Total Recall THX reviews? (1 Viewer)

[Travis Brashear]

Here's a comparison of the old STARGATE: Ultimate Edition and the new STARGATE: THX Optimum Resolution DVD:

[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/9/9a/htf_imgcache_3579.jpeg] [/url]

[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/a/a1/htf_imgcache_3580.jpeg] [/url]

Even though color and detail remain very similar to the Ultimate Edition, the print used on the THX release is certainly cleaner. Not a major reason to upgrade, but better than the one for TOTAL RECALL, which I am convinced used the exact same dirty print as the old release.

 

[captainjoe]

Could you post a screen grab for total recall? I'm still curious to see one.

 

[Brian Little]

What is that on Daniel's side on the first pic?

 

[Travis Brashear]

A burn mark on the celluloid; the entire UE is filled with weird dirt and artifacts like this (though this is surely the worst one). The THX edition is clear of them.

captainjoe, I'd love to but I'm leaving shortly for a business trip that will take me out of town to Chicago until next Friday, so it'll have to wait about a week.

 

[Jon Smith]

Is the THX edition of Stargate the theatrical cut? I much prefer that one. And does it have DTS?

 

[Arnie G]

Back to Total Recall. Did anyone else get it?

 

[captainjoe]

I can wait till next week. Have a good business trip.

 

[Travis Brashear]

Mars Tin Version:

[url=http://aycu32.webshots.com/image/6111/2005298415122618502_rs.jpg] [/url]

THX Optimum Resolution Version:

[url=http://aycu25.webshots.com/image/8264/2005235245936456945_rs.jpg] [/url]

Note the identical compression noise in the sky.

Mars Tin Version:

[url=http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/8701/2005238448148256373_rs.jpg] [/url]

THX Optimum Resolution Version:

[url=http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/8423/2005201637540952636_rs.jpg] [/url]

Note the identical piece of dirt to the left of the picture frame. No effort to clean the print was made at all. This dirt and debris is apparent throughout both transfers in all the same places.

 

[captainjoe]

Thanks. Wow what a good improvement. Definately worth $20!

 

[Jack Johnson]

Overall, though, looks like the THX edition does offer an overall improved resolution; it's evident in the fine detail.

 

[Will_B]

There used to be a problem where DVD playback could not handle red. It might be good encoding but the playback doesn't handle red well. Sorry I can't be less vague.

The improvement in the Evian water bottle labels is good, but not enough to bother trading up, imo.

 

[Travis Brashear]

Precisely; if I have to hunt and peck to find improvements, then what's the point?

 

[Travis Brashear]

Double post; sorry.

 

[Mark_Wilson]

I think Will B is referring to CUE, chroma upsampling error. It is player dependent. It's a bug is certain mpeg decoders.

 

[Travis Brashear]

I have a Sony DVP-S7000, so you'll have to tell me if that unit has this upsampling issue. Frankly, TOTAL RECALL and SIGNS are the only two discs I am aware of in my 1,000+ library that can't seem to keep red steady, and I remember a lot of people complaining about the poor compression work for SIGNS, so I'm disinclined to think my player is the problem.

 

[Jack Johnson]

It's not enough for me to upgrade either. But proponents of "Superbit" dvds should be pleased, since the improvements in resolution--however minor--are at least as great as any I saw with those titles over their "standard" release couterparts.

But I never thought any of those gains were worth it, either.

 

[Dave H]

The Superbit improvements can be seen on a larger, well-calibrated display -computer screenshots really don't do justice often times because the computer screen size is so small and not calibrated properly...and the shots are static. I always held off from buying the standard version and purchased the Superbit version when possible (I agree it was a marketing ploy as the original version could have been a Superbit with the extras on a second disc, but oh well). Hey, Speaking of this, do they even make Superbits anymore? I haven't seen any new ones in quite a while.

 

[Mark_Wilson]

Doesn't look like it. Last Superbit I saw released was earlier this year.

 

[Jack Johnson]

I'd wager "Superbits" will become a casualty of the studios pushing HD media; the "lackluster" appearance of dvds has become a new selling point, so suped-up standard res stuff hasn't got a reason to be anymore.

 

[Mark_Wilson]

Watched the French HD-DVD of Total Recall tonight. I specifically was watching for the speck in your second screen shot. Wasn't there.

In fact the disc looks great. I happen to also have a previous Studio Canal R2 France release of TR on DVD. I'm gonna check it for that speck of dirt.