Utawarerumono anime (JP) -> 1080i only?

[Blackraven]

Whoa, I haven't been here in the Blu-ray forums for months.

Anyhow, we were just discussing this boxset over at AOD forums. Personally, I think that even with its high pricing, I think it's a steal (I MEAN IT HAS THE ENGLISH DUB FROM ADV FILMS).....................yet we were also talking about another thing.

It is only in 1080i.

Someone said that it has something to do with PS3 not supporting 30p or something (he also mentions the phenomenon with Nine Inch Nails BD version).

Perhaps some pros/experts can answer or explain.

For reference here's the thread:
http://www.animeondvd.com/forum/show...79/tp/0/all/1/

P.S. That does not mean that my intention of buying is dampened because of this 1080i whatever (or just because it is not 1080p).

[u_nick]

I vaguely remember hearing when this came out that it was just a standard upconvert, and not actuall prepped for a proper hi def release.

[Frode]

Utawarerumono is not an upconvert. The real problem is that it contains a mix of 30fps and 24fps content, and the only way to properly encode that for playback is to use 60i. If you have a decent stand alone BD player (NOT the PS3), it should be able to detect whether the content is 24fps or 30fps, and then convert it to 60p for output.

[Deciazulado]

or the displays deinterlaces it from 30p inside 60i to 30p inside 60p

[Frode]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

or the displays deinterlaces it from 30p inside 60i to 30p inside 60p

Which only a few manage to do right. In addition if you want to watch it with subtitles that can confuse the cadence detection - even if it doesn't you might get combing subtitles as a result.

[Deciazulado]

Well when there are mixed frame rates that aren't multiples of each other there will always be issues.

Mmmm I want a 120p player

[seto]

For an anime fan, this is a bit disappointing for me. I guess I will have to be extra careful on which stand-alone player I buy in the future.

[Blackraven]

Gaah, apparently play-asia is accepting pre-orders at a whopping cost of 20k philippine pesos (which is equivalent of our monthly rent for our apartment unit).

Damn (and that's gotta hurt for HDTVs since majority of these use progressive resolutions as their 'forte')

Well anyway, it won't come out till two weeks so until then, I guess that I'd rather wait to hear a review first on it(probably Chris would be the first to do so).

[WickyWoo]

Japanese discs are hideously expensive

All I need is Char's Counterattack We had a lovely 35mm print at Otakon, it's magically delicious on the big screen

[Cordre69]

Man, with this 1080i business and Air being an upconvert, my hopes for HD Anime are slowly becoming distant dreams =(

[Frode]

Err.. there's a big difference between an upconvert and something that is native 1080i.

[Blackraven]

Bump.

Anyhow, a few peeps from AnimeonDVD have obtained their orders.

Here are a few pics of the box and contents:








Now, all that's left is a formal review of it.

P.S.
It is also confirmed that the official English language audio (by ADV Films) is in this package

[seto]

I could give you an informal review from my impressions of the utawarerumono Blu-ray discs.


Packaging: The cardboard sleeve had a very heavy and solid feel for it. The sleeve is also modified to a shorter height to match the Blu-ray cases. The Blu-ray cases were thicker than your standard fare but had a very solid feel and was of better quality. Each Blu-ray case contains two postcards with two characters on each. There is also a booklet in Japanese about 40-50 pages long giving episode summaries, character profiles, and about the utawarerumono universe.

PQ: 5/5 The transfer from the original 1080i master is absolutely stunning. The colours were brightened up and the 3D animation that was fused into the series were smoothed out and blended really well into the animation. If you have watched the original release of the animation you will notice that this series has had some pretty impressive clean-up work done on it.

AQ: Japanese Track - 4/5 - The Japanese audio track was pretty clean. Unfortunately, it was only 2 channel.

AQ: English Track - N/A - I did not watch the series with the English track but if you have heard the ADV dubbed track before then that is what you should expect. It comes in 5.1 surround.

Subtitles: English (from ADV). In general, the English subtitles pretty much captured what the characters were trying to express instead of using a modified script/storyline to fit western tastes/cultures. The only problem with the subtitles is on the second disc where they had "you e" instead of "you're". There are only English subtitles on the main feature, there were no subtitles for the extras.

Extras: There are a series of short episodes/omake that are pretty hilarious. Episode previews, opening and ending themes, and explanations of the utawarerumono universe are some of the other extras packaged. Unfortunately, for my non-Japanese-reading/hearing friends, all of these are not subtitled.

Overall impression: I was very impressed and would highly recommend anyone to pick this up. It is a definite improvement over the SD material.

[WickyWoo]

If something is 1080i in Japan, they don't convert it to 1080p

I have several concert discs from Japan, all 1080i

[Cordre69]

Looks like an awesome set but way outside of my price range. I've been collecting Anime DVDs for 13 years and have never paid that much for a single series. Nowadays I pay like...$25-60 for a season/series and Blu would make me go like...$150-175 but thats it.

[Blackraven]

It costs as much as an Xbox 360.

Hmm.....Xbox 360 or this?

I think Gears of War can wait for a few more months. So yup, I'm planning to get my copy this April.