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DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer. - Page 2

post #31 of 66
7/19/06 at 1:50pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick McCart
How so? The Masterpiece Collection is vastly sharper. In the shot with Jeffries writing the letter, you can see that the stripes on his shirt are razor sharp. They're blurry on the old DVD.

Very true, it is noticeably sharper (which in turn accentuates the grain to a sometimes distracting effect, though I'm always an advocate of proper grain structure) but the color timing changes just don't sit right with me. The 2001 release has a warmer feel to it, which goes wonderfully with the summertime heat in the movie. The shots of the apartment complex at sunset illustrate this the best; the breathtakingly gorgeous hues in the original release aren't quite so emotionally stirring in the Masterpiece version. I'd say the flesh tones look more accurate in the 2001 version as well.
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post #32 of 66
7/19/06 at 1:56pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by David_B_K
The only one I like of the newer set(s) is The Gold Rush with the piano score. I've never liked the narrated version of that film.

I completely forgot about that - I love that they added it in. Definitely the highlight of an otherwise so-so purchase.

I'll always have a soft spot for the '42 version, though. Watching that was my introduction to Chaplin and to classic film, in general. On Magnetic Video, no less!
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post #33 of 66
7/19/06 at 2:48pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

If this thread is around when the Ultimate Bond reissues hit R1, I imagine there will be many posts here.

Some of the Ultimates are clearly better, others don't appear to be.

There seems to be alot of tint issues with transfers that go too red or green, in addition to lots of framing changes.

I'm going by the R4 screen shots, so we'll see...
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post #34 of 66
7/19/06 at 6:48pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

So the Divimax 25th Anniversary Halloween wasn't good? What was wrong with it?

Someone please give me an Amazon link to the one I should pick up.
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post #35 of 66
7/19/06 at 7:06pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MorganP
So the Divimax 25th Anniversary Halloween wasn't good? What was wrong with it?

Someone please give me an Amazon link to the one I should pick up.

The 25th Anniversary edition has much weaker colors in many places in the film, and the color timing is different, making scenes that are supposed to be set in autumn look like spring (when the film was actually shot). Instead of having subdued browns, some scenes look too green. Here is a page highlighting some of the differences: http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/a-.../compare.shtml

It's a shame that the 25th Anniv. DVD is so sharp, because the color timing differences ruin it for me. Good to keep for the commentary, but the 1999 version is much more enjoyable to me.

Amazon link to 1999 release: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/630...v=glance&n=130
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post #36 of 66
7/19/06 at 8:25pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Is the television version bonus the only difference between that one and the "Restored Limited Edition" also on Amazon? I suppose they otherwise have the same transfer, extras etc?
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post #37 of 66
7/21/06 at 2:44pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MorganP
Is the television version bonus the only difference between that one and the "Restored Limited Edition" also on Amazon? I suppose they otherwise have the same transfer, extras etc?

Yes, the single disc that I linked to is identical to the first disc of the Limited Edition set.
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post #38 of 66
7/21/06 at 8:32pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tino
The Black Hole (Anchor Bay..Non Anamorphic)

The Disney version is a horrible, blurry, grainy mess!

Looks gorgeous on a 100" screen to me. Yes, there's some grain in a few shots, but it's film grain, so it's supposed to be there. As for blurry, well, I don't think we're watching the same DVD.
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post #39 of 66
7/21/06 at 9:39pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (LD version)

The dvd is a misframed, inferior cut.
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post #40 of 66
7/21/06 at 9:49pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by george kaplan
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (LD version)

The dvd is a misframed, inferior cut.

Upon closer viewing, I found that it has too much DVNR and it has interlacing glitches at nearly every splice. The DVNR is bad because it smears the great Saul Bass main titles. It doesn't help it's the general release cut either, but I guess that's what we have to live with now.
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post #41 of 66
7/22/06 at 2:45am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Well, of course It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World (LD version)

But also....

I'm not sure if one transfer is better than another, but something
bothers me about John Landis having to "dumb down" the transfer
of Animal House SE because the restored version looked
far too pristine.
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post #42 of 66
7/22/06 at 4:13am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Terrific thread!

Alien - more information on either side on the 1999 version, and the "Here kitty" sequence hasn't had a sepia-wash makeover.

Sid & Nancy - the Criterion still reigns supreme; the colour timing on all the other releases is way off.

EDIT: Add to that Criterion's The Unbearable Lightness of Being - all the sharpness, plus the cooler, more "European" tones to the photography. It's also on one disc.

The Long Good Friday - the Criterion isn't perfect, but still looks remarkable for a 1998 non-anamorphic low-bitrate disc - it's got a more filmlike edge; the 16x9 Anchor Bay has a smudginess to the image and slightly over-saturated colours.
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post #43 of 66
7/22/06 at 11:45am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Agreed with City Lights. The newer Warner Region 1 was release with PAL speed-up. Cropped too. And at the time people were voting the boxset for release of the year ... go figure.
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post #44 of 66
7/28/06 at 10:18am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Black
The 25th Anniversary edition has much weaker colors in many places in the film, and the color timing is different, making scenes that are supposed to be set in autumn look like spring (when the film was actually shot). Instead of having subdued browns, some scenes look too green. Here is a page highlighting some of the differences: http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/a-.../compare.shtml

It's a shame that the 25th Anniv. DVD is so sharp, because the color timing differences ruin it for me. Good to keep for the commentary, but the 1999 version is much more enjoyable to me.

Amazon link to 1999 release: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/630...v=glance&n=130

Thanks for recommending this! Even without the television version it is a superb DVD -- great transfer and extras, terrific menus, and you're absolutely right about the color timing. Any change to the color pallette of Halloween would be blasphemy.
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post #45 of 66
7/28/06 at 12:31pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by george kaplan
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (LD version)

The dvd is a misframed, inferior cut.

As is the LD.
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post #46 of 66
7/28/06 at 12:32pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim.vaccaro
Looks gorgeous on a 100" screen to me. Yes, there's some grain in a few shots, but it's film grain, so it's supposed to be there. As for blurry, well, I don't think we're watching the same DVD.

Have you compared the two releases Jim?

I have and I stand by my comments.
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post #47 of 66
7/28/06 at 2:48pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

As is the LD
The LD is certainly not misframed, nor is it inferior to any other available video release...EVER. An even better cut may come out in the future, though that's doubtful, and a different issue than the current thread is covering.
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post #48 of 66
7/28/06 at 3:02pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tino
Have you compared the two releases Jim?

I admit I have not, but I can't imagine a non-anamorphic disc looking sharper and more defined than a anamorphic one on a 16:9 setup. There's just no substitute for the decreased resolution.
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post #49 of 66
7/28/06 at 8:44pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim.vaccaro
I admit I have not, but I can't imagine a non-anamorphic disc looking sharper and more defined than a anamorphic one on a 16:9 setup. There's just no substitute for the decreased resolution.

One glance at the two versions of the Todd-AO OKLAHOMA! and you'd know how it's possible.
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post #50 of 66
7/28/06 at 8:54pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MattH.
One glance at the two versions of the Todd-AO OKLAHOMA! and you'd know how it's possible.

Since I detest musicals, that will never happen.
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post #51 of 66
7/28/06 at 11:19pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Wasn't the MGM release of Silence Of The Lambs supervised by the Director Of Photography? The anamorphic MGM transfer is much sharper and is progressive, whereas the non-anamorphic Criterion is simply a 30fps LD port from well over 10 years ago. I kept the Criterion for the extras but for watching the film, it's MGM all the way on this one.

http://dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/silence.htm
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post #52 of 66
7/29/06 at 3:46am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Adkins
Wasn't the MGM release of Silence Of The Lambs supervised by the Director Of Photography?
I don't know for certain on the MGM (I doubt it, given how wildly different the colour scheme is), but the Criterion definitely is ("The Silence of the Lambs is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This new digital transfer was made from the 35mm interpositive and the 35mm Dolby® stereo magnetic master in consultation with cinematographer Tak Fujimoto.").

On the Criterion commentary, Jonathan Demme talks about Tak Fujimoto's love of reds, which are very much present on the Criterion transfer, but muted on the MGM.
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post #53 of 66
7/29/06 at 7:52am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Robertson
I don't know for certain on the MGM (I doubt it, given how wildly different the colour scheme is), but the Criterion definitely is

Check out this, which basically confirms both transfers were supervised by Tak Fujimoto (pay particular attention to the last Q/A): http://www.dvdverdict.com/interviews/silence.php. I, too, am unclear on the color scheme shift in light of this.
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post #54 of 66
7/29/06 at 8:23am

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Evil Dead 2 THX blows away the DiviMax version. The DiviMax version is too bright and has the rod on the "fly ball" digitally removed.
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post #55 of 66
7/29/06 at 8:14pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by george kaplan
As is the LD
The LD is certainly not misframed, nor is it inferior to any other available video release...EVER. An even better cut may come out in the future, though that's doubtful, and a different issue than the current thread is covering.

I believe The LD and the DVD are framed the same. I compared the two and they looked identical, though the LD looked horrible in comparison to the the terrific looking and sounding DVD. Have you compared the two George? Or do you have a link showing the LD is framed correctly while the DVD is not?

As to which version of the film is superior...we have been down that road many times. No need to travel again.
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post #56 of 66
7/29/06 at 8:15pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim.vaccaro
I admit I have not, but I can't imagine a non-anamorphic disc looking sharper and more defined than a anamorphic one on a 16:9 setup. There's just no substitute for the decreased resolution.

Imagine it.
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post #57 of 66
7/29/06 at 8:50pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Funny how a 1.85:1 film can be cropped so differently. Take a look at DVD Beaver's screencaps. Both version exhibit cropping in different places.
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post #58 of 66
7/29/06 at 10:19pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
Well, of course It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World (LD version)

But also....

I'm not sure if one transfer is better than another, but something
bothers me about John Landis having to "dumb down" the transfer
of Animal House SE because the restored version looked
far too pristine.

Well, we have a lot of examples of films being cleaned up to the point of "showing the strings." Consider how you can see Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten in the screening room in Citizen Kane when they should be obscured by shadow. Or how cables had to be painted out when North by Northwest was cleaned up for DVD since the sharp image revealed them. In the case of Animal House, I think it's great if Landis wanted to keep the film looking faithful to how it would be seen in 1978.

We all know of a director who keeps insisting that his films be made to look like they were made in 2006.
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post #59 of 66
7/29/06 at 10:35pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

I believe The LD and the DVD are framed the same.
They most certainly are not. There is less info on all 4 sides of the dvd than on the ld.
I compared the two and they looked identical. Have you compared the two George?
Yes. And on my system, which has zero overscan, I can assure you there is more info on the sides of the ld than on the dvd.
Or do you have a link showing the LD is framed correctly while the DVD is not?
I can not capture ld screenshots. But there is clearly more info, not just on the sides, but also top & bottom on the ld, and it's reasonable to assume that it's closer to the intended frame. Certainly, the director approved the ld release, and not the dvd.
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post #60 of 66
7/29/06 at 10:51pm

Re: DVD releases where you prefer the older transfer.

Are we talking about the MGM box-set on It's a mad....? I have that and could do some screenshots.
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