Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on October 14, 2001 at 21:24:10

In Reply to: blackmail -or- how I came to buy the Superbit release of 5th Element posted by late on October 14, 2001 at 09:08:30:

This picture is truly stunning; I can only assume other superbit titles are magnificent as well. How much better? Well, that may depend upon the individual viewer and the viewer's system. From my initial experience it was subtle at first because the resolution of most anamorphic DVDs on a good progressive scan player shown over a direct-view widescreen HDTV (RCA F38310) is pretty nice already. However, the longer I watched this superbit movie, the more the detail seemed to jump out and the richer the whole picture felt. Eventually, I became aware that the superbit presentation was reminiscent of a movie broadcast over HDTV (i.e., not up to 1080I resolution, but you get the idea).

About the sound: Although my video system is integrated into my reference system (i.e.,stereo only) the superbit mastered DDS did sound noticeably better than on most other Dolbyized DVDs I've heard over this system. I'm now considering some of the other available high-rez titles (i.e., "Crouching Tiger...", "Air Force One", etc.), and am looking forward to future superbit releases with interest.

Here's a thought: If the superbit mastering proves profitable for the niche high-end market, what's to stop the software producers from releasing deluxe superbit editions with all the typical extras on a second disc as a package deal? Of course, out of necessity director/actor/critic commentaries would have to be on a second lower rez version.

AuPh