Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Arkadin]

see his review here--
it is quite the condemnation.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...eth-in-blu-ray

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

I'm really disappointed after reading reviews of Spartacus. I'm still going to buy it, but it's sad that Universal apparently has little respect for one of the greatest films in its library.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well RAH is a very respected film archivist so I would think his opinion is pretty damn accurate.
he has commented on a number of poor releases over the past few years, and a number of reviewers have ended up amending their reviews to reflect his opinions.
Patton comes to mind immediately.
He was the one reviewer at the time who accurately discussed how waxy and unnatural looking it was due to excessive dnr.
Every other reviewer missed it, and raved about that release.
now, everyone regards that bd as one that should have been much better.
He is clearly able to discern problematic instances of excessive digital manipulation far better than almost any other blu-ray reviewer imo.

I'm not saying he's is wrong, all I am saying is that to me, it looks great. I can't think of many bad things to say about the Elizabeth Blu-ray, I find it to be both an excellent film and Blu-ray release.

[Arkadin]

well the overall point is that Universal has come under attack for a number of extremely poor blu-ray catalog releases, whether Elizabeth is even included or not, and I want to know what they are thinking about this development if anything.
these are some very high profile catalog releases.
Do they agree?
do they care?
do they have any opinion whatsoever about what people are saying about their current competence level in releasing quality catalog bd releases?

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

see his review here--
it is quite the condemnation.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...eth-in-blu-ray

There must be something wrong with me?? I thought "Elizabeth" was an absotulely stunning Blu-ray transfer, gorgeous PQ and AQ. Just wonder if my set-up makes BD'S look great even if the transfer is not that great??

[Arkadin]

well I know he blows it though a projector onto a big screen, and I'm sure that has something to do with what he notices.
I just read the reviews, I don't write them.
I'm just trying to figure out what in the world is going on with Universal and these films, and I'm sure the guys in this thread have some insight into what is going on.

[thebluemax]

Bottom line, I guess I will just ignore reviews especially from expert Mr. Harris. Whatever transfers he hates, I appear to love. The only recent BD release I was not crazy over was "Toumbstone".

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well I know he blows it though a projector onto a big screen, and I'm sure that has something to do with what he notices.
I just read the reviews, I don't write them.
I mean I'm just trying to figure out what in the world is going on with Universal and these films.

I watch on a 60" Kuro, so it is not exactly a small screen,

[Arkadin]

yeah I have a Kuro also, but only a 50 inch model.
I have the HD DVD, and may rent this bd to compare the two.
anyway, maybe these guys can offer some insight soon.

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by Danielle Ni Dhighe

I'm really disappointed after reading reviews of Spartacus. I'm still going to buy it, but it's sad that Universal apparently has little respect for one of the greatest films in its library.

Where are the reviews? Just for the record I hate the movie save for Alex North's brilliant score.

[Jeff Kleist]

Universal has taken a savage beating from many people recently due to less that stellar catalog bds including "Elizabeth", "Out of Africa", and now Spartacus.
In his review of the recent bd release of Elizabeth, Robert Harris has now called for Universal to stop issuing catalog blu-rays completely for the "sake of film".
my question is this--Is Universal aware of this recent barrage of criticism, and do they think there is anything that they are doing wrong with their bd transfers?
Or are they, in fact, confident they are absolutely putting forth the best effort they are capable of with these releases.
thanks in advance.

If it was on HD DVD, count on them porting it instead of redoing it for the most part, because it saves money. It's the same reason why all their discs are templated.

[Arkadin]

thanks for the reply.
so are you saying that they are doing the best job they could with these bd releases?
Out of Africa wasn't ever on red I don't believe.
Has there been any attempt by the digitalbits to ask them about that release and the complaints regarding it?

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

There must be something wrong with me?? I thought "Elizabeth" was an absotulely stunning Blu-ray transfer, gorgeous PQ and AQ. Just wonder if my set-up makes BD'S look great even if the transfer is not that great??

you bring up a great point-- reviews are to be taken with a grain of salt due to size of TV and desired picture settings--

I actually use a custom (calibrated) setting for most older blu-ray titles, but I prefer the much-hated Vivid settings for eye candy releases like AVATAR, SPEED RACER, Pixar titles, etc

[Jeff Kleist]

so are you saying that they are doing the best job they could with these bd releases?

Is it the best it can look? No. Is it the best it can look with the budget they are likely being allotted? Yes, because they have no money for new scans, cleanup etc in it

[Arkadin]

gotcha.
that's what I figured.
thanks again for the replies.

[Vincent Pereira]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

Bottom line, I guess I will just ignore reviews especially from expert Mr. Harris. Whatever transfers he hates, I appear to love...

So you love the original Blu-ray of GANGS OF NEW YORK? You love the Blu-ray of OUT OF AFRICA?

Vincent

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

If it was on HD DVD, count on them porting it instead of redoing it for the most part, because it saves money. It's the same reason why all their discs are templated.

Jeff,

The HD DVD of "Elizabeth" didn't look bad at all by my recollection. I'd be curious if this got any new work done to it.

[Jeff Kleist]

I've only seen it on DVD, so I can't say either way.

Though I will say that any studio that's thinking that they can just send an old master out for a bit of scrubbing, especially if that master has been seen in HD before is fooling themselves. People will notice, and all it's going to do is blow up in your face. Uni needs to seriously rethink what they're doing with their catalog and stop sending half-assed rehashes out there.

I'm personally glad they pulled Tremors, the HD DVD was terrible, and since there's a new movie coming, it's a much better idea to hold it till then and have time to redo it.

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I've only seen it on DVD, so I can't say either way.

Though I will say that any studio that's thinking that they can just send an old master out for a bit of scrubbing, especially if that master has been seen in HD before is fooling themselves. People will notice, and all it's going to do is blow up in your face. Uni needs to seriously rethink what they're doing with their catalog and stop sending half-assed rehashes out there.

I'm personally glad they pulled Tremors, the HD DVD was terrible, and since there's a new movie coming, it's a much better idea to hold it till then and have time to redo it.

I agree. Sony is thus far doing the best job with catalog as far as I'm concerned. Warner's classic titles get a lot of TLC as well. Fox and Uni are very inconsistent.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

If it was on HD DVD, count on them porting it instead of redoing it for the most part, because it saves money. It's the same reason why all their discs are templated.

I'll be very happy when they run out of HD DVD ports. Blu-ray releases should not be "optimized for an inferior format"