Just watched Independence Day Fox Japan Blu-ray - Blu-ray Forum

nycomet · 01-02-2008, 07:49 PM

I couldn't wait for the USA release so I ordered ID4 on Blu-Ray which is out in Japan (http://www.amazon.co.jp). The color, contrast and overall transfer is absolutely brilliant. Sound is blistering with aggressive surround. Only one or two special effect sequences did not hold-up well on the transfer - especially the exploding of the Empire State Building. Perhaps HD is so clear that it accentuates any weaknesses in an effects shot.

I played ID4 on a Sony BDP-S300 (firmware 3.70) and a 52-inch Sharp Aquos LCD with a Sony STR-DG710 6.1 channel receiver and 200-watt self-powered Sony Subwoofer. The surround was immersive and teeth-rattling to say the least.

The disc itself took an exceptionally longer time to load than other Blus that I have. The disc contains a game which appears to allow viewers to shoot the aliens while the film is playing. It's optional so the game is not always there unless it is activated from the special features menu. The game must be all Java-based, thus the longer load time. For obvious reasons, all of the menus and instructions are written in Japanese so game instructions and discovering what the other extra features on this disc are was an adventure in itself due to the language difference. Even the title of the film printed on the spine of the case insert is in Japanese. One other note: ID4 is an English language movie so Japanese subtitles are active when the movie starts. I turned off the subtitles as soon as I realized they were on.

The printed insert offers very little English text. However, the following is written in English:

1080p
5.1ch DTS HD Master Audio
5.1ch DTS
D-Box Motion Code
Region A

Everything else is Japanese.

ID4 from Japan cost 3477 Yen ($31.79 US) plus 2000 Yen ($18.28 US) for International FedEx (no other shipping option). Amazon shipped my order on Dec 30th. It arrived this morning - Jan. 2. Yes, it was expensive, but I had Blu-ray fever and had to have this movie now.

One can purchase ID4 now or pre-order from http://www.amazon.co.jp the following three blu-ray releases due to issue on Jan 18, 2008:

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Commando
Predator

I am tempted to order Predator.

I am awaiting receipt of The Island and Starship Troopers on Blu-Ray from Amazon UK. They should be here next week. I will post a review then.

monkyman · 01-02-2008, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the review, i'm looking forward to this movie. Have you tryed the game yet? i'm curious as to how it works.

JJ · 01-02-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkyman

Thanks for the review, I'm looking forward to this movie. Have you tried the game yet? I'm curious as to how it works.

In my head the game goes something like Duck Hunt. But with Aliens.

nycomet · 01-03-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkyman

Thanks for the review, i'm looking forward to this movie. Have you tryed the game yet? i'm curious as to how it works.

No. I have not had any time to try and figure out the ID4 game on the Japanese BRD. However, I did find a selection of FOX trailers, none of which are 1080p. There are other strange pop-up menus - all written in Japanese. Thus, for me, just having ID4 on Blu-Ray now is the real treat.

Whytewash · 01-03-2008, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

In my head the game goes something like Duck Hunt. But with Aliens.

Thats what I have had running through my head since I first heard of the game! no complaints though! I liked duck hunt!

lgans316 · 01-03-2008, 04:16 AM

Donno why so many duplicate threads emerge in this forum ? I had posted my review of ID4 long time back and that thread is now pushed back. Mods, please ensure that you merge the posts based on similar subject.

Tornillo · 01-16-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycomet

One can purchase ID4 now or pre-order from http://www.amazon.co.jp the following three blu-ray releases due to issue on Jan 18, 2008:

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Commando
Predator

I am tempted to order Predator.

I am awaiting receipt of The Island and Starship Troopers on Blu-Ray from Amazon UK. They should be here next week. I will post a review then.

How are the BR disks from UK playing? Do American players have to be PAL on All Region disks?

Great review!

darkpoet25 · 01-16-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

How are the BR disks from UK playing? Do American players have to be PAL on All Region disks?

Great review!

Since they all share the same video encodes it does not matter. Only when it comes to SD Dvd.

ryoohki · 01-16-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

How are the BR disks from UK playing? Do American players have to be PAL on All Region disks?

Great review!

There's no PAL on HD it's 1920x1080 @ 24hz everything or mostly right now. So as long as they're no region code it will work. Those title don't have Region Codes..

Tornillo · 01-16-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryoohki

There's no PAL on HD it's 1920x1080 @ 24hz everything or mostly right now. So as long as they're no region code it will work. Those title don't have Region Codes..

Cool! I saw that Air Force One is out as a German import. Thanks!

Rustmonsteru · 01-16-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

How are the BR disks from UK playing? Do American players have to be PAL on All Region disks?

Great review!

NTSC & PAL are standard def resolutions 480 & 576 respectively. Neither has anything to do with high definition.

ryoohki · 01-16-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

Cool! I saw that Air Force One is out as a German import. Thanks!

You can also import it from UK, my friend have it

Tornillo · 01-16-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryoohki

You can also import it from UK, my friend have it

Have you seen it? Does he like it?

ryoohki · 01-16-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

Have you seen it? Does he like it?

Yeah it's PQ is nice, it's not Tier0 , but it's still way better than the DVD and the Audio is really agressive in PCM 5.1.... If you like the movie and are ready to pay the price (more than a none import) got for it.

Btw if you are in N/A use www.sendit.com and use the Gift option, they charge less shipping than anyone else and the gift option ensure that you won't be charged at custom

Tornillo · 01-16-2008, 01:36 AM

Thanks Ryoohki! I'm going have to figure out how to convert pounds to dollars!

dialog_gvf · 01-16-2008, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornillo

How are the BR disks from UK playing? Do American players have to be PAL on All Region disks?

Great review!

Film based Blu-rays are all 24p. The player will output the cadences needed in the locales. All you need to worry about is the region coding.

I have five UK Blu-ray imports and they all play absolutely great on my North America PS/3.

Gary

Superking · 01-16-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycomet

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid

When's the domestic release date for this again? I saw the new anniversary release for DVD was tempting, but I want everything nowadays on blu. =(

BluStar88 · 01-16-2008, 05:09 AM

I got a copy as well and was impressed. I believe it should be the same specs as they will release in the states.

My understanding is the US release was only held up because there were play back issues in less than 5% of the machines on the market. those machinese were not available in JP so they launched pre-christmas. IMO.

If you can't wait it is a good buy.

01-02-2008, 07:49 PM	#1
nycomet Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Long Island, NY, USA ; I enjoy watching 3D blu-rays; 41 Blufans steels so far Home Theater Gallery:11 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:55 Digital collection:246 Blu-ray reviews:40 Trading Score:343	Just watched Independence Day Fox Japan Blu-ray I couldn't wait for the USA release so I ordered ID4 on Blu-Ray which is out in Japan (http://www.amazon.co.jp). The color, contrast and overall transfer is absolutely brilliant. Sound is blistering with aggressive surround. Only one or two special effect sequences did not hold-up well on the transfer - especially the exploding of the Empire State Building. Perhaps HD is so clear that it accentuates any weaknesses in an effects shot. I played ID4 on a Sony BDP-S300 (firmware 3.70) and a 52-inch Sharp Aquos LCD with a Sony STR-DG710 6.1 channel receiver and 200-watt self-powered Sony Subwoofer. The surround was immersive and teeth-rattling to say the least. The disc itself took an exceptionally longer time to load than other Blus that I have. The disc contains a game which appears to allow viewers to shoot the aliens while the film is playing. It's optional so the game is not always there unless it is activated from the special features menu. The game must be all Java-based, thus the longer load time. For obvious reasons, all of the menus and instructions are written in Japanese so game instructions and discovering what the other extra features on this disc are was an adventure in itself due to the language difference. Even the title of the film printed on the spine of the case insert is in Japanese. One other note: ID4 is an English language movie so Japanese subtitles are active when the movie starts. I turned off the subtitles as soon as I realized they were on. The printed insert offers very little English text. However, the following is written in English: 1080p 5.1ch DTS HD Master Audio 5.1ch DTS D-Box Motion Code Region A Everything else is Japanese. ID4 from Japan cost 3477 Yen ($31.79 US) plus 2000 Yen ($18.28 US) for International FedEx (no other shipping option). Amazon shipped my order on Dec 30th. It arrived this morning - Jan. 2. Yes, it was expensive, but I had Blu-ray fever and had to have this movie now. One can purchase ID4 now or pre-order from http://www.amazon.co.jp the following three blu-ray releases due to issue on Jan 18, 2008: Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid Commando Predator I am tempted to order Predator. I am awaiting receipt of The Island and Starship Troopers on Blu-Ray from Amazon UK. They should be here next week. I will post a review then.

01-16-2008, 01:36 AM	#15
Tornillo Banned Member since:Jan 2008	Thanks Ryoohki! I'm going have to figure out how to convert pounds to dollars! Last edited by Tornillo; 01-16-2008 at 01:43 AM.

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01-02-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
monkyman Special Member Member since:Jun 2007	Thanks for the review, i'm looking forward to this movie. Have you tryed the game yet? i'm curious as to how it works.

01-03-2008, 04:16 AM	#6
lgans316 Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jul 2007 Location:RM16, United Kingdom Blu-ray reviews:17 Trading Score:498	Donno why so many duplicate threads emerge in this forum ? I had posted my review of ID4 long time back and that thread is now pushed back. Mods, please ensure that you merge the posts based on similar subject.

01-16-2008, 05:09 AM	#18
BluStar88 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:中国-上海 4K collection:193 Blu-ray collection:3630 iTunes collection:594	I got a copy as well and was impressed. I believe it should be the same specs as they will release in the states. My understanding is the US release was only held up because there were play back issues in less than 5% of the machines on the market. those machinese were not available in JP so they launched pre-christmas. IMO. If you can't wait it is a good buy.

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