Heat:SE - not a new transfer :-(

[DavidH]

According to the review at HTF of Heat: SE it is not a new transfer:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=225883

There are several screen shot comparisons and according to those, it looks as if the original version is actually a bit sharper in terms of detail, etc. All in all, a big disappointment.

[phr33k]

oh man!..well atleast it in a keepcase only reason why im going to get it anyways.

[Cameron]

i thought this was an extended cut?

[thelwig14]

A letdown but I will still get the new one. The movie is only 10 years old so the transfer isn't awful by any means.

[Ojam]

I think you can see more detail in the new one, check out the third pic, you can see the gold tie pin in the new one, and not the old one.....

[Fok]

I'm surprised the video wasn't cleaned up more, oh well guess I'll be sticking with my original version.

[DavidH]

I sold my original version in anticipation of the new one having a new transfer.

So, I will have to re-buy this. I guess I'll get the new one --- if for no other reason, I get a keepcase this time.

[DavidH]

Here's another review: http://dvdmg.com/heatse.shtml

According to the reviewer:

Both audio and picture didn’t live up to my memories of the original DVD from 1999, so I revisited that one to compare the two. I thought both discs demonstrated identical audio, but the visuals differed. Though each one earned a “B-“, they did so in different ways. The 1999 disc was sharper than this one, but it came with a more digital, edgy look and some artifacts. This one lacked as many problems in that domain but also seemed softer. I couldn’t pick one as superior to the other; they’re both decent but flawed.

[SPiRAL]

I'll still pick it up.

[Sanitarium]

Well that was only reason I was going to get it. Looks like I'll keep my old one.

What a shame, Warner usually does fantastic transfers.

[DonnachaOne]

Now, does the Japanese dts version have the same transfer...?

[nonametofame]

another review here. Looks like there is an improvement, albeit a very marginal one. Both audio and video seem decent enough. I also sold my old copy in ancipation of this new special edition. I just hope the sale prices for its initial week release are relatively low.

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_11/heat_se.html

[Decker]

Sounds like I can just keep my current version. It pains me to upgrade unless it's a no-brainer.

[SlingshotBandit]

I sold mine about a year ago when I heard they were releasing an SE. Like a couple of the other posters above, I'll definitely get this for the keepcase, and also for the extras.

[Rivero]

This has to be one of the biggest disappointments of the year for me. I wanted a longer cut, perhaps to flesh out some of the weak characterization in the final third of the film and was looking forward to a new transfer. I'll stick with the old one.

[JM1]

I have already ordered it, the extras do it for me. As long as the transfer is not worse than the original (which I thought was pretty good anyway) I don't mind.

But a DTS track would have been nice.

[mzupeman2]

Well, that truly is disappointing... BUT being that I don't have Heat on DVD yet, I'll be picking this up.

[roger_d]

How can disk one has the movie, commentary and this:
.
- “Surprise of a Lifetime” Duration: 1:59 minutes.
- “Two Actors Collide” Duration: 2:27 minutes.
- “Closing In” Duration: 2:15 minutes.
.
doesn't 1:59 means 1 hour and 59 minutes.
or am i missing something

[Al_Tahoe]

How can disk one has the movie, commentary and this:
.
- “Surprise of a Lifetime” Duration: 1:59 minutes.
- “Two Actors Collide” Duration: 2:27 minutes.
- “Closing In” Duration: 2:15 minutes.
.
doesn't 1:59 means 1 hour and 59 minutes.
or am i missing somethingI believe those are trailers. So 1:59 would mean 1 minute and 59 seconds.

[fryinpan1]

This is one of my favorite movies so I already sold my previous version. I think I sold my old copy on Ebay for about the same price as what I will pay for the SE through Columbia House.

[matome]

I'll just stick with my R2 disc.

[Geofferson]

Not the best news, but I'll still be buying this one.

[Deke Rivers]

well i was waiting for the new release because i never bought the old one..
looks like i will jsut buy the old one used for 5.99..why pay more based on this info?

[Geofferson]

the DVDFile review reads as though it's actually quite good. It seems the real disappointment with the disc is with the commentary (lack of enthusiasm) and the 11 deleted scenes (which run under 10 minutes total).

[ThatGuamGuy]

doesn't 1:59 means 1 hour and 59 minutes.
or am i missing something

It would, but "1:59 minutes" means 1 minute, 59 seconds.

[pdutta2000]

I'll just keep the original and rent he 2nd disc for the extras. Too bad...really waited a long time for this to get a special edition.

[Big Worms]

Love this movie! Still buying it.

[gutwrencher]

I'm still deciding and may wait for a few more write-ups. The extras are not sounding worth it and I'll be damned if I'm going to buy a dvd just because it's now in a keepcase.

[ShagMan]

What a let-down, there's a strong possibility I'm skipping this one. Dang!

[steebo777]

I've already sold me existing copy of this flick, so I'll be picking up th SE.

[Cardiac161]

DVDFile has a review up:

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_11/heat_se.html

It states that the video transfer is a little bit better.

[scott1598]

DVDFile has a review up:

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_11/heat_se.html

It states that the video transfer is a little bit better.
it's been up for a bit, check 1st page of this thread.

[basaro]

Another reason I never sell anything before the double-dip is actually released. I'll probably just stick with my old one for now. Thanks for the update.

[Johnny Zhivago]

I'm in... My current copy came through a trade, so no biggie. Looking forward to the SE.

[Mike Lowrey]

Looks like to me that the new transfer is slightly better in terms of compression grain. Yeah, the transfer is a bit soft, but looks like the background compression grain is a bit less than the original.

[Josh H]

Meh. I wasn't going to pick it up anyway as I'm fine with the current release. It looks and sounds fine IMO and I couldn't care less about extras for this film.

[scott1598]

you know... if it had a better transfer fine, but i am sure that with my naked eye I won't be able to tell a particle from a spec from a dark spot to a soft spot...meaning i don't care.

this is an incredible movie, now with some extras and a commentary by Michael Mann still realing from the fine "Collateral" and brimming with excitement for the upcoming "Miami Vice" motion pic with Jaime and Colin.

I sold my old snapper for the new and have the R2 DTS. I am finally in..."Heat"!!

[TheNightFlier]

you know... if it had a better transfer fine, but i am sure that with my naked eye I won't be able to tell a particle from a spec from a dark spot to a soft spot...meaning i don't care.


My feelings exactly :thumbsup:

I sold off my snapper during the Blockbuster $8 trade-in when I heard about this. Looking forward to the featurettes and commentary.

[dgc]

Based on all I've read, looks like I'll pick up the SE.

[Dutin]

Definately picking this up since I always held out for an SE, disappointed about the tranfer tho!

[darqleo]

Looks like I'll wait for the MSRP price drop. I've waited this long to pick this movie up, what's 6 more months?

[John Spartan]

In the first comparison picture set, the new transfer looks brighter. But overall, it still looks very close.

I believe either the Japanese or Korean disc is supposed to have much more saturated and richer colours, but has a softer picture.

[asianxcore]

never got the 1 disc, so I will definitely be picking this up next week.

[kms_md]

i'm in for the extras as well (but still disappointed about the lack of a new transfer).

[eau]

http://www.dvdtown.com/review/heatspecialedition/13815/2689/

dvdtown suggests a little improvement in the transfer over the old release as well.

[jarofclay73]

the DVDFile review reads as though it's actually quite good. It seems the real disappointment with the disc is with the commentary (lack of enthusiasm) and the 11 deleted scenes (which run under 10 minutes total).

Is Michael Mann EVER enthusiastic on a commentary? The commentaries I've heard him do (Manhunter, Collateral) are quite informative but never really "enthuastic" in my opinion. He's kind of a dry, serious guy.

[scott1598]

good review over at the authority...that puts my mind more at ease. not that i needed it...
http://www.dvdauthority.com/reviews.asp?ReviewID=4252

[Dr. DVD]

Since I don't own it, I'll pick it up.

[SWR 1]

I'm definitely picking this up, I have held off buying the old version for a long time now.

[mikehunt]

I've decided to stop double dipping, so I won't be getting this

[BuckyB]

One of my very favorite movies. I too held off on buying the original release and can't wait to pick this one up. A DTS track and a new transfer would have made it better, but I still will enjoy the Mann commentary and extras.

[flyersfan]

good review over at the authority...that puts my mind more at ease. not that i needed it...
http://www.dvdauthority.com/reviews.asp?ReviewID=4252

While I'm happy to hear the reviewer liked the video, I can't put too much stock into his writing when he thought De Niro and Pacino played the same character in Godfather II.

I'm one of those that hastily sold my existing copy, so I'll be picking up the new version regardless. Odds are I won't notice the difference in the video, but the commentary will be a nice addition.

[IanH]

How is the 5.1 sound on this new Special Edition compared to the previous release?


I was pretty disappointed by the 5.1 on the original DVD. I saw Heat at Mann's Chinese Theatre and although I don't expect my system to replicate that experience I thought the sound had better potential. If the SE has a better DD track I'd consider getting the SE.

[Gerry P.]

While I'm happy to hear the reviewer liked the video, I can't put too much stock into his writing when he thought De Niro and Pacino played the same character in Godfather II.That's hilarious. What a tool.

[SpecialBrew]

The transfer is the same. The audio is the same except for the added commentary track. The actual bit rate of the movie is higher for the first edition over the special edition. I tend to think that the reviews claiming a slight improvement is more of their eyes playing tricks on them. You can see the same dirt and worn in the same places of both transfers. The added disc and commentary I guess make the new set worth a new buy but it is such a terrible shame that a great film 10 years old was not given a brand new upgraded transfer. Shame on Warners.

[DavidH]

Shame on Warners.

I agree entirely.

Interesting about the bit rate --- though I think the screen shot comparison over at HTF shows the original with a tad more detail...and artifacts to go along with it.

[SpecialBrew]

I agree entirely.

Interesting about the bit rate --- though I think the screen shot comparison over at HTF shows the original with a tad more detail...and artifacts to go along with it.


Yes well that totally would fit in line with the bit rate being higher on the original although in all honesty the difference between the two is around 100mbs so it is not much.

[Josh Z]

The actual bit rate of the movie is higher for the first edition over the special edition. I tend to think that the reviews claiming a slight improvement is more of their eyes playing tricks on them. You can see the same dirt and worn in the same places of both transfers.

Even if the numerical bit rate was higher on the old disc, digital compression techniques have improved substantially over the past few years. This can lead to slight improvements in color rendition and visible detail, despite using the same transfer.

Notice that all of the sites that have cited a difference all claim it to be "slight" at best. No one has claimed that the new disc is a huge improvement over the old one.

[Squirrel God]

My copy just shipped so I'll be able to see the difference for myself. But so long as it's no worse than the original, I don't mind. It is a shame it's not a stunning new transfer, but at least I gain a keepcase and some extras.

[joffa]

While I'm happy to hear the reviewer liked the video, I can't put too much stock into his writing when he thought De Niro and Pacino played the same character in Godfather II.


He never says that. He says 'they both starred in "The Godfather Part II" though never actually shared a scene for obvious reasons'. I think the obvious reason he's referring to is the one of them playing characters in different time periods, not that they're playing the same character.

The problem may be with your reading, not his writing... :)

[Gerry P.]

He never says that. He says 'they both starred in "The Godfather Part II" though never actually shared a scene for obvious reasons'. I think the obvious reason he's referring to is the one of them playing characters in different time periods, not that they're playing the same character.

The problem may be with your reading, not his writing... :)That review has been edited since flyersfan made his post. The guy must have received multiple nasty e-mails about his f-up.

...or maybe he finally got around to actually watching Godfather 2.

[DVD Polizei]

Obviously Mann was too busy with other projects. I thought this was one of his babies. Guess not.

I'm keeping my original.

[scott1598]

Comparison from the Beaver...

Nice Beaver! (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare8/heat.htm)