Up for pre-order at XploitedCinema.com - got my order in! $30 shipped ain't to shabby for a war movie that I really liked. The SD versions PQ was a big dissapointment so this is welcomed.

http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/enemy-gates-french-release-preorder-p-11256.html

I'd edit out everything after .html in that link, your personal information with Exploited is on this link.

I ordered it too though.

Thanks.

I'd edit out everything after .html in that link, your personal information with Exploited is on this link.

I ordered it too though.

I'd have to see the quality. I bought this movie on DVD for $6

The BIG question is whether it has unremovable subtitles...

Read the product description.

I'm gonna order it tomorrow, and cross my fingers that the subtitles are removable.

A great movie!

Every Imported title I've ordered had removable subs.

Well, Amir had mentioned (about a month ago?) that this title was coming out in both the UK and France.

WoW I loved this movie! I really hope it has removable subs other wise I will be mad. But for $30 this is a must buy as long as the SQ and PQ is good!

I hope you guys review it as soon as you get it!

Loved this movie as well. My third import title!

Hopefully the specs are wrong. It says 1:77:1. The OAR is supposed to be scope 2:35:1

Marc.

Nope, it is 1.77:1. See review (in French) here: http://www.dvdrama.com/rw_fiche-7702-.php

But it's director-approved.

It was shot on s35 so they could easy make a 16:9 version without cutting the sides.

But myself prefer 2,35:1

Looks pretty cool, let us know how the PQ and AQ quality is.

http://preview.ddjango.photosite.com/~photos/tn/9007086_348.ts1173428143750.jpg

According to the review:

PQ: 7/10 (some video noise)
AQ: 9/10 (very good, lots of surround and deep bass)

I'd rather hear your opinions.

I'd rather hear your opinions.


I don't have the disk - it isn't in stock yet.

It sounds from that review that they feel that the PQ is slightly below par because of the inclusion of the French 5.1 track which they feel takes up some of the disc space and thus lowers the PQ bitrate. It would be interesting, if there is an English version coming out on HD-DVD, to compare the two. Anyway, here's the Babelfish translation of the French review on PQ:

Jean-Jacques Annaud is with the honor at Pathé and one will not complain any. Unfortunately, despite everything its qualities, this edition does not answer entirely our waitings, at least from a visual point of view. Although profiting from a beautiful ambient definition, the 1080p transfer is seen per moments a little too blocked by a video noise really disgracieux step but not enabling us to obtain the precision until one waited. The presence of a track 5.1 French SDR HD and 5.1 SDR HD Master Audio English taking much place, added to the two hours of film make that compression is not optimal and this one is slightly felt per moments. The unit is however not disastrous, far from there, but the sight of the edition of the Chorus-singers available in the same editor, one expected a more convincing result. On the other hand, the colorimetric pallet takes again with the perfection the dull universe and naturalness wished by Annaud and realism is with go. The purists will find nevertheless strange and unpleasant to see that this edition, contrary to two editions DVD (zone 1 and 2) is dématée with the format 1.77. Two years ago, Two brothers had undergone, at the request of its realizer, the same fate (today it is with the format scop in HD-DVD), maintaining it is with the turn of Stalingrad. This format was supervised by the realizer himself, but one would have liked to see the version scope also proposed. For a future edition?

I wonder if the reviewer know the difference between noise and compression.

Who knows. I don't remember Enemy at the Gates being particularly grainy. In fact I don't think it is - I just put the DVD in to see.

Looks like the audio Commentary track is missing as well - thats a real shame.

I wonder if the UK version will have it? Hope so.
Paul

I wonder if the UK version will have it? Hope so.
Paul

If it holds par for the course, you're looking at the same disc as the UK release.

I put mine on pre-order.

Who knows. I don't remember Enemy at the Gates being particularly grainy. In fact I don't think it is - I just put the DVD in to see.

it is a very grainy, gritty looking movie

-Gary

Any chance of this one being released in the US in the future? Not sure which studio has the rights to this one. I'd like the movie and would prefer to get it here if it will be available in the near future.

Isnt it Paramount?

You know what!!! it's a Paramount in the US as well. I just checked bestbuy and it said paramount! I guess there is hope that it will come to HD-DVD USA!

Just hope they can release it in 2,35:1

but on the other hand will that help me...

So the OAR is 2.35, but this release is 1.78?

My money will never go to support a "fullscreen" version (even if the director signs off on it!)

it is a very grainy, gritty looking movie

-Gary

that I wouldn't mind. The SD however looked completely filtered and lacked any bit of fine detail, and persistent EE.

That quickie scene is so hot! :eek: Of course any movie with Rachael is... :D

it is a very grainy, gritty looking movie

-Gary
I have the HD on D-VHS and it's not very grainy.

I think I'll stick with my OAR DVHS recording.

I wish I had a OAR DVHS to stick to :(

-Gary

This is now in stock at Xploited Cinema (http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/enemy-gates-french-release-p-11256.html) . Says Optional French Subtitles. But I will know soon enough when mine ships!

Just received mine from Amazon.fr (I'm in the UK). Well, its definately 1.78, theres more information top and bottom as you would expect but there is also a bit removed from each side - mixed bag but overall I'm pleased with what I'm seeing.

Can't really comment too much on pq as the sun is shining directly into my room and even with the blinds closed its not the best viewing environment at the moment.

The really good news, there is an HD-DTS English soundtrack as well as optional French subtitles !

Bonus includes 8 deleted scenes (in english), a rather good looking historical documentary (in french unfortunately), Making of feature (in english) and film trailer (in french). No directors commentary as feared.
Paul

This must have been shot in Super 35, the 1.78 would indicate as much. If so, they must've decided to open it up for 1.78 to show the entire area (or close to it, at least) that was utilized -- something I wish they'd do with most Super 35 films (THE ROOKIE was also done this way on standard DVD).

Too bad about the commentary but it sounds like most of the extras were ported over, which is a good thing.

Ah - one small problem. There are burnt-in french subtitles during certain parts of the film for example when Joseph Fiennes car gets blown up/crashes early on near the fountain, there is a french subtitle for the pamphlets (which are in Russian) that fall out of his car!

As I recall (from seeing the movie a few months back) there are a few such subtitles so perhaps folks may want to hold off for the UK version (or US one) that will be in english throughout.

Soundtrack is terrific!!

Paul

Just received my shipping notice from Xploited...I am really looking forward to this. Nice to see a company ship on the date it says it will receive the item.

I have ordered a few imports from Xploited and will order more. In fact I have T2 on pre-order.

Comparing the upscaled PAL SD disc via HDMI to the HD-DVD via HDMI, there is not as much of a difference to the pq as I would have hoped for.

I think the PAL disc has quite good pq anyway plus the movie is gritty looking so perhaps its simply that the HD version doesn't have the HD-wow factor due to the nature of the material. Fine detail is there but I suppose what can we expect from a movie about house to house fighting (FIBUA to any military types here! thats Fighting In Built Up Areas) - dull, dusty and grimy, just the way it should be !!

Don't get me wrong though, I much prefer the HD version to the SD, there is a clear difference and I like it, a lot.

Paul

Two days later...disc in hand. Great service from Tony at Xploited.

A1 will not recognize the disc. Tried other discs i.e. Goblet Of Fire (import) no problems at all. I am interested to here if others have this problem.

Just received my shipping notice from Xploited...I am really looking forward to this. Nice to see a company ship on the date it says it will receive the item.

I have ordered a few imports from Xploited and will order more. In fact I have T2 on pre-order.

Two days later...disc in hand. Great service from Tony at Xploited.

A1 will not recognize the disc. Tried other discs i.e. Goblet Of Fire (import) no problems at all. I am interested to here if others have this problem.


Same thing happened to me except I was using the A2, whats wrong with this disc?

I tried my basic instinct, la haine and others they all worked.

My XA1* won't recognize the disc! What's up? Three different players with the same problem. Never had this problem with any other disc before. Anyone got any ideas to help the disc be recognized? I washed it off and it still didn't work.

Pete

(* Firmware 2.0)

I dropped Tony at Xpolited and e-mail to make him aware. Hopefully he can look into this. I suspect this must be a distribution problem since these discs are all region free.

I am running firmware 2.0 as well.

I have an HD-A1 and would like to order this disc, has anyone got it to run?

Should I hold out for the UK release?

Bump...

Any info on getting this title to work would be appreciated.

I hope some of you will report back and tell us if it works on your 1st gen player after you update to 2.1 firmware this week.

Comparing the upscaled PAL SD disc via HDMI to the HD-DVD via HDMI, there is not as much of a difference to the pq as I would have hoped for. . . .

Don't get me wrong though, I much prefer the HD version to the SD, there is a clear difference and I like it, a lot.

Paul

Thats quite a turn around in one post.

I heard back from Tony tonight.

First, he graciously encouraged me to return the disc optomistic a fix will come to play. Tony confirmed that he got the disc to run fine on a A2 with 1.2 firmware as well as a few others customers.

Tony also confirmed others are having problems too...

Oh well, I was close to ordering this title to. I bet Tony will take care of the customers with play problems...

Problem confirmed on French forum (http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29848716&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0).

None of the Pathé titles (Deux frères, Stalingrad, Les chevaliers du ciel) will play on HD-A1 or HD-XA1 players. "No disc" message is displayed. However, they do play on HD-E1 (A2) and HD-XE1 (XA2).

Well that's just great. :rolleyes:

My order from xploited has already shipped. How does this stuff even happen? Wheres the quality control? They can't even test the disc on the most common HD DVD players out there?

Pathetic. I wonder if the mystical 2.1 update will fix the issue.

My order from xploited has already shipped. How does this stuff even happen? Wheres the quality control? They can't even test the disc on the most common HD DVD players out there?Don't forget that these are European releases, and the first generation players were never sold in Europe. Since the disks work on all other players (including the Xbox drive), it's probably a bug in the A1/XA1.

OK, so my HD-A1 won't work with this title, is that still the case here?

As far as I know yes. I haven't been able to play them on my A1 w/2.0 installed.

How hard can it be to make any HD-DVD to play on 3 (!!!) distinct available STB designs (A1=XA1) from one (!!!) manufacturer (not counting the xbox addon) :confused:

And it is not just these titles. Discovery Atlas + some combo releases,...

Unbelievable.

Has anyone tried playing this disc with the 360 add-on?

Tony has posted the specific player problems for this title on his site. Good man, he is:) http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/enemy-gates-french-release-p-11256.html

Has anyone tried playing this disc with the 360 add-on?


I got "les chevaliers du ciel" to play on the Xbox 360 add-on.

WAIT A SECOND GUYS!!!

I havent been able to play it on mine either and I have the A2. So maybe it doesnt play on any american players. maybe it only plays on the european ones.

I plays on my XA-2 and 360 add-on. ShishidoJo , asked.

I should have this title tomorrow. Hopefully I have no issues using the 360, I'm aware that my A1 probably won't play nice with the disc.

Open matte is just fine with me for this title. Should be fun to compare to the DVD. ;)

btw, this and Total Recall are my first imports!

Got 'Les chevaliers du ciel' to play on my A1 after a couple of tries. FW is 2.0. Tried it, gave up, watched Equilibrium, tried again and it worked. Hadn't read of the problems beforehand. Also haven't tried to reproduce it, but seeing the situation I will.

Got 'Les chevaliers du ciel' to play on my A1 after a couple of tries. FW is 2.0. Tried it, gave up, watched Equilibrium, tried again and it worked. Hadn't read of the problems beforehand. Also haven't tried to reproduce it, but seeing the situation I will.

Well at least that is good sign that you got it to work. My order is supposed to ship at the beginning of next week and I have the A1 with formware 2.0 - so I have been trying to decide if I should cancel my order. *sigh*

Enemy At The Gates is a no go on my A1 (which we knew)...

My 360 had some issues reading the disc too, but after a few tries it recognized the disc and played fine.

I skipped around and the PQ on Enemy is decent, but don't expect to be blown away, the film is very gray, gritty, and dark.

"Stalingrad" was a no go on my HDXA1. :(

Enemy at the Gates (Stalingrad) won't play on my HD-A1 either. All I get is a "No Disk" message.

;(

Now I know why this isn't in the Tier System yet, no one's managed to hardly watch it in English-speaking Forum land. I guess it'll come out in the US eventually... I'll just wait. This was nearly my first import.

'stalingrad', '2 brothers' and 'les choristes' dont work on my A1 (firm 2) - I returned the 3 discs to amazon.fr

Sorry about that - french HD DVD dont working in France :mad:

best regards

P231

just got enemy at the gates today-it definitely looks high def.

Guess I'll just have to get a XA2 then.

:p

Mine just arrived from xploited but I have an HD-A1 :( I ordered it before I heard of the problem (like 1 day before) and before Tony had the notice on his site. Has anyone contacted him about a return yet? Does he accept them?

I might hold onto it for the future but I am just curious.

kami,

Hello, I contacted Tony and he advised me that he would offer credit. I have not taken him up on the offer as I am hopeful that the future "release of new firmware" might remedy this issue.

Before people jump all over my optimism...note that I stated "hopeful."

If not, I will send it back for credit towards T2 if and when that is in fact released.

Mine just arrived from xploited but I have an HD-A1 :( I ordered it before I heard of the problem (like 1 day before) and before Tony had the notice on his site. Has anyone contacted him about a return yet? Does he accept them?

I might hold onto it for the future but I am just curious.

People are reporting that 2.1 does not solve the issue :(

I suspect we will need to wait for 2.2 since this problem only came to light after 2.1s release in Japan. I will wait for an update or maybe a nice new player from Onkyo :)

Yes 2.1 does not solve this issue for me. Still "no disc" error.

If you go up close to the unit you can hear it struggling to read it.

I think it may be time to say goodbye to import titles... :(

WAIT A SECOND GUYS!!!

I havent been able to play it on mine either and I have the A2. So maybe it doesnt play on any american players. maybe it only plays on the european ones.
I also cannot play this on the A2 with firmware 1.2. Will upgrading to 1.3 Resolve this issue Thanks!

I also cannot play this on the A2 with firmware 1.2. Will upgrading to 1.3 Resolve this issue Thanks!

NO :( I upgraded to 1.3 one day before I recieved Stalingrad and it doesnt play on my A2. I was really upset because for the last couple of weeks Ive been thinking that it might have worked with my 1.2 firmware.

Does it work with the new upgrade 1.5?????

Does it work with the new upgrade 1.5?????

NO :( I upgraded to 1.5 today and the first thing I did was insert it in the player since I didnt have any problems with the good sheperd or children of men. It didnt work :confused:

Weird guys. I have an HD-A2 and it plays fine on mine. I don't know what firmware I have but I bought it in February. I have not updated it since.

Weird guys. I have an HD-A2 and it plays fine on mine. I don't know what firmware I have but I bought it in February. I have not updated it since.

:cool: :eek: :rolleyes: :( :confused: :mad:

That was my emotional rollercoaster as I was reading your post

My copy of Stalingrad doesnt play on my HD-E1 (XA2) and whilst it was not the no disc message , i got the dreaded error code "408bc504".
So just because you have a 2 gen player , does not mean it will play!!!

They should have warnings above some titles "beware this may not play in your player for whatever reason"
:mad:

Has anyone with an XA2 gotten this disc to work? Most of the posts seem to show that the first gen players and most HD-A2's can't read it, but any luck with the XA2?

Terrific movie. Looks like I'll be waiting for a U.S. release.

That quickie scene is so hot! :eek: Of course any movie with Rachael is... :D
Couln't be more true :p

A1 and no go. Bummer :(

Is this still on the docket for the UK? The French disc has French titles at the epilogue (and in a couple of other sequences as mentioned before) so I doubt it's going to be exactly the same disc that the UK will receive.

My copy of Stalingrad doesnt play on my HD-E1 (XA2) and whilst it was not the no disc message , i got the dreaded error code "408bc504".
So just because you have a 2 gen player , does not mean it will play!!!

They should have warnings above some titles "beware this may not play in your player for whatever reason"
:mad:

My copy played without a hitch on my HD E1. Looks like you may have a bad disc.

I would love to get this one if I would know it would work...

Works fine on 360 player

I hate to bump this but I have searched until I am blue in the face :(

does anyone know if this title has pitch problems?
anyone have any comments on the open matting?

thanks a bunch

-Gary

Sorta new to the HD-DVD format, as I just picked up a D2. So can anyone provide any background info or a good link, on WHY such movies as Enemy at the Gates is NOT being released on HD-DVD in the US?? Would luv to add to my Netflix que, but not really interested in purchasing! Are lots of HD-DVD movies beig released overseas first...& than released at a set future date, say 6 months, in the US? Or is there really no method to the madness?

Thanks in advance!

Steve

Gary, I don't think the issue with EATG is audio but with Gen1 video playback.
No one who reported success mentioned a pitch issue.

After updating my A2 I think I might give this one a shot.

Has anyone tried this with the newest firmware for the HD-A1?

Yes, still a no go. I pm'd the Microsoft France insider that posts here about the Pathe titles and he told me they know of the problem and will start an exchange program with a new batch of discs. He said he'd pm me with more details when he gets them.

Yes, still a no go. I pm'd the Microsoft France insider that posts here about the Pathe titles and he told me they know of the problem and will start an exchange program with a new batch of discs. He said he'd pm me with more details when he gets them.

Thanks dkny

Them saying they have an exchang program mean theres a new disc out that actually works?

for those interested and still on the fence like I was, I will be posting a official review of Stalingrad over at the Home Theater Forum later tonight

-Gary

Thanks dkny

Them saying they have an exchang program mean theres a new disc out that actually works?
Well I think they're working on it. I'm not sure if there's actually a disc out there that works yet.

Has anyone tried Enemy at the Gates with FW2.2 yet on the HD-A1? Is the playback problem still there with 1st gen players?

Has anyone tried Enemy at the Gates with FW2.2 yet on the HD-A1? Is the playback problem still there with 1st gen players?

A couple of people say it is still there. To be fair to Tosh this problem only surfaced a couple of weeks before V2.2 so the earliest a fix can be expected is V2.3.

A couple of people say it is still there. To be fair to Tosh this problem only surfaced a couple of weeks before V2.2 so the earliest a fix can be expected is V2.3.

There's a FW2.3 thread going at the moment so it looks like the moment of truth may be upon us.

2.3 does not fix it. I think 2.4 is our last chance otherwise the problem is likely never to be addressed. In this case an HDDVD Disc and HDDVD player do not work together, hardly reassuring.

Why is the writing on the spine upside down? I've noticed this with other french hd-dvds too. I just ordered this one anyhow.

Just to confirm...you updated to the latest firmware and tried it?

I did not see anything about this movie on the 2.3 thread.

2.3 does not fix it. I think 2.4 is our last chance otherwise the problem is likely never to be addressed. In this case an HDDVD Disc and HDDVD player do not work together, hardly reassuring.

Just to confirm...you updated to the latest firmware and tried it?

I did not see anything about this movie on the 2.3 thread.

Yes I updated to 2.3 and it doesn't fix it.

Well, it worked on my A2 which has the latest firmware, I know some people mentioned it not working on the A2 but I had no problems.

Pic quality is very good indeed. I had heard there was alot of grain but I have seen grainier pics than this. (Payback) Not that it bothers me but I just didn't notice it much at all. The audio is really top notch stuff as Gary said in his review. If you got an A2, this is a great deal at $27.95 over at xploited.

Well, it worked on my A2 which has the latest firmware, I know some people mentioned it not working on the A2 but I had no problems.

Had no problem on my A2 either.

Works on my A20 no problem.

Can anyone confirm whether Stalingrad works with the European HD-EP30? I'm not sure what the EP30 is equivalent to in terms of US models.

Also can anyone confirm this edition is OAR 2:35:1?

So it doesn't play on my A1 and doesn't play on my new A35 either. Anyone with a 3rd gen Toshiba able to get this movie to play?

Doesn't play on Venturer. Does play on XA2 and Xbox 360 addon.

Also can anyone confirm this edition is OAR 2:35:1?

It's 1.85, but the open matte presentation for home video was done with the director's consent (if that matters).

Doesn't play on an A3
I'll be getting an XE1 next week and will try it

It only plays on gen 2 players. Apparently there is a fixed pressing around the works with all players.

Doesn't play on an A3
I'll be getting an XE1 next week and will try it

Correct. No go on my A3. But plays perfectly on my A2.

Weird.

So it doesn't play on my A1 and doesn't play on my new A35 either. Anyone with a 3rd gen Toshiba able to get this movie to play?

Can anyone else confirm whether or not this will play on the A35 with the newest firmware?

It only plays on gen 2 players. Apparently there is a fixed pressing around the works with all players.

This is correct. In France they advertised a replacement service (http://www.lcd-review.fr/print.php3?id_article=824) for 7 discs which had proved faulty with the HD-EP30/35. So I sent an email to the advertised email address and this was their reply (translated by Babelfish):

We noted your problem and we indicate to you that all titles STALINGRAD having had bad pressings are not all defective. Thank you to hold us with the current if you encounter a problem of reading with this title. Cordialment, Cell HDDVD

So there are some defective discs out there but not all of them. It looks like it's a bit of a gamble. In most of the threads I've read discs purchased from Movietyme or Xploited.Com have had issues with gen 1 and 3 players. I wonder whether this was because they purchased stock early on? I've ordered a copy from Amazon.fr. In any case, with the offer of a replacement for faulty discs I can't lose.

Can anyone else confirm whether or not this will play on the A35 with the newest firmware?


It won't play on my A35 with the newest firmware.

It won't play on my A35 with the newest firmware.

Thanks Kris

Damn I just upgraded to the A35 from the A1 and was about to order it, thinking it would now work with the new player :mad:

I really want this movie on HD DVD...

What's worse, wanting to order it or having it for over a year on your shelf wanting to watch it but not being able to on two different players?

This is correct. In France they advertised a replacement service (http://www.lcd-review.fr/print.php3?id_article=824) for 7 discs which had proved faulty with the HD-EP30/35. So I sent an email to the advertised email address and this was their reply (translated by Babelfish):



So there are some defective discs out there but not all of them. It looks like it's a bit of a gamble. In most of the threads I've read discs purchased from Movietyme or Xploited.Com have had issues with gen 1 and 3 players. I wonder whether this was because they purchased stock early on? I've ordered a copy from Amazon.fr. In any case, with the offer of a replacement for faulty discs I can't lose.


I purchased my copy from Virgin Megastore in Lyon France. As I stated it doesn't work with the Venturer (like the A3) but plays perfectly in the XA2 and XBox 360 addon using UltraPower DVD.

[/QUOTE] I wonder whether this was because they purchased stock early on? I've ordered a copy from Amazon.fr.[/QUOTE]

I bought my copy, together with Two Brothers and Les Choristes (none of which I have been able to get to play an an A1 and A3) from Amazon.fr as soon as they were released (pre-order)

What I am thinking though is that Amazon.fr may be more likely to have received this new more recent pressing than other retailers because they probably sell through more copies of this title.

It played perfectly on my Xa2

Any confirmed success with A35?

Any confirmed success with A35?

I asked Tony at Exploited specifically about this and he said it's a big NO so far.

For what it's worth, it's available in the ether.... for a whopping 8GB in 720p. Must be a very good transfer job. ETA for me in another day.

Just in case someone still doesn't know... this title only works with the A2/XA2 and I think the 360 addon. A1/XA1/A3/A30/A35 all do not work. What a crock.

I checked with amazon France and they had no information about a possible disk swap for pressing problems. Have been unable to get any word from Pathe via email as well.
I'm another who found it would not play on my A1 and held on till my A35.....doh.
Anyone have any luck with Pathe or report it to Toshiba as a compatability issue as Gen 2 plays it?

I bought Enemy at the Gates from Amazon.fr. It didn't work in my EP30, so I contacted the replacement service. I was asked to post my defective disc back and within a week I had a working replacement. :). You need to email supportfilmhddvd@call-one.fr - preferably in French and they will send you an email asking for your contact details, plus details of your player and a summary of your problem.

i'm assuming i got the older pressing but i can confirm my copy works on the 360

is this HD DVD Superior to Bluray? HD DVD looks open matte

is this HD DVD Superior to Bluray? HD DVD looks open matte



http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1148689&highlight=stalingrad