"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Stacey Spears

If by a lot you mean one, then yes, they own a lot.

Here are the patents, and their owners, for AVC. http://www.mpegla.com/main/programs/...s/avc-att1.pdf

Stacey, have you read this month’s issue of American Cinematographer yet….specifically, the article on the Red One camera by AC’s technical editor?

Especially the line….”If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”, with an accounting of its multiple real world deficiencies. That article should be requried reading for Red One camera fanboys on audio/video forums who don’t own a Red, much less have ever used one in a commercial endeavor.

b.t.w., the ASC Open House is on Feb. 20.
As they say….”Be there, or be square……….or, be in Whistler and Vancouver for the Games.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Wow. Looks like Panasonic, LG and Toshiba are the big winners there. Even Microsoft trounces Apple in terms of patents on it.

Kris, I’m told that the *screenshot scientists* are pandering the fact that they identified the first Blu-ray production of Gangs of New York as an ‘anomoly’, so to speak, with their advanced scientific techniques.

Funny, I recall you publically called it “a turd” upon real-time viewing, a good two weeks prior to any *screenshot* scientific analysis.

Also, I’m told that some over there are implying or claiming that their persistent whining about Gangs somehow initiated or expedited the remastering process.
lol, psychiatrists refer to that type of *mindset* as “delusions of grandeur”.

You should inform them that their b*tching in terms of length of duration as well as numbers of postings with regards to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Dark Knight, not to mention a few other titles, makes the *AVS online intimidation factor* for Gangs of New York seem like a forgotten child.

I would venture if it hasn’t happened already that the ‘before and after’ remastering screenshot pics of GONY are/will be used as a vehicle to legitimatize (by implication) the continued use of *screenshot science* for future Blu-ray movies…..completely ignoring their overwhelmingly past track record of hyperbolic nonsense.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I can't watch any film that features animals in jeopardy or otherwise badness

Marley and Me,

I remember you gave us all a cautionary heads-up prior to its streeting on Blu-ray.
Thanks.

I'm late for an 11:00 meeting.

[Jeff Kleist]

Also, I’m told that some over there are implying or claiming that their persistent whining about Gangs somehow initiated or expedited the remastering process.
lol, psychiatrists refer to that type of *mindset* as “delusions of grandeur”.

You should inform them that their b*tching in terms of length of duration as well as numbers of postings with regards to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Dark Knight, not to mention a few other titles, makes the *AVS online intimidation factor* for Gangs of New York seem like a forgotten child.

I wonder if Sony re-encoded Bram Stoker, purposely changing up the file size and bitrates just to screw with them if they would declare it to be a marked improvement

[TechJunkie]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Wow. Looks like Panasonic, LG and Toshiba are the big winners there. Even Microsoft trounces Apple in terms of patents on it.

Haven't frequented the site in some time and it is funny to pop in just as some of this is being discussed.

FYI

Apple had held out from joining the AVC and VC1 licensing pools (at least as late as 2007). I guess they finally caved and joined the pool.

That being said, it may be the reason that there currently is only a single patent listed. They may very well catch up over time.

Also, the companies have to submit the patents that they want considered for inclusion in the pools; then they are reviewed against the specifications to determine whether they are "essential" to practicing the standard. Only if found essential for at least one claim will they be added to the licensed patents pool.

Most of the patents on either the AVC or VC1 lists can also be found on the other.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I love movies about animals…..esp. wild animals, because for one thing, -
“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A bird will fall frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”
What these creatures have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, just for survival, makes most ‘human problems’ seem like a drop in the bucket.

You're favorite film must be Au Hasard Balthazar.

Am I close?

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

hanser, I notice in your sig, which I quoted above, you have a blog about “psychology in movies”.
Which reminds me, the next time one of these *I hate film grain because it is not ‘natural’ in the real world* discussions comes up on some forum…..again, you can always refer them to this article………………..
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...se.html?page=1

If that is saying that the brain might already have a built-in noise function, why should film have lots of added grain/noise (ie. not what is seen in the real world with our eyes) if you want it to be 'natural' (similar to what is seen in the real world)? Surely if the brain has it's own noise function what is on the screen should be the same as in the real world? If grain/noise/a natural image is good why don't they stop the use of DNR and filtering on all Blu-ray titles?

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

No, I hadn’t heard about that Blu-ray.
Thanks for the recommendation.

I love movies about animals…..esp. wild animals, because for one thing, -
“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A bird will fall frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”
What these creatures have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, just for survival, makes most ‘human problems’ seem like a drop in the bucket.

For the record, this is NOT your first GI Jane reference....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvkiPgFXQQ

*shudder*

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Kris, I’m told that the *screenshot scientists* are pandering the fact that they identified the first Blu-ray production of Gangs of New York as an ‘anomoly’, so to speak, with their advanced scientific techniques.....

Re-issues of Baraka.. heck about 95% (might be being too generous to think they let 5% of titles be considered passable for them) of previously released blu's are on their way thanks to the "scientists" of avs

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I can't watch any film that features animals in jeopardy or otherwise badness

Marley and Me, Incredible Journey, Old Yeller, all should be NC-17.

Stay far away from The Cove. That would be XXX for you.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Stay far away from The Cove. That would be XXX for you.

How about Cujo?

[JimSD]

Penton-Man,

Just an FYI, I checked raceacrossthesky.com for any updates on when the DVD for the Leadville 100 documentary would be out and they now are saying it will also be available on Blu-ray and the date is March 2010. That will be a definite buy for me to support their venture.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

For the record, this is NOT your first GI Jane reference....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvkiPgFXQQ
*shudder*

“Mister, you can say anything you want about me. I'm gonna have to ask you not to talk about my horse that way.”
Shark, when I get around to it, I’ll post a pic of the ‘paint’ that I ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-9aT...FA451B&index=0

[Penton-Man]

Jim SD, ^ long distance endurance riding before mountain bikes and off-road motorcycles came down the pike.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Blind buy for me. It may be a decent rental for those even remotely interested in taking up mountain biking as a hobby.

[Stacey Spears]

Isn't AVC using a variation of the QuickTime Container? Isn't that the patent?

There are a lot of web scenarios that use MP4. Its not exclusive to AVC. VC-1 is being used inside of MP4 as well. The smooth streaming that you see is using fragmented MP4. Blu-ray is using the MPEG transport stream as its container. HD DVD used the MPEG Program stream. Adobe is storing AVC inside of Flash. DECE is probably using MP4.

[Stacey Spears]

Stacey, have you read this month’s issue of American Cinematographer yet….specifically, the article on the Red One camera by AC’s technical editor?

I have not read the article, just the feedback on it. Actually I glanced at the feedback as I can only take so much fanboyism on any subject. Francis Kenny responded saying that it was the writer’s opinion, not American Cinematographer or the ASC. Christopher jumped in to defend his article and I thought he did a good job not responding to the personal attacks and just trying to address comments. He appears to have pretty thick skin.

My next trip to LA is next week. I will be at the studio formerly known as Ren-Mar on the 13th.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

hah!, believe me, they’re only “little” when they’re pups.
My coyotes are all BUFFED cause they eat well and I make sure they work out daily at L.A. Feral-Fitness.

When you're not looking they're taking the train.

[sharkshark]

Well, I finally did it, and watched the 70+ minute Phantom Menace review in its entirety...

...childish and silly, underneath the review it has some surprisingly compelling, cogent points about the film. After years suffering the knee-jerk bashing of TPM, I must say, in total, it's the most articulate elucidation of what's not to like about it.

Mind you, as somebody who went eight times on opening day, I'm usually not an honest broker. I still think there's things to like about the film, that it does a decent job as an opening chapter. But, frankly, any defence of the film would lack the sheer insanity of this strange work of critical art. It's sophmoric, weird, and downright creepy, but I do recommend giving the mega review a shot...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxKtZ...layer_embedded

[Vincent Pereira]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Kris, I’m told that the *screenshot scientists* are pandering the fact that they identified the first Blu-ray production of Gangs of New York as an ‘anomoly’, so to speak, with their advanced scientific techniques.

Funny, I recall you publically called it “a turd” upon real-time viewing, a good two weeks prior to any *screenshot* scientific analysis.

Also, I’m told that some over there are implying or claiming that their persistent whining about Gangs somehow initiated or expedited the remastering process...

Funny I just responded to that that thread over there on this very issue, although I suspect my post won't last too long:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post18073793

Vincent

[Jeff Kleist]

Stay far away from The Cove. That would be XXX for you.

Way ahead of you on that. I'm well aware of it.

No one I know in Japan eats whale or dolphin, These things seem very much tied to older generations, especially wealthier ones. I'm hoping the saner generation just now rising to power will finally put a stop to the BS "scientific research" crap and the slaughter.

My black cat Blackjack was totally buff. His tail was so strong it took real strength to pull it down while petting him.