Problem with T2 Extreme??

burdette

Picked up T2 Extreme edition last night. Wondering if anyone else has it, because I have a question.

Early in the movie, on the motorcycle when Arnold is explaining to the kid about the 'new' terminator, Arnold ends up turning around to look at the kid and says "liquid metal."

I watched that scene twice last night and both times the two words 'liquid metal' clicked/popped into oblivion. I looked at the disc and can't see any obvious defect or dirt.

Opinions? Insight?

I know I can get a new copy from Walmart.. but honestly, if it *isn't* the disc, then I don't want to put a perfectly fine disc into the return pipe. There isn't anything special about the scene that would cause me to think my system can't handle it... but the fact that it occurs at exactly the same place causes me to think the problem is in the original digital stream and not some random event in my DVD player.

Ceruleance

I would watch it again tonight after everything has been turned off, etc.


When I first read this, I thought you meant that 'Liquid Metal' wasnt what he was supposed to say, and that it just came out of nowhere, now that would be funny

mhw58

So is this extreme edition really better than the ultimate
edition? I thought that T2 was great. Is the sound
quality any different? Some of the reviews I've read
say to keep the other version and save your money.
Thanks, Mike

burdette

I really don't know. Honestly, I don't play the "editions" game. I've wanted a Terminator movie, I was at Walmart last night, they had a display.. and I grabbed it. I'd never buy a movie twice just to get some different soundtrack or increased extras.

I thought the sound was great.. picture looked good. The only thing about this edition.. which doesn't bother me, is that the only movie is the director's cut with like 16 additional minutes. I do no believe the original theatrical release is there. Now, if I'd noticed that before I opened it, I *may* have looked at a different edition... but probably not if it was inconvienent.

ChrisDurano

$14.99 @ Target. Can't beat that for a great reference DVD.

Dr. Spec

The Ultimate Edition has both movie versions and DTS-ES Matrix.

The Extreme Edition only had DD-EX and the extended cut. The big plus of the Extreme Edition is the new 1080p high def transfer.

The PQ on the Ultimate Edition is damn good, but there is a HUGE thread over at HTF on the differences between the two. Apparently the high def version IS better, but for me it's just not enough to give up the Ultimate Edition.

Warning, this thread is a bandwidth hog, broadband only need apply.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?threadid=141854

Doc

kberg

Originally posted by burdette
I'd never buy a movie twice just to get some different soundtrack or increased extras.

Normally, I'd probably agree with you on this. But I have to say that for 2001: A Space Odyssey and (from what I hear) Saving Private Ryan, the remastered DD for 2001 and DTS track for SPR (if you already have the DD version of SPR) are exceptional and worth a re-purchase, if you're a big fan of either of these two movies. I know there are MANY others as well.

The remastered version of 2001 by Warner Brothers blows the original MGM version away, IMO.

shiznit311

Just got to that part on my copy and there was no clicking or popping at all. FWIW

burdette

Well, I played it again last night and the exact same thing happened, so I'm going to take this back and get a different copy.

On the plus side, there is a LOT of great sound information on this cut... lots of bass, lots of surround effects.

BeginnersLuck

Do you have another play that you can try the movie on? This could save you a trip to the store!

-BL

burdette

Thanks for the advice... I'm not sure. Our computer used to play DVDs... but .. well.. let's just say that that phucking Gateway is dang lucky I haven't chucked it into our woods at some point over the past two years (lord knows I've been close many times). Never ever ever again will Gateway enter my house. Ever.

This is the computer that .. on boot-up.. randomly selects which drives it will recognize. Sometimes, it doesn't know it has a DVD/ROM drive, 99.9% of the times it doesn't know it has a CD burner. I've loaded and reloaded and deleted and added and reformatted over and over. Last time I had to reload Windows, the machine recognized the burner on first boot, again on 2nd.. and then not again.

It is, simply, a big stinking **** of a machine. Hell, if it weren't for late-night **** and the kids' education games, I'd go back to a typewriter and carbon paper.

Demiurge

I have no problem with this version of the DVD, I just watched it.

burdette

Thanks for the replies. That is enough information to know that it isn't a general flaw of the DVD.. so I'll try a new one.


Now..... if it continues on another copy... what could be the reason that THAT particular point in the movie - apparently - gives my DVD player a tizzy?

Dr. Spec

I'll bet money it's your DVD player.

I had the same problems with my previous DVD player - certain DVDs would give it fits at the exact same time - every time.

The above advice is very good - bookmark the time stamp and try your disc on another player before you exchange it.

Doc

mhw58

I Just watched the Shining dvd over the weekend. About half
way through it, the picture started freezing momentarily while
the audio would continue. I took it out and cleaned it but it
still did this. I played it on another dvd player and it worked
fine so certain dvd players seem to be able to error correct
better.
Mike

Dr. Spec

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?threadid=143539

For an update about problems with the metal case - be careful when opening!

Doc

goingganzo

just picked it up today i will have to comme pare it to the vhs copy lol i just dont know with one will look better.

burdette

Well Doc... my case is good'n torn. Didn't know about the problem before I opened it Tuesday night. But I got the email to get another case. I'm going to see if my piece of **** computer will play the regular version tonight to see if it is just my DVD player that skips at that one point. We don't have a alternate outboard DVD player.

If it is indeed my player, then this will be the first problem of any sort I've had in the 17 months I've had it. I had one other problem last summer, but that was due to my inept set up and not the unit.

I don't remember if I asked this above... but... do you, or does anyone.. think that even if it IS the player, that the optical output would give different results? I would tend to think 'no' because I'm assuming the error occurs at pickup.. if so, optical would still have it. I don't have a Toslink cable and don't want to go buy one if I'd just be streaming the error along a different path.

Dr. Spec

Nope - I'll save you the time. Mine did it with coax and optical. Replacing the player fixed all glitches. Mine lasted 17 months too.

I'm saying the disc is 100% not guilty, but I'm 99% certain your player is the problem.

Take the disc to a local audio dealer and give it a spin.

Doc

burdette

Well Doc... it is going to last a lot longer than 17 months. This isn't a deal-breaker.

I solved the T2 metal case problem.. you have to squeeze the middle of the case, right in the Terminator's nose, and the inner case can be pushed out. It also helps to 'pinch' the corners a little to make them more 90 degrees.

reeltrouble1

Burdette,

Supposedly if you highlight the " Sensory Control" at the main menu screen and then press right on the remote five times there is an option to play the threatrical version.

I have not bought a copy yet, how about checking it out and see if it works a sort of "easter egg".:D

burdette

Damn.. why do they do things like that? I'll try it tonight and see what happens. I'm already going to play T2 tonight to check a potential fix for my audio problem.

Sound&Vision has a new 'easter egg' section, but as of yet I don't think I own any of the discs they've researched.

Thanks. I'll give it a try and post back. I can't watch the super hi-def version.. my home computer is a piece of ****.

hamzahsh

I think its not worth buying the new T2:EE 'cause there is no alternate ending. The T2:UE has all 3 versions of the movie.
Theaterical, Special and Special with Alternate ending version. On top of all 3 versions you get the plethora of extras more than the new version.

Artisan did the same thing with Rambo and Stargate. Hope they don't come up with the 4th version of T2: Criterion.

I had the first theaterical version which was great enough but the only reason I bought the T2:UE 'cause of additional 18 minutes of footage with alternate ending.

Buying a new T2:EE is no brainer!:mad:

hamzahsh

Exchanging the copy of T2:EE will not solve the problem. The problem is with your DVD Player. Give it a spin on another one and see if you notice the glitch.

ChrisDurano

I bought it cuz I never had it on DVD. I figured it was time. I really would like to see the first Terminator come out with a really good transfer. Anyone know how good the first Terminator is on DVD? Appreciate some info.

mhw58

I have the first Terminator on dvd and it's great. Here is an indepth review from dvdreview.com:

The Terminator

The Terminator (1984)
MGM Home Entertainment
Length: 107 mins.
Rated: R
Format: Anamorphic Widescreen · 1.85:1


After Artisan’s release of the Ultimate Edition of James Cameron’s "Terminator 2" everyone’s eyes were directed towards the original film, "The Terminator." Released in 1997 as a bare-bones DVD of mediocre quality, fans of the movie were hoping that someone would take heart and release the Ultimate Edition of "The Terminator." Owning the rights to the film, MGM Home Entertainment heard the call and with the help of producer Van Ling, they decided to create a Special Edition for this movie that became the defining milestone in James Cameron’s career as much as Linda Hamilton’s and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s.

Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) is a young woman trying to keep her head above water in the big city. One day however, she hears the news that Sarah Connors all across town are being killed and she fears for her own life. In fact, soon she finds herself aggressively stalked by a hulking man who kills everyone in his way. Another man comes to her rescue and takes her to safety, telling her an unbelievable story. He – and the man trying to kill her – have come from the future. Both traveled back in time, the Terminator to kill her, and he to protect her. He tells her the story of a big leader in the future, who gives hope to mankind and is intent to liberating the human race from the grip of the machines. That man is her unborn child!
All the while the Terminator is closing in relentlessly on them and before long, Sarah realizes that there is more truth to the story than she expected. The Terminator turns out to be indeed an indestructible robot whose only mission is to kill Sarah.


From beginning to end, James Cameron’s "The Terminator" is an action spectacle filled to the brim with a riveting story, phenomenal action moments and one of the most terrifying villains in action cinema history. The reason this film has been so successful and is still so incredibly effective lies in its credibility. The story makes sense and the way Cameron works with the element of time travel is masterfully put in place to create memorable moments to play up the time-space-paradox in a believable fashion. The fact that the Terminator is virtually indestructible further adds to the adrenaline rush that propels the film forward and keeps viewers glued to the screen to the very last frame.

The video transfer of "The Terminator" on this DVD is nothing short of a revelation, especially in comparison to previous releases of the film. Completely cleaned up and color corrected, the film has a fresh look and richness that has never been seen before. The film has originally been shot on cheap film stock and all the more surprising is the lack of grain in the transfer. I had the chance to see a direct comparison of the film before and after its restoration some time ago, and the results were stunning to say the very least. I am glad to say that these improvements have made it to this DVD without the slightest detractors. This is "The Terminator" the way you always dreamed of seeing it. The transfer is very clean and without blemishes and also very stable, resulting in a clean and clear reproduction of the film. With a spectacular level of detail and beautiful colors, the DVD will give you the chance to notice details and hues that you have never seen before. With deep blacks and well-defined shadows, the transfer has good visual depth that perfectly matches the ominous, dark nature of the film itself. There is no edge-enhancement evident in the presentation, resulting in a very pleasant-looking presentation that never appears overly sharpened, yet always rich in definition. The compression of the material has also been done very carefully, and no distracting compression artifacts are evident in the presentation anywhere.


The disc features a newly re-mixed 5.1 channel Dolby Digital EX audio track, which presents itself as very aggressive, active and dynamic throughout. Unlike many other remixes, this one seems to have been done from scratch, placing every single effect and element anew in the surround field. The frequency response has been improved, now offering dramatically rich basses as well as clear high ends that are free of distortion and sibilance. Considering that costing $6 million to produce, "The Terminator" was a on a modest budget fur such an effects-laden film, the sonic presentation we get here is quite impressive. With very aggressive use of the surround channels, the mix also makes good use of the rear center channel that is part of the EX encoding and there are a few occasions where it is used to very good effect. Dialogue also has a nice bass roll-off that takes away some of the harsh edges found in previous versions, giving them a much more natural-sounding quality – although given the technical limitations of the source material it would be wrong to expect miracles. For completeness sake and for purists, the original mono track is also supplied on the disc, but its limitations quickly become evident in the shadow of the massive remix.

On the flip side of this DVD-14, which features a dual-layer DVD on one side to hold the film itself, and a single-layer DVD on the other side for the extras, you will find the thrilling supplements of this release. First off there are seven deleted scenes, which can be viewed either with their original sound or with an optional commentary by director James Cameron. Cameron’s comments are valuable and offer additional insight into the placement, and structure of these scenes, as well as why he decided not to use them in the final film. The deleted scenes are all presented in anamorphic widescreen and are in surprisingly good shape.

Two documentaries are also part of this release, spearheaded by the brand new "Other Voices" documentary. Featuring extensive newly recorded cast and crew interviews, as well as photos and footage from the production of the movie, this documentary offers valuable insight into the making of the film. From the initial idea and concept, to shopping the script all the way to its final production, many aspects of the production are covered, including recollections how the casting of the film came together. The documentary has been very well written and edited together, making it an exciting look behind the scenes.


The second is a featurette called "The Terminator: A Retrospective." In 1991 Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron sat down and discussed their memories of the film and the conversation has been video taped and edited together for this featurette, spiced up with elements from other interviews and footage from the film as they go along. The featurette contains some interesting moments but is mostly a promo piece with a lot of fluff – albeit an entertaining one.

The disc also contains the movie’s teaser trailer, its theatrical trailer and a foreign trailer, all of them in anamorphic widescreen, and two television spots.

An extensive gallery of photos and artwork around the film has also been added to the release. Check out some pre-production sketches, behind the scenes photos from the model shoot, Stan Winston’s models, the publicity materials and other pictures.

Last but not least, the DVD also contains the complete treatment that James Cameron wrote to pitch the film to studios. Although text supplements are always somewhat tedious, the font is large and legible, making it a pleasant experience. I was amazed by how closely this first outline actually resembles the final film, including complete shot sequences that were realized without changes from the first treatment.


MGM Home Entertainment is serving up a great Special Edition for "The Terminator" with this release. The presentation has the same flair as the "Terminator 2" disc thanks to the menus that stay well within the same theme, and the contents are also very well prepared and presented. If anything, the only thing really missing from this disc is a commentary track, but fortunately the documentaries help paint a good picture of the production nonetheless. The restoration of the film helps remove some of the age and limitations of the original movie, turning it into an action powerhouse that is virtually without flaws. Go, get this disc!
© 1997-2000 by “DVD Review”. All rights reserved.

ChrisDurano

Thanks for the info. I think I'll be getting it this weekend.