Best of Route 66 - Page 11

docdoowop · 02-08-2008, 05:04 AM

I hadn't ordered volume two yet...I was going to wait for the expected Deep Discount June sale to save a few bucks. Even so, I emailed Infinity expressing my disappointment. A shame when one of the really classy dramatic programs of the early 60s is treated this way.

Doug^Ch · 02-08-2008, 10:09 AM

I watched the first two episodes last night, and I really hesitate to say this, but they looked pretty darned good on my widescreen TV. The video quality of the first set was so bad; it was almost unwatchable for me. While the 4:3 presentation would have been much preferable, I would still have to go with this set over volume one.

Tory · 02-08-2008, 10:12 AM

I'm not getting it and I was planning to later on. I sent a letter through e-mail. I have an HDTV now, I like the black bars on the side for 4:3 but if I didn't there is a zoom function that would do the same as this without angering those who want to preserve OAR. While I do not like this function, I have looked at it and if the DVD is of a good quality then this zoomed in picture, what is seen looks ok even though the image is totally mutilated. If there is some quality loss, if you are willing to lose the top and bottom of the picture, your regards to beauty of presentation are likely inherently lesser and less likely to be bothered by as such.

A big stink needs to be raised about this at all of the major DVD, Film and TV websites by those who are running them in commentaries, editorials and the like. As more people get these new TVs, more classic television and film face butchering on both DVD and TV. It is small now but it is trickling in, more could happen in the future, it needs to be silenced now.

Hollywoodaholic · 02-08-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug^Ch

While the 4:3 presentation would have been much preferable, I would still have to go with this set over volume one.

No excuses here, and I've sent my Infinity email, but how many people watch 4:3 TV DVDs stretched? That's also a distortion or compromise of the original image. But I confess, I do it. If anyone watches TNT HD channel, they do the same thing this release did with Law & Order and other shows - they cut off part of the picture to accommodate the widescreen HD presentation. And then there's the big Kubrick controversy on his films, whether they were meant to be masked for widescreen or not. I guess it all boils down to what's acceptable to the viewer, purist or just fan.

I hope Infinity gets the message and goes back to full 4:3 on the next release, but I won't send this set back. It's better than my (mumble mumble) version. And Stirling Silliphant's scripts are intact. If Buz's toupee happens to get cut off the frame in a few shots, I will grumble and bear it.

Corey3rd · 02-08-2008, 11:58 AM

does seem that they did this 16:9 crop in order for these transfers to be more appealing to HD channels. Which would also explain why these transfers are better looking.

If you look at Paramount's syndication Bible, you'll notice that they offer several shows in HD 16:9 - including Hogan's Heroes.

Stephen Bowie · 02-08-2008, 12:38 PM

This is the first post I've made here since 2004. Because some comments (not my own) were deleted from the very first HTF thread in which I posted, I reluctantly opted not to continue participating in a forum where I felt censorship and overmoderation were being practiced.

I still feel that way, but I'm making an exception because of the importance of the issue here.

To Hollywoodaholic, Doug^CH, and others who have decided to accept this mutilation of one of the most significant American TV series, I implore you to reconsider, vote with your wallets, and send this abomination back to the remaindered warehouse where it belongs.

This isn't simply the proffering of an inferior image, as in the first set (although that was dismaying and unnecessary too). This is the inarguable deletion of picture information. You can state glibly that Stirling Silliphant's words remain intact, but it's painfully obvious that 25% of David Lowell Rich's and Arthur Hiller's and Paul Wendkos's images -- those images of '60s mid-American byways that, even more than Silliphant's inimitable beat-style dialogue, make "Route 66" unique -- are missing.

I realize that it's incredibly frustrating for those of you who don't, like Hank Dearborn (and, yes, myself) have access to relatively adequate 20 year-old tapes of "Route 66" that remain, absurdly, superior to anything Roxbury has managed to put forth yet. It's tempting to say, well, a screwed-up "Route 66" is better than nothing and I'll buy it anyhow.

Don't do it. Do not let them abuse a masterpiece and profit from it. Hold out, hurt their profit margin where it counts, and force Roxbury to not only get it right next time, but fix it with reissues of their first two volumes. And if they don't do that, then live without for the time being, because "Route 66" is too good to stay MIA for long: it'll turn up on cable again or via digital download or some other new outlet (remember that new Sony-HP burn-on-demand deal). Or via one of those pathways that, er, you don't talk about on the HTF.

If you buy this product, you are part of the problem.

I'm tempted to lighten the mood with some jokes here: since Roxbury is only giving us 75% of the image, how about a price drop to $22.50? Or perhaps a contest to see how they'll botch Season 2 -- I'm thinking some George Maharis commentaries, but they forget to throw in the original audio too? But, nah, I love "Route 66" too much, and it's just not funny.

Stephen Bowie
www dot classictvhistory dot com

Hollywoodaholic · 02-08-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey3rd

does seem that they did this 16:9 crop in order for these transfers to be more appealing to HD channels. Which would also explain why these transfers are better looking.

And a Chicago station did just announce they're going to start broadcasting the series again. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Chicago TV station to show “Route 66″ episodes « Route 66 News

Gary OS · 02-08-2008, 01:09 PM

My set came in the mail today, so I decided to pop a disc in and see what this thing really looked like. And while the video quality is very solid, I have to say I HATE the change in aspect ratio. It just doesn't feel right, and I resent someone or some company pulling this stunt. Like they are trying to convince me I'm watching a movie instead of a tv show.

Gary "I'm very grateful for the better transfers, but I really dislike the matted picture - too much is cut off for my tastes" O.

Bob Hug · 02-08-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywoodaholic

And a Chicago station did just announce they're going to start broadcasting the series again. Coincidence? Maybe not.

And look at the lineup beyond "Route 66" . . . . .

Me-Too’s lineup will include “Route 66,” “Naked City,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Adventures of Superman,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “Square Pegs,” “Silver Spoons,” “Facts of Life,” “Partridge Family,” “The Brady Bunch,” and “The Monkees.”

Lucky Chicagoland! I'd really love for this station to succeed with this lineup as it may prompt stations in other cities to do the same. We have oldies and classic rock radio stations, why not a REAL classic TV station?