BATMAN (1989) 20th Ann. 3/31/09

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Can you vouch for the transfer etc are they good ? I will prob just order those two from uk.

I just ordered yesterday, but all reviews have been positive.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Can you vouch for the transfer etc are they good ? I will prob just order those two from uk.

I wasn't wowed in the least bit by the first one. That's all I've tested thus far.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Of course.

The only difference is that the first film will probably be a BD-25 and a DVD. The UK is one BD-50.

Wrong. The BD will still be a BD-50 with all the extras (most likely the EXACT same authoring as the UK disc), and the DVD will be a digital copy.

http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Batman...Cover_Art/4089

"Digital copy of Batman"

[HeavyHitter]

Is PAL speed-up an issue on the UK versions?

[kennerado]

There is no PAL/NTSC with 1080p video. Its the exact same version world wide for these Batman releases. Like someone said they have the US FBI warning at the start.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Wrong. The BD will still be a BD-50 with all the extras (most likely the EXACT same authoring as the UK disc), and the DVD will be a digital copy.

http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Batman...Cover_Art/4089

"Digital copy of Batman"

Ah. Then that's new. I seriously don't get who uses these digital copies. It's just stupid. I end up selling them.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Ah. Then that's new. I seriously don't get who uses these digital copies. It's just stupid. I end up selling them.

I don't get them either, I've never used one of mine. But I guess somebody out there is using them since they keep including them - studios are actually pushing to do them more frequently (see the Disney CES press release for one example). I think Warner said some 600,000 digital copies of the Dark Knight were activated already.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by kennerado

There is no PAL/NTSC with 1080p video. Its the exact same version world wide for these Batman releases. Like someone said they have the US FBI warning at the start.

Good to know.

A while back, I remember there was some overseas release of Total Recall on HD DVD that had the issue though - that's why I was wondering.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Good to know.

A while back, I remember there was some overseas release of Total Recall on HD DVD that had the issue though - that's why I was wondering.

That was due to the studio in question using the wrong sound elements or something. There is no technical reason why PAL speedup should be a problem anymore, especially since there is no "PAL" in regards to HD - 1080p/24 is 1080p/24. But that unfortunately doesn't mean studios don't make stupid mistakes.

But no, these Warner UK Batman discs are fine in that regard. Most likely, the US discs will have the identical authoring, and just have a different label slapped on the top.

[marooned99]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Batman:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Batman-Blu-r...2AH9AA958E76FF

Returns:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...pf_rd_i=468294

I got both for around $45 shipped to the U.S.

Thanks for the links. These are the only two I am interested in purchasing.

[coldstone]

i bought this blu ray yesterday and eagerly slipped it into my playstation 3, running HDMI to a 46 inch sony bravia.

viewing random scenes i could tell that this was the clearest and cleanest version of batman id ever seen.
however i then slipped in my batman DVD from 2005 and I really couldnt tell many significant differences between upscaled DVD and the blu ray.

All the dark scenes, which make up alot of the film look nearly identical. the only scenes where you can really notice picture quality improvement are the brighter scenes such as the bruce wayne function, bruce visiting vicki's apartment, and a few of the scenes with jack napier and carl grissom.

its hard to explain, you dont really see any more detail in the blu ray version over the upscaled DVD but the picture just looks more fuller. colours are slightly more vibrant also, with eye/light reflections slightly more pronounced. Im actually now thinking the 2005 DVD version was really good to begin with, or the ps3 is a really good upscaling player?
In the beginning when the actors names are on the screen the text doesnt really look HD. i like to look at text as good test to the sharpness of the film. if you turn on the subtitles then that is how sharp it should be.

All in all it's a very slight, but noticeable picture improvement over upscaled DVD. its kind of like how terminator 2 blu ray looks compared to the ultimate DVD.

sorry i dont have a good audio system so i cant comment on the audio.

i will still recommend getting the blu ray though for the very slight picture improvement. if you already have the 2005 dvd, then i still recommend it but maybe wait for a discount. but in saying that, im a huge fan of this film so its really a no-brainer for me.
i just wish the extras were in HD too.


p.s i have 2 ps3's, i ran 2005 Aussie dvd and aussie blu ray version simultaneously and switched TV inputs to compare.

[KingLeonidas300]

I am looking to get Batman and Batman Returns but I don't know If I want to wait for the US release since they may not be sold seperatly. Are the UK versions worth importing? I understand they are not cut and they are region free. Thoughts anyone?

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by KingLeonidas300

I am looking to get Batman and Batman Returns but I don't know If I want to wait for the US release since they may not be sold seperatly. Are the UK versions worth importing? I understand they are not cut and they are region free. Thoughts anyone?

It appears they won't be available separately in the U.S. For right now, it looks like it's the set only. The UK discs are region free and reviews have been positive. I should have mine hopefully at the end of the week.

[B-movies]

Batman comparison *pix*

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by B-movies

Batman comparison *pix*

You can tell by the last photo that they are not using the same frames (i.e. look at the candles). That would call into question the entire comparison and the methodology used for this "comparison". How do we know any of the others are using the same exact frame?

[monkeyjb1988]

Originally Posted by B-movies

Batman comparison *pix*

There is a rather big improvement. I got the DVDs, but I think I'll double dip for those blu puppies.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by Esox50

You can tell by the last photo that they are not using the same frames (i.e. look at the candles). That would call into question the entire comparison and the methodology used for this "comparison". How do we know any of the others are using the same exact frame?

DVDs are on the disc at 480i with 60 fields per minute. Blu-ray is on the disc at 1080p at 24 frames per second.

Why would you expect them to have a deep method of comparing that lines up perfectly rather than just eyeballing? The whole point is to show the sort of extra detail and depth that the BD version is able to show, not to look at ONE SPECIFIC frame. The point is a frame of reference to think of the entire movie, not to compare a single worthless frame.

[md99]

I have both. Batman is nothing special, Batman Returns on the other hand looks fantastic.

[jimmymiro12]

As much as I dont care for Batman & Robin and Batman Forever I will buy the set because I love the first 2 movies.

[andy86i]

theres finally a review for batman.. been long enough hasent it? the uk versions are just as valid as the US ones. and where are the other 3 reviews? not good enough really.