Dust in the Wind & A Time to Live, A Time to Die (Hou Hsiao-Hsien) box set - Blu-ray Forum

apollo828 · 11-07-2014, 06:19 PM

Hello. Has anyone else noticed the box set that came out in Taiwan recently? I received it yesterday and wanted to write up a quick report.

As some might know, "Dust in the Wind" got a standalone Blu release awhile back. It looked okay but suffered from a weird authoring issue that, IIRC, made the film come out as 1080i despite being a progressive master. (I don't recall the exact details.) Contrary to what some thought would happen, the new disc isn't a rehash. It appears to be a proper 1080p transfer, according to the tech specs and to my eyes. I think it's the same master, though. It even has a similar bitrate. (Both discs are BD25s.) Anyway, the disc also has a retrospective documentary that is English-subbed. The subs looked kinda rough but they should be good enough to understand the gist of what is being said.

ATTLATTD is new to Blu. It's also a proper 1080p transfer, although unlike DITW, it's set to 24 fps instead of 23.976 fps. It also has a short, English-subbed featurette. I think it focuses more on how the film was preserved more than any behind-the-scenes interviews and such. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, though.

The box comes with a relatively large book that has some photos from DITW, along with a bunch of blank pages. I guess it's meant to be used as a journal? Strange considering that the book is individually numbered to boot. Oh well.

I'm guessing that standalone releases are forthcoming. The individual Blu packages (box = book + 2 Blu cases) seem to indicate that the distributor wants consistent packaging across a series of titles. I guess this also means more HHH films are in the works, although I'm just guessing.

If you truly love the films, the box is probably worth your while. If not, you're probably better off just waiting for individual releases. In any event, these do represent huge upgrades over the DVD releases.

If you have any more questions, let me know. I'm pretty slow at responding but will answer eventually.

Also, if anyone wants to buy my old DITW Blu, get in touch.

Thanks.

Tiberius · 11-07-2014, 08:19 PM

So the main features themselves, the movies, also have English subtitles on this new set, right? Not just the special features? I know it wouldn't make sense to give special features English subs without including them for the movie, but I'd like to make absolutely sure before I buy this set.

Dan8700 · 11-07-2014, 10:05 PM

I am aware of the set, but was waiting for a decent price (now it's like 70€)... glad DitW got a progressive transfer (even though the standalone Blu was great already), but I'm annoyed by the 24fps encoding... at that price, I demand a flawless product.
Anyway, question: the book only features photos and no excerpts/texts?

apollo828 · 11-07-2014, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiberius

So the main features themselves, the movies, also have English subtitles on this new set, right? Not just the special features? I know it wouldn't make sense to give special features English subs without including them for the movie, but I'd like to make absolutely sure before I buy this set.

Correct. The movies have English subs too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Anyway, question: the book only features photos and no excerpts/texts?

I didn't see any. I'd see a few pages with pictures, then a bunch of blank pages. "Dust in the Wind" is printed on the spine, along with the set #. Very strange.

PGW · 11-07-2014, 11:54 PM

Some links, please? Who has the best price?

I have the old DITW blu-ray, and it does stutter a bit, but I found it watchable enough. Glad to hear "A Time to Live A Time To Die" has made it to blu-ray. The DVD version (in the HHH boxed set) is pretty mediocre.

p_cqvist · 11-08-2014, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the write-up! Nice to see that it is a 1080p encode this time. At the same time it's a minor shame that they didn't clean up the subtitles as they are, like you said, a bit rough.

They've put out trailers that, terrible YouTube compression aside, gives an idea of what to expect. Are you sure about the same master being used though? I do remember DITW looking a lot more blue, while the trailer looks similar to the old DVD. Although, it's possible that they just tweaked the colors.

Regarding places to buy from, I'm currently keeping an eye on YesAsia and JSDVD.
The prices are a bit too steep for me, so I might just wait for the individual releases if that works out cheaper.

Anyways, I certainly hope there's more HHH in the works.

shadedpain4 · 11-14-2014, 01:37 PM

Thank you for all the information. With a $5 off yesasia coupon and various cash back programs I was able to order this with a net cost just about $75, which I can live with (not to mention I'll earn another $5 off coupon).

ShakyTheClown · 01-06-2015, 03:56 PM

I just got this set in a mail and have taken a quick look at A TIME TO LIVE, A TIME TO DIE. It LOOKS beautiful, but the audio seems to be problematic, toned-down, filtered, quiet. I'm not sure entirely how to explain it; it may just be a limitation in audio that cannot be fixed. Anyone else have a look at this BD yet?

PGW · 01-08-2015, 10:57 PM

I haven't watched "A Time To Live" yet, so I can't comment on the audio, but I did A/B "Dust In The Wind" with the previous blu-ray, and there's a world of difference - the new one looks GORGEOUS. No stuttering image. Much brighter and more detailed. No unusual color tint.

Given the age of the film and where it was made, I'd have to say this is a first class restoration, and can only hope the other early HHH films follow (and the later ones, for that matter!).

ShakyTheClown · 03-02-2015, 08:41 PM

Anyone had a chance yet to check out the audio for A TIME TO LIVE?

ijustblumyself · 08-06-2015, 02:34 PM

http://dvd.jsdvd.com/product_info.php?products_id=31444

Going quite cheap here if anyone is interested (the site looks a little dodgy but I've used it before, and they're legitimate).

PGW · 08-06-2015, 08:53 PM

It works out to $60 U.S. + whatever they come back and charge you for postage, vs. $87 shipped from Yesasia.

Fabs · 08-14-2015, 09:29 PM

Found the single Dust in the Wind blu ray on eBay and got it. Good price, and from the trailer it looks like my type of film.

Fabs · 09-18-2015, 01:06 PM

Finally bought the Box Set. I have to say I prefer the Standalone Dust in the Wind's transfer. I don't notice any problems with the transfer and I prefer the cool color palate of it to the Box Set's almost washed out look. Also, in the opening of the Box Set's Blu of Dust in the Wind, I notice a slight pause or freeze during the train scene.

Still, the set is amazing because both films are masterpieces. Dust in the Wind is one of the best films I've ever seen.

Dan8700 · 09-18-2015, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabs

Finally bought the Box Set. I have to say I prefer the Standalone Dust in the Wind's transfer. I don't notice any problems with the transfer and I prefer the cool color palate of it to the Box Set's almost washed out look. Also, in the opening of the Box Set's Blu of Dust in the Wind, I notice a slight pause or freeze during the train scene.

Glad I didn't bite... I've always liked the blue palette of the standalone DitW... I wish someone would post a screenshots comparison!

Fabs · 09-18-2015, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Glad I didn't bite... I've always liked the blue palette of the standalone DitW... I wish someone would post a screenshots comparison!

It's worth it to get A Time to Live, A Time to Die. You can always sell off your DitW disc in the set and replace with the Standalone.

I wish I could make a true comparison, but found two of the same images that represent the color palettes.

PGW · 09-18-2015, 11:53 PM

This is a thoroughly unscientific comparison, since these shots are taken with a camera off of my monitor. I didn't change any settings on the camera or monitor, however, or anything else.

PGW · 09-18-2015, 11:57 PM

And the image above.

Dan8700 · 09-20-2015, 06:10 PM

First of all, thanks a lot for your efforts, lads!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabs

It's worth it to get A Time to Live, A Time to Die. You can always sell off your DitW disc in the set and replace with the Standalone.

I wish I could make a true comparison, but found two of the same images that represent the color palettes.

Now, I've compared the first image with my disc and the palette is indeed accurate (meaning it's the one actually featured on the disc and not manipulated). I didn't recall this BD was so solid, and I really love the palette. I can't say the same about the new one, from what I see (older source or regraded?). Anyways, now I'm curious to see both in motion... Thanks again!

harpolini · 09-20-2015, 06:45 PM

There are screencaps for the standalone release of DiTW at DVDBeaver http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...nd_blu-ray.htm

I watched rewatched the standalone release and it does look very good, even for projection standards. Those concerned about the 23.97 spec, I didn't notice a stutter because I have my blu-ray player put on 60p. I also did not notice an interlacing issue, although that may be due in part from my Sony player automatically handles interlaced content.

This was a restoration from Central Motion Picture Corporation (Other titles included: The Terrorizers, The Personals, Vive L'Amour and Tropical Fish)

Here is a restoration demo for comparison.

11-07-2014, 06:19 PM	#1
apollo828 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	Dust in the Wind & A Time to Live, A Time to Die (Hou Hsiao-Hsien) box set Hello. Has anyone else noticed the box set that came out in Taiwan recently? I received it yesterday and wanted to write up a quick report. As some might know, "Dust in the Wind" got a standalone Blu release awhile back. It looked okay but suffered from a weird authoring issue that, IIRC, made the film come out as 1080i despite being a progressive master. (I don't recall the exact details.) Contrary to what some thought would happen, the new disc isn't a rehash. It appears to be a proper 1080p transfer, according to the tech specs and to my eyes. I think it's the same master, though. It even has a similar bitrate. (Both discs are BD25s.) Anyway, the disc also has a retrospective documentary that is English-subbed. The subs looked kinda rough but they should be good enough to understand the gist of what is being said. ATTLATTD is new to Blu. It's also a proper 1080p transfer, although unlike DITW, it's set to 24 fps instead of 23.976 fps. It also has a short, English-subbed featurette. I think it focuses more on how the film was preserved more than any behind-the-scenes interviews and such. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, though. The box comes with a relatively large book that has some photos from DITW, along with a bunch of blank pages. I guess it's meant to be used as a journal? Strange considering that the book is individually numbered to boot. Oh well. I'm guessing that standalone releases are forthcoming. The individual Blu packages (box = book + 2 Blu cases) seem to indicate that the distributor wants consistent packaging across a series of titles. I guess this also means more HHH films are in the works, although I'm just guessing. If you truly love the films, the box is probably worth your while. If not, you're probably better off just waiting for individual releases. In any event, these do represent huge upgrades over the DVD releases. If you have any more questions, let me know. I'm pretty slow at responding but will answer eventually. Also, if anyone wants to buy my old DITW Blu, get in touch. Thanks.

11-07-2014, 08:19 PM	#2
Tiberius Expert Member Top contributor Member since:May 2011 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:816 DVD collection:400 Trading Score:2	So the main features themselves, the movies, also have English subtitles on this new set, right? Not just the special features? I know it wouldn't make sense to give special features English subs without including them for the movie, but I'd like to make absolutely sure before I buy this set.

11-07-2014, 10:05 PM	#3
Dan8700 Special Member Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Rome, Italy 4K collection:42 Blu-ray collection:1178	I am aware of the set, but was waiting for a decent price (now it's like 70€)... glad DitW got a progressive transfer (even though the standalone Blu was great already), but I'm annoyed by the 24fps encoding... at that price, I demand a flawless product. Anyway, question: the book only features photos and no excerpts/texts?

11-07-2014, 11:54 PM	#5
PGW Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2009 Location:United States Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:4	Some links, please? Who has the best price? I have the old DITW blu-ray, and it does stutter a bit, but I found it watchable enough. Glad to hear "A Time to Live A Time To Die" has made it to blu-ray. The DVD version (in the HHH boxed set) is pretty mediocre.

11-14-2014, 01:37 PM	#7
shadedpain4 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Dec 2010 4K collection:90 Blu-ray collection:2749 DVD collection:94 Trading Score:6	Thank you for all the information. With a $5 off yesasia coupon and various cash back programs I was able to order this with a net cost just about $75, which I can live with (not to mention I'll earn another $5 off coupon).

01-06-2015, 03:56 PM	#8
ShakyTheClown Member Member since:Mar 2013	I just got this set in a mail and have taken a quick look at A TIME TO LIVE, A TIME TO DIE. It LOOKS beautiful, but the audio seems to be problematic, toned-down, filtered, quiet. I'm not sure entirely how to explain it; it may just be a limitation in audio that cannot be fixed. Anyone else have a look at this BD yet?

01-08-2015, 10:57 PM	#9
PGW Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2009 Location:United States Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:4	I haven't watched "A Time To Live" yet, so I can't comment on the audio, but I did A/B "Dust In The Wind" with the previous blu-ray, and there's a world of difference - the new one looks GORGEOUS. No stuttering image. Much brighter and more detailed. No unusual color tint. Given the age of the film and where it was made, I'd have to say this is a first class restoration, and can only hope the other early HHH films follow (and the later ones, for that matter!).

03-02-2015, 08:41 PM	#10
ShakyTheClown Member Member since:Mar 2013	Anyone had a chance yet to check out the audio for A TIME TO LIVE?

08-06-2015, 02:34 PM	#11
ijustblumyself Special Member Member since:Jun 2013 Blu-ray collection:1039 Trading Score:1	http://dvd.jsdvd.com/product_info.php?products_id=31444 Going quite cheap here if anyone is interested (the site looks a little dodgy but I've used it before, and they're legitimate).

08-06-2015, 08:53 PM	#12
PGW Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2009 Location:United States Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:4	It works out to $60 U.S. + whatever they come back and charge you for postage, vs. $87 shipped from Yesasia.

08-14-2015, 09:29 PM	#13
Fabs Special Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2013 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:257 DVD collection:33	Found the single Dust in the Wind blu ray on eBay and got it. Good price, and from the trailer it looks like my type of film.

09-18-2015, 01:06 PM	#14
Fabs Special Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2013 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:257 DVD collection:33	Finally bought the Box Set. I have to say I prefer the Standalone Dust in the Wind's transfer. I don't notice any problems with the transfer and I prefer the cool color palate of it to the Box Set's almost washed out look. Also, in the opening of the Box Set's Blu of Dust in the Wind, I notice a slight pause or freeze during the train scene. Still, the set is amazing because both films are masterpieces. Dust in the Wind is one of the best films I've ever seen.

09-18-2015, 11:53 PM	#17
PGW Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2009 Location:United States Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:4	This is a thoroughly unscientific comparison, since these shots are taken with a camera off of my monitor. I didn't change any settings on the camera or monitor, however, or anything else.

09-18-2015, 11:57 PM	#18
PGW Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2009 Location:United States Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:4	And the image above.

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