is superbit really superior

[nightwing7]

Well with the release of Superbit DVD's that use the space commonly used for special features, to improve video and sound quality, i am wondering if they really are better than conventional DVD's. I mean wouldnt a 2 disc DVD set be the same since the 2nd disc is used for special features, and the first primarily for the movie.

[nightwing7]

well what do u guys think??

[AntnyMD]

"Superbit" DVDs sounds like a marketing strategy, not a quality improvement. I read the back of one of those DVD packages, and it claims to somehow offer double the bitrate of normal DVD. I want to know how they're doing it and not exceeding the DVD spec bitrate. Are these superbit DVD's XDVD? Can DVD players really exceed the 10 or 15Mbps limit of the spec?

And if so, why would you want to, seeing as the best quality source next to DVD (at the moment) and HDTV is the film itself?

[Darkbird]

They are not exceeding the dvd spec. A typical movie is only encoded at an average bit rate of about 3.5 mega bits per second to 5.0 mega bits per second. They can easily increase this to an average of 7.0 to 7.5, or even go to a constant bit rate of 8.0 mega bits per second. Some players can optionally display the bit rates as a movie plays, that's how I know.

[AntnyMD]

I watch the bitrate info fly by during boring parts of the movies ... Some DVDs during action sequences exceed 10Mbps, but for a fraction of a second. That made me wonder if DVD players can actually exceed 10Mbps at CBR. I guess I got a test to do when I get a DVD burner and a DVD-RW disc.

[Kdiddy]

most movies I have are already 7+ mbits/sec ...in fact the last 5 I just put in my DVD drive all read about 8mbit/sec.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kdiddy on 2001-10-15 15:32:09 ]</font>

[thxkid]

Plug in and try the Single layered DVD's they are mostly around the 3.5 to 5.5 range. Specially the $10 DVD's coming out. I have not tried Snow white yet to see what it is at or when I get Phantom menace tomorrow be interesting to see what it is.

[MadMax_911]

I just watched Phantom menace dvd I haven't checked the bitrate but with the amount of action and the quality of the movie it must be above 7Mbps... I love that movie...