Bram Stoker's Dracula 4K UHD (1992) (25th Anniversary Edition) - Page 90 - Blu-ray Forum

James Luckard · 10-05-2022, 10:57 AM

Wow!

I just A/B'd the opening sequence on the old UHD and the new one.

It was absolutely worth $25 just to have the original theatrical subtitles in that portion. Those player-generated subs on the old disc and on the BD absolutely ruined that portion of the film for me. They completely took me out of the carefully constructed artificial world of the movie. I think that opening is one of the most gloriously cinematic moments in film of the 1990s.

In addition, it's instantly obvious, as others have pointed out, that the entire sequence was sourced from something other than the negative on the old UHD. On the new one, any shots without subs are clearly from the negative, and look MUCH better.

The grain looks glorious. These recent Sony discs like Gattaca and Sense and Sensibility really reproduce the grain beautifully.

I skipped around and watched the first few seconds of a number of later chapters on both discs, they all look the same as the old disc, to me.

The subtitles were the selling point for me here, and the disc was worth every penny.

James Luckard · 10-05-2022, 10:58 AM

A question.

This is one of only 3 or 4 steelbooks I've ever bought. The others are mostly collector's items I wanted for the packaging, while I already had the discs. Those steelbooks are in plastic ziploc bags in my closet.

With this one, however, I want to store it on my shelf, with my other discs.

Does anyone know a good source for protective plastic slips for steelbooks, so the case won't rub against the cases on either side?

Thanks!

MarkGubarenko · 10-05-2022, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Does anyone know a good source for protective plastic slips for steelbooks, so the case won't rub against the cases on either side?

Thanks!

I don't remove j-card from the back of them

James Luckard · 10-05-2022, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGubarenko

I don't remove j-card from the back of them

That would still leave the front unprotected though. I'm sure there must be plastic sleeves sized to steelbooks, I believe I've seen them in photos people have posted here.

MarkGubarenko · 10-05-2022, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Luckard

That would still leave the front unprotected though. I'm sure there must be plastic sleeves sized to steelbooks, I believe I've seen them in photos people have posted here.

front will be protected either by j-card or slipcase of next edition.

of course there are plastic sleeves.

Filmmaker · 10-05-2022, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGubarenko

front will be protected either by j-card or slipcase of next edition.

of course there are plastic sleeves.

Paper can scratch. A Steelbook would actually be better protected pressed against a case that doesn’t have a slipcover. James is justified in seeking a plastic sleeve for his Steelbook.

singhcr · 10-05-2022, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Wow!

I just A/B'd the opening sequence on the old UHD and the new one.

It was absolutely worth $25 just to have the original theatrical subtitles in that portion. Those player-generated subs on the old disc and on the BD absolutely ruined that portion of the film for me. They completely took me out of the carefully constructed artificial world of the movie. I think that opening is one of the most gloriously cinematic moments in film of the 1990s.

In addition, it's instantly obvious, as others have pointed out, that the entire sequence was sourced from something other than the negative on the old UHD. On the new one, any shots without subs are clearly from the negative, and look MUCH better.

The grain looks glorious. These recent Sony discs like Gattaca and Sense and Sensibility really reproduce the grain beautifully.

I skipped around and watched the first few seconds of a number of later chapters on both discs, they all look the same as the old disc, to me.

The subtitles were the selling point for me here, and the disc was worth every penny.

Thanks for the review! Did you get a chance to listen to the original audio track? The Atmos mix was quite impressive but I would love to listen to the original too.

garyd97 · 10-05-2022, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Luckard

A question.

This is one of only 3 or 4 steelbooks I've ever bought. The others are mostly collector's items I wanted for the packaging, while I already had the discs. Those steelbooks are in plastic ziploc bags in my closet.

With this one, however, I want to store it on my shelf, with my other discs.

Does anyone know a good source for protective plastic slips for steelbooks, so the case won't rub against the cases on either side?

Thanks!

Steelbook Central. Haven't ordered from them in a while, so assuming still around.

sfmarine · 10-05-2022, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGubarenko

I don't remove j-card from the back of them

I do the same thing and it works out quite well.

BNex99 · 10-05-2022, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Wow!

I just A/B'd the opening sequence on the old UHD and the new one.

It was absolutely worth $25 just to have the original theatrical subtitles in that portion. Those player-generated subs on the old disc and on the BD absolutely ruined that portion of the film for me. They completely took me out of the carefully constructed artificial world of the movie. I think that opening is one of the most gloriously cinematic moments in film of the 1990s.

...

The subtitles were the selling point for me here, and the disc was worth every penny.

Yeah, it seems like such a nit-picky thing, but it really does make a difference. The color and style of any onscreen text is part of the visual style of a movie, and it's disappointing when that's not kept (especially when the rest of the picture is restored and graded to look like a pristine theatrical print).

Another big one for me is Black Panther. The generic subs on the UHD really stick out next to the rest of the carefully-designed text in that movie. Marvel is kind of hit-or-miss in that area; some of their discs have burnt-in subs, some are generated but in the original font, and some are the generic generated font. It's annoying.

bradnoyes · 10-05-2022, 02:50 PM

Last night I did briefly rewatch the chapter on the old disc where Drac first gets to London and meets Mina. My impression is that the new disc is a bit darker, with colors being a bit deeper and richer. Not a major difference outside of the opening section but I think it's quite nice.

sfmarine · 10-05-2022, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waboman

I passed on the first 4K go round of this. Have that cinema supreme BD and that was good enough. But this time I said what the heck and went for round 2 of the UHD release. What can I say? I live on the razors edge, baby. Looking forward to seeing this in 4K for the first time.

I forgot about the Supreme Cinema Series-they didn't do many of 'em. I passed on the first 4K as well. You will not be disappointed and it's excellent to have the original subtitles again. Sucks Sony didn't include any inside artwork. I hope they don't do the same with Starship Troopers.

sultanofcinema · 10-05-2022, 03:11 PM

I watched the entire film last night. Dracula was 30% off and another 10% with my card at B & N. $26.00. Colors are richer and picture is brighter. Beautiful transfer!!!!!!!!!

PeterTHX · 10-05-2022, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singhcr

Thanks for the review! Did you get a chance to listen to the original audio track? The Atmos mix was quite impressive but I would love to listen to the original too.

Should be the exact same 5.1 track as the standard Blu-ray.

MisterXDTV · 10-05-2022, 03:28 PM

So was the encoding upgraded to a BD-100? The original disc was a BD-66

sultanofcinema · 10-05-2022, 03:52 PM

MisterXDTV: BD100 present and 7.1 Dolby Atmos/5.1 and 2 Channel

singhcr · 10-05-2022, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Should be the exact same 5.1 track as the standard Blu-ray.

The steelbook has a 2.0 Dolby Stereo track, that's what I was referring to. That wasn't on the first UHD release.

sultanofcinema · 10-05-2022, 04:37 PM

Back of steelbook states English 5.1 & 2 Channell Surround DTS-HDMA

banandroid · 10-05-2022, 04:42 PM

For me, being able to roll immediately into the Annie Lennox video after the movie (without having to pull up YouTube and hope it's still on there) is as big a selling point as anything.

Not to say I'm willing to spend $30 just because of the music video, but, well... it doesn't hurt.

sancho · 10-05-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banandroid

For me, being able to roll immediately into the Annie Lennox video after the movie (without having to pull up YouTube and hope it's still on there) is as big a selling point as anything.

Not to say I'm willing to spend $30 just because of the music video, but, well... it doesn't hurt.

No worries. I have spent $30 on 1 CD for just 1 good song.

10-05-2022, 10:57 AM	#1781
James Luckard Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:399 Blu-ray collection:1816 Blu-ray reviews: 34	Wow! I just A/B'd the opening sequence on the old UHD and the new one. It was absolutely worth $25 just to have the original theatrical subtitles in that portion. Those player-generated subs on the old disc and on the BD absolutely ruined that portion of the film for me. They completely took me out of the carefully constructed artificial world of the movie. I think that opening is one of the most gloriously cinematic moments in film of the 1990s. In addition, it's instantly obvious, as others have pointed out, that the entire sequence was sourced from something other than the negative on the old UHD. On the new one, any shots without subs are clearly from the negative, and look MUCH better. The grain looks glorious. These recent Sony discs like Gattaca and Sense and Sensibility really reproduce the grain beautifully. I skipped around and watched the first few seconds of a number of later chapters on both discs, they all look the same as the old disc, to me. The subtitles were the selling point for me here, and the disc was worth every penny.

10-05-2022, 10:58 AM	#1782
James Luckard Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:399 Blu-ray collection:1816 Blu-ray reviews: 34	A question. This is one of only 3 or 4 steelbooks I've ever bought. The others are mostly collector's items I wanted for the packaging, while I already had the discs. Those steelbooks are in plastic ziploc bags in my closet. With this one, however, I want to store it on my shelf, with my other discs. Does anyone know a good source for protective plastic slips for steelbooks, so the case won't rub against the cases on either side? Thanks!

10-05-2022, 02:50 PM	#1791
bradnoyes Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2016 4K collection:778 Blu-ray collection:819 Trading Score:255	Last night I did briefly rewatch the chapter on the old disc where Drac first gets to London and meets Mina. My impression is that the new disc is a bit darker, with colors being a bit deeper and richer. Not a major difference outside of the opening section but I think it's quite nice.

10-05-2022, 03:11 PM	#1793
sultanofcinema Active Member Member since:May 2019	I watched the entire film last night. Dracula was 30% off and another 10% with my card at B & N. $26.00. Colors are richer and picture is brighter. Beautiful transfer!!!!!!!!!

10-05-2022, 03:28 PM	#1795
MisterXDTV Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008	So was the encoding upgraded to a BD-100? The original disc was a BD-66

10-05-2022, 03:52 PM	#1796
sultanofcinema Active Member Member since:May 2019	MisterXDTV: BD100 present and 7.1 Dolby Atmos/5.1 and 2 Channel

10-05-2022, 04:37 PM	#1798
sultanofcinema Active Member Member since:May 2019	Back of steelbook states English 5.1 & 2 Channell Surround DTS-HDMA

10-05-2022, 04:42 PM	#1799
banandroid Active Member Member since:Sep 2011	For me, being able to roll immediately into the Annie Lennox video after the movie (without having to pull up YouTube and hope it's still on there) is as big a selling point as anything. Not to say I'm willing to spend $30 just because of the music video, but, well... it doesn't hurt.

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