Best of Route 66 - Page 14

Jeff Willis · 05-30-2008, 08:15 AM

If the S1V1 set is remastered, I'm "in like Flynn" for this release.

Gary OS · 05-30-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis

If the S1V1 set is remastered, I'm "in like Flynn" for this release.

We think alike, Jeff. That's the determining factor as to whether or not I'll double-dip.

Gary "I really do hope they go the extra mile and use the better transfers that they said they had access to" O.

Mike*HTF · 06-04-2008, 11:51 PM

Right now DVD Planet is having their 20% off sale and they've mistakenly listed Route 66 - Season 1 as being both in-stock and $29.99 (that's $23.99 after the discount: 20offsale).

This has got to be some kind of cock up but the UPC is the same as the complete season 1 set as is the picture. I placed an order and it went through - we'll see.

Anyway, FYI to whoever is interested.

Bob Hug · 06-05-2008, 07:27 AM

^^^

Mike, be careful on that purchase; they may end up sending you one of the volume sets (the 2/05/08 release date that they show was for season 1, volume 2). The complete season 1 isn't being released until August 5th. On the other hand, if their sale applies to pre-orders then you may get a great deal.

Mike*HTF · 06-05-2008, 10:01 AM

Thanks Bob -

This kind of mistake on preorders is pretty common for them - several other upcoming titles (eg. the restored High Noon, Mishima, etc.) are similarly mis-listed but since their system recognizes them as being eligible for the sale, others have been snapping them up in this sale.

The good thing about DVD Planet is that if it is their mistake, they'll honor it. My order will most likely stay open until August when the set actually gets released - but since the UPC is for the complete first season, (split season sets are listed separately) that's what they are obligated to supply.

Hollywoodaholic · 06-11-2008, 03:50 PM

Perhaps this should be a new thread, but TVShowsOnDVD is reporting that there might be some kind of reparation offered by Infinity for purchasers of the first two sets of Route 66 Season 1 releases ....

Route 66 DVD news: Upgrade Path for Route 66 Season 1 half-season set owners | TVShowsOnDVD.com

I called the number and spoke with Jeremy who said the normal DVD guy Chris Clayton was unavailable, but that people could go on Infinity's website and use the contact us link to make inquiries. He did suggest that:

Route 66 Season 1 Volume 2 has been remastered in 4:3 aspect without the cropping for the August 5 release.

He did not confirm whether the first volume image was cleaned up or not, nor did he confirm when the Second Season release date would be.

Anyway, it's worth a shot to contact them about some kind of reparation for us first-dippers.

Infinity Entertainment Group

Flashgear · 06-12-2008, 05:44 AM

Thanks Wayne for the link. I just sent a polite email to them asking for replacements for S1V1,S1V2, based on the existing rumours. I sure hope this all results in good news for the fans who purchased the problematic sets.

Hollywoodaholic · 06-13-2008, 02:37 PM

A marketing rep from Infinity took the time to email me back the following response to my inquiry about a possible trade-in policy for the first two problematic volumes of Route 66 for the full season set coming in August:

"Unfortunately I can not confirm any procedure in place. The new release is not available yet. I would suggest consumers contact the number in the article.

I also do not know about the image source, but I can confirm the cropping and aspect ratio have been corrected."

This suggests to me that we probably won't get a better image for Season 1, Volume 1. Still, at least they addressed the cropping image, and I sent a polite reponse back to, hopefully, encourage more season sets, and the best quality possible ....

"Thanks for your response. I know it's got to seem a little weird to have all these baby boomer TV fans getting so picky about releases and presentations of B&W shows 40 years old. Part of it is comfort food, recaptured childhood memories, etc., but part of it is also lack of anything worthwhile or well written on now. It's just a vast wasteland of cheaply-produced reality shows, or recycled ideas and hack scripts. There is a growing movement for viewers to program their own viewing schedule and these releases are now a big part of that movement, which, from a marketing standpoint, I think has the potential to reach beyond just the boomers who were originally fans of these shows. Especially for a series like Route 66, which was character-story-location based and holds up incredibly well after all these years. Like the road itself, it's a classic and timeless piece of Americana. That's why we became so vocal and picky about treating it well.

Thanks again for your attention on this."

Hollywoodaholic · 06-13-2008, 06:38 PM

Of course, mere hours after the marketing guy emails me back and is cagey with revealing more details about the set .... an official press release:

Route 66 DVD news: Press Release for Route 66 - The Complete 1st Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com

I guess they have to go through official channels, or established contacts. But there's nothing in the release about the compromised former sets or the luckless people who purchased them and will now have to purchase this one (if there's no trade in policy).