Dragon Ball Z "Seasons" On Blu-ray: News & Discussion

[qjz123]

I assume that this release is going to be using the level sets master. The 1080p master used for the orange bricks was scanned in at a 16:9 aspect ratio automatically center cropping the entire series. For them to be selectively cropping this release they have to be working with a 4:3 scan.

[Gyt Kaliba]

Gotta admit, I actually kinda like that cover-art. At least it's more original than 'hey, let's just slap a character on a cover' like what the Season Sets did. At the same time though, that's what the Dragon Boxes did too, and I still like those covers the best, artistically speaking anyway...hmm.

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again - until we actually see footage, it's really impossible to say one way or the other how good this release is going to look. 16:9 does not automatically make it 'bad'. That said though, I do wish they'd have just left it as 4:3, because now the in-fighting is gonna be everywhere again. Uggghh.

[Daimo-Rukiri]

Gotta admit, I actually kinda like that cover-art. At least it's more original than 'hey, let's just slap a character on a cover' like what the Season Sets did. At the same time though, that's what the Dragon Boxes did too, and I still like those covers the best, artistically speaking anyway...hmm.

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again - until we actually see footage, it's really impossible to say one way or the other how good this release is going to look. 16:9 does not automatically make it 'bad'. That said though, I do wish they'd have just left it as 4:3, because now the in-fighting is gonna be everywhere again. Uggghh.

The most common hate for the orange bricks was the the fact it's over saturated and too bright, there were 16x9 complaints but that is hugely overshadowed by the over-contrast and huge dvnr.

If this is like the kai dvds (that were widescreen) and the TV broadcast I can live with it but knowingly a better release is 2 years away (maybe).
If the trailer looks like crap I'm cancelling my order, if it looks good I'll keep the order and wait to see HOW BAD season 2 is.

The Level sets to me actually were pretty vibrant and colorful so the description doesn't indicate (let's mess this release up and oh oversaturate it like you did 6 years ago)

[Fizzer]

Gotta admit, I actually kinda like that cover-art. At least it's more original than 'hey, let's just slap a character on a cover' like what the Season Sets did. At the same time though, that's what the Dragon Boxes did too, and I still like those covers the best, artistically speaking anyway...hmm.

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again - until we actually see footage, it's really impossible to say one way or the other how good this release is going to look. 16:9 does not automatically make it 'bad'. That said though, I do wish they'd have just left it as 4:3, because now the in-fighting is gonna be everywhere again. Uggghh.

The most common hate for the orange bricks was the the fact it's over saturated and too bright, there were 16x9 complaints but that is hugely overshadowed by the over-contrast and huge dvnr.

If this is like the kai dvds (that were widescreen) and the TV broadcast I can live with it but knowingly a better release is 2 years away (maybe).
If the trailer looks like crap I'm cancelling my order, if it looks good I'll keep the order and wait to see HOW BAD season 2 is.

The Level sets to me actually were pretty vibrant and colorful so the description doesn't indicate (let's mess this release up and oh oversaturate it like you did 6 years ago)

The description of these sets says that the colours are "more vibrant", which makes me think this is going to be oversaturated and too bright again.

[ect5150]

I do like the cover art myself - but I think it'll have to be a good picture quality and very selective cropping - similar to Kai - for this to work.

[qjz123]

The description of these sets says that the colours are "more vibrant", which makes me think this is going to be oversaturated and too bright again.

Don't go jumping to conclusions just yet. We should wait for a trailer or some screenshots before we start judging the product.

[Kendamu]

The description of these sets says that the colours are "more vibrant", which makes me think this is going to be oversaturated and too bright again.

Don't go jumping to conclusions just yet. We should wait for a trailer or some screenshots before we start judging the product.

Oh, of course. Still, some of us are on edge because last time FUNimation tried to turn Dragon Ball Z into the "new hotness" it turned out looking like garbage. I'm hoping that it won't look like garbage, but it's hard to not directly connect a lot of what they're saying to their 2007 efforts. There's some decent stuff being said about removing dust and dirt and some nice stuff being said about careful reframing, though. It's just still gonna be a mess until we start having trailers and screenshots to over-analyze.

[Daimo-Rukiri]

The description of these sets says that the colours are "more vibrant", which makes me think this is going to be oversaturated and too bright again.

Don't go jumping to conclusions just yet. We should wait for a trailer or some screenshots before we start judging the product.

Oh, of course. Still, some of us are on edge because last time FUNimation tried to turn Dragon Ball Z into the "new hotness" it turned out looking like garbage. I'm hoping that it won't look like garbage, but it's hard to not directly connect a lot of what they're saying to their 2007 efforts. There's some decent stuff being said about removing dust and dirt and some nice stuff being said about careful reframing, though. It's just still gonna be a mess until we start having trailers and screenshots to over-analyze.

I think we're 2 weeks away from a trailer since funimation is now actually announcing the product via their store so within 2 weeks to a month we'll have an answer if these are worth buying.

It would be nice if the box art is just one large image and each season reveals more of that image? Vegeta should be seen in season 2 as well as the Ginyu Special Corps with Freeza.

[Kojiro Sasaki]

I'm happy that this is settled. I did everything that was in my power - my conscience is clear.

About covers - I'm accepting only original production cels-like artwork. Everything else looks plastic and not original to me. I would probably draw something myself rather than use digital artwork

1440x1080 is already too much for 16 mm film.

I'm sorry but that's simply not true. 16mm film is blown up onto huge theater screens all the time. You see it with indie films plenty (e.g. Bronson, Martha Marcy May Marlene), so the only reason you'll ever end up with blurred picture would be down to the source material - whether that be through degradation or through bad focus on the original film shot.

Bronson - Super 16
Martha Marcy May Marlene - 35 mm

1. Standard 16 mm = 1.37:1 AR, Super 16 = 1.67:1 AR
2. Quality of films improved very much since the late 80's.
3. FUNimation has third generation low quality copies.

I still think that 1440x1080 was enough for our Dragon Ball

Don't worry square-heads Even if they would do it properly, it would still look much worse than potential Toei remaster, because of the quality of their masters. Also, we will never get NEPs, Japanese title cards, original credits and good quality Japanese audio from FUNimation.

Original aspect ratio of the standard 16 mm frame is 1.37:1 + 4:3 releases are a little bit zoomed in. That's why all 16:9 cuts have a couple of pixels more at the sides. If Toei would decide to release entire series on blu-ray, they should do it like this:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gone-with ... u-ray/758/
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1 (not 1.33:1)

I cut out one frame from 16 mm film picture:

It gives 1.38:1, so I think that my theory can be accepted

[MarcFBR]

Original aspect ratio of the standard 16 mm frame is 1.37:1 + 4:3 releases are a little bit zoomed in. That's why all 16:9 cuts have a couple of pixels more at the sides. If Toei would decide to release entire series on blu-ray, they should do it like this:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gone-with ... u-ray/758/
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1 (not 1.33:1)

I cut out one frame from 16 mm film picture:

It gives 1.38:1, so I think that my theory can be accepted

So you are very upset that Funimation is changing the aspect ratio... but you want Toei to change the aspect ratio?

'claps' Complaints and bad ideas have finally collapsed in on themselves and become one and the same.

[Kojiro Sasaki]

So you are very upset that Funimation is changing the aspect ratio...

Not at all.

but you want Toei to change the aspect ratio?

I want them to scan entire frame.

16:9 < 4:3 < original frame.

Sorry, but I'm absolutely unable to understand your logic and my English really limits my possibilities I don't think that our personal chats have any further sense.

[qjz123]

Don't worry square-heads Even if they would do it properly, it would still look much worse than potential Toei remaster, because of the quality of their masters. Also, we will never get NEPs, Japanese title cards, original credits and good quality Japanese audio from FUNimation.

I wouldn't say it would look much worse we've seen what toei did with kai they would probably end up outsourcing the bluray remaster to qtec once again. Leaving us with a soft looking dnr'd product.

[MarcFBR]

So you are very upset that Funimation is changing the aspect ratio...

Not at all.

but you want Toei to change the aspect ratio?

I want them to scan entire frame.

16:9 < 4:3 < original frame.

Sorry, but I'm absolutely unable to understand your logic and my English really limits my possibilities I don't think that our personal chats have any further sense.

Being on the frame doesn't mean it's part of the shot. Late 80s animation for TV was never going to be animated at 1.37.

[samuraix123]

Dream: (Should read Season 2, too lazy to fix)



Realistic:

Wow! I really love the look of that

[Kuwabara]

they would probably end up outsourcing the bluray remaster to qtec once again. Leaving us with a soft looking dnr'd product.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of... Traditional animation in HD is appealing because of how crisp it looks, softening it up defeats the purpose!

[Kojiro Sasaki]

Being on the frame doesn't mean it's part of the shot.

Everything that was shot on the original 16 mm film is qualified to be seen.

Late 80s animation for TV was never going to be animated at 1.37.

Check original production cels and backgrounds. They all are much bigger than their shots:

Spoiler:

1.38:1 (raw Level sets transfers):

Spoiler:

Everything looks nice to me. I like these rounded corners

I've been saying something like that for awhile. Essentially, all FUNi has to do for some of us super hardcore purists is just shove what they've got on Blu-ray and DVD in a 4:3 format with subs and sell it in a print-to-order Warner Archives fashion.

100% agree. I would love to see something like the raw transfers from the Level sets trailer.

[Super Sayian Prime]

This paragraph is scary:

Make room on your shelves because the Dragon Ball Z Season Sets are finally on Blu-ray! We embarked on a frame-by-frame restoration process to remove any blemishes, tape marks, or foreign bodies that might have tarnished your viewing experience. All three audio tracks have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality. The bolder, more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetics of today’s entertainment. And finally, our elite team of super-geniuses undertook a precise shot-by-shot reframing of the entire series to create a modern HD widescreen presentation of this legendary fan favorite. It’s time to experience Dragon Ball Z like you’ve never experienced it before!

re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction
bolder more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetic of today's entertainment

Basically, they're admitting to using DVNR and messing up the colours. Dragon Ball is an old franchise, and Funimation should be celebrating its age, not trying to hide it in a desperate attempt to sell to new audiences. If you want to do that, I suggest begging Toei to make a full on remake so you can have your pristine picture clear of noise, vibrant colours, and widescreen resolution.

[jjgp1112]

This paragraph is scary:

Make room on your shelves because the Dragon Ball Z Season Sets are finally on Blu-ray! We embarked on a frame-by-frame restoration process to remove any blemishes, tape marks, or foreign bodies that might have tarnished your viewing experience. All three audio tracks have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality. The bolder, more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetics of today’s entertainment. And finally, our elite team of super-geniuses undertook a precise shot-by-shot reframing of the entire series to create a modern HD widescreen presentation of this legendary fan favorite. It’s time to experience Dragon Ball Z like you’ve never experienced it before!

re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction
bolder more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetic of today's entertainment

Basically, they're admitting to using DVNR and messing up the colours. Dragon Ball is an old franchise, and Funimation should be celebrating its age, not trying to hide it in a desperate attempt to sell to new audiences. If you want to do that, I suggest begging Toei to make a full on remake so you can have your pristine picture clear of noise, vibrant colours, and widescreen resolution.

They were talking about the audio tracks when they mentioned noise reduction.

[Super Sayian Prime]

This paragraph is scary:

Make room on your shelves because the Dragon Ball Z Season Sets are finally on Blu-ray! We embarked on a frame-by-frame restoration process to remove any blemishes, tape marks, or foreign bodies that might have tarnished your viewing experience. All three audio tracks have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality. The bolder, more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetics of today’s entertainment. And finally, our elite team of super-geniuses undertook a precise shot-by-shot reframing of the entire series to create a modern HD widescreen presentation of this legendary fan favorite. It’s time to experience Dragon Ball Z like you’ve never experienced it before!

re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction
bolder more vibrant color of this ultimate Dragon Ball Z release closely mirrors the visual aesthetic of today's entertainment

Basically, they're admitting to using DVNR and messing up the colours. Dragon Ball is an old franchise, and Funimation should be celebrating its age, not trying to hide it in a desperate attempt to sell to new audiences. If you want to do that, I suggest begging Toei to make a full on remake so you can have your pristine picture clear of noise, vibrant colours, and widescreen resolution.

They were talking about the audio tracks when they mentioned noise reduction.

Whoops

[Baggie_Saiyan]

Is that region lock for definite? If, so Ill guess Ill buy the level sets then.