Over edge enhancements

[Thornastor]

Please can someone elaborate on the over edge enhancements on a dvd picture quality ? Thanks

[Jenz @ Bullets n Babes]

Edge Enhancement or EE as it is sometimes referred to is an artificial process added to the image that has the effect of Sharpening up an image.

It is often used by DVD Producers to create a crisper image for owners of smaller display devices.

As it is an artificial process it was clearly not on the original film and many (myself included) take the view that it can ruin the picture. If you have a complex image (say a weaved cloth) and apply edge enhancement to it you can infact make the image softer.

The major problem with edge enhancement though is the creation of Halos (or ghosts) around objects with High contrast. This effect makes every shape appear to have a ghost image slightly around it. This when done badly can be very poor and highly visible.

Examples of Edge Enhancement for you to look at:

1) The Mummy Returns (any version) opening scene with The Scorpion King long shot of him falling onto the sand before he eats the scorpion. He has a distinct halo.

2) The Fifth Element (Any Version though Superbit is reduced) Diva Scene where she comes out to sing from behind the curtain. Look at her left arm, there is significant edge enhancement in the area around her body and under her arm (which actually joins back on itself).

3) The Phantom Menace (Any Version) has significant Edge Enhancement throughout. Most easily seen is during the Pod Race as QuiGon, Jar Jar, Shmi, and Amidala are raised up in the viewing tower. You'll see halos around them as they are raised, also the shots of the Pod Racers on the Grid have a lot of EE particularly around the pipes. Another easy to see sequence is Amidala on her throne with the whiote glass windows behind her. These windows have massive edge enhancement, making them appeared panelled when in fact they are plain. The halos make it look like something they're not.

4) Unbreakable (All Versions) - Theres a scene where Samuel Jackson goes to Willis' Stadium and they talk in a long shot along a corridor. They are framed against the white sunlight and have a lovely EE glow.

5) Heartbreakers (R1) Ray Liotta has a positive glow throughout this movie in one of the worst discs for EE in recent times.

6) The King of EE though is the original R1 Stargate release. The EE was so great on this disc that not one scene got away without significant halos. At times the glow was so large that you could hardly see the object.

I can let you know many more if you'd like.

Hope this helps.

Regards Jenz.

[Michael Brooke]

The worst case I've seen is the Mei Ah version of <I>In the Mood for Love</I>, where the edge enhancement is so exaggerated that it almost looks like a solarised image at times. The new French disc has slight edge enhancement issues, but by comparison they're insignificant.

[Thornastor]

Thanks for the info jenz !

I have noticed alot of straight lines shimmering which also ruin a great picture if you have 21inch tv does this happen on a widescreen tv.

I have the following film, do these have edge enhancements : Aliens, Alien resurrection, Lost in space, Starship Troopers, Total recall, Godzilla, Sphere, Se7en S.E, Tomorrow never dies S.E. Thanks

[wolfkiller]

Originally posted by Thornastor
I have noticed alot of straight lines shimmering which also ruin a great picture if you have 21inch tv does this happen on a widescreen tv.

The straight lines shimmering is due to watching Anamorphically Enhanced images on a standard 4:3 screen.
If your TV has a 16:9 mode switch to this and of course do the same on your DVD player.

regards

W

[Jenz @ Bullets n Babes]

Actually this is not EE you're seeing, its shimmer due to 16x9 DVDs on a 4:3 TV. Go up to a widescreen and it'll disappear.

In fact Starship Troopers and Seven SE are two of the best non-EE titles.

Regards Jenz.