The SD-DVD & HD Comparisons thread

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Jul 2006, 17:35

I'll post some shots of the R2.

Grim can you ask Bruce about the French DVD?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Jul 2006, 18:28

Yeah, I'll PM him.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Jul 2006, 19:30

You gave the expensive French DVD away?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Jul 2006, 19:42

No I traded with Bruce

(honest).

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Jul 2006, 21:08

Some more requests...

The new R1s of Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible II
I have the R2 (UK) original releases of both these and reports suggest that the R1 collector's eds surpass them.

Platoon R1 20th Anniversary
I have the R2 (UK) Special Edition. It's not so much the additional extras that interest me, but has the image been improved at all?

Patriot Games R1/2 Collector's Editions
I have the original R2 (UK). Any improvements with the newer versions on either side of the pond?

I can do caps for anything I have.

Thanx.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Jul 2006, 21:57

Markgway wrote:The new R1s of Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible II
I have the R2 (UK) original releases of both these and reports suggest that the R1 collector's eds surpass them.

Mission Impossible yes but Mission Impossible 2 is just a repackage with a 2nd MI3 Sneak Preview DVD.

I'd like to see a MI comparison too. The original 1 Disc MI UK R2 is only £2.99 from CD WOW. The UK R2 2 Disc SE is of course a cash in :shock:

Platoon R1 20th Anniversary
I have the R2 (UK) Special Edition. It's not so much the additional extras that interest me, but has the image been improved at all?

The extras look really good though. There's loads more. I have the original UK R2 too and will upgrade if/when I like the film. I've not seen it yet.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 26 Jul 2006, 00:45

bradavon wrote:Mission Impossible yes but Mission Impossible 2 is just a repackage with a 2nd MI3 Sneak Preview DVD.

No interest in a sneak preview disc. I just read somewhere that the new R1 of M:I2 had a better image than the existing R2. I may have gotten that confused. It's mainly the new transfer on the R1 CE of M:I that I'm curious about. I know that the UK has always had it 16:9 but I'd like to see a comparison nonetheless. I wouldn't upgrade purely for the rather flatulent extras.

The extras look really good though. There's loads more. I have the original UK R2 too and will upgrade if/when I like the film. I've not seen it yet.

Deleted scenes and additonal docs, but unless the image is improved I somehow doubt I'd bother.

If anyone has these R1s let us know.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Jul 2006, 19:14

Markgway wrote:No interest in a sneak preview disc. I just read somewhere that the new R1 of M:I2 had a better image than the existing R2.

I could be wrong but I don't think so. Where's the link?

Markgway wrote:I wouldn't upgrade purely for the rather flatulent extras./quote]
The extras are a joke which is why I considered picking the UK R2 up for £2.99.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 26 Jul 2006, 19:38

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=435

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Jul 2006, 19:52

No offence Mark but people would far to much realise on DVD Compare. It's scary how many people use the cuts section as gospel.

As for MI2 what it actually boils down to is:

"The Region 1 and Region 4 versions of this disc appear to be identically featured, but the reviews of the Region 1 disc comment on the excellent video transfer."

That doesn't say the R1 is better and they're going by reviews too. It's not even the new DVD being mentioned and that comparison hasn't been updated since 2004.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 27 Jul 2006, 02:08

I know it's hardly gospel, but the suggestion is there.

Doesn't it make you a little curious?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 28 Jul 2006, 19:10

Anyone got the R1 Delxue ROAD HOUSE yet?
Comments on the AV?
I've heard the View Askew commentary is pretty funny.

Would you guys say it was worth upgrading my T2-Ultimate R1 to the Extreme Edition?
I saw a comp which shows small squares blown-up and whilst these do look better on the Extreme HD transfer would I notice this viewing the image at regular size on TV?

What's the best ENGLISH language version of SUSPIRIA out there?
Forget extras. I'm only talking in reference to AV quality.
A cap comparison shows that the UK/ABE - which is the version I have - has the poorest image; being softer and darker than the R1. Unfortunately both have the remixed 5.1, which screws-up the audio levels.
I don't suppose there's a super=great release out there which has top image AND the correct soundtrack?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 29 Jul 2006, 00:09

Markgway wrote:Would you guys say it was worth upgrading my T2-Ultimate R1 to the Extreme Edition?

No, the extras (aside from the Cameron audio commentary) on the EE are rubbish.

I saw a comp which shows small squares blown-up and whilst these do look better on the Extreme HD transfer would I notice this viewing the image at regular size on TV?

If all you want is a better transfer of the Extended Cut, then pick up the cheap R2UK Momentum disc (which is down-converted from an HD master). It is superior to the R1 UE transfer (which was taken from an HD master actually). The HD transfer on the EE uses DRM and doesn't work if you're outside North America.

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 29 Jul 2006, 10:12

Markgway wrote: What's the best ENGLISH language version of SUSPIRIA out there?
Forget extras. I'm only talking in reference to AV quality.
A cap comparison shows that the UK/ABE - which is the version I have - has the poorest image; being softer and darker than the R1. Unfortunately both have the remixed 5.1, which screws-up the audio levels.
I don't suppose there's a super=great release out there which has top image AND the correct soundtrack?

Hey Mark, I have the Anchor Bay 3 Disk version and are happy with the a/v, it is quite sharp. I know the audio is screwed up. I don't think there is a dvd out there which has both sharp visual from anchor bay, and the correct soundtrack from the laser disk. However saying this, do you remember Matt Stevens from the old Bnb days. On one forum, he has done this, ripped the dvd video, and mixed in the old soundtrack, I emailed him to get a copy but got no reply

Ray_Rogers · Post by **Ray_Rogers** » 29 Jul 2006, 12:50

Markgway wrote: Patriot Games R1/2 Collector's Editions
I have the original R2 (UK). Any improvements with the newer versions on either side of the pond?

I own the R1 US NTSC of the Special Collector's Edition of the first three Jack Ryan films, including Patriot Games, and it's leaps and bounds far superior than that of the previous non-anamorphic version. Highly recommended. And it also has a DTS track to boot, one of the rare features from Paramount here locally. The featurette is quite nice too and also includes the trailers. It should also be quite inexpensive now.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Jul 2006, 13:41

Markgway wrote:Would you guys say it was worth upgrading my T2-Ultimate R1 to the Extreme Edition?
I saw a comp which shows small squares blown-up and whilst these do look better on the Extreme HD transfer would I notice this viewing the image at regular size on TV?

It's worth comparing the UE transfer to the EE SD transfer as that's what you'll most likely be using. Romero says it's much better.

I doubt you'll watch the EE HD transfer except for a quick glimpse, which I hear is a pain to use outside the States. I believe it checks your IP address.

I'm happy with my UE but did also consider getting the EE as well.

EvaUnit02 wrote:If all you want is a better transfer of the Extended Cut, then pick up the cheap R2UK Momentum disc (which is down-converted from an HD master). It is superior to the R1 UE transfer (which was taken from an HD master actually).

That's the old transfer though the EE SD transfer will look better again.

EvaUnit02 wrote:No, the extras (aside from the Cameron audio commentary) on the EE are rubbish.

True but then that isn't the point of the release:

1. Remastered SD transfer (check out DVD Beaver)
2. Full HD Transfer in WMV format

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 29 Jul 2006, 17:57

EvaUnit02 wrote:If all you want is a better transfer of the Extended Cut, then pick up the cheap R2UK Momentum disc (which is down-converted from an HD master). It is superior to the R1 UE transfer (which was taken from an HD master actually). The HD transfer on the EE uses DRM and doesn't work if you're outside North America.

Really? Wow. I assumed that the R1 Extreme Edition would have the best image.

Is this the version you're talking about?

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/88691/Te ... oduct.html

I would only watch the 147m special edition anyways so am not bothered about losing the theatrical or extended cuts (the deleted scenes are still included as extras, apparently, which suits me).

No interest in the Windows Media HD so it would be the regular HD remaster on the Extreme I would watch. I'd love to see how this compares to the R2.

Do you have this R2 edition, Eva? Can you (or anyone who has it) do screen caps? I can do ones from the R1 Ultimate.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 29 Jul 2006, 18:00

slasher13 wrote:Hey Mark, I have the Anchor Bay 3 Disk version and are happy with the a/v, it is quite sharp. I know the audio is screwed up. I don't think there is a dvd out there which has both sharp visual from anchor bay, and the correct soundtrack from the laser disk. However saying this, do you remember Matt Stevens from the old Bnb days. On one forum, he has done this, ripped the dvd video, and mixed in the old soundtrack, I emailed him to get a copy but got no reply

Yeah, I remember Matt. A lot of people found him iffy. I don't have much of an opinion to be honest. The R1 Suspiria is clearly better than the UK, but I don't want to upgrade only to get the same poor sound. There's an audio comparison at Whiggles and you really hear how ABE fucked-up. I'm sure Blue Underground have the rights to this now...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 29 Jul 2006, 18:03

Ray_Rogers wrote:I own the R1 US NTSC of the Special Collector's Edition of the first three Jack Ryan films, including Patriot Games, and it's leaps and bounds far superior than that of the previous non-anamorphic version. Highly recommended. And it also has a DTS track to boot, one of the rare features from Paramount here locally. The featurette is quite nice too and also includes the trailers. It should also be quite inexpensive now.

The previous R2 was also anamorphic so may use the same transfer. Only on R1 was the improvement between regular and special a given. Thanks for replying...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Jul 2006, 18:48

Markgway wrote:Really? Wow. I assumed that the R1 Extreme Edition would have the best image.

I'm sure it is. Eva is probably right that the UK R2 is better than the R1 UE but the R1 EE was released sometime later after HD Remastering. The same EE transfer has been used for the Japanese 3 Disc SE (same as the R1 EE but a 3rd disc of extras).

The R1 EE also has both the Theatrical and Extended Cuts on the first disc, except it's the theatrical which is hidden this time or is it just not the default I can't remember.

R1 UE vs. R1 EE:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/term2.htm

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 29 Jul 2006, 20:24

The R1 EE looks slightly sharper, but it doesn't have DTS.
This is inexcusable for a movie like T2.

I'm keeping my UE and I'd advise Mark to do the same (unless he can't play DTS).

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Jul 2006, 00:07

Tom2681 wrote:The R1 EE looks slightly sharper, but it doesn't have DTS. This is inexcusable for a movie like T2. I'm keeping my UE and I'd advise Mark to do the same (unless he can't play DTS).

I can't.

I just want the best image quality available for the Special Edition.

I suppose it's worth pointing out that I only have a "28 WS CRT and so the improvements in those Beaver comparisons with portions highlighted probably wouldn't be noticeable to me - or anyone without a large screen.

I'd like to try a regular screen cap comparison to see if differences are apparent with regular size images. Is anyone else up for this? All editions welcome.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 30 Jul 2006, 08:00

Markgway wrote:Is this the version you're talking about?

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/88691/Te ... oduct.html

Yes.

Do you have this R2 edition, Eva? Can you (or anyone who has it) do screen caps? I can do ones from the R1 Ultimate.

No. I had the R4 UE (which is taken from the same Studio Canal HD master as the Momentum UE), but I sold it not long after getting the R1 UE (I wanted both cuts with DTS). The R4 image was indeed superior to the R1 UE.

R1 UE vs. R4 UE screenshot comparison here.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Jul 2006, 20:28

In preparation for my Apocalypse Now: SE arriving who'd like to see an Apocalypse Now comparison?

I can do:

French Redux 2 Disc SE
R1 Both Cuts 2 Disc SE

I no longer have the Paramount 1 Disc Original Cut UK R2 but Eva could add the R4? When the SE arrives I can add those and then others can add more if they like, like I said I have access to 3 versions.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 31 Jul 2006, 23:50

bradavon wrote:I no longer have the Paramount 1 Disc Original Cut UK R2 but Eva could add the R4?

No prob, but I only have Redux.

BTW only I'll bother if you provide approximate time indexes.