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A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD - Page 2

post #31 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:29am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_Scott
In this case, fans like you are fortunate that an alternative exists.

Exactly. That was my main point in bringing up the Optimum Home Video UK BD release. Clearly, in either case, there are pluses and minus, but at least there is a choice, which is something typically lacking in the realm of home theater software. I mean, sure, if you can treat all films equally in your mind there's tons of choices, but if you have favorite films that you consider to be 'must own', and I think that pretty much applies to everyone at some level, then you're typically at the mercy of the studios.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassy_w
Skin looks like it's been air brushed in the same way women are air brushed in Playboy.

Yes, let's keep 'DNR' where it belongs!
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Pan's Labyrinth [Blu-ray]
Pan's Labyrinth [HD DVD]
post #32 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:33am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

For those who want to see the difference between the U.K. and U.S. releases, here's the set of comparison stills that, to my eye, shows the most obvious difference. You have to let both stills load; mousing over the image swaps between them:

Pan's Labyrinth U.K. vs. U.S.

This and other links can be found in an extensive thread, replete with the usual extreme positions ( ), at AVS:

Blu-ray, HD-DVD & HD Broadcasts(H.264 & MPEG-2) Screenshots*BIG FILES* - Page 45 - AVS Forum

M.
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post #33 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:35am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Oh, the other trade-off is in terms of sound as the Optimum Home Entertainment release only as a lossy DD 5.1 track. So, I definitely understand why some are content to stay with the domestic release.

It figures! They just can't give me my perfect Pan's Labyrinth no matter what, can they?!?
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post #34 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:38am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

The audio on the disc is just fine. Frankly, we could not tell the difference.

But I'll take better picture over slightly better sound any day of the week.
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post #35 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:40am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassy_w
With all due respect to Mr. Harris, I have the UK release and compared it to the U.S. release on a 73 inch monitor. The differences are striking and shocking. The U.S. release is pure trash, with massive amounts of detail removed. It's especially jarring with faces. Skin looks like it's been air brushed in the same way women are air brushed in Playboy.

The 1.78:1 image has a tad bit more picture information at the top and bottom. No cropping.

There are links out there with comparisons that will shick you, but I cannot find them right now.
Mr. Harris hasn't seen the UK release. I am the one that stated I won't be buying the UK disc.
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post #36 of 50
6/10/08 at 8:16am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

I think you read what I wrote all wrong. I didn't say Harris saw the UK release. What i was talking about was Harris saying the U.S. release looks good when it doesn't. It looks like a video game, completely raped of detail by DVNR and the UK release is the proof in the pudding.
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post #37 of 50
6/10/08 at 8:32am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassy_w
I think you read what I wrote all wrong. I didn't say Harris saw the UK release. What i was talking about was Harris saying the U.S. release looks good when it doesn't. It looks like a video game, completely raped of detail by DVNR and the UK release is the proof in the pudding.
I won't speak for RAH, but to my eyes, it does look good so we have a basic disagreement here.
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post #38 of 50
6/10/08 at 8:59am
Thread Starter 

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

I must admit to being confused.

I've revisited Pan's, and have come away with precisely the same opinion.

The BD disc is slightly grain reduced (there is still a bit of grain evident), and not only am I not seeing waxy faces, I'm seeing a reasonable amount of detail.

If anyone is comparing this to Patton, please keep in mind that the difference in the amount of real estate available for an image is HUGE!

While the image for Pan was captured on an area approximately .825 x .446, Patton was exposed to a virtual estate of 1.912 x .870, meaning that Patton should have (at a minimum) four times the resolution.

Pan's Labyrinth has not been "grain raped."

May I suggest a check of player or monitor settings?

RAH
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post #39 of 50
6/10/08 at 9:47am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

I have the US BD-release, but haven´t watch it yet. Based on the links/screencaps provided by Michael, US-release looks slightly different for sure..
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post #40 of 50
6/10/08 at 10:28am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
I have the US BD-release, but haven´t watch it yet. Based on the links/screencaps provided by Michael, US-release looks slightly different for sure..
I don't want to mislead. There are other comparisons provided by the same source where, for the life of me, I can't see a meaningful difference. For example:

Instant Waggle Image

M.
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post #41 of 50
6/10/08 at 10:45am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Reuben
I don't want to mislead. There are other comparisons provided by the same source where, for the life of me, I can't see a meaningful difference. For example:

Instant Waggle Image

M.

I think that point has already been established. For example, in the comparison above I can see a difference, and it is 'meaningful' to me. It would appear that it isn't for others. Additionally, I would also say the differences are more striking when playing both discs during an A-B comparison. The still images only give you an idea of the difference.
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post #42 of 50
6/10/08 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

From what I'm seeing in comparisons, I would prefer the untainted. What we have on BD may have been prepared for SD and BD, with the attempt to serve a dual purpose.

This does not always work.
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post #43 of 50
6/10/08 at 11:23am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Now that I have an HD display, I'm gonna check out the HD DVD this weekend, but in looking at the captures, I'm in agreement with RAH. No wax dummies to see here; move along.
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post #44 of 50
6/10/08 at 3:12pm

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Well, I do see a noticeable difference so I'm glad I stuck with the UK version, and the plain ol' 5.1 audio sounds magnificent. It's no match for the lossless 7.1 on the US release but I don't think I've heard a better lossy soundtrack. Let that be of some consolation to those who go for the UK disc.

However you get it though, you have to see this film if you haven't already.
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post #45 of 50
6/10/08 at 6:37pm

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

From a few of thost screenshots comparing the UK & US Pans, the UK certainly retains more grain and yet I also noticed a slightly better contrast on the US version though. Blacks were just a tad blacker.
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post #46 of 50
6/11/08 at 3:28am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen_J_H
Now that I have an HD display, I'm gonna check out the HD DVD this weekend, but in looking at the captures, I'm in agreement with RAH. No wax dummies to see here; move along.
Whatever you want to call it, it looks wrong und unnatural:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/bf68af36.png
But Patton is (far) worse, that is true.
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post #47 of 50
6/11/08 at 7:28am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassy_w
The audio on the disc is just fine. Frankly, we could not tell the difference.

But I'll take better picture over slightly better sound any day of the week.

We're living in the NoNoise era of HD. I hope it passes quickly.
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post #48 of 50
6/11/08 at 8:18am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Go to DVDfile's front page. They have a huge article on this very subject. Wow!!!
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post #49 of 50
6/11/08 at 11:19am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

Instant Waggle Image

Here is a rollover page that shows the loss in detail. Look at the pores on the actress' face. And then watch them disappear in the US version.
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post #50 of 50
7/21/08 at 7:04am

Re: A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD

That example is brutal! Those who have HD DVD capability can pick up the UK disc for under $16 from dvd.co.uk right now. I ordered one.

*

Actually - reading more on this, apparently the UK BD & HD DVD are separate encodes, with the HD DVD version having DNR just like the US version.

Of course, checking my order its now "In dispatch" so I will have to return it rather than simply being able to cancel.

- sigh -
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Pan's Labyrinth [Blu-ray]
Pan's Labyrinth [HD DVD]
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › Blu-ray › A Few Words About By Robert Harris › A few words about...™ Pan's Labyrinth -- in HD & BD