House of Flying Daggers (2004) - Blu-ray Forum

The Lion King · 05-26-2008, 12:38 PM

I love the movie, but have heard the BD is a bit of a disappointment. Should I steer clear, or is it only a minor problem?

MOONPHASE · 05-26-2008, 01:02 PM

minor well its somewhat noticable but ive seen worse transfers

HDJK · 05-26-2008, 01:15 PM

It is one of the worst looking (if not THE worst looking) BDs I have. Colors are washed out and whites are overblown. But it has a really good soundtrack (PCM Cantonese) and if you don't own it on DVD and like the Genre it is still worth it. But maybe you should rent it first.

gvortex7 · 05-26-2008, 02:24 PM

It looks pretty bad on Blu. I wouldn't recommend you buying it. What I don't understand is why Sony hasn't re-released it on Blu like they did with The Fifth Element? Although, that maybe due to the popularity of the title. It's not quite up there with FE.

David Craig · 05-26-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lion King

I love the movie, but have heard the BD is a bit of a disappointment. Should I steer clear, or is it only a minor problem?

My experience was on a 36 inch set. I now have a much bigger TV which would be less forgiving.

The BD image was better than the DVD image. So if you don't have the DVD, then go for the Blu-ray.

If you have the DVD already, then I suppose you should consider the advice from this forum.

HDJK · 05-26-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvortex7

It looks pretty bad on Blu. I wouldn't recommend you buying it. What I don't understand is why Sony hasn't re-released it on Blu like they did with The Fifth Element? Although, that maybe due to the popularity of the title. It's not quite up there with FE.

IIRC to problem lies with the master and not the encoding, so there won't be a re-release.

Ranger-R · 05-26-2008, 02:45 PM

I'd give it a rental as I did. I did not like the transfer. I would of thought that it would look great, but not so.

DavePS3 · 05-26-2008, 03:04 PM

It IS a great film but even the SD version had pumped up contrast levels that made the whites bloom. Hard to say if the master copy had a fault or if it was purposely filmed that way because several of these films had the same issue. It's not the worst I've seen though... Bullitt is just sub-par and that's giving it a compliment.

gvortex7 · 05-26-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDJK

IIRC to problem lies with the master and not the encoding, so there won't be a re-release.

Never say never.

Russell_L · 05-26-2008, 04:34 PM

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't think this title looks as 'bad' on BD as many make it out to be. Granted, it's pretty soft throughout, but I think the colors are strong and 'natural' looking. I didn't notice any over-blowing of the whites. I'll admit that my expectations were pretty much rock-bottom, so I was very pleasantly surprised. The availability of a PCM soundtrack (in Mandarin, BTW, not Cantonese) is a plus over the SD DVD.

Russell

digitalbrad · 05-26-2008, 04:38 PM

I first rented and the picture was a bit grainy at times, but picture was very nice and lots of good deep colors. I bought a copy and have watched it both on a Sony 50" LCD projection, and my new Samsung LN52A650. Was not disappointed at all in the picture quality. I'll agree that it's not the best Blu, but it is much better than regular SD DVDs.

dadkins · 05-26-2008, 04:43 PM

HoFD was the included BD with my AR190G. Eh...

Rent it first if you can, then decide if you want to buy it.

HDJK · 05-26-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_L

...The availability of a PCM soundtrack (in Mandarin, BTW, not Cantonese) is a plus over the SD DVD.

Russell

Ah right, it's not often that we get a Mandarin track. And this one does deliver.

Sky_Captain · 05-26-2008, 05:19 PM

Censored and looks like crap. Apart from that...

ascian · 05-26-2008, 06:13 PM

I'd have to think that a lot of this lies with the Master as well. The DVD wasn't overly impressive either. Chinese movie studios don't enjoy the budgets that Hollywood does. Thus their fim stocks and equipment are not of the same quality and their storage methods are even worse. This is what leads to a lot of questionable quality issues when comparing to American films. As a fan of foreign cinema who used to wonder about these issues I had several links backing these statements up at one time, but this is what I remember of them.

gvortex7 · 05-26-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascian

I'd have to think that a lot of this lies with the Master as well. The DVD wasn't overly impressive either. Chinese movie studios don't enjoy the budgets that Hollywood does. Thus their fim stocks and equipment are not of the same quality and their storage methods are even worse. This is what leads to a lot of questionable quality issues when comparing to American films. As a fan of foreign cinema who used to wonder about these issues I had several links backing these statements up at one time, but this is what I remember of them.

That's not so true anymore. Just look and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero and Kung Fu Hustle as examples. They all look impeccable.
I forgot to mention Curse of the Golden Flower. That's a beautifully shot movie as well.

Sky_Captain · 05-26-2008, 07:30 PM

The Master is apparently four generations removed from the original. I read that either here or another forum. An Insider can confirm that Sony have what they have, no remastering will help this one. A shame, and a shame as well that the Hong Kong holders Edko haven't ventured into the HD realm as of yet.

ganthc · 05-26-2008, 07:31 PM

There is a reason it is nicknamed "House of Flying Artifacts." There are definitely issues with the bd transfer. However, that said, I would say that it is an improvement over the dvd version on sound quality alone, and there is some detail and color improvement. I own it, but I got it cheap on a bogo sale. I would recommend the same for you, if you are a fan of the movie.

ZackL · 05-26-2008, 07:39 PM

Anyone else find this movie painful to watch? And I loved Hero, Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Kingdom etc. Anyone remember what that other Chinese movie with the guy who leaps around like a frog is?

R3DRUM · 05-26-2008, 07:45 PM

I would pass on this one as the PQ is pretty bad to awful, a pretty good flick though it's a shame.

05-26-2008, 12:38 PM	#1
The Lion King Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Somewhere you aren't. Blu-ray collection:48 Blu-ray reviews:20	House of Flying Daggers (2004) I love the movie, but have heard the BD is a bit of a disappointment. Should I steer clear, or is it only a minor problem? Last edited by Scottie; 03-10-2017 at 02:21 AM.

05-26-2008, 01:02 PM	#2
MOONPHASE Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Jun 2007 Location:California 4K collection:8 Blu-ray collection:520 DVD collection:820 Blu-ray reviews:18 Trading Score:29	minor well its somewhat noticable but ive seen worse transfers Last edited by MOONPHASE; 05-26-2008 at 01:06 PM.

05-26-2008, 04:38 PM	#11
digitalbrad Junior Member Member since:Dec 2007 Blu-ray collection:133	Looked good to me I first rented and the picture was a bit grainy at times, but picture was very nice and lots of good deep colors. I bought a copy and have watched it both on a Sony 50" LCD projection, and my new Samsung LN52A650. Was not disappointed at all in the picture quality. I'll agree that it's not the best Blu, but it is much better than regular SD DVDs.

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05-26-2008, 01:15 PM	#3
HDJK Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Switzerland Trading Score:2	It is one of the worst looking (if not THE worst looking) BDs I have. Colors are washed out and whites are overblown. But it has a really good soundtrack (PCM Cantonese) and if you don't own it on DVD and like the Genre it is still worth it. But maybe you should rent it first.

05-26-2008, 02:24 PM	#4
gvortex7 Blu-ray Champion Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Fort Lauderdale, FL Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:105	It looks pretty bad on Blu. I wouldn't recommend you buying it. What I don't understand is why Sony hasn't re-released it on Blu like they did with The Fifth Element? Although, that maybe due to the popularity of the title. It's not quite up there with FE.

05-26-2008, 02:45 PM	#7
Ranger-R Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Washington Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:1808 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:80	I'd give it a rental as I did. I did not like the transfer. I would of thought that it would look great, but not so.

05-26-2008, 03:04 PM	#8
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	It IS a great film but even the SD version had pumped up contrast levels that made the whites bloom. Hard to say if the master copy had a fault or if it was purposely filmed that way because several of these films had the same issue. It's not the worst I've seen though... Bullitt is just sub-par and that's giving it a compliment.

05-26-2008, 04:34 PM	#10
Russell_L Senior Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:San Francisco Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:800 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 11	I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't think this title looks as 'bad' on BD as many make it out to be. Granted, it's pretty soft throughout, but I think the colors are strong and 'natural' looking. I didn't notice any over-blowing of the whites. I'll admit that my expectations were pretty much rock-bottom, so I was very pleasantly surprised. The availability of a PCM soundtrack (in Mandarin, BTW, not Cantonese) is a plus over the SD DVD. Russell

05-26-2008, 04:43 PM	#12
dadkins Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Hercules, CA Blu-ray collection:35 Blu-ray reviews:2	HoFD was the included BD with my AR190G. Eh... Rent it first if you can, then decide if you want to buy it.

05-26-2008, 05:19 PM	#14
Sky_Captain Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:17	Censored and looks like crap. Apart from that...

05-26-2008, 06:13 PM	#15
ascian Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Arkansas Blu-ray collection:1	I'd have to think that a lot of this lies with the Master as well. The DVD wasn't overly impressive either. Chinese movie studios don't enjoy the budgets that Hollywood does. Thus their fim stocks and equipment are not of the same quality and their storage methods are even worse. This is what leads to a lot of questionable quality issues when comparing to American films. As a fan of foreign cinema who used to wonder about these issues I had several links backing these statements up at one time, but this is what I remember of them.

05-26-2008, 07:30 PM	#17
Sky_Captain Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:17	The Master is apparently four generations removed from the original. I read that either here or another forum. An Insider can confirm that Sony have what they have, no remastering will help this one. A shame, and a shame as well that the Hong Kong holders Edko haven't ventured into the HD realm as of yet.

05-26-2008, 07:31 PM	#18
ganthc Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Vienna, VA 4K collection:17 Blu-ray collection:651 Blu-ray reviews:2	There is a reason it is nicknamed "House of Flying Artifacts." There are definitely issues with the bd transfer. However, that said, I would say that it is an improvement over the dvd version on sound quality alone, and there is some detail and color improvement. I own it, but I got it cheap on a bogo sale. I would recommend the same for you, if you are a fan of the movie.

05-26-2008, 07:39 PM	#19
ZackL Senior Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada	Anyone else find this movie painful to watch? And I loved Hero, Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Kingdom etc. Anyone remember what that other Chinese movie with the guy who leaps around like a frog is?

05-26-2008, 07:45 PM	#20
R3DRUM Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:106 Blu-ray reviews:1	I would pass on this one as the PQ is pretty bad to awful, a pretty good flick though it's a shame.

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