New "Remastered Box Set" Information

[Maphisto86]

Gohan's not completley out of the frame but you can't see as much of him. Only half his head, right shoulder and arm is present.


Not much but he is there. It still does seem as if we lose "something" to the scene. I personally think that FUNI meant well but where oblivious to the popular opinion of the fanbase. It was a "novel" concept that blew up in their faces. All of these answers such as the tech video is obviously ways to try to cover up a costly mistake. It's probably too late to backtrack from production of these sets now which is why FUNImation's marketing department is trying to save their product (though it's not helping much ).

[nathantheguitarist]

Gohan's not completley out of the frame but you can't see as much of him. Only half his head, right shoulder and arm is present.
*insert butchered shot here*

Yay! We sacrifice Piccolo's legs, 2/3 of Gohan, and a bit of Piccolo's head, for white empty space, and a hand! Fuck yeah![/severely obvious sarcasm]

Speaking of Piccolo's head, doesn't the rest of that scene involve his head going up even more?

[Maphisto86]

Oh yeah his head does move up.... Damn what where they thinking? .... "Hey I know let's mess with a good thing and make it WIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDEEEESCREEEEEEEN to jazz it up." Any good news on this front?

[Snail]

I just watched the 'Behind the scenes' trailer available on FUNimation's Dragonball Z site. For comparison footage they compared the footage from the eight Dragonball Z film in widescreen format *rolls eyes*.

So are we going to get newly remastered versions of the films? Is there any confirmation on this matter?

[nathantheguitarist]

So are we going to get newly remastered versions of the films? Is there any confirmation on this matter?

Ofcourse there's no info

As far as I know, they just wanted to use footage that really was meant to be seen in widescreen as a shady ploy to make up for the fact that they screwed up

[Snail]

Haha yeah, quote: '*rolls eyes*'.

I was just wondering if there was any confirmation that there will be planned releases for the movies as well. Only time will tell I guess.

[Eclipse]

Also, is the amount cropped in these comparison shots (on this thread) accurate? Because I distinctly remember one comparison shot showing that there wouldn't be as much cropped as we're thinking (I think it was that FUNi Kaio/Bubbles shot provided by FUNi), but then we've got these comparison pics with screenshots taken from the trailer and we're shown that Gohan is practically out of the shot in return for the rest of Piccolo's hands. I'm getting mixed signals here...

It's nothing. Just FUNimation saying 'Hey! Nothing's wrong here! Check it out, widescreen makes it look cooler! [inserts certain screenshot here]
I mean...while everyone has screenshots that seem to show that your missing something, FUNi's screens don't show anything. And for footage? They use a movie for footage.

More proof that they screwed something up and are trying to cover it.

I was just wondering if there was any confirmation that there will be planned releases for the movies as well. Only time will tell I guess.

Well..they've definitely remastered Movie 8 and 10. Not too sure about the others, though.

But still...most of the time they've been trying to stop the widescreen issue. There still hasn't been much information regarding the sets =P

[Kendamu]

After a good meal at a local Chinese buffet (and watching several episodes of FUNi's DBZ dub) my fanboy fuel has returned! So, unless this DVD set gets some damn good reviews when it comes out, I'm sticking it to FUNi and getting Dragonbox releases only!

Piccolo's death to save Gohan is something that shouldn't be tampered with. It's like... changing the music for Gohan's SSj2 transformation (like a certain company did for music royalties)! So, screw it.

Good thing Viz has only made a few mistakes in my book. It's hard to come by Kanzenban releases.

[Victator Supreme]

After awhile dvd queens begin to sound like obsessive compulsives who have no idea why everybody doesn't wash their hands into bloody nubs.

[Duo]

OMG T3H PICCOLO SCREENSHOT

Man...that is the one thing I needed to see to almost make me not want to buy these. My favorite scene in like...the entire series being messed up like that. It just isn't right.

[Undercooked Sausage]

Still don't think it's that big of a deal. I don't know Japanese or anything, nor do I have any money, so Dragonboxes are out of the picture. Losing a bit of the image, well, it sucks, but for english speaking poor people such as myself, I don't really have an option, plus, frankly, it doesn't really bother me that much. Basically, for me, anything above watching crappy VHS fan-subbed tapes of the episodes I consider heaven for me, as that's what I was pretty much used to back in the 90s.

I mean, after all, I grew up watching some of my most beloved films of all time on fullscreen VHS's and I loved them all the same. Out of 291 episodes, yeah, it's going to mess up a scene here or there, that leaves the other 99.9% of the series to be relatively fine.

I'd try to be more pessimistic and express my deep rooted feelings about FUNimation dicking us over but I guess I don't have the rabid fanboyism in me anymore.

[Victator Supreme]

They didn't have Lord Huggington?

[Maphisto86]

Still don't think it's that big of a deal. I don't know Japanese or anything, nor do I have any money, so Dragonboxes are out of the picture. Losing a bit of the image, well, it sucks, but for english speaking poor people such as myself, I don't really have an option, plus, frankly, it doesn't really bother me that much. Basically, for me, anything above watching crappy VHS fan-subbed tapes of the episodes I consider heaven for me, as that's what I was pretty much used to back in the 90s.

I mean, after all, I grew up watching some of my most beloved films of all time on fullscreen VHS's and I loved them all the same. Out of 291 episodes, yeah, it's going to mess up a scene here or there, that leaves the other 99.9% of the series to be relatively fine.

I'd try to be more pessimistic and express my deep rooted feelings about FUNimation dicking us over but I guess I don't have the rabid fanboyism in me anymore.

I like your optimistic approach (even though your angry like everyone else over widescreen) though I personally believe that everyone has to weigh the pros and cons on this one. I personally am a fan of FUNI cast (though the scripting can be sub par). The only real downside to this set is the fact that it's widescreen rather than 4:3. I think it's up to each and every fan to make their own decision and stick with it.

In my case I too don't have the money to get the Dragonboxes. I geuss I could save up but I don't think I would enjoy it despite the excellent footage because of my lack of knowledge of the Japanese language. With no subtitles like in this release I wouldn't be able to follow the events as smoothly.

My point is if you are REALLY miffed about the widescreen issue and you are confident seeing the footage cropped will take away from your enjoyment of the show then send a messsage to FUNImation and DON'T BUY IT. That's what reaches the suits down in Texas. However If your like me then you may want to buy it. I'm still deciding whether to get this but considering the rabid fan I am I will buy it. I'm just concerned I will be funding terrorism....err I mean be a part of the fanbase telling FUNImation that it is ok to widescreen the format of Dragonball Z.

[Kula]

They didn't have Lord Huggington?

I assume this Simpsons quote is infering that those who bitch over the widescreen issue are just being picky? I could understand if people were complaining about say...missing next episode previews or eye catchers but this is something else entirely.

[Maphisto86]

They didn't have Lord Huggington?

I assume this Simpsons quote is infering that those who bitch over the widescreen issue are just being picky? I could understand if people were complaining about say...missing next episode previews or eye catchers but this is something else entirely.

Ditto... though that was priceless. Anyway it isin't "picky" at all to complain about the widescreen (funny thing is that is what most Dragonball fans can agree on ). Obviously footage taken from the vertical aspect to add to horizontal footage that was never meant to be seen in the first place is silly. The big downer about it is that since this was meant to be seen in 4:3 it might make some scenes look awkward. Then again I'm simply spouting the party line that EVERYONE and their brother has said already.

[Victator Supreme]

I could understand people bitching over eye catchers or next episode previews. Because that is footage being removed. But pitching over a small portion of the screen being obscured (which 99% of the shows audience will be unaware of.) is very anal retentive. Funimation are busting their humps making sure the season sets are made well. When they could have easily of just thru twenty seven episodes on 3 dvds.

Instead they are putting together a good set with remastered footage and added audio options. Finally combining the original BGM with the english dub. I think asking for anything beyond that is being ungrateful.

[Tenken]

Madman Entertainment just issued a press release, you can view it here:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... -z-release



The interesting part is this:

PRICING We will be releasing these new sets for the new low price of $59.95 (AU) and will also be in a Fat-Pack Packaging from the day of release.

The first set is due for release in June containing the entire Vegeta Saga episodes 1-39 Season 2 containing episodes 40-74 (Namek and Captain Ginyu Sagas) Season 3 containing episodes 75-107 (Frieza Saga)

If this is the way they split the series up, count me in. I can live with the widescreen issue. Er, speaking of the widescreen issue:

THE WIDESCREEN ISSUE. This has been a much debated and talked about subject. It will still continue to be a topic of debate for many years to come and here's what we can establish. The newly remastered sets are sourced from Japanese film stock i.e. Film reels like those you see at cinemas. They have been digitized, cleaned up and captured at 24 frames a second in 1080p. It is then mastered down to a standard definition 480p format suitable for viewing on regular DVDs, this also means that these new sets will be PRESENTED IN A TRUE PAL FORMAT, something that is unprecedented for such a long TV Anime series. You do in some cases lose some vertical image, BUT you now also gain horizontal footage that has never been seen before. While, we would have ultimately been happier with a 4:3 release, this is out of our control and is a decision that FUNimation has made but will present some interesting ways to view DBZ.

BUT I'M STILL NOT HAPPY! We do understand that you may be fustrated that you now have yet ANOTHER set of DBZ DVDs to buy, but we believe that fans will utlimately in the long run be happier with this choice that we have made, by doing this there is now much more benefit for the fans of the series, with multiple options in audio for the first time, and also a new way to see DBZ.

Well fellas, I guess this means that they aren't changing the masters. Live with it or move on, heh.

[Kendamu]

I could understand people bitching over eye catchers or next episode previews. Because that is footage being removed. But pitching over a small portion of the screen being obscured (which 99% of the shows audience will be unaware of.) is very anal retentive.

Then 99% of the audience will enjoy this set. Do you rejoice with them as much as you complain toward us lowly 1%ers?

Funimation are busting their humps making sure the season sets are made well. When they could have easily of just thru twenty seven episodes on 3 dvds.

Instead they are putting together a good set with remastered footage and added audio options. Finally combining the original BGM with the english dub. I think asking for anything beyond that is being ungrateful.

You mean asking for 4:3 aspect ratio is ungrateful? All they would've had to do is not mess with the aspect ratio in the first place which would've saved them a lot of effort in re-centering the picture in every freakin' frame so that they would lose as little as possible.

Yep, it would be ungrateful for me to ask FUNi to put less effort into something. Personally, I would've been happy with something similar to the Ocean dubs of the first three movies. Fullscreen, subtitled version, and dub with original music. No need to remaster it for me. It's supposed to be cheap. Why go to all that effort when they could've easily gotten $50 from me just by saving themselves the trouble and making it 4:3?

To be fair, though, FUNimation will likely be cropping the movies to 16:9 like the series. This will make it pretty much exactly like the theatrical releases of said movies and like the Dragonbox Movies with subtitles and no scouter. So, if they release a set like Dragonbox Movies then I'll probably pick that up since it'll be cheaper, easy to buy domestically, and will have subtitles.

So, I'm not against this just to be a hardcore fanboy or something. I'll like and dislike what I please whether you think it's "anal retentive" or not.

[Conan the SSJ]

You mean asking for 4:3 aspect ratio is ungrateful? All they would've had to do is not mess with the aspect ratio in the first place which would've saved them a lot of effort in re-centering the picture in every freakin' frame so that they would lose as little as possible.

Yep, it would be ungrateful for me to ask FUNi to put less effort into something. Personally, I would've been happy with something similar to the Ocean dubs of the first three movies. Fullscreen, subtitled version, and dub with original music. No need to remaster it for me. It's supposed to be cheap. Why go to all that effort when they could've easily gotten $50 from me just by saving themselves the trouble and making it 4:3

The thing is, if FUNi didn't use this wide-screen method (where we lose overall only 8% of the top and 8% the bottom respectively), then they would've had to perform the "zoomed-in" issue they did with their diga-beta masters and subsequent previous DVD releases. With the "pan-and-scan", we not only lose that extra horizontal content plus more that you'd see on the Dragonbox, but we lose the top and bottom anyway; with there being barely more on the top and bottom than the wide-screen situation IMO. It would either have to be cropping with their zooming-in method, or cropping via wide-screen. It's a lose-lose situation that we've just gotta accept, because if FUNi could've had the "Glue" cleaned, they would've. They and the remastering studio they hired have done the best job they can in every conceivable aspect outside of buying the actual Dragonbox masters. Really the only thing, IMO, that warrants any complaints anymore is just the manner in which FUNi has been skewing their way around marketing this in the recent trailers by avoiding the "cropping" subject and using footage from the movies, and really, I personally couldn't give a rat's ass about that anymore.

When it all comes down to it, because of the "Glue" issue which FUNi clearly couldn't avoid without cropping in some way, they chose what they think is the best route. What would you have rather had, the zoomed-in situation (and with wide-screen televisions, it'd be cropped even more), or this wide-screen solution? Me, I'll save my decision for when I'm watching the episodes on my home entertainment system. I'm still no question buying each and every set, nothing is stopping me. You guys do what you will.

And with that, I bid you crackers -- Conan

EDITED TO FIX ERRORS.

[MajinVejitaXV]

I think asking for anything beyond that is being ungrateful.

Yeah, you're right. They're giving this to us for free, and it's wrong to question a present. It's the thought that counts, right?

...wait, money? They want money for this? Oooh, so that makes us consumers. So yeah, we can ask for whatever the hell we want, and it's not ungrateful. It's economics. If you don't see that, you either don't work for a living or you have too much money ;p

The thing is, if FUNi didn't use this wide-screen method (where we lose overall only 8% of the top and 8% the bottom respectively), then they would've had to perform the "pan-and-scan" issue they did with their diga-beta masters and subsequent previous DVD releases.

You mean the 'zoom' thing? That's not 'pan and scan'. And they didn't have to do that. None of the other countries did on their DVD releases. Yeah, you see the occasional instance of cel damage, but I'd rather see that than lose part of the show permanently in a half-assed attempt to 'remaster' the show.

It's a lose-lose situation that we've just gotta accept, because if FUNi could've had the "Glue" cleaned, they would've.

You're telling me they could digitally paint 'H-ercule' over signs, underwear onto Goku, and so forth...but they couldn't fix glue damage with digital paint like Toei/Pony Canyon did? I call bullshit, no offense to you.

What would you have rather had, the pan-and-scan situation (and with wide-screen televisions, it'd be cropped even more), or this wide-screen solution?

Well, owning a widescreen television myself, I'm confused by your options. My widescreen doesn't drop footage from a 4:3 input, it simply stretches it to fit the screen. Otherwise, I can have it go into 'cinema' mode where it will try and stretch the picture horizontally as well (which I've never used, but yes that would result in loss of picture) or have it display the image 4:3 with black pillars on the sides. Since I use an HDMI input for my DVD player, those options aren't even available for DVD playback.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go *ugh* work on my car... >_>;;

-Corey