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

[cyborgLIS]

Between PAL and NTSC, which format is better in terms of authenticity to the film? I know NTSC does a 24 to 30 frame rate conversion via 3:2 pulldown, but my understanding is that the conversion can be reversed where applicable (like if you have a display that can do 24fps), and all the original frames from the film can be retrieved intact (though I've heard sometimes there are errors in this process). I'm not sure how the PAL 24fps to 25fps conversion works, but similarly, is it possible to undo the conversion and retrieve all the original film frames intact? I know there's also the issue with the sound being sped up, so can that be reversed as well without introducing any artifacts?

Obviously this is more of an issues for DVDs than BDs. Sorry about going off on a tangent, but since this is a thread about obtaining the best version of a movie, I thought it might be relevant.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Notting Hill
US - No release
UK - VC-1 2.35:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1, extras, DNR/EE, extras but missing DVD commentary (Region free)
DE - VC-1 2.35:1 29875 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2788 kbps 24-bit, extras (Region free)
IT - VC-1 2.35:1 29875 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2788 kbps 24-bit, BD50 (Region free)

FR - DTS-HD MA 5.1, BD50 (Region free) - 5 Languages, 16 Subtitles, extras

Don't know if you can add this French info as I can't confirm the video codec, however : it is Universal and I assume all these discs are the same. The French info is taken from BRDC & Amazon.FR. I also checked on the Italian version on Amazon.IT and the small picture shows that it also has extras. It's too small to see which ones (and Google won't translate the info in boxes), but again, I assume all of these are the same (all appear to have the same 5 languages and 16 subs). If it helps ...

The FR release is the same as the IT release. I have the IT release and it also has the French rating of "Tous Publics" on the disc, in addition to the DE, AU, and Dutch rating logos. It doesn't have the UK or IRL rating logos since the IT release was released long before the UK release became available.

However, Universal uses the same disc on most occasions. On the disc, underneath the Universal logo, is "10267 / G51 / R0".

Ohh, and yes the IT release does have the extras.

[Early Memphis]

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
US - AVC 2.39:1 27868 kbps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 4123 kbps 24-bit, extras (Region A locked)
FR - AVC 2.39:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1, isolated score in DTS-HD MA 2.0, all extras (Region B locked)

Amazon.FR lists this as Region Free. I can't change any of these region differences I'm finding on BRDC because BRDC insists on having the disc in hand. However, none of the discs I've ordered have turned out to be locked when they've been listed as Free or A, so again, for what it's worth ...

P.S. HF,let me know if you don't want or trust this kind of info.

[TheOneWithThePrize]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Yeah, I thought of that because I recall hearing about what I took to be a slight speedup problem with one of the formats - but a 5.5 minute difference!? That would seem just shy of Alvin & The Chipmunks range. The music, to say nothing of the voices, would have to be seriously compromised.

Not quite Alvin & The Chipmunks but to some people it is noticeable. Sometimes they do at least counteract it by administering some pitch correction to minimise the issue but it isn't an all too common practise.

Anyway, I take from all this that the only full versions playable on region A players are the Australian and French editions, neither of which appear to be available (based on the fact that no one ever answered The Drugstore's original post).

All BDs of the Casino Royale Collector's Edition/Deluxe Edition are region free and fully playable on Region A players and not limited to Australia and France. At this point the CEs/DEs of it are no longer sold and thus limited to used copies, if one can be obtained that is. I'm not about to part with mine though.

On the matter of the IMDB listing they usually don't bother entering any time difference in cuts if the difference is minimal and user submissions could well be denied in situations like these. The BD runtime of the US is 144:12, the UK 144:20 and the R-rated cut 144:34 so one can see why IMDB couldn't care less. At least there is some mention of the differences in the Alternate Versions section over there...

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by TheOneWithThePrize

Not quite Alvin & The Chipmunks but to some people it is noticeable. Sometimes they do at least counteract it by administering some pitch correction to minimise the issue but it isn't an all too common practise.

All BDs of the Casino Royale Collector's Edition/Deluxe Edition are region free and fully playable on Region A players and not limited to Australia and France. At this point the CEs/DEs of it are no longer sold and thus limited to used copies, if one can be obtained that is. I'm not about to part with mine though.

On the matter of the IMDB listing they usually don't bother entering any time difference in cuts if the difference is minimal and user submissions could well be denied in situations like these. The BD runtime of the US is 144:12, the UK 144:20 and the R-rated cut 144:34 so one can see why IMDB couldn't care less. At least there is some mention of the differences in the Alternate Versions section over there...

Thanks for that heads up about the IMDb "Alternate Versions" section (I finally found a link to it at the end of all the trivia). Unfortunately, I've never seen a UK version labeled "50th Anniversary Blu-ray" (unless it's the UK "Deluxe Edition", which is available) - fully uncut and region free, I'd be there in a heartbeat! And I thought I was finished when I finally tracked down a new U.S. "Deluxe Edition".

In case anyone is looking for French Blu-rays : Amazon.FR is having a Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale on many titles thru April 7, 2013 (enter promotional code 2BLURAY3 in the "Gift Certificates" box on the payment page). If, like me, you don't speak French, use Google Chrome and it will translate (most of) each page automatically.

The following titles caught my eye either because I don't have them yet or because they're apparently "better"/different versions - not that I can afford them all. If anyone has any info/opinion on any of these, please post it or PM me. All titles are region free:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Uncut)
It Saving Private Ryan (has the French cover so I don't think it's the Italian version)
Maid in Notting Hill
Inception
Predator - Collector DigiBook (only one priced in $, I can find nothing on AQ or PQ)
Minority Report - Collector Digibook (I assume both of these DigiBooks would be in French?)
Minority Report (regular version, 3.3 Euros cheaper)
Training Day
Casino Royale (Thanks to Prim for pointing me in this direction )

-------------------------

By the way, I should add that Amazon UK is also having a sale on U.K. Blu-rays - 3 Blu-rays for £17. I recently picked up 3 titles for $33.43 (incl. shipping). Buying the same titles from Amazon or eBay in the U.S. would've cost me over $55.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by cyborgLIS

Between PAL and NTSC, which format is better in terms of authenticity to the film? I know NTSC does a 24 to 30 frame rate conversion via 3:2 pulldown, but my understanding is that the conversion can be reversed where applicable (like if you have a display that can do 24fps), and all the original frames from the film can be retrieved intact (though I've heard sometimes there are errors in this process). I'm not sure how the PAL 24fps to 25fps conversion works, but similarly, is it possible to undo the conversion and retrieve all the original film frames intact? I know there's also the issue with the sound being sped up, so can that be reversed as well without introducing any artifacts?

Obviously this is more of an issues for DVDs than BDs. Sorry about going off on a tangent, but since this is a thread about obtaining the best version of a movie, I thought it might be relevant.

PAL has better picture quality but the horrible change in pitch to audio is a drastic change to the original film or show. Most PAL versions of American productions have that change to the pitch of the audio and sound horrible in comparison. It can partially be covered up with digital software but that process introduces its own artifacts.

[HD Goofnut]

Added The Machinist. I prefer the detail and grain structure on the U.S. release, but I like the colors on the DE release. This is really too close to call overall, but both are region free and the U.S. disc has a much higher bitrate.

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...less=1#auswahl

[the1tyrant]

A couple of classic 80s films for the list. I'll verify region coding on both of these discs once I get them in hand and update BRDC and this thread once I've checked them.

F/X
US - No release
AU - AVC 1.85:1, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English SDH, BD-50 (Region B)

No Retreat, No Surrender
US - No release
AU - AVC 1.85:1, English: DTS-HD 2.0, no subtitles, BD-25, international version [uncut] (Region B)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by the1tyrant

A couple of classic 80s films for the list. I'll verify region coding on both of these discs once I get them in hand and update BRDC and this thread once I've checked them.

F/X
US - No release
AU - AVC 1.85:1, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English SDH, BD-50 (Region B)

No Retreat, No Surrender
US - No release
AU - AVC 1.85:1, English: DTS-HD 2.0, no subtitles, BD-25, international version [uncut] (Region B)

Done.

[psicon]

Haven't compared PQ yet, but the US release of Los Sin Nombre (nameless) is by default inferior due to no original language audio.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by psicon

Haven't compared PQ yet, but the US release of Los Sin Nombre (nameless) is by default inferior due to no original language audio.

Done.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by psicon

Haven't compared PQ yet, but the US release of Los Sin Nombre (nameless) is by default inferior due to no original language audio.

Here are the specs for the Spanish release.

Nameless, The (Los sin nombre)
ES - AVC 21999 kbps 1080p24 1.85:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2088 kbps 16-bit (EN DD 5.1 640 kbps 16-bit), BD25 (Region free)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Here are the specs for the Spanish release.

Nameless, The (Los sin nombre)
ES - AVC 21999 kbps 1080p24 1.85:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2088 kbps 16-bit (EN DD 5.1 640 kbps 16-bit), BD25 (Region free)

Added.

[psicon]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Here are the specs for the Spanish release.

Nameless, The (Los sin nombre)
ES - AVC 21999 kbps 1080p24 1.85:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2088 kbps 16-bit (EN DD 5.1 640 kbps 16-bit), BD25 (Region free)

I have that as part of a box set of his movies. It's a good releasr and I don't see the echo bridge release besting it in the PQ. Although they did manage to with their (second) release of Darkness.
I'll get the US specs at some point tomorrow.

[HD Goofnut]

Very Bad Things added.

[yoshi_5]

I don't have specs, sorry, but The Lover 1992 DE release is 1080p, and The Holiday 2006 US version is only LPCM where other countries have DTS-HD transfers....

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by yoshi_5

I don't have specs, sorry, but The Lover 1992 DE release is 1080p, and The Holiday 2006 US version is only LPCM where other countries have DTS-HD transfers....

There is no difference between LPCM and DTS-HD MA as they are both lossless.

[psicon]

Here's a couple of screenshots from the ES and US The Nameless releases.

[HD Goofnut]

The Lover (L'Amant) updated.

[psicon]

Nameless, The (Los sin nombre)
ES - AVC 21999 kbps 1080p24 1.85:1, DTS-HD MA 5.1 2088 kbps 16-bit (EN DD 5.1 640 kbps 16-bit), BD25 (Region free)
US - AVC 28001 kbps 1080p24 1.78:1, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1877 kbps 24-bit, BD25 (No original language audio track)