[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Batman begins and BSG were the only thing making me want HD-DVD. Now I look forward to them both on BR. I can't wait!

I would have kept my BSG on HD DVD, but it was sub par. The image quality was OK (knowing that the graininess was intentional), but the authoring left something to be desired - audio synchronization problems. I'm still waiting for my refund.

I wonder if they'll have to do a full re-encode of BSG to correct the audio sync problems for their Blu-ray version.

[ort888]

I still think HD DVD can make a comeback.

[Dakar the Fourth]

You always did like rooting for the underdog.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by ort888 

I still think HD DVD can make a comeback.

-t

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Eug 

I would have kept my BSG on HD DVD, but it was sub par. The image quality was OK (knowing that the graininess was intentional), but the authoring left something to be desired

If that is true why did you give me such a hard time when I posted reviews stating the same sub par image quality with loads of the typical bitrate charts and image comparisons.

No doubt it is better than than DVD but compared to what I saw over HD it wasn't so great.

Anyway, I hope they do a better job with it on BR. Batman also looked good but not great on HD-DVD so I hope they polish it up a bit more also.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by ort888 

I still think HD DVD can make a comeback.

Ya now that the players have hit that magic $99 price point which is all that matters.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

If that is true why did you give me such a hard time when I posted reviews stating the same sub par image quality with loads of the typical bitrate charts and image comparisons.

No doubt it is better than than DVD but compared to what I saw over HD it wasn't so great.

Anyway, I hope they do a better job with it on BR. Batman also looked good but not great on HD-DVD so I hope they polish it up a bit more also.

I just said the image quality is OK. Reread my post.

Originally Posted by Eug 

I would have kept my BSG on HD DVD, but it was sub par. The image quality was OK (knowing that the graininess was intentional), but the authoring left something to be desired - audio synchronization problems. I'm still waiting for my refund.

I wonder if they'll have to do a full re-encode of BSG to correct the audio sync problems for their Blu-ray version.

There's lots of grain present. But that's SUPPOSED to be there. The release is sub par because of the authoring - audio synchronization problem. I already said this last time we talked about it in this thread too. Your memory must be failing.

P.S. Here is my Amazon.com review from 5 weeks ago:

Amazon.com: Eug "Eug"'s review of Battlestar Galactica - Season One [HD DVD]

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

Predictions for 2008.

Warner will go HDDVD exclusive.

Disney will go format neutral.

More BOGO sales for HDDVD.

The pendulum is going to swing back to the HDDVD side in terms of movies sales.

Wait what?

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Eug 

I just said the image quality is OK. Reread my post.

There's lots of grain present. But that's SUPPOSED to be there. The release is sub par because of the authoring - audio synchronization problem. I already said this last time we talked about it in this thread too. Your memory must be failing.[/url]

"OTOH, I think the disc packaging is fine, as is the image quality. Yes, the original mini-series pilot is VERY grainy, but the HD DVDs reproduce the grain faithfully. The grain is much more muted in the series itself, which is probably because it was shot on HD video. And yes, the detail present is excellent. I can't compare it to broadcast HD since I've never seen it on TV in HD, but it's quite nice, and a humungous step up from the DVD. Anyone who appreciates this show would love the HD DVD version... except for the lip sync issue at the 55 minute mark on Disk 2."

http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lou...ho-winning/87/

"Anyone who appreciates this show would love the HD DVD version"
Then today you say: "The release is sub par because of the authoring - audio synchronization problem. I already said this last time we talked about it in this thread too. Your memory must be failing"

To be honest I am not sure what you are saying with that post. Image quality is "fine" or "good" but very grainy but it is supposed to be like that. Then you say we will "LOVE" the HD/dvd but the audio is out of sync and the picture is "ok", then you say you are waiting for a refund.

So I don't think my memory is the problem just comprehending your mixed reviews.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

"OTOH, I think the disc packaging is fine, as is the image quality. Yes, the original mini-series pilot is VERY grainy, but the HD DVDs reproduce the grain faithfully. The grain is much more muted in the series itself, which is probably because it was shot on HD video. And yes, the detail present is excellent. I can't compare it to broadcast HD since I've never seen it on TV in HD, but it's quite nice, and a humungous step up from the DVD. Anyone who appreciates this show would love the HD DVD version... except for the lip sync issue at the 55 minute mark on Disk 2."

http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lou...ho-winning/87/

"Anyone who appreciates this show would love the HD DVD version"
Then today you say: "The release is sub par because of the authoring - audio synchronization problem. I already said this last time we talked about it in this thread too. Your memory must be failing"

To be honest I am not sure what you are saying with that post. Image quality is "fine" or "good" but very grainy but it is supposed to be like that. Then you say we will "LOVE" the HD/dvd but the audio is out of sync and the picture is "ok", then you say you are waiting for a refund.

So I don't think my memory is the problem just comprehending your mixed reviews.

Highlighted for your convenience, since you seemed to be very confused by stuff that others in this thread seemed to have understood just fine.

Cliff notes:

It's grainy, but the HD DVD reproduce the intentional grain faithfully. Image detail is a huge step up from the DVD.

However, the disc was authored incorrectly, as it contains significant lip sync issues.

P.S. I'll add that image grain is actually quite hard to reproduce. In fact, H.264/AVC even has a technology that removes film grain for easier encoding and then re-adds it later.

Thomson's Film Grain Technology Specification Approved by DVD Forum

[OwlBoy]

I have a weird feeling that Blu-ray is winning…

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Highlighted for your convenience, since you seemed to be very confused by stuff that others in this thread seemed to have understood just fine.

Na i get it. Like you said BSG fans will "love it" for the "Ok image quality" but its poorly authored and you returned it.

As I BSG fan I "love" things that are "ok image quality" so I can't wait to get and return mine also!

[starman]

Originally Posted by OwlBoy 

I have a weird feeling that Blu-ray is winning…

Nope. The fight is just beginning! Rawr!

[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Na i get it. Like you said BSG fans will "love it" for the "Ok image quality" but its poorly authored and you returned it.

As I BSG fan I "love" things that are "ok image quality" so I can't wait to get and return mine also!

You're stretching. And as long as you keep posting this nonsense, I'll refute it:

Remember, my response about the grain was partially because some out there claimed that somehow Universal had uglified/grainified the release and even went as far to claim it was no better quality than the DVD. The claim was dead wrong of course.

I posted the pictures to illustrate the HUGE improvement in image quality that the HD version offered. Those screengrabs completely nullified any credibility that anyone had claiming that the HD DVD offered no improvement over the DVD, because the improvement was enormous, even vs. the broadcast HD version.

Universal's MPEG2 broadcast HD:



Look at the jacket on the kid at the left, and at the flower bouquet in the middle. They're much clearer in the HD DVD below.
Also note the compression noise around the people in the MPEG2 broadcast image above. It's gone in the HD DVD below.

HD DVD:



And for completeness' sake, here is the DVD:



There is no question at all... The HD DVD version is the best by far. The DVD isn't in the same league obviously, but the HD DVD is still quite a noticeable improvement over Universal's HD MPEG2 broadcast version.

Some may not like the grain, but you can blame the director/cinematographer/producer for their intent. If you don't like it, then don't buy movies with that gritty look.

However, the audio sync issue is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE. Someone was asleep at the wheel. We have scenes where it's like watching an old dubbed Bruce Lee movie. The video and the audio doesn't match at all. For me, this is a deal killer, and thus I returned the set.

If they use the same flawed encode for the Blu-ray version, I won't be buying that either. I absolutely can't stand audio sync problems. BTW, if they remove the grain on the Blu-ray version, I won't be buying that either.

[Oversoul]

Universal's statement on going Blu:

"The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray."

Breaking: Universal Studios Goes Blu | High-Def Digest

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Oversoul 

Universal's statement on going Blu:


Breaking: Universal Studios Goes Blu | High-Def Digest

Yippie! I can't wait to love and return my BSG's!