The Hobbit Trilogy 3D Blu-ray (2012-2014) [Region Free]

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

Got to see The Hobbit today at a Cinemark HFR RealD 3D showing. I had no physical issues with the HFR or 3D. I watch 3D content and/or play 3D PS3 games multiple times per week.

It took me about 20 minutes to get used to the look of 48fps. At first, it was a little distracting and gave the impression that the video was playing faster than it should. I also got the feeling that I was looking at actors on a stage and CGI video game cutscenes rather than movie characters and Middle-Earth. However, that feeling went away as I settled into the story and just enjoyed the adventure, and the benefits were well worth the initial awkwardness.

I really appreciated the clarity and solidity that 48fps added to the 3D. There is much less motion blur when objects move, and that helps them look more real. Like Rainhurt mentioned, strobing was much improved. Many scenes seemed to be designed to take advantage of 48fps--the plate-tossing dishwashing scene being an obvious example to impress the viewer early on. I also liked the extra smoothness that HFR gave the fly-in camera shots.

After seeing The Hobbit though, I really hope James Cameron goes with 60fps for Avatar 2. 48fps is nice, but to get the full intended effect of life-like motion, HFR needs to be pushed more. Hopefully, on-set data storage and transfer for the filmmakers, as well as home theater discs will be able to better accommodate HFR over the next couple of years.

Nice review Orange.

As to your observation that “it was a little distracting and gave the impression that the video was playing faster than it should” I believe the discrepancy among reviewers as to some seeing The Hobbit as “sped up” (such as when characters walk fast or run) and other reviewers here on Blu-ray.com seeing normal motion during their respective Hobbit HFR viewings is firstly, due to the theatrical projector systems utilized in the various venues at which they saw their Hobbit HFR exhibitions.

People in my immediate family and visiting relatives for the Holidays have now viewed The Hobbit HFR at two different venues. The first was digital ‘IMAX’, e.g. dual projectors with static polarizers. The motion described by all observers was completely natural from the get-go with no evidence of *speed up*.

The second local viewing was at a Multiplex which employed a single lens double flash projector (Barco DLP), and from the very beginning observers noticed that the motion appeared sped up…then things settled down, and later on in the movie a few motions appeared to play faster than they should.

So, how well each type of projector system deals with The Hobbit seems to be a determining factor in the observation as to whether or not things appear ‘sped up’ or not, to theater patrons. The only question in my mind at this point is whether in this case 48fps proper or post processed 48fps at 270 degree shutter ( see the P.S. here ….https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...on#post6894679

is a contributing factor to some projector systems performing better than others.

P.S.
For your eyes (and probably interest) only…
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ution-for-2013