A hot topic here on AVS is finding great demo discs. Let's face it, we enthusiasts spend a certain amount of money on AV equipment, and we want to see it perform to its full potential. After a proper calibration, the only thing missing is good demo material. If you haven't already heard of it, I'd like to draw your attention to Samsara—your next reference Blu-ray disc. I'm very surprised to see how little it has been talked about on AVS Forum.
If you enjoy Chronos and Baraka, you will certainly love Samsara. This movie sends you on a journey around the world in 25 countries across five continents that took nearly five years to shoot. Samsara transports you to sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders. No actors, just real-life people in our world today. Director Ron Fricke, who also directed Chronos and Baraka, chose very specific shots and times of day to film certain scenes, which helps make this an incredible voyage. And he shot the entire thing on 70mm film for even greater impact.
Because the film was shot in 70mm, it could be scanned in 8K and mastered in 4K, which creates a stunning picture on any 1080p flat panel or projection system. Samsara lets you demonstrate all aspects of your display system—detail, color, and contrast are all richly represented on this Blu-ray.
The audio was mastered in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio with an impressive score. Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend this Blu-ray as an audio demo disc, there certainly are moments that present interesting musical sequences and sound effects, which really enhance the user experience.
Even though this isn't a blockbuster, I can almost guarantee that anyone who passes by while you're watching it will immediately be intrigued. This film is visually breathtaking and provides a glimpse into the world we inhabit today. I strongly recommend this Blu-ray regardless of the system you own; you certainly will enjoy it on many different levels.
Happy Viewing
