Dune (1984)

[Nissen]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Just got the 2-disc German edition ....

So for the moment anyway I'd say this is my fave Blu Ray of Dune to date

I have the disc and I very much concur.
However, on my copy there is an unfortunate video glitch near the beginning, where a small copy of the main image appears for a few seconds in a small window near the top of the screen (Like a picture-in-picture type of thing). I believe this error is hard-coded in the image, perhaps a preview window they forgot to turn off before rendering the video. This is only for a few seconds in the scene with Paul in his study, and hardly a deal-breaker.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has this too?

[DMRI2006]

I just saw it also. You're right, it's not a big deal, probably on screen for less than 2 seconds. Hopefully there aren't other instances, though it wouldn't surprise me, because it was obviously a large undertaking trying to integrate the TV scenes plus its audio changes with the HD master of the theatrical cut.

Whoever did it -- this aside -- did did an excellent job, because the upscaled scenes look more impressive here than, say, than watching the 16:9 DVD Universal produced of the TV version.

I think you put this together with the theatrical cut, which if anything is as good as the US release, and this is -- so far -- the best release of the movie yet, extras excepted (as other versions have more supplements).

[wesslan]

I would like to see comparisons if the theatrical cut is exactly the same as US blu-ray PQ wise as all others look worse to me, even all German blu-rays. But doesn't sound like it is as you said it was the same encode as the old discs?

Until I know what the JP contains the best would be US theatrical PQ with the added tv scenes in 2.35.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by wesslan

I would like to see comparisons if the theatrical cut is exactly the same as US blu-ray PQ wise as all others look worse to me, even all German blu-rays. But doesn't sound like it is as you said it was the same encode as the old discs?

Until I know what the JP contains the best would be US theatrical PQ with the added tv scenes in 2.35.

Exactly how I feel.

[DMRI2006]

Until I know what the JP contains the best would be US theatrical PQ with the added tv scenes in 2.35.

Well that's basically what this is. It essentially looks like they lifted the US Blu-Ray transfer for this release, both for the theatrical version, and for the 187 min. version sequences derived from the theatrical cut. The image is NOT blown out with brightness like the prior German Blu-Rays I had seen (and I owned two of the previous releases). Whether or not there's added compression or authoring discrepancies, someone will have to upload screenshots, I can't see a difference with the naked eye and I've bounced back and forth between them. The coloring/brightness, etc. -- it's the same as the US release, down to the exact second.

Editorially speaking, for the 187 min version, they took the TV version and segued in and out from the theatrical version (which, again, looks to be the same/similar to the US Blu-Ray) when scenes are added. The whole thing is 2.35. It's not entirely the US DVD 16:9 TV version upscaled, it's "real HD" when it's not footage running from the TV cut.

I'd love to see the whole thing in real HD, but I wouldn't hold my breath that anyone is going to find the deleted scenes and transfer them seeing as the TV version was produced for standard definition decades ago.

BTW - the Japanese box-set specs on Amazon state their TV version is in "4:3 (Standard)".

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Well that's basically what this is. It essentially looks like they lifted the US Blu-Ray transfer for this release, both for the theatrical version, and for the 187 min. version sequences derived from the theatrical cut. The image is NOT blown out with brightness like the prior German Blu-Rays I had seen (and I owned two of the previous releases). Whether or not there's added compression or authoring discrepancies, someone will have to upload screenshots, I can't see a difference with the naked eye and I've bounced back and forth between them. The coloring/brightness, etc. -- it's the same as the US release, down to the exact second.

Editorially speaking, for the 187 min version, they took the TV version and segued in and out from the theatrical version (which, again, looks to be the same/similar to the US Blu-Ray) when scenes are added. The whole thing is 2.35. It's not entirely the US DVD 16:9 TV version upscaled, it's "real HD" when it's not footage running from the TV cut.

I'd love to see the whole thing in real HD, but I wouldn't hold my breath that anyone is going to find the deleted scenes and transfer them seeing as the TV version was produced for standard definition decades ago.

BTW - the Japanese box-set specs on Amazon state their TV version is in "4:3 (Standard)".

Which release are you referring to exactly? Can you link it here on the site?

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Which release are you referring to exactly? Can you link it here on the site?

Are you asking me about the Japanese release? I was referring to the box-set coming out later this summer:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/デューン...&keywords=dune

Says in the translated specs:

""Dune / sand planet TV aired long version of" (about 189 minutes) also included: (4: 3 standard) !!"

The German release I was discussing is this one:

http://www.amazon.de/Dune-Wüstenpla...words=dune+blu

Sorry, so many discs of this movie out there, didn't mean to confuse anyone.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Are you asking me about the Japanese release? I was referring to the box-set coming out later this summer:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/デューン...&keywords=dune

Says in the translated specs:



The German release I was discussing is this one:

http://www.amazon.de/Dune-Wüstenpla...words=dune+blu

Sorry, so many discs of this movie out there, didn't mean to confuse anyone.

So the DE release you just linked is the best presentation of the extended TV cut as of right now?

[bigrob]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Well that's basically what this is. It essentially looks like they lifted the US Blu-Ray transfer for this release, both for the theatrical version, and for the 187 min. version sequences derived from the theatrical cut. The image is NOT blown out with brightness like the prior German Blu-Rays I had seen (and I owned two of the previous releases). Whether or not there's added compression or authoring discrepancies, someone will have to upload screenshots, I can't see a difference with the naked eye and I've bounced back and forth between them. The coloring/brightness, etc. -- it's the same as the US release, down to the exact second.

Editorially speaking, for the 187 min version, they took the TV version and segued in and out from the theatrical version (which, again, looks to be the same/similar to the US Blu-Ray) when scenes are added. The whole thing is 2.35. It's not entirely the US DVD 16:9 TV version upscaled, it's "real HD" when it's not footage running from the TV cut.

I'd love to see the whole thing in real HD, but I wouldn't hold my breath that anyone is going to find the deleted scenes and transfer them seeing as the TV version was produced for standard definition decades ago.

BTW - the Japanese box-set specs on Amazon state their TV version is in "4:3 (Standard)".

Many thanks for the info, hoping mine arrives this week

Quick question though if you can answer it. Regarding the TV version, there were some audio changes for the theatrical scenes (Princess Iurlan's opening monologue from the theatrical cut can be heard on Paul's computer before the shield fight and wielding module demo & when the space navigator is seen folding space, the TV version uses a more upbeat selection of Toto's score to make it more exciting), are these present on the German extended BD?

I'm just fearing that they've literally edited in the extra scenes from the TV version into the theatrical HD master

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

So the DE release you just linked is the best presentation of the extended TV cut as of right now?

Affirmative

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by bigrob

Many thanks for the info, hoping mine arrives this week

Quick question though if you can answer it. Regarding the TV version, there were some audio changes for the theatrical scenes (Princess Iurlan's opening monologue from the theatrical cut can be heard on Paul's computer before the shield fight and wielding module demo & when the space navigator is seen folding space, the TV version uses a more upbeat selection of Toto's score to make it more exciting), are these present on the German extended BD?

I'm just fearing that they've literally edited in the extra scenes from the TV version into the theatrical HD master

Both of those audio changes you mention are intact. There's also that added dialogue line in the shuttle when the pilot threatens Jessica and suddenly starts speaking with a Mexican accent -- that's here too. Things that were cut from the TV version seem to be cut here also -- like the Baron's "heart drinking" of the servant.

I haven't gone through everything and it's entirely possible they made some errors (and there's that 2-second glitch described above), but it looks pretty much like someone was carefully paying attention to what they were doing in assembling this.

I'd be interested in knowing what you think of it! Let me know if there's anything else you want me to check.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Both of those audio changes you mention are intact. There's also that added dialogue line in the shuttle when the pilot threatens Jessica and suddenly starts speaking with a Mexican accent -- that's here too. Things that were cut from the TV version seem to be cut here also -- like the Baron's "heart drinking" of the servant.

I haven't gone through everything and it's entirely possible they made some errors (and there's that 2-second glitch described above), but it looks pretty much like someone was carefully paying attention to what they were doing in assembling this.

I'd be interested in knowing what you think of it! Let me know if there's anything else you want me to check.

That 2 second glitch is what's keeping me from pulling the trigger. I also want to wait and see what the JP release looks like.

[bigrob]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Both of those audio changes you mention are intact. There's also that added dialogue line in the shuttle when the pilot threatens Jessica and suddenly starts speaking with a Mexican accent -- that's here too. Things that were cut from the TV version seem to be cut here also -- like the Baron's "heart drinking" of the servant.

I haven't gone through everything and it's entirely possible they made some errors (and there's that 2-second glitch described above), but it looks pretty much like someone was carefully paying attention to what they were doing in assembling this.

I'd be interested in knowing what you think of it! Let me know if there's anything else you want me to check.

Thanks for answering my question

I've got 3 versions of the TV cut on DVD. The Universal widescreen version (not seen this edition yet), the Castle UK DVD (fullscreen) and the French Ultimate Edition (presented in two parts as originally shown on TV, only DVD in the world that presents it like this IIRC) so i'm looking foward to checking the German BD out

[wesslan]

How is the alien language handled on this new german disc? Need english subs for all. Any subs for the rest?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by wesslan

How is the alien language handled on this new german disc? Need english subs for all. Any subs for the rest?

During which parts? The entire film is in English.

[posthaste]

Just a word of caution.

I have this DUNE Der Wustenplanet blu-ray and it doesn't play on my Sony BDP-S790. So anyone with that particular player might want to avoid this release (unless it's a problem with the individual disc, which I doubt).

I'm placing my bets on this new Japanese release being definitive in terms of picture quality. BTW, I've never had a problem playing back a region-free JP blu-ray. No surprise there, as the Japanese encoding houses make damned sure their discs play back on all Sony machines.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by posthaste

Just a word of caution.

I have this DUNE Der Wustenplanet blu-ray and it doesn't play on my Sony BDP-S790. So anyone with that particular player might want to avoid this release (unless it's a problem with the individual disc, which I doubt).

I'm placing my bets on this new Japanese release being definitive in terms of picture quality. BTW, I've never had a problem playing back a region-free JP blu-ray. No surprise there, as the Japanese encoding houses make damned sure there discs play back on all Sony machines.

My main player is the 590, but I was planning on avoiding this release anyway due to the PiP glitch.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by wesslan

How is the alien language handled on this new german disc?

Come on. Sting's acting isn't that bad.

[Raif79]

The glitch is holding me back from buying this as well. It's a little sloppy that they didn't catch that before putting it on the shelves. It'll be an even bigger nightmare to get a replacement (if they even do a replacement). All chips are on the table and I'm betting on the new Japanese set. If I'm wrong, I'll end up with a very attractive looking box set with a so-so to awful transfer of Dune, and I'll buy the German copy.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Raif79

The glitch is holding me back from buying this as well. It's a little sloppy that they didn't catch that before putting it on the shelves. It'll be an even bigger nightmare to get a replacement (if they even do a replacement). All chips are on the table and I'm betting on the new Japanese set. If I'm wrong, I'll end up with a very attractive looking box set with a so-so to awful transfer of Dune, and I'll buy the German copy.

I'd rather stick with the well done Universal steelbook DVD from 2006 before I get the DE disc with the glitch. Not only is it an excellent transfer for a DVD, but it has the audio in DD 5.1 while most releases have 2.0.