Question:
As title really. Will probably be ordering Panic Room in the near future. But am a little unsure what all this Superbit is about. What difference will it make?
Cheers...
All depends what your running it through jnms, they do make a BIG differnce if you have a big screen (projector) and the soundtrack is awesome on most Superbit movies, due to the new dts tracks. You may not notice much in the way of picture on a normal tv set, but they are very good anyway. The main problem with Superbit discs is that you lose all of the extras (unless they release a Deluxe Superbit - but you still lose the commentaries!), Panic Room will have no extras at all, but they are planning of releasing a two disc special, in a few months, like most of Fincher`s other films.
Hope that helps.
Originally posted by jnms
As title really. Will probably be ordering Panic Room in the near future. But am a little unsure what all this Superbit is about. What difference will it make?
Superbit is about cranking up the bitrates to provide the minimum amount of compression and utilising the maximum of disc space... of course at the expense of extras.
The difference is small, as said, on smaller sets. Most likely it's best for the kind of display which shows up the compression artefacts in DVD (i.e. plasmas, projectors, etc). Audio improvements can be large though because you can potentially have full-bitrate DTS tracks (which unlike half-bitrate DTS, is vastly superior to Dolby Digital).
It's still limited by the source material though and the limitations of PAL/NTSC resolutions. Nothing can fix that, short of HD-DVD (a way off yet) and High Definition TVs (not likely to appear in the UK, not at least before something better than HDTV turns up 5 or 10 years from now. We've chosen cheap low-res widescreen in the UK and are stuck with it for a good many years, whereas the US chose HDTV... and no one can afford it).
what do normal DVDs look like on big screens / projectors ?
say if i was going to buy a very large screen or projector tomorrow for my main viewing format, should i just give up collecting DVDs now wait for a better format which can fit low compression transfers and with extras ?
It's all subjective, really.
Most new films won't need a higher bitrate to improve picture. Some of the earlier films released on DVD and grainy films *will* benefit. Most blockbuster films come on their own disc anyway now, with extras on a second. An audio commentary or two will only take a very little space from the picture encoding.
Thanks for the replies.
I am watching the movies on a 32" CRT TV...so from what as been said, I guess picture improvement will be negligable.
My sound system is only Dolby Digital at the moment, but I am considering an upgrade to a DTS system...so this would obviously be beneficial.
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
what do normal DVDs look like on big screens / projectors ?
say if i was going to buy a very large screen or projector tomorrow for my main viewing format, should i just give up collecting DVDs now wait for a better format which can fit low compression transfers and with extras ?
Slightly softer, but very film-like, I highly recommend a projector for DVDs.
Jmns, if you don`t have DTS yet, then it isn`t worth buying the Superbit discs as the 5.1 mixes on them aren`t much different from your normal dvd.
DVD`s look great on a projector, as already said, it is all relative, and depends on the pressing and the projector quality you go for, but dvd is the best playback format to use.
I have a CRT Projector and when its calibrated right the DVD picture is pin sharp and nothing can beat it for home entertainment.
Originally posted by fastedwardo
Jmns, if you don`t have DTS yet, then it isn`t worth buying the Superbit discs as the 5.1 mixes on them aren`t much different from your normal dvd.
DVD`s look great on a projector, as already said, it is all relative, and depends on the pressing and the projector quality you go for, but dvd is the best playback format to use.
Well, I am likely to have DTS very soon. Currently I just have a Videologic Digitheater...the one without DTS. But I should be getting something new soon.
I can certainly spot the difference between the R2 normal and R1 Superbit versions of <I>Bram Stoker's Dracula</I> on a 43" set - but they're really not that dramatic even at that size, and I'd question whether it's worth it if your screen is 32" or smaller.
I suppose is Columbia had pulled out a finger and cleaned up all that dirt from the print, it would be worth it.
Audio improvements can be large though because you can potentially have full-bitrate DTS tracks (which unlike half-bitrate DTS, is vastly superior to Dolby Digital).
No (R1) SuperBit titles use full bit-rate DTS. If you buy a SuperBit title expecting substantially improved DTS soundtracks then you will be very disappointed. Audible differences between the DTS and Dolby Digital tracks on these discs are minimal at best (as with all of Columbia TriStar's DTS soundtracks).
Despite marketing claims, neither audio nor video use maximum bit-rates on SuperBits discs.
Adam
I added the Superbit Crouching Tiger DVD to my Review. It has a screenshot showing how background imagery is improved.
CTHD Superbit Review Comparison (http://www.bulletsnbabesdvds.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=91)
Personally I have a 10ft screen.
The following Superbit discs are far superior to there "normal" counterparts in video terms although I do not believe that the video benefits are that large on any screen less than or equal to 40inches:
Air Force One, Dracula, Desperado (very much so), Fifth Element (very much so), CTHD, Hollow Man
Regards Jenz
I should imagine Desperado (as Jenz said) looks much better as the r1 & r2 standard release is on a single layer with commentary & extras so its quite a squeeze!
You've got to wonder though just how much of an effort Columbia make on their standard releases nowadays. I was watching 'Snatch' R2 yesterday, a DVD9 with a 98min film, a DD5.1 soundtrack & a DD2.0 Commentary track - so hardly pushing the format yet I could see room for improvement on the transfer side of things in several areas. Now, the Superbit replaces the Commentary track with a DTS soundtrack (which will take up more space on the disc), yet I'm guessing the transfer will look better!
Thanks for all the replies. Well seeing as I only have a 32" screen, it isn't going to be worth worrying.
So, I doubt whether I will be going out of my way to get Superbit it this case then. Though it will depend on what extras the new films will have to offer. I am not a big fan on many of the extras of late. So better sound, even if it is only slightly better, maybe worthwhile...
Originally posted by Adam Barratt
No (R1) SuperBit titles use full bit-rate DTS. If you buy a SuperBit title expecting substantially improved DTS soundtracks then you will be very disappointed. Audible differences between the DTS and Dolby Digital tracks on these discs are minimal at best (as with all of Columbia TriStar's DTS soundtracks).
Despite marketing claims, neither audio nor video use maximum bit-rates on SuperBits discs.
Adam
Definitely can't see the point of SuperBit then, especially if they don't use full-bitrate DTS.
what kind of bitrates does superbit use? on my sony dvd player it has a little graph, and most films seem to peak around 5-8mbit from memory.. so how much higher are these?
I've got Air Force One dts superbit and the bit rate was around 8 on average.
The sound IS amazing, just fantastic.
When looking at the CTHD review and i was comparing the close up screenshots i didn't notice any improvement in the imagne quality, just the contrast was higher! I have a 40" RPTV and is very well calabrated. Even the Desperado disc looks smooth and sharp. I really think i won't see the difference. I think this could be another DTS Vs DD thing.
Originally posted by Jenz @ Bullets n Babes
Personally I have a 10ft screen.
:nuts:
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
:nuts: Perfectly possible if it's a projector :rolleyes:
Cheers...
Answers:
All depends what your running it through jnms, they do make a BIG differnce if you have a big screen (projector) and the soundtrack is awesome on most Superbit movies, due to the new dts tracks. You may not notice much in the way of picture on a normal tv set, but they are very good anyway. The main problem with Superbit discs is that you lose all of the extras (unless they release a Deluxe Superbit - but you still lose the commentaries!), Panic Room will have no extras at all, but they are planning of releasing a two disc special, in a few months, like most of Fincher`s other films.
Hope that helps.
Answers:
Originally posted by jnms
As title really. Will probably be ordering Panic Room in the near future. But am a little unsure what all this Superbit is about. What difference will it make?
Superbit is about cranking up the bitrates to provide the minimum amount of compression and utilising the maximum of disc space... of course at the expense of extras.
The difference is small, as said, on smaller sets. Most likely it's best for the kind of display which shows up the compression artefacts in DVD (i.e. plasmas, projectors, etc). Audio improvements can be large though because you can potentially have full-bitrate DTS tracks (which unlike half-bitrate DTS, is vastly superior to Dolby Digital).
It's still limited by the source material though and the limitations of PAL/NTSC resolutions. Nothing can fix that, short of HD-DVD (a way off yet) and High Definition TVs (not likely to appear in the UK, not at least before something better than HDTV turns up 5 or 10 years from now. We've chosen cheap low-res widescreen in the UK and are stuck with it for a good many years, whereas the US chose HDTV... and no one can afford it).
Answers:
what do normal DVDs look like on big screens / projectors ?
say if i was going to buy a very large screen or projector tomorrow for my main viewing format, should i just give up collecting DVDs now wait for a better format which can fit low compression transfers and with extras ?
Answers:
It's all subjective, really.
Most new films won't need a higher bitrate to improve picture. Some of the earlier films released on DVD and grainy films *will* benefit. Most blockbuster films come on their own disc anyway now, with extras on a second. An audio commentary or two will only take a very little space from the picture encoding.
Answers:
Thanks for the replies.
I am watching the movies on a 32" CRT TV...so from what as been said, I guess picture improvement will be negligable.
My sound system is only Dolby Digital at the moment, but I am considering an upgrade to a DTS system...so this would obviously be beneficial.
Answers:
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
what do normal DVDs look like on big screens / projectors ?
say if i was going to buy a very large screen or projector tomorrow for my main viewing format, should i just give up collecting DVDs now wait for a better format which can fit low compression transfers and with extras ?
Slightly softer, but very film-like, I highly recommend a projector for DVDs.
Answers:
Jmns, if you don`t have DTS yet, then it isn`t worth buying the Superbit discs as the 5.1 mixes on them aren`t much different from your normal dvd.
DVD`s look great on a projector, as already said, it is all relative, and depends on the pressing and the projector quality you go for, but dvd is the best playback format to use.
Answers:
I have a CRT Projector and when its calibrated right the DVD picture is pin sharp and nothing can beat it for home entertainment.
Answers:
Originally posted by fastedwardo
Jmns, if you don`t have DTS yet, then it isn`t worth buying the Superbit discs as the 5.1 mixes on them aren`t much different from your normal dvd.
DVD`s look great on a projector, as already said, it is all relative, and depends on the pressing and the projector quality you go for, but dvd is the best playback format to use.
Well, I am likely to have DTS very soon. Currently I just have a Videologic Digitheater...the one without DTS. But I should be getting something new soon.
Answers:
I can certainly spot the difference between the R2 normal and R1 Superbit versions of <I>Bram Stoker's Dracula</I> on a 43" set - but they're really not that dramatic even at that size, and I'd question whether it's worth it if your screen is 32" or smaller.
Answers:
I suppose is Columbia had pulled out a finger and cleaned up all that dirt from the print, it would be worth it.
Answers:
Audio improvements can be large though because you can potentially have full-bitrate DTS tracks (which unlike half-bitrate DTS, is vastly superior to Dolby Digital).
No (R1) SuperBit titles use full bit-rate DTS. If you buy a SuperBit title expecting substantially improved DTS soundtracks then you will be very disappointed. Audible differences between the DTS and Dolby Digital tracks on these discs are minimal at best (as with all of Columbia TriStar's DTS soundtracks).
Despite marketing claims, neither audio nor video use maximum bit-rates on SuperBits discs.
Adam
Answers:
I added the Superbit Crouching Tiger DVD to my Review. It has a screenshot showing how background imagery is improved.
CTHD Superbit Review Comparison (http://www.bulletsnbabesdvds.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=91)
Personally I have a 10ft screen.
The following Superbit discs are far superior to there "normal" counterparts in video terms although I do not believe that the video benefits are that large on any screen less than or equal to 40inches:
Air Force One, Dracula, Desperado (very much so), Fifth Element (very much so), CTHD, Hollow Man
Regards Jenz
Answers:
I should imagine Desperado (as Jenz said) looks much better as the r1 & r2 standard release is on a single layer with commentary & extras so its quite a squeeze!
You've got to wonder though just how much of an effort Columbia make on their standard releases nowadays. I was watching 'Snatch' R2 yesterday, a DVD9 with a 98min film, a DD5.1 soundtrack & a DD2.0 Commentary track - so hardly pushing the format yet I could see room for improvement on the transfer side of things in several areas. Now, the Superbit replaces the Commentary track with a DTS soundtrack (which will take up more space on the disc), yet I'm guessing the transfer will look better!
Answers:
Thanks for all the replies. Well seeing as I only have a 32" screen, it isn't going to be worth worrying.
So, I doubt whether I will be going out of my way to get Superbit it this case then. Though it will depend on what extras the new films will have to offer. I am not a big fan on many of the extras of late. So better sound, even if it is only slightly better, maybe worthwhile...
Answers:
Originally posted by Adam Barratt
No (R1) SuperBit titles use full bit-rate DTS. If you buy a SuperBit title expecting substantially improved DTS soundtracks then you will be very disappointed. Audible differences between the DTS and Dolby Digital tracks on these discs are minimal at best (as with all of Columbia TriStar's DTS soundtracks).
Despite marketing claims, neither audio nor video use maximum bit-rates on SuperBits discs.
Adam
Definitely can't see the point of SuperBit then, especially if they don't use full-bitrate DTS.
Answers:
what kind of bitrates does superbit use? on my sony dvd player it has a little graph, and most films seem to peak around 5-8mbit from memory.. so how much higher are these?
Answers:
I've got Air Force One dts superbit and the bit rate was around 8 on average.
The sound IS amazing, just fantastic.
Answers:
When looking at the CTHD review and i was comparing the close up screenshots i didn't notice any improvement in the imagne quality, just the contrast was higher! I have a 40" RPTV and is very well calabrated. Even the Desperado disc looks smooth and sharp. I really think i won't see the difference. I think this could be another DTS Vs DD thing.
Answers:
Originally posted by Jenz @ Bullets n Babes
Personally I have a 10ft screen.
:nuts:
Answers:
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
:nuts: Perfectly possible if it's a projector :rolleyes:
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