Fireplace: Visions of Tranquility [Blu-ray]

You can't expect much from a video of a burning fire other than just that--a video of a burning fire. I have not seen the standard definition version of this HD DVD, but I believe that this version comes with fewer features, based on the reviews I have read of it. Still, this version comes with multiple different versions of the fire: A complete fire (starts after the fire is already lit and goes until it nearly goes out--you do not see the very beginning or the very end) An eternal fire (which is just the first minute or so of the fire looped back to back forever) and a number of other versions, including an exciting fire, which just looks at the fire with different camera angles, and a version of the fire set to music.The fire looks great on HD DVD. The sound is a little weird--sometimes you hear little metal popping noises and tinkling sounds, and I wonder if this is an error in the audio compression or just the natural sound of the fire rack being heated. I once had an error with the HD DVD where the menu would not allow me to make a selection, and I had to restart the machine, but this happened only once and I do not know whether it was the player's fault or the HD DVD's fault. The reverse side has the standard definition version and its content is slightly different, but I cannot recall how it differed. Both sides are in wide screen and there is no full screen option. All in all, it is a great little fire to have going on in the background if you, like me, do not have a fireplace in your apartment.

Its the nicest one I have used... but it could have been nicer...Pan a little out so the whole flame would have been welcomed..Also there are some fires that the camera pans and scan around and thats just not called for!I would have rather seen different views back off the same fireplace... some tv's are bigger than others and if its like 50 or 60" the fire just looks too big... so different views further back would have been better.At least they did use a real fire with real wood not a gas fire like most of the other discs I have seen. The first one is a full fireplace with wood that burns almost down then loops... thats the way to do it. The others that scan the fire are distracting and dumb.. the whole concept of these discs is an illusion of a fireplace so why does the camera need to move ? instead just offer different views of the same fireplace instead.Overall on a lcd around 32 to 40 " you will be very pleased.... the bigger your set your fire will look too big and will not look natural at all.... in fact it will look like your living room is on fire... hence the further away view would have been welcomed...

I bought this specifically knowing the issues with blu-ray playback on this particular disc on the PS3, which I use as my blu-ray player, and went through the steps to get the replacement disc from the HDScape website and have had a good amount of time to watch the fireplaces. The quality is quite good, though not 1080P good, on the fires. And I of course like having the music in the background. If you want a simulated fire on your screen, this will do. Its nothing amazing but not too bad.

I have the HD DVD version of this fireplace as well , I have tried a few others and this one still is the best of the bunch.... why ? well this disc has a fireplace scene thats starts from beginning to the end, it does not pan around like the others do, the full fire lasts about 20 minutes or so at least there is always a different look when you walk past the screen. The disc has other scenes as well but this is the only disc I know of that does not pan or zoom around which is a cardinal sin for video like these. I just want to see a fire from start to finish with the same view angle and no zooming... this is it.

The last reviewer is accurate when he said it does not work on the Sony PS3. If you go to the "HDscape" website they will offer you a free replacement disc that will work on the PS3. They stated something was wrong with the encoding process and that it should be fixed in all future releases of the Fireplace disc.As far as the quality, I have no idea as I am waiting to get a replacement disc. Hope this helps.

Very nice, high quality graphics, but only about 4 selections possible.Limited music choice available, but worth the price.Recommended but not as good as the aquarium disk.

A great fireplace video for all those cold months. We use ours with a flat screen TV/DVD player as a warmer day fireplace insert. It sure makes the room feel warmer. The sounds are realistic and I like the auto repeat sequence on the one of four fireplace scense that burns down like a real fire would.

Not exactly great music that goes along with the fireplace scenes. I will be using it for viewing only....no audio.

As lame as things like this might sound, I liked the idea. For people without fireplaces at home but like the sound and glow of a fire, its about as close as you can get.My only complaint is that the selection of fire options are very small, the videos aren't long enough and the quality isn't 1080p - its probably somewhere between a very good DVD encoding or 720p.

a bit boring

Hmmmm.

ok

Anmerkung vorweg: ich bin überzeugter Blu-ray- u n d HD DVD-Besitzer und habe mir den Titel vor Monaten auf Blu-ray gekauft. Abgesehen vom Medium sind die Titel aber qualitativ identisch, daher gelten die Aussagen für beide "Lager". Die HD DVD-Variante ist derzeit auch günstiger; das liegt sicherlich am Abverkauf der Bestände.Auf DVD gibt es mittlerweile einige Veröffentlichungen. Da HD DVD (trotz der Aufgabe von Toshiba) ein hochwertiges Medium ist und ein echter Kamin noch nicht verbaut werden soll, habe ich mir "Fireplace" zugelegt.Was erwartet einen ? Vier Kaminfeuer, die aber nicht ganz so spektakulär sind , wie ich mir das erhofft hatte, aber dafür auch nicht aufdringlich, sondern eher etwas für den "wärmenden" Hintergrund. Die Gesamtlaufzeit von 107 Minuten habe ich nicht nachgemessen, das kommt aber zeitlich wohl hin. Neben dem reinen Geräusch des Feuers mit Knistern etc. kann man dazu zusätzlich optionale Musiktitel laufen lassen. Dann fehlt eigentlich nur noch die Flasche Rotwein...Also, keine Fehlinvestition. Wer den falschen Schein des Feuers mit echten Geräuschen mag, kommt auf seine Kosten. Im schnellen Zeitraffer (zum Testen) sieht man tatsächlich die Holzscheite abbrennen.Diese HD DVD ist auf jeden Fall günstiger als ein echter Kamin mit Folgekosten und auch reinigungsfrei. Wir haben bei einer Feier die "Fireplace" einfach mal vorgespielt (beim Essen). Es gab interessierte Blicke und Fragen und eigentlich kam "der Kamin" gut an. Die Frage ist, wann man sich den Titel demnächst wieder anschaut...