Any rumors about Buffy the Vampire Slayer show coming out on Blu-ray?

[Nico Darko]

I know, they're cropping stuff they shouldn't. And when things need to be cropped (goofs in opened-up widescreen), they're not cropping ! I don't get their logic :

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by BarryK

I don't know how many times people are going to have to say this but you don't get film grain on low bit rate digital video. Grain drives the bit rate through the roof, it's the first thing lost in almost every compression technology we use, and that includes DNR.

Get over the loss of grain on a low quality stream. Even the DVD's for the early seasons in much lower resolution at a similar bitrate and codec don't really maintain the grain, they suffer from atrocious blurry and dark MPEG artefacting thanks to the compression and absolutely appalling motion blur thanks to the crap interlacing. It looks kind of like grain some of the time, but really it's just a crap picture with compression noise thanks to a terrible colour depth in dark scenes.

Wait on the blu ray announcement at least before moaning about things like DNR removing the grain, arguing about it over a low quality digital broadcast is utterly pointless.

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

@BarryK : I hope you're right.

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

But how do you explain that The X-Files screencaps have all the film grain intact, but it's nowhere to be seen on the Buffy HD screencaps ?

Originally Posted by BarryK

Because the X-Files broadcasts aren't from a ~10mbps MPEG 2 stream. Or a crap real-time reencode of a ~10mbps MPEG 2 stream like the FilmOn sources.

Edit: Feel to try recompress one of the X-Files remasters into a 11mbps peak MPEG2 file and you'll see exactly what I mean. The result won't be pretty

BarryK is 100% correct on this. I can't say they wont use DNR on a BR release (Heaven knows why they love it so much!), but I can say for sure that what you see on these caps has no bearing on the BR release.

MPEG2/AVC compression with bit rate starvation will always give the impression of heavy DNR. The encoders they use for broadcast will use every trick in the book to keep the bit rate as low as possible, including smoothing out film grain, crushing the dynamic range, and decreasing the colour palette.

If you had a state of the art encoder using AVC Part10 and about 20mbps of bandwidth (similar to some of the older BBC HD material that was shown here in the UK), you would get some lovely pictures with grain in tact, but these don't exist any more. Even the BBC broadcasts were more about showing off what you could get, now it is all about commercial viability which means compressed to fit in more and more channels and a disregard for video and audio quality standards.

All the talk of video, what do people who are watching the broadcasts (not me I'm in the UK) think of the audio? Is it clear, crisp, good range? And is it a 2.1 or 5.1 mix?

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

I know, they're cropping stuff they shouldn't. And when things need to be cropped (goofs in opened-up widescreen), they're not cropping ! I don't get their logic :

A lot of it is probably to do with the fact that the people doing the restoration are just doing a job, they are not (likely) Buffy fanatics who are scanning every frame for errors and goofs. They probably missed it. Hell, I've seen the whole lot through about 8 or 10 times and even I miss goofs and errors!

It's a shame because when somebody is working on a restoration there should be somebody fanatical about it, somebody who can put in the same level of care that went into the original creation.

[EV1L]

Originally Posted by lstar337

All the talk of video, what do people who are watching the broadcasts (not me I'm in the UK) think of the audio? Is it clear, crisp, good range? And is it a 2.1 or 5.1 mix?

Dolby Digital, 48.0 kHz, 2 chn, 384.0 kbit/s

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by EV1L

Dolby Digital, 48.0 kHz, 2 chn, 384.0 kbit/s

Thanks EV1L.

I suppose an upgrade to 5.1 mix (I guess it was only made with stereo sound) was a lot to ask.

Should sound pretty good with those specs.

[theprestige85]

[QUOTE=Nico Darko;9674117]I don't know if they would actually dare releasing a blu-ray of season 1 half cropped ? I know Disney cropped some of their films (Jungle Book, Robin Hood) but the cropping is way too severe for Buffy/QUOTE]

I wouldn't put it past them, mate. We can only go by what they have already done, and we aren't exactly happy with the current results, are we? I'd like to think that they wouldn't release it cropped, but who knows?

[bloomyself]

NileQT87 raises a good point about special features. If Fox is doing this remaster with the intention of doing a blu ray release, something proactive we could be doing is make suggestions for the set regarding special features and whatnot. They kind of dropped the ball in the special features department the first time around, but this is a chance to improve on it.

There have been many instances where fans have requested/brought to the studio's attention certain special features in time, which allowed the studio to get the rights in time for a release. It would be nice we could assemble a dream list of special features we would like to see added to a new release, and try and be heard by FOX. As mentioned above, Deleted scenes would be nice to see, and original broadcast trailers (the season 2 set included a few original WB Trailers; the rest are all on YouTube) would be nice of course. As well as a lot of the behind the scenes choreography videos Jeff Pruitt has been posting on Youtube.

A few new commentaries from the crew and even more of the cast would be nice. And of course re-instating the "previously on" segments that were removed. That's all I have off the top of my head, but I'm sure a quick browse through Youtube will find us a list of cool interviews/reunions/tv segments from back in the show's day that would be cool to see included.

[bloomyself]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

I don't know if they would actually dare releasing a blu-ray of season 1 half cropped ? I know Disney cropped some of their films (Jungle Book, Robin Hood) but the cropping is way too severe for Buffy.

The only reason I'm pretty certain they will release half of the season cropped, is because from their perspective that makes a lot more sense than releasing half the season in 4:3 and the back half opened up in widescreen. If they have the capability of widescreen for the back half, chances are they will settle on cropping the first half.

This is just me being realistic. Of course, I hope they come to their senses and look at TNG, and realize that sometimes a remastering doesn't have to be made in widescreen- and perhaps leave it in 4:3. However, I'm not holding my breath.

[bloomyself]

Side note: I find it funny that "I Robot, You Jane" (arguably one of the worst episodes of the entire series) has so far been the best remastered episode out of the first 10. Other than it being the first one to be opened up rather than cropped, it was also probably the only episode without any intrusive color/shadow crimes committed against it.

Meanwhile, the episode "Angel" right before it...

I will say The Puppet Show also came out relatively unscathed. And Nightmares would be perfect if they brought back the blue in the clown scenes, and brought back the shadows to the vampire faces.

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by bloomyself

NileQT87 raises a good point about special features. If Fox is doing this remaster with the intention of doing a blu ray release, something proactive we could be doing is make suggestions for the set regarding special features and whatnot. They kind of dropped the ball in the special features department the first time around, but this is a chance to improve on it.

There have been many instances where fans have requested/brought to the studio's attention certain special features in time, which allowed the studio to get the rights in time for a release. It would be nice we could assemble a dream list of special features we would like to see added to a new release, and try and be heard by FOX. As mentioned above, Deleted scenes would be nice to see, and original broadcast trailers (the season 2 set included a few original WB Trailers; the rest are all on YouTube) would be nice of course. As well as a lot of the behind the scenes choreography videos Jeff Pruitt has been posting on Youtube.

A few new commentaries from the crew and even more of the cast would be nice. And of course re-instating the "previously on" segments that were removed. That's all I have off the top of my head, but I'm sure a quick browse through Youtube will find us a list of cool interviews/reunions/tv segments from back in the show's day that would be cool to see included.

They'll likely want to get a double dip out of it.

We are more likely to see a first release with minimal special features, followed by some kind of 'Ultimate' or 'Anniversary' edition with a boat load of features.

Lets face it, they will want to be maximising their profit!

[Nico Darko]

Originally Posted by bloomyself

Side note: I find it funny that "I Robot, You Jane" (arguably one of the worst episodes of the entire series) has so far been the best remastered episode out of the first 10. Other than it being the first one to be opened up rather than cropped, it was also probably the only episode without any intrusive color/shadow crimes committed against it.

Meanwhile, the episode "Angel" right before it...

I will say The Puppet Show also came out relatively unscathed. And Nightmares would be perfect if they brought back the blue in the clown scenes, and brought back the shadows to the vampire faces.

Yes, episodes 8 and 9 look pretty good, considering. They would still need to turn down the brightness, and preserve the shadows (when Buffy is looking for Syd backstage in "The Puppet Show" for example). And the colors shouldn't look so dull, they need to be richer. But you're right, those episodes don't have any major issues like the others.


As for special features, I've been asking for deleted scenes for years ! They keep talking about them in the dvd commentaries, and we have never seen any. I can't think of a better extra for the blu-ray.

That would be on top of my list. Then I would love some new audio commentaries. I would be so happy to hear Whedon's commentaries on "Becoming", "Prophecy Girl", "Graduation Day", "Who are you?"... and having cast members doing a few would be awesome as well.

As mentioned, they also should contact Jeff Pruit, who obviously has a lot of behind the scenes footage.

[Buffdale]

As mentionned, I really want them to put the deleted scenes (in HD). With the option to see them embedded in the episodes. News interviews (what was thought but has changed...), documentaries (the entire process to create an episode for exemple)... There is a lot of potential !

For audio, I do not see Pivot broadcast 5.1 HD anyway . So it is not necessarily representative. But I think we'll have a new mix for the Blu-Ray. They did it with Friends. So... (sometimes I'm naive) ^^

I'm very curious about the menus. I fear it will be very simple. I want the "Play All" fonction !

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by naelst

What Whedon wanted to show is what I want to see. That's all.

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by Buffdale

I'm very curious about the menus. I fear it will be very simple.

I hope they are simple. The last thing I want is my watching delayed by clunky over-complicated menus that really serve no purpose.

Originally Posted by Buffdale

I want the "Play All" fonction !

Amen to that!

[Buffdale]

Originally Posted by lstar337

I hope they are simple. The last thing I want is my watching delayed by clunky over-complicated menus that really serve no purpose.

Yes I do not want the menu as long as those of the second season on DVD. But I would like the menus a bit more complex than this one :


I hate this kind of buttons (I don't know the English word for the "Play," "Episode" thing...) !

[stvn1974]

Looks like I won't be getting rid of my disgusting looking DVDs anytime soon.

[lstar337]

Originally Posted by Buffdale

Yes I do not want the menu as long as those of the second season on DVD. But I would like the menus a bit more complex than this one :


I hate this kind of buttons (I don't know the English word for the "Play," "Episode" thing...) !

Agreed, that is one sorry looking layout.

[Buffdale]

Originally Posted by lstar337

Agreed, that is one sorry looking layout.

Yes, the menus made ​​by Warner Bros aren't great. Most of the time they are fixed & simplistic... :/

By the way, what kind of cover art would you like ?

I'd really like something like this :

[italianblurayfun]

Oh, God, I want Buffy on Blu-ray soooo bad! I'd pay a lot of euros for the complete series on Blu.....really..... it's my fav show, and actually it's the bluray release I await the most!
I hope Fox is going to release (at least) the first season!

And for us europeans is even more complicated! It is not so obvious that Fox will release the box sets in Europe as well

[jpegfilms]

Originally Posted by Buffdale

Yes, the menus made ​​by Warner Bros aren't great. Most of the time they are fixed & simplistic... :/

By the way, what kind of cover art would you like ?

I'd really like something like this :

I LOVE the first one. I also really like having more of the main cast on the front too (I do think Angel should be on there too)