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Battlestar Galactica - Series 1 HD DVD
Our Price: £11.45 (subject to change)
Awesome! So Say... Well, me!
Review date: 2008-05-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
It's a shame about the loss of the HD format. I won't get into the debate about it versus Blu Ray as I have both and like both, save to say that, to the naked eye on my 1980p 50" TV both look identical (technophiles please don't go down the benchmark route - I watch TV with my eyes, not a sliderule)
But, for me, the biggest selling point of HD was a complete and unconditional lack of that ridiculous money-centred throwback, region coding. The HD format allowed us to get cracking imports from the US without the worries and problems that come with a lot of Blu Ray imports, and this beautifully packaged and featured box set is a case in point.
The TV show was dark and grainy in places, and if this isn't a contradiction the HD format shows us exactly how, erm, low grade this show could appear. This is actually a compliment, as that's exactly what the makers wanted - one byproduct of the HD transfer that was lost on me largely on my old DVD set was how the cameras often briefly shift out of focus and back again, as happens on news footage when the autofocus takes a second to reacquire the target. A lovely touch, making for a very authentic and urgent feel.
Whether the monotones of the hangar deck and quarters to the bright colours of the command deck, Galactica never fails to startle visually, and this transfer really gets it spot on. The sound is much improved over DVD too, with a greater depth and nuance, and a much improved low frequency range via the subwoofer.
As for the show itself. Well, for me season 1 was the highpoint - not to say that the seasons beyond aren't fantastic, because they are, but episodes like 33 and Bastille Day were groundbreaking in the way they showed that science fiction could be a suitable framework for powerful adult drama (after all, the latter implies a rape and features the biting off of an ear). The presence of the miniseries is another bonus, as on DVD this was a separate purchase and a rather poor transfer, and the extras are likewise a step over the deleted scenes of the DVD.
Ok, so HD is fading away, but this said machines to play them are now way cheap and the discs are following suit - for this set alone, it's worth the effort.
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Reviews
FACKIN INSANE!
Review date: 2008-04-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
Right well I can start by saying that Season 1 is probably one of the best seasons (despite being half the length of season 2, 3 and 4)!
Surprisingly to me, this comes with the miniseries (which was never actually part of the first season). The quality is not as good as the rest of the discs but something for nothing, should never be griped about! Especially when the seasons opener 33 feels like episode 2 to begin with!
Although I do have some great HD-DVD's in my collection for quality (Transformers and Bourne anyone) I've never really been convinced of the "look and sound of perfection" slogan that mags and others brag about!(This is despite have a big HD telly).
Having the original season 1 box set on ordinary DVD, it is very noticeable the quality improvement!
The producers of the HD have added little tweaks (the menus, title soundtrack and other effects)! I'm sure this is to make the HD.... well more HD!
The special features are to really get excited over, regarding us Battlestar Fans! You get an original commentary and a popular HD feature; picture in picture, amongst an array of deleted scenes! You get facts through the encyclopaedia (another picture on picture and database of knowledge about the show)! I could go on and on about them but I'll just simply say....
... if you are a fan of the show (really you should be) and if you have the ability to watch hd then you must buy this box set!!!
Product Details/Specifications
EAN: 5050582506860
Binding: HD DVD
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Original Language)