Objectives:

1. The usual DVD vs HD comparisons from various versions.

2. The UK Goblet Of Fire HD DVD import released last year against the new release. Its has been indicated that Warner is using the new VC-1 tools that may yield more improvement to PQ.

3. A visual aid to help users with web enabled features of the Order Of The Phoenix HD DVD.


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/ed633824.jpg


Please note some pictures are taken off from my PJ at 120" screen. They are for illustrative purposes only.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/58ea3324.png

First make sure you update the firmware of you player to the latest version. Take note I am using the Toshiba A1 player, the FW version number will vary from player to player. Please click on one of the sticky threads for more info.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/31f7abec.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/9ecc6015.png

This is the settings I use. My player is hooked up to a Netgear gigabit switch which is turn connected to my router. DHCP ON, DNS ON and PROXY setting off. PRESS CONFIRM then OK.

Ok, now that you are connected online here is the interactive features you get.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/1a92a62d.png

To get access to this stuff you first have to register.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/298ed511.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/6fac93bf.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/3ac9528e.png

Easy setup and straightforward. This feature may not be essential to AVS'r but for my nieces and nephews it has potential and they are an avid Potter fan :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/69ba2bc3.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/9ff5d72f.png

Only for Potter fans :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/6eeeecfc.png

Yup, definitely for diehard fans :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/e47911c5.png

Personally I love this feature from HD DVDs. Its much more satisfying than just listening to the commentary.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/7e9dd170.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/96657b4b.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/74a77b32.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/3547096e.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/1c572d43.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/3f57f7a3.jpg

If you want to see some of the extra features in full HD you will have to puchase or rent the BD version of the movie or import the UK version. The UK version is the most complete with IME AND extras in HD.

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/105974/0/Hp5extrahddvd2.pnghttp://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/105973/0/Hp5extrabd2.png

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/105972/0/Hp5extrahddvd1.pnghttp://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/105971/0/Hp5extrabd1.png

ALOT of people are getting nervous over nothing.The ONLY movie whose content is going to differ depending on format/UK/US versions is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.Here's the breakdown based on what i know(other's may have more to add):

1.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on US HD-DVD is a combo disc and will have all extras in standard definition(480p) as well as the "In-movie expirience".

2.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix UK HD-DVD is a 2 disc set that has the extras(most) in 1080p,has an extra documentary, and also has the "in-movie expirience" on the first disc.All content regardless of encoding is the same sans the extra documentary on the 2nd disc.

3.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Blu-ray disc also has the extras in 1080p BUT does not have the "in-movie experience" found on the UK and US HD-DVD versions.Beyond that, the content is the same.

Besides the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire HD-DVD also having the "in-movie experience" also(both UK and US versions), content is just about identical between the HD-DVD and the BRD versions of the first 3 movies(all versions/encodes).*The HD-DVD version of HPatOotP also contains 3 web enabled features that the BlueRay version does not include.

Hope this helped.

Helped a lot, thanks Tezs :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/8331374b.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/587e9a5e.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/ea85a037.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/be4a1218.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/95d37e9f.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/5ad5500b.png

The best looking Potter movie so far. Noticeably sharper than the UK Goblet of Fire reference PQ disc from last year and that is saying a lot. In the 3rd act where Dumbledore's Army is in the Ministry and battling the Death Eaters, if you are using a large screen viewing set (projectors with large screens), it almost fell like you are watching this again on IMAX 3D ;) No obvious artifacts to be seen and blacks are as good as it can get with no discernable banding observed :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/ace149ad.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/bcd650c8.png

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106013/0/Hpazkabandvd1.pnghttp://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106014/0/Hpazkabanhddvd1.png

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106015/0/Hpchamberdvd2.pnghttp://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106016/0/Hpchamberhddvd2.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/18b65dca.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/435d1491.png

reservedatedational

reserved

Xylon!
Where ees eet Man!

Agreed. Can't wait for ths one.

I want to try out that community screening feature sometime. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has an HD-DVD player (along with HP5 HD-DVD).

This looks so cool. Someone is going to have to start a community screening party thread so we AVSers can get together and play. :)


...I wonder how many max you can have in a party?

Wait so community screening allows you to stream the video to other registered users as long as they have an HD-DVD player? Thats kinda cool.

Or is it that you watch your own copy on your own player on someone elses schedule?
And if one of the discs skips does yours do the same?
Who would that appeal to at all?

Wait so community screening allows you to stream the video to other registered users as long as they have an HD-DVD player? Thats kinda cool.

Or is it that you watch your own copy on your own player on someone elses schedule?
And if one of the discs skips does yours do the same?
Who would that appeal to at all?

Everyone has to have the disc as well as a player.

It's a cool gimick, a "proof of technology."

nice work so far!!!

I can't wait to see more pics!

That's the one thing about Christmas that is not fun..waiting. I bought this HD DVD for my wife for Christmas but have to wait for Christmas to give it to her before I can check out the cool features for myself.

I really want to view the IME on my UK disc but it won't play on my A1 (nor anyone elses A1 who imported it). I think i'm going to cave and buy the movie again. Gahh....

Order of the Pheonix PQ-wise looks absolutely solid. Can't wait to see how the others fare up.

I really want to view the IME on my UK disc but it won't play on my A1 (nor anyone elses A1 who imported it). I think i'm going to cave and buy the movie again. Gahh....

You can't play the UK import on A1?

Look at all the things HD DVD can do: favorite scene manipulation, "community screenings," IME/UControl (which look like they're the same now, as opposed to old IME where it was either on or off), downloading ring tones, wallpapers, etc...

Look at all the things HD DVD can do: favorite scene manipulation, "community screenings," IME/UControl (which look like they're the same now, as opposed to old IME where it was either on or off), downloading ring tones, wallpapers, etc...

Hold on your horses right there ;)

All these "community features" including the download of ring tones, wallpapers... are very suspect to me.

Have you actually used them? It takes almost 10 minutes (!!) to get an account created (try to type username, password (twice) and other personal infos with your remote control...), endless wait for each function - and this is with a XA2 with isn't even the slowest player out there...

I spent about 40 minutes with the so-called community features of Hereos - doing the very same thing online on a web portal would have taken 5 minutes max. - I will never touch these "online features" again. Why studios put all these stuff on the discs instead of just making a website for computer access is beyond me - well marketing reasons is a proper answer I guess.

Case study: See how long it takes for somebody to access the online features of a given HDM disc, create an account and download a single - lets say - Harry Potter ring tone. Now try to accomplish the same thing with your computer over the internet. And now let's answer the question: Is there a mass market for this?

Xylon, can't wait to see your caps for last years UK Goblet & this new US encode version. :)

Hold on your horses right there ;)

All these "community features" including the download of ring tones, wallpapers... are very suspect to me.

Have you actually used them? It takes almost 10 minutes (!!) to get an account created (try to type username, password (twice) and other personal infos with your remote control...), endless wait for each function - and this is with a XA2 with isn't even the slowest player out there...

I spent about 40 minutes with the so-called community features of Hereos - doing the very same thing online on a web portal would have taken 5 minutes max. - I will never touch these "online features" again. Why studios put all these stuff on the discs instead of just making a website for computer access is beyond me - well marketing reasons is a proper answer I guess.

Case study: See how long it takes for somebody to access the online features, create an account and download a single - lets say - Harry Potter ring tone. Now try to accomplish the same thing with your computer over the internet. And now let's answer the question: Is there a mass market for this?

Have I downloaded ringtones yet or created an account or done any "community features" with any of these titles yet? No. Have I experienced how long or tedious they are? Nope, not yet.

But I have downloaded some clips and just recently got menu bots to work with Transformers. They were quite painless, actually. And while not earth-shattering content wise, still pretty slick as a concept.

Whether or not you, or I, or anyone here, believes it's too arduous a task to do any of these things is irrelevant at this point. The studios think it's a nifty concept right now. And BD as a format does too or they would have stopped at profile 1.0 long ago.

the comparison shots from ootp in the tunnel... very nice... REALLY shows the difference

One thing I didn't see in the quoted block that I've been trying to find out for a while now - the UK version of OotP has all the US extras (and more), but does the UK version have the community screening feature? I thought that feature was introduced for the first time on the US version.

You can't play the UK import on A1?


The movie plays fine, as do all the special features (even web-enabled) but the IME gives a script error everytime. There are a bunch of us on the forum who can't get the IME to work with our A1's. Looks cool though. I might cave a buy it.

This is certainly not about HD DVD versus Blu-Ray again - both formats will end up with the same capability eventually. Point is just because you can do it doesn't mean there is any demand OR could be created a demand.

All these community and download features are nothing new - they exist on DVD for years now. You know - put a DVD into your PC and with many titles you have access to pretty much the same stuff that they try to sell here as "revolutionary interactivity" - with the key difference that it is so much more comfortable to do it on PCs than with HDM players and their remote controls. The outcome is the same - there never was any mainstream demand for it on DVD and I cannot see taking three steps back (-> horrible usability on HDM players compared to PCs) will suddenly create one...

But that's just me. Let's just see what happens.

Have I downloaded ringtones yet or created an account or done any "community features" with any of these titles yet? No. Have I experienced how long or tedious they are? Nope, not yet.

But I have downloaded some clips and just recently got menu bots to work with Transformers. They were quite painless, actually. And while not earth-shattering content wise, still pretty slick as a concept.

Whether or not you, or I, or anyone here, believes it's too arduous a task to do any of these things is irrelevant at this point. The studios think it's a nifty concept right now. And BD as a format does too or they would have stopped at profile 1.0 long ago.

This is certainly not about HD DVD versus Blu-Ray again - both formats will end up with the same capability eventually. Point is just because you can do it doesn't mean there is any demand OR could be created a demand.It doesn't mean the opposite either. Who would have thought 10 years ago that things like SMS, Myspace, or Youtube would generate billions of dollars in revenue? "Point is", if you do not even try to innovate you will never discover new opportunities. Personally, I think we have barely seen the tip of the iceberg when in comes to web-enabled features.

Another thing to consider is that some features may be aimed not at you but at a different target group, so they might be hugely successful even if you personally do not understand the appeal. That's the case with me and the Harry Potter hype, BTW, and I don't have a Myspace account either ... something to do with age, I guess. :p
All these community and download features are nothing new - they exist on DVD for years now. You know - put a DVD into your PC and with many titles you have access to pretty much the same stuff that they try to sell here as "revolutionary interactivity"Really? Can you name a single DVD title that allows synchronized viewing over the net, sharing favorite scenes with other owners, or seamlessly adding new viewing modes or menus after release?
with the key difference that it is so much more comfortable to do it on PCs than with HDM players and their remote controls. The outcome is the same - there never was any mainstream demand for it on DVD and I cannot see taking three steps back (-> horrible usability on HDM players compared to PCs) will suddenly create one...Here I agree. Entering text in particular is a pain. I don't understand why they don't simply put support for USB keyboards into the players. But then again, many young people today can enter text on a phone keypad faster than they can write with pencil and paper. :p

this a dumb question

but why the hell didn't warner make the HD-DVD a 2 disc edition like the UK version? This way HD-DVD would also have the 1080p extras.

There are way too many f-ups from these studios. How about taking some time and putting some effort into these releases?

That's because COMBOs would SELL only in the U.S which is hated and boycotted around the world.

TheLion
Hold on your horses right there

All these "community features" including the download of ring tones, wallpapers... are very suspect to me.

Have you actually used them? It takes almost 10 minutes (!!) to get an account created (try to type username, password (twice) and other personal infos with your remote control...), endless wait for each function - and this is with a XA2 with isn't even the slowest player out there...

I spent about 40 minutes with the so-called community features of Hereos - doing the very same thing online on a web portal would have taken 5 minutes max. - I will never touch these "online features" again. Why studios put all these stuff on the discs instead of just making a website for computer access is beyond me - well marketing reasons is a proper answer I guess.

Case study: See how long it takes for somebody to access the online features, create an account and download a single - lets say - Harry Potter ring tone. Now try to accomplish the same thing with your computer over the internet. And now let's answer the question: Is there a mass market for this?
And now you feel the need to thread crap everytime you see them mentioned?
What a shame.

That's because COMBOs would SELL only in the U.S which is hated and boycotted around the world.

This clearly shows how much you don't know.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/ea85a037.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/be4a1218.png

Simply stunning, thanks for the grabs Xylon.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f57c230e.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/92def641.png

That's because COMBOs would SELL only in the U.S which is hated and boycotted around the world.
I actually like the concept of combos, so do a lot of users not only in the US. Could you please stop spoiling threads in the HD DVD section with your baseless comments.

This is going to sound stupid, but I'm never read any of the books. What are the chances I would like the Harry Potter movies?

This is going to sound stupid, but I'm never read any of the books. What are the chances I would like the Harry Potter movies?

??? - If you haven't read any of the books - then it will just be like watching any other new movie.
(There's nothing in the movies that requires having read the books to understand.) There's no real way to answer whether you would like them or not unless you can list other movies that you liked / didn't like.

Have only watched 3 and 4 on HD-DVD so far, but I was very impressed with the PQ/AQ. Fun escape type movies, and these films seem especialy good during the holiday season.:)

If you're going to quote one of Xylon's posts, please cut the image tags.
That way we won't have redundant images that require a bunch of scrolling.

Forgot. Thanks Xylon.
I put your images in a slideshow and they make a great demo.

This is going to sound stupid, but I'm never read any of the books. What are the chances I would like the Harry Potter movies?

There's no need to previously have read the books to enjoy the movie at all. However I would suggest watching them in order as to not get mixed up. Whether you would like it or not, totally depends on your own personal taste and whether you like magical/dragons etc type of story lines. I think its a great family series that can be enjoyed by my kids and us adults at the same time.

I wonder if I have my TV set up inproperly.
That Icon at the top of the screen when watching the IME. I get is on my TV, but I only see the circle and the right arrow at the Far left of the screen. I don't see a left arrow.
Anybody else have this same issue (setup).

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/c0daef47.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/5b188467.png

Ive never read the books and i enjoy the movies. you may enjoy the movies more without having read the books as you wont know whats going to happen. :) Rent them and then buy them if you like. Renting is cheap. :)

Thanks. I kind of have a "general" idea of what the story lines are about, but having not read the books or watched the movies, I'm not sure of what movies would even compare to them to give me a baseline.

I agree I could always rent them, but since I don't have Netflix and no stores having HD DVDs for rent in my area kind of sucks.

Though the comparisons exhibits reasonable difference the overall PQ on 1 & 2 fall short in terms of WOW factor. Based upon the shots there is still room for improvement in 1 & 2 which Warner failed to catch up.

Great thread, thanks again Xylon.

Perfect example of how much an improvement HD is over SD is the display of "HOGWARTS EXPRESS" on the front of the train.

If you are unable to notice the difference there, have you eyes tested.

The SD version in illegible, yet the HD version is completely clear.

HD version is clear but there is still more room for improvement.

HD version is clear but there can be more room for improvement.

There is always room for improvement on all the HD releases including TIER 0 titles ;)

There is always room for improvement on all the HD releases including TIER 0 titles ;)

+1 :)

Thanx for the grabs Xylon.
FWIW, The Japanese version also has the extras and IME in HD.
Metalsaber,
I have read all of the books and comparing them to the movies I would say the movies are more consistent in their quality and more geared to a younger demographic.
OOTP was my least favorite with Half-Blood Prince being my favorite.
HBP could really be a blast visually as well an excellent story.

As someone else said if you prefer to be "surprised" by the movies then skip the books. If you'd like background on what is missing from the movies then read them.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/a8acfc37.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/38383dd6.png

Nice! I just have to say I appreciate all the screenshots that Xylon, Kram, and others put up like this. It's nice to see what we are getting.

and to post #12: "Damn him! Damn that man!" :D

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/2fe3d06b.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/c5535c47.png

Xylon is a BEAST. :D

Would love some shots comparing last year's UK Goblet HD DVD and the new U.S version. (reportedly the new U.S version has a new encode). :)

Take a closer look at the HD DVD version of the the above pix especially the backgrounds, the room wall, the different patterns on the bed sheets and other little details that will be impossible to see on a viewing set with wrong settings. In other words if you don't see them and think they are artifacts or macroblocking then your equipment needs proper calibration or a new set. I may be harsh but there is always the possibility that you viewing set can not resolve all the details in dark scenes. Goblet of Fire is an excellent reference disc because of its PQ consistency during dark scenes. You always see details and patterns instead of going completely solid black.

Xylon is a BEAST. :D

Would love some shots comparing last year's UK Goblet HD DVD and the new U.S version. (reportedly the new U.S version has a new encode). :)

Soon ;)

Soon ;)

Awesome! I have been holding off on getting the U.S. version. wanted to see or hear if there was much difference. HDD's reviewer noticed the U.S. version looking sharper...etc. The plot thickens. :)

BOGOs available on these HP titles at Amazon right now.

Damnit, I could have saved about $40 if this had happened earlier. Oh well.

I watched the first 4 yesterday and am about to go watch the 5th (tried to marathon but ran out of time...didn't realize these were all 2+ hrs) and I must say that I noticed a great PQ and AQ improvement with each movie. Sorcerer's Stone was kinda blah on PQ and then a huge improvement on Chamber and subtle improvement to Prisoner and Goblet which both looked amazing. I imagine that it is completely about the original material here. As popularity grew from movie to movie, the production became better as the budgets rose significantly (my guess) and the first probably just wasn't as polished because of a lower budget. Great movies, well worth the money, which would have been less if I would have waited 2-3 hours. Got them B2G1 @ BB and came home to find Amazon BOGO. Was too eager to watch them at that point to return them and wait another week, so what the heck it made for a great day.

All the Harry Potter individual movies are BOGO at amazon right now with about 30 other titles

Watching the first year last night and I saw very quick flashes of digital 'white noise' during the lighthouse scene and immediately after it. What I saw was so fast it is hard to describe ... The whole screen flashed a random, pixelated, white/purple/blue, 1080 mosaic. This happened 3 times, and it was so fast it couldn't have been more than a single frame.

This was in is the newly released US version that came in the silly trunk. Has anyone else seen this?

Watching the first year last night and I saw very quick flashes of digital 'white noise' during the lighthouse scene and immediately after it. What I saw was so fast it is hard to describe ... The whole screen flashed a random, pixelated, white/purple/blue, 1080 mosaic. This happened 3 times, and it was so fast it couldn't have been more than a single frame.

This was in is the newly released US version that came in the silly trunk. Has anyone else seen this?

Can you post the timestamps? Is it during a lightning strike? and raining? or did this happen indoors?

Well the Amazon BOGO really made my decision a bit easier about whether to purchase or not. 4 movies for $40.

I am trying to buy these movies and it seems like Order of the Phoenix is only available as a combo disc, is that correct? I would hate to have 4 on HD-DVD and one on Blu-Ray. I am buying individual discs not the box set for reference.

I am trying to buy these movies and it seems like Order of the Phoenix is only available as a combo disc, is that correct? I would hate to have 4 on HD-DVD and one on Blu-Ray. I am buying individual discs not the box set for reference.

Unfortunately it is a combo.

I am trying to buy these movies and it seems like Order of the Phoenix is only available as a combo disc, is that correct? I would hate to have 4 on HD-DVD and one on Blu-Ray. I am buying individual discs not the box set for reference.


You could get the imported (UK) version of Order of the Phoenix on HD DVD.

Got numerous requests and e-mails for more screenshots on Harry Potter (hmm I wonder why) from other forums I visit so Tim that new encode vs the old may have to wait till the weekend.

They actually took the time to write the timestamps LOL!

Got numerous requests and e-mails for more screenshots on Harry Potter (hmm I wonder why) from other forums I visit so Tim that new encode vs the old may have to wait till the weekend.

They actually took the time to write the timestamps LOL!

Well can you at least say if the new encode looks better IYO? Im thinking about picking this one up as my freebie with the Best Buy B2GO deal going on.

Well can you at least say if the new encode looks better IYO? Im thinking about picking this one up as my freebie with the Best Buy B2GO deal going on.

I haven't processed the UK import from last year so I dont have any preliminary observations yet.

^^

Well what is taking so long. Sheesh.

I will, will! LOL!

I will, will! LOL!I was kind of hoping you wouldn't. If I see an appreciable difference I will be compelled to double-dip.
One suggestion for a comparo would be the Dragon contest chapter and the end chapter with Voldemort in the graveyard.
Sorry I guess that's 2 suggestions.:o

I can't find the BOGO offer on Amazon.com. Anyone have a direct link? I just talked to a Amazon rep and he couldn't find the offer.

^^

It was right on the HD DVD home page.

*Edit* Looks like the Harry Potters are all gone.

amazing how much better they look. I'm glad i got the box.....

Watching the first year last night and I saw very quick flashes of digital 'white noise' during the lighthouse scene and immediately after it....
This was in the newly released US version that came in the silly trunk. Has anyone else seen this?

Can you post the timestamps? Is it during a lightning strike? and raining? or did this happen indoors?


Hmmm... Yes, it occurred the first time immediately after one of the lightening strikes, but it also happened when Harry was in the Alley. However, I cannot repeat it. So perhaps a firmware issue or something else in my A1. I'm updating my firmware to version 2.4...

Looks like the Harry Potters are all gone.

Check again - got em all in my cart (and I don't even have an HD DVD player yet :p).

Check again - got em all in my cart (and I don't even have an HD DVD player yet :p).


Must have been updated because at the time of my post it was a single page of titles and it didn't have any of the Harry Potter Movies. The list even started with Serenity. I'm glad they added them back in.

i like the comparison shots, but regular DVDs do not look THAT bad when they're upconverted.

Our eyes are easily fooled. But when viewed side-by-side with HD, you can easily discern the shortcomings of DVD.


i like the comparison shots, but regular DVDs do not look THAT bad when they're upconverted.



Its all about the extra details and resolution in high definition movies. The real one. Not the fake pseudo, almost, extra-processed,

near HD PQ of upconverted DVD images :)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/c4c4aabe.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f9e8e008.png

That has to be the sorryest looking DVD iv seen in sometime (pic above).....no wait, 1408 was pretty bad:rolleyes:

I usually watch HD DVDs via HDMI, but last night I started trying to watch HP (Year 2) via component cables. I got no picture when I set the resolution higher than 480P. I'm used to this non-sense when using SD DVDs, but thought we could play HD DVDs via analog at higher resolutions. I don't own that many commercial HD DVDs, so I cannot check all the HD DVDs I've played in the past, but I'm sure I've been able to use both analog or digital cables with all of them in the past.

I make my own 3x HD DVDs and they are sometimes 720P or sometimes 1080I. I'm trying remove HDMI from my system as much as possible because I hate the screen flashing during the hand-shaking sequence when I change resolutions.

I'm trying remove HDMI from my system as much as possible because I hate the screen flashing during the hand-shaking sequence when I change resolutions.

I find this rather odd. You should be doing the opposite (screen "flashing' not withstanding).

I find this rather odd. You should be doing the opposite (screen "flashing' not withstanding).
Why is it odd? HDMI was never designed to make life easier or better for us - rather it was created to plug the 'analog loophole' in copy protection. In my experience, the only technical benefit to HDMI is that you get a one wire solution between devices. However, this hardly makes up for the many inconveniences caused by HDMI.

But that is not the point of my earlier post. I was trying to specifically ask if in fact you have to use HDMI with this disk and if this is a new requirement of all recent HD DVDs.

Why is it odd? HDMI was never designed to make life easier or better for us - rather it was created to plug the 'analog loophole' in copy protection. In my experience, the only technical benefit to HDMI is that you get a one wire solution between devices. However, this hardly makes up for the many inconveniences caused by HDMI.

Whatever one's opinion on what the HDMI interface's designers had in mind, the simple fact is that now that most or all compatibility issues are minimized or eliminated, the interface does make our lives easier and it provides unquestionably the highest quality video and audio from digital sources to digital displays. A little screen flashing when syncing resolution is not much of an "inconvenience".

That issue aside, this is Xylon's thread on the Potter discs, and I for one am waiting impatiently for his comparison of the UK and US releases of Goblet of Fire ;).

Whatever one's opinion on what the HDMI interface's designers had in mind, the simple fact is that now that most or all compatibility issues are minimized or eliminated, the interface does make our lives easier and it provides unquestionably the highest quality video and audio from digital sources to digital displays. A little screen flashing when syncing resolution is not much of an "inconvenience".

That issue aside, this is Xylon's thread on the Potter discs, and I for one am waiting impatiently for his comparison of the UK and US releases of Goblet of Fire ;).

No. It is the worst design ever. I can't believe the engineers said, oh well a little flashing doesn't hurt anyone. Depending on the movie I can have upwards of 6 flashes (mostly Blu-ray) as it goes from Preview to Preview, to Movie Start, to FBI Logo, to STudio Disclaimer, to movie. It's pretty sad actually.

Okay, I currently have the last three HARRY POTTER films on HD-DVD but have yet to pick up the first two. The final three all play at full HD resolution via my HD-A2 hooked up to my projector's component connection (the only connection I currently have as my projector does not have an HDMI or DVI input), and now I'm worried about picking up HP 1 and 2.

Can anybody confirm what Hyrax has seen here? Is it true that the ICT flag has been set on the 2nd HARRY POTTER film?

Vincent

I usually watch HD DVDs via HDMI, but last night I started trying to watch HP (Year 2) via component cables. I got no picture when I set the resolution higher than 480P. I'm used to this non-sense when using SD DVDs, but thought we could play HD DVDs via analog at higher resolutions...

DVDTalk reviews used to mention about ICT but I am not sure if they mentioned the same for HP.

Okay, I currently have the last three HARRY POTTER films on HD-DVD but have yet to pick up the first two. The final three all play at full HD resolution via my HD-A2 hooked up to my projector's component connection (the only connection I currently have as my projector does not have an HDMI or DVI input), and now I'm worried about picking up HP 1 and 2.

Can anybody confirm what Hyrax has seen here? Is it true that the ICT flag has been set on the 2nd HARRY POTTER film?

Vincent

Vincent -
It may be something in my setup (which is complicated because it drives a projector in one room and a RPTV in another). My RPTV doesn't have HDMI input and I just could not get it to display at anything other than 480P via component. So I was forced to use projector if I wanted to see the movie in HD. I'll simplify my setup to test the 3rd movie tomorrow and tell you if there is an ICT problem with it. Also, I am talking about the disks that came with the Special Ed. trunk. .. perhaps the earlier UK versions don't have the ICT flag set.

First two are fine(1080i) going component into my commercial Panasonic plasma. Tested using an HD-A1. I did not buy the boxset, these are the single releases. If ICT was set, wouldn't we have a lot of Xbox add-on users screaming bloody murder by now?

Weird enough, I was watching the Blade Runner extras beforehand, and the 2nd HP movie started off in 480p. I was able to change it using the resolution button. Usually the player resets back to 1080i once I remove SD DVD. I have not been able to replicate this again though...

Okay, I currently have the last three HARRY POTTER films on HD-DVD but have yet to pick up the first two. The final three all play at full HD resolution via my HD-A2 hooked up to my projector's component connection (the only connection I currently have as my projector does not have an HDMI or DVI input), and now I'm worried about picking up HP 1 and 2.

Can anybody confirm what Hyrax has seen here? Is it true that the ICT flag has been set on the 2nd HARRY POTTER film?

Vincent
No ICT set on Harry Potter films (I have all 5). I have all my players hooked up with component cables, and get full resolution.

Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse and Hero-Directors Cut from Highlight Entertainment (Germany) are the only HD DVDs worldwide which reportedly having ICT set.

All Harry Potter HD DVDs played full HD 1920x1080 using component output.

via XBOX 360 add-on, HD-A1 and A35.

I do use HDMI all the time so better PQ overall.

All in jpeg format. Not part of the comparison pix. Thumbnailed.

Sorcerer's Stone

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106842/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd10.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106842/Harrypottersorcererhddvd10.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106841/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd9.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106841/Harrypottersorcererhddvd9.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106840/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd8.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106840/Harrypottersorcererhddvd8.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106839/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd7.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106839/Harrypottersorcererhddvd7.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106838/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd6.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106838/Harrypottersorcererhddvd6.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106837/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd5.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106837/Harrypottersorcererhddvd5.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106836/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd4.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106836/Harrypottersorcererhddvd4.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106835/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd3.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106835/Harrypottersorcererhddvd3.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106834/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd2.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106834/Harrypottersorcererhddvd2.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106833/1/Harrypottersorcererhddvd1.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106833/Harrypottersorcererhddvd1.jpg)

excellent pictures xylon

Chamber Of Secrets

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106908/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd10.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106908/Harrypotterchamberhddvd10.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106907/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd9.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106907/Harrypotterchamberhddvd9.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106906/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd8.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106906/Harrypotterchamberhddvd8.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106905/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd7.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106905/Harrypotterchamberhddvd7.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106904/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd6.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106904/Harrypotterchamberhddvd6.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106903/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd5.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106903/Harrypotterchamberhddvd5.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106902/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd4.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106902/Harrypotterchamberhddvd4.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106901/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd3.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106901/Harrypotterchamberhddvd3.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106900/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd2.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106900/Harrypotterchamberhddvd2.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106899/1/Harrypotterchamberhddvd1.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/106899/Harrypotterchamberhddvd1.jpg)

The first two are obviously from the only HD transfers of these films made. I guess we'll have to wait awhile for them to be remastered. The PQ jump from 2 to 3 is huge.

The first Potter movie to be released in high definition, available only in UK last year. I did a *PIX* review here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=765507). The new HD release is now available in the US.

So why are we doing this? According to some the new release is using a new VC-1 encode that may provide a noticeable improvement in PQ.

The file sizes are:

Old release = 19.50 GB

New release = EU 19.10 GB

New Release = US 19.50 GB

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106948/0/IMG_0007.jpg

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/106949/0/IMG_0008.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/36756039.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f357c938.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/d0bd8907.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f0493192.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/d1e5f3ff.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/8e5ed4dc.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/193003cd.png

So much for that. They're visually identical. Even the shadow areas are the same.

Waggle 1 (http://horn.hdtvtotal.com/hdtvtotal/scripts/waggle/waggle.php?hd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f357c938.png&sd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/36756039.png)
Waggle 2 (http://horn.hdtvtotal.com/hdtvtotal/scripts/waggle/waggle.php?hd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/d1e5f3ff.png&sd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f0493192.png)
Waggle 3 (http://horn.hdtvtotal.com/hdtvtotal/scripts/waggle/waggle.php?hd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/193003cd.png&sd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/8e5ed4dc.png)

Yup virtually identical.

Why is it odd? HDMI was never designed to make life easier or better for us - rather it was created to plug the 'analog loophole' in copy protection. In my experience, the only technical benefit to HDMI is that you get a one wire solution between devices. However, this hardly makes up for the many inconveniences caused by HDMI.

But that is not the point of my earlier post. I was trying to specifically ask if in fact you have to use HDMI with this disk and if this is a new requirement of all recent HD DVDs.

I agree bro. No HDMI for me. DVI for video and analog for sound. I don't see my system changing for the next 5 years.

Nice screens (as always) Xylon!!!!!!!!!!

I have all of the potter films in the HD-DVD set and enjoy them all.

On the issue of combo discs, I think that if the studios stop selling 2 disc Special Editions on SD-DVD and instead start selling them with the first disc as a combo the production cost for combo discs will drop and a larger portion of the population will have HD-DVDs which would increase the chances of HD-DVD winning the format war.

So much for that. They're visually identical. Even the shadow areas are the same.

For some reason, the screen caps from the different versions look slightly different to me. I see a very slight improvement in the amount of detail in dark areas from the caps of new release. Things in the background look to have minutely better detail and contrast.
For example, in the attached, I think I see more detail in the man in the suit (C. Fudge?) on the right in the new version. There is also a chair in the middle where I can see a little more definition in the new version. Try viewing the attachment in Paint and zooming in 600% and tell me if my eyes deceive me.

question... How do you paste pictures directly into a post?

Nice find mate. You have SNAKE EYES.

Again, GREAT workd Xylon!!!!

I agree with the above post. There is a tad more detail and black level on the new release. Slight? Yes, but also noticeable. In the next to last shot, look at Snape...he's clearer on the new release.

both look great but from those captures, the new encode does look a bit better.

What isn't readily apparent in Xylon's captures is that the movie is two and half hours long and although the encodes are virtually identical in most shots, some scenes may benefit more than others and without comparing every frame in both encodes, one isn't going to find a huge amount of difference.

Also, I am viewing on a 106" screen from a very high quality 1080p projector. Otherwise subtle differences can become rather more pronounced under those conditions.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/86dd3c3a.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/0c953b41.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/12e9c3c5.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/3427d8a8.png

For some reason, the screen caps from the different versions look slightly different to me. I see a very slight improvement in the amount of detail in dark areas from the caps of new release. Things in the background look to have minutely better detail and contrast.
For example, in the attached, I think I see more detail in the man in the suit (C. Fudge?) on the right in the new version. There is also a chair in the middle where I can see a little more definition in the new version. Try viewing the attachment in Paint and zooming in 600% and tell me if my eyes deceive me.

They're identical. I can't see a single different pixel and Photoshop confrms it. Doh. :D

They're the same encode.

They're the same encode.

You know that for a fact?

If so, what is the source of that information?

The source is the screen captures. There's no difference. The pixels are identical on both versions. Wouldn't two different encodes yield slight pixel differences?

Xylon, can the difference in files sizes be attributed to different soundtracks or other factors?

My Goblet of Fire has the Warner promo at the beginning that hasn't been on a Warner disk for quite a while. It also lacks the timeline bar when paused all the other Harry Potter disks have.

My Goblet of Fire has the Warner promo at the beginning that hasn't been on a Warner disk for quite a while. It also lacks the timeline bar when paused all the other Harry Potter disks have.

I have no doubt the US release is the same disc master as the UK release, but the question is are they the same VC-1 encode. We know the file sizes are not the same so something is different. The US disc is not the exact same disc that was released earlier in the UK.

The file sizes are:

Old release = 19.50 GB

New release = 19.10 GB

What could take up 400MB? Does the US version have less dubbed soundtracks?

They're identical. I can't see a single different pixel and Photoshop confrms it. Doh. :D

They're the same encode.
Well, I have a theory on this...The 'New' versions look just a hair brighter. It is obvious in almost every screen capture. It may be the same encode, but can they tweak anything to make it play back brighter?

Also, we're using different computers. Is it possible that with different codecs, a different video card, and a different monitor that you would get different results than I do?

I presume you used a bitwise OR to subtract the two images in Photoshop to see if they were identical. I don't have Photoshop, but I'll look to see if I can find a program that will do that for me.

BTW, they all look so close to being the same that this is sort of a silly discussion on my part. I'm just interested that I would see it differently than you do.

The source is the screen captures. There's no difference. The pixels are identical on both versions. Wouldn't two different encodes yield slight pixel differences?

Xylon, can the difference in files sizes be attributed to different soundtracks or other factors?

None that I know of. Similar soundtracks and subtitles.

What could take up 400MB? Does the US version have less dubbed soundtracks?

I checked and re-checked my data. The file size number are accurate.

The size differential is just too small to make any definitive conclusion on the PQ of this movie. If the size is at least a Gigabyte then maybe . . . its something we can discern.

Well, I have a theory on this...The 'New' versions look just a hair brighter. It is obvious in almost every screen capture. It may be the same encode, but can they tweak anything to make it play back brighter?

The new version looks brighter? Xylon's captures? Really? Wow. Never underestimate the power of placebos. :D

Bottom line: they're identical captures. Same pixels, same values, etc. Just like the "new encode" of Serenity that some claimed to look better. :D

Well, I have a theory on this...The 'New' versions look just a hair brighter. It is obvious in almost every screen capture. It may be the same encode, but can they tweak anything to make it play back brighter?

Also, we're using different computers. Is it possible that with different codecs, a different video card, and a different monitor that you would get different results than I do?

I presume you used a bitwise OR to subtract the two images in Photoshop to see if they were identical. I don't have Photoshop, but I'll look to see if I can find a program that will do that for me.

BTW, they all look so close to being the same that this is sort of a silly discussion on my part. I'm just interested that I would see it differently than you do.

I'm sorry Hyrax, I really don't see it based on the captures so far. There will be more with really fast moving objects happening then maybe . . . . . . .

Xylon, do you think the difference between these two discs of HP are bigger than with the two versions of Serenity? :D

Old release : 19.50 GB --> might be due to the WARNER HD DVD PROMO on the INTRO.

Wouldn't the intro be a seperate file though?

Xylon, do you think the difference between these two discs of HP are bigger than with the two versions of Serenity? :D

Never got access to the UK version.

Let me put up more screenshots for Goblet then lets call it a day. For this movie we have the oppoprtunity to compare I am dissappointed that there is no discernable difference (and forget about seeing any difference when watching them in motion) to be seen and I am using a not so bad Dell 2407WFP-HC.

Old release : 19.50 GB --> might be due to the WARNER HD DVD PROMO on the INTRO.

Ahh, let me check again.

Hold up people. I found something odd, when I look at the files directly on the discs the file sizes are the same :confused: but different when ripped on the hard drive :confused:

Both are: 10,987,368 plus 9,474,334 = 20,952,782,848 bytes

I will re-ripped the two discs again just to make sure and I will update the screenshots or add when necessary.

The original new encode came form the EU version. There is a difference in the inlcuded audio options.

EU New encode

English DD+
German DD+
German THD

English and German subtitles

19.10 GB or 20,588,244,922 bytes

The old UK import and the US version

English THD
English DD+
French DD+
Spanish DD+

English, French and Spanish subtitles


Well that explains the minor difference in file sizes. The number is still the same for old and new version both are 19.50 GB or 20,952,782,848 bytes.

The prior screenshots for the new version are still valid since they both are using the same encode.

The new version looks brighter? Xylon's captures? Really? Wow. Never underestimate the power of placebos. :D

Bottom line: they're identical captures.
Kram -
There is no need to be so condescending, is there?

I did a bit-by-bit subtraction on the images and the only differences are the titles. The images are identical. However, I look at the two captures on my computer screen and I absolutely, positively see slight differences in the captures.

How can this be? Examining my methodology makes it clear. I happen to have a 24" 1920x1200 resolution LCD screen as my computer monitor. When I look at the screen captures together on the screen, the image on the bottom is definitely brighter than the one of the top.

The differences I'm seeing appear to be the result of using a LCD as a computer monitor and the fact that LCD displays' light output changes depending on the viewing angle (particularly vertical viewing angles). I swap the images and the one on the bottom is still the brighter.

They look identical to me.

Kram -
There is no need to be so condescending, is there?

You're right. I wasn't intending to be. I'm sorry if it came across that way. The placebo effect is still pretty strong though.

The differences I'm seeing appear to be the result of using a LCD as a computer monitor and the fact that LCD displays' light output changes depending on the viewing angle (particularly vertical viewing angles). I swap the images and the one on the bottom is still the brighter.

I know what you mean. I also have a 24" 1920x1200 monitor and the only real way to compare these captures is via Waggle/mouseover. Side by side is just too tricky because of the color shift because of the viewing angle.

Anyway...I just finished watching the 5th movie for the first time and I must admit the whole set looks and sounds pretty darn good. My thanks to you, Xylon, for all the nifty screen shots.

The new release from EU and US are the same encode but for accuracy's sake I will now be using the US version against the old UK version. Both are at 19.50 GB.



http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/85a7804d.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/c8e4277a.png

Look at post #120...

fat-boys :D coat is blacker/richer looking on the US version.

Looks like Xylon has pizzed off the Dragon with this comparison experiment.
See she is throwing FLAMES on Xylon@avsforum.com !!! :D

Look at post #120...

fat-boys :D coat is blacker/richer looking on the US version.

:D

http://horn.hdtvtotal.com/hdtvtotal/scripts/waggle/waggle.php?hd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/86dd3c3a.png&sd=http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/0c953b41.png

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/d58c1ce9.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/f1124183.png

The second pic looks better. The walls have a slightly better texture. Is it ?

I just watched 'Prisoner', it looked fantastic! I continue to be blown away with how good these discs (hd-dvds in general) look. Seriously, compared to what was coming out even just a year ago, I think these discs today look consistently better.

I'm so glad I picked these up in the B1G1. And to think I hesitated :D

Watched Harry Potter 5. It looked low pass filtered and soft. Low bit rate VC-1. Hm.

Watched Harry Potter 5. It looked low pass filtered and soft. Low bit rate VC-1. Hm.

That's surprising as most reviews are giving it high marks on video.

With Warner entering the BLU ray foray they will double dip on these titles with HBR encode post Deathly Hallows.

All in jpeg format. Not part of the comparison pix. Thumbnailed.

Prisoner Of Azkaban

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107639/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd10.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107639/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd10.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107638/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd9.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107638/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd9.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107637/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd8.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107637/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd8.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107636/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd7.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107636/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd7.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107635/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd6.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107635/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd6.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107634/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd5.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107634/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd5.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107633/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd4.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107633/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd4.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107632/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd3.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107632/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd3.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107631/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd2.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107631/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd2.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/107630/1/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd1.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/107630/Harrypotterazkabanhddvd1.jpg)

The PQ rocks doesn't it?

All in jpeg format. Not part of the comparison pix. Thumbnailed.


Goblet Of Fire


http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108525/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd10.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108525/Harrypottergoblethddvd10.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108524/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd9.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108524/Harrypottergoblethddvd9.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108523/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd8.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108523/Harrypottergoblethddvd8.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108522/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd7.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108522/Harrypottergoblethddvd7.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108521/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd6.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108521/Harrypottergoblethddvd6.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108520/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd5.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108520/Harrypottergoblethddvd5.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108519/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd4.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108519/Harrypottergoblethddvd4.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108518/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd3.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108518/Harrypottergoblethddvd3.jpg)

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage/108517/1/Harrypottergoblethddvd2.jpg (http://www.imageviper.com/dip/108517/Harrypottergoblethddvd2.jpg)

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Order Of The Phoenix

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Now thats over and done with we are back to our regular programming.

Xylon,

Do you see Purple Banding / Shimmering in Goblet of Fire in the third event towards the end ? Too much of dark CGI imagery looks to be the culprit. Please check and confirm.

The PQ rocks doesn't it?

Much better than the earlier two.

Xylon,

Do you see Purple Banding / Shimmering in Goblet of Fire in the third event towards the end ? Too much of dark CGI imagery looks to be the culprit. Please check and confirm.


TImestamps?

I will revert back with the timestamps by tonight JST.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hpgobletdvd4.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hpgoblethddvd4.png

Watched Harry Potter 5. It looked low pass filtered and soft. Low bit rate VC-1. Hm.
Yes, 12.88 mbps (Goblet of Fire) is very low for a high action movie!

18+ mbps is what it should have been - the bit rate is 30% too low!

Edit: is it just the EU version that is 12.88 mbps?

What bit rate is the north american version?

I don't know about the rest of you but I thought the movies looked terrific. I was especially shocked by how good the first 3 looked. Beyond that they are quiet entertaining to watch and I'd say one of my more favorite films (of all time maybe). The only thing I really regret is getting them on HDDVD and not blu-ray cause it seems like I will have to double dip some time in the future but a well, still highly recommended though.

My HP PQ ranking

1) Azkaban
2) Phoenix
3) Chamber of Secrets
4) Sorcerer's stone
5) Goblet of Fire

GoF down at the bottom, really? Worse than HP1's older transfer?

Yes, 12.88 mbps (Goblet of Fire) is very low for a high action movie!

18+ mbps is what it should have been - the bit rate is 30% too low!


If you spent as much time watching the movie on a proper display as you do watching or paying attention to a bit rate meter, you would know this statement is totally false. Except for a few seconds of the opening sequence where there is some blocking and banding in the master, Goblet of Fire is an excellent HD disc.

It's my opinion Kram. Personally I didn't like the look and feel of GOF. Purple ringing/banding and shimmering was noticeable in both 37 and 50 Plasma on the third maze event. There is no need to starve the bit rate to a level where artifacts can become easily noticeable.

...There is no need to starve the bit rate to a level where artifacts can become easily noticeable.

Yes there is! It is called HD-DVD HD30 with a TrueHD track, IME and quite a few additional features ;)

But let's not talk about ancient history, shall we...

If you spent as much time watching the movie on a proper display as you do watching or paying attention to a bit rate meter, you would know this statement is totally false. Except for a few seconds of the opening sequence where there is some blocking and banding in the master, Goblet of Fire is an excellent HD disc.

Agreed. The bit rate meter might just be the worst thing that has ever happened to the HD formats.

This is getting interesting. Why can't people accept the fact that starving bit rates can result in video artifacts (Macroblocking, Prominent Shimmering pixels, Color Banding etc) ?
Faceless Rebel has posted a pic from HP-5 that exposes macroblocking.

That's a good question. I wonder what Xylon has to say...

This is getting interesting. Why can't people accept the fact that starving bit rates can result in video artifacts (Macroblocking, Prominent Shimmering pixels, Color Banding etc) ?
Faceless Rebel has posted a pic from HP-5 that exposes macroblocking.
I agree with you; starving bit rates is a bad thing. I can see "Macroblocking, Prominent Shimmering pixels, Color Banding, etc." in many movies. I'll even agree that Goblet of Fire does have a few problems at times. However, I'm not sure that the bit rate is the only factor contributing to those video artifacts. Could it not be just a bad transfer for other reasons?

One thing that occurred to me is that a bitrate of 18 MBPS should not be necessary with modern codecs. Heck, even a bit rate of 16 MBPS makes broadcast football look good, and it uses MPEG compression. Modern codecs are supposed to be 50% better than MPEG, so wouldn't a bit rate of 12 MBPS with the new compression techniques be much the same the same as an 18 MBPS MPEG version?

It seems to me that what is happening more and more is that people are watching the technology instead of watching the movie. People can ruin their movie experience by looking for perfection. It is 100% an attitude thing. The movie is not really any less enjoyable if you've got color banding in the halo around the Patronus (sp?).

I understand why this happens. I used to be bothered by rainbows with my DLP projectors. For a short while (when I got my first projector years ago) I was looking for them and they ruined things for me. When I realized this, I made myself stop looking for them and started simply watching the movie. I love movies and it was a huge relief to be able to enjoy them. I still see rainbows (frequently), but I really do not care any more.

Just my opinion and personal experience. I'm not trying to criticize anyone

Xylon,

Do you see Purple Banding / Shimmering in Goblet of Fire in the third event towards the end ? Too much of dark CGI imagery looks to be the culprit. Please check and confirm.

How's this?


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hpgobletdvd5.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hpgoblethddvd5.png

Thanks Xylon but not this. It's the maze event where these characters run around the bushes.

This is getting interesting. Why can't people accept the fact that starving bit rates can result in video artifacts (Macroblocking, Prominent Shimmering pixels, Color Banding etc) ?
Faceless Rebel has posted a pic from HP-5 that exposes macroblocking.

You are partly right regrading transfers for HD discs. The other part is the master.

Crap in, crap out.


I hope we are not condemning the overall PQ of HP5 because of that pic. Because if thats the case we have plenty of very high bitrate AVC and Mpeg-2 with macroblocking pix. Then again how can there be artifacts on them if the bitrate counter on their players reach 50 mbps? ;)

Agreed. The bit rate meter might just be the worst thing that has ever happened to the HD formats.

Tell that to the guy who posted a cell phone pix of Troy: DC and concluded that its macroblocking because the bitrate on his PS3 is not 50 mbps :D

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hporderdvd6.pnghttp://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/adzez/Potter/Hporderhddvd6.png

Watched Harry Potter 5. It looked low pass filtered and soft. Low bit rate VC-1. Hm.

I watched Phoenix the other night, and I thought it was the worst looking HD disc I've seen. Yeah, there was a few scenes that looked like what I'm used to seeing with an HD-DVD disc, but for the most part, the overall PQ looked very soft and flat with horrible blacks. At first, I had thought My son had played the wrong side of the combo, cause I really thought I was watching a standard DVD upconverted. It was so bad, I couldn't even get into the movie because the bad PQ was so inconsistent, it was a distraction for my brain. I can't even count how many times I had thought to myself "Man, this looks like crap!".

So far, all other HD titles I've watched have completely blown me away, but watching phoenix was a complete disappointment, for me. How is it that so many people harp about how good the PQ is on this title, yet there are some who think it's a poor example of HD video?

I partially disagree with Rooski's comments. Except for few soft scenes HP5 looked and sounded awesome. But I agree that Warner could have done more.

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I watched Phoenix the other night, and I thought it was the worst looking HD disc I've seen.

What can I say . . . . . ?

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