Writings > DVD Image Comparisons > Lady and the Tramp

Lady and the Tramp

Region 1 (USA) Limited Issue - Disney
vs. Region 1 (USA) Platinum Edition - Disney
vs. Region 2 (UK) Special Edition - Disney

Details

Bit Rate

R1 USA
Limited Issue

R1 USA
50th Anniversary Edition

R2 UK
Special Edition

Screen Captures

Comparison between CinemaScope and pan & scan versions

Cinemascope:

Pan & scan:

Example 1

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 2

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R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 3

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 4

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 5

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 6

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Example 6

Mouse over to switch between versions:
R1 LI | R1 PE | R2 SE

Update, February 28th 2006 (US R1 SE): The Region 1 release gains a much-appreciated Dolby Digital 3.0 track, replicating the multi-channel audio presentation that accompanied the film's CinemaScope theatrical release. The mono track which would have accompanied the Academy version is nowhere to be found, but since a transfer of the Academy version is not present either, this is perhaps not surprising. In any event, I can live without it.

Yes, you heard it right: there is no Academy format version on this release either. In its place is a 4x3 pan and scan transfer, which is confirmed to have been sourced from the CinemaScope version of the film rather than the differently framed Academy version. This is most disappointing, and leads me to question who on earth thought it would be a good idea to include a pan and scan transfer on a DVD designed for serious collectors.

Either way, the US transfer is a slightly inferior to the UK variant. It's softer - unavoidable, admittedly, since NTSC has nearly 100 fewer lines of resolution than PAL, and in a film with a ratio this wide resolution is everything. However, it also has more visible compression artefacts. Initially, I thought that this was because two versions of the film were included on the same disc, but the widescreen version of the US edition actually has a higher overall bit rate than its UK counterpart! What's going on? Perhaps someone encoded the US version using Very Fast Mode.

In terms of extras, the US version gains an "all-new Bella Notte music video" (who cares?) and shifts the Disney Dog Trivia game from Disc 1 to the Games and Activities section of Disc 2.

Comments

The transfer on the new UK Special Edition is a massive improvement on the now out of print US Limited Issue, in terms of clarity, colour reproduction and framing (look at how much picture is missing on the right hand side of the LI). Unfortunately, both of these releases lack the original mono audio mix, and thus receive a zero for that component. Both are also missing the Academy 1.33:1 ratio version of the film that was released concurrently with the Cinemascope version (there are numerous differences in framing and composition, and both versions are a legitimate way to watch the film).

The US 50th Anniversary Edition, due for release on February 28th, is expected to include both the original mono track and the 1.33:1 version of the film (in addition to the 2.55:1 version). It will be added to the comparison as soon as I receive my copy.

Summary