"Showcase" Blu-ray discs!?

[Bluyoda]

Hey everyone,

I was at an electronic store yesterday and saw one of those "showcase" loops on one of the 4K TVs.
I don't know if that is the apt term for them, but I think you know what I mean: Not movie scenes, but filmed imagery with dazzling colours and scenery, etc..
I was wondering if any of them are commercially available, as I love them and
it would be neat to show off my own HT with something like that.
I had a Pioneer BD once, but it was early on and therefore not the best.

Please provide me with links to amazon.com, if you happen to know something specific.

Sorry, if there already is a thread about this very subject matter.

[Hypnosifl]

I haven't seen any of these, but searching around on amazon I found a series from "HDScape":

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&fiel...arch-alias=dvd

Most of the ones in this series that have blu-ray.com reviews seem a bit mediocre, although the "Stargaze HD" one might be worth checking out:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/StarG...y-Blu-ray/868/

And in the "related" links on amazon I found another series called "Living Landscapes", if you type that into the blu-ray.com search bar you get a bunch of results, some with good video quality ratings (though they all seem to be 1080i) like these:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Livin...-Blu-ray/3129/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Livin...-Blu-ray/6800/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Livin...Blu-ray/10310/

Another series is "BluScenes", again you can just type that into the search bar and see all the options, although none of them are reviewed here (they seem to get decent customer ratings on amazon though).

[Ray O. Blu]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Don't know about the discs you're describing, but I think Samsara, Baraka, or Chronos would give you much the same thing.

I concur with this.
These are the epitome of reference demo material that make viewers go

[HD Goofnut]

Baraka, TRON: Legacy, or any Pixar title.

[oildude]

I think for what you are describing, this is the best I have ever seen. The big daddy of stunning showcase disks (at least, as of a year ago unless something else has since dethroned it). It also has an incredible soundtrack that enhances the experience. From cinematographer Tom Lowe, who spent two years shooting it at various locations across the U.S. Southwest.




I first saw it in a Best Buy on a 4K TV. I stopped and watched it until their sample loop finished. I asked the sales guy what it was they were showing and he told me it was a portion of this short film.

It isn't sold on amazon. The only place to get it is here: http://timescapes.org/, There is a trailer for it on the website.

[Ray O. Blu]

Originally Posted by oildude

I think for what you are describing, this is the best I have ever seen. The big daddy of stunning showcase disks (at least, as of a year ago unless something else has since dethroned it). It also has an incredible soundtrack that enhances the experience.




I first saw it in a Best Buy on a 4K TV. I actually stood and watched it until their sample loop finished. I asked the sales guy what it was they were showing and he told me it was a portion of this short film.

It isn't sold on amazon. The only place to get it is here: http://timescapes.org/

I haven't seen this yet, but it's hard to imagine this outperforming Baraka or Samsara.
Their specs are considerably better. Plus, Timescapes is on a 25GB disc with dolby digital 5.1 sound?

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Ray O. Blu

I haven't seen this yet, but it's hard to imagine this outperforming Baraka or Samsara.
Their specs are considerably better. Plus, Timescapes is on a 25GB disc with dolby digital 5.1 sound?

As you say, you have not seen it. I have seen all three.

It is a short film so it doesn't need to be on a 50 GB disc, and the soundtrack sounds absolutely fantastic on dolby digital 5.1. I agree Baraka and Samsara are stunning. So is this, and in my opinion, as a visual experience, more so.

Also, the OP is asking for these types of films, that are sometimes shown in short segments to demo high end flagship TVs.

[OneWayFilms]

This is what I use FANTASIA for. To show off.

[DisneyBlu]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

I don't know if that is the apt term for them, but I think you know what I mean: Not movie scenes, but filmed imagery with dazzling colours and scenery, etc..

Oceans by Disneynature is close to what you're looking for. Any of the Disneynature films, really, but Oceans is especially gorgeous. Check out the screenshots here on this site, definitely a must-own title.

[Bluyoda]

Yeah, I already have Baraka and Samsara, etc., and that's not what I meant.
I am not looking for films/documentaries to demo, only real showcase discs, that Sony, Pioneer, etc. use on their equipment in stores.

The Stargaze HD one looks interesting, but I can't seem to order it, as there is no international shipping, but thanks for the links.

The Timescapes trailer is pretty sweet as well.
Is the PQ really top notch though?
If so, that could be a great disc indeed. Thanks.

I have Oceans too, and it is one of my favorites, but it has a story, so I can't just use it for demoing purposes.

It certainly is a must-own for any BD enthusiast and nature lover.

[Clark Kent]

Almost all of the Blu-rays at the top of AVS's Picture Quality Tiers qualify.

[Hypnosifl]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

The Stargaze HD one looks interesting, but I can't seem to order it, as there is no international shipping, but thanks for the links.

Well, what's your location? And do you have a region-free player? It would help with recommendations...there's a not-too-pricey copy of Stargaze available used on amazon.co.uk, for example.

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

I have Oceans too, and it is one of my favorites, but it has a story, so I can't just use it for demoing purposes.

For a non-documentary one featuring sea creatures, maybe the BluScenes: Underwater Cozumel Blu would be good. Do you have any specific preferences in terms of what kind of scenery you'd like to see, BTW? Space stuff/forests/ocean life/southwest U.S. cliffs and deserts/waterfalls/flowers etc.?

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

Hey everyone,

I was at an electronic store yesterday and saw one of those "showcase" loops on one of the 4K TVs.
I don't know if that is the apt term for them, but I think you know what I mean: Not movie scenes, but filmed imagery with dazzling colours and scenery, etc..
I was wondering if any of them are commercially available, as I love them and
it would be neat to show off my own HT with something like that.
I had a Pioneer BD once, but it was early on and therefore not the best.

Please provide me with links to amazon.com, if you happen to know something specific.

Sorry, if there already is a thread about this very subject matter.

You'll need a computer to host these or will have to burn them to disk, but this is exactly what you were asking for. Take you pick as there are hundreds to choose from (all uncompressed). I have a bunch hosted on my Media Server for when I just need some background imagery/sounds while I do something else. Some are just nice to watch as well.

http://www.demo-world.eu/trailers/hi...n-trailers.php

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Hypnosifl

Well, what's your location? And do you have a region-free player? It would help with recommendations...there's a not-too-pricey copy of Stargaze available used on amazon.co.uk, for example.

For a non-documentary one featuring sea creatures, maybe the BluScenes: Underwater Cozumel Blu would be good. Do you have any specific preferences in terms of what kind of scenery you'd like to see, BTW? Space stuff/forests/ocean life/southwest U.S. cliffs and deserts/waterfalls/flowers etc.?

I am in Europe, and yes I have a region free BD player.

Well, I love nature, without any people or man-made things, so forests, mountains, waterfalls, flowers etc.., not digitally enhanced like the Disney WOW disc though.
I do love fireworks, which is why I shoot HD videos of them myself.
If you know of a video with great fireworks, please let me know.
Thanks a lot for your help.

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

You'll need a computer to host these or will have to burn them to disk, but this is exactly what you were asking for. Take you pick as there are hundreds to choose from (all uncompressed). I have a bunch hosted on my Media Server for when I just need some background imagery/sounds while I do something else. Some are just nice to watch as well.

http://www.demo-world.eu/trailers/hi...n-trailers.php

Wow! Nice. This could be something. I have already downloaded my favorite THX trailer (moo can).

I think that's what I was looking for.
I'll just have to burn my own BD. Thanks a million, mate.

I am surprised that not more people like these videos.

[Hypnosifl]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

I am in Europe, and yes I have a region free BD player.

Well, I love nature, without any people or man-made things, so forests, mountains, waterfalls, flowers etc.., not digitally enhanced like the Disney WOW disc though.
I do love fireworks, which is why I shoot HD videos of them myself.
If you know of a video with great fireworks, please let me know.
Thanks a lot for your help.

Looking on amazon.co.uk, I found another series called Earthscapes which seems to be shots of different natural environments like the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii, and another called plasma art, which mostly focuses on aquarium scenes like this one. There is also a fireworks blu on amazon.com here, and it's also available from amazon.co.uk here and amazon.fr here.

[brian9229]

Is all you need.

[Hypnosifl]

Originally Posted by brian9229

Is all you need.

See Bluyoda's post #11 above:

Yeah, I already have Baraka and Samsara, etc., and that's not what I meant.
I am not looking for films/documentaries to demo, only real showcase discs, that Sony, Pioneer, etc. use on their equipment in stores.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Hypnosifl

Looking on amazon.co.uk, I found another series called Earthscapes which seems to be shots of different natural environments like the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii, and another called plasma art, which mostly focuses on aquarium scenes like this one. There is also a fireworks blu on amazon.com here, and it's also available from amazon.co.uk here and amazon.fr here.

Thanks a lot, mate. I am aware of the Taiwan fireworks BD, and will probably get it at some point, but the price is slightly too steep for me at the moment. It even has a review on here: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/2008-...1/#UserReviews, but for only 30 min., it's too expensive.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

The Timescapes trailer is pretty sweet as well.
Is the PQ really top notch though?
If so, that could be a great disc indeed. Thanks.

Yes, it is absolutely top notch. It is jaw-dropping on my 65" plasma. The incredible depth of field and detail in the star fields of the Milky Way, numerous geologic features of the Southwest, a rave scene shot at the Electric Daisy Carnival, the synchronized "dance" of the satellite dishes, the long white waves sweeping in to pound a California coastline, castles of rock protruding from Mono Lake, long pans of sea birds in flight, so many other scenes of flowing water, wind, clouds, etc, all filmed in 5K and set effectively to a score that pulls the viewer into the experience.

The core of the film is time-lapse photography of the highest quality, most of it filmed by starlight so that, in some scenes, when the moon rises it looks like a dawning day. There are also many slow motion and "normally" filmed scenes interspersed to give a continuing sense of motion, like a free-form fever dream of man and nature coexisting. It is all very effective and visually stunning, which is why it is used to demo the high end and flagship televisions from different companies; that is how I first saw a loop of about 12 minutes taken from it. I knew then I had to have it.

If you elect to get it, there are multiple delivery options. I went with the Blu-ray. I recommend the special edition version which is about $10 more and has several "making of" featurettes for the cinematography and music. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for it once you see where the filming locations are and how some of the shots were set up.

[poughcujiayi]

It also has an incredible soundtrack that enhances the experience.