I would have hoped by now that stuidios would have either only used BD25/VC1, or BD50/Mpeg2. I was kind of intersted in Harts War until I found out it was BD25/Mpeg2. Now I think I'll just rent it. I feel I have to vote with my wallet, and a movie I kind of wanted I'm not going to bother with on principle.

They probably still use it because they can get good picture from it?

Judging by Crank, it seems BD25 with Mpeg2 is actually quite fine (a long with quite a few other movies as well).

Most of the bad movies are bad because of the transfers they were using... there's only a handful that are bad because of the encode.

They probably still use it because they can get good picture from it?

Judging by Crank, it seems BD25 with Mpeg2 is actually quite fine (a long with quite a few other movies as well).

Most of the bad movies are bad because of the transfers they were using... there's only a handful that are bad because of the encode.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/crank.html

Crank is a BD 50.

crank has two encodes on it, one with PiP. so essentially it is a bd25 sized mpeg2 movie.

kung fu hustle is another bd25 mpeg 2 with an amazing PQ.

it seems like on average, a BD25 can hold a good 2 hours or so of top notch PQ content using mpeg 2 with uncompressed audio.

I would have hoped by now that stuidios would have either only used BD25/VC1, or BD50/Mpeg2. I was kind of intersted in Harts War until I found out it was BD25/Mpeg2. Now I think I'll just rent it. I feel I have to vote with my wallet, and a movie I kind of wanted I'm not going to bother with on principle.

The 25gb Mpeg-2 Covenant is one of the best looking titles on either format.

However, if you look at the trend with Lionsgate, they've pretty much moved away from Mpeg 2 and going with AVC. Same for Sony. By middle of this year, you'll be hard pressed to find any Mpeg 2 titles.

I would have hoped by now that stuidios would have either only used BD25/VC1, or BD50/Mpeg2. I was kind of intersted in Harts War until I found out it was BD25/Mpeg2. Now I think I'll just rent it. I feel I have to vote with my wallet, and a movie I kind of wanted I'm not going to bother with on principle.

Simple economics. BD50 is much more expensive to replicate, and MPEG2 requires less passes than AVC/VC-1, hence it is cheaper.

If they can sell BD25/MPEG2, you bet they will try. And if people buy into lowered standards, lowered standards is what you'll continue to get served.

kung fu hustle is another bd25 mpeg 2 with an amazing PQ.

it seems like on average, a BD25 can hold a good 2 hours or so of top notch PQ content using mpeg 2 with uncompressed audio.
Which is ironic, because I was under the impression that an HD-30 with VC-1 encoding is not even enough. :rolleyes:

The Convenant is one of my favorite BR titles for PQ

But yes even with MPEG-2 fully capable of producing a good picture theres no doubt that the extra space provided by using a more efficient codec could have meant more content for us consumers such as more interactivity or extras.

The reference above about Crank needs to keep in mind that it was only 87 minutes long on a BD50 disc, I think this is an awful use of the extra space provided by blu-ray

Its cheaper. Fox is one studio that comes to mind. Titles like "The Transporter 1 & 2" are both MPEG2 encoded on BD-25's and they both have very good PQ. But i guess FOX saves space by only putting DTS HD and 2 Dolby tracks on the disc ... with no special features. Not to mention the films aren't very long either.

The 25gb Mpeg-2 Covenant is one of the best looking titles on either format.

Too bad the movie itself is unwatchable. :)

Too bad the movie itself is unwatchable. :)

I thought the covenant was watchable..

Come on now how many movies are really GOOD?

crank has two encodes on it, one with PiP. so essentially it is a bd25 sized mpeg2 movie.


Does anyone know how much space crank occupies? If it's less than the limit that's an even better indicator that BD25 with mpeg2 isn't a bad deal, considering how good the movie looks. To be honest I was on the VC-1 bandwagon at the beginning and while I still believe it's the superior choice for the new formats (along with AVC) trusty ol' mpeg2 has shown what it can do. Not too bad. :cool:

1. cost effectiveness
2. bd25 isn't too bad compared to 50 for a still good pq
3. if they're not going to put extras on the disc, 25 is sufficient

i will say this though, i saw today that flyboys is bd25/mpeg2, i thought this would have been 50 b/c of all the commercials and extras on the sd dvd

Its cheaper. Fox is one studio that comes to mind. Titles like "The Transporter 1 & 2" are both MPEG2 encoded on BD-25's and they both have very good PQ. But i guess FOX saves space by only putting DTS HD and 2 Dolby tracks on the disc ... with no special features. Not to mention the films aren't very long either.

It's obviously not "cheaper" enough, given Fox's list price on its Blu-ray titles.

The covenant is also only 97 minutes long so its probably not TOO bad for BD-25. For some popcorn action flicks that might work because of there length.

A movie like hart's war is almost 30 minutes longer then the covenant. That really should have have been done VC1 if they are going to put it on BD-25.

It's obviously not "cheaper" enough, given Fox's list price on its Blu-ray titles.

I don't think there's any connection between Fox's pricing and disc size. They just want to charge more.

I'm hoping that fox can keep the good pq going with the usual suspects and commando... lots of 25/mpeg2 titles I want coming out. My guess is both of those films are short enough to be OK. I just hope Fox has some new masters for them.

Usual Suspects is one I'm really hoping to see it get a great transfer. I have the first DVD and it looks like crap. Hopefully, it'll be a BD50 or Fox will give it the AVC treatment.

I have yet to see a bad AVC transfer so far.