"The Dark Knight" Blu-ray (Dec. 9th)
12-08-08, 11:44 AM
#526
DVD Talk Legend
I've bought crappy full frame versions of movies far worse than this. A video rating that is not perfect will not keep me from buying this and enjoying the "movie" at least a few more times. I know some people expect perfection but damn if I don't clearly remember watching tv on my 13" as a kid and being satisfied with what I was watching. Enjoy it for what it is and if WB decides down the road that they want to re-release it with an improved transfer then we will cross that bridge when it gets here. It is not like any of us have never bought the same movie twice because the video (or audio) was improved the second time around. Fly fat ass fly!!!
12-08-08, 11:45 AM
#527
DVD Talk Legend
I'd agree with that to a point. Of course, WB was not adding doing this with their early releases. It is as if they have decided on a new tactic to release titles in the future without messing with the image. (Same for adding Lossless audio to many titles.)
Anyway, the good news is that my copy of TDK is out for delivery via UPS. The bad news is that it is shown as being over 120 miles away from my house!
Anyway, the good news is that my copy of TDK is out for delivery via UPS. The bad news is that it is shown as being over 120 miles away from my house!
12-08-08, 02:32 PM
#529
DVD Talk Legend
I tried to cancel, but I just got an email letting me know that they couldn't cancel because it shipped out on the 6th (a day or two after I asked them to cancel the order).
The good thing is that I'm pretty sure it was delivered today, so it's a good thing they didn't cancel it after all.
The good thing is that I'm pretty sure it was delivered today, so it's a good thing they didn't cancel it after all.
12-08-08, 02:57 PM
#530
Member
It's a $3 off coupon that says "Own It On DVD", with no mention of the Blu-ray anywhere on the materials. There are, however, separate barcodes for the "Widescreen" and "Fullscreen" editions. So, it might take a little talking to get this to work for the Blu-ray release -- but most will probably let it slide since the BD will earn the store more money.
12-08-08, 03:33 PM
#531
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I forgot I pre-ordered it. I was trying to decide where to buy this from tomorrow and I got a shipping notification from Amazon today. I guess my decision has been made.
12-08-08, 04:11 PM
#532
DVD Talk Legend
I rented the BD yesterday and after watching it twice... Count me out. 
Yes, there's some DNR but it's only in a few spots. The edge enhancement, though not omnipresent, appears with enough frequency as to be distracting. But the worst offender is how misshandled the contrast is.
I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
This is a very disappointing transfer so I'm definitely not purchasing it and will hope for the best regarding an eventual re-release in a year or two.
That said, the audio was fantastic.
Yes, there's some DNR but it's only in a few spots. The edge enhancement, though not omnipresent, appears with enough frequency as to be distracting. But the worst offender is how misshandled the contrast is.
I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
This is a very disappointing transfer so I'm definitely not purchasing it and will hope for the best regarding an eventual re-release in a year or two.
That said, the audio was fantastic.
I can't believe other reviewers are not mentioning it but RocShemp nailed the problem with this disc. The picture is darkened considerably.
12-08-08, 04:28 PM
#533
DVD Talk Legend
I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
1) Are you sure this isn't a display calibration issue?
2) Just because the Blu-ray is timed differently than the prologue footage on the Batman Begins disc, are you sure that means that it's wrong? Is it possible that the BB prologue was a quickie transfer just to get a bonus feature slapped on a disc, while the final Blu-ray transfer has been tweaked and refined per the filmmakers' wishes?
12-08-08, 04:33 PM
#534
DVD Talk Legend
Josh my projector is calibrated and I really can't remember seeing a problem like this with any other discs. It is possible that Nolan reworked the film a little but I honestly had problems seeing any detail in the actor's clothes. I don't recall this when I saw the film via 35mm or IMAX.
I'll hook it up to my CRT when I get a chance and see what it looks like.
I'll hook it up to my CRT when I get a chance and see what it looks like.
12-08-08, 04:33 PM
#535
DVD Talk Legend
12-08-08, 04:54 PM
#536
DVD Talk Special Edition
There was a little present from WHV waiting on my doorstep when I got home today.
12-08-08, 05:19 PM
#537
DVD Talk Godfather
12-08-08, 08:45 PM
#539
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
12-08-08, 09:11 PM
#540
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I haven't seen the disc in question (would help if I had a BR player 
), but I find it very surprising - around here no less - at the number of people essentially saying, "Oh well. I'll buy it anyway even if it's wrong and then buy another version later on." You clearly have the right to exercise that action, but I hope to never see any of you complain of a double-dip in the future (assuming you have in the past).
I'll also echo Josh's question on why the film is faulty rather than the IMAX promo. What was the amount of space used on the disc and by the segment itself on the IMAX feature? Perhpas the maximum amount of space was used and therefore much less compression than regular BR content?
), but I find it very surprising - around here no less - at the number of people essentially saying, "Oh well. I'll buy it anyway even if it's wrong and then buy another version later on." You clearly have the right to exercise that action, but I hope to never see any of you complain of a double-dip in the future (assuming you have in the past).I'll also echo Josh's question on why the film is faulty rather than the IMAX promo. What was the amount of space used on the disc and by the segment itself on the IMAX feature? Perhpas the maximum amount of space was used and therefore much less compression than regular BR content?
Last edited by Superman07; 12-08-08 at 09:13 PM.
12-08-08, 09:13 PM
#541
DVD Talk Legend
12-08-08, 09:55 PM
#542
DVD Talk Godfather
I haven't seen the disc in question (would help if I had a BR player ), but I find it very surprising - around here no less - at the number of people essentially saying, "Oh well. I'll buy it anyway even if it's wrong and then buy another version later on." You clearly have the right to exercise that action, but I hope to never see any of you complain of a double-dip in the future (assuming you have in the past).
), but I find it very surprising - around here no less - at the number of people essentially saying, "Oh well. I'll buy it anyway even if it's wrong and then buy another version later on." You clearly have the right to exercise that action, but I hope to never see any of you complain of a double-dip in the future (assuming you have in the past).There's also no guarantee that there will be a double dip, let alone any time in the next 1 or 2 years. In that time, I know this disc will get plenty of enjoyment so it seems more then worth it.
12-08-08, 10:23 PM
#543
I'll also echo Josh's question on why the film is faulty rather than the IMAX promo. What was the amount of space used on the disc and by the segment itself on the IMAX feature? Perhpas the maximum amount of space was used and therefore much less compression than regular BR content?
The main problem I keep on observing time and time again...is consistency. And studios just don't have it yet when it comes to HD--never had it when it came to DVD either, so why should we notice a difference now.
I think only Disney is consistent with their releases (not entirely sure however, and feel free to correct me).
It would be nice if we had studios put the actual name of the person(s) doing the critical transfer to HD, and what department (and no, I don't want to scroll through the credits and try to decode the titles of the employees). This would say a lot when we would be flipping through our rather expensive Blu-ray collections, trying to figure out why a particular studio's films are inconsistent.
Last edited by DVD Polizei; 12-08-08 at 10:28 PM.
12-08-08, 10:27 PM
#544
I'm more surprised at people saying they won't buy this now because the video quality isn't perfect and demo material. As another person said, they've probably boughten other films with less then stellar pictures, even on Blu-ray or HD-DVD.
There's also no guarantee that there will be a double dip, let alone any time in the next 1 or 2 years. In that time, I know this disc will get plenty of enjoyment so it seems more then worth it.
There's also no guarantee that there will be a double dip, let alone any time in the next 1 or 2 years. In that time, I know this disc will get plenty of enjoyment so it seems more then worth it.
A stark difference than, "Hey, TDK is just awesome on Blu! Colors are vibrant! Images pop! This is one of the best Blu's ever! Buy it!!1144!"
And then you fork out nearly $30 for the fucker, and you see some things which make you question the high marks.
Again, I haven't seen the film, but this what others seem to be saying.
12-08-08, 10:38 PM
#545
DVD Talk Godfather
People have purchased less-than-stellar titles, but the difference, is those titles weren't rated as high, and the viewer knew what to expect. It's one thing to say hey this Blu-ray title is a 3.5 out of 5 in video quality, but it does have its moments, and if you're a fan of the film, it's better than anything else you have on DVD.
A stark difference than, "Hey, TDK is just awesome on Blu! Colors are vibrant! Images pop! This is one of the best Blu's ever! Buy it!!1144!"
And then you fork out nearly $30 for the fucker, and you see some things which make you question the high marks.
Again, I haven't seen the film, but this what others seem to be saying.
A stark difference than, "Hey, TDK is just awesome on Blu! Colors are vibrant! Images pop! This is one of the best Blu's ever! Buy it!!1144!"
And then you fork out nearly $30 for the fucker, and you see some things which make you question the high marks.
Again, I haven't seen the film, but this what others seem to be saying.
Last edited by fumanstan; 12-08-08 at 10:42 PM.
12-08-08, 11:17 PM
#546
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I think only Disney is consistent with their releases (not entirely sure however, and feel free to correct me).
12-09-08, 02:52 AM
#548
DVD Talk Godfather
Got mine from the midnight release at Best Buy. I just popped it in to catch a few scenes and think it looks pretty good, although i'm not a very big videophile and would be one of the last guys to be pointing out edge enhancement and what not.
12-09-08, 02:57 AM
#549
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The promo on the Begins Blu-Ray wasn't the final color pallete for the finished film. I had the exact same reaction when Begins hit Blu-Ray a week before this film came out and I watched that promo constantly.
The final color pallete, especially in the opening six minutes, is darker. It's not wrong.
The final color pallete, especially in the opening six minutes, is darker. It's not wrong.
12-09-08, 04:53 AM
#550
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I totally agree. It's too dark and some scenes look like silhouette, especially when the Hong Kong SWAT entered the building.