The Movies I Liked

[vinay]

Blue-ray, Red-ray.

Hi Vinay
As far as Blu-ray goes you will need to upgrade your AV receiver also as it wont support True HD dolby and DTS. So you are right that it can be done after using the current hardware for a longer time as it asks for a huge investment

Rikhav, wow i never knew that even the av receiver has to be upgraded for watching a movie on blue ray. In India, for several months from now, there will be hardly any blue ray movies available, other then the very few which are available at stores over here, so all the more it becomes a reason not to spend on blue ray set up.

I feel certain av equipments and accessories should be considered to shop from abroad, because in India it is launched much later.


Vinay.

 

[smedhavi]

Older receivers would work with Blu-ray players, though they can not decode the HD audio on board. So you don't necessarily have to upgrade the receiver first. (BTW, I did sell off my old Denon receiver to start with )
A blu-ray disk would surely produce a better picture on most modern displays.
Till now I have not been disappointed.

Vinay,
I think you have already connected your upscaling DVD player directly to the projector, and not through the receiver. You could do the same for a blu-ray player and get a good 720p picture. You can use the PCM or analog connections for the audio.

Thanks,
Sharad

 

[rikhav]

You can use the PCM or analog connections for the audio.Sharad

Hi Sharad
You are right. That way you can still use your older receiver. But as far as i know decoding done by the AV receiver would be better then decoding done by the DVD player.
So if someone is wanting the best sound possible, then a upgrade is requiered. Else its still possible to use your older AV receiver by the way you have mentioned.

 

[smedhavi]

That's right.

-------------
I liked the "Bee Movie" (on Blu-ray). Awesome visuals, good sound and a nice movie. It has a lot of fun moments for children, as well as enough philosophy and thought for the adult gray matter.

Thanks,
Sharad

 

[vinay]

Older receivers would work with Blu-ray players, though they can not decode the HD audio on board. So you don't necessarily have to upgrade the receiver first. (BTW, I did sell off my old Denon receiver to start with )
A blu-ray disk would surely produce a better picture on most modern displays.
Till now I have not been disappointed.

Vinay,
I think you have already connected your upscaling DVD player directly to the projector, and not through the receiver. You could do the same for a blu-ray player and get a good 720p picture. You can use the PCM or analog connections for the audio.

Thanks,
Sharad

Sharad and rikhav, thank you very much for your writing towards blue ray, i do not know about my up scaling, my knowledge with these things are very low, thank you again sharad.

 

[venkatcr]

Venkatcr,

I am impressed with the detail by which you wrote on the movies you liked, i have seen 2 of them, others i will consider to buy the DVD.

Are you are watching the movies on a LCD TV, which are the set of speakers you are using? Do you rent the movies, vcd or dvd?

Vinay.

Vinay:

I have original DVDs of all these movies I have mentioned. I watch them currently on a Akai LCD TV, amplified by an Onkyo 875 into Wharfedale 9 series speakers. I have a full 7.1 system.

Thanks

Venkat

 

[vinay]

FACE OF TERROR - ACTION/ ADVENTURE

Nothing is more deadly than a man with nothing to lose.

Aspect Ration 4 X 3 - Full Screen

The movie is an extraordinary thriller.

Vinay.

 

[marsilin]

SHOOTER -

its abt a sniper who is being framed falsely and the revenge he takes on his detractors

 

[rikhav]

While traveling today by road I saw a shop called "SHOWTIME" opposite Inorbit Mall, Mumbai. What i guess is that its into movie renting but I saw it for the first time. They had a big poster showing a BLU-RAY logo on their door. So i assume they also rent out BLU-RAY discs.

 

[suniil]

Rikhav! I should (or going to ask later) you how good sumo grande is?

watching iRobot now, SPL meter is going beyond 110db.

Sunil, inspite of listening the sound on headphones i was able to understand why this movie goes in your reference collection for the LFE channel
It sure must have shook your living room with the subsonic frequncies.

 

[rikhav]

watching iRobot now, SPL meter is going beyond 110db.

Enjoy your movie

Will PM you about Sumo in a while

 

[vinay]

SHOOTER -

its abt a sniper who is being framed falsely and the revenge he takes on his detractors

I found this movie shooter a very good one.

Sunil, can you tell me the benefits of having a spl meter, and is it easy for a lay person to understand and handle it?

Is this meter available in Mumbai.

Vinay.

 

[vinay]

James Bond Movies

I saw in a store series of james bond movies, total 22 of them, costing 12,000/- bucks, these DVDs are by excel company.

I like bond movies a lot, is the picture quality and recording good by excel, with specific mention to effects of sub woofer and surround speakers, and then i am worried about the very old bond movies, how will their quality be, as during those days where was the technology.

If i get positive reviews about these technical factors then i will consider to buy these 22 DVDs.

Vinay.

Soundsgreat, sunil, rikhav, kamal, venkatcr, sumit, ulnleash and others, please tell me your opinion, because after putting in such large monies, i do not want to regret.

Vinay.

 

[soundsgreat]

Hi,

Vinay I'd suggest not to go for it !! Reason you know very well !

I'd suggest you to buy online and get it shipped which almost works out to be the same cost or even cheaper ! each set costs only mere 47$ which consists of 10 discs,So it works out to 4.7$ per DVD which is phenomenal !

For the money you pay for that,Here's what you get

1.A DTS Remastered Sound !
2.Anamorphic widescreen remastered picture !
3.Original region 1 ! which is the best in quality !
4.Option of buying in 4 sets instead of one !!

So please checkout the given link below for the said purpose and decide !!

DVD Empire - List - Series - James Bond Ultimate Collection

Hope this helps !!

Regards.

 

[venkatcr]

Vinay:

I don't believe much in specs. If I were in your shoes, I would buy one or two DVDs, try them in YOUR system, THEN buy the whole lot.

By the way, I did try the latest Bond movie, and it was good. But it must also be kept in kind that as you go to the older movies such as Dr. No the sound effect may not be that good, because of the original recording. I personally don't like sound that has been modified for 5.1 or 7.1. But then Bond movies are good, so I will happily live with what I get as long as the video of the older movies are good.

Cheers,


Venkat

 

[rikhav]

Vinay:

I don't believe much in specs. If I were in your shoes, I would buy one or two DVDs, try them in YOUR system, THEN buy the whole lot.

By the way, I did try the latest Bond movie, and it was good. But it must also be kept in kind that as you go to the older movies such as Dr. No the sound effect may not be that good, because of the original recording. I personally don't like sound that has been modified for 5.1 or 7.1. But then Bond movies are good, so I will happily live with what I get as long as the video of the older movies are good.

Cheers,


Venkat

Hi Venkat
I think I would agree with Soundsgreat over here simply because Region 1 (USA) made dvds are anyday better then movies specifically manufactuered by an Indian company for indian market. There is no doubt in that. As for DTS remastering which you say you dont prefer it is more of a personal choice. But for sure if i had to I would also opt to order the Region 1 DVDS rather then buying the ones made by EXCEL video, keeping in mind that the cost factor comes out to be almost the same.

 

[suniil]

I've no reason to disagree with that comment! Rikhav, we do get the same quality DVDs (Region 2), often even better soundtracks.

Yes vinay, stay clear from that offer! Also not all James bond movies are best to show off your system. I'd say you need a master collection of DVDs that can showcase your sound system, eg. any pixar-disney movies

I think I would agree with Soundsgreat over here simply because Region 1 (USA) made dvds are anyday better then movies specifically manufactuered by an Indian company for indian market.

 

[venkatcr]

Gents, I am not sure there is a difference between Region 1 DVDs and those that are available here (in India) excepting for the Region Code. If I am not wrong, companies like Excel just duplicate from a licensed master for sale in India and maybe even nearby countries.

In any case I will purchase an Excel DVD of a Bond movie, try it out on my system and than post a comment.

By the way, I have some Hindi and Tamil movies, particularly the new ones, which are excellent in both sound and video.

Companies such as EFX of Prasad Labs here in India are cleaning and remastering movies such as Fistful of Dollars for the US Market. EFX for example is equipped with EFX is equipped with Oxberry Scanners, Spirit
Datacine, Cintel DSX, Arri Laser & Celco Film Recorders, the best and latest restoration software, more than 220 dedicated workstations and an integrated Kodak Image Care Certified Film Laboratory. All these in dust proof labs.

So don't write off the work being done in India. As long as you stick to original DVDs, you do get decent material here.

 

[vinay]

DVD Quality.

Hi,

Vinay I'd suggest not to go for it !! Reason you know very well !

I'd suggest you to buy online and get it shipped which almost works out to be the same cost or even cheaper ! each set costs only mere 47$ which consists of 10 discs,So it works out to 4.7$ per DVD which is phenomenal !

For the money you pay for that,Here's what you get

1.A DTS Remastered Sound !
2.Anamorphic widescreen remastered picture !
3.Original region 1 ! which is the best in quality !
4.Option of buying in 4 sets instead of one !!

So please checkout the given link below for the said purpose and decide !!

DVD Empire - List - Series - James Bond Ultimate Collection

Hope this helps !!

Regards.

Soundsgreat,

If i am buying online, then there are issues, will i get it in the original packing or no, and then i do not have an international credit card, and then how sure am i that the DVDs quality will be in order or no, and then what are the chances of receiving it in damaged condition because of the rough handling at our international airports, as i know that even if a baby is around, the porters and related will not hesitate to let a elephant loose, then how much will be the customs duty, will there be penalties, if some of the members have imported DVDs, then they can tell me their first hand experience, thus if these issues are handled then i sure will like to import on regular basis.

I am very happy about the details you told me for the money i will pay, and that what i will get and before i forget, thank you very much for the link you have provided to me on the james bond movies and related.

I thank you again for the information's you have provided me, now i will look forward to seek replies from you and other members about the factors i have pointed out.

During last week i was at the verge to buy these DVDs, good i did not buy them.

I tell you soundsgreat you have bought a lot of awareness in me about the quality of dvd's, and i am allready seeing the rubbish which they are selling, that too a brand like sony, the recording and related is lousy in one of the movies i saw around 2 days ago.

Vinay.

 

[vinay]

DVD Quality

Venkat,

I also would like not to believe in specifications but what to do, when there is pain with the quality of some DVD's, one has to take the corrective steps, as one would not like to see a lousy quality of DVD, in my plush uniplex.

Actually excel is selling the full set of dvd in one lot, they are not selling loose, i want to buy the full lot because the packing is very attractive and then in one go i get the full lot, and let's say that if i get the loose DVD, and if i like the quality, then will it be sure that the earlier versions of bond movies quality also be good, and then what happens is that if i buy 2/3 DVD's and test them, if they are okay, then i buy the full set, so then what do i do with the 2/3 which i have bought.

I have the original DVD of the latest bond movie, casino royale, but i did not find the effects in order with special mention to low frequencies, i have seen that many of the movies picture quality is fine, but the problem in most of them lie with the sub woofer and surrounds.

About the recordings in india, for what you have written, i do not have much knoweldge, people like soundsgreat, sunil, sumit, can comment better, if they remain silent then i think you have a point to make, but then what happens to the truth of bad effects like which i faced the other day while watching a sony dvd.

Venkat, thank you very much for your writing.

Vinay.