So is there anybody out there that's picking up more than one copy for exclusives? I already have the steelbook coming from Canada and I'm thinking about picking up the Target exclusive as well.

Honestly... I probably will end up going getting something beyond the steelbook as well.

I'll be getting four different versions of this one. The 2 disc from WB, the Amazon.de/FS steelbooks, and the Target exclusive to go with Iron Man. I normally only pick up one copy of a film but this film stands out IMO.

Im going with the Target BD set.

is there any word on what Best Buy will be giving away at the midnight releases?

I rented the BD yesterday and after watching it twice... Count me out. :(

Yes, there's some DNR but it's only in a few spots. The edge enhancement, though not omnipresent, appears with enough frequency as to be distracting. But the worst offender is how misshandled the contrast is.

I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.

The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.

This is a very disappointing transfer so I'm definitely not purchasing it and will hope for the best regarding an eventual re-release in a year or two.

That said, the audio was fantastic.

In one of the FOcus Points on the BD, Christopher Nolan and his DP seem to view the top of the IMAX frame as unimportant because when the image is that big "your eyes don't naturally focus on the top of the image". This seems to suggest that the 1.78:1 framing best reflects the intended composition of the IMAX footage. I guess in this particular case, the 1.45:1 aspect ratio is more akin to an open matte transfer.

Dude, you are in serious need of medical help. -screwy-

Mr. Robert Harris, motion picture archivist:
Have a great week, and enjoy this highly anticipated release!

To the folks at AVS...perhaps next time!!

Pro-B

Well, what I've seen in the screenshots looks like edge enhancement, and I think it's disappointing. I'm still getting it, but it's not up to other recent releases IMHO.

I am so damn excited about this disc, and consistently use RAH as a key source to gauging a disc's quality.

Though...I'd probably buy this even if it had 5.1 and was in full frame (don't tell WB, though, as they might just do it)

Why? There are a bunch of people on this and other forums that are picking up multiple copies just for collector's purposes. I've never done that with any other title but I think I might as well make an exception for TDK.

I certainly wish I'd seen the BD release Robert Harris saw because "unequivocally, undeniably and absolutely gorgeous in every way" does not describe the transfer on the BD I rented. :(

I agree, if you have a favorite film or genre I see nothing wrong with buying different versions for collectible purchases.

My favorite film is Casino, and I own 5 different versions of it so far. They're just cool to collect.

Just Dawn of the Dead for me. I own way to many different versions on different formats. Even UMD!

Maybe he was referring to the audio.

Looking forward to renting this piece of controversy.

We both have thousands of posts on a dvd message board. Apparently I'm not the only one who needs help. :)

I have to admit that this one makes no sense. A lot of the reviews are praising it while individual users seem to be damning it. If the transfer can be improved, I'm going to wonder if WB did it on purpose so they can resell the title over in the future. I can't see any reason that this release, given it's importance at hooking new Blu-ray buyers, should have poor video.

Is that white chocolate or something?

One thing is certain. WB is as predictable as a multiple personality blonde on a blind date.

I hope TDK isn't a stark contrast between Hollywood's shills and the common sense of the viewer. In any case, I'll give my honest opinion, as I don't have any inside movie studio contacts, nor am I affiliated with them in any way whatsoever.

And if I don't like the aspect ratio changes, I'll say it as well. Personally, I think this was best left for a theater, because a home theater is much different and you'll notice aspect ratio changes whereas on a massive screen made for hundreds of people...you probably will not. But I'll see how it looks on my 50" plasma.

It's obvious that your copy was flawed because it was a rental. Only the retail sale Blu-Ray discs have superior transfers. I'm getting mine from Japan, because the Japanese are exquisite swordmakers.

How dare you question Mr. Harris' critique of TDK. Are you mad?

;)

Reminds me of the sounds issues that so many Reviewers conveniently missed on the Star Wars DVD (Death Star Trench Run).

Don't forget to pickup your latest SW reissues. :D

Even if the video isn't pristine, it hardly doesn't seem poor enough to prevent a purchase.

Who cares what this guy says....where is it on the tier??

;)

I really don't believe that things like EE and DNR are done with the intention of degrading the image. They're done because of a misguided attempt to satisfy a certain segment of buyers that perceive such video to be sharper and/or cleaner. It's like how some people crank up the sharpness on their TVs because they think it's an improvement, when all they're really doing is adding noise.

That said, the word is that the EE may have been done for the IMAX prints, so it's in the source they used. It's more acceptable in that context, but I still find it to be disappointing. The transfer is still good, but it isn't top quality IMHO.