What imports are "better" than the US releases?

[SoupRKnowva]

Originally Posted by Blacklac

The Nordic has an AVC video encode. Some of the MPEG2 scenes had a little macroblocking, the AVC is a little better in that regard. They still look very similar. The biggest upgrade for me was the 7.1 DTS-MA track.

thanks for the info, id actually just found found the thread over at avs about it, and i looked at the screens, and while it did look similar, i feel that the avc codec did have better resolution in motion. Like more details on plumes of smoke during explosions and such. and of course the 7.1 must be ridiculous.

thanks
soup

[amigou]

I just received the Concorde Blu-Ray version of Underworld. I have the Concorde HD DVD too.

Similar specs on both formats:
AR: 2.35
Primary Audio: German DTS HD MA 5.1

Where's the difference? The secondary english audio track:
HD DVD: DTS HR 5.1
Blu-Ray: DTS Digital Surround 5.1

So, the HD DVD has a higher quality english audio track. I don't have a home theater to compare them, though.

PQ wise they both look the same (great). These are the only versions I have seen, so I can't compare against the versions released in other countries.

Same printing in both boxes with the obvious differences (Blu-Ray vs HD DVD logo and the secondary audio format).

So, the correction for the Concorde specs may be:

Underworld
German (Concorde) - Extended, 2.35:1, VC-1, DTS, Region Free, No extras.

Regards

[Blacklac]

I will make that correction, thank you.

[SoupRKnowva]

im still gonna say after having the german version on hd dvd, and switching to the japanese version, it is definitely the reference version of the film, the pq, while not a huge change, there was just something about it that looked alot better in my opinion, and it has the TrueHD track...it may be the theatrical cut instead of the extended, but the extended scenes are kinda worthless, just extra sex scenes with the trampy vampire

[amigou]

Originally Posted by SoupRKnowva

im still gonna say after having the german version on hd dvd, and switching to the japanese version, it is definitely the reference version of the film, the pq, while not a huge change, there was just something about it that looked alot better in my opinion, and it has the TrueHD track...it may be the theatrical cut instead of the extended, but the extended scenes are kinda worthless, just extra sex scenes with the trampy vampire

Just out of curiosity, I'm interested to know more about what makes the Japanese PQ better.

By the way, for those interested in Spain's BD of The Orphanage (El Orfanato), there's a separate Warner and Sony Pictures BD BOGO sale on dvdgo.com. Shipping for up to 3 BD's is 20.01 euro.

Here is the link for the Warner BD's:
dvdgo.com/list~shop~1~list~18576~category~278.htm

and for the Sony BD's:
dvdgo.com/list~shop~1~list~17464~category~290.htm

[SoupRKnowva]

Originally Posted by amigou

Just out of curiosity, I'm interested to know more about what makes the Japanese PQ better.

By the way, for those interested in Spain's BD of The Orphanage (El Orfanato), there's a separate Warner and Sony Pictures BD BOGO sale on dvdgo.com. Shipping for up to 3 BD's is 20.01 euro.

Here is the link for the Warner BD's:
dvdgo.com/list~shop~1~list~18576~category~278.htm

and for the Sony BD's:
dvdgo.com/list~shop~1~list~17464~category~290.htm

its kiinda hard for me to explain, and i dont have my hd dvd's with me currently, but as far as i remember, it was all in the clarity of the picture, it was almost as if a thin viel had been lifted from the picture, more details were present, and i think that the grain structure was more clear. but again, its not huge, if you were sitting too far away from the tv, you would not even notice i dont think. but again, i love the movie, and thought it was worth it.

[LiK]

just wanted to give OP props for this thread. i import my BDs sometimes so this is good info. glad i got the HK version of Fearless. 7.1 PCM rocks!

[amigou]

Let's bring some life back to this thread.

I personally own the Canadian and German versions of Silent Hill. Bought the German release after noticing the macroblocking on the Canadian version, which is the same as the US version, but with different art cover.

I noticed the following difference on these Silent Hill releases:

UK 130 minutes.
Non-UK 125 minutes.

My question is:

Is there any additional footage on the UK relase or is it a misprint?

[Blacklac]

120 min, from what i saw on another forum.

[amigou]

Thank you!

Different websites have different specs. It's a mess!

I actually browsed the studio websites and found out the advertised running times:

Concorde (German): 121 min
Fox (UK): 120 min

So, their the same.

[dfms23]

Originally Posted by Blacklac

Sorry if something like this has been posted already, but I don't remember seeing anything like it.

I know, like many, I've put alot of money into my HT setup and I would like to have the best copy of the movie available, even if it costs a little more to import it. What movies that have multiple releases, have a superior copy? PQ or AQ.

(I guess it really doesn't matter if they are region locked, many have the LG BH200, I guess you can switch regions. I don't have one, maybe one day...)

Thanks.

Please, give me your input/findings. Thats what this is about.



Welcome to the Jungle - The Rundown
AUS - Uncut, Region Free
UK - Edited, Region Free

So the UK version is cut? Is it the same as the US version then? The UK version has been on B2G1 for awhile at Amazon.co.uk. What kind of differences are we looking at? Does anyone know?

[Penthouse]

Man on Fire

U.S. - Extras - Trailers.

U.K. - Extras - 2 Commentaries, Documentary featurette, Deleted Scenes, Pita Abduction - Multi-angle sequence with optional commentary, storyboards, script excerpts, Photo Gallery, Music Video, Trailers.

[Penthouse]

The Punisher

U.S. - Audio- 6.1 DTS- ES, DD 5.1 EX., Extras - Trailers.

U.K. - Audio - English/French/Spanish Dolby True HD.
Extras - Director Commentary, Alternate Opening Sequence, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Music Video, Trailers.

[dfms23]

Originally Posted by Penthouse

The Punisher

U.S. - Audio- 6.1 DTS- ES, DD 5.1 EX., Extras - Trailers.

U.K. - Audio - English/French/Spanish Dolby True HD.
Extras - Director Commentary, Alternate Opening Sequence, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Music Video, Trailers.

Thx for the heads-up on The Punisher. I actually like that movie quite a bit.

[Blacklac]

Thank you for the info, Penthouse!