The Guns of Navarone 4K UHD (1961)

[Fjodor2000]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

Do you even own the TGON UHD stream on Vudu or itunes?. Its PQ is heavily compressed [...]

Do you mean compressed as in encoding issues due to low bitrate on the streamings services? If so, that should hopefully be improved on the 4K BD since it has higher bitrate.

Originally Posted by Hindustani

[...] non-HDR

Then this should also improve with the 4K BD, since it has HDR.

[chewbabka]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

dude. wait for the PQ review.

Do you even own the TGON UHD stream on Vudu or itunes?. Its PQ is heavily compressed, non-HDR and barely 1/2 stars out of . Yes. it is that bad.

I wouldn't rush till the PQ on this 4K release get atleast. I dont think they did any recent re-mastering, restoring on this one. I am not talking about 2 decades old restoration job for DVD release.

I don’t own this movie period. I tried to watch it on TCM months ago, but the DirectTV shit compression made it impossible for me to enjoy. Your suggestion is I spend money on digital copies to test drive it, or wait for a review then get the Blu-Ray of its poorly reviewed. Sounds like a chore!

I just want to watch and enjoy the damn movie! I totally get and follow the nit picky PQ discussions, but sometimes I think people forget why they’re in this hobby to begin with!

[chewbabka]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Much of the OG negative was badly damaged, so the movie is what it is in 4K. I’m more excited for the 4-track audio personally.

I get confused with 4-track. Is it four discreet tracks? Or is it two identical stereo pairs? Or does it vary?

If the first, I’d see 5.1 as simply a remix for the purpose of conforming it to standards for modern systems, not necessarily revisionism (so long as no new effects are added of course).

[Fjodor2000]

Originally Posted by chewbabka

I get confused with 4-track. Is it four discreet tracks? Or is it two identical stereo pairs? Or does it vary?

The Sony press release quoted in the OP says:

"English 4.0 DTS-HD MA"

So likely LCR + one surround channel, all discrete channels since it's DTS-HD MA.

[chewbabka]

Originally Posted by Fjodor2000

The Sony press release quoted in the OP says:

"English 4.0 DTS-HD MA"

So likely LCR + one surround channel, all discrete channels since it's DTS-HD MA.

I see. So on a 5.1 setup, I’d have LCR, then the surround channel spread across the two rears?

[Fjodor2000]

Originally Posted by chewbabka

I see. So on a 5.1 setup, I’d have LCR, then the surround channel spread across the two rears?

Yes, on a 5.1 system the AVR will play the single surround channel in both rear speakers.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by chewbabka

I get confused with 4-track. Is it four discreet tracks? Or is it two identical stereo pairs? Or does it vary?

If the first, I’d see 5.1 as simply a remix for the purpose of conforming it to standards for modern systems, not necessarily revisionism (so long as no new effects are added of course).

Stereo soundtracks at the time consisted of 6 channels but not all films were mixed for 6 track stereo. In many cases it'd be 4 track with 2 channels replicated. That's probably how it was originally released. For home video, when they do bother to release the original stereo audio, they only include the separate discreet tracks without replication.

I have the BD and it only includes 5.1 surround. I can understand the necessity to sell the disc as including surround sound, hence having a film's mono soundtrack remixed to 5.1 but I honestly do not understand why the couldn't just restore the 4 track to begin with. I doubt repurposing the soundtrack changes the overall feel of the movie.

[chocolat]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

dude. wait for the PQ review.

I wouldn't rush till the PQ on this 4K release get atleast. I dont think they did any recent re-mastering, restoring on this one. I am not talking about 2 decades old restoration job for DVD release.

Okay... by whose standard? yours or a trusted reviewer?

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by Fjodor2000

Do you mean compressed as in encoding issues due to low bitrate on the streamings services? If so, that should hopefully be improved on the 4K BD since it has higher bitrate.


Then this should also improve with the 4K BD, since it has HDR.

In the beginning of VUDU steaming, there is this weird PQ during opening credits, probably encoding and compression issues both. gets better little later.

Mine is only 55 inch sony LED screen, TGON still looks barely watcheable in 4K, this streaming file may even be 2K upgraded to 4K with heavy compression imo.

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by chocolat

Okay... by whose standard? yours or a trusted reviewer?

Definitely not me!

I mean hi def digest, digitalbits and other official reviewers.

I wasnt aware OG negative was completely damaged. Now I will be even more careful if I were you.

I am not expecting TBOTRK 4K PQ which was rated 3.5 to 4 stars for 1957 film by various official reviewers.

An PQ average of 3.5 stars will do for me for TGON 4K. but 2.5-3 stars will be bad. especially paying premium price.

[Agent Kay]

4 track, I'm in.
Had the 4k stream for years but will always upgrade to disc, especially with original audio.
Plus love the slip

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

Definitely not me!

I mean hi def digest, digitalbits and other official reviewers.

Like that means anything at all...! And you forgot to include FaH, the crème de la crème as far as technical reviews are concerned! Also, what do you mean by "official reviewers"? Someone with the right knowledge and qualifications (most unusual these days), or someone who just happens to do reviews for a website / Youtube channel?

(that's a rhetorical question of course!)
The only way to get a good, solid idea of what a given disc looks like - in my opinion - is to watch it yourself. I know it's not always possible and most people will want to have a rough idea what to expect before they buy, unfortunately most reviews (whichever way they go) aren't very accurate nor very detailed (not to say sometimes totally wrong). You can't really judge through screen caps either, so that makes the whole thing very tricky and sometimes quite pointless. And the whole thing also depends a lot on your own expectations and appreciation, so... For GoN, for example - and like others have said - it's already pretty obvious that the video is unlikely to be a massive leap forward. However, the inclusion of the original audio track and the potential benefit of HDR already guarantees a day-1 sale for some of us, regardless whether the PQ is massively better than the HD Blu-ray or not. I'm not expecting stellar PQ, but I'll be happy as long as it is not worse than what we already have. Of course, everyone's mileage will vary - which is why "official reviewers" don't do much for a lot of us. Or maybe just for me

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by The Admiral

Like that means anything at all...! And you forgot to include FaH, the crème de la crème as far as technical reviews are concerned! Also, what do you mean by "official reviewers"? Someone with the right knowledge and qualifications (most unusual these days), or someone who just happens to do reviews for a website / Youtube channel?

(that's a rhetorical question of course!)
The only way to get a good, solid idea of what a given disc looks like - in my opinion - is to watch it yourself. I know it's not always possible and most people will want to have a rough idea what to expect before they buy, unfortunately most reviews (whichever way they go) aren't very accurate nor very detailed (not to say sometimes totally wrong). You can't really judge through screen caps either, so that makes the whole thing very tricky and sometimes quite pointless. And the whole thing also depends a lot on your own expectations and appreciation, so... For GoN, for example - and like others have said - it's already pretty obvious that the video is unlikely to be a massive leap forward. However, the inclusion of the original audio track and the potential benefit of HDR already guarantees a day-1 sale for some of us, regardless whether the PQ is massively better than the HD Blu-ray or not. I'm not expecting stellar PQ, but I'll be happy as long as it is not worse than what we already have. Of course, everyone's mileage will vary - which is why "official reviewers" don't do much for a lot of us. Or maybe just for me

I give this post

[Staying Salty]

Originally Posted by The Admiral

Of course, everyone's mileage will vary - which is why "official reviewers" don't do much for a lot of us. Or maybe just for me

In the "Blu-ray Cat Emperor" we trust.

[AdmiralNoodles]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

Definitely not me!

I mean hi def digest, digitalbits and other official reviewers.

I wasnt aware OG negative was completely damaged. Now I will be even more careful if I were you.

I am not expecting TBOTRK 4K PQ which was rated 3.5 to 4 stars for 1957 film by various official reviewers.

An PQ average of 3.5 stars will do for me for TGON 4K. but 2.5-3 stars will be bad. especially paying premium price.

The Digital Bits and Bill Hunt?
That's not sarcasm either. As others have mentioned, I'll wait until a far more reliable reviewer who most obviously is RAH and Goof D to give their observations on it. Don't own anything on digital platforms either and no need for anything from it.
Honestly glad this is releasing, heavily prefer the slipcover for the original poster artwork, and most of all the original cinema audio in lossless.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

Stereo soundtracks at the time consisted of 6 channels but not all films were mixed for 6 track stereo. In many cases it'd be 4 track with 2 channels replicated. That's probably how it was originally released. For home video, when they do bother to release the original stereo audio, they only include the separate discreet tracks without replication.

I have the BD and it only includes 5.1 surround. I can understand the necessity to sell the disc as including surround sound, hence having a film's mono soundtrack remixed to 5.1 but I honestly do not understand why the couldn't just restore the 4 track to begin with. I doubt repurposing the soundtrack changes the overall feel of the movie.

not that imdb is always correct with its information, but 70mm prints were culled for it's Japanese release would have been five front channels + mono surround.

props to Sony in actually releasing the original audio mixes for these editions.

[Joseph Goodman]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

Stereo soundtracks at the time consisted of 6 channels but not all films were mixed for 6 track stereo. In many cases it'd be 4 track with 2 channels replicated. That's probably how it was originally released. For home video, when they do bother to release the original stereo audio, they only include the separate discreet tracks without replication.

35mm prints were available with four-track magnetic stereo, with three front channels (L, C, R) and a single rear channel.

[lgans316]

Watching the 4K SDR iTunes stream on my ZD9.
Looks gorgeous. To be frank I don't need HDR as the SDR looks so beautiful. I would say this has the potential to look stunning on disc. I really hope they don't degrain this one like LoA. This could arguably be the best catalog remaster from Sony.

[Fjodor2000]

Originally Posted by lgans316

Watching the 4K SDR iTunes stream on my ZD9.
Looks gorgeous. To be frank I don't need HDR as the SDR looks so beautiful. I would say this has the potential to look stunning on disc. I really hope they don't degrain this one like LoA. This could arguably be the best catalog remaster from Sony.

Sounds good! Not sure why you would not like (or need) to have HDR too though.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by Fjodor2000

Sounds good! Not sure why you would not like (or need) to have HDR too though.

I am not entirely sure if this would benefit from.HDR. Maybe it will. I hope Sony doesn't do a River Kwai HDR grade on this lol.

As of now, the 4K SDR is absolutely gorgeous. There is something special about the picture here that I didn't feel after watching Lawrence of Arabia on 4K Dolby Vision