Pre-Order Rocky: The Knockout Collection (4k UHD) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Jake Lipson]

Is part of the 100th anniversaries for both WB and MGM?

I don't think the cause of this timing is about the anniversary as much as tying in with the new movie. The release date for the box set is February 28. Creed III arrives in theaters on March 3 (probably with "sneak preview" shows on March 2.)

That can't be a coincidence.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

First post updated with official press release

 

[Bryan Tuck]

Heads up on the UHD disc of the first film: the track labeled "Original Theatrical English" is actually one of those dreaded downmixes. The original track should be mono, and it's been correctly included on most previous DVD and Blu-ray releases, but on the UHD, there's a stereo downmix of the 5.1 in its place.

 

[Bryan Tuck]

ANNNDD.... the audio on the second film is at the wrong pitch.

Sounds like they took a pitch-corrected PAL master, slowed it down, and re-pitch-corrected it, dropping it the whole track down a half-step or so. This affects both the English 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, which were correct on the old Blu-ray.

 

[cineMANIAC]

I went to Best Buy last night looking for Parts II-IV not realizing these are staggered. Is this the first time a studio has done this for individual units of a series? It's so bizarre. And BB is apparently sold out of the III and IV steelbooks due to "high demand". Bummer for me but awesome for physical media.

I wish someone other than Warner had distribution rights. They have the ugliest generic menus and artwork.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

So, Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits is reporting that Warner is admitting to audio errors in this collection. It is being investigated and more information is forthcoming.

 

[Jeffrey D]

So, Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits is reporting that Warner is admitting to audio errors in this collection. It is being investigated and more information is forthcoming.

Good. You’d think there will be a replacement program for defective discs purchased, and corrected discs will be distinguished by a different UPC code on the packaging of future pressings.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Good. You’d think there will be a replacement program for defective discs purchased, and corrected discs will be distinguished by a different UPC code on the packaging of future pressings.

I need to offer an apology.

Apparently, Warner Bros. is looking into audio issues reported by owners of the boxed set. They have not yet admitted that these problems exist. However, this is a start.

 

[DarkVader]

Is quality control a thing of the past?

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

Is quality control a thing of the past?

We're beta testers.

 

[Jeff*H]

There’s also a 7-second aspect ratio switch from 1.78 to 1.85 on the theatrical ROCKY IV UHD, when Rocky is talking to his son.

 

[Lord Dalek]

Apparently the pitch problem on Rocky II is also present on the Apple TV stream. Maybe an issue with the master that MGM supplied.

 

[Darren Gross]

ANNNDD.... the audio on the second film is at the wrong pitch.

Sounds like they took a pitch-corrected PAL master, slowed it down, and re-pitch-corrected it, dropping it the whole track down a half-step or so. This affects both the English 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, which were correct on the old Blu-ray.

Hi Bryan,
Regarding the Rocky II pitch issue on the Eng 5.1 & 2.0- is there a particular scene or sequence where this is particularly noticeable when comparing between old Blu-ray and current UHD? Thanks.

 

[Bryan Tuck]

Hi Bryan,
Regarding the Rocky II pitch issue on the Eng 5.1 & 2.0- is there a particular scene or sequence where this is particularly noticeable when comparing between old Blu-ray and current UHD? Thanks.

The actors' voices sound lower throughout, but the quickest way to tell is with the music. On the UHD, it's practically in a different key; compare the opening fanfare, and it's immediately noticeable.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

The actors' voices sound lower throughout, but the quickest way to tell is with the music. On the UHD, it's practically in a different key; compare the opening fanfare, and it's immediately noticeable.

Should I be avoiding this set? It doesn't sound like it's up to snuff. I was going to buy it once it drops to $40 or below.

 

[TonyD]

Could buy it if you find it cheap and wait for the replacement program.

 

[Darren Gross]

The actors' voices sound lower throughout, but the quickest way to tell is with the music. On the UHD, it's practically in a different key; compare the opening fanfare, and it's immediately noticeable.

Thank you.

 

[Bryan Tuck]

Should I be avoiding this set? It doesn't sound like it's up to snuff. I was going to buy it once it drops to $40 or below.

Picture-wise, I think they all look fine (though I'm not a color or compression expert). But the audio errors are disappointing.

If you don't mind the remix for the first movie, there's nothing technically wrong with its disc. It's just that the track labeled "Original Theatrical English" isn't the actual original mono audio track, but a stereo fold-down of the remix that we've had since the DVD (and maybe even laserdisc) days. It's mostly decent, but it's missing at least one brief music cue near the end.

However, the audio on the second movie is a genuine error. The same problem exists on some of the dub tracks on Rocky III, but the English ones seem fine.

Hope that helps!

 

[rmw650]

From Bill Hunt's article dated this past Tuesday on the Rocky UHD screw-ups...

"Now then, we have confirmed that Warner’s Rocky: The Knockout Collection 4K set has some significant quality control issues. We first began hearing of this from readers who’d purchased the set last week and we shared them here on The Bits and also on our social media. We also made Warner Bros. Home Entertainment aware of the problems and the studio began an official investigation. Then we were finally able to confirm the problems with our own review product last night. The specific errors are as follows:

1. The “original” audio mix on Rocky is actually a downmix of the 5.1, not the original theatrical mono audio as it should be.
2. Rocky II has all of its audio tracks at the wrong pitch (about 4% too low).
3. Rocky III has all of the foreign audio tracks at the wrong pitch as well.
4. One shot in the theatrical cut of Rocky IV apparently opens up to 1.78:1 instead of the correct 1.85:1 featured throughout the rest of the film (the shot appears at about 10:17 into the film).
5. The version of the Rocky vs. Drago: Keep Punching documentary on the bonus disc is significantly shorter than the version available for free viewing here on YouTube.

That last one may not actually be an error, but fans have certainly noticed it. Now then, we haven’t yet heard back from WB on all this, but we expect to soon. So as soon as we do, rest assured we’ll let you all know here and on our social media."

 

[DarkVader]

From Bill Hunt's article dated this past Tuesday on the Rocky UHD screw-ups...

"Now then, we have confirmed that Warner’s Rocky: The Knockout Collection 4K set has some significant quality control issues. We first began hearing of this from readers who’d purchased the set last week and we shared them here on The Bits and also on our social media. We also made Warner Bros. Home Entertainment aware of the problems and the studio began an official investigation. Then we were finally able to confirm the problems with our own review product last night. The specific errors are as follows:

1. The “original” audio mix on Rocky is actually a downmix of the 5.1, not the original theatrical mono audio as it should be.
2. Rocky II has all of its audio tracks at the wrong pitch (about 4% too low).
3. Rocky III has all of the foreign audio tracks at the wrong pitch as well.
4. One shot in the theatrical cut of Rocky IV apparently opens up to 1.78:1 instead of the correct 1.85:1 featured throughout the rest of the film (the shot appears at about 10:17 into the film).
5. The version of the Rocky vs. Drago: Keep Punching documentary on the bonus disc is significantly shorter than the version available for free viewing here on YouTube.

That last one may not actually be an error, but fans have certainly noticed it. Now then, we haven’t yet heard back from WB on all this, but we expect to soon. So as soon as we do, rest assured we’ll let you all know here and on our social media."

Such shoddy work. I am so tired of forking over my hard-earned money only to receive an inferior product.