The Arrow Thread

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

Seriously guys, I read what some of you write and I wonder if we're on the same planet.
Now, I admit that I only have a 46 inch LED TV, not some massive projection set up like some of you have, so perhaps I cannot see all these imperfections that you all moan about.
For example, Arrow's CotLD that is "barely watchable"......Really? Well, I've seen it on numerous video and dvd releases over the years and thought it was the best release I had ever seen of it. What makes it barely watchable?
Same with Tenebrae and Day of the Dead which I also thought looked superb! I also have the Blu Starz edition and can see no difference between the two.
A couple of weeks ago someone ranted that the 40th Anniversary Edition of Enter the Dragon was "terrible." Now I watched this in the cinema in the 70's and 80's, owned many copies on video from all around the world, bought at least 3 dvd's of it and finally bought the 40th Blu. Not even in the cinema did this look so good, never -all over the world -has there been a better issue but still someone thinks it was terrible. What on earth could make it better? Bruce Lee rising from the grave and giving you a commentary while you watch?
I think () the problem is some of you missed, or have conveniently forgotten..., the days of video and crt TV's. When I think back to some of the murky pea-soup transfers I used to squint at, I cannot believe people when I hear them moan that "there is a bit of grain!! It's shit!"
C'mon guys, seriously?

I think there is an awful lot of Hyperbole around these releases online. I disliked HBTC but it wasn't 'unwatchable' I double dipped for the extras and was familiar already with the Blue underground release and I noticed the difference in quality on my 32" telly. I do think fans are entitled to complain. The bitching around Arrows releases made them take notice and now they are one of the best company's for releases going. I should also add i'm pleased with my Arrow Day of the Dead, but I will be upgrading that Tenebrae release now a version is coming without forced french subs!

[tele1962]

Blu Ray nine times out of ten will look better than an SD release. However there is no excuse for what should be a HD release looking like a dogs dinner simply because in some cases it has been poorly authored or heavily DNR'd or many other such problems. HD is just that, and any flaws in the release will be exaggerated ten fold.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

Seriously guys, I read what some of you write and I wonder if we're on the same planet.
Now, I admit that I only have a 46 inch LED TV, not some massive projection set up like some of you have, so perhaps I cannot see all these imperfections that you all moan about.
For example, Arrow's CotLD that is "barely watchable"......Really? Well, I've seen it on numerous video and dvd releases over the years and thought it was the best release I had ever seen of it. What makes it barely watchable?
Same with Tenebrae and Day of the Dead which I also thought looked superb! I also have the Blu Starz edition and can see no difference between the two.
A couple of weeks ago someone ranted that the 40th Anniversary Edition of Enter the Dragon was "terrible." Now I watched this in the cinema in the 70's and 80's, owned many copies on video from all around the world, bought at least 3 dvd's of it and finally bought the 40th Blu. Not even in the cinema did this look so good, never -all over the world -has there been a better issue but still someone thinks it was terrible. What on earth could make it better? Bruce Lee rising from the grave and giving you a commentary while you watch?
I think () the problem is some of you missed, or have conveniently forgotten..., the days of video and crt TV's. When I think back to some of the murky pea-soup transfers I used to squint at, I cannot believe people when I hear them moan that "there is a bit of grain!! It's shit!"
C'mon guys, seriously?

I'm saying Day Of The Dead is bad, because to my eyes, bar certain short shots here and there, the vast majority looks flat and very close to the DVD.

As for HbtC, so much digital noise flickering everywhere, makes me dizzy.

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Yeah, stuff like Tenebrae isn't unwatchable, but it doesn't have what's called "natural grain". The image has been manipulated in such a way, thst it looks very strange, doesn't look like film grain anymore. It's not a terrible transfer, but it's not a good one either. The new disc will be a lot better. I believe James White has overseen the transfer (hope I'm not talking out of my backside as usual), so you know it's going to look great. Awwww, damn it, I just know I'm going to end up buying it again!

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Yeah, stuff like Tenebrae isn't unwatchable, but it doesn't have what's called "natural grain". The image has been manipulated in such a way, thst it looks very strange, doesn't look like film grain anymore. It's not a terrible transfer, but it's not a good one either. The new disc will be a lot better. I believe James White has overseen the transfer (hope I'm not talking out of my backside as usual), so you know it's going to look great. Awwww, damn it, I just know I'm going to end up buying it again!

Given Mr Whites Stella track record i'm looking forward to this release a LOT.

As for BWTCP

Pick up the VCI Blu, it looks great!

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

Seriously guys, I read what some of you write and I wonder if we're on the same planet.
Now, I admit that I only have a 46 inch LED TV, not some massive projection set up like some of you have, so perhaps I cannot see all these imperfections that you all moan about.
For example, Arrow's CotLD that is "barely watchable"......Really? Well, I've seen it on numerous video and dvd releases over the years and thought it was the best release I had ever seen of it. What makes it barely watchable?
Same with Tenebrae and Day of the Dead which I also thought looked superb! I also have the Blu Starz edition and can see no difference between the two.
A couple of weeks ago someone ranted that the 40th Anniversary Edition of Enter the Dragon was "terrible." Now I watched this in the cinema in the 70's and 80's, owned many copies on video from all around the world, bought at least 3 dvd's of it and finally bought the 40th Blu. Not even in the cinema did this look so good, never -all over the world -has there been a better issue but still someone thinks it was terrible. What on earth could make it better? Bruce Lee rising from the grave and giving you a commentary while you watch?
I think () the problem is some of you missed, or have conveniently forgotten..., the days of video and crt TV's. When I think back to some of the murky pea-soup transfers I used to squint at, I cannot believe people when I hear them moan that "there is a bit of grain!! It's shit!"
C'mon guys, seriously?

Hit a nerve there fella?? I see where you're coming from and unfortunately I missed a lot of these movies in their earlier incarnations so I understand I probably can't appreciate what COTLD looked like to begin with. My first viewing of it was the crappy Vipco dvd. But the same applies to say The Beyond which looks absolutely stunning on Arrows blu. Day of the Dead I've already mentioned is I think quite possibly their best release from a technical point of view. I don't even think Tenebrae looks too bad. All films I first saw from dodgy dvd releases which by and large look great on blu. So why does CotLD look so poor? It's barely watchable as far as I'm concerned because it's like watching the film through a bathroom window behind a net curtain with a damn blizzard outside! Unless I've got a faulty copy that is, which is something I've wondered given most folk seem happy with it, but criticize Tenebrae which looks far better.

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Hit a nerve there fella?? I see where you're coming from and unfortunately I missed a lot of these movies in their earlier incarnations so I understand I probably can't appreciate what COTLD looked like to begin with. My first viewing of it was the crappy Vipco dvd. But the same applies to say The Beyond which looks absolutely stunning on Arrows blu. Day of the Dead I've already mentioned is I think quite possibly their best release from a technical point of view. I don't even think Tenebrae looks too bad. All films I first saw from dodgy dvd releases which by and large look great on blu. So why does CotLD look so poor? It's barely watchable as far as I'm concerned because it's like watching the film through a bathroom window behind a net curtain with a damn blizzard outside! Unless I've got a faulty copy that is, which is something I've wondered given most folk seem happy with it, but criticize Tenebrae which looks far better.

COTLD isnt faulty. Mine looks like that too.

[Bringer Of Funerals]

Originally Posted by The Reaper Man@Cult Labs

'Haha, I don't even have a problem with really heavy "natural" film grain (a few scenes in Point Break have a lot), but I don't know what the hell that is on the Tenebrae disc. '

No-it was as if someone was shaking their head full of dandruff in front of the screen.
Dandruff-One of the few areas where technically you know feck all about Stephen!

I'll deffinitely be having this-SUPERB!

Never picked up Tenebrae so I'll get this release

[sjconstable]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Yeah, stuff like Tenebrae isn't unwatchable, but it doesn't have what's called "natural grain". The image has been manipulated in such a way, thst it looks very strange, doesn't look like film grain anymore.

Analogue noise actually, from old worn out CRT equipment that needs binning.

[Boo Radley]

Okay, I just had a look around the web and found this out about CotLD. The BU and Arrow discs are taken from exactly the same hi def master.........exactly the same.
On many forums, like City of the Living Dead – BluRay (Blue Underground vs. Arrow Video) – 10,000 Bullets they actually recommend the Arrow transfer over the BU version. Here you can look at the screenshots from both and if anyone thinks that it is looking like a net curtained bathroom window with a blizzard outside then you are going to have to explain just what you mean as the screen shots prove you're talking out of an orifice other than your mouth...
Perhaps some of you need to look at your equipment and cables before proclaiming something is unwatchable. Now some of you might have 8-12 foot state of the art cinema's that will blow my 6 grand set up (My pride and joy!!) away but the majority of fans won't.
Instead of sitting there desperately looking for some tiny flaw so people can say, "Oh, at one point a line appeared horizontally for 3 seconds at the change of a reel in a 40 year old film. Completely ruined it for me, couldn't watch it anymore, gave me a headache!", why can't we just watch and enjoy the film for what it's meant to be and be happy that we've got the best possible transfer.
Odd idea, I know...