Phenomena – The Technical Debate

[bdc]

Yes,I also see grain.

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

I guess it all depends on how somwone thinks something should look. Some wil be pleased with the transfer and some won't. Just have to wait until I have it in my hands until I know for sure how good or bad it looks. From those screencaps, I think I'll like it.

[springjack]

Originally Posted by bdc

Not my opinion btw,as it's hard to tell how this looks from a few caps.

Exactly, as A/V freak I learned many moons ago that screen caps should not judge the final product.

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by springjack

Exactly, as A/V freak I learned many moons ago that screen caps should not judge the final product.

Unless of course, that final product is the Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition.

[springjack]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Twitch film's review also refers to heavy grain.

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Strange, it looks like it's got grain on it to me.

I prefer grain to DNR...

Originally Posted by bdc

Yes,I also see grain.

By the screencaps it shows some grain but not that much.
Something natural for an 80´s movie surely not made with the best film stock.

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Unless of course, that final product is the Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition.

Yeah... the mother of all DNR

Schwarzenegger: "Dillon, you waxy son of a b*tch"

[doolahrock]

The screens look pretty good although, as rightly said before, never judge the final output on a screen cap.

To be honest, I don't mind a bit of DNR as long as it isn't overdone. Probably due to me looking for the cleanest picture possible in my video work but, of course, film is another ballpark.

[L'enfant Errant]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Strange, it looks like it's got grain on it to me.

You can smooth out only certain frequencies, say just the low end particles of grain ("big" grains) and keep the relatively high frequencies ("small" grains) completely intact. You can even add digital noise on top of an already-smoothed image and make it look like natural, fine-grain 35mm when it really isn't.

(Heck, that's exactly what Fox/Lowry did for Aliens, and you don't see many people complaining about it. )

Based on the images here, and nothing more: Rock! Shock! Pop! Phenomena - Arrow (Blu-ray)

These screenshots for Phenomena look pretty good, I think. Blacks look rock-solid, close-up detail is very nice, and there does appear to be some grain lurking in the backdrop... but I think there might be just a bit of temporal smearing going on. Check the very last cap for some of the "waxy" skin with much of the grain left intact on the (stationary) background.

That said, whatever grain scrubbing has gone on is pretty light in the scheme of things. It's there all right, but the Anchor Bay Collection DVD has far, far worse DVNR... that disc has ghosting and smearing the likes of which makes Predator and Evil Dead 2 look watchable!

Strictly based on these caps, the Arrow BD will be both a welcome and a greatly appreciated upgrade. And I don't expect to see the film look any better for quite some time.

[Entity Appliance]

Hey Guys,

I watched this yesterday and to my eyes the picture quality was excellent

It does look slightly soft in places, but I would put this down to the source material more than anything else. I can't say I noticed any intrusive DNR and overall, this is the best I've ever seen the film look and in my opinion is well worth the upgrade. Arrow have done it again. Now bring on ''The Beyond''

[Sargento]

I gave the blu a spin last night and was more than happy with the PQ. The macro insect shots looked incredible on HD too!! Nice one guys.



Still have my concerns about the 2.0 channel audio though. I pumped it through my amp and to be fair it sounded no different to any 2.0 channel audio on a DVD. Shame there was no 5.1 mix .. still very surprised at that!



Not checked out any extras yet .. so can't comment on those.

[wayfarer]

Saw a DVD review copy last night and was majorly impressed with the PQ. It looks fantastic. The audio wasn't great but wasn't expecting much. There was some action in the rear speakers but that could have been the Pro-Logic kicking in. All in all, a solid release again from a consistently reliable label.