4K - 8K Resolution and/or Dolby Atmos/DTSX Content Reviews

[j_garcia]

We saw 8 in theaters. It was fun. I would say the stunts on the plane were the best part on the large screens. Also, the diving in the ocean next to the Sub. Outside of that, the overall story was very weak compared to previous installments. I love the MI series as a whole. But 7 and 8 were sloppy and the overall story was weak and rushed. The actor playing the villain was not the right choice. I didn't like him at all. And I'm still pissed about them axing Ilsa. She was awesome. They threw Grace, who was just a pickpocket in and then by 8 (which is only weeks later) she's some trained combat fighter now. Hahaha. If they could've kept the momentum of the 5th and 6th one, these final two could've been monsters at the box office.

Definitely the story lets the action down, but they're fun no brain required popcorn movies. The bad guy here, I agree. Same for the last 007 movie. Good movie, lousy bad guy.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

And I'm still pissed about them axing Ilsa.

Rebecca Ferguson is my favorite actress. So, yeah, I was pissed too when they killed her off.

That might have ruined the whole movie for me.

But I agree, I think Dead Reckoning Part 1 & Part 2 are definitely NOT among my favorite MI movies.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Definitely the story lets the action down, but they're fun no brain required popcorn movies. The bad guy here, I agree. Same for the last 007 movie. Good movie, lousy bad guy.

Of all the 007 movies ever made, I only truly liked one Bond movie - "Casino Royale" with Daniel Craig/Eva Green. I don't even care for any of other Bond movies.

For MI, I need to figure out which of these 3 are my favorite: Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, Fallout.

 

[j_garcia]

Watched Superman. It was OK. I definitely didn't miss out by not seeing it in the theater. Other than the dog, it was pretty par for the course. It felt like a Gunn film, so kind of expected format.

 

[Movie2099]

Watched Superman. It was OK. I definitely didn't miss out by not seeing it in the theater. Other than the dog, it was pretty par for the course. It felt like a Gunn film, so kind of expected format.

I agree, it was just an "OK" movie. Nothing more. I'm not Gunn fanboy nor a Snyder fanboy, so I don't go bonkers when they release a new movie. But this Superman was way overhyped. Gunn as a director is mid in my opinion. Outside his GoTG movies, he's just not that good. Kind of like the Russo Brothers. Great at Marvel movies, but projects outside of that, they completely bomb.

 

[dolynick]

I've worked my way through the first two episodes of Alien Earth now. The show is interesting so far but we'll see how it carries on. The HDR presentation is sharp and full of contrast with deep blacks and clean bright highlights. No complaints on the video side here - especially given it's streaming quality.

What has me posting, and what is more interesting, is the sound on this one.

Is any one else watching this currently? Have you noted that the sound level needs to be cranked up 6-10 db (on my AVR's scale at least) compared to other typical content?

I was slightly annoyed at having to turn it up so much higher at first. But that faded by the time I was done the first episode. It's like they purposefully left the vast majority of the audio track low so you'd have to turn it up, but then kept all the atmospheric audio at a closer to normal level. The result is that, while dialog and action is going on at your typical volume, you have this ever present background ambient presense - little creaks and hums, along with some pretty nice low end rumbles and whatnot. I don't recall seeing another film or show done like this and so far it's made for a pretty cool and novel effect.

I'm curious if others are having a similar experience or coming away with the same impression.

 

[Movie2099]

I've worked my way through the first two episodes of Alien Earth now. The show is interesting so far but we'll see how it carries on. The HDR presentation is sharp and full of contrast with deep blacks and clean bright highlits. No complaints on the video side here - especially given it's streaming quality.

What has me posting, and what is more interesting, is the sound on this one.

Is any one else watching this currently? Have you noted that the sound level needs to be cranked up 6-10 db (on my AVR's scale at least) compared to other typical content?

I was slightly annoyed at having to turn it up so much higher at first. But that faded by the time I was done the first episode. It's like they purposefully left the vast majority of the audio track low so you'd have to turn it up, but then kept all the atmospheric audio at a closer to normal level. The result is that, while dialog and action is going on at your typical volume, you have this ever present background ambient presense - little creaks and hums, along with some pretty nice low end rumbles and whatnot. I don't recall seeing another film or show done like this and so far it's made for a pretty cool and novel effect.

I'm curious if others are having a similar experience or coming away with the same impression.

I will test in my theater if this is happening. I haven't been paying too close attention to the overall sound. Since it's a streaming TV show I know the sound won't be that great. So, I tend to watch on my TV instead of the using the theater.

 

[j_garcia]

I've worked my way through the first two episodes of Alien Earth now. The show is interesting so far but we'll see how it carries on. The HDR presentation is sharp and full of contrast with deep blacks and clean bright highlits. No complaints on the video side here - especially given it's streaming quality.

What has me posting, and what is more interesting, is the sound on this one.

Is any one else watching this currently? Have you noted that the sound level needs to be cranked up 6-10 db (on my AVR's scale at least) compared to other typical content?

I was slightly annoyed at having to turn it up so much higher at first. But that faded by the time I was done the first episode. It's like they purposefully left the vast majority of the audio track low so you'd have to turn it up, but then kept all the atmospheric audio at a closer to normal level. The result is that, while dialog and action is going on at your typical volume, you have this ever present background ambient presense - little creaks and hums, along with some pretty nice low end rumbles and whatnot. I don't recall seeing another film or show done like this and so far it's made for a pretty cool and novel effect.

I'm curious if others are having a similar experience or coming away with the same impression.

Alien: Earth

Watched the first two episodes. It looks to slot into the timeframe right around the original movie, but before Aliens. It adds new elements that were not in the films, yet they've worked it in fairly well. It is not fully expanded yet, so not sure how all of it fits in, but so far I feel the...

forums.audioholics.com

I did notice this with the audio. Certain scenes it is pretty cool. Might be the sound engineer from Romulus? That also had very active surround.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've worked my way through the first two episodes of Alien Earth now. The show is interesting so far but we'll see how it carries on. The HDR presentation is sharp and full of contrast with deep blacks and clean bright highlights. No complaints on the video side here - especially given it's streaming quality.

What has me posting, and what is more interesting, is the sound on this one.

Is any one else watching this currently? Have you noted that the sound level needs to be cranked up 6-10 db (on my AVR's scale at least) compared to other typical content?

I was slightly annoyed at having to turn it up so much higher at first. But that faded by the time I was done the first episode. It's like they purposefully left the vast majority of the audio track low so you'd have to turn it up, but then kept all the atmospheric audio at a closer to normal level. The result is that, while dialog and action is going on at your typical volume, you have this ever present background ambient presense - little creaks and hums, along with some pretty nice low end rumbles and whatnot. I don't recall seeing another film or show done like this and so far it's made for a pretty cool and novel effect.

I'm curious if others are having a similar experience or coming away with the same impression.

I'll have to pay attention to the audio on episode 4.

I guess I haven't paid attention to the audio in Episodes 1-3, possibly due to my distraction with the story (I hate annoying stupid people - kids or adults).

But I will pay attention to the audio in this next episode.

Oh, and "Alien Earth" was shot using the Arri Alexa 4K digital camera. PQ does look excellent.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I will test in my theater if this is happening. I haven't been paying too close attention to the overall sound. Since it's a streaming TV show I know the sound won't be that great. So, I tend to watch on my TV instead of the using the theater.

What in the he... You have NOT been watching Alien Earth in your HT?

Trying to save your lamp life? Get a laser.

 

[Movie2099]

What in the he... You have NOT been watching Alien Earth in your HT?

Trying to save your lamp life? Get a laser.

Hahahaha! I just bought a new QLED-Micro-LED TV. So have been watching some Dolby Vision content. Looks damn good! Of course, my living room setup has a soundbar. So, there is nothing to write home about with that.

I know!!! I need a laser projector in my next setup! Though, it is cheaper to replace a bulb vs the laser. $600 vs $3k+. So, in that regard, it's nice to still have a bulb-based projector. But I'm definitely getting the itch to make the switch.

 

[dolynick]

I guess I haven't paid attention to the audio in Episodes 1-3,

If I recall I noticed the effect most in episode 2. Episode 3 less so. Episode 4 had a bit more again.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I recall I noticed the effect most in episode 2. Episode 3 less so. Episode 4 had a bit more again.

I watched only a few minutes of episode 4. The sound was loud-normal as usual. Didn’t watch long enough to evaluate the ATMOS sounds. But the volume seems normal. Dialogue volume was normal. Did not have to adjust the volume at all. Will have to watch entire episode this weekend and see.

 

[dolynick]

I watched only a few minutes of episode 4. The sound was loud-normal as usual. Didn’t watch long enough to evaluate the ATMOS sounds. But the volume seems normal. Dialogue volume was normal. Did not have to adjust the volume at all. Will have to watch entire episode this weekend and see.

Odd. Must be decoder/upmixer dependent then. That's too bad as I thought it was at least an interesting way to present the audio of the content if it was a sound design choice.

 

[Movie2099]

I watched only a few minutes of episode 4. The sound was loud-normal as usual. Didn’t watch long enough to evaluate the ATMOS sounds. But the volume seems normal. Dialogue volume was normal. Did not have to adjust the volume at all. Will have to watch entire episode this weekend and see.

Agree, I didn't find anything off when watching Ep.4. They are running it in 5.1. The episode had some bass early on. Pretty decent for a TV show. Dialogue was always easy to hear even with some louder scenes. At various times throughout the episode, you can hear some noises in the rear channels. I'd say it sounded like a normal TV show from a streaming app.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well I saw all of Episode 4 Alien Earth. Volume was all normal. Nothing stood out. About what I expected. The new robots still acting dumb as ever.

 

[dolynick]

Oh well. I'll carry on enjoying what is apparently my own private little bit of novel sound enjoyment then.