The NeverEnding Story BD - Comparison to German- & U.S.-DVD

[Sheriff Hobbes]

Hi folks,

I made this comparison because I was very disappointed about Warner's recent TNES-BD-Release. Details are very good, but the picture is so dark that I couldn't enjoy it at all. Secondly the yellow/brown color-touch was annoying in certain scenes, for example during the assembly in the Ivory Tower.

The BD images are taken from the review - I think there's nothing wrong with linking them here. The DVD images are made by me. The first is the U.S.-DVD, the second the German DVD.

Before you say "forget about the DVDs" I have to admit that on the computer monitor it looks better than on the screen. There are also big differences between monitors - for examples my monitor at work makes a picture similar to what I saw on the screen. My home monitor makes a brighter image.

As you can see, the German DVD has this "yellow" touch too, but on the screen it's less bad. E.g. Bastian in the attic looks horrible in the DVD-shot, but I didn't notice this on my screen (it's a 2.80 m wide screen w/ JVC DLA-RS10).

To summarize: The screenshots give only little impression about what you see on the screen! Some scenes on the BD, e.g. in the swamp of sadness, are so dark that it's no fun at all. I'll stay with my DVDs. Who wants to buy my BD?







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Thanks,
Hobbes

[kdo]

Thanks Sheriff Hobbes! I'd also suggest that anyone else interested in the way this new Blu-ray has been altered check out the following links:

http://www.dvd.nl/reviews.php?reviewid=3466

this first link is a review of the Dutch Blu-ray release with 6 screenshots...Please note the shot of Atreyu scratching behind Falkor's ear...the beautiful blue 'hue' of the sky on the horizon of the night backdrop and the stars...On the new Blu release, it's so 'dark' you can't see those details...

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...2131/picture:0

This second link is HUGE, and offers a direct comparison via 'mousing' over the screencaps to see the differences between the older Dutch Blu and the new release. There are 4 shots, notice how 'golden-orange' and 'dark' the new Blu is in comparison to the Dutch Blu (which itself still isn't perfect). The only shot where the new Blu looks more detailed is the shot of Bastian reading, but it still looks too dark in my opinion...BTW, it also seems that the new Blu is missing a little bit of frame on the sides in comparison to the Dutch release in a couple of the shots...

Please Mr. Wolfgang Petersen...the "Childlike Empress," and all of "Fantasia," needs your help!

[ONE_DAY_AS_A_LION]

U.S. edition as reviewd by Kenneth Brown on Blu-ray.com

"The NeverEnding Story features a competent, at-times striking 1080p/VC-1 transfer; one that obliterates the standard DVD's dated, ungainly picture and, despite some lingering setbacks and inconsistencies, looks much better than the Blu-ray edition released in the Netherlands in 2007."

I haven't personally seen that version, I do look at reviews, typically, before purchasing a movie. I thought it was the much better than VHS or DVD versions I have seen before - The reviewer did go to explain there were issues with the video quality but overall, it was very good

The only issue I had was the lack of extras on the movie - to me, with as much capacity you can put on a movie, they should include deleted scenes, behind the scenes, interviews, whatever - that's a waste to the consumers to only be able to receive the movie itself - if that's the case, it should be the BEST transfer of the movie EVER - bottom line

[kdo]

Originally Posted by ONE_DAY_AS_A_LION

I thought it was the much better than VHS or DVD versions I have seen before -

please look at the detail of Atreyu's 'hair' in the caps above, especially the U.S. dvd version...where did it go on the Blu

[Spike Killer]

I see no problems with the recent Blu-Ray.

[Sheriff Hobbes]

Originally Posted by kdo

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...2131/picture:0

This second link is HUGE, and offers a direct comparison via 'mousing' over the screencaps to see the differences between the older Dutch Blu and the new release.

Wow, that's a cool feature with the mouse hovering. Do you know who made these shots? I would really like to know how they were made and if they're unmodified from the source. Pics #1 & #2 show very good how extremely dark the U.S.-BD is. Pic #3 shows very well the brownish touch. It also shows how it really should look like - the Dutch is almost perfect here, just missing the last detail. Only on Pic #4 the U.S. is better, no question.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Hobbes

Do you know who made these shots? I would really like to know how they were made and if they're unmodified from the source.

I don't, but you might be able to search around on the link to that site and find out. However, my experience in watching the new Blu appeared almost 'exactly' like the screenshots on that site do, so it's hard for me to imagine that the caps have been 'modified' at all...plus, if they had been modified, it would seem rather pointless to even bother doing the comparison

Originally Posted by Sheriff Hobbes

Only on Pic #4 the U.S. is better, no question.

I agree, the detail is better... although, is it just me, or does it still seem a bit 'dark?'

[Clark Kent]

The captures in the comparison are from Xylon, a well-known user on several forums who knows how to extract the exact frame off the Blu-ray without altering it.

Some technician at WB performed this drastic change to the contrast and highlights. Wolfgang Peterson has been quoted as saying he had nothing to do with the changes, and was not asked for input. Who knows if the changes are faithful to what the film originally looked like upon release. A lot of catalog titles are being thrown out on Blu-ray as cheaply as possible.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

The captures in the comparison are from Xylon, a well-known user on several forums who knows how to extract the exact frame off the Blu-ray without altering it.

thank you...that's good to know

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

A lot of catalog titles are being thrown out on Blu-ray as cheaply as possible

such a shame...we're supposed to be getting the best on Blu...

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Who knows if the changes are faithful to what the film originally looked like upon release.

BTW, I did see this one in the theater...I was quite young, but I've a pretty good memory and, I don't ever recall the film being so 'dark,' overall, and so 'golden-orange' looking.

[Atreyu]

If the US version is what was seen in the theaters upon initial release then we missed a lot of the picture. It is way too dark. Now in comparing both you could argue that the others are too bright. Ok maybe so and maybe the original negative is a bit darker which would be fine but not so dark that it obliterates detail. Only way I can see the detail on this blu is too readjust my contrast and brigtness and why should I have to for one movie as all my others are fine. I have the Dutch version also and I can see everything. I willl say this about the US version it seems to be a bit sharper and have more detail, when you can see it.
Shame on you Warner brothers for releasing such a horrendous and shoddy version of my all time favorite film. I also know that many hold this movie dear to their hearts. When I got thru watching my US version I felt like Atreyu right after Artax drowned in the Swamps Of Sadness.
Kudos to you kdo for puttung this up, you are truely a great friend just like Falkor is to Atreyu.

[Atreyu]

Since we are talking NES it just dawned on me Alan Oppenheimer, the voice of Falkor, Gmork and The Rock Biter had a small part in Disney's 1976 versiion of Freaky Friday, so I thought I'd show y'all a screenshot. Enjoycap1002.jpg.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Atreyu

Since we are talking NES it just dawned on me Alan Oppenheimer, the voice of Falkor, Gmork and The Rock Biter had a small part in Disney's 1976 versiion of Freaky Friday, so I thought I'd show y'all a screenshot. EnjoyAttachment 16977.

Great pic

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by kdo

sorry...2nd link not responding...try this one

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...2131/picture:0

Cool. I prefer the Dutch version going by those shots.... especially in the first shot. The colours look more natural.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

Cool. I prefer the Dutch version going by those shots.... especially in the first shot. The colours look more natural.

Yeah, the one thing I found interesting on that particular shot, which takes place at dawn, and right before Atreyu rides by as he begins his quest, is how it looks like it's the middle of the night on the new Blu! I mean, I'm not saying the new Blu is incorrect, as I cannot prove it, but even for 'dawn' that's awfully dark, especially considering the sky is quite well lit as Atreyu rides away from the Ivory Tower. What I find most puzzling though, is that the green shrubbery hanging from the mouth of the "Racing Snail" as it eats, pretty much disappears in the darkness on the new transfer...If the filmmakers intended the scene to be that dark, I don't understand why they'd even bother putting the leaves in the Snail's mouth

[Sheriff Hobbes]

I saw the film in 1984 too, but can't remember the picture.

I'm thinking about buying the Dutch BD. I have a few questions to Atreyu, as he's the owner of both BD's:

1) Is the format 2.35:1 as described at the dvd.nl-link, or is it 2.4:1 like the U.S.-disc?
2) Are the Dutch subtitles optional (on some cheap NL-discs they aren't)?
3) Is the 5.1-remix the same as the U.S.?
4) I don't speak Dutch, but at that link they talk about a "4% (PAL) speedup". BD's don't have a PAL-speedup in contrast to DVDs, so what is he talking about? Maybe it's a "cheap" transfer from a PAL source? Can you verify that NL- and U.S.-BD both have the same length?

Btw: Over Easter I watched the "Terminator Salvation"-BD once again. Quality-wise it's one of the best BD's I own. It proves that Warner can do high quality if they want to!

[blukrank]

I have The Dutch version and I been very pleased with it. Yeah theres no Dolby True HD or DTS-HD on The Dutch one. But it still sounds great thoe.

[Atreyu]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Hobbes

I saw the film in 1984 too, but can't remember the picture.

I'm thinking about buying the Dutch BD. I have a few questions to Atreyu, as he's the owner of both BD's:

1) Is the format 2.35:1 as described at the dvd.nl-link, or is it 2.4:1 like the U.S.-disc?
2) Are the Dutch subtitles optional (on some cheap NL-discs they aren't)?
3) Is the 5.1-remix the same as the U.S.?
4) I don't speak Dutch, but at that link they talk about a "4% (PAL) speedup". BD's don't have a PAL-speedup in contrast to DVDs, so what is he talking about? Maybe it's a "cheap" transfer from a PAL source? Can you verify that NL- and U.S.-BD both have the same length?

Btw: Over Easter I watched the "Terminator Salvation"-BD once again. Quality-wise it's one of the best BD's I own. It proves that Warner can do high quality if they want to!

The Dutch version of NES is 2.35:1 and looks me to be just like the US version. It says 94 minutes.
Yes the subbtitles can be removed, but automaticlly play from beginning if you don't do anything.
Both blus are listed at 94 minutes and the Dutch version, length wise seems to be just fine.
As far as PQ ,it is better the the US dvd version, coloring is good as well as not overly dark like the US blu. It is not quite as sharp or detailed as the US version, and I noticed it seemed to have the same dirt/speckles/anomilies in the film as the US version, so I think they may have used the same sorce, with the addition of subtitles of course.
Not sure about audio because I do not have a surround system as of yet because I am temporarilty living with a roommate.
I will say this though, next time I watch NES it will be the Dutch version.
As to your last comment, of course Warner can put out a decent product if they wish and it won't cost them the price of a Gone With The Wind or Wizard Of Oz restoration.

[42041]

Originally Posted by Atreyu

If the US version is what was seen in the theaters upon initial release then we missed a lot of the picture.

here's a post from Robert Harris that might be of interest: http://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-dis...ml#post3081653

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Atreyu

The Dutch version of NES is 2.35:1 and looks me to be just like the US version. It says 94 minutes.
Yes the subbtitles can be removed, but automaticlly play from beginning if you don't do anything.
Both blus are listed at 94 minutes and the Dutch version, length wise seems to be just fine.
As far as PQ ,it is better the the US dvd version, coloring is good as well as not overly dark like the US blu. It is not quite as sharp or detailed as the US version, and I noticed it seemed to have the same dirt/speckles/anomilies in the film as the US version, so I think they may have used the same sorce, with the addition of subtitles of course.
Not sure about audio because I do not have a surround system as of yet because I am temporarilty living with a roommate.
I will say this though, next time I watch NES it will be the Dutch version.
As to your last comment, of course Warner can put out a decent product if they wish and it won't cost them the price of a Gone With The Wind or Wizard Of Oz restoration.

Thanks for the info Atreyu! I too have recently ordered a copy of the Dutch release, and to support what Atreyu is saying here, it does in fact look to be very similar, if not the same, to the source used for the U.S. DVD version. I'm very much looking forward to getting this within a couple of weeks, and will post my thoughts once I've seen it.