| Pre-Order Grand Theft Auto IV |  |
|
|
| Pre Order Grand Turismo 5 |  |
|
|
|
Planet Earth: Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray] | ![Planet Earth: Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510skVE8%2BuL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Actor: David Attenborough
Studio: 2 Entertain Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £49.99
Buy New: £33.29
You Save: £16.70 (33%)
New (8) Used (1) from £31.99
Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 236
Format: Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Exempt
Number Of Items: 5
Running Time: 550
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.5 x 1.3
EAN: 5051561000010
ASIN: B000SKNIWE
Release Date: November 12, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. Despatched same day if payment is received before 3pm. Fast delivery from the UK. International delivery is available. A trusted long established Amazon seller.
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Not only is Planet Earth one of the most jaw-dropping, ambitious, nature documentaries the BBC has ever produced, it's now taken on another role: as a superb demonstration disc for the potential of HD DVD and Blu-ray. Spread over a good ten hours, the series charts life and nature in dozens upon dozens of differing locations around the earth. Diligently and warmly narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Planet Earth calmly goes close in on its subject matter when required, and then pulls out some stunning perspective shots that are simply breathtaking. It's hard to come up with the right superlatives to do the photography on the programme any kind of justice, and that it's married to such fascinating subject matter is all the better. And if you think the original broadcast of Planet Earth was something special, or you were gobsmacked by the picture quality on DVD, just wait until you see it in 1080p HD glory. Particularly some of the broader shots here are all but without parallel, and it's a real reward for those who have invested ahead of the crowd in high definition technology. Presented over five discs, and matching wonderful content to spot-on visual presentation, Planet Earth is now not just a landmark in nature documentary film making. It's also a chartermark of quality for just what HD DVD and Blu-ray can offer. A stunning release, in more than one sense. --Jon Foster
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...
 Jaw-dropping May 2, 2008
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
Watching this release on a Full HD set is, for lack of a better word, astonishing. I watched this series with my jaw open, and at times was actually moved to tears by the stunning beauty of the images of our planet on show here. This is what I invested in Blu ray for, and time and time again, hi def proves not be a marketing gimmick but a genuine next-step experience in home entertainment; the amount of pin-point detail, dimensionality and scale takes you into the images, so that you feel as if you are there, and in this regard Blu ray is involving in a way DVD cannot match. The wonderful thing about Planet Earth on Blu ray is that the stunning image actually makes clear the filmmakers intentions-not necessarily to give an in-depth education, but to remind us of the beauty and awe inherent to our troubled planet, and the vast open vistas, mountains, plains on show here are enough to make anyone remember why our planet is so very special and worth saving. If that isn't reason enough to invest in this set, I don't know what is.
Remarkable achievement with minor limitations February 4, 2008
46 out of 49 found this review helpful
Documentary: 5/5, Picture: 3-4.5/5, Extras: 4/5
The Documentary
Planet Earth takes a rather different approach to Sir David Attenborough's previous Life series: instead of taking a species or sub-kingdom, we are taken to a particular habitat and see what is there. This is not so much a geological study of the Earth but rather a broad survey of the rarely seen or visited habitats and their inhabitants, with an emphasis on how they adapt to the forces of nature. At times it looks more like showing off spectacular scenery than a systematic study. Coverage is by no means exhaustive but what is presented is truly remarkable. Episode one takes you from the South to the North Pole and the various forest ecosystems and desserts in between and is a preview of later episodes.
If you have watched the Life series and the BBC's Blue Planet you will notice some familiarity in Planet Earth. There are recurrent themes: all species have to adapt to survive; how important the sun is in shaping the seasons, the landscape and its inhabitants' behaviour; how different animals adopt different strategies or travel thousands of miles to find food and water or to mate and in some corners of the land or deep ocean, no matter how inhabitable and hostile, there is life in some form, often bizarre. I am constantly reminded of and impressed by the resilience of life.
Memorable shots are too many to mention but polar bear cubs exploring the snowy slopes, the great white shark leaping out of water (with footage showed down 40 times) and snow covered mountains come to mind. I particularly like the views from space.
1080i or 1080p?
It IS "1080/24p", as indicated by my Pioneer BD player. The production is mastered in 25p from various framerates according to bbcresources.com; the PAL DVD is in 50i (equivalent to 25p) and each episode lasts for 48 minutes compared to 50 minutes on Blu-ray. So the Blu-ray is in keeping with a 25p to 24p slowdown. The 1080i v. 1080p feud has been blown out of all proportions: not everything if anything at all was shot in 1080p and cameras used a few years ago were mostly 720p. Also, it says on the back some shots are in standard definition only. There are artifacts in some scenes. People who find Blu-ray looks softer than HD broadcast have incorrect set-up somewhere in the video signal chain: it is not the fault of the Blu-ray.
The Narration and Sound Track
Sir David only narrates in the background; occasionally his voice is a shade too soft compared to the music. The script is very well written, full of interesting statistics and entirely appropriate without being verbose. The music when present adds to the serenity of the magnificent scenery or the drama of hunting scenes.
The Substituted Extras
Regrettably this release does not have the original DVD extras: the "Making of" featurettes and the 'Planet Earth - The Future' feature and people felt let down. The message on the state of the planet is of course important and the studio underestimated the viewer's sentiment. But the extras included here, Dessert Lions and Snow Leopards from the BBC's Natural World in HD are interesting programmes in their own right and more amenable to repeated viewing. The biologist who tagged collars on the snow leopards died recently so that makes it even more valuable to watch. But it would be better to give us the original extras and have Natural World on a separate release.
Which version to get?
The US Discovery Channel version is truncated and has an American non-naturalist narrator so that is a non-starter. This UK version (region free) has the same encoding as the US BBC/Warner four-disc version but has the extras on the fifth disc. If you cannot live without the original extras then watch the DVD set. The Blu-ray encoding is the same as in HD DVD.
Have realistic expectations
Just marvel at the contents: once you understand the technical issues you will realise that whatever technical limitations there are they are really of no great significance here.
UK release has five disks, current US release has four. August 26, 2007
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
To respond to the point made in first review, the UK blu-ray release includes the fifth disk available in the standard definition box set which is not included in the US high definition versions. I personally would wait for the release of the UK version.
HD Showcase!! August 12, 2007
29 out of 33 found this review helpful
What better way to show off your HD TV with this ground breaking series covering our entire planet! The picture quality is 1080p and gives amazing results on my Samsung LE40M86 1080p LCD TV - the range of colours and the amount of detail is amazing - you will have never experienced this before on a TV.
For PS3 users, ensure you have the v.1.9 firmware update, to enable forced 24Hz output (this will avoid judder on the fast moving landscape shots) if you have a 24Hz capable TV.
If you can't wait till October, as this is a multi-region release, you can buy the US version, which has been available since April. It is on Amazon.com for $66 (that's 33 as current exchange rates go), which is where I bought my copy from. It works great with no problems. I would only say shame on the BBC for releasing it in the US before the UK.
Is this 1080p and not 1080i ? January 13, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
As Mr Bradford already said in a previous review I also believe this is 1080p intead of 1080i. And here is why :
When I play the disc and check the info my tv is being feeded, it first says 1920x1080i@60hz and then switches when the documantery actually starts to 1920x1080@24hz.
So I really think it is 1080p and not 1080i as stated on the cover.
I can't believe some people compare it with the 480i dvd version ?? Where are you playing it on ?? I think you better buy a new tv because on my Samsung F86 I get a fantastic image.
Not all shots are razor sharp, but mostly they are and if I use the motion flow option (low) on my Samsung it sometimes looks like looking through a window instead watching television. A friend who's not into HD didn't believe his eyes watching this and was highly impressed by this image.
|
|
|
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2008 PS3 Games, Consoles and PS3 Accessories - a MrCrip site
All rights reserved. Information about prices, products, services and merchants is provided by third parties and is for informational purposes only. Sony PS3 Games Consoles does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information, and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
PS3 Games, Consoles and PS3 Accessories: Home - PS3 Games - PS3 Consoles - PS3 Accessories - Blu Ray DVD
Other MrCrip sites: Nintendo Wii Games & Accessories - LCD TV, Plasma TV - Singstar Games - Grubby Little Web Man | |
