Lawrence of Arabia 4K UHD (1962)

[algoncer]

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.
It´s obvious that the streaming version has more fine detail, despite being heavily compressed. That means the original file for the streaming version had even better quality and a fine layer of grain which is gone because of the compression. If the all the reviewers say this UHD release is so good, then what´s the technical explanation for this difference?Sure they can explain it, with all their knowledge.
And yes, I´ve compared both the screenshots from the disc and the disc and they have the same sharpness.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3874

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3876

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3877

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3878

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3879

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3880

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3881

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3882

[andreasy969]

Originally Posted by algoncer

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.

[Show spoiler]It´s obvious that the streaming version has more fine detail, despite being heavily compressed. That means the original file for the streaming version had even better quality and a fine layer of grain which is gone because of the compression. If the all the reviewers say this UHD release is so good, then what´s the technical explanation for this difference?Sure they can explain it, with all their knowledge.
And yes, I´ve compared both the screenshots from the disc and the disc and they have the same sharpness.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3874

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3876

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3877

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3878

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3879

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3880

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3881

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3882

Thanks. You're my hero of the month. I didn't check back if the UHD caps are correct, but this is exactly what I'm talking about. I wouldn't nitpick if the UHD looked liked that fine detail wise (and I'm sure it doesn't) - I'm not a pixel peeper, I'm more of a general impression guy and the UHD looks too soft to me.

[awp69]

Originally Posted by algoncer

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.
It´s obvious that the streaming version has more fine detail, despite being heavily compressed. That means the original file for the streaming version had even better quality and a fine layer of grain which is gone because of the compression. If the all the reviewers say this UHD release is so good, then what´s the technical explanation for this difference?Sure they can explain it, with all their knowledge.
And yes, I´ve compared both the screenshots from the disc and the disc and they have the same sharpness.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3874

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3876

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3877

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3878

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3879

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3880

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3881

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3882

Yep, didn't have the screenshots to compare but this was exactly my thought. I believed even the iTunes SDR version was sharper than it was after Dolby Vision was added with the disc release.

[punisher]

you mean I wasn't wrong about the streaming of LOA on VUDU......



I have the disc en route to see for myself. I'm a physical media guy but I am impressed by the VUDU presentation in DV. Hope it gets here soon so I can follow up.

[koberulz]

Is there any chance what we're seeing in the caps in an HDR-to-SDR thing? That obviously wouldn't apply to the SDR version.

[zen007]

The 4K SDR version is among my favorite transfers. A couple of areas where it could have been improved is through the use of WCG and optimizing dark scenes through HDR, with the rest remaining more or less untouched.

[lgans316]

So the UHD is not any longer the best it has ever looked then?

[Pans]

Originally Posted by algoncer

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

...

If you had PNG versions of these caps it'd be great, since a cursory application of sharpening (unsharp mask) on the UHD version of the first shot brings it to a similar appearance but also sharpens the JPEG artifacts making the comparison inexact.

I'm curious to check how much is additional detail and how much is sharpening.

[andreasy969]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Is there any chance what we're seeing in the caps in an HDR-to-SDR thing? That obviously wouldn't apply to the SDR version.

Not really - it's not very bright and HDR=>SDR doesn't really affect the detail unless we're talking about blown out bright stuff.

Originally Posted by Pans

If you had PNG versions of these caps it'd be great, since a cursory application of sharpening (unsharp mask) on the UHD version of the first shot brings it to a similar appearance but also sharpens the JPEG artifacts making the comparison inexact.

I'm curious to check how much is additional detail and how much is sharpening.

Here's a png of the first one. Mapped to 200 and 419 (the max) and with retaining as much detail as possible.



Other than me getting completely different colours (and getting rid of the yellow tint), the detail is exactly the same as the jpg and the UHD is softer.

And again, it's by no means bad, it's just too soft and lacking a certain crispness, which the web rip has without looking sharpened/whatsoever. (the web compression is crap though of course )

Don't have time for the others.

[brian9229]

Oh dear God this thread...

[Blu Cider]

Originally Posted by algoncer

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.
It´s obvious that the streaming version has more fine detail, despite being heavily compressed. That means the original file for the streaming version had even better quality and a fine layer of grain which is gone because of the compression. If the all the reviewers say this UHD release is so good, then what´s the technical explanation for this difference?Sure they can explain it, with all their knowledge.
And yes, I´ve compared both the screenshots from the disc and the disc and they have the same sharpness.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3874

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3876

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3877

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3878

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3879

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3880

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3881

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3882

SDR stream looks way better in most of these. That's slightly dissappointing. I watched disc 1 from the UHD boxset last night and there is very little if any uptick in details compared to the blu-ray. Don't get me wrong, it's still a magnificent presentation and the colours are way better on UHD but I can't help feeling just a tad underwhelmed with this.

[Pans]

Originally Posted by andreasy969

Here's a png of the first one. Mapped to 200 and 419 (the max) and with retaining as much detail as possible.

Appreciated. After a lossless comparison it does appear the stream version has retained more detail which isn't merely brought out by sharpening in the UHD BD version. Color me unexpectedly impressed.

[LoSouL]

Just watched this from the collection. Looked absolutely incredible. Awe inspiring.

[infiniteCR]

I’ll be really disappointed in this if my Japanese BD turns out to be better.

[afr52]

Well, until this gets a UHD disc release of its own, I went and bought the Vudu 4K digital based on the reviews here. Couldn't resist that low price. Thanks for sharing your views on the quality of the Vudu stream. Will watch it this weekend.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by algoncer

I have uploaded a comparison between the UHD disc and the Web-DL.
It´s obvious that the streaming version has more fine detail, despite being heavily compressed. That means the original file for the streaming version had even better quality and a fine layer of grain which is gone because of the compression. If the all the reviewers say this UHD release is so good, then what´s the technical explanation for this difference?Sure they can explain it, with all their knowledge.
And yes, I´ve compared both the screenshots from the disc and the disc and they have the same sharpness.

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3873

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3874

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3876

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3877

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3878

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3879

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3880

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3881

https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/3882

Jesus Christ. The UHD disc looks like a Blu-ray, although the colour in your SDR conversion is way off as Andreas has proved.

Originally Posted by Pans

If you had PNG versions of these caps it'd be great, since a cursory application of sharpening (unsharp mask) on the UHD version of the first shot brings it to a similar appearance but also sharpens the JPEG artifacts making the comparison inexact.

I'm curious to check how much is additional detail and how much is sharpening.

I tried applying some gentle sharpening to the UHD when watching it, the Reality Creation on Sony TVs is very good at giving stuff a bit of extra kick without it looking horribly oversharpened, very much like an unsharp mask would do. I don't use it for critical viewing but when I know a UHD has been filtered e.g. Oblivion or Deadpool 2 theatrical cut then I'll give it some zing. Unfortunately it made the mediocre compression on the Lawrence UHD look significantly worse, the grain in the skies becomes an outright blocky mess.

[Vangeli]

Wow. That’s bad.

[Scottishguy]

Why Geoff must you be such a technical wizard that destroys the illusion of magic.

[zen007]

I won’t be surprised if UHDs provide placebo effect to many

[Fendergopher]

Originally Posted by zen007

I won’t be surprised if UHDs provide placebo effect to many

In what way?