I've heard good and bad things about the transfer on the combo version, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about the reissue. My guess is it's the exact same transfer, like Unleashed, but if anyone could post their thoughts I'd greatly appreciate it! :)

Purchased a copy today at Best Buy. I cannot comment though on how the picture and sound quality is compared to the combo since I haven't had the chance to view the combo disc. It is however everything described in the highdefdigest review of the combo, but without the SD trailer.

I don't quite understand the "re-issue", are they simply putting the same thing out again as the original printed run has been bought up, or is this actually a new transfer? If it's a new transfer, do the studios do anything for those who bought the original? I hear that the PQ on the original AoD was horrid, so it'd be nice if this was a new transfer, and even better if the studio would replace the discs for those who bought earlier.

I have this coming on Thursday, but after seeing the review on HDD, I don't even feel like watching it.

It's probably not even half as bad as they make it out to be though.

I love this movie and since i don't own it yet, i'm looking forward to reading what you guys think.

I don't quite understand the "re-issue", are they simply putting the same thing out again as the original printed run has been bought up, or is this actually a new transfer?

It’s simply a reissue of the same HD transfer that was available in Combo Format earlier. A few months ago Universal announced that they would be going to straight HD DVD issues for catalog titles instead of Combo HD DVD/DVD format. They now reserve the Combo format for new releases and release catalog films only in HD DVD. The idea being that most people probably already have catalog titles on DVD and would thus not be interested in paying extra to own the SD side of Combo releases. With new date and day releases no one has had the chance to own the film (legally) in either SD or HD so they don’t mind buying the combo format.

Universal has already released some of their catalog titles in HD, but some were combo format and AOD was one of those. The Dazed and Confused HD DVD was also a Combo disk and since I already have the standard DVD I am waiting on that re-issue before I purchase it on HD. Conversely I nabbed Children of Men in combo format the day it was released, which was date and day with the standard DVD release. I then loaned COM to my parents and they watched the SD side of COM in their standard DVD player, which saved them from going to the video store to rent it. It is actually a good marketing strategy on some level because my 65-year-old father doesn’t have a clue what Blu-ray is, but he already appreciates the HD DVD/DVD Combo format.

The title is far from perfect but this is down to the source material. I was happy with it but then I don't expect every title to look 3D and like video.

My main concern is how much better than the DVD version the image looks . . and this does look a lot better.

The pq in the daylit scenes is fantastic, but a lot of the movie is set at night and the lighting in a lot of those scenes was done poorly to help mask some of the cheap special effects. The transfer is good, but the film itself isn't a visual masterpiece, so don't expect it to look like one and I think you'll come away impressed.

If you ask me, it's well worth the money because this is likely the best this film will ever look, but I'm also biased...so...

I'm buying AoD this weekend, I rented the prior combo disk and the PQ is good.

You always have to remember the original material dictates what the HD PQ will be - like scitek said the lighting was done to mask using cheaper special effects. Its the type of movie it is, a lower budget horror/comedy, Raimi made the best movie he could with the budget they had.

I'd recommend picking it up if its the same quality as the prior combo disk if you liked the movie previously or are a fan of the genre.

I'd say pay the extra $2.50 for the combo disc, you get the same thing as the reissue plus the DVD version on the other side - making the disc playable anywhere. Plus the DVD side has less DRM. Thats a lot of extra functionality for $2.50.

This is the best AoD has ever looked by far.

I'd say pay the extra $2.50 for the combo disc, you get the same thing as the reissue plus the DVD version on the other side - making the disc playable anywhere. Plus the DVD side has less DRM. Thats a lot of extra functionality for $2.50.

This is the best AoD has ever looked by far.

If I wanted a DVD version of a film I would buy the DVD. Not to mention my dislike for having a lower quality version of a film glued to the other side.

Regardless, I think making two versions is the best thing these studios can do.

I have this coming on Thursday, but after seeing the review on HDD, I don't even feel like watching it.

It's probably not even half as bad as they make it out to be though.

It isn't. If you like the film, you'll love the HD DVD.


While it'll never compare to King Kong for PQ, this is significantly better than this film has ever looked. Check out the review over at DVDTalk (with screenshots comparing to previous editions).

Maybe I'm just an easily amused simpleton, but I thought the transfer, especially during day scenes, was fantastic.

I like to think I'm on the picky side and I thought it looked great.

It isn't. If you like the film, you'll love the HD DVD.


While it'll never compare to King Kong for PQ, this is significantly better than this film has ever looked. Check out the review over at DVDTalk (with screenshots comparing to previous editions).

Well said. I loved the movie in craptastic SD and the HD DVD looks incredible in comparison.

I'm sure the reissue will be the same encode. My only complaint with the HD DVD were the ridiculously oversaturated colors. Universal went to town on this one in that respect. It is boarderline fake looking. Worse than Fast Times...which also had oversaturated colors.

It’s simply a reissue of the same HD transfer that was available in Combo Format earlier. A few months ago Universal announced that they would be going to straight HD DVD issues for catalog titles instead of Combo HD DVD/DVD format. They now reserve the Combo format for new releases and release catalog films only in HD DVD. The idea being that most people probably already have catalog titles on DVD and would thus not be interested in paying extra to own the SD side of Combo releases. With new date and day releases no one has had the chance to own the film (legally) in either SD or HD so they don’t mind buying the combo format.

Universal has already released some of their catalog titles in HD, but some were combo format and AOD was one of those. The Dazed and Confused HD DVD was also a Combo disk and since I already have the standard DVD I am waiting on that re-issue before I purchase it on HD. Conversely I nabbed Children of Men in combo format the day it was released, which was date and day with the standard DVD release. I then loaned COM to my parents and they watched the SD side of COM in their standard DVD player, which saved them from going to the video store to rent it. It is actually a good marketing strategy on some level because my 65-year-old father doesn’t have a clue what Blu-ray is, but he already appreciates the HD DVD/DVD Combo format.

I appreciate the info. It's nice that they are going combo-less for the catalog titles, paying $30+ for something like AoD isn't exactly my cup of affordable tea. :)

I've heard good and bad things about the transfer on the combo version, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about the reissue. My guess is it's the exact same transfer, like Unleashed, but if anyone could post their thoughts I'd greatly appreciate it! :)


AoD looks very nice on HD DVD. Don't let others tell you otherwise. The film has never looked better.

I'd say pay the extra $2.50 for the combo disc, you get the same thing as the reissue plus the DVD version on the other side - making the disc playable anywhere. Plus the DVD side has less DRM. Thats a lot of extra functionality for $2.50.

This is the best AoD has ever looked by far.

You are 100% correct. Go get the Combo before they are all gone. The SD side is the best/sharpest it has ever looked (in SD). Numerous threads/responses/comparisons on this also. HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=856401&page=3&pp=30) is just one of those.

Just finished it.

GREAT picture quality, GREAT audio.

HD review sites are so full of ****.

I actually love how old movies look on HD. They don't have the fake, plastic, processed look of all recent films.

I just purchased the Criterion sd version of this film. Is the HD display considerably better to justify dumping this copy and picking up the hd version when I buy my hd player?

I just purchased the Criterion sd version of this film.
Huh?

There is no Criterion edition.

I've got the re-issue on it's way. I'll post up some screenshots the day it arrives.

Huh?

There is no Criterion edition.


I think he has it mixed up with Army Of Shadows.

I think he has it mixed up with Army Of Shadows.


Sorry folks, you're right. I got the two confused.

Speaking of which , it would be nice if AOS would be available in hd.

:) Just got finished watching this one. I never saw the combo so I can't comment on that one. This transfer is absolutely stunning. I read the first few posts here and the HDD review and said, oh well Ill get it anyway. I am glad that I did. The daylight scenes look as good as just about anything I've seen on either format. There are some darker shots that show a fair amount of film grain, but about 90% of this looks really fantastic. I started playing this with low expectations with this being an older film and bad reviews to boot, but I can't imagine that this could ever get any better than this release. If Universal would release all of their catalog looking this good I would be very, very happy!

P.S. The audio on this disk is more than satisfactory. The only complaint that I could have is the complete lack of any special features.

Speaking of which , it would be nice if AOS would be available in hd.
It is. From Studio Canal in France.

I wasn't about to pony up the cost of a combo as I had this on LD, so I waited for this and bought it while it was on sale for $20. IMHO it looks as good or better than I expected it to. I actually tried it on two different players and TVs. It didn't seem to look as good on my flat panel with the A2, but I thought it looked much better on the big rear projection Sony with the HDV5000. I can't think of much reason for that, both are straight HDMI connections, generally most movies looks pretty similar on either. A2 running firmware 1.5, HDV5000 running Toshiba 2.2 firmware. Honestly I was pretty surprised with it The biggest problem is some of the special effects show their age but it doesn't really detract from the picture. Outdoor shots when it is bright generally look the best, sometimes the dark scenes are a bit grainy. Still I was pretty pleased with it as a fan of the movie. This is not something I'd buy for a reference disk but if you like the movie you'll probably be pleased.

I'd say pay the extra $2.50 for the combo disc, you get the same thing as the reissue plus the DVD version on the other side - making the disc playable anywhere. Plus the DVD side has less DRM. Thats a lot of extra functionality for $2.50.

This is the best AoD has ever looked by far.

Unless you already have one of the special edition DVDs already ;) I just wanted the High Def version too! I agree that this is probably the best the picture quality is going to get without striking a new master print (if the elements are even still available).

It is. From Studio Canal in France.


Terrific! Thank you.

i watched this over the weekend. Looks pretty good...and somehow, the movie just never gets old.

Hail to the king, baby.

My copy finally arrived.

Screenshots are here in gull 1080p glory.
http://www.hdmovies.co.nz/catalog/army%20of%20darkness.html

And i agree with the others - great quality transfer.

I got it, and my 2 sons have watched it twice already. Even my wife watched about half of it with us!

I really would've liked the original ending to be a bonus feature. I've never seen it.

C'mon, Universal. Give me some sugar, baby!

I got it, and my 2 sons have watched it twice already. Even my wife watched about half of it with us!

I really would've liked the original ending to be a bonus feature. I've never seen it.

C'mon, Universal. Give me some sugar, baby!

The alternate ending you speak of, in plain english, sucks. If you have the chance to see it someday you'll appreciate the one that is included on the disc already.

I am hoping for the release of Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 on HD DVD I have the book of the dead edition DVD's and I would be first in line for these movies in HD.

The alternate ending you speak of, in plain english, sucks. If you have the chance to see it someday you'll appreciate the one that is included on the disc already.

I am hoping for the release of Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 on HD DVD I have the book of the dead edition DVD's and I would be first in line for these movies in HD.

I'm confused, now :confused: Does this disc have the "S-Mart" ending, or the "Too Far in the Future" ending?

I'm confused, now :confused: Does this disc have the "S-Mart" ending, or the "Too Far in the Future" ending?

It's the theatrical version, with the S-mart ending.

Alright, I just got the HD-DVD of Army of Darkness. The movie was great, but the PQ could have been better. Some of the scenes looked really good, but others were overly grainy. I can forgive the dated special effects, they actually add to the cheesy-factor. But I was a bit disappointed with the PQ. I don't have the DVD to compare, only seen the movie once on cable (a while ago). I'm still happy I got the movie for my collection, but I was hoping they could have done more to restore the film.

Let me just state that I recently got a HD-DVD player and only have about a dozen movies. Pretty much all of them are recent releases and the quality has been great across the board. The only older movie I have is 'Enter the Dragon' and the PQ looked great. I understand the transfer can only be as good as the master, so I guess this is the best AoD is going to look. Still, it can't hold a torch to a movie like King Kong.

The alternate ending you speak of, in plain english, sucks. If you have the chance to see it someday you'll appreciate the one that is included on the disc already.

I am hoping for the release of Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 on HD DVD I have the book of the dead edition DVD's and I would be first in line for these movies in HD.

Unfortunately, Anchor Bay (a/k/a Starz) just went BD exclusive :eek:

I don't think they went exclusive they have just only announced releases on Bluray. Could be wrong but I don't remember reading it as them proclaiming their allegiance one way or the other.

I don't think they went exclusive they have just only announced releases on Bluray. Could be wrong but I don't remember reading it as them proclaiming their allegiance one way or the other.

See link...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disc_Announcements/Starz/Starz_Home_Entertainment_Announces_Blu-ray_Support_with_Masters_of_Horror/709