List of International BDs with Better PQ, AQ, and/or More Extras

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Ponyo is listed twice, you can delete the first one.

Done.

[amoergosum]

Fountain, The - U.S. Screenshots
U.S. - DD 5.1
U.K. - Superior transfer, DTS-HD MA 5.1

You can add the German edition. According to this member
the German transfer is the best one >>>

- NO forced subtitles
- Uncut (You can never know in good old Germany )
- 1,5 core DTS-Track (on both languages)
- "reverse-cover" (Is this the right english term?) (I mean: cover printed on both sides, one without the age-restriction-button.)
- better PQ than the UK BD (At least I had the impression on my setup.)
- bitrate around 27 Mbps (flipped a little through the movie on my PS3)

Source:
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=15

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by amoergosum

You can add the German edition. According to this member
the German transfer is the best one >>>



Source:
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=15

Done.

[HD Goofnut]

Country codes updated.

[HD Goofnut]

Entire list has been updated with a couple titles removed.

[zeze]

I was wondering why the UK version of Arrietty is not on the list?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by zeze

I was wondering why the UK version of Arrietty is not on the list?

I have added it. Do you know if it's region free?

[Torrente]

IP MAN 2 - US screenshots - UK screenshots
US - Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1
HK - Cantonese Linear PCM 7.1, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD MA 7.1 (Region A locked)
UK – AVC 2.35:1, Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1, BD50. Worst PQ, BD50

I keep insisting on that point because it's totally wrong.
All the transfers for Ip Man 2 are the exact same.
The links you provided show that fact very well.
And all the reviews too.

[rossmer]

This is a great list HD Goofnut! Thanks for all the work compiling this into a very well organized list. It has helped me upgrade many substandard US releases already. Again, thanks!

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Torrente

I keep insisting on that point because it's totally wrong.
All the transfers for Ip Man 2 are the exact same.
The links you provided show that fact very well.
And all the reviews too.

I will fix it.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by rossmer

This is a great list HD Goofnut! Thanks for all the work compiling this into a very well organized list. It has helped me upgrade many substandard US releases already. Again, thanks!

You are quite welcome.

[zeze]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I have added it. Do you know if it's region free?

Sorry, I don't know if it is region free or not.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by zeze

Sorry, I don't know if it is region free or not.

That's ok as I'll just leave it blank for now.

[wesslan]

The Borrower Arrietty
JP - DTS-HD MA 5.1 24-bit 4158 kbps, AVC 26418 kbps, Regionfree Best version
UK - DTS-HD MA 5.1 16-bit 2163 kbps, AVC 19045 kbps

Whisper of the Heart
JP - DTS-HD MA 5.1 24-bit 3981 kbps, AVC 32922 kbps, Regionfree Best version
UK - DTS-HD MA 5.1 24-bit 3982 kbps, AVC 21822 kbps Mild DNR

Laputa
JP/HK - DTS-HD MA 2.0 16-bit 1732 kbps, AVC 33342 kbps, Regionfree Best version
UK/AUS - LPCM 2.0 16-bit 1536 kbps, AVC 26260 kbps Mild DNR

[wesslan]

Species
US - MPEG-2 17184 kbps, LPCM 5.1 4608 kbps 16-bit
NL - AVC 20296 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2247 kbps 24-bit Best version

[wesslan]

Monsters
US - AVC 19996 kbps, DTS-HD MA 7.1 4790 kbps 24-bit Best AQ
AUS - AVC 32778 kbps, LPCM 5.1 4608 kbps 16-bit Best PQ?
DE - AVC 18990 kbps, DTS-HD MA 7.1 2689 kbps 16-bit

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by wesslan

[
Whisper of the Heart
JP - DTS-HD MA 5.1 24-bit 3981 kbps, AVC 32922 kbps, Regionfree Best PQ
UK - DTS-HD MA 5.1 24-bit 3982 kbps, AVC 21822 kbps Little DNR

How did you determine that the Japanese release is the 'best one'? By comparing the kbps's?

I ask because for a good encoder these specific numbers would be absolutely irrelevant. I have not seen this Japanese disc, but the UK disc is of near reference quality, and I am very skeptical that the Japanese release is in fact any better.

And I don't know where this little DNR is coming from?

Pro-B

[wesslan]

All (early) UK/AUS ghibli movies is mildly DNR scrubbed as you can find in many comparisons. You loose some fine detail. It's just a fact so that and the higher bitrate is enough for a better version wouldn't you agree? I don't say UK doesn't look good but the mild DNR is a fact and some color changes also. The UK/AUS pop more almost like pumped sharpness. But Since the japanese discs is made by Ghibli and those have grain I would say that's what they want you too see.

Same goes for Laputa and Nausiccaa though Arrietty and Ponyo doesn't have it since they are completely digital but Arrietty UK looses on 16-bit AQ anyways.

[Lnds500]

Originally Posted by wesslan

All (early) UK/AUS ghibli movies is mildly DNR scrubbed as you can find in many comparisons. You loose some fine detail. It's just a fact so that and the higher bitrate is enough for a better version wouldn't you agree? I don't say UK doesn't look good but the mild DNR is a fact and some color changes also. The UK/AUS pop more almost like pumped sharpness. But Since the japanese discs is made by Ghibli and those have grain I would say that's what they want you too see.

Same goes for Laputa and Nausiccaa though Arrietty and Ponyo doesn't have it since they are completely digital but Arrietty UK looses on 16-bit AQ anyways.

If I remember correctly, only Nausicaa had the colors slightly changed, Laputa was fine. Furthermore, fine detail has not been lost from any of StudioCanal's releases. I've looked comparison pictures a hundred times.
Now, about the bit-rate, I'm not sure. Maybe they are using a more advanced compression method?

Anyway, the point is, when such a subjective matter as film grain is considered, you shouldn't be so absolute about it being the best version in terms of PQ. Just state the specs and let the others decide for themselves

[manicsounds]

Arrietty UK is region B