The Anime Blu-ray Video Quality Thread

[pikagreg]

Originally Posted by BigOnAnime

Though Kiki is still messed up. Disney, why can't you get it right?
https://twitter.com/ReedNelson/statu...85162927747072

Can't win at all with these Ghibli sets it seems.

[svenge]

The way I parsed it is that the US Miyazaki box is using the same subtitle script that's used on the JP releases, namely the dubtitles from the old Macek dub with a few tweaks like changing the bowdlerized "hot chocolate" back to the coffee it originally was.

While I certainly wish that a fresh subtitle translation would have been created, it's still a fair sight better than the dubtitles from the 2003 Disney dub at least.

[Sylontack]

Okay so as requested by Vincentric I finally pulled out my Madoka Magica BDs to compare the Aniplex of America Disc 1 to the UK/Australian Manga/Madman Disc 1

For consideration; the Region B disc is about 3gb per episode file whereas the Region A disc is about 16 or 17gb for two episode files (so approx 8-8.5 per episode). Not to say the difference is negligible but I'm a little surprised.
Having said that please understand that I'm pretty sure my Laptop is ~720p so I might be missing something (the images themselves are full 1080p of course).
Overall it really just looks like the usual blocking compression artifacts, no different to the Fate/Zero comparison (though Fate likely suffered it worse due to the higher detailed art sytle), unless I'm doing something really wrong when I'm taking my screenshots because I really feel like it's unlikely such a significant cut in size wouldn't look much worse, I mean surely if it was someone who knew what they were doing that well they'd at least bother to better utilize the disc space seeing as even though room should be left for fewer production errors, over 10gb is going untouched- but that's perhaps just a little ignorant of me.
Either way, decide for yourselves, perhaps on a better looking display than my unfortunate laptop.

01 AoA | Madman
02 AoA | Madman (OP)
03 AoA | Madman (OP)
04 AoA | Madman
05 AoA | Madman
06 AoA | Madman
07 AoA | Madman
08 AoA | Madman
09 AoA | Madman
10 AoA | Madman
11 AoA | Madman
12 AoA | Madman
13 AoA | Madman (ED)

EDIT: I also now have some comparisons for NagiAsu (JP vs NISA) too now if anyone is curious- but I only did episode one and from what I've checked it seems hardly worth bothering.

[vincentric]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Sweet-lookin' disc 1 overview:



Episode 1 data in the spoiler.

[Show spoiler]File size : 6.63 GiB
Duration : 24mn 41s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 38.5 Mbps
Movie name : Baccano Disc 1
Encoded date : UTC 2015-11-19 11:33:43
Writing application : MakeMKV v1.9.7 darwin(x86-release)
Writing library : libmakemkv v1.9.7 (1.3.0/1.4.1) darwin(x86-release)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 24mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Codec ID : A_PCM/INT/LIT
Duration : 24mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Title : Stereo
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : PCM
Codec ID : A_PCM/INT/LIT
Duration : 24mn 41s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Title : Stereo
Language : Japanese
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #1
ID : 4
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : Picture based subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #2
ID : 6
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : Picture based subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

Menu
00:00:00.000 : en:Chapter 01
00:01:30.048 : en:Chapter 02
00:11:44.870 : en:Chapter 03
00:22:56.708 : en:Chapter 04
00:24:24.963 : en:Chapter 05
00:24:40.020 : en:Chapter 06

Nice confirmation. I wish ROD would get re-released in the same fashion.

Originally Posted by Sylontack

Okay so as requested by Vincentric I finally pulled out my Madoka Magica BDs to compare the Aniplex of America Disc 1 to the UK/Australian Manga/Madman Disc 1

For consideration; the Region B disc is about 3gb per episode file whereas the Region A disc is about 16 or 17gb for two episode files (so approx 8-8.5 per episode). Not to say the difference is negligible but I'm a little surprised.
Having said that please understand that I'm pretty sure my Laptop is ~720p so I might be missing something (the images themselves are full 1080p of course).
Overall it really just looks like the usual blocking compression artifacts, no different to the Fate/Zero comparison (though Fate likely suffered it worse due to the higher detailed art sytle), unless I'm doing something really wrong when I'm taking my screenshots because I really feel like it's unlikely such a significant cut in size wouldn't look much worse, I mean surely if it was someone who knew what they were doing that well they'd at least bother to better utilize the disc space seeing as even though room should be left for fewer production errors, over 10gb is going untouched- but that's perhaps just a little ignorant of me.
Either way, decide for yourselves, perhaps on a better looking display than my unfortunate laptop.

[Show spoiler]01 AoA | Madman
02 AoA | Madman (OP)
03 AoA | Madman (OP)
04 AoA | Madman
05 AoA | Madman
06 AoA | Madman
07 AoA | Madman
08 AoA | Madman
09 AoA | Madman
10 AoA | Madman
11 AoA | Madman
12 AoA | Madman
13 AoA | Madman (ED)

EDIT: I also now have some comparisons for NagiAsu (JP vs NISA) too now if anyone is curious- but I only did episode one and from what I've checked it seems hardly worth bothering.

Good stuff, thanks. On the bright side, the UK BD movie versions of Puella are of higher quality, stats posted by Stefaan here. I'll probably just import the movies from AmzUK when I get a chance.

[Sylontack]

Originally Posted by vincentric

Good stuff, thanks. On the bright side, the UK BD movie versions of Puella are of higher quality, stats posted by Stefaan here. I'll probably just import the movies from AmzUK when I get a chance.

Yeah I was considering comparing those too but I had other things to do today (like pack, flying back out tomorrow) and I knew those were already discussed to be a lot better anyway.

[vincentric]

Yeah, get ready for that trip! But you know you are more than welcome to share comparisons for those whenever you get the urge to do so.

[S127]

Originally Posted by Sylontack

I also now have some comparisons for NagiAsu (JP vs NISA) too now if anyone is curious- but I only did episode one and from what I've checked it seems hardly worth bothering.

I'd be very interested if you have the time, Thanks.

[Oniros]

Originally Posted by Sylontack

Okay so as requested by Vincentric I finally pulled out my Madoka Magica BDs to compare the Aniplex of America Disc 1 to the UK/Australian Manga/Madman Disc 1

Thank you so much for this! I won't agonize for a sale/price drop on the AoA release anymore. I'll just get the UK release when I get the chance.

[vincentric]

Just a quick comparison for Fate Stay Night (2006), wanted to check that one scene where ghosting is visible, found in ep1 around the 17 minute mark. It's there in both releases.

1080p complete set on the left | 1080i dual volume release on the right


I don't think it's an artifact, the way the scene plays out in slow motion, I think they used it as a stylistic effect for that scene.

[vincentric]

Had a chance to take a closer look at Book of Bantorra. Hmm this one doesn't seem as terrible as I initially thought compared to other Sentai offerings. There are still noticeable banding and blocking artifacts but not as severe as some of the worst I've seen. It even manages to look very good in some scenes that I thought would otherwise look fugly.

All caps are from ep27 -





Also noticed in a few scenes, a flashback one in particular, where ghosting was very apparent but am pretty sure, around 99%, that it was used on purpose as a stylistic effect. Caps from ep 27 as well -


Edit: As for stats, I have the data amount for the video but not the audio. The video data for all 27 episodes adds up to 106GB | 3.9GB on average per ep.

[Oniros]

Does anyone know where I can find comparison shots between the Aniplex and MVM editions of Bakemonogatari Collection?

[Sylontack]

Originally Posted by Oniros

Does anyone know where I can find comparison shots between the Aniplex and MVM editions of Bakemonogatari Collection?

If someone grabs some AoA screens and gives me the timestamps and episodes I can mirror them with the Hanabee/MVM counterpart (same as last time, when I get back from my trip, part 2 is shorter I'm back in about 2.5 weeks/December 15th), or so can anyone else with sooner access to their sets. Last I recall when I took a look the Region B release fared pretty well on 4 discs, and included the Character Commentaries which are pretty decent features regarding specifically the Monogatari series. Nisemono I'm a little more worried about being on 2 discs but I can provide access to both of those Region B sets if nobody else can.

Originally Posted by S127

I'd be very interested if you have the time, Thanks.

Sure. Sorry for the delay a lot of the places I've been staying at only have WiFi in their lounge areas which I don't care to lurk in. As I said I only did episode 1 out of laziness and time constraints but it's a reasonable indicator either way.

NAGI NO ASUKARA

1 JP | NISA
2 JP | NISA
3 JP | NISA
4 JP | NISA (OP)
5 JP | NISA (OP)
6 JP | NISA
7 JP | NISA
8 JP | NISA (ED)

My 2 cents is that the JP release is noticeably better, however the NISA release is far from poor quality and considering the far lower price and English support over an incredibly tiny difference it's still worth it, part of me is glad to have a minor excuse to continue getting the JP singles though .
Realistically given the state of most western releases I'd have no qualms if every western release was at this level even if that level isn't identical- as it is close considering the disc count and file sizes and wouldn't be very noticeable in movement on any TV I'd be viewing it on at least.

[S127]

Originally Posted by Sylontack

Sure. Sorry for the delay a lot of the places I've been staying at only have WiFi in their lounge areas which I don't care to lurk in. As I said I only did episode 1 out of laziness and time constraints but it's a reasonable indicator either way.

NAGI NO ASUKARA

1 JP | NISA
2 JP | NISA
3 JP | NISA
4 JP | NISA (OP)
5 JP | NISA (OP)
6 JP | NISA
7 JP | NISA
8 JP | NISA (ED)

My 2 cents is that the JP release is EASILY noticeably better, however the NISA release is far from poor quality and considering the far lower price and English support over a small difference it's still worth it, part of me is glad to have a minor excuse to continue getting the JP singles though .
Realistically given the state of most western releases I'd have no qualms if every western release was at this level even if that level isn't identical- as it is close considering the disc count and file sizes and wouldn't be very noticeable in movement on any TV I'd be viewing it on at least.

Thank you, the NISA looks good... this one's a must own for me.

[Girls With Guns]

The simple solution I take to avoid being quite so overly concerned with the PQ differences between a JP and US release of any title is to just simply buy them both - then I don't really have to worry about it. For almost every JP release I own, I still purchase the US copy as well - not only to use as a (generally poorer quality) backup, but many times to also have access to those mostly-horrid English dubs included on them, so I am at least able to show the anime to any friends or family who can't or won't read subs like I strictly do. I'll painfully grit my teeth and watch the dub along with them, if it means being able to expose them to some really good anime otherwise...

[Sylontack]

Originally Posted by Girls With Guns

The simple solution I take to avoid being quite so overly concerned with the PQ differences between a JP and US release of any title is to just simply buy them both - then I don't really have to worry about it. For almost every JP release I own, I still purchase the US copy as well - not only to use as a (generally poorer quality) backup, but many times to also have access to those mostly-horrid English dubs included on them, so I am at least able to show the anime to any friends or family who can't or won't read subs like I strictly do. I'll painfully grit my teeth and watch the dub along with them, if it means being able to expose them to some really good anime otherwise...

I'm the same, if I like it enough to own the JP release then I usually own at least one or two English releases (and if it's a title important enough to me for PQ to be a long term concern rather than a fleeting one then I usually am after the JP release anyway if I don't already have it. I am holding out to see how the Utena BDs fare before getting the JP release though- should get onto Yuri Kuma before the inevitable awful FUNi release). I did cheat with Noir though by just getting the Noir release, I decided I was content with what the US release had to offer and it allowed me to focus on purchasing other import titles.

[Girls With Guns]

I'm just like you then - although the JP releases I buy do have to at least be English friendly (preferrably sub-only), since I don't speak or understand Japanese. Sure wish I did, then I'd just import everything and be done with it.

As for Utena, if it's just a plain release in Blu-ray keepcases, I plan to Frankenstein the Blu-ray disks into the gorgeous DVD art boxes I already have, converting them into combo sets - no way I'm going to get rid of those nice DVD boxes. If the BD set comes in it's own attractive LE boxes, then I'd probably just keep them separate. But that's going off topic a bit, sorry!

[Naiera]

Simply become a billionaire and buy all the things you ever wanted!

I usually don't buy unsubbed Japanese releases. Eva is the most important series ever, so I made an exception. There's a reason why I LOVE Aniplex of America releases; they're subbed Japanese releases and they usually do great shows

[Girls With Guns]

Just winning the lottery in our office pool would be sufficient...

But I agree with you about Aniplex - and I've pretty much forsaken the RS Holiday Sales to concentrate on catching up with all the Aniplex releases I need to get - between SAO II, Aldnoah Zero, Durarara!! x2, Irregular at Magic High, and Monogatari series (and Rokka from Ponycan), I'm well into 4 figures already with my "Holiday" orders - and I really doubt any of those titles are going to be included in the RS sales, since the're all new releases and they're all Aniplex...

[Naiera]

I'm very fortunate that I've been able to all but catch up on Aniplex. For DRRR x2 vol. 2, Irregular vol. 3, etc., I think I'll wait and see if that new source for Aniplex works out.

[Girls With Guns]

Originally Posted by Naiera

I'm very fortunate that I've been able to all but catch up on Aniplex. For DRRR x2 vol. 2, Irregular vol. 3, etc., I think I'll wait and see if that new source for Aniplex works out.

Ah, yes - I do hope that works out for you - You definitely need something to help counter all the purchases you get hit with those sucky customs fees on...