Apollo 13: SE coming March 29th

[Shane Martin]

2 disc set.

1 disc for the theatrical version. Doesn't show DTS ..
2nd disc for the Imax version(in DTS).

Digital eyes has a preorder up for $16.95.

[George Bellefontaine]

Hmmm, this set may be the one to replace my laserdisc of Apollo 13.

[David Meek]

Good find Shane. The IMAX/DTS version makes this a no-brainer for me.

[Chris D]

Hmmmmm... would this really be any better than the DTS version currently out?

If so, I'll buy it. The launch scene in my DTS version is still my #1 demo disc for all-around audio, from subwoofer to high freqs.

[David Meek]

Hmmmmm... would this really be any better than the DTS version currently out?

Not sure Chris. My copy is the DD version, so a new DTS is just what the Dr. ordered. :T

[Chris D]

I'm not sure what an "IMAX version" would really entail. Unless they're going to cart a 300' screen into my house, wouldn't it really be the same video as the standard version?

Or maybe they added or deleted extra scenes?

In any case, I need to learn more about this re-issue. Like I said, Apollo 13 is reference material for me. (and should be for you, too!)

[Chris D]

Well, it's out. For those who have purchased, is the new version any better? Is it worth the purchase for the "new digital transfer", or just for extras?

[Gordon Moore]

From what I understand....
the Anniversary Edition features
Disc 1
The Theatrical Widerscreen Aspect only DD5.1 (No DTS).

Disc2
The IMAX cut is 1.66 and has the DTS track and was shortened to fit the IMAX format. All edits were done by the director.

The additions are a new feature and commentary

Gone is the isolated score.


From Amazon

CE:
===
Release Information:
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: June 30, 1995
DVD Release Date: December 2002
Run Time: 140 minutes
Production Company: Universal
Package Type: Keep Case

Aspect Ratio(s):
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: Region 1
Layers: Dual
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Available subtitles: English, Spanish
Collector's Edition
Collector's Edition

Edition Details:
• Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries.) Read more about DVD formats.
• Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby
• Audio commentary by director 'Ron Howard' (qv)
• Audio commentary by 'Jim Lovell' (qv) and Marilyn Lovell
• Original documentary "The Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13"
• Extensive exploration of the special effects explained by 'Robert Legato' (qv) and 'Mark Forker' (qv)
• Comparison of the movie's key sequences with NASA footage
• 'Bill Paxton' (qv)'s home movies of going to space school
• Behind-the-scenes footage


AE
==
Release Information:
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Release Date: March 29, 2005
Production Company: Universal Home Video
Package Type: Digipak

Aspect Ratio(s):
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: Region 1
Layers: Dual
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1)
Available subtitles: Spanish, French
10th Anniversary Widescreen Edition

Edition Details:
• Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries.) Read more about DVD formats.
• Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby
• Includes both Theatrical Version and IMAX Version
• Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard
• Feature Commentary with with Jim and Marilyn Lovell
• "Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13"
• "Conquering Space: The Moon and Beyond"
• "Lucky 13: The Astronaut's Story"
• Theatrical Trailer
• Number of discs: 2


From thedigitalbits.com

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...eet032305.html

The video quality on both versions is absolutely superb. The theatrical version has been given a brand new HD transfer that really improves upon the original DVD release dramatically. Colors are accurate and more subtle, there's significantly more detail visible in the image, contrast and shadow detailing is slightly improved. Gone is that annoying water mark as the crew walks across the gantry before launch. Apollo 13 was one of Universal's first real "collector's editions" back in 1998, and I was plenty happy with it back then. This new DVD just really surprised and pleased me. Surprisingly (or maybe not so much), the IMAX version looks even better, given the work that was done to enhance the image quality for the much larger screen. There's even greater clarity - MORE detail visible - and grain surprisingly isn't distracting. This makes me very excited for an HD version.

The audio is where that dilemma I mentioned a moment ago comes into play. The theatrical version includes the original DVD's excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, complete with its expansive and enveloping soundfield, smooth panning and thunderous LFE. Unfortunately, as many of you know, this version of the film was released on DVD in a separate (and even better sounding) DTS 5.1 version as well. That DTS track isn't included on the theatrical edition. Oddly, where you DO get the DTS option is on the IMAX version on Disc Two (along with Dolby Digital 5.1 as well), which no self-respecting fan of this film is going to want to watch. I would frankly rather Universal had simply ditched the IMAX version, pushed all the documentaries onto Disc Two and added the DTS on Disc One. It's a truly annoying decision, and is really the only strike against this new DVD edition (although, for the record, I also wish Universal had preserved the original DVD's chapter stops - selecting chapter 4 "The Lift-Off" takes you literally right to the rocket seconds from blasting off the padd, completely skipping all the great sequences building-up to launch). Oh well... on to the extras.

[Foxman]

Here is some more info on the IMAX version that I found interesting.

This 2-DVD set offers both the original edition of the movie and the IMAX version, which cuts down the film by 24 minutes (unfortunately, some character moments have been dropped and while that is a major issue, part of me did feel that this edition ran a little tighter) and has the aspect ratio of the film at 1.66:1, instead of the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. "Apollo 13" was the first film to undergo this process. Others, including the "Matrix" movies and, more recently, "Robots", have also undergone this process. The technology has advanced so that, as far as I'm aware (when I saw "Matrix: Revolutions" and the third "Harry Potter", they were the full cuts), films no longer need to be recut to fit the IMAX reels, as "Apollo 13" was.

From the IMAX website:

"IMAX digital re-mastering starts by converting a 35mm frame into digital form at very high resolution, capturing all the detail from the original. Our proprietary software mathematically analyses and extracts the important image elements in each frame from the original grainy structure to create a pristine form of the original photography. This is the most complex step in IMAX digital re-mastering.

The image on a 35mm film frame is comprised of a fine grain structure like that of all photographic images. This grain when projected on to the IMAX screen looks like a TV channel that isn't quite tuned to the station. Removing this grain while preserving the quality of the underlying image is the basis of IMAX DMR.

To create the brightness and clarity that audiences have come to expect from The IMAX Experience®, IMAX uses a proprietary computer program to make the images sharper than they were originally, while colors are adjusted for the unique technically superior characteristics of the IMAX screen. The completed re-mastered film is then transferred onto the world's largest film format, 15-perforations 70mm."


The DVD

VIDEO: The film is presented in two different aspect ratios on this release. The theatrical version, included on the first disc, is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The IMAX edition, available on the second disc, is offered in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen. The theatrical version of the film looks terrific, as it has been given a new transfer. The IMAX version, with the digital remastering done for the format, looks spectacular. Sharpness and detail are excellent on both versions, although the IMAX version has a really nice level of depth to the image.

Both presentations suffer from very few flaws. Both editions do show some mild edge enhancement in a few scenes, but I didn't find this to be particularly irritating. Both editions showed no pixelation and only a couple very tiny instances of print flaws. Colors were bright and well-saturated, with no smearing or other faults. Black level looked solid, while flesh tones appeared accurate.

[George Bellefontaine]

Wow, great information there guys. I picked up my copy this morning.

[Chris D]

Weird. Makes me wonder if I should pick it up or not. I want to, but... to lose DTS for the launch scene, I don't know. Like I've said time and time again, that's my #1 scene for home theater demos.

[Patt]

Sure is a lot of info.

Is Tom Hanks in the Apollo 13? If so I bet it will be pretty good. I hesitated bigtime before checking out 'castaway' and it turned out really good. He was able to pull off 'terminal' which could have been a flop if done by someone else.

[David Meek]

Pat, Apollo 13 does have Tom Hanks in it, and it is an excellent movie! At least give it a rent. I think you'll be happy you did.

[Gordon Moore]

Anyone watch this one yet? I can still source out the DTS widescreen collector's version (but it commands a higher price). It sounds like the Anniversary Edition is the one to get even though it's lacking a DTS track on the disc I want it on.

What do you guys think. Most place are selling the re-issue for under $20, seems like a good deal to me.

[David Meek]

The HD master on the theatrical version has me interested. But dammit, why did they drop the full-rate DTS???????

[George Bellefontaine]

Said goodbye to the Apollo 13 laserdisc and fired up the new SE, theatrical version. Man what a stunning picture. It looked like the Fifth Element Superbit. Great to watch it with such marvelous clarity. This film always stirs up memories for me, especially that scene where they are all sitting around watching that first walk on the moon. How I remember that day. Anyway, getting back to the SE. The 5.1 sounded pretty darn good. In a few days I'll play the IMAX version, even though I don't like the fact that 20 or so minutes have been cut. Just curious as to what it will look like and how the DTS track will sound. Man, I am really glad I bought this.

[Foxman]

I watched the IMAX version. It was the first time seeing the movie since it was at the theater, so I couldnt really remember what was missing. The sounds was very good as was the picture.

I need to sit down now with the full feature and watch that so I will know what I missed.

Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. I had forgotten how much I like the movie.

[Shane Martin]

, Outlaw acknowledges the price will go up but are vague as to what it might be.

Unnecessary to be honest.

I bought it and watched parts of the Imax version and regular version. Right now I'm not sure how I feel about the IMAX's presentation given the cropped feel it has(director approved). The DTS sound on it was hella good. I didn't have the audio cranked up as much on the DD on the theatrical to make a fair comparison. I was pretty impressed though.

Like George, I can say this transfer is amazing but I can't give it the Superbit quality yet. It's not that good IMHO. It's still very good though.

[Nick M]

I have the older DD5.1 release.
Cutting scenes is a simple nono in my book. :nono:

Maybe I'll look for the slightly newer DTS release used at the flea markets this summer. Right now I'm happy with the full-length original.

[David Meek]

Cutting scenes is a simple nono in my book. :nono:

I couldn't agree with you more Nick. :agree:

[Shane Martin]

Cutting scenes is a simple nono in my book.

Even if the director approved it? They do it all the time.

The Full length original is still on this version. Disc 1 in fact. Just no DTS. The transfer and extras would be the reason you'd upgrade here.

I'll watch both and decide if the film is alot worse in Imax form compared to the original theatrical cut.

[David Meek]

Like George, I can say this transfer is amazing but I can't give it the Superbit quality yet. It's not that good IMHO. It's still very good though.

Can someone answer as to whether it's better than the original transfer?

[Shane Martin]

I will borrow my friends disc and compare. He has the original CE DD version.

[Shane Martin]

This is what Digital Bits said

The video quality on both versions is absolutely superb. The theatrical version has been given a brand new HD transfer that really improves upon the original DVD release dramatically. Colors are accurate and more subtle, there's significantly more detail visible in the image, contrast and shadow detailing is slightly improved. Gone is that annoying water mark as the crew walks across the gantry before launch. Apollo 13 was one of Universal's first real "collector's editions" back in 1998, and I was plenty happy with it back then. This new DVD just really surprised and pleased me. Surprisingly (or maybe not so much), the IMAX version looks even better, given the work that was done to enhance the image quality for the much larger screen. There's even greater clarity - MORE detail visible - and grain surprisingly isn't distracting. This makes me very excited for an HD version.

[bamaredwingsfan]

I think i will pass on the new edition that just came out, an get the DTS version of it off ebay.