Got DNR!

[I-Candy]

There has been a lot on this site about grain, DNR and EE. I understand what grain is and why it's necessary, and that DNR removes detail. On my TV I have the black stretch OFF, DNR OFF, MpegNR OFF. I don't want to tweak the movies, I want to see what is on the disc. I only adjust color, brightness, sharpness, etc.

I have never seen Patton or Gangs of New York, so I'm still not sure about how bad DNR can be. Or even if it is bad. Maybe I have movies that have been DNRd to death and I don't know it.

Could someone please look at my collection and tell me if I have DNR movies.

They all look fine to me, and I'm very happy with my Blu-rays and try to convert everyone I talk to. Even though, some aren't much better than the DVDs and Sideways has too much grain for me. I won't toss anything into the trash; just really want to understand what everyone is talking about. I know what DNR is in theory, but not in practice, I think.??

I'm happy. Just curious if my movies are suffering from excessive DNR, I haven't noticed any washed out details or waxy faces, maybe I'm just not picky.

[Blu Titan]

From you list: 10,000 BC and Pan's Labyrinth have noticeable DNR levels.

[SquidPuppet]

Most of yours/ours do. Some just have excessive levels. I agree with Titan that Pans Labrynth is pushing it. Too smooth.

Do you have Netflix? Rent The Arrival if you want to understand disturbingly excess levels. Humans look like video game characters. Skin like dolls.

[I-Candy]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

From you list: 10,000 BC and Pan's Labyrinth have noticeable DNR levels.

Thanks. I'll give them another watch this weekend. Didn't notice anything off the 1st time around.

[tvine2000]

This issue only seems to apply to catalog titles and i just like to know why the studios feel they have to use so much dnr and ee on those titles.

I know one school of thought is pleasing the grain haters. any other thoughts guys?

I also know all bd titles have some dnr applyed to them , why does a title like benjamin button look so good and gladiator so bad? I'm guessing here but it seems to me some studios just don't care or there not checking the check disc.

Bill hunt said months ago that the studios know they need to view these test discs on large screens, yet so far the results show there not, who really knows

All i know is there seems to be a lot of catalog titles reviewed and given a 3.5 for pq ,not all but a lot.
Is this the way bd catalog titles going to look or will the studios give us a better product if they can?

[kpkelley]

Benjamin Button was filmed digitally, so that is not a fair comparison.

[I-Candy]

I don't want to create another thread about grain and DNR and what studios should do. That horse has been beaten way to much.

I really just want to get a first hand experience of DNR being overused. I think I have some films that may have it. not sure. Just looking for suggestions on titles, and scenes would be helpful too, that I could rewatch.

Is it posible to have a thread without debate? Just info.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by I-Candy

I don't want to create another thread about grain and DNR and what studios should do. That horse has been beaten way to much.

I really just want to get a first hand experience of DNR being overused. I think I have some films that may have it. not sure. Just looking for suggestions on titles, and scenes would be helpful too, that I could rewatch.

Is it posible to have a thread without debate? Just info.

About Pan's Lab. are you sure your copy is the U.S. version? the U.K. version doesn't have DNR to my knowledge.

[I-Candy]

Originally Posted by Q!

About Pan's Lab. are you sure your copy is the U.S. version? the U.K. version doesn't have DNR to my knowledge.

My copy is US. I'll watch it agin to look for the DNR that Blu Titan said is there.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by I-Candy

My copy is US. I'll watch it agin to look for the DNR that Blu Titan said is there.

I'll check my U.K. copy tonight then
I haven't seen it yet, I've had it for months...

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by I-Candy

My copy is US. I'll watch it agin to look for the DNR that Blu Titan said is there.

Look at the Moms skin in the opening scenes. Also the fabrics in the opening scenes. Those are very course fabrics and we should see a ton of detail, but its gone. There are more examples, but is just super smooth compared to the theater. I love the movie and was a bit let down when I watched it.

[xradman]

Originally Posted by I-Candy

I don't want to create another thread about grain and DNR and what studios should do. That horse has been beaten way to much.

I really just want to get a first hand experience of DNR being overused. I think I have some films that may have it. not sure. Just looking for suggestions on titles, and scenes would be helpful too, that I could rewatch.

Is it posible to have a thread without debate? Just info.

Worst DNR I've seen to date is The Longest Day. Every face on that movie is like from a wax museum. If you can't see DNR on that movie, consider your self lucky.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by xradman

Worst DNR I've seen to date is The Longest Day. Every face on that movie is like from a wax museum. If you can't see DNR on that movie, consider your self lucky.

Yet it gets 4.5/5 for video on the Blu-ray site ???

I haven't seen the movie, but just from the screen shots, it is DNR city!

[saginawjuggalo]

Most Warners are filtered but your standout DNR titles would be.

Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Pan's Labyrinth
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Skynet)

[saginawjuggalo]

Originally Posted by Q!

the U.K. version doesn't have DNR to my knowledge.

The UK version was done right, the US version wasn't...

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by singhcr

Yet it gets 4.5/5 for video on the Blu-ray site ???

I haven't seen the movie, but just from the screen shots, it is DNR city!

Current Blu-ray.com reviewer Kenneth S. Brown wrote this for High Def Digest:

Originally Posted by Kenneth S. Brown

As I sat evaluating ‘The Longest Day’s 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, a single phrase continually echoed through my mind: Digital Noise Reduction. Apparently someone at Fox decided an early ‘60s war epic would sell more copies if it resembled something the Pixar folks had put together. I wish I was exaggerating.

From the opening shot to the closing credits, skin textures and fine details aren't just haunted by a waxy appearance, they’ve been completely plasticized by an over-exuberant grain scrubber in a bottom-rung production house. At times, it looks as if the actors have been painted onto the screen while, at others, the same actors look as if they’ve been superimposed onto CG-enhanced backdrops. Depth has been erased, the foregrounds don’t naturally coexist with the backgrounds, three-dimensionality has been compromised, and the filmic nature of ‘The Longest Day’ has been sullied. By comparison, the piddling level of DNR applied to ‘Patton’ seems like a complete non-issue. I’m usually quite forgiving when a transfer doesn’t have any other debilitating issues aside from DNR, but it’s so offensive and obvious in this case that I have to protest.

Is there an upside? The contrast of the black and white imagery is strong, blacks are incredibly deep, and shadow delineation is quite revealing. There is no crushing, artifacting, or edge enhancement to speak of. In fact, this Blu-ray transfer offers a remarkable upgrade over the DVD, making its standard definition counterpart look as if it belongs in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart. Even so, that’s not saying a lot. DNR doesn’t usually get me in a huff, but my grandfather would roll over in his grave if he saw this travesty. ‘The Longest Day’ doesn’t look like a film anymore… it looks like a cartoon.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1343/longestday.html

[42041]

Originally Posted by tvine2000

I also know all bd titles have some dnr applyed to them , why does a title like benjamin button look so good and gladiator so bad? I'm guessing here but it seems to me some studios just don't care or there not checking the check disc?

Benjamin Button is new (and shot digitally I think?). Gladiator is old (in terms of digital imaging, anyway). New movies shot on film are scanned from the highest quality camera negatives on high end film scanners as part of the digital workflow, old HD transfers of movies are, from what I've read, are typically scanned from lower quality film elements, and I'm guessing capturing 1080p's worth of resolution from hundreds of thousands of frames at any kind of reasonable speed was a tough proposition in the late 90s/early 00s.

And then I guess someone got it into their heads that whatever issues result from this would be remedied by heavy handed digital filtering..

[GGX]

Originally Posted by singhcr

Yet it gets 4.5/5 for video on the Blu-ray site ???

Thats goes to show you that you cant always trust reviews.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by I-Candy

They all look fine to me, and I'm very happy with my Blu-rays and try to convert everyone I talk to.

I understand you are just trying to educate yourself on the subject, but if you are happy with them, then why does it matter? You voice is the only opinion that matters when it comes to your Blu-ray library. Just my two cents, and I certainly wasn't trying to step on your toes, just making sure you know that no one should tell you your opinion on your own Blu-rays. If you enjoy them, good for you.

[I-Candy]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

I understand you are just trying to educate yourself on the subject, but if you are happy with them, then why does it matter? You voice is the only opinion that matters when it comes to your Blu-ray library. Just my two cents, and I certainly wasn't trying to step on your toes, just making sure you know that no one should tell you your opinion on your own Blu-rays. If you enjoy them, good for you.

Agree 110% I'm not looking to have my opinions changed. Don't want to be a video snob, either. Just don't see what everyone is complaining about when it comes to DNR. Really, I don't see it. Just wondering if I picked the only 50 movies that had not used DNR.

It matters because I plan to get Gladiator soon and I'm just wondering what I'm in store for. Will the DNR be as bad as they say. Or are they all completely nuts. Also, I love red wine, I buy the Vin de Table or 2 buck chuck. To me it is all squashed grapes. I have had expensive wine before, tastes fine but don't see what my wine snob friends are on about. Maybe I'm not picky enough.