Universal PQ BD - Blu-ray Forum

alphadec · 08-27-2008, 07:42 AM

Since U571 the third Universal BD I have bought there is something about the the picture quality of Universal BD.

If you compare Paramount BD to Universal BD you will see a incredible picture quality on Paramount. On Universal BD... the picture is OK but nothing that like on paramount, why. ?

It looks like even if Universal use a BD50 the film is just a port from DVD-HD or is it that they got too much on the disc so the picture quality gets lower.

cueman98 · 08-27-2008, 07:52 AM

I don't know if the video encode is a port, but I thought U-571 looked good compared to Mami Vice. Universal is using DTS-MA audio on their releases though, which is a plus.

alphadec · 08-27-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cueman98

I don't know if the video encode is a port, but I thought U-571 looked good compared to Mami Vice. Universal is using DTS-MA audio on their releases though, which is a plus.

This a hard selection but I think I would like to have killer picture quality then amazing sound.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadec

Since U571 the third Universal BD I have bought there is something about the the picture quality of Universal BD.

If you compare Paramount BD to Universal BD you will see a incredible picture quality on Paramount. On Universal BD... the picture is OK but nothing that like on paramount, why. ?

It looks like even if Universal use a BD50 the film is just a port from DVD-HD or is it that they got too much on the disc so the picture quality gets lower.

It's on a BD25, and U-571 actually looks fantastic. What movies would you compare?

Blu Titan · 08-27-2008, 11:47 AM

Doomsday is a Universal release and looks fantastic!

NoQuestion · 08-27-2008, 11:55 AM

I own all of universal's movies except for scorpion king 2 and I would say that thier transfers are top notch. I havent seen one yet that disappoints.

davcole · 08-27-2008, 01:56 PM

I watched U-571 yesterday and while I can say that I saw less grain than the HD DVD, I can also state that the picture was still very sharp.

alphadec · 08-27-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-News

It's on a BD25, and U-571 actually looks fantastic. What movies would you compare?

Don't know if this is fair to Universal but if u compare "shooter" to any universal bd release you see what I am talking about.

Won't say that Universal Bd is bad but had hoped higher picture quality.

So must say I am very interested to see what "The Thing" BD will look like if U571 is BD50.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadec

Don't know if this is fair to Universal but if u compare "shooter" to any universal bd release you see what I am talking about.

Won't say that Universal Bd is bad but had hoped higher picture quality.

So must say I am very interested to see what "The Thing" BD will look like if U571 is BD50.

U-571 is BD25, I've had it for almost a month now. Shooter hmm, which Universal Blu-ray movies have you seen?

aramis109 · 08-27-2008, 02:29 PM

It's not really fair to compare totally different flicks to each other. When there's more of a stable of movies I'm sure we'll get a better idea of the studio's capabilities.

Different movies have different budgets, film stock, filming conditions, directors, lighting, encoding, et al.

Thus far I've been happy with the two Universal flicks I've recently viewed- The Mummy and U-571. Miami Vice is a completely different animal and if all you're looking for is a grain-free movie then pass on it.

kpkelley · 08-27-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadec

If you compare Paramount BD to Universal BD you will see a incredible picture quality on Paramount. On Universal BD... the picture is OK but nothing that like on paramount, why. ?

WRONG!

Universal has released very good transfers that are indicative of the theatrical releases. They have not been DNR'd or EE'd to oblivion and they all use high bit-rate VC-1 encodes with DTS-HD MA audio tracks.

Paramount has been very inconsistent with their releases some stellar some not with varying codecs and audio options. New releases like Cloverfield and There Will Be Blood look great, but catalog titles like Patriot Games show some overprocessing.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkelley

WRONG!

Universal has released very good transfers that are indicative of the theatrical releases. They have not been DNR'd or EE'd to oblivion and they all use high bit-rate VC-1 encodes with DTS-HD MA audio tracks.

Paramount has been very inconsistent with their releases some stellar some not with varying codecs and audio options. New releases like Cloverfield and There Will Be Blood look great, but catalog titles like Patriot Games show some overprocessing.

Agreed, I don't think he has seen Paramount catalog titles..

kpkelley · 08-27-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-News

Agreed, I don't think he has seen Paramount catalog titles..

Universal seems to have a plan when it comes to there releases, VC-1 and DTS-HD MA. Paramount's inconsistent specs hint that they may be farming out these transfers or not making an effort to provide a consistent high-def signature that fans can expect.

alphadec · 08-27-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-News

Agreed, I don't think he has seen Paramount catalog titles..

Yes he has.

next
trading places
top gun
shooter
hunt for red october.

shooter is the film I always put on to impress people who have never seen BD

ECWaenigma · 08-27-2008, 02:47 PM

I think all of Uni's BDs have been stellar thus far. Paramount's have been great as well, but the lack of HD audio on some catalog releases hurts a bit.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Universal seems to have a plan when it comes to there releases, VC-1 and DTS-HD MA. Paramount's inconsistent specs hint that they may be farming out these transfers or not making an effort to provide a consistent high-def signature that fans can expect.

Actually that isn't true. End Of Days is AVC/MPEG-4, and other upcoming titles will also be AVC.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadec

Yes he has.

next
trading places
top gun
shooter
hunt for red october.

shooter is the film I always put on to impress people who have never seen BD

I guess you missed titles like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider?

kpkelley · 08-27-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-News

Actually that isn't true. End Of Days is AVC/MPEG-4, and other upcoming titles will also be AVC.

End of Days is from Beacon Communications, so perhaps it has something to do with that. Also, End of Days is distributed in other parts of the world by Buena Vista who usually use AVC.

I hope they do go to AVC, because I prefer it over VC-1.

Lucy Diamond · 08-27-2008, 03:10 PM

My friend; Universal gave us a very nice offering with the two Mummy movies and I believe their transfers are far superior to Paramount both in Audio and Video quality.

I have not seen the Thing or U-571 but if they are less then stellar, then I would very much like to point you in the direction ot the original Tombraider and the Italian Job Blu releases from Paramount.

Blu-News · 08-27-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkelley

End of Days is from Beacon Communications, so perhaps it has something to do with that. Also, End of Days is distributed in other parts of the world by Buena Vista who usually use AVC.

I hope they do go to AVC, because I prefer it over VC-1.

The HD DVD encode was VC-1 for End Of Days. Another confirmed AVC title is Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

08-27-2008, 07:42 AM	#1
alphadec Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Norway Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:21 Blu-ray collection:672 DVD collection:23 Prime collection:2 Blu-ray reviews:44	Universal PQ BD Since U571 the third Universal BD I have bought there is something about the the picture quality of Universal BD. If you compare Paramount BD to Universal BD you will see a incredible picture quality on Paramount. On Universal BD... the picture is OK but nothing that like on paramount, why. ? It looks like even if Universal use a BD50 the film is just a port from DVD-HD or is it that they got too much on the disc so the picture quality gets lower.

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08-27-2008, 07:52 AM	#2
cueman98 Active Member Member since:Dec 2006 Blu-ray collection:1	I don't know if the video encode is a port, but I thought U-571 looked good compared to Mami Vice. Universal is using DTS-MA audio on their releases though, which is a plus.

08-27-2008, 11:47 AM	#5
Blu Titan Super Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Edo, Land of the Samurai Home Theater Gallery:42 4K collection:41 Blu-ray collection:2864 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:92	Doomsday is a Universal release and looks fantastic!

08-27-2008, 11:55 AM	#6
NoQuestion Power Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:568 Blu-ray reviews:3	I own all of universal's movies except for scorpion king 2 and I would say that thier transfers are top notch. I havent seen one yet that disappoints.

08-27-2008, 01:56 PM	#7
davcole Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Cincinnati, Oh 4K collection:138 Blu-ray collection:407 Digital collection:25 Blu-ray reviews: 146 Trading Score:9	I watched U-571 yesterday and while I can say that I saw less grain than the HD DVD, I can also state that the picture was still very sharp.

08-27-2008, 02:29 PM	#10
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	It's not really fair to compare totally different flicks to each other. When there's more of a stable of movies I'm sure we'll get a better idea of the studio's capabilities. Different movies have different budgets, film stock, filming conditions, directors, lighting, encoding, et al. Thus far I've been happy with the two Universal flicks I've recently viewed- The Mummy and U-571. Miami Vice is a completely different animal and if all you're looking for is a grain-free movie then pass on it.

08-27-2008, 02:47 PM	#15
ECWaenigma Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Lockport, IL Blu-ray collection:1187 Blu-ray reviews:2	I think all of Uni's BDs have been stellar thus far. Paramount's have been great as well, but the lack of HD audio on some catalog releases hurts a bit.

08-27-2008, 03:10 PM	#19
Lucy Diamond Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Tomb of Annihilation 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:3	My friend; Universal gave us a very nice offering with the two Mummy movies and I believe their transfers are far superior to Paramount both in Audio and Video quality. I have not seen the Thing or U-571 but if they are less then stellar, then I would very much like to point you in the direction ot the original Tombraider and the Italian Job Blu releases from Paramount.

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