Need an opinion on orange bricks

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:10 pm

First off, I consider myself a hardcore Dragonball fan. I like the manga, the Japanese and English Dub, as-well as their respective score. However, I do not own DBZ because I have been waiting for the absolute perfect release, I bought Kai however. I waited too long and it cost me, the Dragon box is out of print; my only other option are the Orange Bricks. I am a bit of a quality snob and prefer everything to be pristine, clear, and left intact as the way it was intended to be watched. I'd really like to own DBZ and be able to watch it while I wait for an even better release with next episode previews and such on a blu-ray disc so I can have 5.1 on all audio tracks. I've seen the pictures online and a lot of reviews, but I'm still neutral at this point because I'm desperate and want to own/watch it. Should I buy the orange bricks? Are they for me?

For those who are too lazy to read a paragraph, here's a synopsis:
I don't own DBZ, but I want to. Should I buy the orange bricks?

ShinRogafuken · Post by **ShinRogafuken** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:19 pm

"I am a bit of a quality snob and prefer everything to be pristine, clear, and left intact as the way it was intended to be watched."

This sentence alone is the reason why I would have to say no. You will be terribly disappointed in the Orange Bricks if you want good quality.

Gyt Kaliba · Post by **Gyt Kaliba** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:27 pm

Pretty much what Shin said. If you're self-admittedly the type who has to have a show look the best it possibly can, then even someone like myself who am proud enough to own the season sets, cuz at least then I have the show...I still wouldn't really recommend them to you. At least not the Z Season Sets. You may be good on the DB and GT ones, depending on just how hardcore you really are about the 'pristine' stuff.

Metalwario64 · Post by **Metalwario64** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:35 pm

At this point, the only way I can recommend watching the original Z would be through the old single DVDs. They are very mediocre, but get the job done better than the tampered season sets do. Even though seasons 6-9 look sharper and come from a better source (film, rather than poor digibetas), the old single DVDs still have the proper aspect ratio and better colors.

Since the singles weren't completed through the Saiyan and Namek-arc, you'd be forced to get the first 2 orange bricks, which are the worst ones.

Unfortunately, these are your only affordable options right now.

OutlawTorn · Post by **OutlawTorn** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:36 pm

IIMaxII wrote: I am a bit of a quality snob and prefer everything to be pristine, clear, and left intact as the way it was intended to be watched.

Right off the bat, the cropped picture (along with the DNR), lack of previews and, mostly, Japanese title cards for the episodes are a huge argument against the sets with this criteria. While the most affordable, it is the worst possible way to watch the series yet, sadly, the only way to watch the complete run of the series in a consistent release.

but I'm still neutral at this point because I'm desperate and want to own/watch it. Should I buy the orange bricks? Are they for me?

I was pretty much the same way when the sets were coming out and, despite the quality issues, picked up each set as I was under the impression it would be the only way to acquire the series going forward, only for the Dragon Boxes to be announced immediately after the final set had been released. The big question here is does that desperation override any preference for as close to perfect quality as possible or would the cropping and DNR detract from the experience too much so you would not be able to enjoy the series?

I cannot recommend the season sets as it is simply inexcusable to crop a native 4:3 program to 16:9 (note: while FUNimation is to blame for making such alterations, Toei shares just as much if not more of the blame for allowing and essentially giving the stamp of approval for those changes by being lazy and cheap enough to license out the product to other markets because the "remastering" had already been done.) but they are the only affordable and guaranteed way of purchasing a complete version of the series. If you can find them for a low price (you can get all nine sets in second-hand condition for $140.37 plus shipping on Amazon.com) then go for it.

rereboy · Post by **rereboy** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:43 pm

I don't think the season sets will satisfy you. Buy the manga instead, if you don't own it already.

If you really want the anime, right now the best option is to pay a great deal for the Dragon Boxes or get the Level bluray sets that are incomplete but they cover most of the saiyan arc and get the rest of the anime on the season sets (the worst of the season sets is on its first season, so by buying the Level blurays sets at least you avoid much of the worst part of the season sets).

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:52 pm

Dragon boxes are out of print so no luck, but the Level sets are BEAUTIFUL. If they can complete the set it will be the best release to date.

AnimeMaakuo · Post by **AnimeMaakuo** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:25 pm

Thanos · Post by **Thanos** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:26 pm

ShinRogafuken wrote:"I am a bit of a quality snob and prefer everything to be pristine, clear, and left intact as the way it was intended to be watched."

This sentence alone is the reason why I would have to say no. You will be terribly disappointed in the Orange Bricks if you want good quality.

This, basically. I found the Orange Bricks to be basically unwatchable, especially from that standpoint. The tearing, color-fading, top/bottom cut-off, quasi-widescreen look. Yeah, eh... no.

rereboy · Post by **rereboy** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:29 pm

AnimeMaakuo wrote:
IIMaxII wrote:Dragon boxes are out of print so no luck, but the Level sets are BEAUTIFUL. If they can complete the set it will be the best release to date.
I'm not sure I'd go so far as to consider them a beautiful product.. Best release? I'd say the Dragon Dragon Boxes still win.

Er... Yes, they are. Their only fault are some crushed blacks and not being as complete as the Dragon Boxes regarding eye catchers and the like. Even if you prefer the Dragon Boxes, I don't see how you can deny that they are beautiful.

chaosyoshimage · Post by **chaosyoshimage** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:37 pm

You can still grab some of the Dragon Boxes for reasonable prices. I'd recommend getting what ones you can and then begrudgingly fill the holes with the Season Sets. If they had got one more Blu-Ray out then you'd be able to skip the first Season Set (Although this Dragon Box isn't TOO much used), but sadly you'll need that set or the singles (They released that many "Ultimate Uncut" singles right?) This is essentially what I'm doing for the time being now that I've had the itch to rewatch the series. Already grabbed Dragon Box 5 and 6 and I'm hoping to get 1, 3, and 7 while they're still affordable. It's going to suck having to fill the holes with the Season Sets, but what are you going to do?

AnimeMaakuo · Post by **AnimeMaakuo** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:38 pm

rereboy · Post by **rereboy** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:54 pm

And I said that its fine if you can prefer the Dragon Boxes, I didn't state that that opinion is wrong. I just meant to say that denying that the Level sets are beautiful is a bit much. They really look great and beautiful, even if we consider the Dragon Boxes superior.

DemonRin · Post by **DemonRin** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:15 pm

Honestly, If you want good quality, the Dragon Boxes are your best bet.

- The Singles never completed their run, so there's a chunk of episodes missing there, plus they have some color issues, like a way too high contrast level
- The Orange Bricks... OK. yeah, no, they're terrible, the worst quality this series has ever looked for the reasons others have stated above.
- The Level Sets... look great... but were canceled and aren't going beyond the second volume, at least not right now

I checked eBay and damn... the DBoxes are going for somewhere around 6-700 bucks right now for a complete set! I'm... actually really glad I own them all right now... but individually the prices aren't that ludicrous for all of them. For some reason, 3, 5, and 7 still have good listings at reasonable prices. 3 and 7 you can get for less than 50 bucks, while 5 you can get for right around 50-60 which is the MSRP of the sets in the first place.

My recommendation would be to get the Level sets for the Saiyan arc, then try to track down affordable DBoxes, like at least get the 3 I mentioned while they're low priced on eBay, and maybe you'll get lucky and get some of the others on the cheap... then fill out the rest of your collection with the old singles. After all this is said and done, if you STILL have any holes in your collection... then it would be ok to get the Orange Bricks... or to Pray FUNi reprints the DBoxes or finishes the Level sets.

EDIT: Found Dragon Box 1 for 26 bucks
Dragon Box 4 for 29

Between those and eBay, you could get 5 of the 7 boxes for JUST ABOUT the normal price we all paid for them in the first place. You'd just have to track down DBox 6 and the Elusive DBox 2.

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:48 pm

chaosyoshimage wrote:You can still grab some of the Dragon Boxes for reasonable prices. I'd recommend getting what ones you can and then begrudgingly fill the holes with the Season Sets. If they had got one more Blu-Ray out then you'd be able to skip the first Season Set (Although this Dragon Box isn't TOO much used), but sadly you'll need that set or the singles (They released that many "Ultimate Uncut" singles right?) This is essentially what I'm doing for the time being now that I've had the itch to rewatch the series. Already grabbed Dragon Box 5 and 6 and I'm hoping to get 1, 3, and 7 while they're still affordable. It's going to suck having to fill the holes with the Season Sets, but what are you going to do?

That wouldn't work for me as I'm a snob, If I buy season one of ???. I want to complete the series and be consistent.

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:53 pm

AnimeMaakuo wrote:
I'm not sure I'd go so far as to consider them a beautiful product.. Best release? I'd say the Dragon Dragon Boxes still win.

The fact that the level sets are on blu ray instead of dvd are a plus for me, more features or a higher bitrate...never bad.

samuraix123 · Post by **samuraix123** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:53 pm

rereboy wrote:And I said that its fine if you can prefer the Dragon Boxes, I didn't state that that opinion is wrong. I just meant to say that denying that the Level sets are beautiful is a bit much. They really look great and beautiful, even if we consider the Dragon Boxes superior.

Not trying to go off topic but I definitely agree. I love the look of the level sets and the only fault to them in my opinion is that they were canceled.

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:59 pm

I think I might just head over to Amazon and blindly buy all the Blue Bricks, Orange Bricks, Green Bricks, and the movie packs and be done with it until better releases come out....I CANNOT buy a few Dragon boxes and fill in the series with other sets...

Metalwario64 · Post by **Metalwario64** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:17 pm

IIMaxII wrote:movie packs

Beware that Dragon Ball movie 2 has a halved framerate on the Dragon Ball movie 4 pack.

This isn't an issue on the older Dragon Ball movie 3 pack, which can be found for $5 or so on eBay if you look hard enough. I bought the 3 pack, and swapped the movie 2 discs, so now I have all 4 films is good quality. Mystical Adventure and "Path to Power" look superior on the newer 4 pack set.

IIMaxII · Post by **IIMaxII** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:32 pm

Metalwario64 wrote:
IIMaxII wrote:movie packs
Beware that Dragon Ball movie 2 has a halved framerate on the Dragon Ball movie 4 pack.

This isn't an issue on the older Dragon Ball movie 3 pack, which can be found for $5 or so on eBay if you look hard enough. I bought the 3 pack, and swapped the movie 2 discs, so now I have all 4 films is good quality. Mystical Adventure and "Path to Power" look superior on the newer 4 pack set.

I appreciate the info! Thank-you. Why would they half the framerate though, was it an error?

Kanzenshuu

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