Forum for Geeks

With some of the discussion around what makes a good and what makes a bad transfer I thought maybe we could help each other out.

Bad Transfer #1- The Terminator- I have the DVD and didn't really get anything special when I upgraded.

bluray.com ripped the new Predator transfer. They said that the DNR makes the print look like it wasn't shot on film.

Not so much a transfer problem, but, Crank 2: High Voltage won't play in my player because it needs a software update for this and my player isn't connected to the internet ( I know there is a trick involving a flash drive but the one I have won't fit in the port on my player). What really irked me about this is nowhere on the packaging does it mention that I needed this update in order to watch the movie.

Are you talking about the Firmware thing? Mine's not hooked up to the internet as well and I might have to burn an upgrade to a disc and bring it to my Blu-Ray. My Harry Potter Blu won't play and I think it needs the upgrade. I think Blu-Ray players will need the upgrades from time to time or else, the older your player gets, the more new discs will not play. Upgrades are part of the deal, I guess.

I am very happy with the new Predator transfer.

It looks like the digital bits has joined in on the Predator discussion.

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

What do you guys think? I get where he's coming from but I also like a cleaner image. Is an image full of grain because of limitations in the filming process 20 years ago? Or is it intentional. If John McTiernan was shooting this movie today would he have used digital or a better/less grainy image? We don't know. The assumption is that the grain is intentional.

That being said I like film as well as digital. I don't mind if a movie looks like it was shot on film. The issue I had with the first Predator cut wasn't so much the grain but the low bit rate and generally poor image quality. I noticed artifacting, etc. In the sample image shown I see what he's talking about related to Arnie's shirt. No texture what so ever.

I think studios need to balance with original intent versus superior quality. The Godfather BD still looks like it was shot on film but the colors and the quality is very high. The main issue is that the masses feel that BD should be pristine and look like it was shot yesterday which isn't necessarily the point.

Not to belabor the point but here's another update from TDB

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

The reviewer mentions that the difference is overwhelming but I don't see it that drastic.