Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
05-01-04, 11:57 PM
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Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
05-02-04, 12:01 AM
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Hmm, that's interesting. Both DVDTalk reviewers gave it high marks. 4/5 from one and 4.5/5 for the other, both in the video category. I know I'm still buying it Tuesday.
05-02-04, 12:38 AM
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Re: Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
Originally posted by matrixrok9
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
05-02-04, 01:05 AM
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Yeah it was legitimate, my local video stores rents em out one week before the release date. What I noticed about the first review and the review at htf is that they used a plasma tv, maybe it looks good on a plasma and crap on a regular tv?
05-02-04, 01:37 AM
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I picked it up last week (don't ask, connection) and it was rather good in quality if I don't say so for myself. I'm not using a plasma and my copy just was cool as it was.
05-02-04, 10:22 AM
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I have read nothing bu good reviews and threads about this title. Perhaps as mentioned you actually watched a boot-leg version.
Hmmm...you really could be a Tom Cruise hater in disguise trying to wreck sales of his movie....
Hmmm...you really could be a Tom Cruise hater in disguise trying to wreck sales of his movie....
Last edited by tacomantt; 05-02-04 at 11:59 AM.
05-02-04, 12:14 PM
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Re: Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
Originally posted by matrixrok9
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
05-02-04, 12:30 PM
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"Yeah it was legitimate, my local video stores rents em out one week before the release date."
Well, somebody's been a naughty video store.
"What I noticed about the first review and the review at htf is that they used a plasma tv, maybe it looks good on a plasma and crap on a regular tv?"
I cannot think of a reason that this would be the case. I popped it in our monitor yesterday at work to see what aspect ratio it was (having missed it at the theater) and it looked fine.
That being said, I would reeally be wary of a video store that consistently violates street date. They are intentionally committing an unfair trade practice and I would question how they are able to get the product that early every week.
Well, somebody's been a naughty video store.
"What I noticed about the first review and the review at htf is that they used a plasma tv, maybe it looks good on a plasma and crap on a regular tv?"
I cannot think of a reason that this would be the case. I popped it in our monitor yesterday at work to see what aspect ratio it was (having missed it at the theater) and it looked fine.
That being said, I would reeally be wary of a video store that consistently violates street date. They are intentionally committing an unfair trade practice and I would question how they are able to get the product that early every week.
05-02-04, 01:36 PM
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I used a non-plasma TV for my review, and really had no complaints whatsoever. Sure, it's not the best visual presentation I've seen, but it's nowhere near as bad as you described. It's gotta be a bootleg or something! 
05-02-04, 04:00 PM
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I would say that any video store that, as POLICY, rents out well ahead of street date probably would not be above bootlegging copies. Don't know if that's the case, but wouldn't surprise me.
05-02-04, 06:10 PM
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Got it yesterday - looks great - easily 4/5. Not perfect, but really nice.
The audio is also very enveloping. Sounds like you rented a boot.
The audio is also very enveloping. Sounds like you rented a boot.
05-02-04, 08:55 PM
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Re: Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
Originally posted by matrixrok9
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
I rented it and the quality is really disapointing. The video is somewhat blurry throughout the movie that I couldn't concentrate on the movie (S video, Panasonic player and Panasonic 27" tv). I kept squinting, wondering if it was just me all along. I popped in Boondock Saints and that had better video. The audio mostly comes from the front speakers and feels like a 2.0 (JVC HTIB, Master and Commander sounded really good, if not, the best). I was going to buy this movie as it was one of my favs from last year but after renting it, I'll wait for a better version.
this had one of the best,clearest, sharpest i have ever seen.
the edge enhancment was this ---> <--- close to not existing.
05-02-04, 09:12 PM
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Re: Re: Last Samurai DVD quality ... pretty bad
Originally posted by whotony
you need to adjust your tv or your eyes.
this had one of the best,clearest, sharpest i have ever seen.
the edge enhancment was this ---> <--- close to not existing.
you need to adjust your tv or your eyes.
this had one of the best,clearest, sharpest i have ever seen.
the edge enhancment was this ---> <--- close to not existing.
My friend is getting it this Tuesday, I'll check his out and see if there is a difference from the one I rented. Thanks for the comments as I really wanted to get this DVD.
05-02-04, 11:43 PM
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the picture quality is somewhat blurry? well ill try to believe ya, but i cant imagine a dvd being somewhat BLURRY.. i mean.. some of my VHS tape from the 90s arent BLURRY..
hopefully (for your sake too, ya know) it was a bootleg, sounds kinda fishy that your rental place would let them loose a week early anyway..
im really looking forward to this release myself, even though it will be a blind buy.. ive got a lot of confidence in it though
hopefully (for your sake too, ya know) it was a bootleg, sounds kinda fishy that your rental place would let them loose a week early anyway..
im really looking forward to this release myself, even though it will be a blind buy.. ive got a lot of confidence in it though
05-03-04, 09:36 AM
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I don't know about other places, but disc one of the ones we got at HW video have an impression(almost a watermark) stating that it is a rental copy only--not for re-sale. I thought it was strange when I saw it, and I wonder if it would be the cause of what you were experiencing. I kinda doubt it, but it was the first time I had ever seen Warner stamp thier dvd's like that.
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