Review Wanted: Ultimate DVD Platinum
01-23-00, 12:38 PM
#6
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From REEL.COM:
| Order # | Order Date: | Title: | Qty: | Status: |
| xxxxxxx | 01/19/2000 | Ultimate DVD Platinum (1999)(Widescreen)(2 DVD Set)(DTS Sound)(Special Edition) | 1 | Backordered |
| xxxxxxx | 01/19/2000 | Dragon Chronicles (1994)(Widescreen) | 1 | Shipped on 01/23/2000 Via: USPS Standard Delivery |
 | ||||
[This message has been edited by IMAFriend (edited January 25, 2000).]
01-25-00, 09:42 AM
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Woohoo!!! New Status!
From REEL.COM:
[This message has been edited by IMAFriend (edited January 23, 2000).][/QUOTE]
From REEL.COM:
| Order # | Order Date: | Title: | Qty: | Status: |
| xxxxxxx | 01/19/2000 | Ultimate DVD Platinum (1999)(Widescreen)(2 DVD Set)(DTS Sound)(Special Edition) | 1 | InProgress |
| xxxxxxx | 01/19/2000 | Dragon Chronicles (1994)(Widescreen) | 1 | Shipped on 01/23/2000 Via: USPS Standard Delivery |
| ||||
[This message has been edited by IMAFriend (edited January 23, 2000).][/QUOTE]
01-25-00, 05:49 PM
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I recall that the other one, the Dragon Chronicles of the same order, was InProgress for 1-2 days before it was shipped.
I think InProgress means someone is in the warehouse packing up a DVD and putting it onto the truck.
<Looking out the window...>
Damn, still no truck.
I think InProgress means someone is in the warehouse packing up a DVD and putting it onto the truck.
<Looking out the window...>
Damn, still no truck.
01-26-00, 05:39 PM
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Welcome, Mega! Until now this has been a private thread for Beno, IMAFriend, and me...it seems like that, anyway. 
Glad to hear someone else is interested in this DVD.
Unfortunately we are all still waiting...
Glad to hear someone else is interested in this DVD.
Unfortunately we are all still waiting...
01-26-00, 10:52 PM
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I've played with the Ultimate DVD Platinum a bit. For comparison, I also have Video Essentials.
I bought this disc for its ability to compare Pro Logic to DD 5.1 to DTS audio and full frame to letterbox to anamorphic video.
It's really nice to have these comparisons available on the same disc at the touch of a menu option.
The audio demonstrations are somewhat effective but could have been much better. Not only are the menus too slow to perform a rapid side-by-side comparision, but the samples they chose are not dramatically different between the formats.
The video format comparision was done with a matted widescreen film which result in the widescreen comparisons showing less information than the full frame version. I was hoping for a 2.35:1 to 4.3:1 comparision.
Most of the video samples are from Imax movies (I think). They are 4.3:1 and suffer somewhat from a fish-eye effect.
The songs on the disc sound great, but if that's all you're looking for you might want to check out the Indoscrub single instead. It's a lot cheaper.
The audio tuning tools are far better than Video Essentials. The video tuning tools are different, but equivalent.
I do like the menus much better than Video Essentials. It's a lot easier to jump right to what you are looking for.
There is a really cool segment that shows buildings being imploded. It brings out the Beavis in me.
Overall, I felt the audio and video setup features were the most valuable. You could buy the cheaper Silver edition and get this functionality. The extra features that separates the Platinum edition from the Silver edition are simply disappointing.
I bought this disc for its ability to compare Pro Logic to DD 5.1 to DTS audio and full frame to letterbox to anamorphic video.
It's really nice to have these comparisons available on the same disc at the touch of a menu option.
The audio demonstrations are somewhat effective but could have been much better. Not only are the menus too slow to perform a rapid side-by-side comparision, but the samples they chose are not dramatically different between the formats.
The video format comparision was done with a matted widescreen film which result in the widescreen comparisons showing less information than the full frame version. I was hoping for a 2.35:1 to 4.3:1 comparision.
Most of the video samples are from Imax movies (I think). They are 4.3:1 and suffer somewhat from a fish-eye effect.
The songs on the disc sound great, but if that's all you're looking for you might want to check out the Indoscrub single instead. It's a lot cheaper.
The audio tuning tools are far better than Video Essentials. The video tuning tools are different, but equivalent.
I do like the menus much better than Video Essentials. It's a lot easier to jump right to what you are looking for.
There is a really cool segment that shows buildings being imploded. It brings out the Beavis in me.
Overall, I felt the audio and video setup features were the most valuable. You could buy the cheaper Silver edition and get this functionality. The extra features that separates the Platinum edition from the Silver edition are simply disappointing.
01-26-00, 11:35 PM
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Thanks a lot, MojoSam!
All I'm really interested in is the audio/video setup so it sounds like the Ultimate DVD Platinum is a better buy than Video Essentials in that regard (since it costs $15 less). Unfortunately, I don't think the Ultimate DVD Gold or Silver include any A/V setup utilities.
Does anyone know how the Platinum disc stacks up against Avia?
All I'm really interested in is the audio/video setup so it sounds like the Ultimate DVD Platinum is a better buy than Video Essentials in that regard (since it costs $15 less). Unfortunately, I don't think the Ultimate DVD Gold or Silver include any A/V setup utilities.
Does anyone know how the Platinum disc stacks up against Avia?
01-27-00, 01:23 AM
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Hiyas MojoSam.
Thanks for the great review. I've never used nor seen Video Essentials, or the prior Ultimate DVD's, but my primary concern is Audio setup. Sounds like it'll be plenty good for that.
When did you order, and where did you order from, if I may be nosy?
Thanks,
IMAWaiting
Thanks for the great review. I've never used nor seen Video Essentials, or the prior Ultimate DVD's, but my primary concern is Audio setup. Sounds like it'll be plenty good for that.
When did you order, and where did you order from, if I may be nosy?
Thanks,
IMAWaiting
01-30-00, 06:56 PM
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The very same Ultimate Demo Disc has been brought into Australia, and I was able to get an exclusive look at the disc early last week prior to its release.
My extremely thorough run through of the package can be found at the following URL - http://www.dvdplaza.com.au/dcafe/Forum4/HTML/000024.html?dvdplaza.
C.
My extremely thorough run through of the package can be found at the following URL - http://www.dvdplaza.com.au/dcafe/Forum4/HTML/000024.html?dvdplaza.
C.
02-01-00, 09:39 AM
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Forgive my newbie question...I was under the impression that these "tuning" DVD's were really only effective if you have a projection TV. Has anyone used Avia, VE, or Ultimate on a direct view television? I am tempted to jump in and buy one, but at the price of these things, I want to make sure that I will actually see a difference in my 35" Sony. Any comments? I appreciate all feedback.
02-01-00, 11:47 AM
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Mothra,
Avia, Video Essentials, and Ultimate DVD Platinum all allow you to tune both your video AND audio. Even with a direct-view TV you will probably see some noticeable video improvement, and you will definitely hear the improvement in your audio.
I have a relatively small TV (27" Panasonic) but I'd still like to get my hands on a copy of one of those setup discs. The main reason why I'm looking forward to Ultimate DVD Platinum is because it only costs around $20.99 compared to $34.99 for Avia and VE. That's a steal if it works as well as the others do. If you aren't willing to pay the extra $15 you might check out Ultimate DVD Platinum.
Avia, Video Essentials, and Ultimate DVD Platinum all allow you to tune both your video AND audio. Even with a direct-view TV you will probably see some noticeable video improvement, and you will definitely hear the improvement in your audio.
I have a relatively small TV (27" Panasonic) but I'd still like to get my hands on a copy of one of those setup discs. The main reason why I'm looking forward to Ultimate DVD Platinum is because it only costs around $20.99 compared to $34.99 for Avia and VE. That's a steal if it works as well as the others do. If you aren't willing to pay the extra $15 you might check out Ultimate DVD Platinum.
