My two cents on season 1

[DaemonCorps]

Well maybe Mike didn't know that so many of us would go back on our word and end up getting the more less picture super ultimate set.

Anyways, I checked amazon.com's entry for the set and noticed that Corey put up all those ridiculous screenshots that show the set's flaws. Good way to spread it to the masses, since I'm sure this forum is a minority in all this.

[masenko]

Purchased the set today. Yeah...sorry. Well here's my "two cents"

Picture looks great. Widescreen is only annoying for a good 30 seconds. Just need a few for the eyes to get used to it. I love the colors and the clarity. Sure there's still dirt and glue in places but I mean, this show's from the 80's folks.

Sound is the highlight of the set. The new 5.1 mix of Japanese BGM and English Dub is pretty sweet. I still prefer the orginal Japanese but this is a giant leap over the third option.

As far as the presentation...well I like it. The "marathon feature" viewing option is awesome. One opening, 7 episodes, no recaps, one ending. Pretty convenient for those whom know each episode title by heart.

So a final grade?

B. Solid effort. Should be fullscreen but it isn't. It's going to be annoying when, in a few years, everyone has all widescreen televisions and are complaining about blackbars on the sides! Oh God No!

[JAPPO]

Can someone PLEASE post the full intro video. I know we have 32 seconds, but I really want to see it all.

Thanks in advance.

[DaemonCorps]

Can someone PLEASE post the full intro video. I know we have 32 seconds, but I really want to see it all.

Um... why?

The only reason people would ask for videos before this was because they couldn't get their hands on the set and see for themselves. But the set's been out since Tuesday and we've already seen a good number of scenes from this set to judge whether we should get this thing or not.

[JAPPO]

Can someone PLEASE post the full intro video. I know we have 32 seconds, but I really want to see it all.

Um... why?

The only reason people would ask for videos before this was because they couldn't get their hands on the set and see for themselves. But the set's been out since Tuesday and we've already seen a good number of scenes from this set to judge whether we should get this thing or not.

I've already said my set could take weeks to get here because of customs. No store sells them here.

[Gokuden553]

Can someone PLEASE post the full intro video. I know we have 32 seconds, but I really want to see it all.

Thanks in advance.

Go and watch a DBZ dubbed movie intro and you'll hear the full theme.

[Conan the SSJ]

Can someone PLEASE post the full intro video. I know we have 32 seconds, but I really want to see it all.

Thanks in advance.

Go and watch a DBZ dubbed movie intro and you'll hear the full theme.

Indeed, you'll find it on DBZ dub movies 6-7/9-12.

[JAPPO]

Really? The same as Vegeta Saga?

Thanks.

[Kendamu]

Watching more of the Widescreen release, these black bars are bothering me more and more. Some people seem to get used to Widescreen rather quickly. The opposite is happening with me.

If it were a DBZ movie I wouldn't care. Most things intended for Widescreen don't bother me with the black bars. However, I know that there's more to be seen on the top and bottom and that's why I can't get over this. That, and compared to the Dragonbox releases there's barely anything extra on the sides. Not enough for it to be easily noticed, anyway.

I'm not going to continue collecting this series in Widescreen. Hell, I never meant to start it in the first place. As far as I knew I cancelled my pre-order.

[TheMajinRedComet]

How about you watch the show that this forum loves. instead of thinking about dirty black bars, at least thats what I do.

[Kendamu]

I would but it seems that the show this forum loves has yet to get a proper DVD release in America.

[Mr.Piccolo]

I'm picking up the set when I get home from school today. Don't worry, I *won't* make another thread over this (Besides, I couldn't think of a witty name for a thread). But I will put a small review up if Conan doesn't mind. It'll be a balanced review and I'll provide clips and stuff if,uh, people show me how to do so...^.^'
-Rick

[JAPPO]

I'm picking up the set when I get home from school today. Don't worry, I *won't* make another thread over this (Besides, I couldn't think of a witty name for a thread). But I will put a small review up if Conan doesn't mind. It'll be a balanced review and I'll provide clips and stuff if,uh, people show me how to do so...^.^'
-Rick

Thanks.

If you have DVD burning software, most of them come with ripping software. Nero is popular.

[Kendamu]

Note: I'll get those screens up either over the weekend or on Monday.

This is what I essentially told the DBZ Brand Manager:

--------------

Likes:

1) Dub with Japanese music
2) Excellent subs
3) Marathon Mode
4) Original Japanese audio
5) Vibrant colors and less grain
6) Boxart and box color scheme
7) Price


Dislikes:

1) Widescreen -- I've seen all these episodes before in the old format and I can't stand not seeing the whole vertical picture. I feel like I'm missing something and it kind of ruins the "Yay! I'm watching DBZ!" vibe. Also, compared to the Japanese DVD releases there's no signifigant horizontal image gain. Compared to previous American releases there's considerable horizontal gain but not compared to the current Japanese 4:3 releases.

2) Dirt -- I've noticed a lot of dirt on this set that can be easily cleaned up if a little more time went into fixing this series up. Though it's an old series, the dirt should be cleaned up if it's going to be called "remastered".

3) Sound level -- I like the dub with Japanese music. However, the voices seem to overpower the music and it makes the music hard to hear. In the original Japanese audio I don't have this problem and in the original dub of the first three DBZ movies I don't have this problem.

4) No fullscreen option -- Yes, I know I'm repeating myself but I'd really like to see this set come out in 4:3 as well as 16:9 so that fans can have a choice in the matter. There are fans who like the 16:9 and fans who want 4:3. I say that FUNimation has the potential to please everyone in this case.

5) Dub opening theme -- The dub opening theme plays even if you choose dub with Japanese music. If I can't hear Cha La Head Cha La I ask this: at least speed up the dub opening theme. The tempo is too slow. Normally I just speed up the playback to 1.25x speed when the dub intro comes on. It makes the tune a lot more catchy and energetic. If I can't have Cha La Head Cha La with the dub, at least do something with the dub intro.

----------------------

So, there you go. That's my opinion of the set.

[omegacwa]

after watching a good amount of this season set, I have to say I like it a lot. The widescreen isn't that big of a deal to me, but if they released the next one with 4:3 or 16:9, I would buy it either way.

As for the re-mastering, the first couple episodes are still pretty dirty(maybe they were just in horrid condition?), but as the show progresses the cleanup is better. I didn't notice that much dirt or scratches during the Goku vs. Vegeta Fight.

[JAPPO]

I finally got it!!!

I had to pay 10 dollars customs, and I didn't like the delivery guy, but it was worth it.

I'll give my review shortly.

EDIT - Review time (I only watched episode 1, mind you).

PACKAGING

Much better than what it looks like on the Internet. Very nice case with bright colors and it is a set that will go well with all the other seasons.

The discs are placed on top of eachother, but it's not as bad as it sounds. It does save space.

The booklet is nice, I guess, but I only wanted it for the episode summaries because the majority of these episodes are different from what I remembered (Pioneer version).

B+

SOUND

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said?

This is by far the best sounding release I've ever seen. 5.1 surround (dub + Japanese bgm) is great, the voice acting is better than Pioneers (don't hurt me), and even the English dub music isn't that bad.

However, I do not like the Japanese mono. Just my preference

It gets an A for sound.

VIDEO (This is seperate from the WIDESCREEN section)

The video looks very clean and nice. That said, it is not perfect. There is some dirt that flash up for half a second, but it is hardly noticeable.

"Completely remastered" is certainly a stretch. However, for the most part, this is the best looking set you'll find.

Could be better, but so what? B+

WIDESCREEN FORMAT

OK get ready for my honest opinion.

I actually like it more than full screen.

Now before you shun me and ridicule me and then kill me, let me explain.

I have NOT watched this set on a full screen TV. Therefore, I cannot comment on if widescreen is better on a full screen TV.

On a widescreen MONITOR, which is as HD as a monitor can possibly can get, it looks extremely cinematic.

Are we losing footage? You bet. Do I notice the lost footage? 95% of the time, NO. If I don't notice any footage gone, it certainly doesn't take away from the experience.

There are *SOME* scenes that would be better full screen, but I'm not going to complain about a one-second scene.

Overall, B.

EXTRAS

I've seen the extras online, but not on the DVD. They are boring, to say the most.

Meh. D

CONTINUE BUYING THESE SETS? / CONCLUSION

I can answer that confidently with a YES. The total score is B+

I am watching the second episode now and it looks as good as the first. If anything DRASTIC happens and I change my mind, I'll change the review.

It was worth the wait! Sorry for the generic review!

[Conan the SSJ]

I'm picking up the set when I get home from school today. Don't worry, I *won't* make another thread over this (Besides, I couldn't think of a witty name for a thread). But I will put a small review up if Conan doesn't mind. It'll be a balanced review and I'll provide clips and stuff if,uh, people show me how to do so...^.^'
-Rick

I don't mind, that's basically what this thread is for. Putting up your own reviews here that would be very hard to catch in those 40-60 paged threads already up. And throw Conan a bone, I am finished with season 1! Well, at least the dub w/t Japanese music version, I'm not touching the dub w/t broadcast music with a ten foot pole. I'm loving this set, despite the one negative that I really don't mind, planning on starting to watch DBZ in my personal canon order.

[Mr.Piccolo]

Yeah, about that...I wasn't able to get it today. I'll try getting it soon but for now, just blame the dog. I don't get it either.
-Rick