Post by Admin on Apr 29, 2004 22:49:40 GMT
Here we go......
The North American version of West Wing season one is as follows:
PACKAGING:
Similar to what we've just seen with the UK season three release. There are a few differences between the two in terms of what they look like but overall, they are based on the same idea. The box is thinner than the UK s3 release because it only needs to hold four discs. The inside booklet is exactly the same (in terms of how it looks and is organised) as the UK S3 booklet - but who wouldn't have anticipated that!?
The packaging makes no mention of region code enhancement (neither does playusa.com and they're usually on the ball when mentioning this alongside a title it applies to).
THE DISCS
I'm not a fan of double sided discs (DSDs), not in any form they may want to be. I shake my fist at Warner Bros for releasing West Wing on DSDs. My dislike of them is partly to do with me not the most careful bloke in the world and one of these discs IS going to get scratched. But secondly, and more importantly, they look crap! At least with UK TWW discs we get one side painted with whatever it may be - title or seal of the president. DSDs just do not, and I suppose never will, look the part.
THE MATERIAL WITHIN.....
The menu design is similar to the UK s3 menus, albeit with different pictures of the cast.
This next part, please, sit down before you read this.....
THE EPISODES ARE NAMED AND NUMBERED!!!!!!!!
Holy GOD! We in the Uk get 1,2,3,4,5,6..... and so on, THE US GETS THE NUMBERS ALONGSIDE THE NAME OF THE EPISODE!!!!!!!
I really cannot understand what is so difficult for Warner UK that prevents them from naming the episodes on the menus rather than just numbering them.
:: Picture Quality ::
Although the set boasts about being a new digital transfer, the image quality is not as sharp as the UK version. This is to be expected since UK television standards are higher quality than the NTSC standard. PAL has over 100 more lines of scan than NTSC, so obviously you get a better picture if you stay at home.
:: Sound Quality ::
Same as the UK release. Even the MIDI sequencer version (pre-orchestration) of the opening theme is left intact on the first four episodes.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
I've not let listened to the audio commentaries, and it should be made clear only five episodes carry a commentary from Aaron Sorkin et al.
The documentaries are the standard back-rubbing fare. More informative than an EPK (electronic press kit, that evil promo material you find on lowly DVD releases) but nothing to heavy. They are the sparkling wine of the champagne world - not as good as the real thing but better than WKD blue, or ice poles as I call them (ignore that if you don't get that
. You get the 'oh, the scripts are so great how could I turn it down' kinda thing along with the people behind the camera talking about this, that and the other.
Deleted Scenes: you can see why they were deleted, is all I can say. There are only four of them, the most mind numbing being a conversation between Charlie and Zoey.
Gag Reel: A bizarre collection of giggling and goofs edited into one quick little programme. You won't fall off your chair laughing, but it shows that even with NBC sticking hot pokers into the ears of Aaron Sorkin, there was no tension on set.
Both deleted scenes and the gag reel have not been mastered for anything, neither television nor this DVD. They are crappy looking in terms of image quality.
A quick five minute docu with W.G.S.W. explaining the ideas and what nots behind scoring the programme.
SO...... IN CONCLUSION:
I can't see anyone spending the best part of an evening watching the bonus materials. They are what they are, and that is material contained within that makes the back of the packaging read as interesting and worth buying. But is it worth buying? Yes, just. You could say the special features make up for the reduced image quality of the NTSC standard.
RATING (in * stars out of five *****)
Design * * * *
Picture * * * *
Features * * *
Overall * * * *
p.s. season one iteself is six stars out of five, that rating is based on what you get for your money,
AND.....
This just in, on May 18th North America gets a NEW widescreen transfer of season two. Although originally broadcast as full frame, and released in the UK as full frame, it would appear that the show WAS preserved for future widescreen display, and alas, here it comes..... on May 18th
The North American version of West Wing season one is as follows:
PACKAGING:
Similar to what we've just seen with the UK season three release. There are a few differences between the two in terms of what they look like but overall, they are based on the same idea. The box is thinner than the UK s3 release because it only needs to hold four discs. The inside booklet is exactly the same (in terms of how it looks and is organised) as the UK S3 booklet - but who wouldn't have anticipated that!?
The packaging makes no mention of region code enhancement (neither does playusa.com and they're usually on the ball when mentioning this alongside a title it applies to).
THE DISCS
I'm not a fan of double sided discs (DSDs), not in any form they may want to be. I shake my fist at Warner Bros for releasing West Wing on DSDs. My dislike of them is partly to do with me not the most careful bloke in the world and one of these discs IS going to get scratched. But secondly, and more importantly, they look crap! At least with UK TWW discs we get one side painted with whatever it may be - title or seal of the president. DSDs just do not, and I suppose never will, look the part.
THE MATERIAL WITHIN.....
The menu design is similar to the UK s3 menus, albeit with different pictures of the cast.
This next part, please, sit down before you read this.....
THE EPISODES ARE NAMED AND NUMBERED!!!!!!!!
Holy GOD! We in the Uk get 1,2,3,4,5,6..... and so on, THE US GETS THE NUMBERS ALONGSIDE THE NAME OF THE EPISODE!!!!!!!
I really cannot understand what is so difficult for Warner UK that prevents them from naming the episodes on the menus rather than just numbering them.
:: Picture Quality ::
Although the set boasts about being a new digital transfer, the image quality is not as sharp as the UK version. This is to be expected since UK television standards are higher quality than the NTSC standard. PAL has over 100 more lines of scan than NTSC, so obviously you get a better picture if you stay at home.
:: Sound Quality ::
Same as the UK release. Even the MIDI sequencer version (pre-orchestration) of the opening theme is left intact on the first four episodes.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
I've not let listened to the audio commentaries, and it should be made clear only five episodes carry a commentary from Aaron Sorkin et al.
The documentaries are the standard back-rubbing fare. More informative than an EPK (electronic press kit, that evil promo material you find on lowly DVD releases) but nothing to heavy. They are the sparkling wine of the champagne world - not as good as the real thing but better than WKD blue, or ice poles as I call them (ignore that if you don't get that
. You get the 'oh, the scripts are so great how could I turn it down' kinda thing along with the people behind the camera talking about this, that and the other.Deleted Scenes: you can see why they were deleted, is all I can say. There are only four of them, the most mind numbing being a conversation between Charlie and Zoey.
Gag Reel: A bizarre collection of giggling and goofs edited into one quick little programme. You won't fall off your chair laughing, but it shows that even with NBC sticking hot pokers into the ears of Aaron Sorkin, there was no tension on set.
Both deleted scenes and the gag reel have not been mastered for anything, neither television nor this DVD. They are crappy looking in terms of image quality.
A quick five minute docu with W.G.S.W. explaining the ideas and what nots behind scoring the programme.
SO...... IN CONCLUSION:
I can't see anyone spending the best part of an evening watching the bonus materials. They are what they are, and that is material contained within that makes the back of the packaging read as interesting and worth buying. But is it worth buying? Yes, just. You could say the special features make up for the reduced image quality of the NTSC standard.
RATING (in * stars out of five *****)
Design * * * *
Picture * * * *
Features * * *
Overall * * * *
p.s. season one iteself is six stars out of five, that rating is based on what you get for your money,
AND.....
This just in, on May 18th North America gets a NEW widescreen transfer of season two. Although originally broadcast as full frame, and released in the UK as full frame, it would appear that the show WAS preserved for future widescreen display, and alas, here it comes..... on May 18th
I like my picture quality I do!
