Amel

I'm no expert, but the Starmax looks better to me in these screenshots. Edko looks a little too blue. The Starmax shots look more natural.

Josh Z

Those Starmax shots look awful. It appears to be the same lousy transfer as the original 1-disc Edko release, which was a PAL conversion with very badly blown out contrasts.

I'd like to see screencaps of their Hero disc, as I'm tempted by the nice packaging. Most of the supplements seem to be a direct port of the Edko release of that film, though, so I'm expecting the transfer to be as well.

RocShemp

Any other region planning to take a stab at transfering the uncut version of the film to DVD or is this as good as it gets?

sunny crockett

OOPS. sorry guys. my dvdprogram was set to vivid instead of original. I knew it looked better on my tv! haha. anyway, here's the correct starmax screenshot...

STARMAX


2-disc EDKO


original 1-disc EDKO

sunny crockett

update

sunny crockett

STARMAX


EDKO 2-disc

hare

Not much of a difference but I think the Starmax is better in those new pics...

Richard Malloy

Much better! Very similar looking transfers on these grabs. Is there any apparent ghosting or other PAL-conversion type artifacts when the film is "in motion"?

I think I'll stick with the Edko release for now. Does anyone think it likely that we'll eventually see a superbit transfer in R1?

buckee1

I just received the Edko 2-disc from cd-wow and am awaiting the Starmax LE I odered from dvdfromkorea. I watched a fair amount of the Edko and while I didn't think it was the best picture I've seen (R2 Hero) it wasn't bad. The only scene that looked a little washed out to me was the "Echo game" segment. The gallery looked OK but, Ziyi looked more pale than I remembered seeing her in a trailer for the film I saw last month or so. But othert than that, It looked pretty good.

guoxiong

They look to the same to me, that is, when the player is set to "normal"

RonBoster

OOPS. sorry guys. my dvdprogram was set to vivid instead of original. I knew it looked better on my tv! haha. anyway, here's the correct starmax screenshot...


*******

Sonny do you still stand by your original nod to the Starmax release?

Ron

RocShemp

Those look almost identical now. BTW, during the Echo Game, does the transfer get a little shoddy during a few shots here and there toward the faster portions like on the Edko 2-disc or does it stay uniformally good looking? That and a sudden (albeit brief) colour scheme change during the forest battle (when Zhang Ziyi jumps on the back of a horse) are the only bits that really bug me about the Edko 2-disc release. If the Starmax corrects those, it might not be a bad purchase for the price.

Considering Sony did a Superbit release for Crouching Tigger, Hidden Dragon, I'd say it's rather likely. The only question is if the DVD will be uncut, unlike the US theatrical release.

sunny crockett

I don't have the Edko for a good comparison but I just checked those 2 scenes on the Starmax and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Looked all good to me. No shoddiness or coulour scheme changes.

sunny crockett

Run, No, that's when I watched it on my pc with the settings all fucked up

on the big screen it looks great to me. no mixed bag anymore.

RonBoster

thanks for taking the time to post your impressions. I bought the 1st release from Edko. Bought the 2nd LE from Edko-returned due to bad pressing. Was traveling and saw that Starmax was getting good review(s) last week, so I ordered while on the road. Then I saw your post yesterday. So I reorded the Edko 2 disc last night and was going to return the Starmax.....then saw your correction, so I cancelled the Edko 2 disc order and will not return the Starmax when it arrives......I'm exhausted.

Ron

fourizonly

Maybe you should order the Japanese Version too...just in case . I wonder how come there are no reviews on the japan version? Is it because no English subs?

RonBoster

I probably would have gone the R2 route, but as you speculated, no english subs. I was just hoping for an "Elite type" transfer similar to "Hero." I guess that will ahve to wait.

moonmadness

I was able to order the Korean LE set from koreapop.com (asiandb.com). Ordered on Monday night and got my shipping confirmation today. This was the only place I was able to find it still in stock. It came to $59.98 total.

DrGerbil

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare8/houseofflyingdaggers2.htm

Verdict: The Starmax is minutely sharper.

Amel

Good news. The extras seem to be better also. Now, if it would only get here... I'm waiting very (im)patiently.

animatedude

there's already 2 threads now about this..& many replies...& with all the versions are out well almost...what do u think is the ultimate version now?

eXcentris

The R1 is coming out on 04/19

wennma01

i've been wondering the same thing. i'm not region-free so i can't really get one of these good versions, but i am curious all the same

sunny crockett

there's not really an ultimate version yet.
the Edko 2-disc and the Starmax are kinda tied.

Edko 2-disc: best sound / good image.
Starmax 2-disc: best image / good sound.

I'm happy with my Starmax. packaging is real nice too.

zatoichi

is the Starmax set still available anywhere(fr under $50 w/shipping)?? or am i too late?