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Red Violin, US version

post #1 of 19
6/10/03 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Anyone else besides me disappointed with the transfer of this film? I borrowed it from a friend who had the foresight to get the US version (16x9 anamorphic, DTS) over the crappy Canadian 4x3 pan&scam version.

At least EE wasn't too apparent, but I found the image very soft, like everything was out of focus. However, I want to rule out problems with my Sanyo PLV-Z1 projector or my Theatertek DVD player. Also there wasn't very much depth to the image. Rather flat, really.

Anyone else concur?
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post #2 of 19
6/10/03 at 10:32am
I'll go along with that

Although I'm watching it on a 56" widescreen, it still isn't up to par with some of the later releases in terms of clarity and detail. But keep in mind this title has been around for a couple of years. DVD authoring has gotten a little better here lately.
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post #3 of 19
6/10/03 at 11:32am
Which US version did you get?

The original release by Universal? (review)
or the new release by Lions Gate? (review)
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post #4 of 19
6/10/03 at 12:51pm
The lack of DTS is sad, but what really bums me out about the new release is that it has those "always on" subtitles...even for the English-spoken parts.

Does anyone have the previous DTS version who is wanting to part with it? I never picked this title up and would love to have it in DTS.
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post #5 of 19
6/10/03 at 1:04pm
As I was reading the review of the second release about the superiority of the video transfer, I was all set to dump my old version and get the new. Then I read about the subtitle snafu and I changed my mind.

And now I feel like watching the movie again, as I haven't seen it in over a couple of years. Thanks!
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post #6 of 19
6/10/03 at 1:24pm
^ same here... Too bad they can't get their acts together and give us a definitive version.
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post #7 of 19
6/10/03 at 3:00pm
Brilliant film, and one of my first-ever purchases on DVD. Hadn't heard about a newer, supposedly better video Lion's Gate release. That's okay, though--most of the beauty is in the stunning soundtrack, anyway.
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post #8 of 19
6/10/03 at 3:29pm
I'm more than happy with the Universal release. Great transfer and fantastic sound for such a wonderful film.

I have a hard time trusting releases from Lion's Gate and Alliance anyways.
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post #9 of 19
6/10/03 at 7:19pm
The Universal release is problematic on many Progressive scan players. Looks great on interlaced players and Faroudja chip equipped progressive scan player but really bad on most progressive scan players.

I have JVC and Panny Faroudja chip players, and Red Violin when played on the JVC is nasty. That player has a light that glows green for film based and red for video based material, and it shifts from green to red constantly during the movie. On the Panny it looks very nice.

I played it several times on Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic interlaced players before I got an HD-ready tv, and it looked fine on my analog rptv.
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post #10 of 19
6/10/03 at 10:52pm
Thread Starter 
Hmmm. The borrowed disc has a small Universal on the front cover, at the bottom right corner. The spine has a Lions Gate Films logo at the bottom. The DVD number is 20676.

The date on the bottom of the DVD back cover says 1999 (the movie date says 1998 in the credit portion of the back cover).

Strange, how both reviews praise the video. I don't get it...it didn't look anything as good as they suggest. Oh well, I'll just chalk it up to lower-standards at the times of review.

Also, some scenes I see some "ghosting". For example, in the scenes in China, when a person walks across a portion of the screen, I would see their afterimage trailing them for a frame or two. Very strange. Could be a problem with Theatertek's deinterlacing, as I had it set to Auto. Or rather, a problem with the DVD mastering?

EDIT: Ah, I just noticed that the new release lacks DTS. So I must have seen the old version. The DTS track is very nice, I'll admit. But, it probably won't make much difference if they used the same audio master.
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post #11 of 19
6/11/03 at 2:03pm
If I recall correctly, Lion's Gate just bought back(?) the rights to several of their films that Universal had and apparently a few new issues are coming out soon.

Hopefully this will include The Red Violin. Considering it's mostly a Canadian film, I'm pissed off that Alliance did such a lousy dvd.
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post #12 of 19
4/19/07 at 7:02pm

Re: Red Violin, US version

Bump.

Quote:
Hmmm. The borrowed disc has a small Universal on the front cover, at the bottom right corner. The spine has a Lions Gate Films logo at the bottom. The DVD number is 20676.
That catalog number corresponds with this Universal disc. It's odd that it has an LG logo on the case's spine.
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post #13 of 19
3/16/08 at 2:13pm

Re: Red Violin, US version

10th anniversary edition?

DVD Empire - Item - Red Violin, The / DVD-Video
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post #14 of 19
3/17/08 at 10:54am

Re: Red Violin, US version

I wonder what the Meridian Collection is (at the top of the box cover art).
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post #15 of 19
3/21/08 at 7:15am

Re: Red Violin, US version

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul.S
I wonder what the Meridian Collection is (at the top of the box cover art).

Lionsgate is launching its Meridian DVD label this spring.

The new collection will focus on indepedent film and international releases from both its own catalog and the more than 2,000 European releases from the Studio Canal library, which it also owns.

The studio will release two DVD's every three months under this banner, which will be kicked off by the June 3 releases of the French films Diva and Red Violin.

Anne Parducci, executive vp marketing at Lionsgate said: This new line will cater to art-house fans and the discs will offer special features more in tune with the making of the film and less gimmicky.

Red Violin includes a musical feature with composer John Corigliano and a documentary on violins and violin auctions.
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post #16 of 19
3/21/08 at 7:45am

Re: Red Violin, US version

Quote:
That's okay, though--most of the beauty is in the stunning soundtrack, anyway.
Agreed. Such an amazing movie but I could practically close my eyes and enjoy it just as much. Of course, the next logical question is, when do we get a Hi Def (Blu, obviously) version with hi-res audio?
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post #17 of 19
3/21/08 at 7:58am

Re: Red Violin, US version

Thx, Sten. I sometimes forget that Google is my friend.

Lionsgate to launch art-house DVD label

Might you have a link to the piece it seems like you're quoting. I think it's more accurate to say Lionsgate has distribution rights to some titles in the Studio Canal library. I don't think LG owns SC.
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post #18 of 19
3/21/08 at 4:30pm

Re: Red Violin, US version

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul.S
Thx, Sten. I sometimes forget that Google is my friend.

Lionsgate to launch art-house DVD label

Might you have a link to the piece it seems like you're quoting. I think it's more accurate to say Lionsgate has distribution rights to some titles in the Studio Canal library. I don't think LG owns SC.

Sure, I have a link to the info I obtained. However, I´m not sure to what degree LG owns or have an affiliated contract with SC. Just think LG have the distribution rights to over 2000 SC titles.

Lionsgate Launches Meridian DVD Label
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post #19 of 19
3/21/08 at 8:23pm

Re: Red Violin, US version

I guess the rumored Criterion of Diva is off then.
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