Contributor
Top contributor Member since: Dec 2008
Location: East Coast, USA
Blu-ray reviews: 5
Metallica Through the Never (96kHz, 24-bit DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio)
Pony Canyon were charged with the Japanese home video release of
Metallica Through the Never (2013), which came out last April in separate 2D and 3D versions. The 3D version has so far only been included in an expsive limited edition SteelBook set in Japan, which is now sold out.
The 2D edition is, however, still available. It is also region-free.
Pony Canyon employed Japanese
FORS Master Process technology on this release.
The end result is a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track at 96kHz, 24-bit.
It seems that the only other release to sport a 7.1 track is the German / Swiss release from Ascot Elite, which has their track sitting on the disc with 5.1 (why?) and 2.0 tracks, and which, at least on the 3D disc, is 3983 kbps at 48kHz, 16-bit. Perhaps, however, without the 3D stream, Ascot were able to encode it better on the 2D disc? Anyone who can scan it, do let me know below.
I am still trying to pin down exactly what was done by FORS, and exactly whether this is a native 7.1 track or not (one certainly exists).
Regardless, this is the only way I want to watch this concert ever again.
I have watched most of it three times over, and it is clearly superior to the audio on the US versions. Basically, it sounds as if a veil has been lifted, and the audio is much more "open". In comparison, the 48kHz, 24-bit 5.1 track (5132 kbps) on the US release sounds more boxed-in. The extra two channels also make the surrounds more effective, particularly during the narrative sequences.
Don't get me wrong, the track on the US disc is excellent, and before I heard the track on the Japanese release, I was blissfully in ignorance.
But to me, the expense of the Japanese 2D release (roughly $35 plus shipping) was totally worth it. You also get the US extras (and the Japanese version of the trailer, along with some TV spots) on the second disc, which makes the price a bargain for a Japanese release.
Pony Canyon also included a way to watch the film with only the music segments. To be clear, this is not a re-cut of the film, but a seamlessly branched version that jumps over much of the narrative--a bit jarringly at times, too.
Like most Japanese releases, the film auto-starts (with the 7.1 audio), but the main and pop-up menus on the film disc are entirely in English. The menu on the bonus disc is entirely in Japanese. Both menus use "Fuel" like the US version, starting from the same point (after the first line, with the guitars), but where the US version loops after about thirty seconds, Pony Canyon have been kind enough to loop the full song, The menu has 48kHz, 24-bit DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio.
Yes, unfortunately the 2.0 audio on the film is only 48kHz, 16-bit LPCM, but there may have been some bitrate concerns over that, especially if the video encode is similar on the 3D version. In any event, there is a reason to acquire or keep your US copy, which has 48kHz, 24-bit 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio.
BDInfo scans
US version:
3D Disc ,
2D Disc ,
Bonus Disc Example
Code:
Total Video
Title Codec Length Movie Size Disc Size Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track Secondary Audio Track
----- ------ ------- -------------- -------------- ------- ------- ------------------ ---------------------
00000.MPLS AVC 1:32:40 31,439,738,880 33,235,878,565 45.23 31.99 DTS-HD Master 7.1 9292Kbps (96kHz/24-bit) LPCM 2.0 1536Kbps (48kHz/16-bit)
Code:
DISC INFO:
Disc Title: METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER_PG
Disc Size: 33,235,878,565 bytes
Protection: AACS
BD-Java: No
BDInfo: 0.5.8
PLAYLIST REPORT:
Name: 00000.MPLS
Length: 1:32:40.555 (h:m:s.ms)
Size: 31,439,738,880 bytes
Total Bitrate: 45.23 Mbps
VIDEO:
Codec Bitrate Description
----- ------- -----------
MPEG-4 AVC Video 31988 kbps 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
AUDIO:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
DTS-HD Master Audio English 9292 kbps 7.1 / 96 kHz / 9292 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
SUBTITLES:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
Presentation Graphics Japanese 2.130 kbps
FILES:
Name Time In Length Size Total Bitrate
---- ------- ------ ---- -------------
00000.M2TS 0:00:00.000 1:32:40.555 31,439,738,880 45,233
CHAPTERS:
Number Time In Length Avg Video Rate Max 1-Sec Rate Max 1-Sec Time Max 5-Sec Rate Max 5-Sec Time Max 10Sec Rate Max 10Sec Time Avg Frame Size Max Frame Size Max Frame Time
------ ------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
1 0:00:00.000 0:03:43.556 32,101 kbps 44,573 kbps 00:00:16.433 34,628 kbps 00:00:10.427 33,622 kbps 00:00:05.422 167,330 bytes 634,340 bytes 00:00:15.390
2 0:03:43.556 0:01:29.088 30,697 kbps 41,206 kbps 00:04:36.734 33,080 kbps 00:05:06.931 32,803 kbps 00:04:09.916 160,040 bytes 517,334 bytes 00:04:37.527
3 0:05:12.645 0:05:38.838 32,365 kbps 36,941 kbps 00:07:54.724 33,566 kbps 00:08:08.571 33,095 kbps 00:09:42.248 168,737 bytes 494,493 bytes 00:05:13.146
4 0:10:51.484 0:04:05.203 32,372 kbps 36,349 kbps 00:12:20.197 33,321 kbps 00:12:16.152 33,025 kbps 00:12:11.272 168,773 bytes 387,474 bytes 00:12:32.084
5 0:14:56.687 0:04:33.606 32,348 kbps 35,977 kbps 00:16:40.749 33,489 kbps 00:17:41.769 32,998 kbps 00:17:06.859 168,648 bytes 420,660 bytes 00:19:25.372
6 0:19:30.294 0:06:06.532 32,090 kbps 36,290 kbps 00:19:39.469 33,427 kbps 00:20:56.171 33,008 kbps 00:20:51.083 167,303 bytes 452,554 bytes 00:25:29.277
7 0:25:36.826 0:09:02.458 31,732 kbps 37,719 kbps 00:26:15.782 33,655 kbps 00:30:30.036 33,125 kbps 00:30:24.989 165,434 bytes 613,143 bytes 00:32:02.462
8 0:34:39.285 0:05:07.932 32,563 kbps 39,805 kbps 00:37:31.540 34,105 kbps 00:37:27.578 33,399 kbps 00:37:22.573 169,768 bytes 593,164 bytes 00:35:52.775
9 0:39:47.218 0:01:33.384 32,679 kbps 34,987 kbps 00:40:18.874 33,222 kbps 00:40:14.870 32,951 kbps 00:40:09.865 170,375 bytes 308,398 bytes 00:40:19.667
10 0:41:20.603 0:05:43.801 32,491 kbps 38,897 kbps 00:45:15.379 33,784 kbps 00:45:11.375 33,144 kbps 00:43:58.135 169,394 bytes 524,536 bytes 00:45:16.213
11 0:47:04.404 0:08:16.621 32,137 kbps 35,785 kbps 00:52:21.972 33,298 kbps 00:52:17.759 32,980 kbps 00:52:12.963 167,548 bytes 416,590 bytes 00:47:05.239
12 0:55:21.026 0:08:20.750 32,491 kbps 36,449 kbps 00:55:56.853 33,571 kbps 00:55:52.849 33,087 kbps 00:55:47.844 169,394 bytes 536,963 bytes 01:02:34.751
13 1:03:41.776 0:03:15.820 31,761 kbps 37,612 kbps 01:06:00.539 33,397 kbps 01:05:56.535 33,023 kbps 01:05:13.534 165,589 bytes 473,170 bytes 01:06:14.470
14 1:06:57.596 0:05:43.342 31,740 kbps 35,884 kbps 01:07:07.022 33,246 kbps 01:07:03.018 33,008 kbps 01:09:07.518 165,476 bytes 410,348 bytes 01:07:07.732
15 1:12:40.939 0:06:41.818 32,387 kbps 36,778 kbps 01:17:43.492 33,509 kbps 01:18:31.289 33,051 kbps 01:18:26.284 168,850 bytes 467,024 bytes 01:17:44.409
16 1:19:22.758 0:04:59.007 32,063 kbps 36,060 kbps 01:20:20.065 33,456 kbps 01:20:16.061 33,108 kbps 01:20:11.056 167,163 bytes 364,466 bytes 01:20:20.857
17 1:24:21.765 0:08:18.789 30,139 kbps 43,303 kbps 01:26:22.051 33,862 kbps 01:26:18.047 32,881 kbps 01:30:42.270 157,141 bytes 635,039 bytes 01:26:33.938
STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:
File PID Type Codec Language Seconds Bitrate Bytes Packets
---- --- ---- ----- -------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -----
00000.M2TS 4113 (0x1011) 0x1B AVC 5560.472 31,989 22,233,917,024 120,914,653
00000.M2TS 4352 (0x1100) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 5560.472 9,292 6,458,332,844 35,966,456
00000.M2TS 4353 (0x1101) 0x80 LPCM eng (English) 5560.472 1,542 1,072,075,004 6,672,666
00000.M2TS 4608 (0x1200) 0x90 PGS jpn (Japanese) 5560.472 2 1,480,255 8,556
Example Bonus Feature (Disc 2): The Making of
Metallica Through the Never
In English and Spanish, with optional Japanese subtitles, and burned-in English subtitles where necessary.
All bonus features have 48kHz, 24-bit DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio, except the US trailer, which has 48kHz, 24-bit DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. Each bonus feature has optional Japanese subtitles, except the Japanese trailer, which has burned-in Japanese subtitles.
[Show spoiler]
Code:
Total Video
Title Codec Length Movie Size Disc Size Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track Secondary Audio Track
----- ------ ------- -------------- -------------- ------- ------- ------------------ ---------------------
00001.MPLS AVC 1:16:34 16,245,037,056 43,320,404,016 28.29 24.99 DTS-HD Master 2.0 1770Kbps (48kHz/24-bit)
Code:
DISC INFO:
Disc Title: METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER_BN
Disc Size: 43,320,404,016 bytes
Protection: AACS
BD-Java: No
BDInfo: 0.5.8
PLAYLIST REPORT:
Name: 00001.MPLS
Length: 1:16:34.423 (h:m:s.ms)
Size: 16,245,037,056 bytes
Total Bitrate: 28.29 Mbps
VIDEO:
Codec Bitrate Description
----- ------- -----------
MPEG-4 AVC Video 24994 kbps 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
AUDIO:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1770 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1770 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
SUBTITLES:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
Presentation Graphics Japanese 127.797 kbps
FILES:
Name Time In Length Size Total Bitrate
---- ------- ------ ---- -------------
00002.M2TS 0:00:00.000 1:16:34.423 16,245,037,056 28,287
CHAPTERS:
Number Time In Length Avg Video Rate Max 1-Sec Rate Max 1-Sec Time Max 5-Sec Rate Max 5-Sec Time Max 10Sec Rate Max 10Sec Time Avg Frame Size Max Frame Size Max Frame Time
------ ------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
1 0:00:00.000 0:05:50.016 22,270 kbps 38,161 kbps 00:01:29.047 30,484 kbps 00:00:03.336 28,556 kbps 00:00:02.293 116,090 bytes 335,320 bytes 00:05:21.696
2 0:05:50.016 0:06:35.895 27,442 kbps 42,889 kbps 00:07:27.655 39,229 kbps 00:08:41.687 38,775 kbps 00:08:46.317 143,072 bytes 476,614 bytes 00:08:31.802
3 0:12:25.911 0:06:33.142 23,192 kbps 39,135 kbps 00:18:07.628 37,001 kbps 00:16:06.715 33,477 kbps 00:16:05.714 120,912 bytes 332,605 bytes 00:12:46.223
4 0:18:59.054 0:05:48.181 24,460 kbps 39,181 kbps 00:23:56.184 37,102 kbps 00:23:14.810 34,888 kbps 00:23:14.643 127,523 bytes 342,181 bytes 00:19:40.095
5 0:24:47.235 0:05:34.959 23,473 kbps 39,994 kbps 00:29:32.520 37,565 kbps 00:29:38.943 33,876 kbps 00:29:35.482 122,376 bytes 371,041 bytes 00:27:12.130
6 0:30:22.195 0:06:59.919 25,835 kbps 40,538 kbps 00:33:05.608 37,786 kbps 00:36:13.754 33,973 kbps 00:36:09.917 134,690 bytes 337,773 bytes 00:30:38.127
7 0:37:22.114 0:06:31.265 25,817 kbps 38,690 kbps 00:37:34.627 33,512 kbps 00:37:31.582 31,397 kbps 00:37:32.250 134,600 bytes 311,260 bytes 00:41:55.888
8 0:43:53.380 0:05:30.496 27,252 kbps 39,317 kbps 00:45:06.078 37,832 kbps 00:45:11.166 35,551 kbps 00:45:04.868 142,081 bytes 541,976 bytes 00:44:39.968
9 0:49:23.877 0:06:02.028 24,747 kbps 38,999 kbps 00:49:31.760 33,981 kbps 00:49:27.965 31,481 kbps 00:53:15.650 129,020 bytes 260,997 bytes 00:49:30.592
10 0:55:25.905 0:06:43.111 24,747 kbps 39,263 kbps 00:59:33.319 36,979 kbps 00:59:48.960 32,969 kbps 00:59:47.333 129,020 bytes 339,866 bytes 00:55:52.474
11 1:02:09.016 0:05:55.480 22,560 kbps 38,908 kbps 01:07:43.100 33,607 kbps 01:07:42.183 29,500 kbps 01:07:38.804 117,619 bytes 400,130 bytes 01:07:31.255
12 1:08:04.497 0:08:29.926 26,995 kbps 41,502 kbps 01:09:49.143 38,848 kbps 01:11:03.342 38,565 kbps 01:11:00.005 140,749 bytes 640,830 bytes 01:15:57.344
STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:
File PID Type Codec Language Seconds Bitrate Bytes Packets
---- --- ---- ----- -------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -----
00002.M2TS 4113 (0x1011) 0x1B AVC 4594.256 24,995 14,354,059,419 78,075,227
00002.M2TS 4352 (0x1100) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 4594.256 1,770 1,016,533,908 5,967,955
00002.M2TS 4608 (0x1200) 0x90 PGS jpn (Japanese) 4594.256 128 73,393,995 412,432
And just for kicks, the seamlessly branched "Extract Music" option (again NOT a different version of the film):
Note how the audio bitrate during the songs is even higher. Clearly, someone was paying attention.
[Show spoiler]
Code:
Total Video
Title Codec Length Movie Size Disc Size Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track Secondary Audio Track
----- ------ ------- -------------- -------------- ------- ------- ------------------ ---------------------
00001.MPLS AVC 1:21:30 27,852,532,992 33,235,878,565 45.56 32.02 DTS-HD Master 7.1 9576Kbps (96kHz/24-bit) LPCM 2.0 1536Kbps (48kHz/16-bit)
Code:
DISC INFO:
Disc Title: METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER_PG
Disc Size: 33,235,878,565 bytes
Protection: AACS
BD-Java: No
BDInfo: 0.5.8
PLAYLIST REPORT:
Name: 00001.MPLS
Length: 1:21:30.635 (h:m:s.ms)
Size: 27,852,532,992 bytes
Total Bitrate: 45.56 Mbps
VIDEO:
Codec Bitrate Description
----- ------- -----------
MPEG-4 AVC Video 32017 kbps 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
AUDIO:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
DTS-HD Master Audio English 9576 kbps 7.1 / 96 kHz / 9576 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
SUBTITLES:
Codec Language Bitrate Description
----- -------- ------- -----------
Presentation Graphics Japanese 1.167 kbps
FILES:
Name Time In Length Size Total Bitrate
---- ------- ------ ---- -------------
00000.M2TS 0:00:00.000 0:07:21.274 2,513,424,000 45,562
00000.M2TS 0:07:21.274 0:08:01.606 2,768,595,264 45,985
00000.M2TS 0:15:22.880 0:06:06.491 2,107,706,112 46,003
00000.M2TS 0:21:29.371 0:11:57.133 4,110,902,400 45,859
00000.M2TS 0:33:26.504 0:01:23.917 477,319,296 45,504
00000.M2TS 0:34:50.421 0:05:08.474 1,780,220,928 46,162
00000.M2TS 0:39:58.896 0:07:14.809 2,485,419,264 45,729
00000.M2TS 0:47:13.705 0:21:43.969 7,441,427,328 45,653
00000.M2TS 1:08:57.675 0:04:14.212 1,456,567,296 45,830
00000.M2TS 1:13:11.887 0:08:18.748 2,710,951,104 43,480
CHAPTERS:
Number Time In Length Avg Video Rate Max 1-Sec Rate Max 1-Sec Time Max 5-Sec Rate Max 5-Sec Time Max 10Sec Rate Max 10Sec Time Avg Frame Size Max Frame Size Max Frame Time
------ ------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
1 0:00:00.000 0:02:02.330 31,116 kbps 41,206 kbps 00:01:26.419 33,164 kbps 00:00:12.303 32,936 kbps 00:00:07.298 162,167 bytes 517,334 bytes 00:01:27.212
2 0:02:02.330 0:05:18.943 32,345 kbps 36,941 kbps 00:04:44.409 33,566 kbps 00:04:58.256 33,095 kbps 00:06:31.933 168,632 bytes 494,493 bytes 00:02:02.831
3 0:07:21.274 0:04:05.203 32,419 kbps 36,349 kbps 00:09:09.882 33,321 kbps 00:09:05.836 33,025 kbps 00:09:00.957 169,017 bytes 387,474 bytes 00:09:21.769
4 0:11:26.477 0:03:56.402 32,306 kbps 35,977 kbps 00:13:30.434 33,489 kbps 00:14:31.453 32,998 kbps 00:13:56.544 168,402 bytes 379,400 bytes 00:13:34.021
5 0:15:22.880 0:06:06.491 32,259 kbps 36,290 kbps 00:16:29.154 33,427 kbps 00:17:45.856 33,008 kbps 00:17:40.768 168,183 bytes 420,660 bytes 00:16:15.057
6 0:21:29.371 0:06:49.242 31,452 kbps 37,719 kbps 00:23:05.467 33,655 kbps 00:27:19.721 33,125 kbps 00:27:14.674 163,974 bytes 557,913 bytes 00:22:59.544
7 0:28:18.613 0:05:07.890 32,356 kbps 37,049 kbps 00:28:49.394 33,424 kbps 00:32:37.455 33,020 kbps 00:30:44.676 168,688 bytes 613,143 bytes 00:28:52.147
8 0:33:26.504 0:01:23.917 32,646 kbps 39,805 kbps 00:34:21.225 34,105 kbps 00:34:17.263 33,399 kbps 00:34:12.258 170,199 bytes 357,517 bytes 00:34:15.595
9 0:34:50.421 0:05:08.474 32,527 kbps 35,191 kbps 00:39:41.962 33,223 kbps 00:38:33.269 33,006 kbps 00:35:09.107 169,582 bytes 409,809 bytes 00:38:38.190
10 0:39:58.896 0:07:14.809 32,458 kbps 38,897 kbps 00:42:05.064 33,784 kbps 00:42:01.060 33,144 kbps 00:40:47.820 169,235 bytes 524,536 bytes 00:42:05.898
11 0:47:13.705 0:08:24.462 32,230 kbps 36,449 kbps 00:52:46.538 33,571 kbps 00:52:42.534 33,087 kbps 00:52:37.529 168,030 bytes 445,107 bytes 00:55:12.976
12 0:55:38.168 0:03:15.820 32,485 kbps 35,486 kbps 00:58:48.816 33,360 kbps 00:57:39.539 32,988 kbps 00:57:54.762 169,360 bytes 423,040 bytes 00:57:58.433
13 0:58:53.988 0:05:43.342 31,915 kbps 37,612 kbps 01:02:50.224 33,397 kbps 01:02:46.220 33,030 kbps 00:59:42.453 166,388 bytes 536,963 bytes 00:59:24.435
14 1:04:37.331 0:04:20.343 31,677 kbps 35,287 kbps 01:08:54.463 33,165 kbps 01:06:02.041 33,008 kbps 01:05:57.203 165,147 bytes 375,040 bytes 01:08:30.022
15 1:08:57.675 0:04:14.212 32,308 kbps 36,694 kbps 01:13:04.588 33,439 kbps 01:13:00.542 32,976 kbps 01:12:18.751 168,437 bytes 417,215 bytes 01:10:45.115
16 1:13:11.887 0:08:18.748 32,060 kbps 36,778 kbps 01:14:33.177 33,509 kbps 01:15:20.974 33,108 kbps 01:17:00.741 167,133 bytes 626,495 bytes 01:21:14.619
STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:
File PID Type Codec Language Seconds Bitrate Bytes Packets
---- --- ---- ----- -------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -----
00000.M2TS 4113 (0x1011) 0x1B AVC 5560.472 31,989 22,233,917,024 120,914,653
00000.M2TS 4352 (0x1100) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 5560.472 9,292 6,458,332,844 35,966,456
00000.M2TS 4353 (0x1101) 0x80 LPCM eng (English) 5560.472 1,542 1,072,075,004 6,672,666
00000.M2TS 4608 (0x1200) 0x90 PGS jpn (Japanese) 5560.472 2 1,480,255 8,556
I am overjoyed with this Japanese release. If you enjoyed the film, you owe it to yourself to hear this audio.
Last edited by McCrutchy; 07-14-2014 at 09:32 AM .
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Metallica Through the Never (96kHz, 24-bit DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio)
Threaded Mode