Picked up Master & Commander on Blu-Ray. I'll be taking some pictures of it later and give some impressions.

It's out in Europe Dec 5th but I was able to pick it up today already :)

I'll probably pick up Independence Day next week, looks like there haven't been delays here.

EDIT:

Pictures added :)

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1570/s6300023qm1.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8558/s6300025hz5.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2254/s6300026wv0.jpg

Specifications:

BD50

Runtime: 138 mins

AR: 2.35:1

Audio: English 5.1 DTS HD-MA / French 5.1 DTS / German 5.1 DTS

Features: Trivia Track / 6 Deleted Scenes / Trailers (Master & Commander/Eragon/Kingdom of Heaven/Live Free or Die Hard)



Impressions

Well, I popped in Master & Commander today and skipped through various chapters.

Picture:

Fox went with a High Bitrate AVC encode, probably around 30 average. While I skipped through the chapters I saw the bitrate meter jump up to 48MBps various times. Most scenes I saw were between 30 and 38MBps and overall did held up pretty well.
Master & Commander, thanks to the high AVC encode, can look incredibly sharp, but, unfortunately, it suffers from the same flaws as the DVD did. The Fog scenes were around 35MBps but it still suffers from macroblocking and an incredible amount of Grain. Now, we all know the Grain is part of the movie to make it look typical 17th century, but around 14.40 mins (DVD too) it's unbearable!

I remember the DVD had some speckles and dirt throughout the movie which were not cleaned up for this release, so I guess it's how Weir wants us to experience the movie. Colors look good throughout but you'll notice the filter is kind of washing them out here and there. Blacks are often rock solid but it does sometimes suffer from black crush.

Overall the movie looks good, but some scenes have no improvement over the DVD version eventhough it got a High bitrate encode.

I will probably give the PQ 3,5-4,0 out of 5

Audio:

WOW, I mean, WOW!!! Allthough I have a PS3 that does Core only, Dynamics are stupendous! We all know how the DVD sounded, well this BD version sounds even more incredible than it already did! There's plenty of LFE throughout the movie to make your subwoofer shake the house and upset the WHOLE neighborhood! This Disc will make your soundsystem sound like it costs twice as much as it did! If there is any Reference Title on AQ, Master and Commander is by FAR the very very BEST! :eek:

AQ a BIG 5 out of 5!

I have not watched any of the Extras so far, but there aren't many anyway!

Aww man, this is really gonna try my patience in waiting for a sub-$200 BD player.:mad:;)

Aww man, this is really gonna try my patience in waiting for a sub-$200 BD player.:mad:;)Dude, you must hold the days of your life cheaper than I hold mine. It's easy to pick up a Blu-ray player for $350 or less. There's no way I'd deprive myself of many months of enjoyment for $150. But as my daddy always said "different strokes for different folks".

Picked up Master & Commander on Blu-Ray. I'll be taking some pictures of it later and give some impressions.

It's out in Europe Dec 5th but I was able to pick it up today already :)

I'll probably pick up Independence Day next week, looks like there haven't been delays here.

You jerk. :)


Master and Commander and Wall Street are blind buys for me. I am truly envious.

Can't wait to get my hands (and ears) on this title.

Where exactly is "here"? :D

Picked up Master & Commander on Blu-Ray. I'll be taking some pictures of it later and give some impressions.

It's out in Europe Dec 5th but I was able to pick it up today already :)

I'll probably pick up Independence Day next week, looks like there haven't been delays here.

don't see any pics .

Where exactly is "here"? :D

Here is The Netherlands ;)

My most anticipated catalog title since the format launched. I can't wait to hear your impressions.

don't see any pics .

you should now :)

How much to ship the rest of us copies of this? When is Transformers coming out there on Blu?

The audio on this is OFF THE CHARTS. Better than Live Free or Die Hard in my book.

Video is very film-like, though I'm sure some will complain about grain and softness. Personally I like that there's no apparent smoothing or artificial sharpening.

How much to ship the rest of us copies of this? When is Transformers coming out there on Blu?

Transformers won't be coming out on Blu and unfortunately Fox codes all their titles with a few exceptions here and there

The audio on this is OFF THE CHARTS. Better than Live Free or Die Hard in my book.

Video is very film-like, though I'm sure some will complain about grain and softness. Personally I like that there's no apparent smoothing or artificial sharpening.

I wonder how the "Fog scene" holds up on this release, cause the DVD was very very bad :(

How much to ship the rest of us copies of this?

group buy? :D

How much to ship the rest of us copies of this? When is Transformers coming out there on Blu?

If you want Transformers, just get a Toshiba. I'm going to get the Sharp and be neutral. You coulda picked one up for $98. I have the A2 and it's been perfect for a year now. No reason not to be neutral with prices so good now.

I wonder how the "Fog scene" holds up on this release, cause the DVD was very very bad :(

You tell us, I don't have the disc around at the moment.

I was so freaked out by the totally engrossing transparency of the ambient noises of the ship that I couldn't go hunting for compression artefacts. I looked around the room more than once when the creaking planks sounded so lifelike that there was no way it could all just come from my speakers.

You tell us, I don't have the disc around at the moment.

I was so freaked out by the totally engrossing transparency of the ambient noises of the ship that I couldn't go hunting for compression artefacts. I looked around the room more than once when the creaking planks sounded so lifelike that there was no way it could all just come from my speakers.

Can't right now, I'll be doing so tomorrow and post some pictures of the film, it's already 2.30AM, I'm off to bed now!

This has been rescheduled for release in the US on February 5th, 2008 and it stinks that we have to wait more than two months to see it.

I wonder when Amazon will relist it?

The 1.5 Mbp/s DTS from the DTheater sounded insane, so the DTSMA should indeed be off the charts.

1) If we get our hands on this release, can we play it on US Players, like a US PS3 ??

2) How can we get our hands on this ???

Thx !!

1) If we get our hands on this release, can we play it on US Players, like a US PS3 ??

2) How can we get our hands on this ???

Thx !!

1) Nope, Region B only.

2) Still interested? Try amazon.de or amazon.co.uk.

the dts track on the standard dvd was rather terrific so I can only imagine what this baby sounds like.

the dts track on the standard dvd was rather terrific so I can only imagine what this baby sounds like.

Agreed, can't wait to hear the opening battle scene in DTS-MA, hopefully the PS3 will be able to decode it by then

Lucky! One of my fav movies.

so we're certain this won't play in us players??? dissapointing if so, very sad

Dude, you must hold the days of your life cheaper than I hold mine. It's easy to pick up a Blu-ray player for $350 or less. There's no way I'd deprive myself of many months of enjoyment for $150. But as my daddy always said "different strokes for different folks".

ditto ;)

money was made to spend :p

-Gary

so we're certain this won't play in us players??? dissapointing if so, very sad

Tried it in my Region A PS3 and it I got that nice Red "Attention" screen, so it's certain

Tried it in my Region A PS3 and it I got that nice Red "Attention" screen, so it's certain
Region coding seems soooo 1999.
Not to mention its pontlessness on cataloge titles.

Impressions added :)

MitchR: what subtitle options disc have? I couldn't read them from your pics.

MitchR: what subtitle options disc have? I couldn't read them from your pics.

English, French, German, Dutch, Italian

jeholibus!

i live in the netherlands. and i did not even know we would get it next week. i will pick it up asap. woohoo :)

also mitchR . do you have a good listing wer ei can check the upcoming EU releases of movies for bluray and hd-dvd? thanks

My D-Theater tape is reference quality both PQ and AQ. Paid $50 from Ebay.

I need store link ASAP! ;)

jeholibus!

i live in the netherlands. and i did not even know we would get it next week. i will pick it up asap. woohoo :)

also mitchR . do you have a good listing wer ei can check the upcoming EU releases of movies for bluray and hd-dvd? thanks

You can pick it up @ vanleest or FRS for €24,99

If you want to check Dutch releases go to www.dvd-home.nl and go to "Database"

My D-Theater tape is reference quality both PQ and AQ. Paid $50 from Ebay.

I need store link ASAP! ;)

http://www.vanleest.nl/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Vanleest-VL_B2C_NL-Site/nl_NL/-/EUR/ViewFas-Detail;pgid=T26qQ4d2sZNSR0EbG.8.MbkO0000cNqnVAFR?fh_Params=f h_reftheme%3Dpromo_vanleest_nl_NL_98262116%252cseeall%252c%2 52f%252ffrs%252fnl_NL%252f%2524s%253dmaster%255cu0020command er%252f_shop%253e%257bvanleest%257d%26method%3DgetAll%26fh_s econdid%3D7675711%26fh_lister_pos%3D1%26fh_location%3D%252f% 252ffrs%252fnl_NL%252f%2524s%253dmaster%255cu0020commander%2 52f_shop%253e%257bvanleest%257d%252fcategories%253c%257bfrs_ 02%257d%26fh_eds%3D%25c3%259f%26fh_refview%3Dsearch&SubCat=02

English, French, German, Dutch, Italian
Ok, thanks for info. In that case I may as well wait for the Nordic BD which will be released in Dec 27th.

Another proof that high bit rates won't do wonders to the overall PQ. Hope that Fox releases the delayed titles soon.

Another proof that high bit rates won't do wonders to the overall PQ. Hope that Fox releases the delayed titles soon.

If the Master isn't in pristine condition, neither will the BD version be no matter the encode. At least Fox didn't wax their releases like Uni does.

If you want Transformers, just get a Toshiba. I'm going to get the Sharp and be neutral. You coulda picked one up for $98. I have the A2 and it's been perfect for a year now. No reason not to be neutral with prices so good now.

I completely agree..

Ever since I got my PS3 I get to enjoy an entirely new library of movies. Dual format is the way to go if you are a movie fan.

I will probably give the PQ 3,5-4,0 out of 5

:confused: On A scale of 1 to 5 what do you give it????

Audio:

WOW, I mean, WOW!!! Allthough I have a PS3 that does Core only, Dynamics are stupendous! We all know how the DVD sounded, well this BD version sounds even more incredible than it already did! There's plenty of LFE throughout the movie to make your subwoofer shake the house and upset the WHOLE neighborhood! This Disc will make your soundsystem sound like it costs twice as much as it did! If there is any Reference Title on AQ, Master and Commander is by FAR the very very BEST! :eek:

AQ a BIG 5 out of 5!


Totally agree with this assessment. I have watched many a BD, this is numero uno in audio quality.

:confused: On A scale of 1 to 5 what do you give it????

You have over 6000 posts here and have never seen a European komma?

:confused: On A scale of 1 to 5 what do you give it????

3.5 - 4.0 out of 5 (an average of 3.75 out of 5)

Picture:

Fox went with a High Bitrate AVC encode, probably around 30 average. While I skipped through the chapters I saw the bitrate meter jump up to 48MBps various times. Most scenes I saw were between 30 and 38MBps and overall did held up pretty well.
Master & Commander, thanks to the high AVC encode, can look incredibly sharp, but, unfortunately, it suffers from the same flaws as the DVD did. The Fog scenes were around 35MBps but it still suffers from macroblocking and an incredible amount of Grain. Now, we all know the Grain is part of the movie to make it look typical 17th century, but around 14.40 mins (DVD too) it's unbearable!

I remember the DVD had some speckles and dirt throughout the movie which were not cleaned up for this release, so I guess it's how Weir wants us to experience the movie. Colors look good throughout but you'll notice the filter is kind of washing them out here and there. Blacks are often rock solid but it does sometimes suffer from black crush.

Overall the movie looks good, but some scenes have no improvement over the DVD version eventhough it got a High bitrate encode.

I will probably give the PQ 3,5-4,0 out of 5


Wow, I had hoped for better than this. I don't suppose there's any hope that the 3-4+ month delay on the US version means it might not be exactly the same and perhaps be an improvement on the above, visually?

Wow, I had hoped for better than this. I don't suppose there's any hope that the 3-4+ month delay on the US version means it might not be exactly the same and perhaps be an improvement on the above, visually?

No, but it will work on the PS3 and 3-4 weeks after release it should also work on the Samsung's.

So far, I've resisted the temptation to replace any of my SD disks with Blu-Ray, but this one may win me over. Of all my SD disks, this has the best audio; I can only imagine what lossless audio would sound like. And there are definite artifact issues with PQ on my SD disk, particularly in the fog scenes, that upconversion doesn't help with. So I'll keep my eyes open for more reviews of this title.

Mitch, I suspect you're being a bit hard on the disc concerning the fog. I've seen the D-Theater tape about a half dozen times, myself. I bet I even know which fog banks caught your attention......oh, somewhere between minutes 15-30 when they first encounter le French? IMO, this part is some of the hardest to do well footage possible. I could see motion artifacts in the tape there but gave it a pass for bein' damn close on hideously difficult....fog. I can't think of anything more difficult to portray well than fog.

I've wanted to compare this BD to the D-tape ever since the very, very, very first time Fox announced it. Despite some foggy, fog.... ;) I considered it one of the better D-tapes. The audio is boom-boom too. I really don't need a copy of the BD but I'll proably get one.

Mitch, I suspect you're being a bit hard on the disc concerning the fog. I've seen the D-Theater tape about a half dozen times, myself. I bet I even know which fog banks caught your attention......oh, somewhere between minutes 15-30 when they first encounter le French? IMO, this part is some of the hardest to do well footage possible. I could see motion artifacts in the tape there but gave it a pass for bein' damn close on hideously difficult....fog. I can't think of anything more difficult to portray well than fog.

I've wanted to compare this BD to the D-tape ever since the very, very, very first time Fox announced it. Despite some foggy, fog.... ;) I considered it one of the better D-tapes. The audio is boom-boom too. I really don't need a copy of the BD but I'll proably get one.

It's when they enter the fog to keep away from "Le French" ;)

Overall the picture quality holds up well. I've put in the disc several times today,but I won't give any higher than a 4 out of 5 score. To each his own of course, but to me it's kind of annoying like the DVD was. I never owned D-Theater so I don't know anything about that, but 4 out of 5 is still a very nice score overall for such difficult scenes to shoot.

The Audio is Reference material for sure :)

Ok, thanks for info. In that case I may as well wait for the Nordic BD which will be released in Dec 27th.

I have the Spanish BD Version of Master & Commander and it have the subtitles that you are looking, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish.

The Spanish Version will be in stores oficially the 5th of December.

Hallo,

just fiinished watching "Master & Command" and I hate to tell you - in many scenes it does not look any better than an upscaled DVD; there just isnt any fine Detail in the picture; even when the Sun is shining it looks fuzzy and blurry - I may a bit hard here but after seeing how god POTC looked, this is utterly disappointing - no HD-Wow-Moments whatsoever; also the Grain does not look like Film-Grain (like we are used to with HD) but more like DVD-Grain with MPEG-Artefacts built in; Video-Rating: 3/6
Audio: this is probably the best 5.1-Mix I have heard all year - reference all the way - nuff said; Audio-Rating: 6/6
Extra: why did Fox didnt port over the 3+ Hours of Material from the 2-Disc-DVD-Set? All we get are deleted scenes, a trivia-track and a map that shows you where the ships are at any given time in the movie
Extras-Rating: 2/6

Fox really dropped the ball here, they should have struck a new HD-Master

In pq comparison how would you rate it compared to say...blood diamond?

They did use a new master. I saw it projected at the Fox Small Theater on their backlot about a month ago. It was stunning. I'm not sure what it is you are seeing because nothing you are describing is anything like what I saw.

Hallo,

just fiinished watching "Master & Command" and I hate to tell you - in many scenes it does not look any better than an upscaled DVD; there just isnt any fine Detail in the picture; even when the Sun is shining it looks fuzzy and blurry - I may a bit hard here but after seeing how god POTC looked, this is utterly disappointing - no HD-Wow-Moments whatsoever; also the Grain does not look like Film-Grain (like we are used to with HD) but more like DVD-Grain with MPEG-Artefacts built in; Video-Rating: 3/6
Audio: this is probably the best 5.1-Mix I have heard all year - reference all the way - nuff said; Audio-Rating: 6/6
Extra: why did Fox didnt port over the 3+ Hours of Material from the 2-Disc-DVD-Set? All we get are deleted scenes, a trivia-track and a map that shows you where the ships are at any given time in the movie
Extras-Rating: 2/6

Fox really dropped the ball here, they should have struck a new HD-Master

Also this movies isn't out already, is it?

It seems to be out in EU, is this EU version?

The 1.5 Mbp/s DTS from the DTheater sounded insane, so the DTSMA should indeed be off the charts.

cant wait to hear the canons fire in DTS HD Master

You have over 6000 posts here and have never seen a European komma?

were those c(k)ommas or 'decimal points'? :D i didnt understand it either.

They did use a new master. I saw it projected at the Fox Small Theater on their backlot about a month ago. It was stunning. I'm not sure what it is you are seeing because nothing you are describing is anything like what I saw.

Maybe they're saving that for the US version?:confused:

did not realiase it was out either

Disappointed that they didn't port over the amazing extras from the DVD special edition. I have the one w/ the map that I bought on release day, and I'll be keeping that unless they release the identical extras on Blu-Ray. It's so disappointing how Fox treats their catalog releases. No extras and $40 retail. I'll wait until Fry's has this for $13.99.

my package just arrived,. to test my new canton speakers :)

MASTER & COMMANDER and THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW....... (from holland)
(uk version are also delayed till february..)

can't wait to hear both in DTS HD MA, DTS 1.5 alone was insane :)

Marek

The OP's comments on the PQ may be true.

http://www.areadvd.de/blu-ray_disc-reviews/2007/Master_and_Commander_BD.shtml

no extras from deluxe edition..no way..no sale

It's DOUBLE DIPPING MFING FOX buddy.

hmmm

according to that link the AUDIO TRACK in english causes a BIG BANG !!!!

http://www.areadvd.de/blu-ray_disc-reviews/2007/Master_and_Commander_BD.shtml

Wer den Film im englischen Original betrachtet, sollte aufpassen: Bei der Wiedergabe des DTS HD Master-Audio-Tracks als DTS HD-Bitstream ereignete sich bei unserer Blu-ray Disc bei Laufzeit 17:24 min. ein lauter Knall von der linken Seite. Dieser war bei PCM-konvertierter Tonausgabe und auf der deutschen Tonspur nicht zu hören.


i've beenreading more about it and it seems the problem happens when sending the DTS MA audio via bitstream (HDMI) and certain recievers ....

so careful ... dont want to destroy your speakers ;-)

It would be ridiculous to NOT AWARD M & C REFERENCE STATUS for AQ.

hmmm

according to that link the AUDIO TRACK in english causes a BIG BANG !!!!

http://www.areadvd.de/blu-ray_disc-reviews/2007/Master_and_Commander_BD.shtml

Wer den Film im englischen Original betrachtet, sollte aufpassen: Bei der Wiedergabe des DTS HD Master-Audio-Tracks als DTS HD-Bitstream ereignete sich bei unserer Blu-ray Disc bei Laufzeit 17:24 min. ein lauter Knall von der linken Seite. Dieser war bei PCM-konvertierter Tonausgabe und auf der deutschen Tonspur nicht zu hören.


i've beenreading more about it and it seems the problem happens when sending the DTS MA audio via bitstream (HDMI) and certain recievers ....

so careful ... dont want to destroy your speakers ;-)

That is the reason the US release is delayed. Faulty DTS decoder chips cause problems.

I hope the US release gets tons of extras.

I am beginning to get a feeling that Fox/MGM were already ready with Ronin, Commando, Predator, Master and Commander, ID4, Smith, Cast Away, I,Robot etc but bumped the release dates possibly due to BD+ or incorrect release timing. This along with their stringent policies on double dipping might be the biggest reason for the no-show of extras too.

Well, that wouldn't matter, because ID4 should already be up on torrents, given that it has been released in Europe and Japan.

I think some of the movies were moved to strengthen the blu-ray release schedule next year, or at least move the titles to a period where people might be more apt to pay full price for them.

no extras from deluxe edition..no way..no sale

I wish someone with industry connections would ask a Fox executive point-blank why they are releasing these catalog titles practically barebones, leaving so many worthwhile extras sitting on the shelf.

The M&C 2-disc SE is one of the nicest Fox ever put out. I don't understand why they would put this out on Blu-ray with only a handful of deleted scenes and a freaking trivia track. Even if it was a space issue on the disc (which I doubt), why not make it a 2-disc set?

This could have been one of their showcase BD releases, but now it's just another placeholder for the inevitable double-dip.

one of fox's reasoning is many ppl who would buy their catalog titles already own the latest dvd edition with all the extras. since all bd players play dvds, there's no reason to put it on the bd release.

one of fox's reasoning is many ppl who would buy their catalog titles already own the latest dvd edition with all the extras. since all bd players play dvds, there's no reason to put it on the bd release.


That's not an acceptable excuse.

That's not an acceptable excuse.

Fox executives thoughtfully disagree with you, I'm so-oooo sure.....;) They're the greediest of the greedy, IMO. Their every action or inaction portrays and displays such from where I sit. Surely that's acceptable to ya....? ;) :)

Has anyone tried the DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio soundtrack on this disc? You need a compatible receiver to do so.

Getting horrible reviews for PQ on German sites :(

http://www.blurayreviews.ch/reviews/master-and-commander-blu-ray-review.htm
http://www.areadvd.de/blu-ray_disc-reviews/2007/Master_and_Commander_BD.shtml

Fox announced their Q1 releases at CES and Master & Commander was not on the list, wasnt this supposed to be out in Feb? This will be the third time it has been delayed.

Hopefully they are redoing the transfer.

I wish someone with industry connections would ask a Fox executive point-blank why they are releasing these catalog titles practically barebones, leaving so many worthwhile extras sitting on the shelf.

The M&C 2-disc SE is one of the nicest Fox ever put out. I don't understand why they would put this out on Blu-ray with only a handful of deleted scenes and a freaking trivia track. Even if it was a space issue on the disc (which I doubt), why not make it a 2-disc set?

This could have been one of their showcase BD releases, but now it's just another placeholder for the inevitable double-dip.

Maybe the reason for the delay?

Hopefully they are redoing the transfer.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze:D

BD looks ever so slightly brighter but everything else looks like a draw. I'm getting this one for the sound and story!

I'm not double dipping if the PQ isn't much better than the SD DVD.

one of fox's reasoning is many ppl who would buy their catalog titles already own the latest dvd edition with all the extras. since all bd players play dvds, there's no reason to put it on the bd release.

If that's their reasoning, then they should should REDUCE THE MSRP and give us a multiple disc case so we can store our older SD-DVD w/extras.

It's just completely stupid that all this space (50gb) is available and no extras! :mad:

so, we can not expect this released on BD on FEB 5th?

According to Blockbuster.com , my copy just shipped today:

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-Ray]2003PG13Blu-ray04/29/200805/01/2008

Searched that site and didn't even see it available to order. Thanks anyway and I'll check another time. What was the price by the way?