True-Life Adv. - Color on 'Prowler of the Everglades'

[Tannerman]

Hey everyone!

Inspired by forum members Billy Moon, Chernabog, and ichabod, who noted that there might be something up with the color on the Walt Disney Legacy Collection presentation of "Prowler of the Everglades" (posted here, here, and here, respectively), I felt that this issue needed additional visiblity apart from the ongoing discussion of the overall DVD series. So I did some detective work and took some screenshots!



The issue of note pertains to proper color being used in the film. It has been noted that perhaps the color channels have been switched, resulting in improper presentation. Everything seems a bit... off. I noted the same experience on 3 different DVD players with my copy. Also, given that the other titles on the disc seem to play correctly, one would assume that this might be a disc authoring issue rather than simply old film elements or something related to restoration artifacts. To date, I have not seen it mentioned in the reviews I've read, expect for this reference in the UD review mentioning "its colors are especially dull and washed out."

I was hoping to get some feedback from others who have this DVD to confirm or deny the issue once and for all, as I don't claim to be an expert -- just a concerned customer. If anyone can provide some insight as to what might be going on here, that would be appreciated. I'm trying not to get too bent out of shape regarding this, but on the surface this would appear to be a major error.

Since I don't have the source elements to view, the best basis I have to go on is actually using comparison elements from the same Legacy Collection series of discs. Clips from Prowlers of the Everglades were included in the "Filmmaker's Journal" bonus features segment on Volume 1, Disc 2. I'm not sure if these clips were restored or not (it appears that there might be a mix of good/bad color elements here). However, I was able to find a shot featured in the bonus features that I matched with the film version.

Take a look at the color issue below:


Volume 1, Disc 2 - "Filmmakers's Journal" segment (0:07:15)
(Click to enlarge)


Volume 1, Disc 1 - Film (0:15:43)
(Click to enlarge)

Another shot from the same bonus feature seems to have correct color:


Volume 1, Disc 2 - "Filmmakers's Journal" segment (0:07:20)
(Click to enlarge)

There are also some segments from Prowlers of the Everglades included in the "Filmmakers's Journal" bonus feature on Volume 4, Disc 2. Again, it appears that the color is correct in these clips.


Volume 4, Disc 2 - "Filmmakers's Journal" segment (0:08:56)
(Click to enlarge)

Finally, for reference and discussion, I've included various screenshots from Prowlers of the Everglades film. Below that are some screenshots from Water Birds, also on the same disc, to show similar water-oriented scenes with seemingly correct color correction.

Am I crazy? Or is there something here that just doesn't seem right.

- Steve

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Screenshots from Prowlers of the Everglades
(Color seems to be incorrect)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:00:04)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:00:10)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:00:17)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:00:23)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:00:29)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:01:04)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:04:13)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:05:00)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:10:42)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:13:11)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:31:17)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:31:24)
(Click to enlarge)


"Prowlers of the Everglades" Film (0:31:54)
(Click to enlarge)

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Screenshots from Water Birds
(Color appears correct)


"Water Birds" Film (0:00:03)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:00:10)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:00:16)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:00:20)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:00:26)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:01:17)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:06:30)
(Click to enlarge)


"Water Birds" Film (0:14:32)
(Click to enlarge)

[ichabod]

Thankyou, I would have done this myself only being in the UK my PC is set to region 2 and I couldn't take screencaps of the set.

As can clearly be seen, there is an issue. As was mentioned in the true life adventures thread, there does seem to be some sort of fix to this problem if you use component cables (the red/blue/green instead of one yellow) becuase you can switch them around yourself, although this has only been reported by one person and I guess we'd need another person with component capability on their TV / DVD player to confirm.

The RKO / True Life Adventures logos were virtually identical for all TLAs, the RKO logo being blue and the writing being white on the, so the far that the logo and writing are red and yellow respectively immediately struck me as something being wrong.

Well I suppose the logical next stages would be to confirm whether using component cables solves the problem although that won't help anyone who doesn't have the capacity to use them, so naturally if we complain (and knowing the members of this forum they'll whine here but won't call Disney even though it's free to complain) to see if there is a problem.

Again could someone call Disney to see if they are aware of this issue? Again I'd do it if I could, but am in the UK so it wouldn't be free for me.

[Chernabog]

Thank you for this massive work. That is exactly what I was so upset about. I think you have right in the things you said about that it´s propably an error in the making of the disc, not the restoration of the film itself. I can´t imagine that Roy Disney should have approved it otherwise.

[darth_deetoo]

It looks like I owe an apology. I'd thought the colour was okay when I first watched this, just a slight pinkish tinge in some parts, but I didn't think it was as drastic a change as you would get if the component inputs were the mixed up. I've just tried switching the red and blue inputs on my TV, and the colours are much more natural. I think this one still suffers a bit with the quality of the original source material, but by switching component inputs, it's much more vibrant green's and browns, and the pinkish tinge is gone.

Apologies for disbelieving earlier. Whether there will be a repressing or not remains to be seen. I'm in the UK, so I'll just be sticking with what I've got anyway and will just have to remember to switch the inputs when I watch this one.

[ichabod]

Well thankyou for confirming that switching the component cables can offer a fix. I personally am not blessed with a TV with that has component sockets, but no doubt next time I get a TV it will be a with them. I would have done this earlier, but now it's a necessity!
Obviously it would be better if Disney offered a disc replacement option, but since Pigs are currently circling overhead I think we all know that's a long shot. Someone should call them (hint!)

It certainly looks like that would be the problem caused at the DVD production stage, probably not at the restoration stage.

[Tannerman]

Glad you found this helpful. It's sort of been driving me nuts (and frankly, I'm now sick of alligators!)

I also posted this over at HomeTheaterForum.com and one of the members there actually took 4 of the screen captures and flipped the red and blue color data in Photoshop. Take a look and see if that pretty much answers our question regarding what happened here:

Before:


After:


=-=-=-=-=

Before:


After:


=-=-=-=-=

Before:


After:


=-=-=-=-=

Before:


After:

[Chernabog]

A new pressing of the disc Disney......
Replacement, replacement...

[Billy Moon]

Told you so!


Sorry...

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Oh, those colours are charming, aren't they?

[MichaeLeah]

I have component video cables and I can confirm everything you guys have said. What an incredible difference. When you switch the blue and red cable everything looks completely natural and beautiful. The remastering job is absolutely terrific when the sky is blue!

I called Disney and reported the problem in detail. I recommend that everyone who owns this DVD do the same. I think that if they get enough calls they will recall the bad DVD and replace it with a new one. Here is the number to dial: 800-723-4763.

[Eeyore]

That's pretty dang conclusive. Not like there wasn't a hint when the water is green with red reflections.

[ichabod]

I've already posted this is in Legacy thread, but I'll put it here again incase some didn't see it. Acoording to a post at the home theater forum supposedly Disney will offer replacement discs in 6-8 weeks when new discs are ready.

[darth_deetoo]

The only problem here is for all those of us who bought the discs overseas. It's always an issue when you get something like this happen.

You don't know when new stocks arrive in online stores to order the corrected copy.

You probably won't be able to get the corrected discs from Disney.

I've always got the component solution, but it would be nice if they would consider overseas customers when a mistake like this happens. Especially when you are talking about product we'll probably never be able to buy in our domestic market.

[ichabod]

You probably won't be able to get the corrected discs from Disney.

There seems to be a feeling that Disney won't send replacement discs to people outside America, but from my experience they've been more than happy to send me replacements in the UK for faulty discs. Perhaps some of the people on the helpline are more generous than others?

Anyway I'm sure if they refuse to send them in the UK that some nice friendly US UD member will be more than happy to help us out. Or at least they'd better!

[dvdjunkie]

Well, I had to see this for myself, so I scraped some bucks together and had my wife go buy a copy of the True Life Adventure disc that has "Prowlers" on it, just so I could see what all the fuss is about.

Now, after watching it three times, I can tell you, it is evident that Disney has been made aware of the problem, because my disc was perfect in every way. I even watched it on a regular DVD player and not my Blu-Ray (which really makes this look superior) and the colors are exactly as they should be.

Either you guys got first pressings which were defective and now you have to wait for replacement discs, or you could get your receipt and take the set back and replace it at the place where you bought it. After talking with management at the Best Buy where my wife bought ours, they will replace your defective set with a new one, that way you don't have to wait for the mail and take a chance on something getting lost.

Find your receipt, and take the True Life Adventure back to where it was purchased, and I'll bet you get a new one that is perfect, and you won't have anything to complain about.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

I just ordered these sets, but most of them haven't been shipped yet because the online store has them "on order"... So I hope every problem will be fixed on my copies when I eventually get them.

[Tannerman]

Now, after watching it three times, I can tell you, it is evident that Disney has been made aware of the problem, because my disc was perfect in every way.

dvdjunkie, could you post the authoring date from your disc?

[dvdjunkie]

If you tell me how I do that, I would be glad to.

[Beastboyravenz]

I bought the first Volume today and mine looked like photo negatives aswell. I bought it at Best Buy. So if I call Disney they'll send me a replacement? How does it work exactly?

[Tannerman]

If you tell me how I do that, I would be glad to.

I posted the following in the general True-Life Adventures thread regarding the issues found on Secrets of Life, but it will be helpful here for figuring out the dates on this volume as well:

The Disc Date is printed on the bottom side of the disc near the hub. My copy has some numbers there which I believe denote the volume number of the pressing: 310056 L1 (L5450) TL4-0N-NM1.1. However, if I take my disc and look really closely at the right angle, I can also see a date printed in an area a little higher (further from the hub) using a smaller font size.


Red arrow denotes Disc Date
(Note larger numbers text on right side of photo)

To find the File Date, I looked inside the "VIDEO_TS" directory when viewing via Windows Explorer on my PC.


Red arrow denotes File Date

If you could share both your Disc Date and File Date, perhaps we can figure out if you have a newer pressing that hopefully would have solved the issue.

Thanks.