Are Superbits worth it?
12-03-04, 12:25 PM
#27
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Originally posted by QuiGonJosh
Some Superbits are really special - Spider-Man, Starship Troopers, Fifth Element, Black Hawk Down. .
Some Superbits are really special - Spider-Man, Starship Troopers, Fifth Element, Black Hawk Down. .
Originally posted by typecase
I purchased my first Superbit recently, Bram Stoker's Dracula. The quality of the transfer of the SB really was astounding in comparison to the old transfer at least on a large screen.
I purchased my first Superbit recently, Bram Stoker's Dracula. The quality of the transfer of the SB really was astounding in comparison to the old transfer at least on a large screen.
Also the DTS track on the Charlie's Angels SB is also dramatic and has more oomph than the Dolby Digital non-SB edition.
12-03-04, 01:50 PM
#28
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Some interesting comparison screen caps of the new Spider-Man 2 SE vs. Spider-Man 2 Superbit are linked in this HTF post.
12-03-04, 02:03 PM
#29
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i have a 9ft. diagonal 16x9 screen. superbit titles always look superior, more detailed. unfortunately, very very few titles that im interested in are available as such.
12-03-04, 02:26 PM
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Cygnet, check out the new DareDevil DC, the picture quality destroys damn near every Superbit released!
The DTS track alone is worth the purchase!
That's good to hear that you're praising the SB edition of Starship Troopers - it's the defenitive incentive for me to get this now.
12-03-04, 02:33 PM
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Originally posted by cygnet74
i have a 9ft. diagonal 16x9 screen. superbit titles always look superior, more detailed. unfortunately, very very few titles that im interested in are available as such.
i have a 9ft. diagonal 16x9 screen. superbit titles always look superior, more detailed. unfortunately, very very few titles that im interested in are available as such.
Any title you would recommend that showcases just how good a DVD picture quality can be?
12-04-04, 06:03 PM
#34
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Fifth Element is the Best Superbit
Fifth Element - DRASTIC IMPROVEMENT over the original.
Dracula - Same as above.
Crouching Tiger - Really wanted the DTS.
Starship Troopers - They took a good DVD and made it absolute reference.
Snatch - Wanted the DTS because the soundtrack is so awesome.
Lawrence of Arabia - Totally new FIXED transfer, DTS is icing.
Resident Evil - Ehh, not such an improvement over the original.
Spiderman 2 - I'm getting ready to watch it tonight. From what I've read, it kicks @$$ on the SE.
12-04-04, 06:42 PM
#35
DVD Talk Gold Edition
superbits are a joke.
are they generally better than the previous non-superbit release?
yes.
are they vastly better than any other studios higher efforts?
F#ck no!
they purposefully degrade (filter out the higher frequencies/finer detail) from the regular edition, waste disc space, and use a lower than necc. bit rate and go and rectify some of these for the SB .
its the equivilent of a store going thru its inventory at midnight and marking everything up before the big 30% off sale the next day.
are they generally better than the previous non-superbit release?
yes.
are they vastly better than any other studios higher efforts?
F#ck no!
they purposefully degrade (filter out the higher frequencies/finer detail) from the regular edition, waste disc space, and use a lower than necc. bit rate and go and rectify some of these for the SB .
its the equivilent of a store going thru its inventory at midnight and marking everything up before the big 30% off sale the next day.
Last edited by ckolchak; 12-04-04 at 06:45 PM.
12-04-04, 09:58 PM
#36
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Originally posted by QuiGonJosh
Cygnet, check out the new DareDevil DC, the picture quality destroys damn near every Superbit released!
Cygnet, check out the new DareDevil DC, the picture quality destroys damn near every Superbit released!
I was disappointed in the Superbits to say the least.
12-05-04, 10:09 AM
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I agree completely that just because it says Superbit doesn't mean it looks or sounds better than other studios efforts. IMO, Seabiscuit is better looking than anything I've ever seen on Film. As for video based, probably Spy Kids 2 or Episode 2. There are loads of releases that eclipse any Superbit. The thing that Superbits do is better the PREVIOUS release. When it comes to newer releases, it pisses me off. I almost feel like they are crippling the SE's to justify (sell) the Superbit. The older re-releases I have no problem with.
Last edited by Skyler; 12-05-04 at 11:49 AM.
12-05-04, 10:37 AM
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I agree with ckolchak. Of course Dracula is going to look better - the original Dracula was an early DVD. The point is that Sony should be giving you the best presentation on the first DVD..but people are happy to lick whatever scraps Sony gives you. With current releases, when they release 2 version at the same time, its just like selliing a knowingly inferior version.
12-05-04, 08:04 PM
#39
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I have both the Fifth Element and Starship Troopers SBs and I was more impressed with the Fifth Element. I was also more impressed with Black Hawk Down. Starship Troopers is a damn good SB though.
12-05-04, 09:16 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by chanster
The point is that Sony should be giving you the best presentation on the first DVD..but people are happy to lick whatever scraps Sony gives you. With current releases, when they release 2 version at the same time, its just like selliing a knowingly inferior version.
12-05-04, 11:05 PM
#41
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I have collected most of the Superbits and I think the higher bitrate helps on a large screen.
I have a projector with 100" 16x9 screen and can see differences in the quality of the superbit vs. non-superbit dvds.
I also use a HTPC with a DX9 video card and run the sound digitally out via SPDIFF into my Harman Kardon Receiver into my B&W speakers and dual SVS subs.
The end result is how much do you have spent on your equipment and how serious are you into your movies. If i had a 32" TV with an Apex DVD player, I wouldn't see any difference either.
I have a projector with 100" 16x9 screen and can see differences in the quality of the superbit vs. non-superbit dvds.
I also use a HTPC with a DX9 video card and run the sound digitally out via SPDIFF into my Harman Kardon Receiver into my B&W speakers and dual SVS subs.
The end result is how much do you have spent on your equipment and how serious are you into your movies. If i had a 32" TV with an Apex DVD player, I wouldn't see any difference either.
12-06-04, 10:26 AM
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I have only a few Superbit titles, but I'm VERY happy with all of them.
Das Boot
Heavy Metal
Lawrence of Arabia
Spider-Man 2
There is a noticeable difference on all of them, and in some cases they are dramatically noticeable, especially with Lawrence of Arabia and yes, even Heavy Metal.
Das Boot
Heavy Metal
Lawrence of Arabia
Spider-Man 2
There is a noticeable difference on all of them, and in some cases they are dramatically noticeable, especially with Lawrence of Arabia and yes, even Heavy Metal.
12-06-04, 10:34 AM
#43
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To me it's not worth it...marginal differences on most...not all. I would rather wait to double dip when HD DVD/ BLU-Ray (sp?) hits the market.
12-06-04, 11:23 AM
#44
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Originally Posted by Admiral7
I have only a few Superbit titles, but I'm VERY happy with all of them.
Das Boot
Heavy Metal
Lawrence of Arabia
Spider-Man 2
There is a noticeable difference on all of them, and in some cases they are dramatically noticeable, especially with Lawrence of Arabia and yes, even Heavy Metal.
Das Boot
Heavy Metal
Lawrence of Arabia
Spider-Man 2
There is a noticeable difference on all of them, and in some cases they are dramatically noticeable, especially with Lawrence of Arabia and yes, even Heavy Metal.
12-06-04, 08:55 PM
#46
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There are plenty of movies out there that look just as nice and sound just as nice as superbits. They also normally have a second disc full of extras as well... and they're often cheaper!
That's my problem with them.
That's my problem with them.
12-07-04, 04:17 AM
#48
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I agree. How do Superbits compare to LOTR: EE (any of them), Master & Commander SE, Se7en Platinum Ed., Pearl Harbor Vista, and so on.
Superbits are not the end all be all of reference DVD quality. Theres plenty that look or sound just as good and better in a lot of cases.
12-07-04, 05:31 AM
#49
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by fumanstan
I think that's a bit of an oversimplification. If the methodology of Superbits hold true as far as using the entire, or most of the disc's space for audio and video, (which isn't always the case) it also means that certain features could never be included, like audio commentaries. In that case, you get a trade off between features and presentation, and different people will value those differently and it would be hard pressed to call one inferior over the other.
I'm all for making profits but, to me, this is a tad bit absurd. When they release just the movie supposedly offering the best quality DVD can offer, you pay extra, When they load up with "extras" for every marginal title with frivolous commentaries, "featurettes" that belong as talk show filler, you pay extra. When they re-release and admit this release they did it right, you pay extra.
The bootleggers and companies like this inhabit both sides of the problem with fair market value and mutual respect for artist's rights, studios profits, and consumers rights begging for the system to self correct.
Edit: For those interested in The Fifth Element SB. Consider holding off on the purchase for another month when the 'Ultimate Edition' is to be released on the chance it will rival the a/v quality and offer those interested some extras.
12-07-04, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by abintra
Edit: For those interested in The Fifth Element SB. Consider holding off on the purchase for another month when the 'Ultimate Edition' is to be released on the chance it will rival the a/v quality and offer those interested some extras.
Already...
Fifth Element
Leon
