Disturbia and Hot Fuzz (spoilers within, just watched...)

[Rob100]

Finally got round to watching these two tonight. Drives me mad when I pre-order, discs arrive and then I don't watch for a few weeks due to lack of time.

I ordered Disturbia on Blu-ray and (obviously) Hot Fuzz on HD DVD (UK non-combo). Both films were better than I'd imagined.

I thought the PQ of Disturbia was good and the DTS track was well mixed. Some really low bass (hard kicks) such as the car crash at the start. Really could feel these in my chest. I don't agree with the Highdefdigest review complaining about the low dialogue levels, I thought they were fine.

Contrary to what both the Highdefdigest and AVPlay reviews state, the movie is NOT presented in it's OAR of 1.85:1, but has been cropped to 1.78:1. The deleted scenes are presented in their correct OAR of 1.85:1. I assume the HD DVD is the same encode (according to Highdefdigest it is).

Has anyone got the SD DVD? If so is this 1.85:1 or 1.78:1? The case of the Blu-ray disc doesn't actually mention the AR, which is strange.

Now for Hot Fuzz. Good PQ, but the sound mix was too overpowered with boomy bass. Everything, right from the opening dialog was just too boomy. Tried switching from analogue outputs to downmixed DTS track in case it was a bass management problem with my HD-A1, but was still overpowering. Have tried several other discs since and they all sound great. Also noticed a strange scene when "Angel" was on horseback moving away from the camera the horse's hooves got louder in the right rear.

Anyone else think this?

BTW - I am happy with my speaker levels and that my room doesn't have any big problems with room modes since EQing my Monolith (BFD and REW).

Rob.

[pmcguire]

Originally Posted by Rob100

Now for Hot Fuzz. Good PQ, but the sound mix was too overpowered with boomy bass. Everything, right from the opening dialog was just too boomy.

Thanks I was wondering if it was just me. On certain scenes the bass and booming was so much I found myself with the remote on hand to lower the volume. Then ready to turn it up again so I could hear what was being said.

[Rob100]

Certainly was. I very rarely fiddle with the volume whilst watching a movie these days, but found I had to with Hot Fuzz.

I love lots of bass, but it the right place. Not totally taking over the sound track!

I assume the mix is the same that's on the US HD DVD?

Has anyone got the US and/or UK SD DVD release? If so is the standard DD track also boomy?