Writings > DVD Image Comparisons > Underworld (SD vs. HD)

Underworld

DVD: Region 1 Unrated Extended Cut (USA) - Columbia Tristar
vs. HD DVD: Region 0 Extended Cut (Germany) - Concorde Home Entertainment

Details

Bit Rate

R1 USA

Screen Captures

Example 1

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 2

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 3

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 4

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 5

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 6

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Example 7

Full frame:

Mouse over to switch between versions:
DVD | HD DVD

(720x720 crop - HD DVD actual size/DVD upscaled to 1920x1080)

Comments

The DVD release of Underworld's extended cut received one of the better standard definition transfer - a bit edge enhanced, true, but generally very watchable. For Concorde's German HD DVD release the same master appears to have been used, resulting in largely the same framing and a similar colour balance (the slight differences being down to the slightly different colour gamut of the two formats). The biggest improvement, beyond the obvious massive increase in detail, is how much more natural the HD DVD looks: check out the clouds in Example 1, and also notice how much less "clumpy" the streetlights look in the same shot. The grain reproduction is also, obviously, much improved, with what was once harsh and digital-like now appearing smooth and natural.

Note that a US Blu-ray release by Sony Pictures, featuring an AVC encode, a PCM 5.1 audio track and most (but not all) of the extras from the 2-disc DVD release, is also available. I haven't seen it so I have no idea how it compares to Concorde's version.