'Flightplan' -- High-Def Digest review

[PeterB]

Checked out 'Flightplan' tonight:

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/flightplan.html

Very good disc -- great transfer and soundtrack. But I always find the film a letdown -- great set-up, crap conclusion. Still, great to see Blu-ray getting more and more quality discs.

[Tejstar]

I expected a lot more from this film than what it delivered. Not my cup of tea at all and entirely predictable. Your score of three stars for the film seems generous imo.

[AlexBC]

Excelent review Peter! I'm really looking foward to this BD.

As my first post here, I'd like to congratulate you on all your devotion to properly analyse and review all these new and fantastic HD formats

Now a request .

Can you check the PCM track bitrate to verify if it's indeed a 48/24 track? I ask this because Buena Vista has already got a misprint on the Gone In 60 misprint cover. The track on this title is actually 48/16 and it's correctly stated on their website.

Now Flightplan is also listed on Disney's BD website as a 48/16 track, hence my question.

5.1 48/24 LPCM tracks should be 6912Kbps while 5.1 48/16 LPCM tracks should be 4608Kbps

Thanks,
Alex

[PeterB]

Heya --

Ugh. You're right. The info BV originally set was quite wrong. I updated the reveiw... it is a 48/16-bit track, and according to my PS3 readout, VC-1 as well.

I'm going to do a full post on it. Also, turns out BV's next VC-1 title will be 'Casanova.' Interesting...

[MidnightWatcher]

Interesting. Disney encoding in VC-1 now. Sounds to me like they might have some HD DVD releases up their sleeves

[Chris]

Just what I was thinking. Dual format 2007 for Disney

Not intended to make ANOTHER BD vs HD DVD, ok

[illegalprelude]

yea, it couldnt possibly mean that other movies on Blu-ray have also been using VC-1 and the fact that blu-ray supports VC-1, Mpeg 2 and 4 at all and that its up to the studios to use whatever fashion they wish for. your so right, both of you

[Chris]

Hmmm, hostile?

Mpeg2 was better than VC-1, Sony said. Why the sudden shift to VC-1 for many BD-titles ? It is easier to make HD DVDs when already using VC-1. I think Disney and others are keeping there options open for another format, thats all. Why make money on just BD when they can double their profit producing HD DVD? Its all in the Dineros

[hmurchison]

Chris is right.

VC-1 allows you to use a tool from Microsoft that will take your encode and properly reflag it to meet Blu-ray specification. Moving to VC-1 is not a guarantee of anything but it does make the path the HD DVD much easier.

[king]

Originally Posted by MidnightWatcher

Interesting. Disney encoding in VC-1 now. Sounds to me like they might have some HD DVD releases up their sleeves

Remeber Steve Jobs has great deal of influence over Disney and he is not loyal to any certain technology.He always picks up the best.I will not be amazed to see Disney moving towards HD-DVD(which would be wise decision) next year. We might hear announcement on 2007 CES as well.

[Osko]

Nah. I think the use of a certain codec is not a sign of anything.

[xymor]

If Disney aim for the whole 50GB with the VC-1 and HD extras, than a port to HD-DVD(even triple layer 45GB), would be hindered.

I really hope Disney aims for the highest possible quality.

[hmurchison]

Originally Posted by Osko

Nah. I think the use of a certain codec is not a sign of anything.

Then what justifies the move. Buena Vista has delivered fine looking movies in AVC format on SL25GB discs. Why would the all of a sudden move to VC-1?

Originally Posted by xymor

If Disney aim for the whole 50GB with the VC-1 and HD extras, than a port to HD-DVD(even triple layer 45GB), would be hindered.

I really hope Disney aims for the highest possible quality

Then just ship two discs. I don't know if the move to VC-1 changes anything but it does indeed give BV some options. I'd hardly say it means nothing.

[Osko]

As xymor said a 50GB Blu-ray can't be ported to a HD-DVD. It makes sense the other way around.
And I say it's too early for Disney to betray Blu-ray. It's been less than a year since the format officially launched!

[Ian_S]

Can anyone confirm that this disc is indeed a BD50?