How does this work? - Blu-ray Forum

BStecke · 01-13-2008, 12:06 AM

I wasn't really sure where to put this, so if it needs to be moved, please feel free.

I don't understand "color timing." For example, there are screen shots of different versions of Robocop, and they all look a little different because of the color timing. Here is the page with the differences.

For films shot on film, I don't understand this. To me, the colors should always be the same, since that's what's on the negative. Why then do different transfers of these films have different looks to them? Again, to mention Robocop, some have a very cool blue tint to them, while others have a brownish tint.

Color timing has been an issue on a few Blu-ray releases (Dracula, Robocop, and Halloween to name a few), so I was thinking about why these differences exist in the first place.

WickyWoo · 01-13-2008, 02:39 AM

Because the technician doing the film to video transfer makes different choices, and different equipment sees the film in different ways. Definately whoever did that first MGM disc really pushed the cool blue and the reds too much. 80s movies tend to have very washed out color pallettes, especially low budget ones. If you notice the newest version is very close to the Criterion.

The Criterion version we know was approved by and had the direct involvement of Verhovan, and therefore represents his ideal look of the film.
The Anniversary edition, from whose transfer the Blu is sourced

MouseRider · 01-13-2008, 05:50 AM

Exactly.

There is also the issue that the color gamut, or in simple terms, range of colors or color space, of film is different than that for video which is why adjustments are made during digitization or a telecine transfer.

There are also restoration, color correction and enhancement decisions made during transfer of older masters and damaged or decaying masters.

As WickyWoo correctly pointed out, often the "collector editions" or "director's editions" involve the director's input into the transfer process which would mean that if your system is correctly calibrated, you're seeing what the director wanted you to see.

01-13-2008, 12:06 AM	#1
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	How does this work? I wasn't really sure where to put this, so if it needs to be moved, please feel free. I don't understand "color timing." For example, there are screen shots of different versions of Robocop, and they all look a little different because of the color timing. Here is the page with the differences. For films shot on film, I don't understand this. To me, the colors should always be the same, since that's what's on the negative. Why then do different transfers of these films have different looks to them? Again, to mention Robocop, some have a very cool blue tint to them, while others have a brownish tint. Color timing has been an issue on a few Blu-ray releases (Dracula, Robocop, and Halloween to name a few), so I was thinking about why these differences exist in the first place.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Where do you work?	General Chat	Coqui2k	90	09-13-2009 05:54 AM
How does VC-1 work?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	LeHobbit	5	07-17-2008 01:13 AM
7.1 movies that work and dont work(list inside)	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	saprano	5	07-04-2008 04:09 PM
Will this work ok?	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	shadowman	3	10-20-2007 06:03 AM
Will this work	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	dipset420	24	03-16-2007 08:20 PM

01-13-2008, 02:39 AM	#2
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	Because the technician doing the film to video transfer makes different choices, and different equipment sees the film in different ways. Definately whoever did that first MGM disc really pushed the cool blue and the reds too much. 80s movies tend to have very washed out color pallettes, especially low budget ones. If you notice the newest version is very close to the Criterion. The Criterion version we know was approved by and had the direct involvement of Verhovan, and therefore represents his ideal look of the film. The Anniversary edition, from whose transfer the Blu is sourced

01-13-2008, 05:50 AM	#3
MouseRider Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	Exactly. There is also the issue that the color gamut, or in simple terms, range of colors or color space, of film is different than that for video which is why adjustments are made during digitization or a telecine transfer. There are also restoration, color correction and enhancement decisions made during transfer of older masters and damaged or decaying masters. As WickyWoo correctly pointed out, often the "collector editions" or "director's editions" involve the director's input into the transfer process which would mean that if your system is correctly calibrated, you're seeing what the director wanted you to see.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals