Best..Transfer..EVER? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Darksim · 07-15-2002, 10:36 PM

There have been some DVD's that had outstanding transfer, featuring unbelievable clarity.
Now which DVD is considered the best transfer? Shrek?
SW episode 1? The superbits? I'd like to hear some opinions on this.

Film Grain, color bleeding, moire effects, bluriness, specs, and dirt
must be sent to HELL!!!!!

RamonesGirl · 07-15-2002, 10:41 PM

I'm going to say North by Northwest, it's just so gorgeous and near flawless for a movie of its age.

tomdkat · 07-15-2002, 10:46 PM

I don't know if there is an absolute *BEST* video transfer, but some VERY HIGHLY regarded "reference" video transfers include Fast and the Furious, The Insider, Rules of Engagement all of which are edge enhancement free.

Gladiator is a BEAUTIFUL transfer but DOES have edge enhancement as well as BOTH Fifth Element (original and Superbit) releases.

I'm not sure if U-571 and Shaft 2000 have edge enhancement or not. ALL of the above named titles have BEAUTIFUL anamorphic widescreen video transfers.

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 as also very HIGHLY regarded in terms of video transfers (sans edge enhancement) and are often used as test discs for detecting players with the chroma bug.

Peace......

AnonomusBob15 · 07-15-2002, 10:55 PM

Porbably the Toy Story films or A Bug's Life since they are digital.

But like Tomdkat said, The Insider has a really nice transfer. One of my favs.

George McFly · 07-15-2002, 10:56 PM

Tom listed some
The Emporer's New gROOVE IS JAW DROPING, OF COURSE IT WAS GIVEN A direct digfital transfer

Keith · 07-15-2002, 11:24 PM

The Thin Red Line has stunning video quality in my opinion.

***Wirehed*** · 07-16-2002, 12:06 AM

I don't know how to say what's best, since a perfect transfer should look like the film. The digital movies like Bugs Life, Toy Story, Shrek and even Episode 1 look even sharper than they did in the theater since they were rendered again specificaly for the DVD.

I think the Superbit Desperado is one of the best transfers I have seen. Great black levels and shadow details (plus it sound fantastic).

Citizen Kane and North by Northwest are both exceptional, especially for their age.

SolidSnakeASS · 07-16-2002, 12:11 AM

se7en platinum.
boogie nights 2-disc.
and, from what I've heard, The Pledge is the best transfer ever.

interfxrence · 07-16-2002, 12:46 AM

animated: Toy Story 2 / A Bug's Life: CE.
live: Citizen Kane, no question...

Marty McFly · 07-16-2002, 01:01 AM

I'll agree with the Pixar films, and I'll add Dogma SE, Slap Shot SE, and Ghostbusters.

Oscar Antonio M · 07-16-2002, 06:48 AM

1:Princess Mononoke
2:Moulin Rouge
3:The Royal Tenenbaums
4:The Fifth Element (Superbit)
5:Toy Story
6:Toy Story 2
7:Titan A.E.
8:The Mummy (best filmlooking transfer)
9:Jurassic Park
10:K-PAX
11: The Fast and the Furious
12:The Lost World:Jurassic Park

hamholio · 07-16-2002, 09:09 AM

Dead Ringers by Criterion is the best one I've seen. . . an amazingly filmlike image. . .

also..... film without film grain, just isn't film. . . there's a great quote from the pres. of criterion about film grain and why they don't try to squeeze it all out of their releases..... essentially saying that grain is what makes the image alive. . . even if there is nothing moving in a film image, there is grain and it moves and changes. . .

elwood731 · 07-16-2002, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marty McFly
I'll agree with the Pixar films, and I'll add Dogma SE, Slap Shot SE, and Ghostbusters.

I agree with the Pixar films and Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters is truly amazing for its age. Another amazing older film is A Nightmare on Elm Street. The DVD simply looks better than I've ever seen the film look, even better than the theatre. It looks better than the much newer Scream films in some ways.

Riedenschneider · 07-16-2002, 12:07 PM

RamonesGirl was first and right! North by Northwest has the best DVD transfer ever (thanks to Warner and MIT's restauration). It is considered to be better looking, than when it was initially released! Just compare N b NW to Vertigo (both restored Vistavision Technicolor films from '58/'59) and you will see how much better Carry Grant looks...

The best black and white transfer is, what else?...

ShaneMcFarland · 07-16-2002, 02:32 PM

Best video transfer (non-animation) has to be Baraka...

Prancer · 07-16-2002, 05:11 PM

Some of my favorites with good transfers:

X-Men - It ROCKS!!!!

Elizabeth - I am not your Elizabeth, I'm no man's Elizabeth!!! I shall have only one mistress here and no MASTERS!!!!!

The Emperor's New Groove - Is that my Voice? IS THAT MY VOICE?!!!

Cleopatra - There's only one way: My WAY! Make me queen!!! That sounds like an Ultimatum! There is NO OTHER WAY!

In the Mood for Love - Criterion Collection

Victor/Victoria - Le Jazz HOT!!!

Titan AE - IT ROCKS!!!!

Couldn't resist putting quotes from some of the films. Typing the titles reminded me of certain scenes.

eel · 07-16-2002, 07:38 PM

1. Gladiator
2. Moulin Rouge
3. Toy Story 2
4. A Bug's Life
5. Hollow Man
6. Pearl Harbour (edge enhancement or not, those battle
scenes looked awesome on DVD)
7. Shrek
8. Tarzan (Disney)
9. Hannibal
10. Fight Club

a.bunker · 07-17-2002, 12:30 AM

I'll add Training Day and Spy Game to the list.

SolidSnakeASS · 07-17-2002, 12:35 AM

Baraka is a cool movie but the transfer is shit! :barf:

JakeLipson · 07-17-2002, 02:56 AM

Hsnds down, the BEST transsfer ever done is Disney's fully restored Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum set. They really pulled out all the stops and made it look AMAZING. It was made in 1937, and it looks like it was made yesterday...good enough to be a brand new theatrical release for 2002.

PaddyMcAloon · 07-17-2002, 03:33 AM

I would have to agree about North By Northwest. The picture is absolutely stunning and I am very pleased because not only is it one of my absolute favs, but it is definitely one of the top 20 films ever!

Another one (and this will probably bring groans from all) is Armageddon (Criterion Collection). When I first saw this I was extremely amazed by how spec free the presentation was.

People talk about the Insider so I decided to revisit that film again. Another very outstanding picture.

On the other side of the coin, a transfer I found disappointing (it's not bad but it could've been way better) is the Godfather collection. It's standard DVD fare but it seems not enough work was put into them.

HE HATE ME

Disco Stu · 07-17-2002, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SolidSnakeASS
Baraka is a cool movie but the transfer is shit! :barf:

Not in the new anamorphic transfer it isn't. The old one did look like crap.

The best transfer is without a doubt, the Madacy version of Metropolis, followed by the Total Movie transfer of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, and then probably the Goodtimes version of Funhouse.

SolidSnakeASS · 07-17-2002, 03:43 AM

I only saw the old transfer then. It smoked ass.

downhuman · 07-17-2002, 09:54 PM

I tend to find that Columbia-tristar has the most impressive ones for me (personal opinion, of course)

The one from them that stands out to me is Hollow Man . The only drawback being some barely detectable edge-enhancement.

But the creme de la creme, the one that absolutely dropped my jaw on the floor was Universal's Cape Fear (1991). I couldn't believe how sharp and clear the picture was for it. I didn't detect any noticeable edge-enhancement (notable exception being the opening credits)either. Colors leaped off the screen. Black levels were spot on. This is about as close as you're going to get to HD-DVD for now. What do expect from Scorsese, the president of the Film Preservation and Restoration Committee

SolidSnakeASS · 07-17-2002, 10:07 PM

Anyone else like some film grain? I find the picture looks to processed when we have no grain at all (that is my only complaint on Citizen Kane).

**aintnosin** · 07-17-2002, 10:48 PM

Are Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life or Sherk technically considered to be transfers since they are digital to begin with?

I thought the term transfer referred to converting film to the digital format.

hamholio · 07-18-2002, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SolidSnakeASS
Anyone else like some film grain? I find the picture looks to processed when we have no grain at all (that is my only complaint on Citizen Kane).

I already gave a shout-out to film grain in this thread.

Good stuff!

dvds'r'us · 07-18-2002, 12:37 AM

I have to say:

Ghost World (maybe its just me)
Fight Club
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

and some others.

Moppy007 · 07-18-2002, 03:53 AM

I like the transfer on The Rock Criterion Collection, that has some film grain which makes it look like real film. And the Memento LE springs to mind.

airjosh · 07-18-2002, 05:32 AM

can a dvd from a digital source really be considered a film transfer, maybe a new category best file transfer? They are all amazing but do have an advantage over films made digitally.

I still think that 5th Element is one of the most gorgeous transfers on my shelf and It is years old. Someone cared a great deal.

07-15-2002, 10:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Darksim Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: STL (Represent!)	Best..Transfer..EVER? There have been some DVD's that had outstanding transfer, featuring unbelievable clarity. Now which DVD is considered the best transfer? Shrek? SW episode 1? The superbits? I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Film Grain, color bleeding, moire effects, bluriness, specs, and dirt must be sent to HELL!!!!! __________________ Unlike Hitler....Stalin wasn't racist, he killed everyone My Collection:DVDAficionado My Collection:DVDGuzzlefish

07-15-2002, 10:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	I don't know if there is an absolute BEST video transfer, but some VERY HIGHLY regarded "reference" video transfers include Fast and the Furious, The Insider, Rules of Engagement all of which are edge enhancement free. Gladiator is a BEAUTIFUL transfer but DOES have edge enhancement as well as BOTH Fifth Element (original and Superbit) releases. I'm not sure if U-571 and Shaft 2000 have edge enhancement or not. ALL of the above named titles have BEAUTIFUL anamorphic widescreen video transfers. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 as also very HIGHLY regarded in terms of video transfers (sans edge enhancement) and are often used as test discs for detecting players with the chroma bug. Peace...... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

07-15-2002, 10:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
AnonomusBob15 Actor for over 4 years now! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Auburn University	Porbably the Toy Story films or A Bug's Life since they are digital. But like Tomdkat said, The Insider has a really nice transfer. One of my favs. __________________ The Revised DVD Collection

07-15-2002, 10:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
George McFly Kinda likes the Razorbacks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: watching HD	Tom listed some The Emporer's New gROOVE IS JAW DROPING, OF COURSE IT WAS GIVEN A direct digfital transfer __________________ Samsung HL-S5688W 56" DLP Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD's Sony BDP300 Blu Rays

07-15-2002, 11:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Keith Actor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The pit of the Peach State	The Thin Red Line has stunning video quality in my opinion. __________________ People scare better when they're dying.

07-15-2002, 10:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
RamonesGirl Actress Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vegas baby, Vegas	I'm going to say North by Northwest, it's just so gorgeous and near flawless for a movie of its age.

07-16-2002, 12:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	I don't know how to say what's best, since a perfect transfer should look like the film. The digital movies like Bugs Life, Toy Story, Shrek and even Episode 1 look even sharper than they did in the theater since they were rendered again specificaly for the DVD. I think the Superbit Desperado is one of the best transfers I have seen. Great black levels and shadow details (plus it sound fantastic). Citizen Kane and North by Northwest are both exceptional, especially for their age. __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

07-16-2002, 12:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	se7en platinum. boogie nights 2-disc. and, from what I've heard, The Pledge is the best transfer ever.

07-16-2002, 12:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
interfxrence Actor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario	animated: Toy Story 2 / A Bug's Life: CE. live: Citizen Kane, no question...

07-16-2002, 01:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Marty McFly Moderator Emeritus Geezer Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Somewhere Between Hell and Hill Valley	I'll agree with the Pixar films, and I'll add Dogma SE, Slap Shot SE, and Ghostbusters. __________________ Marty McFly - Forum Moderator Emeritus Granny, I'm gonna catch me some Vietcong! Well I ain't cookin' 'em!

07-16-2002, 06:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
Oscar Antonio M Loves his "family" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Heaven & Hell coalition	1:Princess Mononoke 2:Moulin Rouge 3:The Royal Tenenbaums 4:The Fifth Element (Superbit) 5:Toy Story 6:Toy Story 2 7:Titan A.E. 8:The Mummy (best filmlooking transfer) 9:Jurassic Park 10:K-PAX 11: The Fast and the Furious 12:The Lost World:Jurassic Park __________________ DVD's

07-16-2002, 09:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
hamholio Actor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Iowa.	Dead Ringers by Criterion is the best one I've seen. . . an amazingly filmlike image. . . also..... film without film grain, just isn't film. . . there's a great quote from the pres. of criterion about film grain and why they don't try to squeeze it all out of their releases..... essentially saying that grain is what makes the image alive. . . even if there is nothing moving in a film image, there is grain and it moves and changes. . .

07-16-2002, 12:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
Riedenschneider Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hamburg, Deutschland	RamonesGirl was first and right! North by Northwest has the best DVD transfer ever (thanks to Warner and MIT's restauration). It is considered to be better looking, than when it was initially released! Just compare N b NW to Vertigo (both restored Vistavision Technicolor films from '58/'59) and you will see how much better Carry Grant looks... The best black and white transfer is, what else?... __________________ "The Hughes wealth, power and sex appeal devastated scores of broken-hearted movie stars and made grown men shudder with envy and anxiety every time he entered a room. Mr. DiCaprio just makes any logical person over 14 wonder if he ever graduated high school." -Rex Reed

07-16-2002, 02:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Best video transfer (non-animation) has to be Baraka...

07-16-2002, 05:11 PM	#16 (permalink)
Prancer Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD-USA	Some of my favorites with good transfers: X-Men - It ROCKS!!!! Elizabeth - I am not your Elizabeth, I'm no man's Elizabeth!!! I shall have only one mistress here and no MASTERS!!!!! The Emperor's New Groove - Is that my Voice? IS THAT MY VOICE?!!! Cleopatra - There's only one way: My WAY! Make me queen!!! That sounds like an Ultimatum! There is NO OTHER WAY! In the Mood for Love - Criterion Collection Victor/Victoria - Le Jazz HOT!!! Titan AE - IT ROCKS!!!! Couldn't resist putting quotes from some of the films. Typing the titles reminded me of certain scenes. __________________ "I hope that when the world ends, I can breathe a sigh of relief because there will be so much to look forward to…”

07-16-2002, 07:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
eel Actor Join Date: Apr 2002	1. Gladiator 2. Moulin Rouge 3. Toy Story 2 4. A Bug's Life 5. Hollow Man 6. Pearl Harbour (edge enhancement or not, those battle scenes looked awesome on DVD) 7. Shrek 8. Tarzan (Disney) 9. Hannibal 10. Fight Club

07-17-2002, 12:30 AM	#18 (permalink)
a.bunker Actor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northeast US	I'll add Training Day and Spy Game to the list. __________________ "I'm so hungry I could eat a sandwich from a gas station." -Clark W. Griswold

07-17-2002, 12:35 AM	#19 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	Baraka is a cool movie but the transfer is shit! :barf:

07-17-2002, 02:56 AM	#20 (permalink)
JakeLipson All Hail Peter Jackson! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry	Snow White Hsnds down, the BEST transsfer ever done is Disney's fully restored Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum set. They really pulled out all the stops and made it look AMAZING. It was made in 1937, and it looks like it was made yesterday...good enough to be a brand new theatrical release for 2002. __________________ Proud Supporter of Blu-ray Disc! My modest collection of little silver movie discs

07-17-2002, 03:33 AM	#21 (permalink)
PaddyMcAloon Actor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana	I would have to agree about North By Northwest. The picture is absolutely stunning and I am very pleased because not only is it one of my absolute favs, but it is definitely one of the top 20 films ever! Another one (and this will probably bring groans from all) is Armageddon (Criterion Collection). When I first saw this I was extremely amazed by how spec free the presentation was. People talk about the Insider so I decided to revisit that film again. Another very outstanding picture. On the other side of the coin, a transfer I found disappointing (it's not bad but it could've been way better) is the Godfather collection. It's standard DVD fare but it seems not enough work was put into them. HE HATE ME __________________ The most pathetic loser in the universe, that I am HE HATE ME

07-17-2002, 03:43 AM	#23 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	I only saw the old transfer then. It smoked ass.

07-17-2002, 09:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
downhuman Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	I tend to find that Columbia-tristar has the most impressive ones for me (personal opinion, of course) The one from them that stands out to me is Hollow Man . The only drawback being some barely detectable edge-enhancement. But the creme de la creme, the one that absolutely dropped my jaw on the floor was Universal's Cape Fear (1991). I couldn't believe how sharp and clear the picture was for it. I didn't detect any noticeable edge-enhancement (notable exception being the opening credits)either. Colors leaped off the screen. Black levels were spot on. This is about as close as you're going to get to HD-DVD for now. What do expect from Scorsese, the president of the Film Preservation and Restoration Committee

07-17-2002, 10:07 PM	#25 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	Anyone else like some film grain? I find the picture looks to processed when we have no grain at all (that is my only complaint on Citizen Kane).

07-17-2002, 10:48 PM	#26 (permalink)
aintnosin Director/Moderator Not a fancy tickler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia	A minor quibble... Are Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life or Sherk technically considered to be transfers since they are digital to begin with? I thought the term transfer referred to converting film to the digital format. __________________ "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." - Eowyn, The Two Towers DVD Profiler \| DVD Aficianado \| DVD Spot \| Movie Reviews \| Facebook

07-18-2002, 12:37 AM	#28 (permalink)
dvds'r'us Actor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: St. Louis Area	I have to say: Ghost World (maybe its just me) Fight Club Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone and some others. __________________ Dave Matthews Band Forever! 31 Shows And Counting! 20,000 Miles travelled...Shows Seen

07-18-2002, 03:53 AM	#29 (permalink)
Moppy007 Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia	I like the transfer on The Rock Criterion Collection, that has some film grain which makes it look like real film. And the Memento LE springs to mind.

07-18-2002, 05:32 AM	#30 (permalink)
airjosh Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: southern oregon	can a dvd from a digital source really be considered a film transfer, maybe a new category best file transfer? They are all amazing but do have an advantage over films made digitally. I still think that 5th Element is one of the most gorgeous transfers on my shelf and It is years old. Someone cared a great deal. __________________ The world's fastest personal computer in a title match Everyone needs a home / Top 20

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