DVDBeaver

Discuss internationally-released DVDs and Blu-rays or other international DVD and Blu-ray-related topics.
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kekid
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:55 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#376 Post by kekid » Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:34 am

These points have been made by other users of DVDBeaver, but in case Gary is tracking the responses, here are my reactions.
I much prefer the previous layout.
The importance of being able to look at all future releases cannot be overstated. I very much miss this feature in the new design.
One could invoke an alphabetic listing of what has been reviewed. This had the benefit of "browsing" capability. We have lost that.
In short, the previous format gave a richer set of choices. The new format assumes we know what the majority of users seek, and makes it available more easily. I think the loss is bigger than the gain (at least for me).
I have no understanding of the technical motivation for the change. If we had to do this for the "bandwidth" reason, then I guess the discussion on the topic is futile.

bamwc2
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:54 am

Re: DVDBeaver

#377 Post by bamwc2 » Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:45 pm

kekid wrote:These points have been made by other users of DVDBeaver, but in case Gary is tracking the responses, here are my reactions.
I much prefer the previous layout.
The importance of being able to look at all future releases cannot be overstated. I very much miss this feature in the new design.
One could invoke an alphabetic listing of what has been reviewed. This had the benefit of "browsing" capability. We have lost that.
In short, the previous format gave a richer set of choices. The new format assumes we know what the majority of users seek, and makes it available more easily. I think the loss is bigger than the gain (at least for me).
I have no understanding of the technical motivation for the change. If we had to do this for the "bandwidth" reason, then I guess the discussion on the topic is futile.
For what it's worth, you can still get the aforementioned features by following the link, or alternatively, clicking on any of the new reviews on the main page and then using the same old links in the toolbar at the top.

kekid
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:55 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#378 Post by kekid » Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:15 pm

bamwc2 wrote:
kekid wrote:These points have been made by other users of DVDBeaver, but in case Gary is tracking the responses, here are my reactions.
I much prefer the previous layout.
The importance of being able to look at all future releases cannot be overstated. I very much miss this feature in the new design.
One could invoke an alphabetic listing of what has been reviewed. This had the benefit of "browsing" capability. We have lost that.
In short, the previous format gave a richer set of choices. The new format assumes we know what the majority of users seek, and makes it available more easily. I think the loss is bigger than the gain (at least for me).
I have no understanding of the technical motivation for the change. If we had to do this for the "bandwidth" reason, then I guess the discussion on the topic is futile.
For what it's worth, you can still get the aforementioned features by following the link, or alternatively, clicking on any of the new reviews on the main page and then using the same old links in the toolbar at the top.
Thank you, bamwc2. With that clarification my issues are addressed.

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manicsounds
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: DVDBeaver

#379 Post by manicsounds » Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:52 pm

There needs to be pictures of the DVD / Bluray covers for the newly reviewed discs. That was what made me click the comparissons so easily before. Without them, it just seems like a jumble of words. Streamlined, but Unattractive.

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stereo
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:06 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#380 Post by stereo » Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:03 pm

The vertical layout doesn't bother me and in fact is more logical and streamlined. However, I do agree with the previous post that I miss the cover pics for the most recent reviews; good cover art will get me to look at reviews I might otherwise not bother with.

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perkizitore
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:29 pm
Location: OOP is the only answer

Re: DVDBeaver

#381 Post by perkizitore » Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:04 am

manicsounds wrote:There needs to be pictures of the DVD / Bluray covers for the newly reviewed discs. That was what made me click the comparissons so easily before. Without them, it just seems like a jumble of words. Streamlined, but Unattractive.
Seconded.

hangman
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:33 am

Re: DVDBeaver

#382 Post by hangman » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:52 am

Also the new layout I think could use the side menu that has access to DVD of the year and the Film/DVD review content, I'm surprised that part was forgotten and I don't like using the search bar.

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Der Spieler
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:05 am

Re: 089-091 The Fritz Lang Mabuse Box

#383 Post by Der Spieler » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:22 pm

No Beaver review of The Fritz Lang Mabuse Box yet?

What are you waiting for, Gary?

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Matt
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:58 pm

Re: 089-091 The Fritz Lang Mabuse Box

#384 Post by Matt » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:39 pm

I am also waiting on Gary's validation. I already have the set, but I won't watch it until Gary tells me it's okay to do so.

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Der Spieler
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:05 am

Re: 089-091 The Fritz Lang Mabuse Box

#385 Post by Der Spieler » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:54 pm

I am not waiting for his validation, I am just curious as to why he hasn't posted a review yet.

Why the sarcasm?

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Matt
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:58 pm

Re: 089-091 The Fritz Lang Mabuse Box

#386 Post by Matt » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:50 pm

Der Spieler wrote:I am not waiting for his validation, I am just curious as to why he hasn't posted a review yet.
Then why don't you ask Gary? He's got an email address: gary@2ze.com. No one else is going to have the answer to your question, and Gary hasn't visited this site since August.

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Der Spieler
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:05 am

Re: DVDBeaver

#387 Post by Der Spieler » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:25 pm

You, sir, are rude for no reason.
Last edited by Der Spieler on Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

hangman
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:33 am

Re: DVDBeaver

#388 Post by hangman » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:38 pm

Well to be fair this question was already in the thread of the set and even caused a discussion on past beaver reviews, in any case while it is odd that he hasn't jumped on reviewing this set (considering his enthusiasm for Lang and MoC titles too) he's probably just busy or something. There are already reviews posted on the thread by other sites, DVDOutsider for one, so curiousity regarding content of extras and images are there (even without the site it was already noted earlier on the thread that MoC would gather the best of the existing versions of the film i.e. Eureka Gambler and Criterion Testament.)

Edit: Speaking of question and subsequent discussion on the thread its been moved here :lol:

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Ben Cheshire
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:01 am

Re: DVDBeaver

#389 Post by Ben Cheshire » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:54 pm

Don't worry, Spieler, I look forward to Gary's reviews too.

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mikkelmark
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:00 am
Location: Denmark

Re: DVDBeaver

#390 Post by mikkelmark » Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:05 pm


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manicsounds
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: DVDBeaver

#391 Post by manicsounds » Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:49 am

...and the site is down for some reason

David M.
Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 1:10 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#392 Post by David M. » Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:34 pm

Not meaning to ignite this unpleasant episode again, but I really think it is time that a solution to this screengrabs debacle is reached. Nothing can come out of feuding for either side.

Can we at least agree on these points:

1. Gary Tooze and DVDBeaver do an overall great service to people shopping for rare and hard to find movies on DVD.

2. Contrary to popular belief, it is quick, easy, and inexpensive (perhaps even free) to take accurate, clear screen captures - if you know the right method. It can be done on a computer running Windows - it does not require expensive hardware.

3. Most people are not aware of video calibration (beyond setting basic controls like Brightness) and/or haven't had their TVs professionally calibrated with a measuring device, so what they are seeing on their TVs already has a layer of abstraction added to it compared to how the cinematographers intended. DVDBeaver nor DVD/BD producers can really do anything about this, beyond promoting imaging standards. However, almost no incorrectly configured TVs actually blur the picture (take that from a guy who calibrates and reviews TVs for a half-living, and also advises TV manufacturers' technical departments).

4. There is nothing wrong with saving screen grabs as high quality JPEGs. Once again, from an anal-retentive videophile and video compressionist: there is nothing wrong with saving screen grabs as high quality JPEGs. And again: JPEG IS FINE. And once again: compression is NOT the reason for those blurred screen captures. This is a misconception I see time and time again, in fact DVDBeaver's own "open response" page even fell victim to this. Over-compressed JPEG (and MPEG, for that matter) pictures look blocky, not blurred.

5. DVDBeaver issuing written recommendations is an entirely separate issue to that of the inaccurate images.

6. As a screen capture comparison site, DVDBeaver has a responsibility not to allow their process to abstract or filter the screen grabs they post - especially not selectively. Some of their captures are fine, whereas others are blurred - and that is a serious issue. It's the main reason why Mondo Vision, myself, and I believe at least one other DVD producer, have been outspoken regarding this issue.

It is quite likely that the methods DVDBeaver are using to take screen grabs could actually be replaced with quicker, more efficient ones, while at the same time showing the disc's contents exactly. I am completely willing to help solve the issue, because like I said - it would benefit everyone and there is no point in holding grudges over this going forward.

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mikkelmark
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:00 am
Location: Denmark

Re: DVDBeaver

#393 Post by mikkelmark » Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:51 pm

Couldn't you maybe post how to correct it, and also a couple of screenshots that shows both from dvdbeaver and how they're supposed to be, so we can see the difference?

I'm very interested, my main review sites are dvdbeaver and blu-ray.com, and that's mainly because they show screenshots and I believe them more than whatever star rating system they give.

David M.
Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 1:10 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#394 Post by David M. » Sun Jun 06, 2010 5:04 pm

Yes, that's probably the best way forward. I'll write an article in the next week or so when I have time that anyone can use.

jbaart
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:16 pm
Location: Germany

Re: DVDBeaver

#395 Post by jbaart » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:04 am

David Mackenzie wrote:Yes, that's probably the best way forward. I'll write an article in the next week or so when I have time that anyone can use.
Great, looking forward to it. Can you already give us an idea which software you'll use? I currently grab all my screenshots with VLC as it is free, fast and easy to use. I'm sure I'm doing things wrong when it comes to interlaced titles but other than that I have some hope they're done right ;) I grab five PNG screenshots of every new dvd I get to be able to compare it to other editions online and get a good idea about its picture quality.

Here are my caps of the controversial La vie de Jésus. They look more like the Beaver shots than those that MoC posted back then so I fear/hope I'm doing something wrong ;)

Image Image Image Image Image

David M.
Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 1:10 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#396 Post by David M. » Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:54 am

I will make sure to test VLC out.

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domino harvey
Dot Com Dom
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: DVDBeaver

#397 Post by domino harvey » Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:45 pm

Add Mantan Moreland to the list of things DVDBeaver loves, right below nudity

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Ashirg
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: DVDBeaver

#398 Post by Ashirg » Thu Jul 01, 2010 12:30 am

I wanted to make up for lack of Mantan Moreland in my other reviews. Sorry to upset you for not including any nude Moreland captures...

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swo17
Bloodthirsty Butcher
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:25 am
Location: SLC, UT

Re: DVDBeaver

#399 Post by swo17 » Thu Jul 01, 2010 1:34 am

I was actually kind of disappointed that Willem Dafoe failed to make an appearance.

HarryLong
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:39 pm
Location: Lebanon, PA

Re: DVDBeaver

#400 Post by HarryLong » Thu Jul 01, 2010 10:44 am

But what's not to love about Mantan Moreland?

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