Studio Canal's first HD DVD titles

[dino2021]

Available now:
Basic Instinct
Elephant Man
Fog (John Carpenter version)
King Kong (1976)
La Haine (known in the USA as "Hate")
The Pianist
Rambo
Rambo II
Rambo III
Total Recall

next batch of Studio Canal titles
Ali
Arizona Dream
The Shadow Army
The Red Circle
The City of Lost Children
We're Being Shot At
The Graduate
Million Dollar Baby
Mulholland Drive
We Were Soldiers
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Ran
Serpico
Stargate
Terminator 2
Traffic
The Three Days of the Condor
Deer Hunter

[SAH]

Some in the US have bought Rambo and Total Recall, they were bare bones discs I believe.

[StooMonster]

Just the movie, no 'extras' ... with all disc space taken up with high quality video and audio? Sounds brilliant!

StooMonster

[dino2021]

Just the movie, no 'extras' ... with all disc space taken up with high quality video and audio? Sounds brilliant!

StooMonster


I wish it was so I really do, but it looks like its just DTS 5.1 for the English track, only German and French Language options carry lossless Hi def Audio.

Really annoyed me :(

[drac]

Just the movie, no 'extras' ... with all disc space taken up with high quality video and audio? Sounds brilliant!

StooMonster

lol yeah, no snazzy (cr*p) extras and no extra £XX on top - brilliant!!

Why don't all DVD releases do that?

[astirling]

Available now:
Basic Instinct
Elephant Man
Fog (John Carpenter version)
King Kong (1976)
La Haine (known in the USA as "Hate")
The Pianist
Rambo
Rambo II
Rambo III
Total Recall

next batch of Studio Canal titles
Ali
Arizona Dream
The Shadow Army
The Red Circle
The City of Lost Children
We're Being Shot At
The Graduate
Million Dollar Baby
Mulholland Drive
We Were Soldiers
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Ran
Serpico
Stargate
Terminator 2
Traffic
The Three Days of the Condor
Deer Hunter

I want The Elephant Man dammit! It's out in France already.

[StooMonster]

I wish it was so I really do, but it looks like its just DTS 5.1 for the English track, only German and French Language options carry lossless Hi def Audio.

Really annoyed me :(
Is that true for all of them? Would indeed be sweet if they carried loss-less audio English too.

StooMonster

[astirling]

Also....the titles that you list as already being out.....where are they released? I can't find Basic Instinct or The Fog listed on US or British sites.

[av addict]

:smashin: just received first blood and elephant man today-can't wait to watch these at the weekend---yo ho

[dino2021]

Is that true for all of them? Would indeed be sweet if they carried loss-less audio English too.

StooMonster

for the ones I could find for sale no HD audio in English on ALL studio Canal releases :(

Rambo 1 to 3. English DTS only
Total Recall. English DTS only
Elephant Man. DTS for everyone
The Fog. English DTS only

[dino2021]

Also....the titles that you list as already being out.....where are they released? I can't find Basic Instinct or The Fog listed on US or British sites.

ebay is your friend :)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Collectormaniac-s-SHOP

[astirling]

lol. not at those prices it's not!

[Forest Fan]

for the ones I could find for sale no HD audio in English on ALL studio Canal releases :(

Rambo 1 to 3. English DTS only
Total Recall. English DTS only
Elephant Man. DTS for everyone
The Fog. English DTS only

I'm sure the DTS in DTS-MA where the primary soundtrack is english.

[SAH]

Just the movie, no 'extras' ... with all disc space taken up with high quality video and audio? Sounds brilliant!

StooMonster


No, they were apparently very poor.

[Forest Fan]

http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/total-recall-french-release-p-10780.html

English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, German 5.1 DTS-HD Hi-Resolution Audio and French 5.1 DTS-HD Hi-Resolution Audio Options

[SAH]

lol yeah, no snazzy (cr*p) extras and no extra £XX on top - brilliant!!

Why don't all DVD releases do that?


Because you can buy two disc sets with HD extras for the same price as some bare bones discs with crappy PQ.

Why settle for less.

[dino2021]

I'm sure the DTS in DTS-MA where the primary soundtrack is english.

dunno just going off what I have read

TOTAL RECALL

Ebay
DTS MASTER Audio 5.1: ENGLISH
DTS Hi-Resolution Audio 5.1 : German +French

Amazon.fr
French (Hi-Res DTS 96/24 Digital Surround Sound), german (Hi-Res DTS 96/24 Digital Surround Sound), English (DTS 5.1)

[dino2021]

:smashin: just received first blood and elephant man today-can't wait to watch these at the weekend---yo ho

let us know if it has HD Audio in English and not just DTS 5.1 please.:thumbsup:

[Forest Fan]

dunno just going off what I have read

TOTAL RECALL

Ebay
DTS MASTER Audio 5.1: ENGLISH


DTS Master Audio 5.1 is the highest res lossless DTS codec avaliable. It's virtually identical to DolbyTrueHD and LPCM.

I'm quite sure insiders like Amir have confirmed that they are all lossless DTS MA where the main language is English, coz he's then been asked when will our players be able to decode more than just the DTS core

[dino2021]

DTS Master Audio 5.1 is the highest res lossless DTS codec avaliable. It's virtually identical to DolbyTrueHD and LPCM.

I'm quite sure insiders like Amir have confirmed that they are all lossless DTS MA where the main language is English, coz he's then been asked when will our players be able to decode more than just the DTS core

could not be more happy to be wrong, but it doesnt read like that to me, I read it as English is the master Audio track in DTS 5.1. And I think your confusing DTS HD Master Audio (highest res lossless codec)with it. like I said could not be more happy to be wrong though.

DTS Stream Types:

DTS-HD Master Audio, "bit for bit" variable bitrate with embedded core of DTS Digital Surround constant bitrate up to 1,509 kbps.
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio constant bitrate from 2046 kbps up to 5,760 (BD) or 3,018 (HD DVD) kbps.
DTS Digital Surround constant bitrate up to 1509 kbps for DVD-V and DVD-A, 1,234 kbps for Music CDs, Sub / Secondary Audio low bitrate streams.

[JohnWH]

Any idea what video codec(s) they're using?

Cheers,
John.

[Forest Fan]

Vc-1

[dino2021]

I found this info on http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/

So you could well be right forest Fan, and Amazon.fr is talking crap

Basic Instinct [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) /VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Elephant Man [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution (1.0 French & 2.0 German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

The Fog [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

King Kong (1976) [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution (5.1 French & 1.0 German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

La Haine [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Le Pianiste [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French)
- French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish & Finnish subtitles

Rambo [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Rambo II : La Mission [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Rambo III [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Total Recall [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (4.0 French & 5.1 German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitle


Edit to add deffo looks like DTS HD AUDIO

found an American seller selling rambos on hd dvd this was in the add
DVD FEATURES
Anamorphic (16:9 1080P Hi-Def) Widescreen (2.35:1) Version
English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, German 5.1 DTS-HD Hi-Resolution Audio and French 5.1 DTS-HD Hi-Resolution Audio Options

[jackal]

Is there any indication of when or whether the Toshiba HD-DVD players will be able to decode DTS-Master Audio (not just core only)?

[dino2021]

No, they were apparently very poor.

Do you have a link as I wouldn't mind a read about it?

I read on AVSforum that Basic Instinct and Total Recall were better transfers on HD DVD, no mention of Rambo though.

[Nic Rhodes]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061227/20061227005006.html?.v=1

I think DTS are only now getting their act together re MA. Several of the players should be upgradeable if the company wants this to happen.

[SAH]

Do you have a link as I wouldn't mind a read about it?

I read on AVSforum that Basic Instinct and Total Recall were better transfers on HD DVD, no mention of Rambo though.

This was at the begining of December, maybe earlier.

Some were looking to import Rambo but it was reported to be well below average, PQ wise.

[lrbh]

You can get the titles at amazon.fr. My Total Recall order was shipped today :clap: . Haven't watched the movie yet, and i've heard its good;) Bit pricy though, €31.25 (~£20.71) including shipping to Spain. They're even cheaper on xploitedcinema (US importer) :(

[MikeK]

They've got to be kidding with these prices.

I mean, come on, 90 Euros (del'd) for the Rambo trilogy - that's about £65.

The same site list the trilogy on DVD for 21 Euros delivered, and you can get the UK version from PLAY for £14.
I accept that hidef will always have a premium over DVD, but I think they are living in a dreamworld if they think old back catalogue material such as this, on HD-DVD, is worth nearly 5x the price of DVD.

I doubt many US buyers will be tempted - not at over $120 for the 3.

[av-phile]

Oh, shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure they'll be on half-price SALE in summer. Back catalogues are hardly the titles you want to get on day one of release. As always, good things come to those who wait. :grin:

[natoffski]

brotherhood of the wolf will rock in Hd cant wait

[myersfan73]

I paid just over 163 euro's inc delivery for First Blood, Rambo 2, Rambo, The Fog, Total Recall & The Elephant Man from Amazon fr! £109 gbp for the lot, around about £18 each! I thought these were pretty good considering my reciepts for my first dvd's were between £20-£25, Blade was £24.99 from WH Smiths in late 1998!

:grin:

[Lyris]

My brother bought Basic Instinct from Studio Canal. The video transfer is OK, but has some noise reduction which spoils things a little bit.

[Gliese 581c]

I'll grab Total Recall soon, anyone got it just now ? Whats the pic quality like ?

[Racquel Darrian]

I see Total Recall and the Rambo discs are coming out in Australia on 7/2/07.

No mention of what audio though.

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/hddvd.zml

[Bald Monkey]

And 'The Departed' :clap: which I haven't got on DVD yet, and IMO was a good movie. :smashin:

[Rob100]

Hmm, have pre-ordered The Departed R1 from CD Wow, but might cancel and wait a month instead.

[myersfan73]

I'll grab Total Recall soon, anyone got it just now ? Whats the pic quality like ?

I've had the R2 Momentum version, Both R1 Artisan releases & i have just watched the new THX release! I also own the Japanese 2 disc dts release, the new Studio Canal release beats all previously owned & viewed releases!
The PQ is excellent very highly detailed with strong colors, the sound is also amazing. Can't wait for my Pioneer 2016 to come so i can unlock the dts-hd surround!

:thumbsup:

[myersfan73]

I can Studio Canal releases are encoded with English dts master audio, roll on more releases!

:thumbsup:

[paulst10]

movietyme now have studio canal titles up now ... although they are around £20 each ... which i think is rather expensive considering most warner & universal titles are £15 :confused:

http://www.movietyme.com/catalog/default.php?manufacturers_id=453&

paul

[Pincho Paxton]

WARNING: AVSForum (Which I shouldn't link to) has discovered that a lot of these movies have 4% speedup in sound. Nobody knows how this can happen with 24fps , and the films lengths are the same.. However.. the source is reliable, and most people agree that the sound has 4% speedup problems.

[Rob100]

WARNING: AVSForum (Which I shouldn't link to) has discovered that a lot of these movies have 4% speedup in sound. Nobody knows how this can happen with 24fps , and the films lengths are the same.. However.. the source is reliable, and most people agree that the sound has 4% speedup problems.

Hmm, very strange.

Glad I've pre-ordered my Total Recall from EzyDVD (Universal release).

The Rambo Trilogy HD-DVD's are also to be released by Universal in Australia if anyone is interested.

[Adam_uk]

Hello- I am a bit confused, who are Studio Canal, do they make films or just distribute them?

Are these films, T2, Equilibrium, Basic insticnt etc going to come out in the UK on HD DVD.

This is very confusing for consumers!

[Tejstar]

From wiki:

StudioCanal is a French-based production and distribution company that owns the third-largest film library in the world.

[Adam_uk]

ok- and do they release discs in the UK?

[Tejstar]

I'm not too sure on whether they plan to release titles in the UK tbh. You can always order them from amazon.fr as they are region free anyway!

[moody41]

ok- and do they release discs in the UK?

Studio Canal release in the UK via Optimum.

So people are aware, four of the new batch of movies will be released via Optimum (Sendit have Pianist and La Haine for £13 so should be similarly priced). These are;

Brotherhood of the Wolf
Deer Hunter (different transfer from Universal's)
Ran
Mulholland Drive

AS for the Studio Canal French release heres the current info.

March 5

Arizona Dream (Extended Edition) [HD-30]- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution (4.0 French & 2.0 German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Voyage Au Bout De L'enfer [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 2.0 (French)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

La Grande Vadrouille [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio LCR (French)
- No subtitles

L'Armee Des Ombres [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.78:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 (French) & DTS-HD High Resolution Stereo (German)
- Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Le Laureat (The Graduate) [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 1.0 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Le Pacte De Loups [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (French) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (English)
- English subtitles

Les Trois Jours du Condor (Three days of the Condor) [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 1.0 (French & German)
- English, French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Leaving Las Vegas [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution (4.0 French & 2.0 German)
- French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish & Dutch subtitles

Million Dollar Baby [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French)
- French subtitles

Mulholland Drive [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French)
- French subtitles

Nous étions soldats (We Were Soldiers) [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 6.1 (French)
- French subtitles

Ran [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.85:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Japanese) & DTS-HD High Resolution (5.1 French & 2.0 German)
- French, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German & Dutch subtitles

Serpico [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.75:1 (16x9) / VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 1.0 (French & German)
- French & German subtitles

Terminator II [HD-30]
- 1080p / 2.35:1 (16x9) /VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French & German)
- French, German & Dutch subtitles

Traffic [HD-30]
- 1080p / 1.77:1 (16x9) /VC-1
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) & DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 (French)
- French subtitles

[Adam_uk]

Any chance of the French releases seeing a UK release? T2 for example.

I'd sooner pass on French packages.

[moody41]

Apart from the 2 already out and the four announced titles nothing else has being confirmed for the UK. Think the problem is who has the rights to release movies in each country. Studio Canal have a strong hold over France so they are able to release a lot of what otherwise would be Blu-ray exclusive content on HD-DVD in France.

Whilst in the UK most of their publishing rights are held via Optimum. As far as I'm aware Terminator 2 publishing rights in the UK is held be neither company so it's highly unlikely that we'll see it get a UK release.

Go the this site and look under DVD releases; these five different sections. This will give you an idea of which Studio Canal releases they've got rights to release in the UK. http://www.optimumreleasing.com/

[T800]

Any chance of the French releases seeing a UK release? T2 for example.

I'd sooner pass on French packages.

You can get the French release's from movietyme.com and as for the packaging the Rambo Trilogy (which turned up today) has very little French on it and none on the spine.
The only bad thing about the packaging is the stupid picture on the front of Rambo II, it's a mixture of the poster for I and II, Sly hold a huge machine gun (M60?) with an RPG on the end:confused:

[T800]

I think I messed up, I accidently set the language to french when the option came up, now whenever the disc starts I no longer get the option to change language and it's stuck on french subtitles.

I tried putting US disc on to maybe refresh it but it didn't make any difference, I've deleted all the saved stuff for the add-on in the memory options but it hasn't made any difference.

Anyone know how to solve it ?

[T800]

I've asked movietyme if they're selling any of these new ones mainly Terminator 2 and Le Pacte De Loups.

[7hil]

Postage on some of these sites is pricey. HD-DVD is 27.99 euros then at check out total amount is more like 35 euros!

Anyone found anywhere more reasonable?

[moody41]

Postage on some of these sites is pricey. HD-DVD is 27.99 euros then at check out total amount is more like 35 euros!

Anyone found anywhere more reasonable?

movietyme have all the 2006 releases for £19.99. So they may get the March batch in as well.

You should be able to get Ran, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Deer Hunter and Mulholland Drive from somewhere like play or sendit for about £13-15.

[Racquel Darrian]

Hmm, very strange.

Glad I've pre-ordered my Total Recall from EzyDVD (Universal release).

The Rambo Trilogy HD-DVD's are also to be released by Universal in Australia if anyone is interested.


I've pre-ordered Total Recall from EZDVD too.
If you look at the picture on the site it has the Universal logo on the bottom right but also the Studio Canal logo top left.

[Rob100]

I've pre-ordered Total Recall from EZDVD too.
If you look at the picture on the site it has the Universal logo on the bottom right but also the Studio Canal logo top left.

Hmm, I wonder if it's the same encode. Time will tell...

[Jeff]

Just to warn people, although the are 1080p/24,Studio Canal have still managed to mess up the sound so they sound like PAL discs with 4% speedup. Yes we finally have the worst of both worlds, judder and speedup. :thumbsdow

[lfletcher]

Has it been confirmed that all titles are affected? I thought there were a few that weren't.

[featherhall]

Has it been confirmed that all titles are affected? I thought there were a few that weren't.

I mentioned before that I have the Rambo trilogy, and notice absolutely NO problem with the sound. I dont know if its my ears or eyes, but everything looks and sounds exactly as it should and all in synch.

[Azzin]

This was at the begining of December, maybe earlier.

Some were looking to import Rambo but it was reported to be well below average, PQ wise.

I'm not so sure: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429281&highlight=rambo

[mmahmed]

The Studio Canal+ list of titles:

- Ali
- Arizona Dream
- Basic Instinct
- Elephant Man
- L'armée des Ombres
- La Cité des Enfants Perdus
- La Grande Vadrouille
- La Haine
- Le Cercle Rouge
- Le Lauréat
- Le Pacte des Loups
- Le Pianiste
- Les Trois Jours du Condor
- Million Dollar Baby
- Mulholland Drive
- Serpico
- Terminator 2
- The Fog
- Traffic
- Voyage au Bout de l'Enfer

are now scheduled for March 26.

Cheers
Moosh

[Racquel Darrian]

I would like to have seen Universal Soldier in there too.

[Glenzo]

Any chance of the French releases seeing a UK release? T2 for example.

I'd sooner pass on French packages.

I'm only too Glad to get it on HD DVD. Sure the Front Cover's nice and the HD DVD the business same as if it was a full UK/US release. Try not to be so fussy:devil:

[the_pauley]

Million Dollar Baby is already avaialble in the US on HD DVD, as is Voyage au Bout de l'Enfer (aka The Deer Hunter).

[paulst10]

T2 is up for pre-order at movietyme for 18.99 .. released 13th march according to their site .. http://www.movietyme.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=35662

ordered mine today :thumbsup:

[Racquel Darrian]

Not sure on T2.
I'm quite happy with my DVD18 tin edition with 6.1 sound.
Not too happy with all this DTS HD, DD+ and True HD sound.

I'd prefer a good DD EX or DTS ES sound track any day.

[Adam_uk]

You prefer DD EX over True HD?

[lfletcher]

Has anyone ordered (and had shipped?) any of the Fox Pathe titles out in France this week?

[Racquel Darrian]

You prefer DD EX over True HD?

Yes.
I would like to use my Surround back speaker. ;)

I have looked at quite a few reviews of HD films but can't find any where they compare the DD + / True HD soundtrack to the DVD 6.1 soundtrack.

Case in point would be The Perfect Storm.
Reviews say the HD sound is awesome.
Well the DD EX sound on the DVD is also awesome.

Wouldn't it be nice if HD films had a DD+ or True HD soundtrack and a DD EX soundtrack too?
How many people currently have amps that can correctly decode DD+ or True HD?
How many people have DD EX / DTS ES amps?

See my point?

[Adam_uk]

To a degree yes, but then also no.

So EX gives you 6.1 which makes better use of the set up you have.

Fine- but the acutal audio quality from True HD and uncompressed LPCM 5.1 is far superior to the EX mix.

To your point as to how many people have an amp that decode these- I agree, but then all HD players do the decoding for you.

[moody41]

Has anyone ordered (and had shipped?) any of the Fox Pathe titles out in France this week?

Release dates have changed to end of the month :(

[Army Bloke]

Yes.
How many people currently have amps that can correctly decode DD+ or True HD?
At this moment in time? Anybody who has an amp/reciever that has 5.1 channel inputs...when (and if) they ever release 7.1 TrueHD tracks, my old Pioneer VSX1015 would have decoded the sound nicely as it actually has 7.1 inputs...the problem with TrueHD at the moment is the players - not the amps. My Toshiba HD A1 outputs the LFE at 10db lower via the 5.1 outputs than the optical out. It still isn't a problem to me though as I would rather go through the hassle of upping that 10db every time I watch a HD movie.
I just watched Harry Potter this afternoon with my 12 year old daughter in TrueHd - and she commented on how good the sound was - she who couldn't tell the difference between a SD and HD picture on Sky HD...

[Racquel Darrian]

At this moment in time? Anybody who has an amp/reciever that has 5.1 channel inputs...when (and if) they ever release 7.1 TrueHD tracks, my old Pioneer VSX1015 would have decoded the sound nicely as it actually has 7.1 inputs...the problem with TrueHD at the moment is the players - not the amps. My Toshiba HD A1 outputs the LFE at 10db lower via the 5.1 outputs than the optical out. It still isn't a problem to me though as I would rather go through the hassle of upping that 10db every time I watch a HD movie.
I just watched Harry Potter this afternoon with my 12 year old daughter in TrueHd - and she commented on how good the sound was - she who couldn't tell the difference between a SD and HD picture on Sky HD...


I've got 5.1 channel inputs on my amp.
How do I connect this to my Xbox 360 / Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on? ;)

[Racquel Darrian]

...Fine- but the acutal audio quality from True HD and uncompressed LPCM 5.1 is far superior to the EX mix....

Show me a review of The Perfect Storm that actually compares them?

DTS is less compressed than DD so should sound better too.
I have a fair few DVDs where the DD sound is better than the DTS version.

Saying that something is uncompressed and therefore MUST be better doesn't cut the mustard with me.

Looks like I'll have to get the HD version of The Perfect Storm and come to my own conclusions.

[lfletcher]

How do I connect this to my Xbox 360 / Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on? ;)Stop me if I'm wrong but how can you compare TrueHD against DD+ or anything else if you have the xbox add-on? It has no way of outputting TrueHD in its native form.

[Army Bloke]

I've got 5.1 channel inputs on my amp.
How do I connect this to my Xbox 360 / Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on? ;)
You don't

the problem with TrueHD at the moment is the players - not the amps.

Anybody that owns the 360 add on has and will not experience HD sound. As for the extended sound argument...I kidded myselffor years that I had extended surround but could never get the surround back channels behind me as the sofa is up against the back wall.
Only the lucky few in this country will exprience true extended surround as most peoples listening rooms aren't big enough. However, anybody can expeerience true HD sound by splashing out on a dedicated player with 5.1 surround outputs and an amp with the inputs.

I recently purchased my A1 from the classifieds here and my first question was "does it have 5.1 outputs"? 2 reasons:
1. Dolby TrueHd
2. DTS Master HD...and there are rumours abound that the A1 has an inpending update in May that will enable the DTS version...which will enable me to listen to the T2 disc properly... :clap:

[Geoff_D]

Yes.
I would like to use my Surround back speaker. ;)

I have looked at quite a few reviews of HD films but can't find any where they compare the DD + / True HD soundtrack to the DVD 6.1 soundtrack.

Case in point would be The Perfect Storm.
Reviews say the HD sound is awesome.
Well the DD EX sound on the DVD is also awesome.

Wouldn't it be nice if HD films had a DD+ or True HD soundtrack and a DD EX soundtrack too?
How many people currently have amps that can correctly decode DD+ or True HD?
How many people have DD EX / DTS ES amps?

See my point?
Fair enough. But due to the surreptitious way that the surround-back channel is included on a 5.1 EX mix, it should in theory still be there on the TrueHD mix for The Perfect Storm. If you were to pipe the decoded track (as 5.1 PCM) via HDMI to a suitable amp or processor, you would be able to force EX decoding and extract that surround-back channel (as my Pioneer 2016 can do). Admittedly I've yet to listen to The Perfect Storm to verify that the SB channel is definitely present, but that'll certainly be the next HD-DVD that I watch.

That's the beauty of that system; if a movie is mixed in 5.1 EX for the cinema then a lot of the time it ends up that way on home formats, even if the cover does not proclaim it. Fight Club is a prime example - just force your amp into EX mode and enjoy. Because of this I'm hoping that the upcoming T2 HD-DVD release also retains the SB encoding seen (heard? :)) on the DVD versions (which were specifically remixed into 5.1 EX for the home environment).

[featherhall]

I've got 5.1 channel inputs on my amp.
How do I connect this to my Xbox 360 / Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on? ;)

If you have the premium 360, you just run an optical lead from the 360 lead which goes to your TV to the back of your amp (optical input again).
The 360 wont play True DD, but plays DTS and DD5.1 just dandy.:thumbsup:

[Racquel Darrian]

Stop me if I'm wrong but how can you compare TrueHD against DD+ or anything else if you have the xbox add-on? It has no way of outputting TrueHD in its native form.


You did notice the ;) ?

[Racquel Darrian]

.....That's the beauty of that system; if a movie is mixed in 5.1 EX for the cinema then a lot of the time it ends up that way on home formats, even if the cover does not proclaim it. Fight Club is a prime example - just force your amp into EX mode and enjoy. Because of this I'm hoping that the upcoming T2 HD-DVD release also retains the SB encoding seen (heard? :)) on the DVD versions (which were specifically remixed into 5.1 EX for the home environment).


I found this not to be true in a lot of cases and "Forcing" into EX mode sounds awful.
One case being Saw. I bought the UK version in 5.1. It had DD EX at the cinema and so forced it into EX mode.
I wasn't very happy with the result.

I then bought the UK unrated version which clearly states it has a DTS ES and DD EX on the cover.
This was excellent compared to my forced 5.1 version.

I don't like forcing films into EX mode unless it actually states, on the packaging, that it has an EX mode (i.e. Star Wars).

[lfletcher]

You did notice the ;) ?I did, but I also saw,

Not too happy with all this DTS HD, DD+ and True HD sound.

I'd prefer a good DD EX or DTS ES sound track any day.I assumed that you have done some sort of comparison and just preferred DD EX and DTS ES, as opposed to having not heard them and therefore not know what you're missing :grin:

[Pecker]

Only the lucky few in this country will exprience true extended surround as most peoples listening rooms aren't big enough.

I don't know how this rumour started - I think it's a nonesense dreamed up by What Hi-Fi & Co.

You do not need a big room to appreciate SB. Indeed, look at how stereo sound/centre speakers are supposed to work, and it's soon clear that the SB channel is far more important in smaller rooms.

In short, you only need 2-speaker stereo to get a constant soundfield in front of you as long as you sit further away from the speakers than they are from themselves. If you sit closer than this you start to get a very left-right soundfield with a hole in the middle.

In the cinema it's not possible to keep a lot if the front seats that far from the screen, so the centre speaker was invented. This way, if you sit in the front-left seat, dialogue is still stuck to the centre. If there were only 2 stereo speakers the 'centre' sounds would be sent equally to both speakers, and someone sat frony-left would hear it as coming from the left, as the right speaker is so much further away.

That's the reason for sitting where you do for stereo.

That's the reason the centre speaker was invented.

Now, transfer that same logic to your stereo rear speakers. In a large enough room, anything 'centre back' will be sent equally to your rear-left & rear-right speakers and, as you're sat far enough away, that'll be how it sounds.

But sit in a small room (say 3m wide), slightly to one side, with your rear-left just over a meter to your left, and the rear-right 2 meters away. Anything supposed to sound central at the back will actually sound to you like it's coming from your left, as the rear-right speaker is so much further away.

Having SB speakers is a very important step forward in home cinema sound technology, and arguably far more important than the improvements brought be the new HD sound formats.

Steve W

[Geoff_D]

Surround-back is a logical part of the home cinema repertoire, but how many people actually use it in a 7.1 configuration? I remember reading somewhere about how hearing things from directly behind us (i.e. in a 6.1 set-up) can be interpreted by the brain as being in front of us, which AFAIK is why THX et al prefer two surround back speakers to avoid these perceptual issues.

I use a 6.1 set-up, but I'm thinking about bi-amping my fronts instead of sticking with surround-back because it just doesn't seem to have a huge impact in my fairly small living room. I watched Chronicles of Riddick earlier today and I fail to see how the extremely active and immersive rear sound field could've been improved by a SB channel. But then again, I'll probably watch Phantom Menace soon enough and be converted to 6.1 all over again. :grin:

[Army Bloke]

I don't know how this rumour started - I think it's a nonesense dreamed up by What Hi-Fi & Co.

You do not need a big room to appreciate SB. Indeed, look at how stereo sound/centre speakers are supposed to work, and it's soon clear that the SB channel is far more important in smaller rooms.

In short, you only need 2-speaker stereo to get a constant soundfield in front of you as long as you sit further away from the speakers than they are from themselves. If you sit closer than this you start to get a very left-right soundfield with a hole in the middle.

In the cinema it's not possible to keep a lot if the front seats that far from the screen, so the centre speaker was invented. This way, if you sit in the front-left seat, dialogue is still stuck to the centre. If there were only 2 stereo speakers the 'centre' sounds would be sent equally to both speakers, and someone sat frony-left would hear it as coming from the left, as the right speaker is so much further away.

That's the reason for sitting where you do for stereo.

That's the reason the centre speaker was invented.

Now, transfer that same logic to your stereo rear speakers. In a large enough room, anything 'centre back' will be sent equally to your rear-left & rear-right speakers and, as you're sat far enough away, that'll be how it sounds.

But sit in a small room (say 3m wide), slightly to one side, with your rear-left just over a meter to your left, and the rear-right 2 meters away. Anything supposed to sound central at the back will actually sound to you like it's coming from your left, as the rear-right speaker is so much further away.

Having SB speakers is a very important step forward in home cinema sound technology, and arguably far more important than the improvements brought be the new HD sound formats.

Steve W

believe me mate - I understand how it works ;) However, if the listening position is up against the wall where the SB channels are, then you don't have SB channels do you? More like Surround Above Your Head channels - and I'm sure Mr Lucas or Mr Holman would dissaprove...:grin:
I've tried them on the back wall, on the ceiling pointing down, on the l floor behind the sofa...it never works as there is no "behind".

[Pecker]

I'v seen (heard) a few demos of SB with the sofa against the back wall, and with the SB speakers in the ceiling (in-wall types), and it worked pretty well.

An alternative is to place your 2 SB speakers on the wall just a few inches either side of your sofa, and the SL & SR speakers in the corners. Again, I've heard this working quite well. It's certainly worth a try.

In all cases, experimenting with height can help a lot, as can the use of bi/di-polar speakers for SB to avoid the sound being too directional if you're sat a little close.

Geoff_D, you'reabsolutely right - one SB speaker can sound like it's coming from in front of you, so it's better to use two.

However, a little tip for those with 6.1 set-ups. Try to sit a little off-centre, so (for example) the SL speaker is over your left shoulder and the SB speaker is over your right, with the SR way off to your right.

Your brain soon compensates, and you don't get the audio-illusion of SB stuff coming from in front of you. Ultimately, if there's anyone other than you wantching who's not sat dead centre, then this is where they'll be seated anyway.

Steve W

[Racquel Darrian]

I did, but I also saw,

I assumed that you have done some sort of comparison and just preferred DD EX and DTS ES, as opposed to having not heard them and therefore not know what you're missing :grin:


You don't miss what you've never had. ;)

That's why I want DD EX / DTS ES on my HD DVDs. :)

[paulst10]

iv had a 6.1 & 7.1 setup with the surround back speakers just above ear level about 5 feet away from the back of my head ... i thought it sounded great ...

but, i changed back to 5.1 for 2 reasons ... bearing mind this was quite a while ago ... just after i bought my avr300 & B&W speakers

firstly, not enough films were recorded in 5.1 EX & DTS-ES (the ones that were sounded superb though) ... but, 90% of the movies at the time were 5.1, although most amps have a "EX" mode which forces 6.1 with 5.1 material ... IMO this just sounded worse than the 5.1 track :(

secondly, my B&W 704s sound so much better when bi-amped ... so i ended up sacrificing the extra 2 rears for far better stereo sound :thumbsup:

[Pecker]

Forced 6.1 should sound fine. It only pulls out information from SL & SR which are identical. Anything sent to both speakers which is identical should sound like it's coming from the SB position anyway.

A good number of films are in 6.1 these days - far more than are flagged as such. Take 'Wimbledon'. Originally DD-EX at the cinemas. Listed as 5.1 on the DVD case, but most certainly 6.1 when you listen.

And it is, of course, possible to turn the EX off for 5.1 films.

Steve W

[Racquel Darrian]

I never force anything into 6.1 unless the packaging says so.
To assume that your Dvd has EX or DTS ES just because it had it at the cinema is dead wrong. :thumbsdow

Why FORCE anything?
Why not encode EX / DTS ES and have it tagged or have it on the packaging?

[Army Bloke]

To assume that your Dvd has EX or DTS ES just because it had it at the cinema is dead wrong. :thumbsdow

Errrrr....actually...he is right (http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/dolby_ex.html):)

DTS ES discrete is not a theatrical format. DVd's are mixed for the home with the 6th (not 6th and 7th as some people think - the channels are replicated - what comes out of one channel comes out of the other...) channel is added for the DVD. DTS ES matrix is on the other hand, a theatrical format.

[Racquel Darrian]

Errrrr....actually...he is right (http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/dolby_ex.html):)

DTS ES discrete is not a theatrical format. DVd's are mixed for the home with the 6th (not 6th and 7th as some people think - the channels are replicated - what comes out of one channel comes out of the other...) channel is added for the DVD. DTS ES matrix is on the other hand, a theatrical format.


So account for why a forced 5.1 version of Saw is no where as good as the proper 6.1 version on my system.

I have Underworld on R1 (fantastic sound) and r2 ( bloody awful sound). The R2 has a DTS soundtrack.
The Japanese version has a DTS ES soundtrack.
If I force my pathetic R2 version into DTS ES I'll get the amazing soundtrack of the Japanese 6.1 version would I? ;)

[Army Bloke]

I didn't say that...I answered your point about not assuming that theatrical extended tracks not going onto the DVD. They do.

[Pecker]

I have several discs marked as 5.1 which were 6.1 in the cinema (and marked as such in the closing credits). In each case, forcing 6.1 works.

The one I like to use as an example is 'Wimbledon'.

There's one scene where, to demonstrate the mental state of the character, sounds ping-pong around the room, popping from speaker to speaker.

The SB channel works just as it should, outputting sound seperately from the SR & SL speakers.

This makes a lot of sense. The cinema version of the film was DD-EX. This means it didn't actually have a seperate SB channel, but that the sound for this was matrixed equally into the side surrounds, then pulled out later, just like a centre speaker in the old DPL set-ups.

Why the hell would anyone remove it for the DVD?

But yes, dts-es discrete sounds better than dts matrix or DD-EX (which is always matrixed).

Steve W

[Racquel Darrian]

I didn't say that...I answered your point about not assuming that theatrical extended tracks not going onto the DVD. They do.

Saw had a DD EX soundtrack at the cinema.
So why does the forced 5.1 version sound nothing like my actual (tagged) DD EX version; I ask again?

As for saying that theatrical extended tracks go onto DVD prove it using electronic equipment or a software program and I'll believe you. ;)

[Army Bloke]

Link to Dolby website, you know the inventors of extended surround along with THX, stating that extended surround tracks ARE carried over from the cinema to the DVD (http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/dolby_ex.html) - but I'm not biting...;)
Maybe your equipment isn't calibrated properly or isn't up to the job? I've been installing high end equipment in peoples house for 15 years and never had a problem...even with extended tracks.:smashin:
And you can't "force" an ex track out of disc that already has one...you hit the ex button, you get the ex sound...if it's flagged and you've set up your kit properly, again, you get extended surround. You can only "force" discs that don't have an extended track into ex. But, as you say, Saw had an extended track at the cinema - so according to Dolby, it'll be on the disc...;)

Just in case you missed it on the link...
Feature films originally released in Dolby Digital Surround EX (the cinema version) carry the encoded extra surround channel in their subsequent DVD releases, as well as onto 5.1-channel digital satellite and TV broadcasts. If your home theater system has a receiver or preamp/processor with Dolby Digital EX decoding and speakers to support 6.1 or 7.1 playback, you can hear Surround EX soundtracks as they were meant to be heard, with the increased realism created by the extra surround channel. As in the cinema, with regular 5.1-channel Dolby Digital playback no sonic information is lost (although you'll miss out on the heightened realism).

[Pecker]

Now thart's settled can we get back to Studio Canal.

Why the hell has 'T2' (and others) been announced for a March release in France, but not here?

How is it more cost effective to release a disc in France only, rather than across Europe?

Steve W

[Paulie-W]

Now thart's settled can we get back to Studio Canal.

Why the hell has 'T2' (and others) been announced for a March release in France, but not here?

How is it more cost effective to release a disc in France only, rather than across Europe?

Steve W

I think it`s just the French wanting to :censored: us off. It wouldn`t be the first time either would it ;)

[Army Bloke]

You can still get it from Movietyme...£18.99 last I looked. I think Studio Canal own the distribution rights in Europe - and, being a French company...

[cicada78]

Fair enough a French company owning French distribution rights in France will release French HD DVDs in France.

Over hear the same transfers are being released by Optimum who work closly with Studio Canal.

Same reason I guess why there are odd HD DVD only releases around Europe. Local distribution rights. e.g. Underworld Evolution and Crash in Spain, Perfume and Running Scared in Germany and The Holiday in the UK.

[Pecker]

I might be wrong, but I'm 99% sure Studio Canal own the rights across Europe.

If Optimum (or others) get involved it's either as a subsiduary of SC, or because SC have licenced the film to them, usually just for that one release.

That doesn't stop SC releasing a UK HD DVD of 'T2', just because they've allowed Optimum to release a DVD of it.

Steve W

[Racquel Darrian]

Link to Dolby website, you know the inventors of extended surround along with THC, stating that extended surround tracks ARE carried over from the cinema to the DVD (http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/dolby_ex.html) - but I'm not biting...;)
Maybe your equipment isn't calibrated properly or isn't up to the job? I've been installing high end equipment in peoples house for 15 years and never had a problem...even with extended tracks.:smashing:
And you can't "force" an ex track out of disc that already has one...you hit the ex button, you get the ex sound...if it's flagged and you've set up your kit properly, again, you get extended surround. You can only "force" disc's that don't have an extended track into ex. But, as you say, Saw had an extended track at the cinema - so according to Dolby, it'll be on the disc...;)

Just in case you missed it on the link...

A bit lower down on the link they also say,

"Current Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks contain a digital flag that can automatically activate the EX decoding in a receiver or preamp/processor. For titles released prior to late 2001, however, you need to turn on the EX decoding manually."

Well some of my Star Wars disc's don't flag at all and they were released well past the 2001 date. How about the Harry Potter Films?
So if they are inaccurate in this statement which other parts are inaccurate? ;)

And why does my forced 5.1 Saw sound rubbish compared to my proper tagged version?

Has anyone else got both copies to compare?

Why don't you get both and compare yourself? :devil:

I don't believe everything I read.
I'm a scientist and I usually require fact and visible proof before I'm happy to believe.

If you don't have the means to prove DVDs with stated 5.1 sound also have the EX encoded (when the packaging say nothing of the sort) via electronic means then you can't say for sure it has!
Which makes "hearsay" totally void.

[Army Bloke]

Right on cue...:smashin: This is getting a little boring now. Why don't you have a look at this (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282313&highlight=definitive+extended+surround) thread and make your own mind up....and then start a thread in the appropriate section.

Oh, and as for

Why don't you get both and compare yourself? :devil:

I don't have an extended surround system...mine is 5.1 only.

[featherhall]

agreed. this is now getting WAY off topic.

[Pecker]

If a\nyone hears any solid news, or even has some idle speculation, on more HD DVD releases from Studio Canal, be sure to let us know.

Also, does anyone have a link to a list of the titles owned by SC in Europe?

Steve W

[Nic Rhodes]

Won't you find this on the IMDB (independent moviegowers data base??)? It runs to 1000s though....

WWW.IMDB.COM

[lfletcher]

According to some posts in the insider thread over on AVS it appears wave 2 of the SC releases may have been delayed until May 21st. Its to implement an updated version of AACS apparently.
Amir also said,

"If you are using PC software players (at least the ones I know about), then you would need a new player to play some content moving forward (and at some point, all new content). No other product is impacted so you are good to go with any BD/HD DVD player outside of PC software and don't need a firmware upgrade for them.

And yes, regardless you can continue to play the discs you own."

[moody41]

I might be wrong, but I'm 99% sure Studio Canal own the rights across Europe.

If Optimum (or others) get involved it's either as a subsiduary of SC, or because SC have licenced the film to them, usually just for that one release.

That doesn't stop SC releasing a UK HD DVD of 'T2', just because they've allowed Optimum to release a DVD of it.

Steve W

Your wrong, in most cases Studio Canal only own the rights for France (Sometimes several other countries). If the company owns the British rights then the release is always handled by Optimum. You can easily see what movies Optimum have released on DVD over here via it's website. This should give you a good idea of what movies Studio Canal have the rights to for the UK market.

[moody41]

Should correct myself, should say usually handled by Optimum. Momentum Pictures are also used by Studio Canal to release stuff in the UK.

[Alstrike]

Postage on some of these sites is pricey. HD-DVD is 27.99 euros then at check out total amount is more like 35 euros!

Anyone found anywhere more reasonable?

Hi everyone!

First post so don´t flame me for not being too bright...

I ordered a couple of HD-DVD´s from dvdpacific.com and I ended up paying 40€ which is about 27 pounds.

Not bad considering one of them is HD-DVD combo and they normally are very expensive

HD-DVD collection so far:

- Serenity
- King Kong
- The Chronicles of Riddick
- Training Day
- The Bourne Supremacy:smashin:
- The Departed:thumbsup:
- Sleepy Hollow (US)
- Army of Darkness (US)

Just Pre-ordered:

- The Mummy 1 & 2
- Batman Begins:eek:
- Goodfellas:smashin:

[featherhall]

welcome alstrike :thumbsup:

you will certainly enjoy Batman Begins when it arrives. Probably the best yet for PQ.

[Pecker]

I read the other day that Studio Canal now own Optimum, BTW.

Steve W

[manicstpreacher]

Can anyone confirm what's going on with 'Mulholland Drive' (UK)?

Was to be released Monday 26/03 - still is according to Play.com - but Amazon.co.uk have now marked it down as 30/09.

I will be *ever so slightly annoyed* if they do this so close to the alleged release date, haven't bought a single HD-DVD since Xmas!!:confused:

[cicada78]

I had Deer Hunter and Mulholland Drive on Pre-Order at ChoicesUK.

Deer Hunter is "In Progress" and Mulholland still says "Pre-Order". Also Mulholland seems to have disapeared off ChoicesUK website altogether! Its still on Play.com though...

[Nic Rhodes]

They may be getting new AACS codes.

[cicada78]

ChoicesUK says "Not available to order"

[JamesL]

Hi all, does anyone know if there is any sign of these Studio Canal disks coming to the United Kingdom anywhen soon?

[AES256]

Hi all, does anyone know if there is any sign of these Studio Canal disks coming to the United Kingdom anywhen soon?

These two sites provide some good info on SC releases in the UK:
http://hdworld.iforumer.com/viewforum.php?f=3&mforum=hdworld
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?id=dvdaf.highdefinition.hd-dvd