Just got an email from Frys for HDDVD sale

They now have the xbox360 hddvd add on with Battlestar and Heroes season 1 sets for $49
http://shop3.frys.com/product/5804653?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Only till the 23rd or while supplies last

Are these flippy discs with standard DVD on the second side?

I see the Galactica discs have lots of negative reviews due to poor picture quality and audio non-syncronization (how ironic).

not real sure, Im just in for the player mainly so I can plug it into my computer and store all my disc's to my hard drive....just in case. Ive heard alot of good things from friends who have done this and they said I could borrow theirs, but I want my own.

Are these flippy discs with standard DVD on the second side?

I see the Galactica discs have lots of negative reviews due to poor picture quality and audio non-syncronization (how ironic).

I disagree about the Galactica set. I've got it and it both looks and sounds great. Now, the series does have a lot of grain; perhaps that is what has caused some to complain about picture quality.

Why is there "grain" on the Galactica discs?

If it is in HD it was likely filmed with a film camera, as most older series on TV were. Some they didn't preserve the original film elements so they may never see a HD release. Film has grain in it as a natural part of film.

Are these flippy discs with standard DVD on the second side?

I see the Galactica discs have lots of negative reviews due to poor picture quality and audio non-syncronization (how ironic).

No, both the "Heroes Season 1" and "Battlestar Galactica Season 1" are straight HD DVD sets. I have both, we are on disc 5 of "Battlestar Galactica Season 1" and have finished "Heroes Season 1". Both are average in terms of picture and audio for a TV series in HD in my opinion, so I don't understand why there would be lots of negative reviews for either. There are certainly better examples of HD DVD so comparing either to the best might leave someone unimpressed. Comparing either to the DVD set should result in glowing reviews.

Chris

If it is in HD it was likely filmed with a film camera, as most older series on TV were. We're discussing the New Galactica and Heroes which are less than 4 years and 1 year respectively. They should be nice and clear, not grainy.

We're discussing the New Galactica and Heroes which are less than 4 years and 1 year respectively. They should be nice and clear, not grainy.

According to who? You? If the filmmakers choose to use grain, then there will be grain. I see many films with a lot of grain, it may be for artistic purpose or budget constraints or whatever but if the source has grain, there is so no way to remove the grain without removing picture detail. I have both of these sets and both are representative of what I expected having seen a little of both on DirecTV HD. Both sets beat the best I have seen previously. Neither series is particularly good in my opinion unfortunately but I purchased both and will watch both. I consider both average for network science fiction, not a genre with very high standards either.

Chris

If the filmmakers choose to use grain, then there will be grain. Why would filmmakers behind the New Galactica and Heroes want a grainy picture? All that does is result in a lot of negative reviews on amazon.com

Why would filmmakers behind the New Galactica and Heroes want a grainy picture? All that does is result in a lot of negative reviews on amazon.com

Grain is part of the picture, and when they remove it, they also remove underlying high frequency detail. HD brings out more detail but it also brings out more grain, so you can't remove one with the other, because the grain is everywhere. Which would you choose, maximum detail with some grain, or less detail and no grain?

Use better film stock with smaller grain that won't be visible. (shrug)

It does bring up an interesting thought though. If home technology has advanced so much that HD Discs can "see" the grain, then there's no point developed a higher consumer resolution like 4000x2000. It wouldn't add anything.

Galactica has the "grainy" look on purpose - looks pretty much that way when broadcast. Stylistic choice - I assume to accentuate the "gritty" vibe they are going for.

IIRC, the original BSG pilot (meaning the current series, not the one from the 70's) was shot on film, but the rest of the series has been shot w/ HD video - "film grain" added later.

They now have the xbox360 hddvd add on with Battlestar and Heroes season 1 sets for $49
http://shop3.frys.com/product/5804653?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Only till the 23rd or while supplies last

This is amazing that Fry never seems to be able to sell off the remaining stock after multiple sales for several months. Good deal if you need a spare X360 HD DVD drive and don't own either Season 1.

This is amazing that Fry never seems to be able to sell off the remaining stock after multiple sales for several months. Good deal if you need a spare X360 HD DVD drive and don't own either Season 1.

Look at the date of that post you quoted. ;)

Someone bumped a 2 month old thread, but that sale was actually THREE months ago. Don't you hate it when people post in an old thread and we respond without looking at the dates? I have done this also, so you are not alone. :lol:

I would have to agree with Chris Gerhard :eek:
No seriously, I have HEROES Season 1 & BattleStar Galactica Season 1 on both HD DVD and SD DVD. The SD DVD versions of the movies do have good PQ and even look much better when 1080p up-converted but the grain in these films (Along with others) is mostly softened up and blended within the picture which in most cases makes it look somewhat clean looking but not 100% clear looking.

The HD DVD versions IMO are far more superior in picture detail and colour. I do admit there is "A LOT" of grain in the original films and High Definition just makes that grain a lot more visible but at the same time it gives you the tremendous feel of realism as if you where participating within the film. It’s not just grain, the director IMO is trying to give the film some character and feel.

From what I’ve observed, the less grain in pictures only shows off how truly good High Def really looks like. I only say this because many people thinking of going High Def may not understand how and why grain is in the HD picture vs. the SD picture which mostly hides and blends the grain to soften up the picture but in return you lose a whole lot of detail and clarity.

Look at the date of that post you quoted. ;)

Someone bumped a 2 month old thread, but that sale was actually THREE months ago. Don't you hate it when people post in an old thread and we respond without looking at the dates? I have done this also, so you are not alone. :lol:
Ironically that old post is still somewhat accurate as far as the Frys' HD DVD inventory (and price points) are concerned..:what:

I didn't know that since there are no Frys near me. Good to know though. ;)