FUNi's S1 FAQ is shit and here is why (56k warning):

[MajinVejitaXV]

DBW, thanks as always for your contributions. I admit ignorance about actual film mediums, and I wasn't completely sure as to whether Toei/Pony Canyon had only removed actual film damage or had done a more intensive remastering job on the DragonBoxes (which I feel kind of dumb about, but thanks to your post I no longer have to worry ).

It would appear we have yet another reason(s) to feel like FUNi believes we are idiots. It's obvious that this painstaking 'remastering' job with uber-l33t 16:9 DVD's is based more on cutting corners than producing a superior version of the show, which begs the question "Why did they even bother?"

Too bad people keep buying into it... >_>;;

-Corey

[DBW]

LOL, yeah, ironically they pretty much just painted the whole story by posting those two frames from their 16mm source.

I'm willing to bet they lobbied for the Dragon Box masters and were either quoted a very high price or were just flat out refused. They then shopped around and were quoted a cheaper remastering price by an American outfit, and so they purchased a cheap 16mm master from Toei, figuring they'd make out like bandits. Upon receiving their new 16mm master, and seeing how horribly damaged it was (their old betamax tapes wouldn't have had any of that glue damage), they were then quoted a higher price for cleaning such excesive film damage.

FUNi: Is there no way around this issue?
Editor: Well, since it's a 16mm source, there's enough room to play around with a possible widescreen presentation, thus avoiding the damaged areas.
FUNi: Will it cost more than the original quote?
Editor: No.
FUNi: We'll take it!

You know this is exactly how it went down! ^_^

[SonGokuGT]

I'm starting to have second thoughts... VejitaXV you're making me feel guilty for wanting these sets! T_T It's kind of our only choice here in the states:

-DragonBoxes were a limited run and were expensive to begin with.
-DragonBox singles are $40 a pop for 6 episodes...
-Ultimate Uncut line is discontinued, thus not letting us finish out 4:3 collections.

As bad as this is, it just seems like the only way most of us will be able to get the series. :/

[Duo]

I'm starting to have second thoughts... VejitaXV you're making me feel guilty for wanting these sets! T_T It's kind of our only choice here in the states:

-DragonBoxes were a limited run and were expensive to begin with.
-DragonBox singles are $40 a pop for 6 episodes...
-Ultimate Uncut line is discontinued, thus not letting us finish out 4:3 collections.

As bad as this is, it just seems like the only way most of us will be able to get the series. :/

Wanting to prove a point only goes so far when you're desparate to see the complete Japanese version with Subtitles legally.

[BrollysKin]

Does anyone from these here boards post these statements on Funi's boards? I guess your right about the end result not being the whole story, but if I get this set and it looks good to me, I won't have time to think about the remastering process.

I know it's not dragon-box quality, but since they already stopped the UUE's this looks to be the end of Funi's dvd release plans. I wish they would get better copies, I wish they would have a better dub, but I can wish for a lot of things. As I see it we have a few options: Buy the set and shut the hell up, don't buy the set and shut the hell up OR we can not buy it and bring our thoughts to the Funimation boards.

[Kendamu]

There are already people bringing their thoughts to the FUNi boards. Tons of it. Some people even quote posts from boards like this one. I don't think that we should "shut the hell up" or anything. It kind of defeats the purpose of a discussion board.

[DBW]

As I see it we have a few options: Buy the set and shut the hell up, don't buy the set and shut the hell up OR we can not buy it and bring our thoughts to the Funimation boards.

I understand everything you're saying, but I don't think we should shut up. We have brought this to FUNimation's attention through the AnimeOnDVD boards (where FUNi reps lurk) and since this is a DragonBall board I don't see why we should shut up here. Even if FUNimation doesn't read this particular board, it's not as if we're off-topic here. No offense, but if you're not interested in what was presented in FUNimation's FAQ, then you could always just not read this thread. I don't see why you would go into a thread about the FAQ and then tell people to shut up when they discuss the FAQ...

Anyways, I'm really not fighting poeple who want to purchase this set, as you seem to think. You're right that you should probably just buy it, since this is most likely to be FUNi's last DBZ effort (at least for a long time). You're well aware of what this set includes, as well as your options, so yeah, just go ahead and buy it if you want.

What I'm fighting is the business descisions made by FUNimation. I disagree with what they're doing, and I'm upset by their PR spin. I'm not angry at the consumer.

PS: No way in hell I'm posting on the FUNi boards. Pure fucking chaos...

[SonGokuGT]

Is there a link to the FUNi board discussion where people are bringing up all of these points?

[DBW]

Is there a link to the FUNi board discussion where people are bringing up all of these points?

http://community.funimation.com/forum/t ... 89&mpage=5

[SonGokuGT]

Is there a link to the FUNi board discussion where people are bringing up all of these points?

http://community.funimation.com/forum/t ... 89&mpage=5

Many thanks!

[Kula]

I have to admit that the Dragon Box pictures look very good. I may just wait for a price reduction and buy the Dragon Box singles and movie Dragon Box.

[MajinVejitaXV]

Does anyone from these here boards post these statements on Funi's boards?

I've posted my views here, on AnimeonDVD and on FUNimation's forums. I use 'MajinVejita' or 'MajinVejitaXV' on all three. Also, I've spoken to FUNiRepBlue (I don't wanna post her real name since I haven't asked permission) via email about this, who works in marketing and was apparently going to pass my comments on to the brand manager or whomever the applicable party would be.

I explained I knew what overscan was, and I didn't see how it could be used to explain such a radical, unnecessary change to the series. I was told the FAQ was being produced, and that it should help to explain things. Needless to say, that wasn't the case.

-Corey

[ect5150]

-DragonBox singles are $40 a pop for 6 episodes...

Actually, most of them on Amazon JP are on sale. Here is one currently :
Click Here
After you convert the currency, it comes to 26.35 for 6 eps, which is 4.39 per episode. Not too bad, although you'd have to pay for shipping, although you can lump some of them together to save on shipping.

Also, I should mention, the pre-orders are even cheaper, and a few other discs are cheaper as well (although the brand new ones just released aren't as cheap). Either way, I think the entire series comes out to about the same price as the box sets roughly (or if they are all on sale, just a hair cheaper?).

[Conan the SSJ]

Actually, most of them on Amazon JP are on sale. Here is one currently :
Click Here
After you convert the currency, it comes to 26.35 for 6 eps, which is 4.39 per episode. Not too bad, although you'd have to pay for shipping, although you can lump some of them together to save on shipping.

Also, I should mention, the pre-orders are even cheaper, and a few other discs are cheaper as well (although the brand new ones just released aren't as cheap). Either way, I think the entire series comes out to about the same price as the box sets roughly (or if they are all on sale, just a hair cheaper?).

Let's see here, just for comparison's sake.

Pay more than $50 for 2 "on-sale" Dragonbox single discs, you get:
12 remastered episodes from the original 35mm film.
No subtitles of any kind, not even for Japanese hearing impaired.
Extras: None.

Pay $50 or less for the DBZ Season 1 release, you get:
39 remastered episodes from a 16mm film copy.
Perfectly translated subtitles for English viewing audience.
Extras: Option to watch the dub with the Japanese BGM, an inside look at how the series underwent this remastering process, and possibly more.

Well, while a few of you folks may call me a fool, I'm still getting these season sets if anything because I just want DBZ complete and to be able to watch the whole series officially and professionally subtitled. Others can do what they want. The season sets are, in my opinion, the best financial and wisest choice to get the series in a fully understandable form for the English viewers.

Peace.

And Corey, please don't chew me out for pointing out the Dragonbox single discs not having subtitles, I was just saying for comparison's sake.

[MajinVejitaXV]

And Corey, please don't chew me out for pointing out the Dragonbox single discs not having subtitles, I was just saying for comparison's sake.

Okay. In that case, you forgot something:

FUNi discs:

-Have no Japanese subtitles

Because it makes as much sense to state that an English product doesn't have Japanese subtitles ;p

-Corey
Not Being Serious in the Least

[ect5150]

The season sets are, in my opinion, the best financial and wisest choice to get the series in a fully understandable form for the English viewers.

I've never once debated the price point wasn't good on what FUNI was doing. I've argued that was the best point above and beyond any other feature actually. I'm just saying it wasn't as expensive as some would have you believe.

[BrollysKin]

Your right, I guess I am just so flamed about these sets that when people keep talking about it, it gets even worse.

You guys really rock for trying so hard to change this. I have put in my fair share of complaints to Funi as well. Lets hope it works.

[theoriginalbilis]

Well, while a few of you folks may call me a fool, I'm still getting these season sets if anything because I just want DBZ complete and to be able to watch the whole series officially and professionally subtitled.

I won't call you a fool, since I plan on buying these season sets myself.

I'll say it again: In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons with this release... (multiple audio options, subtitle translations for all 291 eps., huge amount of eps. for the price, consistant packaging, remastered cleaner video despite having a small bit cropped out, and less space taken up on the shelf.)

Not too say I wouldn't trade it for a 4:3 fullscreen presentation. If they release future sets in 4:3, I'll be sure to get them. But I'm giving FUNi the benefit of the doubt, and I'm betting these will look pretty nice despite.

So yeah. If you want the pristine of pristine of pristine quality, go buy the Dragonbox DVDs or get enough cash to buy the masters from Toei and release the show yourself. It really doesn't matter to me... because I'll be sitting back and having a blast watching all 291 eps. of DBZ. Adios...

[Maphisto86]

Well, while a few of you folks may call me a fool, I'm still getting these season sets if anything because I just want DBZ complete and to be able to watch the whole series officially and professionally subtitled.

I won't call you a fool, since I plan on buying these season sets myself.

I'll say it again: In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons with this release... (multiple audio options, subtitle translations for all 291 eps., huge amount of eps. for the price, consistant packaging, remastered cleaner video despite having a small bit cropped out, and less space taken up on the shelf.)

Not too say I wouldn't trade it for a 4:3 fullscreen presentation. If they release future sets in 4:3, I'll be sure to get them. But I'm giving FUNi the benefit of the doubt, and I'm betting these will look pretty nice despite.

So yeah. If you want the pristine of pristine of pristine quality, go buy the Dragonbox DVDs or get enough cash to buy the masters from Toei and release the show yourself. It really doesn't matter to me... because I'll be sitting back and having a blast watching all 291 eps. of DBZ. Adios...

I'm just annoyed by Funimation's antics. The least they could do is say "Ooops! We screwed up! To further milk a cashcow we will release a fullscreen presentation at such and such a date" . I also don't want to buy these if later on they discontinue these sets to make a fullscreen version on blue ray or somesuch. And last but not least I don't want to look like a sucker for Dragonball merchandise.... not that I am already... .

[DBW]

I also don't want to buy these if later on they discontinue these sets to make a fullscreen version on blue ray or somesuch.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this new master turn up on an HD format in the next 5 years, but certainly not in fullscreen. To release this film in the correct 4:3 ratio, FUNi would have to spend an assload of money restoring the frames covered in glue. And since their new film source isn't in very good condition to begin with, they'd basically just be spending triple the amount of money to get something only slightly better than their original broadcast masters (which they've had since 1995/'96).

For whatever reason, they didn't seem to realize that an actual copy of the 16mm film would have more complicated damage then the simple grain and scratches in their previous broadcast masters. Either that or they actually were aware of this and honestly just thought it would be cool to re-frame the show for widescreen.

Well, either way, if they do ever go back to releasing it in 4:3, they'd likely use their old broadcast masters as the source, since they're easier and cheaper to clean-up. In other words, they'd be dropping this new release and going back once again to the Ultimate Uncut Editions...how'd that be for a twist of events.