Best audios found in LD/DVD/BD

[xwang3633]

I think I mistook the optional 5.1 track in Warner 2011 Bluray for "1968 original 5.1 track"... Now I found it in 4k Bluray, it's better than I thought.

[ac3]

here is a list of dvd audio tracks ive uploaded
https://mega.nz/file/wbomkCTB#0jZVyJCxoD...cFsAa1rlgg
Pm for link sending folder link to regular members only

[mitkrod]

Hi xwang3633

Wow! Some awesome findings there, and I’m excited to see some artier classics getting their due here,

I’ve only previously been a lurker here but here are some of my own discoveries re: soundtracks:

Morocco (1930)
Although the video is different between the Criterion and Indicator sets, the audio track is essentially identical. It’s also as good/better than any other release I’ve come across.

By the Bluest of Seas (1936)
There’s a Russian Gorky / Mezhrabpomfilm – Azerfilm twofer DVD which sounds like the audio is totally untampered with (unfortunately the picture quality is very poor). Every other audio track I’ve come across sounds very much like it’s been scrubbed clean.

The Rules of the Game (1939)
The Umbrella and BFI DVDs have better high end than the Blu-Ray

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
The old Criterion laserdisc has more audio detail than the recent Blu-Ray or any of the other DVDs or Blus I’ve encountered.

Heaven Can Wait (1943)
I believe the HD Web download has a more intact high end than the Criterion Blu-Ray.

The Long Gray Line (1955)
The new Indicator Blu-Ray has both 3.0 and mono audio tracks which is a nice feature, but they seem to be the same transfers as on older DVDs/Web releases and they’re not *great* fidelity.

Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach (1968)
Good sound quality on the Grasshopper Blu, but it’s the English voice track. Nothing necessarily *wrong* with this, but there are other language tracks which may be superior. (Have to look more into this one)

Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974)
Although the Criterion video has a much higher bitrate than the BFI disc, they’re up to their usual tricks in the audio NR department, the high end is more intact on the BFI. Worth noting the commentary track is also more robust on the BFI.

El Sur (1983)
Although the Criterion Blu-Ray has a higher bitrate, the Vertice Cine Blu-Ray has a less tampered with audio track.

Love Streams (1984)
Classic case of Criterion lopping the hiss and high end off. Interestingly the R2 DVD syncs *perfectly* once you account for PAL speedup.

Clueless (1995)
The stereo track on the old R1 DVD sounds better than the 5.1 on the Blu-Ray.

Up, Down, Fragile (1995) & Secret Defense (1998)
Big thanks to Moshrom for the findings re: the Cohen disc of La Belle noiseuse, and the superior New Yorker DVD audio, but I believe the new Cohen restorations of these two films have soundtracks that are as good as, if not better than, their DVD counterparts.

Femme Fatale (2002)
I *believe* this was originally released in 5.1, but recent HD web releases only include a stereo track. The 5.1 is on the DVDs.

[ac3]

here is a list of dvd / hdtv / web audio tracks ive uploaded
https://mega.nz/file/IWQVRKYA#eapeP6RmQn...t3FinaM2jA
not replying to new members

Updated list.

[xwang3633]

1970-1999

La maman et la putain‎ (1973)
The Euro Space Japan DVD is much better than all the VHS/HDTV captures.

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
JPN Laserdisc [SF078-1035] (captured) is the best.

Chinatown (1974)
Paramount Laserdisc [LV8674-2WS], I captured this too.

Alice in the Cities (1974) & Paris, Texas (1984)
Alice in the Cities R2 DVD has good 2.0 track. 
For Paris, Texas, Laserdisc CBS/FOX [1457-80] mono sounds wonderful to me, although R2 DVD has a different mix with more high end details.

Annie Hall (1977)
MGM Laserdisc [ML102780], I captured this too.

The Meetings of Anna (1978)
Carlotta DVD sounds better than the Criterion Eclipse.

L'enfant secret‎ (1979)
The old IVC DVD is better than new restorations.

Francisca (1981)
The Grasshopper Bluray track sounds worse than the web-dl version.

Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Old Criterion DVD is the best, for both theatrical cut and director's cut.

Laputa, the Castle in the Sky (1986) & My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
For Hayao Miyazaki's work, I assume best JPN tracks can be found in JPN laserdiscs. I have the LD [128LX-8~9] and [98LXA-13] (both captured).
For My Neighbor Totoro, The Twentieth Century Fox 2002 DVD has an English mono Dub, which sounds good too.

Mala Noche (1986)
Criterion DVD is the best, the new restoration is awful.

Where Is My Friend’s House? (1987)
The Paradoxe R2 DVD is not perfect but better than restoration.

Chungking Express (1994) & Happy Together (1997)
For Chungking Express (1994), Arthaus DVD is from a great transfer, a good mono track.
For Happy Together (1997), The JPN Laserdisc [COLM-6225] (captured) stereo is the best I can find.

Starship Troopers (1997)
The JPN Laserdisc [PILF-2657] stereo is better than DVD/BD 5.1 tracks.

[xwang3633]

2000+

Inland Empire (2006)
The Absurda 2007 DVD includes 3 tracks: a stereo, a 'Near-Field' 5.1, and a 'Far-Field' 5.1. The stereo track and the 'Near-Field' are similar, and the most solid to my ears. The 'Far-Field' is also good, sounds farther as it's name suggests. For Optimal Bluray, it's stereo track is similar to this 'Far-Field' track, but it's 5.1 track is obviously filtered, therefore the worst to me.

Two Lovers (2008)
DVD 2.0 track is absolutely great.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
Should be the best audio made in 2010s. Strand Bluray 2.0 track sounds amazing and more original, and 5.1 has more ambient sound effects. The New Wave Bluray 2.0 track seems a downmix.

The Strange Case of Angelica (2010)
R1 DVD 5.1 is better than Bluray 5.1. 2.0 seems to be a downmix.

Holy Motors (2012)
Potemkine DVD 2.0 track is the best.

Journey to the Shore (2015)
MOC Bluray 2.0 track (or DVD tracks) is the best, brings out all the details.

Asako I & II (2018)
Bluray 2.0 track is a better mix than 5.1. 2.0 is necessary for this film because the way it creates sound space is almost Bressonist.