Blu ray Vs Sky HD - Sound sounds slower?

Bubo · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:41

I've just bought the Harry Potter bluray box set after having kept the films on my Sky HD box for some time and it is immediately apparent that the films plays back slower on the bluray compared to Sky. This is noticable as everyones voices and music sounds deeper. I am using the ps3 as the player which is outptting 1080p/24Hz to my Sony Bravia Z4500 TV.

So which is the correct speed? I would have thought that if the film was shot at 24Hz and if the PS3 definately is outputting at 24Hz then that would be correct, but it does sound odd to the ears after watching the films on Sky. Or is this something peculiar to the PS3, or is this just showing up a balls up on Sky's part?

I know there has always been a problem with tv video formats between the US and the UK which can end up with them speeding up if not properly corrected, but I didn't think this would apply to blurays?

Any ideas?

james.miller · 28 Apr 2011 at 17:10

the bluray will be the correct speed unless they somehow made a monumental balls up.

Meatball · 28 Apr 2011 at 17:34

99.9% of film is recorded on 35m at 24fps (23.976 to be more precise.) UK PAL DVD and digital TV broadcast (Satellite, Freeview or cable) dictates 25fps and here in lies the problem. Footage shot at 24fps is sped up by 4% to 25fps which you've noticed. NTSC DVD and TV is converted from 24fps to 30fps using 3:2 Pulldown. NTSC DVD and TV is technically superior in this respect as 3:2 can be converted back to it's original 24fps 1:1. Bare in mind though PAL has more resolution than NTSC (576 vs 480) Only films on Blu-Ray maintain the original 24fps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecine - look at this article

Sirrel Squirrel · 29 Apr 2011 at 09:33

You can convert back to 24 from 25 too by slowing it down again

You're right though, the Blu-ray is how it should look and sound although many people can't tell the difference.

Bubo · 29 Apr 2011 at 10:08

Sirrel Squirrel said:
You're right though, the Blu-ray is how it should look and sound although many people can't tell the difference.

Yes, after watching the films so many times on Sky Hermione sounds like a man to me on blu ray

Pestilence · 29 Apr 2011 at 23:27

Bubo said:
Yes, after watching the films so many times on Sky Hermione sounds like a man to me on blu ray

Hahahaha.

As others have said, the Blu-ray is the intended theatrical presentation.