Archived: Insiders Thread

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by Jason One

paidgeek:

Can you pass along another request to the PS3 engineers? Mine concerns DVD upscaling.

As far as I know, there isn't a single upscaling DVD player in existence that properly handles non-anamorphic DVDs. Ideally, the player should stretch the non-anamorphic image vertically so that the widescreen image fills a native 16:9 HD screen with the correct proportions.

Since the PS3's upscaling is software-based, I would think it would be possible to add this functionality. I still have quite a few non-anamorphic DVDs, and if the PS3 did this it would be the best way to watch them by far. Thanks.

I'm not sure I understand your request. Are you saying you have 1.85 letterboxed DVD's (that were formatted for a 4:3 set)?

If so, it seems a little contradictory to think that a 4:3 DVD customer will want a special mode to upconvert to a 16:9 screen, don't you think?

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I agree that this is a good movie. Not a big budget, just a good story...

Exactly. The writing was very good (based on a true story of life behind the Berlin Wall) and the acting was terrific as well.

This would have been a good candidate for dual position subtitles, but I don't think we have had much feedback since we introduced that feature on "Immortal Beloved". I'll bring it up again...

Thanks!

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Paidgeek, our thanks and compliments go out to Sony and the other BDA members for these fantastic sales currently taking place. I'm assuming that you know they are wildly successful. Thanks again.

I have been reading the posts, but I have not seen the sales numbers. I'm not sure where the credit goes for having a strong week, but it's good news for all the Blu-ray supporters. I think a special thanks should go to Disney as they have been working hard for Blu-ray, especially of late...

[jon s]

Originally Posted by Jason One

paidgeek:

Can you pass along another request to the PS3 engineers? Mine concerns DVD upscaling.

As far as I know, there isn't a single upscaling DVD player in existence that properly handles non-anamorphic DVDs. Ideally, the player should stretch the non-anamorphic image vertically so that the widescreen image fills a native 16:9 HD screen with the correct proportions.

Since the PS3's upscaling is software-based, I would think it would be possible to add this functionality. I still have quite a few non-anamorphic DVDs, and if the PS3 did this it would be the best way to watch them by far. Thanks.

Sorry if I am imposing, but the reason why this is so is because a lot of non-anamorphic DVDs have the subtitles in the black area so it would not impose on the actual image. If the DVD was expanded to fill the screen, the viewer would lose the subtitles.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Now I see what you are talking about.

So to answer, NO, I am not talking about the same person they are referring to.

Well maybe if they read my post here, they can pass it on.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Also realize that HD DVD and Blu-ray aren't sourced from the film print, they are sourced from the D5 master, which was the issue in this case. That is probably what they meant when they say they could have done better, they could have done a new master.

Doubtful.
They both use the specific term “element” or “film element” and I’m sure that they both know the rudimentary difference between the film element and the video master. Neither of these guys are newbies at this review stuff.

Plus, Robert George specifically says and I quote again but will bold the pertinent words…..”I feel the HD transfer and encode is a relatively accurate representation of the film element based on what I know of it.” In other words Kris, the HD transfer is the video master* obtained from the 2K DI (in this case) and the encode is the Blu-ray or HD DVD high-def optical discs.

*
http://www.efilm.com/dl_detail.php?p...922d69d7033680

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

That is probably what they meant when they say they could have done better, they could have done a new master. At least that is what I would assume.

The P.S. in my above post specifically addresses that aspect.

Namely.................
P.S.
And if this “source” at WB in retrospect, now desires to change his story (to blame another part of the production chain) and now claim that the “film element” was not the culprit, but the D.I.> video master process was the problem for the appearance of quantization noise seen on Blood Diamond for both the Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, I do not believe the source was improperly laid off to the video master by the people that did that work.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Based on all the conversations I've had with encoders and such, and from looking at some D5 comparisons to encodes, the masters seem to be the biggest limitation for picture quality, not the encodes.

True, both are contributory – as to which is the “weakest link” in the production process, I think you have to look at everything on a case by case basis and you can’t have either a suboptimal master or a bit-starved encode to obtain an optimized PQ outcome with the high-def disc that you watch at home.

As a matter of fact, for modern motion pictures, most progressive studios have gone from D5 masters to HDCAM SR masters, which look better. I believe Sony made this transition in 2002-2003.

On that note, do you remember the post I made several months ago about the Guns of Navarone regarding it getting a new transfer ?
The old DVD of that title was sourced from a D5 master.
The Blu-ray of that title will originate from a HDCAM SR tape.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Anyway, I've gone a bit off topic I guess. Sorry.

No problem, I enjoy your posts on our forum.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Penton,

By the way, I hope your little hint on the Sunshine release is true over at AVS under your other guise. Would love to see that one in HD soon.

Honestly, I have no idea what the hell you are talking about but, if there is someone on AVS that is imitating me, I hope at least that he is smarter, funnier and better looking than me…..as then, it will only add- rather than detract- from my image.

In other words, if this dude says something extraordinarily insightful, you may consider the poster to be me, if you so choose. But it aint me.

[darinp2]

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I agree that this is a good movie. Not a big budget, just a good story...

I also want to add my thanks for this one. I consider it one of the 10 best movies I've ever seen. I was disappointed that it didn't make more money, but considering that it reportedly only cost about $2 million to make and brought in around $73 million at the box office worldwide, I guess there isn't too much to complain about there. I think it is especially moving after watching one of the extras that explains the real life situation with the main officer (Ulrich Muhe). While I'm sure it isn't amongst the best selling BDs (or DVDs), I think it is important to have plain quality cinema titles like this one and thanks should go to whoever decided to release this one on BD, along with those who helped bring it out.

--Darin

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by darinp2

I also want to add my thanks for this one. I consider it one of the 10 best movies I've ever seen. I was disappointed that it didn't make more money, but considering that it reportedly only cost about $2 million to make and brought in around $73 million at the box office worldwide, I guess there isn't too much to complain about there. I think it is especially moving after watching one of the extras that explains the real life situation with the main officer (Ulrich Muhe). While I'm sure it isn't amongst the best selling BDs (or DVDs), I think it is important to have plain quality cinema titles like this one and thanks should go to whoever decided to release this one on BD, along with those who helped bring it out.

--Darin

Well said Darin!

If you guys weren't going to take my advice and buy or rent The Lives of Others, how about taking Darin's?!

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by Jason One

paidgeek:

Can you pass along another request to the PS3 engineers? Mine concerns DVD upscaling.

As far as I know, there isn't a single upscaling DVD player in existence that properly handles non-anamorphic DVDs. Ideally, the player should stretch the non-anamorphic image vertically so that the widescreen image fills a native 16:9 HD screen with the correct proportions.

Since the PS3's upscaling is software-based, I would think it would be possible to add this functionality. I still have quite a few non-anamorphic DVDs, and if the PS3 did this it would be the best way to watch them by far. Thanks.

Originally Posted by paidgeek

I'm not sure I understand your request. Are you saying you have 1.85 letterboxed DVD's (that were formatted for a 4:3 set)?

If so, it seems a little contradictory to think that a 4:3 DVD customer will want a special mode to upconvert to a 16:9 screen, don't you think?

Yes, I think he does want the PS3 to have an additional 1.33x upscale zoom mode for watching the old letterboxed inside 4:3 DVD widescreen movies, so the widescreen image from the DVD doesn't sit like a small windowboxed rectangle inside the 1080 16:9 display area and is zoomed 33% more so it fills the screen just like a 16:9 formatted DVD.
360 x 720 -> 1080 x 1920 upscaling, an 800% increase in area!

[MerrickG]

Penton,

With WB finally coming around and putting out titles that were HD-DVD exclusive I would like to know if either you or Paidgeek have any idea when Batman Begins and Matrix are coming. Afterall, 1.1 players are coming soon!

Thanks

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

360 x 720 -> 1080 x 1920 upscaling, an 800% increase in area!

Eeek!

paidgeek, thanks for the info on QC testing at DADC and SPHE. I assume that most players that are used for testing are retail versions. What about future players IE Profile 1.1/2.0? Do you guys get test units of future players? It seems that that is the key to testing compliance, apart from beta firmware updates for the PS3. Thanks again, paidgeek!


fuad

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Penton,

With WB finally coming around and putting out titles that were HD-DVD exclusive I would like to know if either you or Paidgeek have any idea when Batman Begins and Matrix are coming. Afterall, 1.1 players are coming soon!

Thanks

It has been stated before in this thread that Insiders shouldn't be constantly inquired about titles that haven't been officially scheduled. I'm sure they'll comment anything pertinent when they feel it's proper

[paidgeek]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Eeek!

paidgeek, thanks for the info on QC testing at DADC and SPHE. I assume that most players that are used for testing are retail versions. What about future players IE Profile 1.1/2.0? Do you guys get test units of future players? It seems that that is the key to testing compliance, apart from beta firmware updates for the PS3. Thanks again, paidgeek!


fuad

We do get early versions of advanced profile players. Just don't ask me about them because we can't disclose who is ahead of who with their implementations.

[Frode]

Since we're on the subject of subtitles, what's the word on script based/raster based subtitles? Have anyone used them yet? If not - why aren't they being used? I would think that it would be a perfect candidate for movable subs, since you could let the player handle the positioning. Or am I barking up the wrong tree and no such capability exists?

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by darinp2

I also want to add my thanks for this one. I consider it one of the 10 best movies I've ever seen. I was disappointed that it didn't make more money, but considering that it reportedly only cost about $2 million to make and brought in around $73 million at the box office worldwide, I guess there isn't too much to complain about there. I think it is especially moving after watching one of the extras that explains the real life situation with the main officer (Ulrich Muhe). While I'm sure it isn't amongst the best selling BDs (or DVDs), I think it is important to have plain quality cinema titles like this one and thanks should go to whoever decided to release this one on BD, along with those who helped bring it out.

--Darin

Let me add my thanks as well. This is an excellent movie with a great transfer.

Sony has really distinguished themselves by bringing great foreign cinema to Blu-ray (others include Black Book, Volver and the assorted Chinese epics). Now please add these to the 1/2 off sale and I'll buy them all.

Also, let me reiterate Rob's request for two subtitle options. I only have a standard 16:9 TV, so I prefer to have the subtitles in the black bars, but I'd hate to take them away from constant-height projector people.

thanks
gandalf

[BillCable]

Along those lines... when Warner finally does release Matrix and Batman on Blu-ray, will those films be optimized for Blu-ray, or will we get the same gimped transfers as HD-DVD? One would hope that with more than a year between releases they'd be able to get away with offering better video and audio without any backlash.