The Thing (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Norm]

I'm very disappointed. Its my first Blu-ray purchase & I assumed all the extras were on there from the DVD version. I'll be reading the labels better next time. I hate the spoilerish motion menu's.

 

[Joe Karlosi]

This is really absurd, Blu-rays not having any extras or else less extras than the regular old DVD. Blu-rays are supposed to be able to accomodate more material, and they should be the "big guy" while SD should have less, if anything. At this point the studios should be working harder at making Blu-ray the superior choice in every way.

 

[David Deeb]

I don't know that all are on there, but from what I read, I believe most of the special features are on there, but you have to go through that silly "U-Control" feature to access them. Meaning: you have to watch the movie and "select" the bonus feature when it gets to that spot in the movie.

I want to pick up this on BD eventually, but the U-Control concept is too difficult, so I put this down on my must have list till after Christmas.

In fact, you really "can't control" getting to the special features quickly. They should list the special features in a menu.

 

[Norm]

Oh great we have to use U control. Doesn't that require a phone line? I see they are making steps backwards. The load times are a drag as well.

 

[Joe Karlosi]

Well, anyway - how is the quailty on the disc?

 

[Jerome]

there is already a thread devoted to The Thing on Blu-Ray, and it includes informations about the lack of bonuses of the region A Disc. the region B disc has all the bonuses and the film is on a 50 Gb disc against 25 GB in region A.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...iew-thing.html

 

[Norm]

Awesome

I looked for another thread before I started this one. I couldn't find one. Thanx

 

[David Deeb]

No. But in order to access all the U-Control features, you have to have a new BD player with proper updates. Since you just bought yours, it's probably on there.

A phone line is for BD Live features.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I though BD Live was internet based?

 

[David Deeb]

Ooops. My typo. I'm too tired.

Norm asked if U Control needed a phone line and I replied in haste. Internet is needed for some BD Live features. A current firmware update and current profile BD player for U Control.

No phones are needed. (Unless Divx makes a comeback)

 

[Dave H]

Ah, good to hear someone actually cares about the PQ/AQ!

Mine just arrived yesterday and I will post my thoughts when I get to see it.

 

[Dave Mack]

The HDdvd (which I own) looked very good and had the full unedited doc. The BD release (which I netflixed) has unfortunately been "degrained", "DNR'd".

http://www.google.com/search?q=xylon...ient=firefox-a

Just click on the first search hit.

A shame.

 

[Jim_K]

I owned both the HD DVD and Blu-Ray versions and the difference in PQ when watching normally in full motion is fairly minor.



The BD is a worthy upgrade from the DVD (A/V wise), the doc is unfortunately relegated to the hellspawned feature called U-Control.

 

[TonyD]

wasn't all this mentioned in the HTF review?

 

[Sam Posten]

I thought so =p

 

[Dave H]

I watched The Thing on BD last night (at 1080p/24 on 60" display) and thought it looked decent, overall. My biggest issue with the disc is the edge enhancement most noticeable in the daytime outdoor scenes. Very distracting. However, most of the movie takes place indoors; those scenes look pretty good and grain is still intact despite some filtering that seemingly occured (compared to the HD DVD), but as Jim K mentioned I doubt this is an issue watching in motion. All in all, this release seems like a good upgrade over the DVD. I saw lots of details in the monster models I've never seen before. Classic 80s horror/sci-fi movie which still holds up quite well.