Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced that they will bring a Queen concert from 1981 in Montreal to Blu-ray this November called 'Queen Rock Montreal'. No specs for the release have been announced at this time, but the concert (originally titled and released as 'We Will Rock You' in 1983) will be remastered from the original 35mm print.

Full story here: Blabbermouth.net (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=78071)

This is an incredible performance that was originally filmed for IMAX and features the late, great Freddie Mercury at the top of his game. I cannot wait to see how this looks because the SD DVD was pretty damn good along with its DTS soundtack! Great news!

TRACKLISTING
1) Intro
2) We Will Rock You (fast)
3) Let Me Entertain You
4) Play The Game
5) Somebody To Love
6) Killer Queen
7) I’m In Love With My Car
8) Get Down Make Love
9) Save Me
10) Now I’m Here
11) Dragon Attack
12) Now I’m Here (reprise)
13) Love Of My Life
14) Under Pressure
15) Keep Yourself Alive
16) Drum & Timpani Solo
17) Guitar Solo
18) Crazy Little Thing Called Love
19) Jailhouse Rock
20) Bohemian Rhapsody
21) Tie Your Mother Down
22) Another One Bites The Dust
23) Sheer Heart Attack
24) We Will Rock You
25) We Are The Champions
26) God Save The Queen

TRACKLISTING
(Double Disc Live Aid footage Not confirmed for Blu-ray)

Live Aid:
1) Bohemian Rhapsody
2) Radio Gaga
3) Hammer To Fall
4) Crazy Little Thing Called Love
5) We Will Rock You
6) We Are The Champions
7) Is This The World We Created


Recorded in Montreal at the end of 1981, We Will Rock You is an exciting concert experience, now made even better thanks to a new high-definition transfer and a 5.1 audio reworking courtesy of Pioneer. We Will Rock You was filmed with Mobilevision technology, which allows images to be projected on to five-story tall screens (two-upping IMAX's three-story tall screens). The camera work and editing style necessary to create a Mobilevision film translates very well to smaller screens, and succeeds in giving the impression of increased scale, and enhanced focus.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/DVD_double_500.jpg

Reviews:

The Digital Bits Review (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews2/queen.html)

Digitally Obsessed (http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=1841)

Freddie Mercury in high definition and lossless audio?! Sold!

I'm definitely getting this when it comes out...

Sold!

I almost wet my pants. I never expected this to make it to high definition this quickly. My concert DVDs were some of the hardest to sell. Now I am confident the best of them will make it to Blu-ray.

For those who've seen this on DVD: can I assume that Bowie doesn't show up for Under Pressure? If that's the case, who sings his part?

for those format neutral people, I believe it is being released on both blue and HDDVD-so thats pretty cool
http://www.brianmay.com/whatsnew.html
thetman

Very excited about this. I hope it's not only good, but great! Any word on the audio format?

For those who've seen this on DVD: can I assume that Bowie doesn't show up for Under Pressure? If that's the case, who sings his part?

If I recall, Freddie performs the Bowie parts as well. If you wanna see a great version of Under Pressure, Bowie's live concert DVD "A Reality Tour" has his bass guitarist, Gail Ann Dorsey handling Freddie's falsetto. Bowie and Annie Lennox (in one of her more bizarre performances) performed it for the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. However I don't think David Bowie and Freddie Mercury ever performed it "live" together.

Ah....there was no greater showman than Freddie Mercury. One of the few great performers in rock and roll.

I cannot wait for this..It'll take me back to high school.

here is some more info from brian mays site

On 29 October 2007, Eagle Rock Entertainment simultaneously release two incredible DVDs capturing the incomparable Queen in their pomp as the world’s biggest band at a sold out show in 1981 at Montreal’s 18,000-seater Forum. The single DVD is "Queen Rock Montreal" and there is a special edition double DVD “Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid” [Cat Nos EREDV444 and EREDV666 respectively]. The live CD/LP from the concert is released on the same date on EMI with HD-DVD and Blu-ray versions to follow in November through Eagle.

Following their record-breaking South American tour, the Montreal shows on 24 and 25 November 1981 were to be the only concerts by Queen ever shot on film – indeed they were the first group to shoot an entire show in full cinema format 35mm. These releases offer the best ever sound and picture quality on a Queen concert release. Always a great live band, with two years non-stop touring behind them and Freddie Mercury in front of them, Queen excelled themselves with the cameras rolling. The footage has been digitally restored from the original film and the sound has been newly mixed and mastered for DTS Surround Sound and PCM Stereo from the original multi-track tapes.

“Hello Montreal...long time no see. You wanna get crazy?” asks Freddie as the band tear into their alternative ‘fast’ version of We Will Rock You, and from there on Queen show their hard rock roots, slowing down only for Love of My Life and the more mid-tempo Under Pressure, notably being performed live for the first time in this concert.

thetman

Damn this is even better. Hopefully the Blu-ray disc includes the Live Aid appearance as well. Thanks for the link Thetman

your very welcome- I'm a huge queen fan- and was lucky to actually see them 3 times and meet Mr. May as well (nice guy by the way)- so I am really pumped that a Queen concert is coming to us in HD!
thetman

I envy you. I have seen dozens of concerts over the years and I have been able to see just about every one of my favorite bands or singers perform live. Unfortunately, Freddie died before I got the chance to see Queen perform. This performance in high definition will likely be the best opportunity to feel like actually being there.

This and Led Zepplin's The Song Remains the Same are big surprises for me. Maybe we can look forward to these must-haves as well:

The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert For George
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
INXS - Live Baby Live
David Bowie "A Reality Tour"
The Who "The Kids Are Alright"
The Beatles "Let It Be"
R.E.M. Tour Film
Heart "Alive In Seattle" (currently on HD DVD)
Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"
Eagles "Farewell Concert I" (currently on HD DVD)
Fleetwood Mac "The Dance"

If I recall, Freddie performs the Bowie parts as well. If you wanna see a great version of Under Pressure, Bowie's live concert DVD "A Reality Tour" has his bass guitarist, Gail Ann Dorsey handling Freddie's falsetto. Bowie and Annie Lennox (in one of her more bizarre performances) performed it for the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. However I don't think David Bowie and Freddie Mercury ever performed it "live" together.
Thanks. It's a shame they never got around to performing it live together. A Bowie/Queen concert tour would have been a pretty big deal, especially back then...

argh, DTS and stereo PCM?! or is that only referring to the DVD? i'd really like a PCM or trueHD multichannel mix for this . . . . .

Damn this is even better. Hopefully the Blu-ray disc includes the Live Aid appearance as well. Thanks for the link Thetman

Live aid was shot in SD video. 1985 era camera. BD won't really make a difference.

They shot this in "Mobilevision" which is kind of like IMAX. With a MUCH bigger negative than 35mm.
Unfortunately although the band played well, the crowd was VERY reserved and Freddie even chided them with "Move it, you f*ckers, c'mon!" during their cover of Jailhouse Rock. And when they did "Love Of My Life" where the audience always took their part in the singalong, the Montreal audience didn't and Freddie even says, "You don't know it, huh...?"

Altogether a decent show but the crowd is nowhere as into it as say, the Milton Keynes or Wembley ones. But since those were shot in SD (PAL, actually) they won't ever be in HD.

I saw them at MSG in 1982 and they were amazing.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8154/davebrinf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My friend Cathy Porter sang backup on Brian's solo tour in 1992 so I got to meet him at the afterparty. A true gent, amazing musician and will be a Doctor of astrophysics soon!

:) d

Dave, some of these concerts may not have been shot in HD but would I be wrong in assuming that Blu-ray wouldn't make an improvement both visually and aurally?

Great pic by the way, I think you shared it with us once before. It looks familiar.

A couple of weeks ago...Queen was brought up at our house and my younger daughters asked why a group of men would name their band 'Queen'. Thinking of Freddie Mercury, my wife said someday we'll tell you why and why he was the 'queen'.:D

I don't care who he took to bed. He had the greatest voice in Rock 'n Roll.

No problems here either...

I cant wait for this! I hope they release it very soon.

The only Queen concert I'd want more than Montreal is if they could restore the concert at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid 1985. Sadly that concert was only a 20 minute set from Queen.

Witness the power of Freddie Mercury and Queen as they performed "Radio Ga Ga" to tens of thousands of spellbound fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjMRhtQ6o8

Simply phenomenal. We should be lucky if we see such talent combined with such incredible live performances ever again.

The only Queen concert I'd want more than Montreal is if they could restore the concert at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid 1985. Sadly that concert was only a 20 minute set from Queen.

It appears the Live Aid performance will be part of the two disc DVD set. The big question is whether Eagle Rock will include it on the Blu-ray edition.

Speaking of Radio Ga Ga, check this s**t out!!! :eek: :D :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAVVVMcTShQ&mode=related&search=

It appears the Live Aid performance will be part of the two disc DVD set. The big question is whether Eagle Rock will include it on the Blu-ray edition.
I hope so, but if true then the track listing is wrong, since the track listing in the original post doesn't show some of the songs they performed at Live Aid '85.

As far as I am aware, their Wembley Live Aid song list that had Freddie and/or Queen was:

Bohemian Rhapsody (intro only)
Radio Ga Ga
Hammer to Fall
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions mix
Is This The World We Created?
Do They Know It's Christmas? (All star medley incl. Freddie)

The only Queen concert I'd want more than Montreal is if they could restore the concert at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid 1985. Sadly that concert was only a 20 minute set from Queen.

Witness the power of Freddie Mercury and Queen as they performed "Radio Ga Ga" to tens of thousands of spellbound fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjMRhtQ6o8

Simply phenomenal. We should be lucky if we see such talent combined with such incredible live performances ever again.

Damn you, now I spent an hour on youtube watching Live Aid and other Queen clips. God they were great!

Can't wait for the Blu-ray. I'll pop in the Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl DVD tomorrow in anticipation. It has PCM stereo and a truly excellent DTS 96/24 track on it and a couple of song they didn't play very often. "Staying Power" from this concert rocks. When I first heard it, I couldn't stop smiling for a long time because of that warm, fuzzy feeling of having just discovered a true hidden gem all by myself. On the topic of David Bowie earlier, there is a smoking live version of Moonage Daydream on the Hello Spaceboy E.P. from the 90s that gave me the same satisfaction as "Staying Power." Oops, getting too nerdy, better quickly stop posting. :o

Nice, I'll have to pick this one up.

It will be great to have the Live Aid set too as that was truly their shining moment but it was recorded on PAL Sd resolution video.
Won't look all that much different upscaled.

The entire Queen set (and Freddie and Brian only did "Is this the world..." late in the day...)
is on the Live Aid 4 dvd set out now and is pretty good.
Freddie is in the finale but just one of the crowd, he gets near a mic once for maybe 3 seconds...

:)

Unfortunately this is probably the only classic Queen concert that would benefit from HD as most were shot on SD video and the few that actually were filmed, "Parts of the JAZZ tour" were only shot on 16mm.

I am definitely in on this release!!

It will be great to have the Live Aid set too as that was truly their shining moment but it was recorded on PAL Sd resolution video.
Won't look all that much different upscaled.
PAL SD is 576p, though, right? Should still look better than NTSC SD video. Might still look a bit soft for HD, but still should be a marked improvement over a 480p DVD, and the color saturation and audio should be much improved as well.

I'm crossing my fingers. That Radio Ga Ga section is possibly the best live performance ever made, anywhere, by any artist.

This was PAL 576i shot with 1985 era videocameras. I have many PAL shot DVDs. They look a "TAD" better in vertical resolution. The horizontal has the same amount of lines. Nowhere at all near HD.
Also, they will probably just consider them extras.
PAL video is also 25fps or 50hz. which many displays can't handle. (MY PJ has no problem though and I watch native PAL often...)
Most likely it will be a PAL-NTSC transfer and at 480P. If they do upscale, won't really look much different then an upscaling player (like the oppo) doing it...

Maybe we can look forward to these must-haves as well:

The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert For George
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
INXS - Live Baby Live
David Bowie "A Reality Tour"
The Who "The Kids Are Alright"
The Beatles "Let It Be"
R.E.M. Tour Film
Heart "Alive In Seattle" (currently on HD DVD)
Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"
Eagles "Farewell Concert I" (currently on HD DVD)
Fleetwood Mac "The Dance"


Aaron, The INXS concert from Wembley and the Freddie tribute concert were also shot on SD PAL video so they won't gain much from an HD release...

:(

Dave, I think I would rather have the very best audio and video even if the image is only somewhat improved. Any added stability to the image and fidelity would be a positive thing. Thanks for the info!

True, I agree!

I have the INXS concert too! I miss Michael Hutchence, such a shame...

:)

PAL SD is 576p, though, right? Should still look better than NTSC SD video. Might still look a bit soft for HD, but still should be a marked improvement over a 480p DVD, and the color saturation and audio should be much improved as well.

I'm crossing my fingers. That Radio Ga Ga section is possibly the best live performance ever made, anywhere, by any artist.

First of it wll not make any difference. Live Aid was shot in analog 4x3 PAL video, which does not even come close to what you get now from 480i or 576i. Nothing will be better. The best it can look is like it looks on Live Aid DVD's now.

Well, at leaat it is in a cool, thin Blu-ray box.

The current Live Aid DVD set is well worth getting.
Compared to the lame Live Earth and mediocre at best Live 8 concerts, Live Aid was amazing...

Can anhyone confirm if this disc has been postponed from its original October 30 release date. Amazon still has it listed as Oct. 30 but in the release thread it is listed as November 20. Which is the correct date???

If the 576/50i Live Aid stuff is used let us hope they use the BBC R&D TRANSFORM PAL decoder that is now being used for BBC PAL to component Archive transfers, and also for decently remastered DVD releases.

The decoder is simply amazing - it decodes with almost no cross colour and cross luminance - and the results of this in comparison to other well regarded decoders is like night and day.

(The UK 1970s/1980s Doctor Who DVD releases have used it - and the results are nothing less than stunning - particularly when high quality 2" masters are available)

What???

I think the Bd and Hddvd are coming the very end of November. They already have them listed on Amazon.co.uk.

And it looks like they actually went back to the original live vocals for all the tunes. On the original concert film, (and previous DVD) certain bits of songs had had the lead vocal re-recorded, (looped) in the studio, (many concert dvds actually have this done) to (as confirmed by the director in the commentary track),"fix" a few things, bum notes etc. I could always tell when listening as the reverb, timbre, eq and even sound of Fred's voice was different in those bits.
I watched some of the clips from the upcoming re-release and indeed the vocal is different.

http://www.queenrockmontreal.com/


Ok, did this really quickly and really roughly. (I am on Daddy Daycare so you can hear mini-Mack in the background!)
I just aimed my vid camera at my TV to show Fred's vocal on "Now I'm Here" and then on my computer screen which shows the new clip from the upcoming DVD re-release. At the end of the line, "and many a tear lives on in my eye, Oh, yeah..." you can hear the difference.
On the previous DVD, Fred goes up to an "A" at the end. On the new DVD, he stays at "F sharp" I put the clips back to back a few times so you can hear.

This clearly shows that there was a different track on this part of the song on the original THX dvd. Which is evident in a few other clips too.
To this, I say, very cool. Maybe he didn't go up as dramatically high live, but the sound is much better. They say in the press for this that they went back to the original 24 trk. recordings.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65dfwY6NQc

The overall mix seems much more balanced as well. Brian has said on his site that he always disliked the way the previous discs sounded.

:)

I envy you. I have seen dozens of concerts over the years and I have been able to see just about every one of my favorite bands or singers perform live. Unfortunately, Freddie died before I got the chance to see Queen perform. This performance in high definition will likely be the best opportunity to feel like actually being there.

This and Led Zepplin's The Song Remains the Same are big surprises for me. Maybe we can look forward to these must-haves as well:

The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert For George
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
INXS - Live Baby Live
David Bowie "A Reality Tour"
The Who "The Kids Are Alright"
The Beatles "Let It Be"
R.E.M. Tour Film
Heart "Alive In Seattle" (currently on HD DVD)
Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"
Eagles "Farewell Concert I" (currently on HD DVD)
Fleetwood Mac "The Dance"

a 'must add': the who, 'live at royal albert hall'. from 2000.

I saw Queen live in 1982 and my friend did backup vocals on Brian May's, (Queen's guitar player) solo tour in the early 90's. I used to make fun of her when she sang in cover bands and then she got the Brian May gig and did backups on his second album and one of Roger's albums and on the last Queen record, Made in Heaven. She got us into the afterparty in NYC after the Brian solo gig. An amazing musician and true gent!

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/imgcache/13563.imgcache (http://imageshack.us)


Would also have been great to get a Jeff Buckley or Stevie Ray Vaughn concert but alas, I don't think any of theirs was ever shot on film or in HD, all were NTSC 4x3 SD video.

dave mack; thanks for that clip. i have the 'wembley' sd dvd which i love, this will trump it! effin' (pardon my french) freddie and the band! there arent many others that i place above them. 'floyd, the who, etc., but freddie takes the 'gold medal' for vocals!!!

You're welcome westgate!

I know my example is very crude quality-wise but you get the idea. I for one am VERY happy to get the original Live vocal for the whole concert for the first time.


:)

Thanks Dave Mack!!!!!

You're welcome, milit!

Here's an update courtesy Blu-ray.com:

Queen Rock Montreal Gets New Specs/Date

Posted October 22, 2007 by Josh

Eagle Rock Entertainment has revealed that they have delayed the upcoming high-def release of 'Queen Rock Montreal' two weeks to December 4th. Production issues was the reason given for the delay, but fans will be happy to know that this release is packed with additional content not announced previously.
In addition to the newly remastered versions of the Montreal and Live Aid concerts, the release will also include an audio commentary with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Additionally, the release will have rehearsal footage for Live Aid, a newly released band interview, media coverage of the historic event, and a "Before & After" video restoration comparison.

I can't wait for this disc. And I am still jealous that Dave Mack got to meet Brian May!

Awesome and thanks for the news, Aaron!
yep, meeting Brian was pretty damned cool.
His hands and fingers are GIANT! (so's his 'fro, too!)
Nice, nice guy and amazing musician!

:)

Looks pretty sweet. I wish it had "Who Wants To Live Forever."

This was filmed 5 years before. They do perform that in the Magic tour Live from Wembley DVD. Not in HD though and never can be, was shot in SD video.

Any idea on the audio specs for this yet?

I will be all over this one. One of my "first" DVD's was a compilation from them from about the same time period (1981). It was called "We Will Rock You" Not too good PQ (but looked OK on my 36" Sony WEGA from back then), but one H#LL of a show. I do have just about all of their concert releases, all were released in DTS 96/24 that really slammed my Yahama Receiver.

It is too bad about the Live Aid, I have the DVD set and it will go down as a great piece of musical history. It being shot in video, it will not translate too well for Blu. Was similarly dissapointed in Pink Floyd Pulse (1994). Just got the DVD not long ago and was NOT impressed with PQ on my 50" Toshiba

hope you don't mind an HDDVD owner pitching in, as we don't have our own active thread on this.

I am on a quest to get more of the Queen albums on vinyl in high-quality pressings. The CDs are nice, but CD isn't high-res enough for me ;)

In BD or HDDVD, this is going to be an awesome concert. Freddie does have one of the best voices ever in rock, and perhaps no-one is better at both singing and performing. I'd love to sit down with my son (13) and watch this.

I got the new CD that is released in conunction and it sounds great. FINALLY well mixed and balanced and all the original vocal tracks. The HD disc should be a treat.

:)

i really don't care if the concert is shot in SD or HD, as long as the audio is lossless and topnotch. it would be a shame if this disc doesnt have the same awesom sound quality as the ac/dc bd.

should.

:)

Maybe we can look forward to these must-haves as well:

The Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert For George
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
INXS - Live Baby Live
David Bowie "A Reality Tour"
The Who "The Kids Are Alright"
The Beatles "Let It Be"
R.E.M. Tour Film
Heart "Alive In Seattle" (currently on HD DVD)
Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"
Eagles "Farewell Concert I" (currently on HD DVD)
Fleetwood Mac "The Dance"

The Concert for Bangladesh: A definite possibility, though I'm not sure what quality level we can expect from the 1972 film sources.

The Concert for George: Shot in HD, a no-brainer.

Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: Shot in SD video. It's not going to happen in HD. It was released as a widescreen DVD, but the image was degraded from the 4:3 SD version to get it there.

Live Baby Live: Shot in 35. This could happen.

A Reality Tour: I'm not sure what format it was shot on.

The Kids are Alright: Mixed sources ranging from SD video to 35mm film. I'm in favor of an HD version just to get the power slide from "Won't Get Fooled Again" in HD!

Let It Be: This has been MIA for a number of hears. I heard McCartney was trying to assemble all the assets, presumably for a DVD remaster, but nothing seemed to come from it. The 16mm film elements may be beyond repair on this one, sadly.

Tourfilm: A possibility.

Alive in Seattle: Shot in HD, and as you stated, on HD DVD, so definitely a can-do.

Hell Freezes Over: Shot in SD, not going to happen.

Farewell Concert I: Shot in HD. Possible.

The Dance: Shot in SD, not going to happen.

Aaron, The INXS concert from Wembley and the Freddie tribute concert were also shot on SD PAL video so they won't gain much from an HD release...

:(

The cover image of INXS's Live Baby Live features a 35mm film camera pointed up at Hutchence. I'm pretty sure that one will translate to HD just fime.

I hope we can find out before Monday what the audio will be if not i will check in HMV on Monday and take a look at the cover...better not be region coded.

So does anyone has this on the way to them yet or has anyone seen any reviews?

I got this last week and have to say not that happy with the pq.
Thought this would be a good upgrade from the DTS pioneer dvd version but is not much better.

I got this last week and have to say not that happy with the pq.
Thought this would be a good upgrade from the DTS pioneer dvd version but is not much better.

Do you have the recent AC/DC disc? How does the Queen one compare to it PQ-wise?

Do you have the recent AC/DC disc? How does the Queen one compare to it PQ-wise?

No sorry.

So, what audio formats are on the Blu-ray version? I can't find any info on it. I prefer Blu-ray's PCM uncompressed to HD-DVD's TrueHD.

Mark

LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 96/24 5.1, just like the HD DVD.

LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 96/24 5.1, just like the HD DVD.

i like the lpcm 2.0, my a/v receiver does not decode dts-hd and i hope sony puts out an upgrade for this for the ps3 to decode, the 2.0 sounds pretty darn good with my receiver playing over PLX, i could tell a big difference over the regular dts. a lot more sound out of the center channel speaker with the lpcm 2.0 and my receiver decoding it. pretty good overall for something that was filmed 22 years ago.

Full story here: Blabbermouth.net (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=78071)

This is an incredible performance that was originally filmed for IMAX [/URL]


Sorry to say, 35mm and IMAX don't add up. Can anyone point out that this was filmmed in the IMAX format?

To be shot in IMAX, 70 mm film stock is run "sideways" through the cameras. I don't think this Queen concert was recorded in IMAX format, let alone regular 65mm (70mm) film. Probably just regular 35mm film as I keep reading about.

Does anyone know if the disc is codefree????

Any reviews of this on Blu-ray anywhere?

Just got this from Amazon. Weird thing was it wasn't shrink wrapped. There's no way it could be a return since it just came out.

There is a small mark on the data side of the disc that doesn't wipe off. I hope it's not an issue.

I'm going to spin the disc up in a few just to see how it looks (and if it loads). I will report back.

Also, I cannot find region markings of any kind on the disc, cover art or booklet.

Sorry to say, 35mm and IMAX don't add up. Can anyone point out that this was filmmed in the IMAX format?

To be shot in IMAX, 70 mm film stock is run "sideways" through the cameras. I don't think this Queen concert was recorded in IMAX format, let alone regular 65mm (70mm) film. Probably just regular 35mm film as I keep reading about.

This was shot using a double anamorphic 35mm process that was a precursor to IMAX called Moblievision. Was indeed shot on 35 but with anamorphic lenses squeezing vertically instead of the usual horizontally.
It's explained on some sites and on the commentary.

bummer, the Live Aid Performance is not HD

I know. Was shot on PAL broadcast cameras.

One of the greatest musical perfomances ever.

:)

I know. Was shot on PAL broadcast cameras.

One of the greatest musical perfomances ever.

:)
Thats for sure! No HD but a great performance!

I know. Was shot on PAL broadcast cameras.

One of the greatest musical perfomances ever.

:)

i just watched hd dvd version on my pj. mostly great pq (i think stage lighting threw me off a few times), awesome audio. the drum mix (those floor toms:eek:) just blew me away.:D actually, the whole mix did!

dm, thanks for the heads up, last month.

The cover image of INXS's Live Baby Live features a 35mm film camera pointed up at Hutchence. I'm pretty sure that one will translate to HD just fime.

You are correct. It was indeed shot on 35mm it seems. I just watched the DVD tonight. But if it was edited on SD video and not film, will take some work to get it up to snuff...

i just watched hd dvd version on my pj. mostly great pq (i think stage lighting threw me off a few times), awesome audio. the drum mix (those floor toms:eek:) just blew me away.:D actually, the whole mix did!

dm, thanks for the heads up, last month.


cool! Enjoy, man! We just moved and will have the PJ and player up and running this week!

:)

I loaded the disc up and previewed some songs. I think it looks and sounds great for its age.

I'd have no problem giving it a 3/5 for PQ, again taking the age and source into consideration.

On another note, for whatever reason, of all the dead rockers out there, I always feel the worst about Freddie. He was such a damn good singer and frontman.

Agreed. Freddie was one of a kind. An incredible singer and songwriter and by most accounts a very generous and giving person offstage.
Very sad about his final years but what's amazing is as Brian would say, "he felt the best thing they could do was work so he'd steel himself up, chuck down a vodka and sing". Even while incredibly ill, he never stopped making music and even on the very final Queen songs from Innuendo and Made in Heaven, he sounded incredible.

"The Show Must Go On..."

Not "woe is me" because of his sickness, but the "show must go on"

The last line of that song, "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show..."
Still grabs the hell out of me. A champion indeed, kept on fighting til' the end.

RIP Fred, can't believe it's been 16 years 2 weeks ago.

Agreed. Freddie was one of a kind. An incredible singer and songwriter and by most accounts a very generous and giving person offstage.
Very sad about his final years but what's amazing is as Brian would say, "he felt the best thing they could do was work so he'd steel himself up, chuck down a vodka and sing". Even while incredibly ill, he never stopped making music and even on the very final Queen songs from Innuendo and Made in Heaven, he sounded incredible.

"The Show Must Go On..."

Not "woe is me" because of his sickness, but the "show must go on"

The last line of that song, "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show..."
Still grabs the hell out of me. A champion indeed, kept on fighting til' the end.

RIP Fred, can't believe it's been 16 years 2 weeks ago.

whilst i was watching the hd dvd tonite, i (as usual when i watch a good queen show) found myself getting pissed off at freddie...for dying on us and leaving the whole world hanging...

totally irrational, but i cant help it.:D

yeah, i cant believe its been 16 yrs either.

I loaded the disc up and previewed some songs. I think it looks and sounds great for its age.

I'd have no problem giving it a 3/5 for PQ, again taking the age and source into consideration.

On another note, for whatever reason, of all the dead rockers out there, I always feel the worst about Freddie. He was such a damn good singer and frontman.

yup!;)

so alive on stage!

Can anyone tell me what codec the video of this disc is in? I saw this disc at a customer's today, and I saw an oddity in the PQ, and I'd like to find out if it's due to the compression. Certainly didn't look like MPEG artifacts. In the beginning of Somebody to Love, when Freddie is shot from the side, there was a strange "morphing" effect around Freddie's head as he moves). I'm wondering if it's a compression artifact in VC-1, but it was played back on a Samsung BD-P1200, which didn't have any info on video codec. At first, I thought there was some sort of strange MPEG noise reduction going on, but it appeared to be turned off in the player, and definately was on the TV.

If anyone can check to see if there is any artifacts in this particular shot on your setups, I'd be very interested in hearing about it... (I don't have a region A player at the moment, but I've ordered the disc and will try to find somewhere to play it - I'm just not very patient...) I certainly have a hard time believing that this would be an artifact that's in the original footage.

could this possible have been transferred to 1080i?
That's what that sounds like.

i like the lpcm 2.0, my a/v receiver does not decode dts-hd and i hope sony puts out an upgrade for this for the ps3 to decode, the 2.0 sounds pretty darn good with my receiver playing over PLX, i could tell a big difference over the regular dts. a lot more sound out of the center channel speaker with the lpcm 2.0 and my receiver decoding it. pretty good overall for something that was filmed 22 years ago.

Do you use PLIIx movie or music mode? Movie mode is not intented for concerts, and music mode can be adjusted for center image.

could this possible have been transferred to 1080i?
That's what that sounds like.

That's definately not it, the artifact I saw was spanning a much larger area, it wasn't some per-pixel artifact. It looked like "morphing", like that software-thingy where you make people's ears larger... Looked really weird.

I noticed that although the back cover and menu list the multichannel track as DTS-HD HR, the logo on the actual disc shows DTS-HD MA. Can anyone with the right setup confirm what the track on the Blu-ray version actually is? It's not a big deal as the 1.5 Mbps DTS core and 48 kHz/24-bit two-channel PCM tracks sound great, but I would still like to know.

That's definately not it, the artifact I saw was spanning a much larger area, it wasn't some per-pixel artifact. It looked like "morphing", like that software-thingy where you make people's ears larger... Looked really weird.

I just watched "Somebody to Love" and I didn't see any weird morphing.

The codec is VC-1, and it was anywhere between 17.5mbps and 28mbps.

The only thing I noticed when they were showing Freddie from the side was spotlight reflecting off the speaker cabs behind his head. But, I don't know how that could be mistaken for morphing Freddie Mercury head. :D

Just got it from Amazon, shrink-wrap unlike the other poster but although it didn't look the best via shot in 1981 I still think it would be superior to a sd disc. It looked pretty good for a old concert but I would agree with a 3/5 for pq and I won't rate audio cause my system isn't a great gauge but Dave and Tim was amazing PQ and better audio that i could tell with my setup.

What;s odd is that the most recent pioneer DVD "we Will rock you" 2nd version looked amazing for an SD dvd.

The only thing I noticed when they were showing Freddie from the side was spotlight reflecting off the speaker cabs behind his head. But, I don't know how that could be mistaken for morphing Freddie Mercury head. :D

I'll have to get a chance to see it on another player, to make sure it's not some noise reduction in the HQV that's doing odd things to the picture, but it seems unlikely - I'd still attribute it to VC-1 compression artifacts. I'll report back as soon as I get the chance. BTW, it wasn't Freddie's head that was morphing, it was the "texture" of the speaker behind him that was "morphing" in the area around his head when he's moving.

quick question...im running a denon 2807/ps3/and definitive 7002's ans 2002 center. during the concert absuletely no sound comes from my center channel?? i watch the live aid performance and theres plenty of sound coming from my center channel. is this a problem with the disc?

no other movies give me this problem. center channel lights up on the receiver but nothing from the actual center channel. im getting clear loud dialog from the tweeters in the towers but i dont know whats up

quick question...im running a denon 2807/ps3/and definitive 7002's ans 2002 center. during the concert absuletely no sound comes from my center channel?? i watch the live aid performance and theres plenty of sound coming from my center channel. is this a problem with the disc?

no other movies give me this problem. center channel lights up on the receiver but nothing from the actual center channel. im getting clear loud dialog from the tweeters in the towers but i dont know whats up

You need to choose the 5.1 option in setup.

You were listening to the LPCM 2.0 track.

nope i was listening to the dts hd high res track. i switched back and forth and neither presented sound from the center. really weird because id select the dts in the extras for the live aid concert and it was definitely there.

can anyone pop theres in and make sure they here some freddie in their center channel and not just in their mains

I'll have to get a chance to see it on another player, to make sure it's not some noise reduction in the HQV that's doing odd things to the picture, but it seems unlikely - I'd still attribute it to VC-1 compression artifacts. I'll report back as soon as I get the chance. BTW, it wasn't Freddie's head that was morphing, it was the "texture" of the speaker behind him that was "morphing" in the area around his head when he's moving.

I watched my HD DVD of this and saw what you're talking about. If you pay attention, the weird "morph" effect is present throughout to varying degrees. I noticed the same thing on the Black Rain HD DVD. Some sort of optional setting in the VC1 encoder that's been cranked a bit too high. The effect is such that its only noticable in motion and can't be demonstrated in screenshots.

I'd actually say its worse in Black Rain, where I also noticed that the grain in most shots is totally or nearly static. Its almost like the frame is frozen and only the moving parts (actors talking, walking, etc..) are being updated by the codec.

quick question...im running a denon 2807/ps3/and definitive 7002's ans 2002 center. during the concert absuletely no sound comes from my center channel?? i watch the live aid performance and theres plenty of sound coming from my center channel. is this a problem with the disc?

no other movies give me this problem. center channel lights up on the receiver but nothing from the actual center channel. im getting clear loud dialog from the tweeters in the towers but i dont know whats up

bump

bump

IIRC, it's the way it's mixed. There's nothing in the center channel by design.

i sent an email to ken brown at hdd since hes absolutely in love with this disc. i tried another channel with the same results. seems like this disc isnt getting the love it deserves here on avs. possible because the thread title isnt even correct.

if anyone has any ideas or if you have the disc test it out for me. i have the hddvd coming in through netflix to see if its the bluray/ps3/receiver combo, but i doubt thats the problem

well, i got it and while the new mix with finally the correct and original vocal tracks is indeed excellent, the pq is rather dissapointing to me. looks like they used ALOT of DVNR resulting in the dreaded "clayface" waxy look and the brightness levels look REALLY jacked up, making the image look blown out and overexposed. on the queen online forum someone posted screengrab comparisons.
IMHO, the previous pioneer SE dvd had a much more pleasing and better balanced image, even with the lower res.
this might look ok on a small to midsize display but projected at 92" it looks mediocre. considering how good the pioneer SE dvd looked, i was expecting much more.

still worth it for the audio.

Some scenes look better than others. It looks its best when the spotlights have fully lit the stage and the band. There is quite a bit of grain/noise in darker areas, and many scenes are quite soft (especially shots of the crowd). And yes, I agree with the "clay faces".

My guess is that this was shot on high speed film, which resulted in quite a bit of grain.

It isn't bad though, and it is truly an amazing performance by one of the best rock bands ever. :cool:

I can live wih mediocre PQ if the audio is great. Like having poor seats at a good concert.

BB

ok so i netflixed the hddvd version. still no audio from the center channel on the dts mix. it still sounds very good, but it doesnt sound as full as other concerts that use the center channel, like the eagle for example.

ok so i netflixed the hddvd version. still no audio from the center channel on the dts mix. it still sounds very good, but it doesnt sound as full as other concerts that use the center channel, like the eagle for example.

How did you do that? :D

Netflix says long wait!

I had the Blu-ray version n confirm no sound from center channel on the Montreal concert but full 5.1 from the Aid concert. No difference when I switched between bitstream or PCM.

Even though I know the Aid concert is not HD but the picture is so bad with a lot of interference --- horizontal lines running downward most of the time.

Thanks Dave for the correction !!!

live aid was actually for famine relief for africa and not for aids relief though. :)

Hi All

I am having an unusual problem with the Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid Blu-Ray disc, not sure if these are hardware related or title related, so apologies for the cross posting:

I cannot play any of the bonus material (Live Aid, etc.) on this disc - not sure if this is related to the difference in resolution of this material in combination with the hardware but when attempting to play this content, all output from the PS3 stops (blank screen) and the only way to get anything from the PS3 to display again is to do a power cycle on the PS3 which is very irritating. I have tested this both via the receiver and directly to the plasma screen with the same result so the problem seems to be with the PS3 or title. Has anybody else experienced a similar problem?

Hardware is a PS3 with latest firmware and a Denon AVR 3808 receiver with 1.60 firmware connected to a Panasonic 65" 1080p plasma with everything connected via HDMI. I'm based in South Africa (PAL region).

Any help or guidance in this regard would be most appreciated.

Ciao
Manny

Long time since anyone posted on this BD title. FWIW...I have a new Marantz SR5003 and it says DTS but nothing else (no HD, no 24/96) when playing this disc. I get no center channel either. Another poster says there is no C channel info in mix. My C light is on the receiver but no sound and no HD light or 24/96 light. Very strange. Sound is good if not great, PQ is good to great especially considering the year the film was shot. Watching this concert straight thru was very enjoyable. All the hits and none of the misses. Would like to have heard some more songs from I & II albums. At one time these guys were slated by music press to be the next Led Zeppelin.

Long time since anyone posted on this BD title. FWIW...I have a new Marantz SR5003 and it says DTS but nothing else (no HD, no 24/96) when playing this disc. I get no center channel either. Another poster says there is no C channel info in mix. My C light is on the receiver but no sound and no HD light or 24/96 light. Very strange. Sound is good if not great, PQ is good to great especially considering the year the film was shot. Watching this concert straight thru was very enjoyable. All the hits and none of the misses. Would like to have heard some more songs from I & II albums. At one time these guys were slated by music press to be the next Led Zeppelin.

My Anthem D2 confirms it is receiving a 96 kHz signal when DTS HD is selected. Sounds great! :cool:

I am bumping this. I played this on my HTPC the other day and I noticed that there was no sound at all from the right channel with the DTS track of the main concert. The Live Aid stuff was fine. I see others have had no audio with the center channel, I run a phantom center mode so I don't know if that was a problem, but I definatly get nothing from the right channel. I posted this in the HTPC section, but it got no attention, I am wondering if anyone knows if there were bad pressings.

Fortunatly the 2 channel LPCM track is fine and sounds great, but I would love to hear the DTS track as well

I know this is an old thread but I gotta say I'm shocked at the lukewarm response to the PQ here. This looks fantastic to me, in fact it is what I pop in to show off my projector to people. Looks better (and also more "film-like") than just about anything else I have, which includes much of the "Tier 0" stuff.

I know this is an old thread but I gotta say I'm shocked at the lukewarm response to the PQ here. This looks fantastic to me, in fact it is what I pop in to show off my projector to people. Looks better (and also more "film-like") than just about anything else I have, which includes much of the "Tier 0" stuff.

I'm very glad to own this, but man, I couldn't disagree more about the PQ.

I would never even consider putting this on to "show off" my projector.

I'm very glad to own this, but man, I couldn't disagree more about the PQ.

I would never even consider putting this on to "show off" my projector.

agreed. It looks decent but i was expecting MUCH better. They bumped the contrast up and looks like they smoothed it out. There was a comparison on a QUEEN forum and aside from the resolution bump going to HD, the 2nd Pioneer DVD had a much better looking image imho.

found it...


Pioneer 2001 Release:
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7451/1194872604ue6.jpg

QRM 2007 Release:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5015/1194933244fu1.jpg


Pioneer 2001 Release:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9313/wwrykqer0.jpg

QRM 2007 Release:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2821/qrmkqsm9.jpg

Bought this for my pop before Christmas.
Great show, great sound and the PQ looks pretty good.
Alas, a very nice disc indeed.

Bought this for my pop before Christmas.
Great show, great sound and the PQ looks pretty good.
Alas, a very nice disc indeed.

Yeah, the sound is pretty great. Pq is still decent. You can see much more of the crowd now with the brightened image than with the dvd. Of course considering the energy and enthusiasm of the montreal crowd, that's not exactly a good thing... :)