CHRONOS - Production Process for BD

[RBFilms]

I had a request to copy this post from the AVS Forum by a member of this forum. I hope you find this informative and interesting.

Thank you.

Rich Casey

--------------------------------------
Response to AVS Members regarding CHRONOS
Hello AVS Forum Members,

This response may be a bit overdue.

We have been very busy during the past month as we continue to expand our boutique label. We are working on several new HD-DVD and Blu-ray Releases this year.

In the meantime, I wanted to address the concerns of Forum Members regarding our R&B Films approach to current and future HD-DVD and BD releases.

This information is not posted to fuel any debates. Please be respectful and do not use this post as a forum for your likes / dislikes on HD Formats, Encoding Preferences, or the entire 1080P / 1080i debate.

We only wish to answer the questions and resolve any open issues or concerns posted by Forum members. These are the answers to numerous questions I cam across while reviewing this site for information on our titles.

Here is the overview.

• Regarding the HD-DVD / BD Versions of CHRONOS. We stand by our original decision to use MPEG-2 for this title. The title looks superb compared to the original film element.

• The transfer to 1080/24P was taken from the original 65mm IP. The original elements had not been touched in many years. We ran the film through a through cleaning process, not once, but twice.

• We took the project to Crest National in LA as they are the only company in the world who can transfer a 15 Perf Large Format film.

• After cleaning the film, which was on numerous reels, we had to reassemble the entire show to a reference copy to assure it was true to the original.

• Once we reassembled the film, we synced the remixed 96/24 Surround Sound audio track to the new transfer and compared it to the original reference copy for accuracy and timing.

• Once we completed the transfer process, we did a first pass cleanup and color correction.

• I was not satisfied with the first pass, so we went in and did a lot of additional cleanup and image enhancement.

• Once we completed the second pass, we went in and did a third pass with the original Director, Ron Fricke. Ron did some color correction and some final tweaks. After he was finished, he was satisfied and gave the final transfer his stamp of approval

• We went through a similar process with Michael Stearns, the original composer, who remixed and sweetened the audio.

• We transferred the original 2” Analog Masters to 96/24 Digital at Todd A/O Sound in Hollywood using world class ADAC’s.

• The soundtrack was originally designed with a High Center Channel for an IMAX Theater. Michael remixed the audio for a smaller Home Theater Environment.

• Once we had all the final remixed elements in hand, we had the title authored for HD-DVD and DVD using the same lab that does many of the feature film titles that I see people giving top reviews on in the AVS and BD forums.

• We pushed the Video Encode Rates to the maximum for each specific format. We did did not go with a "once encode suits all" approach. We also utilized DTS-HD for HD-DVD and DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless on the BD Version.

• We used DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless and a higher bit rate enclode on the Blu-ray Disc version because of the increased bandwidth available with that format.

• CHRONOS was one of the first HD-DVD titles produced and, at the time, neither VC1 nor AVC could yield the results we achieved with MPEG-2.

• With recent advancements in the development of AVC and VC1, we will most likely use one of these encoding formats for our titles in the future. Our preference at this point is AVC. VC1 still has some issues as far as we can see.

• I am having Microsoft do a fairly comprehensive VC1 test. We will use these encodes in a shootout comparing VC1 to MPEG-2, AVC, and maybe even Tiger….which is a proprietary version of AVC.

• We are using a variety of content for the “Encode Test” with Microsoft. We will use whatever provides us with the best results for our future titles.

• MPEG-2 still looks great if you have the bandwidth. However, AVC and VC1 are clearly more efficient now. They did not yield satisfactory results when we produced this title.

• The HD-DVD was encoded from the 1080/24P D5 master with the proper 2:3 Cadence Flags added. This results in a 1080i / 29.97 Output. Contrary to what several AVS Members believe, this is how HD-DVD encodes are handled by the Toshiba Encoder.

• There is a way to “re-construct” a 1080/24P output from a 1080i encode. The new Toshiba HD-DVD Players state they will output 1080P. However, I do not have any information on how they will achieve that.

• We do notice a slight flicker in the original source material. The HD-DBD and BD versions are true to the original. We believe the slight flicker due in part to the time lapse photography.


I believe this should answer most if not all of the questions people had about this title. We feel that we went above and beyond for a release of this nature taking in to consideration how many units we will will actually sell, the fact that these are new and unproven formats, and the fact that we are a small label.

We plan to release additional products in 3rd / 4th quarter of this year. We plan on a similar treatment for each of them. I will have a new website up soon which will keep Forum Members who are interested up to date.

Thank you to all those folks who support R&B Films. We will continue to release High Performance Arts & Entertainment, Special Venue Films, and Non-Fiction products for all of you to enjoy.

Best regards,

Richard J. Casey
President
R&B Films, Ltd.

[hyperdine]

Rich-Awesome post and great information! It's really amazing how much work you guys put into this project. Especially, for a film that's not a mega-blockbuster. I think it really speaks volumes about the heart and soul of what you're trying to achieve.

Some people get so wrapped up in the politics of codecs, specs, etc. and totally miss the point that you've captured this great film on high-definiton media for all to see. Thanks for sharing your process with us. It's really fascinating.

Gary- I promised to buy you a copy of "Chronos" if Rich posted here, so PM me with your address...unless you already bought it? :-)

[theknub]

rich, thank you for the information about the process you used. it is always appreciated to have inside info like this to learn from

many thanks

[iceman]

Thank you for the informative post Rich, always interesting with insider info, especially from neutral studios with no direct interest in HD-DVD/Blu-ray or any codecs.

[HDJK]

I would also like to thank Rich for this information. After all you have done for this release on the technical side and the information you have provided I think it's finally time to place my order. I am looking forward to seeing what you have put so much heartblood into it. Thank you.

[JBlacklow]

Let me jump in with additional kudos, Rich. You're the first person from a content POV that I've seen go into such detail about your product, and it's very refreshing. You state your opinions, and unlike others "elsewhere", back them up with evidence and real-world experience. You had me interested as a customer with "Chronos", and based on your catalog and your presence, it looks like you've earned me as a customer in the future as well.

ETA: It appears you've been under fire "elsewhere". I find it sad that people who claim to be fans of high-def (although it's possible they're shills in disguise), and those in the industry that disagree with your choices, feel the need to attack you and/or your opinions when you give out useful information. I hope that any needling on our part remains purely positive curiosity.