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Despecialized: Is there any actual difference in quality between the MKV and AVCHD versions

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 (Edited)

This is about Harmy’s despecialized

I’d say overall I am fine with the AVCHD version I have despite the grain, I just wondered if the MKV is worth getting over it, I actualy don’t want or need all the extra baggage that comes with the MKV version, I’m just wondering if there’s any actual difference in quality of the picture.

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If you don’t notice any compression artifacts (“blocky” areas of the picture) in the AVCHD, then the MKV won’t really offer you much benefit. It depends on how readily you notice compression in general, the size of the TV/monitor you’re watching it on, and how close you sit to it.

Basically, if you don’t notice any difference between the “original” and “compressed” sides of this picture, then the AVCHD is probably plenty high quality for you. If you can tell the difference, then you’ll probably notice a quality bump with the MKV.

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I did notice when skipping around there’s blocky transitions from the two points I’m skipping which I think is entirely different from the blocks you are talking about, but nothing was blocky when it was just playing, just some level of grain which I assume remains in the MKV? I think both of those images are distinctly different and anyone could notice, even when not zoomed in, and when zoomed in it becomes a lot more apparent.

After taking some snapshots of my AVCHD, there’s grain for sure (not sure if that’s present in MKV) and I think one slightly offset line in one scene but idk if that’s me imagining it. But no blockyness like what was in that image.

I just wondered if the grain level was the same in MKV, that was the thing I was wondering around mainly.

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Grain’s kind of beside the point. Grain is supposed to be there, it’s the film equivalent of pixels. The AVCHD will likely have less grain due to a higher degree of compression, while the MKV will be less compressed and thus more able to preserve fine detail, such as film grain.

The image I linked showcases the difference between minimal and heavy compression. The MKV is less compressed than the AVCHD, so if you notice any difference between the two, it will be similar to that “Avatar” comparison.

Having said that, the AVCHD versions are very carefully compressed, so they still look quite good. But if you’ve got a larger screen or sit fairly close to it, the compression artifacts will become more apparent and the MKV will be a worthwhile upgrade.

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The way I’m planning to watch is quite far away from the TV, (that’s my setup) with my laptop connected to the TV via HDMI, I haven’t noticed any compression anyway

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ChainsawAsh said:

Basically, if you don’t notice any difference between the “original” and “compressed” sides of this picture, then the AVCHD is probably plenty high quality for you. If you can tell the difference, then you’ll probably notice a quality bump with the MKV.

You also won’t have a comparison running through the whole movie. I can tell the difference, but I doubt I would while actually watching the movie, I only notice because the uncompressed image is right next to it.

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