View Full Version : The Phantom Menace
I must say the pod race sounds amazing in DD. Gotta be one of the best sound demo discs!! I was very impressed!! :D
Yup, after banging on about how the film sucks I bought it and enjoyed it.
Jar Jar is annoying as usual and Darth Maul is underused but theres something magical about holding a star wars DVD in your hand.
Definatly a ROJ and not an ESB or SW:ANH
Just Call Me Wanda
13-10-2001, 17:26
Yes the pod race sounded great in DTS at the cinema and it only cost £4 to see/hear it. ;)
AndyWilson
13-10-2001, 19:31
Originally posted by Just Call Me Wanda
Yes the pod race sounded great in DTS at the cinema and it only cost £4 to see/hear it. ;)
£4? Did you go to see it 20 years ago?????
Up here in the reality of the north it costs - wait for it - only £3.80 (I think) to get a seat in the Odeon in Liverpool City Centre!
on the seafront in port talbot(yes it is a multiplex) it only costs about three pounds on a monday and tuesday for everyone.
You lucky beggars, you realise it costs £10 to see a film in Leicester Square?
You lucky beggars, you realise it costs £10 to see a film in Leicester Square?
It can do but surely weekday matinees at the Odeon start at £5 or £6, helps to be a shift worker.
richardp
14-10-2001, 04:59
Wait for it, it costs me £2.50 to see a film at UGC :D
.. & you were still all conned! :D
AndyWilson
14-10-2001, 09:23
Went to see Amelie yesterday, cost £12 to get in (for 2 people) plus 5 quid for a tub of Revels and a Coke, plus about 45 miles of petrol = about 1 1/2 gallons = about 7 litres = about another fiver...
...I make that about £22 - way cheaper to buy the DVD.
Originally posted by AndrewC
I must say the pod race sounds amazing in DD. Gotta be one of the best sound demo discs!! I was very impressed!! :D
Was it just me or was the sound on the DVD awfully unbalanced. There was far far too much bass - to get the dialogue to a suitable level you had to put up withalmost constant booming, and I haven't even got a subwoofer at the moment either!
Surround effects were used well enough and it was very active, but I just felt the bass was far to excessive or the dialogue was far too low :( (actually I'd go for the latter considering that in order to match the volume of my other discs, dialogue-wise, I had to turn up the amp quite a way past where I usually have it)
Picture wasn't too impressive either in some scenes - at times it was a little soft (even washed out slightly) and others it was too sharp (the much talked-about over edge-enhancement). Not checked any of the extras yet so can't comment on those.
I thought the sound on the R1 DVD I bought to be just superb - just the right amount of bass! I also think the picture is the best I have seen on DVD - its just superb!
Got to agree, one of the best non DTS soundtracks I've heard in a while.
Obviously, it's just me then? :(
Must be :D :D
I thought the disc was fantastic, I was really gutted when I heard there was no DTS track.
But the DD5.1 track is superb. There is a lot of bass in the podrace but I remember it being like that at the cinema. Think its just the way its supposed to sound.
Don't know. Know that I am now a million times more hyped about owning a set of Star Wars DVD's.
Come on Mr Lucas, I don't want to give my money to some dodgy eastern place but I want Star Wars in DD5.1.
PPPPlllleeeeeaaasssseee !!
sideshowbob
14-10-2001, 19:23
Well, I read the case notes on the display copy in woolies today and it says something like ... "start your Star Wars DVD collection with Ep.1 ..." and all the P.O.S. stuff refers to the saga starting on DVD Oct 15th (if you ask me the star wars dvd saga started about 2 years back!). All points toward some sneaky SW dvd releases in the next year if you ask me.
Cornelius
14-10-2001, 20:35
I take it everyones on about the R1 version here?
Originally posted by sideshowbob
Well, I read the case notes on the display copy in woolies today and it says something like ... "start your Star Wars DVD collection with Ep.1 ..." and all the P.O.S. stuff refers to the saga starting on DVD Oct 15th (if you ask me the star wars dvd saga started about 2 years back!). All points toward some sneaky SW dvd releases in the next year if you ask me.
I reckon the nasty {expletive deleted :D** will release EP 2 next and then EP 3 and then carry on through till 6. Which means we've got another few years before the original (and best) trilogy appear.
And then after we've all bought all 6 he's probably gonna release a 12 disc collectors edition in some cool case with DTS tracks on and other cool stuff (probably Superbit or something like that, maybe even HD-DVD).
I want my Star Wars now !!!!!
(p.s. yup, i'm on about R1)
I'm so tempted to buy a laserdisc player and get the set.
bobwindy
14-10-2001, 21:30
I agree - The picture is fantastic and the sound is amazing with the right amount of bass....my sub hasnt had much to do of late but this is a fantastic demo disc and the lightsabres humming round your head is great. Definatly makes the film enjoyable and i cant wait for the rest of the films to be released if they get this treatment...although there is a large age gap in the films which makes me hope they will be remastered or whatever - a fantastic disc and one that will stay in my collection. :)
Oooo, can't wait to buy it tomorrow now!! This along with T2 coming out to tomorrow as well. I think i'll pop down to my local W.H.Smith and take advantage of the 'Buy One Get One Half Price' offer. What are the chances thet'll stop the promotion tomorrow?:D
William Shatners Wig
14-10-2001, 22:53
Originally posted by Roberto
What are the chances thet'll stop the promotion tomorrow?:D
It stopped on Wednesday here...... :(
Chief Brody
14-10-2001, 23:02
"quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Roberto
What are the chances thet'll stop the promotion tomorrow?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It stopped on Wednesday here...... "
Yup, it finished here on Wednesday as well. By a curious coincidence, the biggest DVD release ever happens a few days later. Hmmm.... Oh well, at least i was able to get Godfather for just £37.50. :)
Originally posted by Roberto
Oooo, can't wait to buy it tomorrow now!! This along with T2 coming out to tomorrow as well. I think i'll pop down to my local W.H.Smith and take advantage of the 'Buy One Get One Half Price' offer. What are the chances thet'll stop the promotion tomorrow?:D
Shame I got Star Wars on Sunday in Lakeside (Music Box) if you know it allways releases stuff for Mondau on the Sunday and no extra cost !
Analog Kid
15-10-2001, 00:02
Originally posted by ColinP
Obviously, it's just me then? :(
Nope, I also thought that it was quiet but not just the dialogue, I usually have my Digitheatre DTS at about four or five lights to get a decent sound level (loud but not too loud) but I had to push this up to six or seven in order to get it to a reasonable level. Even then there were some scenes which were loud and some which were quiet and the bass is a tad OTT, I keep the Sub turned down almost all the way to avoid upsetting the neighbours and any bass-heavy moments had the floor vibrating even then.
I was a bit disappointed with the levels as I was expecting a much more "in your face" sort of experience where I was reaching for the remote to turn the audio level down rather than up as in this case.
Like most people here it feels great to have finally seen a Star Wars film on DVD at last. I found the second disc of extras superb and watched them staright after the film.
The behind the scenes look at the light sabre training was very interesting. Ewan looked quite handy with his sword (ooo err!).
Actually, I thought the picture was a bit soft as well - I wonder if it is to give the series a visual continuity with the earlier (later?) episodes, as I recall thinking this when I saw it on the big screen - it seemed to have the same visual texture as the originals.
I was a bit annoyed with the subtitles - we kept having the rewind and switch them on whenever anyone spoke in Hutt. I'm sure these bits had subs on the theatrical print - can anyone else remember?
Analog Kid
15-10-2001, 11:34
My player showed subs for any alien dialog without me having to do anything so it may be an issue with your player. The subs were definitely player-generated too.
That's interesting - my player is a Panasonic A360. Anyone else had this problem?
Mr Flibble
15-10-2001, 12:36
I had a despatch notice from Amazon yesterday - but no sign of my disc - thanks postie :(
soberion
15-10-2001, 13:08
No problem with the subtitles for me. Wharfedale 750 player. Subs came on for Jabba, Sebulba and Watto.
Speaking of 'subs', I had to turn mine down for this film too as the bass was quite , erm, powerful :eek:
SithLordSi
15-10-2001, 13:18
I've not had any problems with the subtitles, and I have a Panasonic A360 also. Cracking player, I've never had any problems with any disc.
Heh heh.
neilalford
15-10-2001, 13:37
Originally posted by ColinP
Obviously, it's just me then? :(
No, I found the same thing, dialog seemed very quiet in comparison to the rest, but I think that might just be because everything else is just so loud! Anyway, you can never have too much bass, I like to feel my trousers vibrate:)
Originally posted by SithLordSi
I've not had any problems with the subtitles, and I have a Panasonic A360 also. Cracking player, I've never had any problems with any disc.
Heh heh.
Neither have I until now - unless you count the bizarre behaviour of the Disney Dinosaur R1 CE with its subtitles, although that apparently is how it's encoded.
TheCookieMonster
15-10-2001, 18:32
Had one problem with subtitles. When Anakin comes to the rescue of Jar Jar Binks when he spits food at "dirty podracer" ( can't remember his name!!:rolleyes: ). Subs only come on by selecting them from menu. Rest of alien subtitles are fine though.
Surprised this slipped through or is it me dodgy player? :confused: ( Got a £200 LIMIT from richer sounds )
I have a Sammy 709 and have the same sub prob where you can only select them for the starting menu. Not really a problem though!
My review for DVD Times is now up. Check the link in my signature.
Walrus Man
16-10-2001, 07:13
I have the R2 disc and a Sammy 709, I get NO sub-titles for Watto, Sebulba etc., I assume this is a player problem?
Can anyone confirm that the sub-titles do come on automatically for the alien dialogue on other players?
What about R1, does anyone have this disc and a 709?
This has really ********* me off, it is a major problem for me, I've been waiting for this dvd for ages and when it arrives it doesn't work properly, aarrggghh!!! :mad:
my tuppence...
Amazing ! Enjoyed this more at home than I did at the cinema.
I saw this twice, once in Mexico (with intermission!) and in the UK.
EX Sound is truly amazing, had this loud last night and for the first time my Sony 1070 was literally too hot to touch the top of.
Podracing and light sabre battles where the highlights for me, a true demo disc.
Even Anakin didn't seem as annoying (has the "yippee!" count been reduced ?
No probs with subtitles by the way (Pioneer 535)
how come the has the pod race been re-edited and extra footage added?
dean richardson
16-10-2001, 10:13
regards the added bits in the pod racing scene, the bit when the hose comes away and he uses a magnet to attach it seemed new. I only got it last night (7 days delivery !!! thanks play!!!!) so have not had chance to see deleted scenes. Is this new ?
I have recently upgarded my sound set up and only gladiator and matrix have impressed me, but the pod race blew me away!!!
yes that scene is slighty extended, you also get introductions to more of the other pod racers.
Mr Flibble
16-10-2001, 11:55
Just had this delivered today - everyone in the office swarmed round my PC to watch the PodRace scene.
Only watched that part so far - the menus look pretty cool though - a nice addition to my collection :)
Lex Luthor
16-10-2001, 12:14
Originally posted by AndyWilson
Went to see Amelie yesterday, cost £12 to get in (for 2 people) plus 5 quid for a tub of Revels and a Coke, plus about 45 miles of petrol = about 1 1/2 gallons = about 7 litres = about another fiver...
...I make that about £22 - way cheaper to buy the DVD. And you don't get some moronic sprog talking in the middle.
Great film BTW, but that's another thread!
Lex Luthor
16-10-2001, 13:42
Originally posted by Cornelius
I take it everyones on about the R1 version here? Why?
SqueakyG
16-10-2001, 14:11
I just got the R2 today!!!
About the subtitles:
I am too embarrassed to tell you what DVD player I have (*cough*alba103*cough*), but the subs work fine for all dialogue spoken in Huttese. I have noticed that this is one of those annoying discs where the soundtracks and subtitles are not switchable during the film, they can only be selected in the menu. So without selecting any subtitle, or with subtitles set to "off", you get the subs for the Huttese dialogue.
About the new footage:
I can't understand why they added more to the podrace. The pacing of the race now feels wrong. I can't explain why, but I really feel the race has lost its sense of emergency and excitement because of the increased length and editing. The new vistas of Coruscant are worthy though.
I haven't checked out disc 2 yet... so there's about 3 hours of stuff for me to watch today!
To SqeakyG and others: which region is it you have? Although I have the subs problem on my R1, it does let me change the audio and subtitles tracks on the fly using the buttons on my remote.
I too have the Region 2 DVD, playing on a Pioneer DV606D, no problems with subs appearing at all an thought the sound level was fine.
However, since this was the first DD EX film in the cinema (the first with a dedicated rear centre channel), how come it's only a 5.1 print and not 6.1 ?? I'm running this into a Sony STRDB1070, which is 6.1 capable (DD EX and DTS ES), but the disk only outputs 5 channels, what gives ??
Oh yeah, Jar Jar is slightly less annoying the umpteenth time round.
amritsinghesq
16-10-2001, 21:27
I don't think DD EX uses a dedicated rear centre channel, i.e. effects being recorded primarily for it like DTS ES Discrete 6.1. I'm sure it is a 'matrixed' surround format that uses info from the left and right rears to create an independant channel, DTS ES Matrix 6.1 is similar. Phew!
If you have an EX amp and are not getting any sort of sound from the centre rear then that's another problem. Do you have any other EX discs that are working fine, or is Phantom Menace your first one?
In regards to the Phantom Menace DVD I thought it was a great package, a lot of care and thought has gone into the presentation making it probably one of the best discs of the year, if you take 'Dude Where's My Car' out of the equation of course!;)
I have had sub problems on my Sony 525,but if i just start the film froom the sound menu with everything default,it works fine.
Have watched the Pod race and duel about 4 times now.Superb!
Also thought the extra pod race bits are good.
I have the Sony 536, and when watchin the deleted scenes (with documentary) the subtitles turn themselves on after the scenes sometimes for no real reason :)
Otherwise, disc looks great, and man those menus rock (if a little annoying to use.. they look awesome tho!)
Haven't watched the film yet, but should be a good laugh
JayX
I have no probs changing audio tracks 'on the fly' on my Sammy 709!
puddleduck
17-10-2001, 08:49
amritsinghesq - thats the whole point of DD5.1 EX - it IS matrixed!
cthulu
I have a Sony 1070 and it will only auto detect DTS ES (matrix)
You will have to manually set 6.1 decoding to ON for DD EX.
hope this helps.
amritsinghesq
17-10-2001, 15:12
Originally posted by AndySymbian
amritsinghesq - thats the whole point of DD5.1 EX - it IS matrixed!
And, that is what I said in my post:confused:
sweetmate
17-10-2001, 15:31
Originally posted by ColinP
Obviously, it's just me then? :(
Sorry Colin, but the R1 is truly reference material. People who are complaining about edge enhancement, tweak your player/TV, cos this disc is absolutley perfect.
The sound mix is absolutley spot on. If it sounds boomy, tweak your speaker settings/position. The dialogue sounds absolutely crystal clear from here.
Episode 1 soundtrack was mixed by Ben Burtt (genius) and Gary Rydstrom, who i would say is THE best Sound Designer in the business. If you don't believe me, look him up on imdb, and see how many of his films were oscar nominations/winners for best sound. It was mixed at Skywalker Ranch on an M&K speaker system in a THX sound studio.
Basically what i'm trying to say is it doesn't get any better than this folks, if it doesn't sound amazing to you, go buy a new setup!
Uncle Spanky
17-10-2001, 17:15
I have a 750S and the R1 disc, and also have the missing subtitle problem.
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