Post by Beatle Bob on Dec 18, 2009 21:12:32 GMT
Beatles - Washington D.C. Coliseum Concert - 16 mm Telefilm (Hiwax Productions – Internet Release - 2009)
Review by: Beatle Bob
You know I’m skeptical at times when someone claims they have a new video source and offers it up for consumption by collectors. This time Hiwax Productions comes through admirably with the best 16 mm kinescope source appearing to date of the Beatles’ first concert in the US on February 11, 1964. This print is ertainly not free of some edge darkness, rough splices and speckles (as the other well known source has), but underneath it all--the image has slightly more clarity, the contrast is brighter and grey scale is closer to the 2” video master. The only downside is the occasional stamping of the Hiwax Productions in the bottom left corner and no menu. But there are chapters so you can flip around. Something I do often. It’s important to note that this print has superior audio than any and all available sources coming from 16 mm kinescope. There is much less noise surface noise emanating from this print, enhancing the clarity and enjoyability.
I’ve used two sources to compare this to: The legitimate and truncated release by Passport Video (2003) and the Darthdisc Turn Left at Greenland mega CD/DVD set. Passport’s image and audio is by far the worst and I’ll never play it again. Darthdisc offers the usual available standard quality that surfaced years back. Up until now, it was the best and really only source available of the entire concert. Until now. Both the Darthdisc and Hiwax concerts end with the EPK version of “Long Tall Sally”. Hiwax’s offers the time clock countdown and the entire film clip is by far superior to the Darthdisc set. Darthdisc’s image is dark with compressed audio. Here on Hiwax’s disc, the video image nearly matches Anthology in grey scale and depth along with audio that is clear and full, rendering this one powerful performance by Paul and the Beatles. It kicks butt my friends.
This disc ends with a “Sampler Video” from an auction of the 2” master video. Holy crap! The clips of each song look great, clean and the audio blows away anything from the 16 mm kinescopes. It matches the video versions used in Anthology and on the EPK. Unfortunately, these are sampler clips and it’s all we get. But it’s nice to know the master is out there. Hiwax find it
This disc gets a high recommendation from me for the slightly sharper image, improved audio and the superior EPK version of “Long Tall Sally”. Download this and add this fantastic concert upgrade to your collection now.
Regards,
Beatle Bob
Review by: Beatle Bob
You know I’m skeptical at times when someone claims they have a new video source and offers it up for consumption by collectors. This time Hiwax Productions comes through admirably with the best 16 mm kinescope source appearing to date of the Beatles’ first concert in the US on February 11, 1964. This print is ertainly not free of some edge darkness, rough splices and speckles (as the other well known source has), but underneath it all--the image has slightly more clarity, the contrast is brighter and grey scale is closer to the 2” video master. The only downside is the occasional stamping of the Hiwax Productions in the bottom left corner and no menu. But there are chapters so you can flip around. Something I do often. It’s important to note that this print has superior audio than any and all available sources coming from 16 mm kinescope. There is much less noise surface noise emanating from this print, enhancing the clarity and enjoyability.
I’ve used two sources to compare this to: The legitimate and truncated release by Passport Video (2003) and the Darthdisc Turn Left at Greenland mega CD/DVD set. Passport’s image and audio is by far the worst and I’ll never play it again. Darthdisc offers the usual available standard quality that surfaced years back. Up until now, it was the best and really only source available of the entire concert. Until now. Both the Darthdisc and Hiwax concerts end with the EPK version of “Long Tall Sally”. Hiwax’s offers the time clock countdown and the entire film clip is by far superior to the Darthdisc set. Darthdisc’s image is dark with compressed audio. Here on Hiwax’s disc, the video image nearly matches Anthology in grey scale and depth along with audio that is clear and full, rendering this one powerful performance by Paul and the Beatles. It kicks butt my friends.
This disc ends with a “Sampler Video” from an auction of the 2” master video. Holy crap! The clips of each song look great, clean and the audio blows away anything from the 16 mm kinescopes. It matches the video versions used in Anthology and on the EPK. Unfortunately, these are sampler clips and it’s all we get. But it’s nice to know the master is out there. Hiwax find it
This disc gets a high recommendation from me for the slightly sharper image, improved audio and the superior EPK version of “Long Tall Sally”. Download this and add this fantastic concert upgrade to your collection now.
Regards,
Beatle Bob