Gregatron's G1 season 3 DVD Review
Gregatron
Rhino has finally listened and added an "original broadcast audio"
option for season 3 part 1 instead of forcing their crappy "enhanced"
soundtracks upon us. Gregatron is pleased.
Although I have not yet seen all the episodes in the set, I have yet
to encounter the types of animation errors (which were corrected for
the broadcast versions) that popped up in the prior DVD sets.
My only complaints (so far):
1. Five Faces of Darkness parts 1, 2, and 4 use the "standard" season
3 intro credits. The special FFOD main titles are used for parts 3 and
5. However, the FFOD intro clearly comes from the 1" broadcast masters
while the "standard" titles are lush, 35 mm versions. Somehow, I don't
think Rhino attached the wrong main titles to the episodes. Those
titles may have already been part of the 35mm masters, and Rhino
thought that was the correct intro.
That, or Rhino's hired the Coked-Up Werewolf from Late Night With
Conan O'Brien to work on these DVDs.
2. The DVD version of Dark Awakening uses the narration at the end
hinting at the Return of Optimus Prime. This in itself isn't bad (it
allows fans who have never heard the narration before to experience
it), but the fact that the DVD has *3* audio tracks could have lent
itself to having *both* versions on the DVD, making *everyone* happy.
On a similar topic, Cosmos' dialogue from FFOD part 4 *is* on the DVD
(there was some concern it wouldn't be, as it did not appear in some
earlier video releases).
The historical trailers appear to be attached to the episodes they
originally aried with *and* they also appear as extras on disc 3, for
those who just want to see the trailers alone. Only 3 trailers are
included (Autobots, Decepticons, Predicons), and the remaining
trailers will likely appear in Season 3 part 2.
The PSAs are a fantastic extra, as they are an interesting "what if?"
in G1 history. I didn't know they were complete! The music in each PSA
appears to be a lyric-less version of the season 2 main title music.
If only The extras in these sets were more comprehensive (like the
Japanese laserdiscs, which came with booklets containing the
characters' animation model sheets). The usual "collectible animation
cels" are useless, and yet another "Taste of Botcon" seems redundant
(also, it would be better to have DVD extras that celebrated the
*series*, instead of topical collector's convention footage that will
date badly). Also, I wish the extras in each set were geared toward
the appropriate season. Having PSAs made for season 2 on the season 3
set seems a bit odd.
Overall, this may be the best Rhino set yet. Aside from the minor
issues of the FFOD title problem and having just one version of Dark
Awakening, I'm satisfied (so far). Once I get through the entire set,
I'll report back.
- Gregatron
•° † Çyånîðé † °•
will this be in part 2 of the set? also, did Rhino put the episodes out
of order again?
Chris McFeely
> will this be in part 2 of the set?
Obviously.
also, did Rhino put the episodes out
> of order again?
Again? I didn't know they changed anything on the earlier sets (unless you
think that stuff like "Aerial Assault" coming before "Starscream's Bridge"
even though it features the Combaticons is Rhino's doing, because it's not,
it originally aired that way).
But, anyway, for this set, they moved the order of some around, as you can
see by comparing this:
http://www.tfclub.com/tffans/rom/200310110001_10279.jpg
To the original listing on Zob's site:
66. "Five Faces of Darkness" part 1
67. "Five Faces of Darkness" part 2
68. "Five Faces of Darkness" part 3
69. "Five Faces of Darkness" part 4
70. "Five Faces of Darkness" part 5
71. "The Killing Jar"
72. "Chaos"
73. "Dark Awakening"
74. "Forever is a Long Time Coming"
75. "Starscream's Ghost"
76. "Thief in the Night"
77. "Surprise Party"
78. "Madman's Paradise"
79. "Nightmare Planet"
80. "Ghost in the Machine"
81. "Webworld"
For this first sixteen of season three, they dropped Nightmare Planet and
Ghost in the Machine, and moved up Carnage in C-Minor and Fight or Flee.
I don't quite know why so many were reorganised, but Fight or Flee IS
supposed to come before "Starscream's Ghost," and it did not in the original
airing order, so moving it is a good move. I don't know if similiar
continuity issue were why the changed the order... or perhaps they got their
hands on a production order guide that shows that this is how it's supposed
to go.
Chris
Mr Director
"Chris McFeely" <ma...@troy49.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bmkdf9$tos$1...@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
I'll be getting my set tomorrow from Amazon. So far this sounds promising.
Looking forward to it.
Tut
Got my box set Tuesday, and I have to say this is the first
time in awhile I've been able to excitedly go out and pick up something
new for TF's. Very refreshing.
> Rhino has finally listened and added an "original broadcast audio"
> option for season 3 part 1 instead of forcing their crappy "enhanced"
> soundtracks upon us. Gregatron is pleased.
Okay, I'm wierd. I *like* the 5.1 surround. There are probably
two reasons for this: 1)We have a home theatre system so you can really
get the sense of travelling sound and cool explosions in our living room,
small as it is; and 2)I'm practically deaf in my right ear and the
enhanced sound means that I can hear things clearly for the first time
in almost twenty years. For example, when I got the first box set last
May and watched "Countdown to Extinction", I could finally understand in
crisp detail Starscream's line about, "I shall be Lord Starscream, tyrant
of the *firmament*!" Ever since I was a kid I had trouble hearing what
Starscream wanted to be tyrant of. Yay surround sound. Yay RCA home theatre.
I could understand a purist POV and wanting the original broadcast
specs, but I'll always go for surround. I'm just mad they don't caption
any of the episodes. Do you know how many hilarious goofs there are in
the closed-captioning for the FHE release of FFOD?
> Although I have not yet seen all the episodes in the set, I have yet
> to encounter the types of animation errors (which were corrected for
> the broadcast versions) that popped up in the prior DVD sets.
I skipped around on the set. Another nice feature of DVD's is
the ability to skip around and be bad... >:) Better scroll down or
click to another message if you don't want the spoilers:
"Thief in the Night" seemed to be in a poor state of preservation
when they remastered it. I kept seeing lines in the picture. So far
that's the only place I've seen it, though. I think I also spotted a
fingerprint they couldn't take out somewhere in it...
> My only complaints (so far):
>
> 1. Five Faces of Darkness parts 1, 2, and 4 use the "standard" season
> 3 intro credits. The special FFOD main titles are used for parts 3 and
> 5. However, the FFOD intro clearly comes from the 1" broadcast masters
> while the "standard" titles are lush, 35 mm versions.
What? Boy, you snooze, you lose around here... I had no idea there
was a specific intro for FFOD, because the FHE release uses the standard
Third Season intro. That's really all I've had to compare to since I ordered
the FHE video back in January 1993.
> 2. The DVD version of Dark Awakening uses the narration at the end
> hinting at the Return of Optimus Prime. This in itself isn't bad (it
> allows fans who have never heard the narration before to experience
> it), but the fact that the DVD has *3* audio tracks could have lent
> itself to having *both* versions on the DVD, making *everyone* happy.
So how would that work, if they'd included both versions? Forgive the
naive question, but would you have to select through the menu a different
audio track? (Part of this may be we're running the DVD's off a PS2 so
we can't always select the same functions.)
> The historical trailers appear to be attached to the episodes they
> originally aried with *and* they also appear as extras on disc 3,
Yes, and that aggravates the living daylights out of me. I was
hoping they would leave them out since they're on the extras disc. I know
the original broadcasts had them, but I always assumed they were a filler
and DVD's don't have to worry about time slots. Correct me if I missed a
panel somewhere on this...
> The usual "collectible animation cels" are useless,
Enh, I mildly disagree. But then again I dig that kinda stuff. I
just remember my brother buying a Season 1 box set before I picked mine
up, and he called to tell me, "Hey, mine came with a cel of Starscream.
I won't let you have it but I'll let you scan it..." When I got mine and
opened it up I discovered every set had the same ones, so I was like,
"HAH! Shows you!!!" HAH! >:)
> and yet another "Taste of Botcon" seems redundant
> (also, it would be better to have DVD extras that celebrated the
> *series*, instead of topical collector's convention footage that will
> date badly).
I'm in agreeance. Before I just watched the extras because they
were there, and that was it. But this time I somehow felt as though my
collection of episodes had been rather sullied by this...effluvia. I
feel somehow that in the greater scheme of things the coverage of one
particular convention will be insignificant and, as you said, will date
these releases horribly. Like Hot Rod said, "I just got this feeling."
Anyway, elsewhere in thread:
>I don't quite know why so many were reorganised, but Fight or Flee IS
>supposed to come before "Starscream's Ghost," and it did not in the original
>airing order, so moving it is a good move. I don't know if similiar
>continuity issue were why the changed the order... or perhaps they got their
>hands on a production order guide that shows that this is how it's supposed
>to go.
Okay, once more I find this wierd. As a kid I can remember seeing
"Starscream's Ghost" the first time it aired, and I could swear I remember
seeing "Thief in the Night" first. And I'm pretty sure I remember seeing
"Ghost in the Machine" right after that. Does anybody know of a resource
giving original air dates?
This almost revives in my soul the severe anger I had at my dad for
taping over our original recording of post-movie TF episodes...I think
we had the original airings of those episodes and "Webworld", so they
could've suggested a correct order. But nooooooooooo, Dad had to tape
over a clearly labeled recording with the colorized version of "Sargeant
York". Back in 1992 when I figured out where half our episode collection
went I was incensed, and my hunt for replacements set in motion a chain
of events that landed me here today. Go figure.
I guess that's why I'm just glad to have the series being remastered
and digitally encoded forever. Eleven years ago all I wanted was just to
watch "Starscream's Ghost" and its sequel, and "Webworld" again; I would
have never dreamed that I could have the whole series this crisp and
pretty, sounding clear enough to understand, and preserved for the ages.
That in itself has me pretty damn happy, so I can't complain with any
real seriousness about the rest of it. I just can't wait for the second
half to come out so I can watch Starscream cry exultantly, "I LIVE AGAIN!"
in digital clarity.
In a sense, he speaks for the whole series.
--Tut, has a reason to yell "Hail Galvatron!" again
Gyumaoh
>3 intro credits.
That kinda sucks.
>2. The DVD version of Dark Awakening uses the narration at the end
>hinting at the Return of Optimus Prime.
That sucks too. The "so long Prime" version was better. Oh well. Sounds like
pretty minor problems compared to earlier releases. I'll be getting this one.
Gyumaoh
>giving original air dates?
David Minter
>Although I have not yet seen all the episodes in the set, I have yet
>to encounter the types of animation errors (which were corrected for
>the broadcast versions) that popped up in the prior DVD sets.
I, for one, would appreciate a follow up on this. I'm still
divided, on the fence whether I should invest in this or not after set
2-2 was such a crash and burn after waiting for reviews on 2-1 first.
>2. The DVD version of Dark Awakening uses the narration at the end
>hinting at the Return of Optimus Prime. This in itself isn't bad (it
>allows fans who have never heard the narration before to experience
>it), but the fact that the DVD has *3* audio tracks could have lent
>itself to having *both* versions on the DVD, making *everyone* happy.
Oh, well... I somehow knew I'd always end up keeping those DVD's
I made from the Rhino VHS boxed sets released around, when was it?
1999?
Downtown Torpedo
> brund...@hotmail.com (Gregatron) wrote:
>
>
> >Although I have not yet seen all the episodes in the set, I have yet
> >to encounter the types of animation errors (which were corrected for
> >the broadcast versions) that popped up in the prior DVD sets.
>
>
> I, for one, would appreciate a follow up on this. I'm still
> divided, on the fence whether I should invest in this or not after set
> 2-2 was such a crash and burn after waiting for reviews on 2-1 first.
What was so bad about 2-2? I'm planning to pick up 3-1, which means
2-2 will be the only one I don't have...should I skip it? I don't mind
the 5.1 extra sounds, so if that be the only problem, it's jake.
> >2. The DVD version of Dark Awakening uses the narration at the end
> >hinting at the Return of Optimus Prime. This in itself isn't bad (it
> >allows fans who have never heard the narration before to experience
> >it), but the fact that the DVD has *3* audio tracks could have lent
> >itself to having *both* versions on the DVD, making *everyone* happy.
>
>
> Oh, well... I somehow knew I'd always end up keeping those DVD's
> I made from the Rhino VHS boxed sets released around, when was it?
> 1999?
Could someone make an avi/mpeg of that last bit with the original
audio and post it? It'd probably only be a megabyte or two.
Downtown.
Gregatron
UPDATE: I've gotten through the set up to "Madman's Paradise", and
haven't noticed much in the way of incomplete animation/bad fixes.
Kup appears to be moving in a staccato fashion instead of running in a
loop in the clip from FFOD in the end credits, and the Quintesson's
mouth isn't moving in a close-up in The Killing Jar (Was it like that
in the broadcast version, too? I don't recall offhand...), but I
haven't seen any other problems so far.
- Gregatron
Chris McFeely
> 2-2 will be the only one I don't have...should I skip it? I don't mind
> the 5.1 extra sounds, so if that be the only problem, it's jake.
The 2.0 stereo track for every episode had all the extra sounds on it, when
they were only supposed to be on the 5.1 track.
Chris
David Minter
>David Minter <dmi...@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:<hl5vovs29rjv0e0bl...@4ax.com>...
>> Oh, well... I somehow knew I'd always end up keeping those DVD's
>> I made from the Rhino VHS boxed sets released around, when was it?
>> 1999?
>
>
>Could someone make an avi/mpeg of that last bit with the original
>audio and post it? It'd probably only be a megabyte or two.
Yeah, but, the video quality of mine would probably look bad on
a PC screen. I can try, though. I need something to test when I
reinstall those tools. As for POSTING it, well, it's illegal. :)
David Minter
>Kup appears to be moving in a staccato fashion instead of running in a
>loop in the clip from FFOD in the end credits,
Probably a result of the encoding from the master. The original
has so few frames of animation to represent the running the encoding
software might have just immediately jumped from frame to frame. And,
it appears that, in the past, Rhino didn't exactly VIEW their encoded
DVD when it was done, e.g. Heavy Metal War. I've seen the Panasonic
DMR series do similar things with scenes that speed by too fast as a
result of the reduced number of frames coming in in real time.
>and the Quintesson's
>mouth isn't moving in a close-up in The Killing Jar (Was it like that
>in the broadcast version, too? I don't recall offhand...), but I
>haven't seen any other problems so far.
In which part? The Quintesson was in a lot of that episode. :)
David Minter
>UPDATE: I've gotten through the set up to "Madman's Paradise", and
>haven't noticed much in the way of incomplete animation/bad fixes.
Pay close attention to Forever Is A Long Time Coming, in
particular. When Rhino released the VHS copy in, what, 1999? they
made 2 odd edits. I don't remember the other one off hand, but, the
one I do remember is during the attack sequences near the beginning.
A scene was replaced with a previous scene, but the audio goes on as
normal. I think maybe it was even just a still image, but, I can't be
certain. And, I'm too lazy at the moment to go get the DVD's I made.
:) If Rhino messed it up BEFORE, imagine what they may do with it
now?
Gregatron
I haven't noticed that. More info is necessary.
Anyway, I've now seen all the episodes. The picture quality is
fabulous (although many shots in "Thief in the Night" have blue
scratches running vertically down the frame--no fault of Rhino's), and
the original audio is...well, the original audio!!!! I didin't really
notice any/many incomplete animation, etc., like the prior releases.
Overall, this is the best of the DVD releases thus far. Unfortunately,
Rhino's learning curve has been at our expense.
- Gregatron
Elc
> Anyway, I've now seen all the episodes. The picture quality is
> fabulous (although many shots in "Thief in the Night" have blue
> scratches running vertically down the frame--no fault of Rhino's), and
> the original audio is...well, the original audio!!!! I didin't really
> notice any/many incomplete animation, etc., like the prior releases.
I think I may have noticed one "incomplete" segment in "Fight or Flee". Right after Ultra Magnus sets the bomb
and turns to make his escape with Sandstorm, Galvatron is at the end of the passage and laughs before firing
his cannon. I remember in the broadcast copy I have, when the camera zoomed in on the cannon, it fired without
a sound effect before switching to a view of Magnus and Sandstorm on the receiving end of said shot *with* the
accompanying sound.
On the DVD, however, *no* shot is fired from the cannon when the camera zooms in, but it actually works better
that way.
My only complaint with this set is... only 16 episodes. It goes by way too fast, and I'd rather not wait
several months for the final set to be released.
Gyumaoh
The Seaspay one had Wally Burr filling in as Seaspray; it was incomplete in
that sense.
>I think I may have noticed one "incomplete" segment in "Fight or Flee". Right
>after Ultra Magnus sets the bomb
>and turns to make his escape with Sandstorm, Galvatron is at the end of the
>passage and laughs before firing
>his cannon. I remember in the broadcast copy I have, when the camera zoomed
>in on the cannon, it fired without
>a sound effect before switching to a view of Magnus and Sandstorm on the
>receiving end of said shot *with* the
>accompanying sound.
>
>On the DVD, however, *no* shot is fired from the cannon when the camera zooms
>in, but it actually works better
>that way.
That part does indeed seem screwed up. I'll have to dig up my old VHS copy and
compare to make certain.