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paw
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Arvada, CO
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: Wizard of Oz |
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Hi another thread Kal mentioned
| kal wrote: | Another reference quality disc:
The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition Video: 5/5 Audio: 4.5/5
| Quote: | The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
After viewing the 2005 Collector's Edition DVD, I never dreamed 'Oz' could look any better, but the wizards at Warner have fashioned an exceptional high-def rendering that significantly increases clarity while preserving the original look and feel of this national treasure. Of course, the studio easily could have used its 2005 remaster for this Blu-ray release and most viewers would still be impressed. But instead, at considerable expense, the powers-that-be decided to go back to the drawing board and completely remaster the film again, this time scanning the original Technicolor negatives using 8K resolution. From there, a 4K "capture" master was created for this Blu-ray, giving viewers twice the resolution of the 2005 DVD. (For a more detailed explanation of the technical processes involved in the creation of the 'Oz' Blu-ray, check out this HDD feature article.) Are the differences noticeable? Is the Pope Catholic?
Crisp and colorful, but with all its glorious grain and texture intact, this beautiful 1080p/VC-1 transfer shows how wonderfully film-like Hollywood classics can appear on Blu-ray. Wisely, Warner doesn't try to disguise the film's age or give it a "facelift" by smoothing out and doctoring up the image. The studio merely provides the sharpest, cleanest, most balanced, and best color-timed picture it can, given the elements it had to work with. And what we get is what I like to call the Sophia Loren of movie transfers – an impeccably preserved, gloriously vibrant, almost ageless 70-year-old specimen that defies logic.
Only a couple of stray marks dot the pristine print, and the grain, while noticeable, is so deftly woven into the film's fabric, it never calls attention to itself. Instead, it lends the picture a lovely weight and feel, and neutralizes the intense color and artificiality of some of the sets. The opening and closing sepia sequences are a revelation; never have they exuded such richness and depth. The brown tones hammer home the dusty dreariness of the Kansas plain (and Dorothy's life) so much better than black-and-white, and excellent contrast brings out striking details, such as the candles in Professor Marvel's tent and the hot dog Toto grabs off a skewer.
When the action shifts to the Technicolor wonderland of Oz, the transfer explodes with color, but Warner technicians perfectly modulate the temperature to keep levels in check. Superior saturation brings out all the lush hues in the Munchkinland sequence, but bleeding is never an issue. The Yellow Brick Road and ruby slippers are deliciously bold, the wicked witch's green face takes on a newfound fluorescent tinge, and the horse of a different color manages its changing shades with ease. Blacks are inky, fleshtones look stable and natural (or as natural as the garish makeup allows), and heightened clarity allows us to pick out the freckles on Garland's face, tiny scuffs on the Tin Man's body, and makeup anomalies on the Cowardly Lion and Wicked Witch of the West. The fur on the Lion and Toto is well defined, costumes exhibit noticeable texture, individual sequins on Dorothy's shoes sparkle, and the bricks on the Yellow Brick Road never blur together. Best of all, the heavy checkerboard pattern of Dorothy's dress remains rock solid and resists shimmering throughout the film.
Several of Garland's close-ups are truly breathtaking, exhibiting all the youthful verve, fresh-faced innocence, and subtle beauty of this uber-talented teenage star, while marvelous depth makes the massive sets feel even more expansive. Of course, the super-sharp image draws a bit more attention to the painted backdrops and primitive special effects, but let's face it, we noticed such things even when watching 'Oz' on a 20-inch TV with rabbit ears back in the '70s. Some scenes do look slightly softer than others or not quite as vibrant, but the gradations are so minor they barely merit mention.
Digital enhancements? I couldn't find any. Warner knows better than to monkey with a flick on the National Film Registry, and the studio has steered clear of any blasphemous noise reduction or edge enhancement. Other imperfections such as mosquito noise and banding are also absent, making this digital rendering almost indistinguishable from a filmic presentation. Without question, this is the ultimate 'Oz' transfer, a dream come true for both fans of this particular film and film in general. Whether you've seen it 100 times or are just now discovering the wonders of 'The Wizard of Oz' (lucky you!), this meticulously produced effort provides an immersive, exhilarating viewing experience you won't soon forget.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Warner offers multiple audio choices to please both purists and digital enthusiasts. The disc defaults to the lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 option, but the original mono and a music-and-effects track can be accessed via the Special Features menu. (A Dolby Digital 5.1 track is also listed on the packaging, but could not be found on the disc.) Of course, the TrueHD track offers the most sonic bang for one's buck, and adds welcome dimension to many aspects of the film. Though Warner technicians can't completely mask the antiquated nature of this track, they've done yeoman's work sprucing it up, and the end result is a robust, nicely nuanced effort that complements the glorious visuals well.
Most of the audio is front-based, but faint surround action occasionally kicks in, usually during extended scoring sequences. Details, such as the chirping baby chicks on Uncle Henry's farm and Dorothy's shrieks when she's carried away by the flying monkeys, are crisp and distinct, and some hefty low-end accents that I don't recall on the DVD's DD 5.1 track significantly punch upthe action. When Dorothy's house crash-lands in Oz, a palpable rumble shot through my living room, and when the witch shuts the castle doors as Dorothy and her friends try to escape, another burst of bass emphasized the entrapment. The tornado sequence envelops well, and though it's loud and frenetic, there are enough distinct elements to keep it from becoming a cacophonous mess. In addition, the wizard's amplified bellowing possesses a wonderful hollow tone, as does the echoing empty chamber of the Tin Man's chest.
Dynamic range is wide enough, although the upper registers occasionally flirt with distortion when pushed. 'Over the Rainbow,' however, has never sounded more full-bodied and resonant, and the other songs benefit from excellent fidelity and pleasing tonal depth. Dialogue and lyrics are crystal clear, so even if you don't know the movie by heart like I do, you'll understand everything with ease. All crackles have been carefully scrubbed away, though I did notice a bit of hiss (yet only during the quietest moments) and a few isolated (and jarring) pops, but such imperfections are understandable given the film's advanced age, and are merely brief lapses in an otherwise high-quality track. |
Kal |
Does anyone know if this latest remastered version is available in a NON Ultimate Collectors Edition? I don't the figurine, the posters, the booklet. I just want the MOVIE.
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Aubrey
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, me too. You can get a DVD set for $19, but for Blu-Ray you gotta cough up $52 or more for the Ultimate crap. Sheesh.
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kal
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Great link, Kal! Thanks.
So the Target set has all the disks except the Digital Copy. (WTF is that!?) None of the UCE stuff. The Campaign Book and the 52-page book might be worthwhile, but I sureashell don't need an Emerald City watch and $52 is a bit much. That seems like a good option for US$35. CAD$42 is a bit high.
Guess I need to make a run to Target...
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kal
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ecrabb
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Gary, the Digital Copy is a really nice feature. It's a DRM-encrypted file you can authorize to play in WMP or iTunes. You have older kids, so you don't care, but for those of us with young kids, buying some movies on BD sucks, because we can't watch it anywhere else. With the Digital Copy, I can play it on my computer, AppleTV, iPhone, etc.
Now, with Wizard of Oz, it's not big deal - I already have that and can rip it. But, for new Pixar movies I don't already have, the Digital Copy is pretty nice to have.
Otherwise, I have to resort to renting the DVD's of BD's I buy just to rip it for non-BD-in-HT use. Hey, I already bought it, what do you expect!?!?! 
SC
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:23 am Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: | Gary, the Digital Copy is a really nice feature. It's a DRM-encrypted file you can authorize to play in WMP or iTunes. You have older kids, so you don't care, but for those of us with young kids, buying some movies on BD sucks, because we can't watch it anywhere else. With the Digital Copy, I can play it on my computer, AppleTV, iPhone, etc.
Now, with Wizard of Oz, it's not big deal - I already have that and can rip it. But, for new Pixar movies I don't already have, the Digital Copy is pretty nice to have.
Otherwise, I have to resort to renting the DVD's of BD's I buy just to rip it for non-BD-in-HT use. Hey, I already bought it, what do you expect!?!?!
SC |
I've got quite a few with digital copies but haven't gotten around to messing with them. Are they all that and a bag of potato chips? Can you only copy them to a certain few devices or only one computer? I wonder how big the files are? Might be nice to throw on the PMP and then hook it up to the DVD player in the car for some road movies.
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MikeEby
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 5237
Location: Osceola, Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:24 am Post subject: |
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| kal wrote: | Google around for Walmart prices too - I could have sworn they had a single disc version for only $20 or so with absolutely nothing extra (which is usually what I want).
Kal |
I saw it there yesterday for $19.99.
Mike
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paw
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Arvada, CO
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| kal wrote: | Tell me about it. Annoying. I won't spend $50 on it. I'll wait for the sub-$20 single disc version.
Supposedly some retailers have Blu-ray single disc edition that is simply the first disc off of this "ultimate set".
More info: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3480
Kal |
But are the Target and Wal-Mart Blu-ray versions the remaster (2005 DVD version {which I own}) or the re-remaster (8k scan from 2009)?
I think the Target edition has MUCH better cover art but I watch the disc and not the cover. So I can live with it to save $15
OH! I looked though the comments on blu-ray.com link. I was looking for a definitive statement as to which remaster version the Target and Wal-mart discs are. I found a cool mash up of the movie trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f79iPHMrcfE
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Aubrey
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paw
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Arvada, CO
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:45 am Post subject: |
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| garyfritz wrote: | Great link, Kal! Thanks.
So the Target set has all the disks except the Digital Copy. (WTF is that!?) None of the UCE stuff. The Campaign Book and the 52-page book might be worthwhile, but I sureashell don't need an Emerald City watch and $52 is a bit much. That seems like a good option for US$35. CAD$42 is a bit high.
Guess I need to make a run to Target... |
I don't know Gary. I thought the Emeral City watch would look great on 'ya. 
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Aubrey
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ecrabb
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Joined: 13 Mar 2006
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Location: Utah
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:03 am Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | Are they all that and a bag of potato chips? Can you only copy them to a certain few devices or only one computer? I wonder how big the files are? Might be nice to throw on the PMP and then hook it up to the DVD player in the car for some road movies. |
I can't tell you about the portability on the Windows side (WMV), but I can tell you the m4v (via iTunes) is playable on all authorized devices (computers, iPhone, iPod, AppleTV).
The only one I have on my computer at the moment is Watchmen. It's 853x354, stereo AAC audio, 5.1 AC3, and weighs in at just under 2.25GB. PQ looks about like DVD to me (at a glance).
I don't know for sure, but I would assume any WMV-based player that supports MS's DRM would work similarly.
SC
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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| paw wrote: | | But are the Target and Wal-Mart Blu-ray versions the remaster (2005 DVD version {which I own}) or the re-remaster (8k scan from 2009)? |
According to DigitalBits, they're the new 8k scan, and they're eye-poppers.
I happened to be passing the local Target last Friday and stopped in to pick up the 3-disk Emerald Edition. They were sold out!! Apparently it was a limited-time deal. Fortunately I asked the guy at the TV/Audio counter and after disappearing into the stock room for 10 minutes, he came out with the LAST copy they had.  Looking forward to checking it out!! (Probably in 2 weeks when my mom comes to visit.)
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WanMan
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 10270
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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I have to wonder about the scanning process. As long as the scanning resolution is equal to or above the pixel and color resolutions intended to be provided to the consumer on Blu-ray, what is the threshold of lowering ROI?
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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They scanned the originals in 8k and mixed it down to 4k for the disk masters. I assume those mean 8k and 4k pixels wide? If so, 4k is still 2x the BD 1920 width. That should let them downsample it very nicely, and they still have the option to provide 4k masters for theater release or a future higher-resolution standard. Maybe they figured it was worth it to avoid having to re-do it the next time HD standards go up.
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