Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone Blu-ray

Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone

 (2008)

Documentary

Yellowstone

No other disc so vividly captures Yellowstone's fascinating history, magnificent natural wonders, and out-of-the-ordinary activities. From llama trekking and wolf-watching to geyser gazing, breathtaking high-definition photography captures the ultimate Yellowstone experience to relive again and again.

Inside Grand Teton National Park

This value-added double-program also explores 'Inside Grand Teton National Park,' an insider's guide to the USA's Eden. Viewers will experience the rush of whitewater rafting, witness a staggering array of wildlife, blaze new trails at a working dude ranch, and much more!

For more details about Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone on Blu-ray, see the Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone Blu-ray Review

Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Encoded in VC-1 and averaging about 25 Mbps, Yellowstone is shown off in newly-filmed high definition footage. The overall quality can be middling at times. Slight softness is apparent throughout the programs, due to the interlaced picture rather than a progressive scan. Some artifacts such as pixelation and even the odd appearance of edge enhancement here and there can be spotted. With lots of atmospheric activity like steam and snow caught on film, the picture problems like macroblocking and a too-soft image seem relievedly absent. Still, the most impressive shots are those filmed on a clear sunny day, with lots of natural light and color. Moving water was smooth and at times with a surreal, glass-like clarity. Colors are natural and reproduced well here; even the orange flesh tones that plagued the other Scenic National Parks Blu-ray titles aren't to be seen here in such harshness. Contrast is good overall, and shadow detail is nice. Yellowstone doesn't boast the perfect picture, but it's certainly the best the parks have ever been depicted on home video!

Scenic National Parks: Yellowstone Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Featuring both a stereo and multichannel Dolby Digital 5.1 track, Yellowstone is not out to blow the viewer away with killer audio, obviously. Meant to be primarily educational, the sound retains a good amount of clarity despite the lossy mix. Narration emanates from the center channel and is understandable for the most part. The lack of subtitles can prove to be somewhat frustrating at times however - the location names are run through without much in the way of enunciation, and Yellowstone novices may be left wondering exactly what was just identified. The front channels are mostly used for the scoring, and the rears pick up slight amounts of music bleed and ambiance. A small amount of LFE is used to bolster the track - nothing too brash, but it does improve the aural presences overall. In short, the disc provides a decent, satisfactory mix, which does not give your sound system a workout simply because it was not meant to.