Got Superbits?

[vax226]

I have to ask this question here at the best form:

Superbits DVDs, I want to buy a few titles I do not have, in Superbits. Does anyone own some of the Superbits DVDs and have you compared them to a standard DVD? Is it a better picture/sound DVD on our HDTV/audio systems we all have to pursue the best picture possible???

I do not have Bad Boys. I cannot believe the Superbits DVD of MIB2 could look better, that plain old disk looks great. My Air Force One DVD is not anamorphic! I use the plane take-over scene as my system demo; just love the tinkle of brass hitting the floor…So are they worth an upgrade?

Thanks

[57U]

See the following links.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3472&highlight=superbit

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1373&highlight=superbit

Frankly, I think it comes down to production values more than the technology itself, however, to each his own.

[crazysaiyan]

Nothing better than Superbit DVDs...near hi-def picture quality..dts audio..purely beautiful. Best one by far is the Fifth Element...congratulations you have a new reference disc

[mikehbkwm]

Wouldnt say that all the time Superbit DVD's are the best but generally speaking the production co. took a little extra time cleaning up the picture and since there isnt any extras on disk 1 on superbit DVD's the bitrate is usually higher then your usual disk. again like 57 stated early in the thread it usually depends on the production value....................

[57U]

I saw an interesting Superbit ad in the June Sound & Vision, Page 27. In it they no longer talk about "almost pegging" the DVD bitrate at close to 10 Mbps. They show a graph with the SB disk at 8 Mbps or so with a "standard" DVD at 4 or so. I haven't got a lot of DVDs (about 25), but many of them show bit rates significantly higher than 4. Maybe they're Superbit quality...;)

I checked a number of my "standard" DVDs. As soon as there was "motion" on the screen, the bitrate went to 8-10 and was typically above 6-7, hmmm

Don't believe me? - watch the first few minutes of Shrek, or anthing else with movement on the screen. The only time I've seen low bitrates is when there's a static, or close to static image on the screen where the bitrate doesn't matter because little "information" is changing.

Now, Superbit can still claim to make the best DVDs around - I have no problem with that. I just wonder how much better they really are... Certainly not twice as good as the graph and the "copy" seem to imply.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm all for better technology, especially when you can see or hear the difference. What I despise is hype.


PS. If any of you have the Shania Twain Platinum Collection DVD, I'm guessing it was made with "constant bitrate sampling" and the bitrate is "pegged" at 10.0 for almost the entire DVD.

[spaceman_spiff]

How do you measure bitrates, do you use some special instruments or equipment, or your DVD player just displays it ? :(

[57U]

I hit the "display" button on my DVD player twice. First press gives one set of information (time, sound mode, etc), next press gives bitrate both graphically and numerically.

Don't know if/how other players do it. I have an "old" Toshiba that has many features not available on today's players.

[akthor]

Originally posted by vax226
I use the plane take-over scene as my system demo; just love the tinkle of brass hitting the floor…So are they worth an upgrade?

Thanks

Do you not have a copy of "The Matrix"?

The lobby shootout has my vote as the scene to demo a system with, if you don't have it get it, talk about brass tinkling ;)

[Hippie]

I hit the "display" button on my DVD player twice. First press gives one set of information (time, sound mode, etc), next press gives bitrate both graphically and numerically.

My player only gives a graphical view of bitrate.. not numerical.
There are square blocks that go up in number (I think up to 10 blocks displayed)

Question.. I know this is bitrate, but what is this actually telling me?
in other words.. Why would I want to know the bitrate of the DVD I am watching?

[57U]

The graphical display shows you megabits per second (1-10). 10 is the maximum available for DVDs. Some of this is taken up by audio, but most is video. The higher the number the more information is being transfered from the DVD to the DVD player.

If there's not a lot of movement on the screen, the numbers can be lower due to compression, however, since you have "headroom" available, why not put more "information" on the DVD for "better resolution".

Sometimes low bitrate can mean low quality, but it could simply mean there's not much movement on the screen since movement requires more information.

By utilizing more of the "headroom" superbit supposedly provides a better picture quality, but I've found that most DVDs already use 8-10 Mb/sec as soon as there's a fair bit of motion on the screen, so how much better is Superbit really? I leave that up to the purchasers.

[Hippie]

The graphical display shows you megabits per second (1-10). 10 is the maximum available for DVDs. Some of this is taken up by audio, but most is video. The higher the number the more information is being transfered from the DVD to the DVD player.


Why would I as the end user want to be able to press a button on my DVD remote to see the bitrate?

[57U]

...Most end users probably have no use for this information. I guess if the quality is really bad and you see a low bitrate, then that may indicate why. Otherwise, I guess it may give you some indication of the "quality" of the information encoded on the DVD?

[cdnscg]

vax226,,

Back to your original question, I have compared several titles, and in my opinion the Superbit additions look better. Maybe not 50%, but enough that I am willing to pay the extra cash for the Superbit. If you have the chance, take a look at Starship Troopers Superbit. The outer space scenes are amazing.

[sto22]

The Superbit version of "Charlies Angels" is at Wal-Mart of all places.

On the bargain rack ($14.88) at our local store.

Go figure.

sto22

[Hippie]

The Superbit version of "Charlies Angels" is at Wal-Mart of all places.On the bargain rack ($14.88) at our local store.Go figure.sto22

Charlies Angels being on Superbit is a bit of a question mark for me..
I thought that movies that made superbit were supposed to be quality films, the best of the best...

[sto22]

They have a few classics and a few "not so classic". :)

I'll avoid bashing someone's favorite movie and let you browse through them yourself.

Superbit (http://www.sonypictures.com/cthe/superbit/)

sto22

[Hippie]

They have a few classics and a few "not so classic". :)
I'll avoid bashing someone's favorite movie and let you browse through them yourself.Superbit (http://www.sonypictures.com/cthe/superbit/) sto22

Yah.. I know.. why?
Didn't start out like that..
Oh well...

[Ic3man]

To be honest, Superbits aren't always worked up to what they're supposed to be. Sometimes gimmicky.

DVDS such as Spider Man, Desperado, and Leon: The Professional, and Starship Troopers SE are only minorly improved upon Superbit release and IMO have no reason to be ported in the first place. However, others such The Fifth Element look amazing.

And then there are the few that are released directly to Superbit IE: Panic Room.

[lizzyh]

I have the Fifth Element on a Superbit disc. This is the only one I have seen and I was quite dissapointed in any perceived increase in resolution when you compare it to the increased cost of a Superbit disc. I have a Sony NS999ES player which delivers a stunning picture on movies with good production values. U.S. Marshalls, on a regular DVD delivers a picture equal to or better than the Fifth Element Superbit disc. :(

[soze]

wait for DVD-HD for amazing picture....as sales of HD sets rise - DVD_HD will get a quick accpetance among consumers...

[Ratman]

... as soon as someone defines a standard.

It's really not a matter of 'acceptance'. The consumers are eager for a product. The problem lies in the fact that there are two competing formats (E.G. Beta vs. VHS). No one can agree/compromise (who gets the $$).

Once that hurdle has been conquered... then you will have to wait for the 'software' to become available. IMO, it will be a while before our thirst is quenched.

[WaRe]

I love my Superbit copies of The Fifth Element, Desperado and Mask of Zorro....Picture and sound quality are superb.

[Seared Steak]

I got my first one, Spiderman, and like others I wasn't Wow'd. Which is good cause I was ready to replace all the titles available in Superbit that I already have in "regular" DVD. Still that said there are some titles I don't own which I do want and will get them in Superbit. Im rational, so I'll keep giving it a try. :sherlok:

[cdnscg]

I believe it all comes down to the 'critical eye'. The difference in quality is not outstanding, but Superbits are superior. I may not replace all my dvd's with the Superbit issue, but when presented with the choice, I'll pay the extra $.

[soze]

I bought the Professional(leon) and it is great - super clear - underrated movie - but I held off all dvd purchases awaiting BLu-ray(i hope they are the prevailing format)

don't get me wrong - I'm still getting the Star wars trilogy and LOTR Return SE - oh yea

[ilovedvds]

where can i buy a Superbit player and superbit movies?

thanks!

[Ratman]

Any DVD player will play superbit.
Superbit DVD's are available at all retailers.

[Seared Steak]

where can i buy a Superbit player and superbit movies?

thanks!

^

as for where to get the movies, Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/700246/ref=tr_60691/002-6680742-6212838) has them all. :drool11:

[nowisee]

I think some if the improvement depends on the display. I have only one of those, mostly because they tend to release them after I already bought a copy. I saw no improvement in the images at the time. Now I have an HD tv there is more detail in the images. I personally I don't wish to replace a lot of DVDs even with HD because of the cost. All DVDs vary in quality how ever and I have seen some very good "regular" DVDs.