List of International BDs with Better PQ, AQ, and/or More Extras

[Sky_Captain]

Originally Posted by wesslan

Does the JP disc have better PQ like better compression because of the higher bitrate? Anyone here owns it? Tempted to buy it, own the Sony one myself.

Book of Eli, The
US - VC-1 16957 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3431 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)
UK - AVC 18270 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 1770 kbps 16-bit, English subs (Region B locked)
AU/ES/DK/SE/NO/FI - AVC 24931 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3281 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)
DE - AVC 21980 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3950 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)
FR - AVC 24837 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 1890 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region B locked)
JP - AVC 32963 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 4001 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region A)

I own it. It's the same master that the UK release and likely all of them originate from. A hair sharper than the UK release, so don't bother unless it's dirt cheap.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I bought the DE steelbook with the horizontal artwork new off eBay several years ago for about $15 shipped.

Great score, Goof! Paint me green! Currently $81 new, $42 used!!!

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Great score, Goof! Paint me green! Currently $81 new, $42 used!!!

Ouch. It stinks it went up so much.

[Early Memphis]

Okay, I found the DE Book of Eli from Amazon.de (don’t know why they keep showing versions which won’t ship US first ). Anyway, in searching the List for other Region A DEs to spread out the shipping, I found the following - with questions. Please post or PM with info/opinions (and, yes, when available, the JP versions are almost always better but very costly):

Why is the JP “Cross of Iron” off the list? I can’t make heads or tails from their region symbols (one says 1, another says 2), but it plays in my Region A Oppo. Is was on the list, I think, is it now OOP or …?

Book of Eli - DE AVC vs. US VC-1, but no “Best PQ” - any notable upgrade?

Gladiator - Why is DE “Best PQ”, apparently it’s not Remastered and has a lower kbps? Worth the upgrade?

Inglourious Basterds - Extra 46 seconds meaningful or …? US “Burned-in Subs”, only for the non-English bits, right?

The Hunted - VC-1 : opinions on quality? Worth getting/wait for a hopeful US AVC release?

Kick-Ass - Worth the price to upgrade to DE or only slight diff?

Kiss of the Dragon - List says DE is “uncut”, BRDC says both are 98 minutes and no Best PG despite AVC vs. MPEG-2. Any real difference?

Knight and Day - DE extra 8-or-10 minutes? Good stuff or fluff?

Lord of War - DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff?

The Rundown - another DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff?

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - DE AVC vs. US MPEG-2, but JP is “Best PQ” - any real upgrade from the US to the DE?

Training Day - DE VC-1 vs US MPEG-2 - any notable upgrade?

Uncle Buck - US DTS 2.0 vs. DE DTS-HD MA 2.0 - any discernible audio upgrade?

[wesslan]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Okay, I found the DE Book of Eli from Amazon.de (don’t know why they keep showing versions which won’t ship US first ). Anyway, in searching the List for other Region A DEs to spread out the shipping, I found the following - with questions. Please post or PM with info/opinions (and, yes, when available, the JP versions are almost always better but very costly):

Why is the JP “Cross of Iron” off the list? I can’t make heads or tails from their region symbols (one says 1, another says 2), but it plays in my Region A Oppo. Is was on the list, I think, is it now OOP or …?

Book of Eli - DE AVC vs. US VC-1, but no “Best PQ” - any notable upgrade?

Gladiator - Why is DE “Best PQ”, apparently it’s not Remastered and has a lower kbps? Worth the upgrade?

Inglourious Basterds - Extra 46 seconds meaningful or …? US “Burned-in Subs”, only for the non-English bits, right?

The Hunted - VC-1 : opinions on quality? Worth getting/wait for a hopeful US AVC release?

Kick-Ass - Worth the price to upgrade to DE or only slight diff?

Kiss of the Dragon - List says DE is “uncut”, BRDC says both are 98 minutes and no Best PG despite AVC vs. MPEG-2. Any real difference?

Knight and Day - DE extra 8-or-10 minutes? Good stuff or fluff?

Lord of War - DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff?

The Rundown - another DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff?

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - DE AVC vs. US MPEG-2, but JP is “Best PQ” - any real upgrade from the US to the DE?

Training Day - DE VC-1 vs US MPEG-2 - any notable upgrade?

Uncle Buck - US DTS 2.0 vs. DE DTS-HD MA 2.0 - any discernible audio upgrade?

Book of Eli has a tad better compression on Sony european disc and that's little better than DE so no best PQ for DE here. JP probably wins but seen no screens. Buy any of these you find cheaper
AU/ES/DK/SE/NO/FI - AVC 24931 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3281 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)
DE - AVC 21980 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3950 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region free)

Gladiator is remastered all over by now if you buy it. Big difference here from the older discs. Lower bitrate on europe disc but still little better that US remaster.

Lord of War: this is on caps-o-holic. Make up your own mind better compression also AND lossless audio, big change http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=1104&d2=1103 B

Rundown: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=420...0&a=1&go=0&l=1

Sky Captain: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=287...0&a=1&go=0&l=1

Kick-ass: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=596...0&a=1&go=0&l=1

Kiss of Dragon: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=527...0&a=1&go=0&l=1

If you have a big ass screen and sit pretty close higher bitrates will show but only your own eyes can choose what is better enough to warrant a upgrade. Most use same master and we are splitting hairs but best is better

[Jompa]

I think The Hunted looks good, but it has a soft look and the HD master is obvously dated.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by Jompa

I think The Hunted looks good, but it has a soft look and the HD master is obvously dated.

I've got the DVD. If you've seen that, do you think it's worth the upgrade?

[HD Goofnut]

Added Thir13en Ghosts.

[Jompa]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

I've got the DVD. If you've seen that, do you think it's worth the upgrade?

Yeah, if you like the film and want it in it's best quality, go for it.

[surfinhank]

Here's a few updates for newer US releases now available. I copied the specs from the reviews (I did not personally verify them) so they may be missing certain things:

The Brood
US (Criterion) – AVC 30996 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, English SDH subs (Region A locked)

Convoy
US - AVC 21096 kbps, LPCM 1.0 , English SDH subs (Region A locked)

Deranged
US – AVC 24940 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0, no subs (Region A locked)

Dressed To Kill
US (Criterion) – AVC 24995 kbps, LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, English SDH subs (Region A locked)

Firewalker
US - AVC, DTS-HD MA 2.0, no subs (Region A locked)

Fitzcarraldo
US – AVC 26127 kbps, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English 3553 kbps 24-bit / DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 English 1982 kbps 24-bit / DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0: German 1865 kbps 48 kHz 1865 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region A locked)

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
US - AVC, English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English SDH subs

Halloween III
US (Universal) - AVC, DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono, English SDH subs, (French, Spanish) (Region A , B )

Hard Target
US - AVC, English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 / French: DTS 5.1 , English SDH subs

[HD Goofnut]

Added Red Rock West.

[HD Goofnut]

Added Footprints on the Moon.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by wesslan

Sky Captain: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=287...0&a=1&go=0&l=1

I see no difference. Whatsoever.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

I see no difference. Whatsoever.

There is little difference. The main difference is the lossless audio.

[Early Memphis]

So, from my original post (and Wesslan’s cap links and Jompa’s response - Thank you very much), here’s what’s what so far. I’ve gotta say, I wuz seeking opinions of folks who own or have seen these because I hate caps and don’t know how anything you see translates [I]in motion[/B] (by the way, I don’t have a projection or large screen TV). Opinions welcomed on any of ‘em …

No Real Diff (Not Worth The Money)
E8.99 - Gladiator - Why is DE “Best PQ”, apparently it’s not Remastered and has a lower kbps? Worth the upgrade?
E10.42 - Kick-Ass - Worth the price to upgrade to DE or only slight diff?
E8.99 - Kiss of the Dragon - List says DE is “uncut”, BRDC says both are 98 minutes and no Best PG despite AVC vs. MPEG-2. Any real difference?
E8.99 - The Rundown - another DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff?

Slight Diff, Mostly Audio Upgrade
E9.63 - Book of Eli - DE AVC vs. US VC-1, but no “Best PQ” - any notable upgrade?
... (just re-read HD’s post where he says the DE looks better than the US disc).
E11.99 - The Hunted - VC-1 : opinions on quality? Worth getting/wait for a hopeful US AVC release?
E9.97 - Lord of War - DE AVC vs. MPEG-2, but no “Best PQ” - any real diff? - Lossless Audio
E9.99* - Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - DE AVC vs. US MPEG-2, but JP is “Best PQ” - any real upgrade from the US to the DE? - Audio

No Opinions Posted (Would Love Some)
E9.97 - Inglourious Basterds - Extra 46 seconds meaningful or …? US “Burned-in Subs”, only for the non-English bits, right?
E9.99 - Knight and Day - DE extra 8-or-10 minutes? Good stuff or fluff?
E8.97 - Training Day - DE VC-1 vs US MPEG-2 - any notable upgrade?
E11.10 - Uncle Buck - US DTS 2.0 vs. DE DTS-HD MA 2.0 - any discernible audio upgrade?

Missed Q for HD
Why is the JP “Cross of Iron” off the list? I can’t make heads or tails from their region symbols (one says 1, another says 2), but it plays in my Region A Oppo. Is was on the list, I think, is it now OOP or …?

And your thoughts, kind readers, would be …?

[wesslan]

Not gonna repeat myself on some of those titles but Gladiator you really really need the remastred version. Probably all sellers have that today so shouldn't be a problem. And yes the german and all european discs is a little smaller that US disc in video bitrate BUT it has better compression! Might not make a world of difference though as long as you get the remastered version.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by wesslan

Not gonna repeat myself on some of those titles but Gladiator you really really need the remastred version. Probably all sellers have that today so shouldn't be a problem. And yes the german and all european discs is a little smaller that US disc in video bitrate BUT it has better compression! Might not make a world of difference though as long as you get the remastered version.

Yeah, I've had the remastered Gladiator for quite some time. I was saying that there's no apparent reason to upgrade from the US to the DE disc [although you did say "still little better tha(n) US remaster"]. If I'm getting you, it doesn't sound like much. However, according to the List, the DE release is labeled “Best PQ” - although it’s not labeled Remastered and has a lower kbps than the listed US disc. Confusing, no?

[Torrente]

Inglourious Basterds - Extra 46 seconds meaningful or …?

46 extra seconds for a Tarantino movie are ALWAYS meaningful

(it's a short sequence in the tavern during the 'Who am I?' game, not essential but it's always interesting to see new scenes on a Tarantino movie... at least for me)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Missed Q for HD
Why is the JP “Cross of Iron” off the list? I can’t make heads or tails from their region symbols (one says 1, another says 2), but it plays in my Region A Oppo. Is was on the list, I think, is it now OOP or …?

I took it off because no one had the disc for specs. If someone can specs for the JP disc I will add it. I do know that the U.K. disc is sound if you can get around the region locking.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by Torrente

46 extra seconds for a Tarantino movie are ALWAYS meaningful

(it's a short sequence in the tavern during the 'Who am I?' game, not essential but it's always interesting to see new scenes on a Tarantino movie... at least for me)

Thanks, I'll check out your link as soon as I can get off the phone with PayRats. I thought maybe it was snippets of cursing or sex or something like that, you know, US prudishness.

EDIT: They say the missing seconds are in the extra's section of the US disc, not really "missing", and that the US disc has better "fade-ins".

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I took it off because no one had the disc for specs. If someone can specs for the JP disc I will add it. I do know that the U.K. disc is sound if you can get around the region locking.

As you know, I'm a trog when it comes to specs, , but since it's the only Region A version available, shouldn't it be on the list anyway?