Which "Life" to get and why? (narrated by David Attenborough or Oprah Winfrey?) - Blu-ray Forum

pittsgutta · 06-02-2010, 12:11 AM

I am confused on what the differences are in these two releases. I know they have different narrators but is that all? I thought the Oprah Winfrey version that was on Discovery Channel HD was great. Why would I want the David Attenborough version?

Kev1080P · 06-02-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittsgutta

I am confused on what the differences are in these two releases. I know they have different narrators but is that all? I thought the Oprah Winfrey version that was on Discovery Channel HD was great. Why would I want the David Attenborough version?

Attenborough all the way, oprah sucks

pittsgutta · 06-02-2010, 12:15 AM

I find Oprahs voice good

Master Charles · 06-02-2010, 12:16 AM

Attenborugh's voice is like velvet mixed with peanut butter. I think I may watch Planet Earth again after talking about his voice.

ClaytonMG · 06-02-2010, 12:16 AM

I believe that the WB (Oprah) one is actually 1080p, however I don't know what audio format they use. The BBC (or Discover Channel I think it might be) one is 1080i, but has DTS-HD High Res on it.

EDIT: I think I got it reversed, the Oprah one is 1080i, and the Attenborough one is supposedly 1080p...

QuasidodoJr · 06-02-2010, 12:16 AM

I'd go with Attenborough, myself. Just preference I guess. Not sure if there are any actual differences.

jebhdb · 06-02-2010, 12:17 AM

I prefer Attenborough's voice to Oprah's, but I also believe I read somewhere on this site that the Oprah version is 1080i and the Attenborough version is 1080p. I also believe that the Attenborough version has special features that are not contained on the Oprah version. Please research further because I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure the Attenborough version is supposed to superior.

StretchMaK · 06-02-2010, 12:17 AM

I have Planet Earth with Gavid Attenborough so I would like his voice on Life. I also do not think I could listen to Oprah.

pittsgutta · 06-02-2010, 12:34 AM

Yep, I just had it confirmed. The Oprah version is only 1080i. That makes it too easy to decide on!

BasicGreatGuy · 06-02-2010, 12:49 AM

David Attenborough all the way. It is my understanding that The Discovery Channel (Oprah) edition is 1080i and has been edited down.

Brent L. · 06-02-2010, 12:53 AM

Ok.

The Oprah version is the one to stay away from. Not only is David Attenborough the original narrator for this program, but both the audio and video of the Attenborough version is superior.

Now with that said, just so you know, the Oprah version does have some exclusive extras. On that version is an 11th episode called "The Making of Life", about 18 minutes of deleted scenes complete with narrration, as well as a "music only" audio track.

There are no extras on the Attenborough version unless you count the short "making of" segments for each episode which I believe wre included in the original airings of the show in both the UK and the US.

The Attenborough version is the way to go, absolutely no question about that.

SonOfArathorn · 06-02-2010, 12:54 AM

Attenborough is in 1080p Oprah in 1080i, that alone makes it an easy choice. Factor in that this is Attenborough's (probable) last narration and you've got an even easier decision.
Couldn't get through one episode of the broadcast versions with her voice, I kept expecting Tom Cruise to come jump on my couch or something.

BasicGreatGuy · 06-02-2010, 12:54 AM

I am watching Disc 1 and the picture rivals that of "Planet Earth."

ChadFL · 06-02-2010, 12:56 AM

The BBC version. Because Oprah's narration was terrible in the U.S. version.

SquidPuppet · 06-02-2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent L.

Ok.

The Oprah version is the one to stay away from. Not only is David Attenborough the original narrator for this program, but both the audio and video of the Attenborough version is superior.

Now with that said, just so you know, the Oprah version does have some exclusive extras. On that version is an 11th episode called "The Making of Life", about 18 minutes of deleted scenes complete with narrration, as well as a "music only" audio track.

There are no extras on the Attenborough version unless you count the short "making of" segments for each episode which I believe wre included in the original airings of the show in both the UK and the US.

The Attenborough version is the way to go, absolutely no question about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfArathorn

Attenborough is in 1080p Oprah in 1080i, that alone makes it an easy choice. Factor in that this is Attenborough's (probable) last narration and you've got an even easier decision.
Couldn't get through one episode of the broadcast versions with her voice, I kept expecting Tom Cruise to come jump on my couch or something.

While 1080p has a technical advantage and "should" look better, Davids version is Warner Bros, and we all know how they (sometimes) go DNR crazy. We wont KNOW FOR SURE until we see it, or get a dependable review.

ClaytonMG · 06-02-2010, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

While 1080p has a technical advantage and "should" look better, Davids version is Warner Bros, and we all know how they (sometimes) go DNR crazy. We wont KNOW FOR SURE until we see it, or get a dependable review.

Plus we don't know what audio it'll have. Their release of Planet Earth only had Dolby Digital. Plus the PQ wasn't up to today's top releases (though the reviews for it say it's amazing for some reason... I am guessing because it's an early Blu-ray release).

BasicGreatGuy · 06-02-2010, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

While 1080p has a technical advantage and "should" look better, Davids version is Warner Bros, and we all know how they (sometimes) go DNR crazy. We wont KNOW FOR SURE until we see it, or get a dependable review.

I haven't seen any DNR thus far.

BasicGreatGuy · 06-02-2010, 01:17 AM

Audio for the David Attenborough version is DTS HD

MaCruz · 06-02-2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

Audio for the David Attenborough version is DTS HD

I agree. No BD is true without DTS HD!

Brent L. · 06-02-2010, 01:21 AM

The DVDBeaver review for the Attenborough has been up for a while now:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...fe_blu-ray.htm

It covers pretty much everything and they give it their highest recommendation.

06-02-2010, 12:11 AM	#1
pittsgutta Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:45 Trading Score:1	Which "Life" to get and why? (narrated by David Attenborough or Oprah Winfrey?) I am confused on what the differences are in these two releases. I know they have different narrators but is that all? I thought the Oprah Winfrey version that was on Discovery Channel HD was great. Why would I want the David Attenborough version? MY BLU: SONY PLAYSTATION 3 (W/ 320GB HDD) (1ST GEN RELEASE) / TV: 56" SAMSUNG HL-S5687WX 1080P DLP HDTV PANASONIC DMP-BD35K BLU-RAY PLAYER / TV: 46" SAMSUNG LN46A630 1080P 120HZ LCD HDTV DELL XPS 420 DESKTOP (WITH BLU-RAY) / MONITOR: Samsung 2333 23" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor 100+ BLU-RAY MOVIES AND COUNTING.......GO BLU! PSN: Pitts_Gutta

06-02-2010, 12:15 AM	#3
pittsgutta Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:45 Trading Score:1	I find Oprahs voice good MY BLU: SONY PLAYSTATION 3 (W/ 320GB HDD) (1ST GEN RELEASE) / TV: 56" SAMSUNG HL-S5687WX 1080P DLP HDTV PANASONIC DMP-BD35K BLU-RAY PLAYER / TV: 46" SAMSUNG LN46A630 1080P 120HZ LCD HDTV DELL XPS 420 DESKTOP (WITH BLU-RAY) / MONITOR: Samsung 2333 23" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor 100+ BLU-RAY MOVIES AND COUNTING.......GO BLU! PSN: Pitts_Gutta

06-02-2010, 12:16 AM	#5
ClaytonMG Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2006 Location:New Brighton, MN Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:1021 DVD collection:2 PS3 collection:31 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	I believe that the WB (Oprah) one is actually 1080p, however I don't know what audio format they use. The BBC (or Discover Channel I think it might be) one is 1080i, but has DTS-HD High Res on it. EDIT: I think I got it reversed, the Oprah one is 1080i, and the Attenborough one is supposedly 1080p... - Players Used: Sony BDP-S570 / PS3 (ID: Jackal1985) - Reciever: Onkyo TX-NR808 - Speakers: Klipsch Synergy 1 Series (7) - Subs: 2 Yamaha YST-SW315 - TV: Panasonic TH-58PZ800u Plasma Last edited by ClaytonMG; 06-02-2010 at 12:57 AM.

06-02-2010, 12:16 AM	#6
QuasidodoJr Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Cincinnati, OH Blu-ray collection:765 DVD collection:147 PS3 collection:28 Trading Score:15	I'd go with Attenborough, myself. Just preference I guess. Not sure if there are any actual differences. My Blu-Ray Collection

06-02-2010, 12:34 AM	#9
pittsgutta Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:45 Trading Score:1	Yep, I just had it confirmed. The Oprah version is only 1080i. That makes it too easy to decide on! MY BLU: SONY PLAYSTATION 3 (W/ 320GB HDD) (1ST GEN RELEASE) / TV: 56" SAMSUNG HL-S5687WX 1080P DLP HDTV PANASONIC DMP-BD35K BLU-RAY PLAYER / TV: 46" SAMSUNG LN46A630 1080P 120HZ LCD HDTV DELL XPS 420 DESKTOP (WITH BLU-RAY) / MONITOR: Samsung 2333 23" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor 100+ BLU-RAY MOVIES AND COUNTING.......GO BLU! PSN: Pitts_Gutta

06-02-2010, 12:16 AM	#4
Master Charles Active Member Member since:Nov 2009 Location:NJ Home Theater Gallery:11 Blu-ray collection:151 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:22	Attenborugh's voice is like velvet mixed with peanut butter. I think I may watch Planet Earth again after talking about his voice.

06-02-2010, 12:17 AM	#7
jebhdb Special Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:Texas Blu-ray collection:1583 PS3 collection:74	I prefer Attenborough's voice to Oprah's, but I also believe I read somewhere on this site that the Oprah version is 1080i and the Attenborough version is 1080p. I also believe that the Attenborough version has special features that are not contained on the Oprah version. Please research further because I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure the Attenborough version is supposed to superior.

06-02-2010, 12:17 AM	#8
StretchMaK Member Member since:Sep 2008	I have Planet Earth with Gavid Attenborough so I would like his voice on Life. I also do not think I could listen to Oprah.

06-02-2010, 12:49 AM	#10
BasicGreatGuy Power Member Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Atlanta - SteelBooks™: 16 Blu-ray collection:322 Trading Score:16	David Attenborough all the way. It is my understanding that The Discovery Channel (Oprah) edition is 1080i and has been edited down. "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?! Why can't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" -Oddball My Blu-ray and DVD collection

06-02-2010, 12:53 AM	#11
Brent L. Expert Member Member since:Jun 2008 Blu-ray collection:456 Trading Score:1	Ok. The Oprah version is the one to stay away from. Not only is David Attenborough the original narrator for this program, but both the audio and video of the Attenborough version is superior. Now with that said, just so you know, the Oprah version does have some exclusive extras. On that version is an 11th episode called "The Making of Life", about 18 minutes of deleted scenes complete with narrration, as well as a "music only" audio track. There are no extras on the Attenborough version unless you count the short "making of" segments for each episode which I believe wre included in the original airings of the show in both the UK and the US. The Attenborough version is the way to go, absolutely no question about that.

06-02-2010, 12:54 AM	#12
SonOfArathorn Special Member Member since:May 2009 Blu-ray collection:464 Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:1	Attenborough is in 1080p Oprah in 1080i, that alone makes it an easy choice. Factor in that this is Attenborough's (probable) last narration and you've got an even easier decision. Couldn't get through one episode of the broadcast versions with her voice, I kept expecting Tom Cruise to come jump on my couch or something.

06-02-2010, 12:56 AM	#14
ChadFL Blu-ray Duke Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Daytona Beach, FL Blu-ray collection:496 DVD collection:5 PS3 collection:139	The BBC version. Because Oprah's narration was terrible in the U.S. version. PSN ID: Chad3232132

06-02-2010, 01:17 AM	#18
BasicGreatGuy Power Member Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Atlanta - SteelBooks™: 16 Blu-ray collection:322 Trading Score:16	Audio for the David Attenborough version is DTS HD "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?! Why can't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" -Oddball My Blu-ray and DVD collection

06-02-2010, 01:21 AM	#20
Brent L. Expert Member Member since:Jun 2008 Blu-ray collection:456 Trading Score:1	The DVDBeaver review for the Attenborough has been up for a while now: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...fe_blu-ray.htm It covers pretty much everything and they give it their highest recommendation.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode