Just rec'd Coral Reef Adventure (WM9 HD).

[Kramer]

From our good friends in Microsoft.

The good news is (wait for it!), no DRM :clap:

Playing back happily at 720p & 1080i without asking for region info/checking servers.

Other HD releases due soon are "Speed", "To the Limit", "Amazon" & "Step Into Liquid".

It's only 43mins long but boy does it look good.

Great stuff :smashin:

[Muf]

I want

Jim.

[Kramer]

Hiya Jim.

Will give you a call a little later ;)

The enclosed letter also had a link to www.wmvhd.com but it's just a "coming soon" logo so far.

Looks like MS are going to push this format :smashin:

[The Ironduke]

eh Kramer Im abit lost what did u record with?

[BrianCurran]

I want

[Kramer]

Originally posted by The Ironduke
eh Kramer Im abit lost what did u record with?

Record? I didn't.

Microsoft DHL'ed it to me fom the states :eek:

It's the DVD (2 disc) with disc 2 containing the WMVHD version.

Loads of 720p trailers on there too, not available for download :clap:

I like MS :grin:

[BrianCurran]

Kramer

Is this it?

http://www.playusa.com/playusa.asp?page=title&r=R1&title=145086

4:3 ??

Regards

[Kramer]

Yep, that's it.

It's in both 4:3 & 16:9 ratios with DD 5.1 & DTS sound.

Disc 2 contains the 720p & 1080i (letter says "1080p"?) versions as well as 10, 720p trailers.

Anybody want to have a taste? :grin:

[The Ironduke]

Originally posted by Kramer
Record? I didn't.

Microsoft DHL'ed it to me fom the states :eek:

It's the DVD (2 disc) with disc 2 containing the WMVHD version.

Loads of 720p trailers on there too, not available for download :clap:

I like MS :grin:

why would M$ download it to you Kramer, infact who are u sir?

important?

also was the WMV actually encoded in 1280x720?

also I hear rumours of a WMVHD player from samsung or Toshiba
is this true?

[The Ironduke]

Originally posted by Kramer
Record? I didn't.

Microsoft DHL'ed it to me fom the states :eek:

It's the DVD (2 disc) with disc 2 containing the WMVHD version.

Loads of 720p trailers on there too, not available for download :clap:

I like MS :grin:

why would M$ download it to you Kramer, infact who are u sir?

important?

also was the WMV actually encoded in 1280x720?

also I hear rumours of a WMVHD player from samsung or Toshiba
is this true?

[Kramer]

Originally posted by The Ironduke
why would M$ download it to you Kramer, infact who are u sir?]

It's a fair cop :blush: My real name is Bill Gates :grin:

NOT!!!!

DHL as in DHL.com, worldwide couriers. Wasn't expecting it, it just arrived. No connection with MS, honest ;)

also was the WMV actually encoded in 1280x720?

1280x720 & 1920x1080 :eek:

I did read of WMP9 capable DVD players recently. I'm sure they'll start appearing now that MS seem to be pushing this format.

Coral Reef - Nemo on steroids :grin:

[BrianCurran]

Anybody want to have a taste?

Yes please :)

Regards

[RecordablDVDfan]

How much was it ? I downloaded the 100MB demo but the video a bit jerky

[Kramer]

Originally posted by RecordablDVDfan
How much was it ?

Free :clap:

[BrianCurran]

Just ordered it :)

Should be here in about 4 weeks, If I'm lucky.

Regards

[Kramer]

96.5 megs here (http://www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/Speed_Demo_720.wmv).

:)

[The Ironduke]

so how many hours WM9 footage encoded at 1280x720 can a DVD take?

[Kramer]

Coral Reef Adventure, 43 minutes @ 1280x720 is 2 GB.

Approx 2.7GB @ 1920x1080.

:smoke:

[Kramer]

www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/To_The_Limit_Demo_720.wmv

www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/Stormchasers_Demo_720.wmv

www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/Discoverers_Demo_720.wmv

www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/Amazon_Demo_720.wmv

www.kramer.utvinternet.com/WMVHD/Amazing_Caves_Demo_720.wmv

:)

[dvdmike]

where can i order it for free?

[tj21]

How does it get the license to play the WM9 version? Is it a phone home system as in Terminator 2 or does it get it from the disc? For how long is the license valid?

Tomas

[RecordablDVDfan]

Originally posted by dvdmike
where can i order it for free?

Ditto! Let's have a link. Always on the look out for a freebie ;-)

[Jeff]

The new WMV-HD titles support offline DRM.

[thhmo]

After downloading the .wmv files i get them to play but the picture studders qite a bit.
I have a P4 2,0 GHz/256 Mb DDR, and get a 75-80% CPU load.
Do you need even more raw power (2,4 , 2,8 GHz) or is there something else to do to get the windows media player to work better?
Is it the graphic card that is the problem, GeForce MX 420?

/Thomas

[Reinier Bauer]

Hi Brian,

You say you ordered it, but the page doesn't say there is a WMV9 edition included. How can you be shure it is the HD version?

[RecordablDVDfan]

Originally posted by Kramer
From our good friends in Microsoft.

The good news is (wait for it!), no DRM :clap:

Playing back happily at 720p & 1080i without asking for region info/checking servers.

Other HD releases due soon are "Speed", "To the Limit", "Amazon" & "Step Into Liquid".

It's only 43mins long but boy does it look good.

Great stuff :smashin:

Come on Kramer share with us the source to order a copy! I have a feeling this may be a 'only for US citizens' offer though :-(

[Muf]

I have ordered as well
There is no region exclusion with this release. See here, second last question:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/coralreef_faq.aspx

Demo clips here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx

On the playusa.com site there is a "Seen a mistake on this page? Tell us about it!" so I filled it in stating that it should be a two disc set with HD. Lets see if they have a look at the back of the box and update the page.
I also noticed another IMAX movie referenced on this page "Journey Into Amazing Caves (IMAX) (5.1/DTS), This should also have a HD disc included and is available right now.

Jim

[RecordablDVDfan]

Oh well there's no free movie. YOu have to pay and this is only for the US / Canada also.

[BrianCurran]

Reinier Bauer

I'm taking Kramer's word on it.

Jim

It looks like playusa actually read their mistake reports, nice one.

Are you sure about the "Journey Into Amazing Caves", before I order it?

Regards

[BrianCurran]

Just found this

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=348486

Regards

[Muf]

Brian

I am going to e-mail playusa.com now because I did a search of IMAX and several of the other HD movies are showing up as in stock eg:
Dolphins (In stock. Usually dispatched within 24 hours)
Living sea (In stock. Usually dispatched within 24 hours)
Magic of flight (Out now. Waiting for delivery of stock.)

Jim

[snocrash]

You need grunt to play HD WMV titles

MS recommend 3GHz ... I've got 3.2 and a Ti4600 and it chews about 20% CPU (both Hyperthreads) when playing

[BrianCurran]

Jim

Somehow we need to check that those are not original releases, ie. without the WMP9 HD version.

On the AVS thread I posted earlier, one member already had a copy of The Living Sea and it was just a regular DVD.

Regards

[Muf]

Brian

I e-mailed playusa.com this morning but heard nothing yet. I will probably be away from my PC now for 24 hours or more.

Jim

[Branxx]

HTPC is now becoming the cutting edge in video and audio reproduction.

True high-end gear.

[The Ironduke]

Originally posted by Branxx
HTPC is now becoming the cutting edge in video and audio reproduction.

True high-end gear.

well said sir!

A new power is rising!
Its Victory is at hand:grin:

[Muf]

Brian

No reply from playusa.com but it looks like you are right Coral Reef Adventure is the only HD version available to us at the moment. We will just have to wait until Kramer's postman delivers another release.

Jim

[BrianCurran]

My copy is in the post, Play mailed me yesterday :clap:

Regards

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by thhmo
After downloading the .wmv files i get them to play but the picture studders qite a bit.
I have a P4 2,0 GHz/256 Mb DDR, and get a 75-80% CPU load.
Do you need even more raw power (2,4 , 2,8 GHz) or is there something else to do to get the windows media player to work better?
Is it the graphic card that is the problem, GeForce MX 420?

/Thomas


For your info,To The Limit demo played just dandy on my XP 2000+,Radeon Saphire 9800NP PC spec.

So I'd say gfx card makes a hell of a difference.

Edit.CPU makes the difference.

[Pulsar]

Hi Guys,

Placed my order for this DVD at www.amazon.com total cost of £14.70 delivered and I will get it in 10 days or so. I will post my thoughts when I get it.

Cheers

Rob

[RecordablDVDfan]

Originally posted by Pulsar
Hi Guys,

Placed my order for this DVD at www.amazon.com total cost of £14.70 delivered and I will get it in 10 days or so. I will post my thoughts when I get it.

Cheers

Rob

So this free offer is only open to the US then ?

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by snocrash
You need grunt to play HD WMV titles

MS recommend 3GHz ... I've got 3.2 and a Ti4600 and it chews about 20% CPU (both Hyperthreads) when playing

Did you try the 720p ones > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx ?

[snocrash]

720p ? Who wants to go back to the chunky block graphics equivalent of a 1979 Apple II

We're in the 21st Century.




:)

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by snocrash
720p ? Who wants to go back to the chunky block graphics equivalent of a 1979 Apple II

We're in the 21st Century.




:)

Eh?

[Kramer]

Originally posted by RecordablDVDfan
So this free offer is only open to the US then ?

Who ever mentioned a "free" offer?

Just because I received a free copy delivered by DHL doesn't mean it's a "free for all" :p

Was down in Jim's gaff (Muf) yesterday evening & it did look exceedingly tasty on his 1280x720 DLP PJ :eek:

I'll post again as/when MS decide to send me some more goodies ;)

[RecordablDVDfan]

Originally posted by Kramer
Who ever mentioned a "free" offer?

Just because I received a free copy delivered by DHL doesn't mean it's a "free for all" :p

Was down in Jim's gaff (Muf) yesterday evening & it did look exceedingly tasty on his 1280x720 DLP PJ :eek:

I'll post again as/when MS decide to send me some more goodies ;)

Ahh well you did'nt make that clear did you ? Thanks for reply at last ;-)

[Branxx]

I watched few 1080p demos on my D-ILA projector and they look great. Sound on the other hand is problematic unless one has speakers directly driven from the HTPC.

I use Asus P4C800 with 3GHz processor and it gets to about 20% utilisation.

[BrianCurran]

My copy arrived today, simply awesome. 1080 version played no problem.

Well worth the money.

Regards

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by BrianCurran
My copy arrived today, simply awesome. 1080 version played no problem.

Well worth the money.

Regards

On what kit please?

[BrianCurran]

P4 2.66/533 @ 600 FSB = 3.0 ( 100% stable )
512 PC2700 ( running 1:1 )
ABIT IT7 MAX m/board
Radeon 9000pro 64meg ( Catalyst 3.5 drivers )
Revo 7.1
Windows XP Pro

Regards

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by BrianCurran
P4 2.66/533 @ 600 FSB = 3.0 ( 100% stable )
512 PC2700 ( running 1:1 )
ABIT IT7 MAX m/board
Radeon 9000pro 64meg ( Catalyst 3.5 drivers )
Revo 7.1
Windows XP Pro

Regards

The 1080 clips played ok on my mates P4 2.6 as well.This could be the minimum spec CPU for the 1080 clips.

[zAndy1]

ok, how do I get this working? Received it today, put it in the DVD drive and Theatertek kicks in and it just displays a screen saying put the disc in your DVD Rom drive (err, I have done!). If I quit theatertek I can run Windows Media player and open the file 'Coral Reef Feature' on the disc, it then comes up with the message 'Please re-insert the Coral Reef Adventure DVD in your DVD-Rom drive in order to view the film'. If I do that Theatertek kicks in again and back to square one... anyone else playing this with Theatertek installed, if so how?

Cheers
Andy

[Branxx]

Try inserting the disk while holding the shift key down.

[Kramer]

Or right click on the DVD drive & select open/play with Windows Media Player.

You've also got Media Player 9 installed?

:)

[zAndy1]

Thanks guys, should have known to try those things really! I'll give it a go tonight. 1080 clips playing fine on my P4 2.4C by the way, not overclocked either!

Cheers
Andy

[Pulsar]

Hello,

My disc arrived today, and after 20 minutes messing, I can't seem to get it playing. When I click on the DVD drive icon in My Computer, the screen goes black, and nothing happens. The only way I can close this window is to log off and log back on again.

If I open Windows Media Player (Yes it is version 9) and then click on the DVD drive, it just says to insert this disc into a PC to access the HDTV version.

What should I do?

I have played every demo of WMP9 stuff on my PC fine. I currently have J River Media Center, Theatre Tek and Win DVD 5 Platinum installed, could one of these playing be ****ing it all up?

Thanks for any help in advance

Cheers

Rob

[BrianCurran]

Rob

Autorun is probably causing your problem.

Open WMP9, click on file & open and browse to the .wmv files on the DVD, try to open them. You will find 720p and 1080p versions of all the trailers and the feature.

Also there is a recent copy of the WMP9 player on the disc, you could install.

Regards

[jGrahamD]

Is it possible to play the sound through SP/DIF using Windows Media Player?

[Pulsar]

Brian,

Thanks for the info, I have got it working now. I just selected the WMP9 files in the video folder on the DVD.

This stuff is simply stunning.

JGrahamD,

I think you need a Nforce 2 motherboards to re-encode the audio to 5.1. Other than that, you will just get stereo sound from the SP/DIF.

Cheers

Rob

[jGrahamD]

I have an nForce 2 motherboard, but have not used it like this yet. So far, I have only used SP/DIF directly from WINDVD.

[Pulsar]

jGrahamD,

Open the Nvidia control panel in the system tray. Click on the second tab (Speaker Setup) then select Listening Mode: 6 Speakers, and Dolby (R) Digital Encoding. This will now make the nforce chip encode the audio from the coral reef HDTV and pass it from the SP/DIF.

I have mine working to some degree. When I run the test tone from the nvidia control panel, it works great, but the voices from the centre channel are lost in the coral reef movie.

When I fix this, I will let you know.

Cheers

Rob

[jGrahamD]

Thanks for the info.

[Branxx]

I had another go at Coral Reef on my other HTPC (HD monitor 1920x1200 and 6.1 speaker system directly connected to M-Audio Delta 410 card).

The picture is excellent as reported before but this time the sound really comes out. The quality is excellent and the dialog clarity really stands out.

The only thing I noticed that the two rear channels are not encoded with extra spatial information that can be used to extract rear centre channel. Minor omission!

[Toekiller]

Gah I can't get this to work.

Mentions Active X Is disabled on this page after it tries to get the license. It isn't. Any idea's?

[Kramer]

Originally posted by Toekiller
after it tries to get the license

It shouldn't be trying to get any license :eek:

What player are you using? WM9?

Browse to the folder with the .wmv files & try playing them "directly" with Media Player.

:smoke:

[Toekiller]

Yup tried that.

It tells me to reinsert disc as it tries to aquire license from DVD, then it says my security setting are preventing me from running an activex script.

Arrghhh.

Sorted. Ran the license file on the DVD and it worked.

:zonked: