HD-DVD Launches

So begins the next generation of home video as the HD-DVD has been officially launched. Toshiba has managed to ship 10.000 HD-DVD players and also several movie titles were released including The Last Samurai, Million Dollar Baby and Phantom of the Opera. High-Def DVD Digest was quick to review the The Last Samurai HD release and here are they thoughts about the quality.

Now, at last, the results. Watching ‘The Last Samurai’ at 1080i via HDMI on the HP was certainly an impressive experience. Quite simply, it delivered the best video I’ve ever seen on a pre corded consumer format. There are some shots that were breathtaking — the kind of three-dimensional images you rarely seen outside of the cinema. Close-ups predictably had the biggest wow factor, though even some of the widest panoramic shots boasted noticeable fine detail that exceeded anything seen on standard DVD. Colors also “popped” incredibly well, with a few shots containing lots of deep oranges and lush greens that were incredibly striking. The transfer’s blacks were also rock solid, and contrast excellent. Plus, I noticed none of the ringing or halos still frequently seen on standard DVD transfers, which gave ‘Last Samurai’ a very natural, film-like appearance.

Source: High-Def DVD Digest

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