Universal

LaserDisc

Universal Blu-ray
Universal DVD for 4:3 open matte version

Universal LaserDisc

Universal LaserDisc for the original Dolby Stereo mix

Blu-ray only has a 5.1 remix that alters some dialogue and sound effects

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray (caps)

MCA 1989 LaserDisc or Universal 1999 NTSC DVD

Universal 4K Blu-ray see caps

Universal Laserdisc

1998 Universal DVD

LaserDisc

Criterion DVD for the original Dolby Stereo

Criterion DVD for the original Dolby Stereo (lossless). 5.1 upmix on BDs is fine, DTS:X is revisionistic

Criterion Blu-ray has extras not found on the Universal 4K Blu-ray

> US Kino Lorber see comparison and caps

Kino Lorber has an exceedingly poor encode, only slightly improved by the DV layer.

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Universal US Blu-ray
Dolby Atmos remix: Plaion DE 4K Blu-ray

Universal's BD uses the same transfer as the old LaserDisc and sounds a bit better than Plaion's, which has worse dynamics.

Plaion's Atmos remix is tastefully done and preserves the original mix's characteristics, the 5.1 track on Kino's release is overly aggressive and unbalanced.

LaserDisc

Universal LaserDisc [40978]

1991 Universal LaserDisc [41131]

Universal UK > Kino US

1993 Universal LaserDisc

Carlito’s Way was released theatrically in both Dolby Stereo and DTS. The 2.0 on the Arrow UHD is the original stereo mix, unknown if the 5.1 mix on the  Arrow disc is the original DTS mix.

(caveat: missing extras included on the Kino Lorber US and Plaion Germany UHDs)

Universal UK 4K Blu-ray vs Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray 5.1

2025 Universal 4K Trilogy Steelbook / 2026 standalone is better than previous disappointing 2022 4K Blu-ray (excessive DNR). Not a whole new scan but the grain has been left mostly intact.

Cinema DTS

Cinema DTS is OG 5.1 mix.

Otherwise: 2022 4K Blu-ray’s DTS:X remix is more faithful than 2026’s Atmos remix.

3D Blu-ray’s 7.1 remix has reportedly less distortion than the OG 5.1 mix, and is presumably more faithful than the DTS:X remix.

Theatrical: Cinema DTS