Gladiator (2000)

[Irrob]

I'm not falling for all the hysterics based on screenshots alone. My pre order stays and I'll take the Blu-ray over any other medium available.

[SBrooks1]

Originally Posted by Irrob

I'm not falling for all the hysterics based on screenshots alone. My pre order stays and I'll take the Blu-ray over any other medium available.

There are many people including myself who have seen it in motion and agree with the screenshots. To each his own...

[Godbluffer]

It's definitely not an issue of "same frame" or not; all theatrical version shots look to some degree problematic, all extended version shots look like reference material. The Braveheart screenshots on the other hand look uniformly excellent.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Uh, it's not the same frame.

Now capture that exact frame from both versions. An object in motion is going to have varying levels of detail.

This was my first thought as well. I will use my own eyes to view the actual movie in motion before judging.

[Chrysagon]

Originally Posted by Godbluffer

It's definitely not an issue of "same frame" or not; ALL theatrical version shots look problematic, ALL extended version shots look like reference material. The Braveheart screenshots on the other hand look uniformly excellent.

If true, and I don't doubt you, then people who want Gladiator shouldn't hesitate to buy it -- simply watch the Extended version. That is good news.

[Chrysagon]

Originally Posted by Godbluffer

Nope, it's done by seamless branching, so only those extra scenes look outstanding.

Okay -- so back to disappointment. Apparently someone was overzealous with DNR in the theatrical version but the person who added in the Extended scenes knew what he was doing.

[Godbluffer]

And it's not just an issue with DNR and EE. The color space of the extended version is also more eh... extended. Have a look, the 2nd shot clearly has a wider color space, it's more nuanced and just prettier.

Blu-ray Theatrical:


Blu-ray Extended:

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

If memory serves, the extended cut dvd was a whole new transfer. I recall it looking smooth and film-like, while the old dvd was very digital looking, with quite a bit of EE.

I'm getting the feeling that the master for the old dvd was used for the Blu-ray, while they only took the extended scenes from the more recent release. Why anyone would think that was a good idea is beyond me.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Why anyone would think that was a good idea is beyond me.

It was probably somehow cheaper/easier to do.

[blu2]

Originally Posted by Godbluffer

And it's not just an issue with DNR and EE. The color space of the extended version is also more eh... extended. Have a look, the 2nd shot clearly has a wider color space, it's more nuanced and just prettier.

Blu-ray Theatrical:
<snip>

Blu-ray Extended:
<snip>

Wow. That looks like a very significant quality difference between the two. A story of what could have been.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by onemorechance

hmm cant wait to get gladiator

does anyone know or understand what is behind the sapphire series..havent read much into it..will these movies be recieving more attention than normal during the transfer periods?

Obviously not Gladiator, but I will still be getting the SteelBooks. I am disappointed and I am hoping the German SteelBook has a better transfer from Universal Studios

[Kirsty_Mc]

I'm going to wait and see what Gladiator looks like when I get my copy.

There seems to be a general consensus that the problems (if they exist) are due to the transfer... Perhaps they are inherent in the film from which the movie was transferred. Perhaps the extended scenes look better (if they do) because the filmstock has not been mucked about with as much readying the movie for it's original theatrical release.

Only a thought.

[Blurayfan88]

It never seems to amaze me how picky some people can be in regards to DNC and edge enhancement, so you're not going to purchase a film because its too sharp? Youre not going to get a better quality disc than what paramount is producing so either you buy it or not. I doubt they're ever going to redo the transfer and if you're waiting for another region I wouldnt rest my hopes on that, Universal will probably use a simliar encode or purchase the one from Paramount which they've done before for other regions, plus itll probably be region locked as well, anyone that was here since the beginning when HDDVD was in existence knows region coding was one of the reasons for pushing studios towards bluray so why complain about it now.

In reference to the images posted earlier in this forum, the difference between the extended and normal edition are virtually indistinguishable and if you're one of those few that actually claim to notice a difference then you should realize that the actual scene of the frame is not an "extended scene" therefore any difference would refer to a complete difference in transfer. If thats the case than there must be a complete different transfer for the extended edition. Therefore if you're one of the few to notice any "difference" you're deluding yourself because as it is noted on dvdbeaver the extended scenes were seamlessly branched. However if in fact the scenes originate from a different transfer of the film, DVD beaver is wrong but it would seem highly unlikely that Paramount would do another whole transfer just for the extended edition. That means everyone who claims to see a difference between the two images is deluding themselves.

[Godbluffer]

Originally Posted by wsciv123

I will be purchasing both on the same day. Both are great movies. William Wallace just continues the theme of freedom that Maximus started...

Just make sure to have a look at some screenshots of Gladiator a few pages back before you possibly get disappointed.

[Halfwasted]

For those thinking that this is not a huge deal check these caps out!

US Blu-ray
HDTV Broadcast

You can easily see the flaming arrows disappear on the Blu-ray because of the EE and DNR...

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Blurayfan88

It never seems to amaze me how picky some people can be in regards to DNC and edge enhancement

What does the Democratic National Commitee have to do with Gladiator?

Seriously though, while some people are eager to make a tempest in a teapot, DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) can impact the image if it's applied too much. Edge enhancement can introduce some nasty artifacts and is a lot more noticeable on large displays.

That said, lately people have made a big deal about certain titles (the Star Trek collection and Terminator 2: Skynet) where there is some, but it's not the horror some make it out to be.

The issue here is people crying "wolf" when there is no problem at all (Baraka).

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

What does the Democratic National Commitee have to do with Gladiator?

Seriously though, while some people are eager to make a tempest in a teapot, DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) can impact the image if it's applied too much. Edge enhancement can introduce some nasty artifacts and is a lot more noticeable on large displays.

That said, lately people have made a big deal about certain titles (the Star Trek collection and Terminator 2: Skynet) where there is some, but it's not the horror some make it out to be.

The issue here is people crying "wolf" when there is no problem at all (Baraka).

To be honest, Pete? I doubt those ancient Star Trek movies can look much better than they do, really. Gladiator might be incredible, if they ported off the right transfer, I hope Braveheart is RQ though, Sophie Marceau is quite the looker.

[richieb1971]

I think its a bad sign that this new Sapphire series of movies is showing problematic transfers already. Hardly sets the standard for future releases does it?

[Kinsella5]

Originally Posted by richieb1971

I think its a bad sign that this new Sapphire series of movies is showing problematic transfers already. Hardly sets the standard for future releases does it?

For the most part the Paramount Blu-ray's in my opinion have been less than stellar (Mission Impossible films, and Tommy Boy to name a few), but I hope they can pull something off with this new line. The reviews I have read all seem positive, but I have noticed a lot of opinions from different people here based on some screenshots and unknown if these people have actually watched the Blu-ray release yet or are just commenting on things they have heard, read, or saw elsewhere. Remember, everyone is different, so what one person may not like, may mean someone else will love it.

Braveheart is a must own, regardless of how it looks. I had the pleasure of assisting the screenwriter Randall Wallace, one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, and I will always remember when the film made it's world premiere here in Seattle in 1995 at the Seattle International Film Festival.

Gladiator I will probably get too, the $10 upgrade rebate for each title helps too since I still have them both on DVD, and I figure will probably only run about $10 each after the rebate for me so they are worth it.

[metallic]

In reference to the images posted earlier in this forum, the difference between the extended and normal edition are virtually indistinguishable and if you're one of those few that actually claim to notice a difference then you should realize that the actual scene of the frame is not an "extended scene" therefore any difference would refer to a complete difference in transfer. If thats the case than there must be a complete different transfer for the extended edition. Therefore if you're one of the few to notice any "difference" you're deluding yourself because as it is noted on dvdbeaver the extended scenes were seamlessly branched. However if in fact the scenes originate from a different transfer of the film, DVD beaver is wrong but it would seem highly unlikely that Paramount would do another whole transfer just for the extended edition. That means everyone who claims to see a difference between the two images is deluding themselves.

Im sorry but the difference is not indistinguishable, I think it is clear that the extended scenes are from a different transfer to the theatrical master (which is more than likely made for the the original dvd release), and then seamlessly branched on the disc.

They exhibit none of the horrible edge enhancement and DNR that are all over the theatrical scenes. For a big release like this there should of been a new transfer of the theatrical print to match the extended scenes, however that is not going to happen now and anyone who wants to see Gladiator in "High Definition" will to just lump it.