Predator

[lkmg]

There are so many Predator versions? Which one is the best in terms or PQ?
- Predator, May 12, 2008
- Predator / Predator 2 (2-Movie Pack), Nov 03, 2008
- Predator Ultimate Hunter Edition, Aug 02, 2010
- Predator Trilogy, Nov 01, 2010

In addition, which has the most extras/bonus features?

[Indiana Jones]

There are 2 different release of Predator, the original with the unmolested picture but no extras which is also the version in the double pack and the Ultimate Edition which has more extras but has gone overboard with DNR, this is also the version in the Trilogy pack.

[Al_The_Strange]

Once the "Ultimate Hunter Edition" came out and I saw the reports of the excessive DNR, I went with the older "unmolested" release, and I was more than happy with it. It is grainy as hell and has dull colors, yes, but this film has always looked this way; I was pleased with the overall sharpness and detail, and I don't think it's as gaudy as people make it out to be. I seriously can't imagine enjoying it knowing that all the people's faces are smeared to hell, and with all the colors turned up to unnatural levels.

The lack of extras didn't bother me; I held onto my 2-disc SE DVD for those.

[Stu123]

Original Predator blu-ray if you have basic film knowledge and Predator Ultimate if you dont.Just to add that the Original release is the same disc that's in the 2 movie pack with Predator 2 .Predator 2 also has some heavy DNR which really spoilt it for me but it's not half as heavy as Predator Ultimate.

[DaveSimonH]

I think the only way you'd get me to buy the Ultimate Hunter Edition would be used at a dirt cheap price, and it would be purely for the extras.

[cheecheung]

Can somebody tell me what DNR means and stands for? From reading your posts I'm guessing it's not a good thing.

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by cheecheung

Can somebody tell me what DNR means and stands for? From reading your posts I'm guessing it's not a good thing.

DNR = Digital Noise Reduction, basically a lazy way of trying to clean up video. Film grain is a natural part of the image, but DNR removes it along with detail in the process. The Ultimate Hunter Edition is one of the, if not the worst case. This picture in the spoiler tab is probably the most used comparison for this release, but it really shows how much detail has been lost to the point it looks unatural;

[Show spoiler]

[RudyC]

umm...for people like me.. DNR means it looks more HD or CGI..cartoony... thats how i explain it.
some movies use it and i like it a lot then someone says it looks like garbage...DNR is a funny thing on video...

maybe get both and decide for yourself.

[BigNickUK]

Its not a major decision, there are only 2 versions.

The original grainy non-DNR'd version which is also the disc in the 1&2 twin pack.

The DNR'd ultimate hunter edition which is also in the trilogy set.

Job done

Stress over

[Aquel]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

DNR = Digital Noise Reduction, basically a lazy way of trying to clean up video. Film grain is a natural part of the image, but DNR removes it along with detail in the process. The Ultimate Hunter Edition is one of the, if not the worst case. This picture in the spoiler tab is probably the most used comparison for this release, but it really shows how much detail has been lost to the point it looks unatural;

[Show spoiler]

Are the titles switched in the screenshots? The 2010 looks more detailed in that one (see the left of Arnie's face), plus the colour of the lamp looks boosted in the 2008 edition (while this was done in the UHE).

[ben996]

personally i prefer the hunter edition, i think the video is great along with the audio and are plenty of extras

[Ben_R]

Originally Posted by ben996

personally i prefer the hunter edition, i think the video is great along with the audio and are plenty of extras

Do you understand why grain is important in films & how bad is your eyesight?

[demiscy]

Originally Posted by Ben_R

Do you understand why grain is important in films & how bad is your eyesight?

Do you understand it's not nice to criticize other people's opinions and personally offending them?

[insomniac013]

Hunter Edition looks like wax figures running about! Get the 2008 release which is how it's supposed to look. Love me some grain!

[Ben_R]

Originally Posted by demiscy

Do you understand it's not nice to criticize other people's opinions and personally offending them?

Calm down dear it was only a question.

However, if I was to criticise, it would be your spelling in an English forum. It's criticise not criticize

[Billz]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

DNR = Digital Noise Reduction, basically a lazy way of trying to clean up video. Film grain is a natural part of the image, but DNR removes it along with detail in the process. The Ultimate Hunter Edition is one of the, if not the worst case. This picture in the spoiler tab is probably the most used comparison for this release, but it really shows how much detail has been lost to the point it looks unatural;

[Show spoiler]

The 2010 picture makes Arnold look like he is made of wood, which would actually be a plus in Arnold's situation!

But the 2008 original release does indeed look a hell of a lot better than the "DNR-ed to death" 2010 release.

Basically, get both. The 2008 version for the, in my opinion, most natural looking picture, and the 2010 version for the bonus features only, unless the same bonus features are on the 2008 edition, in which case, just get the original release.

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by Aquel

Are the titles switched in the screenshots? The 2010 looks more detailed in that one (see the left of Arnie's face), plus the colour of the lamp looks boosted in the 2008 edition (while this was done in the UHE).

Any increases in detail that would have been afforded by the use of the superior AVC codec, and increase in bitrate and filesize (UHE is on a 50GB disc, instead of original release 25GB disc) has been sandblasted away by the heavy handed DNR.

The original 08 release isn't perfect, far from it, but its a damn sight better than its re-release.

[cheecheung]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

DNR = Digital Noise Reduction, basically a lazy way of trying to clean up video. Film grain is a natural part of the image, but DNR removes it along with detail in the process. The Ultimate Hunter Edition is one of the, if not the worst case. This picture in the spoiler tab is probably the most used comparison for this release, but it really shows how much detail has been lost to the point it looks unatural;

[Show spoiler]

Thanks DaveSimonH for explaining.

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by ben996

personally i prefer the hunter edition, i think the video is great along with the audio and are plenty of extras

It's one of my favourite movies and no one wants real heavy intrusive grain on an image but i got a screenshot from both versions that showed the fine detail totally stripped on the Ultimate so people who don't understand what they've done will think it looks clearer because theres no grain.The Ultimate has increased contrast but i think even that gives it an artificial look.The whole point of blu-ray is seeing more detail in the image so if you buy the Ultimate you might aswell of kept your DVD.

[THGhost]

The UHE has the superior transfer. Just watched it now and it looks great, all the grain has been removed making the picture crisp and crystal clear.

EDIT: Please excuse my brother. We used to share this account and he didn't know a lot about film or how films are made back when he made this post and the posts that followed. He's been to film school now and we now have separate accounts, I have full control over this one. My apologies for his controversial opinions.