PowerDVD 8.0 Ultra Released!

[XxDeadlyxX]

PowerDVD 8.0 is out

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyberstore/order_1_ENU.html

I just purchased it, but the CD-key they gave me doesn't work... WHAT THE? :mad::bang: I'm now trying the powerdvd.sim trick for the beta to see if that works.

[andy o]

PowerDVD 8.0 is out

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyberstore/order_1_ENU.html

I just purchased it, but the CD-key they gave me doesn't work... WHAT THE? :mad::bang: I'm now trying the powerdvd.sim trick for the beta to see if that works.

Thanks for the heads up. One question, were you able to keep your PowerDVD 7.3 installation untouched?

Thanks.

Oh, and I think they just April-fooled you.

[SuperGoof]

HD DVD support seems to be gone in version 8 after all.

[bass4040]

Does it playback from folder of hard drive?

[James]

Does it playback BD with AnyDVD HD running?

[Jong]

The FAQ on the Cyberlink site says PDVD8 Ultra coexists with PDVD 7 Ultra. So users can continue to use PDVD7 for HD-DVD. Needs to be confirmed though.

[SamuriHL]

They want me to pay 60 bucks to upgrade from 7 Ultra to 8 Ultra?? Um, yea, sure. I need to hear some extremely positive feedback before that happens I think.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Yeh I expected as much. In the Demo video they show the DTS-HD MA logo, so maybe PDVD 8.0 decodes MA? The release notes confirms it downsamples to 48/16. But maybe MA @ 48/16 is still better than DTS 1.5mb core.

There again maybe they're just teasing us.. but I'm keen to hear some I Robot goodness :p

Sounds like everyone is having the activation problem over at AVS.. can anyone here successfully activate?

[Octavean]

They want me to pay 60 bucks to upgrade from 7 Ultra to 8 Ultra?? Um, yea, sure. I need to hear some extremely positive feedback before that happens I think.

Where do you see upgrade pricing from Ultra 7 to Ultra 8?

[roog]

PowerDVD 8.0 is out

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyberstore/order_1_ENU.html

I just purchased it, but the CD-key they gave me doesn't work... WHAT THE? :mad::bang: I'm now trying the powerdvd.sim trick for the beta to see if that works.

The full version price is 99.95 USD and the upgrade is 59.95 USD.

If you need the full version you might try buying from newegg.com for 79.95 USD.

[SamuriHL]

Where do you see upgrade pricing from Ultra 7 to Ultra 8?

I had to do some searching. Take the link posted above and click "home" on the side. You'll see PowerDVD 8 with an upgrade option.

[Octavean]

Thanks SamuriHL, I see it now.

They didn’t specify upgrade options from PowerDVD Ultra 7 OEM to PowerDVD Ultra 8 so I’m not entirely sure where I stand here. $59.95 is not too bad for those who qualify but I think I would just as soon wait for PowerDVD Ultra 8 OEM to start shipping with Blu-Ray ROM drives in the ~$129.99 range,….that way I get hardware I know I want and software that I might want,…..

I’ve also been thinking about buying a “Hauppauge HD PVR” USB stick that captures HDTV into H.264 in real time via component output “YPrPb” of virtually any cable or satellite STB. It supposedly will be shipping with “ArcSoft TotalMedia Extreme” and some additional Arcsoft HD media burning software.

So there’s no point in me buying Arcsoft software either.

Yeah, I think I would prefer to just buy the hardware and take the software as a freebee rather then shell out for the software alone.

Its good to see that PowerDVD Ultra 8 is out though,.. assuming its ready.

[roog]

I had to do some searching. Take the link posted above and click "home" on the side. You'll see PowerDVD 8 with an upgrade option.

It's on the home page under Hot Topics, and yes 7.3 still works, but my key is not working either, they must still be handing out 7.3 keys.

[SamuriHL]

I don't know. I may hold off on this until I see some positive reports. The fact that you guys can't even get it installed is definitely troubling. I think I'd like to see it more in the 40 dollar range for an upgrade, personally. I don't think it brings such a huge "upgrade" over 7.3 as to warrant such a high price. Just my opinion.

[roog]

Now Cyberstink's support page is down so I can't submit a ticket.

What a PITA!

Does anyone have their support phone number? I'm not going to pay $29.95 to get it.

[SamuriHL]

So, uh, this upgrade is working out well then? :D Yea, I'll just sit on the sidelines for a while until this all gets straightened out.

[hajj_3]

only cyberlink's main page is working for me, the press release and release notes arent working nor downloads section.

wanna see a nice changelog from powerdvd 7.3

[MickJT]

I'd love to tell you all that it works fine with AnyDVD.. but I can't play any Blu-Ray discs at all while it remains in Trial / LITE mode.

[hajj_3]

direct url: http://download.cyberlink.com/ftpdload/trial/pdvd/8/CyberLink.1531D_R4_DVD071109-06_Trial_DVD.exe

its 113.37mb

[SamuriHL]

That link is slower than death. :)

[w1seman]

direct url: http://download.cyberlink.com/ftpdload/trial/pdvd/8/CyberLink.1531D_R4_DVD071109-06_Trial_DVD.exe

its 113.37mb

I tested the trial and it cannot play BD's nor HD-DVD's, its only the LITE Version.

God knows where the Ultra Version can be downloaded, resp. bought atm.

PS: Arcsoft Total Media Theatre is 50 % off today!!!

[myarmor]

Now Cyberstink's support page is down so I can't submit a ticket.

What a PITA!

Does anyone have their support phone number? I'm not going to pay $29.95 to get it.

Or rather, everything is down except the front page. I've tried the Powerdvd page, and the rest of them, but it ends up with a blank page in Opera.

Enough refreshes and you might be lucky enough to get a page.

[andy o]

That link is slower than death. :)

Works nicely with download accelerators. If you're using Firefox, it should work fine with the DownThemAll extension. I used Flashget though. I don't even know why I downloaded it though, cause I'm not installing trial bloatware in my precious HTPC, but who knows.

[SamuriHL]

Works nicely with download accelerators. If you're using Firefox, it should work fine with the DownThemAll extension. I used Flashget though. I don't even know why I downloaded it though, cause I'm not installing trial bloatware in my precious HTPC, but who knows.

It doesn't really matter to me how fast it downloads tbh. I'm at work at the moment, so, the best I can do is throw it on my laptop which I may do. Definitely not ready to buy it yet though. I just don't believe there's enough new value to warrant it for me. We'll see how well they decide to support 7.3...

[myarmor]

Now the Cyberlink site works, BUT PowerDVD 8 of any kind is nowhere to be found..
Everything is reverted to PDVD7.

[skypx]

PowerDVD 8.0 is out

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyberstore/order_1_ENU.html

I just purchased it, but the CD-key they gave me doesn't work... WHAT THE? :mad::bang: I'm now trying the powerdvd.sim trick for the beta to see if that works.

The product key I received doesn't work either. Requested a refund........:D

[w1seman]

This company is a complete joke...

They are even not able to unregister members.
I got my money refunded several months ago but still am able to use all latest PDVD Versions with the old serial key...

[PrincipalityFusion]

PS: Arcsoft Total Media Theatre is 50 % off today!!!

50% off!! They could just be trying to drum up some quick sales, but that sounds like a fire sale to me. I wouldn't buy it. That'll probably be the last version you'll ever see.

There had to be a reason why Vidabox decided not to go with Arcsoft.

All just speculation however.

[rfielder]

PS: Arcsoft Total Media Theatre is 50 % off today!!!
The 50% off deal is on all Arcsoft products available from their eStore, and is valid until Apr 6/08.

You enter code "Fool08" (without the quotes, of course) to get the discount at checkout.

As for PowerDVD Ultra 8 - without some idea of what improvements there are, I fail to see the reason to upgrade. PDU 7 is now working very well, thanks to AnyDVD HD.

Plus, without HD-DVD support, I am not sure I would want it at all. I fail to see the advantage of an upgrade when it renders many of my purchased movies unwatchable! Given that a PC is basically format agnostic, releasing software the creates such an artificial limitations sucks dead bunnies.

HD-DVD titles are still being released. People are still buying them. Not a lot, and not for long, but it is far too soon, to be cutting off a major part of your buying public.

[rfielder]

Given the way so much of the Cyberlink web site is missing any info on V8, I think somebody at that company has screwed up.

They issue a release notice before they were ready, as far as I can see. Even the upgrade is from V7 to V7! Imagine, they want $50US to upgrade to the same version!!!

Duh! :bang:

Left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, eh?

[roog]

Given the way so much of the Cyberlink web site is missing any info on V8, I think somebody at that company has screwed up.

They issue a release notice before they were ready, as far as I can see. Even the upgrade is from V7 to V7! Imagine, they want $50US to upgrade to the same version!!!

Duh! :bang:

Left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, eh?

It will be interesting to see what they do now since they already let me purchase it. The download file is definitely PowerDVD8 Ultra.

[w1seman]

50% off!! They could just be trying to drum up some quick sales, but that sounds like a fire sale to me. I wouldn't buy it. That'll probably be the last version you'll ever see.

There had to be a reason why Vidabox decided not to go with Arcsoft.

All just speculation however.

I don't agree with the fire sale idea.
Full HD-Audio was it worth for me to spend only 34 Euro here in Germany =)
Only downside is the video quality with hardware accel enabled, it loses resolution with my NVIDIA 8600 GTS, latest WHQL Drivers. TMT fails the resolution test on my test HD-DVD so far...

[andy o]

They did have the info on 8 but they have taken it down. Probably that was what the downtime on their servers a while ago was all about.

[dharris]

FYI, I am on the phone with tech support and he can not find a record of my purchase this morning (using both my email and order number). I sent him the confirm email from element 5. I am waiting for him to get it and then we will see...

FYI, he said to me (when i said i ordered version 8), "that is not being released until tomorrow. how did you order it?"

LOL, always an adventure when dealing with CL

[dharris]

Oh boy. Your not gonna like this...

He finally admitted to me that this was an error this morning and that Cyberlink took down all links to version 8 because they have decided NOT to allow upgrades from version 7 to version 8 (only full retail purchases). I said this back to him to confirm. He again said, yes, this was an error and is currently being discussed how to handle the people who were allowed to purchase upgrades this morning. He says he needs a screenshot of the error message i am receiving before he can "address" my issue. I am heading home now to do this and I will see what results....

Stay tuned. I feel like this can not be right...

[roog]

Oh boy. Your not gonna like this...

He finally admitted to me that this was an error this morning and that Cyberlink took down all links to version 8 because they have decided NOT to allow upgrades from version 7 to version 8 (only full retail purchases). I said this back to him to confirm. He again said, yes, this was an error and is currently being discussed how to handle the people who were allowed to purchase upgrades this morning. He says he needs a screenshot of the error message i am receiving before he can "address" my issue. I am heading home now to do this and I will see what results....

Stay tuned. I feel like this can not be right...

There's no way they can back out of the sales they let through unless they want to get a lot of bad press over it. From what I've been reading, I'm guessing that they screwed up the full version price for PowerDVD8 Ultra as well.

At least they're letting it coexist with 7.3 because I'm not going to give up my HD DVD collection, especially when I bought HD DVD discs instead of blu-ray when the choice was available.

Please post the Cyberlink support number someone.

[Mr_RIP]

It is that kind of milking of the legitimate customers that drive us to look for hacked software.

Good luck.

[roog]

50% off!! They could just be trying to drum up some quick sales, but that sounds like a fire sale to me. I wouldn't buy it. That'll probably be the last version you'll ever see.

There had to be a reason why Vidabox decided not to go with Arcsoft.

All just speculation however.

I think the ArcSoft 50% off sale is their response to the PowerDVD8 release.

Has anyone gotten TotalMedia Theater to run on Vista 64?

[dharris]

Welp sent them my screenshot and spoke with my rep. He said they will let me know the "situation" by the end of tonight or by tomorrow..

Crap!

FYI, Support number is 888-226-6030

FYII, usually you need a support number for phone support ($30 charge). However, if you choose option 3 (more info) and then choose option 9, you will eventually reach a support rep. When they ask for your number, explain this is a "customer support" issue and not tech support and tell them about the activation problem. They should then help you determine the problem.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Oh, and I think they just April-fooled you.

Seems like this is the worst April fools joke I've ever seen... funny how PDVD8 is no longer on their site... PDVD8 is the joke :rolleyes:

[roog]

Welp sent them my screenshot and spoke with my rep. He said they will let me know the "situation" by the end of tonight or by tomorrow..

Crap!

FYI, Support number is 888-226-6030

FYII, usually you need a support number for phone support ($30 charge). However, if you choose option 3 (more info) and then choose option 9, you will eventually reach a support rep. When they ask for your number, explain this is a "customer support" issue and not tech support and tell them about the activation problem. They should then help you determine the problem.

Thx for the info!:rock::bowdown::rock::bowdown:

[davinleeds]

I don't agree with the fire sale idea.
Full HD-Audio was it worth for me to spend only 34 Euro here in Germany =)
Only downside is the video quality with hardware accel enabled, it loses resolution with my NVIDIA 8600 GTS, latest WHQL Drivers. TMT fails the resolution test on my test HD-DVD so far...

Are you using Vista?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008983

[w1seman]

Are you using Vista?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008983

No, beware of that OS...
I'm using XP and 1080p runs perfectly on my HTPC. PowerDVD gives an excellent image with this card @ 1080p and succeeds at all Test patterns.

CL should now get their things together and release a software with TRUE HD support (Audio)

PS: Already uninstalled Arcsoft for the time beeing...

[SamuriHL]

I've admittedly been busy this evening so I just now got to read through all this. Rather than go on a long tirade like I usually do, I'm only going to say that if an upgrade price is not available, they will easily lose me as a customer. RAPING your consumers is not ok. For the PATHETIC amount of features they're introducing in version 8 vs what's in version 7, there is no way in hell I am going to purchase version 8 at retail price. And that's all I'm going to say on this. Absolute BS.

[Webslinger]

I've admittedly been busy this evening so I just now got to read through all this. Rather than go on a long tirade like I usually do, I'm only going to say that if an upgrade price is not available, they will easily lose me as a customer. RAPING your consumers is not ok. For the PATHETIC amount of features they're introducing in version 8 vs what's in version 7, there is no way in hell I am going to purchase version 8 at retail price. And that's all I'm going to say on this. Absolute BS.

Now tell me how you really feel. ;)

[SamuriHL]

Now tell me how you really feel. ;)

You don't want me to. I was holding back. :)

[Zutton]

According to this article dated 3/24/08, PowerDVD Ultra should have HD audio and HD-DVD support. Did something change in the last 10 days?

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2008/03/24/cyberlink_powerdvd_8_and_media_show_4/1

The third paragraph says "There's also an Ultra version available at a later date with full bitrate HD audio support, DTS 5.1 (why is this Ultra only?) and it's also the only version with HD DVD support."

-Z

[SamuriHL]

Yes, a lot changed. That article has been shown to be a bunch of nonsense. DTS-MA is theoretically there, but, until someone can activate it we won't know for sure. But there are some things that the article appears to be wrong on. We'll know more soon I think.

[Zutton]

But there are some things that the article appears to be wrong on.

So when/where did CL say no HD-DVD?

Thanks,

-Z

[SamuriHL]

So when/where did CL say no HD-DVD?

Thanks,

-Z

I had read that rumor on their own forum quite a few weeks ago, but, no one believed it at the time and even James and I both agreed it'd be completely stupid to do so. At this point, we have absolutely NO idea if it's REALLY in there or not, but, given what the website said before it was pulled, it doesn't seem to be in there. Monumentally STUPID move. There's no good reason to pull that functionality. So far, I'm SERIOUSLY not impressed with how this is going down.

[roog]

I've admittedly been busy this evening so I just now got to read through all this. Rather than go on a long tirade like I usually do, I'm only going to say that if an upgrade price is not available, they will easily lose me as a customer. RAPING your consumers is not ok. For the PATHETIC amount of features they're introducing in version 8 vs what's in version 7, there is no way in hell I am going to purchase version 8 at retail price. And that's all I'm going to say on this. Absolute BS.

The problem is that that they'll stop releasing patches to solve problems that come up with PowerDVD7.

They'll offer an upgrade as soon as new sales flop.

I'm glad I got the upgrade this morning so I can turn the screw in their direction, for a change, if they refuse to honor my purchase.

[SamuriHL]

Good luck. And if they stop supporting 7, well, that'll definitely push me in the direction of a competetor. As soon one is, you know, available. This sucks. For everyone.

[myarmor]

PDVD8 is up again.. With upgrades..

[roog]

Good luck. And if they stop supporting 7, well, that'll definitely push me in the direction of a competetor. As soon one is, you know, available. This sucks. For everyone.

BTW, like you, I'm using Vista. I'm moving to Vista 64 because of the memory limitations of 32 so I can't use TotalMedia Theater and I too can't get Nero to work right either.

I've been able to get PowerDVD7 Ultra to work on a G35 motherboard using the onboard graphics. Nero Showtime w/HD plug-in plays the files I've tested but only in monochrome with ghost flashes of amber while playing.

I purchased the PowerDVD8 Ultra upgrade only because it's currently the most capable player and it's essential to my business interests.

[XxDeadlyxX]

So what about us poor people that purchased it when it was first up? My CD-key has been stripped from my member page, now it only says 8.0 trial, I hope Cyberlink either send us a new key, or a new download link, or something... :bang:

[roog]

PDVD8 is up again.. With upgrades..

Looks like they made the right decision after their goof-up.

FYI, from the main page, go to the online store and click on the upgrade selection and you'll see that it's the same offer that was there before.

If anyone is successful using the upgrade option, please let those of us who bought it and didn't get a working key know if it works now.

[roog]

So what about us poor people that purchased it when it was first up? My CD-key has been stripped from my member page, now it only says 8.0 trial, I hope Cyberlink either send us a new key, or a new download link, or something... :bang:

Just entered a new CybleLink support request for a working key. I'll let you know if/when they respond.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Just tried again to activate, and it WORKS!! Phew...

But.. I can't seem to play any Blu-ray movies from disc... it just says 'Internal Error'... jeezus... :bang:

[w1seman]

SHort report on Ultra 8:

I ordered my upgrade from 7 Ultra to 8 ultra online at eStore of CL.
Costs 59,95 $, which means for me only 38 Euro. Activation worked like it should. Let me make it short:
THIS IS A STEP BACK FROM ULTRA 7!

Why?

- no HD-DVD support, its true, they must be a complete bunch of idiots at CL
- no real HD-Audio Support, played Queen Live DTS 24/96 Track, my sound card only shows 48kHz (again, idiots...)
- no change in the configuration menu, no nothing, simply the same as Ultra 7
- Only change i can see so far is the GUI

I strongly recommend you NOT to buy the upgrade!

[DigiMagic]

Is it possible to use "movie remix" feature to display different subtitles on blu-ray discs? That would be a big plus...

[willywonton]

One big plus, and 5 big minuses

Why would anyone bother?

[w1seman]

In the information window on the top right of PDVD8 it now shows DTS-HD Master Audio, but its still down-converting to at least 48kHz, no clue about the bits however because my soundcard doesnt give me that info.

I find it really hard to believe, that these morons are still not able to send real HD-Audio to the soundcard, what a bunch of assholes, sry.

If only Arcsoft would have a better picture quality....

[TM2-Megatron]

I'm really glad I stopped buying new hardware and software shortly after its release a long time ago, lol.

All in all, this sounds like quite a debacle. Are they actively trying to discourage people from adopting HD?

First Creative, now this? What's so difficult about providing loyal customers with a competently programmed piece of software, with a decent array of features and proper technical support? Slysoft manages to do it better than any other company I've encountered, and they're nowhere near the size of these other companies, with their huge resources.

Please, Slysoft, make your own media player so I can feel justified in buying a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo reader for my computer, lol. It's obvious that it'll take an eternity for Cyberlink or Intervideo to release decent products.

[Hanko44]

=

- no HD-DVD support, its true, they must be a complete bunch of idiots at CL
- no real HD-Audio Support, played Queen Live DTS 24/96 Track, my sound card only shows 48kHz (again, idiots...)
- no change in the configuration menu, no nothing, simply the same as Ultra 7
- Only change i can see so far is the GUI

I strongly recommend you NOT to buy the upgrade!

I'll UPGRADE when the New Version WORKS :D
Thanks for being a BETA Tester for us. PLEASE
Let us know when they FIX their problems.

[w1seman]

I'll UPGRADE when the New Version WORKS :D
Thanks for being a BETA Tester for us. PLEASE
Let us know when they FIX their problems.


I'll do my best :)

I did compare Version 7 now with version 8 on Queen Live and I must admit, there IS a change in sound quality, 8 sounds remarkably better, even a lot!

Nevertheless, the soundcard only shows 48kHz. So this looks like they really now support the whole DTS-HD MS Signal but still downconvert it to 48 kHz.
At least one step forward.

In the About window it now also showas a 8 channel decode capability, whereas 7 only showed 6.

[Hanko44]

I'll do my best :)



Thanks - But I am most interested in Blu-Ray support.

If that is BROKEN - I'll wait.

[SamuriHL]

Wow, this has really changed my mind on upgrading. I'm going to rush out and upgrade right now! Oh wait, no, I'm not. :D What a joke.

[Hanko44]

Wow, this has really changed my mind on upgrading. I'm going to rush out and upgrade right now! Oh wait, no, I'm not. :D What a joke.

It is interesting on the Cyberlink Website they have
a feature comparison chart between 8 and all the
other versions ---- Except 7 Ultra. I wonder if that is
because nothing is really new??????:bang:

[rfielder]

I think one of the most telling aspects of this upgrade is on Cyberlink's web site. :agree:

They have a nice chart that compares versions, and shows which version does what.

If you look at it twice, you will realize that it compares various versions of PowerDVD 7 and PowerDVD 8, including PowerDVD Ultra 8 - but it does not include PowerDVD Ultra 7! :disagree:

Why? :confused:

Perhaps because the difference between PDU7 and PDU8 are far, far too few and far between to justify the change in version number?

Anyone get the impression that this should have been PowerDVD Ultra 7.5, not 8?

Maybe they are cash strapped and needed to generate some cash flow..... :bang:

[SamuriHL]

It is interesting on the Cyberlink Website they have
a feature comparison chart between 8 and all the
other versions ---- Except 7 Ultra. I wonder if that is
because nothing is really new??????:bang:

I noticed that, too. I thought it rather odd that they'd not compare the two Ultra versions when they see fit to charge 60 bucks for the upgrade. What does that 60 bucks get me? Not a hell of a lot IMO. So, no, I'm not going to throw money away.

[XxDeadlyxX]

So is anyone else getting the Internal Error problem? No Blu-ray disc will play here.

[europeman]

Does the trial version give you a good feel for what the new version can do
________
EBONYHUNNYX (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/ebonyhunnyx/)

[dharris]

EDIT:

All my movies (including remuxes) work fine. Interestingly, when I try ATU without AnyDVD it asks to update a component before playing, confirms it has, but will not play. Its an ISO ripped without using AnyDVD.




No errors. Blu Ray plays fine. I tried the following:

Harry Potter (Phoenix)
M. Clayton
Superbad
Across the Universe

However, ATU does not work. Same issue. Menus dont work. Cant play the movie.

I tried all with and without anydvd.

Ill do more extensive testing tonight.

[Webslinger]

- no HD-DVD support, its true, they must be a complete bunch of idiots at CL

You've got to be kidding me!

Unbelievable

Wow :doh:

[europeman]

Excuse my brain cramp
________
MARIJUANA (http://www.youtube.com/dispensaries)

[SamuriHL]

Across The Universe. Same old *BS* as the previous 3 builds that were supposed to fix the problem. If that's still broken in this release, they are the most incompetant MORONS I've ever seen.

[nosurrender]

Does it playback from folder of hard drive?

Does anybody have some information about this one, yet?

[Hanko44]

Does anybody have some information about this one, yet?

I think it does - I can TEST it in about 10 minutes.

[Hanko44]

Does anybody have some information about this one, yet?

UPDATE:

I just tried it - PowerDVD - DOES NOT.

Nero 8 - DOES and I tried it with a Blu-Ray movie in a desktop folder.

[nosurrender]

Did I get you right?
You can play a .m2ts-file from harddisc with Nero 8?
Until now I thought Powerdvd Ultra is the only software to do so...

[shadow07]

Did I get you right?
You can play a .m2ts-file from harddisc with Nero 8?
Until now I thought Powerdvd Ultra is the only software to do so...

You do *not* need to purchase any software to play an m2ts file directly, other than AnyDVD HD to remove any BD+ encryption. :agree: You can use Media Player Classic, along with Haali Media Splitter, AC3Filter, and the latest ffdshow-tryouts. Of course, you will not get TrueHD or DTS-HD audio decode support from these apps. You will get the core DTS and DD/AC3 audio from the HD audio streams though.

[Hanko44]

Did I get you right?
You can play a .m2ts-file from harddisc with Nero 8?
Until now I thought Powerdvd Ultra is the only software to do so...

I tried PowerDVD Ultra Version 7.3

It WOULD NOT play the Blu-Ray that I had. It
did not recognize the file type.

I just tried PowerDVD Ultra Version 7.3 on a
SD-DVD file on Disk. It DOES PLAY that file.

Nero 8 Plays all types of files on Disk, SD and HD.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Well I figured out why my BDs werent working... when I have D3DOverrder set to 'Force Triple Buffering' in DX9, PDVD8 doesnt like it, so when it's disabled BDs work fine.

And yes, it decodes the full DTS-HD Master Audio in 7.1 channels. Well done Cyberlink :rock:

Even when I have PDVD set to 6 channels (I'm only 5.1), in Information it still says DTS-HD MA 7.1 on New Line discs :)

[Hanko44]

Well I figured out why my BDs werent working... when I have D3DOverrder set to 'Force Triple Buffering' in DX9, PDVD8 doesnt like it, so when it's disabled BDs work fine.

And yes, it decodes the full DTS-HD Master Audio in 7.1 channels. Well done Cyberlink :rock:

Even when I have PDVD set to 6 channels (I'm only 5.1), in Information it still says DTS-HD MA 7.1 on New Line discs :)

Thanks for the UPDATE :rock:

[w1seman]

And yes, it decodes the full DTS-HD Master Audio in 7.1 channels. Well done Cyberlink :rock:

Even when I have PDVD set to 6 channels (I'm only 5.1), in Information it still says DTS-HD MA 7.1 on New Line discs :)

But its still downconverting the signal to 16/48 due to AACS, even when there is no AACS on the disc...

And it still gives the annoying aliasing effect with Nvidia 8600 GTS which is really a joke...

[XxDeadlyxX]

But its still downconverting the signal to 16/48 due to AACS, even when there is no AACS on the disc...

And it still gives the annoying aliasing effect with Nvidia 8600 GTS which is really a joke...

Still better than core :)

[roog]

Cyberlink finally fixed the non-working key problem yesterday.

I have completed initial testing and successfully used version 7.3 and the new version 8 of PowerDVD Ultra with both installed on a Vista 64 PC.

Initially, when I mounted an ISO, both versions would execute simultaneously and lock up the computer. Thankfully, in version 8, Cyberlink has disabled or removed the autorun feature that is built-in to PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 so I was able to disable autorun under Vista and version 8 stopped autoexecuting. Then, when I mounted an ISO using Daemon Tools Lite only 7.3 started running. After exiting version 7.3 I was able run version 8.

I am currently trying to find an easy way to disable the autorun under version 7.3. I think I've done it before by disabling the PowerDVD process that runs at startup but I can't remember what I did. If anyone knows how to do this please let me know.

I've also tried to play a HD DVD ISO but it doesn't work. I suspect that the code may still be there because it looks like it's playing the file but displaying only a black screen. No error messages are generated and Power DVD Ultra does not crash.

[Rathbone80]

Has anyone found out where the BD region information is stored?

@ roog: Disable the service which is called PDVDServ.exe


EDIT: BD region still in brf.dat

[roog]

@ roog: Disable the service which is called PDVDServ.exe


Thx! I finally remembered how to do it. I went to Control Panel -> Classic View -> Administratitive Tools -> System Configuration clicked the Startup tab then unchecked PDVDServ.exe and PDVD8Serv.exe.

Both PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 and 8 now work the way I want them too. I recommend that you do this for 7.3 before you install version 8.

[spcav]

Initially, when I mounted an ISO, both versions would execute simultaneously and lock up the computer. Thankfully, in version 8, Cyberlink has disabled or removed the autorun feature that is built-in to PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 so I was able to disable autorun under Vista and version 8 stopped autoexecuting. Then, when I mounted an ISO using Daemon Tools Lite only 7.3 started running. After exiting version 7.3 I was able run version 8.

So you are saying that you played a BD ISO with PDVD 8?

[roog]

So you are saying that you played a BD ISO with PDVD 8?

Absolutely! No problems at all so far but I've been testing with full rips done with Clonecd and AnyDVD HD turned off after AnyDVD HD reads the disc and before I run CloneCD. For most of those I used AnyDVD HD 6.4.0.2 or later.

[Octavean]

The Cyberlink forums seem to have been down for some time now.

We're sorry. The site is unavailable due to maintenance.

I wonder if they just took their forum offline to subvert the overabundance of complaints they were sure to have received over this key debacle.

[MyOpinion]

It appears that anyone that may have recently purchased Ultra 7 may have the option of going to 8 free of charge. I purchased mine back in October and this was their answer to my question. As I had purchase the two year of maintenance for approx $8.00, I asked if I got 8 with that. However anyone that recently purchased Ultra may want to contact CyberLink and you maybe able to get 8.

Thank you for contacting CyberLink Online Support.

In regard to your concern, we like to inform you that you have purchased PowerDVD Ultra software on Oct 28, 2007. i.e. About 5 months ago. In that case we can not provide you the free upgrade to PowerDVD 8.0 Ultra software.

If you want to use the PowerDVD 8.0 Ultra software then we request you to purchase this upgrade from the CyberLink website. Please follow the below mentioned link :-

[peterbus]

Still better than core :)how do you know it is playing full dtsma?:rock:

[peterbus]

strange one this,downloaded pdvd8 upgrade for pdvd7,installed it,now i have 2 versions,3319a and pdvd8 sweet:rock:but no hddvd or hdd playback:bang:dont know how this happened but s$"^t i dont care,everything works well:rock:

[roog]

strange one this,downloaded pdvd8 upgrade for pdvd7,installed it,now i have 2 versions,3319a and pdvd8 sweet:rock:but no hddvd or hdd playback:bang:dont know how this happened but s$"^t i dont care,everything works well:rock:

Did you try my FYI suggestion? If you make ISOs from HD DVDs or HD DVD rips you should be able to play them with PowerDVD Ultra 7.

[pjouy]

You can't play HD-DVDs with 7.3 Ultra when 8 Ultra is installed?? :confused: Should we consider that both softwares are not independent?

[roog]

You can't play HD-DVDs with 7.3 Ultra when 8 Ultra is installed?? :confused: Should we consider that both softwares are not independent?

Yes you can if you use ISOs.

[spcav]

Absolutely! No problems at all so far but I've been testing with full rips done with Clonecd and AnyDVD HD turned off after AnyDVD HD reads the disc and before I run CloneCD. For most of those I used AnyDVD HD 6.4.0.2 or later.
I am confused regarding clonecd / anydnd hd - before / after etc...

Did you just tried a ''simple'' rip with anydvdhd (no clone cd) and then iso convert (imgburn or nero) and then daemon tools mounting?

Or simply making iso from ''net rips''? This does not work for me.

I also tried burning a bd rw disc but i got the same results (black screen).

Everything (iso)is working fine with 7,3 installed in the same xp installation.

[SamuriHL]

I am confused regarding clonecd / anydnd hd - before / after etc...

Did you just tried a ''simple'' rip with anydvdhd (no clone cd) and then iso convert (imgburn or nero) and then daemon tools mounting?

Or simply making iso from ''net rips''? This does not work for me.

I also tried burning a bd rw disc but i got the same results (black screen).

Everything (iso)is working fine with 7,3 installed in the same xp installation.

See here: Samuri's ISO Guide (http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=14989)

That is the method he's following. Essentially rip an ISO with AnyDVD disabled, and when mounting it enable AnyDVD for the mounted virtual drive be it Daemon Tools or VCD 5.3.0.0 beta.

[spcav]

See here: Samuri's ISO Guide (http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=14989)

That is the method he's following. Essentially rip an ISO with AnyDVD disabled, and when mounting it enable AnyDVD for the mounted virtual drive be it Daemon Tools or VCD 5.3.0.0 beta.

thanks

will try that also (although i don't have the same problem with 7.3...)

[SamuriHL]

thanks

will try that also (although i don't have the same problem with 7.3...)

Well, by doing it with that method, you get an image as close to the original as possible. It doesn't get "molested" (LOL) by AnyDVD until you mount it, so, if there are any bugs that crop up, you just update AnyDVD when they fix it and you're good to go. No messing with re-ripping and all that nonsense. So, I consider it the best method personally.

[roog]

I am confused regarding clonecd / anydnd hd - before / after etc...

Did you just tried a ''simple'' rip with anydvdhd (no clone cd) and then iso convert (imgburn or nero) and then daemon tools mounting?

Or simply making iso from ''net rips''? This does not work for me.

I also tried burning a bd rw disc but i got the same results (black screen).

Everything (iso)is working fine with 7,3 installed in the same xp installation.

If I understand the process correctly, ripping with AnyDVD HD enabled modifies the files so you may not be able to use them successfully at a later date if an error is fixed in AnyDVD HD (unless you want pull out the original disc and do it all over again).

I haven't seen any increase in file size if you rip without AnyDVD HD enabled so there doesn't seem to be any penalty for doing so. The penalty for doing it your way, which was my old way, is that it takes twice as long. It's a PITA to go back and re-rip everything done the old way but I want to abandon 3319a and use PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 and 8 instead.

I know that James is going to pounce on me for saying this, but I regret sticking with PowerDVD 3319a as long as I did because of his advice.

I haven't yet tested without enabling AnyDVD HD first, but if Samuri says it works I believe him.

IMHO, the PS3ers have been right all along by doing the rips the way they do them.

[spcav]

i get it

i tried but no luck

my problem is that all my br iso's (mainly 'from the net' - i didn't check so far from my br discs) are working fine with 7.3 but i get a black screen in 8!

So obviously there is something ''changed'' in 8...

Did you manage to get to play a br iso made from a ''downloaded'' movie in ''folder'' fromat?

[SamuriHL]

I haven't yet tested without enabling AnyDVD HD first, but if Samuri says it works I believe him.

IMHO, the PS3ers have been right all along by doing the rips the way they do them.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. :) And that's EXACTLY where my method originated. The only way I could rip BD's originally was with SAK on my PS3. I was too damn lazy to rip another ISO from the mounted image so I said screw it and left it protected. And when I got my LG drive I decided to keep ripping with no AnyDVD because it was working fine and I liked the idea of having an image as close to the original as possible. Then when Hitman came out and it was decided that those that ripped with an older version of AnyDVD would have to rip again anyway, well, my method was vindicated and I decided to share it with everyone. But yea, it was born from having to use my PS3 originally to make protected ISOs.

[SlyFox 1]

Stick with V7 until V8 is at least 2 updates into the program. Its not that different.

[PrincipalityFusion]

i get it

i tried but no luck

my problem is that all my br iso's (mainly 'from the net' - i didn't check so far from my br discs) are working fine with 7.3 but i get a black screen in 8!

So obviously there is something ''changed'' in 8...

Did you manage to get to play a br iso made from a ''downloaded'' movie in ''folder'' fromat?

I don't know of any service where you can purchase downloaded Blu Ray movies (folder or ISO) so I am going to assume that you don't own these downloaded rips.

Well, the short of it is that we don't look to kindly on such things. AnyDVD HD is meant to protect fair use rights. If you are ripping/burning stuff that you haven't purchased then that's not fair use, that's stealing.

I'm in no position to give you a warning, but one may follow shortly.

[roog]

i get it
So obviously there is something ''changed'' in 8...


Since it's a changing universe, you need to control the rips (not download them) because when you do so you don't know for sure who created them and what method they used.

Also, by doing so, you're possibly opening up your PC to trojans and viruses.

[spcav]

I know very well what fair use means and by owning about 100 br / hd dvd discs i don't have to be warned.

My point is technical and I just used this example in order to show that there is something changed in 8 not allowing playback of the same br iso's that are working fine in 7.

I am just trying to figure this out.

I will try ripping again the same movies from my original discs but I doubt that this will make any difference as i cannot get even 1 br iso to work in 8 (while all of them work in 7.3).

I suspect that there is something else wrong and not the iso creating procedure.

[roog]

I will try ripping again the same movies from my original discs but I doubt that this will make any difference as i cannot get even 1 br iso to work in 8 (while all of them work in 7.3).

Use the latest AnyDVD HD beta 6.4.0.6. I haven't found any problems with it so far and the ISOs I've created do work in PowerDVD 8.

Maybe you have something else installed that's interfering with the playback or Cyberlink could have possibly implemented some new countermeasures against older rips in version 8. Since I don't have any older ISOs I can't test the countermeasure theory.

Also, don't forget to use Daemon Tools or the beta version of Virtual CloneDrive to mount the ISO before trying to play it.

P.S. - None of this information is relevant if you're using the PowerDVD 8 beta.

[spcav]

i am using anydvd hd 6406, pdvd 8 ultra and daemon tools 4.12.2

i found out that a br iso i just made from a br disc with anydvd hd and imgburn works fine in 8.

i suspect that there is something wrong with pvdv 8 and older iso's (although these are playing fine in 7.3)

[XxDeadlyxX]

how do you know it is playing full dtsma?:rock:

In information readout for Hairspray, PDVD7 said "DTS-HD 5.1", PDVD8 now says "DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1", regardless whether you have PDVD set to 6 or 8 speakers. I've done some A/B comparisons, and although I'm only using X-Fi to Z-5300 speakers (which are great for what they are), there is definitely a difference with Hairspray, there is slightly more depth to the sound now with PDVD8. I'm pretty sure it isn't a placebo effect, I went back and forth a few times in the same scene.

With Fox titles I'm not so sure... I can't seem to make out much difference between 7 and 8 in how it sounds... also PDVD8 does the same thing as PDVD7 just as Fox titles start to play... before the lossless bitrate starts, the bitrate stays fixed at 1560kbps for about 1.5 seconds after the Fox logo just as the movie starts. The possible explanations I see are... either PDVD8 still only outputs core DTS for 5.1 tracks (which is unlikely), or PDVD7 actually did decode MA for 5.1 tracks (probably unlikely too), or that it means nothing and that is normal. What do standalone players which decode MA internally do? In their bitrate readout do they do the same thing?

[Shizam]

i am using anydvd hd 6406, pdvd 8 ultra and daemon tools 4.12.2

i found out that a br iso i just made from a br disc with anydvd hd and imgburn works fine in 8.

i suspect that there is something wrong with pvdv 8 and older iso's (although these are playing fine in 7.3)

Yea,
I just got PDVD8 and tried mounting two isos I made a couple days ago using DT Lite, it won't work, PDVD8 thinks they're files and goes to 'file mode' then fails to play them.

Lame.

Sam

[roog]

Yea,
I just got PDVD8 and tried mounting two isos I made a couple days ago using DT Lite, it won't work, PDVD8 thinks they're files and goes to 'file mode' then fails to play them.

Lame.

Sam

What version of AnyDVD HD did you use? Also, which movies don't work?

[Plug]

I dont know what you guys are doing, but i cant play bluray movies at all with power DVD v8.0 ultra.

just says unsuppoted format in drive I ect...

this is with anyDVD enabled or disabled :(

my resident evil 3 doesnt work arghhhhh
------------------------

When i try the same movie in power dvd 7.3 ultra though the movie plays but the menu is static LOL i cant click anything on the menu, the motion video plays but i cant click play....

very strange software
who writes this stuff, killer clowns.


----------------------------------

Update, Never mind i require the ultra v8.0 to playback bluray dvds :(

but does anyone have any idea why my 7.3 ultra doesnt play my bluray disks correctly..

resident evil 3 plays fine then when at the menu the motion video will play but the menus and stuff are static, i cant click on them

the same happens on a bd movie i have called
surfs up
aswell as open season.

[andy o]

In information readout for Hairspray, PDVD7 said "DTS-HD 5.1", PDVD8 now says "DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1", regardless whether you have PDVD set to 6 or 8 speakers. I've done some A/B comparisons, and although I'm only using X-Fi to Z-5300 speakers (which are great for what they are), there is definitely a difference with Hairspray, there is slightly more depth to the sound now with PDVD8. I'm pretty sure it isn't a placebo effect, I went back and forth a few times in the same scene.

With Fox titles I'm not so sure... I can't seem to make out much difference between 7 and 8 in how it sounds... also PDVD8 does the same thing as PDVD7 just as Fox titles start to play... before the lossless bitrate starts, the bitrate stays fixed at 1560kbps for about 1.5 seconds after the Fox logo just as the movie starts. The possible explanations I see are... either PDVD8 still only outputs core DTS for 5.1 tracks (which is unlikely), or PDVD7 actually did decode MA for 5.1 tracks (probably unlikely too), or that it means nothing and that is normal. What do standalone players which decode MA internally do? In their bitrate readout do they do the same thing?

I don't think you can trust that much that info window. While I don't think there would be an audible difference especially with those speakers, I won't argue against that (I've annoyed enough people enough times with my skepticism I guess), and instead will say that an easier way to check this out is if it's actually outputting 7.1 audio. Just disable DPLIIx or other 6.1/7.1 expanders you may have and let it play at 7.1 and put your ears in front of your rear speakers. The "core" DTS is only 5.1.

[XxDeadlyxX]

I don't think you can trust that much that info window. While I don't think there would be an audible difference especially with those speakers, I won't argue against that (I've annoyed enough people enough times with my skepticism I guess), and instead will say that an easier way to check this out is if it's actually outputting 7.1 audio. Just disable DPLIIx or other 6.1/7.1 expanders you may have and let it play at 7.1 and put your ears in front of your rear speakers. The "core" DTS is only 5.1.

Unfortunately due to my speakers being only 5.1 I can't do that, as I can't just change plugs to get the side channels when audio settings are 7.1 in X-fi options.

People with 7.1 setups, do you get all 7.1 channels now from 7.1 MA tracks?

[Burner27]

I have been using Nero's Showtime with BluRay/HD-DVD plugin for a while now and since version 6.4.0.4. of AnyDVD HD came out I have no issues playing any movie i have ripped to HDD.

[Hanko44]

I have been using Nero's Showtime with BluRay/HD-DVD plugin for a while now and since version 6.4.0.4. of AnyDVD HD came out I have no issues playing any movie i have ripped to HDD.

SAME HERE - now if I could ONLY STREAM the
ripped HD file to my PS3 - I would be a happy camper.

[w1seman]

Unfortunately due to my speakers being only 5.1 I can't do that, as I can't just change plugs to get the side channels when audio settings are 7.1 in X-fi options.

People with 7.1 setups, do you get all 7.1 channels now from 7.1 MA tracks?

UNfortunately I don't have a BR with DTS-HD MA 7.1, all I know are "only" 5.1.
But even without TrueTheatre enabled it gives 5.1 out as 7.1.

Only 7.1 DTS-HD DIsc I have is a HD-DVD from HErbert Grönemeyer.
I'm now trying to mux it togehter with any Video stream to a BR and playback it with PDVD8.

EDIT:
So, now I authored a new Blu-Ray, Video from Resident Evil Extinction with DTS-HD MA 7.1 Audio from the Herbert Grönemeyer HD-DVD.
ANd what should I tell you?

IT PLAYS BACK TRUE DTS-HD MA 7.1, :rock::rock::rock:

without TrueTheatre mode enabled it gives a complete and true DTS-HD MA 7.1 signal.
Still in 16/48 but at an amazing sound, I'm really shocked how good that sounds!

[Alex39462]

Does anybody know whether the new version 8 plays an ISO of the "YUMA" blu-ray successfully? Or can the menu still not be navigated?

Thanks for letting me know,
Alex

[andy o]

Does anybody know whether the new version 8 plays an ISO of the "YUMA" blu-ray successfully? Or can the menu still not be navigated?

Thanks for letting me know,
Alex

I didn't have any problems at all with 3:10 to Yuma with 7.3.3730. Did you try that one?

[roog]

Does anybody know whether the new version 8 plays an ISO of the "YUMA" blu-ray successfully? Or can the menu still not be navigated?

Thanks for letting me know,
Alex

Still can't use the mouse but the keyboard works, however, my ISO was not created with the latest version of AnyDVD HD.

I'm not able to use the mouse with the latest version of 7.3 either.

[Alex39462]

Still can't use the mouse but the keyboard works, however, my ISO was not created with the latest version of AnyDVD HD.

I'm not able to use the mouse with the latest version of 7.3 either.

Thanks for this info - I have also created the ISO a while ago with AnyDVD on and can't navigate the menu on 7.3 of PowerDVD.

Another question: Can someone please list the benefits of PowerDVD Ultra version 8 compared to the latest 7.3 Ultra version? There's no comparison on the Cyberlink website and I'm wondering whether there's that much difference in the two versions to justify the upgrade (which is rather expensive :mad::mad::mad:)

[SamuriHL]

Thanks for this info - I have also created the ISO a while ago with AnyDVD on and can't navigate the menu on 7.3 of PowerDVD.

Another question: Can someone please list the benefits of PowerDVD Ultra version 8 compared to the latest 7.3 Ultra version? There's no comparison on the Cyberlink website and I'm wondering whether there's that much difference in the two versions to justify the upgrade (which is rather expensive :mad::mad::mad:)

None? Is that a valid answer? :) The only "benefit" I've seen so far is that it supposedly finally decodes DTS-MA HD audio in full 7.1. But it's still down sampling it as far as I understand. Other than that, um, yea, zero benefit that I know of. Hence why I haven't, and probably won't until I'm forced to, bought it.

[Alex39462]

Well, that's exactly what I thought. I only have a (very good) 5.1 amp anyway so don't care about 7.1 for the time being. Will stick to 7.3 and wait for a real benefit before forking out more than 35 quid.

By the way, has Nero Showtime improved on the last version I tested a few weeks ago? Or is there still no playback of any BD+ disc? But the latest AnyDVD might solve this problem?!

And what about WinDVD 9 as an alternative?

[roog]

Another question: Can someone please list the benefits of PowerDVD Ultra version 8 compared to the latest 7.3 Ultra version?

You get a new girlfriend!

[Alex39462]

You get a new girlfriend!

Thanks, another reason for NOT upgrading!!!:disagree:

[roog]

Try this only if you have PowerDVD 8 and don't have PowerDVD 7. Download the PowerDVD 7 Ultra 2911 patch for the LG GGW-H10N drive from the Cyberlink website. Set the device parameters in Daemon Tools Lite to Vendor=HL-DT-ST and Model=GGW-H10N and run the patch.

[Shizam]

What version of AnyDVD HD did you use? Also, which movies don't work?

The movies were ripped using AnyDVD 6.4.0.4, iso created with ImageBurn 2.4.0.0. The movie I tried was u571 (sry I thought I tried two), I just tried 'Casino Royal' and that worked fine, you know what the u571 disc might be HD-DVD actually

Sam

[spcav]

the u571 disc might be HD-DVD actually

it is indeed

[pjouy]

Yes you can if you use ISOs.

There is something I don't understand: why could't I play HD-DVDs discs if I can play mounted ISOs of those discs? :confused: Isn't it the same for PDVD?

To be clear: if you have the LG combo drive, and have some HD-DVD discs, you can't play them anymore as soon as you install PDVD 8 (and leave PDVD 7.3 installed for playing them)?
So, can this scenario work:
Install PDVD 7.3.3310a for playing HD-DVDs and BD rips from hard drive
Install (in another folder) PDVD 8 Ultra for everything else, like new BDs.

I don't care about playing rips from hard drive, except home-made BD (like with Adobe suite). All I want is being able to play HD and BD discs from a non-compliant HDCP PC.

[roog]

There is something I don't understand: why could't I play HD-DVDs discs if I can play mounted ISOs of those discs? :confused: Isn't it the same for PDVD?

To be clear: if you have the LG combo drive, and have some HD-DVD discs, you can't play them anymore as soon as you install PDVD 8 (and leave PDVD 7.3 installed for playing them)?
So, can this scenario work:
Install PDVD 7.3.3310a for playing HD-DVDs and BD rips from hard drive
Install (in another folder) PDVD 8 Ultra for everything else, like new BDs.

I don't care about playing rips from hard drive, except home-made BD (like with Adobe suite). All I want is being able to play HD and BD discs from a non-compliant HDCP PC.

You have to use PowerDVD 7 Ultra to play HD DVD ISOs.

You don't have to create another folder for 7 or 8. Just disable autorun for each version, as posted earlier in this thread, before running PDVD or restarting your computer.

As far as I know, you have to use AnyDVD HD to play using non-HDCP monitors or HDTVs.

[Hanko44]

You have to use PowerDVD 7 Ultra to play HD DVD ISOs.

As far as I know, you have to use AnyDVD HD to play using non-HDCP monitors or HDTVs.

Don't forget you need the EXTRA Cost Plug-In as well :o

[roog]

Don't forget you need the EXTRA Cost Plug-In as well :o

You don't have to buy anything else if you bought PDVD 7 Ultra to start with.

[pjouy]

You have to use PowerDVD 7 Ultra to play HD DVD ISOs.

(...)

As far as I know, you have to use AnyDVD HD to play using non-HDCP monitors or HDTVs.

But I don't want to play ISOs, I just want to play the original disc... with PDVD 7.3, and all other with 8 (maybe...)
Autorun is of course disabled for both versions (but Vista can launch 7.3 when a HD-DVD is inserted, and the 8 version when a BD is inserted!)
And I already own AnyDVD HD and already played lots of high definition discs thanks to it!

[Hanko44]

You don't have to buy anything else if you bought PDVD 7 Ultra to start with.

YOU ARE 100% right.

I got confused because I ALSO own Nero 8 and they make
you buy a HD/Blu-Ray Plug-in.

Too darn many software programs to keep track of :bang:

[peterbus]

Unfortunately due to my speakers being only 5.1 I can't do that, as I can't just change plugs to get the side channels when audio settings are 7.1 in X-fi options.

People with 7.1 setups, do you get all 7.1 channels now from 7.1 MA tracks?
yep,but i still dont know if its dtsma?:rock:

[James]

Unfortunately due to my speakers being only 5.1 I can't do that, as I can't just change plugs to get the side channels when audio settings are 7.1 in X-fi options.

People with 7.1 setups, do you get all 7.1 channels now from 7.1 MA tracks?
PowerDVD 7.3 already did that, but I believe it didn't decode the "MA" part, only the "HD" part. For me this is sufficient, I probably will never notice the difference anyway. :o

[peterbus]

You can't play HD-DVDs with 7.3 Ultra when 8 Ultra is installed?? :confused: Should we consider that both softwares are not independent?
theres no prob playing hddvd from hdd with 7.3 after you install 8.make a copy of 7,rename it 7(1)or whatever install 8 upgrade over 7 and vola you have 7+8 on the desktop at least i think this is what happened:confused:

[XxDeadlyxX]

yep,but i still dont know if its dtsma?:rock:

Check the above post, we have confirmation that it outputs in 7.1, therefore it has to be MA, albeit at 48/16.

[w1seman]

PowerDVD 7.3 already did that, but I believe it didn't decode the "MA" part, only the "HD" part. For me this is sufficient, I probably will never notice the difference anyway. :o

Well, before I had PDVD8 I would propably have said the same.

But trust me, you would notice the difference.

It's just that wide, fat and in the same time extremely clear sound that comes to my ears now.
Not that PDVD7 is bad but PDVD8 is a different planet when it comes to HD-Audio sound quality.

Even my girlfriend immediately noticed the wow-effect of the sound produced by PDVD8.

This was it worth it for me to spend the 38 Euros, just to get that pure hi-end sound out of my speakers now!

TMT'S sound quality is nowhere near that of PDVD8.

Regards

[SamuriHL]

Well, before I had PDVD8 I would propably have said the same.

But trust me, you would notice the difference.

It's just that wide, fat and in the same time extremely clear sound that comes to my ears now.
Not that PDVD7 is bad but PDVD8 is a different planet when it comes to HD-Audio sound quality.

Even my girlfriend immediately noticed the wow-effect of the sound produced by PDVD8.

This was it worth it for me to spend the 38 Euros, just to get that pure hi-end sound out of my speakers now!

TMT'S sound quality is nowhere near that of PDVD8.

Regards

SIGH. This isn't helping me resist temptation and simply buying the fracking upgrade. I just fear that 7.3 users are about to get ROYALLY screwed over when it comes to patches for future (and present) issues. Across the Universe still isn't fixed in version 8. The likelihood it'll EVER get fixed in 7 is small I think. SON OF A..... :( I don't WANT to upgrade, but, the sound quality really has me intrigued. I have several titles with DTS-MA HD tracks on them. Is it really THAT noticeable of a difference?

[w1seman]

Is it really THAT noticeable of a difference?

I'm really no big CL fan u know (I even hate them...), but yes, on my setup, the difference is there.
Its the wow effect that immediately hit me when playing the first DTS-HD MA movie. The dynamics are just crazy, I'm going to buy some more DTS-HD MA concert BD's soon. You feel like sitting directly in a concert. 7.1 DTS-HD MA Herbert Grönemeyer is a fest for my ears, I even hear it without the video part because it was a HD-DVD and tsremuxer cant read the containig VC1 file :mad:.

The HD-DVD thing is really annoying but on the other hand, its a dying format (unfortunately). Future is BD only, so if I want to watch a HD-DVD I still have PDVD7 and TMT to do so, no brainer for me now. I even thought about reauthoring (mainmovie only) all my HD-DVD's to BD and I guess i will do it anyway :D (about 70 movies). Once done I would be able to play all in PDVD8 and thats it.

If only these bastards at CL wouldnt still downconvert the audio analog signal to 16/48 :mad:, I wonder if that would be a similar difference from 16/48 to 24/96 or even 24/192!?

PS: Has anybody an idea why tsremuxer doesnt recognize some vc1 files?

[SamuriHL]

I'm really no big CL fan u know (I even hate them...), but yes, on my setup, the difference is there.
Its the wow effect that immediately hit me when playing the first DTS-HD MA movie. The dynamics are just crazy, I'm going to buy some more DTS-HD MA concert BD's soon. You feel like sitting directly in a concert. 7.1 DTS-HD MA Herbert Grönemeyer is a fest for my ears, I even hear it without the video part because it was a HD-DVD and tsremuxer cant rad the containig VC1 file.

I just bought the upgrade. Against my better judgement. We'll see how it goes. I absolutely require this to co-exist with 7.3 so that I can still have HD DVD playback. This whole situation just absolutely SUCKS. But, at least I now have the latest and greatest. Yippie. :) I will try out DTS-HD MA as soon as get it installed. I've got a few Fox titles around for that.

[SamuriHL]

So the bug in the sound that was introduced in 3730a is not fixed in PowerDVD 8 Ultra. I'm not impressed with that concept at all. I hope they plan on fixing it.

(This bug is that on the FF RotSS disc the Simpsons Movie trailer has no audio. It does in previous versions.)

[James]

I just bought the upgrade. Against my better judgement. We'll see how it goes. I absolutely require this to co-exist with 7.3 so that I can still have HD DVD playback.
Let me know how this works out. Maybe you can "convince" PowerDVD8 to play HD DVDs? The HD DVD navigation filter is already there from PowerDVD7. This would be sweet. :D

[SamuriHL]

Let me know how this works out. Maybe you can "convince" PowerDVD8 to play HD DVDs? The HD DVD navigation filter is already there from PowerDVD7. This would be sweet. :D

The two versions can apparently co-exist as my 7.3 install wasn't touched. That's good at least. As for convincing 8 to play HD DVD's, I'll have to play around with that idea. :) THAT would rock, yes. Audio on DTS-HD MA tracks does seem to be noticeably better. :agree: This isn't the WORST purchase I've made, but, I'm still pretty bitter about it. 59 USD for the upgrade. For stuff that SHOULD have been there in 7!!! And removed functionality. These things don't please me very much. Oh well. I'm set for another year so screw it.

Also, I'm not entirely positive here and I really need to do some comparisons, but, it SEEMS like video PQ has been slightly improved. Maybe I'm wrong on that one but it does APPEAR to be slightly better.

[roog]

SIGH. This isn't helping me resist temptation and simply buying the fracking upgrade. I just fear that 7.3 users are about to get ROYALLY screwed over when it comes to patches for future (and present) issues. Across the Universe still isn't fixed in version 8. The likelihood it'll EVER get fixed in 7 is small I think. SON OF A..... :( I don't WANT to upgrade, but, the sound quality really has me intrigued. I have several titles with DTS-MA HD tracks on them. Is it really THAT noticeable of a difference?

Unless a serious flaw is discovered in PDVD7U, I can almost guarantee that Cyberlink's support for it will be minimal at best. If you don't need the audio enhancements of PDVD8U, I think you should wait until some new BD scheme makes playing new titles impossible using PDVD7U. Hopefully, some other vendor will come out with a better alternative in the meantime.

Damn them for not including HD DVD support in PDVD8U, it would have required very little effort since new HD DVDs are not being released. The truth is that they're Sony's bitch and the next move will probably be to remove ISO playback. I'm surprised they didn't do it in PDVD8U.

SlySoft, please get busy creating your own player, even if it's only for HD and BD discs. Surely you can figure out a way to pass the audio to sound cards, such as the Auzentec Prelude with the upcoming HDMI add-on, so that you don't have to bother developing that functionality.

[SamuriHL]

I pulled the trigger on the PDVD8U upgrade. There are a few things that impress me so far and a few things that don't. Overall things seem to work fairly well. HD DVD support is missing, yes, which sucks. Hopefully a way can be found to enable it. :D PQ does indeed seem slightly improved. I was impressed with that, actually. I just watched a couple scenes in I, Robot and the sound and PQ are definitely an improvement. So, it's not a complete waste of money. And since it coexists with 7.3 it's not a complete loss. I can still watch my HD DVD's. Someone on AVS forum said that DVD PQ has also improved. That'd be nice. I find that DVD's look better on my PS3 than in PowerDVD. I'll have to reevaluate that now that things have improved.

[roog]

Samuri, welcome to the bleeding edge once again! - :rock:roog

[SamuriHL]

Samuri, welcome to the bleeding edge once again! - :rock:roog

I seem to always find myself there don't I... :)

[Humpa]

I pulled the trigger on the PDVD8U upgrade. There are a few things that impress me so far and a few things that don't. Overall things seem to work fairly well. HD DVD support is missing, yes, which sucks. Hopefully a way can be found to enable it. :D PQ does indeed seem slightly improved. I was impressed with that, actually. I just watched a couple scenes in I, Robot and the sound and PQ are definitely an improvement. So, it's not a complete waste of money. And since it coexists with 7.3 it's not a complete loss. I can still watch my HD DVD's. Someone on AVS forum said that DVD PQ has also improved. That'd be nice. I find that DVD's look better on my PS3 than in PowerDVD. I'll have to reevaluate that now that things have improved.great ... now I have to give more money to CL. :bang:

Though I suppose improved audio and picture quality is always a good thing. But paying for something I already paid for kind of irks me.

[roog]

great ... now I have to give more money to CL. :bang:

Though I suppose improved audio and picture quality is always a good thing. But paying for something I already paid for kind of irks me.

Except for SlySoft (only charging for major changes and then not gouging you) isn't that the way it always is. At least CL supported 7 for over a year and decided to offer the upgrade option for 8.

My biggest complaint is that they pulled HD DVD from 8 but, on the other hand, they did make it so you could still use 7 with 8.

[Humpa]

Except for SlySoft (only charging for major changes and then not gouging you) isn't that the way it always is. At least CL supported 7 for over a year and decided to offer the upgrade option for 8.

My biggest complaint is that they pulled HD DVD from 8 but, on the other hand, they did make it so you could still use 7 with 8.I guess it is par for the course, as far as purchasing software goes.
And I am looking forward to trying it considering these new reports about improved PQ and AQ. :D

And I agree - at least we can still use 7.3

[roog]

I guess it is par for the course, as far as purchasing software goes.
And I am looking forward to trying it considering these new reports about improved PQ and AQ. :D

And I agree - at least we can still use 7.3

I'm holding out on 7.1 audio until Auzentech releases the HDMI add-on for the X-Fi Prelude even though that means that I'll have to buy a new receiver.

[Humpa]

I'm holding out on 7.1 audio until Auzentech releases the HDMI add-on for the X-Fi Prelude even though that means that I'll have to buy a new receiver.I'm in that boat as well (can only use 5.1 analog on my current receiver).
I imagine the $1000 Denon rcvr I've had my eye on for the last year would also improve my audio quality. ;)
... though my auzentech isn't the X-Fi Prelude, so I'm waiting for the ATI video card with HDMI.

[hlkc]

My CBII only got 5.1 set up. Looking for an excuse to upgrade V8 now :p

Can PDVD8 DTS-HD MA support on a 5.1 set up?

[roog]

My CBII only got 5.1 set up. Looking for an excuse to upgrade V8 now

The only reason I can come up with is that you'll be the first kid on the block to get the new toy.

I have 7.1 analog capability on my current receiver but I'm waiting for HDMI 7.1 digital before I go there. I can count on one hand the number of movies I've seen in a theater that have impressed me with their sound.

The movies that stick out in my mind are Midway and Terminator 2. I think the reasons for this are that most studios don't want to pay the extra cost to record good 7.1 and most theaters turn down the surround volume so low that you can't hear the extra channels.

Since the advent of HD DVD and Blu-ray, I've pretty much quit going to the movies because the experience is better at home on my 70" Sony SXRD.

[bingobill]

Well, like most other ppl here, I'm pretty p!ssed off with CL at the moment for the same reason as others here so I thought give Total media another go and take advantage of their half price offer.

I can only say WOW, this player has certainly improved so much, testing so far hasn't been extensive but I'm well impressed with what I have tested.

ISOs wouldn't work with VCD so I installed DT light and they play no problem with that. Picture quality is easily on par with PDVD, unlike CL they haven't removed HD DVD playback and R2 Yuma also plays with full menu navigation which it doesn't with PDVD.

I use Vista32 which seems to have the most support at the moment.

Anyway I thought I'd share my experience as today is the last day to take advantage of the half price offer, for just less than £30 UKP i'm well happy.

btw, half price offer code is 'fool08'

[XxDeadlyxX]

Is anyone having problems with PDVD8 and Data Execution Provention? Sometimes when skipping chapters or doing whatever, PDVD8 crashes due to DEP.

[andy o]

PowerDVD 7.3 already did that, but I believe it didn't decode the "MA" part, only the "HD" part. For me this is sufficient, I probably will never notice the difference anyway. :o

Are you implying that the DTS MA tracks have three layers of audio? The "core", a DTS-HD layer, and top it off with a "MA" layer adding the lossless stuff? I don't see a reason for that, since the "core" is just for backward compatibility reasons, and DTS-HD and MA are same generation and come together in most equipment. From what I understood it was that the DTS-HD and MA both had a "core" DTS, which is 5.1 only.

[SamuriHL]

Is anyone having problems with PDVD8 and Data Execution Provention? Sometimes when skipping chapters or doing whatever, PDVD8 crashes due to DEP.

Uh, nope, haven't seen that.

[andy o]

My CBII only got 5.1 set up. Looking for an excuse to upgrade V8 now :p

Can PDVD8 DTS-HD MA support on a 5.1 set up?

MA support is not dependent of number of channels. Most MA tracks out right now are still 5.1, and from my experience 5.1-to-7.1 virtualization is effective, since virtualizing a speaker between other two (as in a center channel) is far easier than virtualizing, say, the back speakers from the front ones. C-Media-based cards that have the 7.1 Speaker Shifter virtualizer work excellently with 5.1 setups. They won't mess with the 5.1 signal, but will take the two back surround channels and virtualize them from your side surrounds. You'll need to set 8-channel input in the Vista drivers, and 5.1 channel output.

Oh, and what is a CBII? Maybe I missed something before.

The only reason I can come up with is that you'll be the first kid on the block to get the new toy.

I have 7.1 analog capability on my current receiver but I'm waiting for HDMI 7.1 digital before I go there. I can count on one hand the number of movies I've seen in a theater that have impressed me with their sound.

The movies that stick out in my mind are Midway and Terminator 2. I think the reasons for this are that most studios don't want to pay the extra cost to record good 7.1 and most theaters turn down the surround volume so low that you can't hear the extra channels.

Since the advent of HD DVD and Blu-ray, I've pretty much quit going to the movies because the experience is better at home on my 70" Sony SXRD.

As far as I know, most movies in theaters are 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS, and the only 7.1-capable theater format is SDDS, which I think it's only a minority of theaters that use it. So we should be able to get better audio now at home with the new HD-disc audio formats.

[w1seman]

Well, like most other ppl here, I'm pretty p!ssed off with CL at the moment for the same reason as others here so I thought give Total media another go and take advantage of their half price offer.

I can only say WOW, this player has certainly improved so much, testing so far hasn't been extensive but I'm well impressed with what I have tested.

ISOs wouldn't work with VCD so I installed DT light and they play no problem with that. Picture quality is easily on par with PDVD, unlike CL they haven't removed HD DVD playback and R2 Yuma also plays with full menu navigation which it doesn't with PDVD.

I use Vista32 which seems to have the most support at the moment.

Anyway I thought I'd share my experience as today is the last day to take advantage of the half price offer, for just less than £30 UKP i'm well happy.

btw, half price offer code is 'fool08'

Cannot agree on what u state.

I'm watching on a 3 meters wide screen, sitting 4 meters away. PQ of TMT and SQ is nowhere near that of PDVD8. Despite the "fact" that TMT offers full 24/96 support on AUdio, PDVD8 sounds much better.

Regarding PQ, TMT fails every resolution test I made with it so far. Its not possible to display 1 pixel lines, it will only display a grey area!

As much as I hoped to find a better product with the 50% off offer, as much do I have to say that this product cannot match with PDVD8 superior PQ and SQ.

Regards

[James]

ISOs wouldn't work with VCD so I installed DT light and they play no problem with that.
huh? This is pretty much the only thing that worked. :D What VCD version?

[James]

Are you people sure, that PDVD8 has DTS-HD MA support? I am asking, because the Cyberlink Website does *not* mention it (only DTS HD).

[SuperGoof]

huh? This is pretty much the only thing that worked. :D What VCD version?

I also uninstalled VCD couple of months ago after I found that PowerDVD does not play BD .isos mounted with it (I tried it both with AnyDVD enabled on mounted drive and disabled as well). It was the latest version. I'm pretty sure that last year (about a year ago) PowerDVD could play BD images mounted with VCD (it was previous version). I don't use .isos that much though. Only experimenting with them from time to time.

[w1seman]

Are you people sure, that PDVD8 has DTS-HD MA support? I am asking, because the Cyberlink Website does *not* mention it (only DTS HD).

Well thats a difficult to answer question, as we do not have an inside in the code of PDVD8 :D

BUt as far as what I hear and see, yes, it has true DTS-HD MA support.

1. The DTS-HD MA logo is on the start screen, its not on PDVD7
2. It recognises the DTS-HD MA stream as DTS-HD MAster Audio in the Information window
3. DTS-HD MA sounds much better than on PDVD7
4. PDVD8 now plays real 7.1 dicrete channels

So I'm pretty sure they do supprt the full signal, but still of course downsampling it to 16/48 :mad:

[andy o]

huh? This is pretty much the only thing that worked. :D What VCD version?

Ha! For a moment there I thought you were talking about Video CDs, which seems about right anyway.:D

Are you people sure, that PDVD8 has DTS-HD MA support? I am asking, because the Cyberlink Website does *not* mention it (only DTS HD).

The MA logo was in the beta, and I think it is also there in the retail version. I think there's some confusion where companies don't care to distinguish between "DTS-HD" and "DTS-HD MA". I think DTS made a poor name choice there. Dolby TrueHD clearly sets itself apart from DD and DD+.

But my point was that, unless DTS-HD MA is a triple-layered format (read my post above), then 7.1 audio from DTS-HD MA 7.1 tracks would be a good indicator that DTS-HD MA is being decoded.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Uh, nope, haven't seen that.

Phew, I figured out what was causing it. It seems PDVD8 doesn't like D3DOverrider AT ALL... PDVD8 will crash 50% of the time on certain movies with it enabled. With D3DOverrider not running, PDVD8 runs fine.

At first I thought it was an issue with running PDVD7 and PDVD8 together, but I installed PDVD8 by itself and it still did it, and D3DOverrider was giving me troubles to begin with by not letting movies even play in PDVD8 when a certain setting was enabled, so I was suspicious it was the cause of this problem as well, luckily I was right. There's nothing worse than random crashes for no reason.

[davinleeds]

Cannot agree on what u state.

I'm watching on a 3 meters wide screen, sitting 4 meters away. PQ of TMT and SQ is nowhere near that of PDVD8. Despite the "fact" that TMT offers full 24/96 support on AUdio, PDVD8 sounds much better.

Regarding PQ, TMT fails every resolution test I made with it so far. Its not possible to display 1 pixel lines, it will only display a grey area!

As much as I hoped to find a better product with the 50% off offer, as much do I have to say that this product cannot match with PDVD8 superior PQ and SQ.

Regards

I'm interested in what you used for testing. I used DVE HD BASICS on TMT and I had no pixel display failures. My projector is 720p.

[James]

4. PDVD8 now plays real 7.1 dicrete channels

PDVD7 did that, too. DTS-HD 7.1 tracks played from all 8 channels (Output mode set to "No Effect", of course...)


So I'm pretty sure they do support the full signal, but still of course downsampling it to 16/48 :mad:
Oh, no! I thought the downsampling is over! :(
BTW, did they fix the Dolby PL IIx bug from PDVD7 (wrong channel assignment with 2 channel sources)?

[James]

I also uninstalled VCD couple of months ago after I found that PowerDVD does not play BD .isos mounted with it (I tried it both with AnyDVD enabled on mounted drive and disabled as well). It was the latest version.
Latest? The current beta?

http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=15111

- New: Supports playback of HD-DVD & Blu-ray images in PowerDVD

(and from my testing, TMT)

[w1seman]

PDVD7 did that, too. DTS-HD 7.1 tracks played from all 8 channels (Output mode set to "No Effect", of course...)

Sorry, but thats simply not possible with PDVD7!
PDVD7 has only a 6 channel decoding capability (click on about in the context menu to see that)
When I playback Herbert Grönemeyer HD-DVD DTS-HD MA 7.1 or The Ghost From Mae Nak DTS-HD MA 7.1 I only get 5.1 output.

If I playback the reauthored BD Discs of the same content with PDVD8 I get true 7.1 output.

PDVD7 didn't ever had a 8 channel decoder.

Regards

[Humpa]

Oh, no! I thought the downsampling is over! :(
BTW, did they fix the Dolby PL IIx bug from PDVD7 (wrong channel assignment with 2 channel sources)?I thought PVD8 would not downsample over HDMI but still downsamples over analog.
Is there a true HDMI audio or video card yet?
Will this work on XP too?
Is the no-downsampling-over-hdmi already included on PVD8, or was it going to be added in an update?

[Adbear]

Sorry, but thats simply not possible with PDVD7!
PDVD7 has only a 6 channel decoding capability (click on about in the context menu to see that)
When I playback Herbert Grönemeyer HD-DVD DTS-HD MA 7.1 or The Ghost From Mae Nak DTS-HD MA 7.1 I only get 5.1 output.

If I playback the reauthored BD Discs of the same content with PDVD8 I get true 7.1 output.

PDVD7 didn't ever had a 8 channel decoder.

Regards
PowerDVD 8 says exactly the same thing in that menu that it only has a 6 channel decoder so if it's wrong in 1 it can be wrong in both

[w1seman]

PowerDVD 8 says exactly the same thing in that menu that it only has a 6 channel decoder so if it's wrong in 1 it can be wrong in both

Thats only true when you don't play a HD-Audio stream.
Go in that "about" screen when a DTS-HD MA track with 7.1 is runnning.
Do that in PDVD7 and it still says "Audio Decoder Capability: 6"
Do that now in PDVD8 and it clearly says "Audio Decoder Capability: 8"
It seems that PDVD8 uses a special decoder for the HD-Audio material.
My soundcard control window also clearly only shows 6 channel output with PDVD7 whereas it shows 8 channel (full discrete!) output with PDVD8!

So again, PDVD7 cannot decode any 7.1 audio track to a true discrete 8 channel output.
PDVD8 can and does decode 8 channel Audio, which is a totally new feature.

[SuperGoof]

Latest? The current beta?

http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=15111

- New: Supports playback of HD-DVD & Blu-ray images in PowerDVD

(and from my testing, TMT)

No, I did not know about this one. I will certainly test it. Thanks!

Now if you only add "virtual image" feature to VCD. That would be great!

[SamuriHL]

Phew, I figured out what was causing it. It seems PDVD8 doesn't like D3DOverrider AT ALL... PDVD8 will crash 50% of the time on certain movies with it enabled. With D3DOverrider not running, PDVD8 runs fine.

At first I thought it was an issue with running PDVD7 and PDVD8 together, but I installed PDVD8 by itself and it still did it, and D3DOverrider was giving me troubles to begin with by not letting movies even play in PDVD8 when a certain setting was enabled, so I was suspicious it was the cause of this problem as well, luckily I was right. There's nothing worse than random crashes for no reason.

Not sure what D3DOverrider is, but, I'm glad you found the issue. I've had no issue with 7 and 8 side by side. We watched Enchanted in 8 last night and I was playing around with I, Robot as well. So far I do feel that 8 is better than 7 in many ways. Just wish they hadn't ripped out HD DVD support. :(

[bingobill]

As much as I hoped to find a better product with the 50% off offer, as much do I have to say that this product cannot match with PDVD8 superior PQ and SQ.

All in your HO of course, sorry but PQ is stunning on my Sony 55" SXRD as it also is with PDVD7. I just can't see a difference. But then again I guess it will take you lot a while to catch on :) I remember posting months before about ISO mounting/playing before it became popular here, the post was virtually ignored, Guess i'm way ahead of you guys ;)

huh? This is pretty much the only thing that worked. What VCD version?

The latest of course :) no problems with PDVD but when trying to play with TMT it crashes.

I have a feeling the registered vers of TMT is different to the trial. Any of you guys actually using the latest registered vers on TMT ? or are you basing your citicisms on the trial vers ? I also had issues with the trial version but so far the registered version is behaving superbly with Vista32.

[James]

Sorry, but thats simply not possible with PDVD7!
PDVD7 has only a 6 channel decoding capability (click on about in the context menu to see that)
When I playback Herbert Grönemeyer HD-DVD DTS-HD MA 7.1 or The Ghost From Mae Nak DTS-HD MA 7.1 I only get 5.1 output.

You're right, it doesn't with Ghost of Mae Nak. But I am absolutely certain that PDVD7 decoded 8 channels with other discs I have. I'll check.

[James]

The latest of course :) no problems with PDVD but when trying to play with TMT it crashes.

Can't reproduce this, but...


I have a feeling the registered vers of TMT is different to the trial. Any of you guys actually using the latest registered vers on TMT ? or are you basing your citicisms on the trial vers ? I also had issues with the trial version but so far the registered version is behaving superbly with Vista32.
... I have tried the registered version on XP. VCD worked fine, but the program is crap. Maybe it doesn't like XP so much.

[davinleeds]

Very good luck with XP/TMT.

[w1seman]

Any of you guys actually using the latest registered vers on TMT ? or are you basing your citicisms on the trial vers ? I also had issues with the trial version but so far the registered version is behaving superbly with Vista32.

I am a registered user owning the full version. latest build.
Maybe you don't see the difference on your 55" Sony, but on my 3 meters wide screen I see the difference.

Regards

[w1seman]

You're right, it doesn't with Ghost of Mae Nak. But I am absolutely certain that PDVD7 decoded 8 channels with other discs I have. I'll check.

I have seen about 4 movies with 7.1 Audio on PDVD7 and it only gave out 5.1 discrete channels. I even complained about that at the CL support and got the answer, that 8 channel decoding is currently not supported by PDVD7...

Let me know what titles you have that PDVD7 would decode in 8 channel.

Regards

[bingobill]

I am a registered user owning the full version. latest build.
Maybe you don't see the difference on your 55" Sony, but on my 3 meters wide screen I see the difference.

Fair enough, but I find your insistance a little distburbing as if what you say is fact for everyone.

At the end of the day we all have different equipment so results will vary.

I guess my setup is very much TMT compliant having an ATI graphics card and using Vista32. There are now plenty of ppl over on AVS saying TMT is giving superior PQ over PDVD so I guess you pay your money and make your choice.

@James, I find it strange you don't have a Vista rig for testing purposes :confused:

I can see XP heading for the same fate as your beloved HD DVD :D it seems quite obvious that more and more applications will support XP less and less.

[Webslinger]

I can see XP heading for the same fate as your beloved HD DVD

I doubt that very much, especially since Microsoft plans to sell XP until 2010 for low cost PCs (http://www.tech-report.net/discussions.x/14491)

Also, Vista did not get off to a good start (http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9882192-56.html) (little wonder why some Microsoft employees stuck with XP).


And some suggest Vista has performed so poorly that Microsoft now has to, a in move some consider almost "unheard of", cut prices (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/microsoft-cut-retail-vista-prices/story.aspx?guid=%7B65BAEB7A-F7F6-4013-BAA1-E8CEBF126EEE%7D)

Perhaps Vista's epic failure is another reason why Windows 7 may be released in 2009 (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9075018&intsrc=hm_list)

Anything that's being sold as "Vista only" has to be viewed as having a low potential customer base and limited audience. The only reason I have Vista (64 bit Ultimate edition) in my household is for DirectX 10 gaming (and if anyone thinks I'm happy about having to buy Vista to take advantage of DirectX 10, think twice).

[frg]

Are you implying that the DTS MA tracks have three layers of audio? The "core", a DTS-HD layer, and top it off with a "MA" layer adding the lossless stuff? I don't see a reason for that, since the "core" is just for backward compatibility reasons, and DTS-HD and MA are same generation and come together in most equipment. From what I understood it was that the DTS-HD and MA both had a "core" DTS, which is 5.1 only.
DTS has indeed always been a "codec with layers".

On DVD, you have DTS 96/24.
Decoders that cannot read the 96/24 extension still can render the Core part.

With DTS-HD MA, it's the same: on PDVD 7.3 the DTS-HD extension is decoded, wich gives you a sound quality superior to regular Core DTS.

This is explained there:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=851

Another point of interest to people is that they confirmed that PowerDVD Ultra does play DTS-HD soundtracks. This has been a point of confusion since the actual logo does not appear on the box or splash screen. They also confirmed that a DTS-HD Master Audio update is coming as well, but could not give a timetable. Until then, you can enjoy the HD extension of those soundtracks for higher quality sound than normal (core) DTS Digital Surround.

[James]

Let me know what titles you have that PDVD7 would decode in 8 channel.

maybe my memory is playing tricks on me (happened before), but I'll check. There aren't so many 7.1 channel discs, so it shouldn't be so hard to find it. IIRC it was SAW HD DVD, but I don't know if this was DTS HD or DTS HD MA.
Are there FOX titles with DTS HD MA and 7.1?

[andy o]

DTS has indeed always been a "codec with layers".

On DVD, you have DTS 96/24.
Decoders that cannot read the 96/24 extension still can render the Core part.

With DTS-HD MA, it's the same: on PDVD 7.3 the DTS-HD extension is decoded, wich gives you a sound quality superior to regular Core DTS.

This is explained there:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=851

That article is still pretty ambiguous. Is there any other reference that is more specific? Articles about PowerDVD have known to be grossly inaccurate (i.e. the bit tech one linked at the AVS forums). I did think that PowerDVD 7.3 does DTS-HD. What I was asking is if the DTS-HD MA tracks are triple-layered (core+DTS-HD+MA extension), so if you take the MA, you still have the core+DTS-HD extension, instead of double-layered, with the core + the MA extension. I don't see a reason why they would do that, since the core is there just for backward compatibility, and DTS-HD and DTS-HD MA are the same generation. Since most if not all DTS-HD equipment can also do MA (if I'm not mistaken), I don't see why they would include the ability to play the DTS-HD MA tracks as only DTS-HD.

Just to be clear: What I understood was that the DTS-HD tracks have a DTS core. Also, the DTS-HD MA tracks have a DTS core. But the DTS-HD MA tracks don't have a normal DTS-HD layer.

Again, what poor naming from DTS. It is creating confusion even from people like us who are supposed to know better than average.

[andy o]

maybe my memory is playing tricks on me (happened before), but I'll check. There aren't so many 7.1 channel discs, so it shouldn't be so hard to find it. IIRC it was SAW HD DVD, but I don't know if this was DTS HD or DTS HD MA.
Are there FOX titles with DTS HD MA and 7.1?

I am pretty sure that I've read in the info window 7.1 from LPCM tracks, but I don't have a 7.1 setup, only a 5.1 virtualized to 7.1 so I can't tell for sure. What I was sure of is that DTS-HD MA either 7.1 or 5.1 was not available, and we were only getting the DTS 5.1 (not HD) core, regardless of what the read info said. I didn't think there was a triple layered approach as I speculated in my other post and you seemed to imply. Are you sure DTS-HD MA is built that way?

I don't think I've ever seen a disc with DTS-HD 7.1 audio, so that may or may not be available. I do think I've seen one or two discs with TrueHD 7.1, though I am not sure. What I'm saying is that I think it depends on the format, I guess.

[SuperGoof]

"Pan's Labyrinth" has DTS-HD MA 7.1. Plays fine in PDVD 7.3.3319a (probably, 'core').

[James]

Let me know what titles you have that PDVD7 would decode in 8 channel.

Just found an example, PDVD7 decodes all 8 channels of SAW HD DVD (Germany). But this is DTS-HD, not DTS-HD MA. So, PDVD *does* decode more than 6 channels, but probably only 6 from MA tracks...? Maybe I'll find more...

[James]

Just to be clear: What I understood was that the DTS-HD tracks have a DTS core. Also, the DTS-HD MA tracks have a DTS core. But the DTS-HD MA tracks don't have a normal DTS-HD layer.

Very good point. This would explain why PDVD7 can decode 8 channels from DTS-HD but only 6 from DTS-HD MA (as it only decodes the core, if no HD layer is present).

[James]

"Pan's Labyrinth" has DTS-HD MA 7.1. Plays fine in PDVD 7.3.3319a (probably, 'core').

How many channels does it decode?

[SuperGoof]

How many channels does it decode?

PowerDVD says: "Audio: DTS-HD 5.1" and also shows bitrate ~6000Kbps when "Show Information" is enabled.

[w1seman]

maybe my memory is playing tricks on me (happened before), but I'll check. There aren't so many 7.1 channel discs, so it shouldn't be so hard to find it. IIRC it was SAW HD DVD, but I don't know if this was DTS HD or DTS HD MA.
Are there FOX titles with DTS HD MA and 7.1?
I have SAW Bluray and it has "only" DTS-HD 7.1.
Its the same here, PDVD7 does only give out 5.1 without CLMEI2 enabled. Also the about window again only shows 6 channel decode capabilities.

PDVD8 gives out true discrete 7.1, holy shit what a sound! :rock:

Regards

[andy o]

PowerDVD says: "Audio: DTS-HD 5.1" and also shows bitrate ~6000Kbps when "Show Information" is enabled.

Yeah, I did notice that too, but I don't know how much trust you can put on that info window. I still am unsure that the DTS-HD MA tracks have a DTS core also embedded and a normal lossy DTS-HD track. I don't see any reason for them to do it, unless it is absolutely effortless and cost-less for them. It is this case of Pan's Labyrinth, actually, that made me realize that the DTS core is only 5.1 (although it's kind of a "duh" realization) and if the DTS-HD MA track also had a normal lossy DTS-HD embedded, then I see no reason for it not to be 7.1 as well.

[w1seman]

Just found an example, PDVD7 decodes all 8 channels of SAW HD DVD (Germany). But this is DTS-HD, not DTS-HD MA. So, PDVD *does* decode more than 6 channels, but probably only 6 from MA tracks...? Maybe I'll find more...

I really cant believe that this is possible. PDVD7 doesnt have a decoder for more than 6 channels. Please check if you have any kind of channel expander active, CLMEI2, DTS NEO, Dolby PLII etc. what does your "about" window tell about the audio channel decode capabilities while playing back SAW?

ALso make sure your sound card driver doesnt expand to 8 channels when getting a 6 channel input, some cards do that automatically.

As I said, CL themselves said to me that PDVD7 doesnt decode all 8 channels, only 6 max:

Dear ...,

Thank you for contacting CyberLink Online Customer Support.

We deeply apologize for replying late as we discussed your issue with our concerned department.

In regards to your issue, we regret to inform you that the current available version of PowerDVD Ultra does not support true discrete 7.1 audio.

We believe next version of PowerDVD may support such high-end audio technologies.
Regards

[James]

I really cant believe that this is possible. PDVD7 doesnt have a decoder for more than 6 channels. Please check if you have any kind of channel expander active, CLMEI2, DTS NEO, Dolby PLII etc. what does your "about" window tell about the audio channel decode capabilities while playing back SAW?

Nope. No expanders whatsoever (they are broken in PDVD7 anyway).
PowerDVD says this:

Audio Attributes:
Audio Coding mode: DTS
Sampling Rate: 48kHz
Number of Audio channels: 7.1
Bitrate: 2046 Kbps



ALso make sure your sound card driver doesnt expand to 8 channels when getting a 6 channel input, some cards do that automatically.

Nope.


As I said, CL themselves said to me that PDVD7 doesnt decode all 8 channels, only 6 max:

Maybe they are wrong? Come on, they are just poor support people. Telling you what they have been told. ;)

[w1seman]

Nope. No expanders whatsoever (they are broken in PDVD7 anyway).
PowerDVD says this:

Audio Attributes:
Audio Coding mode: DTS
Sampling Rate: 48kHz
Number of Audio channels: 7.1
Bitrate: 2046 Kbps



Nope.


Maybe they are wrong? Come on, they are just poor support people. Telling you what they have been told. ;)


Well, lets start different. OK, I think we are talking about different things James!:)

It doesn't matter what the Info Window of the setup part of PDVD7 tells you. Thats just the Info about what the original audio file contains. Thats NOT what PDVD7 actually can decode! You have to look elsewhere: Play the movie make sure the 7.1 track is running. Then right-click anywhere on the movie window and select "about". Then click on the "licensed to" as if you would check the version of PDVD. Then there are 2 lines containing the info about the capabilities of PDVD7 of outputting and decoding of audio. And there always only stands a 6 for decoding. ;)

How did u check, that u get real 7.1 output besides this misleading info in the setup window? Do you have a level meter for each channel in your soundcards drivers? Or do you have a 7.1 loudspecker setup and listened if every loudspeaker gives out sound when CLMEI2 disabled?

Regards

PS: btw. about how DTS-HD codecs work:

http://www.dtsonline.com/pro-audio/mas_encoding.php

[w1seman]

Yeah, I did notice that too, but I don't know how much trust you can put on that info window. I still am unsure that the DTS-HD MA tracks have a DTS core also embedded and a normal lossy DTS-HD track. I don't see any reason for them to do it, unless it is absolutely effortless and cost-less for them. It is this case of Pan's Labyrinth, actually, that made me realize that the DTS core is only 5.1 (although it's kind of a "duh" realization) and if the DTS-HD MA track also had a normal lossy DTS-HD embedded, then I see no reason for it not to be 7.1 as well.

DTS-HD and DTS-HD MA basically have the same architecture. Both have a DTS 5.1 or in some cases Embedded 6.1 core. Both have an HD-Extension and can have a 96 or even 192 kHz-extension. The main (only?) difference between HD and HD MA is that HD is "only" CBR whereas HD MA is "VBR".

[James]

How did u check, that u get real 7.1 output besides this misleading info in the setup window? Do you have a level meter for each channel in your siundcards drivers? Or do you have a 7.1 loudspecker setup and listened if every loudspeaker gives out sound when CLMEI2 disabled?

I used my ears. ;) Couldn't miss the surround back speakers. And yes, Dolby PL IIx etc. were off. And yes, SB speakers are silent when playing back 5.1 material with same settings.

You're right, the about box says "decoder capabilities 6 channels". Maybe they are counting the main channels? And I "only" hear 6.1. and not 7.1? I honestly can't tell. Maybe it is simply wrong? Wouldn't be the only "wrong" thing with this program. ;) PDVD7 always could decode DTS-ES 6.1.
The same disc contains DTS-ES 6.1 tracks, and back surround works fine.

[w1seman]

I used my ears. ;) Couldn't miss the surround back speakers. And yes, Dolby PL IIx etc. were off. And yes, SB speakers are silent when playing back 5.1 material with same settings.

You're right, the about box says "decoder capabilities 6 channels". Maybe they are counting the main channels? And I "only" hear 6.1. and not 7.1? I honestly can't tell. Maybe it is simply wrong? Wouldn't be the only "wrong" thing with this program. ;) PDVD7 always could decode DTS-ES 6.1.
The same disc contains DTS-ES 6.1 tracks, and back surround works fine.

Well believe me, PDVD7 can only decode 6 channels. DTS-ES 6.1 (Matrix) is a different thing because the 7th channel is calculated out of the rear 2 and is not a true discrete channel.

Anyway, PDVD8 now has true discrete 8 channel support and I love it.
Unfortunately these morons took away the HD-DVD support...

[James]

Well believe me, PDVD7 can only decode 6 channels. DTS-ES 6.1 (Matrix) is a different thing because the 7th channel is calculated out of the rear 2 and is not a true discrete channel.

There is DTS-ES 6.1 discrete, isn't there?

[James]

Well believe me, PDVD7 can only decode 6 channels. DTS-ES 6.1 (Matrix) is a different thing because the 7th channel is calculated out of the rear 2 and is not a true discrete channel.

Anyway, PDVD8 now has true discrete 8 channel support and I love it.
Unfortunately these morons took away the HD-DVD support...
Anyway, I'll order the PDVD8 update, so I can probably tell the difference. :D

[XxDeadlyxX]

Well for 7.1 MA tracks, PDVD7 always said 5.1 in the info window... but for 3:10 to Yuma it said PCM 7.1 in the info. Not sure if it could actually output 7.1 PCM though.

[andy o]

DTS-HD and DTS-HD MA basically have the same architecture. Both have a DTS 5.1 or in some cases Embedded 6.1 core. Both have an HD-Extension and can have a 96 or even 192 kHz-extension. The main (only?) difference between HD and HD MA is that HD is "only" CBR whereas HD MA is "VBR".

Yeah, that seems to support what I've been saying, that DTS-HD MA has a DTS core, DTS-HD has a DTS core, but you can't extract regular, CBR, lossy DTS-HD from DTS-HD MA.

So, going back to the original subject that prompted this discussion (that if you can hear 7.1 from a DTS-HD MA track, MA is actually being decoded, since the "core" is only 5.1 in all known movies and at most it could be 6.1), I think that assertion still stands.

About PowerDVD 7.3 having 7.1 decoding, I thought that it did for TrueHD and LPCM, but I don't have a 7.1 speaker setup (I do, but it's a drag to connect them rear speakers just for a handful of movies in my tiny apartment).

By the way, is there a commercially available test disc for these sound formats?

[James]

Well for 7.1 MA tracks, PDVD7 always said 5.1 in the info window... but for 3:10 to Yuma it said PCM 7.1 in the info. Not sure if it could actually output 7.1 PCM though.
Oh, it certainly outputs 7.1 from LPCM tracks. No big deal, it doesn't need to decode anything.

[James]

Yeah, that seems to support what I've been saying, that DTS-HD MA has a DTS core, DTS-HD has a DTS core, but you can't extract regular, CBR, lossy DTS-HD from DTS-HD MA.

So, going back to the original subject that prompted this discussion (that if you can hear 7.1 from a DTS-HD MA track, MA is actually being decoded, since the "core" is only 5.1 in all known movies and at most it could be 6.1), I think that assertion still stands.

I believe you are correct.


About PowerDVD 7.3 having 7.1 decoding, I thought that it did for TrueHD and LPCM, but I don't have a 7.1 speaker setup (I do, but it's a drag to connect them rear speakers just for a handful of movies in my tiny apartment).

It certainly does for LPCM. I don't know any discs with 7.1 TrueHD (or 7.1 DD plus), so I can't test. If you know a title, let me know, chances are, that I have it. ;)

I still believe it *does* decode 7.1 DTS-HD (not only the 5.1 "core"). It does not decode DTS-HD MA (only the core), that's why you'll get 5.1 output from a 7.1 DTS HD MA track.

[XxDeadlyxX]

:)

Something I noticed.. it seems Cyberlink put in some code in PDVD8 for running it with PDVD7... if you open PDVD7 and then try and open PDVD8, it pops up saying "A previous version of Cyberlink PowerDVD is currently running. You must close it before running Cyberlink PowerDVD 8". Then it seems to automatically close PDVD7 and open PDVD8.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Just got Hostage Region B import, the back cover says DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, but it's a misprint as PowerDVD says "DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1". Good to see PowerDVD information reading that correctly now too.

[wnmnkh]

So..... I am sorry for newbie post. But what's the difference between PowerDVD 7 Ultra and PowerDVD 8 Ultra ? I just cannot find any difference.

Edit : well, I eventually read all of the posts here and found out. Disregard my post please.

[spcav]

I don't know any discs with 7.1 TrueHD (or 7.1 DD plus), so I can't test. If you know a title, let me know, chances are, that I have it. ;)

http://www.demo-world.eu/news/index.php?/archives/49-Dolby-The-Sound-Of-High-Definition-Blu-RayHD-DVD.html

[SuperGoof]

This site has, among others, statistics on audio formats used by Blu-ray titles.

http://www.blu-raystats.com/stats.php

[Roger O]

So..... I am sorry for newbie post. But what's the difference between PowerDVD 7 Ultra and PowerDVD 8 Ultra ? I just cannot find any difference.

Edit : well, I eventually read all of the posts here and found out. Disregard my post please.

There is a major difference but not in quality on or performance. Both versions suck especially version 8. You can no longer play anything from hard drive with version 8 other then DVD. Don’t waste your money on either version. If they were so worried about copyright issues then the option to play anything from any source other then CD should have been removed. There are decent alternative players out there now that support hard drive playback and still support HD. Millions of people have HD movies and this is one option alone that should have never been removed for at least 2 more years.

[andy o]

There is DTS-ES 6.1 discrete, isn't there?

I missed this one. Yes, there is and with the DTS-ES DVD's I've tried (Lord of the Rings Extended editions) the 6th channel is alive and kicking. Don't know if there would be a difference with HD discs though, but I don't think so. I still thinks it depends on the format.

[w1seman]

I missed this one. Yes, there is and with the DTS-ES DVD's I've tried (Lord of the Rings Extended editions) the 6th channel is alive and kicking. Don't know if there would be a difference with HD discs though, but I don't think so. I still thinks it depends on the format.

DTS doesn't often have a discrete channel for LFE, its calculated from the other channels.

DTS's LFE channel is a little different. In fact, in the cinema, DTS is actually 5.0 (as oppose to 5.1) in that there is no discrete LFE channel. The LFE channel from the mixing sessions gets low-passed at 80 Hz and added to the surround channels.

Source: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_2/feature-article-misunderstood-lfe-channel-april-2000.html

Therefore PDVD7 can of course decode 6.1 DTS-ES.

PDVD7 imho doens't have more than 6 discrete channels for decoding.

[andy o]

DTS doesn't have a discrete channel for LFE, its calculated from the other channels.

I was talking about the 6th full-frequency channel, as in the rear back one. It is discrete indeed. There are two, DTS-ES 6.1 discrete and DTS-ES Matrix. It is right on the DTS website (http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance.php), and here (http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance-details.php?ID=1857247944&glanceID=Overview) in more detail. The matrixed channel is always present in the Ls and Rs, but in the case of 6.1 there is also a discrete back, and with a DTS-ES 6.1 discrete decoder you can play that discrete channel, and subtract the already redundant matrixed channel from the Ls and Rs. Dolby Digital EX is the one that is only matrixed.

But about the non-discrete LFE channel on DTS:
Source: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_2/feature-article-misunderstood-lfe-channel-april-2000.html

You missed this tidbit right after what you quoted (which incidentally also says the same thing)
DTS's LFE channel in consumer applications, unlike its cinema counterpart, is discrete but still has a few 'special' considerations.[...]

Therefore PDVD7 can of course decode 6.1 DTS-ES.

PDVD7 doens't have more than 6 discrete channels for decoding.
First sentence is correct (without the "therefore"), but second sentence is not, from my experience with DTS-ES discrete movies and my 6.1 speaker system.

[w1seman]

I was talking about the 6th full-frequency channel, as in the rear back one. It is discrete indeed. There are two, DTS-ES 6.1 discrete and DTS-ES Matrix. It is right on the DTS website (http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance.php), and here (http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance-details.php?ID=1857247944&glanceID=Overview) in more detail. The matrixed channel is always present in the Ls and Rs, but in the case of 6.1 there is also a discrete back, and with a DTS-ES 6.1 discrete decoder you can play that discrete channel, and subtract the already redundant matrixed channel from the Ls and Rs. Dolby Digital EX is the one that is only matrixed.

But about the non-discrete LFE channel on DTS:


You missed this tidbit right after what you quoted (which incidentally also says the same thing)



First sentence is correct (without the "therefore"), but second sentence is not, from my experience with DTS-ES discrete movies and my 6.1 speaker system.

Its right what you say with the discrete version, but I still doubt that PDVD7 can decode more than 6 channels, they (CL) even told me several times they don't. I think they just mix a virtual 7th channel as it is simply impossible with the existing decoder of PDVD7 to decode discrete 7 channels.

But I think we will never have proove about that issue so lets just go along with PDVD8, PDVD7 (unfortunately->HD-DVD) will be history very soon...

[andy o]

Its right what you say with the discrete version, but I still doubt that PDVD7 can decode more than 6 channels, they (CL) even told me several times they don't. I think they just mix a virtual 7th channel as it is simply impossible with the existing decoder of PDVD7 to decode discrete 7 channels.

But I think we will never have proove about that issue so lets just go along with PDVD8, PDVD7 (unfortunately->HD-DVD) will be history very soon...

Yeah, I was just gonna post a sort of caveat to my post. If the matrixed rear channel is always present, and redundant when having the discrete rear channel in DTS (which I didn't know before I went searching for that specific info), then there'd be practically no reliable way to tell if it's actually getting matrixed or not from PowerDVD, since from what I understood the DTS-ES decoder handles that automatically. I do see "DTS-ES 6.1" on the info window, but I think we've agreed that's not too reliable. So, back to LPCM and DTS-HD (non-MA) 7.1 tracks for testing I guess. I don't have any though.

[SamuriHL]

Anyone else get the email from Cyberlink this morning about special upgrade pricing good until the 20th? Basically another 5 bucks off so you can upgrade for 54.95.

[Adbear]

Anyone else get the email from Cyberlink this morning about special upgrade pricing good until the 20th? Basically another 5 bucks off so you can upgrade for 54.95.

I got one, but it still works out more expensive to buy it from the UK than the US

[SamuriHL]

Don't forget to add on the $10 tax

I wasn't charged any tax thank you. :)

[Adbear]

I wasn't charged any tax thank you. :)
Yeah the $54 includes the $10 tax, I didn't read it properly

[SamuriHL]

Yeah the $54 includes the $10 tax, I didn't read it properly

And yes, because I think the upgrade is priced too high to begin with, I DID in fact email customer support to see if I could get a 5 dollar refund. :)

[SuperGoof]

Anyone else get the email from Cyberlink this morning about special upgrade pricing good until the 20th? Basically another 5 bucks off so you can upgrade for 54.95.

I also got this email. Also I read their press release that PowerDVD Ultra with BD-Live support will be available by the end of April. So if decide to upgrade, I will do so closer to Apr 20, so that I get a BD-Live enabled version straight away. By the way, the version of PowerDVD Ultra which gets BD-Live update was not mentioned in the press release, so maybe PowerDVD 7.3 will also get one.

[Humpa]

I also got this email. Also I read their press release that PowerDVD Ultra with BD-Live support will be available by the end of April. So if decide to upgrade, I will do so closer to Apr 20, so that I get a BD-Live enabled version straight away. By the way, the version of PowerDVD Ultra which gets BD-Live update was not mentioned in the press release, so maybe PowerDVD 7.3 will also get one.What about the fiasco with 7.3 versions? Wouldn't it be better to have all the various releases of 8?

I haven't received the email - but I didn't have that option turned on my my account, so I just went and turned it on a few minutes ago. So we'll see if they send me that $5 coupon, or whatever it is.

[SamuriHL]

I also got this email. Also I read their press release that PowerDVD Ultra with BD-Live support will be available by the end of April. So if decide to upgrade, I will do so closer to Apr 20, so that I get a BD-Live enabled version straight away. By the way, the version of PowerDVD Ultra which gets BD-Live update was not mentioned in the press release, so maybe PowerDVD 7.3 will also get one.

Oh I have no problem bothering support for any new release that comes out. :) I'm more interested in saving the 5 bucks! :D The first BD Live title was just released this week and the AnyDVD log was posted in the beta 6.4.0.7 thread. I have no idea how PowerDVD likes or dislikes that title. I'm hopeful that it'll at least play the main movie correctly most unlike when profile 1.1 came out.

[SamuriHL]

What about the fiasco with 7.3 versions? Wouldn't it be better to have all the various releases of 8?

I haven't received the email - but I didn't have that option turned on my my account, so I just went and turned it on a few minutes ago. So we'll see if they send me that $5 coupon, or whatever it is.

It's not a coupon. They simply changed the upgrade price until Apr 20. Considering I just bought it Saturday, I want my 5 bucks back. Hey, 5 bucks is 5 bucks! :)

[Humpa]

It's not a coupon. They simply changed the upgrade price until Apr 20. Considering I just bought it Saturday, I want my 5 bucks back. Hey, 5 bucks is 5 bucks! :)It shows $59 at cyberlink.com for me - though there is a place to enter a coupon code.

[SamuriHL]

It shows $59 at cyberlink.com for me - though there is a place to enter a coupon code.

I just rechecked the email. No coupon.


PowerDVD 8 Ultra has been newly released. Experience new dimensions in movie entertainment on top of the industry's #1 standard for HD playback performance. Upgrade to PowerDVD 8 Ultra at an exclusive Ultra price of $54.95 (59.95). <-- the 59.95 has a ----- through it in the email
This offer is only good until Sunday, April 20, 2008.

The new dimensions in entertainment to be explored with PowerDVD 8 Ultra:

* Remix Hollywood by remixing your favorite DVD movies
* Play AVCHD and BD Profile 1.1 movies
* Enjoy DTS-HD 7.1 surround sound technology in high-definition
* Build an enormous movie collection and connect with global users at MoovieLive.com
* Watch Blu-ray discs with support for the latest HD formats, interactive features and next-gen disc navigation

Read on to learn more about PowerDVD 8's new and exciting features:

CyberLink's TrueTheater technology amazes. Hear for yourself or find out more information by clicking hereNEW VIDEO & AUDIO FEATURES NEW

* Play HD file format AVCHD
* Listen to DTS-HD 7.1 channel surround sound
* Try virtual multi-channel surround sound via different sound systems, headphones, and notebook PCs with technologies from Dolby, DTS, and CyberLink's TrueTheater™ Surround utilizing 2 to 8 channel expansion

Create new stories from DVD movies with PowerDVD's Movie Remix features. Click here to find out more.REMIX HOLLYWOOD DVD MOVIES NEW

* Bookmark your favorite scenes for remixing
* Add animated graphics to the most exciting moments
* Voice-over soundtracks. Funny has no limits.
* Write your own subtitles!

COLLECT YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES NEW

* Create your personal movie database: manage your movie collection, collect disc information, trivia and personal notes
* Write your own reviews and rate movies
* Go online and get connected: access MoovieLive to share your reviews and remixes, synch & share your database and meet other PowerDVD users! It's a movie paradise for all.

Save exclusive $5 discount on PowerDVD 8 Ultra Upgrade at only $54.95 ($59.95)
This offer is only good until Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Watch PowerDVD 8 Demo
Learn about PowerDVD 8 Ultra
Compare PowerDVD versions

Visit MoovieLive
Check out the PowerDVD 8 Movies Remix Tour*

PowerDVD 8 Ultra is more than a player, but a whole new dimension in sight & sound. Get an extreme kind of entertainment that's out of this world.

cheers,

Leanna,
CyberLink Web Sales & Marketing

[Humpa]

I just rechecked the email. No coupon.is there a link? Maybe it is in the link?

EDIT: I went to the end of the order process, just in case. It knows me when I login, has all my creditcard info and everything, but it still shows $59 even at the last step before clicking the final "Order" button. :(

[SamuriHL]

is there a link? Maybe it is in the link?

EDIT: I went to the end of the order process, just in case. It knows me when I login, has all my creditcard info and everything, but it still shows $59 even at the last step before clicking the final "Order" button. :(

Nope. Just what I posted. Awesome. I'm glad they're on top of things. :bang:

[wnmnkh]

Seriously.....

This company, CyberLink, is really simply complete, pathetic, non-sensual, utter joke.

[SuperGoof]

Nope. Just what I posted. Awesome. I'm glad they're on top of things. :bang:

In one of such newsletters they also assured they would continue to support HD DVD in all their products :)

[SamuriHL]

Quite true. I'm not impressed, either. We'll see if they respond to my refund request. :)

[James]

Quite true. I'm not impressed, either. We'll see if they respond to my refund request. :)

I have bought PowerDVD8, and I consider it a useless purchase. I wanted to try DTS-HD (MA) 7.1 channel audio, but I realized, I don't have Blu-ray discs in this format, only HD DVDs! :bang: Well, my fault.

And... SamuriHL, you didn't warn me! :mad: this sucker requires online product activation! :(

[SlyFox 1]

I cant be bothered with a refund, I have to believe that they will get better with updated versions that will play from the hdd due to customer complaints. Unless Sony owns Cyberlink, I think they will update this program to meet all our needs, ( at least I can hope).:(

[SlyFox 1]

I have bought PowerDVD8, and I consider it a useless purchase. I wanted to try DTS-HD (MA) 7.1 channel audio, but I realized, I don't have Blu-ray discs in this format, only HD DVDs! :bang: Well, my fault.

And... SamuriHL, you didn't warn me! :mad: this sucker requires online product activation! :(
Hi James, I bet you didn't sign up for " MOOVIE LIVE " either. It will tell them all your information, even what you watch. I think they went a little overboard with that one.;)

[mkanet]

With the introduction of PowerDVD 8, you get features such as:

1) No more HD-DVD support
2) No more "official" external application support via directshow (ie Windows Media Player, Vista Media Center, SageTV, etc)
3) Introduced a new video playback bug in Blu-ray for me on my quad core based PC.

Even though you can fuss around with merits and other hacks to force the decoders to be used, you wont get any official support from Cyberlink for that.

It looks like the least worst software player with most useful features currently is PowerDVD 7.3 (build 3730a)

(ActSoft TMC, WinDVD 9 Plus BD/HD, PowerDVD 8 Ultra either have things missing or just have even more problems than PowerDVD 7.3).


I looked at this thread that WinDVD would be better than PowerDVD. It looks like currently the least worst software in this category is PowerDVD 7.3 (last build)

[SamuriHL]

I have bought PowerDVD8, and I consider it a useless purchase. I wanted to try DTS-HD (MA) 7.1 channel audio, but I realized, I don't have Blu-ray discs in this format, only HD DVDs! :bang: Well, my fault.

And... SamuriHL, you didn't warn me! :mad: this sucker requires online product activation! :(

I wouldn't call it product activation in the normal sense. It does hit their server to check the key, but, it's not locked to a specific machine. It's my belief they've always done that with the retail version. I believe they just changed the wording...so I don't believe it's any different than before. Maybe I'm wrong. But that's why I didn't bother mentioning it. To me it just seemed like a wording change.

As for DTS-HD MA 7.1, I was noticing I don't have any, either! :mad: All of mine are 5.1. I'll have to rectify that situation.

[James]

I wouldn't call it product activation in the normal sense. It does hit their server to check the key, but, it's not locked to a specific machine.
How do you know? PDVD8 does nothing unless I let it access the net through the firewall. All previous versions activated without internet access by entering the key.

[SamuriHL]

How do you know? PDVD8 does nothing unless I let it access the net through the firewall. All previous versions activated without internet access by entering the key.

That's interesting. I didn't realize the old version would activate without a Net connection. (Never tried, tbh). But I have it activated on 2 machines right now, so, I know it's not tied to one machine. :)

[James]

That's interesting. I didn't realize the old version would activate without a Net connection. (Never tried, tbh). But I have it activated on 2 machines right now, so, I know it's not tied to one machine. :)
Still gives me a bad feeling... but maybe you're right, and they just check if the serial is authentic.

[SamuriHL]

Still gives me a bad feeling... but maybe you're right, and they just check if the serial is authentic.

That'd be my GUESS, but, now you have me questioning that. Lovely. Still, I have it on my HTPC and my laptop and it works on both.

[SuperGoof]

2) No more "official" external application support via directshow (ie Windows Media Player, Vista Media Center, SageTV, etc)

Even though you can fuss around with merits and other hacks to force the decoders to be used, you wont get any official support from Cyberlink for that.

With PowerDVD 7.3, I could not make audio filter work in Windows Media Player at all in Vista, whatever I tried (It works in XP though). Setting merits to higher values only works for video filters. (I use GSpot 2.70a to change filter merits). That's the main reason I keep WinDVD BD for VAIO on my computer - to use it's audio filter in DirectShow players.

If you by chance know some "other hacks" how to make PowerDVD's audio filter work in DirectShow players in Vista, can you please share this information. Will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[PES]

Couldn't find any detailed info regarding this in this thread, but this is the reply I got when I asked for an upgrade. I went from the bundled to the retail version in mid feb, anyhow some lucky ones might find it useful:

In regard to your concern, please note that we have discussed your case with our higher officials and like to inform you that you have purchased the PowerDVD Ultra software in month of february. And we are providing the free upgrade to PowerDVD Ultra 8.0 software to only those customer who had purchased the software in month of march.

So, we regret to inform you that you have to purchase the upgrade to PowerDVD 8.0 Ultra software

[SamuriHL]

I'm still working on getting a $5 refund on my upgrade purchase. I contacted Cyberlink support who then said to contact their distributor because they handle all transactions. So I contacted them last night about it and am still waiting to hear back. We'll see how it goes.