Troma Goes Blu-ray (Official Thread)

[NLScavenger]

There is a comparison of several screenshots from Troma and the 88 films release, but I dunno if these are even representative because of the small size of the JPEGs. And furthermore it does not state if the Troma screenshots are from the Blu-ray or the master. The screenshots make the 88 films release look worse than Troma, especially in screenshot three in which the tiles become a blurry mess.

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comp...0460/picture:0

[Katatonia]

Originally Posted by NLScavenger

There is a comparison of several screenshots from Troma and the 88 films release, but I dunno if these are even representative because of the small size of the JPEGs. And furthermore it does not state if the Troma screenshots are from the Blu-ray or the master. The screenshots make the 88 films release look worse than Troma, especially in screenshot three in which the tiles become a blurry mess.

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comp...0460/picture:0

It shows at the top that it's from the Original master, not the actual Troma Blu-ray encode.

There are also some big differences in some of the JPG file sizes between the two, so I don't know if this is a very fair comparison. The 2nd screenshot is 526.5KB vs. 222.2KB for instance. PNG comparisons would have been more ideal.

[Kriztoffer Swank]

There's JPEG compression artifacts up the wazoo on those 88 BD screencaps.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by travisbickle

I wonder if the cleanup came at the cost of loss of grain/detail? I know Scream Factory did the same to Halloween II and lost a bit of detail in the process compared to the Universal BD.

Really wish Capsaholic would put up some screens of the 88 Blu to compare to the Troma.

On their Full Moon releases where they did some cleanup like Castle Freak I would say about 5% detail lost. Nothing major, but a little bit.

It really boils down to what look you prefer.

[saginawjuggalo]

Originally Posted by saginawjuggalo

Review: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...ay_blu-ray.htm

To my eyes they are pretty close at first glance, but the Starz / Anchor Bay release appears to have better compression and sharper grain despite the higher bitrate provided by 88 Films. Much like Shout!Factory, there has been some talk about 88's compression not being that worlds greatest.. and of course I found this out after my imports shipped. I bought 88's for the lossless audio, extras, higher bitrate (figured it had to be a better encode right? err) and the cool red case.

It would be nice if someone could post uncompressed images of both releases over at Caps-a-holic to be sure there is no room for error

I found one identical screen cap and a close second [DVDBeaver top / Blu-ray.com bottom]

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...3_blu-ray_.jpg
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...59&position=28

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...2_blu-ray_.jpg
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...359&position=2

I'm hoping someone can compare 88 Films vs Anchor Bay's Mother's Day. I'm not sure if I can trust DVDbeavers screen grabs due to their rep when it comes to accurate captures.

Any thoughts?

[travisbickle]

Originally Posted by Ruined

On their Full Moon releases where they did some cleanup like Castle Freak I would say about 5% detail lost. Nothing major, but a little bit.

It really boils down to what look you prefer.

A little bit of film damage popping up every now and then doesn't bother me. Loss of detail does. I think I'll just stick with Troma's Blu of the first film.

For Toxie 2 I'll definitely go with 88, though. Troma REALLY dropped the ball on that one.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by travisbickle

A little bit of film damage popping up every now and then doesn't bother me. Loss of detail does. I think I'll just stick with Troma's Blu of the first film.

For Toxie 2 I'll definitely go with 88, though. Troma REALLY dropped the ball on that one.

I'll give you an example of detail differences. (copy and paste link into new browser window)

Puppet Master 2 - Full Moon (US)
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...59&position=11

Puppet Master 2 - 88 Films (UK)
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-r...blu-ray_02.jpg

You will notice the 88 Films edition has very slight DNR, but at points in the movie also less film debris.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by SilentNight

what? The Blu-Ray release from Troma is 720p? I'm glad I've got the UK release now for sure.

Are you all sure that 88 Films didn't simply upscale Troma's sub-1080p master up to 1080p for the UK Blu-ray, then throw a layer of 1920x1080 artificial grain on top of it? Because that is a very real possibility given they got the master from Troma... They did some similar manipulations with Subspecies 1 (took 1080i DNR'd master, deinterlaced to 1080p and appears they added artificial grain - though a lot complained of smearing artifacts as a result of the i > p conversion).

[Kriztoffer Swank]

If the review on 10k Bullets is anything to go by, the screenshots are 720x480 which is widescreen standard def which I believe was confirmed by a poster here with the BDInfo (which I think also said it was interlaced). Most Blu-ray reviews on the site have 1920x1080 screenshots.

It would appear somebody did something wrong during the authoring on Troma's BD.

[Katatonia]

Originally Posted by saginawjuggalo

I'm hoping someone can compare 88 Films vs Anchor Bay's Mother's Day. I'm not sure if I can trust DVDbeavers screen grabs due to their rep when it comes to accurate captures.

Any thoughts?

I've owned both, and 88 Films Blu-ray of Mother's Day definitely looked noticeably superior to me...and had a much higher bit-rate.

[bipbop13]

Is there any possiblity of Troma making a half decent blu of "Evil Clutch". They put out the DVD version and I've actually got squint lines on my face trying to see whats going on in the darkness over the years that I've had it. If Troma can't or won't do it, does anyone know of a foreign release that has better PQ than tromas atrocity?

[psicon]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Are you all sure that 88 Films didn't simply upscale Troma's sub-1080p master up to 1080p for the UK Blu-ray, then throw a layer of 1920x1080 artificial grain on top of it? Because that is a very real possibility given they got the master from Troma... They did some similar manipulations with Subspecies 1 (took 1080i DNR'd master, deinterlaced to 1080p and appears they added artificial grain - though a lot complained of smearing artifacts as a result of the i > p conversion).

I had the first screenshot from caps-a-holic Toxic Avenger 2 uk blu in one window and the Troma release paused in another and the sign reading Crap is Whack is unreadable on the Troma blu, as is the NY on the kids shirt. There is definitely more detail in the Uk blu.
The troma release looks a lot better than the old DVD though.
http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergl...=278#vergleich

[bruce holecheck]

Originally Posted by bipbop13

Is there any possiblity of Troma making a half decent blu of "Evil Clutch". They put out the DVD version and I've actually got squint lines on my face trying to see whats going on in the darkness over the years that I've had it. If Troma can't or won't do it, does anyone know of a foreign release that has better PQ than tromas atrocity?

Vinegar Syndrome were looking into EVIL CLUTCH as part of their licensing deal from Troma, but have run into elements issues. Hopefully they'll be able to turn up something usable.

[KrugStillo]

Originally Posted by Wren

Very happy to see Toma on BR. Not biting until "Killer Nerd" is released. (Not holding my breath).

Killer Nerd was shot in SD (Not sure the format but it was equivalent to broadcast quality VHS). Most likely not gonna happen.

[saginawjuggalo]

Originally Posted by Katatonia

I've owned both, and 88 Films Blu-ray of Mother's Day definitely looked noticeably superior to me...and had a much higher bit-rate.

Good to hear

As for PQ, in what ways do you find the 88 Films version better? Does it hold fine grain better?

[FarewelltotheFlesh]

Just received my copy of Class of Nuke 'Em High 2 and it looks really good. This is HD and although it's not perfect, it's far better than I had expected considering the recent Rabid Grannies and Toxie 2 blu-rays. Grainy, detailed, colorful, it actually looks like film. This is probably the best the film will ever look and I'm really happy I purchased it. Fingers crossed for part 3!

[frakking toaster]

Has anyone actually confirmed that that toxic avenger 2 blu ray is bad or is it all coming from that one review?

[littleprince32]

Originally Posted by frakking toaster

Has anyone actually confirmed that that toxic avenger 2 blu ray is bad or is it all coming from that one review?

Mondo Digital also reviewed it and confirmed its 720x480. Link.

ETA: FWIW, the review says the transfer is nice and seems to be from the same source as 88, it's just not 1080P.

[frakking toaster]

Originally Posted by littleprince32

Mondo Digital also reviewed it and confirmed its 720x480. Link.

ETA: FWIW, the review says the transfer is nice and seems to be from the same source as 88, it's just not 1080P.

Thanks. Definitely going to order the 88 films version now.

[odriley]

I ordered from Troma the other day for the first time and was wondering, anyone know if the send shipping emails? Been a few days and nothing.