The Descent - Different Details - Blu-ray Forum

LordCrumb · 01-20-2010, 06:12 AM

I just put 'The Descent' (Lionsgate US, Region Free), into BD-Info, and its coming back as MPEG-4 AVC. (Also confirmed with the BD60)

The database here says its MPEG-2.

Does anyone else have this version? does it mean the PQ is better than the MPEG-2 release?

Batman1980 · 01-20-2010, 06:23 AM

Not necessarily but I am kind of confused. One thing I will say is that for such an inexpensive release in the US, the Descent has an excellent transfer all the way around.

LordCrumb · 01-20-2010, 06:25 AM

I did some searching (what I should have done before posting I guess), and its being said that the original release was MPEG-4, before being switched over to MPEG-2 at some stage..

Alkaline · 01-20-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

I did some searching (what I should have done before posting I guess), and its being said that the original release was MPEG-4, before being switched over to MPEG-2 at some stage..

Basically, Lionsgate released version a: AVC; lots of grain. At some point they silently replaced it with version b: mpeg2; DNR added. The U.S. blu-ray (both versions) features a color scheme that is radically different than any other release in the world (significantly brightened). The Australian and UK blu-rays are generally considered far superior. For more info refer to this epic thread over at avs forum. Have fun!

saginawjuggalo · 01-20-2010, 08:26 AM

BD-60? Typo?

You should feel lucky that you have the AVC version. I'd rather have the DNR free version myself... Unfortunately I was one of the first couple to report the change over to MPEG2

Reportedly Lionsgate's AVC version wasn't freindly with all Blu-ray players, so maybe I did get lucky? .... That is what I would like to believe anyway

LordCrumb · 01-20-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Basically, Lionsgate released version a: AVC; lots of grain. At some point they silently replaced it with version b: mpeg2; DNR added. The U.S. blu-ray (both versions) features a color scheme that is radically different than any other release in the world (significantly brightened). The Australian and UK blu-rays are generally considered far superior. For more info refer to this epic thread over at avs forum. Have fun!

Thanks for that info! I will have to do some comparisons of my own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saginawjuggalo

BD-60? Typo?

You should feel lucky that you have the AVC version. I'd rather have the DNR free version myself... Unfortunately I was one of the first couple to report the change over to MPEG2

Reportedly Lionsgate's AVC version wasn't freindly with all Blu-ray players, so maybe I did get lucky? .... That is what I would like to believe anyway

Sorry, I mean I tested it on my Panasonic DMP-BD60

Filmmaker · 01-20-2010, 11:37 AM

I have the Australian release (for the film proper) and kept my MPEG-2 American BD for some bonus features that aren't on the Australian one. If you're a big fan, you cannot suffice with any of the U.S. releases.

bhampton · 01-20-2010, 11:48 AM

Long ago I rented the original (grainy

) US release.

More recently I bought the DNR US release for $10 at Walmart.

Of the 2 versions I prefer the DNR version. I like natural film grain as much as anyone can but looks like whom ever was in charge of cleaning this title up did a great job and I like the new transfer better.

Either way... It's not my favorite film or my favorite horror film so I'm not interested in tracking down the worlds "best" version of it.

Just as it is.. I wish all my Blu Rays had a transfer that good. It's one of the better $10 Walmart Blu Rays if you can find it.

I do consider myself a bit of a VideoPhile and I do have a projector and 72 inch wide screen and so on. But... of the 2 US releases I just prefer the grain scrubbed version better in this case.

-Brian

Blacklac · 01-20-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I have the Australian release (for the film proper) and kept my MPEG-2 American BD for some bonus features that aren't on the Australian one. If you're a big fan, you cannot suffice with any of the U.S. releases.

I agree this is an incredible release, as far as PQ. I own this Aussie release, the US MPEG2 and US AVC versions and I prefer the Aussie release.

There are also UK and German releases, but I don't know anything about them.

ArieS · 01-20-2010, 06:04 PM

Is there a different UPC # for both US releases? I'm not sure which I have

domtheone · 01-20-2010, 06:28 PM

I own the MPEG 2 US release ($10 from amazon).

Whilst I look forward to one day owning a better copy as far as PQ goes, the inferior one still looks fantastic (imo) and for $10 is a no brainer considering the film is one of the greatest horrors of the last decade

ewsjr · 01-21-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domtheone

I own the MPEG 2 US release ($10 from amazon).

Whilst I look forward to one day owning a better copy as far as PQ goes, the inferior one still looks fantastic (imo) and for $10 is a no brainer considering the film is one of the greatest horrors of the last decade

I have the MPEG-2 edition also ($10 bucks is a great price) and can't understand what all the criticism is about. I've watched it three times on my new 65" Panasonic plasma and it looks very, very nice. I guess I'm just not prone to watching for problems and just watching the film and letting it take me where I need to go.

Filmmaker · 01-21-2010, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewsjr

I have the MPEG-2 edition also ($10 bucks is a great price) and can't understand what all the criticism is about. I've watched it three times on my new 65" Panasonic plasma and it looks very, very nice.

You're right; I can't imagine anyone would have a trace of a complaint about it...except...we've seen how the other half lives (the Australian release) and, when you have the two to compare and contrast, it's easy to see that the domestic releases have ample opportunity for improvement...

LordCrumb · 01-21-2010, 10:47 AM

yeah but its its only a colouring issue, whats the big diff? check out Dawn of the Dead, it has different colour schemes between all three cuts/versions.

bhampton · 01-21-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArieS

Is there a different UPC # for both US releases? I'm not sure which I have

Some players will tell you which video codec is being used (PS3).

But my Mpeg2 UPC is 031398205937.

Filmmaker · 01-21-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

yeah but its its only a colouring issue, whats the big diff?

The difference between accurate and inaccurate. Also, there are other differences (improved grain structure, no aliasing on the credits, etc.)...

steve_dave · 01-21-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArieS

Is there a different UPC # for both US releases? I'm not sure which I have

The UPC is the same for either release. I have the MPEG2 version and am happy with it. I paid $10 at Wal-Mart so paying the heftier price for the Aussie disc is not worth it.

pacaveli420 · 06-22-2010, 06:27 AM

hey, I know this thread is kinda old but after watching the second one I decided I should grab both of these on bluray. I noticed there's a VC-1 / DTS-HD MA 6.1 version also
anyone know how this one stacks up against the others?

01-20-2010, 06:12 AM	#1
LordCrumb Moderator Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:New Zealand Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:405 Blu-ray collection:2924 DVD collection:109 Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:67	The Descent - Different Details I just put 'The Descent' (Lionsgate US, Region Free), into BD-Info, and its coming back as MPEG-4 AVC. (Also confirmed with the BD60) The database here says its MPEG-2. Does anyone else have this version? does it mean the PQ is better than the MPEG-2 release?

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01-20-2010, 06:23 AM	#2
Batman1980 Blu-ray Jedi Member since:Feb 2009 Location:District 13 Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:146 Blu-ray collection:394 DVD collection:57 Blu-ray reviews:22 Trading Score:48	Not necessarily but I am kind of confused. One thing I will say is that for such an inexpensive release in the US, the Descent has an excellent transfer all the way around.

01-20-2010, 06:25 AM	#3
LordCrumb Moderator Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:New Zealand Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:405 Blu-ray collection:2924 DVD collection:109 Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:67	I did some searching (what I should have done before posting I guess), and its being said that the original release was MPEG-4, before being switched over to MPEG-2 at some stage..

01-20-2010, 08:26 AM	#5
saginawjuggalo Power Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Saginaw, Michigan 4K collection:167 Blu-ray collection:2058 DVD collection:85 iTunes collection:1 Trading Score:2	BD-60? Typo? You should feel lucky that you have the AVC version. I'd rather have the DNR free version myself... Unfortunately I was one of the first couple to report the change over to MPEG2 Reportedly Lionsgate's AVC version wasn't freindly with all Blu-ray players, so maybe I did get lucky? .... That is what I would like to believe anyway

01-20-2010, 11:37 AM	#7
Filmmaker Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Tulsa, OK (but don't hold it against me!) Home Theater Gallery:90 4K collection:1162 Blu-ray collection:3145 DVD collection:593 Trading Score:24	I have the Australian release (for the film proper) and kept my MPEG-2 American BD for some bonus features that aren't on the Australian one. If you're a big fan, you cannot suffice with any of the U.S. releases.

01-20-2010, 11:48 AM	#8
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Long ago I rented the original (grainy ) US release. More recently I bought the DNR US release for $10 at Walmart. Of the 2 versions I prefer the DNR version. I like natural film grain as much as anyone can but looks like whom ever was in charge of cleaning this title up did a great job and I like the new transfer better. Either way... It's not my favorite film or my favorite horror film so I'm not interested in tracking down the worlds "best" version of it. Just as it is.. I wish all my Blu Rays had a transfer that good. It's one of the better $10 Walmart Blu Rays if you can find it. I do consider myself a bit of a VideoPhile and I do have a projector and 72 inch wide screen and so on. But... of the 2 US releases I just prefer the grain scrubbed version better in this case. -Brian

01-20-2010, 06:04 PM	#10
ArieS Special Member Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Portland, OR 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- Trading Score:33	Is there a different UPC # for both US releases? I'm not sure which I have

01-20-2010, 06:28 PM	#11
domtheone Senior Member Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Notts, UK 4K collection:170 Blu-ray collection:170	I own the MPEG 2 US release ($10 from amazon). Whilst I look forward to one day owning a better copy as far as PQ goes, the inferior one still looks fantastic (imo) and for $10 is a no brainer considering the film is one of the greatest horrors of the last decade

01-21-2010, 10:47 AM	#14
LordCrumb Moderator Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:New Zealand Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:405 Blu-ray collection:2924 DVD collection:109 Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:67	yeah but its its only a colouring issue, whats the big diff? check out Dawn of the Dead, it has different colour schemes between all three cuts/versions.

06-22-2010, 06:27 AM	#18
pacaveli420 Junior Member Member since:Jun 2010	hey, I know this thread is kinda old but after watching the second one I decided I should grab both of these on bluray. I noticed there's a VC-1 / DTS-HD MA 6.1 version also anyone know how this one stacks up against the others?

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