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

[Squozen]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Okay, Oliver I’ll give you a pass on this, unless I receive future reports that you’ve turned into a video lunatic like some others on *science* and ‘watch’ a Blu-ray movie typically like this…………….

http://www.eri.harvard.edu/faculty/p...el_noprism.mov

If we're talking about The Dark Knight, I certainly didn't have to get close to my (admittedly, large) screen to see edge enhancement and a harsh, tiring image.

Penton, is your standard response to anybody who finds a transfer sub-par to call them a *scientist*? Should we then just say, 'Blu-ray is great, hurray!' regardless of what we see, rather than suffer an insult?

I agree that the AVS forum is full of freaks and mutants, but it bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a way to voice a legitimate concern on this forum.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by dred

The info and knowledge I've gained from this site is huge. Having Insiders and people who know what they're talking about is great. I check a few threads everyday and I tend to keep my fingers quiet most of the time. Penton seems to be the man in the know with Sony, so I hope this is the right club to crash. Today, between bong hits, I went and purchased Pineapple Express from Columbia Pictures. I know us hippies might be dirty folk, but I didn't appreciate the Digital Copy and BD Live sticker to be under the cellophane and on the case itself.....

Yes, you crashed the right club…………..however, one must use one of the current valid passwords to gain entry to the Room For Addressing Concerns (or R-FAC, as we call it for short).

A valid password is humor………..the same type of humor displayed at Howard Stringer’s CES keynote by Sir Howard himself, Tom Hanks, Reggie Jackson, Usher et. al.

You, my friend have displayed such humor and thusly have successfully gained acceS to the inner sanctum; therefore, this upcoming week I shall pass on your ‘goo-ey concerns’ to the Sticker Decision Making Dept. (or SDMD, for short).

P.S.
So, please don’t call or e-mail the studio reps.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Josh

Penton,

Hope you are enjoying the show; wish I could be there.

See my response to forum member “dred” ………..in particular, paragraph number 2.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Josh

Penton,
A while ago, you mentioned that the color timing on Sling Blade was incorrect theatrically, and that if it was going to be released on Blu-ray, the master would show the true/intended color timing.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=4762

Well, now that Disney has formally announced the title, do you know if the color timing will be correct on the Blu-ray?

Not to worry, as it should be “correct” for the Blu-ray edition coming out of the Mouse House……meaning, it should be representative of the color timing performed during post production with no problem in that regard.

It’s like this………………..
The OCN as well as all the intermediate stocks down to the Answer print(s) are Kodak. The release prints were printed on Fuji stock.
The HD master (whether it be old or new - if Disney deemed a new one necessary) will not be struck from a release print, it will arise from a film master further on up the pipe (Kodak stock).

So, like I said, no prob.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Squozen

If we're talking about The Dark Knight, I certainly didn't have to get close to my (admittedly, large) screen to see edge enhancement and a harsh, tiring image.

Penton, is your standard response to anybody who finds a transfer sub-par to call them a *scientist*? Should we then just say, 'Blu-ray is great, hurray!' regardless of what we see, rather than suffer an insult?

I agree that the AVS forum is full of freaks and mutants, but it bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a way to voice a legitimate concern on this forum.

Gawd, and I have to read this post of yours early in the morning suffering from a hangover and a sore tongue!
I feel like just posting this YouTube clip and leaving it at that ………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwTGG...eature=related

However, since you seem upset I guess I’ll address your comments and concerns item by item.

[aygie]

Hey Penton is the Sony keynote up anywhere yet?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Squozen

If we're talking about The Dark Knight, I certainly didn't have to get close to my (admittedly, large) screen to see edge enhancement and a harsh, tiring image.

I wasn’t referring to The Dark Knight in particular. I was making a general policy statement about how video lunatics watch all Blu-ray movies but, regarding The Dark Knight, in particular…… Chris Nolan, Robert Harris, Torsten Kaiser (professionals dealing with the quality of film and/or video on a daily basis) as well as a whole host of other members of this forum would disagree as to how “legitimate” your concern is and have specifically commented (as well as myself) upon the significance of the “edge enhancement” to their eyes.

This is really all old territory and I suggest you read or carefully re-read their comments and mine on this thread and other threads on this forum. In reality, the only thing that I can possibly see as truly “harsh” by movie watchers who are engrossed in this film is the color timing of the hospital scene, something I’ll bet none of the video lunatics even mentioned in their prolific rantings because they were too busy with their magnifying glasses hunting for halos. And it didn’t even bother me that much because the explosions were nearly knocking me out of my chair by way of my sound system with 4 subs.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Squozen

Penton, is your standard response to anybody who finds a transfer sub-par to call them a *scientist*?

No, I use that word to exclusively describe a certain board that has the audacity to name itself *science* implying participation by scientists that follow a scientific method of analysis and reasoning when that is far, far from the case. It’s more like speculation based upon inaccuracy………….at least, in regards to the vocal population posting in their Blu-ray software forum.

I would love to watch some of these guys actually defend a masters thesis or doctoral dissertation with real science in front of a group of scholars where they are grilled to the nth degree.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Squozen

Should we then just say, 'Blu-ray is great, hurray!' regardless of what we see, rather than suffer an insult?

Well, you can say whatever you want to say but, how you say it, the validity of the claim and the reputation and credibility that you have demonstrated with past postings on this forum (and other forums) will all factor into how seriously you will be taken and how expedient a solution will be found to problem issues.

Re.- “Blu-ray is great, etc.” I have no inherent personal preference to that particular notion in the sense that you are assuming. I do have an intense personal preference to speaking to and surrounding myself with glass half full rather than glass half empty people because there are far greater issues in life that will come down the pipe like health concerns, employment, retirement, loss of a parent or child, etc. to cause a person to become cynical enough without getting into a tizzy with a particular audio video product.

I view this forum as an enthusiasts venue, i.e. a place to enjoy with other members a common interest and at the same time demonstrate a measured response to any real problems that may arise and be constructive regarding helping out the membership individually or at large in the implementation of a successful solution to any legitimate problems.

I think that this thread, as well as the other Insider’s threads here, have indeed achieved that comfortable balance of a productive, enjoyable place to voice peoples’ thoughts as well as their concerns.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Squozen

I agree that the AVS forum is full of freaks and mutants, but it bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a way to voice a legitimate concern on this forum.

Well, you shouldn’t be bothered because in fact there is and always has been "a way".

Examples ------ once RAH expressed reservations about the PQ of Patton and one of our reviewers (Deci, who also works in film) also found a problem with the detail in that particular Blu-ray, I alerted the appropriate colleagues over at TCFHE the same week.
I wouldn’t have even waited for a confirmation from Deci but, honestly I had no experience with previous reviews of Fox’s work by Robert, and I couldn’t exclude the fact that there may have been some kind of past tiff between him and the Fox folk regarding some past restoration project or potential project……….as this is a funny town.
I later found out through colleagues that Robert is a very honorable man and would not let that factor into his public judgment about any particular title.

As soon as long-time well respected industry analyst Kris Deering expressed severe concerns over Gangs of New York, I passed on his observations to colleagues over at the Mouse House.

After JimSD and other membership here posted that they had problems playing certain James Bond movies in certain players and JimSD actually took the time and effort to document for me what was valid objective evidence of such problems, I fast-tracked the issue of the Bond movies not playing optimally in a Sony Blu-ray player and the situation was remedied in about a week.
I even gave you guys a heads-up as to when the firmware would be forthcoming so that you could install it ASAP. If anything, that heads-up further highlighted the problematic Blu-ray software/player issue confronted by some consumers with these particular movies.

Between hits on his bong, dred couldn’t get the stickers off his SPHE Pineapple Express Blu-ray case, so I’m passing this concern onto the appropriate people as I indicated above to forum member ‘dred’.

Plus, that doesn’t even include the countless “concerns” voiced to me via P.M. that you guys never see. For example, a few months back a moderator here was expressing great frustration over the inability for our reviewers to get cover art for SPHE Blu-ray titles……something that I rectified in about 48hr. from the time it was brought to my attention.

For cripesakes I really don’t know what more I can do.
I pay attention to legitimate concerns and I utilize methods to invoke a successful outcome. I view any interim whining, hyperbole, disproportionate pilling-on postings concerning any issue just to be a waste of time and often a detriment to a potentially successful outcome, as studio people do read this thread from time to time.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Aygie

Hey Penton is the Sony keynote up anywhere yet?

Honestly, I have no idea.
It should be on Youtube or such eventually.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For cripesakes I really don’t know what more I can do.
I pay attention to legitimate concerns and I utilize methods to invoke a successful outcome. I view any interim whining, hyperbole, disproportionate pilling-on postings concerning any issue just to be a waste of time and often a detriment to a potentially successful outcome, as studio people do read this thread from time to time.

Thanks for all your help!

[kefrank]

I'll throw in a couple of comments:

1. When I watched the Dark Knight on my 80" 1080p front projection system from about 8 feet away, I did not find the image harsh, nor did I notice edge enhancement ringing in the midst of being engrossed in the movie. Maybe I just don't have a very discerning eye, but I'm very satisfied with the transfer and found it to be the best experience watching the movie short of an IMAX theater.

2. If it matters, I second the concern about stickers on the case itself. Anything with adhesive should go on the cellophane wrapper.

3. I don't post in these much, but I greatly appreciate the useful information that I'm able to get in these Insider forums.

[Jeff Kleist]

RE Science

A true scientist delights in being proven wrong, because it opens up whole new avenues of intellectual discovery. No matter how many times people who do these things for a living tell them, they never listen. Science is, after all, the search for truth. There are small but vocal groups of people out there, particuarly when it comes to fields like biology and geology who have pre-concieved notions that they then go out to "prove" by throwing out anything that can contradict it and only keeping the supporting evidence. They then complain that they're being opressed because they don't get published (because they didn't follow the same rules everyone else does). Penton's favorite people operate in a similar manner. They see what they think is DNR, they see halos, and it's always a malicious act on the part of the studio, instead of (like Zodiac for example) a choice by the filmmaker. They don't bother to research, they slap a scarlet D on and move on.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

RE Science

A true scientist delights in being proven wrong, because it opens up whole new avenues of intellectual discovery. No matter how many times people who do these things for a living tell them, they never listen. Science is, after all, the search for truth. There are small but vocal groups of people out there, particuarly when it comes to fields like biology and geology who have pre-concieved notions that they then go out to "prove" by throwing out anything that can contradict it and only keeping the supporting evidence. They then complain that they're being opressed because they don't get published (because they didn't follow the same rules everyone else does). Penton's favorite people operate in a similar manner. They see what they think is DNR, they see halos, and it's always a malicious act on the part of the studio, instead of (like Zodiac for example) a choice by the filmmaker. They don't bother to research, they slap a scarlet D on and move on.

Well, said Jeff. Heck, look at how many "scientists" on another forum who started raising issues about the color timing of the Godfather Blu-rays. They started comparing the color to the previous DVD and television broadcasts despite the ample evidence (new documentaries, interviews, magazine articles, forums posts by Robert Harris, etc.) that these movies were corrected and fully met the filmmakers intentions and original look. I remember Penton challenging one scientist (who claimed to work in related field) to at least post an image of the tools he supposedly used....not surprising, the image never appeared. lol

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For cripesakes I really don’t know what more I can do.
I pay attention to legitimate concerns and I utilize methods to invoke a successful outcome.

So then.....why are Blu-ray discs still over $10.00? Really dropping the ball here Penton.

[neo_reloaded]

Bill Hunt is reporting that Sony is holding Ghostbusters 2 back for its own special release later, and not releasing it with Ghostbusters 1 and the Ghostbusters video game. Considering 1 & 2 were announced together last fall and only delayed because of the video game, this is kind of disappointing.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Bill Hunt is reporting that Sony is holding Ghostbusters 2 back for its own special release later, and not releasing it with Ghostbusters 1 and the Ghostbusters video game. Considering 1 & 2 were announced together last fall and only delayed because of the video game, this is kind of disappointing.

Not to mention a missed marketing opportunity.

It's easier to buy them together (mentally) then setting aside time and money for a separate release, especially since it would be the "link" between the game and the first film (the game being a de facto Ghostbusters 3).

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

One would hope they are holding it back for other marketing opportunities...

Im no marketing expert, but how can you have a better opportunity?

Unless they DO plan on making an actual Ghostbusters 3 film...

[Jeff Kleist]

Unless they DO plan on making an actual Ghostbusters 3 film..

Which is a door that has recently been opened. No one has stepped through yet, but it's become a real possibility now.