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...terrifying and just as mesmerizing as the signal itself.
Video:
Like the Blu-ray, the DVD version of "The Signal" is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The picture is grítty, a tad murky at times, and there's a fair amount of graininess in the poorly lit scenes. The rough, washed-out look was an artistic intent according to the directors, but I wouldn't doubt that the tight budget also played a significant part in the video quality.
In my review of the Blu-ray, I mentioned that there is what appears to be a hot pixel in the lower left quadrant of the screen that shows up every now and then. I specifically looked for it on the DVD version, and while it is still there, it was much more difficult to pinpoint and barely noticeable. The high-definition of the Blu-ray actually seems to enhance the flaw in the film.
Audio:
There are two audio options available here: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. When I heard about the budget of the film I certainly wasn't expecting fantastic sound, but it really surprised me. I could make out all of the dialogue easily and the music wasn't overpowering or anything, plus there's even deep bass during signal appearances to make it even more menacing. The sound still isn't spectacular like some releases, but overall it's still very good in my book. Finishing off the audio is optional Spanish subtitles, and closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Extras:
The standard DVD release contains all of the same bonus features as the Blu-ray, but also has a fancy holographic slipcover. Depending on the angle, the three-dimensional image actually changes, which is quite cool actually.
For the bonus material contained on the disc itself, there's a Directors Commentary with David Bruckner, Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry. I found this commentary to be a lot more enjoyable than some of the other commentaries I've sat through, since the three filmmakers were at ease and just having a ball with the whole thing. Each director was also kicked out of the room during his segment so the other two could comment on his section just to make it unique.
The disc also includes a handful of deleted scenes. The first features an Intro by Dan Bush (2:12), and contains two clips: Bike Scene Version 1 (1:11) and Bike Scene Version 2 (0:44). The other one has an Intro (0:31) by David Bruckner for the Extended Bat Scene (1:42).
Signal Breakdown (4:26) is a short featurette explaining the basic premise of the film and studies the three acts. Inside Terminus: The Making of The Signal (15:04) is one of the better behind-the-scenes documentaries I've seen. A large part of this featurette takes a look at some of the stunt tricks and techniques used in the movie, and we get to see exactly how they created some of the fantastic looking effects like the car crash sequence and the beheading scene on a shoestring budget.
There are three webisodes that widen the effects of the transmitting signal to other places around Terminus. Transmission Intro (0:58) briefly explains the significance of three additional transmissions. Transmission 14: Technical Difficulties (3:27) is written and directed by David Bruckner and takes place at a studio for a TV station, Transmission 23: The Return (4:27) uses an electronics store as the setting by Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry presents Transmission 37: Crosstown Traffic (3:42) about a family traveling on a road trip.
The Hap Hapgood Story (10:02) is the horror film seen in the opening sequence of "The Signal" included here in its entirety. In the Intro (3:08), Jacob Gentry provides some background on the film which was the winning entry from the 2003 48-Hour Film Festival. Basically, the festival is a contest where filmmakers are only given forty-eight hours to write, direct, produce, and film a short movie.
Just in case some viewers like to freak out their friends, there's even an option to click on The Signal to broadcast the mysterious signal on their own televisions.
Finally, there are a bunch of trailers: "The Life Before Her Eyes," "Quid Pro Quo," "Finding Amanda," "Mister Foe," and "HDNet."
The Final Cut:
After watching both the standard DVD and Blu-ray versions of "The Signal," I'd have to say that it almost got better upon the second viewing as I happened to catch things I missed the first time around. While the picture quality and bonus material of both formats is about the same, the Blu-ray does have a slight edge thanks to the DTS-HD Master Audio track. However, the hot pixel really stands out like an eyesore in high-definition.
The film itself doesn't contain the usual ravenous undead or contagious strains of unknown viruses, but it fits right in with the likes of "Night of the Living Dead" and "Resident Evil." The catalyst for the plot is just a simple sound emitted from our own technology that transforms humanity into raving monsters. In that vein, the film is closer to the realm of possibility, making it that much more terrifying and just as mesmerizing as the signal itself.
Like the Blu-ray, the DVD version of "The Signal" is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The picture is grítty, a tad murky at times, and there's a fair amount of graininess in the poorly lit scenes. The rough, washed-out look was an artistic intent according to the directors, but I wouldn't doubt that the tight budget also played a significant part in the video quality.
In my review of the Blu-ray, I mentioned that there is what appears to be a hot pixel in the lower left quadrant of the screen that shows up every now and then. I specifically looked for it on the DVD version, and while it is still there, it was much more difficult to pinpoint and barely noticeable. The high-definition of the Blu-ray actually seems to enhance the flaw in the film.
Audio:
There are two audio options available here: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. When I heard about the budget of the film I certainly wasn't expecting fantastic sound, but it really surprised me. I could make out all of the dialogue easily and the music wasn't overpowering or anything, plus there's even deep bass during signal appearances to make it even more menacing. The sound still isn't spectacular like some releases, but overall it's still very good in my book. Finishing off the audio is optional Spanish subtitles, and closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Extras:
The standard DVD release contains all of the same bonus features as the Blu-ray, but also has a fancy holographic slipcover. Depending on the angle, the three-dimensional image actually changes, which is quite cool actually.
For the bonus material contained on the disc itself, there's a Directors Commentary with David Bruckner, Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry. I found this commentary to be a lot more enjoyable than some of the other commentaries I've sat through, since the three filmmakers were at ease and just having a ball with the whole thing. Each director was also kicked out of the room during his segment so the other two could comment on his section just to make it unique.
The disc also includes a handful of deleted scenes. The first features an Intro by Dan Bush (2:12), and contains two clips: Bike Scene Version 1 (1:11) and Bike Scene Version 2 (0:44). The other one has an Intro (0:31) by David Bruckner for the Extended Bat Scene (1:42).
Signal Breakdown (4:26) is a short featurette explaining the basic premise of the film and studies the three acts. Inside Terminus: The Making of The Signal (15:04) is one of the better behind-the-scenes documentaries I've seen. A large part of this featurette takes a look at some of the stunt tricks and techniques used in the movie, and we get to see exactly how they created some of the fantastic looking effects like the car crash sequence and the beheading scene on a shoestring budget.
There are three webisodes that widen the effects of the transmitting signal to other places around Terminus. Transmission Intro (0:58) briefly explains the significance of three additional transmissions. Transmission 14: Technical Difficulties (3:27) is written and directed by David Bruckner and takes place at a studio for a TV station, Transmission 23: The Return (4:27) uses an electronics store as the setting by Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry presents Transmission 37: Crosstown Traffic (3:42) about a family traveling on a road trip.
The Hap Hapgood Story (10:02) is the horror film seen in the opening sequence of "The Signal" included here in its entirety. In the Intro (3:08), Jacob Gentry provides some background on the film which was the winning entry from the 2003 48-Hour Film Festival. Basically, the festival is a contest where filmmakers are only given forty-eight hours to write, direct, produce, and film a short movie.
Just in case some viewers like to freak out their friends, there's even an option to click on The Signal to broadcast the mysterious signal on their own televisions.
Finally, there are a bunch of trailers: "The Life Before Her Eyes," "Quid Pro Quo," "Finding Amanda," "Mister Foe," and "HDNet."
The Final Cut:
After watching both the standard DVD and Blu-ray versions of "The Signal," I'd have to say that it almost got better upon the second viewing as I happened to catch things I missed the first time around. While the picture quality and bonus material of both formats is about the same, the Blu-ray does have a slight edge thanks to the DTS-HD Master Audio track. However, the hot pixel really stands out like an eyesore in high-definition.
The film itself doesn't contain the usual ravenous undead or contagious strains of unknown viruses, but it fits right in with the likes of "Night of the Living Dead" and "Resident Evil." The catalyst for the plot is just a simple sound emitted from our own technology that transforms humanity into raving monsters. In that vein, the film is closer to the realm of possibility, making it that much more terrifying and just as mesmerizing as the signal itself.
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[release]23516[/release]