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Info Wanted: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' - audio issues; laserdisc better audio?

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The general consensus is that the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on the BD and DVD is rather port effort - lifeless music, volume fluctuations.

Does anyone know how the laserdisc audio compares and whether it’s worth preserving?

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I recently bought the original 2000 DVD (UPC 097361561325) which also has the mono soundtrack. Actually, that’s the reason I didn’t buy the newer DVD.

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I too have thought about it. Like the Grinch special, the BD/modern transfer seems a bit lifeless and the audio isn’t very good. The old DVD is a LD port but I haven’t gotten a copy yet. The LD is rarer but the PCM mono should be best overall. (I’ve watched my Grinch LD every year since getting it. Clear, pure mono with the colors the way I grew up seeing them.)
Of course no release is uncut with all the old sponsor logos in place.

My copy is still the old original VHS release which was the first ever home video issue.

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The uncut version was never released on home video right?

Do you have he equipment to capture Grinch?

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 (Edited)

In my opinion, the blu ray release contains the best audio so far.

The original 60s cartoon 5.1 basically puts the music and sound effects synced mostly between the front and rear speakers. However you do not hear any dialog/vocals on those speakers, only the center channel which attempts to isolate the dialog as best as possible.

The 1992 XMas again cartoon bonus material on the bluray is also mixed in 5.1 but the stereo FL FR channels are a stereo mix of all vocal/music/effects while the center tries to isolates Vocals (though not as good as the 60s classic attempt)

However the rear speakers in “Xmas again” is just the music with no sound effects or dialog which is a minor step above from the classic if they didn’t add a silly reverb effect to the back which is mostly noticeable if you just want to isolate those tracks to try to listen to the score only.

Now the DVD the bluray package comes with is no different than any previous DVD attempt. Both cartoons on the DVD are 100% mono 1 channel.

In short:
Bluray = Fake 5.1 but centered dialog / Stereo
DVD = mono

In addition, both cartoons are 4:3 on the bluray but still in great quality.

Edit: A personal Charlie Brown / Audio goal is to get a copy of “Bon Voyage Charlie Brown” in some form of stereo or 5.1 attempt. There are a couple of soundtrack pieces (some james bond sounding but also the snoopy bar scenes) that I would love to hear just the music to. To my knowledge all VHS/DVD releases have been in Mono.

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My gripe about the 5.1 track on the Blu-ray is the part where Lucy asks Charlie Brown about her Christmas Queen part. The music and dialogue don’t match the rhythm and timing the mono track did.\

Other than that, no complaints with Warner’s DVD/Blu-ray audio for Charlie Brown Christmas.

But yeah, it be great if someone made a fan edition with both 5.1 and original Mono, reinstate the Coca-Cola sponsor tags, and add additional extras (like the recent ABC documentary special).

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I know someone posted the Coca-Cola stuff on YouTube once (from a B&W 16mm print), but it’s not there anymore.