Ultimate Matrix Collection

Seems like the original Matrix disc gets kinda bad marks for its video...I certainly don't ever see it listed as "reference."

But then, it was one of the first titles out back in 99...definitely one of the top sellers early on anyway...

This "Ultimate Collection" has been out awhile now, at least a year, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding reviews either here or elsewhere.

I have the Ultimate Matrix collection and I had the original Matrix DVD as well(have since traded it in). IMO, the original 'Matrix' looks darn good, but the re-master for the Ultimate collection is superior. It's cleaned up, sharp and the color palette is more in line with both Reloaded and Revolutions. Reloaded and Revolutions from the Ultimate collection look the same as when they were released individually as 2-disc sets. Reloaded and Revolutions are reference-type discs, with 'The Matrix' being VERY close to that.

The sound on all of them is DD 5.1, no DTS. Surround sound on all 3 are wonderful.
I am not aware of any of the 3 being released with a DTS track. At least in Region 1.

Thanks for clearing it up...you're right, they are excellent.

You reminded me now of why I didn't opt to buy the "Ultimate" collection when it came out, even though I'm a huge fan of the whole franchise.

I don't like the whole "changing the color palette of the original to match the sequels" part.

Maybe I could pick up the series though and just sell/trade my Animatrix & Sequel DVD's...keeping the original.

The box set is awesome, just LOADED with features. The only thing missing is the hilariously awkward Matrix fan featurette from The Matrix Revisited. Those people were FREAKS!

Anyway I just sold mine because the Matrix trilogy is coming to HD DVD probably by Christmas. It will probably debut on Blu-ray at some point as well since WB supports both. Right now HD DVD has FAR superior picture quality however so that's the one to get.

See, that's exactly what I mean. The original, to me, was perfect as is...no tinkering necessary.

One other thing missing was the Matrix:Reloaded spoof from Saturday Night Live
with Shawn Scott, Justin Timberlake and Will Farrell as The Architect! It was on the 2nd disc of extras from the original 2-disc Matrix Reloaded DVD. I kept that 2nd disc just to have that spoof since it's not on the Ultimate Matrix Collection. Very funny, imo.

Absolutely...very funny stuff...

I need to pull these discs out to watch them again...

One of my all time favorite matrix special features!

The original Matrix DVD was horrible. I couldn't stand watching it. The remaster is great quality but they went a little nuts with the green tint.

The Reloaded DVD has slightly less compression than the original Reloaded DVD.

They include the "missing movie" made up from the scenes from Enter the Matrix. Great watch. If only they weren't in non-anamorphic widescreen and could be incorporated into Reloaded.

BTW, the parody was from the MTV Movie Awards, not SNL. Several of their parodies have made it to various DVD's.

The new digital transfer of The Matrix in the Ultimate Collection is without a doubt an improvement PQ-wise over the original DVD, but the color correction makes it near unwatchable in some parts of the movie. A subtle green shade would have easily matched it to the look of the sequels, but the pumped up greens when scenes are happening inside the Matrix are too much, I found it to be too much on the eyes. Hopefully they will balance the color better for the HD-DVD.

Is there any way to get this "sucks less" (silly colors but way better quality) version of the first film without buying the giant box o' discs?

Not that I'm complaining, since it looks like it's down to under $40 now, but I don't ever need to see the other two films again and I already own The Animatrix so I'm just curious.

Someone might be selling it on one of the auction sites.

Thanks for the correction. As I typed that yesterday, I was thinking it wasn't from SNL, but I couldn't think of where it WAS from!

I like all the films and definately think this is the best box set out, ever the artwork is amazing.

Yeah this is true. The effect in the original film as it played in theaters and on the original DVD was nearly unnoticable. In the box set it's like dayglow green! They kind of pulled a George Lucas there.

They tried to play it off as a limitation in the original DVD was that was just a ******** excuse to alter it.

I agree to a point. There are places where the new green is too much and others where it works fine. Black is much improved on the new version. For such a dark movie, I like the improvements, but again, moments like Neo's green beard kinda bug me in places.

E

Nope. The only way to get it is in the boxset.

The fancy plexiglass boxset was available at that crappy mall chain (what is it called again?) for $39.00. Nice set. Of course, Woot.com had it for $29.00 not too long ago.

I recently re-watched the original Matrix DVD on my calibrated DLP and Denon 2910. I thought the PQ was outstanding throughout most of the movie, and near-HD in some of the parts. I had just got my 2910 as well, but there were a few shots where I was blown away by the detail and 3D-like the 2910 brought out. And this is coming from a guy who used a tweaked-out HTPC exclusively before this.

I also remember the screenshot comparisons on IGN when the Ultimate Collection came out. The cost of the collection wasn't enough to justify a different color pallette in the 1st movie for me. IIRC, it was about $50-60 at Fry's when it came out and I was considering getting it.

Cyber,

I just can't bring myself to buying the dvd UC...will wait for the Hi-Resolution disk set.

BTW, any probs with the 2910?
Good to hear you are enjoying it...it does put out a very good pic.
I recently moved mine to my audio-only setup.

Nope, no problems with the 2910. And I play a lot of music on it too, like all day on the weekends sometimes. Some of the load/seek times are a tad bit long, but other load/seek times are shorter than normal, so it averages out. The PQ is phenomenal, and the sound is as well. I use the analog outs to take advantage of its internal DACs and crossovers, which are better than in my own receiver.

What are you using for a DVD player now, if you have the 2910 doing audio only?

I found the original Matrix DVD release to be lacking in the PQ dept. Black level was deficient, some compression and sharpness issues. Just not a rock solid picture by any means, compared to the other two installments. The remaster of the first film, exclusive to the box, improves in all these areas. On a large screen (>90 in) it is a dramatic improvement. I believe Reloaded and Revolutions in the box are identical in PQ, compared to the individual releases.

I previously owned only #1 and Animatrix, and I got a good deal on the box over a year ago, so it was worth it for me. The real Q now is whether to buy the box or wait for a HD version.

Has anyone figured out how to take the music from the menus on the Matrix Revisited DVD and transform them to .mp3 or .wav files. I have been looking everywhere to get these tracks, but only found like 3 of them. I was about to buy a stereo mic and record them myself, but I wanted a second opinion. Any help would be great.

The easier way that I would do it:

Play dvd from computer DVD drive.
Set my input in the record settings to "stereo mix" (or something like it) in the main playback/record menu for any windows based system....dont need a special audio card. I use the built in card.
Ready Windows audio recorder
Cue up menu or whatever...
Hit record
Hit play