Predator (1987) (Ultimate Hunter Edition)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Screencaps shouldn't mean much to people who decided that this release was going to be good, just because the press release said it was "remastered". Their minds were already made up long before the caps came along.

+1 And the average age of that certain group is?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I don't own the original release. I've been waiting for a release with an updated video codec, rather than the mpeg-2 codec used with the original release. IMO, this is a difficult film to encode and that is made only more apparent by the use of an old codec.



I wanted to buy the new one and was looking forward to it. However after seeing all the screencaps it looks as if I'll have to wait even longer for a proper release. BTW, I can see the manipulation in every screenshot thus presented.

I see your point, but when this title was begun in 2006 MPEG-2 was not considered an "old codec."

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I see your point, but when this was released in 2006 MPEG-2 was not considered an "old codec."

It was released April 15, 2008. By then MPEG-2 was old.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

It was released April 15, 2008. By then MPEG-2 was old.

I understand that, but I read somewhere a couple years ago where work started on the BD transfer in 2006.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I understand that, but I read somewhere a couple years ago where work started on the BD transfer in 2006.

Yeah, as well as a few others like Ronin and The Siege. I just found that Predator required a bit more room than the mpeg-2 codec seemed to allow, all those dark scenes with natural lighting.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Yeah, as well as a few others like Ronin and The Siege. I just found that Predator required a bit more room than the mpeg-2 codec seemed to allow, all those dark scenes with natural lighting.

I sure would like to see an AVC or VC-1 version without any contrast meddling or DNR scrubbing. So much for that happening anytime soon.

[drtre81]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I would like to see how many units are sold during its first couple weeks. Despite the terribly boosted contrast levels and DNR, I bet it will move more its first month than the MPEG-2 version did simply because they are a lot more players out there now then there were in 2006.

And the fact that the new movie is coming and the better cover art.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by drtre81

And the fact that the new movie is coming and the better cover art.

Yeah, cover art that reeks of an AVP release, which were both pieces of junk.

[drtre81]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Yeah, cover art that reeks of an AVP release, which were both pieces of junk.

But had better cover art...

[Post Prod]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Yeah, as well as a few others like Ronin and The Siege. I just found that Predator required a bit more room than the mpeg-2 codec seemed to allow, all those dark scenes with natural lighting.

If you look at the screenshot comparisons. With the exception maybe of the predtor face c/u. Pay close attention to where the shadow detail turns to black. You should notice there's actually less detail in the shadows, as the contrast has been pumped, flattening the blacks out. Which makes it look more crisp and punchy to the casual eye, but in reality is removing detail.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/d2a94184037017
http://www.imagebam.com/image/008fd184037009

[drtre81]

Originally Posted by Post Prod

If you look at the screenshot comparisons. With the exception maybe of the predtor face c/u. Pay close attention to where the shadow detail turns to black. You should notice there's actually less detail in the shadows, as the contrast has been pumped, flattening the blacks out. Which makes it look more crisp and punchy to the casual eye, but in reality is removing detail.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/d2a94184037017
http://www.imagebam.com/image/008fd184037009

Where are you seeing missing detail exactly?

And good post Cliff.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Cliff

But don’t be shocked or offended when people are upset that Fox changed the overall look of the movie to appeal to a larger, but (sorry) less appreciative customer base. It's cool to like the look of the new edition, but just be honest about it and acknowledge that the original look wasn't preserved and you're enjoying an altered edition. Don't make stupid and, quite frankly, embarrassing suppositions that this was the way Predator always looked and it just took this long to finally get it right. At least in this case we have the original release for those that prefer the intended look over the updated visuals. With other releases we aren’t always so lucky.

Well said.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

+1 And the average age of that certain group is?

Age has nothing to do with it.

[ChuckT43]

@ Cliff. I've always wondered how people could remember so clearly the picture details after so many years. Even reading some pro reviews they make those same claims. Maybe they can, who knows, but I have always found that hard to believe.

[Arkadin]

well it's the new master that gives the new release the improved clarity, but then they had to ruin what could have been an amazing disc by their inept grain scrubbing.
it's actually pathetically brilliant what they have been able to pull off because it gives the illusion to people not happy with the previous disc that this sort of practice actually makes sense.
What actually would have made more sense would have been using a new master for the original release in the first place.
but obviously that's a little too much to ask.
It's crazy for people to act like anyone who doesn't like the new release can just settle for the old release when it is clearly less than ideal.
What are people going to say if Fox did this to the upcoming "Alien" release?
Fox better be prepared for some extreme hate if they grain scrubbed "Alien".

[Inspector Toschi]

Does this new BD come with a ticket to Predators? I seem to remember reading somewhere that it does. I can complain about the DNR all I want, but as a Predator fan I would like to own this. If a ticket is included, along with the fact that I can sell my old DVD, I would only be spending about 6 bucks.

[drtre81]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well it's the new master that gives the new release the improved clarity, but then they had to ruin what could have been an amazing disc by their inept grain scrubbing.
it's actually pathetically brilliant what they have been able to pull off because it gives the illusion to people not happy with the previous disc that this sort of practice actually makes sense.
What actually would have made more sense would have been using a new master for the original release in the first place.
but obviously that's a little too much to ask.
It's crazy for people to act like anyone who doesn't like the new release can just settle for the old release when it is clearly less than ideal.
What are people going to say if Fox did this to the upcoming "Alien" release?
Fox better be prepared for some extreme hate if they grain scrubbed "Alien".

It's not a new master though...

unless taking the same transfer an increasing the bitrate by 50% and bigger file size qualifies it as new?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Beast

Age has nothing to do with it.

I said average age.

[drtre81]

anyone have a link to the avs forum equivalent of this thread?

I wonder if it's as entertaining.

[bleauboy]

Originally Posted by Inspector Toschi

Does this new BD come with a ticket to Predators? I seem to remember reading somewhere that it does. I can complain about the DNR all I want, but as a Predator fan I would like to own this. If a ticket is included, along with the fact that I can sell my old DVD, I would only be spending about 6 bucks.

It is $10 movie cash for Predators, and yes I am getting this and then going to see Predators. When I first saw the trailer I was in the theater watching Iron Man 2. The trailer for Predators came on and I was so excited I was bouncing up and down in my seat and twiddling my feet together nervously. I was super excited. About half way threw I looked to my right and then my left and people were wondering what the heck was wrong with me. I took a big breath and calmed down. After that I was a little embarrassed, but oh well. Predator is my fav.