2 DVDs of same film run different lengths but no missing scenes

[headless chicken]

I have two DVDs of the same film by different manufacturers which run different lengths. At first I thought the difference in duration was because one version simply had some scenes cut, but after scanning through both discs I don't think that is the case. Instead, the issue seems to be that the longer version (BEI brand) which runs 3hrs 9min at 23fps has been stretched out because the pitch seems a bit off (ie. lower) compared to the 2hr 56min disc (Spark brand) which runs at 29.97fps.

Actually, the certificate below contains info on the film gauge, length in meters and number of reels. I could probably figure out the film length in minutes if I knew the formula, but I don't.


Unfortunately, both discs have visual flaws. The BEI disc has a crisper picture for the most part though the flesh tones are off in places and there are scenes where one of the RGB inputs seems to be missing so there is a pink or greenish tint to the image. The Spark disc has a better overall contrast and color rendering, although the picture flickers in a few scenes so you can see the black edges of the film. However, the Spark disc is blurrier and seems to have been mastered from another source. I've provided screen shots to illustrate what I mean below.

Top image - BEI , Bottom image - Spark


















Is there anything I can do to correct the BEI disc so it's virtually flawless? If I converted to XviD, would I be able to change the speed so that it runs 2hrs 56min like I believe it is supposed to? I tried changing the framerate from 23 to 29fps in D-Vision but it did not work. Handbrake was able to change the fps but the film ran the same length.

Also, is there some program I can use to add back the colors in the scenes where they are messed up?

Perhaps I'm better off calling the distributor and asking them if I got a defective disc.

[ctf]

hello the correct length for your film is (all numbers rounded)
5234m=17174 feet
there are 16 frames per foot in 35mm
so 17174 x 16=274784 frames
35mm in prjectors/fima cameras runs at 24 frames per second
274784/24=11,449 seconds
11449/60 = minutes =190 minutes
which is 3hrs and 10 minutes
So the BEI film is correct.

But it looks like it has been transferred from some less than optimal source (faded print??) where the dyes in the film have faded over time. Sometimes different coloured dyes fade at different rates so you end up with magenta pictures or greeny/cyan pictures.
A way to try and make the Spark Brand dvd play to the right length would be to rip it to a 29.97 quicktime ( as good as you can...) and then reconform in Cinema Tools (part of Apple's Final Cut Studio) to a 24fps quicktime. This is a practically instant process and your quicktime movie will now be at 24fps and play slower than it did.

there are probably any number of clever ways to do th above process with programs like "avisynth" and "virtual dub" but i have 2 children and work making pretty television pictures so I've never had time to learn them! If someone on this thread has crossed over into the pc realm of things they may be able to help. Hope so!
jamie

[ctf]

sorry the other question was can the rubbish looking but right length DVD be fixed...
well the short answer is yes....and no.
if most of the film is like the really purple image then there's probably no hope. If the film is more like the other images then no problem given the right software (and person to drive it...)
these were done with photoshop. On a very compressed jpeg so cut me some slack.
The kit i work on is a davinci 2k a hardware colour corrector (see i'm British...) however in the land of software there are some good options
color- part of the final cut studio
colorista a plug in for final cut
color finesse for after effects
premiere pro
avid xpress has colour correction in it...
and probably more. The problem is once colour has faded to the dgree that the "really purple image" has, there's very little that can be done without very expensive telecines and stuff. That's probably unlikely here. so the best option may be to just steal the bits from your good looking copy and fix the speed on those bits. then marry the bits up.
This has been done in restoration jobs before. Some bits thought previously lost from films/tv shows have been found in aircraft hangars where they were used as in flight movies on 16mm. stuff like that. its like being a detective that job!
anyway must go..
bye for now