Worst Blu-ray Reviews, of the so called professional kind Options

[momaw]

I was over at dvdtimes.co.uk (the UK's equivalent of High Def Digest and one of the UK's premier sites for all things dvd for many years) reading the review of the UK release of A Battle Of Wits. Ignoring the fact I disagreed with the reviews opinion of the film in his synopsis (which took up more than 3/4 of the blu-ray review), I was appalled with the quality of the review of the picture and sound quality of the disc.

The master audio track downmixed to a standard DTS 5.1 mix on my system that I have to admit did not impress me greatly. Separation and definition of the individual elements of the soundtrack doesn't seem strong to my ears and overall I felt the audio experience lacked clarity and punch.

Let me get this straight, the reviewer of a blu-ray disc on one of the UK's biggest blu-ray resource sites, needs to downmix lossless audio and then pass off the downmix as being representative of the quality of the audio on the disc?

The transfer has a file size of 21.4GB, and is presented at 2.35:1.

Well that's nice, but how does it look.

It is reasonably sharp but I felt it lacked shadow and fine detail, and throughout I found myself struggling with the contrast and brightness especially at night. To my eye, some edge enhancement is noticeable and I would say that the transfer is just above average.

Oh good, the reviewer is going to mention the picture quality....... and thats it. 11 paragraphs of review on the BD and 2 lines on the picture quality. And you're not even sure what you think. You "felt", "to my eye", "I would say"? How about taking a stand. So is it a good picture or a bad one? Or are you just not sure and don't want to justify a position if someone disagrees?

How about a recommendation?

The HK release may have more extras and better sound options but...

We know the UK release has a 21.4GB transfer with DTS HD MA 5.1 on a BD 25 and you don't seem that impressed with the downmixed audio and you don't seem impressed with the picture quality. There is a Hong Kong release which is region free, has a 40.1GB transfer on a BD50 with both a LPCM 7.1 and DTS HD MA 7.1 audio track and apparently a lot more extra features, but, you say there is a "but". What could it be that tips this lacklustre unimpressive UK version as the one to get over the far technically superior Hong Kong version?

The HK release may have more extras and better sound options but is unlikely to have the English subs of this release.

What? Screw picture and sound quality, subtitle quality is the main determinant. And you don't even know what the subtitles on the Hong Kong version are like because you haven't seen it? Do you think the font will suck? Or are you concerned with a poor translation? Have you tried the translations on Hong Kong DVD's/Blu-ray's? Half the time they are better than the Western releases which have oversimplified and dumbed down subs. (and for the record the subtitles on the Hong Kong release of A Battle of Wits are great).

Seriously, is this what passes for a professional review these days on a major blu-ray site?

For further laughs the full review can be found here.


So, to the point of my thread, aside from finding this review so woefully inadequate to the point of it just being funny and kind of embarrassing to read, it got me thinking. What is the worst so called professional review you have read on a blu-ray site? Not fan reviews or forum reviews, but reviews from people who presumably get paid or some sort of consideration for their work.

[Kazz]

Having just had a read of the full review, I'm still shaking my head. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

How does a paid reviewer get away with reviewing audio on a system that can't even handle the HD audio? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

And his description of pq left much to be desired as well.

I have to say there are better and more detailed reviews of BD's in yoracs BD review thread. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[Chopsus]

As I get older and older, I find myself drawing the conclusion that *professionals*, more often than not, are less experienced, less knowledgeable, less interested and less capable than the very vast majority of *enthusiasts* out there.

Why?

One group do it for the money.
The other for the love/interest/passion.

The later is by far more dedicated, no matter what the topic.

It's sad really, the concept of pride in ones work has pretty much disappeared nowadays. I've got a mate, who's an electrician, who's just been made redundant - he's famous for being a perfectionist and I have never hear of him screwing a job up .... yet the few guys kept on are always being yelled at by the boss for not paying attention to things and having to go back to fix/finish jobs .... why did he get the flick first? I'd bet it;s because he doesn't churn as many jobs as the other guys .... it doesn't pay to do it right anymore.

/rant off

This post has been edited by Chopsus: Mar 12 2009, 09:58 PM

[Haksam]

that is why it is always always always important that you get second opinions, and if the second opinions gives a similar review, find another one till someone tells you something different, then find out for yourself what made that person said something different.....

[momaw]

not quite what I was thinking of, rather more examples of ridiculously bad reviews or crazy things you have seen. I mean to review a blu-ray without even having the correct playback equipment is nuts.

I think most here are smart enough to form their own opinions based on a range of sources, not just one review.

I thought the review I reference went way beyond lazy writing and lack of real enthusiasm for the job.

But hey, thats just my opinion. you may disagree. That's the nature of it.

This post has been edited by momaw: Mar 12 2009, 10:29 PM

[Chopsus]

not quite what I was thinking of, rather more examples of ridiculously bad reviews or crazy things you have seen. I mean to review a blu-ray without even having the correct playback equipment is nuts.

I think most here are smart enough to form their own opinions based on a range of sources, not just one review.

I thought the review I reference went way beyond lazy writing and lack of real enthusiasm for the job.

But hey, thats just my opinion. you may disagree. That's the nature of it.

I don't disagree, just don't let it get to me anymore - it's the way things are now ..... but if the unemployment rate really goes up we might see standards lift (not)

[ajm]

Couldn't agree more Mo. I don't think "reviewers" need to have a state-of-the-art system but this particular system is well short of the mark for reviewing on. It's ridiculous to be making assessments of audio quality if you have to downsample the audio considerably!

Actually the timing of this particular review is really handy for me. I was about to order Battle of Wits and Warlords from Amazon UK. Going to DDDHouse instead.

[sol381]

when reviewing bluray the last thing you want is the movie reviewed again. they must think that most of us are idiots and have no idea about sound and picture quality. its not just this type of review you do see it in a lot of other fields.. kinda mkaes the guys at what hifi seem seem unbiased and semi proffesional.

if i want a bd review i go to http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/reviews.html... the reviews are basic but at least they split up the ratings and for most part i agree with them so i know what im getting when purchasing a new disc.