Gladiator Master Blu-ray Comparison and Review Thread - Page 89

Well said! I'm sick of poorly made and unreliable products.

This is a great little story... Are there any other recent examples where enthusiasts (like the very ones at AVS) were able to make a studio remaster a shoddy transfer?

I don't know how long ago it was now that I called the Paramount phone number that was originally listed for the exchange. I remember that the voice mail box was full. That same day, I sent in an email to their customer service address. Today, I got a phone call in response to that email - telling me to call a customer service line for instructions.

Go PHE!

I came here to post this. I mailed it around the same time. I live in L.A so that probably contribute to the quick turnaround time.

I mailed mine last Wednesday and got the replacement today. So the question that'll come up a thousand times:
How can I be sure I have a replacement disc?

I didn't view my old copy at all, so I am asking about any physical features that might be different on the disc itself.

EDIT: Nevermind, I saw this in the other thread for those who bought legit copies in the store:


The bolded clue at the bottom clears it up; I have the same number on my inner-ring.

Thunderbolt8,

Do the other frames around that particular frame exhibit the same artifacts? Just wondering if it's one or two frames or longer.

Hopefully someone can help me here. I too received the (supposedly) new version. I honestly cannot tell from looking at the disc itself. I also never watched the other one so I can't compare PQ-wise. But I cannot read the # you are indicating on the inner ring. I see no number there. The disc still says Sapphire Series & Disc One. The title side is gray, but I don't have Braveheart so I can't compare the two to see if it's the same shade of gray. Is there any other way to tell? Or is there some special trick to being able to read the # on the inner ring? To me, they have sent me back the same exact disc or at least the same version.

EDIT: I was just able to make out the # & it is the same as indicated above. But is the disc still supposed to say Sapphire Series & Disc One?

Ken

Well I guess us Canadians are screwed because of the bilingual packaging. There was never any printed " 2 disc set" above the Paramount logo (which is on the left side) on the original case. I have yet to find 2 Blurays side by side that has the slightest difference in packaging. How the hell I am supposed to know which one is the new one?

Does anybody know what to look for in the Canadian version or are we just not getting the new one? How much trouble would it have been to put a yellow UPC symbol.

You're not the only one with this dilemma - Universal Australia haven't even negotiated to have the remaster brought into the country, so we're even further behind.

Isn't there a contact for Paramount Canada or a rep from Paramount US you can call up? That's I did down here, & got the info I was after within minutes..

Check the code on the inner ring of disc one. I can't recall what it exactly is (I believe it may have been posted earlier in the thread). What I would do is call up Universal or email them. That's what I did, they emailed me back and asked that I call their 800 number. From there, they verified the packaging and the number on the inner ring of the disc. Once they verified the info they said told me to send it in to for replacement. Sent it in from Calgary, AB and I expect I'll get my replacement in the next couple of weeks, hopefully.

Eric

Thanx for the info but I never bought the original to begin with so I really can't check the disc. I really don't wanna go to the trouble of buying the original and then having to exchange it thru the mail.

I am in the same boat, I decided to wait for a better PQ release, and am now ready to buy. Hopefully there will be a way of identifying the remastered Canadian version.

Just got my new disc from Paramount in the mail and it took 3 wks. Tried it for a few minutes and it looks better but overall a fairly dull looking video. That was how it was made so enjoy.
John

I think it's important to be precise.

I gather that what you are really saying is that the movie is dull looking and the BD accurately reflects the dullness of the movie.

I'm pretty sure they haven't received any new version yet. I guess I'll just send my previous disc to paramount (which does offer the replacement for both US *AND* Canada), and won't even bother checking at the stores anymore...

Received my replacement disc today!

Took 24 days - not too bad for a Canadian address.

QUOTE=sillysam;19110798]I think it's important to be precise.

I gather that what you are really saying is that the movie is dull looking and the BD accurately reflects the dullness of the movie.[/quote]

Not sure how much better HD can do for this film. I really hoped there would be a big diff but not to my eyes. The EE and ringing is gone from the short viewing I've done but yes the original must have been dull or at least the SD was, so eye-popping it wasn't.
John

We must have sent it at the same time
John

Mine took 3 weeks.....the difference between the original BD and the re-release is quite evident to me. Very happy with the new disc.....

Completely thrilled that I got the replacement back in 2 weeks.

I was skeptical about the pictures issues when I got to original Blu-Ray, but angered at how BAD the original release was.

Kudos to the collective voices of HD video fans and Paramount for the doing the right thing.

How did they send it? Was it via Fedex or USPS? I'm waiting for my copy to a Canadian address as well.

Eric

I got it by Fedex here in Toronto.
John

Awesome, I guess I'll just wait. I only sent my disc in on August 17th, so I expect it'll be at least another couple of weeks yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the info.

Eric

The replacement disc is a significant improvement. I viewed it yesterday and it finally has the kind of treatment a movie of this caliber deserves. Sharp, detailed, with rich colors and nice black levels.

Sadly the US Remastered Disc has Problems with compression.

Here are 2 new Xylon Comparisons which clearly shows the Problem:
http://forums.highdefdigest.com/blu-...ml#post1999059 -> Posting Nr. 629
Look at the Sand especially.

Number 2:
http://forums.highdefdigest.com/blu-...ml#post1662794 ->Posting Nr. 7

Look at her face and the area in the left.

Off course the Disc is not bad.
But it shows that Bitrate is not everything. The Dutch has a much lower bitrate and is better compressed.

while looking at that picture did you notice the guy on the far left of the picture? the one in blue jeans and white shirt standing next to a tri pod and camera....

kinda sticks out like a sore thumb....he in all of those screen grabs.

Can't really see it. It's just odd that Crowe's sword is cut in half by the shadow.

yes of course Funny. Didn't notice that on DVD btw.
Have attached The Picture for others to see that funny error.

Time travel is cool. I'm wondering where he parks his De Lorean

i just went to that scene on the dvd and he is there...

Of course he is there but i never noticed him on DVD. Perhaps because the limitation of resolution.

I hadn't noticed, but WOW does he ever stick out! I figure he was either a time-traveler or he was trying to set a new fad for clothing.