Well, It appears I must entertain the idea of getting a superbit compatible player. sigh...when looking at the choices of players on the web, how do you tell if it can play a superbit disk? I was trying to look for info on the web, but when there is such obvious misinformation such as "any player can play a superbit disk" (which if true, I wouldn't need to be asking this...I have two and neither one will play superbit) i thought I'd ask here. there are people here who know far more about this than I know. What kind of info will let me know if it plays superbit?
*sigh* ya know yer old when you get fogeyish about the changes in technology....

I own several dvd players (including a unit that is four years old) and several super bit movies. All the movies play on all my players. My understanding about super bit is that a special player is NOT needed. The concept behind super bit is that more of the disc space is allocated to the video recording (less compressed). Sort of like the old VCR SP (2 hours on one standard tape/ hence best picture quality), LP (4 hours on one standard tape/medium quality) and SLP (6 hours on a standard tape/ least quality).

regardless of the potential compatibility issues, My two DVD decks do not play the sound on them and it is the decks as I took the disk in thinking it was defective and it played just fine on the store system. so there is a problem here that i wish to rectify by getting a DVD that will play them.

Some older model DVD players will not play the audio from a Superbit DVD. The reason is that the earlier DVD players did not have the ability to read Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, and then convert them to mono for a TV or stereo system.

Make sure that your player is DD and DTS compatible, and that your reciever is too (if you have a surround system).

Superbit DVDs are not worth the money if you don't have a Hi-res widescreen TV, a progressive scan DVD player, and a kickin' sound system. Without these, you will never be able to discern the difference in the original release, and the Suberbit version.

Superbit DVDs are not worth the money if you don't have a Hi-res widescreen TV, a progressive scan DVD player, and a kickin' sound system. Without these, you will never be able to discern the difference in the original release, and the Suberbit version.

I bought superbit disc of two of my favorites at a used DVD store, "The Fifth Element" and "Desperado". I have a good hiDef TV, progressive scan DVD player hooked up with component video, and a good sound system. On "Fifth Element" I could discern no difference between the superbit version and the regular version. On "Desperado" I thought it sounded a little bit better than the older version, but you loose the good Robert Rodriguez commentary and other extras.

Personally, I think Superbit is kind of a rip-off.

I think I MIGHT know what your sound problem is.

It has been my experience with Superbit DVDs that, unlike other DVD's, they default to the DTS sound track. Every other DVD I own will default to the Dolby track.

Unless you have a receiver that decodes DTS, it will be necessary for you to manually chose the Dolby sound track from the menu. Dolby is written into the DVD standard (DTS is not) and should provide a usable audio signal on virtually all equipment.

I had the same problem as you. When I first started playing Superbit DVDs without a DTS receiver, I got no sound. Choosing Dolby from the menu fixed it.

If you have any "spare" cash, you might want to invest in a DTS capable receiver before buying a new player.

If you have any "spare" cash, you might want to invest in a DTS capable receiver before buying a new player.

Especially since the DTS is practically standard on all the receivers now. I remember when it was a couple hundred bucks extra. If you get a new receiver make sure the player is DTS or it won't do you much good.

Awright!! The dolby, DTS thing fixed the problem :) The only reason I have the Superbit is it's the version of "fifth element" that's now available (at least locally) and was wondering if this was going to be an issue for the immediate future. Thanks :) That's a money saver for the moment.

EK,
You're aware that a Fifth Element Special Edition disc was just released... right?

That's what I got. The version I had before was on VHS and full screen. this is why I was considering buying a new DVD player....couldn't pass this one up and it seems it's only available in Superbit. No worries now though...It's on right now with fact track on :D

No worries now though...It's on right now with fact track on :D


Errrr, that's not the Superbit edition, it has no extras at all.

Errrr, that's not the Superbit edition, it has no extras at all.


Actually, the new "Special Edition" of the Fifth Element is Superbit. They just figured out how to better use the free space left on a Superbit DVD. I hope they do the same thing with certain other Superbits...like Air Force One. A truly great experience in 5.1 DTS. Long live Jerry Goldsmiths legacy.

Actually, the new "Special Edition" of the Fifth Element is Superbit. They just figured out how to better use the free space left on a Superbit DVD. I hope they do the same thing with certain other Superbits...like Air Force One. A truly great experience in 5.1 DTS. Long live Jerry Goldsmiths legacy.

Doh!
I stand corrected. I have the older Superbit version.

I bought superbit disc of two of my favorites at a used DVD store, "The Fifth Element" and "Desperado". I have a good hiDef TV, progressive scan DVD player hooked up with component video, and a good sound system. On "Fifth Element" I could discern no difference between the superbit version and the regular version. On "Desperado" I thought it sounded a little bit better than the older version, but you loose the good Robert Rodriguez commentary and other extras.

Personally, I think Superbit is kind of a rip-off.


I agree somewhat Philip. Superbit DVDs as a whole do seem to be just another marketing ploy.....re-release a film with a fancy name and get more money. The major draw of Superbit is the addition of the DTS track (which most other studios include for free) and the expanded files.

As a big fan of DTS, which is the standard in most theaters, I enjoy having the option. DTS allows for a better audio experience through the strong definition of the higher and midrange frequencies. The best way to discern between a DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 is in the bass. DTS tends to depend less upon the subwoofer to give you a good audio experience. DTS should not be such an issue to place onto a DVD since the DTS tracks exist prior to the creation of the DVD. ( I think this is why Columbia/TriStar makes such an issue of it, since their parent company SONY developed their own surround systems (SDDS) and none of the DVD or home theater companies use it.)

The best example of the difference in DD and DTS is the LOTR expanded editions. As you play these films, use your remote to switch audio options (especially during battles and high music pints) and you will really get an idea of the differences.

Obviously the price is getting better, the old Superbit titles were $34-39.99 IIRC.

I'll probably pass on the new "5th Element" unless I find one used, a good commentary might have convinced me to upgrade a third time.

I was shocked when I went to Suncoast the other day, there were new SE's of "Ghost in the Shell", Clerks", "Leon(The Professional)", and of course ""5th Element", the old editions weren't bad or were SE's themselves. The new editions aren't exactly cheap either. Thank god for the library and Netflix.

this was the first time I had the opportunity to upgrade from VHS to DVD with the movie. It also has an interview with Maiwenn (Plava Laguna) but, with my other version being tape, it was a no-brainer till the Superbit problem. I enjoyed the fact track :)