DVDizzy Forum

Blu-Ray.com has reported that WB will released Friends and The West Wing to Blu-Ray in 2010!:

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3814

"Warner Home Video will reportedly intends to start releasing two television series from its catalog on Blu-ray in 2010: the sitcom 'Friends' and the drama 'The West Wing'. No other release details are available, and this information must be considered unofficial until there is an announcement from the studio.

It must be noted that both series were shot on film, not video."

Good to hear. I only have Season 1 of "Friends" at the moment, but I'd like to continue. And with what's on the Season 1 DVD, there's a lot of room for improvement video quality wise...

Was 'Friends' shot on film or videotape? 'Cause that will impact it's appearance on Blu...

Mickeyfan's post ends with this, Cordy.

• It must be noted that both series were shot on film, not video.

zackisthewalrus wrote:And with what's on the Season 1 DVD, there's a lot of room for improvement video quality wise...

I think it's because they probably used the video masters (instead of the film masters) for the first five seasons when they put them out on DVD. Which is why it looks like it's taped off the telly. On the plus side, at least we're getting it as it was seen in 1994!

Most studios will use old video masters rather than remaster the film, at least for catalogue titles in their TV library that they feel isn't worth the investment of remastering. That, or they simply want to get it out there because it's popular enough that people will buy it even if the a/v quality is less-than-it-should be.

That's why I refuse to buy a show like "Dallas" on DVD. For one thing, the DVDs are double-sided. And not only do they use the unrestored video masters, sometimes they've used the syndicated version of episodes rather than the original broadcast version. In addition, on some of the later seasons, they've crammed as many as five episodes on one side of a disc, just to fit 30 episodes on 3 discs (5 episodes on 6 sides).

Plus, I prefer "Dynasty" over "Dallas" anyway.

ETA:
TVShowsonDVD confirms from their sources that the two shows are NOT coming out in 2010, and the original source of the news item (Zonadvd.com) was wrong.

albert

Escapay wrote:Mickeyfan's post ends with this, Cordy.

• It must be noted that both series were shot on film, not video.

zackisthewalrus wrote:And with what's on the Season 1 DVD, there's a lot of room for improvement video quality wise...

I think it's because they probably used the video masters (instead of the film masters) for the first five seasons when they put them out on DVD. Which is why it looks like it's taped off the telly. On the plus side, at least we're getting it as it was seen in 1994!



albert

Whoops! Missed that bit. Thanks Scaps.

I'm thrilled to see that "The West Wing" might be coming to Blu-ray, it being my favorite television drama of all time. Perhaps they will give the last three seasons the bonus features they were sorely lacking the first time around.

Having said that, I just bought the complete series box set on DVD about a year ago, and while I'm sure it will look lovely in hi-def, I'm in no hurry to re-buy the whole series. "TWW" is a show that has its virtues in its writing and excellent performances, and whether I see that in hi-def or standard right now is of no major consequence.