Big Trouble in Little China R4 vs R1

[craptest]

I've been looking at online reviews for 'Big Trouble in Little China'.

All the R1 reviews say the transfer is excellent.

The two R4 reviews I found both have a few issues with the transfer. DVD Net went as far as calling it sub par:

http://www.dvd.net.au/goto.cgi?http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=1027


Has anyone got the R1 or R4? Could you please comment on the transfer quality.

Normally you'd assume the R4 pal disc would look better... but maybe not this time.

[MrMacabre]

Last time I watched it was before I started reviewing, but I remember being impressed with the transfer of the R1 last time I viewed the film.

[craptest]

One area the R1 definately wins is the DVD packaging. I much prefer the original poster to some in-film grab of Kurt Russell with a gun. Even the R2 cover looks cooler.

I've since found a few reviews that descibe the R1 transfer as a 'little soft' and 'edge enhanced' - two issues with the R4 transfer. So my guess is theyre identical. The different reports mainly due to different review standards.

What isnt the same is the sound. The R1 comes with a great DTS, the PAL only 4.1 DD. (I dont have DTS, but .... ). The animated menus for the PAL version may also be a bit jittery (according to one report).

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by craptest
One area the R1 definately wins is the DVD packaging. I much prefer the original poster to some in-film grab of Kurt Russell with a gun. Even the R2 cover looks cooler.Yep! I'll agree there. That's what inspired me to buy the R1. I'm glad I did now because the R1 2 disc set is OOP and the Single disc re-release does not have DTS.Originally posted by craptest
What isnt the same is the sound. The R1 comes with a great DTS, the PAL only 4.1 DD. (I dont have DTS, but .... ). The animated menus for the PAL version may also be a bit jittery (according to one report). Times like these I wish I had DTS. :(

[redbears]

Originally posted by MrMacabre
Yep! I'll agree there. That's what inspired me to buy the R1. I'm glad I did now because the R1 2 disc set is OOP and the Single disc re-release does not have DTS. Times like these I wish I had DTS. :(

No DTS!! what a tragedy. Get a real HT processor!

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by redbears
No DTS!! what a tragedy. Get a real HT processor!

My 5.1 setup was $500.

There was a 5.1 & DTS setup for $600, but the sound on the $500 sounded much better. LOL

[redbears]

Originally posted by MrMacabre
My 5.1 setup was $500.

There was a 5.1 & DTS setup for $600, but the sound on the $500 sounded much better. LOL

Mac

That is so typical of HT Proc/Amp combos. I thought you'd need one with AC-3 RF or do you have the little box for that?

rb

[Tsargrad]

I have the R4 and quite happy with it, but have not viewed since reviewing so my standards have increase alot since then.

I really do not believe the dts version will sound any different to the LRC and Surrounds used in R4 version. I'd say the local distributor is just being honest about what really is being transmitted.

R1 packaging is cooler, but didn't matter to me.

[craptest]

R1 packaging is cooler, but didn't matter to me. [/B]

God. I'm an idiot for good packaging. I'd buy poo if it was packaged right (ie no bloody cheap cardboard gatefold packaging).

I was tempted to import the 'Book of the Dead' DVD just cause the packaging sounded so cool. I'm not the hugest Evil Dead fan either.

[KeithT]

Originally posted by craptest
... What isnt the same is the sound. The R1 comes with a great DTS, the PAL only 4.1 DD. (I dont have DTS, but .... ).... craptest - I've got the R1, and I've lent it to a DVDPhile from another forum who wanted to compare the R1 and R4 for sound. The R1 DTS sound is actually only a 4.1 and is not surprisingly very similar to the DD soundtrack. That fella that borrowed my disc is happy with the pic from his R4 on his display, but I'm quite happy with the NTSC R1 pic on mine.

I have only briefly used the R4 for comparison purposes though, and didn't notice too many artefacts on the R4.

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by KeithT
The R1 DTS sound is actually only a 4.1 and is not surprisingly very similar to the DD soundtrack.

DTS is becoming more and more of a 'name only' feature these days, that holds minimal to no substance.

In the older days, with discs like T2:UE, the DTS would rock.

[Tsargrad]

films of the 80's generally are never better than 4.1 no matter what is said

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by orko007
films of the 80's generally are never better than 4.1 no matter what is said

Dont mean to throw the thread off topic, but I agree with that.

Last night I watched I Spit On Your Grave: Millenium Edition, which boasts both DTS and DD5.1 remix tracks.

To be honest, I noticed little to no difference between these and the mono track.

To be honest, if anything, the DD5.1 was more of a DD4.0.
Didn't try the DTS though as my system isn't capable, but I don't imagine it being much better.

[Scott.H.]

i have to disagree and find most of the dts tracks i have listened too,to be superior to the dd soundtrack.As for big trouble,i offloaded my r4 for the r1 at the same price as i sold my r4 for,the pic seems just as good for me and the coverart is also heaps better.The other issue with the r4 was that for some reason the plastic on the r4 case would crinkle up.I bought my r4 new and it suffered this fate:(

[KeithT]

Originally posted by MrMacabre
DTS is becoming more and more of a 'name only' feature these days, that holds minimal to no substance.... Not my sentiments, MrMacabre. In this (Big Trouble in Little China) case, I did a test with two of my players hooked at the same time to my amplifier, and switched after watching 1-2 mins of same sequences. While the DTS was a little clearer, both tracks sounded very much similar.

Most of the other recent DVD DTS tracks I have listened to have been quite good, although I concur that the majority of DTS tracks of previously non-DTS 1980's movies are not that disimilar to the DD tracks provided.Originally posted by orko007...I'd say the local distributor is just being honest about what really is being transmitted.... The DD track (on the R1) is noted on the slipcase as 5.1 (the DTS is noted as "DTS English"), but on the Disc Menu Audio Selection, it is correctly noted as DD 4.1 and DTS 4.1. So I think its more a typo than an effort by the distributor to intentionally mislead the DVD market.

[Tsargrad]

Originally posted by KeithT
Not my sentiments, MrMacabre. In this (Big Trouble in Little China) case, I did a test with two of my players hooked at the same time to my amplifier, and switched after watching 1-2 mins of same sequences. While the DTS was a little clearer, both tracks sounded very much similar.

Most of the other recent DVD DTS tracks I have listened to have been quite good, although I concur that the majority of DTS tracks of previously non-DTS 1980's movies are not that disimilar to the DD tracks provided. The DD track (on the R1) is noted on the slipcase as 5.1 (the DTS is noted as "DTS English"), but on the Disc Menu Audio Selection, it is correctly noted as DD 4.1 and DTS 4.1. So I think its more a typo than an effort by the distributor to intentionally mislead the DVD market.

You missed my point. It wasnt that the mislead market I admire the fact that they said hey this is 4 channel. They didnt go to the crap of pretending the rears used separate channels

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by KeithT
Not my sentiments, MrMacabre.

My apologies KeithT, let me make my statement a little clearer.

When I considered DTS a name-only feature, I was referring more to the remixes done for older films, such as I Spit On Your Grave, Near Dark, Opera and films of that age and before, as you also mentioned.

[craptest]

Originally posted by KeithT
craptest - I've got the R1, and I've lent it to a DVDPhile from another forum who wanted to compare the R1 and R4 for sound. The R1 DTS sound is actually only a 4.1 and is not surprisingly very similar to the DD soundtrack. That fella that borrowed my disc is happy with the pic from his R4 on his display, but I'm quite happy with the NTSC R1 pic on mine.

I have only briefly used the R4 for comparison purposes though, and didn't notice too many artefacts on the R4.


Great reply KeithT. Thanks for that

[KeithT]

Originally posted by MrMacabre
...When I considered DTS a name-only feature, I was referring more to the remixes done for older films, such as I Spit On Your Grave, Near Dark, Opera and films of that age and before, as you also mentioned. No apologies necessary MrMac - I'm on the same page! ;) I misunderstood what you meant about DTS.

You won't be too disappointed when you upgrade to a DTS capable receiver though.

[MrMacabre]

Originally posted by KeithT
You won't be too disappointed when you upgrade to a DTS capable receiver though.

I can imagine!!

Anyone here wanna buy me one? :D