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Direct Graphic DVD Comparisons now Online! - Page 5

post #121 of 2333
1/6/03 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry RAIN, since the birth of my son in Dec, I haven't done much with DVDBeaver... but thanks for reminding me...

I will however reiterate what it says at the bottom of my Comparison page:
Quote:
We are not a lab and are doing a good a job as our time and energy permits. Thank you for understanding.


Regards,
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post #122 of 2333
1/6/03 at 6:44pm
Quote:
Sorry RAIN, since the birth of my son in Dec, I haven't done much with DVDBeaver... but thanks for reminding me...


Gary,

Congratulations on the birth of your son. I hope everything is going well with your family.

Thanks for the B&W/Colour comparisons of The Man Who Wasn't There. Very interesting indeed.
If anything, it makes me further appreciate the B&W cinematography of Roger Deakins... who deserved an Oscar for his work last year.
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post #123 of 2333
1/7/03 at 6:10am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Marc !

Columbia Tri-Star Region 1 - NTSC "The Vertical Ray of the Sun" vs. Artificial Eye Region 2 - PAL
In this case the Columbia disc wins, but the Artificial Eye does have a nice 25min "Making of" documentary with Eng subtitles.

Note: There is an R2 France Studio Canal version of this DVD, but it has no Eng subs.

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/
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post #124 of 2333
1/7/03 at 9:20am
I'd love to see some comparisons of the new MGM "Much Ado About Nothing" compared to the previous Columba...would also love to see comparisons of the forth-coming West Side Story SE to the older disc.
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post #125 of 2333
1/7/03 at 11:26am
Quote:
...since the birth of my son in Dec...
Well I didn't know that. :p)

Seriously though, congratulations.
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post #126 of 2333
1/9/03 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
Laserlight NTSC Region 0 "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934) vs. Carlton PAL Region 2

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #127 of 2333
1/13/03 at 4:34am
Thread Starter 
Warner Region 1 NTSC "The Wizard of Oz" vs. Warner Region 2 / 4 - PAL
Bit of a surprise that the R1 NTSC is so significantly better.


Fox Lorber Region 1 NTSC "Jules and Jim" vs. mk2's Region 2 - PAL

Okay, a lot of work and research has gone into this one. I initially received comparison images from one source over a month ago and have been trying to determine which aspect ratio is off. When I received a 2nd batch from a totally different source AND one of my ListServ members was able to confirm by comparing the images in the official screenplay book, I can state that the mk2 ratio is messed up in this particular DVD. Looking closely at the images in captures # 4 , 5 and 7, you can see that the faces in the mk2 have been squeezed vertically to border on looking absurd. Both discs have approximately the same transfer with clarity and contrast going in mk2's slight favor. Saying that, in certain instances I see the clarity leaning towards the Fox/Lorber edition, again showing how close the images are. The menus are strongly in mk2's favor and the Extras only slightly so. My guess is how this ratio squeezing occurred is that the mk2 image is actually slightly longer ( you can see if you look closely at his hand at the bottom comparing captures in # 7 ) . For some reason it has been compressed to suit the constraints of a 2.35:1 DVD ( actually the mk2 images are about 2.37: 1 where the F/L's are 2.31:1 ). So this does not fare well for purchasing the Truffaut 12 disc Boxset offered by mk2, but I have no indication that this is a problem with the rest of the DVDs in the set. We will continue to do comparisons in this selection in the future, but in this particular film, buy the Fox R1.
Fox Lorber R1 NTSC

mk2 Region 2 PAL (from the Boxset)- squeezed and distorted!


Big thanks to Ole of DVDBasen for the R2 - PAL Screen Caps in both comparisons!

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #128 of 2333
1/13/03 at 6:59am
Thread Starter 
For any remaining skeptics regarding the mk2's aspect ratio imbalance...

Look here at this circle image from the mk2 version:
Clock image painstakingly found at 32:27... Click HERE

The image is 600:570...It is not a proper circle at all...

Cheers,
Gary
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post #129 of 2333
1/15/03 at 4:48am
Thread Starter 
More... as the debate is continueing...

Without having either picture influence the other.. which one looks in the correct ratio ?





I see the bottom, slimmer face, as being correct (or more correct) but I don't know if I would have mentioned it if i had only seen the Top, chubbier faced, image.

I am thinking it is an optical illusion, although I am still leaning towards the mk2 version being of incorrect ratio... regardless of this:

http://www.dvd-basen.dk/compare/jules2/jules2.htm

Opinions to resolve this would be appreciated...

Thanks,
Gary
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post #130 of 2333
1/15/03 at 5:33am
Personally I think the bottom one is incorrect. It doesn't look right.

edit: nevermind, the top image could be stretched to fit the AR.
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post #131 of 2333
1/28/03 at 6:22am
Thread Starter 
Two more...

Warner Region 1 NTSC "Ben Hur" vs. Warner Region 2 / 4 - PAL
* both are amazing discs *

Hong Kong Legends Region 2/4 "The Prodigal Son" vs. Universe Region 0
Big thanks to Ole of DVDBasen for all of the Screen Caps!

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #132 of 2333
1/28/03 at 7:14am
Who's AR is correct for The Prodigal Son? Everyones head looks skinnier in the Universe version. I'd be tempted to think the HKL version is wrong as they've done this in the past.
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post #133 of 2333
1/28/03 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
error...
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post #134 of 2333
1/29/03 at 2:03pm
Thread Starter 
New one...

Columbia Tri-Star Region 1 NTSC "His Girl Friday" vs. Columbia Tri-Star (UK) Region 2/4/5 PAL...

R1 is a winner...

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #135 of 2333
1/30/03 at 1:28am
Looking at the The Seven Samurai, I never realized
that my Criterion looked so bad in comparison...
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post #136 of 2333
2/5/03 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Region 1 RE-RELEASE Version




Full graphic comparison at:

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Initially I am surprised Criterion redid this one. I would have thought that the original DVD was about as good as a 50+ year old film could look considering the slight damage. Now after saying that you can sure tell the difference between the 'old' and the 'new'. The black and white image on the new version is much more true with no faded sepia-ish coloring and the contrast is distinctly improved. Sound has also been bumped up to a choice between 5.1 and mono. MANY more extras. The new version also has a cute opening with the major players wiping their names off a blackboard. Superb Criterion! Full marks for this one!

P.S. The 'Glass Opera' sounds awesome !

Cheers,
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post #137 of 2333
2/5/03 at 1:14pm
Thread Starter 
Fox BLUNDERS BIG TIME!

Old Version:


New Anamorphic version:



Personally I am surprised Fox redid this one as well. Although the old 'An Affair to Remember" disc was not anamorphic it was pretty good.. sharp... good grain. The image quality was very acceptable, although perhaps being a shade dark and the extras were pretty bare-bones. Now after saying it appears as though I was correct in that it is much sharper than the anamorphisized version. The new version appears quite hazy along-side the older sharper picture. The Menus are the same. Additions of a commentary and the same poor quality trailer. The 25 minute 'AMC Backstory Episode: "An Affair to Remember" is very good, but the stills gallery has just 22 black and white (?) images and the 'MovieTone newsreel' is less than a minute. I think I am sticking with the original in this instance... the colors in the new one look artificial at times too. Boo on 20th Century Fox ! They messed up... an overall loss of resolution and general focus does not make a better image.

FULL GRAPHIC COMPARISON AT:

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/
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post #138 of 2333
2/5/03 at 2:52pm
There is some EE on the buildings in your first picture (on the site). Perhaps the apparent sharpness is artifical. The non-anamporphic does see a tad more pink than the new one.
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post #139 of 2333
2/5/03 at 3:25pm
The first image looks over-enhanced. The second image looks softer, but lacks ringing.

One problem, though...shouldn't this be 2.55:1?
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post #140 of 2333
2/5/03 at 4:29pm
According to IMDB, 2.35:1 is the OAR.

This does make sense as CinemaScope switched over from 2.55:1 to 2.35:1 around 1957, the year of the film's release.
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post #141 of 2333
2/5/03 at 4:40pm
Quote:
According to IMDB, 2.35:1 is the OAR.

This does make sense as CinemaScope switched over from 2.55:1 to 2.35:1 around 1957, the year of the film's release.

.

You're right. I forgot that the only 2.55:1 CinemaScope films were the ones released with 4-track magnetic sound. This film was released only in stereo.
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post #142 of 2333
2/7/03 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
new one...

Criterion Region 1 -NTSC "Mona Lisa" vs. Anchor Bay Region 1-6 PAL

Another example of the non-anamorphic being better than the anamorph...

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Gary
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post #143 of 2333
2/12/03 at 7:40am
Can you please get some info on the US vs. Canadian version
of Atanarjuat or The Fast Runner.
In Canada you can get a 2 disc version and the one disc US
version is planned to come out.
There is a review of the US version already at;

http://www.dvdjournal.com/quickrevie...runner.q.shtml

A DVD comparison would be great for what sounds like
a great movie.
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post #144 of 2333
2/12/03 at 7:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Can you please get some info on the US vs. Canadian version
of Atanarjuat or The Fast Runner.
In Canada you can get a 2 disc version and the one disc US
version is planned to come out.
There is a review of the US version already at;

Funnily enough it is my next comparison... should be done very soon...

Cheers,
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post #145 of 2333
2/12/03 at 8:44am
I am glad that I am sitting down,
because I could have just fallen over.
Thanks and I can't wait!

Mr. Ebert has a very nice review;

http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_...06/062806.html
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post #146 of 2333
2/12/03 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Alliance Atlantis Region 1 NTSC "Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner" vs. Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1 - NTSC

"Atanarjuat is Canada's first feature-length fiction film written, produced, directed, and acted by Inuit. An exciting action thriller set in ancient Igloolik, the film unfolds as a life-threatening struggle of love, jealousy, murder and revenge between powerful natural and supernatural characters. Winner of the Camera D'or at Cannes this is a classic film that will go down in the annals of Canadian cinema history. A 'MUST SEE' experience!"
Alliance Atlantis:


Columbia Tri-Star:



I am asking for someone at Alliance Atlantis to be fired. What a travesty! This is what I was afraid of with these two editions. One has great Extra Features but a sloppy picture and the other is bare bones, burned in subs and a much better picture quality... arghhhhh. Ohh yeah, the Columbia is 6 minutes shorter... what gives. Is Criterion the only one who takes pride in their work? True fans will have to get both but if you only want to see the film then its the Columbia Tri-Star until I can figure out what they have done with 6 minutes of the film. Somebody's colors are way of too... my guess would be Alliance. The captures in the comparison more than adequately tell the story of the image quality and the extras are all listed above. Alliance - Pan and Scan 'The Straight Story', Full Frame 'The Red Violin' and this... Great eh!

P.S. The Alliance looks horizontally cropped a little to boot... sheeeeesh

and forgot to mention last time:
Anchor Bay Entertainment "Nosferatu" Region 0 - NTSC vs. NEW VERSION - Anchor Bay - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #147 of 2333
2/12/03 at 6:21pm
Gary,
You might want to mention that the Alliance-Atlantis disc was sourced from film and the Columbia/Tri-Star disc was mastered directly from the original digital beta video source.

And, by the way, Alliance did release a widescreen "Straight Story" DVD. It would probably be best if you NEVER saw it. Not only is it poorly telecined, but the print they used is damaged and ridiculously dark (not to mention, the disc is horribly overpriced). Does Alliance have any quality control? Seville Pictures could teach them a few things.
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post #148 of 2333
2/13/03 at 6:25am
^ So the Alliance "Straight Story" (widescreen) doesn't have the same transfer as the US one?
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post #149 of 2333
2/13/03 at 7:41am
Gary,

Thanks for the reviews!

Did you get a chance to check any differences
on the translations of the two versions?
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post #150 of 2333
2/13/03 at 7:56am
Quote:
So the Alliance "Straight Story" (widescreen) doesn't have the same transfer as the US one?


It definitely isn't the same transfer as the superior U.S. release. I'm not exactly sure where they obtained it or why they were unable to just simply use the Buena Vista transfer (it appears to be a PAL conversion and a poor one at that). It took them nearly a year to release this disc so, I guess they scoured the planet trying to find the worse print and worse disc mastering facilites in existence. Despite it's flaws, The 'Atanarjuat' disc is heads above their 'Straight Story' disc.
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