The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition) (2001-2003)

[Chumpster99]

The new Extended set seems to have been pushed back same as everywhere else here in Canada, but the new Theatrical set seems to have been released here already. Saw a few copies at a local Walmart for 25 Canadabucks. Was very tempted to pick it up for giggles but in the end decided not to.

Really hope Caps-A-Holic ends up including these new trilogy BDs for comparison - unless the 1080p versions have been fudged about extra somehow, these should *hopefully* finally put to bed the idea that the UHD version is anything more or less than a sharpened upscale from 2k. (Which isn't even a bad thing at all really - there are other, far more controversial decisions made with the UHD, love it or hate it, and I think trying to do a legit 4k transfer of three films of this scale would be an unreasonable expectation anyways. Just kinda wish everyone was on the same page about it.)

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Chumpster99

The new Extended set seems to have been pushed back same as everywhere else here in Canada, but the new Theatrical set seems to have been released here already. Saw a few copies at a local Walmart for 25 Canadabucks. Was very tempted to pick it up for giggles but in the end decided not to.

Really hope Caps-A-Holic ends up including these new trilogy BDs for comparison - unless the 1080p versions have been fudged about extra somehow, these should *hopefully* finally put to bed the idea that the UHD version is anything more or less than a sharpened upscale from 2k. (Which isn't even a bad thing at all really - there are other, far more controversial decisions made with the UHD, love it or hate it, and I think trying to do a legit 4k transfer of three films of this scale would be an unreasonable expectation anyways. Just kinda wish everyone was on the same page about it.)

Yeah, hoping we get some caps from someone soon.

[Captain Keen]

Originally Posted by karsten

Hold on -- they put B&W shots in the Two Towers? WTH?

Yup, there are a few shots that are basically completely B&W now. You can see an example here: https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/91...uhdbluray.html

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Chumpster99

The new Extended set seems to have been pushed back same as everywhere else here in Canada, but the new Theatrical set seems to have been released here already. Saw a few copies at a local Walmart for 25 Canadabucks. Was very tempted to pick it up for giggles but in the end decided not to.

Really hope Caps-A-Holic ends up including these new trilogy BDs for comparison - unless the 1080p versions have been fudged about extra somehow, these should *hopefully* finally put to bed the idea that the UHD version is anything more or less than a sharpened upscale from 2k. (Which isn't even a bad thing at all really - there are other, far more controversial decisions made with the UHD, love it or hate it, and I think trying to do a legit 4k transfer of three films of this scale would be an unreasonable expectation anyways. Just kinda wish everyone was on the same page about it.)

Hmmm. That they're 2K upscales and are controversial because of it isn't really the issue, the controversy is that people with far more "online cred" than you or I are of the belief that these ARE "legit 4K transfers" - nope - and that they truly don't have a fookin clue about what they're talking about.

If anything the reaction to the Hobbitses on UHD was even more telling, those things are sharpened beyond belief with some noise reduction slathered on top and they've gotten rave reviews across the board. I guess the old tricks are always the best ones.

[Chumpster99]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Hmmm. That they're 2K upscales and are controversial because of it isn't really the issue, the controversy is that people with far more "online cred" than you or I are of the belief that these ARE "legit 4K transfers" - nope - and that they truly don't have a fookin clue about what they're talking about.

If anything the reaction to the Hobbitses on UHD was even more telling, those things are sharpened beyond belief with some noise reduction slathered on top and they've gotten rave reviews across the board. I guess the old tricks are always the best ones.

Yeah, that's what I was sorta getting at. I don't think them being 2k upscales ought to be a scandal - but it's disheartening to see a lot of people - and sites, still get the facts so thunderously and confidently wrong. I just want more honest and informed discussion/documentation around it - especially as many tout the '4k 35mm negatives rescan with only 2k vfx shots upscaled' as a selling point.

As for the Hobbit movies I've truthfully not paid a ton of attention to them. Grew up with the LOTR movies and they're dear to me, but I was crushingly disappointed by the first Hobbit after having read the book just before, and opted not to potentially punish myself with two more movies I might not like. It's a damn shame for those who enjoyed them though, looking at the caps the sharpening looks kinda wild.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Chumpster99

Yeah, that's what I was sorta getting at. I don't think them being 2k upscales ought to be a scandal - but it's disheartening to see a lot of people - and sites, still get the facts so thunderously and confidently wrong. I just want more honest and informed discussion/documentation around it - especially as many tout the '4k 35mm negatives rescan with only 2k vfx shots upscaled' as a selling point.

As for the Hobbit movies I've truthfully not paid a ton of attention to them. Grew up with the LOTR movies and they're dear to me, but I was crushingly disappointed by the first Hobbit after having read the book just before, and opted not to potentially punish myself with two more movies I might not like. It's a damn shame for those who enjoyed them though, looking at the caps the sharpening looks kinda wild.

The ironical thing is that a certain site which gushed like the falls over LOTR (and provided the false “4K rebuild” narrative in the first place) has been tearing Inglourious Basterds a new one because “it’s not a new 4K scan” on UHD, yet it’s far more successful at what it does on UHD IMO despite both being upscales. Seems like all people have to do is convince themselves that something is “true 4K” and they’ll literally call it the greatest upgrade ever seen. But if they convince themselves it’s 2K then it’s dogshit.

[Padawan9188]

So the consensus is that the re-issue is probably not worth it and to grab the 2012 edition for $30?

[DukeTogo84]

Looks like someone is selling new remastered Blu-rays on Ebay. Theatrical, but hoping we get some screenshots of this soon.

[oubukibun]

When someone here gets his or her hands on the theatrical remasters, please let us know if the trailers are still on the discs.

That’s really the only reason I’d go for them and discard my old copies.

Thanks!

[mishal]

Why buy this release when there is a 4K (Extended Version) already out? Will it be more superior tan the 4K?

[Chumpster99]

Originally Posted by mishal

Why buy this release when there is a 4K (Extended Version) already out? Will it be more superior tan the 4K?

The 4k has HDR, but that'll be the only big advantage it has over this BD. The 4ks are upscaled, and so won't have any real additional detail on display, particularly with the extra DNR that was slathered onto it.

Personally, I think it might be worth it for the remaster of Fellowship. The detail isn't gonna be as good as the old Extended BD, and the colour isn't as accurate as the old Theatrical BD, but it's almost certainly going to have better detail than the old Theatrical BD and (mostly) less wildly inaccurate colour than the old Extended BD.

As someone with no plans to retire my old BDs of Two Towers and Return of the King, it's definitely tempting to see if the benefits/drawbacks of the new Fellowship disc are gonna be enough to make it worth retiring the old discs for me. I would get the 4k set and all... but that's a helluva lot pricier, and it'd feel odd only ever really watching the first one on UHD, not to mention jarring on a back-to-back viewing of the trilogy.

Honestly, I'll probably end up at least picking up the theatrical trilogy somewhere down the line, if only for the novelty of having the Jackson'd/Hobbitized editions in my collection.

[DukeTogo84]

For those wanting to compare the new Blu-rays to the 4Ks

Originally Posted by DigitalDeluge24

Here's a few more. What do you guys think of the HDR to SDR conversion?

Original VS Remastered vs 4K

What's interesting, is that there is a difference in color/shade between the two. Look at the second and third Sauramon caps. The 4K is much darker, but the Blu-ray has more vibrancy and clear to see the skin imperfections on Christoper Lee's skin. Not sure what's going on there as I'm sure someone with more technical prowess than me could explain.

[karsten]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

For those wanting to compare the new Blu-rays to the 4Ks

Wow. Those comparisons are remarkable.

IMO, there's no contest. The middle column of caps (that's the remastered, right?) exhibit by far the most natural and true colours, and are therefore easily the most appealing.

Remastered for the win. That's the set that I want.

I'll gladly tolerate a few b&w frames, wherever they are, to have the rest of the films looking so much better.

The 4ks are a close second, but as was mentioned, they seem a bit dark.

[Padawan9188]

So, I should return my recently purchased 2012? Hahaha

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Padawan9188

So, I should return my recently purchased 2012? Hahaha

I wouldn't yet. I'm still waiting to see how these look in motion before doing anything with my old set. No matter what I'll probably being watching the new release of Fellowship as that damn tint is finally gone.

[Captain Keen]

Wow, those screen captures actually look really great! I'm assuming the 4K is a little "dark" because those shots lack HDR, but compared to the old blus, I'm very impressed.

I'll gladly take a little bit of revisionism (B&W shots, etc.) if that's the end result. Especially since the old disks still exist. Hopefully they have a decent bitrate and won't end up like the new Apocalypse Now blus where it's block-and-artifact-ville.

EDIT: Okay, looking at more shots from the other forum, the DNR definitely seems excessive. I mean, first world problems and all, but you can tell they were trying to make these films match The Hobbit. There's almost no grain, and the waxy look is there in some shots. Still, I'll definitely pick up the theatrical set; it's not like I'm getting rid of my other blus. Might be a case where I watch the new FOTR and stick to the old disks for TTT and ROTK. Sometimes you have to see this stuff in motion to see how bad it is... not everything is Predator bad, even if screencaps can look waxy.

[Padawan9188]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I wouldn't yet. I'm still waiting to see how these look in motion before doing anything with my old set. No matter what I'll probably being watching the new release of Fellowship as that damn tint is finally gone.

I have another month til the return window closes. Come on, reviews and caps!

[James Freeman]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

The 4K is much darker,

That's automatic conversion from the HDR to SDR so you can viewing it on an SDR monitor like your computer screen, so ignore that, it is properly bright on an HDR TV.

The new "Remastered" blu-rays are the same as the 4k, they changed nothing.
Extreme DNR and Sharpening are still present, including artifacts like the mid-air horse ear and a lot of scrubbed texture detail.

If anyone looking for a suggestion what set to get, please do yourself a favor and buy the old 2011 Extended Edition Trilogy, it goes for 30$ on Amazon.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

What's interesting, is that there is a difference in color/shade between the two. Look at the second and third Sauramon caps. The 4K is much darker, but the Blu-ray has more vibrancy and clear to see the skin imperfections on Christoper Lee's skin. Not sure what's going on there as I'm sure someone with more technical prowess than me could explain.

The 4K screencaps look darker due to SDR down-conversion.

As the user above me stated, the UHDs look nice and bright on a proper HDR display, much better than that comparison would suggest. No reason to go for the new blu-rays over the 4K unless you're a 1080p-only kinda guy.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

unless you're a 1080p-only kinda guy.

That's me currently as I still haven't jumped to 4K yet. Based on the screen captures so far, it looks like the new remasters are looking better than expected. Colors for sure, but now it comes down to how bad the DNR will look in motion.