Blu-Ray Best Of The Best - for discussing releases only

[ne0star]

Is it a Vanilla disc or the Special Edition?

Apparently they have the same extras as the DVD. Would seem sensible, but they might decided to try and milk us again at a later date

[Bydo]

Anyone picked up the UK R2 of Zodiac DC yet? I'm tempted, as I haven't seen this since I saw it at the pictures, but am wondering whether to wait for the January US release.

Bought it off Amazon (Blu-ray), but still waiting for it to turn up!

[JP]

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1815


Possible delay in the street date to October 7th.

My Ironman BD turned up today and I had problems with it but have managed to resolve them.

Mine kept freezing when it was loading up at the blue circle part. It's working perfectly now as I've chose the option on the PS3 to not allow BD Live access.

BD Live isn't something I'd ever use to be honest as it seems completely pointless but if anybody is having problems with their BD and they don't fancy waiting for a replacement then this may help.

I'm not sure if the problem was anything to do with the authoring issues that were previously mentioned or are something to do with the fact that it's a US BD on a UK PS3 so it's attempting to connect to a UK server which doesn't exist yet due to the film not being released over here yet?

I really don't know how these things work and like I said I've got absolutely no interest in the online side of things that are being forced into our films now but does anybody who knows more about these things think that I should return the BD as could cause problems in the future when the UK server goes live?

Thanks.

[Lyris]

I'm not sure if the problem was anything to do with the authoring issues that were previously mentioned or are something to do with the fact that it's a US BD on a UK PS3 so it's attempting to connect to a UK server which doesn't exist yet due to the film not being released over here yet?

I don't think that'll be it, it's likely just a bug with the online crap; I once had to disconnect my Xbox 360's LAN cable just to get Bourne Ultimatum (UK HD DVD) to start for the same reason.

[JP]

Cheers, I've only ever had a brief look at the BD Live stuff and have seen nothing that makes me think I'm going to be interested at all.

I'll just switch it off when playing this film. The only reason I don't switch it off permanently is because you then get questioned whether you want to connect to the internet via a pop-up when accessing the disc which is hardly a major inconvenience but I'd rather not have to mess around while waiting for a film to start up each time.

Has anybody else had the same issues with this film on a UK PS3 as I've not seen it mentioned before?

[JP]

I've just heard back from Warner Home Video on this, so here's the deal: The widescreen versions of the DVD will present the film in a 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio, reproducing the standard theatrical experience of the film.

For the Blu-ray Disc however, while most of the film will also be presented in the 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio, the scenes that were specifically shot in IMAX format will be presented at 1.78:1, which will fill the frame and will thus recreate the IMAX experience at home. So there you have it. Should be cool, and we obviously can't wait to get our hands on the discs.

thedigitalbits.com

[Lyris]

The Dark Knight, right?

[JP]

Just took it as read at first due to how much discussion there has been concerning the IMAX parts of this film already. Then I realised not everybody keeps up with these things like I do and added it exactly the same time as you replied!

[Number45]

So the aspect ratio is going to change on the fly throughout the film?

[Lyris]

The film is so dark, I don't think it'll stick out too badly. Seems odd though. Why not just have the Imax scenes in their original format as extras, and give fans the cinema version...

[Malc]

I saw it at the IMAX and was initially concerned about the aspect changing around a lot. But it's done so well you don't give a damn. So I have no problem with the Blu Ray version changing ratio at the IMAX filmed bits. I personally prefer the way they've done it by integrating it seamlessly into the main film; than having to go to an extras menu that has all the scenes cut up and segregated.

Roll on the Blu Ray release on the 8th December!

EDIT: Has anyone else pre-ordered it with HMV yet?

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?ct...908_darkknight

[SmokeMeAKipper]

That seems cheap - only £14.99. I've got it pre-ordered with Movietyme and I think it's £18.99 with them...

[Angry the Clown]

The film is so dark, I don't think it'll stick out too badly. Seems odd though. Why not just have the Imax scenes in their original format as extras, and give fans the cinema version...

I?m completely fine with the decision. Fans ought to appreciate Nolan's desires for the disc outrank whatever their own may be, however I do think that the ideal presentation to please everyone would be to do it via seamless branching as it?s definitely not something that deserves to be relegated to the special features menu outside of the film. I honestly expected something like How the West Was won where they put each presentation on separate discs.

Like it or not, the ratio switching of the IMAX release IS Nolan?s preferred presentation, that those scenes should be taller than the anamorphic scenes, and part of me actually loves the fact there?s a contemporary filmmaker who really thought outside of the box and put so much effort into doing a large format theatrical presentation (without letting his choices be dictated by what it might mean for a home video release). That sort of thing just isn?t done anymore? The other part of me however simply fears the slew of ?what?s wrong with this disc?? posts that are likely to crop up on countless forums ? posts that will not be without legitimate purpose though which is why I think Warner at least need to put some effort into educating the viewer about what they are about to see (the few moments where it changes for a matter of seconds for a random establishing shots before going back to 2.4:1 have the potential to drive some viewers particularly insane).

I don?t know if the rear box art is final or not. It?s foolish only to state 2.4:1 at the top, but it makes no mention of the planned BD Live features or the inclusion of the digital copy so something tells me they will update the cover before release. They could include a little note inside the box explaining the switching too, or better yet have a video introduction from Christopher Nolan but whether they?ll have the sense to go that far is anyone?s guess.

[Lyris]

Up to the director, I guess! Personally I think Christopher Nolan's films (this one included) are drek, so in any case, it wouldn't make a difference for me

I'll get my coat...

[JP]

I've not yet seen a film (that I can remember) which switches ratios like that and until I have it's difficult to know how to feel about it.

It should without a doubt be in whatever ratio Nolan wants it to be but as mentioned, perhaps branching would have been a better option. I suppose it's possible that Nolan feels that it should only be IMAX and people shouldn't have the option to to view the standard ratio shots and that's why they aren't included.

They switches aren't going to happen half way through a shot but on cuts between shots so they may well not be picked by everybody anyway. I think if there are complaints, the majority will be because of forums telling people that it shouldn't happen rather than people genuinely feeling put out by Nolan's rather brave and/or stupid decision.

Is there actually any benefit to IMAX on a 1080p film? Personally, I'm more concerned about whether there is going to be an obvious change to things like the amount of grain when the format switches but I'm not convinced that there will be much of a difference between the two formats apart from ratio and I think that because Nolan has decided to do it this way his decision was made solely due to the ratio as that's the only difference we'll be able to see on BD.

Is this how the IMAX version was shown in the cinema?
EDIT:
It seems that BD does allow for the differences according to Nolan.

“The Blu-ray, in particular, will be able to actually use the shifted aspect ratios as it appears on the IMAX screen because the 16:9 aspect ratio is sufficiently different from the 2:4 that you’ll actually see a shift on the Blu-ray.”

He continued, “The resolution on the Blu-ray is clear enough that you can actually see difference in grain structure and sharpness. So I think it will be quite spectacular.”