CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

Order Hidalgo From Amazon.com for 40% off

I saw a bit of this movie on TV a couple weeks ago and liked it. So when I saw it on sale @ Amazon.com for $17.95 I decided to grab it.

4 days later it arrives on my doorstep along w/ a couple of books I ordered.

I opened the package and inside w/ the disk was a note saying that “Certain players will have a loading delay of 2-3 minutes with this disk” Hmmm somewhat ominous but I charged ahead and loaded the disk into my Sony BDP-s1 player. No delay…. Previews! National Treasure 2.. Looked good. Might be my next buy..Then…. the delay. A loading message flashed for about 2 minutes

The menu. It wasn’t a stunner but it was colorful and theme appropriate. As you page thru the chapter menu a preview of the chapter plays in a window in the top right corner.

The movie. For those who love western themed films or horses this is candy for you. If you just like good movies. This is a good one. Based around an actual character Frank T. Hopkins, a long distance racer and his horse Hidalgo.
It also stars Omar Sharif, in an understated yet interesting performance. The movie is great for families and its just plain fun.

Video. From the minute this movie started there was something about it that drew me in. I couldn’t quite place it. Then after about 10 minutes I knew what it was. THIS WAS THE BEST VIDEO TRANSFER ID EVER SEEN! It was colorful, but not overly bright(like 5th element) The colors were saturated. The skin tones were right on. This is demo material!

Audio. I must reserve the audio review til a later date when I once again have a 5.1 setup. But for the 3.1 I have now. The vocals were clear and the music was warm, it filled my small room. The effects were well integrated. It all worked well with the video.

Conclusion. Hidalgo is a MUST have for Videophiles and Crt folk. 4 Dawgz out of 5 on the E-dawg scale!

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

Would that be 4 woof's and 4 paws up for this one then?

I agree, good movie. Wonder what the loading delay is all about?

**kal** · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Loading delays on many players are normal. They're high end computers that require time to boot up and 'load' the disc and the various software on the disc.

Which is one reason why I still recommend the PS3: It's lightning fast. More info: https://www.curtpalme.com/forum_archived/viewtopic.php@t=9912.html

Kal

EDIT: Added an Amazon link to Hidalgo to the original post.

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

I think the loading delay has to do with a lack of onboard memory in the 1st gen BR players.
The new Sony player has a usb port for a memory stick.

Thanks for the Ad, Kal. I would have done it myself...if i knew how Embarassed