7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 1.5 | |
Overall | 1.5 |
Other | 100% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Music: Dolby Digital 2.0
Music: Dolby Digital 5.1
Music: Dolby Digital 2.0
Music: Dolby Digital 5.1
Music: Dolby Digital 2.0
Music: Dolby Digital 5.1
Different audio tracks available with natural sounds, light music and bass heavy. See review for details.
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 1.5 |
Every now and again I’m given the opportunity to review something slightly out of the ordinary. It may be an obcure film, a low-budget television documentary, or any number of other interesting possibilities. It doesn’t happen regularly, but we’re even given the occasional chance to review something that defies logic, which happens to be the category this release falls into. Apparently shot using the Red One Camera at a resolution of 2300x4000 lines, HD Moods Flowers was filmed on location at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria B.C. (though the pop-up menu notes the lily pad shots were captured in an undisclosed location within the pacific northwest), and appears to be a test of patience more than anything.
If you find yourself as bored as I was, you could try having a staring contest with the flowers.
Presented in 1080p utilizing the VC-1 codec (at an average bitrate of 23Mbps), HD Moods Flowers at least offers a pleasant viewing experience. Considering the camera is placed in fixed positions and focused on a specific focal point, we can expect a level of clarity that rivals the best picture quality on Blu-ray. For the most part that's what we get, but there are still several shots that appear slightly out of focus or slightly less distinct than others. Colors are appropriately natural without the noticeable presence of filtering or color adjustment in post-production, and I never noticed the presence of banding, artifacts, edge halos, or any transfer related anomalies, leaving me with an opinion that zero tweaking took place in the direct digital to digital transfer.
From an audio standpoint, I was immediately disappointed in the lack of lossless options to accompany the high-quality transfer. Instead, we have three different audio tracks, each presented with the option of Dolby Digital 2.0 or Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The first option is a natural sounding track, primarily consisting of water sounds with the occasional bird call or bug buzzing by. Oddly enough, the track was recorded separate from the the visuals on display, so what you hear is not representative of the environment depicted (for example, during the sequences with the bamboo water feature, the characteristic knocking of the tipping vessel is completely absent). The second audio option is a music only track containing asian inspired numbers that feel light and airy. Sadly, there's no option to take in this track along with the natural sounds, which seems like the ideal way to enjoy the main feature. Lastly, we have a synthesizer-heavy audio track with a noticeable bass emphasis. This was my least favorite option out of the three choices, since it seemed to contradict the calming effect that should be the goal in a nature-themed production of this sort. I sampled all three tracks throughout the runtime of each feature (it appears the same tracks run during the Zen and Spring segments rather than having different audio for each one), and noticed decent surround use in comparison with the 2.0 tracks. In the end, all of the tracks offer sufficient clarity, but I never felt there was anything special about the overall audio experience.
Considering the main feature is hardly more than a special feature, it's not too surprising there's nothing to report here.
If you've never had the experience of watching paint dry and your looking for a comparable way to pass the time, HD Moods Flowers might be right up your alley. Since I'd assume most of you don't fall into that category, I'd recommend you avoid this release like the plague and seek out a worthwhile way to spend an hour.
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(Still not reliable for this title)
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