So is THIS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B00008PC2O) version still considered the best? I ask that because I have Term 1 & 3 Blu on preorder at Amazon and if the Term 2 Blu version is better than the PC version I'll buy that instead.

The BD is better than any DVD. But if you own an HDDVD player I would recommend the french import. A little better than the BD.

So is THIS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B00008PC2O) version still considered the best? I ask that because I have Term 1 & 3 Blu on preorder at Amazon and if the Term 2 Blu version is better than the PC version I'll buy that instead.

It's a little better. I know one of the German companies is releasing a version with a brand new redone master on HD DVD soon. I'm not sure if they're doing a blu ray version as well. If so I'd check it out (or if you're format neutral get the French HD DVD version MUCH better PQ/AQ and both the theatrical and extended cut to boot)

The BD is better than any DVD. But if you own an HDDVD player I would recommend the french import. A little better than the BD.

I think he was talking about the WMV HD version of T2 that was on the second disc of the extreme edition

The BD is better than any DVD.
Wow, you don't say? Tell us more.

I think he was talking about the WMV HD version of T2 that was on the second disc of the extreme editionCorrect. I said "PC", I thought I made myself fairly clear.

At at any rate let's see if I can find a way to play it, since I can't seem to resolve an error with the software that comes with it (or the updated latest version).

Nevermind, I got it working and it looks excellent. Unfortunately the provided player's interface sucks but it beats paying for the movie again.

the extreme edition servers don't even work anymore... or at least not with VISTA or media player 11. Tried to play this last time but could not get the DRM to work or download from the servers.... so save yourself the money and time.

and no this is not the best version out there. its 1440x1080p @6mbps with 440kbps WMA 5.1 audio. The BLU Ray or the HD DVD are way much better.

The Blu Ray is better then the WMV version. I have them both.

-Brian

The French/UK HD DVD is the best version right now. Slightly better than the BD. Xylon did some comparisons a while ago between the HD/BD/WMV.

The French/UK HD DVD is the best version right now. Slightly better than the BD. Xylon did some comparisons a while ago between the HD/BD/WMV.

Not to mention the French/UK HD DVD is the Extended edition of the movie.

There is a new HD version of T2 set for release on HD DVD in Germany in the coming months. It's called Ultimate Edition and it has alot of HD DVD owners wanting it cause it's set to be full of special features including interactivity and web-enabled features.

Here is a video from a presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A4UKRwSZZo

Thats interesting it says new 7.1 audio track....I wonder if this will be in english language or german ?

I picked up the Extreme edition DVD/WMV at Walmart in the bargain bin over the summer for $5.

Probably some still mixed in the $5 bins.

Also, all the Rambo Ultimate editions were $5, though DVD only.

I sold my Rambo ultimate edition DVD's on eBay for the equivalent of $20 each not including postage costs....I couldn't believe my luck as 2 people tried to outbid each other....I didn't even pay that when i bought them brand new.

So any info on that 7.1 audio track for Terminator 2 anyone ?

the extreme edition servers don't even work anymore... or at least not with VISTA or media player 11. Tried to play this last time but could not get the DRM to work or download from the servers.... so save yourself the money and time.

and no this is not the best version out there. its 1440x1080p @6mbps with 440kbps WMA 5.1 audio. The BLU Ray or the HD DVD are way much better.

The DRM-stripped files are out there if you really must have them. I combined all of them into one huge file and use it as demo material through my 360. It looks just as good as an HD-DVD does on my setup.

the extreme edition servers don't even work anymore... or at least not with VISTA or media player 11. Tried to play this last time but could not get the DRM to work or download from the servers.... so save yourself the money and time.

and no this is not the best version out there. its 1440x1080p @6mbps with 440kbps WMA 5.1 audio. The BLU Ray or the HD DVD are way much better.I played it on Vista Home x64 and it worked fine, downloaded all the licenses, etc, etc, so I must be imagining things...

What difference is if it's 1920x1080p or 1440x1080p if it comes from a superior transfer? As for the audio, well, OK, it's not lossless, but it is 24bit/96kHz and sounds pretty good. It would be nice if I could see a direct comparison of the two versions, like DVDBeaver does.

The HD version is all well and good, but since I can't play it let's put it aside for the moment, and given the choice between the Blu and the PC version, is the PC version still better?

I have the WMV-HD version, as well as both the BD and the HD DVD (French Import) releases. I would rank them (in order from best to worst) as follows:

1. HD DVD
2. BD
3. WMV-HD

YMMV, but if you only have BD, I'd get the BD version (as opposed to the SD DVD that has the WMV-HD version.) If you own both formats, I would get the HD DVD import. If you're nuts like me, get them all.

Thanks. I'll hold off a bit and see if I can grab the Blu version off Amazon or Half for cheap. Running out of money, the WMV version will do for the moment.

Does the French version have any issues with speed-up? I know this movie like the back of my hand and if it sounds even slightly funkdified, I'm going to be upset.

Does the French version have any issues with speed-up?
Nope. The audio is fine. Nothing like Total Recall or the others with the pitch issue.

The theatrical version has forced subtitles (you can move them, but you can't turn them off,) but the special edition version is fine.

I have the WMV-HD version, as well as both the BD and the HD DVD (French Import) releases. I would rank them (in order from best to worst) as follows:

1. HD DVD
2. BD
3. WMV-HD

YMMV, but if you only have BD, I'd get the BD version (as opposed to the SD DVD that has the WMV-HD version.) If you own both formats, I would get the HD DVD import. If you're nuts like me, get them all.

out of curiousity (being that you own all 3) how much better is the HD DVD version than the liongsgate BD???

Nope. The audio is fine. Nothing like Total Recall or the others with the pitch issue.

The theatrical version has forced subtitles (you can move them, but you can't turn them off,) but the special edition version is fine.

Ahhhh, as they say on the Feud...good answer...good answer! :)

out of curiousity (being that you own all 3) how much better is the HD DVD version than the liongsgate BD???
The main motivator behind me buying the import version after owning the BD was the inclusion of the special edition cut. I was very happy with the BD version and wouldn't have ordered the import if it only offered the theatrical version.

That said, the HD DVD does look a little sharper and seems to be a little "cleaner" than the BD version (I'm pretty sure different masters were used.) You just get a little more of the fine detail with the HD DVD version. I'll warn you that I haven't really watched the BD version since getting the import, so my opinion is based on what I remember. I know Xylon posted some screenshot comparisons of the different versions, so that might help you decide which version to get.

Thats interesting it says new 7.1 audio track....I wonder if this will be in english language or german ?

I've imported a few German titles so far and they all have english tracks on them for the feature film but the special features have been german. I am hoping since this is somewhat hyped, they will have english tracks for special features as well..

I am waiting for the new German import, supposed to be released in March 08' last I heard. I have the DVD Xtreme edition and could never get that WMV version to work. I have seen Xylon's screen captures though, and both the BD and the current HD DVD import looked superior.

Supposedly the upcoming German release comes from a new HD master, and I have read some reports attesting that it looks beautiful.

I picked up the Extreme edition DVD/WMV at Walmart in the bargain bin over the summer for $5.

Yep, so did I. Good find.

I know this is probably a dumb question but I will ask anyway: Howcome the French import has better PQ than the US BD version? Why wouldn't they just make both just as good?

I bought the BD version in the US because there was no HD DVD version. I was dissappointed in the PQ of the BD version as it looked a bit soft/grainy. I usually prefer the HD DVD versions just because I can play them through the 360 add-on through the VGA cable and do 1:1 pixel mapping on the Bravia, that alone makes HD-DVDs look sharper on my setup. I can't do that on the BD player's HDMI, it forces scaling.

Why don't they release the HD DVD version here?

So is THIS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B00008PC2O) version still considered the best? I ask that because I have Term 1 & 3 Blu on preorder at Amazon and if the Term 2 Blu version is better than the PC version I'll buy that instead.

Bit starved, macroblocking galore. It served its purpose. The BD or Import HD DVD is solid and much, much better PQ.

I say all the versions are soft and not very detailed. The HD-DVD does look crisper but it also has some telltale signs of added EE (ringing on the black bars).

I'd wait for the inevitable Ultimate Extreme Edition with a New New transfer. Yes, New New. :D

I know this is probably a dumb question but I will ask anyway: Howcome the French import has better PQ than the US BD version? Why wouldn't they just make both just as good?

I bought the BD version in the US because there was no HD DVD version.

Why don't they release the HD DVD version here?

Reason #488 why HDM could fail- format exclusives by region...

The HDM war probably would end fairly quickly if all studios were format neutral in all regions. Then, the format with the most desired features, functions and price would prevail.

The artificial scarcity and regional format exclusivity only anger enthusiasts and will hurt HDM if it continues...

Maybe free trade isn't so bad after all ;)

I know this is probably a dumb question but I will ask anyway: Howcome the French import has better PQ than the US BD version? Why wouldn't they just make both just as good?

I bought the BD version in the US because there was no HD DVD version. I was dissappointed in the PQ of the BD version as it looked a bit soft/grainy. I usually prefer the HD DVD versions just because I can play them through the 360 add-on through the VGA cable and do 1:1 pixel mapping on the Bravia, that alone makes HD-DVDs look sharper on my setup. I can't do that on the BD player's HDMI, it forces scaling.

Why don't they release the HD DVD version here?

Two different companies were behind the different releases (Lionsgate for BD, Studio Canal for HD DVD.) In the U.S., Lionsgate owns the rights to T2, so they're the only ones able to release it here. In France, Studio Canal owns the rights. While a lack of region coding can be a double-edged sword at times, it's nice in cases like this.

As for why the versions look different, it's likely that there were two different masters used. There were also different codecs used and different people encoding the discs, which could have affected the quality one way or the other. Keep in mind, I'm only guessing/speculating/assuming here.

As for Mr. Doom & Gloom's response above this, keep this in mind: he doesn't actually own a player (for either format.)

As for Mr. Doom & Gloom's response above this, keep this in mind: he doesn't actually own a player (for either format.)

Correct.

As for the Doom & Gloom moniker, I guess my posts since the release of HDM *have* been on the less-than-positive side. But as someone who has been in the HT/video game for a *long* time, and been through the struggle since 1997 to achieve the capabilities we enjoy with DVD on HTPC's (buying my first PC DVD-ROM/MPEG2 decoder card kit in 1997), having these capabilities rescinded has left a bad taste in a lot of avs member's mouths.

Up until the introduction of DVD, it seemed the industry (CE's and video software publishers) were on *our* side.

But since 2000 or so, the CE's and publishers have done everything in their power to restrict, control ,and rescind functionality.

So, throw me a bone- we've taken the hard knocks to be cynical and jaded ;).

But as someone who has been in the HT/video game for a *long* time, and been through the struggle since 1997 to achieve the capabilities we enjoy with DVD on HTPC's, having these capabilities rescinded has left a bad taste in a lot of avs member's mouths.
Are you referring to ripping DVDs to your computer? You do realize that the studios don't allow you to do that, right? It's accomplished by defeating the copy protection. The promise of managed copy would allow those with HTPCs and media servers to have their digital copies legitimately, but we'll have to see if that ever pans out.
Up until the introduction of DVD, it seemed the industry (CE's and video software publishers) were on *our* side.
Please. CE's and video software publishers have never been on any other side but their own.
But since 2000 or so, the CE's and publishers have done everything in their power to restrict, control ,and rescind functionality.
Even VHS tapes had a form of copy protection that the studios could - and many times did - use.

HDM is a way for the studios to at least try to get back control of their product (the movies that thirteen year olds are sharing online right now, thanks to the ease of ripping DVDs,) while at the same time providing improved PQ, AQ, and interactivity.
So, throw me a bone- we've taken the hard knocks to be cynical and jaded ;).
I don't know - from here it just seems like you're crapping on things (HDM) that others are enjoying and you don't own. Imo, that's treading a fine line between being "cynical and jaded" and trolling.

Out of curiosity, do you have any real-world experience with either format or are your opinions based soley on what you've seen in stores and read on forums?

Out of curiosity, do you have any real-world experience with either format or are your opinions based soley on what you've seen in stores and read on forums?

Already answered- I don't own either format.

To keep the thread on topic, I won't continue with an off topic DRM debate- apologies to the OP.

I think that's only the second time I've ever been accused of trolling anywhere on the internet. The first time was earlier this year in a Vista vs Linux thread in the HTPC forum here, from an MS developer/ Vista proponent. Interesting parallel.

Already answered- I don't own either format.
There are other ways besides just owning the player yourself, but I'll take that as an affirmation that you have no real experience.

To keep the thread on topic, I won't continue with an off topic DRM debate- apologies to the OP.
That's convenient - you bring it up and then drop it when challenged. Nice.

I think that's only the second time I've ever been accused of trolling anywhere on the internet. The first time was earlier this year in a Vista vs Linux thread, from an MS developer/ Vista proponent. Interesting parallel.
Actually, I said you were treading a fine line. But hey, if the shoe fits...

I'm not the one disparaging HDM in the HDM areas of AVS. I've seen you list reasons why DVD is good enough, I've seen you list reasons why you think HDM will fail. If you don't own the products, you think DVD is good enough, and you think HDM will likely fail, why are you posting here at all? It's like going to a Porsche forum and listing reasons why Toyotas are good enough.

Frankly, imo, anyone who doesn't own the format(s) being discussed should be limited to asking questions only. I'm sure that's not a popular point of view, but that's the way I feel.

I've seen you list reasons why DVD is good enough, I've seen you list reasons why you think HDM will fail. .

Why is this disparaging to HDM?

I didn't start the "Plain Ole DVD is Good Enough" thread.

Lots of people posted there. Are they on your "do not post" list?

Why is this disparaging to HDM?
Main Entry: dis·par·age
Pronunciation: \di-ˈsper-ij, -ˈspa-rij\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): dis·par·aged; dis·par·ag·ing
Etymology: Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, disparage, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer
Date: 14th century
1 : to lower in rank or reputation : degrade
2 : to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about

I didn't start the "Plain Ole DVD is Good Enough" thread.
Never said you did.
Lots of people posted there. Are they on your "do not post" list?
The ones who don't own a player for either player would be, though I have to point out that you have misunderstood my post again. It's not a "do not post" list - it's a "post only questions until you have real-world experience behind your opinions" rule. I would apply it to the entire site, if it were up to me (which, of course, it's not.) For example, in the projector area, you would only be allowed to ask questions until you actually owned and used a projector yourself.

In this thread-
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948045

rlsmith recommends the DVD SE release of A Christmas Story, over an HDM release, slighting the HDM version.

Should rlsmith be banned from posting in this forum?

In this thread-
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948045

rlsmith recommends the DVD SE release of A Christmas Story, over an HDM release, slighting the HDM version.

Should rlsmith be banned from posting in this forum?

Wow. You're really not understanding this, are you? rlsmith has a BD player and actually watched A Christmas Story on BD. I consider his opinion (which I don't share, btw) valid because it's based on actually owning the technology and seeing it for himself. He's not just repeating what he read on a website, he's giving an informed opinion. Of course, if you read what he posted, the only reason he recommended the SD DVD over the BD is because he likes the non-OAR version better than the OAR version (again, an opinion I don't share.) That's hardly "slighting the HDM version."

Plus, I never once suggested that anyone be "banned from posting in this forum." I suggested limiting their posts to questions only.

Time out.