List of International BDs with Better PQ, AQ, and/or More Extras

[wesslan]

When Marnie Was There
US - AVC 19619 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.0 3773 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region A locked)
JP - AVC 28897 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.0 3838 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by wesslan

When Marnie Was There
US - AVC 19619 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.0 3773 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region A locked)
JP - AVC 28897 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.0 3838 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)

Done.

[HD Goofnut]

Added City on Fire.

[pathofneo99]

Forgive me if this has been answered, but I'd like to know about the blus that aren't listed here. In the first post it says "If the U.S. version is the most superior version then it will not be listed here." I'm confused as to whether this means the films not listed here ARE superior in US or have the same transfers as other regions and aren't worth mentioning?

I ask because for example, right now Amazon.de has a Sony blu sale (10 for 50euro) and a lot of those titles aren't listed here. Does this mean that all of those German Sony catalogue titles are inferior since their not listed here or would they be the same and I can safely buy those?

Thank you very much HF Goofnut for all your hard work put into this thread. Amazing!

[pathofneo99]

Another silly question for HD Goofnut as he seems to know his stuff. Should I put much emphasis on 16-bit vs 24-bit sound if AQ isn't highlighted as best?

For example, the first 3 Screams have DTS-MA and the difference between US and JP versions is 16-bit and 24-bit. However, you don't have the JP versions as "Best AQ". So in this case, would it not matter? I don't wanna get caught up (too much) into the whole 16 vs 24-bit thing, but unless "Best AQ" is bolded then I'm assuming both discs should have roughly the same AQ.

As a fan of Scream, I'm considering the JP version due to the higher bitrate AVC encode (even if only marginal improvement). But not if it's going to cost me AQ. This is an example I'd like cleared up so I'll know how to use this system of yours.

[Jason One]

Originally Posted by pathofneo99

I don't wanna get caught up (too much) into the whole 16 vs 24-bit thing, but unless "Best AQ" is bolded then I'm assuming both discs should have roughly the same AQ.

That is a safe assumption. In double-blind listening tests, the majority of people will not be able to tell the difference between 24 and 16-bit audio. 24-bit is great for recording, but it's overkill for a delivery format. (And I don't like that it takes more bits away from the video, where it would always be more beneficial, in my opinion.)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by pathofneo99

Forgive me if this has been answered, but I'd like to know about the blus that aren't listed here. In the first post it says "If the U.S. version is the most superior version then it will not be listed here." I'm confused as to whether this means the films not listed here ARE superior in US or have the same transfers as other regions and aren't worth mentioning?

I ask because for example, right now Amazon.de has a Sony blu sale (10 for 50euro) and a lot of those titles aren't listed here. Does this mean that all of those German Sony catalogue titles are inferior since their not listed here or would they be the same and I can safely buy those?

Thank you very much HF Goofnut for all your hard work put into this thread. Amazing!

What this list contains is a record of international (non-U.S.) titles that have an advantage over the U.S. release. For some titles it may be that there is no U.S. BD release. For others it may be that the an international release better PQ, AQ, or more extras.

[Patsfan123]

Originally Posted by pathofneo99

Another silly question for HD Goofnut as he seems to know his stuff. Should I put much emphasis on 16-bit vs 24-bit sound if AQ isn't highlighted as best?

For example, the first 3 Screams have DTS-MA and the difference between US and JP versions is 16-bit and 24-bit. However, you don't have the JP versions as "Best AQ". So in this case, would it not matter? I don't wanna get caught up (too much) into the whole 16 vs 24-bit thing, but unless "Best AQ" is bolded then I'm assuming both discs should have roughly the same AQ.

As a fan of Scream, I'm considering the JP version due to the higher bitrate AVC encode (even if only marginal improvement). But not if it's going to cost me AQ. This is an example I'd like cleared up so I'll know how to use this system of yours.

I wouldn't spend the money on the JP versions. The masters are ancient and shared around the world so it's not going to look any different. You can pick up the US trilogy for under $10 on sale.

This is coming from someone who routinely purchases import copies of movies with slight PQ/AQ advantages..

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by pathofneo99

For example, the first 3 Screams have DTS-MA and the difference between US and JP versions is 16-bit and 24-bit. However, you don't have the JP versions as "Best AQ". So in this case, would it not matter? I don't wanna get caught up (too much) into the whole 16 vs 24-bit thing, but unless "Best AQ" is bolded then I'm assuming both discs should have roughly the same AQ.

Movies of that age have 16-bit digital masters. The extra 8 bits of the 24-bit encoded versions are padded zeros.

[pathofneo99]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

What this list contains is a record of international (non-U.S.) titles that have an advantage over the U.S. release.

Okay. I was just making sure that all the thousands of blus not listed here weren't SUPERIOR in the US, which would be a heck of a lot LOL. Now I understand.

This is the thread of the century for me easily!

[dvdmike]

I picked up the German revenge theatrical cut, know there is a caps comparison but if anyone wants more info I can provide it

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

I picked up the German revenge theatrical cut, know there is a caps comparison but if anyone wants more info I can provide it

I just added it. Is the DE disc region B locked?

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I just added it. Is the DE disc region B locked?

Says B on the back and on the disc, don't have the PC to check she is unwell

[infiniteCR]

Wanted to let you know that The Railway Man appears to have been waterboarded by the Weinstein Co


The UK version looks to be about 7 minutes longer. I don't know if anything else is different, but I own it if there are questions.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by infiniteCR

Wanted to let you know that The Railway Man appears to have been waterboarded by the Weinstein Co


The UK version looks to be about 7 minutes longer. I don't know if anything else is different, but I own it if there are questions.

Done.

[HD Goofnut]

Added God Forgives... I Don't!

[Darth Marcus]

While not as egregious as, say, Fury, the Spanish release of Sicario shows that the black levels and darkness levels of the U.S. release might be a bit high. Here are a few shots where there's much more detailed revealed on the Spanish release. Colors are a bit cooler as well.

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=69614&i=0&l=0

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...69624&i=10&l=0

[Trax-3]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

While not as egregious as, say, Fury, the Spanish release of Sicario shows that the black levels and darkness levels of the U.S. release might be a bit high. Here are a few shots where there's much more detailed revealed on the Spanish release. Colors are a bit cooler as well.

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=69614&i=0&l=0

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...69624&i=10&l=0

It's brighter but there is no actual detail added.

[Darth Marcus]

Originally Posted by Trax-3

It's brighter but there is no actual detail added.

Revealed, not added. In other words, it was there before, but masked by darkness.

[Sky_Captain]

I dunno, I don't really believe that the ES disc is correct, when the US, (and UK as it's the same disc), and German releases are identical brightness/colour wise.