QueenZone discussion #1053012

mick82 wrote: Ok, so audio and video from the two nights have been matched and that's confirmed... anyone has got any certain proof there are overdubs as well? It's just a curiosity, one of those subtle ones which survive for years. I've been asking myself for years if really Fred could sing that well live, cause it's the vocal performance that I like the most among the dozens of concert I heard (even if the Kampuchea one is great, I only discovered it recently thanks to your torrent.. I never liked '79 gigs before that). Anyway... the DVD seems great, with a much better audio than the "We will rock you" DivX I found yesterday (I've got the original VHS but no videotape anymore :( ). The other doubt about Queen is why I still got "shivers down my spine" listening to the same songs after 15 years, but with this I don't think you can help me :D

Togg wrote: Has anyone found any easter eggs?

pittrek wrote: So does anybody have something to say about the Live Aid disc ?

NTL wrote:

pittrek wrote: So does anybody have something to say about the Live Aid disc ?

Yes! Mine wont play in DTS onlt the stereo PCM. Anyone else having this prob?

KevoM wrote: I'm waiting for the HD-DVD release.

pcgenius9 wrote: its even still is 4:3 format not 16:9

frank39 wrote: Who the hell made this decision? To release a show, of which at least 3 dif. DVDs releases aleady exist? In the end it must have been Brian and Roger themselves. And thats really poor, not Queen-like. Where is the the longtime awaited DVD Boxset? I remember a sentence like: " ...don´t think it will come before 2002..."

Negative Creep wrote: QPL don't release anything new or interesting.

Adam Baboolal wrote: I'm damn well glad that Brian and Roger wanted this one done right. I can't wait to see and hear it as they wanted it in the first place! God damn moan-zoners. If you don't like it then why are you talking about it in a thread about the final product cause you're adding nothing.

Lester Burnham wrote: It's not an appreciation thread, just thoughts on the final product. People are offering their opinions, and just because they don't square with your way of thinking, doesn't make them any less valid.

pcgenius9 wrote: No, I was pretty pleased it hasn't changed - I don't have a widescreen tele yet! To be fair, I find it unlikely that Disc 1 was filmed in widescreen either.

Inu-Liger wrote: While I'm waiting for the BD release to come out, I bought the 2-CD version earlier today :) -inu

The Girl with the Golden Pants wrote: Visually it's the worst DVD version so far. The 2001 version was flawless, perfect, clear, perfectly color graded. This one has been run through a filter (as stated on Brian's site) which results in a flat, overly-smooth, unlife-like visual mess. The colors are often way off, overdone... ugh.. I can't complain enough about this transfer. It's bloody awful. As for the "new" surround mix, it's unexciting as many live shows are. The 2001 version was vibrant and exciting, raw and real. This one is frequently all-front with just some synth effects mixed to the rear. gone!

YourValentine wrote: Can someone please post the "set list" of the Live Aid rehearsal?

YourValentine wrote: "Bo Rhap Hammer Ga Ga" Incomplete, what a disappointment. You might think QP does not want to interfere with the trading community. If there are so few extras, they could have at least released the extras completely.

Jeroen wrote:

The Girl with the Golden Pants wrote: Visually it's the worst DVD version so far. The 2001 version was flawless, perfect, clear, perfectly color graded. This one has been run through a filter (as stated on Brian's site) which results in a flat, overly-smooth, unlife-like visual mess. The colors are often way off, overdone... ugh.. I can't complain enough about this transfer. It's bloody awful. As for the "new" surround mix, it's unexciting as many live shows are. The 2001 version was vibrant and exciting, raw and real. This one is frequently all-front with just some synth effects mixed to the rear. gone!

Actually, I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Haven't checked the commentary yet, only watched the main show. But indeed the things that hit me right from the start is that the image is not as good as on the first official version DVD. Either overdone or realy flat. The sound? It's a different mix and it is probably a matter of taste. Yes, this one is clearer and especially the drums have benefitted a lot. But especially Brian's guitar has suffered greatly. The 2001 DVD (the FIRST dts version - the second had image and sound out of sync!) had this MASSIVE incredibly LOUD sound. The G-chord at the beginning of Let me entertain You litterly knocked me out when i watched that dvd. The mix on this new version, though clear, is just not as powerfull. For MY taste.
Overall: next time I want to watch this show, I personally will rather put on the old dvd.
So am i right to conclude that the 2001 version was put together outside of QProductions ? I must be out of touch,
i wasn't aware it existed in any form on dvd other than bad pirate copies lifted from the video.
So what have we managed to achieve 6 years on using the alleged expertise and often self congratulatory Mr May and his motley crew?
From what you are saying not a lot ! thats worrying.

Jimi 2 wrote:

Jeroen wrote:

The Girl with the Golden Pants wrote: Visually it's the worst DVD version so far. The 2001 version was flawless, perfect, clear, perfectly color graded. This one has been run through a filter (as stated on Brian's site) which results in a flat, overly-smooth, unlife-like visual mess. The colors are often way off, overdone... ugh.. I can't complain enough about this transfer. It's bloody awful. As for the "new" surround mix, it's unexciting as many live shows are. The 2001 version was vibrant and exciting, raw and real. This one is frequently all-front with just some synth effects mixed to the rear. gone!

Actually, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Haven't checked the commentary yet, only watched the main show. But indeed the things that hit me right from the start is that the image is not as good as on the first official version DVD. Either overdone or realy flat. The sound? It's a different mix and it is probably a matter of taste. Yes, this one is clearer and especially the drums have benefitted a lot. But especially Brian's guitar has suffered greatly. The 2001 DVD (the FIRST dts version - the second had image and sound out of sync!) had this MASSIVE incredibly LOUD sound. The G-chord at the beginning of Let me entertain You litterly knocked me out when i watched that dvd. The mix on this new version, though clear, is just not as powerfull. For MY taste. Overall: next time I want to watch this show, I personally will rather put on the old dvd. So am i right to conclude that the 2001 version was put together outside of QProductions ? I must be out of touch, i wasn't aware it existed in any form on dvd other than bad pirate copies lifted from the video. So what have we managed to achieve 6 years on using the alleged expertise and often self congratulatory Mr May and his motley crew? From what you are saying not a lot ! thats worrying.

That's one of the reasons why nowadays we Queenzoners ('the most outspoken and opiniated of all Queen fans on the net') have so much to complain about.
It's certainly not the first time that QP disappoints the longterm and/or faithful fan.
But again: the audiomix might be a matter of taste. I'm sure some fans will be delighted.
And yes, ALL previous releases of this concert where done outside QP - the video, of course the very first South American 'non-official' DVD and both versions of the first 'official' DVD in 2001.
Only last year QP managed to buy all rights to the movie and it's soundtrack and immediately decided to enlighten us with a version that in their eyes is much much better.
And it is in some cases: the video edit is indeed nicer, we finally get to hear some audience noises which enhances the concert-feeling and some pitch-problems have been fixed, though I still get the impression that on a couple of songs, the band is in an incredible hurry.
But as for the all over audio of the music and video (the most important part of a dvd I think)... No, sorry, I've experienced it better.

Jimi 2 wrote:

Jeroen wrote:

The Girl with the Golden Pants wrote: Visually it's the worst DVD version so far. The 2001 version was flawless, perfect, clear, perfectly color graded. This one has been run through a filter (as stated on Brian's site) which results in a flat, overly-smooth, unlife-like visual mess. The colors are often way off, overdone... ugh.. I can't complain enough about this transfer. It's bloody awful. As for the "new" surround mix, it's unexciting as many live shows are. The 2001 version was vibrant and exciting, raw and real. This one is frequently all-front with just some synth effects mixed to the rear. gone!

Actually, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Haven't checked the commentary yet, only watched the main show. But indeed the things that hit me right from the start is that the image is not as good as on the first official version DVD. Either overdone or realy flat. The sound? It's a different mix and it is probably a matter of taste. Yes, this one is clearer and especially the drums have benefitted a lot. But especially Brian's guitar has suffered greatly. The 2001 DVD (the FIRST dts version - the second had image and sound out of sync!) had this MASSIVE incredibly LOUD sound. The G-chord at the beginning of Let me entertain You litterly knocked me out when i watched that dvd. The mix on this new version, though clear, is just not as powerfull. For MY taste. Overall: next time I want to watch this show, I personally will rather put on the old dvd. So am i right to conclude that the 2001 version was put together outside of QProductions ? I must be out of touch, i wasn't aware it existed in any form on dvd other than bad pirate copies lifted from the video. So what have we managed to achieve 6 years on using the alleged expertise and often self congratulatory Mr May and his motley crew? From what you are saying not a lot ! thats worrying.

cheers Jeroen thats enlightening.I seem to recall a cover with Fred playing acoustic guitar during crazy. Not sure if that was the Brazil version or the 2001.I have always expected QP releases to at least give the definitive version if not so much the right bloody thing.
As i have the gear to appreciate the sometimes subtle differences it would be handy to get hold of one of these 2001 copies. Maybe i could get up to the ludicrous number of formats of ANATO i have with a bit of effort.
and you know something..... for all the messing about thats gone on , with the right set up, you'd still be hard pushed to beat the vinyl version.

Jeroen wrote: Sounds like you have the same kind of ears that I have ;-) Yes, the 2001 dvd indeed has a photo of the band on the cover of the band playing CLTCL. The Brazilian thing had a plain light blue-ish sleeve with a silhouette of Freddie.

Jeroen wrote: Sounds Yes, the 2001 dvd indeed has a photo on the cover of the band playing CLTCL. The Brazilian thing had a plain light blue-ish sleeve with a silhouette of Freddie.

Tero wrote:

Jeroen wrote: Sounds Yes, the 2001 dvd indeed has a photo on the cover of the band playing CLTCL. The Brazilian thing had a plain light blue-ish sleeve with a silhouette of Freddie.

Doesn't the first American edition of the dvd (by Pioneer in 1998, no extras and fullscreen image) also feature a blueish sleeve with a Freddie silhoutte? You're probably scaring a few people with their legitimate releases when you talk like that. :P

KevoM wrote:

Togg wrote: Has anyone found any easter eggs?

Do they still put these on DVDs? I thought they went out with flippers and letter box dvds

TruePar wrote: The blue 1997 Pioneer version has a CD case that slides out of the hard cover. It's not an actual DVD case.

Maz wrote: The original 1997 release was, but later pressings featured it in a standard Amray DVD case. It was still a CD case when I bought my copy in Sept 1998, but switched sometime after that. Then the 2001 release came along and everything changed once again.

Bobby_brown wrote: And i don´t know why Queen have decided for two editions of this DVD (single and double). It doesn´t make sense to me, because since this is a "re-release" the bonus DVD makes sense. And this is not part of the DVD collection.

YourValentine wrote: "Surely this footage would have long since been edited by the production company that filmed it and no extra footage would be available, if they ever filmed more in the first place that is." The complete rehearsal has been shown on the convention many times. The material comes from QP, so they have it.

Negative Creep wrote: I think it's hilarious how anyone has anything good to say about this new audio mix. The CD is just fucking awful - like everything that amateur jack of all trades has mixed. The mix on the last U.S. DVD release pisses all over it from a great height - all that clarity has no been mixed into a muddy sounding mess with piss weak guitars.

Togg wrote:

Negative Creep wrote: I think it's hilarious how anyone has anything good to say about this new audio mix. The CD is just fucking awful - like everything that amateur jack of all trades has mixed. The mix on the last U.S. DVD release pisses all over it from a great height - all that clarity has no been mixed into a muddy sounding mess with piss weak guitars.

Not heard the CD, I was talking about the DVD. However I suspect all you audio 'experts' that seem to know so much about the business will be full of insightful comments!

<b><FONT SIZE=4>inu-liger</b> wrote: 2) I think Eagle Rock couldn't use the DVD Collection banner, but I don't think ROTC or On Fire even had the DVD Collection banner on the title....correct me if I'm wrong. "Classic Albums: Making of A Night At The Opera" certainly didn't have it, and that was released by Eagle Rock.

Negative Creep wrote: I think it's hilarious how anyone has anything good to say about this new audio mix. The CD is just fucking awful - like everything that amateur jack of all trades has mixed. The mix on the last U.S. DVD release pisses all over it from a great height - all that clarity has no been mixed into a muddy sounding mess with piss weak guitars.

cmsdrums wrote: Firstly, it's ashame that they haven't continued the Queen DVD Collection theme for this one (obviously to do with some sort of licensing rights). Picture - very clear, but I agree with some posters that the colours seem very bland. It could be that the extra lighting that Saul Swimmer put up, against the band's wishes, for filming have a detremental effect on how the stage lights come across, and the restoration just emphasises this more. Sound - after slagging off Justin Shirley Smith mixes, and drum sounds in particular, I am very pleased to say that this is easily the best sounding live DVD/CD so far.(could be Joshua MacRae's involvement?) Really full, rich bottom end, but very clear distinction to everything. kick drum and toms for once sound great (lovely bottom end and presence), although to be fussy I'm still not quite sure what they do to the snare because there's still almost an electronic sounding 'buzz' to it, exactly as the MK Bowl mix. Bass guitar is great sounding, and you can really pick out for once John's intricacies on songs like Kiler Queen which previously didn't cut through. It's nice also to listen through for the differences and spot which bits of audio now sit with the right video, as opposed to the original release where they were mixed and matched poorly. It could be that there are odd pieces where the match is still out, but I get the impression that they worked on it almost like a jigsaw, and didn't actually know which footage and audio was from which night, and so had to sit and patch it together using eyes and ears only? If so, then if there is anything still out I am sure that it is purely by mistake and not trying to deliberately mislead us. I was dead against this release originally and saw it as a fob off for re-releasing old material, but now that we have it I am genuinely pleased with the result. Yes, the cover is still rubbish, and Live Aid as an extra with this set just doesnn't make sense (can't believe that Brian billed it as far more interesting extras than the Saturday Night Live footage)!!

Togg wrote: So many people have poorly set up TV's it is astonishing when you seen how some watch TV each night.

Adam Baboolal wrote: __“Before & After” restoration comparison__ I also remember this being part of the line-up. As has been theorized by others, it may be shown on the HD versions only. We just don't know. Adam.

Kamenliter wrote: I might be in the minority here and I'll probably be slagged, but I have to say that while the Live Aid performance is terrific, overall, I find it hard to think of as 'the greatest live performance of all time.' It's hardly Queen's greatest live performance. In terms of energy and excitement, yes, it's up there, especially when compared with alot of the other bands that day. I suppose my main argument is that for the mass audience, they're seeing a Queen performance, so naturally it comes across as being incredible, but for those that know better, like ourselves, we know that Queen is pretty much that good on any given night, and a lot of times better.

<b><FONT SIZE=4>inu-liger</b> wrote: I'd say, compared to other catalog Queen releases, the quality of this beats Wembley and On Fire, since they encoded the video very well (will have to check what bitrate it was done at at a later time!). About the colours....I don't think it looked TOO different from the last release, from what I recall (it's been some time since I watched the 2001 version...). If anything, I didn't fully like the 2001 version's picture, cos it didn't seem to breathe a lot, aside from superb clarity. I rather much like the new remastered video better in some aspects.

Tero wrote:

Adam Baboolal wrote: __“Before & After” restoration comparison__ I also remember this being part of the line-up. As has been theorized by others, it may be shown on the HD versions only. We just don't know. Adam.

How's this for a theory... It's been left out because the comparison would prove once and for all just how useless this release is. ;)

Erik Viking wrote: I hate this new picture's version. It's better cropped now. That's thrue. link But what happened with a great sharpness?? Where is this great improvement?? link I'm totally disappointed.

Erik Viking wrote: I hate this new picture's version. It's better cropped now. That's thrue. link But what happened with a great sharpness?? Where is this great improvement?? link I'm totally disappointed.

MDNA wrote: Like I said it's a matter of taste. I like it the way it is. I don't have the 2001 version so I can't propperly compare them. I do have de Brazilian release, that seems to be a straight rip from the original VHS, and is very dark, too dark in my oppinion. I will try to post some caps soon.

KevoM wrote: Not the old 'turn the brightness up' routine! TV manufacturers/shops havd been doing this for years. Notice how your new TV has it's brightness and contrast way TOO high. It's deleiberatley set like thsis by the manufacturer to make the picture stand out in the show room. More so with dull LCD TVs than plasmas. It's because the human eye is more susceptible to luminance. QP have obviously applied this 'trick' to make the PQ 'seem' better than it really it is.

Tero wrote:

MDNA wrote: Like I said it's a matter of taste. I like it the way it is. I don't have the 2001 version so I can't propperly compare them. I do have de Brazilian release, that seems to be a straight rip from the original VHS, and is very dark, too dark in my oppinion. I will try to post some caps soon.

Let me get this straight... You don't have the previous dvd version, and can't therefore make a proper comparison (as is understandable), yet you can somehow make a proper comparison between this year's official release and the dodgy Brazilian pirate copy from a 15-year old laserdisc. :/ In a way I'm glad there are people like you to keep QP in business, but I would really appreciate it if you would be able to even borrow the previous official dvd from somewhere, and make a real comparison.

MDNA wrote: no need to attack me like that.

MDNA wrote: The brazilian DVD is not a pirate, it was probably licensed by the copyright owners of the recording, who where not Queen or QP.

MDNA wrote: I was just guiving my oppinion on this release, if you don't like it please ignore it and leave it at that. Like I said, it all comes down to a matter of taste, even Brian says on the comentary that the original release was too dark, wich is probably why they chose to brighten the picture. I personaly like it as it is, If you don't like it, fine, dont buy it.

Tero wrote: I'm sorry to break this to you, but there are no officially licensed Brazil-only dvd releases of hundreds of music videos available in eBay for €5 each... They are nothing more than pirated, counterfeited copies which are sold to unsuspecting people who are desperate to get anything on dvd.

MDNA wrote: I didn't buy it on e-bay, I don't buy DVd's online. I bought it on a well respected store here in Portugal not known for selling bootlegs. I remember i picked it up at the time because it was at discount price and because the other official release was not available here, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

MDNA wrote: The 2001 release is not available here in Portugal, at least I never saw it available.

The Girl with the Golden Pants wrote: Visually it's the worst DVD version so far. The 2001 version was flawless, perfect, clear, perfectly color graded. This one has been run through a filter (as stated on Brian's site) which results in a flat, overly-smooth, unlife-like visual mess. The colors are often way off, overdone... ugh.. I can't complain enough about this transfer. It's bloody awful. As for the "new" surround mix, it's unexciting as many live shows are. The 2001 version was vibrant and exciting, raw and real. This one is frequently all-front with just some synth effects mixed to the rear. Quite a disappointment. The commentary is so-so. The boys sound tired and totally not into it most of the time. Haha, I really don't have much nice to say about this. The Live Aid footage is no better than the previous DVD version and is still missing the humorous intro (I thought they'd at least find and restore that! Nope!). The Live Aid rehearsal/interview finally solves the mystery of where some documentary footage originated, which is frequently used (silently) in unofficial documentary DVDs. Nice to have that with sound now, I guess. The PM Magazine bit is poor quality, short and features the tiniest little interview snippets. I can't recommend this except to say if you can find it super-cheap as I did (11.99) pick it up just to have something "new" to buy. If you've avoided the show previously, get the 2001 version before it's long gone!