After searching through a couple dozen or so Phantom threads, I'm well aware of the sound level issue and posters who have expressed their desire for another release with the problem fixed. I don't think I've found it, but considering I'd like to buy a copy for a Phantom fan or two in the family, I don't understand what Warner Home Video is doing with the HD-DVD version(s) they show on their site.

Page 4 of their list (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/browsesearchtitles.jsp?functionmode=11&currentpagenumber=4&total=110&formatType=HD-DVD&formatType=HD-DVD) shows a PG-13 Phantom (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=30548) and an NR Phantom: Special Edition (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=14380), each with their own INFO button, unique OID values, and slight differences in description (primarily of audio tracks). If you add one of each to your shopping cart, you don't see separate entries in the cart, and the cart contents provide no links back to product pages.

Thus far, the other sites I've searched list only 1 version in HD-DVD. They show an ASIN value but I haven't found a way to correlate it with WHV's OID values (Warner doesn't show the ASINs). It's been over a week since I emailed WHV about the issues and I've gotten absolutely nothing back except a meaningless autoreply. I checked their site again today and nothing's changed, so I'm not certain whether there's actually two versions, or which one I'd actually receive if ordered. :(

Why do companies offer email for customer service if they're just going to ignore current and potential customers who write to them? :mad::mad::mad:

Since WHV can't be bothered to clear things up, would others here be kind enough to share what you know, especially if you ordered yours from WHV? Is there really more than 1 HD-DVD version? What about the audio tracks on yours vs. WHV's descriptions? Any clarification would be appreciated.

After searching through a couple dozen or so Phantom threads, I'm well aware of the sound level issue and posters who have expressed their desire for another release with the problem fixed. I don't think I've found it, but considering I'd like to buy a copy for a Phantom fan or two in the family, I don't understand what Warner Home Video is doing with the HD-DVD version(s) they show on their site.

Page 4 of their list (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/browsesearchtitles.jsp?functionmode=11&currentpagenumber=4&total=110&formatType=HD-DVD&formatType=HD-DVD) shows a PG-13 Phantom (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=30548) and an NR Phantom: Special Edition (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=14380), each with their own INFO button, unique OID values, and slight differences in description (primarily of audio tracks). If you add one of each to your shopping cart, you don't see separate entries in the cart, and the cart contents provide no links back to product pages.

Thus far, the other sites I've searched list only 1 version in HD-DVD. They show an ASIN value but I haven't found a way to correlate it with WHV's OID values (Warner doesn't show the ASINs). It's been over a week since I emailed WHV about the issues and I've gotten absolutely nothing back except a meaningless autoreply. I checked their site again today and nothing's changed, so I'm not certain whether there's actually two versions, or which one I'd actually receive if ordered. :(

Why do companies offer email for customer service if they're just going to ignore current and potential customers who write to them? :mad::mad::mad:

Since WHV can't be bothered to clear things up, would others here be kind enough to share what you know, especially if you ordered yours from WHV? Is there really more than 1 HD-DVD version? What about the audio tracks on yours vs. WHV's descriptions? Any clarification would be appreciated.


There is only 1 HD DVD version, period. As for contacting WHV customer service via email, goodluck! Worst customer service I've ever seen, the email is literally a dead end, and even on the phone they arent any better. I did very much enjoy the sound on the HD DVD version, btw.

Appreciate the reply. Does yours include a music-only track as described in the PG-13 "regular" one, or is it more like the Special Edition description audio-wise?

I did very much enjoy the sound on the HD DVD version, btw. +1

I don't believe they have changed/fixed the low audio problem. It is a big deal to me. Although the audio tracks sound great, when I turn my amp up loud enough I hear a lot of hiss which hurts the experience. I actually got the Blu-ray version as a resolve via the 5 free disc offer. The Blu-ray version does not have a low audio problem.

Mark

When you hook up the disc with a new 1.3a player and receiver via bitstream DD+ or True HD the low audio problem vanishes as it does with last samurai. Volume increases 15db.

When you hook up the disc with a new 1.3a player and receiver via bitstream DD+ or True HD the low audio problem vanishes as it does with last samurai. Volume increases 15db.

Can I get a second confirmation on this. Not that I'm gonna go buy a HDMI 1.3a receiver, but it's good to know.

So, if I use a pre 1.3a HDMI receiver where the audio is converted in the player and goes down HDMI as PCM it still has low volume? I haven't tried it with my newer receiver. Plus, isn't it only the A-35 that will pass the advanced codecs?

Mark

There is only 1 HD DVD version, period. As for contacting WHV customer service via email, goodluck! Worst customer service I've ever seen, the email is literally a dead end, and even on the phone they arent any better. I did very much enjoy the sound on the HD DVD version, btw.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think I know the reason that there are 2 versions listed. The non special edition is the non-combo version of the movie. When you see "Special Edition" listed on the WHV site for HD DVD it usually means that it is the combo, the other version listed without the SE tag is the non combo version. There are no differences as far as features go though.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think I know the reason that there are 2 versions listed. The non special edition is the non-combo version of the movie. When you see "Special Edition" listed on the WHV site for HD DVD it usually means that it is the combo, the other version listed without the SE tag is the non combo version. There are no differences as far as features go though.

There has never been a combo version of Phantom of the Opera ever released.

There has never been a combo version of Phantom of the Opera ever released.

Cough Thank Gawd for that IMO :)

Cough Thank Gawd for that IMO :)

I agree. The less combos the better. :D

There has never been a combo version of Phantom of the Opera ever released.

Opps :o sorry, I know they have done this before though it as the case now. Sorry for the confusion people.

What people have said before is correct though it is the same exact release, if you take a look at the link the UPC for the movie is the same.

When you hook up the disc with a new 1.3a player and receiver via bitstream DD+ or True HD the low audio problem vanishes as it does with last samurai. Volume increases 15db.

This, and the fact that others do like the soundtrack, is nice to know since I'm waiting for shipment of just such a receiver. Nonetheless, by my prefacing remarks in the OP, I hope to focus this thread away from the sound level issue already covered in one or more other threads specifically on that topic.

. . . if you take a look at the link the UPC for the movie is the same.

I've examined those two WHV links thoroughly and have never seen a UPC code. Which link are you referring to?

While I have neither playback problems nor strong opinions regarding combo discs, I don't especially need their portablility between players, IMO their only significant advantage. I would prefer more content/extras for my additional HD dollars. Since the informed consensus seems to be that only one HD-DVD version is currently available, I presume (for now) the Features AV Info from the cover art is accurate, and the related info from Warner's pages should be ignored completely.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=95911&stc=1&d=1196865448

Can I get a second confirmation on this. Not that I'm gonna go buy a HDMI 1.3a receiver, but it's good to know.

So, if I use a pre 1.3a HDMI receiver where the audio is converted in the player and goes down HDMI as PCM it still has low volume? I haven't tried it with my newer receiver. Plus, isn't it only the A-35 that will pass the advanced codecs?

Mark

I can confirm this as well....im using an A-35 and an Onkyo 705 and via bitstreaming the audio is just fine.

Can I get a second confirmation on this. Not that I'm gonna go buy a HDMI 1.3a receiver, but it's good to know.
I can confirm it as well. I recently upgraded to a Toshiba XA2 and Onkyo 705 Receiver. When passing 5.1 ch PCM I had to turn the volume up to around +5 for POTO, much higher than other HD DVDs or input sources. Bitstreaming the True HD soundtrack I only need to go around -10. That was a pleasant surprise. The strange thing is that the volume level difference doesn't seem to be as extreme with other HD DVDs I tried. Bitstreaming is consistently louder, but not by that much. Maybe the internal mixing used for PCM output is part of the low volume problem on the early Warner discs.