The DNR Debate - What Side Are You On?

[JJ]

Although I am sure it has been going on for QUITE some time, after reading the recent review of the Golden Compass on the website, I began to think a little more onto it.

Digital Noise Reduction - or, as we all know, the removing of fine grain from movies (i.e., think Warner titles - Troy, Harry Potter - and some New Line, Pan's Labyrinth, Golden Compass - as well as others) have this postproduction feature applied to them during the Blu-ray processing. It removes grain from the movie, but also removes fine details.

I put Pan's Labyrinth as an example. Some say it has excellent, amazing picture quality - others say the DNR has made it look horrible.

What are your opinions on the matter?

Personally, I have no problem with film grain or not, and I happen to think the PQ of titles with DNR is fantastic - but - the common populace for the most part identifies film grain as not part of the high-definition experience - so perhaps DNR is what helps everyday folk see the biggest difference between DVD and Blu-ray. Then again, to the purist...