James Bond Ultimate Edition DVDs...

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italy12

Dec 1, 2008 - CST 10:49 AM

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I know this is not an actual DVD "defect" but anyone who owns the James Bond Ultimate Ed. DVDs from 2006 or so might be able to answer this.

On some of the older movies (not sure if the Moore or Dalton ones apply, haven't watched 'em in a while), specifically the ones in 2.35:1 aspect ratio (Thunderball, Diamonds Are forever, OHMSS, etc...) I noticed that during the title song sequence, the edges come in just a bit, sort of like a pillar-boxed effect. It starts when the song starts, and goes away when the song ends and it jumps into the movie.

Anyone else notice this? If so, why does it do that (don't remember the older DVD editions doing this) and do the Blu-rays do this as well?

-Dave

[Post edited by italy12 on Dec 1, 2008 - CST 12:14 PM]

John J. Puccio

Dec 1, 2008 - CST 3:28 PM

says... "It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide." --A.E. Neuman

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Dave,

I hadn't noticed it before, but I experience a similar (but not exact) issue with these Bond editions. I have my television set to "Full Pixel," meaning it does not overscan or cut off any edges of the screen. It also means that studios have to frame their pictures rather exactingly in order not to show off-edge material.

In the case of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," I see a thin blue area running down the left edge of the screen during the opening title music. After the title music, it disappears. In the case of "Diamonds Are Forever," I see a thin line at the left edge of the screen, on the left side of which I see about a quarter inch of movie material. This line remains for me throughout the movie.

In both cases, I believe it is a misalignment error on MGM's part, which probably manifests itself in different ways with different TVs. If I change the screen display on my TV to overscan very slightly (cutting off the edges of the screen the tiniest bit), I eliminate the issue on both discs. But I won't do that because I'm too much of a purist to miss anything that's supposed to be on the screen.

So it means I'll be looking forward to the Blu-ray editions of these movies all the more.

John

italy12

Dec 1, 2008 - CST 8:46 PM

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That's interesting, John. On mine, it actually squeezes inward not even an inch on each side, symmetrically. It's weird, I've never seen anything like that on anamorphic DVDs.

Next time you watch one of the earlier ones (2.35:1), see if you notice if the actual picture "squeezes" a little bit, leaving a little bit of black on both sides...very little, but noticeable. I don't know man, it seems almost like it was meant to do it the way it does it. If that makes any sense. As soon as the pre-credits sequence ends and the music starts, it does it...only to spread out a bit when the movie resumes after the song.

I'm looking forward to the Blu-rays too. I'm not sure I want to get them right away though. My PS3 has not yet arrived, and I already bought a slew of movies to enjoy once it comes....I can probably hold on to my Ultimate Eds. for a while since they look pretty darn good already. I'm curious to see how MGM will spread out the rest of the Bond movies, as there are not enough to make an even number of box sets containing 3 movies, unless they stick one of the Casino Royale versions in a future set. That makes 21 films...7 sets.

Thanks for your help John. I appreciate the feedback

-Dave

mvckalel

Dec 2, 2008 - CST 3:12 PM

says... I now own UP and Monsters, Inc. on blu-ray!!!

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Dave, I bought all six blu-Bond movies for $40 on Amazon, I think you can still get the deal (free super saving shipping will get you the best deal).

I hadn't noticed anything with the Bond movies (I've watched 18 so far) out of the Ultimate Editions. However, when I got Untouchables, The [Special Collector's Edition] [DVD] » a couple of years ago, and I began watching in on my PC, during the opening scene with the movie's title, you can see a green line on the far left (or right). It obviously didn't show on my 4:3 Sony SDTV at the time, but I'll see when the blu-ray edition (bought on Amazon for $9) arrives.

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