Timothy28
join:2006-05-13
Lewisville, TX
| reply to RockLad
Re: Epix
said by RockLad :said by Timothy28  :I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so. Exactly. If there was a button people could use to "zoom out" of a cropped movie, I wouldn't care. But there isn't. Presenting the film properly is good for everyone. People who don't like black bars can zoom in and crop the picture themselves! And everyone else can still see the movie as it should be. But cropping, as EPIX does, is a lose/lose situation for all. That would be a great idea. That way everyone could be happy. People who like the whole screen filled could see it that way and those who like OAR push a button. |
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Theman2006
join:2003-05-06
Bronx, NY
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to RockLad
said by RockLad :said by Timothy28 :I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so. Exactly. If there was a button people could use to "zoom out" of a cropped movie, I wouldn't care. But there isn't. Presenting the film properly is good for everyone. People who don't like black bars can zoom in and crop the picture themselves! And everyone else can still see the movie as it should be. But cropping, as EPIX does, is a lose/lose situation for all. Seriously people?? most pr emium channels crop their movies for 16x9 tv's. Yes OAR is great but does not seeing it that way really ruin the movie? I have the blu-ray for ironman and can't tell the difference right away when looking at the movie, Unless I look at both films side by side. And they are not going to crop every movie on the channel. I still feel like 10 bucks is pretty pricey for one channel, but I believe soon they will have a multiplex family of channels. I'am still torn whether or not I will break down and pay for the channel as of yet. But I'am the type of person who hates to flip thru the channels and see the "You are not subscribed to this channel" message. |
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HDTVFanAtic
join:2009-05-06
| reply to nascar
This channel has some of the worst Macroblocking I have seen in a while.
One reason is they are the only Movie Channel outside of HDNET NOT to telecine their encoding for some strange reason.
As thus, they are throwing away 20% of the bitrate on repeating 6 frames on the feed instead of letting the STB do it.
Combine that with the fact that original bitrate is low to begin with (Star Trek Generations Averaged 12.74 Mbps on HBO and 10.44 Mbps on EPIXHD) and you begin to realize how bad this picture truly is. |
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JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA | Funny I watched Iron Man last night and saw absolutely no macroblocking. I thought the PQ was pretty good, actually. |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR | reply to HDTVFanAtic
No macroblocking in my neck of the woods! |
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HDTVFanAtic
join:2009-05-06
1 edit | reply to nascar
Maybe EPIX is really made for those wanting to watch on their computer, based on the last 2 posts. For those of us who want to watch it on a big screen at a SMPTE or THX recommended viewing distance, Macroblocking is everywhere you look - including the first frame that I pulled up at random just now.
[mod note - blown out margins fixed. /sash] |
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jasg
join:2008-12-13
Seattle, WA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| In pre-HD days, I certainly disliked 4x3 pan-and-scan stuff, but with newer 'scope films, they are often filmed with 16x9 formatting in mind.
To quote Wikipedia:
Most 4:3 (1.33:1) and 2.39:1 video is now recorded using a "shoot and protect" technique that keeps the main action within a 16:9 (1.78:1) inner rectangle to facilitate HD broadcast.
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_rat···he_SMPTE |
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ZaneTodd45
join:2009-09-18
Diamond Bar, CA
1 edit | reply to HDTVFanAtic
said by HDTVFanAtic :Combine that with the fact that original bitrate is low to begin with (Star Trek Generations Averaged 12.74 Mbps on HBO and 10.44 Mbps on EPIXHD) and you begin to realize how bad this picture truly is. After I first purchased my HDTV I realized that not all HD is created equal. The Madonna concert's picture was no better than my Starz or Encore HD.
So far my clearest HD picture comes from my local CBS. |
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JoeRu
@verizon.net
| reply to Theman2006
said by Theman2006 :said by RockLad :
Seriously people?? most pr emium channels crop their movies for 16x9 tv's. Yes OAR is great but does not seeing it that way really ruin the movie? I have the blu-ray for ironman and can't tell the difference right away when looking at the movie, Unless I look at both films side by side. And they are not going to crop every movie on the channel. Yeah, it does. The difference is often subliminal, based on composition. Also, plot information can be lost. In I AM LEGEND, newspaper headlines that communicated some plot information were lopped off. What cropping does is lose the original intent of how a film works on a viewer. You may not always realize it, but if often makes a difference in how one appreciates a movie after it's over. And yes...so far they are cropping every new movie. |
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fackthischan
@myvzw.com
| after scanning the guide and watching some of the programming I'm not impressed in the least bit. The online movies are hit or miss. most I selected were not availabe. "The french lieutenants wife" doesn't play. Epix is not worth my 10 dollars. I'd rather increase my netflix blurays out a time. This way I get the OAR. |
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Theman2006
join:2003-05-06
Bronx, NY
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to JoeRu
said by JoeRu :said by Theman2006 :said by RockLad :
Seriously people?? most pr emium channels crop their movies for 16x9 tv's. Yes OAR is great but does not seeing it that way really ruin the movie? I have the blu-ray for ironman and can't tell the difference right away when looking at the movie, Unless I look at both films side by side. And they are not going to crop every movie on the channel. Yeah, it does. The difference is often subliminal, based on composition. Also, plot information can be lost. In I AM LEGEND, newspaper headlines that communicated some plot information were lopped off. What cropping does is lose the original intent of how a film works on a viewer. You may not always realize it, but if often makes a difference in how one appreciates a movie after it's over. And yes...so far they are cropping every new movie. Cool man, I guess everyone does not watch a movie the same way. Yes information is lost but me personally I get entranced in the movie and would have probably missed that headline on I'am Legend. And as far as macro blocking, it's not worst than any other premium channel I've seen. I watched IronMan last night while sitting next to my pc which is about 3 feet away from my 50 inch plasma and did not notice any macro blocking. I understand some people are videophiles but nothing is every going to be perfect. If you want perfect OAR copies then buy the Blu Ray. Films not being shown in OAR is not a good enough reason too hate on the channel, especially when every other premium channel does it as well and you're paying for those channels. |
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yale
@myvzw.com | People don't you see what's going?
movies that would normally be shown on the other movie channels you now have to pay more to Epix. Is that too hard to understand. Let these studios know you won't stand for it. |
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Greg2600
join:2008-05-20
Belleville, NJ | reply to nascar
Read on Verizon forums Time Warner has added or will add Epix, also at $9.99 a month. Was that mentioned here? |
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Timothy28
join:2006-05-13
Lewisville, TX | Not that hasn't been mentioned as far as i know. |
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RockLad
@verizon.net
| reply to Theman2006
said by Theman2006 : Films not being shown in OAR is not a good enough reason too hate on the channel, especially when every other premium channel does it as well and you're paying for those channels. Every other premium channel doesn't. (»www.dgaquarterly.org/BACKISSUES/···ult.aspx )
Remember, these films would ordinarily have been on SHOWTIME and they don't crop movies. What EPIX is offering is a downgrade that you're expected to pay more for.
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BlakeEd
@verizon.net
| reply to nascar
So, what some of you are saying: it's quite possible for example HBO, to take half the movies they normally show/premier and create a new premier channel to show them on and charge an additional $9.99. They would also deliver VOD and internet streaming of course. Keep in mind, the production would still orginate from the same HBO studios. So, this would be a huge savings.
This is brilliant!!! Can I work for HBO management and implement this? Obsiouly, people gotta have every channel and are willing to pay $$$$! |
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jefe
Premium
join:2001-05-19
Northport, NY | reply to nascar
It seems to me this thread has run its' course. Posters' opinions here notwithstanding, EPIX/Verizon have made a business decision.
Tune back in 6 months from now to see if they get enough subscribers for EPIX to make a profit. |
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lewisc
join:2004-12-30
10000
| reply to nascar
A poster in another forum had an online chat with VZ and was told Epix will be included in the movie package. NO GUARANTEE THAT'S ACCURATE but there is still no way to sign up for Epix on the FiOS website, unless I'm missing something, no pricing or signup information on the Epix channel. |
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MeatChicken
join:2007-08-15
Paramus, NJ
| said by lewisc :A poster in another forum had an online chat with VZ and was told Epix will be included in the movie package. NO GUARANTEE THAT'S ACCURATE but there is still no way to sign up for Epix on the FiOS website, unless I'm missing something, no pricing or signup information on the Epix channel. Link please! |
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JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to HDTVFanAtic
I think you need to have your setup checked - in all seriousness. I've been watching stuff on Epix all weekend and I've seen absolutely zero macroblocking. I actually expected some on a movie like Iron Man, but saw none. If you're seeing macroblocking everywhere, then I would check your setup. Of all the gripes I've read on here about the channel, your's is the first with this one complaint. Not saying it's not legitimate, but I have to say, the PQ on Epix that I've seen so far has been really nice. |
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