The Usual Suspects - worth the upgrade? - Blu-ray Forum

nightcrawler · 01-14-2013, 05:30 PM

I did a search and (surprisingly) couldn't find a thread for this in the UK forum. I know this has been out for a few years now on Blu and got mixed reviews for it's PQ - is it worth the upgrade over the dvd version though? It's going pretty cheap now on most sites.

chip75 · 01-14-2013, 05:35 PM

Looks like a decent upgrade.

Villiam Hayes · 01-14-2013, 07:35 PM

I watched it a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the P/Q

Alex_DeLarge · 01-14-2013, 07:52 PM

Yes. I've got it and it's well worth the upgrade.

deepbreathsanddeath · 02-03-2013, 01:09 AM

Obviously I'm going to get the blu-ray eventually but sheesh... talk about a lousy upgrade. Sure, it looks better. But it's not impressive by any stretch of the imagination. I'll wait for a re-release with actual special features.

KRW1 · 02-03-2013, 07:39 PM

Oddly, I seem to recall The Usual Suspects was also poorly treated on DVD. For a long while, the only option was a 4:3 version with stereo sound and no features other than chapter select.

On VHS, on the other hand, you could buy the widescreen version, with surround encoded stereo sound for prologic recievers which came with another tape of the film which had the directors commentary. There was also a 'making of' feature and a trailer. Great effort for what was dead technology.

BigNickUK · 02-03-2013, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightcrawler

I did a search and (surprisingly) couldn't find a thread for this in the UK forum. I know this has been out for a few years now on Blu and got mixed reviews for it's PQ - is it worth the upgrade over the dvd version though? It's going pretty cheap now on most sites.

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

Geoff D · 02-03-2013, 08:47 PM

The BD didn't blow my skirt up, although it's been about three TVs since I've watched it. The DVD is excellent for plain old SD, though. Might have to buy the BD again if I can find it for buttons.

mattyl149 · 02-03-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

It is subjective, as some people can be more critical of the AV quality, and if it's not near reference, won't bother with it. Whereas some people are happy if just looks better than the DVD

DaveF. · 02-08-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

I've just joined to ask precisely the same question as the OP. So I was a bit surprised to see this weird, but intriguing comment. Why wouldn't he/we want to ask?

Unlike someone who has, say, over 900 blu-ray discs in their collection I'll be watching this film repeatedly. As I want my money to go as far as possible, I want to know what bang I'm getting for my buck. As we all know, some (many?) of the older (& some not so old) transfers have been pretty poor & as there's not much data in the UK review, how better to find out than in this forum?

I'll be purchasing this as it's just come back on Amazon UK in their 3 for £17 promotion.

BigNickUK · 02-08-2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF.

I've just joined to ask precisely the same question as the OP. So I was a bit surprised to see this weird, but intriguing comment. Why wouldn't he/we want to ask?

Unlike someone who has, say, over 900 blu-ray discs in their collection I'll be watching this film repeatedly. As I want my money to go as far as possible, I want to know what bang I'm getting for my buck. As we all know, some (many?) of the older (& some not so old) transfers have been pretty poor & as there's not much data in the UK review, how better to find out than in this forum?

I'll be purchasing this as it's just come back on Amazon UK in their 3 for £17 promotion.

Why is my opinion weird? I guess my point is more technical, blu ray is a lot better than DVD...and as there is no other version out in the UK...thats what i was getting at. You do get some odd opinions such as why upgrade to blu ray for B&W films

DaveF. · 02-08-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

blu ray is a lot better than DVD

Not across the board it's not. It depends on the movie's source & how it was was converted.

There is/are DVD version which the OP was asking for a comparison with.

Quote:

You do get some odd opinions such as why upgrade to blu ray for B&W films

If you're asking that question then I have to ask, have not you've seen psycho?

BigNickUK · 02-09-2013, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF.

Not across the board it's not. It depends on the movie's source & how it was was converted.

There is/are DVD version which the OP was asking for a comparison with.

If you're asking that question then I have to ask, have not you've seen psycho?

I am not going to get into a huge debate but I have to disagree, by its very nature and the number of pixels, blu ray is better than dvd...the source or transfer only comes into it if they have made a complete hash of it...I dont recall any reviewer saying stick to the dvd. If however you are going from one HD transfer of a film to a newer HD transfer (e.g Patton, Gangs Of New York, Predator etc) then thats a different discussion

As for the B&W question I think you have missed what I was saying, I have many B&W blu rays (including Psycho) and they are a massive step up from previous formats...I was making the point that some people believe B&W films do not benefit from an HD transfer

DaveF. · 02-09-2013, 12:42 AM

I disagree with you & I don't think you read the OP's question fully.

BigNickUK · 02-09-2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF.

I disagree with you & I don't you read the OP's question fully.

I already did, hence my very first reply but thanks for the advice. Welcome to the site, play safe

chip75 · 02-09-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

...the source or transfer only comes into it if they have made a complete hash of it...

We've had a few BD's which are identical to DVD's as they've been just upscaled and a few with the source material been a lower resolution than Blu-ray so unless the sound is a huge improvment they aren't worth the upgrade. They are exceptions to the rule though nearly all the BD's (as you mentioned) are superior to the DVD's.

Albatross365 · 02-09-2013, 07:23 PM

Sorry to barge in but those incorrect apostrophes are doing my nut in.

Saw loads of signs today that were grammatically incorrect so I guess I must be sensitive to it. Probably my time of the month.

Back on topic, I thought it was a good upgrade.

BigNickUK · 02-09-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albatross365

Sorry to barge in but those incorrect apostrophes are doing my nut in.

Saw loads of signs today that were grammatically incorrect so I guess I must be sensitive to it. Probably my time of the month.

.

he he

Villiam Hayes · 02-09-2013, 07:36 PM

The P/Q is very good,end of story for me.

chip75 · 02-09-2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albatross365

Sorry to barge in but those incorrect apostrophes are doing my nut in.

Saw loads of signs today that were grammatically incorrect so I guess I must be sensitive to it. Probably my time of the month.

I usually use them only for contractions and possessive form but typing DVDs and BDs just doesn't seem right to me when describing them as plurals, although I might argue that the apostrophes are used to describe DVD's and BD's as possessive form as we're describing what they actually consist of. I've never felt comfortable typing in plurals of trademarks without their use as well. So I'll always go for Steelbook's and Blu-ray's over Steelbooks and Blu-rays but it would be interesting to read what you think.

The US Who Framed Roger Rabbit thread almost lead to a cyber-punch-up over why the question mark was removed from the films title!

01-14-2013, 05:30 PM	#1
nightcrawler Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:London, UK	The Usual Suspects - worth the upgrade? I did a search and (surprisingly) couldn't find a thread for this in the UK forum. I know this has been out for a few years now on Blu and got mixed reviews for it's PQ - is it worth the upgrade over the dvd version though? It's going pretty cheap now on most sites.

02-09-2013, 12:42 AM	#14
DaveF. New Member Member since:Feb 2013	I disagree with you & I don't think you read the OP's question fully. Last edited by DaveF.; 02-09-2013 at 12:51 AM. Reason: spelling

01-14-2013, 05:35 PM	#2
chip75 Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Oct 2010 Location:Wales 4K collection:304 Blu-ray collection:3102 DVD collection:1783 iTunes collection:233 Trading Score:9	Looks like a decent upgrade.

01-14-2013, 07:35 PM	#3
Villiam Hayes Banned Top contributor Member since:Dec 2011 Location:Norn Iron Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:437 DVD collection:5 Trading Score:20	I watched it a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the P/Q

01-14-2013, 07:52 PM	#4
Alex_DeLarge Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2010 Blu-ray collection:- Trading Score:1	Yes. I've got it and it's well worth the upgrade.

02-03-2013, 01:09 AM	#5
deepbreathsanddeath Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jul 2011 Location:Brisbane, Australia Blu-ray collection:1077 Blu-ray reviews: 109 Trading Score:38	Obviously I'm going to get the blu-ray eventually but sheesh... talk about a lousy upgrade. Sure, it looks better. But it's not impressive by any stretch of the imagination. I'll wait for a re-release with actual special features.

02-03-2013, 07:39 PM	#6
KRW1 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2012 Blu-ray collection:45	Oddly, I seem to recall The Usual Suspects was also poorly treated on DVD. For a long while, the only option was a 4:3 version with stereo sound and no features other than chapter select. On VHS, on the other hand, you could buy the widescreen version, with surround encoded stereo sound for prologic recievers which came with another tape of the film which had the directors commentary. There was also a 'making of' feature and a trailer. Great effort for what was dead technology.

02-03-2013, 08:47 PM	#8
Geoff D Blu-ray Emperor Top contributor Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Swanage, Engerland 4K collection:1350 Blu-ray collection:2527 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:33	The BD didn't blow my skirt up, although it's been about three TVs since I've watched it. The DVD is excellent for plain old SD, though. Might have to buy the BD again if I can find it for buttons.

02-09-2013, 07:23 PM	#17
Albatross365 Special Member Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:London Blu-ray collection:334 Digital collection:21 Blu-ray reviews: 11	Sorry to barge in but those incorrect apostrophes are doing my nut in. Saw loads of signs today that were grammatically incorrect so I guess I must be sensitive to it. Probably my time of the month. Back on topic, I thought it was a good upgrade.

02-09-2013, 07:36 PM	#19
Villiam Hayes Banned Top contributor Member since:Dec 2011 Location:Norn Iron Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:437 DVD collection:5 Trading Score:20	The P/Q is very good,end of story for me.

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