Crouching Tiger - Superbit ?? (1 Viewer)

[John Garcia]

OK, I lent out my copy of CTHD some time ago, and have given up on getting it back. I would like to replace it, so naturally the question comes up - which one? I had the Chinese release that had no extras, just the English and Chinese 5.1 tracks, eventhough the menus look almost identical to the US release. Since I don't think I will find the Chinese ver again, I was thinking about getting the Superbit release. Who has it, has seen both, and how is the DTS track? Thanks.

For that matter, how are the other Superbit releases? Particularly Fifth Element...

 

[Malcolm R]

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=51114
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=17825
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=17724
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=17601
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=16798
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=17992
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=17140

 

[Jenna]

I've replaced several existing DVDs with their Superbit counterparts and have NEVER regretted it (just felt the sting in my wallet). The Superbit transfers are amazing. Actually CTHD is the only SB that I haven't gotten...YET.

 

[Charles M]

I rented CTHD when it first came out. I did like the movie a lot, and was going to eventually to buy it. When I heard the announcement of the SuperBit version, I held off to buy it. I picked it up last month and am happy with the purchase. This has been the same with all my SuperBit purchases, Air Force One, The Fifth Element, and Vertical Limit since I never owned the originals.

John,

I do find the DTS track to have a little bit more punch.

 

[Phu Vo]

I have both version in my house. I bought the original R1 release and gave it to my brother after I got the Superbit version. IMO, the Superbit version is a definite improvement on my setup in reducing mosquito noise which is a big pet peeve of mine. There are those that will say otherwise but then again, everyone watches their movies on different setups (I am using a Radeon-based HTPC to drive my NEC LT150 with 68" wide screen). And the DTS track is a bit fuller. The mix isn't very agressive, but the DTS track does make the wonderful score of this film come alive better. The first night fighting scene is a good example.

Since I am not big on extras, as I feel alot of extra DVD materials are tacked on with out a whole lot of value put into their production (there are exceptions of course), a DTS track, reduced mosquito noise, and the removal of forced animated menus is worth the upgrade. For me, the extras on the original release were a one-time-watch. I would have liked it if there was more making of stuff as I find that very informative and entertaining. But the extras were more like interviews with the cast explaining cultural stuff (not in depth either), a fairly week photo montage, and a little thing on the making of the score. I would have liked some gritty behind the scenes, making a martial arts epic type stuff like how they did all that wire-fu. That would have been cool (sadly, Charlie's Angels had more extras on wire-fu). Not bad, but not worth the effort for me to watch again.

I'd recommend the Superbit version.

 

[JeremySt]

If you want DTS, original dialogue, the best picture, and don't care about extras SUPERBIT

If you want commentary, extras, english dub, and dont care about DTS and improved picture, get the R1 release.

Personally, I purchased the R3 release before it was released theatrically in the U.S. (same as R1, but no making-of) , and then purchased the Superbit upon it's release. I then put both discs inside a 2 disc keep-case, and used the SB cover. (the R3 cover was lame anyway) total cost to me: $34.00 A good price for a 2 disc set!

 

[John Garcia]

I picked up the SB version, and watched it this weekend. The picture quality is VERY noticeably superior, and the DTS track is also definitely improved over the previous DD track. I was annoyed with the English dialog track on the previous version, so that was no loss to me. The "extras" I can live without, and if I really want to see/hear them, I can always rent that version.