Superbit DVDs

ck100
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Superbit DVDs Aug 23, 2019 12:22:02 GMT vegalyra likes this

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Post by ck100 on Aug 23, 2019 12:22:02 GMT

Any of you remember these DVDs? Have you owned any of them?

These are DVDS that were high-end discs that had a larger encoded bit rate than standard DVDs for improved picture quality and had both Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound on the disc.

Because of the requirement for having so much bit rate needed for improved picture and large sound, all special features, full motion menu video, graphics, were either dumped or put on a second disc.

Last Edit: Aug 23, 2019 12:27:06 GMT by ck100

mslo79
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Superbit DVDs Aug 23, 2019 13:40:25 GMT

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Post by mslo79 on Aug 23, 2019 13:40:25 GMT

Well I do know the following info...

dual-layer DVD = 8.5GB (I still have a small amount of these from my XBox360 days)
single layer DVD = 4.7GB (I still burn these occasionally for more important data backup)

but looking around online a bit, the following quote from wikipedia sums up that 'superbit' stuff...

Superbit discs can be read by all regular DVD video players, but their film files were encoded at a bit rate that is, according to Sony, approximately 1.5 times as high (6-7 Mbit/s vs 4-5 Mbit/s) as that of standard DVDs, which helps minimize artifacts caused by video compression and allow the image to be pre-filtered less prior to compression, which results in more detail. Superbit should not be confused with either Blu-ray or HD DVD discs, both of which are different media formats of much higher bit rate and resolution, and are incompatible with standard DVD video players.

To maximize space for the main feature, static menus are used and commentary tracks are removed. To further improve the size and therefore quality of the film on the disc, Superbit discs contained a reduced amount (and usually are completely devoid) of so-called added value and bonus material, such as documentaries or interviews, which can be found on regular DVDs. All Superbit releases present a film in its theatrical aspect ratio.

so that sums things up as it still plays inline with what I mentioned above (i.e. 4.7GB/8.5GB) but they just have to remove stuff from the disc to free up more space for the main movie.

but I suspect there is minimal difference between the two as it's still DVD format at the end of the day.

Last Edit: Aug 23, 2019 13:42:51 GMT by mslo79

Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace. | "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." - St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/1225-1274) | "If you don’t behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave." - Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979) | "He who prays is saved. He who prays not is damned!" - St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) | pray The Holy Rosary daily!

James Elite Member @jamesbamesy Posts: 20,143 Likes: 15,187	Superbit DVDs Aug 23, 2019 18:27:15 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by James on Aug 23, 2019 18:27:15 GMT Those are all Sony movies, so that may be a clue they had a lot to do with it.

twothousandonemark Elite Member @twothousandonemark Posts: 20,986 Likes: 15,091	Superbit DVDs Aug 23, 2019 23:10:17 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by twothousandonemark on Aug 23, 2019 23:10:17 GMT I've Gattaca, honestly wouldn't recognize the specs or not.
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mslo79
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Superbit DVDs Aug 24, 2019 0:13:35 GMT

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Post by mslo79 on Aug 24, 2019 0:13:35 GMT

Aug 23, 2019 23:10:17 GMT twothousandonemark said:

I've Gattaca, honestly wouldn't recognize the specs or not.

That's what I figured as I think it's more marketing BS than real world results as I would imagine one would have to ramp down the bit rate etc quite a bit before there would be a noticable hit to the overall image quality.

Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace. | "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." - St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/1225-1274) | "If you don’t behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave." - Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979) | "He who prays is saved. He who prays not is damned!" - St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) | pray The Holy Rosary daily!

anthonyrocks Exalted Member @anthonyrocks Posts: 53,011 Likes: 14,928	Superbit DVDs Aug 24, 2019 4:29:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by anthonyrocks on Aug 24, 2019 4:29:48 GMT Unfortunately, I have to be in the minority on this one. I actually don't remember those at all.

vegalyra
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Superbit DVDs Aug 24, 2019 15:22:19 GMT

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Post by vegalyra on Aug 24, 2019 15:22:19 GMT

Yes, I remember when these came out. The PQ was definitely a step up from regular DVDs, although as mentioned there no special features on the discs since they maxed out the available space typically. I do remember most (maybe all?) had DTS 5.1 sound which was awesome back in the day.

I had/have:

Lawrence of Arabia
Mask of Zorro
Spiderman
Air Force One
Panic Room
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Das Boot
Knight's Tale
XXX

[First line] I forgot the opening line.

Post by ck100 on Aug 23, 2019 12:22:02 GMT

Post by mslo79 on Aug 23, 2019 13:40:25 GMT

Post by James on Aug 23, 2019 18:27:15 GMT

Post by twothousandonemark on Aug 23, 2019 23:10:17 GMT

Post by mslo79 on Aug 24, 2019 0:13:35 GMT

Post by anthonyrocks on Aug 24, 2019 4:29:48 GMT

Post by vegalyra on Aug 24, 2019 15:22:19 GMT