Why put out a halfhearted transfer on Blu?

[Groo The Perverted]

So I went to buy House of Flying Daggers on Blu and I checked with the reviews on this site, and they said the video/audio transfers were terrible.

So why would a label or whoever release a substandard BD? Do they actually sit there and say "So what, we'll make more money off the suckers when we release the "remastered edition"? (hello 5th Element!).

When I see BD's that have crappy video transfers it just makes me wonder what was the point in releasing them in the first place if they weren't gonna do it right.

I'm not an audio snob like some people are where it has to be lossless or whatever. I don't have some superduper double secret probation type setup anyway, so I'm not gonna see much of a difference in the audio ANYWAY.

But I'm just irritated that I have to wait until they get their heads out of their asses and release a nice copy of Flying Daggers.

[DeathByAsh'aman]

Originally Posted by Dreaming in Blu

So I went to buy House of Flying Daggers on Blu and I checked with the reviews on this site, and they said the video/audio transfers were terrible.

So why would a label or whoever release a substandard BD? Do they actually sit there and say "So what, we'll make more money off the suckers when we release the "remastered edition"? (hello 5th Element!).

When I see BD's that have crappy video transfers it just makes me wonder what was the point in releasing them in the first place if they weren't gonna do it right.

I'm not an audio snob like some people are where it has to be lossless or whatever. I don't have some superduper double secret probation type setup anyway, so I'm not gonna see much of a difference in the audio ANYWAY.

But I'm just irritated that I have to wait until they get their heads out of their asses and release a nice copy of Flying Daggers.

I dont know why they do it either. When its bad like the 5th element was, my first thought is always, "Did anyone even watch this after they were done?"

[nycomet]

We also need a BD remaster of Terminator 2 and Total Recall. They are somewhat weak as far as PQ is concerned. They look like whoever mastered them needed Lasik eye surgery.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by nycomet

We also need a BD remaster of Terminator 2 and Total Recall. They are somewhat weak as far as PQ is concerned. They look like whoever mastered them needed Lasik eye surgery.

You can include Predator on your list.

[jq71586]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

You can include Predator on your list.

I honestly don't know if Predator can look much better. I know a few of the scenes are grainy, but from what I've heard that has more to do with the master. It's always looked like that ever since I can remember watching it on VHS as a little kid.

I'm sure they will make it look a little more presentable and fill it up with extras in the next two years. Maybe make a two pack with Predator 2. But there are movies that need a remaster more than Predator.

T2 needs one most of all, IMO. Not sure about Total Recall because I haven't seen the blu. I would also add Unforgiven to that list, I enjoyed the movie, but the transfer and a lack of lossless audio made me get rid of it.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by jq71586

I honestly don't know if Predator can look much better. I know a few of the scenes are grainy, but from what I've heard that has more to do with the master. It's always looked like that ever since I can remember watching it on VHS as a little kid.

I'm sure they will make it look a little more presentable and fill it up with extras in the next two years. Maybe make a two pack with Predator 2. But there are movies that need a remaster more than Predator.

T2 needs one most of all, IMO. Not sure about Total Recall because I haven't seen the blu. I would also add Unforgiven to that list, I enjoyed the movie, but the transfer and a lack of lossless audio made me get rid of it.

*nod*

I remember Predator in the theaters. The Blu-ray is very close. The sign of quality is it's closeness to the original and not what it looks like compared to Ratatouille.

[QuasidodoJr]

House of Flying Daggers was one of the first Blu-rays to release. Along with the first issue of The Fifth Element, xXx and a few others. All of the different studios' releases have significantly raised in quality since Blu's inception. Complaining about this transfer now is kind of pointless.

[KamiAmaya]

Originally Posted by Dreaming in Blu

So I went to buy House of Flying Daggers on Blu and I checked with the reviews on this site, and they said the video/audio transfers were terrible.

I read the review here before I bought House of Flying Daggers as well, and it did make me hesitate to buy it. But in the end I went ahead and picked it up anyways (along with Curse of the Golden Flower, my 1st Blu-ray order ) and I'm glad I did.
I didn't have that big a problem with the video quality, I still enjoyed the movie very much.

Maybe you should give it a rent to see for yourself?

If they do ever re-release HoFD with better vid quality, yes I will be one of those suckers to buy it again

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Dreaming in Blu

So why would a label or whoever release a substandard BD? Do they actually sit there and say "So what, we'll make more money off the suckers when we release the "remastered edition"? (hello 5th Element!).

Owners/purchasers of the original 5th Element release are eligible for a free upgrade to the re-master, so I think your analogy fails miserably there.

When I see BD's that have crappy video transfers it just makes me wonder what was the point in releasing them in the first place if they weren't gonna do it right.

Try using your own eyes and you'll see that often reviewers disagree on PQ, probably because some of them don't even understand what the original elements were or how the film was supposed to look to begin with. If you want everything to look like HD sports, better stop buying MOVIES.

I'm not an audio snob like some people are where it has to be lossless or whatever.

So it's okay for the audio to be subpar but not the picture? Double standard much?

I don't have some superduper double secret probation type setup anyway, so I'm not gonna see much of a difference in the audio ANYWAY.

Your choice of words shows that you haven't even compared, so your assesment of how well your system will appreciate lossless audio is hardly worth noting is it?

[richieb1971]

Originally Posted by QuasidodoJr

House of Flying Daggers was one of the first Blu-rays to release. Along with the first issue of The Fifth Element, xXx and a few others. All of the different studios' releases have significantly raised in quality since Blu's inception. Complaining about this transfer now is kind of pointless.

Not sure if I agree with that. If you don't complain you don't get what you want, you get what your given. I would say its the studios in competition with each other that determines the outcome of a transfer. But honestly, if a big name movie gets a release people are going to buy it no matter what. That is the main problem.

[QuasidodoJr]

Originally Posted by richieb1971

Not sure if I agree with that. If you don't complain you don't get what you want, you get what your given. I would say its the studios in competition with each other that determines the outcome of a transfer. But honestly, if a big name movie gets a release people are going to buy it no matter what. That is the main problem.

The transfer is over 2 years old and it was one of the first (and I literally mean, the first day Blu-rays were put out on shelves), so complaining about it now isn't going to help. The Fifth Element was remastered. Apparently, there weren't enough initial complaints about the HoFD transfer to warrant a remaster.

Not to mention, these forums are starting to become filled with needless gripes, reiterating the same problems and concerns. I think they need to make one sticky thread where everyone can go to *****.

[ThePhantomOak]

$$$$$$

Get it out fast, make some money, then get it out right and make some more...

T3 had 1080i!! You really think that one just was a screw up? Someone there said "f-it, it will be expensive to fix it, and we can double sell it when we do it right"

DVD is the same way, it was normal to have 3 or 4 editions of the same movie come out where quality changed and extras were added... They are in the business of giving us just enough to want to spend our money.

[richieb1971]

You say there should be a thread to *****.

Ok, when I see the trailers for blu-ray I see the words "7.1 HD surround sound", I see "1080p full HD presentation" and "6 times the storage of a normal DVD".

Amongst others. So someone goes out and buys HOFD thinking "wow, this is going to rock" on the first day it came out on Blu-ray. For a first time purchase a movie thats supposed to look absolutely awesome in every single way looks like a DVD. The only "wow" that would come out of my mouth is that "Blu ray is shite".

If you think these people have no reason to complain, or you feel a need to support the idiots who released that movie, then your in the wrong place. Forums are for criticism, public opinion and to demand "value for money". HOFD is a case which actually show that although Blu is capable of so much, the studios can ignore those specifications and release a pile of doo doo.

If you bought your PS3 and you got your first game and it looked like a PS2 game, I don't think you would be happy.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by QuasidodoJr

House of Flying Daggers was one of the first Blu-rays to release. Along with the first issue of The Fifth Element, xXx and a few others. All of the different studios' releases have significantly raised in quality since Blu's inception. Complaining about this transfer now is kind of pointless.

Totally agree. It's appropriate to complain about recent releases that are deficient, but HOFD is very much ancient history at this point.

[MOONPHASE]

this is why they should have waited till now for HOFD to be released because that movie deserves a good transfer because if sony were to make a new version now i think it could look and sound better

[diamondfoxxx]

UNFORGIVEN? Are you kidding me? That's has one solid picture for a movie more than a decade old. Sure, the audio is DD 5.1 but in no way is the picture bad. It looks great IMO.

[Beta Man]

House of Flying daggers was one of my "day one" purchases... and "YEAH" I was upset when I saw it.... not worth the double dip What makes it worse, it was the first blu I watched

[SS316SRV]

The technology has progressed since day 1, as it should. That is part of the reason that the blu-ray format is so good. HD DVD was never going to get any better. The Fifth Element was reissued and given away for free (as mention by the resident Jedi) and there will be remasters of many blu-rays, just like DVDs.

To the OP, do yourself a favor and get yourself a system to enjoy lossless audio. Mine is nowhere near high end, but still sounds amazing. There are Polk+Onkyo options or Polk+Yamaha options to take advantage of great audio. With some reference type releases coming up (read the Transformers review) make sure you can take advantage of the audio blu-ray delivers.

[Groo The Perverted]

Wow, so much to address.

1st of all I've noticed that some (not all) of the people in this forum are complete a-holes. Nothing personal, just something I've noticed. They come across as extremely elitist and anyone who DARES to have an opinion that differs from theirs, or dares to question something that that person already knows the answer to, are deemed to be an idiot and a loser and shouldn't have internet priviliges or something.

Always found it interesting the people who take the time to tear apart a posting that they don't like. lol

As for my audio snob comment. I was merely pointing out that while a lot of people are concerned with how perfect the audio has to be, I never have really had a super duper stereo setup. So while someone who has the surround sound theater set up in their living room might be able to tell the difference between the sound options, if I'm there with my TV and no additional speakers, I don't really think I'm going to have the same reaction.

Kinda like the people who post music online and they're like "is this an EAC rip? If it's not, I'm not bothering with it" and I'm just like, maybe you have a big stereo setup where you can tell the difference, but I have a set of headphones and an Ipod, so I don't care.

Not that I would ever grab music online, mind you.

And for the other point people made about HOFD being one of the first out of the gate, I apologize profusely for not knowing that. I am just now getting into the BD/PS3 game and so I don't know the entire history of BD releases.

Perhaps some of the a-holes that were especially a-hole-ish about that, can write/type up a history of BD releases, so I know exactly when they were released. Then you can add a little footnote at the end of each section, something to the effect of "never bring up quality of these", "Not really worth complaining about" "if you bring up these we'll castrate you on the internet for all to see"

So there. Any questions about what I posted, feel free to post them up.

As I said I'm extremely sorry that I wasted people's time with a question that I wanted to know the answer to.

Also sorry that I didn't know the 5th Element buyers got the free upgrade. And I totally agree that since they offered a free upgrade to the new version, that that totally negates the fact that they put out a shitty transfer in the first place. All is forgiven my son, walk through the gates to Heaven.

[SS316SRV]

^It isn't so much as you wasted people's time. A Star Wars, black bars, Lord of the Rings, "best blu-ray", or even "best blu-ray player for the money" thread would be wasting our time.

You brought up a valid question. There is a bevy of responses ranging from helpfull to "a-hole".

You also complain a lot.