Rattle and Hum release in HD

[slaneman]

Brad-do you have a link for the technical info on this DVD?

[Brad]

I haven't seen anything specific for Rattle and Hum, just an announcement from Paramount that they were releasing 10 titles on HD-DVD.  The video and audio options I listed were what they were quoting for all 10 titles.

I did run across some cover art, though:



[Edited on 2006-7-12 by Brad]

[slaneman]

Cool-thanks!

If they claim 1080p then it has to be a blue-ray disc, since the HDDVD format from Toshiba will only do 1080i. We've got both the Toshiba HDDVD and the Sammsung blue-ray in our store. The blue-ray format has more room for extras, although the audio should be the same.

Wonder if they'll put in something special for this release?

[Brad]

My understanding is that HD-DVD is capable of 1080p, there just isn't a player that supports 1080p yet.

If you look at the HD-DVD titles available from Amazon, The Last Samurai for example, the specs on the disc say 1080p.

Although Paramount has claimed they will be supporting both formats, they haven't announced any Blu-ray titles as of yet.

[slaneman]

Yep-I got that disc. That was very wishful thinking:)

I guess it's possible Toshiba will produce a 1080p capable player. We've got 1080p capable TVs. Still waiting for the "approved" copy protection spec that will allow them to display 1080p DVDs. We had a hard drive 1080p demo that looked very good, especially with fast moving scenes.

I've got an HD (720p) version of R and H saved on the cable DVR. It does look better than the current DVD, but since there's very little color it's not that big a  deal. But it looks smoother than the old grainy print I saw last year at the movies.

The new HD dts surround sounds better than normal dts, and since R and H has Dolby Digital and not even dts, the sound should be lots better anyways.

[indementia]

I reported this release on my home site (u2mp3s.com) back near the end of last month.   There is going to be two releases of this disc.

Rattle and Hum (Blueray)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000E1ZKBE/qid=1151288658/sr=1-41/ref=sr_1_41/002-3257961-7813618?v=glance&s=dvd

Rattle and Hum (HD)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1MTW2/qid=1151288658/sr=1-42/ref=sr_1_42/002-3257961-7813618?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130

[Edited on 2006-7-14 by indementia]

[slaneman]

Amazon says neither is yet being produced.

Amazon UK has one for sale from a private seller, a FLA  address I've seen before. Nothing on the bluray version.

Amazon.de --I couldn't find anything beside the normal DVD.

[Brad]

Best Buy is showing it as in stock.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7962582&type=product&id=1562721

When I select a local store for pick-up three of the stores in my area have it available.

[Edited on 2006-8-10 by Brad]

[slaneman]

Thanks for the link! Amazon is late it seems. I'm going to try to compare the standard vs the HD versions.

[slaneman]

Got it playing now on the 92 inch screen with a Sony HD projector. Denon 4306 receiver, and a new Klipsch 5.1 speaker system.  It's a very beautiful reissue. Much better than I expected. The dts version is clearly better then the dolby digital on the original dvd. Just for grins I have 2 dvd players set up to switch between the 2: a Denon DVD2930 and a Toshiba HD-DVD.

Rear channels have more of Edge's guitar and the audience. Larry's drums are fuller. This is still not the promised HD-DTS audio, but everyone I've played it for hears the improvements.

The blacks are darker, colors overall more vivid. The grainier B&W scenes are smoother. Very cool.

[Brad]

Thanks for the review.  According to thedigitalbits.com, Rattle and Hum is due out on Blu-ray on 10/10.  Would be interesting to compare the HD-DVD with the Blu-ray.

Personally, I'm happy with my DVD copy until this whole format war gets sorted out.

[indementia]

for what it's worth, blockbuster.com (blockbuster online) is showing the HD disc available for rent.

[magu2k]

From watching the movie would you say there has been a new and well done Telecine? or is it likely a conversion of the original DVD?

[magu2k]

I saw Rattle and Hum on Blu Ray today at an HMV in Canada.

[slaneman]

Here's an interesting "tweaky' review of the Blu-ray version.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/u2rattleandhum.html