The Abyss 4K UHD (1989)

[PissedOffPeoN]

Im getting la femme nikita tommorrow steel.. maybe its a box to .

[LordoftheRings]

La femme Nikita is in the Abyss? I've never noticed it; I'll need another re-watch.

[Telemachus]

Nikita looks like a film from 1990 on its UHD, clearly James Cameron *should* have fixed it, don't waste money on such trite, let's send a message to the studios how we want our movies to look

[wright96d]

Originally Posted by chrisfratz

I was wondering what the source of the stereo track was myself since I like to take original LD mixes and run them through a process to decode the Dolby matrixed surround into a 5.1 audio track for my plex server. I won't be doing that for a while though because my surround sound setup is currently out of commission (I watched the movie a couple nights ago on my PC with some headphones). Though I might try to seek out a rip of the LD audio because I'm not too fond of the brick walling that's present in the DTS MA stereo track.

Thank you for reminding me I need to edit that post.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=4259

[chrisfratz]

Originally Posted by wright96d

https://slow.pics/c/wVhy4YKP

Please forgive me for my spreading of lies and misinformation. I finally had the idea to run a stereo downmix of the 5.1 on the Blu-ray and compare it to the 2.0 on the 4K, and it would appear that the 2.0 on the 4K is in fact a downmix of the 5.1 on the BD. However - H O W E V E R - the 5.1 on the Blu-ray is actually 4.1, with duplicated mono surrounds, as I pointed out further up thread, so as long as they encoded it as Dolby Surround, it should be a fair approximation of the original mix. (minus the noise reduction and EQ and brickwall limiting and yadayadayada) Unfortunately I have no idea how to tell that. I don't know how to decode a Dolby Surround track on a computer.

I know how to decode Dolby Surround on a PC. I use convert feature on the 32 bit version of the music player Foobar 2000 with the Freesurround DSP plugin. I ran some old Dolby test sounds through it and it passed the tests with flying colors. You can get the plugin here. In the convert menu you can select which DSPs to add and you can change the settings for the DSP, I set it to output a 5.1 audio file with LFE redirection turned on so you get a proper sub track out of it.
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,52235.0.html

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by chrisfratz

I know how to decode Dolby Surround on a PC. I use convert feature on the 32 bit version of the music player Foobar 2000 with the Freesurround DSP plugin. I ran some old Dolby test sounds through it and it passed the tests with flying colors. You can get the plugin here. In the convert menu you can select which DSPs to add and you can change the settings for the DSP, I set it to output a 5.1 audio file with LFE redirection turned on so you get a proper sub track out of it.
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,52235.0.html

Why would you need to do all of this though?

[chrisfratz]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Why would you need to do all of this though?

In my case, I don't have an proper AVR. My surround sound setup is a Logitech Z906, and it doesn't support ProLogic decoding. It has its own upmixing feature but it failed all the Dolby tests I threw at it. And for some movies, the old Dolby Surround or ProLogic mixes sound better than what's on Blu-Ray, like with a Goofy Movie. Because I didn't want a super compressed stereo AC3 track with that movie on my plex server, I grabbed a rip of the LaserDisc audio and decoded it with my software setup into a 5.1 audio track, and it sounded great.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by chrisfratz

In my case, I don't have an proper AVR. My surround sound setup is a Logitech Z906, and it doesn't support ProLogic decoding. It has its own upmixing feature but it failed all the Dolby tests I threw at it. And for some movies, the old Dolby Surround or ProLogic mixes sound better than what's on Blu-Ray, like with a Goofy Movie. Because I didn't want a super compressed stereo AC3 track with that movie on my plex server, I grabbed a rip of the LaserDisc audio and decoded it with my software setup into a 5.1 audio track, and it sounded great.

I suggest you buy a decent receiver then just to save on all the time and effort.

[chrisfratz]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I suggest you buy a decent receiver then just to save on all the time and effort.

I don't have the money for a receiver right now, but thank you for the suggestion. It is my plan to eventually get one since the Logitech speakers I have use standard speaker wire, so all I'd have to do is get a sub (which I have one from my old sound bar setup that I can use) and then hook it all up. To be honest though, I enjoyed the process of figuring this out. I like tinkering. And I like learning about these old formats. The time and effort I spent figuring this out is important because who knows if ProLogic decoding will be in receivers in the future. Old hardware is gonna die eventually, so having software solutions for rendering the old matrixed formats into multi-channel audio is important. And getting the info on how to use these software options allows people to keep these old mixes around in their best form.
Anyway, this is really getting sidetracked from The Abyss. I watched the special edition a few nights ago and really enjoyed it, I think it's up there as one of my favorite movies of all time.

[malicedoom]

A friend of mine loved this film when it came out. I saw it with him in the theater and I didn't think much of it.

So when he went insane after hearing about some sort of 'Special Edition' when it was first announced, I didn't give it much thought.

Then I saw it. Whoa... what a difference. Now I see the point of the film, and really enjoy it. Can't wait to see how it looks on 4K.

[jvonl]

Originally Posted by malicedoom

A friend of mine loved this film when it came out. I saw it with him in the theater and I didn't think much of it.

So when he went insane after hearing about some sort of 'Special Edition' when it was first announced, I didn't give it much thought.

Then I saw it. Whoa... what a difference. Now I see the point of the film, and really enjoy it. Can't wait to see how it looks on 4K.

Despite the usual doom and gloom "pundits" on here, I suspect that you'll enjoy it. It looks and sounds great to me.

[chrisfratz]

Originally Posted by malicedoom

A friend of mine loved this film when it came out. I saw it with him in the theater and I didn't think much of it.

So when he went insane after hearing about some sort of 'Special Edition' when it was first announced, I didn't give it much thought.

Then I saw it. Whoa... what a difference. Now I see the point of the film, and really enjoy it. Can't wait to see how it looks on 4K.

I think it's the best out of these 3 4Ks that Cameron released recently. It's the least unscathed.

[LanceL]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Lance I have no control over the size of my sweat, I find your claim highly dubious

The Abyss is a fictional movie from 1989

Ain't you the one who blocked me? What's up! I always find my claims to be spot on, but that's just my narcissism speaking.

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you

I'm pretty sure that has always been a myth. Much like opinions. They're myths, too.

Originally Posted by sojrner

Preach.

I'll get along with most who allow others opinions and don't get angry with that kinda thing. I'll question why someone has a different perspective. But everyone needs to be able to speak their mind. Even those who hate Nope 2022. I don't get the hate, but hate is still an opinion.

[morris_schaffer]

Hey folks, just a question. This shot above is it a miniature shot? It looked awful in the 4K release. I suspect for a good but unfortunate reason. Likely because it isn't a tangible miniature shot but actual FX.

Still, if someone could enlighten me on why they couldn't get it to look pristine, much appreciated.

[suspiciouscoffee]

Originally Posted by morris_schaffer

Hey folks, just a question. This shot above is it a miniature shot? It looked awful in the 4K release. I suspect for a good but unfortunate reason. Likely because it isn't a tangible miniature shot but actual FX.

Still, if someone could enlighten me on why they couldn't get it to look pristine, much appreciated.

It's a model. That shot bugs me too and I don't know what happened to it. When I saw it on the big screen I wondered if the film element was missing somehow and they had to upscale the DVD, but surely it's something more reasonable like AI just dropping the ball on it.

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by suspiciouscoffee

I wondered if the film element was missing somehow and they had to upscale the DVD, but surely it's something more reasonable like AI just dropping the ball on it.

It's just a bad shot, that's it and as you can see on the screenshot posted by morris_schaffer it was just as bad in the previous HD master. AI has nothing to do with it, actually we should be grateful James didn't try to fix it with his latest toys.

[KcMsterpce]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

AI has nothing to do with it, actually we should be grateful James didn't try to fix it with his latest toys.

I'm sure he would have, but of course we all know he didn't get that far into the movie while approving the transfer.

[sojrner]

Originally Posted by LanceL

I'll get along with most who allow others opinions and don't get angry with that kinda thing. I'll question why someone has a different perspective. But everyone needs to be able to speak their mind. Even those who hate Nope 2022. I don't get the hate, but hate is still an opinion.

Word.

[HDTV1080P]

I still have not gotten around to watching these three classic James Cameron movies, I ended up somehow putting them way in the back on the shelf next to the Star Trek and Doctor Who series. Problem with waiting to watch the best movies and TV series for last, is if someone has many optical discs, ones favorite movies and TV series are never watched again. Might have to in several months or weeks move James Cameron movies closer to the front on the shelf.

One of the reasons James Cameron has less movies made when compared to some people is because he has a second career/hobby as a professional Deep-Sea explorer. Some people take risks and travel into outer space with new commercial spaceship designs, other people like James Cameron travels to the deepest part of the ocean. Most people do not have the time and resources to do both, but it would have been interesting to see James Cameron traveling to outer space and what type of spaceship he would have used to do so. Here are a few select quotes from the Sound and Vision magazine article (The reviewer did not like the image quality of True Lies):

“Across a career now spanning 40 years (if we use the version of his résumé that lists The Terminator as his debut), James Cameron has proven himself as one of our most popular filmmakers. His oeuvre totals fewer than 10 movies, yet they have been much-appreciated mdash; including two that were top box office champs — so newer, superior disc releases are seemingly forever at the top of fans’ wishlists.”

“Three years later, Cameron combined his love of the ocean and storytelling to bring audiences The Abyss, a sometimes-successful attempt to inspire awe as a crew of underwater roughnecks and a few Navy SEALs discover a strange new civilization.”

“The Abyss receives a standout 4K presentation that far surpasses any of the previously available releases. Detail is extraordinary, right down to dirt on the actors’ faces, while searchlights cutting through the blackness of the deep are powerful and dramatic, despite some unfortunate ringing in underwater glows. “

“One could argue that Aliens is one of those cases where the step-up in clarity has a downside, exposing the rough edges of ’80s analog visual effects (which, by the way, landed the film an Oscar). Film grain has not been completely scrubbed away, but if the inherent grittiness of the original release holds much of the charm for you, this cleaned-up version just might be too clean.”

“It’s fitting that True Lies, Cameron’s weakest movie, is the biggest disappointment of the group: the heavy hand of DNR is blatant at times and color and contrast can be wonky with bright highlights appearing harsh and unresolved. I observed excessive strobing in fast-action scenes, an unpleasant distraction seldom seen in respectable 4K masters. “

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...k-blu-ray-last

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by LanceL

I don't get the hate, but hate is still an opinion.

I understand what you are trying to say, but hate is a feeling. If I tell you that I hate something, my feeling is real and therefore a fact.

For example, I REALLY hate all forms of fish and seafood. This is not my mere opinion; I genuinely despise it. No one knows how they feel better than themselves.