- Joined: August 2001
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While reading through this forum it is interesting to hear the opinions of the members regarding each new release that comes out. Members talk about the quality of the picture, the audio, commentaries, internet features, behind the scenes documentaries and so forth. However, certain releases leave members feeling that they got short changed on certain specs/features that they expected should be present, while others feel that those spec/features are not necessary to the release and should not be worried about. Others feel that some specs/features should not even have been included at all. For you as an home theater expert/nut what specs/features do you feel are non-negotiable and must be included on every release? For the purpose of this discussion (just so we don't bring any biases in) DO NOT use an existing movie people already have opinions about, be it either the movie or its existing (or soon to be released) Blu-ray disc for which we already know its specs/features as an example. Let's just say its a new or old movie that you loved and its coming out on Blu-ray as a two (2 BD50) disc set. Sorry No expansive 12 disc set. And the other rule is no talk of pricing (all this and a bag of chips for 12.99) The average I have found for current prices has been between $24 and $30. So that will be the price range. So once more what specs/features do you feel are non-negotiable and must be included on every release?
For me:
1. 1080p (ALL)
1a. Lossless Audio (PCM/True-HD/DTS Master HD) (Film in Original Language)
2. A commentary (Director/Main Actors/Writer/Producer/Film Historian)
3. 2 hour plus Making of Documentary that covers pre through post
4. An Art/Sketch Gallery
5. Screen Tests
6. Trailers/TV Spots
7. Deleted Scenes
8. (If Needed) seamless branching
9. Blu-ray Live
10. Subtitles (multiple languages)
Thank you in advance for your responses.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how wrong they may be."
- Joined: October 1999
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
I'll make a slight increase to the list others are providing:
Well- and newly-mastered 1080p OAR video
Well-mastered lossless audio
The original theatrical trailer(s)
The rest is gravy, but these are the essentials for me. Don't get me started on the death of trailers as the fundamental home video bonus feature...
Ernest Hemingway once wrote, \"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.\" I agree with the second part...--Det. William Somerset, SE7EN
http://www.dvdanthology.com/Filmmaker-movielist.html),
http://LDDb.com/collection.php?actio...user=Filmmaker
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
Mandatory:
1080p transfer
Quality audio (whether lossless is essential or not depends on the source--I don't need lossless on a 1.0 track from the 30s and 40s, for example)
Anything else is gravy and depends on my love of the film and/or its history; the more troubled the better.
\"My opinion is that (a) anyone who actually works in a video store and does not understand letterboxing has given up on life, and (b) any customer who prefers to have the sides of a movie hacked off should not be licensed to operate a video player.\"-- Roger Ebert
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Douglas Monce
- Douglas Monce
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Roger_R
What about the original soundtrack mix? I dislike newly mixed 5.1 pap with new sound effects.
I also want the theatrical cut on the disc. I'm probably the only one on this forum who are not interested in trailers if they don't show cut scenes. They're just as interesting as commercials to me...  |
I'm not particularly interested in trailers, other than trailers from the 30s and 40s.
Doug
"I'm in great shape, for the shape I'm in."
Bob Hope in The Ghostbreakers
- Joined: August 2001
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
These are some interesting answers. So it seems the 10 plus years of DVD releases (and LD before if you were in to them) with multiple features (commentary, deleted scenes, etc.) has not won many converts or fans. I find it interesting that some of you still say it doesn't matter if you get lossy audio even on a BD50 or that it depends on the title. For me my list was pretty much based upon what I consider were the most interesting features of what I got from DVD and included the things that were the selling points ,the formats specs, of Blu-ray (and continue to be marketed as such) like 1080p video, lossless audio, and interactive online features. Keep the answers coming.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how wrong they may be."
- Joined: February 2004
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
1080p/24 (for film based releases)
high quality audio (lossless is not essential, but a nice to have, as long as the bitrate for lossy is not too low)
nice to have:
original mix (especially for mono sources)
commentaries
fluff:
trailers
"games"
PR featurettes
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes time, and it annoys the pig.
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Douglas Monce
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gabriel.H
1. 1080p (1080i is unacceptable)
3. 7.1 audio on new releases (it's understandable if catalog releases are 5.1/6.1 but if they can give the extra effort to make a 7.1 mix then all the better)
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1080i is exactly the same as 1080p on a flat panel display, as a flat panel deinterlaces the signal. They are not capable of displaying an interlaced signal. Now how good said flat panel display's deinterlacer is another story. The point being a 1080i signal can be be converted to progressive with no degradation in picture quality. Also not all material on blu-ray was progressive to start with.
Most films never get a 7.1 audio mix because 90% of movie theaters are still 5.1. The likelihood of every release having a 7.1 mix is next to zero.
Doug
"I'm in great shape, for the shape I'm in."
Bob Hope in The Ghostbreakers
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Dave Moritz
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
The only thing that matters to me is the Movie, I am not into watching the extras for the most part.
What is important to me:
1. 1080p HD Picture
2. Lossless Audio (PCM, DTS-HD MA or Dolby True HD)
3. original mix (for mono sources) depending on title
What I do not care about:
1. Notice telling me that the studio may not agree with statements made by other people.
1080p High Definition SupporterLossless Audio Supporter Current Library: 221 DVD's / 70 HD-DVD's / 181 Blu-ray's (251 HD Titles)
- Joined: April 2000
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Clinton McClure
I only have two requirements: Well mastered 1080p OAR video and well mastered lossless audio. The rest is nonsense which does not make or break a sale for me. If every release were barebones with the exception of my two requirements, I would not lose any sleep.
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Agreed wholeheartedly. And lossless is LOSSLESS, regardless of the source.
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!
My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray
- Joined: July 2000
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Re: Non-negotiable Specs & Features for a Blu-Ray Release
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Clinton McClure
I only have two requirements: Well mastered 1080p OAR video and well mastered lossless audio. The rest is nonsense which does not make or break a sale for me. If every release were barebones with the exception of my two requirements, I would not lose any sleep.
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Agreed.
Anything and everything else is "extra" and should be considered as such and never put before video and audio specs. Sadly, some studios don't see it that way and feel the "extras" are more important.
Sometime's you reach what's real by making believe.
