Josh Z

Full review here:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=14235

Bill Geiger

yeah, I read it, thanks Josh!

RocShemp

Excellent review Josh.

BTW, did you notice that there are two very brief instances of ghosting (at least, I think that's what it is) in the new transfer?

Still, I'm actually quite happy with the transfer on this set. It's too bad the Starmax set dumped the Mandarin track and if Elite does a transfer, I doubt I'll get it if it's unsubtitled as was their release of Hero.

DrGerbil

Hero was subbed... so why is HOFD sans subs? Its a shame, really.

Sifu

Where is this rumor coming from about the Starmax release not having the original Mandarin track?

Josh Z

I didn't notice anything like that. I guess it depends on what you are calling "ghosting". If you can describe exactly what it is you're seeing, I'll take another look.

DrGerbil

HOFD LE

I don't take this as confirmation that the Mandarin track is included. It may only signify the original language of the film is Mandarin.

RonBoster

I sent an email to verify the soundtrack language. I was hoping we'd see an (early) review on this release. I've been holding off on reordering the Edko version again (defective copy).

Ron

PS: Are we certain that the R1 release won't have the original cut of the film?

RonBoster

Potential good news. DVDetective.com said their supplier stated that the soundtrack DOES include the original mandarin language soundtrack in DTS, but not DTS ES.

http://www.thedvdetective.com/Mercha...Category_Code=

Now if it was only released and we all could know for sure.

Ron

dvdordie

Ok, my friend James at dvdutopia.com has took pictures of the casing/stuffs and posted it there. He told me that he will watch everything over the weekend and try to write an extensive review by next Tuesday.

Mine is supposed to come next Monday. Can't wait!!!

http://www.dvdutopia.com/forums/inde...showtopic=1296

Patman

My 2-disc R3 Edko DVD was able to play through the bamboo scene, and get through the 1:25:00 mark, so I guess I got a good pressing of the DVD. Whew!

The dts-ES audio track is insane during the scenes with a barrage of sound.

sunny crockett

someone in korea got it already and confirmed the korean LE has the original mandarin track in DTS.

Richard Malloy

Dying for a comparison between Starmax and Edko!

Josh Z

Does he have the Edko disc to compare it to? What type of display is he watching on?

dvdordie

I messengered him and asked.

His reply : No, he doesn't own the Edko version and he uses DMTech 611 dvdp. He tried it on his region 1 coded Panasonic XP-50 and says it doesn't play. He will try and see if it plays with Panasonic LV-65 portable which is region freed. He watches it on a 32" wide TV from Sony.

cultshock

Great news about the Starmax version having the Mandarin soundtrack. I'd like to see a comparison compared to the Edko disc, but I might just try picking it up myself.

DrGerbil

Well, the set is still available from a number of retailers, so I will wait a few more days to see some comparisons.

DrGerbil

While perusing, I found this: http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept...ection-videos/

dvdordie

There are two versions out in Korea. The Limited Edition (3,000 prints) which you might have seen at our forum and the one you have referred to, which is the normal 2 disc version.

I have seen the normal version at stores this past Sunday (it's Monday here atm) and it looks cheap. LE is the way to go on this as the price do not differ much between them.

DrGerbil

I know, but I had thought Sony/Columbia made yesasia remove all import releases, guess that wasn't the case.

dleedlee

Your link is to global.yesasia.com. Sony Pictures probably doesn't have distribution rights for HK. If you try to get it shipped to the US by selecting country/region, for instance, it won't be available. You'll get this message when you try to check out: "We are sorry. The following items are not available at YesAsia.com North America. They have been removed from your Shopping Cart."
Search us.yesasia.com and you won't find it listed. You have to buy it directly from an HK etailer like layoyo or dddhouse who don't have a physical presence in the US.

RocShemp

I guess I'm missapplying the term. What I was incorrectly reffering to as ghosting was this sort of afterimage you see in those two instances I mentioned. I wasn't looking for it at all but it just sorta caught my eye during one of my many viewings. It's not my player as I went frame by frame and it's there but only for a frame or two. It doesn't look bad. Just odd. And it happens a third time in the same scene when Jin takes the final arrow from his quiver. Just look at his arm. I guess it was either intentional or something that happened in camera when the scene was shot.

dvdordie

Ok, James has put up his review of the Starmax release of HOFD LE.

http://www.dvdutopia.com/forums/inde...showtopic=1299

Amel

damn! now I really can't wait for this to arrive! Luckily, it's still playing in theatres so I'm going to try and go see this again in a couple of days.

RocShemp

dvdordie, thanks for the link to your friend's review. You think he might get his hands on the Edko two disc set to compare the video quality? And does he know if the DTS track on the Starmax release is also fullrate?

And on a slightly different topic, what is the deal people have with the fights in this movie? I don't mean this as an attack on your friend as I find this to be a general complaint. The fights are few in number and not particularly long (not even the final duel) yet I've read many negative reviews claiming that the fights are practically endless. It's just odd considering they are quite the opposite. Color me confused.