pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Not that this HD-DVD/Blu-Ray will not look stunning, but I'm not sure you want to base this assumption off of an IGN review.
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#19
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7/23/07 at 1:31pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawn Perron
Not that this HD-DVD/Blu-Ray will not look stunning, but I'm not sure you want to base this assumption off of an IGN review.

If I'm not mistaken the IGN reviewers are also avid HTF members. Of the reviews that I've read in the past they are usually very accurate with their views.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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#20
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7/23/07 at 6:26pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

How people can say this looks better than "Corpse Bride", amazes me!

Movies are: "The Greatest Artform".
HD should be for EVERYONE!

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#21
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7/23/07 at 9:01pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.



Received my HD DVD copy today. The bulb in my projector went last week and I am projectorless until tomorrow. Skimmed over it on a 42" EDTV Panasonic plasma. Saw this digitally projected when it was released in the theaters and it should look comparable to that. Will be able to judge PQ better tomorrow.

The deleted scenes and most of the featurettes are in HD. The webisodes are in SD and most if not all looked to be ported over from that Best Buy bonus disc that included the free movie cash to see 300 in the theater.

Watching some of the PiP shows how much of this movie was manipulated not just bluescreen/SFX wise but also in the color, contrast, brightness department.

One nitpick there are no trailers for 300 on this disc. I know there was at least 1 teaser and 1 full trailer. I do have them saved on my Xbox 360 from XBLive but come on WB, trailers should be a given and in HD. Oh and the commentary track from the SD side with Snyder and other crew members is not on the HD side.

Can't wait to watch it in full tomorrow.
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#22
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7/23/07 at 9:19pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Oh and the commentary track from the SD side with Snyder and other crew members is not on the HD side.

are you sure?!?!? do blu rayers know this? or do they have it ported to their HD encode?


"now, if that's a fact, tell me... am i lying?"

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#23
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7/24/07 at 4:47am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Tim! My MySpace page is pretty cool!



and yes, if 300 looks anything like it did in the theater, I don't know how people can say it looks better than Corpse Bride.
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#24
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7/24/07 at 8:38am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW
are you sure?!?!? do blu rayers know this? or do they have it ported to their HD encode?

To lose the PiP features as a seperate extra is bad enough, but also lose the SD audio commentry is even worse.

At least with a HD-DVD combo disc you still get the audio commentry even if you have to play the DVD side.
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#25
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7/24/07 at 8:44am
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

There was a commentary on the HD side that went along with the PIP. I starts playing when you turn the PIP on. I don't know if it is the same commentary that is on the standard def side or not.
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#26
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7/24/07 at 5:45pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

PiP commentary is different from the one on the SD side.
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#27
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7/24/07 at 5:53pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Just so that everyone is on board, and that all information is fully understood, may I suggest that the word "transfer" be used only for film that is actually transferred in some way to the digital world from post-production film elements.

300, as an example, is not a transfer, nor are the Harry Potter films.

There must be a differentiation for reviews and commentaries to have meaning. The two cannot be adequately judged via the same parameters.

RAH

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#28
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7/24/07 at 6:00pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris
Just so that everyone is on board, and that all information is fully understood, may I suggest that the word "transfer" be used only for film that is actually transferred in some way to the digital world from actual post-production film elements.

300, as an example, is not a transfer, nor are the Harry Potter films.

There must be a differentiation for reviews and commentaries to have meaning. The two cannot be adequately judged via the same parameters.

RAH
If not a "transfer", what is it?
Thanks, Robert!

Movies are: "The Greatest Artform".
HD should be for EVERYONE!

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#29
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7/24/07 at 6:07pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Most likely, 2k digital files downrezzed.

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#30
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7/24/07 at 6:12pm
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Re: 300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.

Harry Potter is shot digitally? Didn't know that! Since when?
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Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Downloads  ›  Blu-ray (and Other Hi-Def Software): Film and Documentary  ›  300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review.