How do you rate Picture Quality? Objectively or Subjectively?

[JJ]

Let me explain what I mean first:

Personally, I would say "Objectively" to mean "True to Source" - i.e., the movie transfer effectively displays what the movie looks like with minimal processing in the transfer.

I.e., say - if you dislike the use of digital noise reduction; and if you are not bothered by watching 28 Days Later and Predator on Blu-ray. I don't mind watching those at all - and I don't think to myself, "This is horrid! I can't watch this" like some have started to say.

I think what some don't understand is that Blu-ray is not meant to take source movie material (albeit, we've already discussed this before) and bring it up to look as HD as possible. For example, people who complain about transfers all the time, I've seen some ridiculous posts about people seeing DNR when it isn't even there anymore - simply because they've never seen the original theatrical release. After the Patton and Gangs of New York fiascoes, this problem seems even more prevalent. I think that the Patton release looks fantastic, in my opinion, DNR aside.

I would say "Subjectively" to mean comparing all on the same line, transfer/film source aside - you consider Troy, say, a title that divides our humble roster of forum members into those who say "It looks fantastic!" and those who say "The actors look like wax models and it's a DNR mess!"

Troy was the first title I saw on Blu-ray in my own home and was taken aback by how sharp and grain-free it looked, and for a period of time I could say I was subjective and hated that grain I would see with a passion. I couldn't have seen There Will Be Blood or 28 Days Later 7-8 months ago without turning them off or thinking there was something wrong with my discs! Now, I appreciate them for the movies themselves and that they stay true to their source and we see them as they were intended. In 28 Days, the end was filmed on actual film, and we all saw that it clearly wasn't the transfers fault.

So. What are you? Honestly - because flip-flops belong on the beach, and I've seen some of your posts. If you are not bothered by DNR, don't hate on it. I am not bothered by it. I thought Troy looked great, and still do. If you are bothered by film grain (again, revisiting an old topic, apologies), I'm sorry, but there's nothing you can do about it unless you want to reshoot the film yourself!!