Question about superbit movies

[bamaredwingsfan]

I have never watched a movie on a superbit disk, is it really all that much better than the original version of the movies? I have the zenith dvb318 with 1080i enabled an would watching a movie in superbit version really be that much better? Are there any other types of disks other than the superbit that reproduce movies like this?

[David Meek]

Jason, we need a bit more info from you, as the answer will mainly depend on what size/resolution display you are viewing the DVD on. What are you using - RPTV, FPJ, etc.? A personal rule of thumb is that if you are viewing on a screen smaller than 32", then the benefits of a Superbit DVD are questionable at best. Superbits can be stunning in their greater detail and color, but to get that improvement, your display has to be able to resolve the differences.

[SpOoNmAn]

Im with david, it depends on your setup.

I have 10 or 11 superbits right now, I upgraded from the regular versions and in most cases, theres a difference in sound and picture, one for the better.

But I use a DLP projector and a 77" screen so any differences are easier for me to spot than they would be on a small tv as David mentioned.

[junior77blue]

Think of superbit as in MP3 audio or jpeg compression. There is physically more data on the disc, thereby allowing you to have greater detail, better sound quality etc...whether its worth it or not, depends if you like the movie enough to pay for the additional cost, or added cost if you already own one.

[David Meek]

Sam's correct in his statement, but whether the bang-for-the-buck is there for you is largely dependent on your ability to see the increases in detail.

[Foxman]

I had a 32" tube and couldnt tell one bit of differance until I upgraded to the 48" I have now, and as stated the bigger the image the better you can appreciate te differance.

[will1066]

I have one Superbit movie--Starship Bloopers, er, Troopers--and it was a mistake. The picture is great and everything, but I bought it mainly for the audio, and it was only so-so.

[David Meek]

Will, did you compare the audio to the earlier release(s)? To me, there was a noticable improvement on the Superbit - using the DTS track that is.

[George Bellefontaine]

On a 92 inch widescreen Superbits look better than the higher compressed dvds that have a lot of extras on them. But not all Superbits are created equally. The best , for me anyway, is still THE FIFTH ELEMENT.

[SpOoNmAn]

Underworld superbit is my new Reference, spidey 2 isnt bad either.

[David Meek]

spidey 2 isnt bad either.

Isn't that the truth!!!! :T

[JonMarsh]

I've yet to be able to find a Spidey 2 Superbit locally, even in places that usually carry Superbit's at reasonable prices, like BestBuy. Gonna have to go to the web, I guess.

[Andrew Pratt]

:groan:

[Lex]

I did find Spidey 2 at BB, but they didn't have many on introduction day too.

Lex

[SpOoNmAn]

I got my spidey 2 superbit launch day at best buy.

they had maybe 10 when I picked mine up. Glad I got it :T

[bamaredwingsfan]

Jason, we need a bit more info from you, as the answer will mainly depend on what size/resolution display you are viewing the DVD on. What are you using - RPTV, FPJ, etc.? A personal rule of thumb is that if you are viewing on a screen smaller than 32", then the benefits of a Superbit DVD are questionable at best. Superbits can be stunning in their greater detail and color, but to get that improvement, your display has to be able to resolve the differences.

Yeah sorry i forgot to give more details.
My TV is a Panasonic 47in widescreen, i use component to feed the picture from the zenith (LG now thanks to firmware downgrade). My sound system is a 10 year old pioneer 6.1 system, it don't recognize DTS. I calibrated my color setting on the tv with the thx optimizer on one of my dvd's an used the blue filter glasses to do all the steps in the tests. My panny has a screen protector that i purchased extra an had installed professionally. wish i didn't do it now but what the hell, cleaning is easier. hope that helps!

[David Meek]

Jason, you should easily see an improvement with the Superbits - unless you're 20 feet across the room from it. On some movies it may not be a startling difference - Underworld comes to mind - but on others, it can be impressive - think Air Force One, Fifth Element, etc. I would say Spiderman 2 but that's not a fair comparison. The non-Superbit DVD just plain sucked.

[Shane Martin]

they had maybe 10 when I picked mine up. Glad I got it

I have not seem them since. Glad I got mine too. While not reference, its better than the original.

[George Bellefontaine]

Got mine at Walmart. They had several non-Superbit copies and only 3 Superbit.

[will1066]

Will, did you compare the audio to the earlier release(s)? To me, there was a noticable improvement on the Superbit - using the DTS track that is.

Nope, never saw the original DVD(s).