Terminator 1 & 2 - Page 8

Re: Terminator 1 & 2

This is a pity we're going to get a one-disc encoded version! It is obvious the picture quality will not be as good as the US edition... I hope this last one will be region free. Otherwise according to the coming comparisons I may stick with my T2 Extreme DVD edition...

Re: Terminator 1 & 2

I get that Van, I'm just saying that nerds across the UK will be feeling short-changed when they see a 7.1 track in German and a 6.1 track in English on the same disc (never mind that TKOTW hasn't approved it).

Any confirmation on the region coding yet? I've got 'A' and 'B' players so I'll be getting the US version for sure, but it'd be nice to know anyways.

Thanks for your time.

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Too bad, as the previous release wasn't region coded (but of course, at the time, the studiocanal one with the two versions was superior so they had no fear of losing sales to the US version).
To be quite frank, I fail to see how, on a nearly 20 years old movie that most fans already bought at least two times (I'm in the range of 15 different versions myself - don't worry, I didn't kept all of them), region coding would have any effect on the different region sales. The languages that are included or not already work at an enforced region coding. People should have the choice to buy whatever version they want.
Of course, if Studio Canal have decided to subtitle all the audio commentaries, they will get my bucks, but they should give us the freedom to buy also the region A version if we want. According to different forums, some people will get both the US and French releases due to differences in packaging (steelbook etc).

It's quite simple, if those are all region coded. They will loses duplicate sales from the core blu-ray fans. And coming from someone who have bought T2 over 15 times over the years, I think StudioCanal should give consideration to this thought. ;-)

Re: Terminator 1 & 2

This is just in from The Digital Bits:

"We've got word for you this afternoon that MGM is re-releasing The Terminator Blu-ray with a new lenticular cover on 5/12 (no word if there are any new features, but we suspect it's just new packaging)."

Is this a new SE or just a repackaging?

(P.S. I don't know if this update will show up for most people. I linked to it via the Bits Facebook bulletin.)

Re: Terminator 1 & 2

It came up for me.

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Van,
I can't wait for this disc and the thought of a new Terminator BD with a Lowry restoration is getting me very excited. I can't wait to see what you've got in store for that film.
I find a lot of people don't give enough credit to fact tracks, one of the coolest things I ever experienced with DVD was playing T2 in extreme mode and seeing the frame-by-frame animations you did with the subtitle feature of DVD to point out matte lines and other things in the film. I'm excited that the track is being brought back in higher quality to BD. Your ID4 datastream track was also great; the moment that a still frame of a Prop Dept. labeled trash can was brought to attention was awesome!
I can't wait to see the T1 features

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are you allowed to comment on this new T1 release Van?

if so, do you think (or know) that it's the Lowry print or just a re-packaged 'cash-in' version?

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Very disappointed to see it probably won't be region free. Us Europeans will get a lower bit-rate release because of all the other language soundtracks they have to add

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I too agree with Sam, the pop up track you did for ID4 was extensive, yet very informative and fun.

I also liked the little Alien scatter hunt game thing (forget the official title). I must admit, I never actually finished it, but it was definitely one of the most unique things to Blu when it came out.

it was a very well put together BD, my only gripe was the lack of extended cut, as I enjoyed the extra character beats with David and his father, and such.

thank you for clearing up the T1 re-release info. I'll stick to my U.S. import region-free BD until the restored Lowry one is released.

I think it'll be a perfect time to release the Lowry print to coincide with the DVD/BD release of Salvation, but if it takes longer, I'm happy to wait as I'm sure JC will not approve it until every inch of him is satisfied, so I feel pretty confident it'll be worth the wait, especially if Mr Ling here is involved.

I know it's been stated, but I too agree that T1 needs a tribute to Stan Winston. the man was a genius, and created some of the film industry's finest, most imaginative creatures/robots. I'm glad he got to contribute on Salvation before his passing, otherwise, it just wouldn't feel like a Terminator film to me (in my personal opinion).

Thank you for being so honest with us fans here Van. It is very rewarding to know that there's people in the industry that listen, care and are equally as passionate about what the fans want.

I just wish Fox would show us the respect we (and Stan Winston) deserves by putting out a good version of Predator. The Predator 1 BD was a joke, the AQ wasn't exactly earth shattering, the PQ was very, very disappointing and the lack of any extras was a kick to the balls to us fans. They need to send the print off to Lowry for serious restoration and give it the treatment it deserves, but that's another topic entirely. Sorry for ranting on, but sincerely:

Thank you Van. Your presence here has been most appreciated, I've been browsing these forums for years, but never felt compelled to join until I realised that you weren't here solely for promoting your art, but that you were here to inform us and to listen to what us, the consumers/fans had to say. I know it's not always within your power to make things absolutely perfect, but damn it, I know you try as it's evident in all your works.

I think we owe Mr Ling here a big thank you, as it's people like him that are constantly trying to push boundaries so we, the consumers/fans get the most bang for our buck. Remember, he doesn't always have to be here answering our every question and taking our every suggestion, but yet, he does. it's nice to know that there's a small minority of people out there that are trying to give the fans what they want.

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I agree with everything MachinesofHate7 said!

Regarding the Bitrate vs. Additional languages discussion:
I think the best way to give Region B fans what they want, would be, if Optimum just released the Region A disc content wise (without additional languages), but with Region B coding for the UK.
This way fans throughout Europe could choose, if they want a version with best possible PQ and AQ or if they need additional languages. If Optimum did just that, I think no one would complain and everyone would be happy.
There is just no logical reason, why a UK disc should include German or French audio tracks.
But this would mean, that one more disc needs to be licensed for AACS, if course.

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Hi Van

That's great news about a tribute to Stan Winston.

Very cool indeed

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He's not the only one! After all these years, I still think The Abyss is the best trivia track yet written. I've even considered writing my own (for another movie, of course) to use when submitting resumes to studios and production companies.

When I temped at MGM, I found the binder with all the trivia track info for Fargo and I was amazed at how everything was researched, cited, cross-referenced, and timecoded. And the guys who wrote that track didn't have the luxury of working on the movie itself.

And re: Independence Day, have you heard any rumors about Fox possibly revisiting this title one day (with the longer version + disc 2 bonus material)?

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Mr Van Ling, do you think I should cancel my preorder for the Region A T2 Skynet edition or is there still a possibility it may be region free? The previous Lionsgate editions were region free so one can only hope ;-)

Thanks for all your feedback, it's much appreciated!

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ID4 is one of my all-time favorite films. I'm damn proud to say that.

I'm actually glad it was just the theatrical cut on the Blu-ray, because the added scenes, while fun in their own right (except for Russell Casse's squabbles with his children - those scenes literally stopped the film dead and I always skipped them when watching the extended DVD) the film is just fine without them.

I loved the trivia track, the detailed scene selection, and I admit to being stumped on two clues of the Alien Scavenger Hunt game!

One was a sign I couldn't ever find (E something or other, I think, it seemed like it would be a highway sign) the other was a code of some kind, like a licence plate-type code.

Fortunately those didn't come up the first two times I played it and made it through to the prize clip, which was worth the hunt.

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Yeah no doubt, that freakin' blows.

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somebody please feel free to step in and correct me...

I'm pretty sure that the slightly lower bitrate shouldn't affect the overall picture quality all that much, it's not like here in the UK, we'll be receiving a macroblock-filled, pixelated, super soft looking transfer.

I once read (and this is the part I'm not ENTIRELY sure about, so someone please feel free to correct me and/or enlighten me) that the slight drop in bitrate wouldn't be all that noticeable to the human eye. unless if it truly is a significant drop.

I still have both versions pre-ordered, and while it bums me out that Studio Canal feel the need to cram as much languages as possible into the UK disc, it should still be a massive improvement over the UK Optimum T2 disc as that disc was VERY inconsistent, going from mega-sharp, reference quality picture, to very soft, dirty picture.

I am very much looking forward to the release(s) still. Judging by what we've seen in the trailers for the new Skynet edition, we're in for a treat indeed.

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I've watched both the HD DVD and the Lionsgate Region A Blu-Ray of T2 and always felt that only the scenes shot in the desert have a reference quality look to them. Those scenes look as if they could have been filmed recently while the rest of the movie is reasonably sharp but never reference quality

Now I read that T2 was shot in Super35 film format which apparantly results in a less 'sharp' image. Could it be that the desert scenes where shot using a different film format, regular 35mm? Maybe Mr Van Ling could shed some light on this matter? Thanks!

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Sure does help, thanks

Regarding the different bit rate: It's true what was posted before that in the long run a slightly lower bitrate won't affect things much. For the ultimate evidence I suggest everybody to take a look at the DVDbeaver comparision of the Region A vs Region B Blu Ray of Zodiac (what a movie btw!). The Region A has a whopping 38.11 Mbps average rate compared to the B which 'only' averages at 19.81 Mbps. Then take a look at the comparision screenshots and tell me if you see a significant difference between both

review is here http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...ac_blu-ray.htm

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These are screenshots so I can't really tell, but in "action" in a player, different releases with different bitrates looks different.

What's certain is that these days, 19mbps encodes are unacceptable, it's only about half the quality set (and again, to lower encoding to include additional SD material on a BR is in my opinion being totally unconscious of the format, just put the SD stuff on an additional DVD).

Overall, after initial disappointment on the region coding, I would say I'm pleased by the news Van is putting forth, and that I'll get the studiocanal version or the UK one for the subtitled commentaries and bonuses, and will probably get a region 1 player just for the luxury of being able to own the US one, and of course other region locked stuff. I already bought the japanese steelbook anyway which has a very high bitrate. I'm glad to help anyone connected with this movie earn more money

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I agree with you that I find it unacceptable that in the age of these expensive Blu Ray films studio's dare to lower the bitrate of a movie just so they could put both the movie and supplement one one disc instead of two. Isn't the main factor of Blu Rays to have a massive upgrade in visuals compared to the DVD? I don't think people buy Blu Rays because they have extra supplements, have BD live, or because you can pull up the menu while watching the film in real-time. People buy Blu rays because they are supposed to look vastly better / sound better. And then yet studio's still cheat us by producing lower bit rate transfers just so they could put the movie and its supplements on one disc instead of two in order to save money :/. As long as us fans keep blind buying these releases nothing will ever change though

With regards to Zodiac it came out fine because the film is an all out digital transfer (filmed with the viper HD camera) so even with only 20mbs averate bitrate it is still the most impressive looking Blu Ray in my collection. I think however in the case of films filmed with regular film stock and older films that they do indeed benefit from higher bitrates and that it's easy to spot the difference between semi-high or high bitrate transfer.

Mr Van Ling we know that all the decisions made regarding bit rate and numbers of disc are out of your hands. Your work and well informative posts on this forum are much appreciated!

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YES!!!

Thank you!