The Studio Ghibli (JP) Discussion Thread

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Kool-aid23

Laputa: Castle in the Sky JP vs Hong Kong

Hi, for those with this movie, is the HK version equal to the JP version since the specs appear to be the same?

Thanks

No, there are many differences between the two versions. For starters, the Japanese version offers Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which is something the HK version doesn't have. Plus, the JP version also offers dubs in Germany, Korean, French, Mandrian and Cantonese on top of the original Japanese. While the HK version only offers dubs in Mandrian, Cantonese and Japanese, and without DTS-HD Master audio tracks. Video quality-wise they are pretty much the same as far as I know.


EDIT: Although it says in the DB that the HK version offers the Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, but I personally doubt it. I will advise after I double check it later.

[Exist2Inspire]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

No, there are many differences between the two versions. For starters, the Japanese version offers Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which is something the HK version doesn't have. Plus, the JP version also offers dubs in Germany, Korean, French, Mandrian and Cantonese on top of the original Japanese. While the HK version only offers dubs in Mandrian, Cantonese and Japanese, and without DTS-HD Master audio tracks. Video quality-wise they are pretty much the same as far as I know.


EDIT: Although it says in the DB that the HK version offers the Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, but I personally doubt it. I will advise after I double check it later.

Yeah, I updated the DB when I got my copy of Laputa. Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 as the default track.

[Kool-aid23]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

No, there are many differences between the two versions. For starters, the Japanese version offers Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which is something the HK version doesn't have. Plus, the JP version also offers dubs in Germany, Korean, French, Mandrian and Cantonese on top of the original Japanese. While the HK version only offers dubs in Mandrian, Cantonese and Japanese, and without DTS-HD Master audio tracks. Video quality-wise they are pretty much the same as far as I know.


EDIT: Although it says in the DB that the HK version offers the Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, but I personally doubt it. I will advise after I double check it later.

Thanks 4 the reply. I'm only interested in the PQ and audio differences. It's been report that the other HK releases have been inferior in the PQ but this is the first release that the specs were similar.

[Anamnesis]

CD Japan shipped my Howl & Ponyo today!!!! can't wait

[j_Diz]

Anxiously awaiting your comments. I'm hoping either you or someone else will be providing pics/screens (pretty please).

Howl aired in HD on a channel a couple years ago and I have had it recorded on my dvr but my roommate "accidentally" erased it last week. I think it's a sign from above that I need to purchase this...

[joelgutheil]

When Howl aired on NTV in Japan in 'HD', it turns out wasn't HD but in fact a really good upscale. There's a ton of these 'HD' files on the internet - they are ALMOST HD, at 1020 x 688, but the purists (which I'm sure count all of us on this board), can definitly see the difference. I'm certain the Howl blu ray will be a massive upgrade on this 'HD' version shown on tv as you mention; and judging by the recent films released in the era of year 2000 and beyond, on blu ray (Ponyo and Arrietty), look incredible, so I'm sure this and Earthsea will look fantastic.
In terms of the pattern of release, I'm with you all - I'm stumped. By releasing these two, it looks as if they're perhaps now going backwards (?) from present day - Arrietty, Ponyo already released, now Earthsea and Howl. So in theory, the next two (around June) will likely be Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, as Yamadas is already out of course (followed by From up on Poppy Hill in July/August). OR, they'll mix it up again!
On a quick note - am I alone in thinking Whisper of the Heart (my absolute favourite of Ghibli), didn't transfer to blu so well? I've had a 1080p copy (from japanese tv) for a year or so before the blu was out, and contrary to my thoughts on the Howl HD airing, the copy I had actually looks better than the blu ray - very strange....
Anyway - I too am hoping for some screen caps and early impressions of the three new releases this week, so I look forward to those!

[DJ Hilalo]

Originally Posted by Anamnesis

CD Japan shipped my Howl & Ponyo today!!!! can't wait

Sweet, good for you man, Yesasia is where I preordered mines from and the status still say Preordered

[Leshita]

My Howl's shipped from Amazon Japan yesterday (please no customs... please), first time seeing this movie so I hope it is a good one.

[j_Diz]

Originally Posted by joelgutheil

When Howl aired on NTV in Japan in 'HD', it turns out wasn't HD but in fact a really good upscale. There's a ton of these 'HD' files on the internet - they are ALMOST HD, at 1020 x 688, but the purists (which I'm sure count all of us on this board), can definitly see the difference. I'm certain the Howl blu ray will be a massive upgrade on this 'HD' version shown on tv as you mention; and judging by the recent films released in the era of year 2000 and beyond, on blu ray (Ponyo and Arrietty), look incredible, so I'm sure this and Earthsea will look fantastic.
In terms of the pattern of release, I'm with you all - I'm stumped. By releasing these two, it looks as if they're perhaps now going backwards (?) from present day - Arrietty, Ponyo already released, now Earthsea and Howl. So in theory, the next two (around June) will likely be Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, as Yamadas is already out of course (followed by From up on Poppy Hill in July/August). OR, they'll mix it up again!
On a quick note - am I alone in thinking Whisper of the Heart (my absolute favourite of Ghibli), didn't transfer to blu so well? I've had a 1080p copy (from japanese tv) for a year or so before the blu was out, and contrary to my thoughts on the Howl HD airing, the copy I had actually looks better than the blu ray - very strange....
Anyway - I too am hoping for some screen caps and early impressions of the three new releases this week, so I look forward to those!

The DVR this was saved on was the downstairs 46" tv, not the main movie viewing tv which is larger so the differences are harder to tell. But as you mentioned, this was a very, very good looking broadcast besides the yucky motion artifacts due to bandwidth limitations. Super sharp lines, very strong colors and lots of pop to the image. fyi this was the Disney dub version, it aired on the International Film Channel (IFC) which has aired other Ghibli titles which look atrocious in comparison... stretched out, lo-res. I assumed this was an actual HD version (i'd be shocked if it wasn't) because I figured Disney just might've had an HD master already prepped for their 2006 U.S. dvd release.

[DJ Hilalo]

Originally Posted by DJ Hilalo

Sweet, good for you man, Yesasia is where I preordered mines from and the status still say Preordered

Yes! , YESasia shipped all three of them yesterday

[GC Riot]

Originally Posted by DJ Hilalo

Yes! , YESasia shipped all three of them yesterday

+1
And my poor bank account will drain, drain, drain

[TwelveMind]

I'm OCD so the new Ponyo release is grinding my gears even though I already have the previous one.

[jala12]

For anyone who gets the Howl's Moving Castle BD, be sure to post impressions and screenshots when you recieve it!

[Jacob The Great]

There are talent search shows in Philippines, the most famous style is silhouette performances, they remind me of the Japanese Ghibli Blu-ray covers, which makes me buy them.

[Puonti]

Ponyo, Howl and Tales ordered. Hurts my wallet, but I must have these!

[tomwhite2004]

Hi all, I live in the UK and have used HMV japan and CD Japan for the last lot of ghibli blurays that i bought. However the packaging was awful, basic jiffy bag with no other protection, corners got knocked etc. Can anyone recomend another site that ships with a box or some such? Thanks!

[monkeywonder]

yesasia pack things insanely well. Not always a box but things usually come in a massive ball of bubble wrap, the only problem being they wont fit through a letter box The free (well, included might be better way to put it. Their prices are a little on the high side) shipping is customs friendly too but it does take a long time, usually about two weeks to get to me (they do have a courier option as well)

Amazon Japan also use the same shipping methods as the other Amazons but you have to set up a new account with them, accounts from other amazon stores aren't accessible. They only offer courier shipping though. The site is navigable in English but not everything is translated and there some things they wont post outside of Japan

[tomwhite2004]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Going to go for Yesasia for ponyo and howls, would rather wait a bit longer for something to arrive if its going to be in good condition.

[W_T_K]

Gedo Senki and Howl's Moving Castle packaging shots and screenshots: http://catalina.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2011-11-16-4.

[GC Riot]

Originally Posted by W_T_K

Gedo Senki and Howl's Moving Castle packaging shots and screenshots: http://catalina.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2011-11-16-4.

Judging from those shots, these releases aren't grey and brown, but rather seem to be silver and gold. These will look great!