6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
HDScape Blu-ray discs transform your television and home theater system into breathtaking High Definition environments capturing the world's most beautiful scenery by award-winning cinematographers with musical accompaniments and natural sounds. Get an introduction to the entire HDScape line of discs with this Blu-ray Sampler. Featuring excerpts from all of the current HDScape titles, plus Digital Video Essentials, the HDScape Sampler is an excellent way to show off your home theater system.
Other | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself eyeing this release for the past year, tempted by the dirt-cheap retail price, but apprehensive by the word “sampler” in the title. Just like a pastry sample at your local coffee house, we’ve grown accustomed to the word implying a lack of substance, or simply representing an offering of something greater. In the case of the 2008 release of HDScape Sampler, we’re provided with an experience that feels 100% promotional, yet still justifies the relatively small price-point of four dollars.
"You looking at me?"
Presented in 1080i utilizing the AVC codec (at an average bitrate that varies from segment to segment between 15-22Mbps), HDScape Sampler has a mixed bag visual presentation. Detail varies from segment to segment, appearing amazingly clear in Antarctica Dreaming or Visions of the Sea, and suffering from a hazy lack of definition during Serenity: Southern Seas or The Great Southwest. The same visual inconsistency is displayed in the boldness of the coloring and richness of the black levels, with the same programs exhibiting either impressive or underwhelming performance in almost every category. The only thing that did appear consistent about the video performance from sequence to sequence, was the lack of edge enhancement, artifacting or aliasing. If you're looking for something to show off your high-definition display, this probably won't be the best option, but at least it gives you a better idea of the visual quality you can expect from each full-length feature (which does match my experience with the titles I've reviewed thus far).
Similar to the video, the audio on each segment shifts substantially in quality and volume. TrueHD 5.1 audio is advertised for the entire disc, but in reality, we have three segments with TrueHD 5.1, three segments with Dolby Digital 5.1 and two segments with Dolby Digital 2.0. Considering some of the segments with lossy audio actually contain a lossless track on the full-release, I'm assuming the variance in the tracks reflects an oversight in the original production of the disc and I doubt the studio would feel compelled to correct mistakes on a disc that lacks sufficient profitability to make it worth their while. As you can imagine, the proficiency of the audio tracks on the various samples ranges from stellar (such as the guitar music on Visions of the Sea) to merely serviceable (The Great Southwest). There isn't much spatial separation in any of the offerings, but considering every segment is music driven (except Antarctica Dreaming), it's no real surprise.
Surprisingly, there's one supplement included on this release that you can't get on any other title in the HDScape library. It can be selected on the same menu as the other segments, and consists of five world-class musicians (a pianist and four string musicians) who perform the Shostokovich Piano Quintet OP.57 (opening portion). The segment is presented in TrueHD 5.1 with a camera that pans around the group grabbing occasional close-up shots. I'm not a huge fan of classical music, but this sounds outstanding with the volume turned high.
HDScape Sampler certainly isn't a product I could recommend, but I'd also shy away from telling you it's a complete waste of time. Since its release back in March of 2008, the sampler has remained the lowest priced offering on the format, which is notable from that standpoint alone. There are plenty of worse ways to spend four dollars, and at least it offers a glimpse at the titles included in the HDScape Blu-ray series (for any interested parties).
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