Films/DVD Asylum

More on :"Superbit" DVDs 'Fifth Element'

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Elizabeth

(A)

I had the 'ordinary' Fifth Element DVD and finally broke down and got the 'Superbit' version. Yes the picture has an amazing clarity in the Superbit release. Comparing the two, the ordinary DVD had less detail and after watching the Superbit version, the ordinary DVD had 'something missing' I could barely notice when seeking out specific differences. ?What is different?: But the overall feel is really better. Seemed the small details are clearer and just give a better sense of reality, fast action is clearer too. (I have a Sony 36XBR400 and a Technics DVD-A10 via component) I would get the "superbit" releases if they were films I want. But wouldn't REBUY releases I already have on DVD unless they are films I am wild about. And if you don't have a hi-def TV I don't know if you will really see the difference. (I liked the DTS sound too)

Follow Ups:

Hi - yata 16:48:23 10/25/01 (2)
How does the DVD cover look like for these superbit re-releases? Will I be looking for the feature logo on the back of the case?
- all cases (so far) have a silver cardboard shell over the (nearly) same DVD design as original - Elizabeth 10:45:58 10/26/01 (1)
  The "superbit" releases all (so far) have an additional 'all silver' cardboard slipcover over the same artwork cover (with a few tiny changes in the writing) that was on the original release DVD case.
  - Thanks! Off I go. <nt> - yata 16:49:36 10/26/01 (0)
    .
a better "SuperBit" - Joe Murphy Jr 22:24:18 10/24/01 (0)
I have The Fifth Element DVD SuperBit edition. I also owned the original DVD of TFE. As to the picture, colors have a tad more punch and the sharpness has increased. The difference between the two discs can be seen (if you look closely) on a properly calibrated television as small as 27". Is the improved quality worth an increase in price and/or the repurchase of the disc? My answer is a definite "yes, but..." and here's why. The almost doubling of the video bitrate does improve picture quality (a good thing), but the deletion of the extras/languages/etc on SuperBit DVDs could have been put to a better use. How many really watch the extra material anyway and if you do, more than once? But the movie -- many times. Leave the extras to an HBO special and record it -- on a DVD recorder if you are that hard-up for most of this lame material. Another option is to put the movie (at its best) on one disc and the extras/features on another disc. Instead, more room should be allocated for the DTS track in order to bring its audio bitrate up to the 1.54Mb/s that the original DTS DVD releases from Universal and the DTS laserdiscs contained. After doing this, the video bitrate could have been increased per the remaining room on the disc. Sony/TRI-Star has some of the best looking (non-SuperBit) transfers in the business. It's the quality of the transfer and attention to detail that a studio takes that "makes" the picture quality more so than the video bitrate. On the other hand, I believe 384-448kb/s vs 754kb/s vs 1.54Mb/s can be easily heard and would therefore bring a "truer to its name" quality to these SuperBit DVDs.
how do you communicate that we want more Superbit dvds??? - late 09:35:53 10/24/01 (3)
Hi,
good point, I want some greatmovies on Superbit; wonder who I should whine to.
- Buy more! <NT> - EdM 13:12:45 10/24/01 (0)
- more Superbit: Sony Pictures has a 'comment' page you can post in - Elizabeth 11:16:58 10/24/01 (1)
  I just found Somy Pictures in Yahoo and from the main screen you can get to a comments screen to post you comments. (I am not a computer wiz or I would post a link) Columbia-Tristar belongs to Sony and is advertised right from the Sony Pictures site. They are the ones that have the "superbit" stuff now.
  - Couldn't locate it. Please become a computer wiz! n/t - clarkjohnsen 12:22:24 10/28/01 (0)
    n
Good points; I reached a similar conclusion with the Desperado Superbit. - Audiophilander 06:40:07 10/24/01 (0)
I agree that the Superbit releases are best served by high-def digital television displayed via a progressive scan DVD player. [Note: I don't believe your Technics A-10 is a progressive scan model, although from what I've read, it's a fine DVD player; just take my word for it, Superbit is kicked up several more notches in progressive scan over a digital TV.]
Like you pointed out, unless one is wild about the release rebuying would probably not be desireable. Furthermore, if an upcoming release has loads extras (i.e., as do so many Special Editions & Director's Cut versions), as are often provided on multiple DVD-sets, one might prefer the slightly less detailed version in order to have the added features and materials.
I still suspect, as I indicated in an earlier post, that if the Superbit thing catches on there'll be 2 or 3 disc sets provided with Superbit movies on one disc and extras on the 2nd and, if needed, 3rd disc. Since the Superbit editions aren't currently over priced these DeLux SB versions could still be kept reasonable without creating the obvious quandry of deciding between the two separate releases or buying both sets.
My 2 bits. :o)
Cheers,
AuPh

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