HERO...disapointing PQ?
12-01-04, 11:38 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
HERO...disapointing PQ?
I have heard reviews that state that HERO has "great" PQ, and a few others have have said otherwise...
Now, I love this movie, but after watching it last night, I gotta agree that the PQ wasn't really that great which leads me to believe this was obviously a barebones release to get ready for an SE or something down the road.
A movie with a budget this big in Hong Kong shouldn't have had such poor black levels and grain.
Now, I love this movie, but after watching it last night, I gotta agree that the PQ wasn't really that great which leads me to believe this was obviously a barebones release to get ready for an SE or something down the road.
A movie with a budget this big in Hong Kong shouldn't have had such poor black levels and grain.
12-01-04, 12:11 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
I posted a thread about the other versions available in International - here
I posted a few screenshot comparisons and someone else posted images from the Japanese release. I'd be interested in seeing comparable screens of this new edition cuz I've been thinking about picking it up. I already have 3 versions - what's one more?
I posted a few screenshot comparisons and someone else posted images from the Japanese release. I'd be interested in seeing comparable screens of this new edition cuz I've been thinking about picking it up. I already have 3 versions - what's one more?
12-01-04, 02:29 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not Japan, but China. Guang Dong Face released it on DVD, but the quality is reportedly the worst of the bunch (worse even than Miramax's dvd) and marred with the occasional "pop-up logo" of the company. This disc is not to be confused with GDFACE's quite good R0/NTSC DVD of the theatrical cut.
As I understand it, these cuts were demanded by Harvey Weinstein prior to any theatrical release, and thus "the complete cut" has never been screened in theaters.
As I understand it, these cuts were demanded by Harvey Weinstein prior to any theatrical release, and thus "the complete cut" has never been screened in theaters.
12-01-04, 02:36 PM
#9
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Korova Milkbar
Posts: 5,435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Discussed here > http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=384544
and here > http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=398260
Haven't spun it yet, I'm waiting a bit, but the overwhelming majority of reports/reviews state that the PQ is bad (the DVDTalk review is the only one I've read yet that gives a positive spin on the transfer). It's a Miramax issue, not just Hero... See RAH's article here > http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...80304.html#mir
and here > http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=398260
Haven't spun it yet, I'm waiting a bit, but the overwhelming majority of reports/reviews state that the PQ is bad (the DVDTalk review is the only one I've read yet that gives a positive spin on the transfer). It's a Miramax issue, not just Hero... See RAH's article here > http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...80304.html#mir
12-01-04, 04:44 PM
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Archives, Indiana
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The picture quality on this movie is wonderful IMO. Colors seem true and clean, image is sharp, I didn't notice any glaring flaws watching this on tuesday; in fact I was impressed at just how good it looked, and I was watching on a 57 inch screen. There seem to be some colors that aren't common in most movies that are here, the light lime green of the veils for example. The transfer looks great to me....those who are skeptical should spend a few bucks, rent the movie and decide for themselves.
Last edited by nightmaster; 12-01-04 at 04:48 PM.
12-02-04, 05:46 AM
#13
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,982
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems this dvd is getting the kind of reviews THE GODFATHER, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE 3RD KIND dvds got.
Some say it looks great and others say it looks like crap.
Someone please post screen shots.
Some say it looks great and others say it looks like crap.
Someone please post screen shots.
12-02-04, 08:04 AM
#14
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Looked good to me last night, minus a bit of compression noise and a slightly muted color palette.
12-02-04, 08:23 AM
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys, the main issue is that this DVD looks worse than every transfer of the "Hero" theatrical cut released thusfar (GDFACE's DVD of the extended cut seems to be the very worst transfer of all).
It's a bad transfer, plain and simple, and all the others surpass it rather easily, even the original Guang Dong Face R0/NTSC DVD of the theatrical cut (not to mention the R3 and the latest Japanese release...)
It's a bad transfer, plain and simple, and all the others surpass it rather easily, even the original Guang Dong Face R0/NTSC DVD of the theatrical cut (not to mention the R3 and the latest Japanese release...)
12-02-04, 08:38 AM
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
At least the DTS mix was smooth. Had great dynamics.
12-02-04, 09:00 AM
#17
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by steebo777
At least the DTS mix was smooth. Had great dynamics.
At least the DTS mix was smooth. Had great dynamics.
I thought the PQ was pretty good, a bit grainy, but good.
12-02-04, 09:43 AM
#18
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amen! Man that DTS track was incredible, one of the best sounding I've heard!
12-02-04, 09:47 AM
#19
Moderator
Originally posted by Richard Malloy
For you audio nuts, the R3 version has a full bitrate DTS track, and it is the reference DTS disc in my collection.
For you audio nuts, the R3 version has a full bitrate DTS track, and it is the reference DTS disc in my collection.
12-02-04, 10:13 AM
#21
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a DTS-ES (6.1) version of the film on DVD, is this the edition you are referring to?
Wow! Excuse me for a moment while I get up off the floor because this DVD's DTS soundtrack just knocked me on my ass! The disc has a Dolby Digital EX 5.1 track that is all well and good on its own but seems positively sleepy in comparison to the full bit-rate 1509 kb/s DTS-ES Matrix soundtrack that is quite simply the best-sounding thing I've ever heard in my home.
12-02-04, 11:57 AM
#22
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Rentrak r2j also has a full bitrate DTS 5.1 track which fares favorably against the excellent DTS-ES 6.1 of the Edko r3hk. But the transfer on the r2j is superior to the r3hk, making it a better overall deal. I also notice that the price for the r2j is going to drop to 2500 yen in January, so for region-free enthusiasts of the film I can find very little reason to settle for anything else.
If IGN.com's screenshots of the Miramax r1 are accurate, then it is by far the worst transfer of the theatrical version available to date. Its washed-out palette does no justice to Doyle's cinematography.
If IGN.com's screenshots of the Miramax r1 are accurate, then it is by far the worst transfer of the theatrical version available to date. Its washed-out palette does no justice to Doyle's cinematography.
12-02-04, 01:17 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just noticed that the upcoming r2j release for January 28, 2005 looks to be missing the extras disc of the earlier 2-disc special edition. I _thought_ this deal was too good to be true. =)
Still, if you just want the film, the price isn't too shabby. Amazon.jp is selling it for 2250 yen, and if they are still offering the 500 yen off coupon code for first-time Amazon.jp users, you can slash the price down to 1750 yen (plus shipping)!
More info here: http://store.yahoo.co.jp/discstation/redv-80.html and http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/...235374-2225123
Still, if you just want the film, the price isn't too shabby. Amazon.jp is selling it for 2250 yen, and if they are still offering the 500 yen off coupon code for first-time Amazon.jp users, you can slash the price down to 1750 yen (plus shipping)!
More info here: http://store.yahoo.co.jp/discstation/redv-80.html and http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/...235374-2225123
12-02-04, 01:39 PM
#25
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, that's quite alright, wuken, at least for non-Japanese speakers... as I understand it, the extra features on the Japanese Elite disc aren't English subbed anyway!
Can I use the 500 yen coupon on a preorder?
Can I use the 500 yen coupon on a preorder?