bob269

As topic title, movies now available @ 5.1gig for HD movie.

Anybody tried one yet, just wondering what the quality is like ?

InvisibleMan

would be interesting to see a 720p reencoded movie compared to using the xbox to upscale your dvds to 1080p

StickyMicky

i have just set 300 away to download and i will tell you what its like tonight

bob269

Cheers, the only problem with 300 was it was intentionally filmed in a grainy/washed out sort of way, excellent movie tho

StickyMicky

yup but i thought with it actually being a movie that was released in HD and quite new, i thought the quality might be better

a bit like checking the best that this XBL service has to offer, rather then a movie from a years ago that was probably never supposed to be released in "HD"

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

I have 300 on HD DVD, still pretty grainy, impressive though.

messiah

got 300 on BR and it is filmed with a grain, but still has cracking PQ.

Not sure if the films will be that impressive to be honest - 5.1gb would fit on a DVD so you sure you're DLing an HD film?

I'm assuming all the films will be in 1080i rather than 720p to minimise bandwith (a la Sky HD).

Don't think I'll be using the service to be honest, got a few titles on BR now and the PS3 does a much better upscaling job than the 360 does.

bob269

Chances are they are in wmv-hd format compressed. Obviously they won't be on a par with proper hd/blu-ray movies on disc but still should be ok, the preview i tried seemed ok but i've no 5.1 setup at the minute so can't comment on audio.

I don't particularly watch movies more than once (except maybe when on terrestial tv years later) so the 360 renting option is a good alternative.

The US service has Fox onboard so hopefully we'll see some future Simpsons coming this way seeing as Virgin pulled Sky One. Hopefully they will introduce the tv episode content in the near future as Virgin HD currently only offer BBC in HD

messiah

I'd recommend any with a BR player to get hold of a US version of "Cars" (region free) PQ is astonishing...

InvisibleMan

it says all HD is in 720p

StickyMicky

my set is only 720p/1080i so that is not really an issue, i do have 5.1 sound so will give it a good old test tonight when i get in from work

StickyMicky

LOL

just got in from work

88% downloaded

off to do an adsl speed checker

StickyMicky

bt is being gay again

max dsl

12/12/07 19:53:19
Speed Down 1054.10 Kbps ( 1 Mbps )
Speed Up 51.60 Kbps ( 0.1 Mbps )
Port 8095
Server speedtest1.adslguide.org.uk


usually get around 4mb

bob269

lol, i'm going to face Virgin's wonderful traffic shaping if i download a movie, unless i do it during the night. UK ISP's are seriously going to have to review their policies now everybodies pushing for downloadable tv/video viewing.

StickyMicky

watched it, seamed fine, no issues at all with the 5.1 sound, would be good to compare it with a proper HD disc screen grab but it looked far better then the SD copy i have kicking around.

i would use the service again to be honest, just download the film overnight.

did see some issues with the backgrounds in places but i`m not sure if that is the film/ the tv or the encoding

T4molie

I tried to watch a preview but when it started buffering it then came up with a message saying that it couldn't find the HDD. Checked my HDD and can quite happily watch stuff that is stored on there so am a bit confused???

Anyone get this problem?

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Is there enough space on your HD?

messiah

I tried a few of the previews last night and couldnt really tell anything from them as they were obviously SD and riddled with artifacts - service would be better if the previews were properly DL'd rather than buffered and in HD if thats what you're after - I was expecting something representative of what you would actually get...

Glad to hear that the quality is good though - although it is a little strange that the films are all Warner's which are rumoured to be going BR exclusive in the near future and not from Universal / Paramount. I'm also under the impression that MS are in talks with Fox for some DL content.

bob269

The american service has WB, Walt Disney, Paramount, Touchstone, Lionsgate to name a few.

Xbox.com | Movies & TV Shows - Movies and TV on your Xbox

And yes, they do have Fox currently just Family Guy by the looks of it, no doubt we'll get the yanks content in 6months time

Xbox.com | Movies & TV Shows - Fox Network

chrisowe

I've been over to Avforums and a few people are having issues with downloads, especially 'Training day'. It seem Microsoft are having a few teething troubles, it might be worth waiting until they have sorted them out.

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Xboxic » XBLVM in Europe is borked, MS are working on it

Iain Young

It had the same problems when they launched it in the USA. Was all fixed quite quickly...

StickyMicky

might explain why it took around 8 hours to download the film LOL

StickyMicky

found this on the AV forums

Xbox Video Marketplace and HD-DVD Comparison

bob269

cool, suits me as currently only running at 720 anyways

bob269

Open for Business // GamesIndustry.biz

chrisowe

Can anyone confirm if the HD movies have 5.1 sound, as some people are saying they are only Digital Stereo.

bob269

According to the info it is different per movie, some say stereo, some say 5.1, it tells you when you click on the movie and it brings up the movie description, running time etc.

StickyMicky

so far i have watched 300 and zodiac and both were running 5.1 dolby digital according to the amp

chrisowe

I looked under 300 and it says 'stereo'. Are you sure it was 5.1 and not just Dolby Digital 2.0?