Dark Knight Format ?

[mcs2000si]

I am curious about the playback formatting on the dark knight blu ray dvd. I have a samsung 650 plasma and samsung blu ray player all running HDMI cables through the Pioneer Elite 94vsx receiver. The movie looks amazing but only displays the full size of the TV during certain scenes of the movie. The other scenes are in classic letterbox with the black bars on the top and bottom. Just wondering if this is how it was shot or if there are adjustments to be made to my equipment that i have over looked even though i have gone through all of the settings several times. Thanks in advance guys for helping me out with this issue.

-Matt

[comfortablycurt]

I'm not certain if this is the case in your situation...but certain parts of the movie were filmed on Imax film, while others were on regular film. This causes the aspect ratio to change several times during the movie.

[Toolfan66]

I'm not certain if this is the case in your situation...but certain parts of the movie were filmed on Imax film, while others were on regular film. This causes the aspect ratio to change several times during the movie.

This is correct...

[metal83]

I've never noticed this, and i own the movie on blu-ray. Maybe i just didn't think about it because i enjoy the movie so much!

[mcs2000si]

that makes perfect sense since the scenes that are in full display are the ones of the city and landscapes. They look freaking amazing. The only problem now is i want the whole damn movie to be like that. thanks for the quick reply and info guys!

-Matt

[comfortablycurt]

Yeah...I have the movie on DVD, as I don't own a BR player yet. It doesn't have any of those issues, which is kind of a bright side I suppose.

[metal83]

Yeah...I have the movie on DVD, as I don't own a BR player yet. It doesn't have any of those issues, which is kind of a bright side I suppose.

Curt, man, you need a blu-ray player!!! :p
It's definitely not an issue, i just popped the movie in to check it out for myself, i remember now. It hinders the experience in no way shape or form. The picture is stunning on blu-ray, and the HD Audio is incredible.

[comfortablycurt]

Curt, man, you need a blu-ray player!!! :p
It's definitely not an issue, i just popped the movie in to check it out for myself, i remember now. It hinders the experience in no way shape or form. The picture is stunning on blu-ray, and the HD Audio is incredible.

ehh...I'll get a blu-ray player eventually. Honestly, I'm not that completely blown away by the picture quality of Blu-ray, that I feel the need to run out and spend 500 dollars to upgrade. It is obviously better, can't deny that, but it's not really a big deal to me.

It'd be pointless for me to get a blu-ray player right now anyway, because my TV is an ancient CRT model...it wouldn't really give me much of an improvement with this TV.

Plus with how expensive all the blu-ray titles are still...I think I'll wait. I'm still perfectly content with the picture quality of DVD's. For that matter, I still probably watch more VHS tapes than anything else, just because I have so many of them.

I'm more worried about upgrading my audio equipment first...realistically I don't even plan to get a blu-ray player for another couple years. I'll wait until the prices come down.

Besides...I listen to music a lot more than I watch movies...so my two channel rig is coming before anything else really. It's probably a split of like 75-80% music and 20-25% movies.

[metal83]

ehh...I'll get a blu-ray player eventually. Honestly, I'm not that completely blown away by the picture quality of Blu-ray, that I feel the need to run out and upgrade. It is obviously better, can't deny that, but it's not really a big deal to me.

It'd be pointless for me to get a blu-ray player right now anyway, because my TV is an ancient CRT model...it wouldn't really give me much of an improvement with this TV.

Plus with how expensive all the blu-ray titles are still...I think I'll wait. I'm still perfectly content with the picture quality of DVD's. For that matter, I still probably watch more VHS tapes than anything else, just because I have so many of them.

I'm more worried about upgrading my audio equipment first...realistically I don't even plan to get a blu-ray player for another couple years. I'll wait until the prices come down.

Besides...I listen to music a lot more than I watch movies...so my two channel rig is coming before anything else really. It's probably a split of like 75-80% music and 20-25% movies.

Blu-ray players have already come down in price substantially. The movies aren't as expensive anymore either. I've bought plenty of blu-rays for around $15 give or take, and even the new releases you can get at a decent price if you shop around. I ended up getting the Dark Knight for $22 or something like that, just as an example.

But yeah, with an ancient CRT it probably wouldn't be worth it. A nice HDTV, preferably an LCD or Plasma (DLP sucks, been there done that lol) is the best bet for getting the most out of bluray, and something of a decent size, 50" or larger in my opinion. On a good quality BD disc, the picture is night and day to me, and even my fiancee, compared to a standard DVD. The HD audio is a giant plus as well.

Anyways, blu-ray and the HD scene is not for everyone, and i completely respect your opinions, even if i disagree 100%...lol :p

[comfortablycurt]

Blu-ray players have already come down in price substantially. The movies aren't as expensive anymore either. I've bought plenty of blu-rays for around $15 give or take, and even the new releases you can get at a decent price if you shop around. I ended up getting the Dark Knight for $22 or something like that, just as an example.

But yeah, with an ancient CRT it probably wouldn't be worth it. A nice HDTV, preferably an LCD or Plasma (DLP sucks, been there done that lol) is the best bet for getting the most out of bluray, and something of a decent size, 50" or larger in my opinion. On a good quality BD disc, the picture is night and day to me, and even my fiancee, compared to a standard DVD. The HD audio is a giant plus as well.

Anyways, blu-ray and the HD scene is not for everyone, and i completely respect your opinions, even if i disagree 100%...lol :p

The picture quality definitely is much better, and yes I could get a Blu-ray player for around 250 bucks or so...but I'm not going to get the cheapest Blu-ray player on the market just for the sake of having a Blu-ray player.

Like I said, the picture quality is better...but it's nowhere near a night/day difference in my eyes. It's probably a case of me just not valuing picture quality as much as other people...but I don't watch movies as much as other people either for that matter. I don't really feel a need to be able to see individual pores on someones arms...or see someones nose hair clear as day...lol

The biggest selling point on Blu-ray for me would be the sound modes...but even that isn't really much of a selling point for me currently. I'll get a blu-ray player when I can get a current 500 dollar model for around 200 dollars a couple years from now.

A new TV might be in the cards for me this year...much later this year anyway, but even at that I'm not to worried about it. It's not even as much of an issue of picture quality as it is connectivity and real estate issues. My current TV doesn't even have RCA inputs, only an F-pin coax input, which complicates things. I have to run my DVD player through my VCR currently...which is a PITA.

The TV I've got in mind is this Panasonic Plasma set. Notice that it's one of the cheapest Plasma sets on the market, if that says anything about how much I value picture quality...lol...If I can see the screen...it's a good picture IMO.:p

Surround sound gives movies much more of a realism factor than picture quality IMO.

[metal83]

The picture quality definitely is much better, and yes I could get a Blu-ray player for around 250 bucks or so...but I'm not going to get the cheapest Blu-ray player on the market just for the sake of having a Blu-ray player.

Like I said, the picture quality is better...but it's nowhere near a night/day difference in my eyes. It's probably a case of me just not valuing picture quality as much as other people...but I don't watch movies as much as other people either for that matter. I don't really feel a need to be able to see individual pores on someones arms...or see someones nose hair clear as day...lol

The biggest selling point on Blu-ray for me would be the sound modes...but even that isn't really much of a selling point for me currently. I'll get a blu-ray player when I can get a current 500 dollar model for around 200 dollars a couple years from now.

A new TV might be in the cards for me this year...much later this year anyway, but even at that I'm not to worried about it. It's not even as much of an issue of picture quality as it is connectivity and real estate issues. My current TV doesn't even have RCA inputs, only an F-pin coax input, which complicates things. I have to run my DVD player through my VCR currently...which is a PITA.

The TV I've got in mind is this Panasonic Plasma set. Notice that it's one of the cheapest Plasma sets on the market, if that says anything about how much I value picture quality...lol...If I can see the screen...it's a good picture IMO.:p

Surround sound gives movies much more of a realism factor than picture quality IMO.

The PS3 is one of the best bluray players on the market, and can be had well below $500 if you look around. Even if you never play games, the bluray function alone is well worth the money (for someone who is into HD of course).

I, unlike you, do value the picture quality, very much so, and i'm a big movie buff. Me and the fiancee are netflix subscribers and we tend to get most of the new releases that come out (if we are interested in the movie that is, or at least if i am lol), and in bluray of course.:p
We also have Directv, and all the HD channels, since i just can't get enough HD lol.

The more detail i can see the more enjoyable a movie or show or whatever i'm watching is for me. Picture quality is a huge deal for me, audio actually came second. I've been into HD much much longer than i've been into Home audio, and i've had numerous HDTV's over the years to refine my tastes, as it's a hobby for me, just like audio has become a hobby for me.

I'm also a gamer (Xbox 360 mostly, PS3 not so much), so i like to play games on a nice HDTV, again, the more detail i can see, the more enjoyable it is for me. Now with games, great PQ and audio together is awesome! For me it's very immersive.

The collabortion of great picture quality and amazing audio has been a wonderful thing for me. Ever since i bought my first receiver and speaker set up last year, i've just been in love! Of course though i've had the upgrade bug and have bought new speakers, gear, cables, etc. Same thing happens to me with Video though, i occasinally tend to get that bug and want a new HDTV lol. Nature of the beast for both hobbies.

As i always say, to each his own. :)
One mans garbage is another mans treasure, and vise versa.





I apologize for this semi long, off topic, and pointless post. It's late, i have a few drinks in me, and i'm a little bored....lol :p

[comfortablycurt]

A lot of people have tried to sell me on the PS3 as a blu-ray player...But I'm just not interested. I'm not a gamer at all, and I'd rather have a dedicated component Blu-ray player when I make the upgrade. I'd probably play the PS3 a lot as a console for the first couple weeks...and then it would only get a couple hours of use every week after that at most. I'd rather have a stand alone Blu-ray player, just because it would look better in my A/V rack than a PS3 would.

Like I said...I'm not a gamer by any means. I have an original Xbox that hasn't even been hooked up in like 6 months except for a few random occasions when friends have been over and wanted to play some video games.

I still have my Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, and those get WAY more use than the Xbox...and even those I only play a couple times a month anymore really.

To someone such as yourself, who values picture quality that much, a Blu-ray player is a no-brainer, but like I said earlier...I listen to music 75% of the time to movies 25% of the time...so audio quality is going to by far take precedence over video quality.

That's why the option is available though...different people value different things. I wouldn't have any objections to owning a Blu-ray player or anything...and I definitely look forward to getting one eventually. I have quite a few other things in my audio setup that need to be upgraded first though. I'll get to blu-ray sooner or later.

I'm actually getting my first 1080p upscaling DVD player soon...hopefully this weekend actually. The only reason I'm getting it though really is because my DVD player currently isn't really working...plus the one I'm getting has SACD playback.

[metal83]

I have buddies just like you, that don't care about picture quality (or audio quality for that matter). But then they come over, see a bluray playing, hear my system, and are blown away haha.

It's all about personal tastes, which can differ greatly from person to person.

Like i said, to each his own....:p:D

[leroyjr1]

Curt


VHS????? Really.....

[comfortablycurt]

Curt


VHS????? Really.....

Hell yes...I have to much great stuff on tape to just not watch it anymore. I have the entire series of the Collectors Edition X-files Box sets...which I've actually been watching through again recently. Plus I have around 250 or so movies on VHS...compared to about 45 or so DVD's. I can only watch those same DVD's so many times before I get bored with them. I've got a much better selection when it comes to VHS.

Here's a stunner. I have actually bought multiple VHS movies within the last few weeks. At around 2 dollars a piece now, it's kinda hard to argue with it.

Eventually the VHS tapes will be phased out...but I'm still perfectly happy with them. Picture quality is perfectly fine for my tastes. Sound quality's not that bad either IMO.

I can't afford to go out and replace 250 VHS tapes with DVD's...so I'll be watching them until they won't play anymore.

edit-for that matter, I actually bought a new VCR about 6 months ago, because my old one quit working. How's that for shocking?...lol

[leroyjr1]

Curt

I got a nice Phillips VCR in great condition you can have for free if you like. I was actually getting ready to throw it away but forgot about it until this conversation. I'll even pay shipping if you want it.
Condition 9/10

[comfortablycurt]

Curt

I got a nice Phillips VCR in great condition you can have for free if you like. I was actually getting ready to throw it away but forgot about it until this conversation. I'll even pay shipping if you want it.
Condition 9/10

Hm...I might take you up on that actually. I could use a second one for my bedroom. It's a pain in the ass having to move my VCR back and forth.

Especially if you're just going to throw it away. I'd pay for the shipping though.;)

[Keiko]

VHS! :D LOL! I haven't watched a VHS tape in years. I kinda side with you Curt on the BD discs. A little to expensive IMO. I can get used DVD's for 5.00 or less. I have a PS3 and own 2 blu-ray movies. The PQ's nice, but on my up-converting DVD player I still get a fantastic picture. I can't take advantage of the HD sound on the blu-rays either with my current gear. I have no desire to change equipment and I don't have the space for a separate HT rig. I'll make the jump if I smoke the source or if they phase out SD DVD's completely. Right now, I'm quite content with standard def. ;)

[comfortablycurt]

VHS! :D LOL! I haven't watched a VHS tape in years. I kinda side with you Curt on the BD discs. A little to expensive IMO. I can get used DVD's for 5.00 or less. I have a PS3 and own 2 blu-ray movies. The PQ's nice, but on my up-converting DVD player I still get a fantastic picture. I can't take advantage of the HD sound on the blu-rays either with my current gear. I have no desire to change equipment and I don't have the space for a separate HT rig. I'll make the jump if I smoke the source or if they phase out SD DVD's completely. Right now, I'm quite content with standard def. ;)

Exactly...you can only do so much at a time. If I were to want to upgrade to blu-ray right away, that would mean I'd have to knock off two gas stations instead of just the one.:p I'm just piecing it all together a piece at a time. I'll get a Blu-ray player sooner or later...but it's not real high on the list right now.

I've gotta set up the two channel system, with a vinyl rig first, because music is number one for me over movie watching. Gotta put the priorities first...and I'll get much more enjoyment out of a solid 2-channel rig.

After that I'll set up the audio aspects of the HT setup the way I want it...and then once that's done, it will be time for a new TV and the jump to Blu-ray.

Like you said, with 5 dollar DVD's being common place anymore...I'm gonna take advantage of it while I can. Most stores have huge discount racks full of DVD's. I've got several local stores here that have huge racks full of DVD's that range in price from 4 dollars to 10 dollars...and they're all damn good movies too, not some weird indie films you've never heard of...lol It's hard to argue with 5 dollar DVD's.

[Keiko]

I am curious about the playback formatting on the dark knight blu ray dvd. I have a samsung 650 plasma and samsung blu ray player all running HDMI cables through the Pioneer Elite 94vsx receiver. The movie looks amazing but only displays the full size of the TV during certain scenes of the movie. The other scenes are in classic letterbox with the black bars on the top and bottom. Just wondering if this is how it was shot or if there are adjustments to be made to my equipment that i have over looked even though i have gone through all of the settings several times. Thanks in advance guys for helping me out with this issue.

-Matt

There was a discussion awhile back in this thread regarding the AR on The Dark Knight blu-ray.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72558

Edit:

I've gotta set up the two channel system, with a vinyl rig first, because music is number one for me over movie watching. Gotta put the priorities first...and I'll get much more enjoyment out of a solid 2-channel rig.

The 2 channel music is where it's at for me also Curt.

[metal83]

Naive SOB's...:p:)

[Keiko]

Naive SOB's...:p:)

Nah, I'm aware that BD is superior. I just feel SD is good enough for my HT viewing and choose to invest more
into audio.

[Sherardp]

To the OP TDK has some scenes that were shot in IMAX so it will show in 16:9 aspect usiing full screen. Those scenes not in IMAX are in 2:35 aspect therefore you get the black bars, top/bottom. Nothing wrong with your BD this is just how the movie was filmed.

[doggie750]

Curt,
I am selling my BETAMAX player............he he he

[comfortablycurt]

Curt,
I am selling my BETAMAX player............he he he

Sold!!!:p

[metal83]

Nah, I'm aware that BD is superior. I just feel SD is good enough for my HT viewing and choose to invest more
into audio.

That's cool man, i respect that, i was just messing around. :D

[nooshinjohn]

[/QUOTE]It'd be pointless for me to get a blu-ray player right now anyway, because my TV is an ancient CRT model...it wouldn't really give me much of an improvement with this TV.[/QUOTE]...


Maybe less time spent posting here and shopping for a new tv is in order...
get out there and stimulate the economy!!!:p

[comfortablycurt]

It'd be pointless for me to get a blu-ray player right now anyway, because my TV is an ancient CRT model...it wouldn't really give me much of an improvement with this TV.[/QUOTE]...


Maybe less time spent posting here and shopping for a new tv is in order...
get out there and stimulate the economy!!!:p[/QUOTE]

I am out there shopping and stimulating the economy. Just not by purchasing a new TV. My moneys going towards audio equipment right now. As I said before...it's about an 80/20 split between music and movies for me. A new TV isn't even anywhere close to the top of the list. My TV works...that's good enough for me.

Plus I don't have the money for a new TV right now. Of course I have money for audio equipment...but that's completely different.;)

[Tanquen]

On my 60" Kuro, I still get movies here and there that have just a little back at the top and bottom. I don’t understand why they just don’t crop the side a little.