Page 1 of Superbit DVD

Read the news about columbia tristar superbit DVD`s.

What do you think - is this a shameless rip off (trading extras for "quality") or an improvement in quality? Why can`t they fit it on 1 disc anyway, or do a special 2-disc version? Is the quality improvement a significant one?

Acid test - lets say you all have CTHD (whether you like it or not :D). Would you trade it in to get the new featureless superbit version?

Its funny that they think we all want to go out and buy superbit versions of Johnny Mnemonic. :)

This reminds me of mp3 bit rates, I think we can all agree that 128kps mp3s are the lowest rate that are good enough quality but you can still hear artifacts on some tracks. But 196kps is so good you`d have to be extremely fussy to want to go higher.

Having watched CTHD for the first time only last week, the image and sound quality is still pretty vivid and I really can`t say that I would even consider buying a superbit version over one with extras.

On my 6ft screen fed by my DLP projector, I find film grain and defects in the original print far more noticeable than any encoding artifacts. Although the reverse is true if the source is digital cable rather than DVD. :)

I know there`s a difference between VHS and DVD but I really can`t see there being a significant one between DVD and superbit (or, indeed, PAL and NTSC - as those who defend their R2/R4 purchase-led folly are wont to claim, "those extra lines really make the difference"...).

Nope, I`ll not waste my hard earned cash, this time. :D

6ft?! Jammy get. :p

Interestingly when I have taken comparison grabs with PowerDVD of both the NTSC and PAL versions of the same film, I can`t see any difference at all. I know PAL has a better colourspace but I believe that only comes in to play when the picture is decoded from the disc.

Deep Blue Sea looks identical on both R1 and R2 when comparing screen grabs, for example.

However I admit if you happen to watch them on a CRT widescreen set, the difference is clear, image tearing from the 3:2 pulldown...

I find Region 1 DVDs aren`t nearly as good quality on the projector than Region 2 ones. It makes bugger all difference on a telly tho.

Do you feed your projector R1 films in NTSC though? I feed mine through computer generated VGA at its native resolution which means its progressive scan and doesn`t suffer the usual NTSC problems.

How do you do that? Is this an output from your PC into the d-sub socket? I just run an S-video from the DVD to the projector so it`s NTSC.

Er, dunno what socket its called (yes I know Im useless) but its a standard socket on data capable projectors which you plug an adapter into that allows you to plug in a standard VGA monitor cable.

If you want the absolute best image on any projector, then (and its a pain having to use it this way but if your fussy enough to do it as I am its worth it) you should drive it at its native resolution using a PC, a decent graphics card (such as a Geforce) and good software like PowerDVD 3.

Marketing BullS...

Just like comparing DVD Audio and Sony`s version. One can only go to 96mHz while the other goes to 100kHz. The point is an exceptional ear won`t go beyond 20/22kHz...

It won`t get any better than a good transfer like T2 The Ultimate DVD Edition, Lawrence Of Arabia, Seven, Die Hard 5 Star or any top transfer you name. There`ll come a point where the hardware is the limit, it might your TV set, you DVD player or the disc itself. No point in going beyond.

This is pure marketing robbery. Might show zillions of differences in technical spectrum sheets. Just like placebo, legions will assure they`ve seen the real difference now, and will also feel pleased to pay more for the difference.

I doubt any conscious consumer will buy this.

Looks like an idea someone at any marketing staff meeting had concerning the actual costs of producing DVD extras. "Let`s cut them off by presenting a new technobabble uncompresssed top quality format that uses all the disc, at least in technical terms. Nobody wants to know anything today. They just want one button. So, by saying we have the DVD capacity filled with higher quality, we can cut the extras, saving x% here, and also increase prices by xx%, improving our profits by xxx%."

Guys like this made Microsoft. Hmmmm... Will they`ve joined/moved to Columbia?

José Azevedo

Ooops! DVD Audio goes to 96kHz, not 96mHz as I wrote.