Tokyo — The Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) Japan released a list of 2008 Blu-ray titles recognized during its first recent awards ceremony.
Awards were presented for excellence in each of the following categories: Picture Quality, Sound Quality and Interactivity, plus Best in Show.
Warner Home Video’s “The Dark Knight” received Best in Show from both the DEG’s Japan and North American chapters for its “unsurpassed clarity and sound on Blu-ray Disc and its ability to excite consumers and drive them to retail.”
Judges for the awards included prominent audio visual critics, film and DVD magazine editors, and representatives from hardware manufacturers within the membership of DEG Japan.
The DEG Japan award recipients were as follows:
Grand Prix 2008 and Best in Picture Quality (Live Action)
“The Dark Knight”
Warner Home Video (Japan)
Comment from judges: “Outstanding image quality that justifies its acclaim as the 2008 Blu-ray title of the year.”
Best in Picture Quality (Anime/CG)
“The Nightmare Before Christmas (Collector’s Edition)”
Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment (Japan)
Comment from judges: “The texture of fabrics within the film are stunningly produced, providing a sense of detail that could not be detected in movie theaters.”
Best in Sound (Music)
NHK Classical – Seiji Ozawa Berliner Philharmoniker – Tchaikovsky Symphony no.6 in B minor, op.74 “Pathetique.”
NHK Enterprises
Comment from judges: “The extreme detail and depth of sound convey even the changes in breath of the conductor, and every nuance of the musicians. The 96/24 linear PCM delivers a wondrous experience, while the amazingly high resolution sound reproduces every detail of the musical performance.”
Best in Sound (Movie)
“Ghost In The Shell”
Bandai Visual
Comment from judges: “Exquisite, high density surround sound evokes a sense of space and atmosphere.”
Best in Interactivity
“Biohazard Degeneration”
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Japan)
Comment from judges: “The viewing experience is deepened by the picture-in-picture feature that allows the user to see additional, well-selected bonus content such as making of scenes, all while watching the movie.”
Special Recognitions
NHK Special – “Satoyama”
NHK Enterprises
Comment from judges: “Best in class picture quality within the video category.”
Ken Hirai Live Tour 2008 “Fakin’ Pop”
Defstar Records
Comment from judges: “Seamless, organic coupling of picture and sound provides a sense of being at a real live concert.”
The Magic Hour
Fuji Television Network, “Apan”
Comment from judges: “Elegant and refined sense of quality represents best in class achievement for a Japanese movie. A THX title.”
“Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition”
Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment (Japan)
Comment from judges: “Cutting-edge restoration technology has revived the 50-year-old film, unearthing new detail that could not be detected on VHS and Laser Discs versions. The newly re-edited surround sound is also remarkable.”
