U-571 is out on Blu Ray today

[GlocksRock]

and it's on it's way to me via blockbuster's online service... to bad my PS3 is going back to Sony today to be replaced.... At least I have another one in my bedroom that I can use I can't wait to hear the audio on both my systems, it should be great.

Anyone else checking this out?

 

[j_garcia]

I actually found the HD DVD to be a bit disappointing. I will still be picking this one up though....

I had already preordered Nightmare Before Christmas via Amazon because they had the best price, and that was already shipped. Will be picking up Afro Samurai also, possibly Pale Rider.

D'OH, just found that Tower had Nightmare for $26.99, which is only $1 cheaper than Amazon, but could have also gotten free shipping from them as they also have free shipping over $25 shipping like Amazon. Some of their other titles are even better deals Afro Samurai is just $12.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have the HD DVD version. Not too bad, but not the greatest.

I'll wait for you guys to check it out first. If you guys think the SQ is a 5 STAR, then I'll buy the BD version.

Otherwise, the HD DVD version will be good enough.

 

[allargon]

I have the HD DVD version. Not too bad, but not the greatest.

I'll wait for you guys to check it out first. If you guys think the SQ is a 5 STAR, then I'll buy the BD version.

Otherwise, the HD DVD version will be good enough.

The HD DVD version is actually better in terms of video quality. Maybe Universal is bitter, but they actually went and messed with the video. DNR. Blech! Plus, the HD DVD is $10 vs. $20 for the Blu.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1059419

 

[j_garcia]

I'm selling my A2 because I don't really use it anymore now that most of the titles I am interested in are on or announced for BD and a friend expressed an interest in it. I don't really care if the PQ is worse, as long as the audio is better, as this isn't really an eye candy kind of movie IMO.

Looking at those pics, I'd have to say it actually looks BETTER to my eyes. Yes, I can see there is some DNR or EE, but it doesn't look bad to me.

 

[allargon]

Looking at those pics, I'd have to say it actually looks BETTER to my eyes. Yes, I can see there is some DNR or EE, but it doesn't look bad to me.

Go with whatever works for you, Dude. No disrespect meant, but we will have to agree to disagree on this one. You said you prefer stretch-o-vision rather than native 4:3 with black bars. So, we just differ in opinion on video.

Too bad you're not selling an XA2. I might be interested.

 

[jostenmeat]

I recently watched this on HD-DVD, and I was also disappointed. Im a video-noob, but I guess it must be the lack of "grain structure" that some people like to state. This is a guess.

It also had poor black detail, from what I could tell. The audio was alright. I just watched Terminator 3 last week, and THAT had some fun audio...

Im definitely not getting the bluray if its actually worse than the HD-DVD. Ive already checked out Xylon's thread at AVS. Too many things to buy in October as it is.

C'mon Criterion *tapping fingers*

 

[GlocksRock]

It doesn't cost much to rent it, so you can try before you buy if you are are still on the fence about this one.

 

[j_garcia]

Here is what you need to know about this one:

Universal has upgraded 'U-571' to DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround, and it blows away the previous HD DVD. This is a reference-quality mix.

That reason alone would be worth the price of admission for me

 

[jostenmeat]

That reason alone would be worth the price of admission for me

That's cool. Different strokes. Otherwise, I would own Master and Commander. But, I don't, because I'm trying to stick to better video as best I can. And, for now, I just cannot justify double dipping from HD to BD.

 

[j_garcia]

PQ was good on the HD DVD, not great, but the audio was little better than the DVD IMO, and the real draw of this movie was the audio for me, more than the movie itself (this is Audioholics after all... ) The movie was just OK. I appreciate better video, but sometimes (Evil Dead 2) you just get what you get and that is sort of OK, and sometimes people just like to nit-pick. I read the complaints and comments that Dracula looked bad and that Dark City used DNR, but you know what, they still looked great to me and I like the movies, so I can let some minor things slide in the grand scheme of things.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Too bad you're not selling an XA2. I might be interested.

How much are people paying for these anyway?

I mean like how much is my HD-XA1 worth?

And I guess you can still buy the old HD DVD titles on eBay or something? For $10 each?

 

[j_garcia]

How much are people paying for these anyway?

I mean like how much is my HD-XA1 worth?

Not sure, but I am selling my A2 cheap because I got it cheap. XA1 and XA2 are still pretty well sought after, but are below half of their original price.

And I guess you can still buy the old HD DVD titles on eBay or something? For $10 each?

I've been paying $7 or less used for good titles, but most new ones are only around $9-10 (Frys).

So I threw this one in and I have to say the PQ was just fine to me. I didn't compare it back to back with the HD DVD yet, but I will. Audio wise, this one is definitely better, but LFE still seems a little less hot than the SD DVD.

 

[aberkowitz]

I personally was not a fan of U-571. I think it did a great disservice to the true story of the enigma decryption effort that went on during WW2 (the British captured the first machine and sacrificed many lives before the Americans ever came close to entering the war)... on top of that I thought the acting was horrible. PQ & SQ aside- if I cannot enjoy a story a movie really isn't worth watching.

I did just buy a copy of Nightmare Before Christmas this morning (thanks to your list JGarcia!) and I'm anxiously awaiting my Amazon Prime delivery.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I personally was not a fan of U-571. I think it did a great disservice to the true story of the enigma decryption effort that went on during WW2 (the British captured the first machine and sacrificed many lives before the Americans ever came close to entering the war)...

I had no idea about the enigma decryption.

What's that saying - "Ignorance is bliss"?

I view every single movie as FICTIONAL entertainment.

 

[GlocksRock]

It was waiting for me when I got home yesterday, finally Blockbuster got it to me the day it came out for once... and I didn't even check it out yet. I will be checking it out tonight on my bedroom system as I don't feel like carrying the PS3 downstairs right now. Hopefully my replacement PS3 will be back very soon and I can check it out on the big system. But I was excited to see dts master audio on the disc.

 

[aberkowitz]

Hopefully my replacement PS3 will be back very soon and I can check it out on the big system. But I was excited to see dts master audio on the disc.

What happened to the original?

 

[aberkowitz]

I had no idea about the enigma decryption.

What's that saying - "Ignorance is bliss"?

I view every single movie as FICTIONAL entertainment.

Normally I agree about fictional entertainment... but this is one of those stories that rarely gets told outside of books that nobody but historians read, and the whole effort had a huge effect on the shifting of the war and particularly the safety of Allied ships at sea. In fact, the program was almost too successful- we were decrypting almost every piece of German intelligence by the end of 1944 (and Japanese intelligence as well, the Germans shared Enigma with them) that we almost had too much data to act on. Large pieces of relevant information were missed because allied commanders were just buried in decoded material.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Normally I agree about fictional entertainment... but this is one of those stories that rarely gets told outside of books that nobody but historians read, and the whole effort had a huge effect on the shifting of the war and particularly the safety of Allied ships at sea. In fact, the program was almost too successful- we were decrypting almost every piece of German intelligence by the end of 1944 (and Japanese intelligence as well, the Germans shared Enigma with them) that we almost had too much data to act on. Large pieces of relevant information were missed because allied commanders were just buried in decoded material.

Very, interesting. History was always one of my favorite subjects in school.

In a 2 hr movie, they just don't have enough time to explore all the interesting facts.

This is the reason I think TV shows/series can be A LOT BETTER than any 2 or 3 hr movie.

Imagine how awesome U-571 could have been if Fox (or other companies) were to turn it into a TV series? I would rather pay $60 to watch a single season than pay even $10 to watch one 2 hr movie.

 

[GlocksRock]

What happened to the original?

The bluetooth sync between the remote and/or sixaxis constantly drops and the only way to get it to resync is to turn it off via the switch in the back. It also occasionally freezes up on me for no good reason. At least it's under warranty and the whole warranty exchange/repair thing is easy. They sent me a coffin for it via ups ground, and it includes all the packing material and a prepaid UPS overnight shipping label. Once they receive my console, I think they will just send out a replacement via overnight as well, hopefully it will be a brand new unit, not a refurb.