Here's a compilation of screenshots from various DVD editions of "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".

My verdict for the discs

studio DEi released this movie in better quality. Running time: 3:07:55

Menu:



Screenshots:

Thanks!!
But the aspect ratio is wrong. Should've been 853X480. Not 720X480.

I've got some shots (in the wrong aspect ratio)

I'll post them up and review the DVD.

Can someone scan the Dei cover? Because I've only seen small covers and I want to see one in a high resolution.

I got it from a torrent site



REGION All
CASE Keep Case
DISTRIBUTOR Eros International
VIDEO FORMAT (ntsc/pal), AR, and WHETHER ANAMORPHIC NTSC Non Anamorphic 2.15:1
AUDIO (and whether 5.1 separation is genuine on 5.1 track) Dolby Digital 5.1 (Fake )
SUBTITLES English
IRRITANTS Cropped video, Fake 5.1 out of the original 5.1, Ugly colors, PAL to NTSC field averaged, etc.
EXTRAS Now Available

Crapshots ...












Note : the torrent user has stretched the images sideways.

This is the latest release of the film on DVD by Eros International.

Film :- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Produced by :- Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Directed by :- Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Movie Stars :- Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan & Ajay Devgn

Music :- Ismail Durbar

Lyrics :- Mehboob

DVD FILM source :- Progressive (????) - NTSC

DVD Video AR :- 2.15 (From Original 2.35:1)

DVD Audio :- Pseudo DD 5.1.

Subtitles :- English

DVD Rights Holder :- Eros International

DVD Authored by :- Eros International

Alternate Versions :- DEi, BE, VS (Standard) and Pathfinder [Best], T-Series and Shemaroo

----------------------------------

Introduction

I need not introduce the film. We all know it.

This has been the worst DVD of this film. The audio and video quality is very bad. Probably the audio is mastered from a VHS tape, which can be proven by its hissing and tearing.

Audio

The audio source, as I mentioned, seems to be from a VHS tape with mono audio. The audio is heavily hissy which can be heard during the scenes with silence. The mono audio has been panned to 5.1 channels adding to the hissing. There are no surround effects, no sound dynamics and no clarity. Makes everything sound like a movie of the 1980s. The beautiful musical score you have experienced in most earlier versions, has been supressed here with no 'jaan' or life.

As the previous versions with true Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound give your sound system a heavy workout, there is no such chance for you to experience that here. The sound effects have gone flaccid and overall, the audio has no life and is extremely lossy.

My rating for audio - 0/10

Video

As I had stated above that the video quality too is dreaded, now I shall enlighten the statement with my views.

The video is dull, lossy and PIXILATED???

The Eros watermark which is visible throughout is a great irritant which most Indian DVD companies must improve.

The colors are extremely weak for such a colorful film and the brightness contrast is a little too off. Grayish video throughout with sharpness that is a little below average and not enough.

Darks scenes excel with brightness and normal scenes lack brightness.

Faces appear gray and dull throughout.

The aspect ratio, as usual is disturbed. From original 2.35:1 to 2.17:1 or so. Cropping done from all four sides to conceal blemishing artifacts and other crackling ones. But this could've been overcome by numerous other ways -- why demolish the original intentions?? Also frames with serious artifacts and damages were removed. This could be treated by other digital methods. Not by chopping of the original intentions.

DNR filtering done in excess resulting in blurry video. Motion blurring seen as well. Due to this the romantic movie appears like a horror one with some more ghosting explained here...

India is a PAL country and uses PAL Telecinés to obtain masters. But the Indian market is NTSC. Therefore, to make up, they convert their master to NTSC, interlaced (video mode). The video, therefore is interlaced with combing artifacts (ghostly appearances).

My rating for video - 2/10

Others

There is nothing special in this DVD. The menus have fine animations and you can access these options :-
Movie
Chapters
Songs
Subtitle
Features (Now Available and Forthcoming Attractions)

The original logo of the film is not maintained in the menus. They've created their own crappy text.

The DVD artwork is pretty thematic and is miles ahead than that of any other version, and the DVD itself.

My rating for miscellaneous : 4/10

Conclusion

For a non-technical person, this DVD will be satisfactory. But for most of us zulmies, its a BIG no, no!!

I presume 'Rangeela' by Eros has got a similar treatment -- worse than crap.

In my view, this DVD is not recommended. The best alternative is the DEI/BE disc, which, I doubt, is any longer available. However, some retailers may still have older stocks, so it just depends upon destiny.

The biggest plus-point here is the DVD artwork which is quite attractive. But -- "who cares about the artwork as long as the content is a devil ??"

It is also perfect for playing Frisbee -- that's what I play with my dogs.

Overall rating - 2/10

Mr. Rana, can you say something about this DVD??


What do you want to say about the SS and the review?

--

There is no comparison. I have the DEI version and it's miles ahead of any other DVD release. Don't remember but I think I have that "Straight From The Heart" version too. I don't expect any other brand comes even close to the DEI release and hence not interested in any other version.

I absolutely agree with you

BTW, I think the "Straight From The Heart" version (Pathfinder) is the same as DEi except being 4:3 letterbox.

The SS (as posted in the earlier thread) is the same as DEi

I don't know about the audio

Yes. I'm sure no one's interested in this crap, I only thought we would comment on the SS and the review.

Thanks for the reply

DEi/BE version Pros and Cons

Pros
- Excellent Video Quality
- True Dolby Digital Dynamic Sound
- The Original Aspect Ratio Preserved
- Direct Film to NTSC Transfer. Therefore, no pal speedup
- An Anamorphic Transfer with optional 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Wide range of subtitles
- Subtitles included in the songs
- Well-Balanced colours
- Picture quality dynamics in certain scenes.
- Image depth is reasonable
- The menus are well-animated and well-designed.
- Brightness and contrast is well-balanced.
- Special features are available on a separate disc.
- Fast forward 2X can be done smoothly.
- Shimmering effects are prominent.
- The subtitles are 16X9 friendly.
- The DVD artwork consists of soothing colors.
- The audio has thumping effects.
- A booklet with interesting details is included.
- The high amount of sharpness keeps the colors intact.
- DNR filtering is done well.
- The audio/video bitrate is high.

Cons

- The aspect ratio is wrong (2.51:1) . Therefore, the video appears squished.
- The extra features could have been more exciting.
- The making could have been better in terms of the quality.
- The disc is defective. It screws your player.

------------------------------

Shemaroo version Pros and Cons

Pros

- The screen is filled to a great extent. <The borders are less. But, this has been done by cropping the sides.
- An aspect ratio of 4:3 for SD 4:3 televisions
- Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Genuine 5.1
- The original colours and picture characteristics retained
- Interactive menus

Cons

- Highly cropped video
- Unbalanced colours and video characteristics
- DNR filtering down in excess
- Pal speedup due to Film to PAL to NTSC field averaging. Therefore, pitch destroyed
- No sound dynamics
- Soft, blurred video
- 16X9 unfriendly subtitles
- No subtitles in the last 6 songs
- Non-animated, loud menus
- Loud product packaging.
- Silver disc. Therefore, chances of disc defection.
- Low audio/video bitrate
- Bloated colours due to lack of sharpness
- No dynamics in the picture quality.
- No extra features.
- Barely any shimmering effects.

Technical Specs (DEi/BE/Shemaroo)


REGION All
CASE Keep Case
DISTRIBUTOR Digital Entertainment inc. (DEi)
VIDEO FORMAT (ntsc/pal), AR, and WHETHER ANAMORPHIC NTSC Anamorphic 2.50.1
AUDIO (and whether 5.1 separation is genuine on 5.1 track) Dolby Digital 5.1 track
SUBTITLES English/French/Spanish/Arabic/Japanese
EXTRAS Special Features Disc - Behind the Scenes, Bollywood Awards (New York/London), Television Promos, Original Theatrical Trailer, Attractive information booklet


REGION All
CASE Slim Case
DISTRIBUTOR Shemaroo
VIDEO FORMAT (ntsc/pal), AR, and WHETHER ANAMORPHIC NTSC Non Anamorphic 1:85.1
AUDIO (and whether 5.1 separation is genuine on 5.1 track) Dolby Digital 5.1 track
SUBTITLES English
EXTRAS Now Available, Piracy Trailer

Comparison Shots
DEi on the top, Shemaroo in the bottom