Pretty DAMN SAD that they had to totally blow the first release to the point that I cracked up and basically said blue ray sucks. Arli and I compared it to the superbit DVD version and the DVD was actually in my opinion BETTER than the blue ray version.

Snap to today, Sony realized the mistake by trying to fit MPEG 2 on a single layer blue ray disc. AVC reincode that is absolutely STUNNING for 35mm film.

This is a MUST PICKUP!!! The forum reference is back in a big way.

Screenshots coming soon......... :cool:

Cliffy

Great news!

And it only took two tries. :eek:

Time to start looking at the panasonic 10a a little closer.

Can you do a mpeg2 vs AVC comparison especially the close up face of Leelo? I posted the digital shot at the 5th element PIX thread. I would like to see how it looks on a CRT PJ and the real world difference.

Hopefully you did not send back the crappy original BD version. Its still useful for comparison purposes.

Yeah, Cliff, it would be great to see that comparison.

Do both discs have test patterns on 'em?!

It might be interesting to compare the compression schemes with static patterns, although moving ones would nail the differences better...

If one goes to a store to buy the new one, what does one look for to make sure one gets the new one? I wonder if Sony is handing out the new one at its ongoing series of dealer trainings. The training is coming to DC om August 8 so I might wait. i can't believe I'd want to watch that mother one more time anyway. The problem is we use reference CDs only to test changes to our systems and to show them off say at meets. The primary purpose of my HT is for sports and new movies. I watched Casino Royal for the first time yesterday. I watched it on my new Pioneer Elite Bluray (the new $1000 one whatever the model number is). I'll watch it again. But that's it. Twice will be enough. 5th I've watched enough. I don't even have to fire up the system. I have three different copies it. I can just close my eyes to see it. Yuk.

If one goes to a store to buy the new one, what does one look for to make sure one gets the new one? I wonder if Sony is handing out the new one at its ongoing series of dealer trainings. The training is coming to DC om August 8 so I might wait. i can't believe I'd want to watch that mother one more time anyway. The problem is we use reference CDs only to test changes to our systems and to show them off say at meets. The primary purpose of my HT is for sports and new movies. I watched Casino Royal for the first time yesterday. I watched it on my new Pioneer Elite Bluray (the new $1000 one whatever the model number is). I'll watch it again. But that's it. Twice will be enough. 5th I've watched enough. I don't even have to fire up the system. I have three different copies it. I can just close my eyes to see it. Yuk.


The new one has a Dolby TrueHD audio track listed on the back, whereas the old one didn't have that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=872094

3rd PIX.

And for those who have the original Bluray disk, Sony will exchange it.

Email address: Consumer@SPHECustomerSupport.Sony.com

Resonse: To receive an exchange for the remastered Fifth Element Blu-ray disc, please return your Blu-ray disc (case not needed) to the following address:

SPHE Consumer Support
PO Box 157
Neenah, WI 54957
Attn: 812975

Please be sure to include your return address (no PO Boxes) and a copy of this email. Your replacement will be shipped to you via Fed Ex Ground, and please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.

The new version is listed as 2.4:1 on the back cover, whereas the first release is listed as 2.35:1.

Pretty DAMN SAD that they had to totally blow the first release to the point that I cracked up and basically said blue ray sucks. Arli and I compared it to the superbit DVD version and the DVD was actually in my opinion BETTER than the blue ray version.

Snap to today, Sony realized the mistake by trying to fit MPEG 2 on a single layer blue ray disc. AVC reincode that is absolutely STUNNING for 35mm film.

This is a MUST PICKUP!!! The forum reference is back in a big way.

Screenshots coming soon......... :cool:

Cliffy

The main reason that the 1st release was bad, was due to a poor master. The new one is not a AVC re-encode from the same master, but from a much better master. A mpeg2 to version even on a BD25 wouldnt be much different, but without the lossless sound.

Looking forward to your screenshots.

The new version is listed as 2.4:1 on the back cover, whereas the first release is listed as 2.35:1.

Thanks for this additional bit - all of the local Target stores have the True HD section of the label covered by their security sticker - making it impossible to tell the old from the new.

(Yes - have also read that the bottom is silver instead of gray - but without having both cases side by side, doubt if I would know which is which.)

Here are some full 1920x1080 comparisons: http://hd-discs.mbmg.de/thefifthelement_bd-vs-bdremastered/01.html
Simply mouse over the image to toggle between the two.

I watched it a couple of night ago. Very nice. Not up to the same standard as some of the other really pristine recent releases, but at no time was I thinking "man, I wish this looked better".

If you read some of the other threads people are indicating that the source is probably closer to 720p than 1080p.* Still looks very good.

Kal

*The way they prove this (and they're doing it with multiple titles) is this way: Take a 1920x1080 capture of the movie, downsize it to 720p in photoshop, and then resize it back up to 1080p. If you don't see a difference, the source used was 720p or under. If you do, the source used was above 720p. Makes perfect sense.

So how does the new release compare to the 720p WMV version which has been doing the rounds for the last few years? People used to say that the WMV was reference quality....

Can you do a mpeg2 vs AVC comparison especially the close up face of Leelo? I posted the digital shot at the 5th element PIX thread. I would like to see how it looks on a CRT PJ and the real world difference.

Hopefully you did not send back the crappy original BD version. Its still useful for comparison purposes.

Xylon, the Mpeg2 version that I watched well over a year ago now was so bad that I actually wanted to take that thousand dollar player that my friend brought over to show me and gracefully introduce it to my Glok. In other words, I don't own it. :) ;)

The G90's are warming up now. I'm going to take some shots.

Cliffy

The main reason that the 1st release was bad, was due to a poor master. The new one is not a AVC re-encode from the same master, but from a much better master. A mpeg2 to version even on a BD25 wouldnt be much different, but without the lossless sound.

Looking forward to your screenshots.

You think that MP2 on a single layer would look on par with a higher bitrate MP2 on dual layer?

Cliff

5th Element Remastered Round One Sony G90 Stack:

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/1.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/2.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/3.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/4.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/5.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/6.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/7.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/8.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/9.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/10.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/11.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/12.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/13.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/14.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/15.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/16.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/17.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/18.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/19.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/20.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/21.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/22.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/23.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/24.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/25.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/26.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/27.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/28.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/29.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/30.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/31.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/32.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/33.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/34.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/35.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/36.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/37.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/38.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/39.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/40.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/41.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/42.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/43.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/44.jpg

:D :eek: :D :eek:

Cliffy

Holy crap! I've never seen this movie, but I think this may be a blind buy! Looks great!

Nice getaway with the leluboobie!

Cliff,
I've never been a real fan of screen shots until your work ! :cool:

Art

The guy who has never seen the 5th Element must be a CRT 40 year old virgin!

Cliffy. PLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZE. No 5th Element at the mini meet. I'm beggin ya. I'll confess to setting the famous Chicago fire if you promise in return not to show the 5th element!

Cliffy. PLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZE. No 5th Element at the mini meet. I'm beggin ya. I'll confess to setting the famous Chicago fire if you promise in return not to show the 5th element!

Mark,
Have you met Cliff ? :D

Art

You bet. At the blendzilla meet this spring in Virginia. I'm staying at his house for the mini meet the first weekend in August. I'm bringing some tranquilizer darts. He'll never know what hit him but I suspect they will have no effect. :)

OK, as long as you have the idea. The beast of the midwest can be calmed but not subdued. Don't mistake temporary periods of tranquility as any sort of lasting change. Also beware of cannibus overthetopicus.

Art

Cliff,
I've never been a real fan of screen shots until your work ! :cool:

Art

Thanks Art. :)

Looking foward to getting some shots from your new setup. :cool:

Hoping that my camera doesn't get over exposure in daylight mode. :eek: ;) :D

Cliffy

Cliffy. PLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZE. No 5th Element at the mini meet. I'm beggin ya. I'll confess to setting the famous Chicago fire if you promise in return not to show the 5th element!

Nah, I was planning on doing the SD DVD of The Lost Boys. :eek:

Cliffy

OK, as long as you have the idea. The beast of the midwest can be calmed but not subdued. Don't mistake temporary periods of tranquility as any sort of lasting change. Also beware of cannibus overthetopicus.

Art

LOL.

Hehehe, he said cannibus.

Cliffy

That opicus disease. Remember that line from "Stop the world, i want to get off? (or was it Its a Mad Mad World, yada yada?)" Its hopeless, but not serious. :)(said by the Russian boy friend of an American girl to her father trying to master English and fool him in response to a question What do you think of the world situatiom between Russia and the US).

You bet. At the blendzilla meet this spring in Virginia. I'm staying at his house for the mini meet the first weekend in August.So much for the last meet. ;)

I'm bringing some tranquilizer darts. He'll never know what hit him but I suspect they will have no effect. :)That's funny! :D

The guy who has never seen the 5th Element must be a CRT 40 year old virgin!Am I the only one that can't get excited about a new release of The 5th Element? I've seen it many times and have used it as a reference while tweaking my PJ hundreds of times. I actually learned a lesson with it: Don't use movies you really like as reference material. You end up burned out on them.

I'm with you Phil. I am not excited but it is very nice of Sony to do a free exchange. Very stand up!

That is very noble of Sony. Lets be sure to point that out to Sony lover Person99. :D

IMO Columbia always had the best HD transfers. I remember years ago when I could record HBO-HD off Dish Network with my Dish5000/HiPix Card before they started
compressing the $hit out of it their HD. The quality was just superb compared to others. I still have most of those on my server hard drive and use them for reference material.

Vertical Limit was also a Columbia release that was truly beautiful HD transfer and it’s at 1:85 AR. Often times I would start the demo and the guests would end up staying for the whole movie. I see it is available on Blu- ray has anyone seen it?

Now that Pioneer has a Blu-ray player for a PC that not priced in the ozone (less the $300) I might have to go that way.

Mike

That is very noble of Sony. Lets be sure to point that out to Sony lover Person99. :D

Yes, very noble. Sony tried to screw everyone buy doing mediocre BD transfers but HD DVD showed everyone how good things could look and there was a huge outcry against how bad 5th element looked so in an attempt to not look nearly like the crappy screw-the-customer-company they are they caved to pressure and re-released it offering an exchange basis to allow those suckered into buying a substandard product to finally get what they paid for. Yep, very noble. :)

You must lead a very unhappy life. Your posts just make you look worse in my eyes and I suspect most others. You are so often so wrong in your insecurity that it would be a waste of time to present a scientific rebuttle to your it can't be. If it is, what is the point of even trying. To succeed would crush your fragility. You simply can't deal with reality. Why do you think everyone is out to get you or swindle you?


What a stupid post about Sony.

Now that Pioneer has a Blu-ray player for a PC that not priced in the ozone (less the $300) I might have to go that way.

Mike

Do you have a link for that ?

Its exactly the solution I've been looking for for BD.

I've been limited to hdd only playback of BD so far, but $300. is almost in my wheelhouse...

PS: The remastered BD of 5th Element played back from hdd looks superb, really, really impressive...I actually WATCHED the whole movie for the first time in about a year...

Excellent!!

No question, all super sharp images. And to be from something (stacks) that's been known to not be "as sharp," clearly proves that CRT has not yet finished its course.

KUDOS!!

My favorite, and one of the most difficult to capture (through the glass) from the movie, while still very realistic looking.

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/43.jpg
Cliffy

These two are the best I've seen them period.



http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/37.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/38.jpg

Thanks Mike. :)

Only two more weeks. :D

Cliff

two more.. On these I'm seeing a little of the same problem that I'm having with the slight white clipping. Or maybe I'm being a bit too critical. But still, you seem to have a lesser problem than I do with it.


http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/20.jpg

http://www.seriouspc.com/5th/22.jpg ]

Do you have a link for that ?

Its exactly the solution I've been looking for for BD.

I've been limited to hdd only playback of BD so far, but $300. is almost in my wheelhouse...

PS: The remastered BD of 5th Element played back from hdd looks superb, really, really impressive...I actually WATCHED the whole movie for the first time in about a year...

Here you Go! (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/499043-REG/Pioneer_BDC_2202B_BDC_220B_5x_BD_ROM_SATA.html)

Cliffy. PLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZE. No 5th Element at the mini meet

Well, that's one of my favorite test patterns. I've never seen the movie in its entirety, nor do I have any idea what it's about. Or for the most part what they're saying. I know I've seen sections of it over 1000 times, and I've yet to get bored with it.

To me, it's a test pattern, and that all its even been. It has always looked too stupid to be worth firing up a bag of popcorn and watching.

I've never felt there was anything that special about the Fifth Element. If I really wanted to impress or convince anyone that CRT rules. I would pop in Lost in Space and have them watch the first ten minutes. If your projector is set up correctly, that first ten in enough to do it. After that, all bet's are off as the movie it's self sucks ;)

Chip

I've never felt there was anything that special about the Fifth Element. If I really wanted to impress or convince anyone that CRT rules. I would pop in Lost in Space and have them watch the first ten minutes. If your projector is set up correctly, that first ten in enough to do it. After that, all bet's are off as the movie it's self sucks ;)

Chip

Yea, but we don't have lost in Space in HD......... the lines are forming to preorder. ;) :D

Art

two more.. On these I'm seeing a little of the same problem that I'm having with the slight white clipping. Or maybe I'm being a bit too critical. But still, you seem to have a lesser problem than I do with it.

The white clipping might be in the original film, many times in movies they are not necessarily mastered with 0-100 IRE as the limit. There was once talk of "Bubble Boy" having scenes in it which were 140 IRE, which would induce white clipping on virtually any display(which I'd guess was done on purpose, kind of a transition to white instead of a fade to black...).

PS: Thanks MikeEby for the link !

PS: Thanks MikeEby for the link !

Not to go off topic on this thread but PM me if you get one or better yet post a review. It says it includes software, I wonder what software and what version? I also am curious if the sw would work with HD-DVD and the X-BOX upgrade or they have that shut off in the bundled package?

I was beginning to consider an external HDMI processer scaler and bagging the HTPC, but with this I may wait. It would resolve all the compatibility nightmares with HDMI if the Blu-ray and HD-DVD would work in the same HTPC.

The cool thing is I think as long as your Video Card is HDCP-compliant it may even work out the VGA port. M$ got an exemption for RGB in the HDCP specs that is way the X-BOX 360 can do VGA for HD-DVD. I may pull the trigger in a month or so. I’m starting a new job and don't want to stick my neck out because I have to Cobra my health insurance a couple of months "OUCH". All you all you Canadians have it so lucky with your heath care you don’t have to deal with that crap. (Shameless Political Statement)

Mike

I've never felt there was anything that special about the Fifth Element. If I really wanted to impress or convince anyone that CRT rules. I would pop in Lost in Space and have them watch the first ten minutes. If your projector is set up correctly, that first ten in enough to do it. After that, all bet's are off as the movie it's self sucks ;)

ChipI always thought The 5th Element was pretty good for that type of film (action comedy?), but it certainly isn't a genre known for great movies. It only got decent revues: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fifth_element/

I can't remember for sure, but I don't think I made it to the end of Lost in Space. Now that was a bad movie.

"I don't think I made it to the end of Lost in Space.
Now that was a bad movie"
That depends on how old you are. ;-)

Yes, very noble. Sony tried to screw everyone buy doing mediocre BD transfers but HD DVD showed everyone how good things could look and there was a huge outcry against how bad 5th element looked so in an attempt to not look nearly like the crappy screw-the-customer-company they are they caved to pressure and re-released it offering an exchange basis to allow those suckered into buying a substandard product to finally get what they paid for. Yep, very noble. :) pretty much sums it up in a nutshell.
Mark, hope your not stuck with a large ruby inventory? :D

"I don't think I made it to the end of Lost in Space.
Now that was a bad movie"
That depends on how old you are. ;-)Good point. I am past puberty, which probably explains it. ;)

awwwwwwwwwwwww shucks

awwwwwwwwwwwww shucksYes in my old theater I must have used that opening scene 20 times as a demo. I'm sure it would rock in HD but I only watched it through once.

Art

awwwwwwwwwwwww shucks

When I first unloaded my first Barco 800 from the truck I connected it up to my PC roughed in the convergence and played that opening scene on the back side of my garage door. The hinges were a bit of a distraction. But from that time on I was hooked on CRTs.

Mike

No. All I have is one demo Pearl.

The 5th element Blu Ray was one of the very firsts People said it didn't look that much better than the standard DVD. There was no out cry for refunds, just some commenting that HD-DVD was better than Blu ray. Sony thought Blu Ray was better and we may now be beginning to see that it may be better than HD-DVD. Sony learned to do much better transfers and felt that indeed the 5th was a poor transfer. They also knew it was a reference test disc by which much is measured by reviewers yada yada. So they did a new transfer and we have seen the results. Once a transfer is made, duplication costs are not that high. Time to reward the early adoptors by replacing the first effort with a much better second. Not like buying 7 different versions of the CD Jazz in the Pawn Shop. Blu Ray was supposed to the best of the current gen. We bought it. It wasn't and Sony agreed. They made it what it was supposed to be and took care of the early adoptors. To my knowledge, there was no outcry for refunds for the disk. Sony just did the right thing and its that kind of thing that might in the future get you to take a chance on another emerging Sony technology, Virtual Sex.

You think that MP2 on a single layer would look on par with a higher bitrate MP2 on dual layer?

Cliff

Where did I say that? But a MP2 version from the new master, would look helleva better than the old release.

Thanks for your screenshots. I looked at the remaster myself yesterday. The upgrade is fantastic. I am amazed how often I can watch this movie.

To my knowledge, there was no outcry for refunds for the disk. Sony just did the right thing and its that kind of thing that might in the future get you to take a chance on another emerging Sony technology, Virtual Sex.

Yeah, Sony did a good thing here and has catered to the A/V crowd with this one. Sony had the right idea with the Superbit titles however Blu-Ray has become so much more. I bought almost all the SUperbit titles at the $9.99 discount price before I even knew anything about Blu-Ray and am still glad I did because they did look better than most other SD-DVD releases at that time upcoverted.. Sony has improved to the point I will be happy throughout the lifecycle of Blu-Ray if the quality remains this top notch with catalog titles from Sony and other Blu-Ray exclusive studios. At this point I am hoping for this format war to end soon so we can get this kind of quality out of Warner's catalog titles and then Universal's remaining Blockbusters in High bitrate BD50's...

Where did I say that? But a MP2 version from the new master, would look helleva better than the old release.

Thanks for your screenshots. I looked at the remaster myself yesterday. The upgrade is fantastic. I am amazed how often I can watch this movie.

You didn't. It was just a question. :)

Cliffy

No. All I have is one demo Pearl.

The 5th element Blu Ray was one of the very firsts People said it didn't look that much better than the standard DVD. There was no out cry for refunds, just some commenting that HD-DVD was better than Blu ray. Sony thought Blu Ray was better and we may now be beginning to see that it may be better than HD-DVD. Sony learned to do much better transfers and felt that indeed the 5th was a poor transfer. They also knew it was a reference test disc by which much is measured by reviewers yada yada. So they did a new transfer and we have seen the results. Once a transfer is made, duplication costs are not that high. Time to reward the early adoptors by replacing the first effort with a much better second. Not like buying 7 different versions of the CD Jazz in the Pawn Shop. Blu Ray was supposed to the best of the current gen. We bought it. It wasn't and Sony agreed. They made it what it was supposed to be and took care of the early adoptors. To my knowledge, there was no outcry for refunds for the disk. Sony just did the right thing and its that kind of thing that might in the future get you to take a chance on another emerging Sony technology, Virtual Sex.

Mark,
I think Sony did the smart thing and the right thing but perhaps being more cynical I think they were totally motivated by the fact that having that POS first release out there was a black eye. They don't have to have that hanging over them now, it was smart business move. As far as BD being better , I think that the quality of the image on the screen is a function of the care placed in producing it, including ,and most importantly , the quality of the master, not the format.

Art

Agree 100%.

Cliff

Sony thought Blu Ray was better and we may now be beginning to see that it may be better than HD-DVD
What on earth makes you say this? I have seen nothing from Bluray that shows it is better. The only thing I see going for it is studio support. If anything, they are on par in terms of PQ and this is largely dependant on the transfer/encoding process etc...

EDIT: Just saw Art's post, my sentiments exactly.

I said "may". I just got a new Blu Ray player and the ability to output 1080p 24 and 1080p 60 from it into my CRT via an HD Fury. Speaking of the Fury, while it worked without an add on power supply, both MP and myself independently observed a brighter and punchier picture with the add on supply. I need to get a new HD-DVD player too that will let me do the same thing. Then I'll start being able to do some comparison and start a flame war. :) Before, HD-DVD looked superior when viewed by me on other systems. Blu Ray has caught up. It may be the same. One may be better. One must have a display fully caable of resoving1080p at 24 and 60. We are talking small differences here and differences that could be caused by the original film and its transfer. Going to have to get the same disc on both HD-DVD and BluRay. Once again boys, I said "may".

We are talking small differences here and differences that could be caused by the original film and its transfer. Going to have to get the same disc on both HD-DVD and BluRay. Once again boys, I said "may".

And even then, will it really prove anything? Won't it be very similar to comparing SACDs to DVD-A disks - or even SACD stereo disks to the original RedBook, or the MSFL version? They all sounded different, yet how much was due to the inherent superiority of the format, and how much was do to the mastering and mixing process?

I'm not a video techie - but can they even encode/master a film, and then just "burn" it to either format, with the only difference being the actual format of the disk - BD or HD-DVD?

Look for the TrueHD audio logo on the back. Only the new version has it.

Not to pick on you Basic :), but I asked this question and got the answer given you on page three on page one of this now three page thread. There is so much data and and difficult information to understand in this thread, its easy to see how one could miss something of substance on page one of this three page thread. :)

REMEMBER. THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF SONY, GIVE ME AN AMEN, WHOOPS TRUE HD, CRT BROTHER, EVEN IF YOU BUY THE WRONG ONE TODAY YOU CAN SEND IT TO SONY TOMORROW AND THE SAINTS THERE WILL REPLACE IT FOR FREE WITH THE NEW ONE.

There are indeed benefits to buying the earlier one. First you can see the original lack of quality AND MOST IMPORTANT, you, once you send the old one in, will have to wait about 3 weeks for the new one. This means you won't be able to watch the 5th Element for three weeks. You could reacquaint yourself with your wife and kids. You could even, perish the thought, watch something else.

Not to pick on you Basic :), but I asked this question and got the answer given you on page one of this now three page thread. There is so much data and and difficult information to understand in this thread, its easy to see how one could miss something of substance on page one of a three age thread. :)

REMEMBER. THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF SONY, GIVE ME AN AMEN, WHOOPS TRUE HD, CRT BROTHER, EVEN IF YOU BUY THE WRONG ONE TODAY YOU CAN SEND IT TO SONY TOMORROW AND THE SAINTS THERE WILL REPLACE IT FOR FREE WITH THE NEW ONE.

There are indeed benefits to buying the earlier one. First you can see the original lack of quality AND MOST IMPORTANT, you, once you send the old one in, will have to wait about 3 weeks for the new one. This means you won't be able to watch the 5th Element for three weeks. You could reacquaint yourself with your wive and kins. You could even ,perish the thought, watch something else.
Yikes!!!! No, Mark, you're not picking on me at all. I thought I had combed this thread pretty carefully, but it looks like I did indeed miss your post. Thank you for pointing that out to me. Guess I was up waaaaayyy past my bedtime last night and my eyes got crossed. *lol* I appreciate your pointing that out to me, because I'm used to combing 300- and 400-page threads to find information I seek, and I always succeed. Lo and behold, I stumble on a 3-page thread and strike out on a full count and with the bases loaded. *lolol* Frankly, it irritates the crap out of me when people do what I did, so to keep things moving along and to reduce clutter, I'll delete my entry. Good lookin' out, Mark...and thanks to all concerned for creating this thread! :)

Oh...Watch something else? Reacquaint myself with my family? Surely you jest! ;)