Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
01-20-14 | 10:02 AM
#1
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From: Reading, PA
Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I just watched the first 22 minutes and the picture is horrible. It looks like dvd. There's no detail and the image looks grainy and dull. There was some really bad blooming or whatever around a torch also. This is my 14th TT bluray, and is by far the worst. This movie isn't even old and the main draw of it is the visuals. Has anyone else gotten it yet to confirm it is the disc & not my setup- which I doubt, but I can't believe the transfer is this bad? I haven't seen any reviews anywhere yet.
01-20-14 | 10:11 AM
#2
Banned by request
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Ouch, I was pondering on getting it. But after your comments, I'm not itching to get it anymore. Besides, I already have the DVD, so if the picture is marginally better, I'll just skip this one.
01-20-14 | 11:06 AM
#3
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Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
One of my favorite films of all time and I was so looking forward to this on BD. It is awful looking. I got my DVD out and if I boost the sharpness on my TV a bit it actually looks better the blu-ray.
01-20-14 | 12:22 PM
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From: Reading, PA
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
At least it's not just me. Is it possible a mistake was made? I can't believe anyone would have approved this transfer for release, ESPECIALLY for a "limited edition". All of their old movies look great and I just can't see how they could release something of this poor quality at this point in Bluray.
01-20-14 | 12:24 PM
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Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
There's some discussion about it on Blu-ray.com but I'm reposting some info here. It's not just you as the PQ is not much better than the DVD. It appears they used the same source as the original DVD.
Originally Posted by rdodolak
Disc info for Titus.
Code:
Total Video Title Codec Length Movie Size Disc Size Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track Secondary Audio Track ----- ------ ------- -------------- -------------- ------- ------- ------------------ --------------------- 00000.MPLS AVC 2:42:26 45,311,772,672 49,548,399,075 37.19 24.99 DTS-HD Master 5.1 2166Kbps (48kHz/24-bit) DTS-HD Master 2.0 2066Kbps (48kHz/24-bit)
Code:
DISC INFO: Disc Title: TITUS Disc Size: 49,548,399,075 bytes Protection: AACS BD-Java: Yes BDInfo: 0.5.8 PLAYLIST REPORT: Name: 00000.MPLS Length: 2:42:26.486 (h:m:s.ms) Size: 45,311,772,672 bytes Total Bitrate: 37.19 Mbps VIDEO: Codec Bitrate Description ----- ------- ----------- MPEG-4 AVC Video 24991 kbps 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1 AUDIO: Codec Language Bitrate Description ----- -------- ------- ----------- DTS-HD Master Audio English 2166 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2166 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 2066 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2066 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1909 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1909 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio English 2923 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2923 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / 24-bit SUBTITLES: Codec Language Bitrate Description ----- -------- ------- ----------- Presentation Graphics English 45.852 kbps FILES: Name Time In Length Size Total Bitrate ---- ------- ------ ---- ------------- 00037.M2TS 0:00:00.000 2:42:26.486 45,311,772,672 37,192 CHAPTERS: Number Time In Length Avg Video Rate Max 1-Sec Rate Max 1-Sec Time Max 5-Sec Rate Max 5-Sec Time Max 10Sec Rate Max 10Sec Time Avg Frame Size Max Frame Size Max Frame Time ------ ------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 1 0:00:00.000 0:15:33.349 23,364 kbps 37,641 kbps 00:00:21.479 34,129 kbps 00:08:33.679 33,937 kbps 00:08:28.633 121,804 bytes 282,775 bytes 00:08:50.404 2 0:15:33.349 0:15:56.789 32,361 kbps 35,880 kbps 00:25:17.474 34,127 kbps 00:28:47.267 33,978 kbps 00:25:08.507 168,714 bytes 306,294 bytes 00:23:04.257 3 0:31:30.138 0:17:51.195 27,713 kbps 36,031 kbps 00:34:25.563 34,091 kbps 00:35:23.162 33,955 kbps 00:42:29.964 144,483 bytes 293,842 bytes 00:40:25.297 4 0:49:21.333 0:15:54.119 25,806 kbps 35,749 kbps 00:49:33.345 34,095 kbps 00:49:29.341 33,934 kbps 00:49:24.211 134,541 bytes 349,265 bytes 01:02:55.354 5 1:05:15.453 0:15:34.600 26,892 kbps 35,276 kbps 01:05:52.406 33,974 kbps 01:17:23.096 33,882 kbps 01:13:08.759 140,203 bytes 314,383 bytes 01:05:51.906 6 1:20:50.053 0:14:14.103 20,681 kbps 29,162 kbps 01:33:38.988 28,273 kbps 01:33:30.479 28,144 kbps 01:33:30.104 107,822 bytes 277,555 bytes 01:35:04.156 7 1:35:04.156 0:16:06.048 27,062 kbps 35,486 kbps 01:35:13.416 34,175 kbps 01:35:09.370 33,949 kbps 01:35:10.496 141,091 bytes 363,699 bytes 01:35:15.334 8 1:51:10.205 0:10:19.243 25,987 kbps 36,229 kbps 01:56:25.812 33,918 kbps 01:56:08.711 33,184 kbps 01:56:05.583 135,485 bytes 269,015 bytes 01:56:08.127 9 2:01:29.448 0:10:00.516 29,266 kbps 34,784 kbps 02:04:04.770 34,019 kbps 02:07:41.445 33,877 kbps 02:07:49.328 152,582 bytes 295,781 bytes 02:08:50.347 10 2:11:29.965 0:12:24.702 18,799 kbps 34,418 kbps 02:12:25.270 33,777 kbps 02:12:27.814 32,983 kbps 02:12:23.185 98,009 bytes 248,579 bytes 02:12:15.844 11 2:23:54.667 0:13:45.074 21,483 kbps 35,167 kbps 02:31:31.123 30,160 kbps 02:31:28.287 28,495 kbps 02:23:55.752 112,000 bytes 272,840 bytes 02:32:26.345 12 2:37:39.741 0:04:46.744 7,562 kbps 10,405 kbps 02:41:52.035 10,046 kbps 02:41:48.198 9,810 kbps 02:41:47.114 39,429 bytes 143,707 bytes 02:41:52.619 STREAM DIAGNOSTICS: File PID Type Codec Language Seconds Bitrate Bytes Packets ---- --- ---- ----- -------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ----- 00037.M2TS 4113 (0x1011) 0x1B AVC 9746.320 24,992 30,447,247,693 165,610,504 00037.M2TS 4352 (0x1100) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 9746.320 2,166 2,638,960,264 15,960,548 00037.M2TS 4353 (0x1101) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 9746.320 2,066 2,517,297,832 15,117,568 00037.M2TS 4354 (0x1102) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 9746.320 1,909 2,325,857,956 14,116,254 00037.M2TS 4355 (0x1103) 0x82 DTS eng (English) 9746.320 255 310,669,560 1,827,468 00037.M2TS 4356 (0x1104) 0x86 DTS-HD MA eng (English) 9746.320 2,923 3,560,550,960 20,893,972 00037.M2TS 4357 (0x1105) 0x82 DTS eng (English) 9746.320 255 310,669,560 1,827,468 00037.M2TS 4608 (0x1200) 0x90 PGS eng (English) 9746.320 46 55,862,521 318,486
Spoiler:
Originally Posted by rdodolak
Some screenshots of the TT release.
Originally Posted by rdodolak
The framing is slightly different but other than that they appear very similar. The DVD has slightly more picture on the right where as the Blu-ray has a sliver more on the left and top.
Blu-ray (TT)
DVD (Fox)
Blu-ray (TT)
DVD (Fox)
Last edited by rdodolak; 01-20-14 at 12:48 PM.
01-20-14 | 12:33 PM
#6
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Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
So it's an upscaled Blu-ray?
01-20-14 | 01:00 PM
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Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I wouldn't say it's an upscale of the DVD although it does look that way at first glance. There's a bit more detail, although not much, on the Blu-ray release and you can see grain. However, it appears the Blu-ray was sourced from the same elements used for the original DVD release.
01-20-14 | 01:33 PM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
It sounds like Fox might be a recycling 14 or 15 year old high-def master.
01-21-14 | 10:21 AM
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I was super stoked to see this was released, and completely bummed to hear about the transfer.
01-21-14 | 11:02 AM
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Blurgh. I pre-ordered it but haven't gotten it yet. Now I'm pretty bummed. It's such a visual movie that the image is very important and having a sub-par transfer really bums me out. Especially on such a pricy release.
01-21-14 | 02:42 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
You have to be really careful and read reviews, Twilight Time has released some real dogs on Blu-ray. There are often good reasons why the original studio didn't bother releasing it themselves on BD.
01-21-14 | 03:47 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Most of Twilight Time's releases have been very good. Admittedly, they've put out a few dogs, but just a few.
01-21-14 | 09:06 PM
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From: Western Kentucky
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I would say that overstates the amount of "dogs" TT has released. The majority of their output, PQ wise, has been great (although I'll be the first to give credit where it's due, namely Sony's work on the transfers they give them). There's really only been three releases that have had a lot of negative attention with the PQ: Night of the Living Dead (which is solely due to the color timing; the rest of the release is great), The Fury (which Arrow has rectified if you're region free) and now Titus.
01-21-14 | 09:54 PM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I would say that overstates the amount of "dogs" TT has released. The majority of their output, PQ wise, has been great (although I'll be the first to give credit where it's due, namely Sony's work on the transfers they give them). There's really only been three releases that have had a lot of negative attention with the PQ: Night of the Living Dead (which is solely due to the color timing; the rest of the release is great), The Fury (which Arrow has rectified if you're region free) and now Titus.
01-22-14 | 08:30 AM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Twilight Time responds:
Confirmation that it's a 14 year old HD master. Ditto for Sexy Beast.
Twilight Time DVD Label: TITUS is one of those cases, Stephen, whereby because it was a studio "pick-up" as opposed to being produced by the studio, there is only one approved master generated for home video at the time of the film's release - and therefore no incentive (and no elements) to do a new scan on the part of the distributing (in this case, Fox) entity. We made a calculated decision to release the approved transfer on Blu-ray as there is legitimately little chance for an updated version in future.
And it's interesting you reference our other "newest" release Stephen, which is "Sexy Beast," which was also a Fox pick-up, not produced by the studio, and likewise we released the only approved master for home video which like Titus, dated from the year 2000 (the master, that is.)
We are not saying the original film elements don't exist, but it is one of those Catch-22 situations whereby the producers (who control the elements) have no incentive to pay for and strike a new master, and neither does the distributor, Fox, who technically has no control over the film. Double whammy.
It is not sub-par, it merely is what it is, which is perfectly acceptable.
And it's interesting you reference our other "newest" release Stephen, which is "Sexy Beast," which was also a Fox pick-up, not produced by the studio, and likewise we released the only approved master for home video which like Titus, dated from the year 2000 (the master, that is.)
We are not saying the original film elements don't exist, but it is one of those Catch-22 situations whereby the producers (who control the elements) have no incentive to pay for and strike a new master, and neither does the distributor, Fox, who technically has no control over the film. Double whammy.
It is not sub-par, it merely is what it is, which is perfectly acceptable.
01-22-14 | 09:36 AM
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
So let's say Titus and Sexy Beast get released overseas on BD then chances are they will most likely source it from the same transfer that TT used?
01-22-14 | 09:41 AM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I was thinking about getting Used Cars as my first TT release. But what I've been reading about this release here and elsewhere really turns me off even more about this company. I refuse to support it, and for what they charge it's an easy decision to enforce.
01-22-14 | 11:34 AM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
There's really only been three releases that have had a lot of negative attention with the PQ: Night of the Living Dead (which is solely due to the color timing; the rest of the release is great), The Fury (which Arrow has rectified if you're region free) and now Titus.
01-22-14 | 11:36 AM
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
It's a Sony-owned title, so Used Cars ought to look terrific on Blu-ray. Sony treats their back catalog better than any other studio.
01-22-14 | 11:38 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Sexy Beast was released in the UK a few years back. It doesn't look very good. I'm not sure if it's the same source. The UK disc is open-matte 16:9, while the TT disc contains two transfers: both 16:9 and 2.35:1. It's possible that the latter has just been matted down from the former, and they all stem from the same original master.
01-22-14 | 11:40 AM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
Clarification: Since late 2007, Sony has treated its back catalog better than any other studio. Prior to that, not so much. The first year's worth of horrid Blu-ray releases is still a scar in my memory.
01-24-14 | 01:09 AM
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From: Western Kentucky
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I agree that The Fury's transfer isn't "bad", but there was a lot of room for improvement, which Arrow did. I don't have anything against TT at all, however Arrow's release has made the TT version obsolete for anyone with a region free player.
01-31-14 | 01:26 PM
#23
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
I was just taking some screen grabs from the dvd release last week, wondering if the Blu-ray had come out already and thinking how great it would look as opposed to the dvd. So disappointed it's not much better than the dvd. Loved the visuals and the story, but I guess I'll not be buying the Blu version of this.
01-31-14 | 02:25 PM
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone else get Titus from Twilight Time?
If it is any consolation, I doubt Titus ever gets another Blu-ray edition in Region A.
