4K Blu-ray

The 4K discs in both Criterion and Imprint sets are low-passed even though encoded by FiM and has better contrast and highlights compared to Kino Lorber.

The Criterion Complete Kubrick and Imprint 1953-1957 sets include remastered BDs. All standalone releases are from an earlier master.

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray is a remaster from the original VistaVision camera negaitve, FiM encode

The original mono sounds good. The Atmos remix is a mixed bag, music performances are sourced from magnetic stereo recordings and sound great, but mono dialogue/effectshas undergone destructive noise reduction and unnecessary EQ, so the jumps in fidelity are incredibly jarring.

Artificial Eye DVD probably better

See detailed review However Criterion has better subtitles

> Criterion Blu-ray > BFI 4K Blu-ray > Toho Blu-ray See DonaldMcDonald's post

Indicator Blu-ray has better presented extras plus additional unique extras.

1.85:1: Kino Lorber 4K  / Capelight 4K

1.66:1: Criterion 4K but low pass filtered

Comparison between the 4Ks, Criterion on the AR choice

Other discs have unnecessary filtering and sound worse, the difference isn't substantial but audible

Hammer & Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray are confirmed by Randy Miller to be identical down to the encode, the only difference being different studio logos.

Warner Bros 2002 DVD has the best sounding mono

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray is disappointing (review)

All audio tracks originate from the same DVD-era master, no real audible differences between them, but Carlotta is least filtered out of all

/ (2019? Sony 4K Blu-ray with the mono)

> UK MoC 4K Blu-ray > Australia Imprint > US Kino Lorber better encoding

The MoC, Criterion and Imprint UHDs were encoded by FiM making all 3 very close. The higher bitrate helped in deciding and some luck; however Criterion is the most consistent one of all 3. Imprint has some scenes with more splotchy grain while MoC is quite close to Criterion but has some more blocking in dark scenes (e.g.: comp #27). With Criterion’s superior audio, it ensures complete consistency.

From cbc: "I'm personally quite fond of the restored track on Eureka's 4K Blu-ray. It does have spots with objectively worse fidelity, but for the most part, it sounds a lot more natural and less shrill, particularly dialogue. It seems to be a new mixdown of stems. Technically a remix, so not everyone's cup of tea, but it's not revisionist like most new movie mixes tend to be"

Both Imprint (included in their set) and Capelight (on its own/individually) offer remastered BDs. All other BDs, including the one included in The Complete Kubrick, are sourced from the same older master from around 2010.

Indicator Blu-ray has better presented extras plus additional unique extras.

MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar

Indicator Blu-ray has better presented extras plus additional unique extras.