- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,411
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
The first element of HBO's new high definition (HD and BD) release of The Sopranos that I noted was the packaging. In today's marketplace, the software has got to catch the eye of the brick and mortar patron, and this will do just that.
The packaging is bright, colorful, but more important, has a quality design. I was surprised, after removing the shrink wrap, to find the outer shell which holds the foldout containing the four discs, is held in place by some sort of magnetic system. Place the discs back in the protective interior of the box, and the end cap neatly snaps back in place -- and stays there.
But somehow I doubt that anyone is clicking on this thread to read about packaging, so...
The BD and HD versions seem to be identical with the exception of uncompressed audio on the BD.
There was momentary concern as the initial credits were running over the Main Title section, as they didn't seem to have the snap and sharpness that we've become used to in HD. I realized that I had nothing to compare to this release except satellite broadcast...
And then the Main Title hit. Sharp as a razor and perfect.
What followed was nothing short of amazing. Those of us who are fans of this show, and I count myself among them, have become used to compressed HD broadcasts, which look far superior to their standard definition counterparts.
These discs are yet another step above. And a huge one. Remove the compression, which is part and parcel of the broadcast, and the images come to life.
For lovers of The Sopranos, HBO's initial venture into the world of high definition home video, will leave only one question to be answered.
When will the earlier seasons arrive?
For The Soprano afficianado, this is "the stuff that dreams are made of."
Extremely Highly Recommended, with huge congratulations to HBO for giving us stunning visual imagery in HD the first time out.
RAH
The packaging is bright, colorful, but more important, has a quality design. I was surprised, after removing the shrink wrap, to find the outer shell which holds the foldout containing the four discs, is held in place by some sort of magnetic system. Place the discs back in the protective interior of the box, and the end cap neatly snaps back in place -- and stays there.
But somehow I doubt that anyone is clicking on this thread to read about packaging, so...
The BD and HD versions seem to be identical with the exception of uncompressed audio on the BD.
There was momentary concern as the initial credits were running over the Main Title section, as they didn't seem to have the snap and sharpness that we've become used to in HD. I realized that I had nothing to compare to this release except satellite broadcast...
And then the Main Title hit. Sharp as a razor and perfect.
What followed was nothing short of amazing. Those of us who are fans of this show, and I count myself among them, have become used to compressed HD broadcasts, which look far superior to their standard definition counterparts.
These discs are yet another step above. And a huge one. Remove the compression, which is part and parcel of the broadcast, and the images come to life.
For lovers of The Sopranos, HBO's initial venture into the world of high definition home video, will leave only one question to be answered.
When will the earlier seasons arrive?
For The Soprano afficianado, this is "the stuff that dreams are made of."
Extremely Highly Recommended, with huge congratulations to HBO for giving us stunning visual imagery in HD the first time out.
RAH
