Goldsmithfan 3 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I really like Forbidden Planet, but for some reason I never got around to the one disc version that was released.Then, out of nowhere, I saw the new 3 disc version at Amazon and was glad I hadn't gotten the one DVD version.Anyway, this past weekend I went to Best Buy and decided to check the new version out. However, when I looked at the back I was horrified to find that it has been remastered to Dolby Digital 5.1!I'm not a huge fan of surround sound, but when a movie is initially made with that format it's not nearly as bad as it is when some wise guy decides to "fix" an older film by putting it in Dolby 5.1. It always seems to result in really crappy sound effect replacement and just a bad taste in everyone's mouth.The Terminator comes to mind (luckily a choice was given on the DVD). And I know I don't have to mention Superman: The Movie (even though I just did).But, back to my question, do the new DVD sets give you the option of setting the film to its old audio mix or are we stuck with the 5.1 mix? And did the old 1 disc version have the original audio mix for the film?Thanks to anyone who can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I think it's a 2-disc version, actually, not that it matters.And no, there is no original audio. I read about it at DVD Beaver.I don't mean to 'rain on the parade' but I think I may have had higher expectations for the image quality of the new release than it is representing. It is significantly cleaner than the old edition and sharper (for the most part) - although this was a 'given' with the high degree of anticipation of this release. Contrast is improved but I am ambivalent to make any bold statements on the colors. It could be the lighting but the uniforms of Commander Adams crew shift from blue to silver and even brown in some scenes.Black levels appear to have been brought up a shade - which is very acceptable and I am unsure of any other manipulation, but it seems apparent that the old release had some brightness boosting. As other reviewers are probably gushing about this new transfer, perhaps my comments might be construed as unwarranted complaining. While I am at it though - another gripe is the audio - a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds good but there is no option for the old stereo sound - something purists may find amiss. Framing shows a bit more information on the edges of the new releases.A shame, but I've heard the 5.1 track is well-done.Overall, the image comparisons look good, though a few of the shots look a bit "muddy" compared to the old DVD, for example:Original DVDAnniversary DVDI'll probably end up getting this one, since the mono track on the old DVD is very badly transferred (incredibly quiet at times). However, I too would have liked to have the original mono as an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I can't answer your question but it is annoying when the audio is changed and the original mix is not included. The new Smokey and The Bandit DVD has been remastered with an Anamorphic transfer and a new 5.1 and DTS mix but there are sound effects missing from the original mono mix and alot of the music and effects are buried in the new mix.I'm almost tempted to keep my old DVD because the film is 1.85:1 so it wouldn't look that bad on a widescreen TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Buy the old DVD, rip the audio channel from that and remix it with the picture of the new DVD.Job done.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Buy the old DVD, rip the audio channel from that and remix it with the picture of the new DVD.Sadly the mono mix on the old DVD isn't very well transferred - there are incredible changes in volume, sometimes it's loud, sometimes almost inaudible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Buy the old DVD, rip the audio channel from that and remix it with the picture of the new DVD. Â Job done....Indeed. 8O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldsmithfan 3 Posted January 5, 2007 Author Share Posted January 5, 2007 Thanks for all the replies. I'm definitely going to get the original one disc version, but the special features of the new set are still calling my name. Maybe I'll grab the non-deluxe version some time in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I kept both DVDs of Jaws because the trailers aren't on the newer version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldsmithfan 3 Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 A friend of mine said he did the same thing. I haven't even gotten around to Jaws yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I was going to keep the old Jaws DVD, but someone offered me £10 for it (actually more than I paid for it, new) so I sold it to them, after ripping the trailers to my computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 480 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I still don't have Jaws on DVD. The Dutch release of the 30th Anniversary does not include the original audio, and the documentary is still edited (this time, even material that did make it to the original DVD release has been snipped, while other footage has been restored).- Marc, who is not familiar with Forbidden Planet, but thinks Steef's idea isn't bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I still don't have Jaws on DVD. The Dutch release of the 30th Anniversary does not include the original audio, and the documentary is still edited (this time, even material that did make it to the original DVD release has been snipped, while other footage has been restored).We don't have the mono in R2 either. Personally, most of the DVDs I buy are R1 anyway (I don't like the PAL speedup), so I just went for that one. It's a great set, well worth the extra cost.Marc, who is not familiar with Forbidden Planet, but thinks Steef's idea isn't bad at all. Apart from the fact that the mono on the old DVD is badly transferred, with inconsistent volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 480 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Yes, I know you mentioned it, but seeing how it's the also the only transfer of the mono track, it's probably the best option for listening to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 That's if you assume mono is superiour to stereo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 480 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I was under the impression that the old audio was mono. Perhaps I must've missed it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 According to IMDb:Sound Mix: Mono (35 mm optical prints) / Perspecta Stereo (optical prints)Whatever that means.????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Most of the time the IMDB never makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robthehand 3 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Most of the time the IMDB never makes sense.With that sort of info (sound mixes, aspect ratios, etc.) it's normally fairly accurate. I'm sure Sound Mix: Mono (35 mm optical prints) / Perspecta Stereo (optical prints) does mean something, I just have no idea what.But I understand nothing about this sort of thing... I've been confused ever since I saw the term "4-Track Stereo". ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Neither do I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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