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Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

#91
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9/17/06 at 10:53am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
A friend of mine brought over his copy of the new DRACULA 75th Anniversary DVD, and we bounced around the disc to check it out. I was all prepared to drool over the "improvement" but I'm sorry to say that to me it seemed just as grainy, scratchy, and murky as it always was. The sound was also full of hiss and the volume had to be raised pretty high to hear the dialogue. I even said to my friend "I think this one's even worse!"

Very, very disappointing.
Hmmmm, thanks for that Joe. That is disappointing. But then, at least it made the decision for me not to pick it up. Sounds reasonable to wait for the HD version for the "big D" (and with three SD DVDs of it out, I'm sure it's coming).

"I just pre-ordered I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, even though I have no job."

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#92
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9/17/06 at 2:01pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Review echoing similar sentiments:

http://www.andyfilm.com/9-19-06.html

"There’s no question that both movies (“Dracula” in particular) appear much sharper than their previous DVD editions, but some of the added detail seems to have come at the expense of the overall image. By comparison, the older “Legacy Collection” editions of both movies seem less sharp but a little cleaner overall -- perhaps because of noise reduction techniques that weren’t employed here. The result is a somewhat “dirtier” looking picture that almost appears like it has a sort of filter over it; however, there may be fans who will appreciate the enhanced detail at the same time there’s more noise in the image".
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#93
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9/17/06 at 2:14pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Maybe I'll skip these and save my money. The Legacy Editions weren't that bad. Thanks for the info.
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#94
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9/19/06 at 8:47pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

DVD Beaver has screen capture comparisons up on Dracula and the difference looks great. Much improved, except for some zooming occasionally. Now, I'm sold.
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#95
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9/19/06 at 9:31pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Why would they zoom in? However, from those screen grabs I can't tell any zooming. The newspaper frame looks better because the headline is now centered. But other than that, what am I missing? And is this cropping enough to pass on the release?
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#96
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9/19/06 at 10:10pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnMor
DVD Beaver has screen capture comparisons up on Dracula and the difference looks great. Much improved, except for some zooming occasionally. Now, I'm sold.
Yep, big improvement. The two frame grabs of Lugosi down in the crypt (first time you see him) show quite a bit of difference. The new one looks much improved.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottR
...from those screen grabs I can't tell any zooming. The newspaper frame looks better because the headline is now centered. But other than that, what am I missing?
Yeah, I don't see any cropping either; at least as compared to the previous release.

"I just pre-ordered I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, even though I have no job."

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#97
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9/20/06 at 3:15am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Screen grabs are not the be-all and end-all of how a film will actually strike you when it's viewed on your own set. I'm going to buy the new edition, but DRACULA is still a mess.
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#98
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9/20/06 at 8:23am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
Screen grabs are not the be-all and end-all of how a film will actually strike you when it's viewed on your own set. I'm going to buy the new edition, but DRACULA is still a mess.

Agreed. From what I've read, you need to see the transfers IN MOTION to see the amount of added grain that's in the image. Several different reviews have confirmed it -- yes there's more detail, but it comes at a price, seemingly.
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#99
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9/20/06 at 8:24am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Has anyone compared the new FRANKENSTEIN to the old versions yet?
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#100
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9/20/06 at 10:53am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Looks like Dracula was enhanced a lot like The Invisible Man's Legacy remaster. Not as much of a revelation, but it finally looks film-like. I can deal with dirt and grain on a 1931 film with no surviving negative.

Still won't pick this up for a while... maybe when it's $14.99 since it's not really one of my favorites.

Tell The Weinstein Company to release Richard Williams' animated masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler on DVD in Panavision widescreen and uncut! See and hear what you're missing from their Bitsy Award winner of Worst Standard Edition DVD of 2006 on YouTube!
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#101
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9/20/06 at 4:20pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Does anybody have an inkling whether these two transfers were done in Hi-Def? I'm thinking they did them, down-rezzed 'em for a quick SD release, and then will release them to HD sooner rather than later. I have no idea whether they did or did not do this; but if I were Universal, that's what I'd do.

"I just pre-ordered I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, even though I have no job."

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#102
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9/20/06 at 4:52pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

DRACULA looked scratchy and splotchy to me at times, still. So wouldn't HD just call more attention to that?
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#103
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9/20/06 at 5:26pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Yeah, I don't see any cropping either; at least as compared to the previous release.

In the very first comparison, Edward Van Sloan's whole arm is missing in the newer version. It doesn't say whether or not the two frames are exactly the same, though. The crucifix shot - which is further down the page - is supposedly a comparison of exact frames, and it's zoomed in quite a bit on the Anniversary edition.

What I'd like to see is a comparison between the 75th Anniversary edition and the Legacy set.
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#104
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9/20/06 at 5:51pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Also, on the second and third comparisons there's evidence of zooming with missing image along the top and left of each frame, as with the first comparison.

I was on the fence about more double-dips this year, but I think I'll get these.
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#105
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9/20/06 at 7:19pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

The Sloan grab was only a subtitle example. It wasn't the same frame. I can't see the cropping on the hand with the crucifix. The frame with the headline looks more centered, and is better I feel. I still don't know whether I should pick this up or not..and if there is cropping, then why it occured in the first place. It always seems like we take one step forward and two steps back with the Universal Monsters, doesn't it?
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#106
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9/21/06 at 5:21pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDRev...acula_1931.htm

Looks better to me. I can handle grain. The last release was grainy AND soft. This looks alot sharper and has way better contrast to me.

But, in motion will be the test...

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#107
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9/22/06 at 3:25pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Peavy
Does anybody have an inkling whether these two transfers were done in Hi-Def? I'm thinking they did them, down-rezzed 'em for a quick SD release, and then will release them to HD sooner rather than later. I have no idea whether they did or did not do this; but if I were Universal, that's what I'd do.

They both appear on the "Monsters HD" channel in Hi-Def so that is cetainly possible.
...When you eliminate the impossible whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth

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#108
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9/25/06 at 10:56am
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Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

I own the Legacy Collections of both... which only came out, what 2 years ago? These collections had several other films as well in them... Is the difference in quality of these incredibly old movies really worth it? The bonus features?
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#109
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9/25/06 at 11:07am
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

I really don't want to double-dip on these titles with HD on the horizon but I want the "Universal Horrors" documentary so I can retire my VHS. I'll probably just buy the new "Dracula" disc since that one seems to have a sharper transfer than the Legacy edition.

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#110
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9/25/06 at 11:23am
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

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#111
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9/25/06 at 12:31pm
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Percebe
Note, that it´s missing the "Stephen Sommers" -featurette from the "Legacy"-collections.

This is absurd. When are they going to treat these films with the respect they deserve?!!

Anyway, I realize Frankenstein is just a 75th release, but it would've been really cool to see the entire Karloff trilogy given a SE boxset treatment.
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#112
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9/25/06 at 1:11pm
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

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#113
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9/25/06 at 2:28pm
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

It's certainly not helping that this 75th Anniversary release is also known as a Legacy Series release, while the boxsets done as Van Helsing tie-ins (and containing a lot of related movies) were known as Legacy Collection releases.

So it's a choice between getting a really good version of the 1931 US and Spanish versions, or a slightly less good version of those two titles plus three others for literally one dollar more. (Well, okay, you also get the Sommers taint, which is a huge minus, but a bearable one...)

It's too bad the Beaver hasn't included the Legacy Collection in their comparison. Still, the Legacy Series looks to be the definitive version... so far.
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#114
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9/25/06 at 3:43pm
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Re: Dracula and Frank 75th; Worth doubledip?

I picked up DRACULA today for the perceived improvement in picture, and the extras, and while I haven't watched anything yet, the packaging alone makes me want to go back to the store and buy FRANKENSTEIN. It's really a classy package.
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#115
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9/27/06 at 10:59am
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

I watched Dracula last night, and it was a vast improvement. The transfer had a very high bitrate, hovering between 9 and 13. However, one weird change Uni made: the Philip Glass track is now 2.0 instead of the 5.1 that the prior two dvd versions had. Oh well. I prefer the original mono music-less track anyway.
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#116
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9/27/06 at 4:50pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

From what I remember, the Dracula soundtrack on the Legacy Collection had an inordinate amount of hiss in it. The Spanish version in the same set had much better sound with a lot less hiss.

Does this new Dracula disc still have a lot of hiss or have they fixed that. From what I read earlier in this thread it seems like the sound is no better than the Legacy Collection.

The only way I would buy this is if the sound was vastly improved.
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#117
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9/27/06 at 5:53pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

I would rather there be this hiss on the soundtrack than Universal overprocess the sound and remove important frequencies just as much as I would rather them leave grain in a film instead of DNRing the hell out of the picture. That's how it was shot and therefore, that's how it should look.

-J. Theakston

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#118
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9/27/06 at 6:41pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Raber
Does this new Dracula disc still have a lot of hiss or have they fixed that. From what I read earlier in this thread it seems like the sound is no better than the Legacy Collection.

The sound is VERY hiss-y on this. Haven't compared it to the other two versions (which I still have) but it sounds like I remember the Legacy Collection sounding, which is less bess-y than the Classic Monsters Collection IIRC.
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#119
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9/27/06 at 9:36pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnMor
I watched Dracula last night, and it was a vast improvement. The transfer had a very high bitrate, hovering between 9 and 13.

?

The max of the DVD spec is 9.8.

-Jay

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#120
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9/27/06 at 11:50pm
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Re: Universal Monsters; 75th Anniversary releases, Karloff and Chaney Collections?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Pennington
The max of the DVD spec is 9.8.

I should have been more specific: I was simply quoting the display on my Toshiba SD-3990. I'm sure it's not scientifically accurate, but it does provide a comparison against other DVDs in the same player. I can't remember the last DVD that displayed anywhere near that on that player.

On my PC it averaged 8.76.
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