Stop Making Sense Disappoints

[Pondosinatra]

Stop Making Sense is one of my favorite concert movies. And I love the Talking Heads, could recite every note and vocal inflection from memory.

I've also owned this on Laserdisc, CD and DVD.

So it was with much excitement when the Blu-ray version came in the mail.

I threw it in, sparked up the stereo, sat back.....and was disappointed.

I listened to both the 5.1 concert mix and 2.0 stereo mix and I have to say the definitive listening experience is still to be found on the Laserdisc. Not even close.

Curious to hear what others think of it.

[benricci]

I think you're the only one who feels this way. The DTS-HD and PCM audio tracks on the blu-ray are absolutely fantastic.

[Beta Man]

that is troubling to hear........ I only have the DVD and CD(s) so I can't compare them or the BD to the LD version you're referring to

[SDon1969]

Mine has been ordered and should be in the mail. I ordered it based on the excess of glowing, raving reviews, so I was surprised to see this thread. However, I have never seen Stop Making Sense on Laserdisc or on any other format, so I have no way to compare.

[Russell_L]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Stop Making Sense is one of my favorite concert movies. And I love the Talking Heads, could recite every note and vocal inflection from memory.

I've also owned this on Laserdisc, CD and DVD.

So it was with much excitement when the Blu-ray version came in the mail.

I threw it in, sparked up the stereo, sat back.....and was disappointed.

I listened to both the 5.1 concert mix and 2.0 stereo mix and I have to say the definitive listening experience is still to be found on the Laserdisc. Not even close.

Curious to hear what others think of it.

Can you explain what it is about the listening experience on the BD that disappointed you? Is it at least as good as the DVD (which is what I had)?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

I have never seen Stop Making Sense on Laserdisc or on any other format, so I have no way to compare.

Oh man are you in for a treat......... supposedly the PQ isn't that great, but as far as AQ, it all seems positive with the exception of this thread....

and as for the concert itself...........WOW!!!!!!!!

[ahearst]

Originally Posted by benricci

i think you're the only one who feels this way. The dts-hd and pcm audio tracks on the blu-ray are absolutely fantastic.

+1

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by benricci

I think you're the only one who feels this way. The DTS-HD and PCM audio tracks on the blu-ray are absolutely fantastic.

That may be, but have you compared it to the Laserdisc???? And obviously I'm talking about the stereo mix.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

That may be, but have you compared it to the Laserdisc???? And obviously I'm talking about the stereo mix.

Off-topic, and mentioned countless times before....... but I can't imagine watching a concert video any other way.

[LMonaco]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Stop Making Sense is one of my favorite concert movies. And I love the Talking Heads, could recite every note and vocal inflection from memory.

I've also owned this on Laserdisc, CD and DVD.

So it was with much excitement when the Blu-ray version came in the mail.

I threw it in, sparked up the stereo, sat back.....and was disappointed.

I listened to both the 5.1 concert mix and 2.0 stereo mix and I have to say the definitive listening experience is still to be found on the Laserdisc. Not even close.

Curious to hear what others think of it.

I have all the DVD-Audio's and these mixes are great & they do not pale in comparison withe the mixes on the blu. I do not want to seem a$$inine but the way you worded your question (both the 5.1 concert mix and 2.0 stereo...) I'm not sure that you are aware that there is 2 - 5.1 DTS-HD MA mixes (as well as the stereo mix). Are you dissapointed with all 3 mixes?

[tiger roach]

Sounds fantastic on my rig.

[Pondosinatra]

There's a good discussion of this (LD vs Blu-ray) by the geeks over at AVS.

Laserdisc Sound vs Blu Ray sound - Differences ? - AVS Forum

Again based on my personal direct comparisons, the Laserdisc sounds way better. By better I mean a richer, warmer sound.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by LMonaco

I have all the DVD-Audio's and these mixes are great & they do not pale in comparison withe the mixes on the blu. I do not want to seem a$$inine but the way you worded your question (both the 5.1 concert mix and 2.0 stereo...) I'm not sure that you are aware that there is 2 - 5.1 DTS-HD MA mixes (as well as the stereo mix). Are you dissapointed with all 3 mixes?

I can't comment on the DTS-HD track as my receiver doesn't decode that (ya I know get with the times).

Which is why my comparisons were the stereo tracks.

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Off-topic, and mentioned countless times before....... but I can't imagine watching a concert video any other way.

Hey Beta, I don't think I have seen those discussions. You prefer the 2.0 lossless mixes to the 5.1 lossless mixes, even on something like Stop Making Sense or Certifiable? I guess I better try selecting the stereo mix to see what I think...

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Hey Beta, I don't think I have seen those discussions. You prefer the 2.0 lossless mixes to the 5.1 lossless mixes, even on something like Stop Making Sense or Certifiable? I guess I better try selecting the stereo mix to see what I think...

Absolutely! It feels like you're at a concert...... I can't tell you the last time I was at a concert that speakers behind me Plus, even with a fairly accurate subwoofer, I think the bass is more refined when it's coming from the fronts....

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Absolutely! It feels like you're at a concert...... I can't tell you the last time I was at a concert that speakers behind me Plus, even with a fairly accurate subwoofer, I think the bass is more refined when it's coming from the fronts....

Thanks, man, I didn't realize! I didn't really notice much instrument sound from the rear speakers from Certifiable (or Hall & Oates), seemed like mostly crowd sounds, but you have definitely made me curious enough to try out the stereo mixes...

[bboisvert]

Can the OP be maybe a little more specific about where and why he thinks the LD excels and the BD is deficient? I've read through this thread and I'm still clueless...

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Can the OP be maybe a little more specific about where and why he thinks the LD excels and the BD is deficient? I've read through this thread and I'm still clueless...

I find the sound to be better on the Laserdisc than the stereo mix of the Blu-Ray. I don't have a DTS-HD receiver, so I can't comment on how it sounds. But as Beta Man indicated, for concert movies you typically want to listen to it in stereo anyways.

Therefore overall I found this release to be a disappointment, because when it comes to the stereo track I found it to be a downgrade from what I have on Laserdisc.

Hopefully that is clear enough.

[bboisvert]

Not really. Not trying to be a dick here, but you keep saying the LD is "better" without being specific at all.

Better clarity? Less hiss? More dynamic range? Stronger bass?

What's "better" about it?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by bbalff

The OP is off his rocker. Stop Making Sense is PHENOMENAL on Blu. It has never sounded this good before, except for when it was recorded.

So you're refuting him based on the fact that you also have this on LD correct? Because nobody is denying that it sounds fantastic on Blu-ray...... the OP was just saying it sounded Better on LD.