The Arrival [spoRv] BD-25 (Released) — Page 2

I say roll with the settings too.  The new look, while cooler, is a great improvement.

Your color grading is better than the BD, also better contrast (the BD looks soft). I don't know if it's too cold because I don't know how the movie looked in cinemas.

I only watched this movie once on TV (and I catched it started), so I don't remember much about colors or tones. I would like to watch your release, though. ;)

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

Top: untouched BD; bottom; contrast fixed, pink blanket removed, grain plate added

OLD: http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84102

NEW: http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84760

 Ok, so if I may post my humble opinion here...

I have never seen this movie before, at least not that I remember, and looking at the screenshots have this to say:

(There are three screenshots there and I will address each one)

IMHO for #1, I prefer the OLD (v1) over the NEW (v2) as the snow seems too bright in the NEW. Seems like there's a little bit more detail (in those shadows on the snow) in the OLD

for #2, it's a draw. They both look better than the BD source and the colors do seems a little (just a LITTLE) warmer in the NEW but as I have never seen this movie before, I can't judge which is better as both look acceptable.

for #3, it's VERY obvious that the OLD is too cool and the NEW looks WAY better.

If I am to judge by JUST these 3 screenshots, it appears that some of the movie should remain in the OLD "format" and some of the movie needs your NEW "treatment" BUT I say this just based on these 3. If you wouldn't mind posting a couple more screenshots for comparison that would help.

Either way, very nice work Andrea, as your encode looks a lot better than the BD that has a VERY obvious pink tint and IMHO doesn't have enough grain.

I think you drive yourself crazy enough without my help ;o)

on #1, we agree that OLD looks better and I see the pinkish tint in the NEW

#2 now that you pointed out the blue vs purple shirt, I agree with you that OLD looks better

#3 It's looks better NEW, the OLD is just a little too cool

Any way you do it, it's your project and your decision. This was just my opinion on the three screenshot you shared here. Honestly, if most of the movie looks better OLD, than I would just leave it alone unless you want to change it scene by scene (which is a headache waiting to happen)

on grain: I agree with you that it looks very nice and you should be happy with it (as I am with LOTM) The fact that it's REAL grain (even if not original) makes a big difference, as no grain looks like wax-o-vision (which sucks) and FAKE grain is a horrible concept and should never be used.

I'd also go with the old settings (#1 & #2).

#3 looks a little too cold though.

You have my blessing :)

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

So, have I the green light for the OLD settings?!?

You have the green light...:)

If you want though, you can post some more screenshots from other scenes with the old settings...;)

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

Shoot the frame numbers or h:mm:ss and I'll do it immediately!

Ok...hang on...I'm writing down some time codes now.

0:20:10

0:25:18

0:29:34

0:36:15

1:09:10

1:21:40

1:21:54

1:29:34

1:48:11

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

BD Vs OLD or OLD Vs NEW?!?

BD vs OLD

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

Wow, here I am with the NINE screenshots comparison:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84855

I have mixed feelings about them... some are perfect, some could work - as the original BD grading (after contrast fix), others seems a bit too cold... don't know, maybe I should apply the NEW settings and see how they look like, or leave all the color grading alone, and just fix contrast and apply grain...

HELP!!!

First of all...deep breath...;)...Ok, it's a good thing that we checked some new screenshots from other scenes.There are several issues in a number of screenshots (old settings). Please apply the new settings and post the screenshot comparisons (BD vs NEW). Let's see how that works out. And you're right; it's probably a good idea to leave the color grading alone and just fix the contrast and apply grain.

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

I took more than a deep breath... (^^,)

Well, you know what? Time to put the whole OLD settings apart (not discard, as could be useful maybe for another future project)...

Then, I was alone with the NEW settings... and, while I liked it, there was something missing, still can't imagine what... so, I tinkered with contrast and saturation, but still not completely satisfied... at the end, I tried one of my own old filters to add some "life" to it, and it seems now it's as good as I'd like to be...

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84889

(post #2 updated with it as well)

Opinions? If you would like to see other comparison, please let me know three frames by the previous one.

Or, a small clip (30s) could do...

That does look pretty good.

I'd like to see a comparison (BD vs final settings) with those final settings with

frame #1, #2, #9 and maybe #8 (http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84855)

You just can't leave well enough alone can you Andrea? Haha  but that's a good thing because look at what you've done.

They look great!

I agree with DoomBot and thegroovologist, your latest comparisons look better, warmer and more natural colourwise. Nice job Andrea!

I'd say that your contrast looks a little too much to me though, making it look less filmic, I would personally try toning the contrast down a bit, see if I can bring back more detail in the highlights and shadows, it looks like you could have black crush and blown out highlights with your current settings.

Video in motion looks awesome, i think you've done it Andrea.

Now your next project in the future should be Tremors, what a horseshit transfer that is.

Thanks for the latest screenshot comparisons, Andrea.

So I'm looking at comparison #1, #2, #3 & #4 now and I have to agree

with kk650. Contrast is too steep now with crushed blacks (for example look at

the phone in comparison #1). It does look less filmic like that.

In terms of contrast I'd love to see settings which are between the

untouched BD and your 'final' settings (maybe 50%?).

I'd rather have it look right in certain scenes without black crush and a little

washed out in other scenes than have black crush in certain scenes and good

contrast level in other scenes. That's just my taste (I highly dislike black

crush).

Now I'm gonna download your sample video clip...