Anybody pick up The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Trilogy today?

[Ethancf]

Just picked it up. Haven't checked it out yet. Thoughts on AQ/PQ?

[cheddar]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99224

[cheddar]

Reviews have Fellowship with poor PQ. Maybe you can confirm? Many of us are waiting for the extended editions and hoping they do a better job. Please post what you think of the current product, though. It would be interesting to hear if you think the PQ of the first movie is as bad as others have said.

[millerman 3732]

Watched FOTR last night and its as bad as the reviews say it is with exception of a few scenes its very soft, The way I would describe it is its like watching the DVD with out all the little noise and artifacts jumping around. Gonna check out TTT tonight

Let me rephrase that, its like watching a super clean DVD transfer.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Not that I'd ever buy these particular movies anyway, but the idea of releasing something that's half assed and then releasing the same thing again later with a decent job pisses me of. It's the same crap they pulled with the Fifth Element. Luckily i never bought the original as I was still in the HD DVD camp at that time, but if I had I'd be pissed. Yeah it's only $30 or whatever, but it still sucks

[Lorthos]

No, absolutely not!!

http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Pic...rBy=addOneStar

[ryanjoachim]

Haha, over 2000 1 star reviews already.

[comfortablycurt]

I don't have a Blu-ray player yet...but if I did, I'd be waiting for the EE's. All you're doing by buying the regular versions now, is admitting that the marketing team was correct...There are people stupid enough to buy the same movie 5 different times.


LOL!!! to the 2000+ 1 Star reviews on Amazon. I'm guessing a lot of those people just wanted to chip in about how it's a ripoff though, and don't necessarily even own them.

[Demiurge]

I don't have a Blu-ray player yet...but if I did, I'd be waiting for the EE's. All you're doing by buying the regular versions now, is admitting that the marketing team was correct...There are people stupid enough to buy the same movie 5 different times.


LOL!!! to the 2000+ 1 Star reviews on Amazon. I'm guessing a lot of those people just wanted to chip in about how it's a ripoff though, and don't necessarily even own them.

Yes, the bulk of those reviews were there long before these were released.

[danger boy]

i'll wait for the 10th anniversary super special last call collectors directors cut with extras before I buy it.

[Ron-P]

Patiently waiting for the EE's, and better PQ....hopefully. I'll rent these until then.

[cheddar]

It's the same crap they pulled with the Fifth Element.

Fifth Element was a little different. It was one of the first blu-rays ever released. I think the choice was to release early or spend the time remastering it. And they needed content out so they released the crappy version. Not defending it, as they should take the time to properly remaster any release or it's just not worth the upgrade from DVD.

But they've been delaying the release of Rings for years. So they've had time to remaster it and just decided to release a crappy version anyways. And we still don't even know if the later versions will be any better...

[BIZILL]

i'm stuck as well, having to wait for the re-re-re-release on bluray. called up blockbuster and it's a no-go on carrying these blurays for rent.

[comfortablycurt]

i'm stuck as well, having to wait for the re-re-re-release on bluray. called up blockbuster and it's a no-go on carrying these blurays for rent.

You mean to say that Blockbuster simply ISN'T going to carry the LOTR Blu-rays for rent? Or am I reading that wrong? If so...that's dumb as hell.

[Nightsbane]

yep, waiting for extended edition here as well.

[BIZILL]

You mean to say that Blockbuster simply ISN'T going to carry the LOTR Blu-rays for rent? Or am I reading that wrong? If so...that's dumb as hell.

correct.

[headrott]

You mean to say that Blockbuster simply ISN'T going to carry the LOTR Blu-rays for rent? Or am I reading that wrong? If so...that's dumb as hell.

Kinda makes you think there's an agenda going on there huh? "Well, if no one is going to buy it then we won't make it available for rent to force people into buying it." Nah, music and movie studios don't think that way.

Greg

[Ethancf]

Bought it. In my system, the video is much sharper and vibrant than the EE DVD. Some have said that barely noticeable, and comparable to the debacle with Gladiator. BS!

Sound wise...while the DTS ES track track on the EE DVD was great, DTS HDMA is noticeably better IMO. More balanced and even. Firing up TT and ROTK this weekend, but FOTR was a treat. I'm not sure I'll even double dip when the EE comes out since I'm very pleased with the experience so far.

[Nightsbane]

there is a new trend where studios are making deals with rental agencies not to rent their movies for a set amount of time, like WB did with Netflix. If you take a look you will see you cannot rent Sherlock Holmes until April 27th

[comfortablycurt]

correct.

That is some utter BS.

Kinda makes you think there's an agenda going on there huh? "Well, if no one is going to buy it then we won't make it available for rent to force people into buying it." Nah, music and movie studios don't think that way.

Greg

Exactly. Many people are thinking the same thing. They'd love to get these, but they're waiting for the EE's. So, they decide to rent them, and hold off on a purchase until the EE's are out.


NOPE!

**** like this kinda bugs me. They're pretty much forcing you to buy it now, or not see it at all.

[reeltrouble1]

the deal with netflix and redbox pleases me to no end..............my mom and pop has all the movies.............just down the street, 2.95 with tax for a rental, no upcharge for a blu-ray, man its great, the owner had seen his business decline over the past years and had talked about closing down, he has been there since 1987, now this deal has saved the store and of course my movie pipeline, been renting there for ten years so the owner will hold a movie when it comes in for me, such a non-hassle compared to the big stores and mail que lines.

so got done watching FOTR BR, I will pass on the others for now, I guess I am LOTR burned out for now, the original EE still do it for me but I just watched all three a couple months ago and I guess it takes a bit of time before I can watch these each time.

RT1

[headrott]

That is some utter BS.




Exactly. Many people are thinking the same thing. They'd love to get these, but they're waiting for the EE's. So, they decide to rent them, and hold off on a purchase until the EE's are out.


NOPE!

**** like this kinda bugs me. They're pretty much forcing you to buy it now, or not see it at all.

Yes, it bothers me too. The best way to deal with it is to neither rent it OR buy it and just wait for the EE BD. I'll continue watching the DVD EE editions until then.

Greg

[reeltrouble1]

there is a new trend where studios are making deals with rental agencies not to rent their movies for a set amount of time, like WB did with Netflix. If you take a look you will see you cannot rent Sherlock Holmes until April 27th

really?? man maybe its just me or this area but I rented Sherlock two weeks ago again at a small local independent video store. We are fairly rural although classified as a city, maybe all the mom and pops were run off in the big metro areas???? that would be a shame.

RT1

[Slinger182]

really?? man maybe its just me or this area but I rented Sherlock two weeks ago again at a small local independent video store. We are fairly rural although classified as a city, maybe all the mom and pops were run off in the big metro areas???? that would be a shame.

RT1

Sherlock is available at Blockbuster just not LOTR BD. And the deal to have to wait for New releases in with Netflix and Red Box.

[reeltrouble1]

ok I find it amusing that netflix and redbox feel they have so sealed the market that they can march along there merry way with this, there must be more to it, sure a few will go out and buy but how many???, I think the studios are eventually heading for there own streaming services.

RT1

[Ron-P]

there is a new trend where studios are making deals with rental agencies not to rent their movies for a set amount of time, like WB did with Netflix. If you take a look you will see you cannot rent Sherlock Holmes until April 27th

It's not just Warner Bros. anymore, you can add FOX and Universal to the list, they just joined up.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4415

It's a 28 day window. Doesn't bother me. If I want the movie bad enough I'll buy it, if not I can wait to rent, after all I'm waiting anyway due to the time between the theater and home video so another 28 days is no big deal.

[Ron-P]

Oh, and I caved today and bought the trilogy. I just couldn't hold out. The PQ is better and the sound is much better, after all, half the reason I got into Blu was the lossless audio tracks and these have been reported to just rock.

[Ron-P]

I spent about a half hour with Fellowship last night, skipping chapters and watched certain scenes. This is the one that seems to be getting most of the negativity. So here goes...

My Rig
PS3
Epson 1080UB (1080p front projector)
96" DIY white screen
HDMI connections
Seating is 7' from the screen

Image: Colors are fantastic, spot on flesh tones, bright and vibrant with deep dark blacks, night scenes look great. The majority of the image is sharp and detailed, but some scenes are soft. They were this way in the theater, on the dvd and now there taking heat because it's the same way on the Blu-ray. These scenes (I'm guessing) are this way because it was intentional. Overall, I am very pleased and impressed with the image. What does show age is the CGI, if there's any fault with the image this is it.

Audio: Amazing about sums it up. Clean, tight, deep bass with excellent use of the surrounds and great balance between all channels. It's a very enveloping audio track as well. The cave troll sequence was stunning.

If Fellowship is the worst of the 3 then the others should be beyond stunning because I was impressed with Fellowship and I am so glad I didn't let all the negative nit-picking take hold and keep me from picking this up.

[BIZILL]

if i find it really cheap then i'll buy as well.

[mystik610]

I picked it up today. The picture quality is good, not great....its very inconsistent. Some scenes are washed out, bland, and crushing blacks, and other scenes are over-saturated and artificial looking. I felt like I needed to re-calibrate my TV watching the early scenes in the shire....the grass was neon green one minute, and more natural looking in the next. Very strange. Other than that, the picture quality isn't as terrible as others say, and its a huge step above the DVD versions (which I own), and a minor step above the versions they aired on TBS.

The audio quality on the other hand is top-notch. It's easily one of the best DTS-MA tracks(if not the best) I've heard to date. Very good use of the surrounds without getting excessive, and surprisingly crisp dialogue in the midst of all the action and the dramatic musical score. As others have mentioned, the scenes in the Mines of Moria are flat-out amazing, and the DTS-MA track really takes an already great track, and takes it to the next level.

If you want to show off your sub-woofer and give it a good work-out, this is the movie to throw in. The movies utilizes the LFE track well, and your sub will be active throughout most of the movie. The Balrog scene has long been a benchmark scene for subwoofers, and the DTS-MA version will really test your sub. This is one of the few times I was actually scared for my HSU VTF-III, as it literally had the whole house shaking (it handled it without a hitch). The best part is that while the sound-track uses the LFE track heavily its never excessive. Unlike many many many other movies that boost the LFE track for the sake of making the bass loud, the LFE track in LOTR is prominent, but balanced. The whole audio track is very well balanced, and you can tell that it was very carefully and very meticulously mixed.