Sherlock: The Abominable Bride

[McCrutchy]

The BBC have recently released the 2016 Sherlock special The Abominable Bride on Blu-ray in the UK.

[tigertron]

I enjoyed it but no way in hell I'm buying it for £13.

[McCrutchy]

As discussed in the other thread, this special appears to be encoded improperly at 1080p24.000 fps, when it was shot in 25 fps. The broadcast in the UK would have been 1080/50i, and a corresponding UK BD should probably be the same (because there is no support for 1080p at 25 fps in the Blu-ray spec) as with other BBC UK BDs. The run time of the special is 93:05, and the back of the box appears to indicate the run time of the extras disc, which uses a play all option, and runs 86 minutes exactly. If the run time of the special is 93 minutes at 24 fps, then the run time of the special should actually be approximately 89:30, which would fit it exactly into a 90-minute timeslot on BBC1 for its New Year's Day television broadcast.

Unlike previous entries, this special also had a simultaneous one-off cinema screening. The fact that the special is presented on Blu-ray in 1.85:1, rather than 1.78:1, speaks to the idea that a cinema master was used. This also may explain the presence of Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track being present. However, it is clear that the voices are pitched lower than they should be. Ironically, a situation very similar to this occurred with the Doctor Who special The Day of the Doctor (in 2D), which was initially released at 24 fps in the UK, and resulted in a disc exchange program.

Each of the discs in this release is marked as locked to Region B (I will confirm for myself shortly) however, neither is a rehash of content on the US edition, because both discs still contain 50Hz content. The audio navigation screens, BBC logos, BBC Store advert, and bonus materials are all in 1080/50i, and only the special and both disc menus are encoded in 24 fps. Also note that the US BD presents the special in 1.78:1, not 1.85:1.

EDIT: I have sent an enquiry to the BBC about this Blu-ray. We will see if they respond.

[McCrutchy]

From the extras on Disc 2:

[MadManWithaBox]

£13 for a single episode? **** off.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by MadManWithaBox

£13 for a single episode? **** off.

It's not 30 mins long...
It's Sherlock

[goldmonkey]

In other words a 90 minute movie plus almost the same on the extras disc. I paid £19.99 for the steelbook!

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by tigertron

I enjoyed it but no way in hell I'm buying it for £13.

The BBC do tend to overcharge for their releases. Top Gear: The Greatest Hits is listed on the BBC Shop for £15 - and that contains a mix of SD and HD material!

[lookoutjeff]

I loved the first 3 seasons of Sherlock and watched the Blurays in readiness for the special but the "it was all a dream" cop out is the worst thing that any writer can inflict on audiences so this special doesn't really count as a proper episode to me although I might get it when its a fiver

[Strangerbyday]

The latest "season" of Luthor is €29.99 in my local HMV, that's only 2 episodes long.

[stargazeruk]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

As discussed in the other thread, this special appears to be encoded improperly at 1080p24.000 fps, when it was shot in 25 fps. The broadcast in the UK would have been 1080/50i, and a corresponding UK BD should probably be the same (because there is no support for 1080p at 25 fps in the Blu-ray spec) as with other BBC UK BDs. The run time of the special is 93:05, and the back of the box appears to indicate the run time of the extras disc, which uses a play all option, and runs 86 minutes exactly. If the run time of the special is 93 minutes at 24 fps, then the run time of the special should actually be approximately 89:30, which would fit it exactly into a 90-minute timeslot on BBC1 for its New Year's Day television broadcast.

Unlike previous entries, this special also had a simultaneous one-off cinema screening. The fact that the special is presented on Blu-ray in 1.85:1, rather than 1.78:1, speaks to the idea that a cinema master was used. This also may explain the presence of Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track being present. However, it is clear that the voices are pitched lower than they should be. Ironically, a situation very similar to this occurred with the Doctor Who special The Day of the Doctor (in 2D), which was initially released at 24 fps in the UK, and resulted in a disc exchange program.

Each of the discs in this release is marked as locked to Region B (I will confirm for myself shortly) however, neither is a rehash of content on the US edition, because both discs still contain 50Hz content. The audio navigation screens, BBC logos, BBC Store advert, and bonus materials are all in 1080/50i, and only the special and both disc menus are encoded in 24 fps. Also note that the US BD presents the special in 1.78:1, not 1.85:1.

EDIT: I have sent an enquiry to the BBC about this Blu-ray. We will see if they respond.

I emailed the BBC and with only a couple of emails but here are the responses. The first one did not really answer it but that was the response I got. It seems like we stuck with the BBC lately doing improper frame rates.

Thank you for your e-mail which has been forwarded on from WW Comments to the DVD Enquiry Line.

I have asked the question of the DVD production team and they have supplied the following response.

For the Sherlock bluray we decided to use the theatrical master (which is 24p) as it included Dolby Atmos and this was our first Atmos bluray release. The aspect ratio was also as per the theatrical release (1.85:1).

For the DVD our master (50i, 16:9) was as per transmission.

I do hope that answers your question.

Kind regard
DVD Enquiry Line

Second Email reply,
It was a business decision to use the theatrical master for the Blu-ray release as it allowed us to use the Dolby Atmos mix that we had specially created for the Theatrical release.

To our knowledge it was filmed in 25p , but it was our decision to use the theatrical version for the Blu-ray version to get the most out of the Atmos experience.

Kind regards
BBC DVD Support

It does bug me that the BBC does seem to be copping out a bit. Native frame rate is as important on the release.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by stargazeruk

I emailed the BBC and with only a couple of emails but here are the responses. The first one did not really answer it but that was the response I got. It seems like we stuck with the BBC lately doing improper frame rates.

[Show spoiler]Thank you for your e-mail which has been forwarded on from WW Comments to the DVD Enquiry Line.

I have asked the question of the DVD production team and they have supplied the following response.

For the Sherlock bluray we decided to use the theatrical master (which is 24p) as it included Dolby Atmos and this was our first Atmos bluray release. The aspect ratio was also as per the theatrical release (1.85:1).

For the DVD our master (50i, 16:9) was as per transmission.

I do hope that answers your question.

Kind regard
DVD Enquiry Line

Second Email reply,
It was a business decision to use the theatrical master for the Blu-ray release as it allowed us to use the Dolby Atmos mix that we had specially created for the Theatrical release.

To our knowledge it was filmed in 25p , but it was our decision to use the theatrical version for the Blu-ray version to get the most out of the Atmos experience.

Kind regards
BBC DVD Support

It does bug me that the BBC does seem to be copping out a bit. Native frame rate is as important on the release.

So, getting "the most" out of audio which is improperly pitched? While they probably genuinely think they did the right thing, this is an ironic response if there ever was one. I wonder if I will get the same response.

I can understand using the Atmos audio, but if they wanted to do that, they should have shot the damn special at 24 fps. Clearly, both the cinema release and the Atmos mix were afterthoughts that were put into place once principal photography was either well under way, or finished entirely.

At this point, I would take a new 1080/50i BD with a 24-bit DTS-HD MA 5.1 track if I had to. I would prefer the Atmos mix, but such a thing is probably overkill for what should have been only a television special in the first place. But Benedict Cumberbatch sounds like Jeremy Clarkson in this now. If this is what the US BDs are like, then I am really glad I can play the 50Hz UK discs.

[MadManWithaBox]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

It's not 30 mins long...
It's Sherlock

I'm aware of that, I watched it. Its still a ridiculous price.

[Sky_Captain]

I've a sad feeling that it'll not get corrected until possibly a German release, (they've corrected a few TV series f*** ups from other shows).

The Australian disc is out 3rd Feb, but I don't old out much hope for it. JB Hi-Fi are showing DTS-HD-MA 5.1 for audio, but that could be a guess.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

I've a sad feeling that it'll not get corrected until possibly a German release, (they've corrected a few TV series f*** ups from other shows).

The Australian disc is out 3rd Feb, but I don't old out much hope for it. JB Hi-Fi are showing DTS-HD-MA 5.1 for audio, but that could be a guess.

From what I know of Roadshow, they'll just port the UK discs, so it will be 1080p (unless they pull it and fix it in the UK first).

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by lookoutjeff

the "it was all a dream" cop out is the worst thing that any writer can inflict on audiences

Yeah, I think they should have just stuck to the Victorian thing than trying to explain it as Modern Sherlock's drug-induced dream within his Mind Palace.

[coulson96]

There's a pitch change? How odd! Mine didn't sound any different to broadcast. Maybe a bit punchier on the dynamic effects like gun shots. It certainly didn't have the tinny sound that DOTD had when it was first released, then again with DOTD I changed some of my sound settings on my Blu Ray player as was suggested here and it sounds fine after that. No tinny reverb or anything. Still I watched that Sherlock special all the way through last night on Blu ray and didn't pick up any change in pitch, the sound was more layered than the TV broadcast for sure. I was able to hear a lot more of the smaller things like footsteps and other foley sound effects I couldn't in the broadcast. I found no problem with it though.

[stargazeruk]

Originally Posted by coulson96

There's a pitch change? How odd! Mine didn't sound any different to broadcast. Maybe a bit punchier on the dynamic effects like gun shots. It certainly didn't have the tinny sound that DOTD had when it was first released, then again with DOTD I changed some of my sound settings on my Blu Ray player as was suggested here and it sounds fine after that. No tinny reverb or anything. Still I watched that Sherlock special all the way through last night on Blu ray and didn't pick up any change in pitch, the sound was more layered than the TV broadcast for sure. I was able to hear a lot more of the smaller things like footsteps and other foley sound effects I couldn't in the broadcast. I found no problem with it though.

Some studios do a pitch correction when they slow it down or speed it up. Its very rare that it happens. I am assuming the BBC did a sound correction to compensate for the slowdown but its longer then its suppose to be. It bugs me a little when its the wrong frame rate.

When it was US films on DVD back before blu-ray I will admit I put up with the higher pitch and 4% speed up cause I could not stand the 3:2 pulldown with NTSC DVDs as it caused me eye strain.

[__jona]

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I can understand using the Atmos audio, but if they wanted to do that, they should have shot the damn special at 24 fps.

Can't Atmos be used in 60i or 50i discs? No 60i live concert Atmos possible then, neither? Seems strange
Digital sound has not been dependent of video speed rate for a big while. Unless theres some technological impediment why not 50i with Dolby Atmos? Just repitch it galore again if you have too!