Is Manila dvd worth buying?

[annie89509]

Does everyone have this? I'm on the fence about getting this. I do have the Vegas dvd with Arnel and don't think it's that good. Don't remember there's been much discussion about this new release, so I'm looking for some critiques and reviews--good or bad--to help me make up my mind.

[Don]

Wait for the Blu-ray version. Even the guys who filmed this said the version that was released by Wal-mart doesn't really incorporate any of the technology they used in the filming because of limitations with non-standard DVD. It's not the video quality I'm talking about here. Blu-ray lets you hear audio exactly as it was recorded, without compression. That's why it's perfect for concert films where the music should come first and the video secondary. Journey recorded it in a High Def format so eventually that version should be released.

[Jana]

Does everyone have this? I'm on the fence about getting this. I do have the Vegas dvd with Arnel and don't think it's that good. Don't remember there's been much discussion about this new release, so I'm looking for some critiques and reviews--good or bad--to help me make up my mind.

There's a whole thread on the DVD, maybe even two, that were started here when it came out in October sometime. For me, I really enjoyed it. First off, it has some songs I really love that were in the setlist, and then the extended versions of Open Arms, Separate Ways, etc, with Neal's solos gave them a freshening up and newness. And it had seven songs off Revelation and six of them were very enjoyable, especially the extended version of What I Needed with Neal's solo and Turn Down The World Tonight.

If you're a Neal lover, he absolutely shines on the DVD, puts his all into it, and, of course, I'm a fan of Arnel, and except for a rough start vocally in the very beginning, but after that overall did a great job. And Deen sang three songs, one of which is Still They Ride, which I love. So there are some great reasons to own it for that price for me. I think the concert was 2 and a half hours. And When You Love A Woman is on it, and Arnel did a beautful job on it. So nice to see it live in concert.

The bad is Kevin Shirley muted the audience too much. I like a louder audience participation in a live DVD. Cain looked like he was going to pass out from the heat, so zero energy. Background vocals could have been louder at times.

[Don]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I checked out an evaluation copy of the current distribution. Once it releases in Blu-ray, I'll pony up the money for it.

[Jana]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I don't know why, but I get the feeling it's going to be a while b/f that happens.

[Jana]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I checked out an evaluation copy of the current distribution. Once it releases in Blu-ray, I'll pony up the money for it.

What does that mean?

[Don]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I don't know why, but I get the feeling it's going to be a while b/f that happens.

Probably when they tour again. It came out of the gate selling well, but with it being released right when Journey went into the offseason, sales of the disc seem to have slowed. There are no RIAA certifications for it at present.
On a side note, Journey's Greatest Hits CD has been pretty consistent though, staying on the Billboard charts for the last few months. Of course, now that the holidays are over that might change also.

[Don]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I checked out an evaluation copy of the current distribution. Once it releases in Blu-ray, I'll pony up the money for it.

What does that mean?

It means I obtained a copy to evaluate, to help me determine if i wanted to buy it*. I don't want to just go by the reviews I'm reading on this and other sites. I decided I didn't want to make a purchase until the audio issues were fixed which will hopefully be done with the aforementioned Blu-ray. I've got the Vegas DVD, the Arrival DVD, the Houston DVD, and Frontiers, Escape, Departure and JSS boot DVDs. When it comes to buying future videos for Journey, I'm ready to move to Blu-Ray now. Once you see a concert done in that format, you'll really see that it's night and day sonically (provided the production is done correctly). Neal talked it up about the technology they used for filming this show. I'm waiting to see and HEAR it.

*People return clothes and other items they don't like. Unfortunately, with audio and video, you don't have that option so it's good to get a sample of what you're purchasing.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I checked out an evaluation copy of the current distribution. Once it releases in Blu-ray, I'll pony up the money for it.

What does that mean?

It means I obtained a copy to evaluate, to help me determine if i wanted to buy it*. I don't want to just go by the reviews I'm reading on this and other sites. I decided I didn't want to make a purchase until the audio issues were fixed which will hopefully be done with the aforementioned Blu-ray.

*People return clothes and other items they don't like. Unfortunately, with audio and video, you don't have that option so it's good to get a sample of what you're purchasing.

So you torrented it, right? Just say it. I don't think there are any Feds on this board.

[Don]

If you're not critical about audio, than for ten bucks it should be fine. If you want to hear the real concert, wait for the Blu-ray which will be around 20 bucks (if you go by Wal-Mart's pricing for their AC-DC exclusive release).

I checked out an evaluation copy of the current distribution. Once it releases in Blu-ray, I'll pony up the money for it.

What does that mean?

It means I obtained a copy to evaluate, to help me determine if i wanted to buy it*. I don't want to just go by the reviews I'm reading on this and other sites. I decided I didn't want to make a purchase until the audio issues were fixed which will hopefully be done with the aforementioned Blu-ray.

*People return clothes and other items they don't like. Unfortunately, with audio and video, you don't have that option so it's good to get a sample of what you're purchasing.

So you torrented it, right? Just say it. I don't think there are any Feds on this board.

No feds, Just the admin.
If I knew this was the only version that would be available, I would just purchase it but I can't imagine they would spend all that money for shooting in HD and not release it that way. I never even got around to burning it, just ran it straight off the hard drive. That and a pair of Denon Headsets is a great way to evaluate a musical production.

If you're going to burn a music DVD, you should really use dual layer disc anyway to avoid further compression, which happens to cost more so then you might as well buy the product after all that.

I have backed up some of hard to get Music DVDs like BSG. Definitely use dual layer so you get an EXACT copy if the disc is going to be hard to replace if it gets damaged. Just use the copy for viewing and keep your original as a master disc.

[brywool]

Does everyone have this? I'm on the fence about getting this. I do have the Vegas dvd with Arnel and don't think it's that good. Don't remember there's been much discussion about this new release, so I'm looking for some critiques and reviews--good or bad--to help me make up my mind.

It's great. Sound could be better, but it could be a heckuvalot worse. Great performance by the band.

[Don]

I understand you don't want the crowd to overcome the singer but this was just too much downtoning, it's a live concert, treat it as such. With all the talk of being recorded in maximum 4XHD, I really was looking to be blown out of the water (never mind the fact that we can't even watch 4XHD yet, HD period would be fine). I have high expectations for the Blu-Ray or digital download, whichever comes first.

If none of this makes sense to you Annie, Just buy the DVD. It will be good enough for you, If only for the wonderful singing performances by Deen.

[annie89509]

lol, you guys are too advanced for me...all this talk about torrent, check out an advance copy first (how do you do that?), blue-ray... Reading Jana's review, with so many new songs that is NOT dirty dozen, I'm going out to Wal-mart (it is at Wal-mart's, isn't it?) and get it ...just out of curiousity. Who knows how long to wait for blue-ray and sonic...I'm old-school... my eyes and ears are not that sophisticated(sp?)...lol.

Jana...you said the band was so hot and sweating...was the venue outdoors?

[Don]

lol, you guys are too advanced for me...all this talk about torrent, check out an advance copy first (how do you do that?), blue-ray... Reading Jana's review, with so many new songs that is NOT dirty dozen, I'm going out to Wal-mart (it is at Wal-mart's, isn't it?) and get it ...just out of curiousity. Who knows how long to wait for blue-ray...and my ears are not that sophisticated(sp?)...lol.

Jana...you said the band was so hot...was the venue outdoors?

Outside, near the water to a crowd of approximately 25k. Forget the Blu-Ray, just buy the disc.

[annie89509]

Oh, okay, thanks GB.

[Jana]

lol, you guys are too advanced for me...all this talk about torrent, check out an advance copy first (how do you do that?), blue-ray... Reading Jana's review, with so many new songs that is NOT dirty dozen, I'm going out to Wal-mart (it is at Wal-mart's, isn't it?) and get it ...just out of curiousity. Who knows how long to wait for blue-ray...and my ears are not that sophisticated(sp?)...lol.

Jana...you said the band was so hot...was the venue outdoors?

It was outdoors in the Mall of Asia or something like that. In the liner notes, Neal said it was so bad his guitar strings were rusting by the second song. I remember when they announced the time of year and where it was, the Filipinos on Arnel's site said it was so hot and the humidity was horrific at that time of year, and did the band know that. Neal's shirt was drenched by about the third song, but he never showed how hot he was. But he was on fire in that concert and even moved around a lot. And I guess his curly hair worked in the humidity. And Arnel is used to it and does better in heat.

[ScarabGator]

The price is good but its really nothing more than the free dvd that came with Revelations. Not really a big deal.

[steveo777]

The price is good but its really nothing more than the free dvd that came with Revelations. Not really a big deal.

I have a differing opinion, it is much better than the one that can with Revelation, if not only for content. I won't go into the other reasons since you are not a fan of Arnel, as it would be a waste of my keyboard's potential longevity.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

The price is good but its really nothing more than the free dvd that came with Revelations. Not really a big deal.

You don't think the setlist is at all better than the free DVD from Revelation?

[Jana]

The price is good but its really nothing more than the free dvd that came with Revelations. Not really a big deal.

I have a differing opinion, it is much better than the one that can with Revelation, if not only for content. I won't go into the other reasons since you are not a fan of Arnel, as it would be a waste of my keyboard's potential longevity.

[Don]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

[Ehwmatt]

If you like Arnel even a little bit it's worth it. Not a bad price, good setlist. Just be prepared to be underwhelmed by the production on the DVD and Arnel screws up a couple of the old classics pretty bad. I haven't watched it past the three times I watched it the weekend I got it.

[Jana]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

[Ehwmatt]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

The harmonies and the beginning verse with just drums, piano, and vox just sound flat. For me, it's not the performance, but the mix on that tune. Cain's piano sounds REALLY hollow and the backing vox are buried.

[Don]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

You think everything is amazing, even those prozac versions of Faithfully.

[Jana]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

You think everything is amazing, even those prozac versions of Faithfully.

I said, "It came off really good. Not amazing."

[Don]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

You think everything is amazing, even those prozac versions of Faithfully.

I said, "It came off really good. Not amazing."

See, I thought it would be the one song that would be nailed, especially as it is in his own voice, really no emulation whatever. For me the BGV and other issues screwed it up completely. Whoever was monitoring the board fell asleep on that one.

[Jana]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

You think everything is amazing, even those prozac versions of Faithfully.

I said, "It came off really good. Not amazing."

See, I thought it would be the one song that would be nailed, especially as it is in his own voice, really no emulation whatever. For me the BGV and other issues screwed it up completely.

I liked it much better the second and third time I watched that song. Still nice to see it performed live. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_q-xRw8J4Y

[SYNCH]

...See, I thought it would be the one song that would be nailed, especially as it is in his own voice, really no emulation whatever. For me the BGV and other issues screwed it up completely. Whoever was monitoring the board fell asleep on that one.

Agreed on this one, the mix sounds flat. Arnel's vox is so raw. The amateur Youtube videos sounded better. Maybe because I'm using a laptop and headphones. But the Graspop even on FLV is just way too crunchier and I like that.

[portland]

Unfortunately, the only new song I cared to hear,TDTWT came off the weakest. As it appears to be the original mix, I don't think it can be saved by tweaking.

I thought it came off really good. Not amazing, but one I really enjoyed on the DVD.

You think everything is amazing, even those prozac versions of Faithfully.

LMAO..Sorry....that was good...carry on!!!