What imports are "better" than the US releases?

[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.



12 Monkeys
German (Concorde) - VC1 Encode, DTS-HD HR 5.1, No Extras, BD25. Region Free.
US/UK (Universal) - VC1 Encode, DTS-HD MA 5.1, Extras, BD50

16 Blocks
Japan (SPEJ) - MPEG-2 Encode, PCM 5.1
NL (DFW) - VC1 Encode, DTS-HD MA 5.1
US/UK (Warner) - VC1 Encode, DD 5.1

1408
Dutch (DFW) - Jaggies, better PQ, DTS-HD, Region Free
US - Jaggies, bad blacks/greys/colors, 24-bit TrueHD

10000 B.C.
Japan/NL (Warner) - VC-1, TrueHD, History Channel's Journey to 10,000 BC (VC-1, 480i, 90 min), Region Free
US -

30 Days of Night
French (Warner) - AVC, DTS-MA, Region Free
German (Concorde) - Region Free
NL (DFW) - VC1 Encode, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, Extras
UK/AUS (Icon) - AVC, 24-bit DTS-MA, Region Free (PQ same as US - Sony)
US (Sony) - AVC, 24-bit TrueHD (PQ same as UK/AUS - Icon). HD Extras.

Aeon Flux
Japan (Geneon) - AVC, TrueHD, Region Free.
US HD DVD - VC-1, Better PQ than US BD, DD+ (lossy) audio
US - MPEG2, DD (lossy) audio.

American Psycho
AUS (Sony) - Uncut, AVC, BD50, 16-bit TrueHD 5.1, Region Free.
German (Concorde) - Cut Version, VC-1, 16-bit DTS-MA 5.1, BD25, wrong aspect ratio. Region Free
US - Uncut, MPEG2, 24-bit DTS-MA 5.1, BD25.

Aviator
Dutch - High bitrate VC-1 and DTS-MA.
US - VC-1 and DD (lossy) audio

Bad Santa
UK/EU - Unrated, Slightly higher bitrate AVC, 20-bit TrueHD
US - DC - AVC/Unrated - VC-1, PCM

Band of Brothers
US - DNR, DTS-MA
Japan HD DVD - No DNR, DTS-HR (lossy)

Bangkok Dangerous
German (Constantin) - AVC, DTS-HR 5.1, Region B locked.
UK (EiV) - 1080i50, Region B locked.
US (Lionsgate) - AVC (highest bitrate), DTS-MA 7.1, Region A locked.

Basic Instinct
AUS (Universal) - Region Free.
UK (Momentum) - Better PQ, VC-1, DTS-MA 5.1
US - DNR, AVC, DTS-HR 6.1

Beowolf
UK (Warner) - Low bitrate VC-1 (15Mbps), 16-bit TrueHD, No BonusView
US (Paramount) - High bitrate AVC (27-30Mbps), TrueHD, more HD extras, BonusView

Black Hawk Down
Nordic - AVC, Better PQ, 7.1 DTS-MA
US - MPEG2, 16-bit PCM

Casino Royal
Aus (Sony) - Uncut, PCM audio, Region Free (144:34)
German (Sony) - Uncut, DD (lossy) audio
UK (Sony) - Edited (only missing one scene from AUS), Region Free (Deluxe Edition has TrueHD) (144:20)
US (Sony) - Edited, 16-bit PCM audio (Deluxe Edition has 24bit TrueHD) (144:12)

Che - Part 1 & 2
French (Warner) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, No English subs
Japan (Sony) - AVC, TrueHD 5.1 (Spanish, English, Japanese), No English subs
UK (Optimum) - AVC, Spanish DTS-MA 5.1, Region B locked with forced PAL trailers, English subs when Spanish is spoken only
(Rumors of a US Criterion release fall '09)
(Part 1 - 2.40:1, Part 2 - 1.78:1)

Children of Men
Nordic (Nordisk Film) - AVC, DD (lossy 640kbps), no extras
US HD DVD - VC-1, DD+ (lossy 1.5Mbps), HD extras

Cinderella Man
UK/E.U/AUS/JP (Disney) - High bitrate VC-1, better PQ, LPCM 4.6Mbps, extras
US HD DVD - VC-1, DD+, extras

Cliffhanger
Japan - AVC (higher bitrate), TrueHD
UK - VC-1, DTS-MA

Crank
German (Universum) - Some have said slightly better PQ, Extended Cut, DTS-HD 5.1, Region Free. (extras on Region 2 DVD)
US - MPEG2, 6.1 PCM audio.

Danny the Dog
HK (Panorama) - AVC Encode, DTS-HD MA 5.1, Region A & C locked
Japan - AVC (higher bitrate than French), TrueHD. Region Free.
French - AVC (Different Color timing), DTS-HR, Region Free.

Dawn of the Dead - 1978
German - MPEG2 (low bitrate), DD 5.1/2.0
US - AVC, PCM 5.1/DD2.0

Death Sentence
UK (EiV) - High bitrate AVC, 1080i50, DD (lossy) audio, Region B locked
French - Region B locked
German (Concorde) - DTS-HD HR 5.1, Region Free
Nordic (Nordisk Film) - DTS-MA 5.1, Region Free.

Deja Vu
German (BVHE) - AVC, PCM, 2.35:1.
US (BVHE) - VC-1, PCM, 2.40:1.

The Departed
UK (EiV) - VC-1, DTS-MA, Region Free.
US - VC-1, PCM.

The Descent
AUS (Icon) - Higher bitrate AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, Natural colors and deeper blacks compared to both US BD's, Region Free. PAL extras. International Cut
US - MPEG2 (DNR), PCM 6.1
US - AVC (No DNR), PCM 6.1
Break down of different version

The Devil Wears Prada
French, German, UK and Netherlands - AVC, DTS-MA, Region Free.
US - MPEG2, DTS-MA, Region A

District B13
French - AVC, PCM
US - MPEG2, DTS-HR 5.1 ES

Disturbia
UK - AVC, TrueHD 5.1. Region Free.
US - AVC, DD EX (640Kbps)/DD ES 6.1 (1.5Mbps)

Eastern Promises
UK - AVC (slightly higher bitrate), DTS-HR 5.1
US - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1

Equilibrium
UK (Momentum) - 1.78:1, VC-1, DD (lossy)
Japan (Sony) - 2.35:1, AVC, TrueHD, Region Free.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose
UK (Sony) - MPEG2, PCM, Unrated, Region Free
US (Sony) - AVC, 16-bit TrueHD, Unrated, extras, Region Free.

The Eye
German - VC-1 (slightly higher bitrate), DTS-HR 5.1
US - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1

Face-Off
Aus (Disney) - Uncut version, less DNR, better PQ, PCM audio.
UK (Buena Vista) - Edited version, less DNR, AVC, better PQ, PCM audio.
US - DNR, AVC, DTS ES 6.1 (1.5Mbps) and DD EX 5.1 (640Kbps) (lossy) audio, extras.

The Fall
German - VC-1, DTS-MA. BD25.
UK - VC-1, DTS-MA. BD25
US - AVC, TrueHD. BD50

Fantastic Four
German (Constantin/Highlight) - MPEG2, DTS-HR 5.1, Extras, Region Free.
US (Fox) - MPEG2, DTS-MA 5.1.

Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer
German (Constantin/Highlight) - VC-1, DTS-HR 5.1, Region Free.
US (Fox) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, more extras, Region A locked.

Fearless
HK - AVC (higher bitrate), DTS-MA and PCM 7.1, Directors Cut only, Region A locked
US - VC-1, 24bit DTS-MA 5.1, All 3 cuts (PG-13, Unrated, and Directors)

The Fifth Element
German (Ufa) - VC-1 (lower bitrate), DTS-HR 6.1 (4608Mbps), extras. Region Free.
US (Sony) - AVC, 16-bit PCM/20-bit TrueHD, no extras. Region Free.

Flags of Our Fathers
UK, German, French, Netherlands all have VC-1 (lower bitrate) and PCM audio
UK (Dreamworks) - Region Free.
US, Japanese - AVC (higher bitrate), DD (lossy audio)

Gangs of New York
French (M6) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1
US - VC-1, PCM 5.1, more extras
Comparison in French with screenshots

Gladiator
German -
UK (Universal) -
US (Paramount) - DNR/EE.

The Guardian
UK (BVHE) - AVC, PCM, Region B locked.
US (BVHE) - MPEG2, PCM, Region A locked.

Gothika
French (Sony) - VC-1, PCM, Region Free.
US (Warner) - VC-1, DD (lossy).

Hannibal
German (Ufa) - VC-1, DTS-HR 6.1. Region Free.
UK (Universal) -
US (MGM) -

Happy Feet
UK, Netherlands, Japanese all have PCM audio and more extras.
US - DD EX (lossy) audio

House of Flying Daggers
AUS/FR - Uncut, VC-1, DTS-HR, BD50, Region B Locked
UK (Pathe) - VC1 Encode, Mandarin DTS-HD HR 5.1, UK Cut, Region B Locked
US - Cut, MPEG2, PCM, Region Free. BD25

History of Violence
UK (EiV) - VC-1, TrueHD, Less DNR, Region B locked
US (Warner) - VC-1, TrueHD, DNR/EE.

Home of the Brave
Holland (DFW) - 2.35:1, VC-1, DTS-MA, Region Free.
US (Fox) - 2.40:1, MPEG2, DTS-MA, Region A.

Hostel
UK (Sony) - MPEG2, 24bit PCM
US - AVC, 16bit TrueHD, Extras.

The Illusionist
German - VC-1 (low bitrate), DTS-MA
Italian (Eagle) - AVC (higher bitrate), DD (lossy)

In Bruges
AUS - 1080i50 AVC, DTS-MA
FR (M6-Warner) - AVC encode, English DTS-MA 5.1, Extras (PAL), 24FPS (not 23.976), BD50
Nordic - AVC (low bitrate), DTS-MA

Into The Wild
FR - VC-1 (very low bitrate), DTS-MA/TrueHD (16-bit)
US - VC-1, TrueHD (24-bit)

IP Man
HK - AVC, PCM/TrueHD/DTS-MA 7.1, English Subs. Better PQ. BD50. Region A locked?
UK (Showbox) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, English Subs, Region Free. BD50.

The Italian Job (2003)
German - VC-1 (low bitrate), DTS-MA (16-bit), Region B locked?
US - MPEG2, DD (lossy)

Jarhead
US - low bitrate VC-1
All non-US? (UK) - high bitrate VC-1, more extras

JCVD
FR (Gaumont) - AVC, French DTS-HD MA 5.1, English Subs (optional), Extras (PAL, No Subs), BD25
UK (Revolver) - AVC (higher bitrate than US), French TrueHD 5.1, Forced English Subs, Extras (PAL and English Subbed), BD50, Region Free
US - AVC, English&French DD 5.1 (lossy - 448kbps), English Subs, BD25, No Extras

Jumper
German (Kinowelt) - VC-1, DTS-HR 7.1, no extras, Region B locked. BD25
US (Fox) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, extras, Region A locked.

Kingdom of Heaven
French (Fox Pathe) - Director's Cut, low bitrate VC-1, Extras (The Path to Redemption 6 hours 56 minutes) in 480p, No English subs, Incorrect Gamma, Region Free
US - Director's Cut, MPEG2, No extras

Kung Fu Hustle
Korean - Uncut, Region Free
UK (Sony) - Uncut
US - Edited

LA Confidential
Japan (TFC) - AVC, DTS-MA
US - VC-1, TrueHD

The Last Samurai
HK (Deltamac - Warner) - VC1, TrueHD 5.1
KOR (Warner) - VC1, TrueHD 5.1 **Unconfirmed (Not Released)
US/UK (Warner) - VC1, DD 5.1

Leon
GER (Kinowelt) - AVC, English & German DTS-HD HR 7.1, HD Extras, US and International Cut
FR (Gaumont) - AVC, English DTS-HD HR 5.1, English & French DTS-HD MA 5.0. US and International Cuts.
UK (Optimum) - AVC (film grain more preserved), DTS-MA 5.1/PCM 2.0, US and International Cuts. Region B locked.

Let the Right One In
Nordic - AVC, DD 5.0/DTS 5.1. Correct English subtitles.
US (Magnolia) - VC-1, DTS-MA, BD25, Region A. English subtitles are inaccurate on Swedish track.

Lord of War
French (M6 Video) -
US (Lionsgate) - MPEG2, DD EX/DTS ES 6.1, no extras. BD25

Lucky # Slevin
UK (EiV) - VC-1, better PQ, 16-bit DTS-MA 5.1, Region Free.
US - AVC, TrueHD

Lust, Caution
KOR (CJ Entertainment) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1 & Mandarin DTS-HD MA 7.1, English Subs, Extras (English subs)
HK (Edko) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1 & Mandarin DTS-HD MA 7.1, English Subs, Extras (English subs?)
JPN (Victor Entertainment) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 5.1 & Japanese PCM 5.1, No English Subs, Censored
TWN (Deltamac) - AVC, Mandarin DTS-HD MA 5.1, English subs

Mad Detective
UK (Eureka - MoC) - AVC, Cantonese TrueHD 5.1 & Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1, More Extras (English Sub), Shorter Director's Cut, Better PQ, BD25
HK (Mei Ah) - AVC, Cantonese PCM 7.1 & Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1, Less Extras (No subs), Longer Theatrical Cut, BD50, Watermark

Man On Fire
US (Fox) - AVC, DTS-MA
UK - AVC, DTS-MA, more extras. Region Free.

Micheal Clayton
French (M6) - Better PQ, AVC, DTS-MA, BD50, Region Free
US (Warner) - VC-1, DD (lossy), BD25.

Mongol
German - 1080i50, VC-1, DTS-MA 5.1, no English subs
UK (Universal) - Better PQ than US, AVC, Mongolian DTS-MA 5.1, Region B
US (Warner) - VC-1, Mongolian DD 5.1

Mr and Mrs. Smith
French (Warner) - AVC, DTS-MA, Region Free.
French (Fox) - Uncut, better PQ than US, Region Free.
US - Slight DNR

Next
UK (EiV)- DTS HD HR @ 2 Mbps, VC-1, extras in SD
US - 24-bit LPCM, high bitrate AVC, extras in HD

The Orphanage
UK (Optimum) - low bitrate AVC, Jaggies, DTS-MA 5.1, English subs, Region Free
US (New Line) - VC-1, Jaggies, DTS-MA 7.1, English subs, Region A
Spanish (Warner) - DTS-MA 5.1, extras (PAL), English subs, Region Free. BD25 (no confirmation of Jaggies)

Pan's Labyrinth
French - No DNR, no English subs, PQ better than US but not as good as UK.
German (Senator) - 1.85:1, Spanish and German PCM 6.1/DTS-MA 5.1, only German subtitles, much less extras, Region Free.
UK (Optimum) - 1.78:1, VC-1, Best PQ, Spanish DD (lossy), English subs, Region Free, PAL extras.
US - 1.85:1, VC-1, DNR, Spanish DTS-MA 7.1, Extras.

Payback
UK/German/Spanish (Warner) - Theatrical/Director's Cut, AVC, TrueHD 5.1.
US - Director's Cut, MPEG2, DD (lossy)
US HD DVD - Director's Cut, AVC, DD+

Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
US - 24bit PCM, Region Free.
France, Germany, Spain, UK - 16bit PCM, Region Free.

Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
US - 24bit PCM, Region Free.
German, UK - 16bit PCM, Region Free.

Planet Earth
Spain (Cameo Media) - 1080i, VC-1, Region Free. (530min) (Sir David Attenborough)
UK (2entertain) - 1080p24, VC-1, Region Free. (530min) (Sir David Attenborough)
US (BBC Version) - 1080p24/VC-1, Region Free. (530min) (Sir David Attenborough)
US (Discovery) - 1080i/AVC, Region A locked (480min) (Sigourney Weaver)

Planet of the Apes - 1968
Dutch (Fox) - AVC, DTS-HR, Region Free. (No Mono track)
US (Fox) - AVC, 24bit DTS-MA 5.1/DD 2.0 Mono, Region A locked.

The Prestige
Dutch (Warner) - AVC, DD (Lossy)
French (Warner) - VC-1, DD (Lossy)
US (BVHE) - AVC, 24bit PCM, Region A locked.

P.S. I Love You
NL (Warner) - TrueHD/DTS-MA, No English subs, More Extras, Region B
US - VC-1, TrueHD 16-bit

The Punisher
Canada (Alliance) -
Japan (Sony) -
UK (Sony) - AVC, TrueHD, more extras, Region Free.
US (Lionsgate) - MPEG2, 6.1 DTS-ES/5.1 DD EX. BD25

Punisher: War Zone
UK (Sony) - AVC, TrueHD 5.1, Region Free.
US (Lionsgate) - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1, Region A locked.

Rambo
Hong Kong - 16-bit DTS-MA/16-bit TrueHD, Better PQ? (Higher bitrate encode)
US - AVC, 24-bit DTS-MA 7.1

Rambo II
French (Studio Canal) - Region Free
UK (Optimum)- Region Free
US - VC-1, Better PQ, DTS-MA

Rambo III
French (Studio Canal) - Region Free
UK (Optimum) - Region Free
US - VC-1, Better PQ, DTS-MA

Red Cliff I
UK (EiV) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, forced English subs, PAL trailers. BD50 (Special Edition contains both parts. Standard Edition is a trimmed single part)
Hong Kong (Mei Ah) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1/DTS-HD MA 7.1/TrueHD 7.1, English Subs, BD50, Watermark, Region Free
Japan - TrueHD 5.1, no English subs?
Korean - 7.1 TrueHD/DTS-MA/PCM, no English subs?
Taiwan (Deltamac) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1/DTS-HD MA 7.1/TrueHD 7.1, English Subs, BD50, Open-matted (1:78:1), Region Free
CN (Zoke Culture) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1/DTS-HD MA 7.1/TrueHD 7.1, English Subs, BD50, No Watermark, Region C Locked

Red Cliff II
UK (EiV) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, forced English subs, PAL trailers. BD50 (Special Edition contains both parts. Standard Edition is a trimmed single part)
Hong Kong (Mei Ah) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1/DTS-HD MA 7.1/TrueHD 7.1, English Subs, BD50, Region Free
Japan - TrueHD 5.1, no English subs?
Korean - 7.1 TrueHD/DTS-MA/PCM, no English subs?
Taiwan (Deltamac) - AVC, Mandarin PCM 7.1/DTS-HD MA 7.1/TrueHD 7.1, English Subs, BD50, Open-matted (1:78:1), Region Free

Reservoir Dogs
Dutch (DFW) - 2.40:1, Better PQ, MPEG2, DTS-MA 6.1, more extras than US (PAL), Region Free.
UK - Extras
US - 2.35:1, MPEG2, DTS-HR 6.1/DD EX 5.1

Resident Evil
Japan (Sony, Trilogy only) - AVC, TrueHD, Region Free
US - AVC, TrueHD

Resident Evil Apocalypse
German - Extended Cut, MPEG2, DTS-HR 5.1
Japan (Sony, Trilogy only) - Extended, AVC, TrueHD, Region Free
Japan (Single Disc) - MPEG2
US - Theatrical, MPEG2, 4.6Mbps PCM

Resident Evil Extinction
German (Highlight) - VC-1, DTS-HD HR, Region Free
Japan (Sony, Trilogy only) - AVC, TrueHD, Region Free
US - AVC, TrueHD

Rocky Balboa - 2006
France/German (Fox) - MPEG2, DTS-MA 5.1
US (Sony) - AVC, 16bit PCM 5.1

Running Scared
German
Dutch (DFW) - 1080i50, AVC, DTS-MA, Region B locked?

Saw
German (Kinowelt) - VC-1, Uncut, DTS-HR 7.1/DTS ES 6.1, Extras, Region Free. BD50
Japan (Sony, Quadrilogy) - AVC and TrueHD 7.1, Region Free.
US - Theatrical, MPEG2, DD EX 5.1/DTS ES 6.1 audio, no extras. BD25

Saw II
Japan (Sony, Quadrilogy) - AVC, TrueHD 7.1, Region Free
US - MPEG2, DTS-HD HR 5.1

Saw III
German (Kinowelt) - Unrated
Japan (Sony, Quadrilogy) - AVC and TrueHD 7.1, Region Free.
UK - Unrated, MPEG2, DTS-HD 6.1/DD EX 5.1, Region B locked.
US - Unrated, AVC, DNR, DTS-HD HR 6.1/DD EX 5.1 audio, Region A locked.

Saw IV
Japan (Sony, Quadrilogy) - AVC, TrueHD 7.1, Region Free.
US - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1

The Seventh Seal
US (Criterion) - AVC, Swedish PCM 2.0, English Subs, Slighlty better PQ (better Grain structure), HD Extras, BD50
UK (Tartan) - AVC, Swedish DD 2.0, English Subs, SD Extras (on DVD-9), BD 25 + DVD-9

The Shawshank Redemption
German (EuroVideo) - Region Locked
UK (ITV) - AVC (higher bitrate), DD (lossy) audio, PAL extras. Region Free.
US - VC-1, 16bit TrueHD.

Silent Hill
French (Metropolitan) - AVC (high bitrate), DTS-MA 5.1, Region Free.
German (Concorde) - VC-1, Better PQ than US and UK, DTS-HR 5.1, Region Free.
Italian (Eagle) - AVC, TrueHD 5.1.
UK (Pathe) - VC-1, DTS-HR 5.1, Region B locked (Can be avoided by jumping to Top Menu/Player dependant)
US (Sony) - MPEG2, PCM 5.1, Region Free.

Sin City
Canada - low bitrate AVC, 24bit DTS-MA
Japan (Geneon) - high bitrate AVC, 16bit TrueHD, Region Free.
Nordic - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1 (reported to have a red tint)
UK/EU - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1
US - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1 (Extended/Theatrical)

The Sixth Sense
German - 1.78:1, AVC, DTS-HR 5.1, different extras than US.
US (Disney) - 1.85:1, AVC, 16bit PCM 5.1

Sleepy Hollow
French (Studio Canal) -
German - AVC, DTS-HR
Japan (Kadokawa) - 1080i30, AVC, TrueHD, Better PQ than US.
US (Paramount) - MPEG2, DD/DTS (lossy) audio. BD25

Stargate
UK (Optimum) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, Extras, Region B.
US (Lionsgate) - MPEG2, DTS-HR ES, Region Free.

Starship Troopers
UK (Buena Vista) - No Sync issues, better PQ, VC-1, PCM, Region Free.
US - Audio Sync issues, AVC, TrueHD, Region Free.

Tell No One
FR (Pathe) - AVC, French PCM 5.1, English subs, Extras (PAL, No subs), Region Free
US (MPI) - VC1, French DD 5.1 & French PCM 2.0, Extras (English Sub), Region A Locked
UK (Revolver) - 1080i50hz AVC, French TrueHD 5.1, Forced English Subs, Extras (English Sub), Region B Locked, Poor PQ

Terminator 2
US (Lionsgate) - 1080p MPEG-2 Encode, English DD & DTS Lossy, Theatrical Cut Only
US/FR/MEX/UK/GER Skynet (Lionsgate/Optiumum/Studio Canal) - 1080p VC-1, English DTS-HD MA 6.1, Tons of Extras, DNR (Steelbook for Certain Countries)
FRA (Studio Canal) - 1080p VC-1 Encode, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2 Disks (Directors Cut |Region A+B| & Theatrical |Region B Locked - Forced French Subs|), Best PQ
UK (Optimum) - 1080p VC-1 Encode, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, Director's Cut only, PQ same as French
AUS (Universal Studio Canal) - Same as UK
JPN (Geneon) - 1080p AVC Encode, English & Japanese TrueHD 5.1 EX, Extras, 2 Disks (Theatrical & Directors Cut), Steelbook, High Bitrate
JPN (Geneon) - 1080p AVC Encode, English & Japanese TrueHD 5.1 EX, Extras, 1 Disk (Director's Cut Only), High Bitrate

Terminator 3
German (Sony) - AVC TrueHD 5.1
UK (Sony) - AVC (higher bitrate, better PQ than US), TrueHD 5.1
US (Warner) - VC-1, DD (lossy)

The Thing
UK/AUS/JP/EU - BD50, VC-1, DTS-MA, extras, Region Free
US - BD25, VC-1, DTS-MA, no extras
US HD DVD - Best PQ, less DNR.

Three Days of the Condor
French HD DVD - DNR, audio pitch issues.
US (Paramount) - AVC, No DNR, 5.1 TrueHD

Total Recall
AUS (Universal) - Region A/B locked.
UK (Optimum) - Better PQ, VC-1, DTS-MA 5.1, Region Free
US - MPEG2, DTS-HD HR 5.1, Extra.

Training Day
Japan - VC-1
UK (Warner) - VC-1, DD (lossy), Region Free.
US - MPEG2, DD (lossy) audio
US (HD DVD) - VC-1, better PQ than US Bluray, TrueHD.

Trainspotting
Canadian (Alliance) - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, no extras. BD25
Japan (Sony) - Uncut, AVC, TrueHD 5.1, 480i extras. Region free. Original "Scottish" accent monologue. BD50
UK (Studio 4) - AVC, DD/DTS (lossy) audio. Original "Scottish" accent monologue.

Transporter
France (EuropaCorp) - AVC, DTS-HR 5.1, PAL? Extras, Region Free. (92:26)
German (Ufa) - DTS-HD 6.1
Japan (Sony, Twin Pack) - Uncut, High bitrate AVC, better PQ, TrueHD, Extras, Region Free. (92:32)
US (Fox) - Theatrical, MPEG2 and DTS-MA

Transporter 2
French (EuropaCorp) - Low bitrate AVC, DTS-HR, Uncensored, removable French subs, PAL extras, Region Free. (exactly 24fps, not 23.976fps) (88:07)
German (Ufa) - DTS-HD 6.1
Japan (Sony, Twin Pack) - Uncut, High bitrate AVC, better PQ, TrueHD, Extras, Region Free. (88:12)
US (Fox) - Theatrical, MPEG2 and DTS-MA

Transporter 3
Dutch/German (DFW) -
UK (Icon) - AVC, TrueHD 5.1
US (Lionsgate) - AVC, DTS-MA 7.1, BD25

U-571
Japan (GAGA) - Open-matte 1.78:1, AVC, TrueHD, Region Free. No English subs.
UK (EiV) -
US (Universal) - 2.35:1, DNR, AVC, DTS-MA, Region Free.
US HD DVD - Slightly better PQ than US Bluray, DD+ (lossy) audio.

Ultraviolet
Japan (Sony) -MPEG2, PCM, Extended Cut, Region A/B locked.
All others PG-13.

Underworld
Dutch (DFW) - Theatrical, 2.40:1, AVC, DTS-MA 5.1, Extras, Region Free. (Possible audio sync issues)
French - Unrated, AVC, DTS-MA 5.1 (16-bit) (higher bitrate than US)
German (Concorde) - Extended, 2.35:1, VC-1, DTS, Region Free, No extras.
Japan HD DVD - Theatrical, AVC, TrueHD
US (Sony) - Extended, 2.35:1, AVC, 16-bit PCM

Underworld: Evolution
French - AVC, DTS-MA 5.1 (16-bit)
Spanish HD DVD - Slightly better PQ than US, DD+ (lossy) audio.
UK - MPEG2, DTS (lossy) audio
US - MPEG2, PCM audio.

Vertical Limit
UK - AVC (better PQ)
US - MPEG 2

Wallace and Grommit - A Matter of Loaf and Death
UK - 1080i50, AVC, TrueHD 5.1
US - 1080p24, AVC, PCM 5.1, Aliasing/jaggies throughout movie

Watchmen
US/CND (Warner) - VC1, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 (24bit), Director's Cut, Lower Bitrate, Extras (Exclusive), Filtered/DNR
JPN/FR/UK/AUS/GER (Paramount) - AVC, English TrueHD 5.1 (24bit), Theatrical Cut, Higher Bitrate, Extras, Better PQ

We Were Soldiers
UK/Aus - AVC and DTS-MA
US - MPEG2 and DD EX (lossy) audio

Welcome to the Jungle - The Rundown
AUS - Uncut, Region Free
UK - AVC, TrueHD (16-bit), Edited, Region Free

X-Men Trilogy
UK/German - More extras than US. Has PiP. Region Free.

Zodiac
International (Warner) - Low bitrate VC-1, lossy audio, SD extras, Region Free
US (Paramount) - High bitrate AVC, 24bit TrueHD, HD extras (2nd disc), Region Free.

[REC]
French - 1080i50, AVC, DTS-MA 5.1 (16-bit), Spanish audio, No English subs, forced French subs, Region B locked.
German (E-M-S) - 1080p24, AVC (low bitrate), DTS-MA 5.1 (16-bit), No Engligh subs, Region B locked.
Italian (MediaFilm) - Region B locked
Japan (Happinet) - 1080i30, No English subs.
Spain (Filmax) - 1080i50, VC-1, Spanish DTS/DD, English subtitles, Extras, Region Free. BD50.
Swedish (Noble) - 1080i50, DTS-MA, No English subs, Region Free.
*I am not 100% sure on these [REC] specs, if you find out different specs please let me know. Thank you.


Region Info from www.Blurayregioncodes.com
AVS FORUM - HD DVD/Bluray EE and DNR Thread
French BD Specs

[utl768]

terminator 2 from uk is much better then the us version

[project-blu]

supposedly starship troopers 1 is better UK than US, audio wise, due to the sync.

[AnalogueGhost]

There seems to be a unanimous opinion that any non-US version of Pan's Labyrinth is better than the US disc. I'm pretty sure the import versions have less DNR applied to the image. I'm not sure about sound format or special feature differences, although the French HD DVD box was probably pretty cool.

I'll probably toss that on one of my upcoming orders and post back, but I'm pretty sure others on the forum own the disc and can comment.

[godamongmen]

The Australian Bluray of Casino Royal is Uncut

[Arkadin]

Dutch "Reservoir Dogs" is definitely superior.
some feel the version of "Crank" is superior.
I agree about "Pan's Labyrinth" too. get the UK version.
also, the French "Gangs of New York" is better also imo.
(yes I had to order one and have the "best" version)
and with all the various Rambo releases you'd think a few would have to be superior, but I don't have any, so not sure on those.

btw: from my understanding the "uncut" "Casino Royale" was never meant for the US or something like that, and that the footage in question lasts all of like 20 seconds.

I'm still waiting to hear about the uk "stargate" and "Total Recall" myself.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by AnalogueGhost

There seems to be a unanimous opinion that any non-US version of Pan's Labyrinth is better than the US disc. I'm pretty sure the import versions have less DNR applied to the image. I'm not sure about sound format or special feature differences, although the French HD DVD box was probably pretty cool.

I'll probably toss that on one of my upcoming orders and post back, but I'm pretty sure others on the forum own the disc and can comment.

The French release has no English subtitles. The UK release does.

[AnalogueGhost]

Good catch. :-)

[utl768]

mr. and mrs. smith french blu is also better since its the directors cut and supposedly it has better video quality

[Blacklac]

I just got the US Transporter from Netflix this morning. Like I said, nothing scientific in my comparison. Just watching short scenes from each disc and swapping out for the other disc and watching the same scene. The Japanese starts out the first scene with AVC hovering in the mid 30mbps. The US disc is MPEG2 in the upper teens. The actually difference is not nearly that big. Really the only difference I can see is the Japanese disc has more of that looking through a window effect. The US disc looks like it has an ever so slightly haze compared to the Japanese disc. I think the Japanese disc is also slightly sharper. I really wish I had a BD-ROM to compare screengrabs, but for now I don't.

If I wasn't looking for differences and comparing them, I probably wouldn't have noticed a difference.

[Mobe1969]

The German Silent Hill. It is getting a UK release soon and I'm wondering what transfer they will use.

[Blacklac]

Colors also look much more natural on the Japanese disc. Dark scenes o the US disc look brighter ad colors seem just off. More of a red tint. The Japanese disc has consistent blacks and more natural colors/face tones.

They both look a little EE'd at times.

[Blacklac]

I found a bunch of movies that had different distrobution companies than the US. Anyone know about these?

30 Days of Night - UK/German
Casino Royal - French
The Departed - EiV
Iron Man - Concorde
Into the Blue - G.C.T.H.V.
No Country - Paramount
The Orphanage - Optimum
Pirates Trilogy - Beuna Vista French
Zodiac - Warner France
Lucky # Slevin - EiV UK

If anyone knows how any of those compare to the US, where there are some reviews (in english) or even just specs (video codec and Audio format) I would love to know.

Thanks.

[Arkadin]

Buena Vista iS Disney.
"Zodiac" has a thread in this forum.
"Iron Man" hasn't been released yet.

[Blacklac]

Hmm. I found those on Blurayregioncodes.com. The Pirates were all from Disney, but that country said BV. Wonder why they didn't say Disney also. Thanks for that info though, I'll look into the Zodiac thread.