Uhf: Dvd Vs. Vhs

Post by **RyanHippFTW** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:44 am

Now, I first saw UHF when I rented a VHS copy from a video store. I then bought the DVD. There are a number of pros and cons on the quality on the 2 versions.

VHS:

pros:
you get the FULL picture, for most cases in fullscreen you loose the picture, but this is one of those time where you GAIN with fullscreen

since this version is on video, the video quality is smooth on segments with video editing or effects (like the U-62 promo or the MFN/BH video)

cons:
the colors are not as bright and colorful as the DVD

of course, no special features

DVD:

pros:
nice, clear, clean picture and sound

very colorful video

of course, special features

cons:
unlike the VHS, the video edited/produced segments are kinda choppy (probably because it was on film)

at the end of the MFN/BH video, the CGI part is very dirty and not so colorful before the transition back to the story

video is cropped for widescreen, and even worse, it is cropped for fullscreen (DOUBLE CROPPING!), so, you loose picture for both versions

WHICH VERSION DO YOU PREFER?

note on widescreen: to set the record straight, widescreen rarely crops the top and bottom of the screen. fullscreen crops the left and right to fit the screen fully, and rarely gives more picture (like in the case of UHF)

Post by **ludovica64** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:05 am

Well my DVD has no special features, for some reason. AND it wont play on my dvd-rom drive.
It appears I have an American standard dvd-rom drive.. (which actually may prove useful in the long run (if anyone wants to send me heaps of US dvds!

)

Post by **The Doctor** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:16 am

That doesn't really make sense for them to crop anything... Are you sure?

Either way, the DVD version is naturally the version that would be preferred.

I'm not sure what you mean about the transitions either... what would be the problem with a DVD?

Post by **RyanHippFTW** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:20 am

No, for segments edited or produced on video rather than on film is kinda choppy and not smooth like the VHS. Also, I saw more video on the top and bottom on the VHS (I bought a copy at a thrift store for $3 on Saturday and compared the two, copy was in near mint condition, it was from a video rental store).

Post by **RyanHippFTW** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:22 am

Also, I would guess 'Elvis' would know about this. Can you please give your input?

Post by **Big Spoon** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:35 am

Dave (Elvis) doesn't come by here as often as he used to, but hopefully he'll see this thread and give us his 27 cents.

Post by **Elvis** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:51 am

Not sure what input you're looking for from me here. I prefer the DVD for the commentary track, and of course the convenience of DVD. But UHF isn't high on my watch often list, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

Dave

Post by **anthontherun** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:26 am

UHF was shot in 1.85:1 widescreen. The fullscreen version, VHS or not, is not going to be the full picture.

There really isn't a comparison; I can't really think of any reason the DVD isn't preferable.

Post by **The Doctor** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:42 am

That's what I thought. Thanks for that, Anth!

CatraDhtem · Post by **CatraDhtem** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:19 am

GuyWhoIsAnonymous @ Apr 9 2008, 08:20 PM wrote: No, for segments edited or produced on video rather than on film is kinda choppy and not smooth like the VHS.

The whole movie was produced and edited on film, as Orion wouldn't spring for any digital editing systems at the time. Al and Jay talk about this briefly in the commentary.

Besides, even if a video wipe was used in the movie (such as during a channel promo, for example), the original negative was still printed on film, so there really shouldn't be any difference in how those transitions may look on VHS versus DVD. The source of the image would still be a film print.