UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Aliens -- in 4k UHD (4 Viewers)

[Neil S. Bulk]

I hate to ask this but what exactly is AI Image Processing. Asking for a friend.

If you're asking for details, I don't have it. Here's what Bill Hunt says. I've bolded the relevant sections.

"For its release on Ultra HD, Lightstorm, working with Park Road Post, appears to have utilized the best-available scan of the original camera negative (possibly new and 4K, but it’s also possible that the previous 2K Blu-ray scan was used; I haven’t been able to confirm that with Lightstorm yet in this particular case)—“optimized” by Park Road’s proprietary deep-learning algorithms—to create a new 4K Digital Intermediate. Photochemical grain has been greatly reduced, though not eliminated entirely, and it should be noted that this isn’t the usual Digital Noise Reduction with which people have long been familiar (a dreaded and blunt instrument). Unlike an image scrubbed with DNR, this process hasn’t removed all of the fine image detail. Not only does that detail remain, it too has been “enhanced” algorithmically. The image has then been graded for high dynamic range, with both Dolby Vision and HDR10 available."

 

[TravisR]

I have to question the sanity of people mentioning when AI is being used in a project like this. Those two letters strike fear in the heart of anyone who actually likes art and it creates an instant bias or suspicion of it. People freaked out when the 'new' Beatles song was going to use AI as if John was going to sound like one of those dumb ad fake voices. If I was using AI in any aspect on anything, I'd be taking that secret to the grave rather than hyping it up.

 

[JoshZ]

I have to question the sanity of people mentioning when AI is being used in a project like this. Those two letters strike fear in the heart of anyone who actually likes art and it creates an instant bias or suspicion of it. People freaked out when the 'new' Beatles song was going to use AI as if John was going to sound like one of those dumb ad fake voices. If I was using AI in any aspect on anything, I'd be taking that secret to the grave rather than hyping it up.

A.I. is a tool. It can be used well or it can be used poorly, depending on the dictates of what the humans overseeing the project assign that tool to do.

 

[TravisR]

A.I. is a tool. It can be used well or it can be used poorly, depending on the dictates of what the humans overseeing the project assign that tool to do.

Agreed but it's not a tool that anyone (outside of talentless tech bros) seems to be excited about being used.

 

[Malcolm R]

Those two letters strike fear in the heart of anyone who actually likes art ...

Apparently not, as there are a lot of art-loving creators that seem to be using it.

 

[JoshZ]

I think it's more of a possibility that you disagree with Cameron's reimagining decision regarding these home video releases than him not doing right regarding these three movies.

I don't see a conflict between the two halves of your sentence. We can disagree with Cameron's reimagining decision and he could have done wrong by his movies.

 

[JoshZ]

Agreed but it's not a tool that anyone (outside of talentless tech bros) seems to be excited about being used.

What I find ironic is that, at this stage in his career, James Cameron has effectively turned over care of his movies to Skynet.

 

[dpippel]

What I find ironic is that, at this stage in his career, James Cameron has effectively turned over care of his movies to Skynet.

 

[DVDvision]

Thank you very much for your verification, as you may ask him:

How a SE 70mm print is possible here?

The original poster specifically said he saw a 70mm version of ALIENS "director's cut" ie SE, which does not exist.

 

[jayembee]

Mommy...Daddy...please stop fighting...

 

[Ross Gowland]

Top one is a zoom of the old Blu-ray. Bottom is the new 4K UHD.

source: https://x.com/highdefwatch/status/1769785261678817549?s=61

 

[Robert Harris]

Courtesy of Mr. Hunt and Digital Bits:

“True Lies, Titanic, and The Abyss were all mastered from 4K scans. Aliens
was mastered from the 2K scan used for the previous Blu-ray release.

Titanic was scanned in 2012. True Lies and The Abyss were done more
recently.

That's all per Geoff Burdick at Lightstorm.

Of these remasters (done by Lightstorm with Park Road Post -- their AI
process, whatever they call it), True Lies was the first completed. Then
Aliens, The Abyss, and finally Titanic. I'm told that each time, they
learned a lot and got better at it. So True Lies is the one that's most
"aggressive" is the word I would use. And Titanic and The Abyss are the best
looking of them. But as you know, they all have the "modern" look that
Cameron seems to favor now.”

Best to work with facts.

Thanks, Bill!

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

I can only look at the final result which bears more than a passing resemblance to the prior Blu-ray

In your opinion.

(via Bill Hunt) Aliens was mastered from the 2K scan used for the previous Blu-ray release.

Oh.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Oh.

So you were right about Aliens. I stand corrected and my apologies.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Courtesy of Mr. Hunt and Digital Bits:

“True Lies, Titanic, and The Abyss were all mastered from 4K scans. Aliens
was mastered from the 2K scan used for the previous Blu-ray release.

Titanic was scanned in 2012. True Lies and The Abyss were done more
recently.

That's all per Geoff Burdick at Lightstorm.

Of these remasters (done by Lightstorm with Park Road Post -- their AI
process, whatever they call it), True Lies was the first completed. Then
Aliens, The Abyss, and finally Titanic. I'm told that each time, they
learned a lot and got better at it. So True Lies is the one that's most
"aggressive" is the word I would use. And Titanic and The Abyss are the best
looking of them. But as you know, they all have the "modern" look that
Cameron seems to favor now.”

Best to work with facts.

Thanks, Bill!

That settles it!

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

So you were right about Aliens. I stand corrected and my apologies.

Afraid so, and thanks. I wish it wasn't this way. The Abyss looks wonderful on my Apple TV and I'm anxious to get that disc. It's in Amazon limbo, but that's for another thread.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Afraid so, and thanks. I wish it wasn't this way. The Abyss looks wonderful on my Apple TV and I'm anxious to get that disc. It's in Amazon limbo, but that's for another thread.

The 4K/UHD looks wonderful on my 65” OLED.

 

[Tino]

Top one is a zoom of the old Blu-ray. Bottom is the new 4K UHD.

source: https://x.com/highdefwatch/status/1769785261678817549?s=61
View attachment 216728 View attachment 216729

Wow. The bottom one looks so much better.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Wow. The bottom one looks so much better.

Aliens is next 4K/UHD I will be watching after finishing The Abyss today.

 

[Robert Harris]

So you were right about Aliens. I stand corrected and my apologies.

Robert - you’re always a gentleman!