Archived: Insiders Thread

[Spankey]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

so is the pq good in halloween, cause im really thinking about picking it up.

I don't want to derail the thread, but yes it is good. It is very, very sharp and detailed. I can't say there is anything wrong with it. Like Dracula, it does not look like it does on any other home video medium. It just feels more different than Dracula. Whether it is the color timing in certain scenes or just the improved detail, it loses a bit of its mystique.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Esox, I’m not going to put my neck on the line and defend any bad work no matter what the studio………. just because it comes out on Blu-ray.

I know you won't, and I wouldn't expect that you would either. Do I have "blu-glasses" sometimes? I think so. But absolutely everything you and/or paidgeek has ever posted has been spot on. Until proven otherwise, it seems to me that both of you value your integrity more than anything else, and wouldn't jeopardize that. This is in direct opposition to many other insiders (including some on the Blu side that I am not 100% sure of).

I truly, honestly felt bad for paidgeek when he said something to the effect that he was disheartened with the reviews on this release. As I said, these folks/reviewers are amateurs, with nothing better to do. If tremendous care goes into a release but people "stay away" because of irresponsible posting (as far as us all being movie lovers and wanting the most accurate presentation), then we've all lost something. I hope it never comes to the point where people at the studios and/or our greatest creative minds in Hollywood say, "You know what, it's not worth the effort."

So, congratulations to everyone at SPHE and AZ re: Robert Harris' comments on this "accurate" release. I am absolutely dying in anticipation of getting this in the mail (Thurs/Fri), so much so that I just popped in the soundtrack while I typed this!!!

[Richard Paul]

Just curious but will the PiP commentary track on the Blu-ray version of Resident Evil: Extinction be done using a secondary video stream?

[Neo65]

As much as I prefer the disk to be as accurate to the film as possible in all areas : brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, color timing, I can see once in a while why people prefer brighter colors.

I can see arguments for either side. As much as Coppola painted his original movie in sepia tones, the LD version had Wynona's cheeks more pinkish-orange, and some people would prefer that.

I can see why some like the prettier colors from the LD version. I don't think there is any right or wrong here, but the director should always have a final say in approving the transfer whenever possible --- especially when it's one of the catalog classic old movie-buffs follow --- like Dracula.

If the Director's intent is to present something that differs in how we perceive aesthetics, I think the right thing is to try to see it through his eyes. Coppola didn't actually supervise this transfer, did he? It was someone from his company who approved it?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Neo65

Coppola didn't actually supervise this transfer, did he? It was someone from his company who approved it?

SPE examined the director-approved print and the latest video master of the movie to give them direction, but mainly there was an appointed visual gatekeeper for keeping the imagery consistent with the intent of director, whom was collaborated with during the process. This gatekeeper was fully endorsed by Mr.Coppola and served in the direct “supervisory” role. The final product was approved by F.F. Coppola.

To keep this kind of thing in real world perspective on how theatrical presentations are often produced, the plotting of a film’s color scheme is done long before formally working on it (just as was done in the case of the Blu-ray edition). The director communicates to the DP exactly what he is interested in. The collaboration between the DP and the colorist helps maintain the integrity of the director’s intentions of the original camera negative down the chain from the work prints to the release prints.

Color timing (especially a moody piece like Dracula), is largely a matter of communication, subtleties and instinct as the DP (a visual gatekeeper for the director) works with the colorist to achieve the goals of the director.

The production of the Blu-ray title in question was similar to what I outlined above for the staffing of a theatrical production workflow. In the case of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the integrity of the director’s intent was maintained despite an intermediary……….. just like the presence of a Director of Photography acting as an intermediary for a theatrical presentation.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

That seems to be the entire argument: brightness. The DVD is way over saturated, and the LD was way too "pretty". Every pic posted that is supposed to show how "bad" the BD is, shows how GREAT it is, IMHO.

I agree. In all of the comparison shots that I have seen posted, the BD version looks better to me.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

That seems to be the entire argument: brightness. The DVD is way over saturated, and the LD was way too "pretty". Every pic posted that is supposed to show how "bad" the BD is, shows how GREAT it is, IMHO.

It's an artform. And sometimes artists aren't appreciated in their time. This release will grow in stature with time, and become a reference against which other restorations are measured.

It's a shame when pop sensibilities overshadow the art.

Gary

Agreed. I love the BD Dracula. Many thanks for all the hard work put into it.

[Rup_Muk]

Does any Insider know - or have an inkling - of if and when Bollywood movies may make it to Blu-Ray? Have any of the studios been contacted?

Rup.

[zed0118]

I must say that I watched Dracula last night. I thought the movie looked really stunning. Honestly, I think the folks slamming the film (providing screen shots, even) are just being nit-picky. To all at SPE, I say, "Job well done!"

[erowe83]

Originally Posted by zed0118

I must say that I watched Dracula last night. I thought the movie looked really stunning. Honestly, I think the folks slamming the film (providing screen shots, even) are just being nit-picky. To all at SPE, I say, "Job well done!"

I completetly agree... I only watched the first 20 mintues but people dont understand that this is they way it was designed to look. This seemed like a great transfer from the source material to me.

[Hussla]

Reports of BD+ problems according to some posters on avs:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=917522
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=917344

Apparently effects Samscum & LG players.

Any insider comments?

[Spankey]

We talking first generation Samsung or LG Combo? I have no sympathy for the LG player if it is the combo. The Samsung players have had problems with Fox titles from the start (Speed).

[David Forbes]

Originally Posted by Hussla

Reports of BD+ problems according to some posters on avs:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=917522
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=917344

Apparently effects Samscum & LG players.

Any insider comments?

The CEs really do need to get BD+ and the profiles issues ironed out asap. It's not going to help anyone going into the holiday season if these kinds of problems become prevalent.

And where are the 1.1 machines?

[Jamh]

Could this be the issue with a small number of players that got Master and Commander delayed?

[mattym]

the way they go on on AVS you would think that the hddvd format has 0 problems.

[WickyWoo]

Is it any coincidence that Samsung and LG are cheap brands? While Sammy has got great TVs and phone going, their players, and LGs entire non-phone product line(and I think their phones) are pretty junky.

I'd say the problem is shortcuts taken in design, after all the LG player was super kludged, and the Samsung deck was rushed. I'm no electronics expert, but that's what I'm seeing based on prior patterns.

[ottscay]

I'm an "insider" in the sense that I have several LG cell phones and can assure you that they've all been solid. Beyond that I've never owned an LG product, and don't plan to atm.

[Koko]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Is it any coincidence that Samsung and LG are cheap brands?

Is it also a coincidence that they are the companies making dual players?

I'd say the problem is shortcuts taken in design, after all the LG player was super kludged, and the Samsung deck was rushed.

I wasn't aware the BD-1200 (unlike the BD-1000) was rushed. You have a link showing that?

I'm no electronics expert,

Clearly

but that's what I'm seeing based on prior patterns.

OK, maybe I missed it. What previous problems have the Samsung 1200 and the LG dual player had in the past?
Koko

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by ottscay

I'm an "insider" in the sense that I have several LG cell phones and can assure you that they've all been solid. Beyond that I've never owned an LG product, and don't plan to atm.

I am on my 2nd LG cell phone and both have been great !

Oh except for needing a new firmware update , the Sammy 1200 is also GREAT !

[WickyWoo]

Is it also a coincidence that they are the companies making dual players?

Yes. Samsung's combo player is part of some other business deal. LG just saw a quick way to make a buck, and are willing to ride that train as long as it's there. They made their new true combo model only because Samsungs is coming with full HDi compatibility.

I wasn't aware the BD-1200 (unlike the BD-1000) was rushed

I was referring to the 1000

OK, maybe I missed it. What previous problems have the Samsung 1200 and the LG dual player had in the past?

Samsung and LG as a company. Every time something new has come up, the Samsung players have choked on it. They fix it, but it still happens. It says to me that they don't want to spend the money unless they absolutely have to developing a patch. No proactive motion

I am on my 2nd LG cell phone and both have been great !

Well, my best friend and I have had terrible trouble with them, particuarly in the battery holding a charge 6 months after you buy it. Samsung on the other hand has been a wonderful experience for me.