Orange Bricks vs Blu-Ray Season Sets

[Kakarot88]

They are both terrible but if you're getting one version get the Orange bricks.

The Orange bricks are a better buy because at least the box art for the orange bricks looks good on a shelf.
Whereas the the cover art for the blu-rays is awful, and there is no spine art, so displaying the blu-rays takes up more space and looks worse.

[Vegitofaxx]

I know this is an old post, but Ginyu's head should be censored there.

Why's that?

It's just me fooling around, but it kinda looks like a butt.

explained the joke, no longer funny(at least to me)

[Gaffer Tape]

They are both terrible but if you're getting one version get the Orange bricks.

The Orange bricks are a better buy because at least the box art for the orange bricks looks good on a shelf.
Whereas the the cover art for the blu-rays is awful, and there is no spine art, so displaying the blu-rays takes up more space and looks worse.

But the spine art on the orange bricks requires you to throw away part of the box to even see. That's one of the dumbest things about them. And how would the Blu-rays take up more room? Each one of them is thinner than one orange brick. And I also can't agree with buying a video product based on its cover art.

If someone was asking whether or not to buy one or the other, I'd definitely say the Blu-rays... provided that they couldn't get the orange bricks for substantially cheaper. They are the better product. I just don't think, in regards to the original query, that it's worth "upgrading" to the Blu-rays if you already have the orange bricks.

But if I REALLY had to give a judgment... don't spend money on either. Don't line FUNimation's pocketbooks for the privilege of disrespecting you.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Don't line FUNimation's pocketbooks for the privilege of disrespecting you.

I'm not entirely certain that "disrespect" is the correct verb here. Granted, they did make a fair amount of false statements when they explained their remastering process for the orange bricks, so it may indeed be appropriate to use the term "disrespect" there. On the other hand, the production of the blu-ray* season sets seems to be a direct response to consumer feedback in surveys.

That doesn't make it OK, of course. I just think we're dealing with a slightly different situation here, in the sense that when FUNimation made the orange bricks, they went about making them in a rather disrespectful manner, littered with claims that were false and, at times, not even theirs to make (who were they to call a 16:9 aspect ratio "the way DBZ was meant to be seen"?), whereas with the blu-ray season sets, now they're actually giving the majority of their consumers--most of whom, let's be honest, are not particularly informed--what they want.

*By the way, quick question about grammar, because I honestly don't know in this particular case...is "blu-ray" capitalized, or not?

[VegettoEX]

*By the way, quick question about grammar, because I honestly don't know in this particular case...is "blu-ray" capitalized, or not?

Yes. It's a proper noun. It's a named product, rather than a generic product description (like a "disc" or a "tape"). Its correct written form is "Blu-ray" with a capital "B" and a hyphen.

[Gaffer Tape]

Perhaps you're right. While I do stand by that term in regards to the orange bricks (and for the reason you mentioned), perhaps it is not applicable to the Blu-rays.

And to answer your question, the full term for the medium is "Blu-ray Disc" with an abbreviation of BD. The B is capitalized. The r is not.

EDIT: And Mike beat me.

[TheBlackPaladin]

And to answer your question, the full term for the medium is "Blu-ray Disc" with an abbreviation of BD. The B is capitalized. The r is not.

*By the way, quick question about grammar, because I honestly don't know in this particular case...is "blu-ray" capitalized, or not?

Yes. It's a proper noun. It's a named product, rather than a generic product description (like a "disc" or a "tape"). Its correct written form is "Blu-ray" with a capital "B" and a hyphen.

Haha, much obliged. I've seen it used so many different ways ("Blu-Ray," "Blu-ray," "blu-ray"), and now the mystery has finally be laid to rest. Thank you both.

And for that matter, thanks to everyone for the comparisons and screenshots!

[dbboxkaifan]

I'd vouch for the Season DVD sets over the Blu-ray Season sets.

1) The picture quality isn't necessarily a whole lot.
2) If you're lucky you get the booklets which are sorta cool to have as collectibles (managed to collect Z 1-9 + GT 1-2 but never got DB 1-5).
3) Features Japanese title episodes.
4) Artwork on disc (the Blu-ray discs are just.. text and such)

You could say that with Blu-rays the discs are kept in better condition but the same could go for DVDs as it's just a matter of being careful not to ruin them. I have a Blu-ray which is nearly scratchless but due to a deep scratch it came with it just skipped an entire scene (I got a refund for it anyway rather than sending back to Japan).

The later seasons on DVD look really good in comparison to the early ones but having watched the Dragon Box Z sets it just didn't feel right with how different of an experience it was and all. I've got the superior release so why bother with inferiors.

Haha, much obliged. I've seen it used so many different ways ("Blu-Ray," "Blu-ray," "blu-ray"), and now the mystery has finally be laid to rest. Thank you both.

And for that matter, thanks to everyone for the comparisons and screenshots!

The proper spelling has always been Blu-ray and will always be. It even says on the top of each Blu-ray cover/case.

To me people who write "Blu Ray", "Blue Ray" and "Blu-Ray" just annoy the heck out of it because that is not how it's properly spelt, like at all!

[Kakarot88]

They are both terrible but if you're getting one version get the Orange bricks.

The Orange bricks are a better buy because at least the box art for the orange bricks looks good on a shelf.
Whereas the the cover art for the blu-rays is awful, and there is no spine art, so displaying the blu-rays takes up more space and looks worse.

But the spine art on the orange bricks requires you to throw away part of the box to even see. That's one of the dumbest things about them. And how would the Blu-rays take up more room?

The Blu-rays Box art is on the cover. If one were to display the cover"art" [sic] then when compiled together there is essentially a giant poster which is wider than the orange brick spine art.

[Gaffer Tape]

Well, then... don't do that. I dunno. I just don't see why you'd even want to, or especially why that would be a factor when purchasing something like this. Hell, with my Dragon Boxes, I display them with the box spines facing out, not the Goku/Gohan image on the other side because I'd rather see *what* it is contained in it than a non-indicative picture. If that's what you like, then more power to you. Maybe I just find it especially silly due to the orange bricks having designed their spine art so stupidly. But I just can't understand why "not being able to see the cover art when it's in a bookshelf" is a consideration, especially when 99% of books/DVD/Blu-rays are like that.

[Kakarot88]

Well, then... don't do that. I dunno. I just don't see why you'd even want to, or especially why that would be a factor when purchasing something like this. Hell, with my Dragon Boxes, I display them with the box spines facing out, not the Goku/Gohan image on the other side because I'd rather see *what* it is contained in it than a non-indicative picture. If that's what you like, then more power to you. Maybe I just find it especially silly due to the orange bricks having designed their spine art so stupidly. But I just can't understand why "not being able to see the cover art when it's in a bookshelf" is a consideration, especially when 99% of books/DVD/Blu-rays are like that.

For me displaying the goods is definitely part of my enjoyment since I cannot watch every episode simultaneously.

Here's an older photo of my shelf (My wife and I are in the process of moving so a lot is boxed up):

Owning all the bricks (purchased before I found Kanzenshuu lol), the singles (they're in the leather cases) and the dragon boxes, I can tell you that I enjoy having each on display.

[ss4songoku]

Go with the Blu-rays, they are far from perfect but still much better tha the orange bricks.

[TheOverlyMadHatter]

Both are a far cry from what I would consider to be ideal releases, but the remastering process for the Blu-ray version was done with more care than the Orange Bricks.

I don't think the OBs have any advantage (apart from being cheaper and running on cheaper hardware), while the Blu-ray seasons have several. The picture and color are a lot better (less bleeding and saturation, particularly in the later sets), selective cropping and shot expansion (as opposed to just chopping the top and bottom off), a cleaned up Japanese Audio track, the fact that Blu-ray discs are just that much more durable and typically are packaged in a manner that takes a lot less shelf space.

So, yeah, I say Blu-ray's the way to go.

[Metalwario64]

Both are a far cry from what I would consider to be ideal releases, but the remastering process for the Blu-ray version was done with more care than the Orange Bricks.

I don't think the OBs have any advantage (apart from being cheaper and running on cheaper hardware), while the Blu-ray seasons have several. The picture and color are a lot better (less bleeding and saturation, particularly in the later sets), selective cropping and shot expansion (as opposed to just chopping the top and bottom off), a cleaned up Japanese Audio track, the fact that Blu-ray discs are just that much more durable and typically are packaged in a manner that takes a lot less shelf space.

So, yeah, I say Blu-ray's the way to go.

The horrible, shaky panning isn't "more care":

Orange Brick_______________________________________________________ Blu-ray


Look at the horizon line and the levitating rocks. They shift around randomly and nauseatingly in the Blu-ray footage. That shot didn't need any panning whatsoever for the 16x9 crop. In fact, it cuts off MORE of Goku's hair when he jerks his head back! What the hell was the point of that? It's not just that shot either, that entire scene is filled with unnatural panning like this, and it's a very important and iconic scene.


Also, the colors are definitely not better for the first few sets at least:

Spoiler:

Oh ok, another thing I noticed is that it looks like some of the colours are bleeding. Am I the only one seeing this?

No, this was visible on the Orange Bricks too. It might be an artifact from the film copying process.

Anyways, some of these episodes are so dark, oversaturated and purple tinted. I'd take Season Two's lighter, yellowish tint over this. In this case I think the Orange Bricks colors look better. Whoever was in charge really needs to learn how to color balance.

Blu-ray:


DVD:


I took the Blu-ray shot into Photoshop and did some very quick and simple RGB adjustments to it, and that's all it took to get the colors looking good:



This is something FUNi/Post & Transfer or whoever could have easily done with their equipment.

The last few sets are probably better overall (though, not terribly so), even with their flaws, but if you already have the Orange Bricks, then I can't recommend replacing one shit product with one slightly less shit one.

[uzuni]

I'd contend that while the Blu-rays look superior for the first three seasons, the Orange Bricks look superior from season 4 onward. Specifically, starting from episode 128, it no longer has that blisteringly bright contrast in its color.

[ZodaEX]

I Prefer the blu-rays, but only because they take up less space in my trash can.

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

Quite frankly they are both crappy releases for obvious reasons (DNR'ed into oblivion, incorrect aspect ratio.etc) but the BD seasons are at the very least small improvements over the Orange bricks in regard to the fact that they are not straight center cropped but selectively similar to Kai.They also fixed the disappearing line issue that plagued the earlier brick seasons which was a result of the automated dirt removal process they ran the film through, but those improvements still don't outweigh the fact that they still have a butt load of issues for the few that were corrected. As someone who wants to watch the show in the format it was intended to be seen in, buying the Dragon Boxes off of eBay has been the only way for me to really have a good proper release that isn't something garbage quality proffered by FUNimation's in some cases deceptive marketing. It's a darn shame that DBZ doesn't have a decent looking release here in the U.S. in it's original 4:3 aspect ratio, free of DNR and with all audio options.

If you must settle for one of these two, i would somewhat say the DVD's are somewhat better than the BD's judging from some of the comparison i have seen.

[Choujin Daizenshuu]

It's pretty much all a moot point anyway considering that the releases were geared towards casual viewing audiences and not media tech enthusiasts.

[Robo4900]

I Prefer the blu-rays, but only because they take up less space in my trash can.

Best answer to this question.

[gokaiblue]

Considering the Blu-ray's made my eyes hurt upon viewing them and the orange bricks did not, I'd say the orange bricks, but the BD quality isn't something to sneeze at either.