The old analogue LaserDisc sounds superb compared to every subsequent edition (all ostensibly the same, but some additional noise reduction on the Criterion mono atop the already extreme amount).
Update (10/17/2021): The 2.0 mono track on Sony's UHD blu-ray is a downmix of the 5.1 mix. Content-wise, this doesn't mean much since the 5.1 is just the dialogue track (with strong noise reduction) mixed with a much higher fidelity music and effects track. Consequently, dialogue is muffled, while Duke Ellington's score is clear - a jarring juxtaposition.
I very briefly compared the new Atmos remix to the 5.1. It sounds more rolled off (less clear), but the main differences are the new generic ambient sound mixed into most scenes and the absurd amount of reverb added to the courtroom dialogue.
did you ever get a chance to check out the audio tracks on the other entries of the Columbia Classics 2 set? (minus Social Network)
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly curious on your opinion on the mono track for Stripes (the remix based on what I compared with is extremely revisionist) which was previously only available on the first DVD
When you say the 2.0 is a downmix of the 5.1, is that literally the case or is it just poorly recombined from the (processed) stems? Because they must have made some tweaks to levels of the effects when making the 5.1 I would have thought?
ReplyDeleteIt's a direct downmix.
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