Superbit

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Superbit is a brand of premium DVD-Video versions of motion pictures from Columbia TriStar Home Video, a division of Sony. Superbit DVDs aim to improve picture quality over a standard DVD edition of a feature by increasing the bit rate of the encoded video. Audio quality is also improved by the mandatory inclusion of both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround audio tracks.

[edit] Quality

Superbit movie files are encoded at a bit rate that is, according to Sony, approximately twice as high (6-7 Mbit/s) as that of standard DVDs, which helps minimize artifacts caused by video compression and allow the image to be pre-filtered less prior to compression, which results in more detail. To maximize space for the main feature, static menus are used and commentary tracks are removed.

[edit] Special Features

To further improve the size and therefore quality of the movie on the disc, Superbit discs contain a reduced amount (and usually are completely devoid) of so-called added value and bonus material, such as documentaries or interviews, which can be found on regular DVDs. Following the initial release of the Superbit line, Superbit Deluxe was introduced, which bundled a Superbit-quality feature with a second disc containing the special features.

[edit] Compatibility

Superbit discs can be read by all regular DVD video players. Superbit should not be confused with either HD DVD or Blu-ray, both of which are different media formats of much higher quality, and are incompatible with standard DVD video players.

[edit] Consumer and Retailer Support

Superbit never became a mainstream favorite of consumers, and retailers were very supportive of Sony officially dropping the product line. Industry sources indicate that at its peak, Superbit titles typically sold 2% of the title's regular DVD version. .^[1]

[edit] Discontinuation

In January 2007, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment discontinued its Superbit line in order to promote its Blu-ray Disc format.^[2]

[edit] Available Titles

Sony's Superbit Collection has a limited number of titles, many of which are re-releases of previous best-sellers. The titles available vary between DVD region.

Arlington Road * Adaptation. Air Force One Anaconda Bad Boys II Bad Boys The Big Hit Black Hawk Down Bram Stoker's Dracula The Brown Bunny Charlie's Angels (Superbit Deluxe) Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (Special Edition) Charlie's Angels * Cirque du Soleil - Dralion Cliffhanger

Closer Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon The Dark Crystal Das Boot (Director's Cut) Desperado The Fifth Element From Here to Eternity Gattaca The Guns of Navarone Godzilla Heavy Metal 2000 Hollow Man* Hook John Carpenter's Vampires Johnny Mnemonic

Jurassic Park A Knight's Tale Labyrinth Lawrence of Arabia Legends of the Fall Leon: The Professional The Mask of Zorro Men in Black Men in Black II The Missing Naked Fish (aquarium simulation) Once Upon a Time in Mexico The One Panic Room The Patriot*

Punch-Drunk Love The Quick and the Dead Resident Evil Riverdance - Live from New York S.W.A.T. Seven Years in Tibet Silverado * Snatch* Spider-Man Spider-Man 2 Starship Troopers Tommy Underworld Vertical Limit XXX

[edit] Superbit Deluxe (2-Disc)

• Charlie's Angels (Superbit Deluxe)/Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (Special Edition)
• Charlie's Angels (Superbit Deluxe Collection 2-Disc Set)
• Hollow Man
• The Bridge on the River Kwai
• The Mask of Zorro
• The Patriot
• Snatch

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Superbit Catalog Sony Pictures' catalog of Superbit DVDs.
• What is Superbit? Advertisement page which briefly explains the Superbit format.
• Superbit UK Sony UK's site about Superbit
• What are Superbit DVDs, and do they actually make a difference? Close examination of several Region 2 & 4 Superbit DVDs.
• Superbit pamphlet -- The text in the Superbit DVD-insert.