After months of rumors, announcements and cancellations, a new Blu-ray edition of Ridley Scott's Gladiator has at last been actually released in the Netherlands. Eager enthusiasts have compared the picture quality of this new release with that released last year and confirmed that the image is now noticeably superior. The Digital Bits has received confirmation that this remastered disc will also be available in the US, and that Paramount Home Entertainment will implement a "limited exchange program."



The studio admits that the first edition had edge enhancement and digital video noise reduction, but it does not acknowledge that the product was defective.



Rather, it posits that some consumers "may have preferential issues with some of the technical DVNR (digital video noise reduction) and EE (edge enhancement) choices made in the original source transfer, and so would prefer to exchange it for one that addresses those preferences in a different manner. While the version that we originally distributed was of the highest quality, some enthusiasts may prefer to view it without the Edge Enhancement and DVNR implemented as standard process in bringing the film to hi-def. This new master resolves those issues."



Those interested in receiving a replacement disc should contact Paramount Home Entertainment's service hotline number 323-956-3010 for instructions.



For those in North America who don't yet own the disc, a running production change has been initiated, so future copies shipped to retailers will include the new transfer. In other countries around the world, the new disc is being gradually rolled out in each region by Universal: contact your local distributor for details.



Update



Universal (which holds the UK rights to the movie) is also setting up an exchange program, and is sending the following instructions: "If you wish to exchange your original DVNR (digital video noise reduction) feature disc we ask that you send us just your disc 1 in an envelope with your name and address enclosed. Please keep your original packaging and we will post you out a new disc 1."



Disc 1 should be mailed to the following address:



Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd

'Gladiator Exchange'

Prospect House

80-110 New Oxford Street

London

WC1A 1HB







New discs will not be available in the UK for approximately one month.



