What is the best encode for BLU-RAY?

[Ultraviolet]

Seeing as Paramount will be releasing again, im a little anxious to hear they are using inferior code such as MPEG 2. Which code is best and are Paramount likely to re code discs? Have heard two titles which I'm really looking forward to in UK, Rattle & Hum and hustle and flow have terrible picture quality.

[workshed108]

I doubt it Paramount will be re-encoding any of the previous releases. But, lets not forget that its not just Paramount. All early releases from studios were mpeg2 because the BDA chose that as the standard encoding. BDA realized this to be a blunder and now almost all studios are now releasing with more advanced codecs such as AVC or VC-1.

[Clark Kent]

Before Paramount pulled out of Blu-ray they had started using BD-specific video encodes that were stellar. Check out the Untouchables on BD. A reference encode with high bitrates only possible on Blu-ray. I wouldn't worry about their future encodes too much.

[ResOGlas]

I would say BD50/AVC would be top specs IMO.

[lch]

they would take out BOG from their dumping wharehouse to sell

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Ultraviolet

Seeing as Paramount will be releasing again, im a little anxious to hear they are using inferior code such as MPEG 2. Which code is best and are Paramount likely to re code discs? Have heard two titles which I'm really looking forward to in UK, Rattle & Hum and hustle and flow have terrible picture quality.

Many of the Paramount movies and some New Line/Warner movies are made by third party production companies such as 1K Studios in Burbank, California. My guess is that most of their early movies will be released in VC-1.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Ultraviolet

Seeing as Paramount will be releasing again, im a little anxious to hear they are using inferior code such as MPEG 2. Which code is best and are Paramount likely to re code discs? Have heard two titles which I'm really looking forward to in UK, Rattle & Hum and hustle and flow have terrible picture quality.

MPEG-2 isn't an "inferior" codec -- though it often is referred to that way by HD DVD fans because it requires a higher bitrate to achieve similar results than AVC or VC-1. Since their format was so bitstarved (and they were being lead by Microsoft VC-1 zealots) they started this nonsensical campaign against the MPEG-2 codec.

In reality, MPEG-2, VC-1, and AVC can all produce VERY similar results, though the MPEG-2 encode would require a higher bitrate than the other two... making it less efficient, but not "worse". Between VC-1 and AVC, VC-1 is usually the most efficient... though it typically doesn't handle grain as well (lack of a loop filter), so the bitrate can go higher for that reason.

But, in the end, it's the quality of the master that truly matters in terms of quality... NOT the codec used. That said, MPEG-2 isn't the best choice if you're going to put 4 hours of video on a disc... or releasing a title on BD25... but otherwise it can look fantastic.

So, no, there's basically no chance (and little reason) for Paramount to re-encode their existing releases. Most of the titles are still in the distribution channel anyway, and those that aren't are likely still in a warehouse somewhere awaiting the okay to release again.

As for which codec they'll be using from here on out... they farm the encode work out to outside production houses, so it's possible that different discs could use different codecs... but AVC is by far the most likely.