Superbits or Superbust?

[DSMCasey]

Hey Everyone,

I just ordered my first superbit DVD, spiderman 2. I've read a few reviews but I have not actually viewed a superbit dvd yet, mainly because netflix doesn't carry them and I don't buy dvds very often. Anyhow, are superbits the dvds of the future or are they a wash up? I read somewhere that they were released in 2001, yet there are only like 40 titles! Not to mention columbia/sony are the only ones doing them, none of the other dvd companies have any similar lines. What gives!? Are they just not that popular or is the difference just not that noticable?

-Casey

P.S.- Also what gives why do other regions get more superbit dvds (Gladiator is one that comes to mind that is not avail. in region1).

 

[Leprkon]

Hey Everyone,
Anyhow, are superbits the dvds of the future or are they a wash up?

What gives!? Are they just not that popular or is the difference just not that noticable?

-Casey

I think you need to pick the films with really great visuals to take advantage of SuperBit. On Fifth Element, for example, the picture is stuningly clear with incredible depth... when they look down into traffic, you can see uncountable layers of cars criss-crossing and when the gene-splicer is putting Leeloo together, the robot arms are flashing at incredible speed, but they never go out of focus.

A Knight's Tale, on the other hand, the picture is very sharp, but other than scenery, you don't gain much from the additional clarity. A picture heavily dependant on scenery (Cliffhanger, for example) would probably be more rewarding.

I personally prefer the SuperBit versions and buy them whenever I can, but you do have pick those that benefit the most. It's like on broadcast TV, where Everybody Loves Ray was the first primte-time show put on HDTV... Some things really don't look better when they are super-sharp...

 

[Rob Babcock]

I never seen a Super Bit that wasn't significantly better than the original to my eye, but they're definately catering to a niche market. Many people don't care about the extra quality and would prefer to get the extras and in a cheaper package. No, I don't see SB's "taking over the world" or anything. They're for the film connoisseur or gearhead more than the average consumer.

 

[flyv65]

Some are a real improvement in picture (see the 5th Element listed above); some are a complete waste of money (superbit Dracula-don't bother).

Bryan...haven't seen the Spiderman 2 superbit yet...

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I think Dracula was one of the best Superbits (when compared to the regular).


They (superbits) make more sense if you're watching on a projector or very large TV.

 

[rgriffin25]

Superbits also add a DTS track which usually not found on other versions. The Spiderman 2 SB is impressive. I have done a side by side comparison with SB and a standard DVD and there is a noticable difference. So if you are more into quality than you are special features go SB if available.

 

[Leprkon]

watched the Who's "Tommy" on Superbit last night. All I can say is "wow". The movie wasn't really impressive other than the Tina Turner and Elton John numbers, but they did one AWESOME job on the video transfer....

most movies from the early eighties on back have a very dated and grainy look to them. the Superbit looks like it was shot yesterday instead of thirty years ago and was razor sharp on a 55 inch screen...
on a side note, I vote we don't let Jack Nicholson do any more singing...

Panic Room was also very well done, and you could clearly see what was going on in each the security monitors well before they zoomed in on a specific monitor.

If you use good sense when you pick the ones you get, I'd say it's easily worth the extra five bucks or so for the S/B versions.

 

[djoxygen]

Allocating more space on the disc to the program material (instead of extras) can never, IMO be a bad thing. Once you know what to look for, you can spot MPEG compression artifacts a mile away, so the fewer the better, I say.

Superbit itself is just a marketing term. Also look for 2-disc editions as they usual put the bulk of the bonus features on disc 2, leaving disc 1 wide open for high bit rate yumminess.

I haven't yet done a side-by-side comparison of Superbit and non-SB versions of the same title, but comparing SB (or similar full-disc movies) to non-SB quality of different titles, SB wins - no question.

 

[howie85]

I have the spiderman2 superbit and watched it on a Denon 2910 i was auditioning. When trying to view it upconverted the picture was not very good. I ultimately took the denon back but have not re watched the movie. Has anyone tried any other superbits on a upconverting player? How did it turn out? Curt

 

[ruadmaa]

If the technology exists, why aren't ALL DVD's released as superbit????

 

[jeffsg4mac]

The extended cuts of the Lord of The Rings films are every bit as good as so called super bit. I am willing to bet the bit rates are just as high. All the super bit versions I have are improved over the standard versions, but I have others such as the LOTR films that are every bit as good; no pun intended

 

[Audioholics]

If the technology exists, why aren't ALL DVD's released as superbit????

Cost. They take more room on the disc, leaving less room for the more marketable special features. Or else they'll have to include a seconds disc which isn't necessary for all movies. Plus they are catering to those who can see the difference. Joe Sixpack on his 32" TV isn't going to get anything out of increased bitrate, but he'll appreciate the extra hour of bonus footage.

 

[tbewick]

There's a good DVD review website that has coverage of this topic:

www.dvdscan.com

As I understand from this site, Gladiator (region 1) Superbit, the Back to the Future trilogy (region 2), and the Star Wars trilogy (region 1) THX, are some 'reference quality' DVD's.

The standard of DVD mastering has the greatest affect on picture quality. This process depends on more than just the final DVD's bit-rate, but good DVD's generally have higher bit-rates.

As an aside, I have appreciated Seinfeld being mastered in HD. It's a shame that the same can't be done for the later Star Trek series.

 

[Die Hard Yammy]

If you want to see the full benefit of superbit watch Bad Boys II in superbit. With the DTS and picture clarity it's F***ing phenominal. Someone mention Fifth Elelment, great superbit purchase for anyone looking.

Deperado
The patriot

 

[Malakei]

superbit

So is superbit just the same as DTS with less compression or is it a seperate codec? Will my DVD player play it? Im assuming superbit is just the regular dvds with the least compression and they cut some of the extras. Seeing as how i dont watch many extras and they are usually bad quality extras. Should I be looking for superbit. I have the Phillips DivX dvd player. Its the dv-246 or something like that.

 

[Doug917]

If your player will play regular DVDs, it will play Superbit DVDs just fine. Some superbits are barely improved, while others are day and night from the non-superbit version. I usually notice the picture improvements on my 92" widescreen over the sound.

 

[tbewick]

Superbit uses DTS 5.1 so your DVD player must be capable of playing back this format.

I'll summarise what it says on the site I referred to earlier. Superbit aims to use all of the 8 GB of space available on a dual-layer DVD for the film, in persuit of maximum picture and sound quality. The mastering process is carried out in high definition, and DTS 5.1 sound used.

The final DVD will only have excellent picture and sound quality if the mastering was good. Superbit is no guarantee of outstanding quality.

Only bother with Superbit if your TV is big.

 

[DSMCasey]

I have a 52" HD RCA and after watching Spiderman 2 in superbit and Fifth element I can say that the difference is quite large in picture and the sound as well. I would say not quite night and day in either category and definately more so in picture, but overall a couple notches above non-superbit versions.

-Casey