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

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by casspir

I made 15 screencaps for each version, US and HK:
Hard Boiled BD US:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBh46M

Hard Boiled BD HK:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBh4tZ

All screencaps are the original aspect ratio of the movie on the disk, 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD.

As I said earlier, I am not an expert, so I can not give you an expert's opinion, but you can compare the screencaps and the technical specs. Also, maybe HD Goofnut, the owner of this thread, can give you an expert opinion, if he is around (I did not see him in the last few days here):

Here are the technical specs:
Hard Boiled BD50 US:
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 31004 kbps
Audio:
Chinese DTS-HD MA 5.1 3659 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit
English Dolby Digital 5.1 448 kbps 48 kHz
Chinese Dolby Digital 2.0 192 kbps 48 kHz

Hard Boiled BD25 HK:
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 17751 kbps
Audio:
Chinese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 3315 kbps 96 kHz 16-bit
Chinese Dolby Digital EX 5.1-EX 640 kbps 48 kHz

I hope this helps.

That's an easy win for the US disc simply because the HK disc is stretched.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by casspir

Hey, Goofnut,

There is a recent new UK blu-ray release of "Miami Vice" (2006) by 88 Films. The release includes both the theatrical cut and the longer director's cut:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Miami...lu-ray/323060/
There is an official review of this release by dr. Svet Atanasov of blu-ray.com on the above page of the release.

It is a 2-disc set (2 BD50s) with extras, the packaging comes with slipcase, reversible cover, booklet, memorabilia. The audio commentary and the other extras are on Disc 1 together with the theatrical version. The director's cut is on Disc 2, there are no extras on Disc 2.
More advanced video codec (MPEG-4 AVC), higher video bitrate.

Here are the specs:
UK (88 Films) - AVC 33894 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3722 kbps 24-bit, 132 min theatrical cut, English subs (Region B locked)
UK (88 Films) - AVC 37298 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3681 kbps 24-bit, 139 min director's cut, English subs (Region B locked)

I made screencaps (10 pcs for each cut) for comparison, both TC and DC:
TC:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgwDk
DC:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgzP9

The screencaps are original aspect ratio, 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD, from the original retail disc (I own this release).

If you need more screencaps, just tell me, I can make more if needed.
You decide if it is eligible/worth to put this on your list.

Cheers,
casspir

Hey, Goofnut, what about this Miami Vice screencaps? Does this UK 88 Films release is better than the earlier UK TC and US DC versions? The codec is better and the video bitrate is higher, but does it translate into a better picture quality? Is this release eligible to be included on your list?

Thanks!

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by casspir

Hey, Goofnut, what about this Miami Vice screencaps? Does this UK 88 Films release is better than the earlier UK TC and US DC versions? The codec is better and the video bitrate is higher, but does it translate into a better picture quality? Is this release eligible to be included on your list?

Thanks!

Compression appears to be virtually identical. The only difference I can see is slightly warmer colors on the TC.

[wesslan]

Heard Koch/Plaions Miami Vice DE disc also is better than old US but haven't got any more info than this remux info "Superior video from the Koch Media GER BD" and these specs

Codec...........: AVC
Resolution......: 1920x1080
Bit rate........: 35.0 Mb/s
Frame rate......: 23.976 fps

https://pixhost.to/show/617/44345214...emux-frame.png

https://pixhost.to/show/617/44345211...emux-frame.png

But seeing UK being around same bitrates I would say this is as good as we get for now. Don't understand why they just don't get us a 4k seeing new BD releases.

[Axel X]

Originally Posted by casspir

I made screencaps (10 pcs for each cut) for comparison, both TC and DC:
TC:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgwDk
DC:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgzP9

Cheers,
casspir

I took the liberty to use your screen caps to make the following comparison:
Miami Vice (2006): Koch Media vs 88 Films DC vs 88 Films TC.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by Axel X

I took the liberty to use your screen caps to make the following comparison:
Miami Vice (2006): Koch Media vs 88 Films DC vs 88 Films TC.

OK, no problem. Hopefully, based on this comparison Goofnut can give us an expert's opinion. Is it worth to buy the German Koch release?

[Axel X]

Originally Posted by casspir

OK, no problem. Hopefully, based on this comparison Goofnut can give us an expert's opinion. Is it worth to buy the German Koch release?

To me they look almost identical (when you look at the 8th screen cap you'll see a slight difference between the Koch and 88 Films DC, which isn't as noticeable on the other screen caps, not sure what it is but the 88 Films looks slightly softer), aside from the slightly warmer colors on the TC, like Goofnut mentioned.
At first I thought the TC had a bit more red (most noticeable looking at skin tones, and it is very noticeable when you look at the 6th screen cap), but it seems to be slightly brighter as well.

To me the Koch and 88 Films DC are more natural looking, but I'm no expert by any means.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by casspir

Maybe I will bite the bullet and buy both the US Kino and the new Arrow Limited Edition releases and then I can make screenshots and you can give us an expert opinion based on those screenshots.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

I purchased both the 2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition and the 2022 US Kino Lorber BDs. I made 15 screencaps for each release:
2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgZFZ

2022 US Kino Lorber:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBhdWg

All screencaps are original aspect ratio of the movie on the disc (I own both discs), 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD.

Technical specs:
2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 37418 kbps
Audio:
English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1548 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit
English DTS-HD MA 5.1 1944 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit

2022 US Kino Lorber
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 38001 kbps
Audio:
English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3186 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit
English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1974 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit

So, which one is better?

[toratora]

Originally Posted by casspir

I hope this helps.

Thank you. I much prefer the US look then

[casspir]

Hey, Goofnut,

There is a brand new Hungarian BD release of the movie "Air America" (1990):
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/358268/

This one has a much higher video bitrate than the US release, and this is BD50 while the US one is BD25.
The only extra on the disk is a trailer for an other movie (in English, with Hungarian subtitles). Packaging comes with a booklet and a reversible cover.

Video: MPEG-4 AVC, 33022 kbps
Audio:
Hungarian: Dolby Digital 2.0, 48 kHz, 640 kbps
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 48 kHz, 2149 kbps, 24-bit
No English subtitles, just Hungarian subtitles.

I have both the US and this Hungarian releases. Do you want me to make screencaps for a comparison?

Is this new Hungarian release eligible to be included on your list?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by casspir

Hey, Goofnut,

There is a brand new Hungarian BD release of the movie "Air America" (1990):
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/358268/

This one has a much higher video bitrate than the US release, and this is BD50 while the US one is BD25.
The only extra on the disk is a trailer for an other movie (in English, with Hungarian subtitles). Packaging comes with a booklet and a reversible cover.

Video: MPEG-4 AVC, 33022 kbps
Audio:
Hungarian: Dolby Digital 2.0, 48 kHz, 640 kbps
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 48 kHz, 2149 kbps, 24-bit
No English subtitles, just Hungarian subtitles.

I have both the US and this Hungarian releases. Do you want me to make screencaps for a comparison?

Is this new Hungarian release eligible to be included on your list?

You can't really tell without seeing it because I have seen too many over the years that a higher bitrate and actually look worse.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

You can't really tell without seeing it because I have seen too many over the years that a higher bitrate and actually look worse.

I will then make screencaps for both releases and you can give an expert's opinion.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by casspir

I will then make screencaps for both releases and you can give an expert's opinion.

US release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/134710/
Hungarian release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/358268/

Here are the screencaps for the US and Hungarian BD releases:
US (2015, Lionsgate):
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiTep

Hungary (2024):
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiWrC

All screencaps are the original aspect ratio of the movie on the retail disk (I own both releases), 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD. Both releases are 2.35:1 aspect ratio on the disk, the aspect ratio of the US release is wrong on the BRDC datapage of the release, I have already submitted the correct aspect ratio, it is waiting for approval.

The technical specs for the Hungarian release:
Video: MPEG-4 AVC, 33022 kbps
Audio:
Hungarian: Dolby Digital 2.0, 48 kHz, 640 kbps
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 48 kHz, 2149 kbps, 24-bit
No English subtitles, just Hungarian subtitles.
The only extra on the disk is a trailer for an other movie (in English, with Hungarian subtitles). Packaging comes with a booklet and a reversible cover.

So, Goofnut, what do you think, which one is better? Is this new Hungarian release eligible to be included on your list?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by casspir

US release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/134710/
Hungarian release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Air-A...lu-ray/358268/

Here are the screencaps for the US and Hungarian BD releases:
US (2015, Lionsgate):
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiTep

Hungary (2024):
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiWrC

All screencaps are the original aspect ratio of the movie on the retail disk (I own both releases), 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD. Both releases are 2.35:1 aspect ratio on the disk, the aspect ratio of the US release is wrong on the BRDC datapage of the release, I have already submitted the correct aspect ratio, it is waiting for approval.

The technical specs for the Hungarian release:
Video: MPEG-4 AVC, 33022 kbps
Audio:
Hungarian: Dolby Digital 2.0, 48 kHz, 640 kbps
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 48 kHz, 2149 kbps, 24-bit
No English subtitles, just Hungarian subtitles.
The only extra on the disk is a trailer for an other movie (in English, with Hungarian subtitles). Packaging comes with a booklet and a reversible cover.

So, Goofnut, what do you think, which one is better? Is this new Hungarian release eligible to be included on your list?

I don't see much difference in the two as they appear to stem from the same source. The HU appears to have slightly (very slightly) better compression, but I doubt you'd even notice it in motion.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by casspir

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

I purchased both the 2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition and the 2022 US Kino Lorber BDs. I made 15 screencaps for each release:
2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgZFZ

2022 US Kino Lorber:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBhdWg

All screencaps are original aspect ratio of the movie on the disc (I own both discs), 1920x1080, PNG, PowerDVD.

Technical specs:
2024 UK Arrow Limited Edition
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 37418 kbps
Audio:
English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1548 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit
English DTS-HD MA 5.1 1944 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit

2022 US Kino Lorber
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 38001 kbps
Audio:
English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3186 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit
English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1974 kbps 48 kHz 24-bit

So, which one is better?

Do you have an opinion on this one? Is the new UK Arrow Limited Edition better than the US Kino Lorber?

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by casspir

Do you have an opinion on this one? Is the new UK Arrow Limited Edition better than the US Kino Lorber?

It’s massively better and the Arrow also fixes an egregious audio error on the Kino.

[casspir]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

It’s massively better and the Arrow also fixes an egregious audio error on the Kino.

Thanks, buddy, thanks a lot.
It seems that Goofnut does not want to include this new Arrow release in his list. Goofnut, maybe you have a different opinion?

[Captain Paranoia]

Should we add international 4K UHD releases better than their US counterparts to this list, or should we create an entirely different thread for that list?

We could utilize a method to denote which is a BD release and which is a 4K UHD release.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by Captain Paranoia

Should we add international 4K UHD releases better than their US counterparts to this list, or should we create an entirely different thread for that list?

We could utilize a method to denote which is a BD release and which is a 4K UHD release.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=306790

[Captain Paranoia]

Additions to the list:

1900
US Part 1 - AVC 20000 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 1581 kbps 16-bit, English subs (Region free)
US Part 2 - AVC 21000 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 1559 kbps 16-bit, English subs (Region free)
IT Part 1 - AVC 15299 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 2.0 1629 kbps 24-bit/EN DD 2.0 224 kbps, no English subs (Region B)
IT Part 2 - AVC 15298 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 2.0 1602 kbps 24-bit/EN DD 2.0 224 kbps, no English subs (Region B)
DE (Concorde) Part 1 - AVC 17000 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 1.0 827 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region B)
DE (Concorde) Part 2 - AVC 17003 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 1.0 827 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region B)
DE (Koch Media) Part 1 - AVC 34726 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 2.0 657 kbps 16-bit/EN DTS-HD MA 2.0 666 kbps, no English subs (Region B) Best PQ
DE (Koch Media) Part 2, AVC 34872 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 629 kbps 16-bit/EN DTS-HD MA 2.0 641 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region B) Best PQ
FR - AVC 29932 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 2.0 1822 kbps 24-bit/EN DTS-HD MA 2.0 2060 kbps, no English subs (Region B)
UK Part 1 - AVC 29999 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 1575 kbps 24-bit/IT DTS-HD MA 1.0 814 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region B)
UK Part 2 - AVC 29989 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 1559 kbps 24-bit/IT DTS-HD MA 1.0 815 kbps 24-bit, English subs (Region B)

Andrei Rublev
US Theatrical Cut - AVC 21018 kbps, LPCM 1.0 24-bit 1152 kbps, English subs (Region A)
US Passion According to Andrei Cut - AVC 27656 kbps, LPCM 1.0 24-bit 1152 kbps, burned-in English subs (Region A)
FR - AVC 16074 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3769 kbps 24-bit/DTS-HD MA 2.0 2073 kbps 24-bit, no English subs (Region B)
NL - AVC 25001 kbps, DTS-HD MA 2.0 973 kbps 16-bit, no English subs - Best PQ (Region B) Best PQ
RU (Digital Element) Part 1 - AVC 28487 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2007 kbps 16-bit/DD 5.1 448 Kbps/DD 2.0 192 kbps, English subs (Region C)
RU (Digital Element) Part 2 - AVC 28765 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2026 kbps 16-bit/DD 5.1 448 kbps/DD 2.0 192 kbps, English subs (Region C)
RU (Close Up) - AVC 22474 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 3360 kbps 24-bit/DD 5.1 448 kbps/LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, no subs (Region C) Best AQ
UK - AVC 30000 kbps, LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, English subs (Region B)
JP - AVC 29929 kbps, LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region ALL)

Come and See
US - AVC 29483 kbps, RU LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, English subs - Best AQ
FR - AVC 34851 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 3.1 2646 kbps 24-bit, extras, no English subs
NL - AVC 15000 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 1708 kbps 16-bit, no extras, no English subs
DE - AVC 34867 kbps, RU LPCM 2.0 2304 kbps 24-bit, extras, no English subs (Region B) Best PQ
JP - AVC 33679 kbps, RU LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, no English subs

Solaris (1972)
US - AVC 22946 kbps, RU LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, better colors, English subs (Region A locked)
RU - AVC 24021 kbps, RU LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit / DTS-HD MA 5.1 3121 kbps 24-bit, better compression, no English subs (Region C)
NL - AVC 24986 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 883 kbps 16-bit, no English subs
IT - AVC 20000 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 5.1 1712 kbps 16-bit / RU DTS-HD MA 5.1 1728 kbps 16-bit / IT LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region B)
FR - AVC 29966 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 1819 kbps 24-bit, no English subs (Region B) Best PQ
UK - AVC 29999 kbps, RU LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, English subs (Region B locked)

Stalker
US - AVC 30261 kbps, RU LPCM 1.0 1152 kbps 24-bit, oversaturated sepia sequences, English subs,
UK - AVC 25741 kbps, RU LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps 16-bit, English subs
FR - AVC 27764 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 1857 kbps 24-bit, subdued sepia sequences, no English subs (Region B)
FR (Boxset) - AVC 27946 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 1857 kbps 24-bit, sepia sequences, no English subs (Region B)
NL - AVC 34000 kbps, RU DTS-HD MA 2.0 973 kbps 16-bit, subdued sepia sequences, no English subs (Region B) Best PQ
IT - AVC 27002 kbps, IT DTS-HD MA 5.1 1733 kbps 16-bit/IT DD 5.1 448 kbps/RU DTS-HD MA 5.1 1760 kbps 16-bit/RU DD 2.0 224 kbps, subdued sepia sequences, no English subs (Region B)
JP - AVC 34973 kbps, RU LPCM 2.0 2304 kbps 24-bit, no English subs (Region ALL)

Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (2003 - Zatôichi)
US - AVC 36690 kbps, EN DTS-HD MA 5.1 3933 kbps 24-bit / JP DD 5.1 640 kbps, extras, English subs (Region free)
DE - 19000 kbps, JP DTS-HD MA 5.1 2141 kbps 16-bit, no English subs (Region free)
JP - AVC 37527 kbps, JP DTS-HD MA 5.1 4115 kbps 24-bit / JP LPCM 2.0 2304 kbps 24-bit, 14 chapters, English subs (Region free) Best PQ
UK - AVC 17994 kbps, JP DTS-HD MA 5.1 2085 kbps 16-bit / JP DD 5.1 640 kbps, English subs, PAL extras (Region free)