SUPERBIT DVDs

[Neil Irving]

I purchased my first Superbit DVD (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and I must admit to being blown away by the increased picture resolution and superb DTS mix.

I watch my DVDs via a CRT projector onto a 6 foot 16:9 screen so I certainly notice the difference, but I'm not sure if you'd notice an improvement on a smaller ordinary w/s tv.

Begs the question why all DVDs without extras shouldn't be processed with the increased bitrate. (Yet another way of making more money out of the punter?).

[stephen]

Why can't they have one superbit DVD with just the film on, and a second disc for the extras? They seem to release many titles on two discs anyway.

[ajm]

Doing all discs as superbit is a good idea, with the extras as a second disc. Preferably, as cost option, so those of us who don't care about extras, don't have to waste their money on them.

[Ben Martin]

Originally posted by stephen
Why can't they have one superbit DVD with just the film on, and a second disc for the extras? They seem to release many titles on two discs anyway.

indeed. and why don't they ditch the DD5.1 track and put a full-bitrate DTS track on the disc instead of a 754kbps one?

as Neil Irving makes clear above, it is generally held that to perceive any difference in the picture from the existing discs you have to have a really kick-ass system. any such system is going to have a DTS-compatible amp, and however slight the improvement you'd always listen to that over the DD track.

the whole 'superbit' concept seems to have reached market somewhat half-baked, imho.

[Vader]

I collect movies. I have done so for 10 years on LaserDisc (don't flame LDs unless you wanna open a BIG can of worms....;) ), and I continued on DVD. I made the switch in 1998, with a Sony S7000, before DTS was on the verge of being mainstream. I have never heard DTS in the home, but when I heard it in the theater (Jurassic Park, The Grinch, etc.), I was vastly unimpressed. It was very shrill and full of distortion, but I attribute that more to the idiot projectionist (probably the manger) clipping the speakers. I am not going to address what has almost become a 'religious war' (DD vs DTS) because I have nothing to stand on. However, I am getting a little tired of attempts to trash DD in favor of DTS. The fact of the matter is that how good either track sounds is ultimately dependent on the mastering, and the staple that DTS is inherantly better than DD is BS, pure and simple. A poorly mastered DTS track will not hold a candle to a properly mastered DD track, and vice-versa. I have no intention of upgrading from my current system until it is necessary, the sound being phenomental as it is (again, I am not comparing DD to DTS). While I am grateful to have a DTS soundtrack on some discs for when I do upgrade, I would much rather have a DD track along with SUBSTANTIAL extras (theatrical trailers, commentary, etc.) than a DTS track with none. I applaud FOX for not putting a DTS track on X-Men because the picture would have suffered. The result was nearly the perfect disc. The same can be said for both "Superman SE" and "The Phantom Menace". Thanks for letting me vent on the subject, and I appologize in advance for stepping on some toes. I would welcome any additional dialog on this or any other (home theater related) subject.

[Ben Martin]

Vader, i don't think you're stepping on any toes and certainly not mine! i've pointed out before on the forums that i can currently listen to neither the DD5.1 or the DTS tracks on any of my dvds because i am still playing them through my PC with stereo speakers! :) however, that doesn't mean i can't plan ahead for the day when i can finally afford some quality home cinema kit.

all that said, on my previous post i assure you i was not trying to enter/re-start the DD/DTS debate (who am i to speak?!). rather i was questioning sony's logic at not giving the DTS track full-bitrate when they claim that the line represents the absolute best in possible audio and video quality, and that as such they are targeting the discs at those people with setups that include the likes of 6 or 9 foot perforated screens and top-of-the-line DTS-capable amps. and i said all this regardless of whether or not DTS is better or not. sorry if it wasn't clear.

[Roberto]

mmmmmm.......

OK i was over at DVDfile reading the review for the line of superbit DVDs. And they have a comparison of the old R1 DVDs and the new superbit DVDs. And yes, there is a huge difference. They also seem to pick titles that have not been represented well on R1.

But, I was wondering about the difference between the new superbit DVD's and the equvulant R2 DVD's. Example:

Air Force One:
Old R1 DVD - One side, one layer NTSC
New R1 superbit - Dual Layer NTSC, no extras
New R2 DVD (not flipper) - Dual Layer PAL, extras

So i chucked in the new R2 DVD, pressed pause and compared it to the pictures in the review......



































Oh yea, the results :D .. The R2 dvd althrough not as detailed as the superbit DVD it's damn close, so close i dare other people to tell while watching the movie in full flow. plus you get the extras. Verdict: A bit of a gimick, I'll stick with my R2 thanks

[DuncanWardle]

Just how improved is the picture for the majority of Home Cinema fans that just have 32" ( or smaller ) W/Screen TVs ?

[Vinyl-Pants]

er I cant see any images ?

[Jorin]

I have yet to see these superbit DVDs, I must admit. However, I am a little sceptical about the difference in quality.

My set up is modest for a home cinema buff - Hitachi 28" WS TV, Sammy 709 multiregion, Digitheatre DTS and perfectly calibrated with Video Essentials and Ultimate DVD Platinum ( :) ) all running through an RGB super-shielded SCART lead offering the kind of picture that looks as though you could reach inside and touch what you're watching.

So, as you can see, I'm quite proud of my set up, but aren't these discs for those peeps who have a projector, or something a little more substantial for anyone to truly see the improved quality difference?

I have the R1 Fifth Element (which is more natural an image than the R2, believe it or not) and R2 CT, HD and they are amazing on my set up. Would I really benefit from purchasing the superbit?

[Ono]

I just ordered the Superbit CTHD primarily for the DTS soundtrack.

Since I have watched my R3 version over 10 times now I thought I would spoil myself.:D


Can't see myself buying anymore Superbits though.

[Roberto]

In answer to DuncanWardle question i used a 40" widescreen TV. So on a 40" TV i notice a slight difference, i presume on a 32" widecreen tv the diffrenece will be even smaller.

[Madm@tt]

The new SE of Pulp Fiction should be Superbit... It's my favourite film and as long as it looks and sounds as good as possible - I don't care about extras!:eek: :eek: :eek: A good set of DVDs for the Superbit Collection would be the Alien Legacy - although that may just be me... I do think that Superbit is a good idea, and I think that making all Superbit DVDs 2 disc sets (for extras) is a good idea - but I think that they should be released in Region 2 as well because I'm fed up of not getting the best!:mad:

..............................................................

"If you need an Apocalypse absolutely possitivly definately Now - except no substitutes."

[Ben Martin]

Madm@tt - unfortunately none of the titles you have listed above are columbia tristar releases, but rather buena vista and fox respectively. 'Superbit' is a new line (no pun intended) from columbia tristar. that said, there is no reason why other studios couldn't follow suite. for the moment i don't think any are, although they may well be watching the sales performace of the superbits with interest.

[Jimmyboy]

All the reviews and camparisons I've read so far claim that there is little to no improvement between Superbit titles and the normal release, and given that you lose all extras, you have to wonder why did they bother ?.

[DR HIENVO]

you have to wonder why did they bother ?.

Jimmyboy one thinks that the thought of more lucrative $$$$$ is one reason why they did!

after all us dvdfreaks are mugs:p so these studios seem to think

it can only get worse..................................:D