LOTR 4 Disc is my best of the year

I just watched the extended version today (DTS 6.1 Discrete) and have to say it was a totally fantastic 3.5 hours! Having only seen the Theatrical DVD about 6 weeks ago I was only going to 'test' the new DVD but once I put it on I was sucked in by the epic storytelling on offer.

I have to say that the extended version improves upon the theatrical release in every way, giving a vast epic scope to the journey and forcing you to invest much more in the characters. I was disappointed when it finished as I desperately wanted to spend more time in Middle Earth.

The picture quality is exceptional, with only the very slightest edge enhancement visible in one or two scenes. Black level is fantastic, and the detail even in dark scenes is phenomenal. Coupled with this is possibly the most agressive and dynamic DTS 6.1 mix I have yet heard. I cannot begin to convey the power of the soundtrack, and it definitely becomes the new reference disc in my household (and yes I do have AOTC)!

It's that good!

PS. Test system:
Denon AVCA1SE Amp
Pana model 4 plasma
M&K THX speakers
Denon 3800 DVD player

 

I enjoyed the extended version of the film.

Like you, I only intended to preview the disc ahead of a proper viewing at the weekend.......
I couldn't help myself though, I watched the entire film and then the first hour and a half of the extras (which are pretty interesting as extras go)

Great Film & DVD

 

Couldn't agree more, in fact i would go further and say that this is the best DVD ever. A new standard has been set. I unwrapped mine at about 9:30 this morning and then sat there until about 3pm going through it all!
It is perfect on every level - fantastic audio, fantastic video, fantastic extras, fantastic packaging (R1).

I haven't got access to a multi-region DVD-Rom drive at the moment, can anyone tell me what the DVD-Rom content is like?
I couldn't find the trailers and TTT preview, presumably this is all in the DVD-Rom content section?

All in all 11/10

In fact I love this DVD so much I am even going to allow this duplicate thread to continue!

 

totally agree, have just finished watching it and am well impressed! just a bit upset that its now finished and have to wait till the net installment - thats quite soon at the flicks though isn't it?

 

Dec 19th. Count yourself lucky, some of us have been waiting for a year now!!

 

TT trailer on disk 2

go to scene selection. select the chapter grouping on the right side of the screen (20-24 etc) scroll down to the bottom of the list past the last one (I think it's 48 - the fan club credits). The background image will now show two towers (bottom right) press enter & you will get a little intro from PJ then 4 mins of preview in DD 5.1 - absolutely marvellous. Only 5 weeks to go!!!!!!!

BTW on the R1 disk 1 there is the MTV award spoof a. Aparently you access it by going to scene selection go to the last scene (the council of Elrond) press down and then enter. I can't find it on the R2 release though

 

Is it me, (and all my mates and very many other people??), or is the DTS mix very poor on the extended edition?

I have trawled through the film endlessly since i had it 2 weeks ago and cannot find one single example to say the DTS mix is better than the Dolby EX track - which to me is the clear winner of both options on the disc.

Bass, surround envelopment, overall level - to me the Dolby track is just a whole lot better, the DTS seems very weak and lacking in dynamics.

I am convinced!!

Westy

 

Just wanted to agree with everyone.

I have been waiting for this DVD for ages and had built it up in my mind as the best DVD ever - and it is - absolutely stunning in every way.

The picture is amazing (r1).
I have two or three reviews which rate the DTS much higher than the DD although I cannot test this myself since I dont have DTS at home. I think IGN did a 16 page review which discusses it in detail

 

Thanks Lex,

I did do a search before posting the new thread, and checked a load of threads but they all seemed to have degenerated into 'have you got yours yet?', whereas I wanted a thread to talk about the quality of the film and DVD.

 

i got the 4 disc R2 beauty yesterday, and having watched the first scene and some of the extra's, I must agree that this is of the highest quality (even though when I saw the Entertainment In Video crappy logo, my heart sank).

Ive only got a plain NICAM 32" TV - wont be getting a proper Home Cinema setup for a wee while yet , but even in "Incredible Surround" on my TV it is quite simply awesome. Cant wait for some DTS 6.1 action ...

The picture is superb, as someone said in this thread earlier, the detail in each scene, the dark levels etc add atmosphere to an already atmospheric film.

Cant wait to watch the whole thing + extras on Saturday

Roll on Two Towers and 18/19th December....

 

We're not into flaming.

I must disagree I found the DTS mix much better than the DD5.1
Speech was clearer. Soundstage more subtle and also not so loud.

Again agree with the above best DVD ever.

This cut should have made it to the big screen.

Maybe a few years from now we could have a good old movie marathon

FOTR:EE + TT:EE + ROTK:EE all at one sitting catheter and food on hand on a big screen.

 

Now imagine the runtime of that feature marathon.....

3 1/2 hours x 3 = 10 1/2 Hours

 

I have'nt got the disc but for those with only R2 but can't get what the R1 has. Have a peek at these 2 pic stills for the MTV spoof.

What a cheek ! As you will see http://dvd.ign.com/articles/375/375119p1.html

 

The character development is definitely better...to quote my sister... "Awww...Gimli's a wee dote!" (referring to his crush on Galadriel...the one with the golden head...minus three hairs)

 

Oh yeah...who else kacked their kegs during the extended 'Council of Elrond' sequence?...sent a chill down my spine (or was that my sub?)

 

The best use of base is during the prologue when *minor spoiler* Sauron Explodes! Fantastic sound effect - you can really feel it in your gut! class!

 

This DVD is officially (i.e. stated by me) the BEST DVD of all time. I have over 1500 DVDs all in all so I should know! It is the best because it wins ten out of ten on all fronts: sound/vision/extras/menus/packaging/design even the price is pretty good.

This is the 'must own' DVD!

 

Hi

Can you tell me if you have to swap the disc over half way through

Thanks

 

Yep, After the Council of Elrond.
A very fitting intermission, while I reload the Beer & Crisps

 

Cool

 

Although the intermission is placed well I would still have prefered not to change disks half way through the film. The layer change on disk two isn't fantastic either.

The film itself is excellent though, it's definately my favorite DVD

 

Yeah, but I'd rather that than sacrifice ANY quality......

Besides, it's not exactly the end of the world. I for one cannot sit motionless for 3 1/2 hours anyway

Well tell a lie,I can , but it's bad for the circulation. LOL

 

I take it you all bought the original release? I did and thought that was great in itself. This version is about £25 or so if I'm not mistaken. Is it worth re-buying over the original?

 

You can get the 4-disc for as little as £16 from Amazon.ca

I bought the 2-disc version when it was first released, but have now upgraded to the 4-disc Extended Edition. With the extra scenes and documentaries all I can say is...

Money VERY well spent, do yourself a favour and get it right now!

 

£16 is a bit more like it. Thanks.

 

i'd would love to know what frequency that explosion goes down to, it's so low it's not really sound just pressure, surely below 10hz!

 

General Skanky:

I second the vote for adding this to your collection even if you own the original release as I also do. Believe me, the new disc is money very well spent...

 

I've got the first R1 2 disc edition, which I love and have watched several times. I am getting the 5 disc jobby with bookends for Christmas.

At the time I thought - "it wont hurt to wait an extra 6 weeks to get it, coz I've got the theatrical cut already...."

It does hurt - alot! I am reading this thread with growing jealously!!

 

I have the 2-disk R2 version which I am v impressed with. But after everyones raving about how much better the 4-disk Extended Edition is it seems I am going to have to visit CD-WOW very soon. I take it most of you all are talking about the R1 not R2?

 

Well, I've ordered my copy from AB Sound. It came to £20 all in with p&p. Amazon.ca were a smidge more.

Must keep up with the Jones's.