1146 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

One biggie for me today was that I downloaded a firmware update for my HD TV. Picture quality has definitely been improved!

Tell me more. (You have a Samsung, if I recall correctly. So have I.) How does one even know one requires a firmware update?

[Gabriel]

Tell me more. (You have a Samsung, if I recall correctly. So have I.) How does one even know one requires a firmware update?

Go to the Samsung website and look up your TV model. If there's an update available, it'll be in the downloads tab. The update for mine came out in August (I bought the TV in June). You download the .exe update on to a PC (no go for Macs irritatingly so I had to borrow my flatmate's PC) put the file on an empty memory stick, double click the .exe file and it'll create a folder on the drive.

Put this stick into the back of your TV when it's switched off. The web instructions say the TV should download the update as soon as you switch on, but I had to go to the update on the menu. My software version was previously 1011 and is now 2002. It was very easy, took about three mins and you have the option of rolling back to the previous version. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm positive my image is less smeary than before on fast pans and so on!

[DLibrasnow]

Seems very unlikely any more Bond BDs will be coming this year. The 10-disc box set is MGM's Bond offering for the holiday season. Newer Bond BDs would only compete with it.

I agree. I don't think new 007 BDs will be released this year. It would have been announced by now.

Though "Inglorious Bastards" on Blu-ray was just today announced for Dec. 15.

[Loomis]

Tell me more. (You have a Samsung, if I recall correctly. So have I.) How does one even know one requires a firmware update?

Go to the Samsung website and look up your TV model. If there's an update available, it'll be in the downloads tab. The update for mine came out in August (I bought the TV in June). You download the .exe update on to a PC (no go for Macs irritatingly so I had to borrow my flatmate's PC) put the file on an empty memory stick, double click the .exe file and it'll create a folder on the drive.

Put this stick into the back of your TV when it's switched off. The web instructions say the TV should download the update as soon as you switch on, but I had to go to the update on the menu. My software version was previously 1011 and is now 2002. It was very easy, took about three mins and you have the option of rolling back to the previous version. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm positive my image is less smeary than before on fast pans and so on!

Interesting. Thanks.

[I never miss]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by I never miss, 22 October 2009 - 09:07 PM.

[bond 16.05.72]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

Thanks in advance.

Well CR & QOS look awesome in Blu ray and I have FRWL although I haven't watched it yet but have had a flick through and Bond 2 has never looked so good.

I want TB and OHMSS and the Dalton's but I'll probably leave it at that and stick with my UE's in standard def for the rest.

[jaguar007]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

Thanks in advance.

I would pick your favorites. As mentioned, CR and QoS are demo quality. I think the restoration on the fist few Bond movies are top notch. Dr. No is bloody amazing.

[Joe Bond]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

Thanks in advance.

Well CR & QOS look awesome in Blu ray and I have FRWL although I haven't watched it yet but have had a flick through and Bond 2 has never looked so good.

I want TB and OHMSS and the Dalton's but I'll probably leave it at that and stick with my UE's in standard def for the rest.

I would recommend TB since the Blu-ray version uses a different print than the UE DVD and is the most faithful representation of the film to date. I agree that CR and QoS look great on Blu-ray as well. As hard as it is to believe but the movies that have not been released Blu-ray, like OHMSS mentioned by bond 16.05.72, have HD master's and sometimes remasters ready for Blu-ray since the TV stations like USA have played them in HD and all I can say is that they seem all to look great. OHMSS specifically fixes the issue with the blue filter in the pre-title sequence and the rest of the film actually looks better than the UE DVD. However if I could only buy on Bond Blu-ray each month I would choose a film that you know you would watch again and again which would be your favorite.

[scaramunga]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

Thanks in advance.

I'm biased to the Roger Moore bond films. Moonraker and The Man With The Golden Gun look amazing on blu ray. Live and Let Die and For Your Eyes Only also look great too.

License to Kill has a nice transfer and great audio track too.

[scaramunga]

I happened to catch some of Goldeneye, Diamonds Are Forever and The Spy Who Loved Me in HD this weekend. Bravo was having a marathon of the films. Needless to say, I was very impressed with The Spy Who Loved Me. It appears a lot of the Edge enhancement issues and shadowing that was apparent on the UE DVD is no longer visible in the HD transfer.

We are in for quite a treat when (and if) these 3 titles come to blu ray.

I'm guessing it will be 2011 when Bond 23 is released. So 2 years to go!!

[Hockey Mask]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding blu-ray: I've just bought a player and am thinking about upgrading my Bond collection (I have every movie on DVD). Thing is, I'm going to be limited to about one a month. I wondered which movies I should go for first and why.

I wish there was a Bond Blu-Ray DVD of the month club. If they sent me one a month I would buy them. As it is I just never get around to it and can't afford the bunch all at once.

[Bucky]

id say maybe wait for them to be on sale. i havent spent more then $15 on any of the ones i already owned. although i love them and they look amazing it is hard to pay retail for movies i already own.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyways.
I'm planning on buying a blu-ray player before X-mas. My question is: Has anyone heard anything about the 4th volume of Bond on Blu-Ray? Any ideas as to what dvds will be in the pack?

[Peckinpah1976]

The fourth boxset as released in mainland Europe consisted of TMWTGG, LTK & QOS - I believe this is also available in the States but only as an exclusive to a particular retailer (these titles are part of the 10 disk set that is widely available though), beyond this no other titles have yet been announced.

[Arbogast777]

Volumes 1-3 (3pks) are on sale for $31.99 each at Amazon...

[scaramunga]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyways.
I'm planning on buying a blu-ray player before X-mas. My question is: Has anyone heard anything about the 4th volume of Bond on Blu-Ray? Any ideas as to what dvds will be in the pack?

Best Buy has the exclusive Quantum, Man With the Golden Gun and Licence To Kill set.

I own a Panasonic blu ray player and love it. I'm hearing great things about LG"s blu ray player as well.

The fourth boxset as released in mainland Europe consisted of TMWTGG, LTK & QOS - I believe this is also available in the States but only as an exclusive to a particular retailer (these titles are part of the 10 disk set that is widely available though), beyond this no other titles have yet been announced.

With MGM / SPECTRE's financial woes and possible sale... don't expect the other 9 titles on blu ray until 2011 when Bond 23 is released and hopefully MGM / SPECTRE will have been purchased by Warner Bros or another studio.

Edited by scaramunga, 18 November 2009 - 12:04 AM.

[Joe Bond]

I own a Panasonic blu ray player and love it. I'm hearing great things about LG"s blu ray player as well.

I just bought a Panasonic BD60 Blu-Ray player from my local Ultimate Electronics store for $129.99 on sale! I love this Blu-Ray player as well and having just switched to the format I am amazed at how good it looks. I bought The Prisoner Blu-Ray and was amazed at how good this 60's show looked and it was like seeing it for the first time. I am cuurently waiting for a sale of the Bonds on Blu-Ray and am in no hurry since I was astonised at how good this player upconverted my UE DVD's.

[jaguar007]

I own a Panasonic blu ray player and love it. I'm hearing great things about LG"s blu ray player as well.

I just bought a Panasonic BD60 Blu-Ray player from my local Ultimate Electronics store for $129.99 on sale! I love this Blu-Ray player as well and having just switched to the format I am amazed at how good it looks. I bought The Prisoner Blu-Ray and was amazed at how good this 60's show looked and it was like seeing it for the first time. I am cuurently waiting for a sale of the Bonds on Blu-Ray and am in no hurry since I was astonised at how good this player upconverted my UE DVD's.

Good player. I have had a Samsung 1400 Blu Ray for almost 2 years and it recently started having problems. I also picked up the Panasonic BD60 for $129.99 and it is far better than 1400.

[Arbogast777]

"From Russia with Love" and "Die Another Day" Blu's are $8.99 each at Amazon...

[scaramunga]

"From Russia with Love" and "Die Another Day" Blu's are $8.99 each at Amazon...

In addition to Die Another Day and From Russia With Love, Never Say Never Again is $8.99 and Quantum of Solace is $9.99 on the Amazon sale as well..

Last year, I picked up the first 6 Bond films on blu ray for $35 on an Amazon sale during Black Friday weekend.

Might be something to watch for this weekend, especially if you are looking to pick up the Bond films on blu ray.

Not that any Bond fans haven't picked up the films in HD yet....

Side note, I was just watching A View To A Kill UE DVD and noticed that the color range is not quite as good on a DVD compared with the Bond films that I've seen on blu ray so far. In addition, the DTS audio track on the DVD pales compared with the DTS HD Master Audio tracks that blu ray offer. There's such a great clarity on the blu ray versions of the films.

Anyway. There will be some great deals on blu ray players this week as well.

[scaramunga]

I noticed today that many of the James Bond films are on itunes. Either in HD, SD or both.

I also noticed that several of the films available in HD have not been issued on blu ray yet.

The following are in HD on Itune but have not been issued on blu ray: You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Living Daylights and Goldeneye.

I'll have to read up a bit on how to display them from my mac to a tv. But I believe it's possible. Curious how the quality will be.

Has anyone downloaded the HD films from Itunes and displayed them on a tv?

[Joe Bond]

I noticed today that many of the James Bond films are on itunes. Either in HD, SD or both.

I also noticed that several of the films available in HD have not been issued on blu ray yet.

The following are in HD on Itune but have not been issued on blu ray: You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Living Daylights and Goldeneye.

I'll have to read up a bit on how to display them from my mac to a tv. But I believe it's possible. Curious how the quality will be.

Has anyone downloaded the HD films from Itunes and displayed them on a tv?

I guess I answered your question over on the Thanksgiving Bond marathon thread but if you go over the the OHMSS 40th anniversary thread and the YOLT fans only thread I posted some screenshots from OHMSS and YOLT HD versions. I also own The Spy Who Loved Me so if anyone wants me to post screenshots for that one I will.

[karligula]

Yesterday I bought Live And Let Die on Blu Ray from Borders (since they're in administration they're having a closing down sale, I felt like a bit of a vulture but it was £6.99 and I couldn't resist).
It's strange how Blu ray can change your opinions of a movie, when I saw it a while back on DVD I thought it was a bit lame. But yesterday I really enjoyed the whole movie!

[scaramunga]

I noticed today that many of the James Bond films are on itunes. Either in HD, SD or both.

I also noticed that several of the films available in HD have not been issued on blu ray yet.

The following are in HD on Itune but have not been issued on blu ray: You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Living Daylights and Goldeneye.

I'll have to read up a bit on how to display them from my mac to a tv. But I believe it's possible. Curious how the quality will be.

Has anyone downloaded the HD films from Itunes and displayed them on a tv?

I guess I answered your question over on the Thanksgiving Bond marathon thread but if you go over the the OHMSS 40th anniversary thread and the YOLT fans only thread I posted some screenshots from OHMSS and YOLT HD versions. I also own The Spy Who Loved Me so if anyone wants me to post screenshots for that one I will.

Thanks! I'd love to see a few screen caps from TSWLM!!!

[Joe Bond]

I noticed today that many of the James Bond films are on itunes. Either in HD, SD or both.

I also noticed that several of the films available in HD have not been issued on blu ray yet.

The following are in HD on Itune but have not been issued on blu ray: You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Living Daylights and Goldeneye.

I'll have to read up a bit on how to display them from my mac to a tv. But I believe it's possible. Curious how the quality will be.

Has anyone downloaded the HD films from Itunes and displayed them on a tv?

I guess I answered your question over on the Thanksgiving Bond marathon thread but if you go over the the OHMSS 40th anniversary thread and the YOLT fans only thread I posted some screenshots from OHMSS and YOLT HD versions. I also own The Spy Who Loved Me so if anyone wants me to post screenshots for that one I will.

Thanks! I'd love to see a few screen caps from TSWLM!!!

Ask and you shall receive. Here they are:

http://img683.images...1087/tswlm1.jpg
http://img37.imagesh...4378/tswlm2.jpg
http://img230.images...4868/tswlm3.jpg
http://img41.imagesh...5919/tswlm4.jpg
http://img41.imagesh...8531/tswlm5.jpg
http://img706.images...3404/tswlm6.jpg
http://img189.images...3277/tswlm7.jpg
http://img138.images...6044/tswlm8.jpg
http://img198.images...6765/tswlm9.jpg

[scaramunga]

Thanks Joe Bond!

How did it looked compared to the UE DVD?

I really hope these films come to blu ray soon!!

[Joe Bond]

Thanks Joe Bond!

How did it looked compared to the UE DVD?

I really hope these films come to blu ray soon!!

Well the UE DVD in my opinion is unwatchable for the first half hour due to its overly use of edge enhancement but the iTunes HD version and assumedly the Blu-ray fixes that problem and looks a lot better because of it.

iTunes HD on top vs. UE DVD on bottom:

http://img37.imagesh...4378/tswlm2.jpg
http://img15.imagesh...1087/tswlm1.jpg

http://img683.images...1087/tswlm1.jpg
http://img15.imagesh...4378/tswlm2.jpg

http://img230.images...4868/tswlm3.jpg
http://img40.imagesh...4868/tswlm3.jpg

[scaramunga]

Thanks Joe Bond!

How did it looked compared to the UE DVD?

I really hope these films come to blu ray soon!!

Well the UE DVD in my opinion is unwatchable for the first half hour due to its overly use of edge enhancement but the iTunes HD version and assumedly the Blu-ray fixes that problem and looks a lot better because of it.

iTunes HD on top vs. UE DVD on bottom:

http://img37.imagesh...4378/tswlm2.jpg
http://img15.imagesh...1087/tswlm1.jpg

http://img683.images...1087/tswlm1.jpg
http://img15.imagesh...4378/tswlm2.jpg

http://img230.images...4868/tswlm3.jpg
http://img40.imagesh...4868/tswlm3.jpg

Outstanding!!! Thanks again!!!

[scaramunga]

With the Peter Morgan news about Bond 23, I'm guessing we won't hear much about the remaining 9 Bond films until the MGM Studios sale is completed.

It's exciting to hear some Bond 23 news though!

[commanderblond]

Quick question. I got several 007 Blu-Ray discs for xmas. How come Dr No and Thunderball come in a cardboard slip case, but From Russia with Love, Goldfinger and The World is Not Enough don't? Or have I just received Blu-Rays minus the sleeve? If so,is it possible to get a sleeve through MGM?