You know, the great thing about being an independant review site is you get to review stuff like this. I have yet to see another review site that has reviewed ANY of HDScape's releases.
The concept behind most of HDScape's releases is to create a picture window out of your expensive HD display. Some of their releases take that really literally. The one that I almost chuckle at is Fireplaces. They literally pointed an HD camera at a fire buring in a fireplace. That's it, that is the whole disc. Oh, well, there is also some soothing music that gets played while you listen to the fire crackle, but literally, that is it. And if you are wondering who would buy such a thing, I must say it is on my Christmas wishlist.
HDScape Sampler is exactly that, it shows off their different discs in short, 4-5 minute clips. The disc is so freakin cheap on Amazon, its like, why wouldn't you pick it up? I mean, where else are you going to get a HD-DVD or a Blu-Ray for under $5?
Video quality
Well, if you are going to call your company something like "HDScape" and claim to be a picture window, you would expect the best HD has to offer. HDScape certainly deliveres here. Everything here is refrence quality material. This is the stuff you put on in the background, and do not tell anyone what it is, and wait for them to do the double-take (Fireplaces and the salt-water aquarium are great examples).This stuff is absolutely beautiful. After seeing this, I practically cannot go back to HD over satelite again.
Sound quality
The sound quality is, well, okay. Nothing bad, the music is rich and vibrant. In fact, it sounds really similar to an Sony SACD demo disc I have. The problem is, there is just not much to it. Some classical, jazz, or electronic music, and that is it. The fireplace does have the sound of wood crackling as well. Also, the sound quality seems to vary from one sample to the next. So, while there is technically nothing wrong with the audio, there is just nothing here to make it stand out
Bonus features
Nothing, zero, zilch, nada
Final Word
HDScape Sampler simply is not a disc that you are going to be actively involved in. You put this in when you want to relax or just have backrground noise. But, considering you can pick this up on both platforms for under $5, I say go ahead and pick it up.