Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray

Yellowstone: Battle for Life

 (TV) (2009)

Documentary | History | Nature



In a land of beauty and peril, the dramatic lives and fortunes of these animals are inexorably bound together. Intimate and emotional, epic and engaging, Yellowstone - Tales from the Wild reveals the grandeur of this unique place as its animals struggle to survive over the course of three vividly changing seasons.

For more details about Yellowstone: Battle for Life on Blu-ray, see the Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray Review

Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Yellowstone: Battle for Life features an excellent 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer that looks better than BBC's most recent documentary releases. Nature's Most Amazing Events and Wild Pacific suffered from several debilitating technical issues, many of which undermined the impact of their series' startling photography. Though some of the same issues rear their ugly heads in Battle for Life -- faint artifacting, errant banding, and slight ringing pop up from time to time -- instances are less intrusive, more subdued, and less distracting. Colors are bold and beautiful, capturing the majesty and awe of Yellowstone's landscapes. Black levels are deep and absorbing, granting the image welcome depth and dimensionality. Detail is sharp and refined, revealing small flakes of ice and tufts of fur at every turn. Softness occasionally invades the proceedings, but almost every dip in clarity should be attributed to the original source, not the disc's high definition presentation. Is it the best documentary transfer I've had the pleasure of reviewing? Not quite, but it comes closer than I thought it would. Nature nuts will not be disappointed.

Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


While previously released BBC documentary releases have limped out of the gate with Dolby Digital stereo mixes, Yellowstone: Battle for Life separates from the Blu-ray pack, offering fans a rather satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. While it still provides a largely front-heavy experience -- it is, after all, attached to a traditional episodic documentary -- erupting geysers leave quite an impression, distant animal cries are clean and stable, and environmental ambience is both convincing and involving. Firth's voice dominates the soundscape with deep, dulcet tones; his narration lingers just beneath the image, nestled neatly between the bulk of Yellowstone's wildlife and natural wonders. LFE output is reserved but weighty, rear speaker activity is restrained but supportive, and dynamics are solid. Unfortunately, many of the documentary's showcase sonics don't emerge until the second and third episodes (when the snow melts and spring returns), meaning audiophiles will need to be patient to get the most out of the track. Ultimately, anyone approaching Battle for Life with proper expectations will be happy with everything they hear. I know I was.

Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray, News and Updates

• BBC Brings Yellowstone to Blu-ray - June 25, 2009