The review Im referring to is referring to the UK bluray edition, but I felt compelled to mention this here in the HD-DVD section since more than likely it will be the same video encode:

I purchased the UK Edition of Face Off and I can say that I was overall very pleased with the picture quality in places looking like true HD and in some other places the image appeared blurry and almost like upconverted dvd.


I do wonder if this is the same video encode that is going to be on the HD-DVD version. I guess we will find out soon enough. Either way HD-DVD owners should be pleased with this movie.

Good to hear. I'll be picking this one up :)

This post belongs in the BD sofware forum.
This forum is for HD DVD editions, not BD editions.

This post belongs in the BD sofware forum.
This forum is for HD DVD editions, not BD editions.

Face/Off is a Paramount title (distributed by Disney in Europe) so it would be released on HD DVD in the US.;)

Which means that those poor Blu-Ray owners here in North America won't be able to watch it :) Well, Unless they take the Red Pill.

Which means that those poor Blu-Ray owners here in North America won't be able to watch it :) Well, Unless they take the Red Pill.

Or they import it like I did. It only cost like $35, which wasnt too terrible.

Plus the UK Blu Ray appears to be the same version as the UK VHS and DVD which means it's cut (=butterfly knife opening)!

8 seconds is CUT in the U.K version. I think the Japan version which I have is UNCUT.
As of now I can boldly comment that the HD DVD's DTS ES track won't be able to match the bombastic LPCM 5.1 on the BD edition. It looks like Paramount and BVHE were already ready with the LPCM track few months before Paramount went HD DVD exclusive. If the HD DVD scores more than 4 I have no qualms in purchasing the HD DVD version too because this is one among my top 5 all time favorite movie.

I would also think that the U.S. HD-DVD version is probably from a newer master that they used for the new SD Special Collectors Edition and could look better than either the Japanese or U.K. version. I have the Japanese BD version and am quite happy with the PCM track on it. Im betting the HD-DVD version looks better though

I would also think that the U.S. HD-DVD version is probably from a newer master that they used for the new SD Special Collectors Edition and could look better than either the Japanese or U.K. version. I have the Japanese BD version and am quite happy with the PCM track on it. Im betting the HD-DVD version looks better though

Good point. The recent SD DVD has garnered rave reviews for its audio/video quality. The excellent supplements package is icing on the cake.

Belongs in the Bluray Software section - obviously...

Merrick, this is one of your most disingenuous posts yet. Placing your "overseas version" Bluray review thread in the HD DVD section, simply because it happens to be a Paramount release in the US which is about to launch is SHEER trolling.

You should be suspended or banned for making such a BLATANT breach of the rules.

And they are NOT the same encode, nor would you have any evidence to suggest that - that is just another RUSE to try to justify your posting a Bluray review in the HD DVD section, as tho you are somehow even REMOTELY interested in HD DVD.

Supposing I and other HD DVD supporters started posting reviews of HD DVD overseas releases of Bluray-exclusive films all over the Bluray section?? There are a LOT more HD DVD releases of BD Exclusives - we could have a FIELD day if it wasn't a BLATANT disregard for the rules, and a COMPLETE lack of respect for other users and paid members here.

This is BLATANT trolling, and it angers me, as well as other HD DVD users and paid members here!

In my "Report", I am recommending that you be suspended or banned for outright trolling and I recommend that others do the same.

Here... ->http://images.avsforum.com/avs-images/black/buttons/report.gif (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/report.php?p=11913641)<-

Or they import it like I did. It only cost like $35, which wasnt too terrible.

Toshiba HD-A2 costs about 6 times that price. Awhile ago Amazon had Toshiba HD-A2 + 8 free movies, so I guess it was too terrible :D

Okay I think we are overreacting a bit here.

Same holds good to HD 15 Mr & Mrs Smith Polish import that is 1/6 th the price of A2.
I think we can close this thread as it belongs to blu-ray forum.

you should notice that the BD european edition brings ZERO extras (well a kinda video-clip made with the action sequences, really lame)

The HD version seems it will bring a lot of extras (if they don't screw us up like Jack Ryan collection or Top Gun)

Picked up Face/Off today...
Disc One has ALL of the features listed on the packaging.

Disc Two has:

The Light and the Dark: Making Face/Off
John Woo: A Life In Pictures
Theatrical Trailer

Definitely a pleasant surprise. :)

I just got finished watching this HD DVD.

Some sequences had the DNR'd look that a few of Paramount's other HD titles have, but overall, I was VERY pleased with the video quality.

The DD+ track is a knockout and offered one of the best audio experiences I have had with either format. Call me crazy, but in terms of matching the content and delivering an awe-inspiring experience, I actually liked this HD DVD's DD+ track more than the one provided on the Transformers HD DVD.

This was sold out for me everywhere I went today. Guess I'll have to wait a bit which is too bad, this is one of my favorites.

Well my copy from Amazon will be here tomorrow....I'm looking forward to comparing the 2 as I have the Japanese BD version. The HD-DVD version is getting rave reviews...I think it will look better than the import versions and the audio appears to be near reference.

Aforementioned by Kram the HD DVD version has heavy DNR applied making the picture look smooth. I think both versions will almost have identical PQ. The PCM track on BD outperformed the Japanese DTS track by excelling in LFE and tonal range.

I bought the US version. I don't think it looks that good. It's soft and has lots of artifacts. After coming from Transformers, I thought the Face/Off AQ was underwhelming. Bullets just didn't have that much of a punch to them.

Belongs in the Bluray Software section - obviously...

Merrick, this is one of your most disingenuous posts yet. Placing your "overseas version" Bluray review thread in the HD DVD section, simply because it happens to be a Paramount release in the US which is about to launch is SHEER trolling.

You should be suspended or banned for making such a BLATANT breach of the rules.

And they are NOT the same encode, nor would you have any evidence to suggest that - that is just another RUSE to try to justify your posting a Bluray review in the HD DVD section, as tho you are somehow even REMOTELY interested in HD DVD.

Supposing I and other HD DVD supporters started posting reviews of HD DVD overseas releases of Bluray-exclusive films all over the Bluray section?? There are a LOT more HD DVD releases of BD Exclusives - we could have a FIELD day if it wasn't a BLATANT disregard for the rules, and a COMPLETE lack of respect for other users and paid members here.

This is BLATANT trolling, and it angers me, as well as other HD DVD users and paid members here!

In my "Report", I am recommending that you be suspended or banned for outright trolling and I recommend that others do the same.

Here... ->http://images.avsforum.com/avs-images/black/buttons/report.gif (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/report.php?p=11913641)<-


Wow, talk about an over reaction. If you read his first post, in no way was he negative towards hd dvd. All he said was that he enjoyed his face off copy, and he thought it might be the same encode going onto the us hd dvd. Which would then be hd dvd software speculation, thus allowed in this forum.

You're starting to take this stuff a little too seriously. Attacking another guy because he said the hd dvd might look good, is a little ironic for someone who loves hd dvd so much.

No, it looks terrible actually. They DNR'd the hell out of it. The Japanese Blu-ray release is much, much better. Sharper and PCM audio.

No, it looks terrible actually. They DNR'd the hell out of it. The Japanese Blu-ray release is much, much better. Sharper and PCM audio.

Care to do some screenshot comparisons since you own both copies? I would like to see the difference.

Here's the High-Def Digest review. Excellent.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/870/faceoff.html

After seeing comparison pics the HD DVD does seem to be a step down in detail. I probably wouldn't have noticed it without this forum though, ignorance is bliss they say.

Excellent review. Grabbing the HD DVD copy as well.

I picked up one this morning from walmart. I have not opened mine yet because I'm trying to find out what ratio the movie in? ie. 16x9 or 235.1

Oar 2.35:1

No, it looks terrible actually. They DNR'd the hell out of it. The Japanese Blu-ray release is much, much better. Sharper and PCM audio.

I laugh at your post.

I saw the screenshots, the HD has a softer transfer, definitely NR'd. I preferred the BD transfer, though from viewing range I doubt anyone could possibly tell.

MEC2

No, it looks terrible actually. They DNR'd the hell out of it. The Japanese Blu-ray release is much, much better. Sharper and PCM audio.

you sir know your stuff because this is in fact destroyed with DNR, a total joke :mad:

-Gary

Actually both version are heavy filtered.

I would hope we get more remastered movies on HD.

I laugh at your post.

The US version is clearly the worse of the two. The Blu-ray has problems also.

http://hd-discs.mbmg.de/faceoff_bd-vs-hd/01.html

Sometimes I really wonder about Hi Def Digest.

It does look pretty bad, most of these so called reviewers around the 'net have no idea what the hell they're looking at.

I mean hell, I can clearly and immediately see the problems with the transfer on my 50" 720p DLP from 2004. You'd think people with what should be obviously superior displays to my old school display should see it as well but even more so, but apparently not. :rolleyes:

It definitely has a 'smeared' look like Gary mentioned in his thread. I noticed it on my 42" 720p plasma. It looks okay but no way a tier 1 or maybe even 2 title.

glad to hear you guys are seeing this as well ;)

-Gary