Hi-Def Preview's review of Nature's Journey - Blu-ray Forum

Monkey · 10-10-2007, 05:47 AM

Thx to Supermans (avs) for posting this in another thread.

http://www.hidefpreview.com/Natures%...20Blu-Ray.html

Picture Quality - 5/5
Audio Quality - 5/5
Special Features - 4/5
Overall - 5/5

Quote:

Comments: With a 37Mbps VC-1 video encode and 96/24 DTS-HD-MA soundtrack, this is frankly the best High Definition I have seen and heard so far on Blu-ray. This movie is 100% reference quality for audio and video. There are times when it simply looks like you are staring out of a window it is so crystal clear. The music is very serene and goes with the movie perfectly. There are some scenes where the drums add a sense of tension. In the future, I would love to see a nature film with lots of wildlife by RBfilms since I do feel they would a great job of it. The special features being in Standard Definition is the only area where I deducted a point, but is understandable since the highest possible quality was the main focus for the main feature. I give this a 5/5 rating and highly recommend this as a must have purchase if you own a Blu-ray player or are thinking about buying one.

Comparison with HD-DVD version: This film is unique in that it was encoded differently on both the HD-DVD version and the Blu-Ray version. So both audio and video are slightly different. On my 50 inch Samsung DLP screen, I saw no difference in either version of this film at the normal viewing distance. However on my 106 inch projector screen on my JVC RS1, the Blu-ray version is clearly sharper in all the scenes at the normal viewing distance which leads me to my conclusion that the bitrate advantage Blu-Ray has over HD-DVD is aparent between these two titles on larger screens. If you get any closer than the normal viewing distance, you will just get a headache so don't even try. I am a musician so I take sound a bit more seriously than most. The audio in both sound great but the Blu-Ray version is also more clear/full sounding on my Bose system in a direct comparison. However don't let this stop you from getting the HD-DVD version, it is still of higher quality than every other HD-DVD on the market that I have reviewed so far.

jd213 · 10-10-2007, 06:37 AM

Solid proof that BD's superior storage capacity and bitrate can and does result in better PQ and AQ.

Of course, the other side will naturally try and spin this. I predict we will see:

-Accusations that the reviewer and/or RBFilms are Sony shills
-Excuses like "the difference in quality doesn't matter since most people won't notice or care"
-Accusations that RBFilms doesn't know how to encode VC-1 properly, even though Richard at RBFilms specifically said they had to tweak the encode much more for HD DVD because of the bitrate (so much for HD DVD being an easier choice for studios)

CGYBLU · 10-10-2007, 07:04 AM

This is the disc that technically kills HD DVD.

I feel honored to be purchasing this beautiful work that showcases accurately the differences between blu and dud.

.. now if only warner could follow suit and do proper encodes for blu releases instead of dishing out the same old dud crud.

RobertB · 10-10-2007, 07:38 AM

This BD has now made it into my October budget

patrick99 · 10-10-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd213

Solid proof that BD's superior storage capacity and bitrate can and does result in better PQ and AQ.

Of course, the other side will naturally try and spin this. I predict we will see:

-Accusations that the reviewer and/or RBFilms are Sony shills
-Excuses like "the difference in quality doesn't matter since most people won't notice or care"
-Accusations that RBFilms doesn't know how to encode VC-1 properly, even though Richard at RBFilms specifically said they had to tweak the encode much more for HD DVD because of the bitrate (so much for HD DVD being an easier choice for studios)

We have already seen point number two in one of the threads at AVS.

Rob71 · 10-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick99

We have already seen point number two in one of the threads at AVS.

Also #1, I want to say three or four of the usual suspects up to their usual tricks.

Papi4baby · 10-10-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob71

Also #1, I want to say three or four of the usual suspects up to their usual tricks.

Let me guess.

rdJam
Lee Stewart
plazman
can't think of the other guy. lol.

Gosh i feel bad that i know those guys, lol. Their great to get the blood preassure up.

patrick99 · 10-10-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papi4baby

Gosh i feel bad that i know those guys, lol. Their great to get the blood preassure up.

That's for sure.

Not that I think this comment applies to them, but I really do not understand how any sane and reasonable person could actually have a genuine preference for HD DVD. It simply makes absolutely no sense.

groovyone · 10-10-2007, 01:11 PM

Awesome. Too bad I couldn't find it last night. My Fry's had NONE of the new releases. Time to try again tonight.

calcajun · 10-10-2007, 01:12 PM

I generally netflix but i just purchased this disk.

I am sure it will be outstanding.

Go Blu · 10-10-2007, 01:15 PM

I broke down and ordered a copy.....

You can never have too much Reference Material

Josh · 10-10-2007, 01:17 PM

Yipes! No offense to any readers, but this reviewer uses Bose? Doesn't that automatically disqualify this review

groovyone · 10-10-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

Yipes! No offense to any readers, but this reviewer uses Bose? Doesn't that automatically disqualify this review

Not when my system is still Bose......HEY, I AM WORKING ON IT! hahah

Frode · 10-10-2007, 01:20 PM

The review was good until this bit:

Quote:

I am a musician so I take sound a bit more seriously than most. The audio in both sound great but the Blu-Ray version is also more clear/full sounding on my Bose system in a direct comparison.

...

I think I'll wait for a proper audio review.

tvted · 10-10-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

If you get any closer than the normal viewing distance, you will just get a headache so don't even try

Outside of the BOSE comment, these sorts of comments seem disingenuous to me.

What is the normal viewing distance? Normal for what, a living room with a big TV? Viewing arc recommendations suggest 36 degrees is the minimum before we are able to perceive the value of 1080P. For me "normal" if there is such a thing, is 1 screen width for 2.35 material and 1.3 or so for 1.78.

Many of us are trying to duplicate the cinema experience, most cinema attendees sit within 1 to 2 screen widths. Why should I, as a movie enthusiast who is trying to optimize my setup, have to settle for (yet again) second best when better is available? If this format is to last 10 years can we not expect that 100 inch screens will be in a large portion of homes? I expect technology to take us to the point of our walls becoming screens, why should I have to dumb-down my experience of cinematic arts simply because others cannot tolerate normal cinema distances when viewing film source?

I wonder whether this gent has read what THX and SMPTE has to say about what qualifies as approve cinema design and the resulting viewing arcs? I have to wonder whether this reviewer and those that support him actually *go* to cinemas?

ted

Deciazulado · 10-10-2007, 02:18 PM

my normal viewing distance for movies is about 2PH. Doing that for decades, now I can do that for Blus too

THX TAP is from 1.4PH best front seat (NOT the front row) to 3.6PH Last seat of the theater (Last row)

The seat on the middle of a theater is then 1.8PH

Mikeesracing · 10-10-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

Yipes! No offense to any readers, but this reviewer uses Bose? Doesn't that automatically disqualify this review

I would for me, There are alot better speakers for less money.

Papi4baby · 10-10-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvted

Outside of the BOSE comment, these sorts of comments seem disingenuous to me.

ted

Now that you mentioned it. I didn't know BOSE could do HD audio codecs? Unless hes talking about just the speakers.

P.S. I think BOSE is overrated, but that's just me by the way.

Frode · 10-10-2007, 02:43 PM

I take viewing arc recommendations with a large bag of salt :P . In my own experiements I have a visual acuity way better than the one arc minute commonly touted, and unless I have some kind of super human vision, others should have too. The vision in my left eye is actually worse than my right eye even. Sit at whatever viewing distance you like - close is good, but further away isn't that bad either.

sj001 · 10-10-2007, 02:50 PM

Wow, sounds like this one is worth it, I think I will add this to my purchases next week, along with host of others to combat Transformers.

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10-10-2007, 06:37 AM	#2
jd213 Special Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:less than 10 minutes from Akihabara	Solid proof that BD's superior storage capacity and bitrate can and does result in better PQ and AQ. Of course, the other side will naturally try and spin this. I predict we will see: -Accusations that the reviewer and/or RBFilms are Sony shills -Excuses like "the difference in quality doesn't matter since most people won't notice or care" -Accusations that RBFilms doesn't know how to encode VC-1 properly, even though Richard at RBFilms specifically said they had to tweak the encode much more for HD DVD because of the bitrate (so much for HD DVD being an easier choice for studios)

10-10-2007, 07:04 AM	#3
CGYBLU Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	This is the disc that technically kills HD DVD. I feel honored to be purchasing this beautiful work that showcases accurately the differences between blu and dud. .. now if only warner could follow suit and do proper encodes for blu releases instead of dishing out the same old dud crud.

10-10-2007, 07:38 AM	#4
RobertB Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Trondheim, Norway	This BD has now made it into my October budget

10-10-2007, 01:11 PM	#9
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	Awesome. Too bad I couldn't find it last night. My Fry's had NONE of the new releases. Time to try again tonight.

10-10-2007, 01:12 PM	#10
calcajun Active Member Member since:Feb 2007	I generally netflix but i just purchased this disk. I am sure it will be outstanding.

10-10-2007, 01:15 PM	#11
Go Blu Special Member Member since:Feb 2007	I broke down and ordered a copy..... You can never have too much Reference Material

10-10-2007, 01:17 PM	#12
Josh Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Home Theater Gallery:50 4K collection:37 Blu-ray collection:407 Digital collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:34	Yipes! No offense to any readers, but this reviewer uses Bose? Doesn't that automatically disqualify this review

10-10-2007, 02:18 PM	#16
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7044 DVD collection:4040	my normal viewing distance for movies is about 2PH. Doing that for decades, now I can do that for Blus too THX TAP is from 1.4PH best front seat (NOT the front row) to 3.6PH Last seat of the theater (Last row) The seat on the middle of a theater is then 1.8PH

10-10-2007, 02:43 PM	#19
Frode Special Member Member since:Feb 2007	I take viewing arc recommendations with a large bag of salt :P . In my own experiements I have a visual acuity way better than the one arc minute commonly touted, and unless I have some kind of super human vision, others should have too. The vision in my left eye is actually worse than my right eye even. Sit at whatever viewing distance you like - close is good, but further away isn't that bad either.

10-10-2007, 02:50 PM	#20
sj001 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Rochester, NY Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:17 Trading Score:5	Wow, sounds like this one is worth it, I think I will add this to my purchases next week, along with host of others to combat Transformers.

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